CoastalToday_Holiday22r2

COVERING FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND BEYOND
The 6 taste
th Annual
of the
HOLIDAYS
Michael Cobb
Grandmother Spreads
Christmas Cheer and Love
Teen Author and Entrepreneur Gives Back
To Children’s Home He Was Adopted From
THE HOLIDAY ISSUE 2022
coastaltodaymagazine.com
23
0 51497 36951 4

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THE
GROUP
OUR SERVICES:
JOSEPH BUSINESS
CONSULTING,INC.
A global consulting firm with diverse
experience serving small businesses,
federal, state, and local agencies,
nonprofit organizations, corporations
and other professionals.
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Provide affordable commercial
leasing for small businesses and
professionals.
OUR MISSION:
• Peachy Behavioral Pediatrics provides ethical
ABA services, parent training, behavior
modification consultation, vocational, and
social support to youth, youth with special
needs and their families. Services are
provided in clients home, school, and their
immediate environment to further increase
their quality of life.
• Peachy Behavioral Pediatrics go above and
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serve.
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AND TAX SERVICE
A firm that has provided professional
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• Peachy Behavioral Pediatrics believes in
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historically overlooked.
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BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS ?
Breaking down barriers of today,
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• Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientifically
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refers to actions and skills, and
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ages 6-18 of the Camden County, Georgia area.
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• Asperger Syndrome
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120 S. LEE STREET
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INSURANCE ACCEPTED:
• Straight GA Medicaid (Medicaid CMO’s
coming soon)
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ABE JOSEPH, JR. CEO/Sr. Consultant • hamjosep@sbcglobal.net

coastaltodaymagazine.com
Coastal Today
MAGAZINE
VOLUME 1, NO. 2 - THE HOLIDAY ISSUE
PUBLISHER
Coastal Today Media, LLC
GUEST EDITOR
Denise Williams
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Denise Williams
Arthia Nixon
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Allene Bryant
Denise Williams
Mona Cobb
Michael Cobb
SALES + MARKETING
LaTanya Abbott-Austin
Mona Cobb
Michael Cobb
advertising@coastaltodaymagazine.com
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
Visit us online at:
coastaltodaymagazine.com/subscribe
Or mail a check to:
Coastal Today Media, LLC
10151 Deerwood Park Blvd.
Building 200, Suite 250
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Print subscriptions are $25.00 for one year.
WRITE FOR US
We are always seeking new contributors to our magazine. We
welcome freelance writers, photographers and press releases.
Contact us at info@coastaltodaymagazine.com
Georgia: 912-268-0320
Florida: 904-799-5530
Toll-free 1-800-844-9706
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL
@coastaltodaymag
Coastal Today Magazine, is published four times a year by Coastal
Today Media, LLC. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen
for publication including photographs. All materials are strictly
copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced in whole or part without the expressed permission of
Coastal Today Media, LLC. Although every effort has been made to
ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication,
the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage of any
material, solicited or unsolicited. The views and opinions expressed
in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the views and opinions of Coastal Today Media, LLC, No
cash alternative will be offered for competitions and the publishers
decision is final. Printed in the United States of America.
Welcome to Coastal Today Magazine!
Founded in July 2021, Coastal Today
Magazine is a news + lifestyle magazine
serving Florida, Georgia, and beyond. Keeping you
informed, entertained, and involved.
Coastal Today Magazine is owned and published by
Coastal Today Media, LLC.
Our mission at Coastal Today is to provide a quality
magazine demonstrating a positive outlook across
communities and states. We reach out to many cultures
to bring together unity in our neighborhoods.
We offer a voice for the people, promote events,
recognize achievements, and present information
positively and accurately.
We desire to be a trusted source of information and
advertising content that is useful and valuable to the
readers we serve.
We want to hear from you: Email your submissions,
events, comments, or news to info@coastaltoday
magazine.com.
Enjoy the issue, the next edition comes out in Spring
2023. Happy Holidays!
COVERING FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND BEYOND
taste
of the
HOLIDAYS
THE HOLIDAY ISSUE
0 51497 36951 4
The 6 th Annual
Grandmother Spreads
Christmas Cheer and Love
Teen Author and Entrepreneur Gives Back
To Children’s Home He Was Adopted From
23
Michael Cobb
— Coastal Today Media, LLC
ON THE COVER
The 6th Annual
Taste of the Holidays
hosted by Michael
Cobb.
Photographed
by Mona Cobb.
SISTERS CATERING & DECOR provide Food Service for all Style and Size of
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6 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM

EVENTS
January 14
Abbott Race Unity Institute monthly
Unity in Diversity Luncheon,
Noon - 1p.m. Brunswick,Ga.
www.TheAbbottInstitute.org for
additional information.
Jacksonville
36th Annual Martin
Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
presented by Florida Blue
The City of Jacksonville invites you to
celebrate the life, legacy and service
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday,
January 13, 2023, at the 36th Annual
Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
presented by Florida Blue inside The
Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.
The 42nd edition of the MLK Holiday
Grand Parade will be held on Monday,
January 16, 2023, in Downtown
Jacksonville.
Brunswick
Annual Martin Luther
King, Jr. Breakfast
Friday, January 13, 2023
8:00 a.m.
Greater Works Ministries,
4020 Wylly Avenue,
Brunswick, Ga.
Annual MLK, Jr. Parade
Monday, January 16, 2023
10 a.m. Howard Coffin Park,
1402 Sonny Miller Way,
Brunswick, Ga.
(“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey
Bunch),” “It’s the Same Old Song,”
“Reach Out I’ll be There,” “Bernadette,”
“Ain’t No Woman Like the One I’ve
Got”). The Temptations include
original member Otis Williams. The
Four Tops include original member
Abdul “Duke” Fakir.
February 18
Fort Frederica National Park,
African American History Day,
St. Simons Island,Ga.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
February 18-19
World of Nations Celebration 2023
The City of Jacksonville invites you
to travel across the globe at the 31st
Annual World of Nations Celebration!
Experience the cuisine, artistry and
customs from lands near and far
during this unique two-day event.
Countries participating in the World
of Nations Celebration include: The
Bahamas, China, Colombia, Costa
The Temptations and the Four Tops
Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Palestine,
Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, U.S.A.,
U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela
February 25
Monster Jam
7 p.m.
1 TIAA Bank Field Drive
Jacksonville, Fl.
For more info visit
www.monsterjam.com
March 11-12
Jacksonville Women’s Expo Beauty,
Fashion, Pop Up Shops, Crafting,
Celebs!
Prime Osborn Convention Center
1000 Water St., Jacksonville, Fl.
Enjoy Hundreds of Pop Up
Shops, Samples, Tastings, Beauty
Treatments, Fashion Shows, DIY Craft
Workshops, Celebrity Speakers and
more!
January 27-29
75th Annual Jacksonville
Boat Show 2023
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention
Center 1000 Water St.
Jacksonville, Fl.
Marketing Consultant
TV Host/Radio Host
Upcoming Events:
The North Florida Marine Association
invites you to join us for the 75th
Anniversary of the Jacksonville Boat
Show! There will be a large variety of
boats on display, from skiing, fishing,
cruisers, personal water-crafts and
more! Vendors will be set up for all
your boating needs. Special surprises
for the kids as well as Seminars and
Education for the Adults. Get out on
the water and have fun!
January 29
2023 Best Boss Awards Gala
The Florida Theatre
128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville, Fl.
Celebrating the best African American
Entrepreneurs in Jacksonville, Fl. This
is a black tie/formal attire event.
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
February 3
52nd Thiokol Anniversary
Commemoration Ceremony
The ceremony will be held at the
Camden County PSA Complex at
1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland, Ga.
February 13
Jacksonville Career Fair
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Marriott Hotel St., Jacksonville, Fl.
Join us for this exciting career fair!
Meet face to face with recruiters and
HR managers from local and Fortune
500 companies to learn about open
career opportunities.
Dress to impress and please bring
an updated resume. 100 percent free
event for job seekers to attend.
February 16
The Temptations and the Four Tops
.Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, Fl.
8 p.m
It’s a Motown, Rock, and Roll Hall
of Fame and Grammy Lifetime
Achievement double header featuring
The Temptations (“My Girl,” “Ain’t Too
Proud To Beg,” “I Wish It Would Rain,”
“I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Just My
Imagination”), and The Four Tops
• Black History Events - Jazz - Tribute to
Motown - 2/26/2023
• Mother’s Day Expo - 05/23
• Taste of Soul - 08/2023
• Taste of the Holidays - 11/2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Michael Cobb
904-683-0096
upcloseandpersonal7@gmail.com
8 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 9

Candice
and David
Holliday
OWNERS OF
Forty-Eight
Seventeen Events
and Completely
Done Cleaning
Service LLC
Started both
companies over ten
years ago as a dream
to educate others
on minority business
practices and startup
process checklist
to empower more
entrepreneurs in their
community. Today the
businesses continue
to grow as they work
hard to help people
see their potential in
themselves and put
“God First” motto in
everything they do.
904-203-3435
We are serving
Nassau, Duval,
Saint Johns, Flagler,
Volusia and Orange
Counties.

The 6 th Annual
taste
2022
of the
HOLIDAYS
This event took place on Sunday,
November 21st , 5 pm at the Aloft Hotel
on the southside of Jaksonville, Fl. The
vision of this event every year is creating
a platform to bring local businesses together with
our community to do business.
I give credit to God and my wife Mona for bringing
forth this vision. My motto is “With God all things
are Possible.”
We always kick off the evening with Live Jazz
Holiday music. We enjoyed Taste Sampling, from
Jacksonville’s finest restaurants, Chefs and
Caterers. Fee Fee Foods, Sisters Catering and
Decor, The Peach Cobbler Factory, Chicken Salad
by Marceal, Sugar Rymmed , Miterakys Cuisne
and so much more!
The VIP’s enjoyed the great experience from Forty
Eight -Seventeen events. The Taste of Holidays
was alive with the excitement as Costal Today
Magazine made its inaugural debut.
We enjoyed Fashion by Accentuat Elevate your
style Boutiqueto kick off the Holiday Season!
Accentuate Elevate your Style Boutique always
feature exclusive collections from New York, LA
& Paris. Our Models did a fabulous job in walking
the runway! When you think of style, think of
Accentuate and elevate your style
Look for upcoming events in 2023 Mother’s Day
Expo, The Taste of Soul and The 7th Annual Taste
of the Holidays!
Michael and Mona Cobb
12 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM

The 6 th Annual
taste
of the
HOLIDAYS
Photos by Michael & Mona Cobb,
Denise Williams, Allene Bryant and
others submitted photos.
14 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 15

16 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 17

18 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 19

The 6 th Annual
taste
2022
of the
HOLIDAYS
Photos by Mona Cobb, Denise Williams
models
20 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM

22 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 23

COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 25

T H I O K O L M E M O R I A L P R O J E C T
Merry
Christmas
R E M E M B E R | H O N O R | E D U C A T E
THIOKOL MEMORIAL MUSEUM
115 South Lee Street
Kingsland, Georgia 31548

GRANDMOTHER SPREADS
Christmas
cheer and love
FOR READING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
WITH WYNTER SKYE BOOK SERIES
By Arthia Nixon
Valencia Weaver, a doting
grandmother who has
dedicated herself to nursing,
has started a new career
as a children’s author, debuting her
first Christmas-themed book ‘Wynter
Skye’s First Christmas With Family’.
The book was made available on online
platforms like Amazon on December
13, 2022.
Like the other books in the Wynter Skye
Adventure series illustrated by Guarav
Bhatnagar, the lead protagonist is
based on Weaver’s own granddaughter.
Her target audience is kindergarten
and early elementary-aged children
and she encourages parents and
grandparents to read the books to
them as a way to bond.
“As the title indicates, ‘Wynter Skye’s
First Christmas With Family’ focuses
on Christmas,” says Weaver. “She
learns about Santa, the elves, the
importance of family and that is more
than just giving and receiving gifts.”
Weaver, an Oakwood, Georgia native
COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 29

said. “I read Pippi Longstocking, Winnie
the Pooh, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys,
etc, but no African American books.
When I had my own children, I got
them Dr. Seuss, Arthur, Junie B. Jones,
and other books but not too many
African-American books were there.
So the vision to write short African-
American children’s stories based
on the likeness of my granddaughter
and my family started when I spent
time with my granddaughter trying to
readjust to society after returning from
war. Writing children’s books became a
process of healing for me.”
Make Holiday Memories with Sweet Eats
Servings: 8-10
6 Envy apples
2 tablespoons golden caster sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup, plus 2 tablespoons, water
1 tablespoon corn flour
1 large plain sponge cake
2 cups vanilla bean custard
½ cup caramel or butterscotch sauce,
plus additional for arnish, divided
½ cup cream
fresh apple slices
fresh strawberry slices
with ties to Brunswick
through her own
grandmother, resides in
the metro Atlanta area
where she has been
a registered nurse for
over thirty-five years,
a nurse practitioner
for fifteen years, and
a military trauma nurse
for over eleven years. She
published her DNP scholarly
project in a Urologic Nursing
journal in March 2022 and presented
multiple nursing research studies at
nursing conferences. She works at
the Atlanta VA Medical Center in the
Home-Based Primary Care Program,
caring for military Veterans.
However, it is her first grandchild who
is giving her a reason to write, create
a legacy, and inspire other families to
enjoy each other.
“After returning from
Afghanistan, I
enjoyed spending
time with my only
grandchild,” she
said. “I read to
her and saw her
fascination with
books and reading.
Although I saw this in
my own children, there is
a difference when you see it
in your grandchild. Therefore, I started
looking for children’s books that I could
identify with or thought would interest her.”
On Weaver’s quest to find books, she
noted there was not a lot of African-
American series for ages 0-5 years
old. “I found very few books for her in
this day and age and it occurred to me
that as a child, I didn’t have any books
with characters like me either,” she
Weaver even approaches being the
new baby in the home from the baby’s
perspective in ‘Welcome Home Wynter
Skye’.
“In this book, we address newbornparent
bonding and think of how
frustrating it must be to communicate
needs to parents who don’t understand
why you are crying,” says Weaver. “I
feel it is a relatable short story that
parents and siblings can connect with.
And there’s a portion in there where the
reader can mimic a baby crying so it’s
interactive if read well.”
Weaver said her labor of love for her
granddaughter is now spreading as she
is getting other readers to celebrate her
work. Among the other characters is
Wynter Skye’s mother who is a female
college graduate who works full-time
as a sales representative at a drug
manufacturing company, her father
who is an assistant program director,
and her doll, Summer Rayne.
“I hope that my granddaughter sees
the love that I have for her,” said
Weaver. “I also want these books to
promote positive male role models
and family values. The series teaches
little one lessons, takes the audience
on adventures, and all while giving
all cultures a better understanding
of African-American family life
experiences.”
For more information, visit
www.wswbooks.com
Peel, core and dice apples; place
in large saucepan. Add caster sugar,
cinnamon and 1/2 cup water. Simmer
apples 5-8 minutes until tender.
Combine corn flour and remaining
water. Stir corn flour mixture into
apples until apples are syrupy.
Cut sponge cake into 2-centimeter
diced pieces. Arrange 1/3 of
sponge pieces in base of serving
bowl. Add half of cinnamon apple
pieces, including syrupy juices. Add
1 cup custard and drizzle with 1/4
cup caramel sauce. Repeat with
remaining ingredients, finishing with
sponge cake; chill.
Whip cream and spoon dollops
over sponge cake to cover top.
Garnish with apple slices, strawberry
slices and caramel sauce.
Brown Butter
Apple Pie
Apple Custard
Sponge Trifle
Streusel Topping:
½ cup flour
¼ cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter, cut into
½-inch cubes
Filling:
4 tablespoons butter
2 pounds Envy apples, cut into
¼-inch slices
½ cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons flour
1 deep dish frozen pie shell
Preheat oven to 375 F.
To make streusel topping: Mix
flour, chopped pecans and light
brown sugar. Stir in butter using
fingertips until incorporated with
small lumps of butter visible.
Refrigerate.
To make filling: In large skillet
over medium heat, melt butter
until amber, stirring often. Set
aside to cool. In large bowl,
stir sliced apples, brown sugar,
cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla
and flour using spatula. Pour
brown butter over apples and
mix, scraping skillet with rubber
spatula to incorporate brown
butter bits.
Place frozen pie shell on
baking sheet. Add 2 cups apple
mixture into shell, gently pressing
apple slices for even base. Add
remaining apple slices and gently
press. Sprinkle streusel topping
evenly over apples.
Bake 30 minutes then reduce
oven temp erature to 350 F and
bake 35-45 minutes until topping
is golden and apples feel tender
when pierced with fork.
30 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 31

New Habanero
FLAVOR
St. Augustine, Florida
Set your tastebuds on fire.
That’s what you get when you
taste Scoville Premium Vodka.
Named after the Scoville
Heat Unit (SHU), which measures
the heat index of all peppers, Scoville
Premium Vodka is a local Veteranowned
company produced and bottled
by Wholly Spirits LLC in Jacksonville,
Florida. The Florida-based company
invites you to experience the taste
of luxury with bold flavors designed
to savor, including Scoville Jalapeño
Vodka, made with natural jalapeño
extract, and new Scoville Habanero
Vodka, made with real habanero
infusion, for a one-of-a-kind experience.
“Scoville Premium Vodka was created
with one goal in mind, to provide the
highest quality spirit possible,” explained
Greg Anderson, who co-owns Scoville
Premium Vodka along with his partner,
Dr. Deirdre Leake. “For us, that meant
providing flavors that would leave a
lasting impression, which is why our
vodka is crafted with natural jalapeño
extract and real habanero infusion. In
addition, we check for standardization
of our recipes, as well as clarity, aroma,
and flavor to ensure that our product
is of the highest quality each and every
time.”
Distilled seven times in small batches
and crafted with only the finest
ingredients, including gluten-free, lowsugar
corn mash, Scoville Premium
Vodka crafts superior flavors that can’t
be beat. At 40% ABV / 80 Proof, this
Jacksonville-Based Scoville Vodka Releases
Provided photo/Justin Snavely
Scoville Vodka owners Dr. Deirdre Leake and Greg Anderson
ultra-smooth spirit enhances every
cocktail, from fruity, refreshing, cool, or
classic, while providing a unique flavor
for those who prefer to sip it neat.
“More than anything, this journey is
all about trying something new,” said
Anderson. “We wanted to create a
product that would leave people asking,
‘What did I just experience, and how can
I experience it again?’ So, we pushed
the boundaries of traditional flavors and
ended up with a product that is truly
remarkable. We’ve grown exponentially
in just two short years, and I can’t wait
to continue growing so that everyone
can taste and experience the difference
in our premium spirit.”
Ignition
t
2 oz. Scoville Habanero Vodka
4 oz. tomato juice
0.25 oz. Worcestershire Sauce
0.25 oz. lemon juice
1 pinch black pepper
1 pinch sea salt
Pour ingredients into a shaker
filled with ice, shake vigorously,
strain into a Collins glass filled with
fresh ice, and garnish with celery
stick, habanero slices, and a lemon
wedge.
Chocolate Melt
3 oz. Scoville Habanero Vodka
1.5 oz. Crème de cacao
Pour ingredients into a shaker
filled with ice, shake vigorously,
strain into a martini glass and
garnish with whipped cream,
habanero slice, and piece of
chocolate.
t
t
t
Air Cooled
Happy Jala-Days
2 oz. Scoville Jalapeño Vodka
1 oz. lime juice
0.25 oz. simple syrup
8 fresh mint leaves
Muddle mint leaves in
a pint glass and fill with
ice. Combine vodka, lime
juice, and simple syrup in a
shaker filled with ice. Shake
vigorously and strain into
the pint glass. Top with soda
water and garnish with sprig
of mint and jalapeño slices.
2 oz. Scoville Jalapeño Vodka
1 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. soda water
0.25 oz. simple syrup
0.25 oz. lime juice
Muddle mint leaves in a shaker. Combine cranberry
juice, simple syrup, and lime juice. Add ice. Shake
vigorously, strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh
ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a sprig
of mint and a few fresh cranberries.
32 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 33

By Arthia Nixon
Nationwide —
When 16-year-old Miguel
Coppedge invited his
social media followers
to help him raise $2000
to create his I Care Comfort Bags
to donate to children within the DC
Child and Family Services Agency,
he only received two donations of
less than $200.
Instead of giving up on the project,
the Washington, D.C. teen used the
money he had saved from selling
his Krulle hair care products for men
and boys and books he wrote at age
10, and was able to deliver 100 bags
to the children before the holidays.
Miguel says he will never regret
using his profits or birthday money
to support his I Care Comfort
Foundation that helps children in
the foster care system. In fact,
in 2021, he was recognized by
Baskin-Robbins Joy in Childhood
Foundation for his efforts and given
a $5,000 donation to the charity of
his choice, the St. Ann’s Center for
Children where he resided as a baby
before being adopted.
Miguel Coppedge with I Care Comfort Bags.
Teen Author and Entrepreneur
To Children’s Home He Was Adopted From
“I am so proud of
Miguel,” says his mother
Yolanda Coppedge. “He
used his own money to
purchase what he
needed to make over 100
bags. I am truly blessed
to have him as my son
and watch him grow and
excel in various areas.”
Yolanda is quick to show photos or
videos of her ‘Mogul Miguel’ vending,
autographing books, taking part in
various activities, learning about
his Trinidadian heritage, supporting
other youth entrepreneurs and
filmmakers and even has clippings
of him as an elementary school
student coloring with President
Barack Obama.
Miguel Coppedge with mom Yolanda.
COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 35

from backyard to Black Tie
we cater to you
catering@staugustinebbq.com
904-824-3220
904-824-3206 904-824-7974
St. Augustine, FL
While many are
impressed with Miguel’s
acts of service, he
doesn’t care much for
recognition, pointing out
that he would do it even
if no one was looking as
it is a duty to take care
of children who were in
the same position he
was in.
“I’ve been giving back
since I was nine-yearsold
and my mom
explained some things
to me about adoption
and foster care,” he
said. “It started with St.
Ann’s Children’s Youth &
Family Center because I
was a foster infant there
but I added DC Child and Miguel Coppedge
Family Services Agency
because I was a foster child in the system and then later
adopted. I pride myself on giving back because I don’t
like to see anyone without the necessities they need. I will
continue to do this the rest of my life.”
When asked about his business and books, Miguel said
that he wanted to create something especially for African-
American boys to relate to. He is extremely proud of his
hair care product Krulle. His mother helped him create the
product after he wanted to wear his shoulder length hair
out instead of braided down.
“It’s pronounced kru-la-la and it’s from the Afrikaan
language spoken in South Africa,” he explained. “It literally
means curls so there you go. To me, Krulle represents our
African heritage and naturalness of our Black coils. Black
boys and men have always been trendsetters with our
hair. But whenever we go in the stores, it’s always a lot of
products for women but nothing for us. I made a cream
and hair butter formula for my own hair and a lot of people
told me how they liked my curl definition after I was using
it and wanted some. I started doing research and my mom
helped me with it and we sold out at our first vending event
and that’s when I realized I had a potential hit.”
Miguel’s immediate goals are to graduate high school in 2023
and go on to college to major in communications to become
a sports analyst while expanding his charity and brands.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON MIGUEL, HIS PRODUCTS AND CHARITY,
VISIT WWW.MIGUELCOPPEDGE.COM
A STATE
OF FOCUS!
Every year during the holiday
season, we’re encouraged to
love our fellow man a bit more,
forgive wayward relatives and
lastly, re-establish goals. I’m of the
belief that during this festive season
we should make time to reflect and rest
as we await the New Year. In addition,
we should desire to master how to get
it all done more purposefully. One word
that clearly comes to mind for me is
the word: FOCUS (Fresh Opportunities
Create Unbridled Success). I know
we all need to be committed to our
endeavors and stay the course in order
to achieve anything but throughout the
year, we may need reminders.
This acronym came to mind recently,
and I believe it would be helpful as we
navigate our goals for the New Year.
Fresh Opportunities Create Unbridled
Success (FOCUS). The end result of
a committed lifestyle opens the door
for new opportunities that showcases
our unique gifts. In doing so, we are
not only valued but we gain a sense
of purpose that can only reveal itself
when we share a piece of our majesty.
Nothing is more rewarding than feeling
like you’ve made a difference in the
world or in the life of another person.
It’s built into our very DNA! We have a
natural need to feel relevant. We need
to belong. We are designed to connect
as human beings by seeking out a
fresh, applicatory opportunity.
The mission of us all should be to
show ourselves that the commitment
we’ve made to leave an indelible
impression on others was worth the
adversity that may come our way. It
pays off each time a new encounter
EMPOWERMENT FOR TODAY
gives us a chance to excel at whatever
we do best. Their response to our
offerings confirms we had a ‘special
something’ that the world needed
to see, and it needed to be seen in
us. It needed to be seen from the
vantage point of our comprehension,
our imagination and our persona that
we all have a special something that
makes us vital to the world. Everyone
needs to be affirmed and encouraged
to move passionately in their life. An
opportunity should not be viewed
as just a money-making medium to
buy more things. Opportunity allows
us to present our best selves to the
world because in order to thrive, we all
need to experience the beauty of the
spotlight.
Fresh opportunities offer us the
inventive caveat we need to grow.
Inspiration is never stagnant, it’s fluid.
Creativity, like human beings, is living
which challenges us to adapt to the
new. It regularly evolves while adding
dimension to our experiences; whether
good or bad. Our aptitude compels
us to reflect on how we can use the
brilliance inside our soul to make our
world a better place. The splendor of
creativity is that we can always choose
to use it for good.
Once our gifts are fully engaged, we
are immeasurable! Inexhaustible!
Unbridled! We have the wisdom
to achieve our dreams once we
comprehend we don’t need permission
to pursue them!! We can be a catalyst
to invoke positive change. Innovation
through change is the sum of total of
all parts of FOCUS working in unison.
FOCUS awakens that part of us that
releases unrestrained passion! It’s
that place inside us where art, music,
fashion, technology and all things
ingenious emanate. We really can be
the captain of our own, destiny if we
simply endeavor to shape our lives by
living in a constant state of F.O.C.U.S.
Dr. Denise J. Williams is a nationally
certified empowerment coach and the
founder of The Healing Place Global
Alliance. The aim of her organization is
to empower leaders and provide clients
with the necessary tools to realize their
dreams. She resides Jacksonville, FL
with her husband of 15 years.
36 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM COASTAL TODAY MAGAZINE 37

Provided photo/ State Archives of Florida/McDonald
Boats docked along North Roosevelt Boulevard in Florida Keys during the Mariel Boatlift.
The 75th Anniversary Jacksonville Boat Show will be January 27 – 29, 2023 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville, Florida
The North Florida Marine
Association is proud
to announce the 75th
Anniversary Jacksonville
Boat Show, January 27 – 29, 2023, at
the Prime Osborn Convention Center
in Jacksonville. This year’s show is a
special celebration of a beloved North
Florida event that has been bringing
together the boating community since
1947.
Dick Boger, 73, is one of the longeststanding
current members of the
North Florida Marine Association. He
NORTH FLORIDA MARINE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES
Jacksonville
BOAT SHOW
North Florida Marine Association Announces 75th Anniversary Jacksonville Boat Show.
has been involved with the Boat Show
since 1985, and he is well acquainted
with the Boat Show’s long history in
Jacksonville. “Back in the mid-forties,
the late Grace Rogers of Pier 17 Marine
Shop decided to display a few new
boats in the parking lot of a gas station
on the west side of Jacksonville,” he
said. “That’s how this whole thing
started. Then in 1947, a group of local
businesses got together and built on
Grace’s idea by creating an exposition
for local boat dealers. Seventy-five
years later, that exposition has become
a true legacy in Jacksonville.”
The Boat Show’s early venues included
the old Armory on Market Street,
Jacksonville Naval Air Station, the Gator
Bowl, and the Jacksonville Veteran’s
Memorial Coliseum, where Boger
remembers that the Coliseum’s low
ceiling prevented sailboat exhibitors
from including full mast extensions
on their boats. When the show
was relocated to the Prime Osborn
Convention Center in 1990, he says,
it gained additional traction and has
continued to grow as a mainstay event
for the Northeast Florida boating,
fishing, and watersports community.
Boat show in Miami in 1967.
The Boat Show has continued
uninterrupted since 1947, with one
exception. “The only thing that shut us
down in three-quarters of a century was
COVID-19,” Boger explained. “That’s the
only year we were not able to hold the Boat
Show. Had it not been for the pandemic,
we’d actually be celebrating our 76th Boat
Show this year, not our 75th.”
In January, the 75th Anniversary
Jacksonville Boat Show, sponsored
by VyStar Credit Union, will offer three
Provided photo/State Archives of Florida
days of water-related fun, familyfriendly
activities, and educational
seminars—as well as amazing deals on
hundreds of boats and thousands of
accessories. Special giveaways each
day will be awarded to commemorate
the 75th Anniversary. Boat Show
attendees will be among the first to
see and board brand-new models of all
types of watercraft, including fishing
boats, cruisers, ski boats, pontoons,
inflatables, personal watercraft, and
more.
38 COASTALTODAYMAGAZINE.COM

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