July/August 2024
9 Issue 8
Always Remember That Timing Is Everything
A
Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
A Letter from the Editor
While listening to a recent message shared during church, I was reminded of how unpredictable life can be. The message also reminded me of why it is critically important to stay connected to God in all matters of our lives. God gives us life, Him and Him alone. So, knowing this, how can we expect to live a successful and abundant life without allowing God to have input on what happens in our lives? The answer is that we can’t.
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?
As life continues to happen for me, meaning that new milestones are being reached, I often find myself resting in awe of where God has brought me. As I reflect on many of the burdens I have carried, the battles that I fought, and many moments of triumph and victory, the memories of things that I have lost along my journey are not too far away. Again, life has been so unpredictable. What I thought would happen didn’t happen, and where I thought I would be, guess what? I am not there. I am actually at the place in life that is destined for me to be, and I have found peace in reminding myself that what God has for me is only for me.
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.
The message I heard said that when we lose something, we also gain something. I have learned that my purpose will cost me something, and I can’t step out on faith and insist for things to go my way. That isn’t faith but more like control. The message also reminded me to check the temperature of the climate in which I am operating. God doesn’t operate in chaos and confusion. If I am moving in my purpose and operating in my anointing, and if things are chaotic and confusing, God isn’t there. That should be my signal to move.
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.
When things in life get out of control, God expects for us to slow down. He desires for us to stop, rewind, regroup, let loose of the baggage we have picked up while off course, and return to Him. God is aware of the things we desire, yet He is only concerned with providing us with what we need, and He promises that it will happen according to His timing and no one else.
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.
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Alphonso Abbott Photographer
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Terry L. Watson
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Greensboro, NC
Black Food Truck Festival
Juneteenth Downtown Greensboro
Liberty, NC
Juneteenth Celebration
Sandra Bartell
Greensboro, NC
Becoming A Caregiver (Chapter 4)
Terry L. Watson
Greensboro, NC
New Chancellor At NC A&T
Chancellor James R. Martin II
Charlotte, NC
Kiser Financial Solutions
Lucy Taylor
Fanatasis Barrino Home Sweet Home. Fantasia returns back to a warm welcome.
High Point, NC
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one cute kid. Her name is Aubree Henry.
Victorius Melodie Smith Golden
Living With Vitiligo Tiffany Stancil
WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown
High Point Police Department Appoints Curtis Cheeks As Chief of Police
Information provided by the City of High Point
High Point City Manager Tasha Logan Ford announced today that Curtis Cheeks III has been appointed as the chief of police, effective July 1, 2024. “Curtis has effectively and passionately answered the call to lead the police department through the last several months of transition. He has demonstrated the ability to lead our men and women of law enforcement for years to come,” City Manager Logan Ford said.
Cheeks is excited about the opportunity. “I’m humbled to be appointed to continue to lead our department. My goal is to continue to maintain the high standard that is our department’s legacy and to embrace the challenges that lie ahead by making our community partnerships even stronger. I’ve grown up here and I understand our community,” he said.
Prior to his current appointment, Chief Cheeks served as interim chief of police, assistant chief of the support services division, commander of the investigations section and lieutenant over the strategic intelligence unit, community engagement unit and public information office. He also served as field training supervisor.
Cheeks holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a master’s degree from Florida Metropolitan University. He also attended the 144th session of the Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers Course, is an FBI LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy recipient and a NIJ (National Institute of Justice) Leads Scholar.
He also has experience as a recruiting officer, field training officer and vice/narcotics detective. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved as a statecertified criminal justice instructor and in the department’s implementation and continued efforts of focused deterrence in the areas of open-air drug markets, domestic violence and violence related to gun crime.
Cheeks is originally from Winston-Salem, N.C. He and his wife, Ashley, have one son, Dominic.
As part of this process, the City of High Point conducted a national search that yielded more than 50 applicants.
The City of High Point aims to serve as the catalyst for bringing together the community’s human, economic and civic resources for the purpose of creating the single most livable, safe and prosperous community in America.
For more information about the City of High Point, please visit www.highpointnc.gov
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Chief Curtis Cheeks III
Heads Up For Our Youth Adds Charlotte Back-to-School Event
Shell’s Kitchen Is Adding Flavor Along I85
The team of Heads Up For Our Youth is preparing for its inaugural Back-to-School Educational Stimulus Package Giveaway. In addition to the existing and long-running event held in Greensboro, NC, an event has been scheduled for this year at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Charlotte, NC.
Program Director Ricky Morton, who also serves as the co-founder of Heads Up For Our Youth, says, “We are excited to provide 100 students with Educational Stimulus Packages, which include quality bookbags and essential school supplies. Thanks to our partnership with the Aviation Institute, attendees will also enjoy a free tour of the facility, featuring multiple aircraft. Our goal is to equip students with the resources they need to return to school prepared and inspired to succeed.”
Ricky encourages everyone in the Charlotte community not to miss this opportunity to support educational equality and inspire our youth!
Charlotte, NC, based Shell’s Kitchen is adding flavor along Interstate 85, all the way to Greensboro. They are making the trek to bring their brand of food truck selections and have been acquiring quite a following while doing so.
On some weekdays, such as Thurdays and Fridays, they can be found at the Walmart Super Center parking lot on West Wendover Avenue. They are even coming on Saturdays and Sundays, and are utilzing their social media pages to alert their followers of what time they should expect them.
Some of the dishes offered are fried fish, baked macaroni and cheese, chicken, meatballs, egg rolls, and baked beans, fried okra, greens, more.
To learm more about their schedule for being in the Gate City, please follow them on Facebook @RealShellKitchen h h
www.headsupforouryouth.com
A New Global Concepts BBS Renovations
A Family of Legacy Builders
By Dr. Marrisa Dick Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have found ingenious ways of creating additional income streams. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been a massive surge in applications for new businesses, which has increased by 24.6% nationally. These businesses were all created during the global pandemic. In 2020, only about 30% of entrepreneurs were unemployed during the pandemic. These new entrepreneurs saw an opportunity during the pandemic and seized upon it. If you have ever attempted to start a business, you possess an entrepreneurial spirit. There are numerous reasons to want to become an entrepreneur. Some people start their businesses so they can be their own boss and have career autonomy. In contrast, others want to discover their passion and see it through from conception to full implementation. Others become entrepreneurs because they see a need within their community or society. At the same time, others created new businesses merely as additional streams of income.
So, what exactly is an entrepreneur? Simply put, an entrepreneur is an individual who starts a new business. It doesn’t matter what type of business. What matters is that it’s yours. Meet Markques Howard, owner of A New Global Concepts, LLC and BBS Renovations, Inc.
A New Global Concepts, LLC, is a full service commercial janitorial company. Launched in 2002, A New Global Concepts provides services to various companies throughout the Triad area and offers stable employment opportunities. BBS Renovations is a home renovations and repair firm specializing in rehabilitating residential properties throughout the Triad. BBS Renovations also works with agencies such as the Greensboro Housing Authority and the Guilford County Department of Social Services (Section 8) to provide housing and shelter for their clients.
My mother used to work for Grimsley High School, and she would always bring cookies home. I would take those cookies and sell them in the neighborhood, and that’s how it all started.
Markques Sadeeq Howard
Markques realized he possessed an entrepreneurial spirit early on and shares, “I grew up in Morningside Homes on the east side of Greensboro. A lot of people remember it as “The Grove.” My mother used to work for Grimsley High School, and she would always bring cookies home. I would take those cookies and sell them in the neighborhood, and that’s how it all started. As time progressed, I became even more interested in entrepreneurship and ventured out and tried my hand at different endeavors, like opening a hair salon and a clothing store. The only thing that stuck with me was the janitorial side. I started that back in 1992. I had a mentor by the name of Jay Wilson, who took me under his wings and made an impact on me. He showed me the ins and outs of the janitorial business.”
Life would continue to happen for Markques, and his determination never wavered. “Once I learned the business, I ventured out and pretty much started doing my own thing and acquiring my own contracts, and things just took off from there,” he adds. “Today, I provide commercial janitorial services from the Triad Area to Raleigh. The one thing I’m glad about is that as I earned money, I reinvested it back into the business, and as my business grew, I was able to save money, which allowed me to start investing in other things like real estate. I didn’t know anything about real estate, but I have a cousin, Brandon Harris, who does. He taught me what I know. You have to be willing to learn your craft.”
Alongside fellow entrepreneurs Billy Williams and Jessie Allred, Markques has taken A New Global Concepts and BBS Renovations to higher heights. With the assistance of his daughter, Epiphany Ross, a licensed real estate agent, BBS Renovations has acquired additional properties. Markques adds, “Jessie came on board as a partner with A New Global in 1992, and he has always brought different investment opportunities to my attention. Even more, he has constantly pushed and motivated me to grow and become more successful.”
Markques shares how he and his brother, Billy Williams, started investing in real estate as another source of income. “We would purchase houses, renovate them, and rent them out at affordable rates. Not only does he assist with purchasing new investment properties and equipment for our janitorial company, but he is committed to working until the job is done. I have been able to count on him just as I have with Jessie since day one.”
Since the days of their early beginnings, Markques says everything has gone up and is extremely expensive especially rent. He adds that people are having difficulty meeting their mortgages/ rent, car notes, and even buying groceries. “We know that people want something nice to live in at an affordable price, and we can meet that need.”
People aspire to become entrepreneurs for different reasons. One of Markques’s reasons for wanting to own his own business is because of flexibility. He shares, “I enjoy having my own business because I can make my own hours to a certain degree. I can choose the clients that are best suited for my business. Yes, the money is good, but that’s not what it’s all about. For me, it’s about having the opportunity to help others, especially those in my community. For instance, there was a dedicated and loyal young woman who worked in our organization who needed a car. Well, because I was the owner and saw her work ethic, I chose to help her get a car because it benefited us both. Now, realistically, I can’t do that for everybody, but she was an exemplary employee who needed a hand. It feels good to be able to give back and help others.”
Being an entrepreneur is risky, and it’s evident that Markques is willing to take those risks. Does it always work out? No, it doesn’t, but he shares that at least he’s tried his hand at it. “I had a hair salon. Women always go to the beauty parlor, but that business didn’t work out for me, so I tried something else. I had a soul food restaurant, which I got for a family member, and that started good, but I eventually let that go because the customers weren’t consistent. I also had an urban clothing store for a while, but I had to cut my losses there, too. The point is that I’ve tried different ways to make multiple streams of income. Sometimes my ventures have panned out, and sometimes they haven’t. The point is that I’ve tried. I didn’t allow one or two failed businesses to stop me from trying something else. I don’t believe in giving up or letting a closed door stop me. I went to school and I’m certified in heating and air. I have a degree in that field but couldn’t secure employment. First, people told me I didn’t have enough experience. Well, that didn’t make sense because I was a new graduate, but I had plenty of hands-on experience in school. Then I would get you’re overqualified, so, which one was it? Instead of giving up, I just kept trying different things. So now, I can utilize those skills in the rental properties I share with my brother. I’m also a certified Teaching Assistant Behavioral Specialist, which is my main job. I’ve been doing that for 17 years now. That position helped me learn how to relate and communicate with people. I can utilize those skills in my business relationships and with my employees. Coming up in “The Grove” helped me learn how to press forward and become resilient. You have to have a determined spirit to be a successful entrepreneur. You have to be willing to get back up when you’ve been knocked down. You can’t give up. You must also put in the work; you know you have to motivate yourself even if nobody is pushing you, you must push yourself. I’m blessed in that area because I’ve had some key players who have been with me from the beginning and are still with me today.”
Jessie Allred
Billy Williams
Markques Sadeeq Howard
Markques believes it’s essential for anyone wanting to start their own business to remain passionate about whatever they are selling or working towards. He thinks, “It’s important as a business owner that you are willing to face whatever you encounter without giving up. As an entrepreneur, you must have a solid work ethic that drives you to do whatever is necessary to succeed. You will work long days, nights, and weekends to meet your long-term goals. It includes selling yourself and your brand at every opportunity, even when it gets you out of your comfort zone. You will have to nurture your business in every way you can. You have to do your homework and know what’s needed by the consumers you plan to serve. You have to understand how your product will help and impact others. All of those things are key to operating a business. You also cannot be afraid to fail. If you’re afraid to fail, then you’ll never get started. Instead of allowing fear to stop you, take a leap of faith. Get mentors, learn from your mistakes, go to workshops, and learn how to talk to people. Having good or poor people skills can make or break your business, and be ready for change because it will come.”
Another thing Markques wants to share about being an entrepreneur is that you cannot be greedy. “You have to be willing to share. I’m not the only janitorial company out here, and I can’t take on every job. When I receive a request that I know I cannot fulfill, I pass that along to one of my friends, or I give the job to someone in my business who has the time to meet the contract,” he says.
For Howard, he explains that it’s not just about being a business owner but also about helping others launch their own businesses. Markques acknowledges a fellow entrepreneur, Dr. Darrick Bracy, who works with him and assists others with setting up their LLCs. Howard says, “Many people desire to own their own business but don’t know how the logistics work. In cases such as that, Derrick is there to assist. More importantly, I want others to know there’s enough work out here for everybody, especially in this type of business. It’s also important to have people around you that you can trust to be in it for the long haul. I am very grateful for my circle, which includes my brother, Jay Wilson, Jessie Allred, Darrell Mark, Darrick Bracy, and my cousin, Brandon Harris. I also appreciate the constant support of Shun Allred, Caleb Ross, Tony Ledwell, Janice Mays, Amanda Henderson, Rose Johnson, and Calvin Goode. I mean, these guys have stuck with me through it all, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Looking ahead, Markques and his team are preparing to take A New Global Concepts and BBS Renovations to higher heights.
When not managing his businesses, Markques enjoys spending time with his four children, Deja, Gabriel, Caleb, and Epiphany. With their support, he is driven to strive for whatever the future has in store.
You have to have a determined spirit to be a successful entrepreneur. You have to be willing to get back up when you’ve been knocked down. You can’t give up.
Markques Sadeeq Howard
New Global Concepts PO Box 8581
Greensboro, NC 27409 (336) 517-5221
Keisha Saunders-Waldron
Cofidential Confessions
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Keisha Saunders-Waldron
Keisha Saunders-Waldron is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, professor, coach, and co-author with over 18 years of experience in the mental health field. Keisha offers an extraordinary holistic counseling approach to creating a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals and couples to improve their quality of life.
Keisha’s expertise in anxiety management, high-performance leadership, conflict resolution, and work-life balance has garnered recognition from several high-profile clients. Keisha provides services for the music industry, professional athletics, senior corporate executive office, and general counsel for individuals and families. Keisha’s mission is to help her clients find inner strength and self-confidence—to help them become innovative communicators, building boundaries while consistently driving healthy and long-lasting results in their personal and professional lives.
Keisha has professional affiliations with renowned organizations such as the American Counseling Association, the North Carolina Counseling Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors, and the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of North Carolina. As an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, one of the top 10thranked schools in the nation, Keisha brings her clients a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
In addition to being a mental health advocate, Keisha is also a serial entrepreneur and a force in the business world, holding a Goldman Sachs 10sbk entrepreneur certification and a woman entrepreneurship certificate from Cornell University. Confidential Confessions Counseling Services, PLLC offers personalized counseling to foster growth and well-being, specializing in outpatient behavioral health services.
Motivated by an unwavering commitment to empower, inspire, and bring balance, we are dedicated to nurturing a sense of peace within our clients.
Established in 2015, Confidential Confessions Counseling Services, PLLC, is a private behavioral health practice focused on fostering personal growth and emotional well-being. With a holistic and client-centered therapy approach, the practice helps clients develop reasoned decision-making skills across various life aspects. Confidential Confessions provides Outpatient Behavioral Health services tailored to individuals with mild mental health needs.
Confidential Confessions Counseling Services offers specialized mental health counseling and consultation services to individuals and couples seeking enhanced mental clarity, stress reduction, and improved decision-making skills. “Our expertise extends to addressing challenges like depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties, fostering growth in personal and professional domains in Greensboro, North Carolina. Motivated by an unwavering commitment to empower, inspire, and bring balance, we are dedicated to nurturing a sense of peace within our clients. Our paramount objective is to provide exceptional, tailored counseling solutions that are culturally sensitive while fostering an environment of tranquility and trust,” she says.
Additionally, Confidential Confessions Counseling Services is emerging as a premier mental health practice across North Carolina and Ohio. They also epitomize qualities of high performance, authenticity, inclusivity, luxury, and personal growth. This commitment is mirrored in their unique counseling packages, expertly tailored to address individual client needs, and in it’s team’s concerted effort to enhance service delivery cohesiveness. “Our company ethos places a strong emphasis on promoting work-life balance, inner peace, growth, and development among our team members, empowering them to be agents of inspiration. At Confidential Confessions, we hold the firm belief that peace is more than a state of mind; it’s a tangible reality we strive to bring to our clients’ lives.”
One of the counseling services they offer is Marriage and Relationship counseling, also known as couples therapy. This is a specialized form of professional counseling that focuses on improving and enhancing the quality of intimate relationships. It involves a trained therapist working with couples to address and resolve conflicts, improve communication, strengthen emotional bonds, and foster a healthier and more satisfying relationship. Marriage and relationship counseling aims to provide a safe and neutral space for couples to explore their concerns, gain insight into their relationship dynamics, and develop effective strategies for resolving issues and achieving a more fulfilling partnership.
The process of marriage and relationship counseling typically involves joint sessions with both partners present, although individual sessions may be included as needed. The therapist helps couples identify and understand the underlying causes of relationship difficulties, such as ineffective communication patterns, trust issues, or unresolved conflicts. They facilitate open and honest dialogue, teach conflict resolution skills, and provide guidance in developing healthier ways of relating to each other. The counselor may also help couples explore personal histories, values, and expectations to foster a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationship dynamics.
Clients who may benefit from marriage and relationship counseling include couples who are experiencing various challenges or conflicts in their partnership. This can include communication problems, frequent arguments, lack of intimacy, infidelity, parenting disagreements, or difficulties in adjusting to major life changes. Couples who are contemplating separation or divorce may also seek counseling as a last effort to salvage their relationship or to navigate the process more amicably. Marriage and relationship counseling can be beneficial for couples in any stage of their relationship, from newlyweds to long-term partnerships, as it provides tools and support for building a stronger and more fulfilling bond.
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Vitiligo ThreeStories of Life with
By Terry L. Watson
She has lived with Vitiligo all of her life. Tiffany Stancil of Raleigh, NC, is an easygoing, southern lady. She is married and has two wonderful children, who are 26 and 17 years of age, and she has a couple of granddaughters who bring her immense joy.
Tiffany describes her experience with Vitiligo as a long-going love/hate relationship. She adds, “Growing up, I didn’t really understand or know what I had. In Elementary school, kids would ask me why my fingertips and toes were lighter than the other parts, and I had no answer. I was insecure and didn’t want to draw attention to myself, so I would make sure to dial down the colors I wore on my feet and fingers. As I grew up and became a teenager, I never really had any problems with people commenting on my hands and feet, but I was still self-conscious. By my adulthood, I had come to embrace the spots I had on my feet and hands as well as the other spots that started to show in other areas. By age 30, after my second child was born, I started to get spots on my face, and that thrust me into a light I didn’t want but soon embraced.”
Tiffany says her condition has impacted her life in so many ways. In the beginning she saw it as an inconvenience and even wondered why God gave Vitiligo to her. As her condition spread, she had a real conversation with God on how to handle it. “I’ve had all my life to get used to it on my hands and feet but my face was a different story and it took me some years to accept it fully. Everyday can be different, I can’t say living with Vitiligo is easy because it’s not. When you live with a condition that can change at any time, you may have uncertainty,” she explains.
Even navigating through life’s normal day-to-day routines can be difficult for someone who has Vitiligo, and Tiffany’s experience was sometimes just that: difficult. She recalls the times when she went on job interviews and auditions (she is a model, by the way), and in the back of her head, she would be concerned with how she would be received. “Will they freak out when they see me? Will they accept me anyway and look past my spots? Are they hiring/selecting me out of pity? I had to actively get up and show up for my children and let them see their mother overcome something she has no control over, but life goes on, and beauty is what you make it, not what others say it is.”
Tiffany advises others who may be dealing with Vitiligo to find a support group in your area. She adds that it helps to talk about your feelings and encounters with others who know exactly what you are going through. “Always know that you are you, and no matter what, no one can take that from you.”
Tiffany Stancil
Photo By Blu Cherry Photography
By KieChey Photography
About nine years ago, Danielle Cox of Raleigh, NC, says Vitiligo altered her life and changed her outer appearance completely.
It started as a small spot on Danielle’s right hand. She shares, “I knew what it was because my grandmother and Aunt both have Vitiligo.” Still, adjusting to living with the condition has been something Danielle has managed throughout her life.
While it has been nine years since the inception of Vitiligo, at times, Danielle shares it feels like her journey has just begun. “I am blessed to have experienced more positive feedback than negative. When people stare, I imagine myself as a celebrity and just smile and wave. I definitely stand out wherever I go, so I might as well own it!”
Currently, Danielle is an active member of the North Carolina Vitiligo Support Group. While there are a few days along the way, Danielle remains inspired to help others. “The skin that I’m in is only my outer shell that embodies all of the beauty that exists from within me. I now can say, “I love the skin I’m in.”
Danielle is a single mother of two handsome boys and serves as a lead teacher at a child development center. Danielle is a single mother of two handsome boys and serves as a lead teacher at a child development center.
“When people stare, I imagine myself as a celebrity and just smile and wave. I definitely stand out wherever I go, so I might as well own it.”
Danielle Cox
KimyettaMcNeil
Most people call her Kimmie. At 51 years of age, Kimyetta McNeil of Fayetteville, NC, knows a little about overcoming and endurance. She is a mother of two sons, William, who is 31, and Franklin (Von), who passed away at the young age of 25.
For nearly 21 years, Kimmie has been living with Vitiligo and says it hasn’t been an easy thing to do. “Vitiligo can be very debilitating. In the beginning, I experienced depression, isolation, and rejection. I went through light therapy and creams, and documented the progression of my changing skin by taking pictures of myself. I wasn’t very sociable because of the way people stared at me, not to mention the comments. Also, dating wasn’t even a thing. I didn’t like taking pictures because I couldn’t grasp the way I looked or how I felt about Vitiligo or myself. With much research and education, I’ve learned that Vitiligo is hereditary, and a traumatic change in life or stress makes it worse.”
Kimmie says that while going through the changes of her life and living with Vitiligo, it has helped her to look deeper within and gain confidence in who she is. “I’ve never loved me more than I do now. Having a spiritual relationship with Christ and knowing who I am is the best thing ever. My prayer life with seeking God
has kept and helped me through some dark moments, and having that support from the Vitiligo Community, friends, and family has also been a help. I really enjoy taking pictures, and I have been part of several photo shoots and looking forward to many more.”
Living with Vitiligo has been challenging for Kimmie. She shares that working with people was a challenge at first because of the simple fact that others didn’t know what Vitiligo was and were afraid to ask, possibly because they didn’t know how she would respond. Kimmie concludes by sharing some kind and sound advice. “Anyone who’s dealing with Vitiligo or not dealing with it, it doesn’t change who you are. Remember that loving yourself and taking care of your mental health is a priority.”
Kimmie is a graduate of Lumberton Senior High School in Lumberton, NC. She has attended to study as a Medical Office Assistant and CNA I and II. h
By Blu
Photo
Cherry Photography
JUNETEENTH LIBERTY, NC
Learn More About My Experience of Being A Caregiver For My Mother
By Terry L. Watson
CHAPTER FOUR: Mama Got A Potty Mouth
It’s amazing how the little things that we often take for granted can ultimately become the great things that we may miss the most after having a loved one experience a life-altering episode such as an Ischemic Stroke.
I can still taste the food like it was only yesterday. As I did on most Sundays after church, I stopped by my Mama’s to get something to eat. It was sort of a ritual; Mama would cook, and all of her kids would stop by to get something to eat. On this day, the meal prepared was meatloaf, cabbage, and field peas and snaps. It was very delicious, and I even went for seconds. Mama wasn’t there when I stopped by, as she had gone to church that morning and hadn’t returned home. After eating, I went home and rested for the day. That would be the last time I would be able to enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared by her, as she would suffer her stroke the very next morning; but I can still taste my Mama’s food.
As the months passed, a routine revealed itself, which I and my family began to follow for my mother’s care. I looked forward to having every other weekend away from my home, as that was when my siblings would step in and take over the responsibilities of caring for Mama. While it was often a three to four-day get-away, I looked forward to the time away, as it freed my mind from all of the things that I carried on a daily basis. Believe it or not, while caring for Mama, I never stepped away from that which God had purposed for me, and my purpose continues to be a whole lot. When my short vacation ended, I easily jumped back into the role that mattered the most. I would describe myself as an early riser, and I have probably acquired this trait from my Mama, as she is known to rise at the break of dawn, even to this day. As the sun rose, it also signaled a variety of tasks that needed to be addressed. I could not afford to ignore any of them as my Mama’s survival depended upon them. She needed her medicine, breakfast, cleaning, and more than anything, my Mama needed comfort and attention from a trustworthy source, and who better to administer all of these than me?
One memory that I have of my mother is of her reluctance to go to her doctor on a regular basis, as well as her comfort in taking a pill for any known ailment. If she had a headache, she would take a pain pill. If her legs hurt, she would take a pill. Regardless of what may have bothered her, it appeared that my Mama believed the answer was by taking a pill or some form of medication. As a child and even as a young man, I never questioned her methods for selfcare, and why should I? She has lived a lot longer than I, and during the times when I was sick or hurting as a child, my Mama had the answers. Regardless of how bad it hurt, her kisses made it all better.
The time would arrive when Mama would have to visit her new array of physicians. Because she was diagnosed with suffering a brain injury, Mama would be under the care of a Neurologist. This would be in addition to making regularly scheduled visits to her Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, and PCP. To my surprise, being her primary caregiver meant that I would have to manage all of her visits. For me, this was such an unexpected welcoming into the world of caregiving.
On one visit to her Neurologist, things didn’t go so well. Due to the damage and affected areas of my mother’s body the stroke caused, her Neurologist recommended that she get regularly scheduled Botox injections into her arm, which was seized with paralysis. Injections meant needles, and my Mama is no fan of needles. When it was time for her injections, my Mama had no clue as to what was about to happen. The syringes were about nine inches in length and would have to be administered several times within a short period of time. Mama looked at those needles and then looked at the physician, and without taking a breath, my Mama blurted out two bad words that were directed at the short and seemingly pleasant healthcare representative. I said, “Mama, No,” but my resolve had no impact at this point. Mama was defiant, and she had no desire to be stuck. It was then that I learned that my Mama had a “Potty Mouth”. In the months to follow, and even to this day, those words continue to flow with ease. I love my Mama, Potty Mouth and all. h
I decided to share my experience as a full-time caregiver for my mother to consult, console, and inform other families who may be going through a similar situation. As a son, caring for my mother never feels like work; if so, it is a labor of love. Please continue to follow this message, Becoming A Caregiver, in Huami Magazine. I hope that sharing my experience will help others. From one caregiver to the next, God Bless You!
JAMES R. MARTIN II
The New Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University -
Greensboro, NC
Informatoin Provided by NCAT Press Release
James Martin II, an accomplished civil engineer who has led engineering and STEM initiatives at three large public research universities, was elected chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University today by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
UNC System President Peter Hans recommended Martin, vice chancellor of STEM Innovation and Research at the University of Pittsburgh, following a national search that drew a highly competitive field, including three finalists endorsed by the North Carolina A&T Board of Trustees.
Martin’s appointment will begin Aug. 15. He succeeds Harold Martin Sr., who will retire after 15 years as chancellor.
James Martin, who served four years as the U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering in Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, has decades of experience as an engineering professor, institute director, dean and leader of science initiatives at major public universities, including Clemson University and Virginia Tech.
During his career, he has promoted academic innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and improved organizational culture. He will now lead the nation’s largest historically Black university on a trajectory to become a top-tier research institution, termed “Research 1” by the Carnegie Classification that categorizes universities by their levels of research activity.
“James Martin is the right leader to engineer North Carolina A&T’s continuing rise,” Hans said. “He believes in what he calls ‘impatient optimism,’ a productive sense of possibility in what can be achieved when people think across disciplines, feel a sense of shared purpose, and commit to an ambitious vision. It’s exactly the kind of mindset that will help affirm the university’s status as one of the nation’s best research institutions and engines of social mobility.”
“North Carolina A&T is a recognized national leader in harnessing technology and access to learning to unlock human potential,” Martin said. “That’s one of many reasons why it’s so exciting to have been chosen to lead the university at a moment when America is in particular need of the very things that North Carolina A&T does best. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni are on an incredible ascent, having accomplished so much in recent years. I look forward to joining them on that journey and ensuring that we continue to build on A&T’s exceptional momentum as we set ambitious new sights for the months and years ahead.”
As dean at Pittsburgh, he oversaw an engineering program with 2,900 undergraduates, 850 graduate students and 200 faculty. There he raised research dollars by 50 percent, built strategic partnerships with industry and government, and increased diversity, enrollment and graduation rates. Previously, he chaired the civil engineering department at Clemson University and was the founding executive director of Clemson’s Risk Engineering and Systems Analytics Institute (RESA).
A scholar in disaster risk engineering and earthquake science, he has conducted research around the world in earthquake zones, leading to stronger building codes in the United States. He has provided international engineering consulting for nearly 100 firms and government agencies.
He began his career as a faculty member in civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech, where he later led an engineering fellowship program for underrepresented students and founded the university’s Disaster Risk Management Institute. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at The Citadel and a master’s and doctorate in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. He was born in Union, South Carolina to a family with deep roots across the Carolinas.
His numerous national, state and university awards for research, teaching, scholarship and service include the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Norman Medal, the highest honor for published work in his field. He was also inducted into the Virginia Tech Department of Civil Engineering’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2015.
“Dr. Martin is an exceptional leader with a strong vision for where we can take our university in the coming years,” said A&T Board of Trustees Chair Kimberly Bullock Gatling. “North Carolina A&T has enjoyed enormous success in recent years, and I have no doubt that Dr. Martin will continue the university’s strong ascent and increase our national presence as a doctoral, research land-grant HBCU.”
“We were fortunate in this national search to draw a very competitive field of applicants and nominees from across the country. It was gratifying to see a certain standard of quality in leadership throughout the field,” said Search Advisory Committee Chair Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, former chair of the A&T Board of Trustees. “From the beginning, Dr. Martin emerged as a leading candidate in his background, preparation and the vision he articulated for A&T. He will be an outstanding leader for our university.”
“North Carolina A&T has been extremely fortunate to have Dr. Harold Martin as chancellor for these last 15 years, and now the university has another fantastic leader in Dr. James Martin,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey. “He comes to A&T with decades of leadership experience and a track record of building and innovating. I join the Aggie community in congratulating him on his important new role.”
Melodie Smith Golden
“Victorious”
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Melodie Smith Golden
Melodie Smith Golden of High Point, NC, is the founder of Inspiring Women of Destiny. Melodie started the support group in 2007 in response to the ordeal that many individuals have faced with Domestic Violence. Melodie herself became a victim of Domestic Violence in 1985, and it continued for 11 years. Instead of staying in the place of victim, Melodie has dedicated herself to becoming a voice for the brokenhearted and advocating for others. Melodie has helped many young women rebuild their lives by sharing her testimony and words of encouragement. This has also involved her sharing her healing techniques, which she uses to help others overcome life challenges and obstacles.
Inspiring Women of Destiny is a structured program designed to help abused women give birth to their destinies. It also offers an eight-week program designed to help build self-esteem and motivational skills.
“Our vision is to educate, empower, and restore by promoting healthy sessions to young women who have been mentally and physically abused. Our mission is to bring about domestic violence awareness to young women from all walks of life and change the mental diet of the individual while being nurtured through spiritual guidance. We also provide opportunities to build social skills that aid in finding their place in life,” she says.
Not only is Melodie an advocate for domestic violence, she is also the author of “He Was There All The Time”. Today, Melodie no longer sees herself as a victim but as victorious!
Inspiring women of Destiny has served the High Point community on numerous occasions by giving back. They also host the Christmas Smile event each year, as well as Back to School drives, clothing drives, and feeding the homeless projects. Melodie also offers mentoring, life skills, and entrepreneur skills and hosts “Together We Stand Against Domestic Violence“ each year, a program that honors and remembers those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
Things have been happening very well for Melodie. On May 23, 2023, Melodie received her Associate’s Degree in Human Services Technology at Guilford Technical Community College. Moving forward, she plans to continue to assist others and offer guidance and support for Domestic Violence victims.
The City of High Point, NC Honors Fantasia Barrino
By Terry L. Watson
On June 16, 2024, the High Point, NC, community welcomed home one of its most famous daughters, Fantasia Barrino. During her return, the award-winning musician, actress, and entrepreneur was presented with the award that will forever connect her to High Point.
“Fantasia Way” was unveiled by city leaders, including Mayor Pro-Temp, Michael Holmes, during a ceremony that took place at Truist Point, the home of the High Point Rockers Baseball. With several members of her native community in attendance, the former American Idol star responded in her genuine and authentic self, full of emotion and gratitude. Her fans were not disappointed either and were also treated to a live performance.
Photos Provided by Snuggs Photography h
Bonita J. Brown - 14th Chancellor of Winston Salem State University
Bonita J. Brown is the 14th Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. She was elected by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, following her nomination by University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans. Brown assumed the role on July 1, 2024.
Brown recently served as the Interim President at Northern Kentucky. During her tenure, she led the campus through a leadership transition and in navigating significant financial challenges and declining enrollments.
Prior to being Interim President, she served as the Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Northern Kentucky University where she leads the campus in implementing Success by Design, the university’s strategic plan solely focused on student success. From this work, retention and persistence rates increased by over five percent.
She previously worked as the Vice President of Network Engagement at Achieving the Dream, a national non-profit leader that champions evidence-based institutional improvement in community colleges across the country. In this role, Brown was responsible for supporting a network of over 220 community colleges in 41 states as they work to implement sustainable, campus wide student success efforts.
Prior to this position, she served as the Director of Higher Education Practice with the Education Trust in Washington D.C. While at the Education Trust, she created and led an initiative entitled Optimizing Academic Success and Institutional Strategy (OASIS), which was a national network of regional, comprehensive, minority serving institutions that enroll large numbers of low-income students and students of color.
As the Director of Higher Education Practice, she worked with the institutions in assessing data and implementing national best practices for improving student success and closing completion gaps. Previously she served as the Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, and as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
North Carolina Central University Chancellor Dr. Karie Dixon h
Information and Photos obtained from North Carolina Central University Online Information and Photos obtained from Winston Salem State University Online
Dr. Karrie Dixon, who has led Elizabeth City State University to a new era of expansion and success, was elected chancellor of North Carolina Central University today by the UNC Board of Governors. She was recommended by UNC System President Peter Hans following a national search that drew more than 50 candidates, resulting in three finalists endorsed by the NCCU Board of Trustees. She succeeds Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye, who is retiring June 30 after eight years leading the university.
Dixon has served as chancellor of Elizabeth City State since 2018, bringing forth a renaissance to a campus that previously experienced enrollment declines and financial pressures. During her tenure as chancellor, Dixon grew enrollment by nearly 70%, raised $24 million in private gifts and built partnerships that led to nearly $300 million in state and federal funding for facilities, infrastructure and academic programs. In two years’ time, employee morale moved from lowest in the UNC System to the highest.
Dixon has worked within the UNC System for 23 years, moving up the ranks in academic positions at the System Office, including as vice president for academic and student affairs, senior associate vice president for academic and student affairs, and assistant vice president for academic and student affairs. Previously, she was assistant vice provost at NC State University, and before that, she served as a program assessment consultant in NC State’s Department of Chemical Engineering. She was an adjunct assistant professor at NC State’s College of Education and taught communication at NC State and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
She served a one-year American Council on Education Fellowship at Wake Forest University in 2016-17. She has been a longtime ally of the UNC Association of Student Governments and recently received the student organization’s top award, the William C. Friday Lifetime Achievement Award.
A first-generation college graduate, Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from NC State University, a master’s degree in speech communication from UNC Greensboro, and a Doctor of Education degree in higher education administration from NC State University.
“This is a great day for North Carolina Central University,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey. “Karrie Dixon has made enormous contributions to eastern North Carolina during her years of service to Elizabeth City State University and will now be a tremendous leader for another of our state’s important public HBCUs. I congratulate her and look forward to seeing what this new chapter holds.”
June 15,
Black Food Truck Festival - Greensboro, NC
2024
Photos Provided by Snuggs Photography
Lucy Taylor
Kiser Financial Solutions
By Terry L. Watson
Lucy Taylor is a Charlotte, NC, native who grew up on the West and Northside of North Carolina’s Queen City. She is a mom to three wonderful young men and expresses that her faith is extremely important, so much so that Lucy credits it with helping her achieve what God placed in her heart to do. My inspiration comes from my faith. I know that God has a specific plan for everyone, and He has so much for us. Yet, we must go get it,” she says.
Lucy attended Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC, and later received an Associates Degree in Marketing from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. Professionally, she serves as the face and founder of Kiser Financial Solutions LLC. Her company is a one-stop Financial Services Company that specializes in helping consumers and small businesses structure and improve their financial well-being. Her products and services range from Personal/ Business Credit Improvement, Personal/ Business Income Tax Prep, Wealth Building through Life Insurance and Budgeting Expertise.
“I began working in finance with Fortune 500 Companies like Bank of America and Vanguard, and while working with Property Management. I have also worked in leadership at Wells Fargo. While working at these companies, I learned behind the scenes what it takes to have a strong Financial Foundation to secure loans and business funding,” she says. For the most part, Lucy says for anyone desiring to improve their credit score or file back taxes, or even the small business that needs to secure funding to keep their business afloat, Kiser Financial Solutions is there for you.
Photos Provided by Lucy Taylor
Lucy says her upbringing has impacted her life more than anything. “Growing up in the part of Charlotte that I did, I was only provided with that perspective of life. There was a lot of lack. I watched my family work every day just to keep a roof over our heads. When I was able to visit South Charlotte, I witnessed another level of living. I saw excess and people living in huge homes and driving nicer cars. Everything was clean and shiny. Seeing that made me want to strive for more, live the best life that I possibly could, and go after all that God has for me.
When asked what she loves most about her company, Lucy says it’s the way her clients actually get it. “After working with me, they actually see how having good credit and sticking to a budget improves their quality of life. Even more, I love to see how their mindset has changed as they soak up the knowledge.”
On the flip side, there are a few challenges that come with managing her company, as each individual is different. Lucy explains, “Getting the client to stick to the plan and trust the process can be difficult sometimes. I believe this is so because nowadays, most people want a quick fix or go through the back door to fix their finances, but there’s no such thing.” Lucy overcomes these challenges by seeking to understand the client’s fears and by educating them on why it’s important to approach things a certain way. Most importantly, Lucy always provides her clients with results.
For others who may follow in her footsteps, Lucy offers some encouraging and sound advice. She says, first, start with your why. Ask yourself why you want to be involved in that specific business. You must also be committed to only doing it for the right reasons because it will show in your work. Next, educate yourself on what it takes to be successful, and make sure that all your paperwork is in order.
Looking ahead, Lucy hopes to tackle the affordable housing crisis for families and individuals in need. She says, “Tackling the affordable housing crisis is important to me. I believe that everyone deserves a decent roof over their head.” Additionally, Lucy hopes to establish herself to have more influence and impact on the community of Charlotte. h
