Huami Magazine NY/NJ May/June 2022 by Terry Watson

N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S E Y

May/June 2022 Volume 1 Issue 8

Jamar Campbell OFF THE PRESS PRINTING LLC NY/NJ - May/June 2022

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We May Wish, But God Has A Plan A Letter From The Editor

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

Modern technology, such as the internet and smart devices, has changed the way consumers shop for everyday necessities. Everything from groceries to televisions, tires, medications, and A Letter from the Editor patio furniture can be purchased directly from a smartphone or computer. Foot traffic in stores has been greatly reduced, and the Covid 19 pandemic may have played a big role in that also. What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes Anyhow, many retailers have adjusted how they make their products and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if accessible in order for them to survive. everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy As a child, I remember the huge department store catalogs that day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making would come in the mail every year, usually around the Christmas promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired holiday season. I would look at them and prepare my list of items today? What would you do? that I wanted before submitting it to my mama. Sometimes I got most of what I wanted, but not always. Still, looking through the I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. catalog and believing that I would get them was very exciting for Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm me. Unfortunately, the catalogs are long gone now and have been believer knowing God wouldn’t put anything on me replaced by in digital ones.that Awwwe, technology. that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would if I chose to sit idle and catalog accept what it presented tosome me. I I be compare those childhood surfing moments to have found thatastoan beadult. very boring. In mytried opinion, opportunity experiences I have I have often to plan out my life is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge by creating a wish list for various stages without the assistance of to me is anstore adventure. is the worst that happen? a department catalog.What I have made plans forcan various things If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead and experiences and made plans on how to acquire andlearn accomplish something new were aboutsubmitted myself. Relinquish your and in them. Those plans to God, and I’mpride always amazed return acquire life. at what I receive from God in response.

The bestlearned advice ever giventhough to me happened when someone See, I have that even I make plans, God has the told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so best final say. What I think is good for me, God knows what is truly I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only for me. Even in my lowest moments, God has already prepared a provided. I have also And learned difference between pathhope to higher ground for me. eventhe when I choose to follow my what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with own way, He redirects. as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when quiet, because I strive to to livebe a better life, a life someone may get itthrough confused that is connected to God with and being arrogant. obedience grasping a better understanding of what He desires tomorrow for me. Make I admityou that I don’t have all happen today, but most the answers, and sometimes I make importantly make it count. mistakes. It’s good to know that even but a whisper and love when ILife getisoff track in life, God’s must put ourselves in a never we changes. position to hear what it is telling us.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson

Publisher

www.huamimagazine.com Monica Montgomery Editor In Chief Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Ellen Richardson Writer Dorjae’ McClammey Writer Writers

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mykelmedia@yahoo.com (336) 340-7844 HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication Greensboro, NC may be submitted to the editor by 2022 All Rights Reserved E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2022

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Gernany Inke & Co.

Germany Inke

On The Cover

Off The Press Printing Jamar Campbell

Mother Hustlers Network

Kamisha Petgrave

She Has A Heart For Serving

Verlancia Tucker

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Marrel Gravely Foushee

Also Featured

Ernest Sanders He is qualified. Learn more about his journey, his experience, and his effort to be elected as Judge. Little Rock, AR

Breanna Rosa Learn more about this very talented Loctician. She turned a care into a full fledged business. Pensacola, FL

Delvin Sullivan He is on a mission to educate the youth about the importance of financial literacy. Huntsville, AL

Jamar Campbell OFF THE PRESS PRINTING LLC

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By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Jamar Campbell Without any question, Jamar Campbell knows something about fashion. The Newark, NJ, native is the owner of Off The Press Printing LLC, a motivational apparel brand (4P’s Persistence, Patience, Progress, Profit) that specializes in hoodies, t-shirts, sweatsuits, and more. With OTPP, Jamar is able to genuinely express his creativity while influencing others to be the best version of themselves. Growing up in New Jersey, Jamar was an only child to a disabled mother. He attended St. Benedict’s High School but graduated from East Side High School in 1998. Today, besides being a successful entrepreneur, Jamar has settled into his role of being a family man, having three children and four grandchildren. Jamar says his journey began a few years ago. It was during 2020, and while working as a delivery driver, he realized he should be doing more with his life. “Money was good, but I got hurt at my job. The Covid 19 pandemic had just arrived and things began to get really rough for me. That is around the time that I reached out to Tonya Franklin with Tone Motivates. She gave me the kick start and guided me to opening my own business,” he says. And the rest of Jamar’s story is history. Owning your business can have its share of ups and downs, as well as good days and not-so-good days. For Jamar, he appears suited to take on all of the challenges that may come with it. He shares how he loves the ownership and freedom entrepreneurship offers. “I love the feedback and support from others. My clients are very important. We have a family bond at OTPP,” he says. “My inspirations are my family and friends. I love to share my creativity, but most importantly, I am pleased to know that I am creating a legacy for my kids and generations to come,” he says. Though he faces some challenges in business, Jamar often reflects on one of his company’s mottos (persistence) to remind him of what is needed to run his business. He also offers some advice to others who may follow a similar blueprint in business that he has. “You will go through every emotion during this process. Every day won’t be a good day as a entrepreneur. Don’t focus on the those who don’t support you, focus on the support you receive and remain persistent,” he says. As Jamar embarks on nearly three years in business, he says he wouldn’t change anything about his journey thus far. He shares he loves working hard and not always knowing what tomorrow may bring. “I love being able to control my own dollar. The experience is scary but exciting at the same time,” he says. In the future, Jamar hopes to spread the OTPP brand nationwide. He also plans to provide quality apparel and motivation, and mentor other up and coming entrepreneurs like himself. To learn more about Jamar Campbell and Off The Press Printing, please visit their website. h

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Germany Inke Germany Inke & Co. By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography Germany Inke I is a woman of many talents. In addition to running the Terra Strong Foundation and being an entrepreneur whose business is to help others launch their dreams, Germany is a poet, painter, art therapy teacher, and photographer. She does all of this while dealing with stage five kidney disease. Germany has always moved at the speed of sound, knowing precisely what she wanted early in life. At sixteen, she forwent the high school experience, took the GED, and went straight to college. Germany earned her Bachelor of Arts in photography, then went back to get a Bachelor of Science in psychology at the University of Phoenix. Germany intends to go back to school and get a master’s degree in psychology. “I guess you could say I’m a professional student. I will never get tired of gaining knowledge. There is so much more to learn and know.” Germany self-identifies as a giver. Just about every business endeavor Ms. Inke has made has been birthed out of a desire to help and serve the needs of others. “I love helping people achieve their goals. My business assists people who are just starting in business by giving them guidance and mentorship. I help them navigate the confusing steps of starting a business and provide them with all the information and resources needed to get a successful business up and running.”

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There is a kind of fearlessness about Ms. Inke that is rarely seen but desperately needed if you plan to strike out on your own. “You have to be willing to fail. You have to be ready to make mistakes with the understanding that your dreams don’t die there.” Germany explains. There was a time when Germany believed that her life was set. She was preparing for what should have been the best year of her life when the unthinkable happened. Germany’s mother, Terah Longmire, died of lung cancer. “It wasn’t just losing my mother to cancer, but it was what we as a family went through. There was so much we didn’t know or understand about caring for someone who was in the final stages of life. There were people to tell us about the technical and clinical parts, but there was no real emotional support. Not to mention financial help.” Germany shared. “It was difficult enough to cope with the idea that my siblings and I were losing this amazing woman, but we weren’t all able to be there during her final moments due to issues with transportation, work, and things like that. Death is a reality for us all, but having those last precious moments with our loved ones helps bring closure and peace to the living.” From this experience, The Terah Syrong Foundation, named after her mother, was born. The Terah Strong Foundation’s mission is to provide emotional support to the families of those who are in their final moments. “If losing my mother has taught me anything, it’s that we have to mourn.” Through family counseling and art therapy Germany’s foundation is doing just that. Over the years, Germany has worked to be a source of support and inspiration to anyone who needs her. As a single mother of two, now adult children, and a grandmother to one, Ms. Inke finds herself constantly on the go. So, when she was diagnosed with stage five of chronic kidney disease, known as end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure, in 2021, she felt like her faith was being tested in a big way. “I was like, ‘Really, God? With all that I’m doing and carrying, now this?’” Despite it all, Germany still found it easy to laugh about.

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After so many years of helping others, Germany realized that she hadn’t taken good care of herself. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of twenty-one, Germany knew her health was important, but trying to be all things to all people took its toll. “I had a stroke at forty and a heart attack at forty-one. I suffered from different health issues all of my life, but because of lack of information and being underinsured, I couldn’t see that all of my symptoms resulted from a larger problem. Being your own boss is great, but it does have its drawbacks. One of which is having proper health insurance.” At forty-three, Germany is taking a different approach to life and her well-being. She is learning how to balance the demands of her family, her business, her dreams, and herself. “I’ve been pouring out to others so long that I never realized I wasn’t taking time to care for myself or receive from others. I had to stop and stock of my life and what I needed and what I wanted.” In her search to find out what the next chapter of her life would look like, Germany encountered at a casual gathering with Wade Copper. “My chance encounter with Wade was one of those weird things where you meet this stranger you have no familiarity with, but their honesty is jarring because as much as you don’t want to believe it, you know it’s true,” she explained. “He held nothing back, and it shocked me at first, but it was just what I needed to hear.” Germany was caught in the trap of peoplepleasing. You know the one. We wear the mask and smile despite how we feel or what we are going through. We say, yes, of course, it’s no problem. When we really want to say, are you insane? Can’t you see I’m struggling too? Germany learned that you could help others but make sure you put your life jacket on first.

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“After years of saying I was fine, I am learning that it’s okay not to be okay. Some days I’m great and ready to go. Others, I’m fatigued, and my entire body hurts. Being honest about what I’m dealing with is a big part of dealing with my illness. The other is finding a comfortable place to heal and recover.” Germany was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up between there and Atlanta, Georgia. Her business, Germany Inke & Co., the foundation, and her Podcast are all mobile, so Germany decided after years of living in North Carolina that it was time to find a place where she could work and heal. “My friendship with Wade has had a huge effect on me. He helped me see who I was versus who I thought I was. Wade’s energy was refreshing. I learned through our friendship that I was missing peace and calmness. I needed a quiet place so I could think. Free from the social demands and external voices.” Germany found it when she visited Williamsport, Pennsylvania. A town with about 28,000 residents, Williamsport was utterly different from anything Germany had experienced and seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. “I felt it instantly, and I knew that was where I needed to be. So, I made preparations to move. I took a job that was again completely different for me because I’ve always been my own boss, but I love it. It allows me to continue to pursue my passion. I have a fresh start where I can continue to explore the person I am becoming without the mask.” Dealing with stage five chronic kidney failure is a challenge for Germany, but with her new perspective, she is more hopeful than ever. “This move is all about my health, both mental and physical. I am taking a holistic approach to my kidney disease, and it seems to be working for now. The balance and peace that I have found have come at a high price, but it’s the tool that God has used to make me better. I will never stop being Germany the entrepreneur, advocate and support for families as they prepare to say goodbye to those they love and all-around friend to the fledgling business person. The only difference is I’m putting myself first. That way, I can be at my best in the many roles I am honored and blessed to work in.”

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Dr. Shmeka Gibson Innate Success Corp www.innatesuccess.com

Photos Provided By Jamaal E. Photogrphy and Carolyn Castillo Dr. Shmeka Gibson is an author, international speaker, business owner, and college professor. Shmeka is the founder and CEO of Innate Success Corp. Innate Success Corp. provides various business options, tools, and resources needed to develop business owners, organize business practices, enhance individual leader traits, and promote potential business leaders. Innate Success Core, which is one of our fivesubsidiary businesses, provides contract services to organizations in need of organizational infrastructure development and program management, research, and application to funding opportunities and data analytics. Another popular business under the Innate Success model is I.S. Cares which houses the Mentorship Program. Innate Success Corp. partners with Dress for Success Memphis to implement the “Successful Women in Business” Mentorship Program. The program utilizes the Changing the Mindset Concept© developed by Innate Success that implements a framework to help women in business and entrepreneurship. Innate Success developed and launched the program as a pilot in Fall 2020, and with the help of Dress for Success Memphis, the program flourished and now has an organizational home. The program’s goal is to help small businesses develop or enhance effective and sustainable business practices. The program participants were not required to have an established business, but if they had the time, desire and commitment, the program would help them achieve their goal of entrepreneurship. The 6-month business mentorship program offers intensive business, legal and financial consulting and resources to help businesses upskill and upscale their business. This program is offered to start-up, grassroots, and small business owners with an operating budget of less than $250,000 annually. Presently, this program has helped over 46 African American business leaders and raised over $75,000 in grant funding to support the work. The goal is to help these businesses create an organizational infrastructure and enhance stability to upscale the economy and communities. h

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Whitney Morgan M-Powerment Solutions LLC

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Whitney Morgan He is young, black, and making moves in the Kansas City, MO, business district. He is the owner and founder of M-Powerment Solutions LLC, an experienced financial literacy company that focuses on credit restoration and helping individuals become debt-free. They also help businesses establish business credit and funding options. Their award-winning services have assisted in removing all types of derogatory items such as bankruptcies and medical bills from their client’s credit files. To be clear, M-Powement Solutions LLC gets the job done. At just 34 years old, Whitney Morgan has seen a lot. While he presently resides in Kansas City, he has also lived in Atlanta, GA, Port Townsend, WA, and his native home of Minneapolis, MN. He has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a masters degree in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas. His background involves Transportation Planning, City Development, and Small Business Advocacy, and he’s held many leadership positions and volunteered just as well. His volunteering efforts include Kappa Alpha Psi, Freedom Schools, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, Finance and College Ministry Leader with Faith City Christian Center, and Black Student Union. What separates M-Powement Solutions LLC from other companies that provide similar services? Whitney says it’s their commitment to providing quality service at a very affordable cost. “We also have various products to help our clients build positive credit in their name, such as our secure credit card with cashback rewards. We also have the Credit My Rent program that adds all positive rent payments to their credit report, and we partner with various credit builder companies like Self, Credit Strong, Grow Credit, and more. Our goal is to provide our clients with excellent solutions to address their financial struggles,” he says.

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Some of the additional tools offered by Whitney and his team are Credit Restoration Will, Trust, and Power of Attorney, and Budgeting/Debt Payoff Education. There is also a Smart Credit Monitoring App that allows users to view all three credit scores, and Merchant Services that offer payment processing systems for businesses. Additionally, they offer a Youth Financial Literacy Scholarship and Educational Program, Rocket Lawyer Services, Student Loan Assistance, Mobile Telehealth Services, and Business Credit Business Funding.

“Experience is the best teacher. Knowledge is not power; applied knowledge is. If knowledge by itself were power, most librarians would be millionaires.”

The decision to launch M-Powement Solutions LLC happened in June 2020, during the Covid 19 pandemic, Whitney shares. “My wife and I struggled with bad credit caused by debt consolidation. That debt was built because my wife was laid off multiple times, and I was repeatedly passed up for promotions I qualified for. This caused a lot of stress in our marriage and ironically served as a learning experience. We decided to educate other families about the importance of having good credit and the opportunities that come with it.” Whitney says what he loves most about his business is being able to help people buy brand new houses and new cars, find funding for their business, and increase their financial literacy. “We are breaking generational curses,” he says. Waking up every day knowing that he has a gift that can help a lot of people and then putting his gift into action is what pushes him. He also credits his father and grandfather for being great examples of what a man should be. “I was raised by a single father. He has instilled loving and caring principles in me and showed me how to work hard and provide for my family. He told me ever since I could remember that I could be anything I wanted to be and often called me Mr. President as a child. My grandfather taught me how to fish. He also showed me what a consummate professional and respectable Christian man looks like. He has been married to my grandmother for over 50 years. He has held multiple civic positions and joined a fraternity. My grandfather is an architect and has designed buildings all across the country. He’s been retired for over 20 years and wakes up every day and does what he wants,” Whitney says. Whitney offers the following advice for those who may follow in his footsteps. “Experience is the best teacher. Knowledge is not power; applied knowledge is. If knowledge by itself were power, most librarians would be millionaires.”

Whitney Morgan M-Powerment Solutions LLC www.mpowerment-solutions.com (816) 348-3223

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As life continues to happen for Whitney, he plans to use his products and services to help people across the country. There are also plans to expand. To learn more about Whitney Morgan and M-Powerment Solutions LLC, please contact them directly or visit their website. h

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“I Am Qualified” 22

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By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by Ernest Sanders Jr. People often say that it’s not how you start but how you finish that matters. As true as this statement is, we can’t ignore that it’s the journey that qualifies you in the end. Ernest Sanders Jr. Esq. is running for 5th Division Circuit Court Judge in Pulaski and Perry Counties and wants the voters to know that he is prepared and qualified to serve them. Sanders was born and raised in a small town in Crossett, in South East Arkansas. Raised by a single parent, Mr. Sanders’s beginning is reminiscent of many others. He and his three brothers were raised by his mother, and he credits his village for helping to raise him and his brothers with the love and values that have gotten him to where he is today. “My mom was, for the most part, a single parent. My father lived in the town, but my mother raised us. They say it takes a village, and it did. Between my grandmother and great-grandmother, aunts, uncles, and neighbors, we were well cared for,” Mr. Sanders explains.

Childhood innocence can be blinding, causing us not to perceive our reality. Growing up, Ernest didn’t understand that he was considered poor. “We were poor, but I didn’t realize it until I was in high school. And even then, poor meant I didn’t have all the things that the other kids had. Like the latest clothes and shoes,” Ernest explains. “This generation knows nothing about commodities. We received government food commodities like powdered milk, powdered eggs, rice, and the big block of cheese that didn’t melt. Things like that,” he continues with a laugh. “But, one thing for sure as a child, I can’t say I ever went to bed hungry or had no place to sleep. Sure, we were still buying our sneakers from the grocery store, but I had shoes. I tell my story often because I want young black men who look like me to see that their beginning doesn’t dictate their end.” Crossett, Arkansas, was still a heavily racially divided town when Ernest was a child, and although the schools were integrated, the neighborhoods were not. Black professionals weren’t a regular sighting.

“When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up. I wanted to say something nobody else did. When she got to me, I said I wanted to be an Attorney. I can’t say where I got the idea from. It must have been something I saw on television, but at the time, it was different,” Ernest explained. This desire to be set apart planted a seed in young Ernest that is still bearing fruit today. Once in high school, Ernest excelled in academia, sports, and other extracurricular activities. “I worked hard to do my best no matter what it was. I was that kid who gave it everything I had no matter what.” In high school, Ernest started to see the world, his world, for what it was. As a young black male, he became aware of the racial injustices facing him and people like him. “I remember thinking, ‘That’s not right!’ and wanting to do something about it. That’s when becoming an attorney changed from being a childhood fantasy to a passionate desire. As a lawyer, I could make a difference.” Ernest attended the University of Central Arkansas, earning a B.A. in English and minoring in accounting. “My family didn’t have money for school, so I had to be practical about my education. I studied English because I was told Attorneys had to be good writers, but I minored in accounting just in case I didn’t get into law school,” he explained. Growing up, Ernest says the closest thing to a role model was Thurgood Marshall. Ernest was the first person in his family to go to college. He chose UCA because it wasn’t far from home, and he had friends there he could catch a ride home with on holidays. He participated in track and field at UCA, which helped cover room and board, and continued to work hard at realizing the dream set by his eight-year-old self. Ernest was never under any illusion of who he could trust in a small southern town like Crossett. He went to college with that same understanding. This was challenged when he met Dr. Maurice Webb and Dr. Norb Schedler. “Growing up in a racially divided town, there are some things you don’t do. Sure, we went to school together, but when we went home if you were black, you went to “Black Town.” If you were white, you went to “White Town.” In college, those boundaries, although not physical, impacted my thinking,” Ernest said. “Dr. Webb and Dr. Norb Schedler were the two most influential people in my life during undergrad. Dr. Webb helped me by finding additional scholarships my academics qualified me for. He also got me into the honors college, where I met Dr. Scheduler, the director. Dr. Schedler took me under his wing, and although I was grateful, I was suspicious at first. These two white men were doing all this to help me, and I wasn’t used to it. But they turned out to be great guys and amazing mentors.” With Dr. Schedler’s support, Ernest became the first black graduate of the UCA’s Honors College. In 1988, Ernest applied and was accepted to law school at The University of Virginia, Charlottesville. “When I told Dr. Schedler I was accepted into the UVA, he started jumping up and down with excitement. He

went on and on about how great it was that I’d gotten in and how proud of me he was. ‘I said, well, yeah, but all of these schools have affirmative action programs. They probably let me in because I was black.’ Dr. Schedler stopped and looked me in the eye…. Thinking about what he said to me still gets me emotional after so many years,” Ernest says, taking a breath. “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Ernest, you earned this. You are qualified, and don’t let anybody tell you anything different!’ It wasn’t until that moment that I understood how important it was that I saw myself as worthy. I wasn’t qualified because Dr. Schedler said I was. I was qualified because I had put in the work. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Schedler for helping me see that.” Ernest’s former mentor, Dr. Schedler’s words, have remained with him throughout his career. In each office and position Sanders held, he worked hard because he understood what being qualified really meant. It was vital that he proved himself and kept a good reputation. Not because he wanted to impress anyone but because he believed in what he was doing. As a result, Sanders was blessed to have many doors opened to him. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1991, Ernest returned to Arkansas to work for the Little Rock City Attorney’s office. Next, he became a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Sixth Judicial District in Pulaski County. Ernest was the first African American Division Chief for the 6th Judicial District when he was appointed Division Chief over the Youth Crimes Division. This was something Sanders was passionate about. “It dealt with young people, mostly young people of color who were underrepresented. My predecessor had just started the juvenile diversion program, and I was excited to oversee it because it presented a better option for teens arrested on non-violent offenses.” According to Youth.gov, the purpose of diversion programs is to redirect youthful offenders from the justice system through programming, supervision, and support.

“What I loved about the program is that it gave alternatives for young people who probably shouldn’t have been arrested in the first place. It keeps them from the trauma of being booked and detained. It gave them a chance to make better choices and not have a criminal record follow them for the rest of their lives,” Ernest explained. From there, Ernest became an administrative law judge for the Arkansas State Parole Board. In February of 2010, Ernest was appointed Circuit Judge of the 5th Division Circuit Court in Pulaski and Perry Counties. Sanders presided over both civil and criminal cases as a circuit court judge. His appointment lasted one year. At the end of 2010, Sanders went into private practice. “I never set out to become a judge. Like anything else in my life, I wanted to do my best at whatever I set my hands to,” Ernest explains. “If I’m honest, my biggest motivation at the beginning for becoming an attorney was to escape poverty. I wanted to change my life, and in my pursuit, I learned that mine wasn’t the only life that mattered.” When he heard his friend and colleague was about to retire from the 5th Division Circuit Court position. His first reaction wasn’t to campaign for the position. “I love helping people, and my private practice allows me to do that. So, when several people, including my wife, suggested I run for election, I had to think about it. I knew it would be a large undertaking, and I wasn’t sure if this was the direction I wanted to take. But I kept hearing people say, you are qualified, and we really need someone of your quality and integrity in that position. After much prayer and consultations with family and friends, I decided that I was ready to take on the challenge. I was experienced, and having done the job before, felt I was prepared and qualified to serve as the circuit court judge.” As a man of faith, Ernest says he continued to seek God’s counsel concerning his choice to run. Then he says he received confirmation that he was heading in the right direction. “I was doing a firm walkthrough, and I shared somethings with one of the firm’s partners. He is well known in the legal community, and his endorsement carries a lot of weight. After the seated judge announced his retirement, that partner called and said, ‘I appeared before you during your appointment as a circuit judge, and you did such a great job that should you be elected, I have no doubt you would be a great judge.’ That was the confirmation I needed to know I was on the right path.” Running a campaign is expensive and exhausting, but Ernest believes that his hard work, experience, commitment to fairness, and belief that everyone deserves to be treated justly qualifies him to sit as the Circuit Court Judge of the 5th Division. He hopes that on election day, the people will agree and give him the opportunity to serve them. h

“If I’m honest, my biggest motivation at the beginning for becoming an attorney was to escape poverty. I wanted to change my life, and in my pursuit, I learned that mine wasn’t the only life that mattered.”

Mother Hustlers Network 28

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By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Kamisha Petgrave Kamisha Petgrave is a go-getter. The Atlanta, GA resident is a young single mother and graduate of Strayer University. There, she obtained her degree in Criminal Justice before venturing off into the world of entrepreneurship. Kamisha shares that being an entrepreneur has always been a goal for her. Another goal for this single mother was to become financially secure and provide a future for her daughter. “Everything I do is for my daughter and to better myself for her. As a kid growing up, I knew that I didn’t want to work a traditional job. I also didn’t know where to start, and because of that, my entrepreneurial journey didn’t begin until I became a mother in 2015,” she says. During that time, Kamisha was on maternity leave, and she had no income. Soon she discovered an opportunity with a direct sales company and took her last $100 and jumped in. She says that was the beginning of entrepreneurship for her, and IamKamishaP, The Networking Strategist, was born.. “During my journey as an entrepreneur, I discovered another passion; motivating and empowering single mothers like myself to take charge of their financial freedom, and become “a YES MOM”. That is how Mother Hustlers Network was formed, an organization geared towards helping single mothers earn additional income by starting a business in the network marketing industry, while building a personal brand and erasing the need to work a second job,” she says. They also cater to single mothers who are already on their entrepreneurship journey. “As single mothers, we understand that attempting to build a profitable business while you are raising a family can be very challenging. That is why it’s essential to have an adequate support system.”

“During my journey as an entrepreneur, I discovered another passion; motivating and empowering single mothers like myself to take charge of their financial freedom, and become “a YES MOM”

Mother Hustlers Network began with only a thought five years ago. The vision took years to come into play due to many hurdles that Kamisha had to overcome. The Mother Hustlers Network community organization officially started in 2020.

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While Kamisha says she finds enjoyment in seeing mom’s faces light up when they become “Yes Moms,” she admits there are some challenges that come with being your own boss. “It has not been a smooth road, especially being a single mother. There were times when I felt like giving up because things weren’t going how I wanted them to go. People who I thought would be happy for me were the same people wishing the worst on me. I also had to drill it into myself that your friends and family will not be the most supportive. I learned to keep my head held high and tell myself that no matter what, I will keep pushing. Even though I didn’t give up, I did take a break to refocus on my why, and I was able to jump back in like I never left,” she shares. Her advice to others who might follow in her footsteps is to have faith in yourself. “It does not have to be perfect to start. Start exactly where you are and grow from there. Business is forever changing, and you will always find a new way or a new system that makes your business better,” she says. h

Kamisha Petgrave

Mother Hustlers Network www.iamkamishap.com 30

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Re By Bre By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Breanna Rosa Breanna Rosa is Re by Bre. This young and talented professional hairstylist realized her gift almost by happenstance. As she prefers to be acknowledged, Bre is a native of Pensacola, FL. After receiving her formal education in the Pensacola public school system, she made her way to Tallahassee, FL, and attended Florida A&M University, a Historically Black College and University. Next, Breanna returned to Pensacola, attended Pensacola State University, and obtained her Associate of Arts degree in 2015. Hard work has always been a part of Bre’s identity. Since the age of 15, she has always worked, often working two jobs simultaneously. Currently, Bre works as a professional loctician and is the owner of Re By Bre. Some of the services Bre offers at her salon, Locology Loc Studio and Beauty Bar located in Pensacola are Starter Locs, Retwists, Styles, Loc Repair, Loc Extensions, and Wicks. She also has developed a line of natural hair products designed to assist her clients in managing and maintaining their locs. Her husband and business partner is the one who manages the Wicks component of her business. The average cost for Bre’s services is $100.

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She started her business in 2016, and shares that she could only do retwists and didn’t know how to start locs. She promoted her services on social media, encouraging those who needed to get their locs retwisted to get them done with her. One of her friends coined the term “Re By Bre,” and she stuck with it. “I could never do hair before I started doing locs. It began while I was involved in a bad relationship. The person I was dating was unfaithful, and I didn’t trust him to get his hair styled by someone else, so I taught myself how to do it. It was a tough experience, and it took me a long time to finish the task. So, I reached out to someone locally who was well known in the loc community. Their feedback wasn’t promising, and instead of allowing that to discourage me, I became more determined to master my craft,” she says. Bre shares that styling locs is an art form. This is one of the things that she loves most about her profession. “I love creating new styles and new looks for my clients. When a person has locs, they can become outgrown over time. I am able to tame and revitalize their locs by retwisting them and creating or recreating a nice, elegant style. Professionally, Bre says she is inspired by Mani Locs of Atlanta, GA. “I reached out to him and asked him to teach me new styles and different techniques,” she shares. He was open to helping Bre, and she eventually traveled to Atlanta and shadowed him, acquiring valuable information that helped her business grow to new heights. Bre credits the love and support of her husband, Shawn, for pushing her to be the best version of herself. “When he came into my life, he absorbed many things that were weighing me down. He allowed me to step out of the workforce and put my focus on being a business owner,” she says. She became a full-time entrepreneur in 2019, and within six months, she became an overnight success on social media. After posting her work on Facebook, she went viral on three different occasions, all in one week. That success opened new doors for Bre. She began to receive invitations to participate in events all around the United States and different countries. She then organized a tour schedule and visited areas such as Miami, FL, Birmingham and Montgomery, AL, Atlanta, GA, Colorado, North Carolina, Chicago, Virginia, and Texas. As a result, a new business segment was realized for Bre. She now works as a traveling loctician, and she has clients in Chicago and Atlanta that she services every month.

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“ ” Bre says her mother, Marie and sister, LeShaunte have also impacted her life and career. “They are my biggest supporters. I started both of their locs, and they are actually walking billboards for my work,” she says. While the ride has been enjoyable for Bre, she shares there is one thing that she wishes had happened differently. “I wish I had a mentor in the beginning. I am self-taught, and everything that I know I learned on my own. If I had known earlier what I learned in 2020, I believe I would have gotten further in my craft,” she says. Moving forward, Bre says she hopes to relocate to a bigger city, such as Atlanta, and open a salon there. Her advice for those who may follow in her footsteps is to use every brick thrown at you to step on and grow higher. “If you don’t love what you do, find out what you do love,” she says. To learn more about Re By Bre, please visit her salon or visit them online. h

Breanna Rosa Re By Bre Locology Loc Studio and Beauty Bar 2313 Border Street - Unit B Pensacola, Fl 32505 850-366-6625 www.rebybre.myshopify.com 37

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T U C K E R By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Verlancia Tucker It has been said to never judge a book by its cover. For Verlancia Tucker, this assessment is spot on. She is the founder of BOHEMIA Cares, a non-profit organization that offers self-love programs while spreading mental health awareness. The quality programs provide enrichment, mentorship, outreach, educational consulting, and social-emotional learning to individuals and families. “BOHEMIA Cares is not just any nonprofit organization, we are a healing ministry. We allow individuals to share openly about self-love and mental illness in safe, nonjudgmental spaces. We allow God to shine through us so that others will know there is a living God and Savior. When people look and hear me, I want them to see and hear God,” she says. Verlancia grew up in the Delta (Lee County), Arkansas, and is the ninth daughter of ten children born to Jeff and Henrietta Tucker. She is also a mother, educator, mentor, advocate, personal development coach and survivor. Verlancia attended Lee High Schools in Marianna, Arkansas, and has earned a Master of Secondary Education degree and two Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration, with majors in Advertising-Public Relations and Marketing from UA-Little Rock. She is an Arkansas Educator licensed in Business Technology and endorsed in Career Orientation and English as a Second Language, and has worked as a classroom teacher for ten years with mentorship and teacher supervisor experience. Furthermore, she currently serves as the Education Committee Chair for the Jacksonville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Verlancia founded BOHEMIA Cares on January 8, 2018. It was an action she shared that God commissioned her to do. “I experienced mental illness at age 17, mainly due to my exposure to domestic violence. Yet, I was fortunate to graduate high school as an honor student, finishing in the top 10% of my graduating class. I attended a community college during my senior year in high school, all while battling the silent monster,” she says. Verlancia moved out on her own and enrolled in college at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock immediately after high school. “After graduating from high school, I thought I would become an accountant and a cosmetologist. After my first two accounting courses, that soon changed. Nonetheless, I graduated from barber school with barber and barber instructor licenses, but I couldn’t practice in that field due to neck and back issues,” she says. As she got older, she ignored the trauma from her early childhood but would find herself involved with another trying situation. Verlancia dated a guy who turned out to be a stalker. During that time, she also lost a family member to gun violence. “Life became so dark and hopeless, and mental illness attacked my mind yet once again,” she shares. NY/NJ - May/June 2022

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“My mental stability plummeted again, and everything that could go wrong was going wrong. I realized that I could no longer manage my daily home life and teach school, and I needed mental counseling. I had to go get help, or death would have been the end result because I had already planned my suicide.” Years would pass, and Verlancia continued to battle depression with the assistance of medication. She also got married, had a son, and was divorced, all within a year. After being left to raise her son alone, Verlancia says she struggled to maintain a smile and work through the heartache and pain. During her trials, Verlancia says there were some bright moments also. “While my personal life was going downhill, my professional life was looking up. I landed a job at a middle school and taught Keyboarding, mentored at-risk girls, and served as the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Advisor. Through all of the hustle and bustle, Verlaneca says she lost herself. “Life became so cumbersome and overwhelming. My mental stability plummeted again, and everything that could go wrong was going wrong. I realized that I could no longer manage my daily home life and teach school, and I needed mental counseling. I had to go get help, or death would have been the end result because I had already planned my suicide,” she shares. Verlancia shares that she contemplated suicide because she was in a dark, dark place. Thankfully, she says, God intervened, and she endured countless sleepless days and nights filled with crying, worrying, despair, anxiety, and bitterness. “Even though I managed to attain college degrees and accolades, it meant absolutely nothing because my inner joy and peace were in a place of unrest and discontent. I replayed a lot of negative thoughts and actions. Honestly, I felt as if I had lost my soul. I had a real fistfight with the devil to regain my soul. It was God and therapy that saved my life. My therapist taught me coping strategies, and I learned how to set healthy boundaries for my peace and healing. I then began to shed the resentment and pain that I had harbored for years. I learned so much about myself during the therapy sessions. I realized that I had been battling with myself for a long time. I learned how to identify my triggers and be okay with eliminating toxic people from my inner circle. I realized that what occurred in my life was not a mistake or error. I also asked God why I endured so much pain, heartache, and suffering. God told me, “In order for you to be able to help other people, you had to go through it.” In that moment, I gained a sense of peace and acceptance, and God began to speak the vision of this organization to me,” she says. Verlancia says she is inspired by people who push past adversity and defy the odds. “I am inspired by people who love others when others mistreat them and those who value other people, regardless of where they come from or what they look like,” she says. Her friends of more than 45 years, Pam, Cita, Relynda, Claudette, and Tammy have inspired her the most. “They have been by my side through it all, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent. They have allowed me to be me and embraced me when my life was in shambles, and they celebrate with me today. They have challenged me to become better, and are my accountability partners in life.” Moving forward, Verlancia hopes to write adult and children’s books about mental health and self-love. She also hopes to open a charter school one day, and open a transition home for single mothers who struggle with mental illness. Her personal goal is to become a professional print model. To learn more about Varlancia and BOHEMIA Cares, please visit their website. h

www.bohemiacares.org

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The Wealthy Child “I am a Change Agent on the path to create a culture of wealth for the next generation”

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Ronald Pollard

Delvin Sullivan is a Dave Ramsey-certified Financial Coach who believes that “The earlier money can make sense to a child, the better chance they have at being financially responsible adults.” A native of Huntsville, AL, Delvin is the author of The Wealthy Child, a book designed to teach youth about money and the world’s economic process. As someone who grew up in public housing, Delvin’s passion always led him to mentoring youth and posing as a positive role model for kids, particularly young men. Using the basic principles of wealth, he published his book to level the playing field and offer all children the opportunity to become wealthy through knowledge. Some of the topics discussed in the Wealthy Child production are budgeting, banking, investing, credit, income, and assets. “I am introducing children to the basics of financial literacy in a fun and engaging way and teaching kids about the importance of earning, saving, and spending responsibly. My goal is to ensure they understand the importance of earning, saving, and spending responsibly,” Delvin says. In addition to being an author, personal finance coach, and entrepreneur, Delvin is also a US Army veteran and recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. He holds degrees from Alabama A&M University and Murray State University. He is married to Felichia, and they have two children, Tierra and Jordan, along with three grandchildren. Delvin shares, “I began teaching at the Sparkman Homes Boys and Girls Club in 2017, and decided to develop a book and workbook that would give the students something they could take home with them.” The vision for The Wealthy Child is connected to Delvins awareness of the many challenges that youth face, especially within his community. “Studies show 80% of crimes that send people to prison have something to do with money. I want to change that narrative by teaching children how to earn, save, grow, and respect the dollar at an early age,” he says.

He shares that he loves being able to change the course of a child’s life by ensuring he or she is financially literate. He is also inspired by youth development and making a difference in his community. Growing up in similar situations that many of the young individuals he’s helping are, Delving feels that he has a sincere responsibility to create realistic opportunities for them. “I made it to where I am because of the men placed in my life at the Boys and Girls Club. It was Ugene Phillips, Cedric Wherry, and Tyrone Langford. They would preach, “if you want to be an eagle, don’t hang around turkey’s”. That kept me from becoming a product of my environment,” Delvin says. Delvin’s future goal is to continue to change the lives of millions of children by introducing them to the world’s economic process. To learn more about The Wealthy Child, please visit their website. h

Delvin Sullivan The Wealthy Child

www.thewealthychild.net 256-468-3227

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Marrel Gravely Foushee The son Sunny Gravely Foushee and Marrel Foushee

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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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Certified Trainer, Speaker, Coach with the John Maxwell International Best Selling Amazon Author Certified Professional Career Coach Certified Virtual Presenter www.facebook.com/groups/NobleSuccessGroup Email: noblesuccessgroupdbbiz@gmail.com HuamiMagazine.com

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