RICHMOND
May/June 2021 Vol. 2 Issue 11 FREE
Virginia’s Favorite Realtor
®
www.blackgirlcandlecompany.com info@blackgirlcandlecompany.com
A sisterhood & support-community of women chasing their dreams in entrepreneurship.
Bhrea Jefferson Founder & Director
Awards, Accolades, and Alignment A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
Sometimes I reflect on where I have come from in life. With each reflection, the feelings are always different from one another, and it makesAgood Lettersense from for the them Editorto be. There are peaks and valleys; good moments during the valleys, and even bad ones when I thought things should have been great. I guess you can describe it as a roller coaster ride that neverWhat ends.if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes
and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if
I am the second youngest child in a family of six, with two additional everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never big sisters. With this arrangement, the number of stories to share is happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy plentiful. Even more, the steps that I’ve taken have painted their own day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making picture, validating my individuality and uniqueness, and eventually promises. What if yourfor. lastThere opportunity seemingly expired revealing what I am purposed is a saying “what you don’t today? What would you do? know, can’t hurt you”. For me, learning what God has destined for my life and not responding according to His desire is sort of an opposite parallel I’ve been toldonce that II learned often seem too much. to that adage, meaning who like I wasI do supposed to be, every Honestly, I feel like I am not doing act of disobedience that followed has beenenough painful. and I’m a firm
believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t I sometimes how life would I have taken part in handle. a lot of things in life. Iwonder have been acknowledged for some, for some, haveand not,accept and in what my dusty collection,toone be ifand I chose to sitI idle it presented me.might I find a few plaques, trophies, certificates, and awards. Though I haven’t have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity received accolades, yet afforded I know they’re coming. IAconfess that I once is amany blessing that isn’t to everyone. challenge believed they would, I am now at a place where those items just don’t to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? do it for me. I realized such symbols of merit have only provided If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learnshort moments of enthusiasm, and any mental record ofyour thempride is fleeting. something new about myself. Relinquish and inIf I have no memory, thenlife. it’s like it never happened. return acquire But when I slowed down and allowed my life to get into alignment The best advice ever given to me happened when someone with what God has purposed for me, everything that I gave value to told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so before, I used as a foundation to stand on to obtain that which will never I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only lose its value; and that is God’s favor. I realized that when God blesses provided. I have alsoand learned the difference me, thehope sensations are unending, the benefits will openbetween doors I can whatonGod me with and what can burden with have open my blesses own. When I walk with God,life and that meansme allowing as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and God to lead me, every desire, want, and need appears to just fall in place.
when to be quiet, because mayawards get it confused I havesomeone learned that and with arrogant. accolades arebeing good but being in
alignment with God has way more value. What God Make gives us willtomorrow last, a whole lot you longer than anything thebut world gives us. happen today, most He promises not to keep any good thing importantly make it count. from us,Life and is allbut we ahave to doand is trust in whisper Him. Forwe me,must being loved by God put ourselves inis athe purest form of an award accolade, position to hearand what it is and one telling the world will never be able to us. duplicate or measure up to.
Terry L. L. Watson Terry Watson Editor/Founder
4
4
HuamiMagazine.com
November/December 2014
www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson
Publisher
www.huamimagazine.com Gamal Williams Editor In Chief Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Jessica Rogers Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Ellen Richardson Writer Dorjae’ McClammey Writer Writers
Tonya Dixon Santana B Terry L. Watson Photographer Seawards Dawson Alana Allen Photographer Tamara Smith Jamey Jenkins 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.richmond@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, NCeditor by may be submitted to the 2021 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
On The Cover
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
Want To Advertise? Call (336)340-7844
CONTENTS
MAY/JUNE 2021
RICHMOND
Legendary Travel Swimear
Shanna Jennette
6
On The Cover
Virginia’s Favorite Realtor Phylicia Parrish
Patience Always Wins
Monica Hawthorne
10
24
Love For Music, Love For God
Semaje
Huami Magazine Cutest Baby
Hannah Grace Thomas
40
23
Peyton Zora Doctor
Also Featured
Jamey Jenkins Hello Black Man. He has launched a series of journals that help men and families connect. Hazlelhurst, MS
32
Lora McClain-Muhammad She is known as the Coloring Book Queen. Learn more about her. Gary, IN
38
Richmond - May/June 2021
Mikelange Olbel He is making a impact in the heart of his community. Community Based Connections. Fort Lauderdale, FL
18
HuamiMagazine.com 5
6
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Virginia’s Favorite Realtor By Jalessa Rogers Photos by Phylicia Parrish Pride and joy in helping people is something that Phylicia Parrish carries with her every single day in her role as a real estate agent. Other attributes that define Phylicia are her discipline, work ethic, honor system, and transparency. Born in Killeen, TX to two active military parents, Phylicia and her older brother spent their younger childhood years in Germany and different parts of Texas, until her parents retired from the military and moved the family to Virginia. Growing up as a military brat, Phylicia credits her parents with being sound role models and instilling within her the importance of being a woman of her word. Combined, her parents served over twenty years in the military, and it would have made perfectly good sense for her to follow in her parent’s footsteps, but life would have a different calling for her. During her teenage years while living in Newport News, VA, she became the “big little sister” to her old brother as she had an inert nature to take care of him and protect him, something that is a big part of her business today. As a real estate agent, it is her goal to assist her clients with whatever need they may have, and ensure they get the best possible experience while working with. While many may see the experience of buying or selling a home as routing, for Phylicia it more than that. She shares how often relationships and bonds are formed with her clients, lasting beyond the moment of closing and the ink dries on the contract. Continued on the next page
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 7
With a lot of hard work and consistency, Phylicia has enjoyed a lot of success “I have sold millions of dollars in real estate while doing it parttime, but my biggest accomplishment is that every single client is satisfied with my service because I really care about them. My clients walk away knowing I had their back,” she says. So how did the journey begin for Phylicia? After graduating from Woodside High School in 2004, she attended Thomas Nelson Community College until she felt like her time wasn’t being used wisely. So, she decided to get her real estate license instead. The hustle and bustle of being a military brat would again come into play, as it helped her to connect with her clients regarding relocating their family at any moment, something that happens with the purchase or sale of a home. Today, Phylicia is an agent with Keller Williams in Richmond, VA. She says, “If you are looking to buy, sell, lease, invest, commercial property, or anything else, I am the agent for you. My niche is first-time homeowners, and sellers of slightly distressed homes. There is something so personal about helping someone find their very first home. Being able to focus completely on them and finding their dream house at an affordable is one memorable moment that we may never forget.” Phylicia truly exemplifies her tagline “Virginia’s Favorite Realtor”. Her services are available to all of Virginia and Maryland under the Keller Williams Realty umbrella. For further information and if you are looking for a home in any of the areas she services, you can her directly or visit her online. h
8
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 9
Shanna 10
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
By Ayana Bryant Photos by Seawards Dawson
Greensboro, North Carolina native Shanna Jennette is becoming the ultimate one-stop-shop for all your traveling needs. After five years in business, she is expanding her traveling agency, My Legendary Travel LLC to now include a fashion sector. Her creativity and desire to help others have served as a foundation to bring her business and ideas to life. A graduate of the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Shanna began her career as a special education teacher with the organization Teach for America. After accepting the position in 2011, she was relocated to New York City to teach in the public school system for the next two and a half years. Moving to New York was Shanna’s very first major traveling experience and the first time she had ever traveled by plane. This was the furthest she had ever been from North Carolina and as most could imagine this experience introduced her to a lot of new things. Living in New York City exposed Shanna to so much diversity, she became intrigued with all the new people she met and cultures that she was now exposed to. An interest in learning more about the cultures of her students and friends began to grow and she decided that she would travel to these places and see them for herself. When she began planning her first international trip, she learned a lot of new information and thought about how she could share this knowledge with others.
Continued on the next page
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 11
Shanna then reconnected with an old college friend via social media who happened to be a part-time travel agent. After many conversations, Shanna eventually learned of all the required classes and certifications that she would need to begin this new venture. “So that’s what I did, after completing my travel agent certification, I filed an LLC to begin my business and in 2016, My Legendary Travel was born,” she shares.
“So that’s what I did, after completing my travel agent certification, I filed an LLC to begin my business and in 2016, My Legendary Travel was born.” My Legendary Travel provides quality care and service for every one of its clients and their vacation plans big or small. International or domestic travel, cruise, or land adventure this agency does it all! Now with their newly added fashion sector, they hope to help women find functional and affordable swimwear for their vacations.
Continued on the next page
12
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 13
14
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
While planning her own vacations Shanna seemed to always find trouble picking swimsuits that complimented her shape. Swimsuits that provided the coverage she needed were never quite that stylish and the more fashionable swimwear that she would find would be too revealing. She figured that other women were probably experiencing the same issues, so she decided to begin creating her own pieces. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020 traveling came to a complete standstill all around the world. As you can imagine this would be a travel agents’ worst nightmare but not for Shanna, this situation shifted her attention and revealed an opportunity for her to expand the business. During the lockdown, she was able to forge new business relationships with a swimsuit vendor and a fashion designer that had made personal swimsuits for her in the past. Through collaboration with the vendor and the designer, Shanna was able to produce multiple designs for monokinis, one-pieces, and two-pieces. Each swimsuit has a price point that ranges from about $25-$45 depending on the style. As of now, Shanna is finding success with promoting her line via social media and by hosting pop-up shops as she prepares for her big re-launch later this year. Shanna finds motivation from the community of women entrepreneurs that she is now surrounded by. She stated that attending business workshops and seminars where other black women are sharing their success stories inspires her to keep going. “Going to those kinds of events allows me to network and build new friendships and business relationships, we are all able to help each other and keep each other motivated,” says Shanna.
Continued on the next page
15
“I get so many returning customers, and for me that’s big, I love that they always come back because it is a testament to the service I provided.” The one thing that seems to make her the proudest regarding her business would be the rapport she has built with her clientele. “I get so many returning customers, and for me that’s big, I love that they always come back because it is a testament to the service I provided,” says Shanna. She also gets a lot of business from the referrals made by her previous clients which is something she is very grateful for. In the future, Shanna plans to continue expanding the fashion sector of My Legendary Travel. The line will include swimsuit coverups, airport and lounge attire, as well as travel accessories such as passport booklets. Avoid the headache of planning your next vacation by utilizing a travel agent, My Legendary Travel might be the fit for you! h
Connect with Shanna Jennette at www.mylegendarytravel.com or via Instagram @legendarytravel1
16
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 17
Community Based Connections 18
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
By Ellen Richardson Photos by Community Based Connections
While some may pursue a career path based on salary or notoriety, there are those who chase their dream based on a desire to help others. Growing up watching his family struggle, after migrating from Haiti to the United States, Mikelange Olbel has made it his life’s mission to help families realize that there is always hope and an opportunity for success. The current Chief Executive Officer of Community Based Connections, Inc (CBCI) started his life growing up among a family of seven who were living in a van for years following their arrival to Pompano Beach, Florida. Although growing up without a settled home or indoor plumbing, the youngest of five boys found a sense of strength and inspiration as his dream to break the cycle of poverty and crime that plagued his family would begin to take shape. Staying focused on obtaining a good education the boy who was once labeled an underdog, after failing the first grade, would use this label to push himself to graduate from Pompano Beach High School and even become the first person in his family to graduate from college. After becoming an honor graduate with a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa in 2008, Olbel would continue to see just how important a good education is to a successful future. “After watching my parents struggle so much as both immigrants and as those who didn’t have the opportunity to become well educated, I began to realize that it was important for me to learn as much as I could if I was going to take up the mantle of serving those who are underserved or are being oppressed,” said a very heartfelt Olbel. As this born to be servant continued to take up his cross and follow along the path that he was given as a young child, it would eventually lead him to pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Public Administration and Psychology from Iowa State University. After receiving this prestigious degree in 2010, Olbel would once again find himself between a rock and a hard place. “After graduation I was too scared to go back home because my father had a philosophy that once a man leaves his home, he needed to earn his own way,” said Olbel. “Although it was difficult to once again find myself living in my car, taking showers at my local gym and even brushing my teeth on the job this challenge gave me the resiliency to do whatever it took to do what God had asked me to do.”
Continued on the next page
19
The fortitude of this born leader would eventually lead him towards a career in youth development. During his time vehemently serving as a youth worker and mentor, Olbel would begin to explore the wide world of entrepreneurship. This would eventually help the impassioned social worker to found Team Saving Our Youth Incorporated (Team SOY), a nonprofit organization aimed at early childhood education and eradicating juvenile delinquency in South Florida, in 2012. While running this organization, Olbel also became the Director of Programs at another non-profit called Community Based Connections, Inc. Founded by fraternity brother Brian Johnson, this human service organization focuses on helping children in and around southeastern Florida become socially and academically successful despite the many challenges that they face. Before long, this classmate and Olbel would decide to merge their similar nonprofits to assure continued growth and assistance for youth in need in their local community. “After Brian and I realized that both of our organizations were founded around the same ideals of empowering our local youth to become successful regardless of the many negative influences around them, we decided to combine our efforts to grow one organization into the success that it is today.” Following this merger over 10 years ago, the two passionate servants of the Lord have developed a strong history of implementing and evaluating programs and services that stimulate positive youth development from the cradle to college, provide family strengthening and support services to enhance youth development and provide community programs that are “making connections that improve the odds of youth success”. “Some of these programs include free parenting skills courses for families of youth who are at-risk of abuse/neglect and/or juvenile delinquency, our Safety Management Action Response Team (S.M.A.R.T. Team) that provides intensive services to at-risk families, STEM enrichment, character development, our Learning Together program that provides students experiencing risk of academic under-performance with character development, extra-curricular activities and other support services that target satisfactory classroom performance, improved school conduct, and exposure to enrichment activities, and so many more” explained Olbel. Continued on the next page
20
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 21
Thanks to programs like these, this large agency with a grassroots touch has yielded results like 97 percent of families seeing improved family functioning, no abuse findings in 100 percent of participating families post program completion, 98 percent of youth at risk for juvenile delinquency remaining crime free while participating in Community Based Connection programs, as well as six months following program completion 100 percent of participating students have showed improvement in school behavioral evaluations or maintained zero external suspensions. “We have also helped families during the trying times of the last year or so. Along with partnering with local food banks to provide food and give away gas cards to families in need, we also raised over $120,000 to provide support such as paying rent, providing materials for home school education, tutoring and so much more,” said Olbel. Thanks to these efforts, CBCI was recently awarded the 211 Youth Collective Impact Award, which is like the Oscars of non-profits in South Florida. Olbel was also nominated as one of Legacy South Florida Magazine’s Top Most Influential and Powerful Individuals in South Florida. Following all this success, what is next for CBCI and its fearless leader? Along with the continuous growth of this organization, which includes a new mental health and substance abuse department, Olbel and those who serve Community Based Connections, Inc. would also like to see programs like this expand into other communities. “There will always be families and children who need our help, especially in the black and brown community,” stated the hopeful visionary. “As a result, it is my goal to advance the mission and vision of this agency in order to propel us to the next level and help others throughout our community and those surrounding.” In order to assure to the future growth and success of this life-altering organization philanthropic supporters and donors are critical. To find out more about Community Based Connections, Inc. or to support its mission visit their website today. h
Community Based Connections LLC 1021 NW 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 www.communitybasedconnections.com 954-524-9797
22
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
Hannah Grace Thomas The daughter of Vakaya and Marcus Thomas
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 23
24
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Monica Hawthorne Patience Always Wins
By Tonya Dixon Photos by Santana B Photography
At one point, Monica Hawthorne thought things couldn’t be any better in her life. She was happily married. Had a thriving hair salon in Charlotte, North Carolina, and her family were safe and healthy. But in one instant, it all changed. She found herself single, dealing with an undiagnosed illness and a declining business and bank account. Before she knew it, she found herself back in Greensboro, living with her mother and making countless trips to the doctor. But as she looks back on it, it was nothing short of God’s divine hand upon her life. She gained more than she ever had before, physically, spiritually and emotionally. However, it didn’t seem divine at the time. “God directed me to come back home to Greensboro. I thought I was hearing things because I thought there was no way HFe was telling me to leave. I was doing well in Charlotte. My business was thriving and I was successful,” said . “But I did what I heard God say. I packed up and moved.” With her life virtually upended and turned inside out, Hawthorne had to do something she had previously never really done. She had to relinquish control to gain restoration. She had to depend on someone else. “I stayed on my mom’s couch for nearly three years because I had serious health problems and God wouldn’t allow me to do anything else,” she said. “I prayed and had many conversations with Him. I was going through a lot mentally and physically and I was practically broke because I was supporting my daughter in college.” “I left my source of income in Charlotte. I virtually started over. I had to come back to Greensboro and rebuild my business and myself. A licensed minister, Hawthorne admits she “ran” from God and her calling for more than 15 years. She had a people problem. “I was concerned about what people would say. What would they think of me?” she said.
“God directed me to come back home to Greensboro. I thought I was hearing things because I thought there was no way He was telling me to leave. I was doing well in Charlotte. My business was thriving and I was successful. But I did what I heard God say. I packed up and moved.”
Continued on the next page
25
But it was in her weakest moment when she heard God as clear as she heard him say move back to Greensboro. She received the instruction and strength she needed to begin her journey of restoration and wholeness for herself and for other women. “God told me the I didn’t need to be concerned about the opinions or actions of anyone else. He said I was already qualified, verified and approved by Him, so I didn’t need to seek approval or validation from man because He had already given me that,” said Hawthorne. It was at that moment that she spiritually and physically birthed her ministry, a new business and strength to regain her footing as a hair stylist. But she says founding “GOoD GIRL” (intentionally spelled with mixed case) has been the most profound and rewarding because it impacts everything else in her life. “I thought I would call it ‘GOod GIRL,’ because it symbolizes being a light, knowing your worth and getting approval only from God,” said Hawthorne. “But then one day God said, ‘you’re a good girl, but I want you to make one of those “Os” very small so that you can see me in it.’ And that’s how it became what it is today.” After developing a logo, Hawthorne designed a few shirts and the rest is more than just history. It’s a situation she believes only God could have orchestrated and ordained. “I hadn’t even planned to launch it until May 2020, but COVID hit and everything changed. As soon as they were released, women from all over were buying the shirt,” she said. “So that’s how it started. But there’s more. There’s a community component for all kinds of women. Young, old, every race and every background.” Ultimately, she says the mission of GOoD GIRL is to teach women that they are enough and only need God’s approval. Plain and simple. “I want girls and women to know you don’t need that [blue] check on Facebook. You don’t need that [blue] check on Instagram. You are already verified. It’s about women learning who they are in God,” she said.
Continued on the next page
26
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 27
28
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
It’s important to note that Hawthorne continued to suffer from a mysterious illness for many years. She was in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices, without receiving a definitive diagnosis. It took a serious toll on her life, to the point where she couldn’t fulfill the requests of her salon clientele. Yet and still, there was still a blessing amid her illness. “I had issues for 10 years and didn’t even know what it was until I moved back to Greensboro and I think that was a blessing within itself because God knew and he told me to come home. As soon as I went home, I got extremely sick. I needed to be home because if I had been in Charlotte, I would not have had any one to help me care for myself,” she said. “I needed to be at home with my mom who was helping me. She understood that God brought me back home for a reason even though at the time I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but I was trusting him.” “It turned out to be my gallbladder, but it was affecting my whole body. It would take me down for 2-4 weeks at a time. Imagine having no income and being so sick you can’t get up. But it’s important to remember, even when things look bad in the natural, there’s always a blessing though God.” As much as she struggled, she was able to resurrect her salon – Hawthorne Hair Studio. Not only did she rebuild her clientele, she realized it was another part of her ministry. God strategically sent clients that needed spiritual, emotional and mental restoration. She admits, it had nothing to do with her. It was all a GOoD GIRL thing. “I’m really ready to retire from that,” she jokes. “But God hasn’t released me from it yet. For some reason this salon has been a place for people to get renewed and repaired. People come and they get what they need from God when they are here. If they need it, I pray with and for them. It goes down in here some days, but it’s part of my Ministry. I used to say I have a ministry behind the chair. I asked God to meet people here when I first opened the salon and that’s what he’s been doing.” While Hawthorne is passionate about hair and is known for her precision cuts and styles, she’s looking to expand in a different way – one that she says doesn’t necessarily require her to stand on her feet behind the chair as much. She’s looking into her own hair product line, including everything from washing supplies to equipment.
Continued on the next page
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 29
“God told me the I didn’t need to be concerned about the opinions or actions of anyone else. He said I was already qualified, verified and approved by Him, so I didn’t need to seek approval or validation from man because He had already given me that.”
“I already have my own hair oil, but I’m working on my own hair shampoo and other products and styling tools – blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons,” she said. Just like GOoD GIRL empowers women, she plans to use her styling expertise to help others as well. “I’ve taught before and I want to continue, but not in a traditional setting with multiple students. I prefer individual classes so that I can give one-on-one attention.” As Hawthorne expands her product line, she isn’t leaving GOoD GIRL behind. There’s much more to come and there are many more lives to impact. “GOoD GIRL is much more than a t-shirt. It might be how I got my foot in the door with some people, but it’s ministry. It’s more motivational speaking. It’s expanding on the books and series’ I’ve already written.” But most important, Hawthorne says it’s about lifting someone else up along the way. h
To learn more about GOoD GIRL Apparel, please visit their website at www.goodgirlgoodguy.shop 336-740-4090 30
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 31
32
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
“I didn’t feel any resentment towards my father and decided that instead of focusing on the past I was going to keep moving forward with our relationship.”
By Dorjae McClammey Photos by Jamey Jenkins
He wants everyone to have an ear for this. Hello Black Man. Jamey Jenkins, husband, father, and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Mississippi, he grew up in the small town of Hazelhurst. As a student at Hazlehurst High School, he was involved with the debate team, basketball team, and eventually graduated at the top of his class with honors in 1997. Next, he enrolled at the well-known HBCU, Alcorn State University, majoring in Political Science Pre-Law. He was also inducted into the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. After graduating in 2002, Jamey received a job at the automotive giant Nissan North America and much like everything else in his life, was able to work himself to the top. Starting as a Technician, he then moved up to Lead Tech, then to Supervisor, and currently serves as Lead Manager. Continued on the next page
33
Growing up, Jamey had a real simple life. He was raised by a hard-working single mother, and shares he didn’t ask for much, but his mother always made him feel like he had the world. He met his father while he was in high school, and the connection they made he shares, was so amazing it was like they never missed a beat. “If someone were to tell you that we didn’t grow up together, you wouldn’t believe it,” he says. “I didn’t feel any resentment towards my father and decided that instead of focusing on the past I was going to keep moving forward with our relationship.” Growing into manhood Jamey acquired a family of his own. He was married and got divorced, producing a son in his union. His son came to live with him for a while, and he figured out quickly that their communication style was quite different. “I wanted to find the best way to adapt to him and his needs instead of my son trying to adapt to me as the parent,” he says. Jenkins used this knowledge to create a list of things he wanted his son to know about him, which involved creating questions for them to ask each other. While writing down things he wanted his son to know about him, Jamey realized that he didn’t know a lot about his dad. He knew the basic things but not who he was as a person. So, as he continued to write down all these questions and something came to his mind. “I realized that if I put all these questions together in journal form, then I would have an almost perfect autobiography,” he says. Starting with 250 questions he thought if the question did not make you pause, it wouldn’t be added to the journal. So that removed all of the basic questions and narrowed it down to 52 questions, equaling one question a week for an entire year. All the questions were thought-provoking and intriguing, focusing on finances, future endeavors, and love. The kind of questions and answers that don’t come up in everyday conversations. He knew he was onto something and In November 2019, the Hello Black Man Journal was created. He didn’t stop there, as he has created a series of interactive journals that are designed to help members of the African American community dig deep within and learn things about themselves that they would have never thought of. The Hello Black Man Journal has been well designed and is easily comprehensible. One side allows space for a quote and/or question, and the other side has a space for the reader to journal and reflect.
34
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Jamey didn’t stop with Hello Black Man. He has created a journal for just about everyone. After Hello Black Man, he wrote Hello Black Woman, which is inspired by his daughter, wife, and mother. There is also Hello Black Child. With this addition, Jamey wanted to open up the mind of the young person and jumpstart their communication abilities and provide a safe and trusting place to get everything in their mind out and show someone what they are going through. With Hello Black Teenager Jamey, wanted something that can help teens and adults connect better. “I feel as though teenagers today have it way harder than I did. With social media being a big factor in a teenager’s life I wanted a place for young adults to get their emotions and thoughts out somewhere other than online,” he says. There is also Hello Black Couple which is meant for two people to write and connect. Jamey has had couples who’ve been married 40 plus years tell him that they didn’t know half of the things about their partner they thought they did. This journal strives to reopen deep communication between new and current partners. Hello Black First Responder is for the people who are so unique and mentally trained and are sadly constantly fighting between career and community. A space for those people, paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement who see a lot, finally have a place to release what they’ve been holding in.
Then there’s the Journey Journal. Jamey wanted to create an avenue for everyone in the world to be able to start their transition to be more open and connected with themselves. Finally, there is the Hello Black Entrepreneur. As someone who has multiple businesses, he is no stranger to the hustle. “In our community, we grind, we are hustlers and hard workers. Yet I feel as though the community does not do a great job at writing the details down of what we are doing and so this journal is for those who need an outline for when they need to go back for a reference, or when they start a new business, they know how they did it the first time and will be able to do it again with less hassle. I’ve had more phone calls about that journal in the last three months than Hello Black Man in the last year.” Jamey has what others may call an “unreal” motivator, which is time. Time pushes him to be more connected with his business, family, and surroundings. It pushes him to have a business that will be impactful forever. He wants his products to be so impactful, that in the next 100 to 200 years, someone will be able to pick them up and still be inspired. He wants to use his journals to make history in the black community also. “If my grandson’s, grandson’s grandson needs help or motivation, he can see what I wrote, and hopefully it will drive him to a better place,” he says. Continued on the next page
35
“If my grandson’s, grandson’s grandson needs help or motivation, he can see what I wrote, and hopefully it will drive him to a better place,” Even though he’s not huge on accolades, Jamey feels most accomplished when he sees his work in action. He says a client’s appreciation, feedback, and recognition is all the reward he needs. Most of all, being able to find a way to connect with his kids better is his biggest accomplishment. Moving forward, Jamey currently has two more journals in the work, Hello Black Student and Hello Black Educator. He feels like this group of people doesn’t get the respect nor pay they deserve. “Because they give to the youth in the community, I want to give them an avenue to talk about their careers, express their emotions, and be able to unwind. My goal is to put my journals into millions of hands who need a safe space to unwind,” he says.
Jamey Jenkins
Hello Black Man www.helloblackman.com
The Covid 19 pandemic has put a hold on The Hello Black Man Conference, though Jamey and his team have been working hard to bring it back for the Spring of 2022. That will also be the celebration of their third-year mark. Jamey is a down-to-earth kind of guy. His favorite dish to prepare is frozen pizza. His top three movies are Heat with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Tombstone, and Shawshank Redemption. He is also a world-renowned spade player, “spadesologist” and has received the City-Wide Spades trophy in h Mississippi. To learn more about Jamey Jenkins and Hello Black Man, please visit his website.
36
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 37
38
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
By Jalessa Rogers Photos by Lora McClain-Muhammad
Growing up as a black child in America, there is and will always be a need for positive black representation. Author Lora McClain-Muhammad has found the perfect way to show that. She has created coloring books that are the perfect representation for young African American boys and girls to learn and become comfortable in their own skin. Born and raised in Gary, IN, this former Fortune 500 sales and marketing manager did not dream of becoming an author. Her journey is what she describes in her own words as something that “God kept nudging her to do.”
Since the world changed because of COVID-19, she has not been able to do in-person book signings. However, she found a safe way to continue to tour and reach a broader audience. “I came up with a virtual book tour, along with five other African American women authors. We were able to reach children a lot further, virtually than in person. During these times of social injustice and unrest, I think that it’s a timely piece to show that representation does matter to our kids. Even more, they need to see themselves depicted beautifully. We address these issues with the release of “I Need You to Know...#You Matter,” explained McClain- Muhammad. Lora is an indie author and will be celebrating her two-year book anniversary this May. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and BAM. h
It all began shortly after graduating from high school. The path she chose was one similar to the one that a lot of members of her family took, entering the corporate world. Instead of attending college, she decided to take an opportunity presented to her. First, she took a test, gained a company’s interest with her gift of gab, and would eventually become a sales and marketing manager, enjoying a career that would span for almost 30 years. Although she was very occupied with corporate America, she was still able to further her education and attend Park College while in her thirties. These were modest steps that would soon connect the dots of her career as an author. “Becoming an author was a surprise journey for me and nothing that I even envisioned. However, when my granddaughter was born, I was given the vision to write a coloring book. Representation matters and I wanted my granddaughter to see a book that looks like her,” stated McClain-Muhammad. After being given this vision, she went on to create the “I Need You to Know” series with the first coloring book being titled “I Need You to Know the ABCs of Black Girl Magic” with her granddaughter as the cover image. Her second coloring book is titled I Need “You to Know the ABCs of a Young Kings Greatness” with another one that followed titled, “I Need You to Know #You Matter”. Despite the naysayers that tried to discourage her from this journey she was able to sell over 30,000 books and depicted members of her family as the images throughout her collection. For Lora, it was all about finding her purpose in life. “I found my purpose and my calling doing these books. I’m happier and I feel freer than I’ve ever been. Nothing is better than seeing the smile on the little children’s faces during book signings or hearing them say ‘hey that looks like me” because they genuinely love the book,” she expressed.
Lora McClain-Muhammad www.coloringbookqueen.com 219-616-8180 39
Semaje
Love For God, Love For Music
40
HuamiMagazine.com Richmond - May/June 2021
By Dillan Teabout Photos by Semaje
Semaje is a phenomenal gospel singer who was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. It all began with love for him. With the love that he was provided by his family as a young child, he shares that he has always been encouraged to push for his dreams. Raised in a detached home, Semaje spent Monday through Friday with his mother. He would then go to his father’s house Friday through Sunday. His father kept him in church every Sunday, faithfully. That experience is what shaped his spiritual foundation as Semaje loved the sound of church music and picked it up early and began playing drums and eventually singing. “I knew that it’s something about the soul and message in the gospel that uplifts people and brings them to a different space,” Semaje said. “That is why I started to love it.” Semaje was a crafty child and turned every theme song from shows like “The Parkers,” “Martin,” and even “Power Rangers” into a gospel remix. Once he noticed how his peers were constantly entertained by the things he did, Semaje knew he could make this into something extraordinary. Why did Semaje choose music to follow, it all makes sense to him. “I developed a love of music because it speaks to many different emotions. Music embraces a feeling or takes the feeling out of the listener. I believe gospel music is the best because of the type of power it has over people,” he shares. He compared gospel to people like gas to a car and how gospel pushes him for more in his life. “Gospel music makes you feel like you can conquer the world. It’s saving music and healing music. No matter how you’re feeling,” Semaje said. “Gospel music can take you out of that mood. It’s the best genre ever because it puts you in a place like no other.” Semaje, at the age of 18, went to Philadelphia by himself to audition for “Sunday Best” in pursuit of his dream. However, with the opportunity came disappointment. “I had people very close to me like family. I didn’t feel the support at all, and I felt discouraged,” Semaje said. “However, my grandmother on my mom’s side encouraged me to go after whatever God placed in my heart.”
That reassurance Semaje got from his grandmother helped him conquer the lack of support. He gives her enormous credit for lifting him up. Now, when he looks back, he knows it was a part of God’s plan. Recently, a song with Fred Jerkins and Semaje hit #4 on the Billboard called “Reason to Praise.” Semaje is doing everything possible to leave his mark in the industry. Talking about his Billboard appearance is still crazy to him. He expressed that seeing his name on the charts with artists he listened to as a child is surreal. Currently, Semaje has his first EP coming out soon and he remains extremely excited to get his work out to the world. He shares his music is for everybody, and it will save, deliver, inspire, and motivate listeners. Semaje’s plans for the future are big. In addition to honing his craft, he is looking to acquire experience in acting, radio, podcast, and even start a clothing line. h
Richmond - May/June 2021
HuamiMagazine.com 41
May/June 2021
CALIFORNIA
CHICAGO
MILWAUKEE
TRIAD
CLEVELAND
MISSISSIPPI
CHARLESTON
HAMPTON ROADS
NY/NJ
CHARLOTTE
HUNTSVILLE
RALEIGH/ DURHAM
DETROIT
PHILADELPHIA
ARKANSAS
INDIANAPOLIS
RICHMOND
FLORIDA
ATLANTA
ST. LOUIS
DMV
MEMPHIS
HOUSTON
GREENVILLE/ SPARTANBURG
NASHVILLE
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
www.goodgirlgoodguy.shop
Exclusive Specs for Men and Women
shop@ladyespecs.com www.ladyespecs.com 336-303-9814 FB-LadyE_Specs IG-lady_especs
