Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 4-9-21

Feature
Bill To Grant $2.45M To Estate Of Tampa Woman
Tampa Couple Carve Out A Niche Through Dream Business
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Nikki and Chiantha Carrington, Sr., are making it work and continue to carve out a niche despite COVID with their business, Nik Chi, LLC.
In 2017, the couple started making tutus, blinged-out shoes, specialty items for babies, and tee shirts. Their business started out small but has grown rapidly. They have taken on heavy embroidery jobs for logos and busi- nesses.
They also added sublimation, which is the process of transferring dye to a fabric using heat. The images and graphics are printed on special paper placed on the garment and heat is applied, allowing the ink to become part of the fabric.
The Carringtons credit a large part of their business expansion to orders from other small businesses, especially other Black busi- ness owners. Their network of African Ameri- can clients shows the success of the community working together.
Nikki states that they are very flexible when it comes to products, they have made puzzles, candles, and socks among other things.
The Carringtons’ main goal is to become self-sufficient so they can dedicate all their time to their business, extended family, and church.
“I thank everyone who has and is support- ing us. We are so thankful for the other Black businesses that supported us when they could have gone to a larger company. We are so grateful. I want to encourage anyone that wants to start a business to do so. I would also like to encourage people with businesses to help another person to achieve their dreams.
You can make a difference in someone’s life,” she says.
Nikki is the daughter of Ray and Vivian Baker of Baker, FL, and a graduate of West Florida University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Chi- antha Sr., who is the son of Scheryl Car- rington and the late Albert Wilson, graduated from Jefferson High School. They are proud parents of four children, Khiara, Chiantha Jr., Dalton, and Alexandria.
The family attends St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, but Nikki Carrington has a very special place in her heart for her home church, Lebanon Baptist Church in Baker, FL.
To contact Nik Chi, LLC, you can email them at nikchi813@gmail.com, call them at 813-489-3511 or visit them at www.facebook.com/nikchi813 or www.insta- gram.com/nikchi813
NIKKI and CHIANTHA CARRINGTON Owners of Nik Chi, LLC
Crystle Galloway and her mom, Nicole Black.
On July 4, 2018, Ms. Ni- cole Black called 9-1-1 to re- quest medical attention for her daughter, Crystle Ga- lloway. However, when the Emergency Medical Techni- cians arrived, Ms. Black said they observed Ms. Ga- lloway crying and vomiting.
However, they did not take her vital signs, conduct physical examination, or transport her daughter to the hospital.
Ms. Black transported her daughter to the hospital
by car. The 30-year-old mo- ther later died.
Ms. Black filed a lawsuit alleging negligence in 2019.
Last week, state legisla- tors moved forward with a proposal to pay $2.45 million to the estate of Ms. Gallo- way. House Bill 6511 passed unanimously. It was sponso- red by Rep. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach.
If Senators pass the Se- nate Version of the bill, it will then go to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021