9:36 Magazine February Issue

9:36 M A G A Z I N E

FEBRUARY 2O24

Speak Up!!!

What does unconditional love mean TO YOU?

MODEL OF THE MONTH:

WHO IS DEVAYAS CRUCIAL? LOVE THYSELF WITH ROMI DARLING Artist of the Month: Dawn Marquis Snaps: Poetry Corner De Marie

LOQUACIOUS CONVERSATIONS FEATURING: COMEDIAN

STEVE BROWN

LOOK INSIDE FOR MORE...

9:36

Editor’s Note Welcome to 9:36 Magazine! I am so excited to present this publication that is for you to you! I have been asked, “Why 9:36?“...well, the name Dorcas is a Biblical name. It‘s found in Acts 9:36.

She was a woman with a heart for the people. So am I. This first publication is solely for entertainment. Future publications will be entertaining but, they will also include what concerns our country and our communities. The 9:36 team welcomes fresh ideas and input from its audience.

This is your magazine!

Happy reading!

Dorcas Britford 9:36 Magazine Chief Editor Dorcas Britford Photo Credits: Dion Irby/ DiPhotography

9:36

CONTENTS 18 Boss Kids: Youth Entrepreneur of the Month

21 Model of the Month: Who is Devayas Crucial?

Pg.7

24 New Artist Alert: Dawn Marquis

Photo Credits:: Gazelle Productionss

1 Editor's Note 4 Bosses Entrepreneur of the Month 14 SPEAK ON IT!: What does unconditional love mean to you?

15 Snaps:Poetry Corner Dear Little Black Girl

by De Marie 20 Love Thyself Romi Darling

7 Loquacious Conversations 9:36 has a “heart to heart” with comedian Steve Brown 9:36 MAGAZINE

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Hi Devayas, could you share a bit about your background and where you’re from?

My name is Devayas Campbell, but I go by Crucial. It was my childhood nickname. I’m from Defernick Springs, Florida, a small town near Panama and Tallahassee. I moved to Tuscaloosa in 1997 with my mom, my sister, and my brother. We struggled for a little while.

You know, moving from place to place. But we eventual found a permanent home in Northport, Al. What inspired you to pursue a career in modeling, and how did you get started?

In high school, people said I could be a model because I had nice hair and looked like a pretty boy. I didn’t wanna be a pretty boy and I thought model was too “soft”. I was more into acting and entertainment. My brother and I pretty much only had each other to play with so we would watch TV and mimic the actors for fun. It’s funny that even though I wanted to act, I was super shy at first. Around age 15 or 16 that shyness went away, and I took an acting class, but no big opportunities came from it. I started modeling at age 23. I was wishing a friend good luck on Facebook and the woman who was in charge of the David’s Bridal fashion show saw my picture.

She asked me to come in and get fitted for a tux so I could be in the show too. I was hesitant but, I went. It took off from there.

How do you prioritize and maintain a positive relationship with yourself when it comes to self-love and the competitive world of modeling?

Growing up, I had low self-esteem. I really struggled with selflove. I was in a single parent household, and I felt like I needed a consistent male figure in my life to show me how to love myself. As I got older, I became more in tune with myself. My mom didn’t take us to church all the time, but she taught us about God. I’m a spiritual man. I meditate and I write down my thoughts and feelings. I used to write to myself daily, “I MATTER. I LOVE MYSELF.” You know, growing up a black man, we aren’t allowed to be emotional. We gotta toughen up. I had to learn that it is okay to communicate what I am feeling.

Loving yourself is crucial and what you think and feel is what you will attract. I want to attract confidence and love.

Any specific milestones or achievements you aim for in the next year or two?

I aim to reach a million dollars and hopefully do my first movie next year. Hitting Men’s Health Magazine is also a goal, and I am scheduled to be in a Ricky Smiley project in the spring. I just gotta be patient.

How do you work on improving yourself professionally and personally?

I strive to be the best version of myself for my nephew, who is autistic. My sister, his mom, passed and I am raising him.

Having him in my life helped me cope with her death. I want to be a positive male figure and a good role model for him. I also like helping others. It makes me feel better about myself when I do something for someone else. I kinda get a rush from it. Reflecting on my actions daily helps me to stay grounded and to improve, so every night, before I go to sleep, I asked myself, “Devayas, did you do the right thing today?”

What’s next for Devayas Crucial?

A better future. I’m focused on building a better future for myself and my nephew.

The ladies are gonna want to know: Is Devayas Crucial single?

(He laughed) Not quite. I’m currently dating someone. We have actually been dating for about a year. I would like to see where it goes.

So you’re off the market?

Mmmmm…yeah. I’m not going to play with anyone’s feelings so I am off the market.

936 sidenote: Devayas Crucial is clearly a rare type of man.

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