Page 201 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

201 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

One Sunday afternoon, a few women gathered in my new home to discuss holding a workshop entitled, “Keys to Entrepreneurship.”
Those in attendance were Mrs. Camilla Barnes (my cousin) of Sanford, Mrs. Gloria Williams from Deltona, Mrs. Jessie Green-James

from Rochester, New York (who was in Sanford visiting her family), and her daughter, Teresa James. Mrs. Jessie Green-James was an

expert in business and a great motivational speaker! As each lady expressed their ambitions, I began to wonder what I could do. I had
to think about it –really think about it – especially being in a room with such visionary women.

Doubt surfaced at first, but then I said that the reason I bought my home was because it was in the right location. Kamili could walk
to the elementary, middle, and high schools in the Goldsboro area on the west side of town. In addition, the home had a very large

family room. This room was conducive for holding youth church rehearsals and for providing rehearsal space for children in the

community who needed assistance in pageants, school presentations, and oratorical contests. I no longer had to rehearse on the porch
of my shotgun house.

Through grace and mercy, 104 Hays Drive became our home. As I thought about this, I began to acknowledge that my interest was

the performing arts, but getting and locating a building was going to be difficult and expensive. Then, Mrs. Green-James said, “What’s

wrong with holding your classes in this room?” I said to myself, “Really, Whatley?” The Master’s Plan had been set! But, I wondered,
“Would parents send their children to my home?” And, when I attempted to really process this…Performing Arts Classes…only more

questions arose:

• What classes do I teach?
• What name do I use to advertise?
• Who will teach?

• How much will it cost to advertise?
• How many students will come?
• Will they pay for the classes?