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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Community

Richmond Nonprofit YES Nature to Neighborhoods Plans Major Renovation

Richmond nonprofit YES Nature to Neighborhoods is planning a significant renovation of its headquarters at 3029 Macdonald Ave., around 31st street. The nonprofit serving youth and families in Richmond is requesting a design review permit to demolish the one-story, 2,218-square-foot building and a 95-square-foot shed, and to replace them with a new 4,480-square-foot, two-story building.

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Rendering of renovation courtesy of City of Richmond documents.

The Richmond Standard

Richmond nonprofit YES Nature to Neighborhoods is planning a significant renovation of its headquarters at 3029 Macdonald Ave., around 31st street.

The nonprofit serving youth and families in Richmond is requesting a design review permit to demolish the one-story, 2,218-square-foot building and a 95-square-foot shed, and to replace them with a new 4,480-square-foot, two-story building.

The new building would consist of office and meetings spaces with a 345-square-foot addition to the existing garage on the property, according to city documents. The nonprofit will host youth, adult, and family programming on and off the site.

The nonprofit also proposes to repair sidewalks, replace planters and a fence, add lighting, and provide interior open space, among other improvements.

The city’s Design Review Board was set to review the plans at its meeting this evening on April 10. For more info, go to https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/68830/3_PLN23-316-3029-MacDonald-Ave_DRB20240410—Apr-10

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Community

Families Flock to New Farmers Market in Marina Bay

The City of Richmond’s first farmers market in Marina Bay kicked off Sunday, April 7 with a large swell of community members coming out to enjoy the occasion. The long-anticipated market set up shop in the parking lot off Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square in Richmond and featured music and dancing, arts and crafts, chess, multiple vendors and some fresh produce from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The crowd at the new Marina Bay farmers’ market. Photo by Kathy Chouteau.

By Kathy Chouteau
The Richmond Standard

The City of Richmond’s first farmers market in Marina Bay kicked off Sunday, April 7 with a large swell of community members coming out to enjoy the occasion.

The long-anticipated market set up shop in the parking lot off Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square in Richmond and featured music and dancing, arts and crafts, chess, multiple vendors and some fresh produce from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Numerous families turned out for the event, many with their children and family dogs.

The market will continue on Sundays and is operated by the Richmond Certified Farmers Market Association. For more information or to become a vendor, go to https://cirichmondca-newsletter.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/39634

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Community

For Cervical Cancer Month, Medical Community Focused on Education

January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Physicians, advocates and others in the medical community commemorated the month by raising awareness about a form of cancer they say is highly preventable and treatable. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV) and it develops slowly over time but can be prevented with proper care in girls as young as 13 years old.

Published

7 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

A Mayo Clinic article published last month stated that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed and die of cervical cancer, compared to White women in the U.S. 2,000 Black women are diagnosed every year with cervical cancer and 40% die as a result.

By Magaly Muñoz

January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Physicians, advocates and others in the medical community commemorated the month by raising awareness about a form of cancer they say is highly preventable and treatable.

Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV) and it develops slowly over time but can be prevented with proper care in girls as young as 13 years old.

Sonia Ordonez, an OBGYN and gynecology surgeon at Kaiser Permanente, stated that as soon as people with cervixes reach the maturity reproductive age, they should start taking preventative measures like getting the HPV vaccine. The vaccine involves a series of two-doses for people aged 9 through 14 or three-doses for people 15 through 45 years old.

“I see a lot of young women who can’t remember or may not have gotten [the vaccine] when they were younger, or maybe got one, but we can give them the series of vaccines and restart at any point in time,” Ordonez said.

She said that cervical cancer is not the only cancer caused by HPV. Strains of the virus can also lead to throat, anal and penile cancers.

Screening is also an effective way to check for cervical cancer and should be done every three years after someone turns 21, doctors recommend. It is best to start as early as possible to catch occurrences early.

Ordonez said that this cancer is also more likely found in people of color and has led to more deaths overall.

A Mayo Clinic article published last month stated that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed and die of cervical cancer, compared to White women in the U.S.

2,000 Black women are diagnosed every year with cervical cancer and 40% die as a result.

“This disparity is not due to genetic differences among White, Black or Hispanic women, but rather related to systemic racism, access to healthcare and socioeconomic factors,” Dr. Olivia Cardenas-Trowers, a Mayo Clinic urogynecologist, said in the article.

Ordonez stated that immigrant women are also highly susceptible to the cancer, as many Latin American countries may not have accessibility to screenings or lack of insurance makes it harder for them to get tested.

Hispanic women are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 30% more likely to die from it, as compared to non-Hispanic White women, according to the Office of Minority Health.

Family medicine physician, Joy Anyanwu, stated that the pandemic contributed to hesitancy about getting cervical cancer screenings among some women. Other factors are people’s aversion to vaccines, parents not wanting to believe that their children are or will become sexually active, and doubt about the overall effectiveness of the vaccine.

“The vaccine is very safe — over 97% effective in preventing cervical cancer,” Anyanwu said. “Even if you aren’t having sex, the earlier you start would actually help.”

Anyanwu said she understands that parents might not want to ask questions about their children’s reproductive health, but it’s a mindset that can be a barrier to having important conversation about prevention or care.

To keep families their families and communties healthy, the doctor emphasized that people should prioritize keeping up with their vaccine series and going to screenings every year.