 By Mikki A. Ealey (MAE) Entrepreneur Anastasia Morgan-Doe has paved the way for a special place for African hair care products right here in Connecticut. In June 2020, Morgan-Doe launched her online business African Hair Bonnets by Edzorna out of Bristol, bringing a splash of gorgeous, colorful hair bonnets for the whole family. To keep busy during the pandemic, she started sewing several types of African fabrics—which ultimately grew to a growing business with several employees, including in Ghana. Before launching African Hair Bonnets by Edzorna, Morgan-Doe did her homework to make sure there was a demand for her niche idea. A designer by trade, she inquired with many friends and acquaintances to see what they thought of the hair bonnets they typically see for sale. The feedback was that they wanted something less “plain” yet also practical for kids. And so, her idea became a reality when she took the step to market her designs.  Morgan-Doe shared that before starting her business, something “came over her” in a spiritual sense. She wanted to ensure that the name of her business reflected her spirituality, while also naming each of her bonnets something significant from her culture. She settled on a nod to “enyonam” (it is well with my soul), “dzifa” (one is at peace) and “Elorm” (God loves me). Remaining consistent with her heritage, custom, culture and plan, Morgan-Doe was committed to creating hand-sewn hair bonnets (called “taku” in Ghanaian) that highlight an assortment of motivational and imaginative fabrics. The satin stain-resistant fabrics from Ghana are handpicked and less prone to deterioration. Plus, Morgan-Doe helps her customers choose fun and comfortable fabrics. But she doesn't just help clients choose colorful fabrics—her work is much more specific and reflects her passion for fashion. Morgan-Doe is looking forward to expanding her offerings by introducing a Mommy and Me collection coming soon. Some of her specialty offerings include bonnets with matching face masks and smooth sparkling bridal caps.  Remaining consistent with her heritage, custom, culture and plan, Morgan-Doe was committed to creating hand-sewn hair bonnets (called “taku” in Ghanaian) that highlight an assortment of motivational and imaginative fabrics.  In addition to creating dazzling designs, Morgan-Doe is a full-time patient care technician at Hartford Hospital. She’s a mom to a 12-year-old son and has a deep love for her community. Morgan-Doe frequently ships educational supplies to Ghana, spreading her love across many miles. As for the future, as an entrepreneur at heart, her long-term goals include the launch and expansion of her catering and party planning business featuring traditional Ghanaian cuisine, and she would also like to sell African beaded necklaces and bracelets. One thing is for certain—Morgan-Doe has wonderful ideas that are growing and are as beautiful as the fabrics she works with! Find African Bonnets by Edzorna at africanbonnetsbyedzorna.com/.  BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:AUTHOR Mikki A. Ealey (MAE) has 15 years of experience in the literary field and is currently the CEO and Founder of “Mz Social Butterfly Network, LLC and Small Press”, a company that takes pride in building quality unique products and service. In February 2017, she published her first book “Ready Set Go: 30 Days of Motivation to Get You to The Next Level” and in 2019, she just released a book collaboration called “Glambitious Guide to Winning in 2020." She is currently working on her second book “Unlock The Power in You.” In addition to writing, MAE is deeply involved in her community. She also sits on the board of several organizations, Complete Girlz Inc., ENACT, just to name a few. MAE is a proud mother of four beautiful children. She is a hardworking, and spiritually inclined woman whose goal is to help heal the world any way she can. Her journey stems from receiving her first diary at the tender age of ten years old from her mother. She has always been determined to face her fears, and step into her purpose to grow from a Caterpillar to a Butterfly. PHOTOGRAPHER Shariffah Mason is a female, versatile, freelance photographer from Connecticut. She typically admires photographs of friends and family, scenic views, and just moments that are memorable without even realizing it! She wanted people to see that same beauty she does so she decided to get a camera, create her brand (Reef's Views Photography) and went to work! Now she's able to deliver quality content and make memories last a lifetime for her clients. Currently as a photographer, she volunteers for ShopBlackCT and does her own freelance work too. If you'd like to see more of Shariffah's work, check out her IG/Facebook @Queenofallltrades!
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 By Lajeune Hollis In November of 2022, after the pandemic had finally started to wind down, 18-year-old James Judkins of Hartford, Connecticut was looking for a meaningful way to spread positivity into the world. He made the discovery with the opening of his online clothing brand of street gear he calls Free Therapy. “If you have an idea, take a leap of faith,” said Judkins. “Don’t let your fears overcome your success. We are a community – we are one. We are all here for a reason and you just have to find your reason and do it. This is Free Therapy, made from nothing but love.” Wise words spoken from young entrepreneur James Judkins—or “Jay J”, as he likes to be called. Judkins is committed to maintaining positive messaging and culturally-oriented designs through his brand. His online store—easily found at itsfreetherapy.myshopify.com—features five catalog subsections: Essentials by Therapy are calm and relaxing matching duos of positive-scripted hoodies, sweatpants and sweatshirts. Vintage by Therapy are vintage-inspired t-shirts featuring famous celebrities. They are all 100% cotton and blend well with any street gear. Hoodies by Therapy are comfortable, warm and feature meaningful words to live by. Tees by Therapy are 100% cotton t-shirts that combine comfort and fashion with pivotal life messages. Free Therapy home décor products work to bring out good vibes in any home or home office. Posters, journals, candles and jewelry boxes all come with signature messages of love and positivity.
“Don’t let your fears overcome your success. We are a community – we are one. We are all here for a reason and you just have to find your reason and do it. This is Free Therapy, made from nothing but love.” Judkins’s mission is to spread as much positivity into what he calls “a negative world”. He reasons that “the inspirational messages found on my clothing could potentially captivate future generations on what to teach their own children.” When asked what keeps him up at night, Judkins shared that he ultimately always wants to be the best person he can be and reach his full potential. “Every day I push harder than the day before,” he shared. “By my pushing, it will honestly make me a better person. This also relates to my clothing brand, Free Therapy. We reach out to local businesses as well as up-and-comers and help to build them up. We are built on love and growth and the desire to push towards a better tomorrow.” His primary challenges since opening last November of 2022 are driving traffic to his website and brand awareness. Judkins has navigated these challenges by offering the opportunity to become Free Therapy Brand Ambassadors for anyone who visits his Instagram page, which is also linked to his online shop.  Judkins shared that he will always work to support local businesses, spread awareness and network with individual businesses to create collaborations. For those who are looking to open their own business but not certain where to start Judkins says, “Don’t let that stop you from doing something great, have a business plan but make sure you are open to change and open to new things. And I will gladly share any knowledge I have about it with you.” Speaking of business plans, in the next five years Judkins’s goal is to open a brick-and-mortar store for Free Therapy and also take his Free Therapy services worldwide. For now, you can find Free Therapy online at @itsfreetherapy45 on Instagram, email Judkins at [email protected] or visit the Free Therapy shop at itsfreetherapy.myshopify.com. BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Lajeune Hollis “If I can do it, You can do it too!” Nasha Rhone purchased her first home—a condominium in Bristol, Connecticut—at the young age of 22. Despite the challenges of being a single mother at the time, she was able to achieve her dream of homeownership by meeting the strict requirements of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) first time buyers program. Rhone was proud to be the first person in her immediate family to own a home, and years later, homeownership grew into a passion as she quickly realized the empowerment, stability and equity that was afforded to her. She then discovered her urge to share the experience with others. Realizing Homes, LLC is a full-service real estate business that is dedicated to helping everyone achieve the dream of homeownership. “Together we will make homeownership a reality” is their tag line. “I truly believe in the path of homeownership for everyone,” explained Rhone. “I have dedicated most of my career to housing families, with previous experience working in residential, affordable housing, and even some large scale commercial, Class A&B buildings.” Whether someone is buying, selling, investing or looking for rentals, Realizing Homes does it all. However, broker/owner Nasha Rhone’s passion is helping first-time home buyers. “Because homeownership had such a profound impact on me, I want to help others achieve the same. Helping people understand the importance of a real estate asset, sharing in the memory of purchasing your first home and most of all, helping families create generational wealth, is truly why I love what I do,” she explained. While the rising interest rates across the country concerns many, she is quick to point out solutions. “CHFA is currently offering up to $50,000 to qualified buyers through a program called ‘The Time is Now’,” she shared. “It is a forgivable grant. A common misconception people have is that they have to be low-income to take advantage of these programs. However, that is not necessarily the case. Check to see if you are eligible.” Rhone holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Springfield College and has pursued her MBA with Post University. As the Broker and Owner of Realizing Homes, she holds credentials that allows her to practice as a Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource - SFR®, Certified Manager of Community Associations-CMCA and Accredited Buyers Representative - ABR®. She is a member of the Greater Hartford Realtors Association (GHRA), the CT Real Estate Investment Association (CTREIA), and the National Realtors Association (NAR) meeting the ethical standards and requirements to serve as a member. Opening her own brokerage allows her to do what she loves and does best: service her clients! “I serve ALL communities and go where I’m needed in Connecticut,” she said. Rhone works hard every day to help families just like hers realize their dreams, one home at a time! Find Realizing Homes online at www.realizinghomes.com, on Instagram at @realestate_anytime, Facebook @nasharhone-realestateprofessional or LinkedIn @Nasharhone or email [email protected]. BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Lajeune Hollis Deeper View Homemakers and Companion Services (DVH), based in Waterbury, Connecticut, was launched in 2018 after co-owners Josephine Ahiati, a Registered Nurse and Solomon Darko, a Licensed Professional counselor identified a trend in caregiving companies that a significant number of the caregivers are people of color and immigrants, but the caregiving business owners are mostly Caucasian. “We were once immigrants ourselves,” shared Darko, “hailing from Ghana, in West Africa. We can relate better to the workers and understand their needs which would be helpful in providing quality services.” DVH offers top-notch, affordable, and reliable home care services for clients in the comfort of their own homes. Services include but not limited to homemaker, companionship, personal care assistance, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, medication reminders, doctors’ appointments. These services are rendered hourly or 24/7 Live-In.  “If you want to open your own business, your number one goal should not be about money. It should be about passion, because if it is about passion, you will never give up."
As a mental health clinician, Mr. Darko noticed that many caregiving businesses are not addressing the mental health needs of their caregivers and their clients in the way he deems necessary. The mission is to change that paradigm. Along with Mr. Darko, Miss Ahiati emerged as unique and caring business owner by engaging in conversation with the elderly clients they serve and the caregivers who joined their team. She gets to know them on a personal level, especially those who are first and or second-generation immigrants. While momentum was forging ahead, the pandemic put a halt on much of their support. Accessing loans was difficult. With nowhere to turn, the pair was forced to use their own savings for a protracted period of time to keep their business afloat. What compounded the difficult season was a need to reduce their fees to stay competitive while offering competitive salaries to attract the best of the best caregivers.  Darko and Ahiati rose to the challenge and got creative to stay top-of-mind with prospective clients. “We try to find other organizations to collaborate with, like Alzheimer’s Association,” explained Ahiati. “We also pass flyers out at local churches, hire quality caregivers who perform well and regularly talk to the families of our clients to get feedback from them.” Deeper View Homemakers and Companion Services is a member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. Referrals mostly come from “A Place for Mom”—a service to help those looking for support or to care for their loved ones. DVH team also rely on word of mouth, phone calls, social media, nursing home referrals, local churches, current clients, former clients, networking, as well as referrals from the state of Connecticut Homecare program.  While running a business requires cash flow, Darko believes that passion for what you do comes first. They continue to help those facing extreme challenges due to the pandemic and offer their business on a sliding fee scale or, in some cases, at no charge. They truly live out their mission of “compassion and affordability is our hallmark.” According to Mr. Darko and Ahiati, “If you want to open your own business, your number one goal should not be about money. It should be about passion, because if it is about passion, you will never give up”. You also have to be personally involved to build the business and have to be receptive to suggestions or advice and information from those people who are your clients or your mentors in the field, not forgetting to be creative.” Ms. Ahiati emphasized the need for people of color or minorities to do their research before embarking on opening their businesses. Things are looking up now for Deeper View Homemakers and Companion Services because for Darko and Ahiati, chasing their passion—rather than chasing dollars—is their priority and believe it would be the key to the success of their business. Find Deeper View Homemakers and Companion Services at www.dvhomemakers.com ( dvhomemakers.com ), by calling 860-510-3959 or 860-500-8226, by email at [email protected] or on Facebook at this link. BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Lajeune Hollis At the onset of the Covid pandemic, Fendi Bentley-Samuels knew she had to find a way to reinvent her family’s daily life. As a now wife and mom to two young children, she began to create bonding activities that her family could enjoy during lockdown, while also discovering what she and her kids loved to do most. While her day job kept her busy, at night she and her 10-year-old stepdaughter JuLynn Samuels enjoyed doing their nails together. That’s when inspiration struck. Unsure exactly of what first step to take, she knew that she wanted to align her passion with a new entrepreneurial adventure. Thus, the idea was born – to create a business around those fun shared moments – thus Fendi and JuLynn became the Co-CEOs of I’m Cute Worldwide, a West-Haven-based online business that first launched with offering premium matching adult and children’s press-on nail kits.
“My stepmom and my dad encourage me to do my best. I’m 10 and I’m the  In addition to I'm Cute, they soon expanded to offer a virtual camp through their other company, The Business Spy. The camp offerings were connected to stories from their own lives, to help facilitate social interaction that was so drastically declining thanks to the pandemic. The camp’s sessions included Introduction to Mandarin, Introduction to Financial Literacy, Movement and Dance, and Mindful Meditation and Yoga. Camp participants also read books by powerful Black women as part of these online courses. It was not by accident that Bentley-Samuels chose to include powerful Black women as part of the camp’s curriculum, as she was raised by one. “My mother instilled many things in me. One being to participate in my own rescue, and that I was my own ROI,” she shared. “Also, to make sure that I do everything at the highest levels, always putting my best foot forward.” Samuels added: “My stepmom and my dad encourage me to do my best. I’m 10 and I’m the Co-CEO of the business and I can do anything I put my mind to.” And while the name speaks to their business’s fun nature, I’m Cute Worldwide also is a nod to “being cute” as an interpretation for doing whatever you love and doing it well, whether that is studying hard, loving the arts, or spending time with family. “Essentially, it means finding out what makes you feel ‘cutest’ and taking it to the next level,” said Bentley-Samuels. Since I’m Cute Worldwide’s launch, the pair has expanded even more with their “Cuteshops”—activity kits that are shipped to customer’s homes—that kids can enjoy doing with their parents or caregivers. “Doing activities together makes it easy to connect and create something you love,” shared Bentley-Samuels. I’m Cute kits include Cookie Cuteshops, Virtual Tie-Dye Cuteshops and Jewelry Cuteshops with many more to come! The Stepmom/Stepdaughter dynamic duo handle all the packaging and delivery – they purchase the materials for the kits, package them up, handwrite personalized letters to customers and ship them out. Customers also have the option to participate in virtual workshops led by the two CEOs. “Entrepreneurship is a family business, and it starts at a very young age. That’s why I encourage my kids to find what their passions are and make it profitable,” said Bentley-Samuels. “It is super important that JuLynn understands the business, but her primary focus, she will tell you, is to be a kid, be kind and have fun.” Find I’m Cute Worldwide on Instagram @imcuteworldwide or visit their online shop at imcuteworldwide.com.  BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Alicia Brown Khaiim Kelly, better known as RapOet, does it all—he is a creativity and culture teacher, poet, artist, inspirational public speaker and even Hartford’s first city troubadour. In all he does, his community-minded spirit and exceptional talent leads the way. Originally from New York City but now with deep roots in Hartford, Connecticut, Kelly is an international Hip-Hop artist known as Self Suffice. He has performed around the world with Pulitzer Prize poet Alice Walker and Grammy-winning MC Common and his positive use of rap music has been recognized by former President Obama’s Champions of Change, The New York Times, NPR and others.
The arts have always been a central part of Kelly’s life. As a child, he rapped in a way that he self-describes as “just sounds and noises” that eventually became words, then sentences that flowed into structure, timing and something more. This evolution of using words as powerful tools for learning in new ways has fueled Kelly’s mission. He loves making the mundane interesting, and helping his students transform challenges into understandable, consumable art. “It isn’t the conscious, it’s the subconscious that makes it interesting,” he shared. “I take something people should know about and make it fun.” Kelly fights for peace with words and lyrics and brings that passion to the classroom at colleges including Yale, Trinity and other arts programs across the globe. In a welcomed yet somewhat unconventional way, Kelly uses Hip-Hop to help students grasp concepts in a fun and engaging way. Central to his highly in-demand RapOetry Workshop and Rap ‘n Rhythmetic lessons “are alignment, access, and integration,” as he puts it. In other words, when the RapOet is invited to instruct or perform, participants can expect to be enlightened.  “It isn’t the conscious, it’s the subconscious that makes it interesting. I take something people should know about and make it fun.”
He teaches with his whole body and soul—something that’s evident to anyone who has had a chance to sit in on a class or be in his audience. RapOet’s MIFT program—which stands for “Making it Full Time” helps artists and creatives get that “extra fuel for their rocket” as he describes, to remind them of the power of art in and of itself. A coaching program built for artists by artists, it focuses on turning “what you love to do into what you actually do for work”—words Kelly certainly lives by. Among the many creative talents he shares with the world, Kelly also designs clothing and merchandise, which are available on his website. His favorite? Not surprisingly, his “Black history is the root of all history” gear. In all he does, Kelly leaves an impressionable mark. While he could have chosen many paths and taken opportunities presented to him that would further his personal success at the expense of pushing positive rap aside, he has dedicated his life to bettering the world through the art of positive rap and poetry—he’s a true change-maker. Find RapOet on Instagram, Facebook or his website. Kelly is available for speaking engagements, performances and workshops. BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Sarah Thompson When Tequanna Tyson was a little girl, she remembers her grandmother, a Southern woman, cooking all the time. Her meals were the epitome of good food. When her mother and grandmother began teaching her how to cook, she never dreamed she would one day have her very own restaurant. During the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Tyson was living in New York City. She decided to pack up and find a new place to call home that wasn’t being hit as hard by the pandemic, eventually making her way to Torrington, Connecticut. That’s when she discovered that there were very limited options when it came to soul food restaurants.  “I was baking and cooking in New York City and would do festivals and pop-up shops on the weekends, but I never thought about having a store. So, when I moved out to Connecticut two years ago, I was driving a bus,” she shared. “I thought, let me try to see how difficult it would be to open an actual restaurant here where we can have soul food because there is none in the area.” Tyson was on a mission to bring something new and fresh to the area—a mission that didn’t always come easy. In early August 2021, she opened the doors to Tequanna’s Soul Food & Sweets. “It’s very hard to open your own restaurant. Especially having to deal with all the permits and stuff I didn’t know about. It’s a lot of money,” she said.  “It makes me really happy because you can tell is someone is really enjoying your food. It makes me feel really good and want to stay here and keep going.”
Plus, Tyson’s commitment to serving only the best food is one that comes with a lot of dedication and hard work. “Everything is actually home-cooked, from cleaning the chicken, seasoning the chicken, everything,” she explained. “Nothing we serve is off a delivery truck and you just heat it up and it is ready. Nothing is pre-made.” While her mother helps Tyson every other weekend with cooking for the restaurant, most days she’s on her own. “It’s challenging because right now me and my mom are the only cooks,” she shared. “I have another job. I usually go cook every morning and then by noon my employees come in and we have everything set out on tables.” 
She’s doing something right by bringing a great new option to the area. Tyson’s menu includes the best of soul food—BBQ ribs, pork chops, black-eyed peas, collard greens, mac and cheese, fried chicken and so much more. “Everybody likes the food,” said Tyson. “It makes me really happy because you can tell is someone is really enjoying your food. It makes me feel really good and want to stay here and keep going.” Her specialties also include desserts and sweets, like banana pudding, and she creates custom-made wedding cakes. Tyson also offers catering, and her restaurant has a bar with special drinks. As the only female, Black-owned restaurant in Torrington, she’s faced some unique challenges, but those obstacles are what keeps her motivated.  “I keep going because of the people that said we wouldn’t make it out here because I’m a Black-owned business,” said Tyson. “Right now, I have so many people on my side—the mayor and everybody else—everybody just supports me a lot. So that helps me. They don’t make me feel like I’m not supposed to be here.” And with roots setting in place for her restaurant in Torrington, Tyson is looking to expand her business. “I’m working with other businesses to have a whole bunch of events and eventually some time in the future I do want to open another restaurant in New York,” she shared. What started as a tradition in one family’s kitchen from generation to generation is now being shared for everyone to enjoy. What a delicious thing she’s done! Tequanna's Soul Food & Sweets is located at 21 Main Street, Torrington, Connecticut and is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00-7:00pm, Thursday-Saturday, 12:00-9:00pm and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Learn more on their Facebook page, website or by calling (646) 956-0221. Veterans receive a discount every Wednesday.  BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
* Food photos courtesy of Tequanna's Soul Food & Sweets  By Joelle Murchison & Andrea Barton Reeves “Freedom to Love the You in You. Who’s FLYY? I’m FLYY! Are you powered up? I’m powered up! Are you fired up? I’m fired up!” As soon as you walk through the doors into FLYY Zumba®, you are drawn into what I’ve come to know as the FLYY experience. Sistah Anyangō energizes those in attendance by calling out, in traditional African Call and Response form, and the attendees respond. “Freedom to Love the You in You. Who’s FLYY? I’m FLYY! Are you powered up? I’m powered up! Are you fired up? I’m fired up!” It’s impossible for you to stand on the sidelines as Sistah makes full use of the room, repeating the now familiar refrain. Nowhere to hide, here she comes to make you recognize the freedom to love you. FLYY Zumba® is more than a dance class, more than a series of routines; it is indeed an experience. It is self-care, movement, and an opportunity for reflection. You are encouraged to find your own two step if you miss the beat which is also an important message in how we navigate life. For me, FLYY Zumba® was an opportunity to enjoy dancing but also to step outside of my comfort zone as I began to explore the concepts of freedom and love all while moving. The carefully curated songs serve as the perfect soundtrack to your personal transformation. The overwhelming sense of support, power and strength permeate the air. Very quickly you will learn that this Saturday morning dance class is much more. Fast paced moves, pulsating rhythms, smooth grooves, and inspirational words. I’m always ready to face whatever will come. We are encouraged to see this space as me time, recognizing that we cannot pour from an empty cup!
 Once the dancing is done, it’s time for a photo to capture the moment and then to gather in a circle to reflect. As you get comfortable in your new “moist” state, you will be encouraged to share why you are FLYY. It could be that you woke up that morning, or even that you made it through the routines unscathed! Whatever your reason, you will know for sure that you will be back. Release, inspiration, and support, it’s everything that you need. Beyond Zumba®, the FLYY Movement offers several other engagement opportunities, including Empowerment Freedom Coaching, which I have also participated in. I encourage you to get out on the floor as a first step to learning just how FLYY you are! It was only four years ago when Sistah Anyangō envisioned a coaching program that would invite women to navigate their own journeys to healing their minds and spirits, and finally embrace the joy they knew they deserved in the seat of their souls. Now supporting over 40 women in individual, group and live sessions, (with a waitlist almost as long), women throughout Greater Hartford are excitedly entering their own sacred space as a “self- healer” in Sistah’s Empowering Freedom Coaching sessions. In this place, women journey with her, exploring their pain, hurt and vulnerability with no judgment, and discover healing and peace. Sistah meets you where you are, in what she often describes as the “muck, the dirt, the broken places we don’t want people to see.” In that very place, she guides you to understanding who you are and supports you on your journey to joy. Whether in group discussions, individual self-healing sessions, or her Facebook Live gatherings on Thursday mornings, women can find safe spaces to share their dreams, triumphs, challenges, and joys.
Empowering Freedom Coaching is not just about teaching women to feel better about who they are - it is about empowering women to fully embrace their joy without apology, accepting that happiness is their birthright. Her work teaches women how to shift their mindsets to believe that they are worthy of joy, peace, and serenity in every area of their life. Through the regular practice of powerful affirmations, meditation, breathing, and journaling, women are led on a journey to their own definition of happiness that is unlike any other experience. Self-healers set healthy boundaries by clearly identifying relationship standards, defining what you want and what you will simply not tolerate in relationships, whether romantic, work or family, embracing the power of NO (which Sistah repeatedly emphasizes is a complete sentence in multiple languages), moving our bodies daily, eating in a way that sustains our physical and emotional health, and taking time to rest.  Women journey through every season of nature and every season of their lives with what Sistah calls “FLYY support”, a unique combination of her guidance and your intuition to lead you to a deeper understanding of what may bring you happiness and sustains your soul. With Sistah and her FLYY support, we learn that no hurt is too deep to be healed, and more importantly, we must deal with our hurt in order to embrace our healing. Once the journey has begun, the transformation women experience is nothing short of amazing. Many tears are shed along with layers of pain and hurt, and what emerges are strong, beautiful souls, reclaiming their lives, setting healthy boundaries, and experiencing the joy of accepting themselves exactly as they are. Empowering Freedom Coaching is life changing. For every woman seeking to love herself unconditionally, your journey can start today. The FLYY Movement is located at 141 South St f, West Hartford, CT 06110. Find The FLYY Movement online on Facebook, Instagram or on their website at theflyymovement.com.
 By Alicia Brown It’s that time of year again, to look for the perfect gifts to give friends, family and coworkers. Keiwana Hanley, owner of lash extension, brow tinting and beauty product business High Kei Beauty, reminds everyone to also put themselves on their gift list in the midst of the busy holiday season. After all, self-care is the greatest gift out there. Hanley is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to boosting esteem—“konfidence” as she calls it—for people of all ages. Her motto is “accessorize with confidence” but she makes it clear that the items she sells and services she provides aren’t intended to give the confidence, but the other way around—the wearers give the items confidence. She reminds customers to never to rely on clothing or accessories give them beauty, because they are simply there to accent the beauty that already exists in the person wearing them.  Having learned how to braid hair at the age of eight from her cousin, Hanley would often give back to her community by teaching young girls how to do their own hair. Doing this helped her see how girls were gaining confidence, power and self-esteem through the knowledge she was sharing. It served as an inspiration to launch High Kei Beauty. After struggling with what to name her business, she asked her late father for assistance. “With his help, I woke up with a completely different name. I didn’t choose any of the options I had. My dad is Keith, and his name is scrambled through my name. That’s when I knew it was perfect.”  Having learned how to braid hair at the age of eight from her cousin, Hanley would often give back to her community by teaching young girls how to do their own hair.  Since she earned her official lash tech certification from Lash Snob in 2019, Hanley has been kicking up the glam one girl at a time. Hanley takes the time to get to know her customers and provide them with quality products with unmatched detail. But launching High Kei Beauty wasn’t an easy path. When Hanley relocated to Connecticut in 2009 from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, college credits weren’t transferred, which caused a setback. And when she officially made Connecticut her home, she struggled to find a place that would allow her to run her business due to certification requirements. But through it all, she was determined to start a business that would spread confidence and help women look and feel their best.  High Kei Beauty provides a plethora of accessories, including hair bows for young girls, wig caps with different hairstyles, mink lashes and so much more. Seasonal items include Christmas wreaths. One of her popular products are her money catchers—adorable bags for going out on the town or for a date night. Hanley will be adding more items and bundles to her online shop for the holiday season, including double-lined beanie hats for winter. She also offers in-home beauty appointments, which can be schedule through her website. One thing’s for sure—Hanley is here to help women keeping up with their “konfidence” this season! Find High Kei Beauty on Facebook, Instagram or on their website. Appointments can be made through social media or by phone at (203) 802-5817.  BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Sarah Thompson Tyshawn “FREEK” Robinson’s life hasn’t always easy. From his father being killed by a police officer when Robinson was just one month old to being arrested later in his young adulthood, his environment didn’t always provide opportunities for him to thrive. But now he’s working to flip the script about what it means to grow up in the inner city through his firearms training business Go Platinum Services in Hartford, Connecticut. “Where I grew up, there were a lot of men going to jail or ending up dead and I didn’t want to be either,” shared Robinson. “There’s a negative perception of Black men with guns and there’s just not enough of us with gun ownership. Most of our parents didn’t want guns in the house unless you were a police office or something of the sort. So, with the lack of knowledge and the environment with no opportunities, certain people want what other people have and then you put a firearm in their hands and bad things happen. I didn’t want that stigma to continue. Every time someone takes my class, it prevents another person from going to jail from carrying a firearm illegally.”  In addition to his jobs as a bounty hunter and working with youth, Robinson took a gamble and launched his new business in August 2020, right in his hometown of Hartford. “I chose to specifically keep it in Hartford because I believe that people coming from the inner city need this as much as anybody coming from the suburbs or another city,” he said. He hopes to soon work full-time for himself, which he says won’t be long from now. Go Platinum Services offers firearms instruction every weekend, which include pistol permit classes and refresher classes. Participants receive specialized instruction and the ability to purchase a firearm upon completion of his courses. Robinson is also available during the week to accommodate participants’ schedules.
"You can come from the inner city and certain environments and you can make it out  “The class isn’t just about the guns. It’s about comfort and confidence when you’re dealing with firearms. I try to bring that comfort level out of people of all walks of life,” shared Robinson. “Whether you’re top in the military or you’re a novice, I want you to be confident and comfortable and most importantly, understand the dangers but enjoy what comes with the knowledge.” Robinson says that some people take his classes—which are $120—for protection and safety, and some for sport. Some people have no idea about firearms and don’t want to touch them because they think something is going to go wrong. “In reality that’s not the case,” explained Robinson. “Once you understand the firearm, it takes away all of the jitters and the misunderstanding or lack of information and avoids mistakes from happening.”
In other words, Robinson is helping shift fear to confidence. Go Platinum Services also helps people get their criminal records cleaned. He also believes it’s important to have the option to be taught by somebody who looks like you. “Coming from environments that I come from, when you have people that have the top-ranked jobs or they don’t look like us, I thought it was important that people have an option. And I choose to do it my way,” he shared. “I didn’t jump in to do it anyone else’s way. I wasn’t going to pretend who I was. I am who I am. I get it all the time – I’m covered in tattoos, I wear jewelry, but when I go into class, I want people to understand that this is a passion for me. I am all in. We’re going to laugh, we’re going to joke, but more importantly, you’re going to get that education. Leaving with a smile and a gun is not a bad deal—so it works out!”  Robinson’s passion runs deep and he’s bringing positivity to his community. “I want to keep inspiring people. Kids want to do better things in life and want it now so some will choose the streets,” he explained. “My idea is that you can get all of those things that you dream of and still be 100% legit. You can come from the inner city and certain environments and you can make it out and become something. And you can do it your way. You don’t have to let your circumstance define you. I had a record. I got my record clean. It’s how bad you want it. I’ve been stabbed 11 times because of that ‘life’—so I understand it all and I want to change the stigma. I want to help as many people as I can to change. There is a way, and I can help you – as long as you’re willing to do the work.” Go Platinum Services is located at 808 Windsor Street in Hartford. Learn more about Go Platinum Services on Instagram and Facebook or call or text 860.897.5195 to inquire about classes.
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11/11/2021 0 Comments JUST MAD VEGGIES: GROW WHAT YOU EAT By Lajeune Hollis “Grow what you eat, then you will be satisfied,” said Elijah Boles, owner and mastermind behind Just Mad Veggies, a gardening and apparel brand based in Oakville, Connecticut. “If you grow fruits and vegetables that you actually like to eat, chances are you won’t stop there.” While still a child, Boles’ father inspired him to garden by sharing how to tend to a small garden his father and landlord took care of at their first apartment home. His father weeded the plants and then handed Boles the tomatoes and cucumbers. This simple act fostered a passion that would follow him throughout his life and eventually inspire him to start his business in December of 2020.
Boles started by growing organic and chemical-free vegetables, which led him down a health and wellness path as he and his workout buddy looked for better ways to fuel their bodies after track practice. While figuring out what to eat, they would often say “Let’s have grilled chicken and just mad veggies”—and the name stuck. Now married, Boles is passing on the knowledge he learned from his dad two his two young daughters through gardening lessons. And it’s working–his three-year-old daughter can already distinguish between fruits and vegetables.  “If you grow fruits and vegetables that you actually like to eat, chances are you won’t stop there.”
Boles also encourages new gardeners to start off small—with just a tiny container on the window ledge—in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Through helpful tips, pictures and tutorials on the Just Mad Veggies website and social media, Boles brings a fun, modern approach to gardening. He shares advice on how to eat organic, healthy food without the expense, how to save and grow organic food, and how to grow urban gardens. He also shares how to change over gardens during season changes and highlights the therapeutic benefits of growing fruits and vegetables and even has a Gardener of the Month program.  In May 2021, Just Mad Veggies branched out to offer apparel, including baseball caps, t-shirts, tank tops and stickers. Boles will eventually offer seasonal apparel and plans to have Just Mad Veggies booths as festivals, markets and events throughout Hartford so he can interact in person with novice and veteran gardeners. When asked what’s in his garden, Bole shared, “Last summer I grew three varieties of tomatoes, six [kinds of] peppers, three varieties of garlic, zucchini squash and yellow squash. From these vegetables I will make homemade salsa, bread and butter pickles and homemade pasta sauce. I have found that canning [food] not only helps to preserve your crops but also allows you to chill [foods] so you can use them later on in the year—I do not believe in waste.”
Eventually, Boles would like to grow sweet potatoes in his garden so he can make sweet potato pie and surprise his mother on a not-too-distant Thanksgiving Day. Learn more about Just Mad Veggies or browse their online shop on their website, or follow Just Mad Veggies on Facebook or Instagram. 
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 By Lajeune Hollis Uniquely Cleaned, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in Naugatuck, is a typical family business at heart--but the family that started it is pushing things beyond the norm. Four years ago, Byron Williams was inspired to pursue a family business by his father, a re-entering citizen. “My dad was in prison for 26 years. I didn't want him coming back home and working for somebody. We wanted a business to reintroduce him back into society,” said Williams. “So, we asked him, ‘What type of business do you want us to start?’ and at first he said a moving company, and then somehow, a cleaning business came up.” So, the Williams’ went to work. Once they finished all the paperwork necessary to register their cleaning business with the Secretary of the State, they had to decide what to call it. Byron's wife Dee explained, "My full name is Dewygee, so growing up I would always hear, ‘that name is so different,’ ‘You’re a unique person.’ And I always did do things uniquely!” She just knew their family's cleaning business would have to be called “Uniquely Cleaned.”  In that spirit, Uniquely Cleaned accommodates jobs small, large and in between. As far as they are concerned, every mess is unique, and so is their service. "We pride ourselves on our customer service,” says Dee. “We are not your norm!” Unfortunately, Byron said, “Things did not work out with Dad. He lasted maybe 4 or 5 months.” After the Williams’ found themselves with a cleaning business they hadn’t planned on operating they pressed on, he says, starting with just “some brooms, mops, and a vacuum cleaner. We started off residentially and then got to a point where, on my father’s last day, we received our first commercial contract with a dance studio." When the business launched, the Williams' started it with their four children. Byron handles the marketing and finds customers on a part-time basis, while also working full-time as a power plant operator in Bridgeport. Dee works full-time managing Uniquely Cleaned after leaving her job at a non-profit. Their eldest daughter, Oriana, heads up the business' human resources. 19-year-old Gary and 17-year-old Donni supervise the cleaning business part-time, and their youngest child, at age 11, helps with tasks like taking out the trash.
“The bigger we are, the more people we can help.”  Things started to take off as residents of Naugatuck, Cheshire and Waterbury began calling with residential jobs. Their social media posts and business cards were working, in addition to referrals from happy customers. In their first year, Uniquely Cleaned had seven clients. That number doubled to 14 in the year to follow and, by 2020, their service had grown to supporting 70 clients. But, when COVID-19 hit, it took away about 85% of their business. However, it wasn’t going to be the end for Uniquely Cleaned. Even though they had lost most of their residential business in 2020, they were able to pivot towards more lucrative commercial contracts as people continued to return to work. Returning to his day job at Bridgeport Harbor Station, Byron saw sanitation employees coming in during the day to disinfect the building with a fogger. The entire job was completed in two hours and came with a fee of $5,000. A lightbulb went off in Byron’s head, and he went out that evening to purchase two chemical foggers for Uniquely Cleaned. But instead of only seeking out industrial clients looking to sanitize large facilities, he started including fog sanitization with small deep cleaning jobs, too. This led to more and more calls from pharmacies, daycares and even an automobile dealership. Now, Byron says, “we will be actively looking for contract opportunities in various sizes, applying to and bidding on more state and government contracts, as we are looking to expand as far as we can.”
Byron also used Pandemic downtime to obtain a Minority-Owned Business Certificate from the State of Connecticut. In fact, they found themselves eligible for several grants, including for veterans like Byron. They also registered with a program in Naugatuck to provide summer jobs at their business to a handful of high-school students, and provide hands-on experience with cleaning and office work to learn business administration. Dee is also heavily involved in their local community. She has formed partnerships with Naugatuck’s Police Chief and Superintendent of Schools. She is also on the Board of Directors for Naugatuck’s Youth Services, where Uniquely Cleaned serves as a job site, and as a partner in mentorship and community services. Community service, she says, is her passion. "Community service is a major component of what you are supposed to do anyway," she shared. Mentorship comes as second nature to her after running a federally-funded program to get minority students from Bridgeport, New Haven and Stratford into the medical field in 2012.  In keeping with their original mission, Uniquely Cleaned is a Second Chance Employer. They actively look to hire, train and help people that other employers may reject because of their history of incarceration. This includes a supervisor training program to learn leadership skills, and an administrative training program to help people adjust to working in an office environment. As for what is next, The Williams' are focused on growing their business around the principle that “the bigger we are, the more people we can help.” Uniquely Cleaned is located in Naugatuck, Connecticut. Visit their website, Facebook or Instagram to learn more.  BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:
 By Lajeune Hollis Alisha Moten, exuberant and full-of-joy makeup artist and owner of Golden Adorns Artistry, loves to travel with her husband on vacation. She loves to take in all the sights, sounds and scenes from every excursion, but the feeling of refreshment and vibrancy she adopts quickly dissipates when she returns home. Instead of being stuck in a let-down of post-vacation blues, Moten used her experience as a catalyst and inspiration to launch her online business while on a four-month pandemic-induced job furlough in 2020. “Golden is for things that bring you joy,” she shared. “Adorns means to beautify. When I think about life, I want it to be golden and bring me joy, travel, art and beauty." It’s no wonder Moten’s mantra is to live life goldenly. She has a positive mindset and encourages others to do the same by taking just a few minutes a day to de-stress–and her wellness essential oils and candles can help with that. Golden Adorns Artistry features a variety of travel-inspired products, including candles, décor, skin care and wellness.  "When I think about life, I want it to be golden and bring me joy, travel,
Moten offers 10 signature double-wicked candle scents that are each packaged beautifully in glass tumblers with natural cork lids, and include her Luxe Resort Travel Candle, Destination Travel Candle, Exotic Hiatus Travel Candle, Golden Moments Travel Candle and Vacation Hair Travel Candle. “Golden Moments is a sugar lemongrass scent, a sweet but lemony zest—a fun scent,” she shared. “You are creating memories while on vacation, hence, Golden Moments.” And as for her Vacation Hair Travel Candle? “Ladies are excited to go on vacation, so we get our hair done with twists, braids, pixies and up-dos,” she said. And that memory of the smell of “vacation hair” is what she’s captured. She also carries Citrus Crème Lip Smoothie, a very popular lip smoothie made with coconut, Shea butter, lemon essential oil and vanilla. This big seller leaves lips feeling not just smooth but moisturized.  As part of her wellness line, Moten carries wellness essential oils. Her Zest aromatherapy blend is made with lemongrass and peppermint essential oils, and provides a feeling of energy and invigoration–a perfect “pick-me-up” from a mid-afternoon slump. Her Bedtime essential oil is made with lavender and frankincense and helps provide a restful sleep, just like the kind you experience while on vacation. Moten plans to offer specialty boxes—filled with accoutrements—for destination-themed bridal showers and weddings. And, a Golden Candle Travel Club is also on the horizon, where subscribers will receive a monthly candle box—highlighting a different travel destination—and other goodies. What’s more? Moten would like to run her online business on a full-time basis, increasing distribution by expanding her product line into boutiques and home décor shops. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with friends, Golden Adorns Artistry offers home parties, themed around beauty, scents and travel. Hosts choose from a list of suggestions and receive many perks, including credit from party merchandise sales. So, if you seek the feeling that comes from a vacation that never ends—the warmth of the sun, the fresh ocean breeze, the sound of your favorite music playing on the beach—then look no further than Golden Adorns Artistry. They truly “capture the feelings of wanderlust through home fragrance, skincare, style and décor.” Golden Adorns Artistry is an online business based in West Haven, Connecticut. Shop on their website by clicking here or visit Golden Adorns Artistry on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
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 By Mahalia Anderson Beauty can go a long way, and Waterbury business owner Cherron Freeman is making sure every customer that visits her store leaves feeling even more beautiful then when they walked in. Just a few months ago, Cherron’s Beauty Supply was only an idea for Freeman, who is a recent HBCU graduate from North Carolina Central University and holds two degrees—one in political science with a concentration in prelaw and another in mass communication with a concentration in public relations. “I got the idea to open my store after my mom showed me the space for rent and kept telling me it was a perfect location for a business,” she shared. “I wanted to open something Waterbury didn’t have already and then we came up with a beauty supply store to bring something different.” Since then, the Cherron Beauty Supply has been flourishing.  “We carry everything you need in a beauty supply store, from all varieties of colorful wigs to natural hair care products such as Mielle and ORS,” shared Freeman. “We also [do] hair braiding and crocheting, [have] hair accessories, jewelry and a lot more.” When it comes to hair, Freeman knows that quality is important, and she knows that her customers can depend on her store for the right products to suit their needs and help enhance their natural beauty. “We make sure we have the best quality wigs and products for our customers,” she said. “We only want to have products which really work for your hair and wigs that will last.” Cherron’s Beauty Supply is able to cater to each customer’s personality, with affordability as a priority. Her best-selling products show how Freeman’s customers are all about being fun and creative. “Our customers love our wigs! We have so many unique colors and styles, and we’re still adding more every day,” she shared. “One of our most popular products if our Tie Dye Wig—people love it. We have to restock it all the time!”
“We really take the time to research everything and choose what is best. From the wigs the products and how to use them, we want to be able to give honest information.”  Freeman understands the value of each customer and her goal is to make sure that when they leave the store that not only are the happy but are radiating from the inside out. “The best customer service is having knowledge about your products and be able to inform your customers properly. You also need a very friendly, outgoing personality,” explained Freeman. “We really take the time to research everything and choose what is best. From the wigs the products and how to use them, we want to be able to give honest information.” 
Cherron’s Beauty Supply stocks beautiful wigs in many different colors, styles and materials, including synthetic to human hair, to set the look for a special night out or even a casual day in the park. With success already knocking at her door, Freeman’s dream is to grow her business and be able to teach other girls how, with following their passion and putting in hard work, they can do the same. “Wanting to expand keeps me going! I want to have multiple stores in different cities all around and be able to teach other girls how to do it too,” she shared.  Freeman has already made a huge difference in her community and has high hopes to do more in the future. “We had a toy giveaway for Christmas in partnership with The New Woman’s Club,” she shared. “We plan on doing a lot more in the spring!” One way or another, Cherron is beautifying her community, one product at a time. Cherron’s Beauty Supply is located at 68 Willow Street in Waterbury, Connecticut and is open Monday-Friday, 10:00am-7:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-7:00pm and Sunday 12:00-5:00pm. Shop on their website or find Cherron’s Beauty Supply on Instagram or Facebook.   BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT.COM DIRECTORY:
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