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The Second Act with Keith Bossier Called one of Los Angele’s best actors, Keith Bossier talks with AMPS
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Gun Control a “Black Issue”
Instead of sitting back waiting to be told what will happen, Blacks need to be vocal about gun laws.
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To Be or Not To Be ... Healthy That Is
Eating healthy is not something to do, it is a way of life that many need.
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Scola Dinero Quiet Money
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Mission Driven Movement
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With a style of their own hip hop group 832 is on the rise.
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DFW Top 5
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Around DFW
Former Dru Hill band member Scola Dinero opens up about his solo career.
Performing for God is rewarding.
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Publisher Connie Morgan
Graphic Design/Layout The BLI Group LLC Dallas, TX
Contributing Writers Logistics Gerald Wright Barry Curtis One Wright Company, LLC Sonja A. Brown
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AMPS Dallas is a franchise of AMPS Magazine, a national publication, with headquarters in Indianapolis, IN. The magazine is published every two months.
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AMPS Corporate 148 E. Market St., Ste. 800 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-426-7790
Editor’s Note/ Taking over a pubiication is never an easy feat, but it is very rewarding. As we embrace 2013, we are ready for the many changes that come along with growing a magazine that is dedicated to the communities in Dallas. Our passion for reporting the news about the communities in and around Dallas is the heartbeat of AMPS Magazine Dallas. We strive to tell the stories about unsung hereos in our community and about artists, be they actors, writers,
musicians or entertainers. With that we know the importance of building alliances with individuals who can and will help us continue our growth. We are proud to partner with The BLI Group LLC of Dallas and others who advertise in our magazine faithfully. You, too, can contribute to our growth and development by advertising or providing articles about our community. For more information about advertising with AMPS Magazine Dallas please reach out to me at connie@ampsmagazine.com or call 214-937-9041. We have amazing advertising opportunities to help you grow your business as well as support the community. You can also subscribe to AMPS Magazine Dallas and get your copy delivered directly to your door. Thank you for your continued support.
Connie Morgan
publisher
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DFW Top 5/ Dallas is talking ... are you listening? These are the top 5 things we are talking about in the BIG D Dallas has a lot to offer and when it comes to local and state news coverage AMPS Magazine Dallas is proud to bring you the top things we are talking about in the community.
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is a native of Dallas. He owns Vision Media, a marketing and PR firm for Christian business owners. Wilson hopes to continue his career and legacy in music as he continues to build Inside Gospel as a nationally recognized syndicated radio show.
Retailers Leaves DFW
1 President’s Inauguration The reelection of President Barack Obama set the nation in motion for another four years of hope and change. More than 1 million gathers watched as the president took the oath for a second term. Obama took his oath to presidency with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Bible on Jan. 21, MLK Day.
2 Extra Extra Elijah Earnhart was denied the right to play peewee league football because he is 6’3, 280lbs at only 13 years old. While Elijah’s story received a lot of attention he remained humble and dedicated to learning more about football. Elijah, a 7th grader, plays football for the Wilkerson Wildcats in Mesquite. He is a straight A student who loves the game of football and hopes to play in the NFL one day. 6
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Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Game Stop, JcPenney, Sears, Office Max, Office Depot, and Radio Shack will be closing an undisclosed number of stores in DFW. The mass store closing, which is the primary income earner of young adults and teens, is a conserted effort to remain open. To combat job loss stores are stocking up on employees and reducing employment hours.
Volleyball Burns
4 Stellar Man Frankie Wilson, Jr. was awarded a Stellar Award in the category of National Radio Show of the Year for his syndicated talk show Inside Gospel. The newcomer to radio won his first award, which is unprecedented because Inside Gospel has only been on the air for less than two years. Wilson is a graduate from Prairie View A&M University and
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Sylonda Burns, PhD, a Dallas native, is the physical education and health department chair and sub-varsity soccer and volleyball coach at DeSoto High School. She assisted with taking her allBlack girls’ volleyball team to a district championship title and state finals for 2012, a first ever for the school. Burns won the Sub-Varsity Volleyball Coach of the Year Award for Class 4A-5A for the State of Texas. She was the only African American to win the award as an assistant coach and one of the three African Americans to receive awards at the banquet. Burns hopes to continue her career in education and currently has no desires to be head coach. She is the proud mother of DeSoto High senior Jeremiah Briscoe.
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THE SECOND ACT OF KEITH BOSSIER
keith bossier/
a Denver native, is best noted for his work as a director, actor, coach, producer, and writer.
But his true passion is acting and he got his acting start during college. At that time, Bossier was the vice president of his college’s Black student union and he petitioned the campus to allow its first Black play Young, Gifted and Black directed by Clyde Richardson in 1992. The play sold out during its run on the campus. Unfortunately, the acting bug didn’t catch Bossier immediately because he was only in California to complete his college education. It was not until he returned to his alma mater seven years later that acting would take center stage. A college friend asked him to perform in her Christmas play. That was his proverbial break because the director of the play was also directing an independent film and asked Bossier to be the lead character. From there, Bossier was hooked on acting and has been acting professionally for the past 13 years.
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I thank God that I have remained humbled through my successes and recognitions.
Bossier was a returning character for the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. Though his time was short, Bossier says he learned a lot from being on the set and attributes God for allowing him to be on an experienced set. He believes it prepared him for his next level of success when one of his rehearsals was filmed in one take and used as the scene for the produced show. “Using a rehearsal performance doesn’t usually happen but it was a sense of accomplishment for me because it was done in one take,” says Bossier. “That day, what we got accomplished, I felt like I belonged.” His acting career has allowed him to be leading man in Denise Dowse’s stage play One Woman, Two Lives, several commercials and supporting actor in various films. He has even been touted as one of the best actors in Los Angeles by a well-established casting director. Bossier, the self-proclaimed loner since his youth, does not give much notice to the accolades he has received or to the naysayers and non-
supporters. He admits that he only focuses on thanking God for the people who have been with him and who have truly been supportive. “I thank God that I have remained humble through my successes and recognitions,” says Bossier. “I know that it’s because of God that I am where I am today so I use that to remain humble because fame is not my goal but rather to be the best I can be with the talents that the Lord has given me.” Early in his life he wrote raps and films and let his friends read them without telling them it was his work to get honest feedback. He was surprised at how they said they were moved by the words. Eventually the feedback from the scripts encouraged him to become a partner in VEL Productions, where he shot his first short film Potter’s Wife, a modern day story from the Bible about Joseph’s accusation from the Potter’s wife. Bossier’s integrity is uncompromising and he often turns down roles that do not align with who he is as an actor. He says that if the content is not right then he will not take the role. Although his recent portrayal of President Barack Obama in a comedy skit drew criticism, Bossier says the role was done in taste. It was a satire role about the what-ifs of Obama in an all-White family with the support of the family except for one person. He has been offered other roles to play the president but he has refused them because of the negative connotations about the president. In 2011, Bossier celebrated another accomplishment and started the All About Acting Workshop International Ministry. He laughs at how long the name is but his mission is to teach others how to perform on stage and in film is not a laughing matter. He did his first workshop in his hometown of Park Hill, CO. He was amazed at the number of people who turned out. He is always humbled by the young people who want to learn from him. “I am always humbled at how God is using me to impact young lives,” he says. “That’s really important to me.” Though his company travels around the country teaching acting workshops, Bossier remains open to opportunities for acting, teaching, directing and producing. The advice he gives to up and coming actors is to be 100 percent committed to their craft and to study like there is not tomorrow. But the most important advice he offers is to stay prayed up. Fans can keep up with him on Facebook at I.Am.Keith.Bossier for upcoming projects, opportunities and workshops.
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Why gun control is a “black issue” disappeared (Jim Crow not being one of them). No other ethnic group in American history has had such a systemic attack on the rights of its people to defend self, family, and possession than Blacks.
Barry Curtis,
The Curtis Initiative Blacks, with our long and proud history in this country, should be on the forefront of all major debates in this country. After all, we usually have the most to lose. To get a better understanding of what we have to lose, let’s look at some of the things we have endured and still have to endure. Well before the civil war, there were “Slave Codes” administered by the various states. These Slave Codes prohibited the ownership of weapons by Blacks in the south. After the end of the war, and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment by Congress, the states renamed the weapons ban for Blacks as “Black Codes.” There were several positions that states took to justify these laws, but one in particular stated that slaves or former slaves were not citizens and therefore were not guaranteed any protection under the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Years later, after a number of federal legislative moves by Congress to provide additional legal protections as citizens and civil entities for the people, and many of the Black Codes
These same discriminatory laws continue today. In the 1990’s, states and cities continued to enact laws that are simply racially biased and downright evil in its nature. For example, there are federal laws that restrict the ownership of a gun if you live in federal housing. Why are poor people less valuable to the Second Amendment than richer ones? Or those that are not in public housing? Do you know where public housing is usually located? Wouldn’t you want a way to protect your family? Gun control is a Black issue. Look at Chicago. Chicago has some of the strictest gun control laws in the country; however Chicago is the murder capital of the world. Gun crackdowns in Chicago target Black neighborhoods. These crackdowns include sweeps by police and other authorities in public housing, public transportation, government buildings, again areas where the Black population is the highest. If you lived in the projects on the south side of Chicago, where many are afraid to walk to school, purchase groceries at the local markets or even ride the public transportation, then why shouldn’t you have a legal right to own a gun without being discriminated against in your efforts to protect yourself? I wonder how the media would respond if there was a massive
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upsurge by Blacks to legally purchase guns? Are Black lives any less valuable then non-White lives? Blacks should be in the front row on the issue of gun rights in America. We should strongly support the Constitution and our right to be armed. Consider this, who benefits from an unarmed Black nation? Blacks are populated in urban areas. In fact, most major cities in this country have large Black populations. Cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, and on and on are largely populated with Blacks. Here is the point, we are unarmed. And being unarmed in highly populated urban areas we experience injustices, yet we are still considered a threat to authorities in these areas. Before closing let’s look at the Native Americans. It was easy to move the Native Americans to a reservation when they were disarmed. Only the armed tribes, such as the Apache Indians, retaliated against the government to protect their land and families. Eventually, the government stepped in with armed soldiers who murdered and enslaved the Native Americans before moving them to various reservations as well. Does that sound familiar? So again I ask … who benefits from a large unarmed ethnic population? No one does! Blacks should indeed be on the forefront of the gun debate because we are usually the ones with the most to lose.
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to be or not to be … healthy that is
21Life TO
Transform From the Inside Out A Guide to Healthy Weight Loss
SONJA A. BROWN
Affirmation + Nutrition + Exercise + Water = A.N.E.W.TM
No sweets. No carbs. No red meat, pork, fish, or poultry. For some, this describes healthy eating. For the vast majority of Americans, however, this describes a life of torture and attempting to eat healthy in the aforementioned manner is a set up for failure. So what is healthy eating? Generally speaking, eating healthy is consuming a balanced diet from all the different food groups and in the right quantities. It means eating a variety of foods that provide the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good, and have energy. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals. Here’s the deal, nutrition is important for everyone. Nutrition, combined with exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, is an excellent way to help your body stay strong and health. If your diet hasn’t been the best, then a great way to get into the swing of proper nutrition is the Daniel Fast. The Daniel Fast, in essence, is eating only natural foods, of the earth, such as your fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, and legumes. Meat, poultry nor fish are allowed on this fast. Juice must be 100% juice, not from concentrate.
then try Zumba. If you like nature, then go for a walk, jog, or run. Figure out what you like to do and choose an activity around it, that way you will be more likely to stick with it. While you can have 100% juice on the Daniel Fast, some prefer water. Did you know that your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water? Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain ample amounts of water. Your body needs water to regulate your body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Your body is a well-built machine. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Daily affirmations, proper nutrition, intentional exercise and adequate water are integral in any healthy weight loss and wellness program. From this point on, begin to think health and wellness … Think A.N.E.W.TM Thinking A.N.E.W.TM = A New You!
Integrating exercise into your lifestyle is a must. Start with 10-15 minutes a day, 3 days a week and increase from there. The key is consistency. Choose an exercise that you’ll stick with. If you like to dance,
Sonja A. Brown 12 www.ampsdallas.com
AMPS Magazine Dallas
getting quiet money
Scola Dinero/ There was not a young girl in the late 1990s to the early 2000s who did not scream and throw fits over Baltimore, MD’s R&B group Dru Hill, who produced hit songs like In My Bed and Never Make a Promise. Fans swooned over songs that either, set the mood, told a story of heartbreak or love, or made the best weaves sweat out from dancing. Unfortunately, as is the curse of many popular R&B groups, turmoil entered and group members Woody, left the group to pursue a solo career in gospel and Sisqo, the group’s breakout star made the Thong Song. In 2002, Dru Hill decided to give stardom another shot with the return of Woody, Sisqo and now former band member, Scola Dinero, who is also from Baltimore. Scola got his name from the streets of Baltimore for being a basketball hustler and a go-getter who longed to take care of his mother and family. Eventually, that hustle paid off and Scola found himself as the fifth member of Dru Hill. Scola Dinero, real name Rufus Waller, has a long connection to the music industry.
His grandfather, Harold Prince Waller, was the cousin of Fats Waller, a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer in the 1930s and 1940s. Scola recalled his father and uncles having jam sessions and being asked to join them as the drummer, but he didn’t take music serious until he graduated from high school. “I didn’t realize that music was a part of my soul and my spirit until I finished high school,” he adds. “Then I got into writing songs and I never looked back.” Not looking back changed his life dramatically. That and the hard work he put into his career so he could financially support himself. Prior to joining Dru Hill, Scola put out a lot of independent music that garnered him success in and around Baltimore, some of which ended up in major movies and commercials. He gives God all the glory for his successes and also thanks LL Cool J for signing him to Rock the Bells Records. While being in Dru Hill was a blessing to Scola, he left the group to pursue his solo career. He will be releasing his most recent CD this year entitled Quiet Money, which he describes as a hip hop sexy type of CD. Despite performing and touring with Dru Hill and having the fanfare of women throwing themselves at him, Scola is very much a private man. He doesn’t feel that he gets a lot of attention and doesn’t yearn for it either. “When I’m on stage that’s one thing but when I’m not, I’m a very low-key person,” he says. “I pretty much like my privacy.” His privacy includes being single and spending time with his son and daughter. He makes sure he turns off his phone when he is with them. Scola admits that he is still trying to learn how to relax and enjoy a less hectic life. He enjoys cooking for his kids, a skill that he had to learn at an early age from cooking for himself and his younger siblings because his mother stayed sick. He often advises people, who want to be in the music industry, to believe in themselves and to be honest about the goals they want to reach. Scola may appear with Dru Hill on their upcoming project and even at some performance venues but he is concentrated on nurturing his craft and building his brand. His Lost Treasures CD is on iTunes, CDBaby.com and all major digital outlets. Fans can find him on Facebook at Scola Dinero, Sr.
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Mission Driven Movement
What do you get when you combine passion and a vision from God? You get the group Mission Driven Movement, a group of artists who perform various forms of art that represent the fulfilling of the great commission as commanded by Jesus Christ. This dynamic group of nine individuals perform the works of the Lord through juggling, poetry, songs, dance and any other art form that expresses their love for the word. MDM travels throughout Louisiana performing live
but the group hopes to travel internationally to spead their ministry. The group does not believe in expiration dates for one’s dreams, as long as he/she is willing to do the work of the Lord and have patience. Each member of MDM believes that encountering God on a higher level, and being able to walk in a place where the ministry can go forth is worth it. Their viewers are able to walk out of their performances with a deeper appreciation for God and the arts.
street scene/ Have you ever heard of the group 832? Well you should, because they are making a name for themselves in the hip hop community and they are representing a place most have never been … the upper northeast side of Oklahoma City, OK’s Musgrave Blvd. This hip hop duo is making music that simply need to be heard because they believe that no one, currently in the game, is saying the things they are talking about. The Parker brothers, Nawlege 405, real name De’Scaun, and King Solomis, a.k.a. Travon Parker, compare themselves to such acts like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and other melodic rap groups who deliver a conscience message with the ability to make listeners nod their head. “We want our music to reflect love, life, liberty, intellect, understanding and entertainment,” says Nawlege 405. 832 is proud that they stay true to who they are... true fans of music. They respect the authenticity of music and offer their fans the ability to get to know who they are.
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832
“Anybody can dance but a true fan wants to get to know you,” says King Solomis. They were impressed upon early in their lives to be daring. Both brothers are inspired by forward thinking people, such as Marcus Garvey and other conscience thinking people. For Solomis, understanding the difference between right and wrong allows him the ability to make stronger and smarter decisions. “I always want to do what I think is right and God gives us conscience so that we can listen, follow, and live comfortably with our choices,” adds Solomis. Their family is the glue that holds them together and supports them no matter what. When they are not making music King Solomis enjoys watching college sports and Nawlege 405 just likes to hang with his friends and family. Fans of 832 can visit them on Facebook and Twitter at Beatsdemand832 and on YouTube at BeatsDemandProd. Be sure to check them out on CDBaby.com at 832.
AMPS Magazine Dallas
around DFW/ FEB 15
Charlie Wilson with Keith Sweat Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com
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Dallas Black Dance Theater Cultural Awareness Series Wyly Theatre Tickets: $15-$55, www.dbdt.com 7:30 p.m.
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Tarnished Love: A Poetry Musical
01-24
Nacirema by Pearl Cleage
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Black and White Business Mixer & Party
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NAACP Video Lecture Series Roots: Saga of An American Family
Quixotic World 2824 Main St., Dallas 7:30 p.m.
The Courtyard Villa, Arlington, TX Tickets: $20/$25, 817-845-1579 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
African American Repertory Theater 211 E. Pleasant Run, DeSoto, TX Feb. 1 – Feb. 24 Tickets: $25, 972-572-0998
Every Tuesday/Thursday night in February West Irving Church of God in Christ, Irving 972-359-3909