Meet The Team
Sharmaine Russell
Founder/ CEO
First Lady Sharmaine Russell is a true example of the Proverbs 31 woman. "She is clothed with strength and dignity. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."God has blessed First Lady Sharmaine with the gift of administration and organization, which has allowed her to utilize her skillset in the real estate industry. She has been in real estate for over 12 years. Currently, She serves as the Team Lead for Changing Lifestyles Realty Group and has served as Manager Associate at Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty, where she was responsible for sales, marketing, and agent support. One of her goals is to help families build a legacy by creating generational wealth through real estate. Her role as a First Lady is multi-faceted; she references it as the honey Do Ministry. She is approachable, encouraging, loving, down-to-earth, and a well-balanced woman of God who has the heart to serve wherever help is needed. She is a servant leader who has a passion for helping women change their lifestyles by deepening their relationship with God and learning to love themselves from the inside out. Her heart desires to bring the women of Greater Friendship together by creating a safe place where they can be transparent and experience transformational healing. First Lady Sharmaine wears many hats but always keeps her family first. She walks alongside her husband, Pastor B. Charvez Russell, whom she has been married to for over 16 years. They enjoy spending time with their six children: Terray (wife TyAnn), Juanita, Naijia, Charvez, William, and Billy. Five grandchildren: Jaidyn, Trinity, Malcolm, Josiah, and Malaysia. On a typical day, you can find her praying, reading, working out, and running around town, assisting families to accomplish their dream of homeownership. When she decides to relax, she enjoys eating, shopping, traveling, and more eating. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Juanita Hubbard
Director of Communications
Juanita is a talented young woman that LOVES serving others. It reflects in her daily living and giving. She currently works in Human Services and completing her Psychology degree. These experiences have allowed her to gain a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and compassion to help individuals and families. She's self-driven and determined to execute any goal she is given. When she’s not serving at work, the community, or church, she LOVES to shop, travel, and play with her baby Bentley (Yorkie).
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Ms. Ladonna Sims
Contributor
LaDonna Sims is a motivational speaker with International Business College. She encourages traditional high school students in the tri-state area of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to explore their options as they pursue their educational goals. Engaging in lively participation with students and a supportive atmosphere, Ms. Sims presents life skills along with tools beneficial to their successes, as they approach adulthood and independence. Ms. Sims represents her community through participation with organizations having a common vision and goals for equality, access to affordable healthcare, and voter rights as well as political action. She is a member of the East Allen County Church of Christ. A member of several organizations, Sims serves on the boards of Indiana Legal Services, and the Indiana State A.P.R.I. ( A. Philip Randolph Institute), keeping her aligned and in stride with the issues and concerns of the most vulnerable within our society. Ms. Sims has been recognized by her colleagues and community leaders for her tireless efforts in promoting the importance of education. Her passion continues to be for the youth, women’s issues/rights and the elderly. Ms. Sims believes education is critical and imperative for economic prosperity.
Dr. Denise King
Contributor
Dr. Denise King started her career as an Electrical Engineer for a defense contractor and over the years transitioned to Information Technology. Denise has always loved technology and has pursued ways in which she can take her faith, love for business and all things techy to help others not only pursue their dreams to become successful entrepreneurs but to also reach a level of personal fulfillment. Denise has always had an interest in business and entrepreneurial ventures, she has successfully operated a managing buisness including an insurance agency, home care and real estate business. Denise takes the knowledge and expertise that she has gained working at Fortune 500 companies along with her personal experience as an entrepreneur into create strategies for business development and growth for her clients.
Denise holds a Master's and Doctorate in Biblical Studies, she has pastored for over 11 years, led bible studies and taught bible college for past 20 years. In 2017, Denise became a certified life and business coach and started Living Life by Design Now, a coaching and consulting firm to further walk in her purpose and commitment to help others reach their personal and professional goals. Coaching brings me joy and fulfillment because I get to see the tangible results of a person or a team's commitment, not only in their renewed happiness or career progression but also in the success and evolution of the teams or businesses they lead.
My road of self-discovery and improvement continues to evolve, and this means I'm on the journey with you, practicing what I preach, testing out techniques, theories, and ideas on myself, all while bringing you methods, processes, and practices that work.
Instagram: @livinglifebydesignnow
Facebook: @livinglifebydesignnow
TyAnn Barnes
Contributor
TyAnn is the co-founder and CEO of TNT Essentials, an organic self-care, and wellness company. She
strives to help others, focusing on women by sharing knowledge about natural organic ways to live a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. She understands firsthand how life can get the best of us. She herself is a wife, mother of five, and works full-time; however, TyAnn believes that self-care should remain a top priority so that we stay both physically and mentally fit. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and creating new experiences with her family.
Shop at
Follow at:
Facebook- @tntessentials5
Instagram- @tnt.essentials
TikTok- @TNTEssentials
Twitter- @TntEssentials
Michelle Rosenthal
Contributor
Michelle D. Rosenthal, is currently the Business Development Coordinator for Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity, Columbia, South Carolina. She is responsible for developing and coordinating the outreaches and education activities for the office and serves as the liaison for Richland County and the local business community.
Michelle has a strong passion for keeping small businesses informed on capacity building, certifications, traditional and none traditional funding resources, and grants.
Michelle has over 37 years of experience as a Department of Defense employee and a proud United States Army retiree. She holds a B.S. in business administration and computer software application from Limestone University, Gaffney, South Carolina, a licensed minister at Living Word Church and Fellowship, and a Certified Supplier Diversity Professional.
She is a native of Chicago, IL and a proud graduate of Martin Luther King High School, go Jaguars! A fun fact about Michelle is that she danced on the original Soul Train when it aired in Chicago and was produced and hosted by Don Cornelius.
Michelle loves doing motivational speaking, spending time with her family and friends, volunteer community work, reading, cooking, sewing, hiking, riding motorcycles, and training her dog.
Dr. Phaedra McLin
Contributor
Phaedra Briana Patton McLin is the second of four daughters born to J. E and Willie Jean Patton on May 8, 1975. Phaedra graduated as Salutatorian from East Marion High School Class of 1993. Phaedra is married to retired Chief Petty Officer Flenard McLin and they have three children, Khai (24), Flenard II (20), and Paden (15).
Phaedra has had the privilege to reside in several places including Florida, Hawaii, and Italy. She has been a nurse for 24 years and loves nurturing and helping others.
Phaedra received an Associates of Science in Nursing from Alcorn State University in 1997. In 2005, she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from William Carey College. In 2014, Phaedra graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from Alcorn State University and was certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She received a Post-Master's Certificate from the University of Southern Mississippi with a focus in Psychiatric Mental Health and was certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2018. In 2019, Phaedra received a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Phaedra is currently employed at South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis, Mississippi where she cares for acutely mentally ill patients.
Phaedra became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in fall of 1996 through the Gamma Phi chapter at Alcorn State University. Phaedra is currently an active member of the Xi Mu Omega graduate chapter in Columbia, Mississippi.
Phaedra is an ordained minister and currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Holly Springs C.M.E. Church in Bassfield, Mississippi. Phaedra is an active member of her community and will do whatever she can to help others.
Phaedra enjoys relaxing, shopping, reading, tending to her home, gardening, and hot yoga.
Malinda Weems
Contributor
Malinda is a born and raised native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Malinda is a wife of 21 years, and a other of three. She received her Undergraduate Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. Malinda is a Certified Facilitator with a passion to teach and inspire growth and development in women and girls. Malinda is a phenomenal VoiceOver Artist that loves to sing. Malinda has recorded several radio spot commercials and has hosted a radio show and sang with multiple groups.