Name: Verna Caddie
Company: Devine Creations Debutante and Beautillion
Title: Etiquette Coach
Years in the business: 25
How did you get your start?
I’ve been in the etiquette business since I was 19 years old. I got my start working at Barbizon School of Modeling as an instructor [and] I was then approached by the Sears Models Club to be an instructor and after a few years there I went on to become the director of wedding shows for In Fashion Models. In 2009 I decided to use my etiquette training to create “The Etiquette Professionals Network,” which helps women and men become certified as etiquette professionals, wedding etiquette instructors, tea consultants, mentoring coaches and certified image consultants.
Tell us about Devine Creations.
Devine Creations is a nonprofit organization that has worked with over 100 young women in the greater Houston and surrounding areas. Our mission is to empower young women through etiquette, while helping to create beauty inside and out. Devine Creations is an eight-month program and every young lady must attend workshops in order to be presented to society. I also partner with ministries and community organizations to provide mentoring, to create self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as strengthening skills, which will lead to better life choices and opportunities.
Why is there such a huge need for etiquette training for African American teens?
Our young people have no respect for themselves or the adults. The big thing is not having the etiquette training for the boys but our girls have serious attitude problems. When I go to speak, the first thing that I am asked to speak [about] is attitudes because our young girls are angry for no reason at all. When I am asked to speak, I let them know that they are responsible for their own happiness and that they can’t allow anyone to steal their joy. No matter how many times I say it, the girls just don’t understand because it has to start in the home. Speaking to a class one time is not going to help that’s why the eight-month Devine Creations Debutante and Beautillion programs are so important.
alex green
Three years ago I had a year contract with the production company for RuPaul but they were not able to sell it to a major network. In 2014, I was approached by Bunim and Murray productions [“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”]. They did the sizzle reel and then when they tried to pitch it no major network picked it up. I was a little discouraged and wasn’t sure if I wanted to take another chance with it again, but now I am being asked to shoot another reel with another production company. I am happy and honored that someone would call me out of the millions of people in this world and say that they want to follow Devine Creations and see how I manage my company, my community programs and my family. Just to have these people from Los Angeles to want to follow me around it made me think, and as I started to reflect something in my spirit said give it another chance. I tell my students, “Don’t give up! It doesn’t matter how many nos you get, someone will say yes.” I figured I should practice what I’ve been preaching.
What’s next for you?
I just finished my eighth book which will be a faith-based directory for young girls and boys to read with daily inspiration. It’s about encouraging children who may not own a Bible or understand how to read a Bible but if they can pick up my inspirational book, it will help them understand and relate to the Bible a lot easier.
On the 23rd of May at Aunt Beas Restaurant, [located at] 5422 North Freeway in Houston, I will host a free mini workshop “Chivalry is Not Dead.” I just want the young men to come so that they can walk away with lifelong lessons. I want to serve them. Most of the young men might not want to enroll in our debutante program, but they can come to the workshop to learn a piece of what I teach in the cotillions. A lot of the teens don’t know how to treat a female with respect and they don’t always have that positive male influence in their life to help them understand how to be a proud young man. A lot of the young men don’t even know how to tie a tie. I have also been very disheartened by the loss of our Black lives. Our young men have to learn how to respect law enforcement although sometimes they are unlawfully stopped. I have two sons of my own. I have to do something to help bring awareness. I want to let them know that if you are not doing anything wrong just stop. Don’t panic. The event will feature the founder of Operation Outreach, Mr. Reginald Gordon, who will speak to the participants on respect in the community, school performance and the do’s and don’ts of dealing with police officers.
For more information, please visit https://www.devinecreations.org/default.html.
