Tropical bird on a wire with a blurred background of foilage.

This is my story.

My early years began
in rural Jamaica.

I share the story of my mental illness recovery journey to let others know that
recovery is possible. Experiencing disability left me unemployed. Hence, I created Qinnamon, and Qinnamon Botanicals LLC by God's grace.

There is nothing too hard for God! (Jeremiah 32: 27; Matthew 19:26)

Fun Facts About Me

Learning and books are a passion

Feeding my brain with new information has always been my coping mechanism. When I learn something new, Sharing what my findings are also helpful in my recovery.

Redecoration is another passion

My reason for entering art school was to peruse the mechanics of drafting for interior design, but alas, there was no such program so I did the next best, register for Graphic Design. Re-decorating friends' homes to give them a refreshed start is my pleasure.

Just love arranging flowers

I love making floral arrangements. It has been my pleasure to make wedding flowers for brides, grooms, and wedding parties and decorate the venues. Over the years, I've also made arrangements for several funerals too.

Portrait of Cheryl in a blue striped shirt with newspaper clippings in the background.

An Entrepreneur at Heart

After Art School in Jamaica, I started my own business and did a short stint working for the Design firm Carter, Gambrill, Robinson. Being featured in the first Jamaican directory for women in business was an honor. And being a participant in the Women in Business Expo at the Jamaican Pegasus Hotel in 1987 was incredible. At that time I was also the Fiber and Fabric Coordinator for Things Jamaica Ltd, under the Office of the Prime Minister.

Jamaican Women in Business Highlight Fun Fact: The Woman Inc. Logo was one of my most successful designs for the Bunny Levy Design Studio.

Women in business Pink Pages directory for Jamaica in 1987.

Women in Business Directory

Such an honor to have been invited to showcase my product.

Cinnamon Production

My second business venture. The first was selling home-made dolls clothes as a pre-teen.

What Dick Pixley had to say.

Such an honor to have known this renowned Jamaican.

Confirmation of business by Import Exports.jpg

Client Endorsement

So grateful to all those who supported a young unknown in a daring venture.

Woman Inc. Logo

Praise God for the opportunity to work on this logo that serves women in crisis.

Woman Inc. Trade Fair Advertisement and catalogue insert.

Women in Business Expo

What a tremendous honor to have been sponsored a booth at this great event.

Pegasus Woman 87 directory page featuring Cinnamon Productions.

Cinnamon Productions Booth 37

A weekend I'll never forget.

Things Jamaica letter of service by Sonia Galimore O.D.

Things Jamaican

Jamaica Cottage Craft Industry leader under the Office of the Prime Minister.

Things Jamaican

Yeah, I kept my card!

The New York Years

Graduating from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, was a highlight and a goal attained. On the heels of that graduate degree, I started working as a public school Special Education Teacher for an elementary school in NYC. Completing the requirements to become a New York State Certified Special Educator was a blessing.

The experience of living with a disability and with training was natural to transition the information to the church setting.

Volunteering in the Community

My time as a volunteer at the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventist as the Disabilities Ministry Coordinator and advisor.

Disabilities Ministries Awareness workshop poster. How to better serve people with disabilities.

GNYC Disabilites Ministries

Serving a religious population of over 30,000 members.

Different Perspective poster. Teaching children to celebrate differences.

Autism Awareness Day Event

Featured Speaker for autism awareness as a trained Special Education Teacher and a Christian.

Seminar speaker at aNorth America SDA Ministries Convention.

Beyond the Pew Ministries Convention

Speaker on issues relating to disabilities and evangelism.

Ephesus Manhattan Afternoon Disabilities Awareness. The Gathering Hosts, "With the Least of These"

Special Needs event at Ephesus Manhattan

Keynote in the morning for the Divine hour and presenter in the afternoon.

Youth Mental Health Awareness at a Friday Night Livestreamed event.

Youth Presentation

Our young people are interested in their mental health and that of their peers.

Greater New York Conference represented at the Disabilities Pride Parade NYC.

SDA at NYC Disabilities Pride Parade

Organizing and creating promotional material for this first for the church.

Qinnamon

Qinnamon and Qinnamon Botanicals LLC support each other. Remuneration was lacking for bookings at most churches and community centers that did not have a budget for a speaker. So I developed a line of teas that would benefit the attendees' health and help me travel to locations across New York to give mental health talks based on my lived experience.

My line of Herbal teas was developed using the research on starting a tea business by ASK JAN of the Job Accommodations of Americans With Disabilities Act, under the US Justice Department. Working with Start Small Think Big to hone my brand design and legal assistance in crafting website user agreements and SCORE Westchester and SCORE NY METRO for mentorship in emerging as a person of business. New York City Small Business Services provided ongoing business courses, and the Small Business Development at Lehman College gave me a hand in figuring out how to proceed.

I rediscovered my design roots and used Avery We Print to create colorful labels. I packaged my teas to reflect my brand. Look for a comprehensive article on starting a tea business sometime soon. In the meantime, here is my visual journey.