Spring 2019 issue of THE HUB Magazine by THE HUB Magazine

SPRING 2019 | www.sacculturalhub.com

AVA

DUVERNAY “GET A GRIP, AND KEEP STEPPING FORWARD!”

in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

PLACES TO GO

people to meet things to do

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T H E H UB MAGAZI NE | 3 |

FOUNDER’S ROOM | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WHY HONOR OUR

MOTHERS?

Those who know me know that I am very open about my relationship with my mom. She is my very best friend. We often laugh, eat, and travel together. And if you follow me on Facebook, you know that you can catch us on Facebook Live at least two to three days a week doing squats together in her garage! It is SO HARD to keep that weight off after all of that laughing, eating, and traveling! I love my mom for all she does and says, but that wasn’t always the case! As a child, I remember the teachings she tried to instill in me, with both scriptures and a switch. My mom could and would use whichever tool she needed to get her point across! As I child, those whippings AS WE APPROACH were scary, but looking back MOTHER’S DAY ON SUNDAY, I realize that they were not MAY 12, I PLAN TO HONOR the worst thing that could MY MOTHER JUST AS I DO have happened to me. Those 365 DAYS A YEAR. whippings meant my mom meant BUSINESS! I was not destruction of our families. going to be disobedient, I was going to do my chores, I was I was always taught to HONOR our elders so our days not going to stay out past dark, I would be long. We are not doing that today! As a mom to was not going to talk back, I was going three daughters, grandmother to five grandsons, and an to clean up my room, I was not going to cuss in the aunt to a host of nephews and nieces, the devastation our presence of her or ANY adult, and I was going to be on global communities have endured and the embarrassment time for school and do my homework. that this has brought to those who raised us truly breaks my heart. And church? Oh, I was going to church…to choir rehearsal, Sunday school…ALL of church! This Mother’s Day, we should honor our mothers and, if we have them, mother figures, to LEAVE A LEGACY I know that a large number of people did not have the as the foundation for us to LIVE, WORK, and INSPIRE mother I had. Some people did not have a mother figure OTHERS, leading by example in what we call LIFE! in their lives at all (grandmother, aunt, neighbor), so I do not take the BLESSING that my mother was and is Happy Mother’s Day! for granted. I thank God for her every day, and as we Peace & Blessings approach Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12, I plan to honor my mother just as I do 365 days a year. Pleshette Robertson There is so much that has gone on in our local communities that illustrates, to me, that the respect and honor we used to give our elders has gone out of the window. Individuals have done wrong. Businesses have been disrupted. Lives have been lost to senseless violence. It sometimes seems as though we have lost all LOVE, and have replaced it with hate and envy for one another. What is the harvest that we must sow from all of this? Greed, corruption of our legal system, and the total | 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

CEO & Founder Sac Cultural Hub Media Company & Foundation facebook.com/pleshettemarie

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CONTENTS 14 17

26 18

10 CENTERSTAGE DUVERNAY: GET A 10 | AVA GRIP, AND KEEP STEPPING FORWARD!

| TONY RODRIGUEZ: BUILDING MY NAME AS A SINGER AND WORKING AS A KJ

32 SUPERSTAR: 22 | GOSPEL CALVIN WINANS

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Founder’s Room 40 Michael’s Mind’s Eye:

| WHERE ARE THEY NOW: MADISON MCPEARSON

WERE YOU THERE?

30 Pounds and Counting

46 Advertiser Index

Things To Do, Places To Go

| 50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

NUGS ENTERS THE 14 | CRYSTAL SACRAMENTO MARKETPLACE

17 | ACTOR DEVIN W. VARGAS BERTHIA; UNSUNG HERO 18 | KEVIN FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

DID YOU KNOW?

28 | BLACK JOY PARADE ASHION WEEK EVENT 32 | FPOWERED BY THE MODEL EXPERIENCE (TME)

UPERMODEL TYRA SIMONE AT 36 | SSAC FASHION WEEK

TATE LEADERS KICK OFF 20 | .S$100.3M CENSUS PUSH PROJECT RAISES 22 | COUNTY AWARENESS AND PROMOTES

HOPE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

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T H E H UB MAGAZI NE | 5 |

Inside every issue of THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine there are things to do, places to go and people to see, with a calendar of events, spotlight and feature articles on major event reviews, career profiles and business services. This magazine celebrates the urban lifestyle of African-Americans living in Northern California.

Northern California’s Most Popular Urban Entertainment Magazine

NTS E S E R P S RES P S E L I N BLUE E 6TH ANNUAL TH

ESTABLISHED FEBRUARY 2006 Mailing Address 7902 Gerber Road, #367 • Sacramento, CA 95828 Ph 916.234.3589 | Fax 866.302.6429 E-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com CHIEF EDITOR, CEO & FOUNDER – SACCULTURALHUB.COM Pleshette Robertson | pleshette@sacculturalhub.com

FREE to attend

ADVERTISING & MARKETING TEAM Twlia Laster | 916.662.3502 • twlia@sacculturalhub.com Lesley Leatherwood | 916.838.9267 • lesley@sacculturalhub.com Michael P. Coleman | 916.715.2996 • mcoleman@sacculturalhub.com

O T N E M RA OOK S ACC B K A L B 2019 FA I R toric s i h e h t at f center o

K R A P O A K rovement club

NEWS REPORTERS Neketia Henry | Keadrian Belcher-Harris Donna Michele Ramos

c iv ic im p , C a 9 5 8 17 w o m e n ’s e n u e , s a c r a m e n t o 5 3 r d av y)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael P. Coleman | Valarie Scruggs Cheryl D. Howard | Tanu Henry

a 355 & broadw t e e r t s (35th

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Vicki Blakley

at: w e b s it e r u o it OM is v O O K FA I R .C B K C A L B NTO SACRAME t io n : in f o r m a e r o m r fo r

PHOTOGRAPHY Rayford Johnson | Npaphoto.com 916.714.5840 Khiry Malik | Magiceyephotos.com 916.730.5405 Creative Touch Media Services (CT Media) Robert Briley – 916.579.1806

49 o 9 16 .4 8 4 .3 7 n il e p r e s s .c o m e fay e @ b l u

GRAPHIC DESIGN Heather Niemann | Tingible Design COVER PHOTO: Shutterstock.com Circulation THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine has an estimated readership of more than 500,000 African American residents in Northern California. Copies are available at numerous storefront locations and distributed quarterly: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Advertising THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine offers affordable rates to meet your business needs and marketing budget. Ads are due 45 days prior to the next issue. Call (916) 234-3589 or e-mail contact@ sacculturalhub.com. Letters to the Editor Letters should include the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for

| 6 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

space, clarity or style. Name and address may be withheld upon request. Mail to: THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine, 7902 Gerber Road, #367, Sacramento, CA 95828. THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine is printed quarterly in the United States. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine. THE HUB: The Urban Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions in regard to content of ads in which events were cancelled or rescheduled, or phones that have changed abruptly.

1 M AY 3E 1 & JUN

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YOUR Dental HEALTH Presented by Terri Speed, D.D.S.

SPRING CLEANING: FOR YOUR SMILE!

Spring is on its way! For many of you, this is the time to thoroughly clean your homes of dust and cobwebs, get rid of clutter and let a breath of fresh air into your life. But what about your smile? Even with regular daily brushing and flossing, routine cleanings, or “prophylaxis” (literally “preventive treatment of disease”) at the dentist should be an important part of your spring routine. A twiceannual examination, check-up, and cleaning are highly recommended. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, getting a professional cleaning a least twice a year has a significant impact on the quality of a person’s longterm oral health. In the case of professional teeth cleaning, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Regular cleanings, including scaling and polishing by your dentist or hygienist, will remove plaque and tartar (mineralized plaque) which builds up over time and is nearly impossible to remove with regular brushing or flossing. Dentists use special tools or ultrasonic sound waves to help remove plaque or tartar. Without a regularly scheduled cleaning, plaque and tartar can attack the gums, which can lead to gingivitis and a number of other complications. Professional cleanings and routine exams can also bolster your at-home dental hygiene routine and give your dentist a chance to take a close look at your mouth to ensure that you don’t have any problems that have gone undetected. On top of keeping your smile squeaky clean and making sure your oral health is in check, a professional cleaning appointment gives you the opportunity to have a conversation with your dentist about your daily dental routine or any concerns you may have. Regular exams and cleanings can give your dentist a good idea of what your habits are, allowing them to suggest changes you can make to improve your oral health. Take time for yourself and your teeth – schedule a spring cleaning appointment with your dentist and keep your smile bright! https://www.patientconnect365.com/dentalhealthtopics/article/Spring_Cleaning__For_Your_Smile

T H I R D T H U R S DAYS 6 : 3 0 PM Enjoy food and music by the Beth Duncan Quartet starting at 5:30 PM.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

MOTOSH I KOSAKO

THURSDAY, JULY 25

WAYNE WALLACE LATIN JAZZ QUINTET

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

C H OO C H OO BOOGALOO

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

KIM NALLEY

Tickets at crockerart.org/jazzhub $10 MEMBERS • $20 NONMEMBERS • $30 MEMBER SERIES TICKET FOR THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE, BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR

216 O Street • Downtown Sacramento • @crockerart fil

Dr. Terri Speed is a family dentist in practice at 9098 Laguna Main St., Suite 4, in Laguna West.

www.terrispeeddds.com (916) 686-4212 T H E H UB MAGAZI NE | 7 |

ADVERTISEMENT | BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO FOSTERING CHILDREN

Breaking Down Barriers to

Fostering Children

Shutterstock

Approximately 2,000 children and teenagers in Sacramento County are in the foster care system looking for a place to call home. Sadly out of those children, a disproportionally high rate are African American.

Have you ever considered fostering a child but then thought “there is no way I could afford it” or “who would be there to help me” or “daycare would be too expensive”? To break down the barriers of fostering and recruit loving families, Sacramento County has five major programs to help meet the needs of resource parents (also known as foster parents) and foster children. How Sacramento County is Breaking Down Barriers THE BRIDGE PROGRAM Introduced January 2018, the Bridge Program provides eligible resource parents vouchers to pay for child care.These vouchers help ensure caregivers have support to balance work and home lives and increase the likelihood of a smooth transition. Vouchers are available until the resource parent can find other subsidized child care or are able to pay for child care themselves. The Bridge Program is comprised of three components.This includes emergency child care vouchers for children ages 0-12 for 6 to 12 months; support from a child care navigator who will work with families to find a child care provider, assist with completion of child care applications, and develop a plan for long-term child care; as well as trauma-informed care training so child care providers can learn strategies for working with children in foster care, many of whom have experienced trauma. “With more parents working outside the home, the ability to recruit and retain foster parents is becoming more challenging,” said Michelle Callejas, Sacramento County Director of Child, Family and Adult Services.“The Bridge Program is vital to help the Department of Child, Family and Adult Services place more local foster children in homes where they will receive high-quality care.” There are many types of families in the foster care system who are eligible for the Bridge Program: Resource families that have completed the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process; Foster Family Agency-approved or County-approved homes; families who | 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

care for foster children in an emergency placement; an approved relative or a non-related extended family member; parenting youth and non-minor dependents; or those who have children placed with them for a compelling reason. KINSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM If your grandchild, nephew, younger sister, cousin, any type of relative or family friend has been put in foster care, the Kinship Support Services Program is available to provide services and supports. The Kinship Support Services Program is provided by Lilliput Families and is offered at no cost. Services include in-home support, counseling, support groups, respite resources, advocacy, legal referrals, guardianship workshops, adoption assistance, family activities, play care, mentoring and assistance with basic emergency needs. Research shows that children that are placed with relatives while in foster care experience fewer placement changes and are less likely to be separated from their siblings. Relative placements are able to maintain community, cultural, and family connections, which can decrease trauma and help children to thrive. RESPITE When you need a break, respite may be the answer. Respite is a service for fostering families that allows resource parents to take a break and the foster children can spend a day, a few days or a weekend with other foster children. Resource parents can coordinate Respite Care with their social worker. Having this service is key to keeping families energized, empowering them to provide stability and permanency to the children in their care. Respite also provides children the opportunity to build relationships with other children in similar settings, increasing their emotional development and general well-being.

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ADVERTISEMENT | BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO FOSTERING CHILDREN COMPENSATION To ensure foster children receive high-quality care, resource parents receive a monthly stipend to cover the costs of caring for a child. The amount depends on the age of the child and the area they live in; those caring for older children with greater food and clothing needs receive a larger stipend. Resource parents who care for infants receive an additional stipend to pay for diapers, formula and other baby items, and those who care for children with special needs are generally eligible for higher monthly payments. A majority of foster children qualify to receive health care under Medi-Cal, so resource parents are not responsible for paying medical, dental and counseling bills. iFOSTER Have you considered or are already fostering an older teen? To help teens transition to be successful adults, Sacramento County Extended Foster Care has a partnership with iFoster, a national nonprofit that offers a number of services, including a job readiness and placement program specifically for eligible foster youth between the ages of 16 and 24.The employment program provides job readiness training and coaching as well as an on-line personal assistant that

helps teens manage deadlines, application dates and documents. iFoster has developed strong partnerships with local employers so graduates of the program can be placed in competitive, liveable wage jobs that can become a career. Additionally, iFoster hosts an Online Resource Portal with free or discounted resources that include educational, employment, health, recreational, and daily living products, services and opportunities. ______________ These are just some of the services Sacramento County and local foster agencies offer to resource parents.There are also a number of pre- and post-placement services for resource parents, including parenting classes, trauma training and counseling services. To learn more about local foster care opportunities and to become a resource/foster parent, please visit the Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services website, www.DCFAS.saccounty.net.

Attend an Orientation Held From 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday at 3701 Branch Center Road, Conference Room 1, Sacramento. • Two-hour review of process, foster care system. • Opportunity to determine if being a resource family is right for your family.

Complete the Application • Includes employment status, income, and health condition. • Complete a background check.

Get Training • 12 hours of pre-approval training (4 classes over 2 weeks). • Learn about child development and trauma. • Complete CPR class, if needed.

5 Welcome Your New Family Member! • Typically takes 90 days to find out if you are approved for a license. • Social workers begin searching for a child that will be the best match for your home.

Prepare for interviews • Three in home visits. • Social workers assess home safety and your ability to care for the child. • Extensive study that will approve you to provide foster and adopt a child.

Becoming a Resource Parent

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916.875.5543

T H E H UB MAGAZI NE | 9 |

CENTERSTAGE

AVA

DUVERNAY “GET A GRIP, AND KEEP STEPPING FORWARD!” By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman

that dissects the criminal justice system) and the historical drama Selma. Her next project, When They See Us, is based on the Central Park Five and is scheduled for “WE CONTINUE TO FIND a May 2019 Netflix release. BEAUTY [AND] TRIUMPH, WE

va DuVernay is one of those people with a hand in so many cookie jars, you don’t really know what to even call her! CONTINUE TO LIVE AND LOVE The visionary defies labels. AND DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS

She also oversees production of the critically-acclaimed Queen Sugar, THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE Writer. Director. Producer. Film AGAINST US WOULD RATHER which airs on the Oprah Winfrey Distributor. Those are the ones on WE NOT DO.” Network (OWN). And she’s recently her bio, but I think that list sells her a signed a $100 million contract with bit short. Warner Brothers Television to provide the network with riveting new content, with her I’d add these: Philanthropist. Activist. Change agent. And after spending a little time with DuVernay, upcoming Prince documentary in pre-production. whether you’re ever able to do that in person or you get to know her via her art, you’d add this one, courtesy of Maya Angelou: PHENOMENAL WOMAN. You doubt that? You question me? You question Ms. Angelou?? Well, consider this: DuVernay is the highest grossing African American female director in U.S. domestic box office history, with last year’s Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time racking up $132.7 million in ticket sales. She directed the Academy Award-nominated 13 (a documentary | 1 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Still not convinced? DuVernay sits on the boards of Sundance Institute and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and chairs the Diversity Council for Prada. She is also a part of Time’s Up, a coalition of women from a broad variety of industries who are committed to creating a world that offers safe, fair, and dignified work for all women. Suffice it to say that the lady likes to stay busy! “It all works for me,” DuVernay, 46, recently told Marie Claire magazine. “I try to remain a generalist so that I can make a little bit of everything. You can’t really hit a moving target, so that’s my goal.”

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It may be hard to believe, but just over a decade ago DuVernay was making independent films with no expectation that any more doors would open for her than had been open for women of color who had walked before her. “I didn’t have any dreams or designs that a studio would want to make my work, [or] that any awards body or critical community would embrace my work,” DuVernay shared. “That lack of attention put me in a really good place. No one’s going to watch it anyway, so I may as well make what I want.” As to our current political climate, as well as the challenges facing the African American community, it’s impossible for DuVernay to be anything but optimistic.

racism that we hear now is not new,” DuVernay reminded. “It’s happened before, and we’re here, standing and continuing forward,” the director said. “We continue to find beauty [and] triumph, we continue to live and love and do all kinds of things that the people who are against us would rather we not do.” “The fact that I can go into a restaurant and be served — this is something that wasn’t a reality two generations ago. Sometimes I want to say to folks, ‘Get a grip. Buck up and really look at where we’ve been, look at where others are, and keep stepping forward.” n Sacramento based freelance writer Michael P Coleman is available at michaelpcoleman.com, his blog is at michaelpcoleman.Wordpress.com, and he’s on Twitter almost daily: @ColemanMichaelP

“Whenever we get depressed or down, we need to look to history and realize that while it feels very alarming and uncharted, the kind of straight-up S PRI NG 2 0 1 9

T H E H UB M A GAZI NE | 1 1 |

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CENTERSTAGE | ARTS & CULTURE

TONY RODRIGUEZ:

BUILDING MY NAME AS A SINGER AND WORKING AS A KJ (KARAOKE JOCK) By Contributing Writer, Donna Michele Ramos

ony Rodriguez started producing small shows around Sacramento to build his name as a singer. To make money he worked as a karaoke jock and have another outlet for people to hear him sing. In 2008 he started producing and performing shows at the Oak Park Community Center in Sacramento. In 2010 he started working with T-Mo Entertainment doing shows at the Guild Theater, stage managing and being the MC for shows. In 2013 he formed his band RhythMethoD performing at: The Red Lion Inn, Monty’s Lounge, St. Anthony’s Church, Liaison Lounge, Strikes in Elk Grove and his current residency at Off Broadway Blues and Jazz Café in Sacramento. THE HUB: What was it like growing up in Watsonville? Rodriguez: It is on the ocean, an agricultural town, predominantly Mexican. I grew up playing on the farm, doing farm town stuff. I ran the streets a lot because the town was small and boring. I got myself in trouble but being focused on music kept me out of getting into more trouble. There was not a lot of music or social outlets. I had to go to San Jose or Monterey. It was 30 miles away and my parents did not want to drive me. THE HUB: What made you decide to move to Sacramento? How long have you lived here? Rodriguez: I moved to find a better way of life. There was nothing to do in Watsonville as a career. The major workforce is fieldwork, cannery work and housecleaning. I have been in Sacramento since 1992. It was better than what I expected, much better than where I grew up. I went to the Bay area one year prior and cleaned up my act. I did apartment maintenance work for a couple. The husband taught me painting and appliance work. They took a job here in Sacramento and two weeks later asked me to come work as their assistant manager. I learned to be responsible for what’s given to me and to appreciate it; it was how I cleaned up my act.

school. In high school I was not in the band. I hung out with guys who were into dancing: pop locking and breaking. I made money dancing and it kept me out of trouble. I was always around music, singing and dancing. THE HUB: How long have you been a singer/songwriter? Who in the music business do you admire and why? Rodriguez: I have been writing for 20 years off and on, singing, writing and producing 2 songs of my own, “Spend the Night” and “The Way” on my website: tonysoulchild.com. I will put them up for sale soon. I did security for El DeBarge, Lou Rawls and Howard Hewitt, I saw so much. In my live sets I do Marvin Gaye, Maxwell and Charlie Wilson. They have such a soulful style and are charismatic artists. The way they handle their vocal abilities inspires me to do what I want to do. THE HUB: Where did you get your start in the music business? Rodriguez: I kept auditioning to be the lead singer in bands for two or three years and I got frustrated. Someone said, why don’t you start your own band? I got online and pieced a band together by going on Facebook and Craigslist, etc. THE HUB: What’s your band’s name? Where do you perform? Rodriguez: RhythMethoD, there are seven of us in the band. We play keyboards, drums, bass and lead guitar. We perform at Off Broadway Blues and Jazz Café at 2863 35th Street in Sacramento. The first set of musicians did not work out. This second set did. All four of them have been with me for five years. We will only play with each other. THE HUB: What are your goals for yourself or your band for the future? Rodriguez: I aspire to be like everybody else, to play as much as I can, perform on bigger stages and go to the next level. n You can hear Tony’s music on his website: tonysoulchild.com.

THE HUB: Were you interested in music in school? Were you in a band? Rodriguez: In junior high school I was in the band for two years. I played the saxophone and did a couple of shows at S PRI NG 2 0 1 9

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CENTERSTAGE | BUSINESS OWNER SPOTLIGHT

CRYSTAL NUGS

ENTERS THE SACRAMENTO MARKETPLACE Businessowners from left to right: Maisha Bahati, Bryan and Melina Brown.

he first Black-owned Cannabis delivery company, Crystal Nugs, in Sacramento has joined the ranks of white dominated industry of dispensaries across America. NBC reports that Whites make up more than 80 percent of marijuana business owners, compared with only 4.3 percent of Blacks. But more people of color are entering the industry. THE HUB sat down with one of 3 owners, Maisha Bahati, of Crystal Nugs to learn more about their break in the industry and what opportunities and challenges are ahead in the booming cannabis industry. Maisha is a wife, and mother of 3, and a fashion designer who has participated in Sacramento’s Fashion Week and other charity events. | 1 4 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

By Pleshette Robertson, Chief Editor

THE HUB: As you and your 2 partners came to start Crystal Nugs, tell us more about the roles each of you all had in developing the company as well as your roles in moving forward? Bahati: The good thing about us as business partners is that we all bring our own talents to the table. Melina Brown has been an entrepreneur for the last 20 years. She owned her own clothing store back in the early 2000’s and currently owns a tattoo shop, Stylz Tattoos and Piercing. She brings 20 years of sales, marketing and retail expertise. Bryan Brown the son of NBA legend Fred Brown has also been an entrepreneur for 10+ years in the professional sports industry. Bryan is a really likable guy who connects with people easily. He brings his savvy business knowledge, marketing and high end business connections. So together we are all bringing a new exciting energy to the cannabis industry here in Sacramento. THE HUB: Can you share the pros and cons of you and your partners applying for the licensing process at the City of Sacramento? Bahati: The pros of the application process for us was just making it to the next step. The cons were probably the time frame and meeting the state and city application cutoffs. The application process is intense. Cannabis is still very new to California, so the state regulations want every “T” crossed and every “I” dotted or you risk your application being denied

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CENTERSTAGE | BUSINESS OWNER SPOTLIGHT and now you have to get back in line behind hundreds of pending applications. Our application was denied on 12/5/2018. That was pretty stressful as we faced not making the 12/31 cutoff, therefore putting us at risk to not being able to open until September or October 2019. Luckily after many phone calls and emails we were able to reapply and submit our building completion documents in time before the cutoff. We started the process of finding a location right after prop 64 passed in Nov 2016. We have probably invested around $65K–75K so far. THE HUB: How long were you in the search for your building that you are currently leasing? Bahati: Finding a location that was properly zoned was the hardest part for us. It took us a year to find a location. The property value related to cannabis is extremely high. We found one property that wanted $100k deposit and $5k month. It was really difficult. We thought about giving up many times during that process. You can’t get loans, due to cannabis being federally illegal still so we had to work within our budget. It was a challenge. Our goal is to purchase our own property within the next 3 years. THE HUB: Tell us about some of the products that potential customers will be able to order online from crystalnugs.com. Bahati: Crystal Nugs will have an impressive selection of cannabis products consisting of edibles, flower, prerolls, tincture creams, cbd bath bombs, concentrates, vape cartridges, cbd oils, cbd edibles, cbd flower and prerolls, accessories. Crystal Nugs will also exclusively carry 2 black owned cannabis brands of flower and prerolls. THE HUB: How do you plan to market Crystal Nugs? Bahati: Marketing can be somewhat of a challenge. California is only a little over a year into the legal sales of cannabis and because it’s still federally illegal, many avenues of marketing have to be approached with caution. We plan to utilize every possible opportunity for marketing that include: socal media, t.v., magazines, billboards, etc. THE HUB: Being a Black woman in the cannabis industry, what is the best advice or recommendations you can offer other Black women who are looking to get in but may be reluctant due to the many regulations and huge fees involved? Bahati: I’m very proud to be a Black women in an industry that is currently dominated by white males. It makes me work harder to make Crystal Nugs the #1 cannabis delivery in Sacramento. Yes the fees and application process can be extremely intimidating, however there are equity programs that exist to assist with starting cost, etc. I encourage black women to look into those programs and educate themselves on the laws of cannabis. This is a fast moving industry with many waiting in line for an opportunity to enter a billion dollar industry. So you have to be on it, do your homework and stay in tune with the regulations. It’s hard but it is possible for us to increase the percentage of black business ownership in cannabis.

THE HUB: What is your overall feeling about a pathway for Black folks to become investors in the Cannibus industry or opening up a business in the industry? Bahati: Minorities were disproportionately targeted during the wars on drugs. Many went to prison and are still serving time for cannabis related crimes which currently makes them ineligible for ownership due to felonies...couple that with the struggles we face in our communities, lack of money, opportunities, knowledge of ownership in any business. However I’m starting to see cities considering throwing out cannabis convictions and developing equity programs to assist minorities with the tools to get in the industry. So I definitely see more minorities and women taking advantage of opportunities to get their foot in the door. I’m encouraged and excited. THE HUB: Maisha can you share with us your transition, if you will, in your current ownership status of a delivery company in the cannabis industry? Bahati: I’ve always been a believer in visualizing what you want and claiming it for yourself. Success was something I’ve always strived for. My passion has always been some element of fashion. I love designing and creating. I worked hard to build a name for myself as a designer and gain the respect from others as a business woman in my community. My fashion line MaishaBahati expanded my social network to include other entrepreneurs. When I met my husband he was an established businessman and his support and knowledge has been huge in getting me to this point in my career. I knew nothing about cannabis prior to starting Crystal Nugs. I was hungry and ready for a huge business opportunity. As I started the rigorous application process and started attending meetings on laws and regulations I noticed there may have been a couple of black people and a handful of women. I wasn’t intimidated, I was proud to be there. Sometimes we as minorities and women have to seize our own opportunities. There is room here for us. There are many that advocate and support black and women ownership as the cannabis industry. I’m claiming success for Crystal Nugs to help create opportunities for others wanting to become a part of this industry. n To learn more about first black-owned cannabis delivery company in Sacramento, go to: www.crystalnugs.com According to US News article, nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population lives in a state or jurisdiction that permits the recreational use of marijuana (allowing citizens 21 and older to use marijuana beyond medical purposes). But each state differs in its guidelines of where and when people can use the drug, in addition to how much marijuana people can grow. Here are the states where recreational marijuana is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Even as several states allow marijuana, the federal government still strictly prohibits pot (the use, sale, and possession of cannabis over 0.3% THC in the United States is illegal under federal law).

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BOOKMARK Sacculturalhub.com Connect with African American professionals and families! Share your services, products and events with Sacculturalhub.com and THE HUB Magazine ... your leading source of EXCITEMENT and Urban Entertainment News in Northern California.

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CENTERSTAGE | ARTS & CULTURE night engagement as “Tommy Albright” in a production of Brigadoon at the Barstow Community College Performing Arts Center. “The first musical I ever saw was Little Shop Of Horrors,” Vargas EXCLUSIVELY recalled, just before his BCC Performing Arts Center debut on April 5. “When the lights came up with Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon singing, my brain practically exploded. I came home and was singing the songs for days after.” “Growing up we didn’t own a television, so the idea of telling a story through singing and dancing really resonated with me. That was probably the defining moment for my musical theatre experience. I went on to perform onstage in middle and high school and community theatre, in productions like Fiddler On The Roof, The Sound Of Music, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and My Fair Lady.” After hearing that voice of his, many have been left wondering what took Vargas so long to find his way back to musical theatre. “I was transferring into University and moving to a new city all on my own,” Vargas reflected. “With work and school, I didn’t have enough time for the commitments of musical theatre.”

LOCAL ARTIST PROFILE: ACTOR DEVIN W. VARGAS by Contributing Writer, Michael P. Coleman

hat happens to a dream deferred?”

If you’re not familiar with it, that question, from Langston Hughes’ landmark Harlem, has gotten a lot of people back on track over the decades. If actor Devin Vargas hadn’t asked himself a question similar to that iconic poem’s opening line, he most likely wouldn’t have just wrapped up a successful run in his first play in 13 years. The 33-year-old Vargas has been working for the Barstow Unified School District, serving as a Public Information Officer. But after over a decade, he’s returned to his first love, the stage, recently stunning audiences during a multi

Vargas wound up moving abroad for awhile, but upon his return, he was drawn back to the stage. “Once I moved back to the states, I really focused on service work in my hometown,” Vargas said. “After receiving a volunteer service award, I realized I had been giving a lot of myself. There was a small voice calling me back to the stage, and I made the choice to listen.” Maybe that’s the secret. According to the Book of Matthew, Jesus said many are called, but few are chosen. Michael P Coleman has always added that even fewer listen to the call. “I’m flexing old muscles that I thought were long gone,” Vargas continued. “It’s so great to get back into the swing of things. It’s kind of like riding a bike — [and] the more I do it, the more I remember why I love it so much.” n Go to sacculturalhub.com, type “Devin Vargas” in the search field, and read more of our EXCLUSIVE interview with the talented young actor. Connect with freelance writer Michael P Coleman, who makes a practice of listening to calls, at michaelpcoleman.com, check out his blog at wordpress.michaelpcoleman.com, or follow him on Twitter: @ ColemanMichaelP

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DID YOU KNOW? | MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

KEVIN BERTHIA: UNSUNG HERO By Contributing Writer, Cheryl D. Howard

n recent years an unsung hero has emerged in the person of Kevin Berthia, a motivational speaker and an advocate for suicide prevention. Kevin’s mental health journey began with an unfortunate diagnosis of an inherited mental disorder at a young age. He taught himself how to hide his mental handicap as he desired to live amongst his peers, childhood friends and family. Kevin was adopted into a loving family at the age of 6 months old. Kevin began to experience anxiety as he tried to live in the norm after the age of 12 when his adoptive parents divorced. The stress of that divorce took an unknown toll on Kevin and the battle of depression and mental illness had only just begun. Fast forward to him becoming a first-time father and bearing the weight of having a daughter born prematurely and living her first 8 weeks of life in an incubator. As he dealt with an onslaught of medical bills and life stresses, his mental illness convinced him it was more than he could to the hospital and the two would not see each again for 8 bare. Somewhere along the way Kevin was persuaded that years. the continued burdens and overwhelming responsibilities that he bore was his and his alone. He protected that In 2013, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention deafening silence that many young black men hide from (AFSP) at its annual Lifesavers Gala in New York City loved ones. Just as many other young men, he was not honored Officer Kevin Briggs with a public service willing to surrender to transparency, not allowing award. It was only befitting that Kevin Berthia others to see the turmoil and confusion he made the prestigious presentation. It was a BECAUSE OF THE WAY fought to resolve. BOYS ARE SOCIALIZED, reunion that sealed a bond between the

THEIR ABILITY TO DEAL two men and to date has had a profound He fought up to the day he strongly felt WITH EMOTIONS HAS BEEN it was a losing battle and Kevin did not SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERMINED. effect on the movement towards suicide prevention. From that faithful meeting on want to fight anymore. He gave up. This MEN ARE TAUGHT, POINT-BYPOINT, NOT TO FEEL, NOT the bridge and eight years later, Kevin’s self-perceived defeat led him to a narrow TO CRY, AND NOT TO FIND iconic YouTube message “The Impact of ledge of the Golden Gate Bridge in the San WORDS TO EXPRESS Listening” was birthed. He has traveled Francisco, California. It was March 2005 THEMSELVES across the country rallying to masses of when CHP officer Kevin Briggs met him there lost souls and the broken hearted. His passion on that railing. Officer Briggs was on duty as he for reaching people who are suffering took him all had been for nearly 18 years intervening and talking the way to a Military base event in South Korea to speak to potential victims to safety. Unaware of the officer’s track record, with his head hung low, Kevin held on for 92 minutes those who serve our country.

freely releasing his thoughts, his trials and his hurts that he had buried within himself. Kevin finally looked up and saw a glimpse of hope. He climbed back over the railing and headed toward a new life. Officer Briggs escorted Kevin | 1 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

Andy’s Man Club, a talking group for men created by rugby player Luke Ambler, stated in a 2016 Newsy article that it is a typical belief may be that when a man starts to open

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DID YOU KNOW? | MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS up about his feelings he is met with clichés such as “man up” or “stop being a *derogatory slur*. So many black men, arguably so, are not taught how to process and manage their emotions. Contrary to the popular belief that men are unfeeling, men feel very deeply. Daphne Rose Kingma, author of The Men We Never Knew, has said “We’ve dismissed men as the feeling-less gender…we’ve given up on them. Because of the way boys are socialized, their ability to deal with emotions has been systematically undermined. Men are taught, point-by-point, not to feel, not to cry, and not to find words to express themselves.” There is such an adverse stigma associated with mental illness. Notably, in the African American community because it is not uncommon to see socially dismissed men walking up and down the streets displaying the behaviors and acute signs of mental illness. Remarkably that community tends to almost normalize their behavior and look the other way. Sadly, those who are overcome with depression and mental illness do not find out that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. n Kevin Berthia is destined to be a world changer. He has touched literally thousands of lives of those who suffer with depression. Kevin stands in proxy for the unheard voices of a hurting generation of those who secretly hide behind a wall of confusion and shame. He is available for speaking engagements. For booking info you can email his foundation at kcberthia8@gmail.com or you can call 510-414-8662. If you or anyone you know suffers from depression and has suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

World

No Tobacco Day

Every year, on 31 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. www.who.int S PRI NG 2 0 1 9

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DID YOU KNOW? | CENSUS 2020

STATE LEADERS KICK OFF $100.3M CENSUS PUSH WITH CALL TO ETHNIC MEDIA, CBOS TO HELP GET WORD OUT By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

southeastern Los Angeles. “The Census is coming and it’s important. We all need to use our good reputations to remind everyone in every community to participate.” AN UNDERCOUNT IN

alifornia isn’t playing around in its effort to avoid an undercount in the 2020 CALIFORNIA IN 2020 COULD Census. MEAN THE LOSS OF ONE SEAT

California Calls joined 13 other local community groups from across the state in the $4 million partnership with CCC. They are tasked with reaching out to ethnic minorities and other hard-to-count groups to ensure maximum participation.

IN THE US CONGRESS... THE That determination was clear April 2 when 2020 CENSUS WILL SHAPE the California Complete Count (CCC) office CALIFORNIA’S FUTURE FOR assembled a mixed group of stakeholders THE NEXT DECADE – advocates, state officials, legislative leaders and community members - to kick The US Census has always undercounted African off an anticipated $154 million statewide public Americans and the reasons are mostly economic. information campaign. The event was held exactly one Correctly counting all the individuals in households with year away from Census Day 2020. multiple or multigenerational families called “sub families” is a “California is determined to ensure we achieve a complete major factor. Other variables like families without permanent census count. We’ve started early and are committing more housing, incarceration, homelessness, homes without broadband resources than any other state on a robust outreach and subscriptions and low literacy can all come into play. engagement effort to reach all Californians,” said Ditas Katague, During the last national survey in 2010 alone, US Census field Director, California Complete Count – Census 2020. “Our representatives missed nearly 800,000 Blacks across the country collaborative partnerships throughout the state will make a and overlooked roughly 7 percent of all Black children. Other difference in 2020, which may be the most difficult Census count racial and ethnic minorities have been similarly undercounted as yet for California.” well. To reach the high mark its setting for itself, the CCC is “I represent one of the most undercounted census districts in encouraging ethnic media, community based organizations and California,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones Sawyer (D-Los other groups they are calling “trusted messengers” to apply for Angeles). “It is imperative that we work to change the chronic bids in a third round of funding as it finalizes its Census 2020 undercounting of my district and many other disadvantaged communication push. The office says the new contracts will be communities throughout the state.” funded from a $22.9 million pot allotted to designated groups called Administrative Community Based Organizations in 10 regions of the state. The second source of funding, $26.6 million, will be channeled through county administrations. So far, the state has invested $100.3 million to support its overall Census outreach. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed an additional $54 million in the 2019-2020 budget. Last month, during its second round of funding, CCC announced it selected California Calls, an LA-based community organization comprised of 31 local grassroots groups, to lead its AfricanAmerican outreach ahead of next year’s national Census. “My district and California as a whole have some of the hardest to count populations in the country, but we’re going to make sure everyone counts,” said Speaker of the California State Assembly Anthony Rendon who represents an electoral area in | 2 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

On March 29, CCC held a bidders’ conference in Sacramento to share information about the state’s Census 2020 priorities, the proposal process, application requirements and project deliverables with interested contractors and sub-contractors. People who attended could show up in person or patch in through a teleconference line. CCC told interested organizations to submit strategic plans by May 2019. Their proposals should include details of how they would spread the word about the 2020 decennial to the leastlikely-to-respond people in the state and lay out the ways they would motivate them to participate. Regina Brown Wilson, executive director of California Black Media, says she is encouraged by the steps the governor’s office is taking to address the “solvable” undercount problem.

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DID YOU KNOW? | CENSUS 2020

Regional 2020 Census Funding

REGION 1 – Superior Coast TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$3,306,158 REGION 2 – North Coast TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$791,220 United Way of the Wine Country ACBO FUNDING: $266,220

Sacramento Region Community Foundation ACBO FUNDING: $1,296,675

REGION 4 – Northern San Joaquin Valley

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$2,009,483

$2,585,649

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

Faith in Action Network ACBO FUNDING: $1,119,960

$525,000

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$1,465,689

REGION 3 – San Francisco Bay Area TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$6,003,997

REGION 6 – Southern San Joaquin Valley TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

United Way of the Bay Area ACBO FUNDING: $2,813,670

$5,025,145 Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Project Management ACBO FUNDING: $2,382,210

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$3,190,327

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$2,642,935

REGION 7 – Inland Empire

REGION 5 – Central Coast

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$5,118,834

$2,447,025

The Community Foundation ACBO FUNDING: $2,425,815

Ventura County Community Foundation ACBO FUNDING: $1,115,370

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$2,693,019

$1,331,655

REGION 8 - Los Angeles County

REGION 10 – San Diego - Imerial

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$17,864,755 California Community Foundation ACBO FUNDING: $8,461,665 COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$9,403,090

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

REGION 9 – Orange County

$3,515,955

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT:

$2,957,764

United Way of San Diego County ACBO FUNDING: $1,666,170

Charitable Ventures of Orange County ACBO FUNDING: $1,402,245

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$1,849,785

COMBINED COUNTIES FUNDING:

$1,555,519

“We Black community leaders and media professionals - are committed,” she said. “We are looking ahead and we are ready to do everything on the front-end, with all the tools that we have available to us, to prevent yet another undercount in the 2020 Census.” Inaccurate Census counts can lead to billions lost in federal funding for states. Those decreases can be far-reaching in disadvantaged communities that need the cash for things like social programs, infrastructure or schools. The number of Representatives a state is allotted in the US Congress is also determined by the Census count. An undercount in California in 2020 could mean the loss of one seat in the US Congress. The state has the largest population in the United States and the highest number of seats - 53 – in the United States House of Representatives. “The 2020 Census will shape California’s future for the next decade,” said Assemblymember Marc Berman, chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Census. “California is a big, bold, beautiful, diverse state – and because of that, we’re also the hardest to count in the country.”

groups - immigrants and young, usually poor, unmarried women with children of all races - are overlooked the most. The 10 regional administrative community foundations that the CCC announced at its quarterly meeting March 12 will be tasked with working with the local County Complete Count Committees, local community-based and grassroots organizations to help and get the word out. Here’s a list of those foundations and regions: 1. Sacramento Region Community Foundation 2. United Way of the Wine Country 3. United Way of the Bay Area 4. Faith in Action Network 5. Ventura County Community Foundation 6. Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Project Management 7. The Community Foundation 8. California Community Foundation 9. Charitable Ventures of Orange County 10. United Way of San Diego n For more info go to: census.ca.gov/funding/

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GOSPEL SUPERSTAR

CARVIN WINANS

RELEASES FIRST SOLO ALBUM — AND IT’S AN R & B RECORD! By Michael P Coleman

ince The Winans’ debut album in 1981, members of the gospel dynasty have always been masters of the element of surprise. From duets with R & B’s Anita Baker, pop’s Michael McDonald, and even country music’s Ricky Van Shelton, Carvin Winans and his brothers always pushed the envelope.

Over the decades, Carvin watched family members, including Marvin, Ronald, & Michael from The Winans, as well as BeBe & CeCe, Daniel, Angie & Debbie, Mom & Pop, and even in-law Vickie release solo projects. Carvin, meanwhile, supported The Winans’ music while establishing himself as a sought-after songwriter. (He penned Regina Belle’s No. 1 hit “Make It Like It Was” in 1990.)

played at weddings for years.

“When I wrote “Make It Like It Was,” I wasn’t really praying and going to church like I had done in years past,” the 61 year old legend EXCLUSIVELY told me by phone from his home in Toronto.. “I said ‘God, you have to change my mind. Make it like it used to be.’ “

“I would look at In The Softest Way as an Urban Contemporary record, but even more as just Carvin Winans’ music,” Winans said. “It’s the journey of Carvin, and it’s ALL of me. It’s all of what I had bound up inside.”

That startling transparency and candor is inherent in every song on the exceptional new album In The Softest Way. The family’s envelop pushing continues: it’s a straight up R & B record. The album’s more suited for Saturday night at the club than Sunday morning worship service. If I were Bruno Mars, I’d be looking over my shoulder. Among the new album’s highlights are the title track (which features Kenny G on saxophone), “Just Wait,” “A Little Love,” and “You Blow My Mind”, a gorgeous declaration of love that Winans wrote for his wife, Chérie, and should be | 2 2 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

And then there’s the song that made fellow gospel legend Fred Hammond cry, “If You Only Knew My Heart,” featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. Check out the song’s opening lyrics: “If you only knew my heart / It would tell you more about me…”

“I loved recording with my brothers, but it was great to not have to turn around and say ‘What do you think? Do you think that will work?’ With this new album, I experienced freedom in the studio.” n Carvin Winans’ In Softest Way is available at all major digital outlets. Go to sacculturalhub.com and search “Carvin Winans” for more of MPC’s EXCLUSIVE talk with Carvin, including his take on what took him so long to go solo. Connect with freelance writer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman. com, check out his blog at michaelpcoleman.Wordpress.com, or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP

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DID YOU KNOW?

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? MADISON MCPEARSON By Donna Michele Ramos THE HUB: When did you graduate from high school? McPhearson: I graduated in 2014. THE HUB: Where did you attend high school? McPhearson: I went to Bradshaw Christian High School. THE HUB: What were your feelings when you received your $500 scholarship for your essay, “What Makes an Exceptional Woman of Color”?

Madison McPearson received the Young Exceptional Women of Color (Y-EWOC) scholarship award four years ago. We caught up with her to see where she is now.

McPhearson: Honestly, I was shocked. I thought it was a good essay. I was proud of myself for getting that one. I went to a predominantly white high school, so I was shedding light on myself and as a woman of color it made me feel valued. I also got another scholarship that year or the next year. THE HUB: Where did you decide to go for college? What was your major? What stuck with you the most about college life?

McPhearson: I transferred four times so I didn’t start at the college I graduated from. I started at San Diego State then transferred to Cosumnes Community College. After that I went online at Grand Canyon University and finally William Jessup University, which was a big blessing. I kept getting told one year of my credit wouldn’t transfer. I was feeling defeated; I wondered should I take a break? But I went to William Jessup and they accepted most of my credits. But I never give up, I wanted it badly. My major was Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis. I graduated with honors. THE HUB: Have you started working in your desired field yet? McPhearson: I was during school. I wanted to get into marketing so I got a marketing internship in Sacramento. I was passionate about it. Now in San Diego I work at two restaurants. They’re not my dream job but they are giving me projects to do. Certain days are theme days, I plan holiday events, team building and outreach. I am feeling

fulfilled because they are allowing me to do things I love. I am going back to school for my master’s degree. THE HUB: Did you move to San Diego for a job opportunity? McPhearson: I fell in love with San Diego even though my time in school here was brief. I have always lived in Sacramento and I felt it wasn’t where I was going to end up. I kept getting called back to San Diego, so I made a goal to come back after graduation. THE HUB: What are your goals for the next five years? McPhearson: I plan to own a business. I don’t know what type of business yet but I know I want to be in charge. I want to get my masters from Stanford, pay off student debt and be financially stable. THE HUB: What is your advice to high school students? McPhearson: To be tenacious and don’t let doors slamming in your face stop you. Cut yourself some slack. Life is really hard. During the transitional period between high school and college; it’s ok to mess up as long as you make adjustments. Give yourself room for errors, you are human and you will make mistakes. n

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Son Volunteer Living with depression

Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think. For additional information and resources, go to:

StopStigmaSacramento.org Call 2-1-1 Deaf or Hard of Hearing? Call 7-1-1 to connect to 2-1-1. This program is funded by the Division of Behavioral Health Services through the voter approved Proposition 63, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).

COUNTY PROJECT RAISES AWARENESS AND PROMOTES HOPE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS In Sacramento County, it’s estimated that over 300,000 residents are living with a mental illness. Nationally, approximately one in five adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness during their lifetime. However, with education, support and treatment, people can—and do—recover and live fulfilling lives. Despite progress made over the years, stigma is one of the largest obstacles to recovery and it prevents many within the Black community from seeking treatment for mental illness. Mental illness impacts every ethnic, racial, cultural, economic, religious and age group, and according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health issues. According to a Mental Health America (MHA) report, over 6.8 million Americans who identify as Black or African American had a diagnosable mental illness in the previous year. Research shows that African Americans believe mild depression or anxiety would be considered “crazy” in their social circles. Furthermore, many believe that discussions about mental illness would not be acceptable even among family.

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“My mother is Irish, and my father was African American. In both cultures, mental health problems weren’t openly discussed,” said Lenaea Sanders, a member of the Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau who lives with bipolar disorder. Only one-third of individuals with diagnosable mental health issues seek professional help, primarily due to stigma and discrimination. Mental illness, just like any other health condition, is treatable, and recovery is possible when education and treatment is available, along with family, peer and community support. “Whether or not your mental health story has to do with someone else’s experience, by simply listening to their story, you’re allowing the conversation to take place and helping someone else not feel alone,” said Sanders. “If someone you know seems to be struggling, reach out often and carefully. Let your loved one know it can be different and that you are ready to listen.” Nearly seven years ago, Sacramento County initiated the “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think” project which aims to reduce stigma and discrimination, promote health and wellness, and inspire hope for people and families living with mental illness. continued

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WERE YOU THERE? Support the efforts of the project and help build understanding and hope within our community for those living with mental illness, and their loved ones. There are several other ways to help reduce stigma and get involved with the project: •

Show support for those living with mental illness and add a personal message of hope and understanding to the virtual Wall of Hope at www.stopstigmasacramento.org/wallofhope.

•

Share personal stories of hope and recovery to help stop stigma and discrimination toward people and families living with mental illness.

•

Invite one of the compelling speakers of the Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau to share their personal stories of hope and inspiration at an upcoming event or consider becoming a speaker yourself.

•

Join the “Mental Illness: it’s not always what you think” project at Raley Field on May 24 in recognition of Mental Health Month! Visit www.StopStigmaSacramento.org or search “Stop Stigma Sacramento” on Facebook and Twitter to purchase tickets in support of the project’s efforts to reduce stigma.

• For more information on the “Mental Illness: it’s not always what you think” project and upcoming events and announcements, please visit www.StopStigmaSacramento.org or search “Stop Stigma Sacramento” on Facebook and Twitter. This program is funded by the Sacramento County, Division of Behavioral Health Services, through the voter approved Proposition 63, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)

AB 392: POLICE USE OF FORCE BILL PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE 5-2 Hundreds gathered with folks coming in on buses from Los Angeles to give testimony at the hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9th as to why AB 392 should be passed. The bill was authored by Assemblymembers Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) which would allow police to only use deadly force only when it was deemed “necessary” rather than “reasonable”. The bills author, Assemblywoman Shirly Weber explained the bill is aimed at saving lives and would prevent “unnecessary deaths” by law enforcement. The bills goal is to push officers to rely on deescalation techniques. Learn more about AB 392 at: www.aclusocal.org/en/ acttosavelives n S PRI NG 2 0 1 9

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WERE YOU THERE? | NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

MARCH 30 | DOLBY THEATER | HOLLYWOOD, CA NAACPIMAGEAWARDS.NET

Congratulations!

e d y S e ri e s ss in a C o m e tr c A g in (A B C ) O u ts ta n d s , B la c k -i sh s o R is ll E Tra c e e

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Omari Hardwick – Power (Starz)

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arvel S t u d io s

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WERE YOU THERE? | NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

Mike Epps

Regina Hall

Victoria Rowell

Yara Shahidi

Michael B. Jordan

Sanaa Lathan

Lynn Whitfield

Lupita Nyong’o

Major

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2ND ANNUAL

BLACK JOY PARADE IN OAKLAND Thousands of beautiful faces gathered to celebrate the 2nd Annual Black Joy Parade on Sunday, February 24 in Downtown Oakland for a community festival that included a contest, dozens of vendors, a spectacular parade showcasing a diverse range of groups, from dance troupes to motorcycle crews, book clubs to social service organizations, and luxury corvettes to local politicians. Activities and entertainment also included: a kids’ zone, spoken word and dance performances and a concert featuring T-Pain, The Onyx, Leikeli47 and more.

Hundreds Unit

CONGRATS to the 4 winners of the first ever Best in Flow award. Each received $2,500 to go towards further sharing what brings them joy. Winners included: •

Best Overall: Hundreds Unit

•

Best Outfit: Heat Danceline

•

Best Ride: The Original Scraper Bike Team

•

Best Choreography: New Style Motherlode International Heat Danceline

New Style Motherlode International

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The Original Scraper Bike Team

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blackjoyparade.org Photocredits: • facebook.com/BlackJoyParade • facebook.com/KashKoncepts • facebook.com/everythingnatasha • facebook.com/p.m.alston • facebook.com/twlia.laster • facebook.com/profile. php?id=1068456858 (Miz Deb)

WERE YOU THERE? | BLACK JOY PARADE

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WERE YOU THERE? | BLACK JOY PARADE

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Next showcase: July 2019

FASHION WEEK EVENT POWERED BY

THE MODEL EXPERIENCE (TME) MAR 7-10TH @ LA CONVENTION CENTER Hosted by Diandra Barnwell and Dijon Talton + special guest appearance by Rio Summers of America’s Next Top Model. A showcase for emerging brands, up and coming models, and designers with back to back fashion shows.

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instagram.com/themodelexperience themodelexperience.net

WERE YOU THERE? | FASHION WEEK

Actress Meagan Good

Designer Brands on the Runway: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Angelica Curtis Anit Cuts B James Born2Lead Daddy’s Girl Dollpieces Elois Mbemba Emichi High Fasheen House of Muse Humble Hustler Jessica Rich Josway Collection Junkie Boutique

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lordvan Couture Lorenz Couture Mariposa official Mill’Brox Ny-Fecta Red Lightning Couture Reine Collection Rich Addicition Rip’D Collection Shun Style Styled by Yvonne Styled by Yvonne Ximena Valero

Hosts: Diandra Barnwell and Dijon Talton

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SUPERMODEL TYRA SIMONE AT 15 IN 2019 SAC FASHION WEEK by Chief Editor, Pleshette Robertson

’ve known little Tyra Simone since she was a baby and now to see her all grown up to be a tall, BEAUTIFUL young lady on the runway in the 2019 Sac Fashion Week just blew me away. When I saw Tyra’s photo on facebook in March, I had to reach out to her mom, Latrice to ask if we could include a feature story. Tyra is a freshman at Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove where she was the only freshman on the varsity cheerleading squad. She is on the JDF Competition Dance Squad where her older cousin, Jay Robinson, is the lead choreographer who is part of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Tyra enjoys dancing, doing hair and makeup, modeling, and making videos with her cousins and is a proud big sister to her 3-year-old sister Taylor. Her mom states that she is so versatile and talented at many things. She has many awards for being a star athlete in basketball, soccer, and track. She loves watching Food Network, specifically the show ‘Chopped.’ She will attempt to make cuisine dishes and try different types of entrees. THE HUB: How did Tyra come to participate in the 2019 Sac Fashion Week? Latrice (Tyra’s mom): Earlier this year, Tyra was blessed to meet Stylist & Fashion Show Producer Mario “MarioB” Benton of MarioB Productions. MarioB, is a San Francisco native who lives in Sacramento. After meeting Tyra at one of his modeling classes offered in South Sacramento, he instantly invited Tyra to join his ‘Say it Loud 70s Afro Funk’ fashion show tour held in Oakland, Sacramento, and in San Francisco at the United Airlines Black History Program. MarioB provided Tyra the opportunity to model Zenzele fashions by Sacramento Designer Zenzele Nuru in the Sacramento Fashion Week Designer Showcase. Tyra has talked about modeling for the past two or three years, but decided to pursue modeling at the end of 2018. Tyra’s goal is to model for Paris Fashion Week. Tyra often shares how she would love to have her own beauty salon. She loves to look beautiful and rock runways, but always enjoys using her talents to help others feel beautiful with a new hairdo and makeup. She is hilarious and a bright student. She loves God and understands He gifted her with a bigger purpose than what lies on the surface. To see more about Sac Fashion Week, go to: sacfashionweek.net

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Why support

SB 188: THE CROWN ACT DID YOU KNOW that Senator Holly Mitchell is the author of SB 188 which aims to “Creating Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair” (the CROWN act) by clarifying that traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, should be protected in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This bill “frees” and liberates Black women so the focus can and will be work and knowledge based advancement. The Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) fully supports this caring and sensitive legislation which impacts nearly 100% of the working population of Black women. BAPAC Sacramento Chapter in Partnership with the National Council of Negro Women presented the “Womens Crown Event” celebrating Women’s National History Month and beautiful Black women hairstyles. This special event include a fashion and hair showcase featuring GOS Art Wear. BAPAC Sacramento also presented the Black Women in Leadership Awards to Genoa Barrow with the Sacramento Observer Newspaper and Allegra Taylor with the Black Youth Leadership Project. To join BAPAC and or more info on how to support and promote legislation, call (916) 670-2984 or go to: bapacsac.org See more on “Why support SB 188” at: http://greenlining.org/ blog/2019/why-i-support-sb-188/

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IN EVERY ISSUE | MICHAEL’S MIND’S EYE

SOMETHING CLICKED. I’M DOWN OVER 30 POUNDS…AND COUNTING! By Contributing Writer, Michael P Coleman About a year and a half ago, decades of not caring much about myself caught up with me. I found myself in my doctor’s office taking in the bad news: Doctor Joel BonillaLarson prescribed two medications to control upward trends in blood pressure and cholesterol. As both maladies run in my family, a part of me wasn’t surprised. A larger part of me felt defeated. But in the midst of my sadness, something clicked. I didn’t have to stay “that guy.”

I started logging my food intake using an app on my iPhone. If I could pull that phone out several times a day to check Facebook, I could log my meals for a week so I could get a handle on how many calories I was taking in. I was shocked to learn that my beloved Popeyes lunch was over 1/2 of my recommended daily caloric intake. From there, I started making better food choices and downsizing portions of what I did eat. I also committed to a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio a day, five days a week. I also swapped out Jack Daniels for red wine. But the most important change I made? Today, whatever I choose to eat, I only do so when I’m hungry. Imagine that: food is fuel, not solely a source of enjoyment or something to mask something else.

You may question the “not caring much about myself” line, but that’s how I feel about it. People who subsist primarily on fast food, as I once did, don’t care much about themselves. Or their spouses. Or their children and grandchildren.

As I write this, I’m down to 195 pounds, 10 pounds lighter than the goal weight my doctor gave me that day. Mindful eating and regular exercise have been my paths to success. If I want a hamburger every once in awhile, I have one, but I skip the cheese, swap out mayo for mustard, and I share the fries with somebody if I can’t leave them alone altogether.

At the very least, they don’t care enough about themselves to turn away from the drive thru window. And as a colleague reminded me just the other day, you reap what you sow. As I listened to my doctor’s recommendations, my mind flashed back to the day we cremated my father’s body in 2002. Dad was only 64 years old when he died, having succumbed to his love of vodka and Phillip Morris cigarettes.

I also make sure to add a few extra minutes to my daily cardio the next morning, and make sure that meals the next day skew toward the healthier side.

The vices that threatened my continued existence were whiskey and fried chicken. My relationships with Jack Daniels and Popeyes were strong, and they were deep. But THAT day, something clicked. I began to think about the things I was mistakenly calling “food,” and the volume of them that I was shoveling into my mouth on a daily basis. I couldn’t remember when I’d really committed to getting my heart rate up. And as I drove my 229 pound ass to Walgreen’s later that day to pick up doses of Lisinopril and Atorvastatin, I vowed that I wasn’t going to follow my father down a road to an early grave if I could help it. | 4 0 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E

And the payoff isn’t just the weight: both my blood pressure and cholesterol are now under control. Both med dosages have been sharply reduced, and I’m planning to come off of both of them later this year. And as you can probably imagine, I feel fantastic! You can do it, too. See you at the gym — NOT at the drive-thru window! n Connect with freelance writer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com, read his blog at michaelpcoleman. Wordpress.com, follow him on Twitter at @ColemanMichaelP — and look for his first book early next year!

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Spring & Summer

HAIR CARE

Tracy Brown Professional Hair Stylist and Co-Owner of Another Look Hair Salon (916) 688-7704

With the chill of winter in the past and the sunny days of spring & summer ahead, you may be thinking about how you can change your look. The first step to getting your hair ready for a new spring hair care regime, is a much needed trim! As a result of the harsh winter climate, our locks have a good chance of being left dull, dry and lifeless. Therefore, a simple trim to get rid of those dry & split ends will get your hair healthy and ready for summer. Summer is all about sun, beach and happiness - but your hair can be affected by humidity, heat and dry wind. Advice on how to get healthy hair... the sun can be brutal on hair, especially hair that already has a tendency toward dryness. Be proactive about your hair care, Try these hair-saving tips during the summer and your hair will look just as gorgeous (or better) at the end of the season. Cut Back on Heat Styling If you use any of these tools daily or almost daily, blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons and hot combs can all cause dryness. Too much heat is damaging, cut back to no more than once a week. Experiment with twist sets, wraps, and wash-N-go instead. If you can cut out all heat styling, your hair will recover much more quickly. Plus, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get to explore gentler options in styling that you might not have tried before. Protect Your Hair at Night In addition to wearing protective styles during the day, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to protect your hair at night while you sleep. Satin caps and silk or satin pillowcases are much gentler on hair than cotton pillowcases or scarves. Your hair glides against silky fabrics while it clings to cotton. Plus, cotton sucks moisture out of your hair, leading to, you guessed it, dryness.

HYDRATE YOUR HAIR Smoothie with PRO-Vitamin B5 Leave-in Conditioner by TRU-Balance hair Care provides sunscreen protection, instant detangling and moisture.

www.anotherlookhairsalon.com Book your appointment now 916-688-7704

Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation: Building a Community of Leaders EDUCATE..PROMOTE..INSPIRE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS & REMEMBER US! BIG DAY OF GIVING May 2, 2019 | #BDoG2019

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MAKING AN ADVANCE COMMITMENT IS EASY:

1. Donations can be contributed online at: www. sacculturalhub.com/media-foundation 2. Mail in your donation by check payment (payable to: Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation) to: 7902 Gerber Road, Unit 367, Sacramento, CA 95828 3. Call us with your commitment at (916) 234-3589.

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Your child’s imagination is the gateway to their dreams, aspirations and life goals.

At Fortune School, our goal is to ignite our scholars imaginations by exposing them to books that foster a love for reading. We’re encouraging Sacramento families with school-aged children to explore the wonders of reading at home. Join the movement! We hope you will share a picture of you and your scholar reading together at #fortunereads. We’re currently enrolling students for Fall 2019. To learn more visit www.fortuneschool.us/rsvp/ to sign-up to attend an enrollment meeting. S PRI NG 2 0 1 9

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THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO

For more events in Sacramento & beyond, go to www.sacculturalhub.com and list your event for free online. | M AY | MOTOWN ON THE ROOFTOP MAY 2 5 PM TO 11 PM BellaVista Rooftop & Events, 110 N. El Dorado Street in Stockton. facebook.com/bellavistacucina MEET YOUR ENTREPRENEUR MIXER MAY 3 FROM 5 PM TO 8 PM JB’s Lounge & Grill, 9777 Lincoln Village Drive in Sacramento. For more info go to: Blacksacecon.org KENNY LATTIMORE & THE ERIC REED TRIO MAY 3 8:30 PM Blue Note Napa, 1030 Main Street in Napa. ticketweb.com CONCERTS IN THE PARK - 28TH SEASON MAY 3 – JULY 26 5 PM TO 9 PM

Cesar Chavez Plaza in Downtown Sacramento. www.downtownsac.org SUPER SLOW JAMS CONCERT FEATURING THE TEMPTATIONS MAY 4 5 PM TO 11 PM Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, 525 North Center Street. facebook.com/rdaent

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SET-IT-OFF SUNDAY MAY 5 12 PM TO 2 PM Classy Hippie Tea Co., 3226-A Broadway in Oak Park - Sacramento. Hosted by the Princess Book Club. facebook.com/ReadBooksLearn COMEDIAN KOUNTRY WAYNE MAY 10 7:30 PM

Tommy T’s Comedy Club 5104 Hopyard Road in Pleasanton. tommyts.com

2019 KOMEN SACRAMENTO VALLEY RACE FOR CURE MAY 11 Race Day registration at 7:30 am and race starts at 9 am. komennccalifornia.org ACCLAIMED R&B/SOUL SINGERSONGWRITER, LEELA JAMES, PERFORMING LIVE MAY 17 8 PM

Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland. yoshis.com SHERYL UNDERWOOD MAY 18 9:45 PM

Tommy T’s Comedy Club 5104 Hopyard Road in Pleasanton. tommyts.com

48TH ANNUAL BLACK FAMILY DAY MAY 18 11 AM TO 5 PM Don’t miss the 48th Annual Black Family Day event held at UC Davis East Quad. Activities include: music, performances, food, children’s fair, jumper, games and more. For more info contact Ian Zamora at (530) 752-7032 or https://ccc.ucdavis. edu/events/2019bfd 6TH ANNUAL SACRAMENTO BLACK BOOK FAIR MAY 31 – JUNE 1

Historic Center of Oak Park headquarters for check-in at Women’s Civic Improvement Club, 3555 3rd Ave in Sacramento. For more info on schedule of activites and events held at several sites in Oak Park, go to sacramentoblackbookfair.com

| JUNE

TAHOE BREWFEST JUNE 1 12:00-4:00 PM Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe. tahoebrewfest.com V101’S SUMMER JAM HAMMER’S HOUSE PARTY JUNE 8 6 PM TO 10 PM Thunder Valley Outdoor

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Amphitheatre, 1200 Athens Ave in Lincoln. worldonepresents.com/ | ONGOING | OPEN MIC AT MAHOGANY URBAN POETRY SERIES every Wednesday night inside Queen Sheba Restaurant located at 1704 Broadway in Midtown Sacramento (at 17th and Broadway). (916) 446-1223 BOOK SIGNINGS, LECTURES, ART EXHIBITS, AND POETRY/ SPOKENWORD EVENTS AT UNDERGROUND BOOKS, 2814 35th Street in Oak Park, Sacramento. (916) 737-3333 or underground-books.com ART EXHIBITS, OPEN MIC POETRY, WORKSHOPS at Brick House Gallery, 2837 36th Street in Oak Park Sacramento. (916) 475-1240 or thebrickhousegallery.net SACRAMENTO AFRICAN AMERICAN MARKET PLACE on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the Month located at 2251 Florin Road (nearest cross street is 24th) in South Sacramento – open from 10 am to 5 pm. For more info go to facebook.com/SacramentoAMP or call (916) 730-6386.

ADVERTISER INDEX OF HUB PARTNERS ANOTHER LOOK HAIR SALON www.anotherlookhairsalon.com

MONDAVI CENTER AT UC DAVIS www.mondaviarts.org

CALIFORNIA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY www.calhfa.ca.gov/hub.htm

SACRAMENTO COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES www.dhhs.saccounty.net/CPS

COLEMAN COMMUNICATIONS www.michaelpcoleman.com

SACRAMENTO COUNTY DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES www.StopStigmaSacramento.org

CROCKER ART MUSEUM www.crockerartmuseum.org CRYSTAL’S HAIR SALON 916.549.8972 DOUBLE TAKE HAIR GALLERY www.facebook.com/tavia.jenkins DR. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS FAMILY LIFE CENTER www.flcsac.org FORTUNE SCHOOL www.fortuneschooL.us GOT MUSCLE HEALTH CLUB www.got-muscle.com HAIR BY MS. CHERRY (916) 549-9276 JAMES THE BARBER & STYLIST (916) 514-2539 MIXED INSTITUTE OF COSMETOLOGY www.mix-ed.com

SANDRA DEE’S BBQ & SEAFOOD www.sandradeesbbq.com TERRY SPEED, D.D.S. www.terrispeeddds.com THE GOSPEL VINE www.thegospelvine.com THE SOL PROJECT: SAVING OUR LEGACY, AFRICAN AMERICANS FOR SMOKE-FREE SAFE PLACES www.thesolproject.com UC DAVIS firstgen.ucdavis.edu UC DAVIS HEALTH ChooseHealth.ucdavis.edu UC DAVIS OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS http://occr.ucdavis.edu

To advertise in THE HUB Magazine, e-mail contact@sacculturalhub.com or call (916) 234-3589

May is Mental Health Awareness Month Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the rest of the country are raising awareness of mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.

www.nami.org/mentalhealthmonth

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To advertise your business in THE HUB Magazine, call 916-234-3589 or e-mail advertise@sacculturalhub.com.

Crystal’s Hair Salon Specializing in extensions, precision cut, color, natural hair, relaxer, silk press.

Contact Salon Owner and Sacramento’s SILK Press Queen/Stylist

Relaxer Weave/Bonding Straightening Cut & Colour Braids & Twists Natural Hair

CRYSTAL WHITEHEAD @hair_by_crystal

Another Look Hair Salon 7826 Alta Valley Drive Sacramento, CA 95823

AnotherLookHairSalon.com

Schedule an appointment today!

(916) 688-7704

916.549.8972

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916.451.4600

1007 12th Street Sacramento, CA 95814

Hollywood!

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The Tavia Jenkins Experience

Specializing in new urban cuts, colors and natural hairstyles

@taviajenkins

W W W. D O U B L E TA K E G A L L E RY. C O M

C O N TA C T B R A N D N E W J A M E S , H A I R S T Y L I S T & B A R B E R NEIHULE SALON 1 7 4 S D E L A C E Y AV E N U E , PA S A D E N A , C A 9 1 1 0 5

MOBILE: 352.497.5763 | SALON: 626.793.7745|

@BRANDNEWJAMES

THIS IS WHO WE ARE. Nouh Tekle ’19 Sociology, Law and Society emphasis Transfer from College of Alameda Oakland, California I am the first generation in my family to pursue higher education. I found my UC Davis community at the Center for African Diaspora Student Success, which provides a space for students to study and socialize with each other. Academics at UC Davis are challenging, but the university’s support systems are helping me succeed.

GET TO KNOW NOUH’S UC DAVIS COMMUNITY. cadss.ucdavis.edu

firstgen.ucdavis.edu