Happy Juneteenth from the team here at York to all our wonderful friends, clients, and tenants!

Today, we intend to honor the day when the last community of enslaved people in America were informed of their freedom. In a continued effort to recognize the adversity and resiliency of the Black community, York is grateful for the opportunity to interview with and share the inspiring stories of some of the amazing Black-owned businesses that are an integral part of the shopping centers our company manages.

For the fourth and final of our Juneteenth Tenant Highlight series, we are happy to introduce Michelle Merritt Tucker, salon owner and operator of Studio 113 Hair Salon located in Forest Hills Shopping Center. The southeast Raleigh native is a proud wife, mother of 3, and grandmother of 5.

As a teenager, Michelle attended Millbrook High School while simultaneously obtaining a cosmetology degree from Sherrill’s University of Cosmetic Arts. For her choice of higher education, Michelle attended two of Raleigh’s great HBUs – beginning her studies at St. Augustine’s University and then transferring to Shaw University where she graduated with a degree in business administration. Michelle eventually went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources.

Studio 113 Hair Salon opened its doors at Forest Hills Shopping Center in 2004. Michelle and her team of stylists provide cuts, color, quick weaves, up-dos, straw sets, braids, wigs, and a host of other services in a safe and friendly environment.

Each year since opening, Studio 113 has hosted “Pink Out October,” an initiative to spread awareness about the signs of breast cancer. Sister to Sister Alliance and Rex Hospital have joined Studio 113 with this campaign and continue to collaborate and teach others about this issue. The salon also feeds families during the holiday season, holds back-to-school drives, and hosts an educational hair expo to help consumers learn about their haircare needs.

In addition to aiding with Studio 113’s community events and initiatives, Michelle is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the South Garner Business Alliance. She is also involved with Black Solute, her son’s nonprofit organization aimed to help youth in the southeast Raleigh community. Michelle serves as program planning co-chair of the Southeast Raleigh Rotary Club, Fundraising Chair for the Booster Club at Shaw University, and Fundraising Chair of Office for Scholarships for the National Association of University of Women.

Whether they are clients, stylists, or folks in the community, Michelle is committed to helping others. As the seventh of 9 siblings, Michelle credits her leadership skills to her upbringing. She is a firm believer in “Somebody has to do it, and everybody isn’t able – so why not me?” Although the team of stylists at Studio 113 are self-employed, Michelle says she runs the operation like a true employer by providing one-on-one meetings with her stylists, quarterly team meetings, and regular training classes. She coaches new stylists and teaches them the business behind self-employment.

In reflecting on the meaning of Juneteenth, Michelle says peace comes to mind. She hopes that her ancestor’s souls are at peace after their unimaginable fight for freedom. Even in the midst of opposition, Michelle hopes that each generation will continue the legacy for years to come.

York Properties is proud to have Michelle as a tenant at Forest Hills. Her creativity, professionalism, and dedication to the community are an example to us all. As a token of our appreciation for her, York has provided a $500 scholarship to Sherrill’s University.

To learn more about Salon 113, visit Michelle’s website.

For our third Juneteenth Tenant Highlight, we are excited to share Kindale Godbee’s journey! Hailing from Detroit, The Heir Salon owner is bringing education to the haircare experience.

Kindale founded The Heir Salon over four years ago, but the journey to loving her tresses began long beforehand. What many know today as the transition to natural hair began in high school for Kindale when she did the “big chop,” a process that involves cutting off chemically straightened or processed hair as a way to begin caring for one’s natural hair. The change was met with bullying from some peers, but Kindale persisted with the journey, and eventually chose to attend cosmetology school.

For a short time afterward, Kindale worked in a small suite, then later joined a full-service salon. She says in Detroit, popular hairstyles included finger waves and glitter. North Carolina, on the other hand, primarily focused on all things natural hair. Today, Kindale brings healthy haircare to the forefront of each client’s salon experience. She understands the importance of caring for hair during sensitive times such as the transition phase or the big chop. The business owner is inspiring others to enjoy the journey in caring for their natural hair. She says, “It’s more important what your hair says to you than it does to other people.”

Since opening The Heir Salon, Kindale says having her own business has impacted her for the better. The owner-operator says she used to be guarded, but is now much more open and steadily growing both personally and professionally. Kindale’s motto “say yes now and figure out how later” has served her well. She prides herself on keeping the best interests of her clients and profession in mind with each opportunity.

In recognition of Juneteenth, Kindale says the holiday is not just a celebration, but a reminder to “highlight all that we’ve been through and carry it with us through the rest of the year and throughout our lives.” She says she will “take a second, breathe, and realize who I am in the community and how I can embrace others.”

The Heir Salon regularly donates 10% of its profits to a local church organization or toward making human hair wigs and units for women who have been diagnosed with diseases contributing to hair loss, such as cancer or alopecia. The salon is currently partnered with Virtue Labs, a bio-tech company dedicated to empowering others to change the health, quality, and appearance of their hair by using their proprietary healing protein products. Kindale is a proud ambassador of the brand and is committed to spreading knowledge about healthy curls everywhere she goes.

To learn more, visit The Heir Salon’s website.

York Properties is pleased to provide property management services at Shiloh Crossing in Morrisville, NC, where The Heir Salon is located.

York is delighted to introduce Yasmin Morton, Esq. as our second Juneteenth Tenant Highlight for this month!

Yasmin is a family law attorney based in Raleigh, NC. Born and raised in Raleigh, Yasmin graduated from Enloe Magnet High School, then attended Western Carolina University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Law. Later, she received a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Since opening The Morton Law Offices in 2010, Yasmin and her team have served hundreds of families and individuals in over a dozen counties in North Carolina. With the help of virtual software such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, they have expanded their reach to serve clients in other states as well.

The Morton Law Offices offers a unique monthly pay structure that gives clients financial flexibility. Their practice areas include divorce, child custody, property distribution, separation agreements, and more.

As a family law attorney, Yasmin understands the importance of work-life balance and a flexible schedule. With family as the top priority both personally and professionally, motherhood is Yasmin’s greatest joy and her “why.” She also appreciates the perspective that it brings to her practice in dealing with families on a daily basis.

In addition to her legal profession, Yasmin serves as Vice President of the board for Passage Home, Inc. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., where she now serves on the International Grievance Committee. The multi-hyphenate mother prides herself most on creating spaces and opportunities for her daughter just as her parents did for her.

On this Juneteenth, Yasmin reflects that she is eager to see the removal of stereotyping in society and in her industry. She looks forward to the day when Black history and contributions to society are appreciated throughout the year!

For more information, check out The Morton Law Offices website.

York Properties is proud to provide property management and leasing services for tenants such as The Morton Law Offices at Midtown Center located at 5510 Six Forks Road.

As Juneteenth approaches, we are pleased to announce our upcoming series of Tenant Highlights where we will be shining a spotlight on a few of the extraordinary Black-owned businesses that are an integral part of the shopping centers our company manages.

Each post offers a glimpse into the stories behind these businesses, shedding light on the inspiring journeys, unique products, and services they offer. We are hoping to dive deep into their entrepreneurial spirit, their impact on the community, and the remarkable individuals driving their success.

The first of these highlights is for Natashia White-Pass, also known as the First Lady of Brushes, who is the owner and operator of Blushed by Natashia. Natashia is a licensed esthetician and professional makeup artist. The Newark, NJ, native is known for her natural glam makeup looks and natural enhancements.

A proud wife and mother of two, Natashia began her professional makeup business, Blushed by Natashia, in 2016. She later opened her second business, Face Café Glam Bar Raleigh, a premier full-service beauty bar, in June of 2018. Blushed by Natashia is located within Face Café Glam Bar Raleigh where Natashia and her team provide facials, eyebrow waxing, teeth whitening, and makeup services. Natashia says she has always had a love for skincare and makeup. Before beginning her entrepreneurship journey, Natashia worked in accounting. With a nudge from her family, friends, and coworkers, she left the corporate world to begin her entrepreneurship journey.

Natashia says Face Café is a “place to come in and just be peaceful.” Her goal is to “educate men and women of color on how to care for their skin.” The business owner relies on her faith to keep her going. She says she has to “stay prayed up” on this entrepreneurship journey. Today, Face Café houses other entrepreneurs in the beauty space – from hair and nails to massages and more.

Blushed by Natashia has a strong recurring clientele, but the journey to get there was all but easy. Like many small businesses, the pandemic proved to be a hard time. Natashia recounts that there were many days where it was just her at the café. She believes the right clients enter the facility and support her business. “If you are good and confident at what you do, there will always be people coming to you,” Natashia says. She prides herself on creating “confident everlasting beauty” for her guests with each visit.

With Juneteenth on the horizon, Natashia says it’s all about “celebrating and recognizing all the things we’ve done and created.” In honor of the holiday, she is delighted to provide a promotional offer of 15% off any one service of choice during the month of June. To book Natashia, visit her website and use promo code “yorkproperties” at checkout.

York Properties is delighted to provide property management and leasing services to Stony Brook Shopping Center in Raleigh, NC, where Blushed by Natashia is located.