Few people know that as far back as 2800 – 28 B.C. – the Egyptians were the first recorded people who decorated their homes, ceremonies, and tombs with cut flowers in vases, baskets, garlands, and wreaths.  An arrangement of flowers was often presented as gifts and personal adornment. Studies have shown that flowers have an immediate emotional impact on happiness, decreasing depression and encouraging companionship. Clearly, the early people of the continent of Africa appreciated the beauty of fresh flowers and may have discovered its benefits.

Fast-forward to Tempe, Arizona 2010, and you will find two African-American sisters whose love for plants and flowers have transferred down generations, earning them the title of Arizona’s only black-owned flower shop.

Lydia Meyers and Chephtsybah Yisrael credit their 93 year-old father, Andrew Issac “Ike” Ferguson, for instilling in them the importance of agriculture and the knowledge of the flower business. Their father’s 60-year career in Chicago (the longest known black floral business in Chicago’s history) has allowed his four children to learn the ins and outs with years of hands-on experience.

“We’ve heard about the difficult times our father has had back in the day,” said Yisrael. “Even now, we face many racial challenges. Especially from people who assume we don’t know what we’re doing because we’re black.  But we know our business, and we demand quality products.”

Chephtsybah Yisrael, whose name means “The Lord Delighteth in Thee” in Hebrew was one of the first in her family to make the decision to move to Arizona from Chicago to study naturopathic medicine four years ago. With an interior design background under her belt, she often found herself designing for the center for which she worked and arranging bouquets of flowers. It was then that she realized that her love of flowers will never diminish. And with her sister Lydia, they created My Sister and Me Florist.

My Sister and Me Florist is a full service business offering delivery within the Phoenix and surrounding areas.  They often incorporate jewels, shells, ethnic fabrics, and other elements to their original designs.  
The beautifully unique arrangements can be refreshed in the home, office, or church as frequently as desired.  Lydia and Chephtsybah have demonstrated their philanthropic spirits by providing designs to those in need and to such organizations and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.

From the gentleman who recently purchased thousands of dollars worth of arrangements to woo an admirer with a roomful of flowers, to the thoughtful corporate bouquet, the ladies pride themselves on breath-taking creations that with fit your budget, and occasions.

“We love building relationships with our clients,” the sisters expressed. “We love being apart of their lives, their weddings, their proms. We want to bring something to everyone, but specifically the Black community. We are more than our color – we are bound by our culture. And when it comes down to it, we want to say that we contributed to our people.”

My Sister and Me Florist is located at the Brickyard Plaza, 699 S. Mill Ave, Suite 112, in Tempe. For more information, visit 1web-ads.com/mysisterandmeflorist or millavenue.com, call 602-703-4355 or email mysisterandmeflorist(at)yahoo.com.