CENTERSTAGE
BLAZING A TRAIL IN ARIZONA by Contributing Writer, Cheryl D Howard
O
ur family, a circle of strength, founded on faith, joined in love...kept by God.” (Pinterest)
The Stanton family stepped out on faith when they uprooted themselves from their all-familiar world in California and relocated to Arizona. Moses Stanton, age 47, Latechia “Techia” Stanton, age 51, and Jayden Stanton, age 20, all sat with infectious smiles on their faces as they retold their journey from the Golden State. The Stantons are, in actuality, a blended family with six children, seven when you add “Mercy.” Mercy is their multipoo breed puppy. He ran across Techia’s feet as we were talking. The other five children Myke, Mesh, Moses Jr., Lavadis, and Cozzie, are all grown and have left the nest. For twenty-two years, Moses and Techia raised their family and lived in subsidized housing in Sunnyvale, California. Although it was not always easy to relocate, it has been a godsend for the couple to transition from being renters to owning their own home. The Stantons had visited friends in Arizona often. On one of their last visits, they decided to explore open homes, and that was when the bug bit. Close friend, Lupé, encouraged them to move there. Lupé shared with them that they would never know the possibility of homeownership if they never tried. Moses said that he misses California, but he especially misses the oceanside. They spent a lot of time at the beach. Often they would go to the beach just to sit, relax, and enjoy family time. It was there they prayed and became on one accord with the decision to move. “It was all God,” Moses said. The unbelievable housing market was also a beautiful incentive for the couple. Arizona’s homes had tremendous appeal to Moses and Techia, and they were able to get in at the right time to purchase a home. They settled in Queen Creek, Arizona. Their home was built from the ground up. Because it was customized, they were privileged to choose | 1 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E
the flooring, tile, appliance fixtures, etc. When the couple pre-qualified for the home, they found their home in a matter of months, and by December 2019, they had moved. By March 2020, they had not fully settled in before the pandemic hit. COVID-19 halted any plans for a housewarming or for any of their family to gather to congratulate them. “Adjusting (for the move) was strange because of COVID19. We literally have not shared our home with anybody,” said Techia. As an African American family living Southeast of Phoenix, Arizona, they have rarely seen others who look like them. They moved into a predominantly white community. “You see an American flag hanging up in the front of somebody’s house, and you don’t know if they are racist or not. I don’t look at the flag the same anymore since the 2020 election,” said Techia. Fortunately, they have not been met with bigotry or racist behavior. Queen Creek, according to the Stantons, is seemingly an oasis in the desert state of Arizona. Arizona is vastly different from California. I asked Jayden Stanton how he felt about the move. He said at first, he was uncomfortable because he did not want to leave his friends and family. Then, after the move, he had a change of heart. “It’s been a great experience so far minus the virus,” said Jayden.
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