Huami Magazine Richmond May/June 2023

Brandi Johnson-Harris Lotus Sewcial Club

What Else Could I Say?

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

On a recent evening, I was invited to sit on a panel alongside a couple of other gentlemen. Our mission was to share our experiences and answer a few questions on the challenges and joys of being a black man and father. Though some questions were shared with us beforehand, I hadn’t prepared much for the event. Little did I know, the night would be full of surprises and lessons learned.

A Letter from the Editor

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?

One panelist sitting beside me appeared to be great at public speaking. I determined this by how he held the microphone close to his face so that his voice would project throughout the room of people with clarity and precision. He was good. For me, I consider myself to be an average speaker, and I am not often intimidated when faced with the challenge of speaking publicly. Well, all of that was off the table that evening. While I knew what I wanted to share, I felt a little speechless when it was my turn to speak.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.

As the evening came to an end, a feeling of regret washed over me. Despite being invited as a panelist to share my thoughts and experiences, I couldn’t help but feel that I had left a lot unsaid. It’s a shame, really, because I know what I felt inside could resonate with someone in that room. After all, isn’t that why we were all there? To share our unique perspectives and shed some light on what being a black man and father is like.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.

That evening was a valuable lesson in many ways. One of the key takeaways was the importance of preparation before speaking. Another lesson learned was the need to seize every opportunity and own the moment. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Most importantly, I was reminded of the power of sharing my experiences and how it can change someone’s perspective. It was a great reminder not to waste any opportunity to connect with others and make a positive impact.

Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.

Imagine that, me at a loss for words.

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson

Brandi Johnson-Harris Lotus Sewcial Club

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Brandi Johnson-Harris

While Brandi Johnson-Harris of Richmond, VA can do a whole lot of things, sewing is something she finds the most enjoyment with.

She is a wife and Realtor, and was educated in both private schools and the Richmond Public Schools system, before graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 2003. She is the owner of A Touch of Lotus & Lotus Sewcial Club, which incorporates both sewing and real estate under one umbrella.

In 2019, Brandi started her journey in real estate. She says, “It wasn’t something that I was looking to get into, but it just happened that a family member was selling a property and needed some additional assistance. I helped, and that was pretty much all she wrote. I fell in love with helping people and assisting them with one of their life’s largest and scariest purchases,” she says.

Her venture into sewing happened in 2020 during the initial COVID lockdown. “My intention was to make masks to support my community and keep my family safe. However, that turned into a love for this new craft, and I began soaking up everything sewing. That included collecting notions and taking classes virtually. We were in a lockdown COVID, and since the craft store was deemed essential, I was able to go down a rabbit hole of sewing patterns,” Brandi shared.

She later decided to venture into garment making due to “cheesy date” that she went on with her husband, James. “I had the amazing idea to create one-of-a-kind matching outfits for us. Initially, my garments weren’t the best, but he has been a true sport in wearing my garments with pride. I can say I’ve come a long way with garment construction.” Bag-making came into play when Brandi saw a really expensive purse and focused on its construction. “I knew that it was something I could make. So with that, I set out to gain the skills essential for bag making and made it. I have been making bags ever since.”

As a realtor, Brandi helps people buy and sell homes and educates them on the process. She works with buyers who want to purchase by going the traditional route but also those who are wondering if owning a home is something they truly want to do. She also offers a lease-to-own program.

What does she love most about real estate? Her response is, “I love being able to help people educate themselves at one of the most pivotal points in their lives, along with seeing the joy that comes with purchasing a home. Whether it’s your first home or your fifth, the excitement of the new adventure and memories always await them.”

Regarding sewing, Brandi says she loves the ability to get lost in the creative process, allowing herself to make her creations come to life. “I enjoy knowing that each piece is one of a kind. It gives me a sense of confidence knowing that I’m wearing something I created custom for me, and I didn’t have to go to a thousand stores looking for that perfect piece.”

Real Estate, Brandi says, is a learn-as-you-go career. She decided to commit to it and asked her broker and seasoned agent many questions. “If there was something I didn’t know, I found out the answer, that helped build my confidence in my ability to be this essential business partner for my clients.,” she explains. Some of the challenges she faced with sewing are connected to her belief that she is qualified to perform at the current level. “I overcome these things by taking a deep inner look and knowing that my work is of a professional quality that any consumer would expect. Even though it may be a short timeframe, I have taken steps to work on my craft, and my work shows that.”

If she could rewrite the way things have happened for her with real estate, Brandi says she would have started with a larger brokerage. “I initially began with a broker who had no other agents or systems to help me succeed. It took me a lot longer to get my business off the ground while trying to figure things out on my own. For sewing, she appreciates the way things have happened thus far.

To learn more about Brandi and her brands, please visit her website.

“I enjoy knowing that each piece is one of a kind. It gives me a sense of confidence knowing that I’m wearing something I created custom for me, and I didn’t have to go to a thousand stores looking for that perfect piece.”

Detroit Book City &

By Terry L. Watson

Located in the big city of Detroit, MI is a small and unique Black-owned, independent bookstore that has been feeding the reading appetites of its community for nearly six years. Detroit Book City offers new, used, and rare books. They also specialize in African-American titles for all ages, including infants, toddlers, and adults. Additionally, they offer cultural apparel, mugs, tote bags, African oils and jewelry, incense, vinyl albums (including 45’s records), posters, postcards, and specialty magazines such as vintage Ebony and Jet Magazines.

The visionaries of Detroit Book City are Janeice and Reginald Haynes. They opened the doors in December 2017 and have been committed to serving the public and promoting, preserving, and sustaining Black literature. While Janeice is considered the store’s brainchild, she says it came to fruition with the full support of Reginald.

Janeice is a native Detroiter. She graduated from Detroit Public Schools and described herself as a lifelong learner. Her professional experience involves Human Resources, youth development, advertising, sales, publishing, graphic design, and books! Early in her career, Janeice spearheaded two teen magazines, Detroit Urban Teen and Louisville Urban Teen. In 2005, she launched The Around D-Town Coupon book, a publication that featured Black businesses and offered coupons, highlighting Detroit’s Black history from the early days to the present. In 2008, she added Around D-Town Promotions, which offered t-shirt and graphics design services. Additionally, she hosted an online directory that hyperlinked to over 500 local websites. The directory, www.metrodetroitte.com, connected high school students with opportunities in enrichment, discovery, athletics, community service, and adventure.

Reginald has worked as a full-time professional Spray Painter for 27 years. He is the proud owner of Hollywood Tees. This Black-owned print company offers cultural apparel, mugs, African oils, and African jewelry, soaps and shea butter, incense, and men’s watches. Reginald is also the backbone of Detroit Book City, and he manages the off-site book fairs and provides soulful music and sounds at the store’s events in his role as DJ Holly.

Detroit Book City hosts several cultural book fairs throughout the year. These include the A-A Family Book Expo, the Juneteenth Book Fair, the Fall Family Book Fair, and Holiday Book Festival which features Black independent writers. “We take these events to the neighborhoods, and the valuable feedback is profound,” they said. “Detroit Book City amplifies Black voices, and we strive to keep the legacy of Black literature alive in Metro Detroit. We offer space to host book signings at our store and website for independent authors through the Black Indie Author Directory.”

Photos Provided by Detroit Book City

In 2022, Detroit Book City added a new family member, their mascot book dog, Brody. Brody accompanies Detroit Book City BookUp! Literacy Day program at school book fairs. Brody’s goal is to educate kids about the importance of reading.

When asked what she loves most about their store, Janeice shared the obvious; they love books and making them accessible to others. “I love waking up in the morning knowing we provide our people access to Black literature daily. Literacy allows us to initiate and participate in discussions, debates, and decisions related to life and our culture. Having access to books written by African Americans, across all genres for all ages, is priceless,” Janeice said. “I can’t accurately express the happiness I feel when I see new, beautifully written, and illustrated books hit the market, and we’re able to connect readers to them when they walk in our magical bookstore”.

Janeice was blessed with Black women bosses who were great mentors early in her career. “They believed in me and taught me everything they knew. The skills I gained inspired me to want more. My maternal grandmother (deceased) and mother were alpha women. They taught me to be studious and resilient,” she says. “I get inspired reading scholarly Black history that reminds me of what our ancestors have done to pave the way for us to win in life despite the obstacles and disparities we’re faced with.”

Like most business owners, Janeice and Reginald have faced their share of challenges. “Book sales can sometimes be a challenge at the store level. We are aware of our history, as it was once illegal for Blacks to read and write, you understand why the illiteracy rate is so high in the Black community. Books are a low priority on the bucket list. We manage this challenge with faith. We buy a curated collection of A-A books, then sell and give them away to encourage our customers to read,” Janeice says.

The future looks very bright for Detroit Book City. They are planning to add a cultural, heritage tourism platform to the store for their customers who are curious about the Black history of Detroit. They will continue to take the books to the neighborhoods as pop-ups, serving students in the school system and senior citizens. Please visit their store or website to learn more about Detroit Book City.

Bamboo Park Consultants

By Terry L. Watson

Located in the southern city of Huntsville, Alabama, an aspiring entrepreneur named Jocelyn Lewis is making waves as the owner of Bamboo Park Consultants, LLC. With a passion for empowering traditional brick-andmortar business owners, Jocelyn’s expertise lies in providing cutting-edge digital marketing services. Her goal is to help businesses enhance their online visibility, boost their bottom line, and maximize their market share. Some of the services they offer are Website Development, Social Media Management, Brand Management, Online Reputation Management, Google Profile, and Email Suite Development and Management, as well as Email and SMS Marketing.

Along with running her company, Jocelyn is committed to meeting the needs of her family. She is a wife and mother of two daughters. She is also a graduate of Alabama A&M University’s School of Business and has a B.S. in Economics.

The inception of Bamboo Park Consultants, LLC happened in 2018. It was then that Jocelyn recognized a pressing challenge faced by business owners, which was juggling their core operations while maintaining a consistent online presence. She wanted to provide a solution, and one was social media marketing and management. “The first client, a dental office seeking assistance with their social media channels and content creation, set the tone for what would happen moving forward with my company,” she says. “Soon, I pursued professional development opportunities, enrolled in courses, and obtained certifications to expand my skill set. With each successful collaboration, my confidence flourished, and things took off from there.”

“With each successful collaboration, my confidence flourished, and things took off from there.”

Photos Provided by Jocelyn Lewis

Jocelyn says she loves building relationships and collaborating with her clients. She shares, “I enjoy taking something that they once viewed as difficult or even impossible and helping them better understand to reach their business goals. I also love the fact that digital marketing is always changing. There is always something new to learn; thus, I am never bored. There are always new opportunities to be innovative!”

While Bamboo Park Consultants continues to make strides, Jocelyn shares some things that have strengthened her business acumen. “After college, I started a career in sales. To succeed in sales, you must be tough, resilient, confident, and good at taking rejection. My career in sales taught me a lot about building relationships and their importance. I do believe that has been the most impactful. I embraced roles in sales management and corporate sales training,” she says. “I didn’t realize then that I was building the foundation for my future and preparing for a life of entrepreneurship. My ability to build and maintain relationships has carried me and allowed me to build my dream. I learned the life of an entrepreneur is full of ups and downs, it can be a bit unpredictable. Yet, at the end of the day it is advantageous.”

Jocely shares she finds inspiration in knowing that anything is possible at the end of the day. “If you can conceive it with your mind, then you can hold it in your hand if you are willing to do the work,” she says.

While there have been challenges along her journey, there isn’t a whole lot of which she would change. “I wouldn’t change a single thing. Everything positive and negative has all worked together for my good. Facing challenges head-on has given me the grit and foresight necessary to push forward.”

Her advice to others who may follow in her footsteps is clear. “Value your relationships because they will take you further than any dollar ever will, and don’t be afraid to fail, and never stop learning” Moving forward, Jocelyn says she plans to continue to learn as much as she can and provide her clients with the best service possible while continuing to grow her business. “I want to scale into a full agency digital media powerhouse and serve multiple business sectors simultaneously. I also want to provide them with full digital media coverage while branching out into other media outlets,” she says.

Please visit their website to learn more about Bamboo Park Consultants, LLC.

www.hellobamboopark.com h

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Alphonso Abbott

Your wedding day is one of the most memorable moments of your life. It can also be one of your life’s most expensive and nerve-racking experiences. From deciding upon the perfect wedding gown, to the venue, to the caterer, to the wedding colors and the decorations, and the number of guests takes a person with nerves of steel to pull it all together and make the wedding day a successful and seamless event. A Certified and Detailed Oriented Wedding Planner manages, coordinates, and designs your memorable day. The wedding planner meets with the couple to discuss the type of wedding they envision and ascertain if their budget meets that vision. Successful wedding planners should be methodical and proficient at handling difficult or stressful situations; they should be professional when dealing with people with unique personalities; they should be abreast of the latest wedding trends; and they should demonstrate exceptional interpersonal communication and organization skills.

In 2023 the average wedding can cost the couple around $30K due to inflation. Let it be known that the fee doesn’t necessarily include the transportation for the wedding party, the rehearsal dinner, the florists, the photographers, the caterers, the entertainment, the cake designer, or even the invitations. Yes, that’s right. So where can you go when you desire a classy wedding but operate on a smaller budget? You can call Father of The Bride, an event planning company based in Greensboro, NC, and owned and operated by Michael Boston and his daughter, Aisha Boston.

Michael A. “Mike” Boston, Sr. is no stranger to the spotlight. Most citizens in the Triad area and beyond already know him from Boston’s House of Jazz, Boston Realty Group, Mike Boston Entertainment, and as the Co-Founder of the Mike & Anita Boston Foundation. These are a meager sampling of Mr. Boston’s thriving business endeavors. For these reasons, he wants to propel his daughter, Aisha, or his “Baby Girl,” as he dubs her into the business world by gifting her with a business of her own. Read on and learn how Father of the Bride was realized.

Mr. Boston shares, “My daughter called and told me she was getting married and asked how much she could count on me contributing to her budget. She said she already had a commitment from her mother and needed to know how much I could contribute because she needed to let the wedding planner know her budget. I thought about it briefly because she’s a school teacher, and we all know they don’t make much money. So, between me and her mom, we gave her $10K. No matter who you are or how much money you have, that’s a lot of money, and I thought that would be enough for her to have a nice wedding. Well, Aisha took that to her wedding planner and was told that wasn’t enough money, and she didn’t do weddings under $18K! When my daughter shared that with me, I thought that woman had bumped her head, but I know my baby girl, so I already knew she wanted something nice and classy, and at that moment, I started thinking about my mother. I’m 70 years old, and I remember her telling me that my grandmother gave her a hope chest with china plates and cups, some silverware, a sterling silver tea set, and some bloomers. I started calling around to inquire about the cost of a wedding planner and everything my baby girl would need, and I discovered that the young lady was right. Shoot, I told my daughter we were in the wrong business, and that’s when the idea came to me. This could be something I could give to my daughter as a legacy. Aisha has always been a supportive daughter and has never given me a bit of trouble. She’s a hard worker, has served this country in the military, is an exceptional teacher, and loves what she does. Even Winston-Salem has recognized her as one of its outstanding teachers, and she’s also an extraordinary mother. I thought she deserved a memorable wedding, and gifting her this business would be a good way to introduce her to being a business owner, so I did this for her. She’s the owner of Father of The Bride. That’s my gift to my baby girl. Her brothers have been in business with me for a while and are accomplished businessmen in their own right. ‘It’s Her Time.’ Now she has her legacy.” Being blessed with a legacy is far from a back-inthe-day hope chest. This is a prime example of generational love and wealth.

Father of The Bride is designed to be an affordable fullservice wedding production and planning establishment. Here couples will receive wedding planning, designing, and coordination under the same roof. At Father of The Bride, couples can create an affordable budget and make their wedding dreams come true. No matter who you are, everyone deserves a memorable wedding day that they can be proud of without worrying if everything will run according to plans. Here the couple shouldn’t be concerned with the logistics and the event’s overall aesthetic. Together Mr. Boston and his daughter, Aisha, will remove the worry and guesswork from the equation. They will maintain your budget, help you brainstorm your theme, assist you with locating a vending site, design and provide the aesthetics and connect you with professional vendors that will work with your budget. They will manage the rehearsal and professionally execute everything on the wedding day. You can come to Father of The Bride when you don’t know where to start when it comes to planning your special day.

The Boston’s have decades of experience when it comes to creating ambiance and hosting sophisticated events. If you are in a quandary about where to hold your special occasion, you can rent their designer venue, fully furnished with tables, chairs, fine linen, furniture, and name-brand flooring. You can also rent king and queen plush chairs that can be delivered to your vending space. Father of The Bride can take your concept and transform your special day into one that will be remembered for years. Finally, as your day approaches, Father of The Bride will leave no stone unturned as they take the reins in making sure that last-minute details have been addressed. They will be the point-person on your wedding day, follow up with your vendors, perform a walkthrough of your wedding and reception spaces and execute all timelines, ensuring everyone is on one accord.

You can trust that these owners understand the importance of detail, organization, and timelines, a skill necessary in the wedding industry. Aisha has been planning her wedding for over a year and is off and running.

She shares, “I’m getting married in June, and I’ve been planning my wedding for a while. I secured my vending space over a year ago, so I know how this is supposed to work, from the planning to the designing to the coordination of it all. I’m fortunate to have parents who can afford to help me have the wedding I desire. My dad has always been one of my biggest supporters, so when I asked if he would contribute to my budget, I already knew he would; I just didn’t know how much. He’s more excited about this wedding than I am. It’s almost like it’s his wedding. I recognize that everyone doesn’t have that level of financial security, but everyone deserves a classy wedding. After my father and I started researching the wedding industry, we reached out to several people and realized that the cost was just too expensive, so now I’m the wedding planner, the designer, and the coordinator of my wedding. My father and I started thinking about the people who can’t afford to put out thousands of dollars for a wedding and reception. Who’s there to assist them? Initially, we were going to be a vending business and just rent the tables and chairs. Still, with more research, we realized we could offer a full wedding production, and since we already own the venue, we could also host special events like anniversary and sweet 16 birthday parties. My father and I decided we would be the ones to provide couples with a full wedding production that they could be proud of on a lesser budget.”

When you see the logo for Father of The Bride, you may be reminded of Rich Uncle Penny Bags from the board game Monopoly. He is depicted as a portly old man with a mustache who wears a morning suit with a bowtie and a top hat. In large parts of the world, he is exclusively known as the Monopoly Man or, simply, Mr. Monopoly. As a daddy’s girl, Aisha has been spoiled by her father, as every daughter should be.

Aisha lovingly shares, “I’m the only girl, so my dad has spoiled me all my life and pretty much gives me whatever I want. He’s always throwing money at me, so that’s where the logo concept comes from. I’m the bride running after my dad while he’s throwing the money out of the bag. At this moment, he is the Father of The Bride. I believe many fathers want to support their daughters by helping them with a classy and affordable wedding production. My dad and I can offer an exclusive experience for an affordable price. I want this business to help those families operating on a fixed budget to have a phenomenal wedding experience by bundling our services. It means the world to me that my father is gifting me with a business that has the potential to become a franchise. Even though I’m a teacher, I do not have the words to describe how I feel working alongside my dad and learning from him. He has so much wisdom and business experience to offer me. He’s a successful self-made businessman and entrepreneur, and on top of that, he’s my dad. Doing this venture with him is priceless. I have the best daddy in the world.”

Though Mr. Boston’s accolades run deep, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Aisha’s accomplishments. She served in the military from 2008 – 2012; earned a bachelor’s degree in education from birth–kindergarten with a minor in special education from Winston Salem State University; and earned a master’s degree and teaching license from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. Father of The Bride will open in Greensboro, NC, within a few weeks. Within the next few months, the establishment will also have establishments in Winston Salem, NC, and Atlanta, GA.

Father of The Bride LLC

1019 Arnold Street Greensboro, NC 27405

336-285-6888

www.fatherofthebride.com

Operation Taking Back 901

By Dorjea’ McClammey

Arieale Munson is a dedicated and compassionate leader who uses her talents to benefit her hometown of Memphis. As a mother of two and a native of North Memphis, she understands the importance of giving back to her community. That’s why she founded and serves as the executive director of Operation Taking Back 901, a non-profit organization committed to providing economic and educational opportunities for the youth of Shelby County.

Arieale’s non-profit offers a variety of programs to support the growth and development of young people in the community. From school visits that cover topics like peer pressure, life skills, mentorship, financial literacy, and community development to events that provide backpacks filled with supplies and coats to students in need, OTB 901 is making a tangible difference in the lives of young people. This year alone, they have adopted two schools and provided students with over 300 backpacks and 60 coats.

The non-profit organization has been making a remarkable impact by mentoring over 185 young ladies, and sharing stories of triumph, such as Arieale’s journey as a teen mom. By going inside schools and speaking to students, Arieale emphasizes that their past mistakes do not determine their future. Her message of hope is particularly significant to the students as she hails from the same area and wants to inspire them that they, too, can overcome any obstacle. Arieale’s success proves that regardless of one’s situation, with determination and hard work, anything is possible.

Operation Taking Back 901, under the guidance of Arieale Munson, recognizes the importance of community involvement and aims to offer various resources to make Memphis a better place. To this end, the non-profit hosts a range of events, such as vision board parties, tea parties for young ladies, food giveaways, and the much-anticipated Back to School Bash. The organization shines a beacon of hope and opportunity by offering attendees free school supplies, food, and valuable community resources. Operation Taking Back 901 endeavors to bring these resources directly to the community, ensuring equitable access for all. Beyond events, the non-profit’s work extends to promoting and supporting business workforce and economic development, mental health education, and social services. By leveraging these resources, Operation Taking Back 901 seeks to make a lasting impact and empower individuals and families to thrive.

Since its founding in 2016, Operation Taking Back 901 has had an immense impact on the Memphis community. To date, the organization has provided services to over 7,000 people, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Through word of mouth, the community has continued to spread awareness about OTB 901, enabling Arieale Munson to partner with other organizations, further expanding her reach. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed, as the City Council and Shelby County Commissioners have recognized her. Her dedication has also led to the receipt of numerous grants and awards, including recognition from the state of Tennessee and former President Barack Obama. Arieale’s commitment to improving the lives of those around her has resulted in a powerful and lasting impact on the community she serves.

Photo Provided by Arieale Munson

Arieale’s unwavering commitment to Memphis and its residents extends beyond her non-profit, Operation Taking Back 901. She selflessly serves on the foster care review board in Shelby County, provides invaluable life coaching and self-esteem-building services, and even authored two books, “When Pleasing Has No Purpose” and “I Am the Change,” which are read in schools across the county.

One of the primary challenges Arieale faced was securing funding for her organization. However, she met this challenge head-on by being resourceful and persistent, continuously fundraising and seeking help from her community of like-minded individuals who shared her passion and vision.

Despite the obstacles she’s encountered, Arieale’s passion for helping young people in her community remains steadfast. She’s deeply moved by the positive impact her work has on the youth in Shelby County, inspiring them to lead with a renewed perspective on life. Seeing the once-uninspired and silent rooms filled with smiling faces after her events, and witnessing the joy and gratitude of students receiving the support they never knew was available to them, continues to fuel her unwavering dedication to her mission.

Arieale’s family is the cornerstone of her motivation and success. Her children have been her constant support system and have always believed in her dreams. “Even when others saw me having a child at a young age as a mistake, my children saw it as a blessing. They have been with me every step of the way, providing me with the strength and inspiration needed to pursue my goals,” she says.

Arieale’s journey as a young mother has given her a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges facing the youth in her community. She often shares her story as a testimony to others, explaining how her early motherhood gave her the determination to help other young people in her area. Her family has been the driving force behind her mission to help others, and she is forever grateful for their unwavering love and support.

Looking ahead, Arieale envisions a future where Operation Taking Back 901 can provide even more comprehensive support for women and children in need. As part of this vision, she plans to establish a dedicated resources center that will offer a range of services, including counseling, educational programming, and life skills training. This center will serve as a beacon of hope for those who have experienced abuse, teen pregnancy, or other challenges, providing them with the resources and support they need to overcome adversity and thrive. By expanding her organization’s reach in this way, Arieale hopes to create a brighter, more empowered future for the people of Memphis.

If you’re looking to follow in Arieale’s footsteps, here’s a piece of advice that might help: remember that not everyone will believe in your journey, but that’s okay. It’s your journey, after all, so own it! Don’t be afraid to promote your business and spread the word about what you do. You never know who might be listening and how they could help you grow. And even if you feel like your biggest critic, try to showcase yourself and your talents as much as possible. Believe in yourself, even when it’s tough. Look in the mirror every day and remind yourself of your goals. Remember that perseverance is key and don’t give up, even when things get difficult.

“Even when others saw me having a child at a young age as a mistake, my children saw it as a blessing. They have been with me every step of the way, providing me with the strength and inspiration needed to pursue my goals.”

John Jenkins

By Dorjae’ McClammey Photos Provided by John Jenkins

The focus of NVision Source Technology is to integrate technology that will support other businesses. Their products are designed to serve corporations and organizations throughout the southern region of the United States and abroad. These may include churches, productions, and others that require heavy tech work for major live events. They also specialize in networking infrastructure, architecture, audio, video, and more. John emphasizes that customer satisfaction remains their top priority, and in addition to creating products, they offer customer support around the clock, 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

John’s journey to where he is today began long ago. He had always been interested in technology and electronics and loved working with his hands. Before starting NVTS, he owned a few companies; however, as time went on and the more he worked, he realized there was a considerable need for tech integration and support companies in Mississippi. He shares, “We started out of necessity. I felt there weren’t many opportunities, especially for blacks in Mississippi, and I wanted to change that narrative.” Eventually, he dissolved the previous company, moved to the Gulf of Mississippi, and established NVision Source Technology in 2002. Today, NVTS offers many opportunities for black people in his community who may be interested in tech.

When asked what a typical day at NVision Source Technology involves, John describes the experience with one word, “everything.” Their primary focus is always the clients, helping current ones, finding new ones, and checking in on old clients. “It’s never just one job, and we’re done. It’s so much involved in this business.” John and his team designed almost every product from scratch. Their theme is “We are your technology partner,” meaning they arm clients with all technology needs.

Through his company, John has made connections all over the world. He’s serviced clients in Canada, Thailand, South America, and more. Even when he’s not on the clock and traveling for himself, he still connects with those in his field. “When it comes to technology, we can’t always limit ourselves to what’s acceptable here,” he says. John strives to help other tech companies, whether it’s brainstorming, consulting, or being hands-on with a project. “The bigger the project, the better the team,” John says.

And while only a few materials utilized in the tech industry are manufactured in the U.S., John uses his connections in other countries to help build his business in Mississippi.

John Jenkins of Gulfport, MS, is the founder and CEO of NVision Source Technology.

As a small business owner, John has encountered a few challenges here and there. Some have been a lack of acceptance and support, especially from people who don’t fully understand the scope of his capability. “Being a black man from Mississippi, most people judged me and assumed from the outside looking in that I do not have the complete knowledge to run my company,” he says. John’s solution was to let the company speak for him. Rather than label himself as the founder and owner, John runs his business from behind the front line per se. He titled himself the ‘Technology Director’ instead of being recognized as the owner of NVST. “I feel this is a better way to help my company continue to grow and open opportunities for me, my team, and other young black minds wanting to get started in the field. The bottom line is to provide an opportunity or avenue for people to make money, especially those who look like me. Sometimes you have to put yourself in the backseat. If my being out front reduces the opportunities for other people, then what did I really accomplish?”.

Owning his own company is something that John loves. He shares that he loves the ability to build opportunities for others. Growing up, nobody thought that someone who looked like him knew anything, so to create an opportunity and show other young black men that there is no limitation, no matter where or who you are, is confirmation of his purpose.

Tech and electronics are all John knows. It is what keeps him inspired and motivated. Moving forward, John and his team plan to implement several new products and design some of their own. He plans to invest in other tech and marketing forms to keep up with the growing field. He has also partnered with the Mississippi Applied Tech Association to bring awareness to the state’s need for more technological products and jobs. He currently serves as the organization’s president.

If you are looking to follow in John’s footsteps, his advice for you is to remember that this field can become very difficult. “Be ready to work long, hard hours. This industry is constantly changing and may require you to reinvent yourself. Please remember to keep your individuality and stay humble. Most importantly, always know that your drive for change has to outweigh your need for success,” he shares.

To find out more about Mr. John Jenkins and NVision Source Technology, please visit their website.

“Sometimes you have to put yourself in the backseat. If my being out front reduces the opportunities for other people, then what did I really accomplish?”

MAGAZINE Zoelle Alaiya Scott

Cutest Baby

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The daughter of Charita Jackson