Huami Magazine Nashville Sept./Oct. 2023

“We looked like a wholesome, loving family on the outside, but on the inside, our house was a living hell. I had a controlling father, and my mother was his punching bag. I felt abandonment, fear, anxiety, and depression. I didn’t take care of my childhood trauma, so it showed up in my adult life. I wanted control, and the men in my life were victims of my wrath. My life came full circle when I met a man just like my father.

It is time for my story to be told my way. My trauma. My triggers. My truth.”

Dear Abuser…

Align Your Assignment With God

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

Your assignment is not the assignment of everyone else. Once I learned what those nine words truly meant, my focus on life changed. Of course, I have been told that God gives His toughest battles to His strongest warriors, but that memo didn’t include details of when the battles would end. Instead of sticking my chest out during my victories and hanging my head during the moments of defeat, I’ve decided to learn from each circumstance, and by doing so, I am prepared for the next battle with each new day.

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?

The best advice I have ever given myself is to be satisfied in my attempts to be better. When I first launched Huami Magazine, I was presented with a situation that adversely impacted the quality of my relatively new publication. I was frustrated, but I also knew what had occurred and why it happened. The idea of quitting never came into my mind, even while I sat motionless, staring at the balled-up copy in reference. I didn’t know then, but God was preparing me for something greater.

Dorjae McClammey Writer

Terry L. Watson Writer

Monica Montgomery Writer

Marrissa Dick Writer

Still Shots Photography Photographer

Todd Youngblood Photographer

Tamara Smith

In November of this year, we will begin our seventeenthanniversary celebration of the birth of Huami Magazine. When I think about all of the layouts, the photo shoots, the interviews, and the distributions that have taken place, all I can say is God has been faithful and continues to keep His promise.

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.

Had I given up in the beginning, the stories and testimonies of countless individuals may have never been published. Had I given in to the pressure of operating in the unknown, my mother would have never been able to mail magazines to her friends. Had I not decided to pour everything I have in me into producing something my community would celebrate, the hope that others have in God doing a great work for them may not exist.

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.

Todd Youngblood Photography

Howard Gaither Photography

All of my assignments have come with a lot of responsibility. What is more interesting is that the same set of instructions has accompanied them all: to seek God first and operate according to His plans. My assignment is not everyone else’s, and I know everything I desire is connected to how it aligns with God’s plan. Learn your assignment and align it with God. He will handle the rest for you.

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 Publisher

Terry L. Watson

LJC Motivations Lisa J.Crawford

The Hospitality Maven

By Terry L. Watson

Crawford

In her opinion, hospitality is more than an industry; it is a way of life, and it begins within the soul first.

Lisa J. Crawford is the founder of LJC MOTIVATIONS. Her company assists businesses with their workplace cultures and communication between management and hourly employees. Her services are designed to create healthy and productive workplace spaces between employees and employers. Lisa believes these spaces allow employees to feel as though they are a vital part of the company’s vision. Lisa, or LJ, is a Certified Purpose Discovery Specialist and a Certified City Strategist. A native of Chattanooga, TN, LJ’s career has reached millions of people around the world. LJC Motivations focuses on promoting positive personal growth and providing a blueprint on how to achieve it.

Lisa is a devout woman of God and confesses that God has purposed everything that has happened in her life. “Where there should be hate, God has given me an understanding and a demonstration of His everlasting love and kindness for me. I am a Servant Leader to those that are forgotten in the workplace,” she says.

Those who are sometimes forgotten are employees who work in the hospitality industry. LJ has firmly planted herself in this industry, and her expertise is in sales. “I adore wedding sales, creating a vision for a couple to begin their lives together with an amazing memory. This makes my heart happy and allows me to build long-lasting relationships. My personal involvement in the industry is to encourage, listen and give out smiles to the employees.” LJ’s career in hospitality began in 2004 as a concierge. She says, that position was designed for her, and that has a lot to do why she has thrived at being the fixer for her clients. “It was fulfilling. As I grew in the industry, a pivotal moment came when a Director of Catering saw me as an asset and took me under her wing. She noticed my ability to become one with the guests, so she ordered me business cards, bought me a calendar, and began filling it with appointments for tours and detail meetings for groups and weddings. That experience caused my mindset to change about who I was in the industry of sales and planning. I was eventually promoted to Event Meeting Manager and learned more about leadership and employees. I also learned the difference in personality types from a perspective as an individual and was able to determine how I wanted to be treated as an employee,” she says.

In regard to the relationship between leaders and employees in the hospitality industry, LJ points out some of the differences she has observed. “There are some leaders that build employees and help them grow into the best version of themselves. Then, some leaders put so much pressure on employees that they feel devalued and unappreciated. The leader’s strength is recognizing that they only exist with the team. This also means honoring the skills and abilities of employees. To do this effectively, it takes intentional actions daily. Additionally, a strong culture that encourages communication is needed for a successful business.”

LJ offers solutions for both sides of the hospitality industry: the employees and leaders. Her training is intended to help both sides understand the depths of themselves from different perspectives, meet in the middle, and create a solid foundation in the workplace. One important step that must be followed is to take time to place people in the right position. She says, “When filling a position for a Catering Director or Catering Sales Manager, paying attention to the candidate’s personality is necessary. The base word in “Catering” is to cater. If the candidate is not a people person or patient, are they truly a good candidate? This is a weakness in the hiring process and a waste of the company’s money,” she shares.

Photos Provided by Lisa J.

Some of the challenges she has faced with running her company have also helped LJ to become more diverse and effective. “I serve the consciousness of the leader. The leaders must have a desire to move forward in seeing that hospitality begins within the heart first and the building next. If that is not intact, how can the employees feel safe when a disgruntled guest is at hand? The challenge is presenting the concept to leaders who truly want to see change in the industry,” she said.

For the purpose of this feature, LJ solicited feedback from a member of the hospitality industry and allowed them to share their opinion and experience.

Ashleigh Oqueli:In the hospitality industry, there will always be problems. When you work so closely with other humans and a lot of your work is based on emotion, there will always be problems to solve. In the most recent post-covid years, I find that the main issues the industry faces lie within the title. Hospitality. Oftentimes, we get so caught up with our goals in the industry. Monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals that include numbers and material items become top priorities and create the push forward. But monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals are not why I joined this industry. I joined this industry because I saw men leaving work all meet at the same bar every day to split buckets of domestic beer and laugh while talking about how much they hated their boss at the local refinery. There was also a time when a chef celebrated a birthday, and a whole crew pitched in to get the fanciest cake from the local bakery and sang to him as he shied away and rolled his eyes, but you knew he secretly loved it. Or when a couple came into my bar celebrating an anniversary and how they lit up when I asked them about their wedding day and listened as they told me like they were reliving the moment.

It’s the best industry, in my opinion. One where people share their lives and experiences, and every day is a show. But somehow, it feels like some of the hospitality has been lost. I have seen managers roll their eyes as soon as they get off the phone with a potential client and grunt so loudly as if “inconvenient” was the only way to describe the conversation. So rushed with numbers in mind that they forget to ask how their day is or why they are visiting the restaurant or city. And this is no dig on achievements of numbers. I love getting a signed contract or a big tip as much as the next person, but I enjoy getting to know the people behind the payment. Let me put it this way- would you give your credit card information to a sketchy website trying to rush you into buying their new item? No, you wouldn’t. Would you tip the bartender extra if they sat with you and, listened to your excitement, and gave you tips on what to do while in town? I hope so. And you would most likely go back the next day, and return to that same bar years later while visiting that place again.

We live in a world where problems are solved by a quick search of the web and download of an app, but you can not find a genuine in-person interaction on Google. A welcoming smile, a kind gesture of a birthday dessert, and humble “how are you” are what pushes the industry forward and what we should continue to strive for. The people make the business. Let’s never forget that and keep hospitality in the industry.

“My personal involvement in the industry is to encourage, listen and give out smiles to the employees.”

Lisa J. Crawford

“We Are All Pieces In The Same Puzzle.”

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Men of Faith Inc.

“Be a pebble to someone else’s path. We must find a way to bridge the gaps within our communal restraints.”

That is a quote taken from Dannell Marshall, the founder and Executive Director of Men of Faith Inc., based in Louisville, KY. Dannell Marshall Sr. attended and Graduated from Shelby County High School. He studied in the Kentucky Union Pipe Fitter Apprenticeship and attended Rowe Bible Institute and the University of Louisville.

Men of Faith Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with three core principles: Preserve, Empower, and Restore. Along with his vice president, Tim McFarland Sr., this organization has positively impacted countless men’s lives in the Louisville, KY, community.

“We strive to preserve the community we live in, empower every citizen, and restore faith in all,” he says. “Although people associate the word faith with religion, the definition of faith also includes hope. In efforts to achieve our mission, we offer mentoring, do various outreach throughout the whole community, and assist the elderly and the unfortunate. Many call the people we call unfortunate, such as the homeless or displaced. At Men of Faith, we call them unfortunate and acknowledge that everyone is one or two dire situations from being truly unfortunate.”

Dannell’s organization hosts an event called “The SPARK”, which is also free to the community. SPARK events, he says, are embodied around health, wealth, and awareness. They also host an annual breast cancer banquet called, “Fighting Cancer with Faith Banquet,” in which they honor male and female breast cancer survivors and those recently diagnosed with breast cancer. A segment of this production educates its audience that men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. They have partnered with other 501(c)(3) organizations, including Moments Matter. “By collaborating, we present a spring and fall break camp for girls and boys that includes guest speakers, S.T.E.A.M projects, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Our ultimate goal is to assist and share resources when resources are not readily available or even aware for the youth, women, and men.”

Dannell says the idea of his organization was conceived in 2015, but did not become official until 2016. Originally, he wanted to form a group to work with a particular group of churches, but God guided them in a different but parallel direction. Once the mission was formed and event concepts were shared, the idea of Men of Faith was well received by men in Dannell’s community. He says, “They relished participating in the planned outreaches and giving back to their community. The one thing about me is that I am a person of action. A lot of people will talk and never do anything. Men of Faith prides itself in doing.”

Dannell says he finds joy in constructing a group of men from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and even political or religious preferences who assuredly care about improving their community, not only for their family but the overall good of humankind. “To

build and fill the gaps in our broken society and communities, we must overcome our differences and capitalize on our similarities. When you see men banding together to restore and replenish our communities’ social disparities, it exemplifies hope. I get inspired and rejuvenated when I see the smiles of individuals who felt the weight of the world minutes before. It is equivalent to pulling someone to safety. God blesses us in a way for us to help someone else; we should not hesitate to share that blessing,” Dannell shares.

Men of Faith’s core values are embedded in their desire to serve and help others succeed. Dannell leads by example and hopes to create opportunities while doing so. “I heard as a young man the more you give, the more you’ll receive. Serving others is not about receiving something directly. I enjoy knowing someone’s situation; although they are amid an emotional storm, you can offer an umbrella from the pain, if for just a little while. It is also refreshing to know that some genuine people genuinely care about the welfare of others. It is trendy to see people brag about assisting others on social media, but honestly, that comes from a place that is not sincere. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We are not doing these things in the community for a show or to be seen. It comes from each man’s heart to progress and sharpen others who may feel dull.”

Understandably, Dannell’s organization has faced a few hurdles and challenges throughout the years. One was sustaining the assistance they provided during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the rest of the world shut down, they were able to continue their operations and meet the needs of those they serve. Such challenges and finding ways to persevere through them have proven Dannell’s effectiveness as a leader of his organization. He says, “I firmly believe that our life and the adversities within form the purpose we must find. Years of uncertainty about personal and professional outcomes molded me into the man or puzzle piece I am today. My journey was never perfect or practical, but with each new day, I became even more convinced that it was all worth it.”

Moving forward, Danell says he plans to expand the Men of Faith Inc. organization to a national level. “Extending past our geographic lines, the expansion would demonstrate an even bigger assembly of more men with faith, more assistance, more resources, and a fervent affection towards humanity.”

“We Are All Pieces In The Same Puzzle. When looking at our logo it explains that everyone has a role in forming this world. We are one piece of the whole puzzle. Regardless of our ethnicity, gender, religion, or political affiliation, we are molded to a particular shape that fits somewhere in fulfilling the puzzle of the world. Some pieces are similar but never the same. Go, find the place where your piece, which is you, fits!”

Soul Food Scholar

By Terry L. Watson

Adrian E. Miller regards himself as the Soul Food Scholar who is dropping knowledge like hot biscuits. The Dever, CO, native has enjoyed careers in various arenas. He is a recovering attorney, a former Politico, and an author. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches. In his role, he brings people together across denominational lines in the Christian faith tradition, and they collectively do social justice work.

He focused on commercial litigation as an attorney, but the main focus was employment law. “That area of focus was not what I really wanted to do. I wanted to do corporate law, assist entrepreneurs in building their businesses, and help them develop an exit strategy. But, when you go work for a big law firm, they plug you in where they need you. It just wasn’t for me, and it got to the point where I was singing spirituals in my office,” he says.

As the Council of Churches, Adrian oversees 13 Christian denominations, representing over 800 churches in Colorado. Adrian primarily works with the mainline protestant denominations and strives to get people to connect people outside of their church walls and denomination walls. “Most people only relate to people in their church. I try to connect people in the broader Christian community and collectively do social justice work. We are a lot stronger than we are separately,” he shares.

Adrian’s journey also includes a stint with him working in the White House with former President Bill Clinton. The program he worked on was called The President’s Initiative for One America, an outgrowth of President Clinton’s initiative on race, which the late John Hope Franklin chaired.

As mentioned, Adrian is regarded as the Soul Food Scholar, a self-proclamation derived by Adrian. The books he has written on this subject matter include Soul Food: The Surprising Story of American Cuisine, One Plate At a Time, The President’s Kitchen Cabinet, and Black Smoke: African Americans and The United States of Barbeque.

Adrian says, “I am self-taught, and I arrived at this title due to unemployment. After leaving my stint at the White House, I was trying to get back to Colorado and start my political career. The job market was really slow, and I watched a lot of daytime television. In the depth of my depravity, I decided to read something and purchased a book from a local bookstore titled The History of Southern Food, written by John Edgerton. In his book, John said the tribute to black achievement in American cooking has yet to be written. I found that to be very interesting. I decided to reach out to him and see if he thought that was still true. John said he did and believed that no one had taken on the full story. With no qualifications at all, besides eating a lot of soul food and cooking it some, I started on the journey to answer my own question,” he says.

Photos Provided by Adrian E. Miler

Adrian headed back to Denver, and upon arriving, he got into politics. In his spare time, Adrian would read everything he could get his hands on about African-American food traditions. This included 3,500 oral histories about formerly enslaved people, 500 cookbooks, half of them authored by black people, and thousands of magazine and newspaper articles and talked to hundreds of people. Adrian shares that because he cares about his subject so dearly, he decided to eat his way through the country; he visited 150 soul food restaurants in 35 cities in 15 states. That exploration lasted about the course of a year and a half.

In regards to soul food, Adrian says his favorite dish is greens. “I love soul food greens. My favorite is mustard and turnip greens without the turkey. My mom is from Chattanooga, TN, and she cooked mustard and turnip greens. I learned there is a regional difference in the preference for greens. If you are from the Deep South, you will most likely eat collards. If you are from the mid-Atlantic, you will likely enjoy kale. I also love bone-in-fried Catfish. I love that,” he says.

In his travels to learn more about soul food, Adrian says what shocked him was learning the narrative that it was created by white people for black people as the food they did not want. “In doing my studies, I learned the Southern food story has more to do with class and place than it is about race. So, pretty much, African Americans of the same socioeconomic class are eating the same foods.”

He also gained a deeper appreciation of the African influences on soul food. “Before, I didn’t know much about African influence. I learned that African’s brought some of their foods to America from Africa and adapted to some things in America. I saw a lot more agency in trying to shape their foods while in the most horrific circumstances.”

Adrian says that due to his research, he has become inspired by the celebration of African-American cuisine. “I observed how the African American food tradition was heavily criticized while others were not. I wanted to know what was up with that. If you investigate the nutritional facts of other cuisines, you can’t argue they are healthier than soul food. I thought that something else must be going on. I learned that it is criticized because it is strongly associated with slavery and poverty. It is also believed to be inherently unhealthy. I wanted to unpack that and sort out fact from fiction. I also wanted to celebrate what we’ve brought to the table in terms of the cooks, the cuisine, and the culture,” he says.

For those interested in venturing on a journey similar to that of Adrian, the Soul Food Scholar, he offers some advice that may help along the way. “First of all, you have to do the work. It is so tempting to take a shortcut, but that often leads to mistakes. You must keep receipts because there are people who will doubt you, especially within the African-American culture. Also, find your bliss and that which sings to your heart and soul, and share your dream with others because that might open new doors of opportunity for you,” he says.

Please visit his website to learn more about Adrian Miller and purchase copies of his books.

Bloolutus Vedayoga “Healing From The Depths”

By Terry L. Watson

Tashira Mone’, also known as “Shi”, has enjoyed a colorful and thrilling journey in life. She is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, 200 RYT Hatha/Tantra/Vinyasa, 300 MTT Yoga Nidra Meditation, Sound Healer, a veteran, mom, and wife in Twin Flame Union.

Tashira is also an Air Force Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has served as a nurse with a career that spanned over ten years. She has many experiences in various demographics, including being a licensed Tantra/Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga and meditation Instructor. Tashira’s training in this field happened in Indonesia. Additionally, she is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor and alumnus of Kerala Ayurvedic Academy.

After high school, Tashira joined the Air Force immediately, unleashing her inner warrior and bravery. She hadn’t even turned 18, but she set off with hope! “With only an inkling of who I was or wanted to be, I started my independent journey as Military Police personnel, which led to a deployment to Iraq and serving in mission Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon separating from the military and four years of military police work, I sought healing career options,” she explains. “My own healing journey began after separating from the military, divorcing, and embarking on a new journey as a civilian and single mother. So, I studied Nursing and worked in various fields such as psych to rehab and addiction, corrections, and hospice. For the most part, I’ve always possessed a burning passion for acquiring knowledge through self-study and wisdom through my fearless experience and solitude.”

Currently, Tashira owns Bloolotus. Her company offers a unique and individualized holistic approach to health and wellness using Vedic knowledge and practices to support individuals in attaining balance, well-being, and optimal health. Her mantra, “The only way out is in”, and Tashira explains she is committed to assisting others in addressing the root causes of their challenges and ailments. “I structure my personal life and business around this mantra and strongly believe in the power of introspection as the catalyst for radical change. A healthy mind creates a healthy body, and healthy minds create a healthy society!”

Photos Provided by Tashira Mone’

Her services are designed to guide human beings seeking wellness and health in awakening the healer within, using the powers of the mind, Vedic practices, and through the understanding of the subtle energies in our food, thoughts, and actions. With this approach in counseling, Tashira takes her clients on a holistic journey as they cleanse and reprogram their mind-body-spirit system, bringing optimal health, balance, purpose, clarity, and inner peace into their life experience. “Rather than seeking to heal others, my role is to awaken individuals to their inherent abilities and powers to heal themselves. This approach enables them to walk their authentic path and overcome any obstacles hindering them, ultimately fostering harmony, good health, clarity, purpose, and fulfilling their desires. I intend to create a space where my clients can fully embrace the healing experience and carry it with them long after their program ends.”

Some of the services offered by Bloolotus are 1:1 Yoga/Meditation Path, provided in monthly packages. In Yoga, Tashira says, it is believed that dis-ease results from disconnection between mind, body, and spirit. The path to Yoga begins by monitoring the mental processes, understanding the mental process, and becoming undisturbed by the fluctuations of the mind so you can remain stable amid challenge and change.

They also offer Yoga Nidra + Deep Healing Sound Therapy, which is an ancient, deep meditation practice that facilitates healing from the subconscious mind outwards. It is an ancestral practice that stems from Indian traditions and philosophies grounded in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. “This technique uses the body, breath, and awareness to allow you to drop into a deep state of relaxed awareness. Yoga Nidra facilitates awakened clarity and deep relaxation and, with consistent practice, can help one transcend self-created perceptions and limitations, heal psychological wounds, reduce stress, improve sleep, and connect to one’s inner wisdom, which transcends any lineage or guru,” she says.

Next, Bloolotus offers Ayurvedic Counseling. This service emphasizes the food consumption of her clients, which she says is defined by the food they eat, the air they breathe in, and the quality of breath taken in through senses such as sound, visual food, and taste of food. “Ayurvedic guidance helps one identify where disease and imbalance is present, how it shows up, and what triggers it. Based on an individual’s Dosha (mind-body type) we work together to stop feeding the triggers and start feeding the innate healer through changes and management of lifestyle, surroundings, diet, activities, and mental state. It’s all about selecting the right ingredients and combinations to feed the healer within based on which elements support the individual’s mind-body type,” she says. “Ayurveda keeps the body and mind healthy for a sustainable and successful Yoga practice.

Finally, there’s the Ayurvedic Curated Seasonal Cleanses & Packages, which are offered during the Fall and Spring seasons. Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle, Tashira shares means seeing and understanding the nature of the self and the nature of everything the self takes in and making conscious calculations about what to add and what to remove to maintain harmony, balance, and good health. “It’s about understanding Karma, transcending mental limitation, and living in a way that best suits your mind and body. This changes with the seasons, as designed. Seasonal cleansing allows us to shift with this change and live in rhythm with nature. Ayurvedic seasonal cleansing prevents some of your most common and longstanding physical health issues alone.”

Tashira says the vision to start Bloolotus began many years ago, happening along with her own healing and spiritual journey. “I traveled to Peru for an Ayahuasca ceremony in 2016 and had a soul awakening, mind-blowing experience. I experienced a frightening yet beautiful rebirth, faced some of my innermost shadows head-on, and awakened to my unresolved traumas. The ceremony gave me forgiveness, acceptance, a deeper connection with my intuition, and a deeper understanding of nature and the human psyche. My perception of healing and medicine shifted. Shortly after returning home from Peru, I experienced a traumatic event in my personal life: a home break-in and sexual assault at knifepoint. This left me in mental and emotional turmoil. I turned to yoga philosophy and practice to help cope, and I obtained profound healing and enlightenment. With the anxiety and panic attacks resulting from the break-in, I couldn’t find the space to breathe and heal, so I decided to travel to Bali, Indonesia, to earn my yoga teacher certification through intense training and immersive study. I wanted to learn more about Yoga, which led me to the science of Ayurvedic Medicine. At that discovery, I knew I finally found my place, purpose, and path,” she says.

Tashira’s advice to others who may find themselves in places like she was is to let go of what you think your journey should look like because when you do that, you make space for the possibilities. “Any rigid thinking limits you from the infinite versions of outcomes that you can’t even imagine. Your mind only knows what it knows. So have faith, have fun, surrender, and trust the process,” she says.

To learn more about Bloolotus, please visit their website. www.bloolotus.com

Taking BOHEMIA Cares To New Heights

By

As the world moves towards a more trauma-informed society, our eyes are being opened to the hidden wounds we unconsciously carry. Verlancia Tucker is the founder of BOHEMIA Cares, a mental health advocacy nonprofit organization in Pulaski County, Arkansas, that focuses on empowering, rebuilding, reconnecting, and strengthening the entire family. With all of the mental health and wellness gurus that have emerged since the COVID shutdown, it’s hard to know who to trust. What makes BOHEMIA Cares different is that the wisdom and knowledge Verlancia shares come from hard-won personal experience.

“What sets BOHEMIA Cares apart is how the services are presented to the black community,” Verlancia explained. “We know that there is a stigma associated with mental illness in our community. It casts a dark shadow and causes our people not to want to seek help when it’s needed.”

Monica Montgomery - Photos Provided by Randall Lee

BOHEMIA Cares is a healing ministry that promotes self-love and spreads mental health awareness. Its mission is to inspire individuals to build strong self-esteem, become leaders, and discover untapped talents leading to a prosperous life.

To overcome the barrier of fear and shame that mental illness can impose, Verlancia has chosen to be the face of BOHEMIA Cares. “I share part of my testimony when presenting my programs because I want people to see someone who looks like them who has suffered with mental illness but has come out on the other side,” says Tucker. “The message I want to convey is that you can get your life back and live an abundant life. I am the face of restoration and renewal. God did a work within me, and I am standing as a witness to what is possible.”

As the ninth of ten children, Verlancia’s childhood was typical for a large family living on a family farm. “I’m from Moro, Arkansas, in The Delta,” she said proudly. “Our family farm sat on one hundred acres. We raised livestock and grew vegetables and things like that. My parents also worked in an auto parts factory. They worked hard because it took a lot to care for our family. My parents instilled in us the value of hard work at an early age.”

The struggles we go through as we mature during adolescence are often called growing pains. The importance of knowing the difference between growing pains and trauma is what Verlancia helps her clients understand. “BOHEMIA Cares was born out of pain,” she explained. “It was birthed out of my testimony.”

It’s common for mental illness to go untreated because of misdiagnosis or unidentified trauma. “My symptoms started around age seventeen while I was still in high school. During that time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I just knew that there were some adverse experiences that I had been exposed to,” Verlancia shares. My struggles with mental illness were devastating and at times debilitating.”

Like most of us, Verlancia’s natural coping mechanisms sustained her as she navigated the perils of high school while dealing with undiagnosed conditions. “Not understanding where my anxiety and sadness were coming from, I just pushed through the best way I knew how,” Tucker explained. “I stayed active. I was in the band because I loved music and dancing. I surrounded myself with good friends I have enjoyed calling my “sisters” for over forty-eight years. Looking back, you could say that I unknowingly engaged in self-care by focusing on what made me happy.”

Verlancia finished high school in the top ten percent of her class and went on to college. But even after surrounding herself with positive things, Verlancia could only keep the issues that plagued her at bay for so long. “Like most college students, I made my share of mistakes. My parents were in their 40s when I was born, so by the time I got to college, I was pretty much self-guided,” she explains. “While in college, I became a mother. The stress of being a single parent and a full-time student while trying to work became overwhelming, and I wasn’t giving it my all. So, I left the university and went to barber college,” Verlancia said. “I had always wanted to do it and still love it, but my body was breaking down for reasons I didn’t understand. I couldn’t work in a shop because I couldn’t stand for extended periods.”

“I want people to see someone who looks like them who has suffered with mental illness but has come out on the other side.”

Because physical illness can trigger or compound underlying mental illness issues, Verlancia struggled as an adult with anxiety, night terrors, and depression. Verlancia believes she was here to help others despite everything she was dealing with, so she became an educator. “I loved working with my students. I was that teacher that all the kids wanted to come to,” she explained. “I loved teaching, but it became overwhelming because I had not addressed the issues that had plagued me since childhood.”

By age thirty-two, Verlancia knew she needed counseling, but still fearing the shame and stigma of mental illness, she was too embarrassed to reach out for help. While in graduate school, Verlancia experienced domestic abuse. “Trying to keep it together, I kept making bad choices. I ended up in a relationship where I was being stalked. I lived in constant fear. I wasn’t sleeping, and I didn’t know what to do. Finally, someone from my department told me to take some time off. I looked like a zombie.”

Verlancia took the advice and went to her doctor, who diagnosed her with PTSD. “I was put on antidepressants. The combination of the time off and the medicine worked… for a while. I took it until I felt better. Then I stopped. That’s where most people go wrong,” she shares.

After getting her Master’s in secondary education, Verlancia worked in a Title 1 school district located in an underserved community. In schools like those, instances of trauma are higher than most. “I loved teaching. I loved my students, and they loved me. I started mentoring young ladies because as someone who needed that outside ear growing up, I understood what those girls were going through,” Verlancia explained. “Remember, my mom was forty-one when she had me. As a result, a communication gap often left me wishing I had someone who understood me and what I was going through.”

Verlancia excelled at being the additional support some of her students needed. But the weight of their trauma started to take its toll. “I was that teacher all the students came to when they needed to talk. As they came to me with their problems and issues, my untreated trauma was triggered,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I remember a student coming to me one morning before school with a handful of Tylenol 500s and saying, ‘Ms. Tucker, I don’t want to live anymore.’ I started to see myself in them and realized that what I’d dealt with, I was dealing with, wasn’t normal. I found myself trying to save them because I couldn’t save myself.”

Verlancia started an all-girl mentorship program called Serious Young Ladies. “We mentored girls between the ages of twelve and fourteen. Our girls came from lowsocioeconomic communities, so our goal was to expose them to something different. We wanted to see that life was bigger than their circumstances,” she explained. “The girls were taken shopping and to the stylist. They got their makeup done and everything that would make them feel special. We tried to pamper them a little. I guess, in a way, I was living vicariously through them. The program was what I wished I’d had when I was their age.”

BOHEMIA Cares

www.bohemiacares.org

501-777-8068

At the age of thirty-six, Verlancia married, gave birth to her second son, and was divorced by age thirty-seven. This caused her to plummet to the darkest place she’d ever experienced. “It was during the time of the Sandy Hook school shooting that I reached my breaking point,” she explained. “After my divorce, I was fragile, but I refused to seek treatment because I didn’t want anyone to know I was struggling. My eldest son had become the primary caregiver for my infant son and me. When I got home from work, all I wanted to do was sleep,” she confessed.

“After Sandy Hook, my anxiety went into high gear. Most schools were implementing stricter security measures, but my administrator’s solution did not put me at ease. There was a vulnerability specifically in my classroom that posed an unacceptable risk. Add the unchecked mental illness I suffered, and everything came crashing down.”

A month after the Sandy Hook school shooting, Verlancia decided to get help. It was when she realized her frustration was out of control. “When I almost went off on a student, I couldn’t ignore what was happening to me any longer. That’s when I knew I needed to step away.”

Verlancia took essential steps towards her healing. “I researched a therapist to find the right one for me. The most important thing about seeking help is being realistic about what you need,” she explained. “And even after deciding to seek treatment, I was still too ashamed to tell my students I was leaving because I didn’t want them to know why. I saw a student years later, and he remembered me, then said, ‘You had cancer, right?’”

Verlancia spent five years in therapy. “It was hard, but I did the work. I even saw a psychiatrist who prescribed medication because sometimes mental illness is caused by a chemical imbalance,” she explained. “While in therapy, I rediscovered myself. I learned to love myself because, before therapy, I didn’t.”

After therapy, Verlancia tried to return to teaching but came to understand it wasn’t what God wanted for her. Then she had a dream. “I can’t remember when, but God gave me a vision. I saw myself speaking at my former church. More people were there than I could count, and I was standing in the pulpit,” Verlancia said with a laugh. “My father was a pastor, but I never saw myself that way. I knew that I was different, and I know I was anointed, but I wasn’t sure at the time what the vision meant.”

Choosing to trust God through her healing journey, she felt led to start a summer enrichment program. “It was for me to activate, and God’s timing is always perfect. Things started happening so rapidly that I knew it was nobody but God,” Verlancia says confidently. “I met a friend of a friend who lived in Warren, Arkansas. We were talking, and I shared my vision with her. She told me her pastor was interested in getting involved with programs like that, so she invited me to church. The name of the church is Union Hill Baptist Church in Warren. The first time I visited, I met Pastor Henry D. Cox. After service, we set up a meeting with Pastor Cox, state representative Jeff Wardlaw, and the Honorable Quincey Ross, tenth judicial circuit judge.”

In the meeting, Verlancia discussed her plans for the program and what she needed to get started. “We talked about location, infrastructure, and what financial support we would need. The group was excited and completely on board. They were happy someone would come to Bradley County, an underserved area, to offer enrichment services.”

A prophecy and several blessings later, BOHEMIA Cares started its first program at Union Hill MB Church. “We ran the program for three years from that location, and we still consider it our home base,” Verlancia said proudly.

As BOHEMIA Cares grew, they could create more extensive and effective programs. “In October 2019, we debuted the Self Love Conference. It was the first time I testified about my struggles with mental illness and the shame that kept me bound for years,” Verlancia shared. “I stood before over one hundred and fifty people as a living testimony of what’s possible if you trust God and do the work.”

Although Verlancia has relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she still regularly returns to Arkansas. “Warren is the program’s base, and I don’t see that changing. We have online programs and services, and I hope to partner with local schools and organizations in Dallas. After years of suffering in silence with mental health issues, I am open to allowing God to continue to use me. I want the world to know that they don’t have to continue to be tormented by mental illness. There is no shame in seeking help. I want them to know that BOHEMIA Cares.”

“I can’t remember when, but God gave me a vision. I saw myself speaking at my former church.”

Leatriece Franklin Giving Back Is How She Does Business

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Leatriece Franklin

Leatriece Franklin of Memphis, TN, is a multipreneur. She is the owner of both LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses and The Skrub Kafe Network. With LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses, she provides basic to advanced CPR Training to individuals and groups as early as nine years old. She also offers custom first aid kits and the children’s book series The Adventures of Captain LifeSaver and Kid Shock. With The Skrub Kafe Network, Leatriece offers high-quality scrub uniform styles and accessories, a spacious networking area, and LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses.

Leatriece is a native of Memphis and grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Raleigh Egypt High School. She is a mom of one son, Thomas. Since 1997, she has worked as a nurse. Additionally, she is a Retired Army Captain of 22 years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, a Master’s Degree in Nursing (concentration in Leadership and Management), and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management.

Leatriece shares that her journey in business aligns with her career of serving in the military. “While in the Army, a Military Training Network certification through the American Heart Association was required to provide Basic Life Support training to EMT-B and EMT-B Recert students. As I trained people for the military, more people started reaching out for training on the civilian side. So in June 2016, LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses was born,” she says.

In 2018 LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses was designated as an official training site for the American Heart Association. In 2022, Leatriece published her first book in the series, The Adventures of Captain LifeSaver and Kid Shock. Her goal was to get LifeSaving concepts in front of children at an early age. “CPR can double to triple a cardiac arrest victim’s survival,” she says. Fast forward to 2023, LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses has trained and certified thousands of LifeSavers.

With The Skrub Kafe Network, Leatriece says she got tired of talking about what she wanted to do. “Sometimes you have to stop and check yourself and just try,” she says. “My lease with my CPR Training space was ending, and I thought it was the perfect time to acquire a space large enough to conduct CPR Training and provide scrub uniforms in one place. So, in August 2021, The Skrub Kafe Network was created.”

Sometimes you have to stop and check yourself and just try.”

Her location is sectioned into three parts. There is one for scrub uniforms and another section for networking and seating. The third section is designated for CPR Training. The Skrub Kafe Network’s official opening happened on July 23, 2022. Leatriece says, “It was beautiful.”

The vision for both businesses, Leatriece says, came from a need. “The need to offer cost-effective and locationfriendly training to all sorts of people, not just Healthcare Providers.” The community of Raleigh was chosen due to being an area of need. “There are no scrub uniform stores or CPR Training sites in Raleigh. It was also a goal for me to open up shop in Raleigh as a means of giving back,” she shared.

Leatriece says what she loves most about her businesses are the opportunities she has to meet amazing people, whether in class or during a sales transaction. “I love providing my amazing clients with the skills necessary to save a life and providing them with scrub uniforms at a competitive rate.”

While her journey continues to prove itself as a learning experience, Leatriece credits her family and friends with having a significant impact on her life and career. “The military and nursing have prepared me with thick skin. I can handle anything thrown my way. My mom was a nurse and retired after working for 32 years at the V.A. Hospital in Memphis. Her work ethic showed me you can do anything you put your mind to. My brother was in the Navy, and my sister was in the Air Force.”

Besides being faced with the challenge of having adequate capital to grow her business, Leatriece shares that marketing and staffing is just as important. She has addressed both by utilizing social media, word of mouth, texting, emailing, and more. “It’s hard, but if you want to be successful, you must keep going. I do what I can when I can, and I do more when I can. As a nurse, I’ve seen the horrible staffing market, and it’s no different for reliable retail associates.”

For those who may follow in her footsteps, Leatriece advises them to be determined and prepared. “Become as educated as you can in your field. Also, find a mentor or someone who will pour into you. It’s enough opportunity out there for everyone. Your path will be individualized for you, and things will happen when you want them to. It might not be when you want it to happen, but I’ll be right on time.”

As her future unravels, Leatriece plans to continue providing services in Memphis and hopefully nationwide. By the looks of what she has done thus far, Leatriece’s brands are here to stay.

Please visit their website to learn more about LF Mobile LifeSaving Courses and The Skrub Kafe. h

Victoria Hart

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Victoria Hart

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the definition of a doula is a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth. This definition accurately describes Victoria Hart.

The Mississippi Gulfport resident owns Doula & Nanny, LLC. Her company offers various levels of support, such as physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. With her nanny services, Victoria provided exceptional childcare as well. “My services are designed for all but mainly for those who need that extra hand,” she shares.

At just 27, Victoria has already accomplished a lot. She has enjoyed four years of marriage with her husband, Jarell, and besides being an aspiring entrepreneur, she has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science. Even more, Victoria was on the road to obtaining her BSN but God said otherwise. More touching is how she describes motherhood. “I am an Angel Mom to five Angel Babies. My time will come when God says that I am ready.”

Victoria launched her business in October 2021 after Victoria’s cousin, who was expecting her second child, asked her to be her doula. “My cousin’s first birth experience was the opposite of how she planned it. She researched that having a doula by her side might empower her to take control of her birth. Once she asked me, I immediately fell in love with everything a doula stands for. In January 2022, her VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) was extremely successful. That experience hugely impacted my doula business, and as a result, it flourished. Currently, I have 25 Doula Babies,” she says.

While Victoria started her nanny business in April 2022, she has served as a nanny since she was 19. “It was basically a summer job while on break from college. However, I have always loved watching kids, even as a kid myself,” she says. Victoria now has 45 “Nanny Babies”.

When asked what inspires her the most about her business, Victoria shared that, regarding being a doula, seeing how black women were mistreated during pregnancy and even childbirth made her realize how much of an impact she could make in their lives. “I have been discriminated against in the medical field concerning infertility issues, so I know firsthand what that can feel like.” In response to the same question pertaining to being a nanny, she says, “In this day and age, it is hard to trust people with your kids because you never know their true intentions. With me, on the other hand, my intentions are pure from the start, and my parents can tell. I desire to be the extra help they need when they cannot find it anywhere else.”

Victoria says she really loves what she does. She shares that hearing how her attendance during the birthing experience or watching her client’s children changed their lives for the better makes it all worth it. “I just do what I love. I have been told numerous times that I inspire other people to follow their passions. The fact that I followed my passion and can help families in need and still pay my bills is all that I need.”

Growing both businesses has proven to be a little challenging, but fortunately for Victoria, the assistance of social media has helped in many ways. Additionally, finding ways to fund her businesses has been a learning experience. Victoria says she wished she had obtained funding before jumping into entrepreneurship. “I just jumped in, head and HART first, no questions asked,” she says.

In the future, Victoria hopes to open a birthing center in her area. Currently, there isn’t one, and she says doctors are afraid to open one due to liability issues. She also hopes to open a postpartum care center to provide care for the first few weeks after birth, which can sometimes be rough with the transition into being a newborn mom. Victoria has plans in the works for a daycare center with afterhour options.

h

Ashton Hairston

The son of Shannon Hairston

One Accord Ministries, INC

By Terry L. Watson

S. Kaye Latimer-Ellerbe’s mission is to inspire and empower others through practical and spiritual guidance. Her favorite life scripture is 3 John 1:2 (Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers), which is always at the forefront of her mind as she challenges God’s people to live up to their full potential.

Born in South Carolina but now residing in Philadelphia, PA, Kaye is married to Reverend James B. Ellerbe, and together they have four daughters. She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Currently, Kaye is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Technology.

Professionally, Kaye owns and manages One Accord Ministries, INC, and On Point Events LLC. One Accord Ministries Inc., a nonprofit organization, is committed to serving the Lord and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truths of God’s word. Their work is done through live drama presentations that consists of dramatization, dance, and spoken word. “Our services are designed to reach the hearts of the lost and encourage Christians toward a closer relationship with Jesus Christ,” Kaye says. “Combining the Gospel with drama helps the audience see, hear, feel, and understand the message like never before, as the word of God comes alive on stage. Our vision is to take these productions to many different churches, conferences, and theaters, and break down religious barriers and speak to the believer’s heart so that people can be healed, delivered, and set free of bondage.”

For the most part, Kaye has always been drawn to the arts. She studied Liturgical Dance under Pastor Kristopher Halsey, founder of the Look & Live Creative Arts Team of Unity Temple Worship Center, Philadelphia, PA, and Minister Carolyn Johnson, founder of Breaking the Barriers Arts Academy, in Pennsauken, NJ. Additionally, she has shared her gift of ministry in dance throughout the United States, Bermuda, and Uganda, Africa, and held many church leadership positions, being ordained to the office of Elder in 2010. At the close of Unity Temple Worship Center, she founded One Accord Ministries Inc.

Photos Provided by S. Kaye Lattimer-Ellerbe

“Our vision is to take these productions to many different churches, conferences, and theaters, and break down religious barriers and speak to the believer’s heart so that people can be healed, delivered, and set free of bondage.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kaye decided to follow her passion for decorating and design and started an event design business called On Point Events, LLC. On Point Events was created because of Kaye’s desire never to have anyone look back on their special day and be disappointed by what they see in the pictures. “A picture is worth millions to some and worth nothing to others. Once the moment has been captured in a picture, it can never be changed,” she says. On Point Events’ goal is to take their client’s dreams and make them a reality using decor designs from chairs and table linens, sashes, table runners, and centerpieces. “Our services are for anyone who has a vision for a special event and wants to see it come to life.”

As a Playwright and Director, Kaye says what she loves most is the opportunity to express her artistic vision and ideas through the medium of theater. “My job is to create unique stories, develop compelling characters, and explore diverse themes and emotions that keep the audience engaged and invested in the story,” she said. As an Event Designer and Coordinator, she mostly enjoys creating memorable experiences that reflect her client’s vision and love story. “I want to make sure that every time they think of the day or look at their photos, they experience the same euphoric feeling as they experienced on the actual day.”

Kaye shares that her daughter, Abria Nicole, inspires her to be the best she can be. She says, “Once I found out I was pregnant, I set out to ensure a better life for my daughter. Abria is the reason I have made many choices, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and allowed myself to be stretched in ways I couldn’t even imagine. I’ve done all of this to be the example she could follow as she grows in life. My daughter is a natural-born leader and a go-getter and is making waves in this world.”

Amazingly, Kaye has been able to build her business while working full-time. While doing so, it has been a challenge for her, but still, she has persevered. Kaye is determined, and most of all, she loves serving others in ministry and in business. Looking ahead, Kaye shares her plans for a rebroadcast of the 2023 Production “Already Defeated” which will be held in Philadelphia PA. Her team is also looking for opportunities to bring it to churches in and out of state. Additionally, she has launched a movement called “I’m SICKA Church” which depicts the issue of “church hurt” from all perspectives. There will also be a podcast series launching in the fall prior to the stage production in 2024.

Kaye is also seeking individuals to become a One Accord Ministries Inc. Partner. She says that by doing so, it helps them in so many ways. “It will allow us to cover production expenses and continue traveling the U.S. to preach the gospel. A partnership helps to increase the artistry of drama, helps to create professional scale life-changing videos, and reach people all over the U.S. and abroad,” she says.

Kaye shares her love of God with her husband, Reverend James B. Ellerbe

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