Black SD Magazine April Issue 2021

ARPIL ISSUE 2021

REGGIE Bringing it back to San Diego with

BUSH LOCAL HEROES

Creating change in the communities SUCCESS STORIES

People thriving in business ENTERTAINMENT

Creators for the Culture

Let’s get to know Reggie Bush beyond the fame. He got his humble beginnings in San Diego, California where he was born and raised, but if you ask him, he will immediately tell you that Southeast San Diego is what he considers home.

Photographer: Curtis J. Moore MUA: Kalya Farley Hair: Trell Jones

Photographer: Curtis J. Moore MUA: Kalya Farley Hair: Trell Jones

A Day in the life of a husband & father

R

eggie with his beautiful wife Lilit, have three amazing kids ages 7, 5, and 3. Their children mean the world to them an them and if you check out their social media, you will see stories, highlights, and posts of them doing various family activities together such as exercising and spending quality time together. Before the pandemic Reggie said, “We usually wake up in the morning, feed them breakfast, get them ready for school, and drop them off.” Like most, this normal routine has changed for them now that their children are learning virtually, but he says it actually makes homelife easier and mornings now more dedicated to kids.

Creating a sense of normalcy is important for Reggie. After a long day tackling their demanding careers and extracurricular activities for both him and Lilit, they find happiness and peace in working out together. “You know the day can get away from you with a bunch of meetings and all kinds of other stuff,” said Reggie when he spoke about the importance of finding quality time to spend with his wife. With these types of schedules and lifestyle Reggie always makes sure he dedicates equal time to his kids and wife. His long days and nights won’t be complete without making sure his family is taken care of mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

New horizons and letting go of fear We are the first to know and now proud to announce that he is working on a documentary on his life. While his wife Lilit is getting ready for a co-starring role in a new TV series, he and Lilit are both taking acting classes. He understands that acting is all about establishing a deeper connection with your emotions and plans to utilize the knowledge he will gain to help prepare for the biggest emotional project of his life. He’s always had a secret passion and desire to act, but in the past fear kept him from pursuing it. “ I want to push myself to do more, I want to attack my fears,” said Reggie as he spoke on the epiphany he had recently on not living his life to the fullest.

This time for him during “Stay at Home” orders has given him the courage to look in the mirror and realize as he states “I kind of have been living in mediocrity, you know just average and getting by not pushing myself.” A powerful self realization moment that we all have had once in our lives. It’s life changing to get to this point and to do something about it. Now he is ready to push himself and work towards bigger things. Like sports, in acting you need a great coach and now Reggie is learning from the highly talented and sought after acting coach, Richard Lawson. A shift he feels will definitely elevate his new screen time career.

Southeast San Diego is Home San Diego will always be home for this native, but Southeast San Diego is the area which he specifically calls home. “Being from Southeast San Diego means a lot to me because many people who came before me that I looked up to and wanted to be like made successful careers for themselves,” said Reggie. He mentioned Terrell Davis, Marcus Allen, and Ricky Williams as notable African Americans from San Diego who not only inspired him but paved the way. The media might always highlight Southeast San Diego in a negative light, but Reggie wants people to know that the other side they don’t show or see is people and organizations giving back to their community. He donates time to empower through education and providing necessary resources. There’s pride in being from Southeast San Diego and he takes it with him everywhere.

After his first year back visiting home after being drafted to the New Orleans Saints, he held his 1st annual, Kid’s Football Camp at Qualcomm Stadium. “When he was eight years old he got to meet Junior Seau at the Martin Bayless kids football camp,” said Reggie. This was the moment that motivated hiim to always give back to his community. Though he doesn’t reside in San Diego any longer, it is important for him to give back. This led to his annual golf tournament which raises funds for the Birthday Party Project, a 501c3 Nonprofit organization that hosts birthday parties for homeless children.

Reggie says since they started the tournament six years ago they have raised over $400,000.

A Letter from the Publisher I’m elated to share with you our latest issue of Black SD Magazine.

Our 2nd issue is just as special as the first because it simply means Black SD Magazine is still here! We’ve continued to highlight and promote momentous African Americans that go above and beyond everyday. Our mission has not only been to change the scope of how the world sees us but how we see ourselves. From the local baker working separate jobs to provide for her family to the amazing designer that receives the full support of her husband and is able to thrive in the process, we are talented, highly educated, and a creative group of people with testimonies that aim to entertain but more importantly inspire.

I will always showcase BLACKGIRLMAGIC in every print issue because black women like my mother, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, cousins, and friends are the reason why I am who I am today!

You can think of each magazine as my ode to phenomenal black women.

I hope each story and every picture makes you wonder what can black women not do because they do it all!

Michael Cox

Owner & Publisher

Photography Credit: Kris Anderson

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F A S H I O N U G O C H I B R A N D I C E D A N I E L S T Y L E S W I T H T A M A R A

Giving much credit to her tradition and upbringing, she works hard but with strategy and foresight.

Many people enter the fashion industry and hope to make it big within a few years, but that isn’t Ugochi’s plan. “Right now I'm building a foundation, and that foundation is deep, sometimes it's stressful sometimes I hit the brick walls, but the good thing is that I know that I'm going to be here for the long haul,” said Ugochi.

Her determination is also to leave a legacy for her children so she isn’t trying to take shortcuts to achieve a high level of success. For her success isn’t measured by how fast you get to it but how long you can sustain it.

WELCOME UGOCHI T to the house of

here is one woman in San Diego who puts her culture in each thread of her high fashion designs. In 2017 Stephanie Ugochi Iwuaba started her business in her garage with a passion,

desire, and hope to demonstrate how African fashion can be high fashion. “Because if we can make them wear it that means we're making them realize that this is beautiful. This is priceless.” said Ugochi. From threads to the designs, each piece is created meticulously for the wearer to feel royal and know that these are one of a kind.

In June of 2020 and during the onset of the pandemic, she took a leap of faith and opened her very first showroom, admitting to her husband that the opportunity was perfect and that she wanted to take advantage of low asking prices for rent. This dream of hers was now the reality she hoped it to be. Entering The House of Ugochi, you immerse yourself in African culture from the music to the premium clothing. “When you come here it is an experience,” says Ugochi. There is intention and detail in everything she does when it comes to her business and she wants others interact with her brand. It’s important for Ugochi that we as a community, present our businesses and brands on elevated levels so that others respect our craft and take us more seriously.

In most Nigerian households children are raised to become lawyers, doctors, and engineers. However, Ugochi seen herself in a different light and though fashion design wasn’t the first pick her parents had for her, it was something she loved for as long as she could remember. Because doctors are highly respected she knew that she had to create a fashion business that would be equally respected and with the pay to match. After much success and a bright future her family has now started to see her vision and the opportunities that are there.

HER HOUSE HER RULES

In the beginning, her families from both sides of her own and her husband’s struggled to see her vision. They saw fashion design as a simple hobby, but Ugochi wasn’t going to let negative stereotypes or disbelief in her dreams deter her aspirations. However, with love in her eyes, she pridefully credits her beloved husband. “ My husband is my biggest support system.” Everyone really started to believe in her in 2019 when her business started to take flight, but it was her husband and his push for her to live her dream and never to give up that got her to this point.

It was his love that kept her going and it will be one of the main reasons why she never gives up.

This business, her concept and dream are meant to inspire other women of color to thrive in an industry that has set standards that don’t often allow for cultural creativity to shine and change the standard. Ugochi says, “ Be authentic, find your voice and stick to it.” In the day and age of social media it is easy for people early on in their business development to try and mimic or incorporate what others are doing. One thing we can all learn from Ugochi is that you pave your own path in life!

I

had the pleasure of talking with the amazing high fashion entrepreneur Brandice Daniel, creator of the world-renown Harlem Fashion Row. She has collaborated with brands such as Nike, Banana Republic, and Target. She has been featured on the New York Times, Forbes and has even worked with Lebron James. At first glance, Brandice is a powerhouse businesswoman who has continued to set the tone for the fashion industry. However, most don’t realize that she started from the ground up. “I had many Hardships, one of those was that no one knew who I was…it was a matter of building relationships from scratch” she says.

Through her internship programs she donates so much of her time and knowledge. Prior to the pandemic, she would host quarterly meetings at home with up-andcoming designers and entrepreneurs that were hungry and brave enough to take that leap of faith. “I think the only way you really know what your life can be is If you take a leap of faith” .

A principle expresses to her mentees and those who watch her closely through action. Never staying in her comfort zone, she has always pushed the envelope.

Her recent TED Talk was nothing short of that and a sheer leap of faith. Speaking on being a “relentless

Originally from Memphis, she moved to New York with a mindset to celebrate and be the voice for multicultural designers. Since her first event in 2007 at the River Room in Harlem, she has faced every obstacle head on and thrived!

"IT WAS A MATTER OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS FROM SCRATCH" During the initial planning for her second HFR event, it became very difficult to find designers of color. Not only was this a problem but it didn’t quite sit well with her either.

“You know when you found your passion when you found a problem that won’t let you rest and I wanted to do what I could to solve it."

She has since then she has created programs to support designers of color, like the non-profit ICON 360, that she started in May 2020, as a funding for designers to continue building their brands without having to focus on the financial hardships of the pandemic. The program has reached over $1 million in funding and has been nothing short of a blessing to a large number of designers nationwide.

She champions for anyone willing to pursue a career in fashion.

BRANDICE DANIEL HARLEM'S FASHION ROW

outsider” and her idea of changing the way people of color were presented in fashion. “It was hard…but it was a great challenge for me” A skill set she now continues to craft. minimize

Currently, Brandice is working on a $10 million financial endowment that aims to indefinitely perpetuate a financial reserve for designers of color, arming them with the proper tools and resources for a brighter future ahead She says, “brands in this business will have to be a lot more creative in how they connect with consumers” Her organic methods of building relationships in this organization are key in changing the industry.

With plans to release her first book, she aims to hand over her latest project to editors this year!

"I've banned myself from pursuing any new ideas until I finished this book."

Everything she touches is not only extraordinary but for the black community. We can't wait to see what she has in store next!

Shades of green, yellow and orange will be a hit this spring. If you’re wanting to tap in to the spring colors trend, while also standing out from the usual pastels, opt for a mint green, yellow, and/or orange color palette. You’ll be sure to achieve a fun spring look while still being a bit more unique- not to mention, these colors are always poppin’ against melanin-rich skin tones.

HAPPY COLORS

This quote from The Devil Wears Prada is cute & funny, but it’s true. We all know that springtime screams flowers, flowers and more flowers! This trend has been around for years and isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

Are you someone that has never really liked florals? Feel like it doesn’t fit your style? Try opting for small, less bold floral prints. Soft tones like cream, blush and lavender tend to be flattering for the most part when trying to work with floral prints if you’re not used to seeing them on yourself. This trend can be tricky and might feel overwhelming when starting out, but don’t be afraid to try some different shades and patterns to see what fits!

“FLORALS? FOR SPRING?

Are you a denim lover? Well, it’s your time to shine! This spring, denim will be one of the biggest trends--in particular, denim dresses. They’re a fun & simple way to make a statement and be weather-appropriate while still wearing what you love- denim! Dark-wash denim dresses will be great for going out at night, while light-wash denim dresses are perfect for lunch, festivals, or picnics on a nice sunny day. Don’t be afraid to invest in some good, staple denim pieces this spring. Denim remains one of the most timeless fashion trends to date.

DENIM PLEASE

One of the best things about spring is slightly warmer weather and outdoor activities. If you’ve lived in San Diego for more than a week, you already know that the weather is beautiful for the most part but can also be unpredictable. You will pretty much experience three different seasons in one day here. That said, layers will be your best friend! Don’t be shy, sis! Add that pop of color with a hat or third piece like a blazer to elevate any look while also keeping you warm if needed.

STAY LAYERED UP

SPRING STYLING TIPS with Tamara Jacko

Beauty is business K A T R I N A D U C K E T T IS

WORKING ON HER

BEAUTY EMPIRE ONE TUTORIAL AT A TIME! When it comes to all things beauty and glam, Katrina Duckett is one of the most sought after beauty influencers in San Diego. This San

“Let go & let GOD”

Diego native has taken the industry by storm since she started in

For those who want to grow their Instagram following Katrina has

the influencer market in 2016. We wanted to chat with Katrina aka

one thing to say “Be true to Yourself.” This is what will make you

Princess Kae because we know this is a tough industry to break into

stand out from the crowd. Too many times people look towards

and this young woman has done it and continues to climb the

what is trendy in social media and think it will get the mass

beauty ladder. She does it with grace, poise and boldness. With a

attention of the crowd. People will follow you because they

huge social media presence on all platforms there is no wonder why

genuinely care about your personality and what you provide. You

big named brands such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, Morphe, and

can provide beauty tutorials like Katrina or humor like others, but

NYX cosmetics love to work with her.

the commonality is that what she and others with huge followings are doing is being their authentic selves. You have to understand

"You Got This" One of the biggest misconceptions she wants everyone to know is that this isn’t an EASY industry you can just start one day and become an overnight sensation. “People think I just play in make up all day,” said Katrina. This is far from the truth because her job on social media is to teach people especially women of color how to contour, highlight and color match for their skin tones. It is important for her to show women who look like her that they can do it just like she can with practice, patience and education. You call her a beauty influencer and we call her a teacher of beauty.

that this will take some time but if you believe in yourself and work diligently you will get there.

Her favorite black owned beauty brands.

Fenty Beauty Prime Beauty Cosmetics Pat McGrath Labs, Juvias Place Mented Cosmetics D’on Cosmetics

Get Social with her

princess.kaae_

princesskae

CONVERSATIONS ON BLACK LOVE WITH TRECI AND AMIR SMITH

How do you keep the relationship going after 26 years of marriage?

GRACE! For us, that means space, intimacy, honesty, understanding, a lot of listening, appreciation for each other, and acknowledging room for growth & forgiveness. We don’t compete with each other; instead we encourage and support each other. We also hold each other accountable.

What did you learn early on in your marriage that people should consider?

How they learned from over 20 years of marriage to keep the communication open, dialogue honest, trust in your partner, and staying in love!

Treci and Amir what advice would you give people in relationships considering marriage?

MARRIAGE IS WORK, so what you put into your relationship is what you’ll get in return. Explore the idea of expectations, meaning don’t expect your partner to read your mind about how you expect things to be in your relationship. It’s important to have that talk with each other before marriage.

Keep what works and throw out what doesn’t. Be flexible and open to change as you both will change and evolve over the years. With change comes growth, as individuals and partners. Don’t try to live in other people’s relationships, pay attention to your own. There’s no “one size fits all” for what a relationship looks like, so just focus on what works for your relationship.

How important is communication in a marriage and what can couples do if they have communication issues?

Communication is the key to a healthy marriage! Without it, you wouldn’t have an honest relationship. We call it the “No hurt zone”. Create a space where you feel free to say how you feel without worrying about hurting your partner’s feelings because holding it in creates tension. It’s ok to agree, to disagree, or to to have a difference in opinion. You both have to find a way to meet in the middle.

What keeps you both together? (What’s the glue?)

Strong communication, good sex, giving each other space to explore who we are as individuals.

How do you both handle busy lives as husband and wife, parent, professionals and entrepreneurs?

Stay present! For work, set boundaries and schedules. As parents we like to include our kids in the decision’s that we make in our household, whether it’s dinner, chores or travel (let them know that they have a voice as well, no matter the age). When you have multiple kids, 4 in our case, we felt that it was important when the kid’s were younger to stagger their bed time. For example, we would give each kid an additional 30 minutes past bedtime to spend personal one on one time with mom and dad. When it comes to us as husband and wife, we make time for each other by checking in and setting aside time for date nights. Our relationship comes first ALWAYS, so making that time for each other is a must. When our kids were younger, if we couldn’t go out to dinner, our date nights would be wine and dessert once the kids went to bed.

Date night is what you make it, BE CREATIVE!!

People change! We’re not the same 23/24 year olds that we were when we married, so you have to allow room for change and growth.

Don’t be stuck on an image or how other people see your relationship (you will tend to live up to their exceptions and not yours).

What’s the different love language for you both?

Words of affirmation (we still send each other love/just thinking of you text), eye contact, body language, physical touch and quality time.

Entertainment LIVING MILLENNIAL PRODUCTIONS DAUCHE LOREN COBBS SINGER SPOTLIGHTS GEMINELLE MALONE BRISA LAUREN

LIVING MILLENNIAL PRODUCTIONS OUR GENERATION NEEDS MULTIPLE VOICES AND THEY MUST BE HEARD! "There is no set cookie-cutter structure, so it’s CONTINUOUS learning, trying things out, being flexible, staying true to your intentions"

Have you heard about Living Millennial Productions in San Diego? If not then you are missing out on amazing conversations meant to bring awareness to the Black Millennial generation for all to participate and listen.

“I know many black millennials that wear many hats,” said Brittany. This is why it is important for them to keep going and what drives them to keep their business moving forward. They aren’t the only voice of the millennial generation but they want to make sure they add their voices and the voices of others so we can start more conversations. Living Millennial Productions is here to make sure these voices are heard to add to the overall goal of impacting the community and generation through the creation of awareness on many levels from political to socio-cultural.

There is no such thing as a topic they won’t explore and when they explore topics they go deep. “Research is part of our process and is important,” said Brittany when she told me how they go into topic selection and create a flow for the audience to enjoy.

Living Millennial Production was birthed out of the concept of three African American Millennials ( Brittany, Mandisa, and Jamal) who wanted to give space for a generation that is often overlooked or generalized, for their unique voice and perspective to be heard. It started from a simple conversation between three friends which they felt others like them “Black Millennials” were having so it only made sense for them to expand this one conversation into a platform for their generation to enjoy. “Our generation has multiple voices and they need to be heard,” replied Brittany when I asked her why this type of dialogue was important.

It was the shared experiences that brought them together and the power of dialogue that created a platform for them to connect with a larger community. This amplified with the power of networking led to their quick success as a highly anticipated and listened Podcast. The business of podcasts isn’t easy, but they definitely make it look easy and fun with their personalities and production quality.

“I would tell anyone to just start and connect with people,” said Brittany when I asked her what advice she would give anyone looking to start their own podcast.

Like any industry or starting a business the key is just to start and get out there for people to discover you.

ared Exp h S

ected U s nn

iences Co r e

CREATING A SPACE TO HAVE CONVERSATION A VOICE FOR THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION The road for them hasn’t been easy and at times they even thought about stopping, but that wasn’t an option for these young millennials. Through networking and asking for feedback through a continued process of audience engagement they were able to preserve and grow their platform. It’s not all about numbers for them because they focus on a quality audience that is looking to participate in these conversations. “We are constantly searching for individuals and experts in areas for us to bring on the show,” said Brittany. They will let you know they are subject experts on various topics so they find those that are so they can get insights based on facts and experience for us to learn from. This is why tuning in on each episode listeners are captivated by the authenticity from each host and the special guest.

Living Millennial Podcast was and continues to be inspired by deep conversations amongst Black Millennials focused on reflecting, navigating life in a white ran world, self awareness, and breaking generational curses

"This journey has also taught me to eliminate excuses and execute whatever vision I have for this company"

Brittany

"By sharing our stories and curiosities, we connect and grow with others in the community. It’s important to have a tribe in this world, and that tribe doesn’t always have to share physical space with you."

Mandisa

D

auche is a female powerhouse in the creative community in San Diego and is someone who is

a must to know, follow, and collaborate with if you have the opportunity.

I had the amazing experience to interview Dauche and learn more about her journey from growing up in Paradise Hill to being one of the female touring DJ’s for the infamous and highly attended R&B Only events. Dauche likes everyone to know Southeast and the South Bay are places she considers her stomping ground. “It’s where I’ve experienced family, friends, sports, the creative community, events, and some of my favorite memories growing up,” said Dauche when I asked why she put an infinity towards those two places.

"Respect yourself, give respect, get respect" If you ask anyone what does Dauche do in San Diego, they will more than likely reply with several responses. One may say she is the Tour DJ for R&B Only, another might say she is in charge of Marketing for the newly opened 1835 Studios or you might get the answer that she is in charge of production for TunnelVision Creative Agency. This is because she dominates the creative space in San Diego and others know her talent, professionalism, and experience, so she is called to assist in major projects. Beyond her own talents she is wellconnected and highly respected in the community. “I have made it my duty to uplift & shed light on the creative community that is San Diego,” said Dauche.

Pictures courtesy of Colors World Wide Inc.

From dance to artist booking there isn’t an area in the creative space Dauche hasn’t tried at least once or to gain a better understanding and appreciation. Being a DJ was her next venture which obviously paid off very well with her in the end. “When I made the decision to pursue DJing, DJ Artistic & the No Sucker DJ crew took me under their wing & blessed me with many opportunities to grow, said Dauche. It was her love and passion for connecting people through music that led her down this path. The common thread with everything she does is connecting people. For her being a creative is ultimately connecting your work with others.

In a male dominated industry Dauche wants to create a positive narrative by highlighting the fact that she has met other amazing female DJs. She has experienced and seen issues women face in similar male dominated industries such as pay gaps, undervaluation, and limitations set for the women counterparts. These are important factors she wants others to acknowledge and bring awareness to, so it can change. “The best part about being a Black woman in this space is seeing the authenticity, uniqueness, versatility, skill, flavor, & talent each female DJ brings, said Dauche.

To stay in the know about what's next for Dauche make sure to follow her!

Website: www.dauche.co IG: @dauche Twitter: @dauche

“Be yourself, take initiative, advocate for yourself, never stop learning, create boundaries, invest in yourself, think business first, & stay in alignment with people & opportunities that feed your spirit.”

LOREN COBBS THE MAVERICK

L

oren Cobbs took San Diego by storm with an events company that centered on an underserved audience in San Diego. Her company, SD Melanin, soon became the largest SD-based organization of its kind.

At the time she was neither a San Diego native nor resident, but instead was working in foreign affairs in Tijuana, Mexico. While this caused some controversy, in the beginning, it didn't stop this Maverick from working for the community. Determined, strong-willed, and optimistic there is nothing she can’t and won’t do when she puts her mind, body, and soul into it. You may be wondering how did she create a six-figure company, with an audience of over 10,000, which created a lasting impact on black culture in SD in her spare time from across the border? Well, I’m here to tell you!

This not so secret change agent put her background in economics and marketing, coupled with her diplomatic capabilities to good use.

Surprisingly this event producer was a US diplomat who’d lived in Thailand, South Africa, and Mexico. It wasn’t until her station in Tijuana that she discovered an infinity for San Diego and recognized a severe undeserving of professionals that looked like her in the hospitality and entertainment industry. Shortly after arriving in Baja California she decided she wanted to create something memorable and little did she know it would grow into a cultural staple enjoyed by thousands. “I was intentional about creating cultural experiences that welcomed all but centers on the most marginalized; yet, had no idea it’d get so big“ says Loren. Loren also credits her team of all black and brown women for much of SD Melanin’s success.

You can’t really be mad when someone brings black girl magic to a city where others are asking for culturally and socially crafted specific events.

"DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS I WON'T STOP" While sometimes she faced resistance from others who were resistant to new players, she committed to serving her community so well that no one could stop her. These events weren’t about her nor was she interested in the limelight. Instead, she was laser-focused on creating spaces where black people felt welcomed. While some may question this outsider's intentions, all they have to do is ask, did she provide a solution to a problem we had?

Yes, and did it well from brunch events to rooftops to red carpets. Can’t be mad at someone serving up bottomless mimosas and giving you and your friends a reason to feel fancy on a Saturday night.

"I DO THIS BECAUSE WE DESERVE OUR OWN SPACE" Though you might have said this event was lit, turnt, or fire, you don’t know half of what she and her team went through to produce it. I say produce because if you say party promoter you do her a disservice. She produces these events from start to finish. She curates these events by choosing venues she can decorate, menus she can adjust for pricing, the staff she knows will treat her clients fairly, and reviews the experience with her team and customers afterward. Customer service is at the heart of her business model when it comes to her staff and customers. If you like something or dislike it, she is more than happy to talk with you to learn how they can improve the customer experience.

It’s not all fun because it’s a business. As the business began to grow and the demand for her events went up so did the learning curve and problems. “We began to run into capacity issues where we couldn’t find a venue big enough to hold us and had to do more due diligence in vetting the security and staff so that our people can have a great experience,” says Loren. She understands that racial profiling at venues has been an issue so she ensures that the venue is culturally sensitive to the needs of her customers and more importantly the security. The challenges she experienced through the growth of her company is something she enjoyed more than anything. It gave her more confidence and assertiveness when creating events and dealing with vendors, venues, and staff.

Loren experienced a multitude of issues such as canceling contracts several weeks to even days before events and one venue even racially profiling and calling the police on her. Yet she remained steadfast in the motto, “ We deserve! We deserve to flourish and to be served” as she had to scramble and find a new venue when the confirmed venue canceled under the reason “double booking.”

This is the event magic people never see but it became somewhat of a normal for Loren and her team. Unfortunately, this is something she still deals with today this day, which doesn’t make her job any easier, It did make her more self-aware. If anything has come out of this she has a new intuition on who to work with and who not to. I call her the Maverick for a reason.

#BLACKGIRLMAGIC As a black woman entrepreneur, Loren has experienced many opportunities as well as adversities in her industry. At times she said,” I had conversations with myself many times to quit.” But it was her determination never to be a quitter that kept her going. No incident would deter her from her goal. You close one door on her and she will find another to open, it’s that simple with this woman. Think twice before doing business with her because you can ask her close friend and they say she is all business, so you have to be prepared to talk about planning, execution, goal aligning, and if you are going to put the same amount of effort as she.

"IT'S ABOUT THE CULTURE & THE PEOPLE" Stay tuned with Loren and SD Melanin because though it was established in San Diego, she has plans for a larger reach and audience. “We deserve everything great,” states Loren as the main driving force why she continues to push creating new and even upscale events. You never know when they might be in a city near you.

San Diego Artist Spotlight Mantra Loops Vol.1 available on All Platforms has reached over 500K streams and continuing to grow!

"Music and Healing are one and the same"

Geminelle Malone This purposeful exchange is central to Geminelle’s own journey as an artist.

Though she started making music at age 13, her nationwide ’14 Follow the Music tour allowed her to realize just how far her craft could take her. That same year would find Geminelle leaving her native California and moving to New York, where she became part of Black contemporary artists collective, Tunnel Vision; released her ’16 debut Audiobook LP; and joined the female and non-binary-led activism group, Resistance Revival Chorus. These creative

When Geminelle returned to San Diego in

communities opened new doors for

’19, she delved deeper into the artist

Geminelle, from sharing a stage with

community back home and her wellness-

Kesha at the Grammys and Jim James on

focused Mantra Loops series. In what she

Fallon; to working with Tiffany Gouche and

describes as her “most successful project

Valerie June on the Resistance Revival

yet”, the Mantra Loops album and ongoing

Chorus Album, This Joy; and performing at

virtual meditation series elevates the

SXSW and The Roots Picnic. Her time in

universal teachings and affirmations that

New York not only expanded her creative

have always been embedded in Geminelle’s

network, but it also illuminated her

music. “This is specifically designed for us

personal path into holistic healing through

to heal and to grow.”

music.

Brisa Lauren is a woman who exudes feminim energy and demonstrates the power women can take in all areas of life. She is a mother, political activist, and singer. This Afro-Latina beauty is her to set San Diego ablaze with her beautiful voice, style, charm and talent. Oh and if you don’t know she has an incredible sense of humor just ask her friends and family.

She is born and raised in San Diego and loves this city to the core. From her activism work to creative endeavors she is a true champion for the community.

During her college years she was exposed to Social Justice which sparked her passion for progressive issues in areas such as economic equality, voting rights, and racial justice. This led to her obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Black Studies and Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Point Loma Nazarene University.

Many speak about creating change in their community but not all actually work towards it.

Brisa is an exception as she is the Civic Engagement Manager Statewide for United Domestic Workers and Lead Coordinator for the creation of the San Diego Black Worker Center. You have to wonder when does this woman ever get any sleep with such a busy schedule.

She proves that anyone can do what they want as long as they are dedicated and passionate.

Separately from her career in the Social Justice field, she is the lead singer of San Diego’s award-winning band The Lyrical Groove and is now owning her artistry as a solo Singer and Songwriter with the debut of her first project titled “In her Stillness...” a project born out of vulnerability and selfcare. This album is one you can play on repeat because it gives you those missed RnB sounds from the 90’s and early 2000’s. She put her heart and soul into this and it shows.

San Diego Artist Spotlight The release of her first album "In Her Stillness"

Brisa Lauren

"I FOUND INSPIRATION IN LEARNING TO RISE ABOVE THAT AND BE HAPPY IN THE SKIN I’M IN, IN SPITE OF OUTSIDE OPINIONS."

She defines her culture

A

mara La Negra graced our screens in 2018 as a cast member of Love and Hip-Hop Miami. She immediately gained the attention of viewers with her distinct style, musical talent, and pride in being Afro-Latina. From the start she fought against colorism and spoke out about it during the first season of the show. Her story and the discrimination she faced growing up based on her physical attributes (skin and hair) are experiences many Afro-Latinos through the Caribbean and Latin America.

“SOMEONE OUT THERE IS WAITING TO RELATE TO SOMEONE JUST LIKE YOU.” “If you allow someone or something to change one part of you, it’s only a matter of time before they start picking away at the rest of you,” Amara said when I asked why she stands steadfast in not changing her look to conform to certain perceived industry standards. She says she already knows that as an Afro-Latina woman, she can be judged solely based on her appearance. She won’t give others the power to make her feel small or that she isn’t adequate. She embraces her melanin skin and natural hairstyle because she wants to show the other side of the Latin community, the Afro side, and because of the lack of representation in US mainstream media and Latino media outlets she feels that now more than ever this is important to display her culture.

At the early age of four she was a child star on “Sabado Gigante.” For those of you who don’t know, this was the longest-running program for Univision, featuring activities such as contests and live entertainment. “So, I knew what it was like to have all eyes on me and be critiqued for being myself,” said Amara. It was evident then that she was being judged by her skin tone and accent. For her to be happy with herself she had to find inspiration to rise above judgements and opinions, and be happy with the skin she was in.

"I MAKE MUSIC FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS THE BEST THAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER" Amara said,” My roots are everything,” when I asked how her Dominican roots influenced her music, brand, and style. She said it’s everything because in the Dominican Republic it’s about the celebration of life and you see that with bright colors, fun patterns, and the laughter of the people. This is what people think when they think of Amara and she is proud because she loves where she comes from and what it means to be Afro-Latina and both sides of her cultural heritage.

It's about the community Amara goes beyond the music and is a philanthropist. From the Dominican Republic to Miami, she gives where she can. Frequently she travels to the Dominican Republic to provide additional resources and services to assist with communities there who were already underprivileged and underserved. She partners with Empower “U” which is a community center in Miami that advocates for women, children, and families in lower-income minority neighborhoods in the area. “I wanted to partner with a foundation that actually makes a difference in the community I live in,” said Amara after I asked why she chose this organization. Communities across the globe are facing multiple difficulties that were present prior to COVID but now with the pandemic what they are facing is amplified. She is doing her part and wants to encourage others to do theirs because resources are things necessary for these communities to get back on their feet to stay and remain healthy.

Put it on front street!

Before ending this amazing interview with Amara, I asked her what advice she would give others who are looking to use outlets and platforms to get noticed. “Take everything they see everyone else doing on the internet, and do something totally different,” said Amara. This is something you see she obviously lives by and it is working. Everyone loves her authenticity and how she embraces all sides of herself. She advises people to post things that make them unique and authentic. In the day and age of trends and challenges on social media it is easy for others to fall into the trap of copying others.

It is about being you because there is only one you. Someone is looking for representation and you might not know it. People appreciate Amara La Negra for amplifying the voice of the AfroLatino community. Where you see issues in who you are or what people say you should be, Amara sees this even more of an opportunity to ignore them and embrace, love, and show off what Makes YOU Special.

New Music, New Projects, New Everything in 2021!

- Amara La Negra

Stories of Success KAMAAL MARTIN THE STANCE FAMILY CHANDTELLE MORGAN ASHAD RUFFIN HEIDI & MICAH STAMPLEY

Kamaal Martin - A Champion for Creatives O

riginally from Mount Vernon, New York, and raised in Hawaii, Kamaal Martin, has settled in San Diego for the last 15 years and is here to stay! Outside of enjoying time with his beautiful family, he has been devoted to working towards a better community. More specifically, the City of Lemon Grove, where he was in the running for Mayor, with a mission to have the city at its best. He ran on a platform that focused on the economic, community and health development for the city. Because he calls this city home he wanted to make sure his beautiful family could be proud of it. Cleaner streets, more small businesses, and better access to resources were things that formed the foundation of his campaign.

“I truly believe that the future of Lemon Grove is to become the cleanest and greenest city in San Diego County and I’m committed to continuing that work on multiple fronts,” Although he fell short of the title he will always serve his community. He continues to work with local organizations to make sure Lemon Grove is headed in the right direction.

Kamaal represents the power of transformation and continuing the work as a community leader, developer, and believer in the arts.

Currently he focuses on his love for art as the founder of APE (Art, Power, Equity), an artsbased social, cultural enterprise that supports underrepresented artists and promotes equitable arts-oriented development. Earlier this year, he assisted with his first pop-up art gallery at Market Creek Plaza, ensuring that local artists of color have a creative outlet and space to be supported.

His next other bigger projects are to establish a new ecosystem of artists/creatives and deepen their relationships with local galleries, event spaces, and business owners. He sees a lack of connection between the art community and businesses, so he wants to establish those connections. “Artists work hard and have some talent but at the same time they don’t profit from their work,” said Kamaal when asked why this connection must be established. He understands artists/creatives love to create but don’t understand how to put a price point or value to their work so he is assisting them with the platform of APE.

KEN “BOW LEGGED” STANCE

MARIA REESE

CARLOS STANCE

HE HAS A VISION AND HE SEES IT THROUGH

IT'S HER KITCHEN AND YOU BETTER KNOW IT!

HE WILL MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS RUNS

Ken Stance is the cheerful leader who knows when to kick up the spice and bring the heat. Before he turned his childhood nickname into a booming BBQ business, Ken spent over 40 years in the creative and marketing field spearheading successful entrepreneur ventures and championing every business he served. When he’s not cooking up his next big idea, you can find him enjoying the arts, jamming out with friends or catching a game.

A passionate foodie and creative cuisine connoisseur, Maria brings the flavor to Bowlegged BBQ. Co-founder and Head Chef, Maria’s dedication has brought her incredible achievement and success at her family restaurant. Before bringing down the house with her unforgettable dishes and recipes, she served as a teacher in the San Diego education system for over 20 years. For Maria, putting a smile on every face she meets is as easy as whipping up the best cornbread you’ll ever eat.

A natural bon vivant, music and sports lover, Carlos Stance is a native San Diegan to the bone.

After San Diego State University, he spent over 40 years in the sales and marketing field before Co-founding Bowlegged BBQ. His passion for creating communitybased environments for his fellow San Diegans is what he continues to fuel his career.

THEY STARTED THIS OUT OF LOVE FOR THE FAMILY

Tradition

It's about

for the Stance Family

Bowlegged BBQ is a gem in San Diego with 3 generations of East Texas BBQ recipes. We are lucky the Stance Family is willing to share their family secrets in the form of good food and unforgettable times. You would think their restaurant has been around for years because it’s like an episode of Cheers. Everyone’s a regular and everyone KNOWS your NAME! From 80s and 90s RnB, to the Pit Master, you are transported to East Texas.

This is a family business and they are making it a tradition that will pass down generational wealth through business ownership. Every staff member is a family and proud of it.

The beauty and joy you see in the faces of each person as an order is taken or food placed on the table is priceless.

When you experience this It is something very special, genuine, and nostalgic. Immediately, you become one of the family and feel the love. Trust me when I say you will be greeted each time as if you are visiting one of your favorite relatives for Sunday dinner.

Their mission is to continue serving the community amazing food. They believe the city deserves great BBQ! There are many other great BBQ places in San Diego, which they support and patron, but this is the only East Texas style BBQ restaurant you’ll find here. The Stance family looks to add a new variety to the BBQ scene here and they are doing just that.

You are invited in and everyone is welcome!

This is a business and they own it. A family tradition they have kept is the power of ownership in business and land. The Stance family owns the land which Bowlegged BBQ sits on and it’s for good reasons. “We don’t have to worry about rent increases or someone controlling what we can do with our business because we own the property.” said Carlos. Many are unaware that the Stance Family has owned and operated several family businesses before venturing into food. Would you believe they owned businesses ranging from a 99-cent store to a hair salon?

For them the journey in business ownership is trying it out, learning through the process, and pressing forward.

"We operate on faith and trust in God" “We’ve been able to survive COVID because we started as a takeout restaurant,” said Carlos. He attributes this original model to the continuing success of the business along with community support. The family continues to pivot and adopt, which is why they usually sell out before 5 and 6pm on most days. The goal is to keep the cost of the business controlled so they can continue to serve the community.

Chandtelle Morgan as seen on Netflix and Food Network Life is as sweet as you make it!

Everything really is sweet when it comes to Chandtelle and how she views her business Buttercream Parlor. This Navy veteran has quickly made a name for herself in San Diego and even on television. She was recently featured with friend and mentor Briana Green owner of The Fancy Crumb on Sugar Rush on Netflix, which they WON! You can find many of her custom creations and requested designs on her website and social media. From making cartoon characters come to life to things that only lived in your imagination you will see them all in a cookie, cupcake, or cake form.

First the Navy and now the kitchen, but why? Chandtelle has always loved cooking, which prompted her to enroll in a culinary management program. She had been faced with the dilemma most of us deal with during our college years and that is the “party phase.” It caught up with Chandtelle so much that she had dropped out 2 quarters before finishing.

Taking this time off from school she took a line cook job at Denny’s and ultimately chose a position in the Navy to help advance her career. It would provide structure, financial security, and pay for her to finish school when she was ready to return. It was also a way for her to rediscover Chandtelle. “I was able to do so many things in the Navy that didn’t include cooking or baking because I was burnt out,” says Chandtelle. This is something we can all relate to on a human level. That break brought about a breath of fresh air for rejuvenation and growth.

"Sometimes you just need to take a break from the hustle and regroup" Another shift came in her life when her husband was deployed. By this time she had been working for the Bakery full time for 3 years. She said, “it was time for me to focus on my family and I wanted to give them my all.” We learned with Chandtelle that a necessary break means she returns and becomes Chandtelle 2.O. You can see this throughout her journey each moment she becomes a better version of herself. This time she started tinkering in the kitchen making her own magically delicious pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, and anything else you could imagine that requires butter, sugar, eggs, and flour.

"I'm learning and growing everyday. I'm living my dream" The break was done and over and she was ready to get back into the kitchen. Let’s fast forward to the now married Chandtelle whose husband had been stationed in California.

This more mature and focused woman enrolled in a Culinary Management program and completed her degree. The focus was back, the drive higher than ever and the passion had resurfaced. She blended education and experience through her internship at Sweet Cheeks Baking. There she was lead on many major events for companies such as The Marriott, The Hilton, and Buzz Coffee.

Chandtelle Morgan as seen on Netflix and Food Network Life is as sweet as you make it!

Everything really is sweet when it comes to Chandtelle and how she views her business Buttercream Parlor. This Navy veteran has quickly made a name for herself in San Diego and even on television. She was recently featured with friend and mentor Briana Green owner of The Fancy Crumb on Sugar Rush on Netflix, which they WON! You can find many of her custom creations and requested designs on her website and social media. From making cartoon characters come to life to things that only lived in your imagination you will see them all in a cookie, cupcake, or cake form.

First the Navy and now the kitchen, but why? Chandtelle has always loved cooking, which prompted her to enroll in a culinary management program. She had been faced with the dilemma most of us deal with during our college years and that is the “party phase.” It caught up with Chandtelle so much that she had dropped out 2 quarters before finishing.

Taking this time off from school she took a line cook job at Denny’s and ultimately chose a position in the Navy to help advance her career. It would provide structure, financial security, and pay for her to finish school when she was ready to return. It was also a way for her to rediscover Chandtelle. “I was able to do so many things in the Navy that didn’t include cooking or baking because I was burnt out,” says Chandtelle. This is something we can all relate to on a human level. That break brought about a breath of fresh air for rejuvenation and growth.

"Sometimes you just need to take a break from the hustle and regroup" Another shift came in her life when her husband was deployed. By this time she had been working for the Bakery full time for 3 years. She said, “it was time for me to focus on my family and I wanted to give them my all.” We learned with Chandtelle that a necessary break means she returns and becomes Chandtelle 2.O. You can see this throughout her journey each moment she becomes a better version of herself. This time she started tinkering in the kitchen making her own magically delicious pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, and anything else you could imagine that requires butter, sugar, eggs, and flour.

"I'm learning and growing everyday. I'm living my dream" The break was done and over and she was ready to get back into the kitchen. Let’s fast forward to the now married Chandtelle whose husband had been stationed in California.

This more mature and focused woman enrolled in a Culinary Management program and completed her degree. The focus was back, the drive higher than ever and the passion had resurfaced. She blended education and experience through her internship at Sweet Cheeks Baking. There she was lead on many major events for companies such as The Marriott, The Hilton, and Buzz Coffee.

Now the hustle continues because unknowingly to Chandtelle she was about to have an opportunity for an even bigger platform than the brick and mortar. A fellow baker and friend reached out to her and asked if she would be interested in teaming up to be on a new competition show on Netflix. Of course, she said yes, but many don’t know that she and her friend never worked together in a baking environment until the show. They were determined so they made it work from a distance because her friend lived in Philadelphia and Chandtelle resided in San Diego. This didn’t stop them from dominating the interviews and ultimately getting a chance to be competitors on the show.

"There is something sweet about stepping outside of your comfort zone!

The cost of the shows aren't worth the time sometimes. “I actually had to turn down business order,” said Chandtelle. The time investment to compete on the hit reality TV show on the Food Network meant time away from her own business. As an entrepreneur, she like others don’t have the luxury to casually turn away business. .This isn’t just a financial loss but additionally a loss in the word of mouth marketing and gaining more potential customers. Though she and her partner were financially compensated for their appearance they hadn’t won the competition so they didn’t get the grand prize amount. In business, we call this the cost-benefit analysis and you have to weigh the cost of something compared to the potential or perceived benefit. For Chandtelle she took this as an opportunity but one that wouldn’t be continuously pursued unless it would be worthwhile.

With the earnings from the show, Chandtelle said, “this was my time now to start my own business.” She came up with a concept and name “Buttercream Parlor” and set forth to bake.

The game plan was and still is to create memorable moments through desserts for individuals, special events, and companies to grow her reputation and business. No job is too small or too large because as Chandtelle puts it “I will find a way to make it happen.”

The Recipe to her Savory Success

I might have to call her the Hustle Parlor because this wife and mother finds the time to do it all while sharing a smile with the world. I love that she is working on creating vegan desserts and others types she might not particularly eat herself or is familiar with. That is the true heart of a passionate entrepreneur who goes out of their comfort zone. For Chandtelle that’s what baking is all about, experimenting and trial, and error. She will always discover the perfect recipe to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Check out The Buttercream Parlor here in San Diego

A business born out of the love from his grandmother

L

ucy Mae's Kitchenwas born out of Ashad Ruffin’s desire to celebrate the life of his late grandmother. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Ashad became a permanent resident of San Diego

in 2016 after visiting just a few times prior. Loving the Southern California vibe and San Diego weather he knew he was here to stay.

“I knew this would be home after my first visit., I just loved everything about San Diego, “ said Ruffin. But in the beginning there wasn’t a plan for entrepreneurship, just leisure smooth sailing for him in the beginning.

“This is a project out of love, it’s not just all profit driven for me,” said Ruffin. Though he knows his business needs to profit like any business it is still about keeping the tradition alive of his family. He wouldn’t put a menu item out that his family wouldn’t approve just to increase profits. This is a business he wants to keep his

In 2020 the pandemic hit and things turned his world upside down.

grandmother’s legacy alive so this

Financially, he was fine unlike other individuals because he had saved

means making sure everything served

up in the previous years. He was then notified that his grandmother had

is something she would be proud of.

taken ill due to the coronavirus and mandates by hospitals that he wasn’t able to visit her. “At the end of March, she had passed and it had me thinking about how I can persevere with her legacy and name,” said Ruffin as he reflected on the weeks following the passing of his grandmother. She was the matriarch for the family who gave everything for the family and community. Everyone knew Lucy Mae was a woman in the community that gave her last to help those in need.

“Let’s just say I never really pushed forward,” said Ruffin. Though food

If you ask him how he would describe the food he will tell you it’s a mix between traditional Baltimore seafood staples and southern comfort food. On the menu you will find crab cakes served Maryland style with saltines on the side and a couple of wedges of lemon, Lucy’s wings named after his

trucks are lower cost to start up than the usual brick and mortar

grandmother which are plain fried

restaurant, but he wanted to do something he could start immediately.

wings, and Tameka wings that are

With the love and support of his girlfriend Michelle he started cooking in

named after a childhood friend. Every

his house, created an instagram and started promoting his business. This

dish has a story and every story has a

gave the business life and it became an instant hit for San Diego.

space in the heart of Ashad.

BRINGING NEW ORLEANS TO YOUR HOME Nothing can stop their growing food empire and last year was evident of that with the launch of their signature beignet mix, Orleans Foods Authentic Beignet Mix. I had the pleasure of chatting with Heidi Stampley at the beginning of the new year on how the family was able to achieve such success even during a pandemic.

These New Orleans natives never operated in the food space but in April of 2017 they opened their first coffeehouse and cafe, Orleans Brews and Beignets in Fayetteville, Georgia. It was an instant success and the couple was extremely excited. “We had to learn along the way because we didn’t know anything about the restaurant and food industry,” said Heidi. She went on to say that it was through hiring the right people for the right jobs that they were able to succeed. This is something Heidi emphasizes for all entrepreneurs and small business owners as a must DO! “We have a small circle of people who we rely on for advice,” says Heidi. This is essential in getting the right advice from people who are experienced subject matter experts in their field and it is how they were able to solidify the, not so easily accomplished deal with Walmart. A dream for most in the industry of consumer products and goods but proof of concept for the Stampleys and their award winning beignet mix introduced 3 years ago into their cafes.

Due to the Pandemic, they changed their business model and closed their physical cafe locations, which was extremely difficult.

“Employees are our family and they have been with us since day one,” says Heidi. With the mandated closing of dine in services and decline of sales felt in food ndustries worldwide, they had to make the hard decision to terminate their employees. I asked Heidi what are some of the key factors others should consider when attempting to work with bigger brands and retailers. She says, “they need to know that their business brand and personal brand are one in the same.”

Also stating that larger corporations want to know if the individual(s) match their brand and possess integrity and principals within themselves and their companies. She warns others to be EXTREMELY mindful of what they post/share on social media. “Once it’s out there you never know who has shared it, screenshot or recorded it”.

Social media can get you discovered but you want to be mindful of how you are discovered within these platforms.

The success of the Stampleys was far from easy but together they are driven and determined to reach their goals in becoming a household Creole Food Brand.

There is no doubt that with the right people in your corner and love and support by your side, though the journey may be tough the reward will be that much sweeter.

"Don't be too proud to ask for help"

ADINA HOWARD

Business Before Music PHOTO CREDIT: COLBY FILES

I had the pleasure and honor to interview Ms. Adina Howard. Well known for elaborate songs that we um, sing, and play to this day like “Nasty Grind.” and “Freak Like Me." “I want a freak in the morning, a freak in the evening” carrying the tune as if it was just released yesterday. She has remained on my playlist in the car, during my workouts and within my social media stories. The gag is that it’s 2021 and her breakout was in 1995. Wow! I have to be honest because speaking with her was like speaking with a sultry and vixen matriarchal figure. I had a plethora of questions like “who gave you your big break” “was this song written for you” and “what were some of the lessons you learn,” but those went directly out the window because I immediately felt like I was conversing with my own auntie.

She is auntie “Adina” to me now after this interview. My first question was like most, “who do you attribute to your success in 1995.”

She said, “Baby it was my Mama and everyone else pushing me towards music.” I was widely surprised because I had thought most artists had an initial passion for music which drove them towards a career in the industry. Auntie Adina said, “Music chose me and not the other way around.” After further explanation, she admitted that though she loved to sing and entertain, it was her mother at an early age who pushed her to perform in the church and for her business. She said, “baby an opportunity presented itself and I took it.”

That was an interesting part of our conversation. She didn’t fight it nor did she deny it. She took it, ran with it, and made a career out of it. Anytime something aligned with her spirit and she knew it was given to her by God she would seize without hesitation.

"WHAT'S MEANT FOR ME IS MEANT FOR ME" I wanted to get down to the nitty-gritty with Auntie Adina and what her experience was in the industry. I asked if the stigmas were true about being taken advantage of as an artist not profiting. She said, “Baby it’s ALWAYS business first and the music second.” A life lesson she learned the hard way. Her journey was met with her own arrogance and lack of developing business acumen for the music industry. She had a wonderful and dynamic support system composed of Slyvia Rhone, Max Gousee, Roget Romain, and Livio Harris.

They had given her all the tools she needed to succeed, However, looking back Adina realized that she had never fully tapped into her support system or learned from them as industry experts. This is a growing pain we all face during our early adult years where we think we know it all.

Like most of us, I wanted to know if the song was written by her or if someone else helped write parts of it. Surprisingly, she didn’t write any of it but it was based on her personality. This is why they chose her and the title for it. It was the perfect match. Adina Howard has always had a vixen that doesn’t play by the rules personality and would take hold of her own sexuality and sensuality.

“You get to that age where you think you are grown, you start doing the things you think grown people do. It’s a part of life because you are learning who you are outside of your parent’s house and it is something that helps shape us all”.

Her song wasn’t just about the liberation of young adults, but young African American women who at the time, weren’t taught to be sensual or sexual in their expressions and attitudes.

"IT WASN'T LARE ENOUGH FOR ME TO EAT FROM" We continued our chat for over an hour. Business before music was something she would mention several times. This intrigued me because artists love to say it is all about the music. She told me that if she had a better understanding of the business before she could have made better business-wise decisions rather than focusing solely on the music side. For example, she spoke about the advance “loan” she received from the label. Like most African American artists in the ’90s that loan was an advancement and each cent had to be paid back. She said, “though she received a little piece of the pie after all was paid back it wasn’t large enough to eat from.” “Business before music” is now her motto. She believes all artists need to understand this when signing contracts, as they continue to do business with their label, be it corporate or independent. She has yet to recouped money the label had advanced her.

“ I DON’T FOCUS ON WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING OR WHAT THEY SAY BECAUSE WHAT THEY EAT DOESN'T MAKE MY BUTT BIGGER.” We revisited the line “music chose her and she didn’t choose it.” I needed to know why this was an important phrase. It’s because everyone around her pushed her into music and she went with it. This is why it is important to have a great team around and more prudent of you to trust them. If it wasn’t for her mother pushing her into the music she wouldn’t be where she is today. These things aligned for her because it was what “God had meant for her.” She hopes people understand that what God or the Universe has for you can’t no one else deny it. You have to claim it and follow it through. It’s your God-given right to claim what’s yours. This is why Auntie Adina goes for whatever is presented to her. It’s her divine right to take advantage of it.

"LEARNING WHO YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF YOUR PARENT’S HOUSE AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT HELPS SHAPES US ALL"

LOCAL HEROES Captain Phil Collum

Dr. Latisia Carson

Lady Ri

SDSU Diamonds

Ronald Preston Clark

Captain Phil Collum I

We are honored to highlight and salute Captain Phil Collum for his work and service as Captain of the Patrol Operations Division for the Chula Vista Police Department.

f you ask any community member or colleague how they would describe Captain Phil Collum, Their response would be that he is fair, transparent, ethical, professional, and dedicated to his community. As the first openly

gay and African American Captain of the Chula Vista Police to be promoted to Lieutenant in 2009 and Captain in 2018. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to speak with Captain Phil Collum.

Collum has a long history working in law enforcement that dates back to 1990, starting as the Community Service Officer of Santa Cruz, prior to that he even worked as a Police Dispatcher and volunteered as a Reserve Police Officer. “ I fell in love with the impact I could create in the community,” said Collum when asked what drives him to continue his work. At first he was just looking for a job during his time in college, but found an opportunity to positively be the change he wanted to see happen.

Captain Phil Collum represents the admirable qualities we look for in police representation. “ I want others, like myself to be able to feel that there is a space and place for them in law enforcement, “ said Collum. Generally, he wants more diversity in law enforcement and understands that this can only happen with employing more officers of different cultures and backgrounds. He recalled an time early in his career, seeing two openly lesbian female poilice officers at the Chula Vista Police Department, when it wasn’t socially acceptable. This was true courage to Captain Phil Collum because before these two brave women it was something that was never seen or experienced in their department. “They were incredible public servants but even more so for how they expanded the acceptance of the gay and lesbian culture in the department,” said Collum pridefully as he reflected on their journey.

Not only is the Chula Vista Police Department more diverse than any other law enforcement agency in the County of San Diego, it is one that is for Captain Phil Collum very progressive. Collum told us about a time when his prior Police Chief participated in the San Diego Pride Parade with several other officers.

Something never before seen or done by their department and was met with some backlash. After the pride event there was a memorandum sent around the department stating the displeasure of some of the officers for the actions of those who attended and participated in the parade. “ Backlash like this is expected, but what made me more than happy was the fact that our Chief of Police attended multiple pride events following the first to show solidarity and support,” said Collum.

Captain Phil Collum. “My top priority when we hear complaints from the community members or when I attend community events is to be focused on making sure we understand them...Our job is to protect and serve the community which means servicing the needs and finding viable solutions for them, said Collum. He urges people to use their voice, get more involved with their local law enforcement, and challenges them to raise concerns within the community. Captain Phil Collum will always search for ways to improve the customer service of their department. Customer service is the core of their work because it is to service the community and reassure their concerns and issues are heard and resolved.

DR. LATISIA CARSON, MD As the only African American to own a sole private Obstetrics and Gynecology practice in San Diego, Dr Carson has made it her mission to ensure that women of color receive health care they deserve. It was a pleasure to speak with her in regards to mixing business with medicine.

“MY MOTHER CONVINCED ME THAT I COULD DO IT” When Dr. Carson attended Fort Hays State University, she initially wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse practitioner.

“My mother had other plans for me and wanted me to become a doctor,” said Carson. Urging her to attend medical school, even after she had been accepted into the school’s nursing program.

Now on a new pathway, she would struggle with Math and relied on her mother’s words of encouragement to push her through tough times. “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Her mother would say and at that point failure was not an option. Through diligence, determination and help from a tutor she would overcome the challenge.

MEDICINE MEETS BUSINESS Her journey through business ownership hasn’t been easy. During her times of “lean” she would only have enough profit to ensure her employees were paid while sacrificing payroll from herself. This is something she said a leader must and will do at times, adding that employees need to always know that the owner of any business has them covered. Dr. Carson said, “It is important for anyone in business to find a mentor and a circle of like minded individuals.” Beyond her brilliance and determination, it has been the care of her support system that has helped her continue to be the thriving business owner we see today. Her incredible support system is there when she needs to vent as well as discussions that help spark new ideas for her to implement into her own practice.

“I originally came back to San Diego to be part of a larger group of 6 to 8 doctors,” said Dr. Carson. Ideally, she felt this would work in her favor and she would be able to manage a balanced career life with everyone taking equal parts in the energies and efforts of the business. Unfortunately, the group fell apart. Afterwards, she gave it another try with a gentleman she had known while she was in Pasadena, this too didn’t work out. It was then she finally realized it was time for her to go into practice for herself.

“MY DREAM WAS TO BE PART OF A LARGER GROUP OF DOCTORS” She moved back to San Diego and it was her time to make it happen on her own terms. “My mother helped start the National Medical Association chapter here,” said Dr. Carson. This allowed networking to not be an issue, but it didn’t mean everyone would believe that she could achieve it. Most doctors open their own practices after working in an area for 3 to 5 years, but after just 1 year, Dr. Carson took the rewarding risk. Even with a small but growing patient base she didn’t allow the limitations of others set limitations on her dream.

Operating a practice while being the head doctor isn’t an easy feat. “Medical students aren’t taught business courses in school,” said Dr. Carson. She said this is one major reason why medical students don’t usually dream of opening their own practice. Also, it isn’t something that is usually encouraged throughout medical school. You can see why many students go straight into seeking employment at bigger companies. Only once could she recall that a guest lecturer came particularly to speak about private practice ownership.

SHE USED HER VOICE FOR A CAUSE AND PLATFORM TO RAISE AWARENESS

INTRODUCING LADY RI

From covers to philanthropy Lady Ri is a woman on a mission to

Lady Ri brought her southern tradition from her hometown of

create change through music, community, food, and expression.

Richmond, Virginia to San Diego with a mixture of her time

From special events to Southside Biscuits serving up some great

spent in the New York music scene. “I was finding my

authentic down home southern recipes, Lady Ri along with her

community of beautiful and talented black people from hip

partner Chef Ryan are working towards creating a better

hop artists to open mic enthusiasts in New York,” said Lady Ri.

community in their background

This is something she wanted to see here in San Diego and

A BLOCK PARTY FOR A CAUSE! During the onset of the pandemic in 2020 there was civil unrest that was met with riots, protestors, and people coming together to finally let their voices be heard. Lady Ri and her partner Chef Ryan saw this as an opportunity to further the connection between BIPOC communities in San Diego and do something for those who wanted to help. The BIPOC Arts & Music Block Party was born from this desire to keep the connection alive and somehow help other

discovered there was an underdiscovered scene of artististic individuals. This is why the Block Party concept was important for here because she asked herself how can we “create a community where we’re exchanging dollars amongst ourselves?” But it was more than just economic profit, it was giving people a sense of community during a time everyone felt isolated, alone, and unsure of the world around them.

Music has been proven time and time again to connect us as people across social, cultural and economic backgrounds.

businesses generate profit while adhering to the mandate of the

Before the Block Party started the dynamic duo started their

city. They would donate proceeds from this event to assist in the

own food business Southside Biscuits as a pop up company.

bail bonds for those protests that were arrested.

Chef Ryan and Lady Ri wanted to bring food with southern

“While Chef Ryan and I are certainly a team, he is truly the

tradition to San Diego. “We use recipes handed down from my

mastermind behind the vision for the events and I music is what I

grandmother who gave us her blessing to use them,” said Lady

bring to the events by curating local artists that I have the honor of

Ri when I asked what makes Southside Biscuit so unique and

being connected with through my own musical journey.

special to them. It is because it’s the love passed down from generation to generation.

THE MAJORETTE TEAM IN SAN DIEGO THAT PAVED THE WAY! Extraordinary young collegiate women who brought a southern tradition to San Diego and the western region of the country. For those who aren’t familiar with Majorette as a dance style. It was popularized during the late 60’s in the south at historically black colleges & universities that incorporate various dance styles, marching bands, and batons. Because of the distinction made by different regions and colleges, your answer will vary each time on what is Majorette. However, the similarities are within the crowd pleasing entertainment.

One thing we can agree on is that the San Diego State University Diamonds were the first to bring this to the west coast 10 years ago and we thank them for it. I had the pleasure of speaking with Captain Cai Ford and Co-Captain Fernie Salvatierra on the rich history of this organization and why they are so extremely passionate about continuing it. “ We take pride in what those before us have established because we know it wasn’t easy and this is tradition,” said Ford. This is more than just dance; it is a sisterhood that promotes education and professionalism. Members of their team have to maintain a high GPA as well as represent the organization on campus and at events in a professional manner.

Captain Cai Ford said, “ We can’t give others a reason to question the integrity of this organization and its members.”

“We love when people stand up and cheer for us when we are on the field during halftime,” said Salvatierra. The joy and excitement they see in the crowd is what fuels them to make sure they have an amazing set with unique routines. Captain Cai Ford is constantly studying new ways and methods she can incorporate to improve precision, originality and the overall entertainment level of their routines. She will often create her own moves to bring in a little bit of her culture from her hometown of Los Angeles. “As the Captain, it is my responsibility to make sure we stay true to tradition but also bring in some creativity,” said Ford.

I should mention that she is the youngest Captain in the organization's 10 year history. There has never been a sophomore Team Captain. However, Co-Captain Fernie Salvatierra says that, “it was because of her instant drive, dedication, and determination to be the best. That’s when I knew she was Captain material.

These women aren’t just entertainers, they are also activists on campus and believed organizations of color weren’t being treated fairly so they petitioned for an investigation. “We knew we weren't receiving the same treatment like our counterparts so we started to ask other BIPOC organizations,” said Ford. It wasn’t just about them, The movement was bout everyone on campus having equal treatment and access to particular resources. The system was unjust and evident throughout the investigation. Shortly after challenging the school, their findings caused immediate changes. “More change needs to happen on campus, but we are at least heading in the right direction,” said Salvtierra as she reflected on her time on campus.

GET TO KNOW THE SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY DIAMONDS

Ronald Preston Clark is a true Southeast San Diego native that will forever give back to the community that raised him. A 2004 graduate of Morse High School, a product of Mt. Erie Baptist Church and a mixture of Linda Vista (his Mother’s side) and Skyline (his Father’s side), he is “Southeast born and bred.” He sees his upbringing as a culturally-diverse community that was beautiful in itself but can often be connected through trauma.

“There’s been a lot of loss,” Clark says, “but it has been a lot of love, at the same time.”

As an active advocate for his community, he loved to see changes such as “The Four Corners of Death” at the intersection of Euclid and Imperial being reclaimed as “The Four Corners of Life” after years of gang violence. Reclaiming the area as a celebration of life through great food, music, love and fellowship, Clark understands that giving back is very important.

“I’m nothing without people reaching back and grabbing me,” Clark says. “My mentors have always spoken about paying it forward.”

His memories of grade school were thankful times learning about Black explorers, inventors and scientists through amazing mentors - like Mr. Agin Shaheed - who instilled greatness into him early on.

“Being a Black intellectual was a good thing,” Clark says. “It was something positive that I didn’t need to hide. I never lost sight of that.”

AUTHOR - TEACHER - MENTOR

Clark would later attend Hampton University, an HBCU in Virginia, crediting his first and still mentor for leading him in the right direction.

“When I got to college, I always went back to Morse and talked to the kids about school, about life,” Clark says. “That’s just always been a part of me, and I’ll never let that go.”

Reminding us that he will always pay it forward, he sits on the board of various non-profits including Empowering Mentorships, where he is Director of Education, and We Will Rise. He is also an advisory board member for Paving Great Futures, a local non-profit here in San Diego designed to help individuals with financial literacy, job readiness and entrepreneurship.

In September 2018, Clark would release his first book titled, Vinnie: a love letter, a narrative of a young Black boy going through manhood, emotional trauma and internal conflicts that bind readers to the pages and allow us to relate to the harsh realities of life, love and loss. He

started out building the book in short chapters over the span of almost three years, but in March 2018, after dealing with emotional traumas himself, he would go on to finish well over 45,000 words over the course of the next two months.

“After work, I was in my mom’s den on the floor, with a very specific playlist, in the dark, on my laptop, getting it in,” Clark remembers. “I was borderline possessed.”

Going on to reach close to 1,000 books sold throughout the country, Vinnie: a love letter has been on various podcasts, in K-through-12 schools, colleges and a part of an institutional re-entry program at a San Diego prison. He also placed in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards in October 2020.

His life lessons of trials and tribulations have become testimonies both on and off paper. He is most thankful that his creative outlets have started lifechanging conversations about male masculinity and has even strengthened the relationships between fathers and sons. These days, his time is spent as a high school Humanities teacher at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Chicago, an all-Black high school. He feels blessed to have a daily impact on the young minds of our future leaders and aims to continue dedicating his time and efforts to building a brighter and more promising future.

Ronald Preston Clark

Spring 2021 (Online) // April 28 – Aug 12, 2021 Bootcamp is for entrepreneurs with established businesses, earning a minimum of $250K in annual revenue who want to achieve rapid growth Learn more here: https://foundersfirstcdc.org/bootcamp

Dallas, TX & Nationwide (Online) // May 17 – Jun 8, 2021 The 4-week FastPath Executive Program in Financing & Managing Growth is designed for companies generating $1 million to $5 million in annual revenues Learn more here: https://foundersfirstcdc.org/fastpath

PROGRESS MET WITH

Founders First

Upcoming Accelerator Programs

Chicago, IL & Nationwide (Online) // May 25, 2021 Challenge is for entrepreneurs with established businesses, earning between $50K and $250K in annual revenue, who want to achieve growth.

Learn more here: https://foundersfirstcdc.org/challenge

Five company highlights who have successfully completed accelerator programs with Founders First Rhymes with Reason Austin Martin, 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Austin’s company aims to help improve literacy among kids in schools by using their favorite rap and hip-hop songs. Students can access Rhymes with Reason's library of vocabulary lessons, practice exercises and exams from any device. Interactive demo available!

Website https://www.rhymeswithreason.co

Swann School of Protocol (Swann School) Elaine Swann Swann School of Protocol (Swann School) is one of the leading training institutions designed to enrich the lives of individuals through the instruction of etiquette and social courtesies. Founder Elaine Swann is one of the top nationally-recognized lifestyle and etiquette experts. Elaine has made appearances on as well as the TODAY SHOW, Dr. Oz, CNN, Access Hollywood, TruTV, and more.

Website https://www.swannschoolofprotocol.com

Creating Coding Careers Mike Roberts, CEO of the Year Award Finalist by San Diego Business Journal Creating Coding Careers brings diverse talent into our tech apprenticeship program, working alongside experienced developers on real projects for real companies. Every project is overseen for quality and function, allowing companies to leverage an expanded workforce without risk.

Making innovative technology accessible, equitable, and successful.

Website https://cccareers.org

Good Neighbor Garden Mia Vaughnes & Walt Sandford Good Neighbor Garden’s mission is to create a community of neighbors sharing their resources to ensure that everyone has access to the healthiest, freshest food at an affordable price. They farm yards and teach the practice of growing food to people of all ages. They aggregate the extra harvest and distribute it to neighbors in the city. A portion of the proceeds goes to garden education in urban farming spaces.

Website https://www.goodneighborgardens.com

JLM Strategic Talent Partners La Shondra Mercurius JLM is the leader in building connections between talent and companies within the infrastructure industry. JLM is a strategic partner in the industry that is committed to creating meaningful connections between talent and companies. They are dedicated to building community through innovation and technology to empower its members to advance the industry forward.

Website https://jlmstrategic.com

BYRON CAGE "THE PRINCE OF PRAISE"

From multiple Stellar Awards to hit radio singles, Byron Cage the original “Prince of Praise” is back with his latest project ISOLATION. A project that was 7 years in the making. This marks his 10th album with number one spots already on the radio. We’re so pleased to catch up with him on this project and all his newest ventures. The Minister of Music is now an author with the release of his new book “I Do: The Marriage of Music and Ministry.”

"This is something when you hear the music it makes people smile"

For Byron Cage, it was a prophetic experience

Our top song picks from the album are “I Can’t Give Up,” “It’s

writing this album. Three months after its

Won,” and “Isolation” which is very reminiscent of the classic

release, the pandemic happened, leaving some in

Byron Cage that loyal listeners and followers of his music love and

a state of isolation mental, physical, spiritual, or

enjoy.

emotional. “I woke up at 3 am in the morning to write the song Isolation,” said Cage. Throughout his process of composing the song, he needed to find the right words and piano keys to bring it together and somehow everything just started to happen. Bryon would undergo a divine inspiration much like how most of his songs are composed. A message or sense of love, healing, and empowerment is what drives him to bring music to life for people. “My music is meant to help people heal,” said Cage and that’s exactly what he did again with this album. It might not have been when we wanted but It was right on time.

Both his new book and latest album are out on all major platforms right now. The book, which has already been listed as a best seller on Amazon in its first week, is all about establishing a healthy relationship in the pulpit. It is meant to create harmony and synergy between the pastors and ministers of music. “This book shows how we can maximize our experiences on Sunday or whenever we are together,” said Cage. With his 30 years of experience working as a minister of music in the church, Byron Cage has witnessed the difficulties that transpire because of confusion or the lack of not properly working together and not considering different viewpoints. Anyone who is active in the church and wants to help bring synergy and cohesion to the internal workings of the congregation should know that this is a perfect book to get the discussions going.

LOGAN RENA & SOULKATION Empowering Women

I had the honor of speaking with a true Southern Bell in Logan Rena. A certified Life Purpose Coach and the owner of Soulkation, an organization built to create a safe space for women to save, help, and support each other through love, healing, and self-restoration.ntally damaging and unsustainable

"HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE WHOSE FAITH HAS NO HANDCUFFS AND BELIEFS HAVE NO BOUNDARIES" Logan Rena, grew up in Mississippi to a single mother who she deemed as the “Queen of Affirmations” A name she gave her mother because of her consistency in teaching Loan and siblings the importance of self-love. After the unfortunate loss of her mother in 2014, due to Stage 4 Breast Cancer, it was the foundations of her mother’s teaching that would help Logan cope with her loss and fully understand her calling. “It was the first time I would learn how to qualify and encourage myself. ”She says “I merged her love of affirmations and soul care and The SoulKation Brand was born.”

GET EXCITED ABOUT HEARING NO BECAUSE THAT MEANS A MEMORABLE YES IS AROUND THE CORNER. Logan would be met with a variety of challenges after the launch of Soulkation.

However, through her perseverance, she’s been able to provide an amazing platform for women, through fellowship, podcasts, and even annual retreats, where she helps women build on how to reject brokenness, self-doubt, and adopt consistent self-love and self-acceptance. disease including heart disease.

Before the women leave the event, they are given simple practices on how to keep insecurities from blocking them from the things they truly want in their lives. She says “The hardest thing about building a dream is keeping the dream in front of you and the excuses behind you.” Her ability to encourage others has without a doubt changed many lives. Her mission is to ensure that 33 million women have the confidence in answering three questions: Who am I really, why am I here, and, what do I really want? Logan won’t stop until this is accomplished and will continue to push for women to become their best selves and live their best lives.

"THE COMPLETENESS THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS FOUND IN THE HEART THAT YOU ARE IGNORING"

CORY GEORGE CRISIS INTERVENTION & TRAUMA RECOVERY COUNSELOR Interview and conversation written by Terena Tarbor

Why should we put ourselves first?

People are quick to help others when it comes to topics surrounding mental health, but we have a hard time doing the same for ourselves. I had the amazing opportunity to sit down and interview Cory George, who is a crisis intervention and trauma recovery counselor. He is familiar with people constantly putting themselves last and is also an advocate for teaching people how to treat you by setting the tone and putting ourselves first. As the head of his household and as a father, he does not leave his practices at work because it gives him more resources to give back to his family. “This applies to families because when you put yourself first, everything that you give downward will be better because you’re recharged. You also teach your children how to prioritize themselves as well,” said George.

“The most important reason is when we put ourselves first, that also allows us to teach people inadvertently how to treat us. And it also sets the tone for expectations. So if you put yourself first people understand that there is value in your time” Putting yourself last can be as simple as not taking a step back when you know you need a mental break. I, along with too many others, am a victim of doing this all the time when it comes to work. This can cause a downward spiral into unhappiness, unproductivity and “it can kill you,” George said. By not prioritizing our mental health we are inviting stress into our lives which can then lead to depression, anxiety, heart attacks and at the end of the day a very expensive medical bill. A simple way to think of this is the more you push, the more your mind pulls further and further away from a stable mental state. George is an advocate for honoring the body because your body will tell you when it’s had enough and ignoring that can be detrimental.

So what does putting yourself first look like? George suggests that we take some time everyday to do something unthought provoking that we enjoy doing. This can include watching a movie, taking a walk or my favorite, a spa day for one. I enjoy taking calming showers with my aromatherapy humidifier and George said this is a great way to calm your body.

Going outside and looking at nature is another great self care treat because George says, nature helps us realize we have a lot to be thankful for. Plus, vitamin D has properties that can help regulate our mood. Lastly, watching a movie or even reading a book that does not make you think too much can help with relaxing the mind, especially after a long day.

As me and George dove deeper into the conversation, he began looking at this through a cultural aspect focusing on black history and mental health. He said being a black person in America, there have been many reasons why black people do not deem themselves to be important. this is especially true if they’re not trained to put themselves first. “This [the feeling of unimportance,] is a belief that we inherit through our ancestors; that we have to put someone else first, you know we have to save faith, we have to code switch.

“If the conversations that are surrounding mental health are not normalized in the home, and if the home is your first place of peace, how are we supposed to find that peace outside of a home if it was never modeled?”

You know we have to talk a certain way. If we want certain advantages in life we have to appear a certain way so in what way is that telling us to put ourselves first?” We essentially neglect our own needs by putting on a poker face to "fit the scene" (look like Jake and not Jamal) and we please everyone else, but leave ourselves out of the loop. According to Mental Health America (MHA), of the 13.4 percent of the population that identifies as Black or African American, over 16 percent reported having issues with their mental health. And that is only the number of those who came forward.

“Being a black person in this America, there have been many reason why black people [dont], especially if they're not trained to put themselves first."

The point is we all need time to heal and time to relax especially during a time when people are struggling to do that because of the pandemic. Give your mind, body and soul a break. “Don’t leave me out in the cold. Just love me body and soul,” (Baker- Rhythm of Love 1994). Anita Baker said it and so should you to you.

THE YOGA BUS HAS ARRIVED IN SAN DIEGO

The Yoga Bus is a creation brought to us

by Co-founders Lindsey and Olivia. These two young women have been practicing and teaching Yoga for years. Yoga has been a practice and journey that has deeply enriched their lives and they want to offer others the same experience in a fun and engaging way.

The Yoga Bus is a community of change-makers and visionary leaders that are driven by empathy for all beings and the understanding of humanities' interconnectedness. They believe in the power of diversity, inclusivity and compassion in both individualism and collectivism. For them all beings deserve to be happy and free.

Their mission is to offer yoga to all regardless of their race, cultural expression, gender identity or socioeconomic status. Whoever who are, they have a space for you and strive to deepen the connections between you + yourself, you + your community and you + Nature while practicing outside.

The Yoga Bus currently offers a safe, outdoor and socially distant space for weekly yoga classes and community experiences. They have an option for you to create your own pop-up yoga + wellness gatherings or an outdoor yoga pop-up + photo-op experience at your next event..

DON'T MISS THIS BUS

Stay up to date on this bus because it is on the move Website:theyogabus.co Instagram: @Theyogabus.co

Advocating for Dreams Realized Everyone should have the power to dream. All those who dream of a better life also deserve the means to make those dreams real.

You will read of Jamar Williams who dreamt of launching a business to meet an unmet market need. Quality, free resources Jamar found at the San Diego Public Library helped make those dreams a reality. At the San Diego Public Library Foundation, we work to ensure our local Libraries have the support needed so they can be a conduit to opportunity for all San Diegans.

We work with individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in the Library’s mission and want to invest in that work (you can support that work too at SupportMyLibrary.org/donate). Above and beyond raising funds, we grow the base of Library supporters through outreach, advocacy, and increasing awareness for the Library’s impact.

We hope you will be part of this advocacy team. LibrariesTransformSD is a partnership among the Library Foundation, the Friends of the San Diego Public Library, and the Library Commission. Together, and with our cadre of advocates, we tell elected leaders how important an adequately funded Library is to each community.

Please visit LibrariesTransformSD.org to sign up. Your help will be especially important in the coming months as we call for additional city investments in materials and programs. Use of Library online resources and programs has soared during the pandemic and additional funding is needed as the Library provides resources in every community during San Diego’s recovery and helps more people like Jamar achieve their dreams.

Patrick Stewart

CEO, San Diego Public Library Foundation

Innovate | Discover | Experience | Achieve The San Diego Public Library’s makerspaces inspire an interest in science, technology, design, and 21st century skills for San Diegans of all ages.

At several locations in the library system, patrons can work together, alone, or with library staff on creative projects and learn through direct experimentation and from each other. Although libraries are currently open to limited services, many of these services are still available online.Although libraries are currently open to limited services, many of these services are still available online. Learn more at sandiego.gov/public-library/idea.

“It all started here,” Jamar said of the Library’s Innovation Lab. Jamar was introduced to the idea of “build your own” drones while recording a music video and wanted to start a firm using drones to capture aerial photography and video.

He was unsure how to move forward. PromoDrone’s banner system was created with rudimentary designs drawn at Jamar’s kitchen table. Early on, he paid a 3D printing firm to produce parts, some of which cost more than $100 each.

Those costs were prohibitive. In 2018, he learned of the Library’s Innovation Lab with free 3D printing and scanning equipment and Library staff ready to help. This was a gamechanger.

Jamar spent several months in the Lab printing parts. He said Library staff were supportive, troubleshot printing problems and helped perfect their current design.

With Library support, Jamar’s company is soaring. Jamar said that the company is currently patent-pending on not only the concept of drone advertising but also its applications and processes. They are busy with new clients and expanded into global licensing. The future is looking bright.

Learn more about PromoDrone by visiting: Instagram.com/promo.drone Jamar Williams is CEO and Founder of

PromoDrone, a San Diego pioneer in using drones to deliver advertising messages. He credits the Library’s Innovation Lab with helping him get his business off the ground.

Sip Wine & Beer

Surviving The Pandemic Sip Wine & Beer

WHAT WERE THE DRIVING FORCES THAT KEEP YOU FROM CLOSING YOUR BUSINESS COMPLETELY? BEING still was a force in deciding the outcome of SIP Wine Beer. I decided to take time off to reflect and be clear about what was in store for the future.

Listening to god was vital because I needed confirmation SIP was supposed to continue operating. I am fortunate to say we are thriving and excited to see the SIP Family.

HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR BUSINESS FINANCIALLY AFLOAT DURING THIS TIME? I pivoted to curbside pickup and reached the community online tasting classes to generate revenue. I also applied for all funding opportunities available through local, County, State, and Federal entities. I was fortunate to survive during this time and attribute having my financials for funding consideration.

Cassandra wasn't going to close her doors DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOKED AT HOW YOU OPERATE YOUR BUSINESS AND HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS FINANCES? (ELABORATE A LITTLE).

Business operations didn't change drastically. I shifted to an online presence until it was safe to bring the community together. However, the pandemic solidified the importance of understanding your business's financial health. I learned early not to ignore the financial health of my business. The growth of your business lies in its financial health.

When you grasp where you stand, you are equipped with the knowledge to make the necessary changes. I can't stress the importance of creating a solid foundation for your business. The pandemic showed us we have to know the rules to get access, and we have to lay a financially sound foundation to grow.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO IS CONSIDERING CLOSING OR STOPPING THEIR BUSINESS? Talk to a financial professional and get a grasp on your finances before deciding to close your business.

Equip yourself with the knowledge and financial intelligence to create a plan to move forward. A company I recommend to anyone in need of evaluating their business is RG Alliance. They work with small businesses and have helped several obtain the funding needed to weather the storm. Knowledge is power, and often we let our pride get the best of us vs. asking for help. Asking for help will save your business!

The Formula Skin Lab

Surviving The Pandemic

WHAT WERE THE DRIVING FORCES THAT KEEP YOU FROM CLOSING YOUR BUSINESS COMPLETELY? What drove me to finding solutions to stay open vs. closing during the Pandemic was that I have a lot of people that are depending on me. I have a team that I can't let down, and family & friends that need me as well. If I fail, I fail them.

HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR BUSINESS FINANCIALLY AFLOAT DURING THIS TIME? I was able to stay afloat by adjusting to the new guidelines as necessary, and by finding new and innovative ways to still treat our patients such as virtual consultations, and at home facial kits.

IF POSSIBLE WHAT WERE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU GENERATED INCOME FOR YOUR BUSINESS? We were able to generate income heavily online by selling retail product solutions and charging for virtual consultations. By selling online we were able to generate nearly 3 times as much as we do at our brick and mortar location, as our reach began to expand out of San Diego and out of the country as well. It was quite impressive to see!

""I have a lot of people that are depending on me" DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOKED AT HOW YOU OPERATE YOUR BUSINESS AND HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS FINANCES? (ELABORATE A LITTLE).

The Pandemic has DEFINITELY helped me to expand some of the skills that I have, and has even inspired me to go back to school. As for finances, I've always been pretty frugal and like to save, however, I have taken interest in investing and having multiple streams of income.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO IS CONSIDERING CLOSING OR STOPPING THEIR BUSINESS? Only we know our financial situations and personal limitations, so I would share something that was shared with me, " Never think of letting go as failure, or giving up. You are simply closing the door on one phase of your life to open another.

Sunset Cliffs Park

A dirt Trail that’s cleaner than most locations. Great for a quick hike to catch the sunset.

The cliff view alone is a site to see.

Located at: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Easy Hike 1.7 miles est 45 mins

Seven Bridge Walk A laxed and leisure walkers trail that takes you through parts of Balboa, Hillcrest, and Banker’s Hill Located at: Balboa Park Easy Hike 5.9 miles 2h 4m

Oaky Canyon

Open year-round, quiet and peaceful.

This trail is mostly flat but offers a variety of gorgeous views Located at: Mission Trails Regional Park Moderate Hike 2.7 miles est 1h 15mins

Climbers Loop Trail

This is a startling trail for first time hiker so bring an experienced friend. It's an uphill climb with rock hopping parts and, narrow paths, sharp inclines and declines.

Located at: Mission Trails Regional Park Challenging Hike 1.9 miles est 1 hour

See San Diego JAZZMINE TAYLOR

www.jazzminemarie.photo

through their lenses ANGELA LEDYARD www.angelaledyard.com

r i o t S n w ro

Loc al G

NOMADS DONUTS- BRAD

Inspirational stories

"I grew up in Winnipeg Canada and moved to San Diego in the early 2000’s. I came down here for a friend's wedding and I just fell in love with the area. I told my friend I was thinking of finding a job in San Diego so he tossed me his keys and told me to extend my stay.

The culture shock I experienced within transitioning from Canadian culture to American culture was that Canada had more of a “we and us” mentality compared to the United States “me and I” culture. It was a rough transition and during those times I leaned into friendships. That helped me build my sense of community in San Diego. In 2013 after a surf session, one of my closest friends told me about his idea to open up a gourmet donut shop where community would be an integral part of the shop's values. We started developing a business plan to make that dream a reality, and in 2014, we opened shop. Ten months in, my business partner decided that running a food business wasn’t for him. There were several components to running a shop that weren't as glamorous as serving customers and creating cool new donut flavors. We had several tough conversations, but in the end I respected his decision to leave. Through moments like that I realized that life is full of shocking twists and turns. I learned to give myself up to instances that are out of my control. Especially with COVID, this lesson is specifically relevant. As a business owner you come to realize that every moment won’t be picture perfect. As a surfer one of the best feelings is when a friend captures you on a wave, you're hitting the turn, riding up, and it looks fantastic. But what's missing are the 10 waves you missed before, the ones you really failed hard at. Just like in business. But those moments prepare you for the next wave of challenges."

These stories were

THE BURLEE BAR- MATT

"At the beginning of this new year, I was on unemployment and frantically searching for well-paying jobs. I tried applying for many positions but nothing seemed to catch. It was a bit tormenting for a while. I had always worked in the culinary and hospitality industry, and for the longest time it was my life. But maybe I wasn’t meant to be doing this. It was scary to think that I might have to let such a significant part of my life go. One night, me and my wife were sitting in the car and started talking about our futures. We both knew I needed to do something financially and that we couldn’t both keep relying on her paycheck. As a black couple, there are a lot of shortcomings that we have to overcome. And if we have the ability to leave something behind for our children that benefits them and allows them to be able to pursue anything they want to pursue, I can feel that I accomplished something great in my life.

But to do that, both me and my wife need to be in a financially stable situation. We began brainstorming. She made me write out on a piece of paper the top 5 things that I am passionate about, and food was on that list.

On Valentine’s day a couple weeks later, I decided to go all out and make my wife a 4-course meal, finished off with a crème brûlée. But instead of a basic vanilla bean, I decided to put a twist on it and made a lemon grass thai chili version. When we reached the dessert of the night and took the first bite, me and my wife both slowed down and simultaneously locked eyes. It was amazing. I had never tasted a flavor like this, and I started wondering, “could I do something with this?... Let’s roll with it.” And that’s kind of the birth of The Brûlée Bar."

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EXTRAORDINARY BANANA PUDDING - TORAN

from four amazing men brought to you by

FLAVORS OF EAST AFRICA - JUNO

“I was born in Nairobi, Kenya. Although my family in Kenya was mostly farmers, my father was business oriented and was a supplier for Wrigley’s Chewing Gum for all of Africa. I ended up attending college in Bombay India and there, I worked in a spice market to make some side money while in schooling. I had to develop an extensive knowledge of Indian spices to be able to answer all the bombarding questions that customers were asking. A family of farmers, a business-minded father, and a knowledge of Indian spices… something was cooking the whole time. When I came to America in 2005, I bounced around a lot of jobs at first. I was living in an apartment and cooking for myself every night to try and save money. One night, the neighbors knocked on my door. They said they smell the food every night and it always smells so good. They were hosting a get-together and asked me to cater for them. I got a bit more confidence about my cooking. I started catering to my friends and other people in the apartments. One thing led to another and eventually, I opened up a tent at farmer’s markets. In the beginning, I was all by myself. I would have to set up the whole tent myself and then get straight to cooking. But soon, customers would start getting there early to help me set up so I can get to selling on time. I’m so grateful for the early support that I had. And grateful for all the support we have had since then. In June, Flavors of East Africa came out on the black-owned business list that went viral in San Diego. In one week, we broke our monthly sale record.

With everything that has been going on this year, this was a true blessing.”

I’ve always been business minded, growing up with 8 other siblings we didn’t always have everything we needed. That drove me to want to build something for my myself and my family. In order to be able to support them in times of need. As well as to create some generational wealth and show my community that if I could do it, they could too. Society has sold us on this idea that you have to go to college to be successful… They don’t tell you all the options you really have. They don’t tell you to be creative or work towards your passion. Not only that, but they teach you how to follow orders.

That’s not something I wanted for myself... With that in mind, I knew I had to start developing my mindset as a leader, so I got to work. At 18 my friend and I started our own business providing janitorial services. It became successful, but it wasn’t something I was passionate about, so I moved on. I started working in the fishing industry in a warehouse. All the while, I was selling my great-grandmothers amazing banana pudding. I started adding new flavors to the mix. Things at work started becoming more stressful… it got to the point where I didn’t want to show up anymore. On those hardest days working at the warehouse I decided to invest more on my own hustle. Create new puddings, make more sales, etc… Fortunately, as things at work were starting to deteriorate, my own work was growing. I was losing clients because I couldn’t fulfil large orders. I knew I needed to grow. Both these instances made me realize I didn’t need my job anymore. That I could build my own business up and focus on creating something bigger than me.

Something the community look to as an inspiration to build their own businesses.

Program Highlights Free to enroll.

One year of business coaching & training.

Complimentary usage of co-working space.

Progress tracked for success.

Four convenient start dates.

Next Start Dates

July/August 2020

Nov/December 2020

March/April 2021

The Catalyst Black Academy

Catalyst Black Entrepreneur Program The Catalyst Black Entrepreneur Program (CBEP) is for the early start up entrepreneur who is seeking to start their business or who has recently started without a consistent income stream. They are taken through a FREE 3 month process ranging from business development to business growth activities. Within this program they are taught fundamentals in areas of business economics, marketing and sales strategy, and essentials for overall success in business planning for growth. After completion of the program the participant will be given a year of coaching and mentoring.

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re & Apply o To M

Two Locations

San Diego 704 J ST San Diego, CA 92101

Los Angeles 1325 Palmetto St Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Program Highlights

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Is a California 501c(3) Nonprofit based in San Diego.

The purpose and mission of this organization is to advance the African American community in business ownership through structured programming and mentorship.

Virtual Learning Participation is available

Black Business Catalyst Booster The Black Business Catalyst Booster (BBCB) is for the African American business owner and has been established in business but needs additional support in a boost to help generate revenue, new strategies and tactics in sales, marketing, branding, and Public Relations, or identifying organizational structure needs. Each business’s BBCB will be uniquely designed to assist them with their situation. The aim is to give them a boost in the right direction to help them practice better business practices in the need areas.

For more information visit www.catalystblackacademy.org

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