Huami Magazine Philadelphia May/June 2022 by Terry Watson

PHILADELPHIA

May/June 2022 Volume 1 Issue 8

Germany Inke Germany Inke & Co. Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 1

On April 14th, 2022, Lady Vwb Nature was a special guest on Southern Soul Livestream. Calvin Baldwin (host) was very inspired to learn about Vanessa and Varina’s journey to talk about their business and entrepreneurship as new business owners, the lessons learned in small business, and teaching her daughter Vatina ownership at the age of 14 to be transparent, patient and continued education in holistic healing remedies and nutrition. Vanessa has completed workshops, business coaching, marketing classes, and holistic nutrition certification, and her daughter is right by her side, taking notes. Varina is now 15 years old. We are excited about her future endeavors and what’s to come. Lady Vwb Nature has received certification from US Black Chambers. We work three local pop-up shops a Month throughout Ohio. Advice to other business owners and Entrepreneurs Be patient. You can’t please everyone, but know there is someone out there who needs your services! Keep an open mind each day will be different. Hard work never goes unnoticed! Take up workshops and business coaching it will better help you gain capital or your business. Our customers deserve the best! Check out our brand profile and get to know our natural skincare brand.

Did You Know?

In 2021, Lady Vwb Nature LLC was the first small business featured in Huami Magazine, sourced out of Cleveland, Ohio

www.ladyvwbnature.com

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 in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me replaced by digital ones. Awwwe, technology. 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 I compare those childhood catalog surfing moments to some have found that veryIboring. In my opinion, experiences I have as to anbe adult. have often tried to planopportunity 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 an adventure. the worst can happen? a department store catalog. What I haveismade plansthat for various things If I do nothing, fail, and if I try don’t, but instead and experiences andI made plans on Ihow to acquire and learn accomplish newwere about myself. to Relinquish pride and in them.something Those plans submitted God, andyour I’m always amazed return acquire life.God in response. at what I receive from

best advicethat evereven given to meIhappened when See,The I have learned though make plans, Godsomeone has the told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing final say. What I think is good for me, God knows what is trulysobest I have pressed my waymoments, through doors with a key that only a for me. Even in my lowest God has already prepared hope provided. I have also learned the difference between path to higher ground for me. And even when I choose to follow my Godredirects. blesses me with and what life can burden me with own what way, He as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet,life, because I strive to live a better a life someone may get it confused that is connected to God through withand being arrogant. obedience grasping a better understanding of what He desires Make you for me. I admit thattomorrow 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 Lifeoff is but a whisper and love when I get track in life, God’s we must put ourselves in a never changes. position to hear what it is telling us.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson

Publisher

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

Tonya Dixon Rob Lay Terry L. Watson Photographer Fredro Star Alana Allen Photographer Tamara Smith Still Shots Photography Jeuron Dove Photographer Photographers Perfect Lenz Photography Todd Youngblood Photography

To Advertise? ShawWant Photography Group Still Shots Photography Send An Email or Call Today

Who Shotya Photography huami.philadelphia@gmail.com (336)340-7844 Layout Howard Gaither Photography

Mykel Media Company Linda Bennett

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

MAY/JUNE 2022

PHILADELPHIA

CONTENTS

Running And Qualified

Ernest Sanders

On The Cover

Germany Inke & Co.

Germany Inke

Re By Bre

Breanna Rosa

Alexis Williams

Marrel Gravely Foushee

Aloha Glamour

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Also Featured

Verlancia Tucker She is using her experiences and trauma to assist others with managing depression. Learn more about her journey. Little Rock, AR

Dr. David Banks He is providing noble ideas to manifest success. Learn more about who he is, and what his ministry is about. Nashville, TN

Dr. Schenita Randolph She has partnered with community leaders to bring awareness to issues that affect Black Americans. Greensboro, NC

38 5

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 Terah Syrong 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.”

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 to cope with the idea that my siblings and I were losing this amazing woman. 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.

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 9

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

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.

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 11

“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.” h

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 13

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

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.

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.

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 17

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

“ ” 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 19

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

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. Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 21

“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 22

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 23

“I Am Qualified” 24

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

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.

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 25

“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

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 27

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.

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

“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.”

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 29

Aloha Glamour 30

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

Information Provided By Lexi Williams and Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Aloha Glamour Credible influencers remind the world of its limitless possibilities when charisma is met with expert potential, tenacity, and sincere cause. Existing as a living attestation of that theory; is the effervescent professional, Lexi Williams. Lexi Williams of Gulfport, MS, is an author, advocate, creative mogul, CEO, and Founder of Aloha Glamour, a multi-faceted heritage-enthused brand house that provides both trend-savvy apparel and inspiration to a diverse clientele. Slogan-ed as the Afro-Waiin Boutique, Lexi provides consumers with the opportunity to enjoy a unique blend of African and Hawaiian inspired fashions, alongside an unyielding positivity and an energetic online community. Born after the tragic loss of Lexi’s daughter (Lauren Taylor), Aloha Glamour has remained a community of women, empowering others to find and use their voices, turning their tragedies into triumphs and their mess into a message. Lexi’s mantra is simple. “I believe that women should live boldly and love themselves wholeheartedly while using their voice and fashion to promote living their life in color.” Lexi couples an impressive career in fashion. This is paired with a buoyant reputation of innovative leadership, trailblazing success, and community achievement. She has also created, chaired, and hosted the first-ever, Black-owned business Awards on The Mississippi Gulf Coast, highlighting more than 250 black-owned businesses. The sold-out event helped to solidify her reputation. She is no stranger to the limelight. She has been featured four times in Gulf Coast Women Magazine and has had two sensational write-ups on Aloha Glamour. She styled Tamika from the hit Bravo TV show, Southern Charm and was interviewed herself, by Ms. Jamiee on the MS. Congeniality Show. She was also featured twice at the Inaugural Black Business Awards and has experienced more television coverage for her contributions at Aloha Glamour. Lexi’s propensity for success is imminent, and she displays proficient know-how in the world of sales, earning as much as $33,000 in under five days. When Lexi is not out changing the world for the better, she is an asset to her communal body and a loving member of her family and friendship circles. She is a medically retired veteran, having served more than 17 years in the US Air Force. She is also a mother to aspiring model Laila Williams (16) and Marine Kaileb Williams (18).

Aloha Glamour offers Afrowiian Clothing and Accessories for the bold individual who believes in living life in color and out loud. Lexi shares, “I started the business in January 2017. I was coping with the loss of my daughter while also serving in the military. I needed to do something for my mental health, and I remembered how I felt when I first tried on a Pu’a Skirt. The drive behind establishing Aloha Glamour was curated from the sense of “ka wiwo ole” (the Hawaiian word for confidence) that I received the first time I put on the skirt.. The floral design and the way it held my figure provided a certain feeling of individuality and boldness. I wanted to share that sensation with other women as well.” Aloha Glamour affords all full-figured a seat at the fashion table by adding a “Pop of Pretty” to their wardrobe. Each skirt is one size fits all and exclusive in design. Lexi says she hopes that with each purchase, her clients will feel the same confidence and unique styling experience as she did, over and over again. She says what she loves most about her business is when others contact her or stop her in the store and say things such as “Because of you, I got through.” “Sometimes our stories are the keys to unlock someone else’s prison, and I am honored when I’m told I was the key for them,” she says. What inspires her the most are the families that are directly affected by her business. “Their hustle is unmatched. When I visited Ghana in June 2021, I had the opportunity to meet Artisans that make Aloha Glamour go around. Knowing that I directly affect their kids’ education and their quality of life inspires me to do what I do,” she says. On the other hand, she says her own children have impacted her life and career the most. She says it’s the resilience and grace shown and given unto her while she was turning her pain into her passion that got her through. “I could never repay them for what they’ve done for me,” Lexi said. Moving forward, she has plans to open Aloha Glamour Flag Ship stores in outlet malls around the country. She also plans to offer cultural travel trips to Ghana and Hawaii bi-annually so that others can experience the cultures, the people, and the food that she loves so much. Her advice to others who may follow a path similar to hers is to do it scared. “There will never be a perfect time to launch or start that business. Someone is waiting on what you have to offer to make it through their trying time. So pray to God and do it.” To learn more about Lexi and Aloha Glamour, please visit their website or contact her directly. h

www.alohaglamour.shop 32

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 33

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

Providing Noble Ideas To Manifest Success By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Dr. David Banks

He has a genuine and compassionate love for God. It was August 0f 1982, and Dr. David Banks had just given his life to Christ. He shares how he struggled with his Christian walk all throughout high school and even while in college. However, despite his struggles, he always believed that his life served a greater purpose, and soon God would reveal what it was. Born and raised in Covington, GA, Dr. Banks is an International Best Selling Amazon Author, collaborating with Les Brown and Dr. Cheryl Wood. He is also the President of Noble Success Strategic Group, LLC. His company serves various notable clients, including Volkswagen, BB&T, Ace Hardware, Office of Family Empowerment, Family Promise, National League of Cities, Urban League, Academy of Allied Health, BlueCross Blue Shield, Chattanooga State, and the Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments. He is also the President of Noble Marriages and the Founder of Global Alliance for Leadership Development. He is manages the popular Facebook Forum, Dr. David Bank’s Noble Tribe. With all of his personal and professional accomplishments, Dr. Banks shares that none of it would be possible without the love and support of his family, that being his wife of 31 years, Slyvia, and three loving children, Caleb, Maiya, and Benjamin.

10 Books Written By Dr. David Banks

Ebooks “30 Days of Success” “30 Days of Purpose” “30 Days of the Kingdom” “30 Days to a Mountain TOP Mindset” “30 Days to Release your Inner Greatness” Children’s Books “My Daddy’s Coat” “Jada’s Treasure Chest” Marriage Books “Draw Me Close” “30-Day Couple’s Devotional

Today, Dr. Banks is fully walking in his divine purpose and serves as the leader of The Empowerment Embassy. His ministry he says, operates with a mandate to Empower Kings to Flow and Reign in their domain. “I had been in the counseling field for over twenty years. In Sept. 2003, I was called away for a time of fasting and prayer and instructed to plant a church. I was reluctant at first, but I submitted to His will. I started the ministry with my bride and three kids and was also given further instructions. In 2005, after digesting a book written by Dr. Myles Munroe called “Rediscovering the Kingdom”, God revealed to me the purpose of my ministry, which was to empower leaders to flow in their giftedness and reign in eight fields,” he says. These fields are Home, Business, Education, Government, Medical, Ministry, The Arts, and Region. “I realized that I’m a Kingdom citizen made in the image of God, created to function as a king and being given a Kingdom by God to establish in the earth.” In March 2020, Dr. Banks made the decision to convert his ministry to a total virtual platform. He now has partners across the United States, and in Australia, The Netherlands, the Philippines, Zambia, Africa, and Lagos Nigeria. Dr. Banks has worked in the field of personal growth and professional development for over twenty years and specializes in Relationship Development, Success Development, Leadership Development, Kingdom Intelligence, Motivation, and Purpose Discovery. He holds a PhD in Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family. He is a Certified Behavioral Analysis Trainer, Wholeness Coach, and Leadership Strategist. He is a Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Professional Trainer, Speaker, and Coach with the John Maxwell Team. Dr. Banks also serves a the Director of Leadership and Professional Development for the City of Chattanooga, TN. He has expertise in Relationships, Leadership Development, Motivation, and Purpose Discovery. When asked what he loves most about what he does, Dr. Banks says the ability to live out his purpose. “I enjoy empowering people to discover their original design for them to succeed in personal and professional life. I also enjoy being able to shift individuals’ natural intelligence to Kingdom Intelligence and educating them about the Kingdom of God,” he shares. He says that Dr. Myles Munroe impacted his life and ministry more than anything else has. “When I met Dr. Myles Munroe in 2010, we instantly connected in our spirit. He made it clear that he wanted to assist me in fulfilling my Kingdom mandate,” he says. While Dr. Banks’ journey has been enjoyable and fulfilling, he says there are a few things he would change about it if given a chance. “I would focus more on my mandate instead of trying to please people. Instead of going to church in the four walls, I would have focused on being the church and made sure I spent more time with my bride and my family. I would have also read more books and stretched my faith to do more God-sized projects,” he says. His advice for those who may follow a similar path in life as he as is simple. “Discover your purpose and surround yourself with a key team. Also, clarify your mandate, keep pressing beyond your comfort zone, and stay focused.”

www.facebook.com/groups/NobleSuccessGroup 36

Futuristically, Dr. Banks plans to expand his business, Noble Success Strategic Group, LLC, to a global level. He also plans to custom design his own bow ties, and create a strategy to impact his city. There are also plans to develop a Humanitarian project in Pakistan. Personally, Dr. Banks is preparing to run a Half Marathon. A self-described avid reader, he has set his goals of reading a book a month and writing an ebook. As if that wasn’t enough, he is also planning to create an online course. To learn more about Dr. David Banks, please visit his website.

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 37

The HEEAT Research Lab HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

By Ellen Richardson Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

Over the last few years, there has been a heightened awareness of the health inequities that exist in the African American/Black community as well as the impact that racism has on health outcomes. These inequities and racism, however, are not new and have shown to have a profound and negative impact on Black Americans. A group of advocates throughout the Triad and the Research Triangle areas of North Carolina are addressing health disparities through equity, engagement, advocacy, and trust. Led by Nurse Scientist and researcher Dr. Schenita Randolph, The HEEAT Research Lab is committed to finding solutions and ensuring the improved health of the Black community, specifically in the areas of sexual health and HIV. “The addressing Health Disparities through Engagement, Equity, Advocacy, and Trust Research (HEEAT) Lab was established alongside fellow researchers, nurses and clinicians, entrepreneurs, and community members dedicated to addressing health inequities within the Black community,” said Randolph. “We highlight the significant role of Fathers in promoting adolescent male sexual health, while recognizing the impact that experiences of racism and discrimination have had and continue to have on Black males health and health outcomes.” Randolph also shared that the Centers for Disease Control has identified racism as a serious threat to the public’s health. As a nurse for over 25 years, Randolph has always had a heart for educating young Black males and females, primarily due to the disparities in health, specifically for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. “Before working on the academic side of healthcare, I was a public health nurse. I saw young males and females coming in for HIV and other sexual health screenings. I also understand as a Black woman how race and gender discrimination impacts health care delivery and outcomes,” she said. “Witnessing all of this, I made it my mission to do what I can to address health inequities within our community through education, research, and advocacy.”

“We are partnering with the community to develop and implement culturally and socially relevant interventions that will promote health particularly for Black women and Black male adolescents and young adults.”

Randolph partners with trusted community members, such as barbershop and beauty salon owners, to provide the education and resources necessary to promote health in the community. The HEEAT lab has developed an intervention called UPDOs (Using PrEP, Doing it for Ourselves) Protective Styles. UPDOs Protective Styles is a salon-based intervention developed in partnership with researchers and the Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 39

community to promote awareness, knowledge, and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black women living in the United States south. Black women in the US make up 12 percent of the population but account for 60 percent of new HIV cases among women. PrEP is a pill that, if taken daily, reduces the risk of one contracting HIV. It has been proven to be 99% percent effective. However, less than one percent of Black women who are eligible for this preventative measure actually use it. The HEEAT Lab just wants women to be aware and knowledgeable so they can make informed decisions about their own health. UPDOs takes a comprehensive approach and addresses overall health of Black women in the US, including HIV, cardiovascular disease, and intimate partner violence. This salon-based intervention has partnered with salon owner Tamica Campbell Hughes of Kotur Kutz in Greensboro, NC. Hughes offers awareness and education for area African American women about PrEP or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Educating trusted partners like Tamica Hughes about these and other women’s health issues such as cardiovascular disease and intimate partner violence, can have a widespread community impact. According to Hughes, her salon’s partnership with Randolph and The HEEAT Research Lab has been life-changing. “Partnership with this social research lab offers knowledge that will help stylists and their clients provide support for improving women’s health. The truth is that by reaching one woman, you can change the world. Getting the knowledge is the first step to protecting you and your body, and this is a great life-altering message for stylists to share with women throughout the community,” Hughes shared. Thanks to other available social, behavioral programs like The Talk, Randolph and her partners are assisting parents in having the necessary tools to support and guide young Black male youth in their sexual health and understand the impacts of racism on health behaviors and outcomes. “This web-based application includes podcasts that feature perspectives from fathers, videos that showcase the importance of seeking racial equality, as well as other valuable content that helps start the conversations between fathers and sons. We also encourage mothers to leverage this information to help them build healthy relationships with their sons and provide resources to help their sons make healthy sexual health decisions,” Randolph says. Partners for The TALK include Gene Blackmon, Barber and Owner of Prestige Barber College in Greensboro, NC, and Akili Hester, Barber and Owner of Black Wall Street Barbershop in Durham, NC.

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

HuamiMagazine.com 41

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

The HEEAT Research Lab: UPDOs Program Development Team Pictured from left to right are Dr. Ragan Johnson, Co-Investigator, Dr. Schenita Randolph, Director and Principal Investigator, Allison Johnson, Clinical Research Coordinator, Crystal Taylor, Executive Producer for UPDOs, Tamica Campbell Hughes, Community Partner and Stylists, and Corrina Dunn, Community Partner and Stylists. Other members of the HEEAT Lab not pictured include Gene Blackmon, Barber and Owner Prestige Barber College, Akili Hester, Barber and Owner of Black Wall Street Barbershop, Aaron Lyle Jr., CEO Black Fly on the Wall, Dr. Harvey Hinton, Terrance Pleasants, Davon Washington, Dr. Cherie Conley, Dr. Selena Monk, Candice Lewis, and Kelvis Tann.

Randolph describes herself as a “Nurse Scientist who genuinely cares about her work having a real-world impact in the community.” When asked what lies in the future for the HEEAT, Randolph has a clear response. “As a researcher in academia, it is important for us to test our interventions to evaluate if they have the intended outcomes for which they were created, so we are now recruiting women to test the UPDOs intervention site.” Without any question, Randolph and The HEEAT Lab are doing their part to improve the health of Black Americans. Please visit their website for more information. h

The HEEAT Research Lab www.theheeat.nursing.duke.edu schenita.randolph@duke.edu 43

HuamiMagazine.com

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

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, h please visit their website.

Delvin Sullivan The Wealthy Child

www.thewealthychild.net 256-468-3227 45

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

HuamiMagazine.com

Marrel Gravely Foushee The son Sunny Gravely Foushee and Marrel Foushee

Philadelphia - May/June 2022

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

KIRBYROBERTSANDCO.COM

NEED HELP RECRUITING? WE SP E C I A L I Z E I N F I N D I N G J U S T T H E R I G H T P E R S O N F O R T H E R I G H T P O S I T I O N WI T H I N A C O MP A N Y O R O R G A N I Z A T I O N .

Visit our website for more details: www.kirbyrobertsandco.com

EXCLUSIVE

S P E C S

fOR MEN & WOMEN

shop@ladyespecs.com

www.ladyespecs.com

336-303-9814 FB-LadyE_Specs IG-lady_especs