Family

Prince George’s Power Couples: Terrells Find Balance

THE AFRO — Attorney Julius Terrell and his wife Cheryl are from two different worlds but have blended their lives into one thriving relationship that works at the office and at home.

Published

5 years ago

January 12, 2019

Oakland Post

By Mark F. Gray

Attorney Julius Terrell and his wife Cheryl are from two different worlds but have blended their lives into one thriving relationship that works at the office and at home. The enterprising couple are separate owners of a law practice and dentistry but have learned to strike a balance between family and work life that fuel their success.

The Terrells have been separate entrepreneurs for more half of their 20 years of marriage. Dr. Cheryl Terrell is owner of Dental Associates of Maryland which is a full service practice based in Bowie. Meanwhile, Julius Terrell, Esq. owns JPT Law, whose practice include estate planning, probate administration, business and family litigation and government relations. He also serves as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

There is quiet intensity that fuels their drive as individual business inside their shared relationship. Most marriages with dual entrepreneurial spouse are often casualties of the careers because of the time spent with their businesses. However, the Terrells acknowledge that balance between their work and the commitment to family life that are more important than what transpires at the office.

“There’s equal priority between our professional and family lives but the family always comes first,” Julius tells the AFRO.

As their respective practices grew the Terrells also learned how to balance the responsibility of parenting. Their son Julius, a graduate of St. Johns College High School, who is in his freshman year at St. John’s University in New York, was an active participant in youth sports. He was one of the DMV’s top lacrosse players which required the family to make sacrifices for him also. With floating schedules, they faced the challenge of time availability to ensure he could compete in youth and high school activities. They shared the responsibilities of transportation to practice and to games while always making sure that “Jay” was aware his mom and dad were always there on sidelines or the stands for him.

“Its important knowing when to cutback on the work life,” Cheryl tells the AFRO. “You learn along the way that there are times when you have to take off and focus on what’s best for [your child]. Having another person to help with that juggling act helps.”

At least three times per year the Terrells turn their cell phones off and embark on family vacations that will recharge them.

“That time is important because it creates memories and a sense of closeness,” Cheryl adds.

Often there is friction in relationships when spouses are independent business professionals. The different approaches can sometimes lead to an erosion of their personal relationship. However, the Terrell’s have found a balance there as well using each other as sounding boards to develop successful strategies for their uniquely different work spaces.

“It’s like having your own personal board [of directors] at your house,” Julius added. “Having someone who understands what it means to be in business for yourself leads to a meaningful exchange of ideas.”

Their commitment and strength were put to the test in 2013 when Cheryl was diagnosed with breast cancer. The battle between the family and the disease put their relationship and commitment to each front and center. Cheryl was able to maintain the dental practice while Julius was vigilant in servicing his clients and relieving her of the worries associated with being a professional mother. Her cancer has been in remission for five years and counting.

“Julius handled all the dynamics of our lives by himself and I was confident he could to that,” Cheryl said. “It took a big chunk off my worry plate which helped me get better.”

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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Bay Area

Emiliano Zapata Street Academy Celebrates 40 Years Serving Oakland Families

The Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, a public alternative high school, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with a community party and festival last Saturday with live music, good food, vendors’ booths, and activities for adults and children.

Published

17 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Live music was part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, a public alternative high school, on April 27, at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church on Telegraph Avenue and 29th Street. Photo by Ken Epstein.

By Ken Epstein

The Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, a public alternative high school, celebrated its 50^th anniversary this year with a community party and festival last Saturday with live music, good food, vendors’ booths, and activities for adults and children.

Attending the Saturday, April 27 celebration were current and past students, families, faculty, and supporters of the school. The school is located at 417 29^th St., and the celebration was held nearby at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland.

For more information, go to www.streetacademy.online or call 510) 874-3630 or (510) 879-2313.

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Alameda County

A Safe Place, Bay Area Domestic Violence Community Organization, Opens New Service Center in Oakland

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence. The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Published

18 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Façade of the new community center for A Safe Place opening on May 10 in Oakland. Courtesy photo.

By Courtney Slocum Riley

Special to The Post

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence.

The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Domestic violence occurrences and offenses account for a considerable amount of all violent crimes in Alameda County. A Safe Place is attempting to provide a safe place for families to heal. A Safe Place is the only comprehensive domestic violence assistance program including a safehouse, in Oakland.

The grand opening celebration will also serve as a fundraiser to build out healing, therapeutic spaces for children and adult victims and survivors and survivors of domestic violence (male and female).

The new service center will expand the work of the organization, founded in 1976 when a group of women working in San Francisco came together to address the urgent need for a shelter in the East Bay. A year later, they founded A Safe Place (ASP) in Oakland. Run solely by volunteers, they set up a crisis line to offer crisis counseling and information to battered women and their children.

The organization serves over 500 adults and children annually through a host of services including crisis counseling via 24-hour crisis line, emergency motel and safehouse sheltering, mental health services (counseling and support groups).

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Carolyn Russell, the organization has grown from a single program into the comprehensive domestic violence and assistance program. ASP strives to meet the growing and diverse needs of our growing community.

The organization hopes to complete all the upgrades and therapeutic room improvements by August 2024. The public is invited to donate to the effort by using the website at www.asafeplace.org/donate. The organization also accepts in-kind gifts as well as items from the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.

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Bay Area

Obituary: Former California Education Superintendent Delaine Eastin Passes at 76

Delaine Eastin, who served as a former state Assemblymember representing parts of Santa Clara and Alameda County — and the first woman elected as State Superintendent of Public Instruction — died at age 76 on April 23. Eastin passed away from complications caused by a stroke.

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Former California Education Superintendent Delaine Eastin.

By California Black Media

Eastin passed away from complications caused by a stroke.

Known for her power of persuasion, Eastin used her influence to be a champion for bipartisan issues that helped raise academic standards, lower class sizes, and emphasize the importance of conserving nature and the environment in schools.

Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and fellow legislative colleagues said that Eastin was in demand on the speech circuit while serving as a legislator.

“Few could engender the kind of emotion and passion she delivered in every speech,” Brown said.

State superintendent Tony Thurmond called Eastin a trailblazer who inspired fellow public servants.

“California lost an icon in our school system today. Delaine Eastin’s legacy as a trailblazer in public education will forever inspire us. Her unwavering dedication to California students — from championing Universal Preschool and the “A Garden in Every School” program to honoring our educators by establishing the California Teachers of the Year Awards — has left an indelible mark on our state’s educational landscape,” said Thurmond.