Tai Connects

On this episode, we are with "Jewel Unique" Milliken, Owner, Esthetician, Master Makeup Artist and Educator. "Jewel Unique" Milliken is an award- winning, certified Make-Up Artist and Small Business Owner currently based out of Raleigh, NC. *Before you read any further—oh, YES, we discuss wellness. You have to stay on top of your wellness if you want to operate at a high level consistently.

Born in New Bern, NC, Jewel fell in love with makeup at the age of 11 and would later make it her passion.

Jewel graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she was inducted into the Psi Chi National Honor Society of Psychology and became a member of the Delta Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Jewel has studied the art of beauty from the Inside and out. After being self-taught in makeup for 13 years, Jewel pursued her passion in 2010 at Sephora and made what was once a dream into her reality. She attended Sephora University in both New York and San Francisco numerous of times. She is a certified Beauty Expert and was once Sephora University Beauty Class Facilitator in which she was lastly promoted to Sephora Senior Artist. Jewel instructs numerous classes including Beauty Basics 101 and Skin Care Basics to name a few.

Jewel continues to excel in the field of beauty and skin care, she has obtained her licensure as an Esthetician. She dedicates her time with her private clientele as a Esthetician and freelance makeup artist for Canvas The Makeup Studio. 

The year of 2020 her new venture was built. Lux Studio Suites, luxury studio suites for small esthetics business owner to provided services to their clientele in a sophisticated and luxury culture.

An international beauty movement is next and if history is the indicator and passion is the motivator, her goal is well within reach.

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On this episode, we are with Blaise Harris, THE Dope Black Therapist. Blaise is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC-A) and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate (LCAS-A). He received his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Central University in 2019 and his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University in 2002. Blaise is an EMDR-trained therapist who is proud to deliver trauma-focused care to adolescents 16 years and up, as well as adults. He has a passion for working with BIPOC populations and first responders.

As a former firefighter, Blaise believes in meeting clients where they are and does so with respect and integrity. He understands that not everyone’s journey is the same and sometimes things are difficult to handle, but there is always room for growth and recovery for our mental health and wellness.

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On this episode, we have Beverly “BJ” Council, founder and primary presenter of You & Five-O, LLC (YFO). As the first African-American female to achieve the rank of Deputy Chief within the Durham City Police Department, she addresses community challenges slowly and methodically to create lasting change. As a Black female and retired police officer, she offers a unique view from both sides: she understands the police perspective while also being aware of the systemic issues and generational trauma that affect the Black and Brown communities.

BJ created You & Five-O in 2015 as a response to the rise of deaths that were occurring during interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve. After retiring from the Durham Police Department, BJ wanted to find a way to ensure that law enforcement maintained its honor of serving and protecting those in need, while also understanding the importance of asking and, most importantly, hearing the community about how they need to be served.

In this interview, BJ discusses the integral community work of You & Five-O as well as their new short film project titled, “Hashtag, Huemans: A Guide to Get Home” which debuts February 25, 2023. This film has updated ‘The Talk’ that parents have with their children about how to safely navigate and survive encounters with law enforcement – when they are stopped by the police. Available to everyone for free online, it’s the 5.0 version for our youth and the next generation. The information shared in this 25-minute film can save lives; yours, your kids, your friends or your loved ones.

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On this episode, we have wife, mother, daughter, evangelist, first lady, psalmist and MORE, Victoria Mason AKA Lady V, discussing the challenges of living, yet thriving, with the disease known as lupus.  According to lupus.org, lupus is: a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. 

Who is at risk for developing lupus? 

Anyone can develop lupus. But certain people are at higher risk for lupus, including:  

Women ages 15 to 44 Certain racial or ethnic groups — including people who are African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander People who have a family member with lupus or another autoimmune disease 

Follow and Connect w/ Lady V: 

IG: @unleashwithladyv 

Happy 2023, Ya'll! I know...we're already a month in but this is my PREMIERE Episode of Tai Connects and I am so glad to have you here. I just wanted to give you a little background on me and why this podcast even exists. 

I look forward to you taking this journey with me. Feel free to invite your friends along, too. 

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