BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
RASHAAD GRAHAM TERRANCE HOSLEY @shaadg_scmusik @thesdnbrand CARL OVERSTREET DOMINIC MALONE @iamtehos @carryonceo @tunnelvisioncreativeagency ISIAH JONES @cinemazay
TERRELL THOMPSON @themaninsd
WORDS
FROM
Hip Hop is Culture & Culture is Life!
C
ulture is the one thing we can all agree is the breath of life for providing a foundation for how people see themselves. A sense of identity and belonging is what we get from culture, beyond the joys of expression through food, music, fashion, and entertainment. Culture guides the swinging pendulum that transcends time and space. As important as it is, it is more important to understand the power of acceptance and recognition of it all. Why a focus on Hip Hop?
Because without Hip Hop there wouldn’t be any flavor for us to enjoy anything relevant. From fashion to music, Hip Hop influences the world, crossing the gaps between cultures, communities, and regions. Hip Hop is appreciated but the people aren’t, and when I say people I mean the African Americans who work tirelessly on their craft. It is their dedication that adds a new sound to music for the next generation, a dance routine that catches on with a simple hashtag, or street wear that becomes
THE
PUBLISHER
Photographed by Steven Cooper, styled by Lady Maximo
designer wear. The problem is that although the creations catch fire and become popular, those who are doing the creating, exploring, and putting themselves into their work aren’t profiting. Furthermore, those who are equally talented or have potential are overshadowed by a system and industry that prefers to spotlight and profit only a select few. So why this issue? The people are why this issue is important. Talented African American artists, musicians, designers, and more add to the culture here in San Diego and throughout the rest of the world. They deserve recognition because others either are ignoring their talents or seeking them. Too many times our community feels less than with their skills and talents because of a world that only wants to praise those that are “marketable.” If culture is life and hip hop is culture, then hip hop is something that needs to be expressed more on levels where others have an opportunity to be showcased.
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Hip Hop isn’t a genre, it just is! Lastly, I want people to understand Hip Hop isn’t a term we can box people in because these same individuals who have a certain Hip Hop style or flavor to them also have so much more to offer. Once we look past giving them a term that can have a negative connotation in the eyes of the wrong person, we give them back the power to fully express themselves. This issue, I want everyone highlighted and spoken well of to understand that what they are doing and how they are contributing to the culture and the world is amazing and to never give up. Each person has their own unique and individual style and way of self expression, which I think is one of the quinntessential reasons why we must let the culture of Hip Hop breathe like an open flame in the wild.
Michael Cox
Owner & Publisher Instagram: @partnerwithmike
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R&B S L A C LO ONLY BY MARGARET WHITE
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BRITTANY TAYLOR Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music. I am a San Diego native, mother, creative and artist. You may have seen me perform at a number of local R&B shows such as Serenade Social, Soul Sunday or NeoSoul Tuesdays! I have headlined many events so far this year and plan to continue more. I will also be releasing some original music this year, which I am incredibly excited about! I hope to spread love and inspiration, not just around our beloved San Diego, but as far as I can! Hometown San Diego, Born & Raised!
I love our current growing music scene in San Diego! It is actually really diverse. There are some great creatives putting together some amazing opportunities for local artist to thrive and grow a solid base. I have to shout out Terrell Thompson (Serenade Social) & Blake Dye (Soul Sunday) as two of my biggest supporters and working diligently to keep R&B alive and well in San Diego! Also Neo Soul Tuesdays is always a good time! There are also some new folks in the city working to create some additional experiences, so I am excited to watch the SD music scene continue to grow and thrive.
Isiah Jones
What is the music scene in San Diego?
I hope to spread & inspiration, not around our beloved Diego, but as far as I
Do you have any Albums or Eps out that our readers should be aware of? I do not have any current music out, but it is definitely on the way!
love just San can!
Which musicians, singers, and or songwriters influenced you? I would say that I am influenced by R&B staples such as India Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Nina Simone & Lalah Hathaway.
Who are some of your favorite local San Diego artists? Brisa Lauren, Kendrick Dial, Terrell Thompson, Tha Speakerboxx, Daygo Fatts & Phe.Be are some talented names to watch! Describe your musical style? I typically sing R&B when I preform, but I wouldn't limit my style per say. I would say that I want to create inspirational music. Music that is real!
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JUSTIN "J. PIERRE"
don’t miss a beat. Do you have any Albums or Eps out that our readers should be aware of? I have a gospel project out called “Choose” with the MANDATE Record label & I am currently working on an R&B EP that I hope to release later this year.
Miguel Pizarro
Which musicians, singers, and or songwriters influenced you?
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music. Honestly, I’m just a normal guy, that was born with the gift to sing. I was blessed to have a mother who was able to nurture my gift and I’ve been fortunate enough to have awesome doors open for me because I’ve cultivated my God given abilities. I started singing in the church youth choir (my Mom was the director/ youth pastor); I was always a passionate singer - I think that’s my secret sauce! I want to make sure that people feel something when they hear me sing. I think that’s why I gravitated to singing gospel music, because there is so much power in music & lyrics, & I always wanted to sing songs that changed lives. As a gospel artist, I was fortunate enough to share the stage with so many legendary names like Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Tina Campbell; I’ve even had the opportunity to record with John P. Kee & Brent Jones.
Being a singer & live performer has also opened many doors for me too. At this point in my career, I’ve had the opportunity to record with Justin Timberlake, Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande, & Anderson Paak. My voice was even featured on a Number 1 Netflix show titled “Tiny Pretty Things.” I’m super grateful for every opportunity I’ve had & I hope that my career & journey will encourage anybody with a dream in music to keep pursuing there dreams! Hometown I claim 2 cities: Alexandria, VA (childhood) & San Diego, CA (Teenage years) What is the music scene in San Diego? If o had to give one word for the music scene, I would say “ALIVE!” I have run into so many great Artists in San Diego & we are all doing great things! There is so much diversity in The San Diego music scene; I think the hardest part about supporting the music scene is that you have to be plugged into so many “channels” to make sure that you 8 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
I think everyone knows I am a Beyoncé Fan (I was able to meet her when I interned as an Admin Asst. for her father’s company - OMG!), Mary J. Blidge, Stevie Wonder, Usher, and who could forget San Diego’s own - B. Slade! To be quite honest, there is too many artists to name - I am sincerely a student of the game! Although, when we’re talking true influence, it’s those local church super stars, like my Aunt Vickie from VA, who sang at everybody’s wedding, funeral, birthday, and the list goes on! These unsung heroes are my true influence! India Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Nina Simone & Lalah Hathaway. Who are some of your favorite local San Diego artists? Really!? You’re going to make me name them! I’ll answer like this, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with some of San Diego’s premier Artist, such as The Lyrical groove, Brisa Lauren, Kendrick Dial, Chauncey Maynor, Brittany Taylor, Jammi J, Roann, Terrell Thompson, The ASquad, and so many others. San Diego artist are pure magic! Describe your musical style? Eclectic: my background in music runs deep! I was the only high school student selected to be apart of the San Diego Opera’s production of Aida, I’ve been in show choirs, Fullerton College’s premiere Jazz ensemble, I’ve participated in recordings for pop & rock artists, I’ve truly been fortunate to be all over the place musically. I guess if I had to pick a style, I would definitely say gospel & soul is my foundation.
R & B
THE SPEAKERBOXX Big June. Describe your musical style?
Hometown San Diego What is the music scene in San Diego? The music scene in San Diego right now is built up of a group of elites. I mean, it's beautiful. Anybody who touches the stage out here has organic star power and that just comes from being able to focus and love what you do. The music scene in San Diego is growing. It’s moving and it’s about to blow up. Do you have any Albums or Eps out that our readers should be aware of? I am working on a few projects right now but for the most part I’m just releasing singles right now we’re going out for the attention span of a listener. Which musicians, singers, and or songwriters influenced you? E-40 Jadakiss Busta Rhymes Method Man Swiss beats mystical kendrick Lamar biggie smalls Tupac In the list can go on forever but those are just a couple.
"Ryan Anthony Hardini Don Elway Adonis Da Hottest Teddy Benson Mac Phly Gangsta Dre
Nikki Ellis
Who are some of your favorite local San Diego artists?
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O N LY
I’ll be honest with you it doesn’t come I am hip-hop I am love I am music and I am San Diego. I would love more than anything for the music scene in my city to be looked at as a way of expression release and therapy based off of what hip-hop is actually created to do there’s nothing more exciting than seeing a venue open up to the public and it’s all Music From rappers singers it’s just a beautiful collage of people sound and vibration.
from a particular region city or state it’s a vibration it’s words perfectly fitting into the perfect pattern to complement the instruments inside of an instrumental I mean it’s art It’s me Speakerboxx.
L O C A L S
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music.
ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT w
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Highlighting these
emerging artists out of San Diego who have graced the stage or have produced their own music. Giving them highlights for their work and dedication to their craft.- By Calvin Brown
Mikey Avila
TEALIDEAL
Kay Koria
EM ER GI NG
MO SHAKRAY
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music.
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music.
I am a singer, songwriter, and recording/ mixing engineer. Growth is my goal. My skills are all connected in one way or another. I sit in one situation and look at it from 3 different angles. So as I grow in one area, I’m also growing in the others as well. The trick is giving equal attention to them all.
My father was in the military, so I had the privilege of growing up in Okinawa, Japan for the majority of my childhood.
My name is Teal and my stage name is Tealideal. I am a certified audio engineer , artist , DJ and yoga teacher . Music is my biggest passion. I have been pursuing music for 5 years. Rapping is my creative outlet as well as writing. I’d like to say my style is conscious hip hop. If you listen to my albums you will here affirmations and a lot of yoga puns. I am also passionate about the San Diego community. Using my platform to create events such as my current venture Can I Kick It SD?! Which is a musician based jam session host by San Diego’s very own AbJo.
Describe your musical style?
Hometown
I would say I make urban pop music with an island influence. I grew up in love with 90s R&B. My parents emigrated from Jamaica in the late 80’s, so it wasn’t uncommon to hear reggae and dancehall playing in the house or in the car. As I got older I got more into Soca and I’m started figuring out my own way to blend it them all together in an authentic way.
San Diego
Hometown
What is your current EP and or Album out right now? My next EP in still in the making, so I don’t have a title for it yet, but I do release singles at the end of each month. My single from July is “Throne” which you can find on all streaming platforms!
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Describe your musical style? My musical style is conscious rap . I am heavily influenced by artist such as Erykah Badu, H.ER. , Jesse Boykins III & A Tribe Called Quest. What is your current EP and or Album out right now? I recently dropped my sophomore EP Thai Tea. Which is available on Spotify, Apple, Tidal, Audius & Bandcamp.
jojo
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music.
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music.
Who are you? Tell our readers more about you and your aspirations in music.
I am a recording and performing artist out of San Diego, CA living my dream by creating music and art. Generally I make HipHop, Rap, and R&B music, however I am not subjected nor limited to those specific genres. I like to step out the box and experiment with my sound any chance that I get which ends up as fun and energetic vibe. The ultimate goal is to make music that I enjoy and actually want to make, for me. It’s a plus if others enjoy it as well, which I have been fortunate enough to develop supporters and fans of the music I create. I really just want to make dope music, clothes, events, videos etc. And to be honest… I was kind of lying when I said I only want to make music for me… thats partly true but not entirely. I am aspiring to create an ongoing story through sounds and visual representations through the different stages I am going through in life. Lately I have been battling myself and trying to accept this transitional phase of my music career, sort of shedding a layer of skin to develop into my next-self.
I'm Nebula, I'm 24, I was raised in Chula Vista, and my life goal has always been to be in community with people I love and care about and to be a singer. In 2019, I actually decided to divert my attention away from all my distractions and focus on what I have always wanted to do which was make music, that heals. I write to uplift people, and I sing to release. My goal has always been to make stuff that sounds good, but as I progress, I learn that what makes music beautiful to me is if it makes me think and feel, even if I don't relate to the subject matter or even if there is no words. So my biggest goal as of right now is to master emoting through song and through my voice. I want to create music that people are moved by.
I go by DP the Unknown. I’m a 23 year old singer, rapper, producer, & songwriter. I’ve been taking music serious for about 2 years now and I plan to continue doing what I love in hopes to inspire the world.
Hometown
What is your current EP and or Album out right now?
Hometown Clairemont San Diego, CA Describe your musical style? A refreshing style of modern experimental rap, trap, and r&b music. What is your current EP and or Album out right now? 202 is my debut album on all music streaming services.
Chula Vista Describe your musical style? It's very soul and R&B inspired but a lot of my inspiration these days comes from producers. I love live instrumentation, collaborating and making songs from scratch so I think that really allows me to bring elements from many genres into my style. Right now, my favorite genres to play around with are house and neo-soul. What is your current EP and or Album out right now? My current single out is called Lullaby and it's available on all streaming services, the video is on the way. 11 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
Hometown San Diego Describe your musical style? I have a hard time explaining my style since i love music of all sorts. If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s an experimental mixture of indie, alternative, hip-hop, and r&b.
My latest single “Faces” is available on all streaming platforms. You guys are the first to know this but my next project is titled “-11” and should be done very, very soon.
A R T I S T S
@elojorasta
DP THE UNKNOWN
Zzachary
NEBULA
E M E R G I N G
FLXWZ
IVY SHADES Tell us a little bit about yourself. I started rapping when I was 16. I’ve always had a weird fetish. Some girls love shoes, some girls love purses, whatever it is. Mine was always shades. It began in elementary school when the other kids would make fun of me for my small eyes, without realizing how it affected me. So, as I grew older, I began to cover my eyes. The shades I brought were cool, but they weren’t really my style. As I started doing more shows in Houston and working with the Female Money Team (FMT), I began to design my own custom shades. Using that childhood trauma as a kind of armor. Right! So, with every performance I’d do I’d show up with a different pair of shades I had designed. One night a girl in one of the clubs asked to buy a pair. I told her I had to perform with them first,
but after that I sold them for 320 dollars. I left the club with no glasses that night. One of my homegirls in the FMT asked if I was gonna sell more, and I did. The next Month I started designing and sketching, while still rapping, still getting in the club, and it just took off from there. You mentioned the FMT, the Female Money Team, a few times. Can you talk about what its like to be a female in such a male dominated industry? When I look back at my life, I think about what it would have been like if I had had someone to be like, ‘Hey Ivy do this, or don’t do that’, because now I have that knowledge. My entire goal with FMT Houston and FMT Atlanta is to teach. You just have to a goal before Ivy can help you. A lot of people just want to sell you knowledge, they don’t wanna give game. I’m not charging my girls nothing. Sounds like you’re paying it forward. Right.
They call me a pimp in Houston because I’m always surrounded by all these chicks. The women just believe in what I’m doing. They know I’m giving them a way out; I’m giving them knowledge. I just want them to be successful. How has the city of Houston itself influenced your sound and background as an artist? I’m originally from California, but when I came to Houston at 12 everything changed. My accent changed for rap. As I got older, just being in the studio and listening to how they talk and write, and being around their swag and how they act, I realized, ‘damn I do sound pretty proper on this track’, and no one wanted to hear that. (laughter) It definitely impacted my music. It changed my cadence and my delivery. As you go forward and evolve as an artist, how do you envision your career going? Ivy Shades will chart this year. In the next couple years - by 2023, I’m looking to open a couple stores. One in the Houston Galleria and another at Lenox in Atlanta with my clothes and eyewear. Beyond that I’ll just be hiring new employees and travelling the world performing. Recently you dropped a new video for one of your singles, “Photo”, can you tell us a bit about that? ‘Shades’ is a cool little song. I wrote it after I bought my first pair of Louboutins – red bottoms. I’m probably saying it wrong but that’s that countryswag (laughter). I walked into the studio with them on and my producer asked how much I paid for them, and I asked why is that important? He wanted to take them back, but I said nope, I’m gonna write a song a bout it, and that’s how the song came to be. Can you tell us about your next project and when we can expect it to come out? I’m about 62% done with my album. I have several singles that I’m ready to put out. I feel like a gun, ready to fire, we’re just still nailing down the dates..
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L I B R A R Y The San Diego Public Library serves the informational, educational and recreational interests of San Diego and its mission is to inspire lifelong learning through connections to knowledge and each other. If you are a hip hop head that loves reading, researching and listening about the subject, you can find extensive and unique collections at your library both online and in the stacks. Check out more about San Diego Public Library’s hip hop inspired programs and collections! Listeners’ Advisory is the San Diego Public Library podcast and audio access point that connects users with SDPL services, programs, facilities, and staff. Episode Seven: The Parker Edison Project and Speed Date with a Record featured local rapper and podcaster Parker Edison. Parker talks to librarian Bob about Hip Hop and emceeing, Parker’s creative inspirations, and his various artistic endeavors. Also, Bob hangs with librarian Dustin Vogel to discuss his web series, Speed Date with a Record, as well as their favorite golden era Hip Hop and other music recommendations. Find Listeners’ Advisory podcast episodes on the library’s webpage here https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/podcast and you can also listen on Apple & Google Podcasts as well buzzsprout. Speed Date with a Record is a series featured on the San Diego Public Library’s Teen Instagram account where followers pick which record they would like to “date” based on clips from three songs. All summerlong SDPL has been featuring hip hop records from 90s to Cali vibes with classic West Coast hip hop. Find Speed Date with a Record and more library teen content on IG @sdplteens
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Did you know that San Diego Public Library has a popular underground hip hop CD collection with unique titles? A large part of this collection was developed in the mid to late 2000s. SDPL librarian Bob gives a brief account about how the collection came about: "I’ve always been big on the underground stuff that didn’t get a ton of shine so I would recommend some of those titles to our collection developers. Things like Shabazz Palaces, I’ll Sleep When Your Dead by El-P, and Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus. Some of that stuff is still around, rounding out our Hip Hop CD collection. I’ll occasionally thumb through the CD collection to see what’s new and come across some of those titles. With Hip Hop turning 50 this month, it’s fun to see how the genre has matured and been able to be different things for different tastes. I’m glad I was able to contribute to SDPL having a diverse Hip Hop collection through the years, even if in a small way."
Check out our Best Hip Hop of 2020 music list that you can borrow at the San Diego Public Library
You can visit the Downtown Central Library and pull the CD drawers to find many of these in person or request them online to pick up at your local branch library. Visit our website to learn more about San Diego Public Library’s services and 13 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM collections Sandiegolibrary.org
A D V I C E
S E C T I O N
How to Have a Better Relationship With Money
Gian, please describe the profession you and your partner (Brett) are in? We are financial brokers who are very serious and passionate about spreading the knowledge and the language of money to everyone that needs it, not just the people that can afford it. What I really love is that we’re able to offer not only knowledge, but true assistance in putting clients in a better financial place. We do almost everything in the financial industry but our main focus is education. With your experiences and education, what are some challenges the community faces when it comes to money relationships? I think the biggest challenge we have experienced is the mindset. Most of us are not taught within the world of building wealth, so when certain terms are heard and conversations are had and not understood, we tend to dislike the topic or shut down completely - generally speaking. Most just don’t understand the amount of
trust you must have in things that are fairly unknown to you. That’s also why “the rich” keeps getting richer, because they know this information. You stated that you teach people how to have a better relationship with money, how is that achieved? The first step, like in any relationship, would be the acknowledgment. Some individuals don’t know how much they have saved for retirement, how much their family would receive if they were no longer here, or even what their monthly expenses are. Here are some do’s and don'ts:
DO
Do, have a budget. Do, speak with a licensed financial professional. Do, have 3 to 6 months saved up. Life happens. Do, learn as much as you can about the financial world. As much as people say money isn’t everything… We all know how important it is.
DON’T
Don’t, listen to others that are doing worse than you. Don’t, blow all your money before you even have it. Don’t, leave your family in a worse financial situation after you leave this earth Don’t, feel bad for not going out and spending your money word doesn’t need to be spent. And I’m talking extra gifts, drinks, clothes, just a little cool. Do you have any books you would recommend for readers? One great book we always share with our clients is a book called money, wealth, Life Insurance. That book is literal magic. Also another book is called the retirement miracle. Both of these books put into perspective why so many of us are not able to retire. And why so many of the wealthy keep making more money. It’s not a secret. Again secrets are hidden in books if there were secrets.
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Gian Saunders
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Stay Connected to the Fierce Female Financier on Instagram: @fierce_female_financier
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Protecting Your Brand Who is Lauren McDonald? Lauren is a lawyer with her own practice Lumentie Law “Legal Services for Your Bright Ideas.” She has experience in entertainment and business, including Universal Music Group, international recording artists, and emmy-nominated production companies. In addition to entertainment, she advises startups and blockchain companies. What are steps to take when protecting your branding? Artists should register their stage name as a trademark and register their original works (i.e. songs) with the copyright office. All other creatives/business owners should also register their logos, slogans, and distinctive marks. For original designs and visual works, watermarking helps, but generally, the less you post on social media, the better because it is incredibly easy to copy images from the web. What falls under the Fair Use category and how do you avoid copyright infringement? Fair Use is a type of defense to copyright infringement - it is not a license to use another's work without permission. Therefore, Fair Use generally applies to limited copying of material for a "transformative" purpose such as commentary, criticism, or parody. The show "Saturday Night Live" is a good example. However, the court will examine multiple factors in a fair use case, and different courts have varying views. When is it necessary to trademark your brand? A valid registration is necessary if you want to be able to enforce your mark against competitors or infringers in court and/or if you want to have a "monopoly" on the brand in your industry. Someone is stealing my branding/product, what can I do? As the owner, you have multiple options, ranging from least to most costly/time consuming. For a defendant subject to United States laws you can either: 1) Send a cease and desist letter; 2) Request a DMCA takedown directly with the platform (i.e. if it is happening on social media); 3) File a claim with the copyright claims board (this forum is projected to be available in December 2021); or 4) File a lawsuit in court requesting an injunction and damages.
Lauren McDonald are written into our nation's constitution, so they are powerful measures of protection. However, they DO NOT protect works at the raw idea phase. For example, copyright does not attach to a work until it is "fixed in a tangible medium of expression." Therefore, if a creative shares their idea/concept with the wrong person before the project begins, then that person can steal the idea by creating the same exact thing [i.e. making it tangible & not merely an idea] and introducing it to the marketplace first. In addition, a trademark must actually be used in commerce before you can fully register and enforce it. So, if an owner has a new brand/slogan and discloses it to a competitor before it is registered/used in the U.S., the competitor can "beat them to market" and essentially steal it. Lastly, what are things Creatives should avoid doing with my brand as it's growing?
What are some ways Creatives don't protect their brand that you have witnessed?
As mentioned above, artists should avoid displaying all of their original designs on public social media pages. Not only is it extremely easy for competitors to copy/ paste the file, but the terms & conditions of many social media sites state that once you post an image on a public profile, other users can share it, without your permission (because the page is public).
The most common is when a creative shares their idea or concept with others too soon, when it can easily be "stolen." Patent, Copyright and Trademark laws
Learn more about Lauren and her law practice by visiting www.lumenitelaw.com and stay social with them @lumenitelaw
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INTERVIEWED BY MICHAEL COX PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN COOPER
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LAMONICA PETERS Tell us some interesting and fun facts about you to share with our readers. Being a Broadcast Journalist is a 2nd career for me and my dream job. I was a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District for nearly a decade before I changed careers. Hometown Raised in Los Angeles, born in St. Louis What station(s) do you currently work for and what are some past ones as well? I now work for CBS 8 News in San Diego but I've also worked in Seattle, Buffalo and two stations in Mississippi. Current Position (s) and others held previously? Reporter and Weekend Anchor/Producer Why did you choose to get into media? I started in media at Crenshaw High School, doing closedcircuit tv announcements as Student Body President. That's when I caught the media bug! I used to go to our local urban radio station KDAY to announce our Top Ten songs of the week too. Years later when I decided to pursue broadcasting, I interned at KJLH-FM, the only Black-owned radio station in L.A. at the time. That allowed me to have some broadcast experience for my resume. Months later, I transitioned to tv news, relying on my God-given talents to get my foot in the door. The rest is history! Why does Black representation in Media matter to you? Black representation matters because our understanding of our community and the telling of those stories are important and should always be included in what media reports. For other African Americans thinking about getting into media, what tips or advice would you give them? Right now, there are so many options but if you'd like to be a part of traditional media like broadcast news, be sure to study the craft first. Watch the news so you'll have an idea of what's going to be expected of you. You'll usually need a degree in Journalism or Communications. Become a good writer and have a good on-camera presence. Know what's happening locally, nationally and internationally. Nothing is impossible. The sky is the limit!
KERISTEN HOLMES Tell us some interesting and fun facts about you to share with our readers. I still eat chitterlings (or chit’lins, as my mama call them). I’m a country girl. Speaking of, I just love food - cooking, going out to eat, and trying new things. I love it all. I’m a cheerleader at heart and will happily choreograph a quick cheer chant with like-minded individuals. I love Black history - I’ll find it anywhere and consume it in books, documentaries, and my favorite: conversations with our elders where they share history orally. Hometown North Little Rock, Arkansas What station(s) do you currently work for and what are some past ones as well? I’m the Weekend Anchor at KFMB News 8 now. Before that, I was a Morning Show Anchor at ABC10 in Sacramento. Prior to that, I worked my way up from multimedia journalist KTBS 3 News in Shreveport, Louisiana to Morning Show Anchor. And my first news gig was a reporter role at 40/29 News in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Current Position (s) and others held previously? Reporter and Weekend Anchor/Producer Why did you choose to get into media? Growing up, I didn’t see a whole lot of Black representation on tv I could identify with. One day, I saw a beautiful Black woman on the news. And then I saw Oprah and her talk show. I was hooked. I wanted to interview people, share stories and help “talk thru” issues facing society and politics. Why does Black representation in Media matter to you? Just like I needed to see Pamela Smith (my local news lady) and Oprah, the next generation needs to see us. “To live without reflection for so long might make you wonder if you even truly exist.” Beyonce, Black Is King. For other African Americans thinking about getting into media, what tips or advice would you give them? Be intentional. Plan your work and work that plan. Degrees are required these days in journalism, so pursue your education. After that, grind. It’s a competitive field so you have to work every day sending your resume reel to news directors to get that first job. And every news job you get after that will require getting seen on hiring managers’ screens so they can decide to hire you. Stay positive. I heard a lot of no’s. One news director told me I was trash before I ever got my first gig. He’s out of the business now and I’m living it up and working my dream job in San Diego. Some days are tough, but in the end, you’ll win. Stay positive, stay focused, and if you’re a person of faith - whew! - lean on Him and trust Him. He’ll direct your path. I’m a living testimony.
KARLENE CHAVIS Tell us some interesting and fun facts about you to share with our readers. I was a collegiate saber fencer. During the 2 years I fenced, I received multiple medals, became team captain, and received a scholarship to help pay for college. Hometown Scottsdale, Arizona What station(s) do you currently work for and what are some past ones as well? CBS 8 and The CW 6 in San Diego, WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida, CBS affiliate in Palm Springs, California, formerly KPSP Current Position (s) and others held previously? Chief Meteorologist for CBS 8 and The CW 6 in San Diego. I previously worked as the Weekend Morning Meteorologist for WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida. I started my broadcast career as the Morning Weather Anchor for the CBS affiliate in Palm Springs, California. Why did you choose to get into media? I was always reading, writing, and asking a lot of questions. I chose weather because I didn't see a lot of Black weatherloving science nerds like myself. I grew up knowing about June Bacon-Bercey and watching Al Roker, but I wanted to see more localized representation, especially in Arizona. I am the type of person who wants to see us thrive in any and everything! I got in this business for my love of weather and storytelling. I stay in this business so Black and Brown science-loving kids know that they can grow up to be a Meteorologist as well. Why does Black representation in Media matter to you? Because we matter. Our voices matter. If we see ourselves whether it be anchors, reporters, meteorologists, community stories, it means a wider audience will be exposed to our unique experiences and perspectives. To me, knowledge and compassion are powerful. For other African Americans thinking about getting into media, what tips or advice would you give them? Reach out to Black talent in the business. I'm the type of person that believes in the more the merrier. I might be the first at my station, but I surely won't be the last. Reach out to like minded organizations for support. I found it with the San Diego Association of Black Journalists. We talk and look out for each other. When you feel loved and supported, you will thrive!
HEATHER HOPE Tell us some interesting and fun facts about you to share with our readers. I am a graduate of THE Ohio State University, where I played the Alto Saxophone in the band. I have my Master's degree from the University of Southern California. Hometown Atlanta, Georgia What station(s) do you currently work for and what are some past ones as well? I work for CBS 8 and the CW 6 (KFMB-TV) in San Diego. I began my TV career in Bakersfield and KGET (NBC) and also braved tornados and ice storms while working in Oklahoma City at KWTV (CBS). Current Position (s) and others held previously? General Assignment News Reporter and Multimedia Journalist Why did you choose to get into media? I have always loved staying in the forefront of knowing the latest information and asking people a lot of questions, which certainly builds a foundation for a career in the media. Why does Black representation in Media matter to you? As a Black person, it is amazing and necessary to see your reflection represented in the media that is entrusted to cover it. For other African Americans thinking about getting into media, what tips or advice would you give them? Stay well versed on all the latest editing and social media apps, which will come in handy in putting stories together and pitching ideas to news managers. Also be sure to network with other journalists, learn about their stories and experiences in the business and have thick skin.
BRANDON LEWIS Tell us some interesting and fun facts about you to share with our readers. I started working in news as a live truck operator and eventually moved in front of the camera. Outside of work, I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures. Hometown New York City What station(s) do you currently work for and what are some past ones as well? I currently work with TEGNA's national VERIFY team and VerifyThis.com. I previously worked at KFMB in San Diego, WRGB in Albany, NY, WNDU in South Bend, Ind., and KOMU in Columbia, Mo. Current Position (s) and others held previously? National VERIFY Host, previously I worked as a reporter and have occasionally filled in as an anchor. Why did you choose to get into media? I'm a very curious person and like a lot of variety. Reporting allows me to ask whatever questions I want to some of the most influential people in the community and presents a new challenge daily. I also like "being there" for the community, whether it's covering a topic of concern or sharing how everyday people are showing up and giving back. Why does Black representation in Media matter to you? It's twofold for me. One is we're a voice behind the scenes to help ensure all communities are fairly and equally covered. The other is it's important for people to see and hear from people who look and sound like them on TV. Diverse ideas and backgrounds help lead to better storytelling and a better quality newscast for everyone. For other African Americans thinking about getting into media, what tips or advice would you give them? These days, a degree in communication or journalism is a requirement. To separate yourself, find a place to intern, ask a lot of questions and seek out someone who will give you honest feedback. It's important to remember you aren't the story, the person you're interviewing is. Objectively listen to what people are saying and learn to separate facts from opinions. It's easier than ever for someone to share their voice. Anyone can pick up a camera and share their thoughts with the world online. However, what separates journalists is credibility and trust.
More support is around the corner. The Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of San Diego and The San Diego Foundation are offering the Small Business and Nonprofit Relief Fund.
Check out these fast facts: -Application window: Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. through Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. -The grants are NOT first-come, first-served. Focus on accuracy over early. -Must be located in the city of San Diego. -Must have been in business prior to April 1, 2020. -Self-employed workers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and corporations with no more than 100 employees. -Net profits under $150,000 or gross revenue under $250,000 (as reported for 2019).
Plus get help during “office hours” provided by The Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce. We can assist you in navigating the process.
Scan to learn more and apply today!
stay social with us Facebook: @sdblackchamber Twitter: @CSDBlackChamber LinkedIn: Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce Instagram: @sdblackchamber
www.SDBlackchamber.org
22 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
COMBINING
Culture, Art, & Design
TO EXPRESS THEIR PERSPECTIVE INTERVIEWS BY CALVIN CIARA HENDRIX, JAMES PHOTOGRAPHED BY ISIAH
BROWN, QUINN, & JONES &
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DAVONNE EVANS, MARGARET WHITE JAZZMINE TAYLOR
A “
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Isiah Jones
We’re b elievers of Christ and p eople know that. It do esn’t make u s b et ter or any thing, but we approach it with the hear t of Go d. Our hear t b ehind who we are sp eaks more than our gift.”
A
t the age of two, Rashaad Graham discovered his gift from God. He hopped on a set of drums and from then on, his love for music flourished. In the 9th grade, he developed an ear for chords and started producing music. Around 2008, Rashaad and his team of two other guys started Sound Collage Musik, a music production company in San Diego. The group started as a production team, but soon realized that many artists wanted to perform with a live band. Rashaad then reached out to other musicians and found members for the Sound Collage band. According to Rashaad, there is no barrier when it comes to who their team plays or produces music for. “Whoever you are, if you trust us with your vision then we are going to rock. All are welcome. Whatever your vision is, it will be done in excellence, whether it’s music production or a live show,” he said. Sound Collage Musik is many different sounds coming together. Rashaad loves to produce hip-hop and play rock music, and he finds it important to have a wide range and be able to narrow down for what each particular artist needs. The creative process of Rashaad and his team producing music involves a lot of communication and sharing of ideas. They talk to the artists to gain understanding of their vision, gathering information such as what they want, need, and the sound they are going for. They have a conversation about what the feeling of the music is and who the artists are trying to reach with their sound. “It’s like painting a picture. We come together with a blank canvas and the ideas start flowing. We then have an idea of what their [the artists] vision is and we paint it. We put
our producer hats on to make the best music possible,” he said. Rashaad and his team at Sound Collage Musik are welcoming of everyone, however, they do not produce music that could potentially land someone in a bad situation. Instead of immediately turning artists away, Rashaad and his team will have a thoughtful conversation with them to see if they can creatively rewrite lyrics or bring about a different sound that will not endanger themselves or the company. Working with different artists means working with different personalities and egos. He knows his patience and reactions must have the ability to melt any negativity away. “I’m more levelheaded than anything. They [the artists] see that I am easy to work with, and I make sure that they feel comfortable.” Rashaad expresses his faith in God in everything he does. He and his team make sure that everyone knows they are a faith-based company. “We’re believers of Christ and people know that. It doesn’t make us better or anything, but we approach it with the heart of God. Our heart behind who we are speaks more than our gift.” Sound Collage Musik’s sound and the heart that Rashaad and his team put into their work are reasons why they stand out from other music production companies. To Rashaad, the San Diego music scene has moments of being its own, meaning that it has been looked at as the little brother of L.A., San Francisco, and the Bay Area. But he has seen moments of the San Diego music scene being noticed as its own sound. Rashaad also pointed out that he sees a lot of the music scene trying to clone what’s hot and trending, however, he believes 25 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
those bits can be weeded out. “I believe there is a sound being built here and people are starting to notice it. The hip-hop and R&B scene are picking up and being looked at,” he said. He does believe that some things need to change. For example, he wants to see more people be honest in their music. He wants to see more artists making music that speaks their truth. He also wants to see the San Diego music scene give more to the community. One of Rashaad’s proudest accomplishments with Sound Collage Musik is being able to give back to the community by sharing this gift with “atrisk,” homeless, and juvenile hall kids and teens. He and the team he started Sound Collage Musik with created the David’s Harp Foundation in 2010. The foundation allows “at-risk” youth to have studio time and even have their own album produced, dependent upon their school grades, of course. He wants to see more artists do more for the community instead of hurting it in their music. “Only giving back to the youth just to be seen, and then in music talking about tearing down the community and blaming someone else, for example, is not okay. Look at yourself. Tell the story, be honest, be selfless and do something for the kids,” he said. According to Rashaad, being a successful musician and music producer means being honest and having good character. Being honest and having good character along with an obvious work ethic and consistency is what people love. Rashaad and his team at Sound Collage Musik are truly having a positive effect on San Diego’s music scene.
S T O R Y
- By Calvin Brown
C O V E R
RASHAAD GRAHAM OF SOUND COLLAGE MUSIK IS MAKING WAVES IN THE SAN DIEGO MUSIC SCENE
DIALOGUE ON ART: THE RISE OF TUNNEL VISION CREATIVE AGENCY
I
n my conversation with photographer Dominic Malone, he once said “Art is the reflection of the soul”. If Art is the reflection of the soul, then Malone’s soul is just as diverse, multi-inspirational, multi-faceted, and innovative as the agency he’s founded: Tunnel Vision Creative Agency. The agency is a creative outlet that not only creates spaces and represents up and coming black artists in a multitude of mediums, but they also sponsor and create their art festivals, music events, and create their own digital content and media. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Tunnel Vision Creative Agency has been making strides in black creative power since 2013. They are a collective of artists and organizers dedicated to the authentic and successful development of a black artists’ career. This writer had the privilege to sit down and talk more indepthly about not just Tunnel Vision as a business agency, but what it’s role is in the overall new art movement for the African diaspora. “Artists need representation” said Domonic Malone as I asked about the beginnings of Tunnel Vision. The art collective and agency were created out of his own need to find representation for himself and other photographers. Dominic Malone
started his professional photography in college while he was attending Howard University to major in Psychology. Wanting to make money, Malone decided to use his skills at photography as a side hustle. “My mom always made me take family pictures, '' said Malone “It used to always annoy me, but in college I decided to use those skills to help run my own business for extra money.” Working as a freelance photographer, Malone had gotten in contact and met several different photographers and artists that he would later collaborate with in Tunnel Vision. It was during this time that Malone started to fall in love with the craft of Photography. “I saw the impact of art in the home. We had powerful images of black art in the home.” Malone said, reminiscing on some of his artistic inspirations. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology, Malone began working in education for years as an assistant, teacher, and even a dean. Malone began to take more of an interest in photography with more intent. It was when Malone moved to Brooklyn, New York that he begun to find way to express himself through his art of photography. Wanting more exposure, Malone started looking for agents to help represent his art. Although an expert at his craft, Malone and other photographers of color found hard times getting agents or representation, often being told that they need to “diversify” their work. Eventually fed up with trying to find representation from other art agencies, Malone teamed up with several other photographers to represent and be agents for eachother. From that starting point, Malone and crew began a multi-disciplined art collective of filmmakers, videographers, painters, muralists, musicians, and photographers to represent other artists as well create culturally relevant events. The services Tunnel Vision Agency provides are just as diverse as the artists who make up its collective. Tunnel Vision helps other agencies or organizations create events such as block parties, art festivals, music festivals, and art galleries. Malone 26 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
made a point in saying that these aren’t your typical “stuffy, or boring” kind of art festivals, but they’re often lively with food trucks and musical guests. “We start with an anchoring theme” said Malone when asked about planning events “we explore the how and why we’re doing this art festival for the people and what it could mean for them” To make these events as lively and as lavish as possible, each artist from Tunnel Vision take it upon themselves to learn the techniques and skills to create the vision they want. Tunnel vision also features and provides content of their own including short films, documentaries and docu-series, photography, art festivals with paintings and muralists, and promotion for their own musical artists as well as other local artists in Brooklyn. When asked about their most successful and popular output from the organization, Malone mentioned their musical EP titled “Mantra-Loops” by Geminelle. The roll out, promotion, advertisements, and events centered around and for the EP was done by Rowlanes Malone. Another successful product from Tunnel vision that Malone considers impactful is an event he calls the 5/ Fifths. 5/Fifths is a collective art show that was centered around the theme of making black people feel whole; the title being in reference to the old declaration that African Americans used to only count for 3/5ths of a citizen. Malone considers this event impactful for the community and the self-image of the black community. After the formalities of talking about the Tunnel Vision agency, I asked more questions concerning his views on art and artistry in the African diaspora. When asked about the artists that inspired him, Malone mentioned some of the many artists he has collaborated with in Tunnel Vision. Geminelle of the Mantro-Loops EP is noted as a big inspiration for Malone “Her music touches your soul whether it be through singing, harmonizing, or writing film scores.” Malone goes to list many of his great collaborators for points of
“
Ar tist s Need Repres entation.” inspiration. Malone mentions his long-time collaborator Steven Small Warner; a film-maker who Malone has collaborated with on business and art. Malone goes on to list others from the Tunnel Vision collective as his points of inspiration: Dexter Jones for capturing beautiful femininity in his art, Justin Lamar the director of photography, videographer Rose Sanchez, Sofia Dawson for her murals and paintings dedicated to old black elders that are political prisoners, Jazmine Haze for making paintings and murals a b o u t the black experience t h r o u g h a n anthropological perspective, and Bertishal Eggerton for using African fabrics in contemporary fashion.
predicts that Afro-beats or mainstream music from Africa will become the most popular form of music within 10 years. “They have more context in their art” Malone elaborated “Black people had to create their own identity from nothing; imagine the kind of art people from Africa can make with all the historical and cultural context they from living directly on the land they were raised in.” The future of Tunnel Vision Creative Agency looks like it’’ be ever evolving and ever changing with the growing times of the new black artistic movement. Dominic Malone hopes to expand Tunnel Vision to distribute more black art and showcase more innovative creators. “I want us to be a platform that’s like BET but a lot more culturally conscious.” Malone explained “A single platform to program balance in the world with immaculate art." - By James Quinn
Some of the more mainstream artists that have inspired Malone are older generations of rappers like Tupac for his diverse self-image, Snoop Dogg for his creativity, Tracy Chapman, and E-40. “E-40 is the king of California” said Malone “His pen was dropping facts about how to survive the hood.” Malone especially recommends E-40’s early album “Grit and Grind” as a great example of E-40 recording the events that occur in the hood, and his opinion on it.
Malone also believes new perspectives are needed in the rap and R&B field. Two artists he admires are rapper D-Smoke and Morray; two Afriacn American from middle class and working background that decided later in their life to pursue music. “Rap and music needs more grown men” said Malone when asked about what made these two special “So much of the rap and trap scene now is from the perspective of young men who don’t have that life experience to draw from. But D-Smoke and Morray have that experience and advice to give to people through their music.” Malone being the artistic futurist, 27 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
Isiah Jones
Dominic Malone was also asked about the artists that he believed were pushing the boundaries of black art and entertainment. Malone believes that black artists now are becoming bolder and more willing to be themselves. We bonded over many of us having to hide our interest in comics and anime, but because of the internet more and more black people are finding other black people with common interests. More black artists are becoming more and more experimental, and Malone praises Willow Smith for her recent musical and artistic endeavors.
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Jazzmine Taylor
I want to make f ilms ab out the p eople around me, who I studied with. I want my work to always reflect where I come from.”
highschool Sophomore, picked up a camera in video production class at SCPA. He hasn't looked back since. "A course in Black & White Photography at San Diego City College sparked a serious passion for photography," he says. “I also had a friend who was part of a collective,
and once she heard I was doing photography, she would reach out to me for jobs and collaborations.” Thanks in part to this outreach and Jones' hustle & dedication, he was able to create a lane for himself. In his early work, Jones captured concerts & events as a nightlife shooter. - By Ciara Hendrix Can you talk about what it's like to be on a shoot with you? Being on a shoot with me is very laid back. I'm a big Hip Hop and R&B guy. I like to set the tone with some good music. Communication is key. A lot of photography and cinematography work entails creative direction. I've gained a great deal of knowledge on film making through my work
We've all been forced to pause and confront things the last year. How (if at all) has the pandemic contributed to your artistry? The pandemic has given me a chance to get away from the world and reconnect with my community. Having the year to sit down & fall back from work, it gave me time to rethink why I got into this and who I'm doing this for.
Where are some of your favorite locations to shoot around San Diego?
Do you feel more alugned with your purpose these days in comparison to where you started?
Downtown has a nice vibe, and it wraps right around to the airport and along the coastline. A goal for me is to resume exploring around the city and find more locations to continue creating.
Yes. I come from a gang-ridden community in a part of southeast San Diego. I've seen a lot since I was a kid, and experienced my own set of troubles and traumas. I put a lot of dreams on hold out of fear of being judged, not being mature enough to handle things. But with this pandemic and the loss my family experienced last year, having something taken away from you will make you appreciate it more. So I definitely feel more aligned with my purpose after having this period of reflection.
Isiah aims to capture the truest essence of SD with his landscape work. His photography style is one that implores the viewer to intentionally take in the essence of their surroundings. His landscape photos (also available as prints here) marry light and shadows in sublime, warm contrast. The work invites you to reimagine a familiar scene with fresh eyes. Jones' portfolio is crisp and consummate. In addition to his aforementioned landscape work, his abilities extend to cinema & filmmaking, lifestyle marketing, product, and portraiture photography. Ultimately, Jones plans to provide a multitude of media services as a full scale production studio.
As a business owner and multi-hyphenate in the creative sphere, Isiah knows the value of study as a path to proficiency. Jones fully comprehends that his gifts are bigger than him and is determined to maintain himself as a resource to his community in San Diego and beyond. His goal is to bring an artistic vision to his community. "I want to make films about the people around me, who I studied with. I want my work to always reflect where I come from," Jones says with assured conviction.
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S T O R Y
B
efore Jay-Z dropped his Black Album in 2003, Isiah Jones, a then
C O V E R
A MOMENT OF CLARITY WITH ISIAH JONES
A COMMITMENT TO HIS COMMUNITY
T
errance, the rising star
behind
the
Terrance: I opened my store on Juneteenth this year. The significance of that day is so important to me and what I have planned for this community.
SDN Brand, shares
BSD Magazine: What rookie mistakes have you made?
his vision for his
his dreams of bridging the gaps
Terrance: I have no formal training in fashion or design. I have an eye for the future of fashion. In the beginning, I questioned my ideas and capabilities. “I would tell anybody thinking about any business that there is a lane for everyone, so believe in your ideas and know that you aren’t alone,” Terrance said.
that have prevented the varying
BSD Magazine: Who or what business models inspire you?
neighborhoods
Terrance: I am inspired by Andrew Carnegie, Kanye West, and Ronnie Fieg, whose brand “Kith” I aspire to recreate. “Like Fieg, I want to open stores all over San Diego and give other artists a platform to create and sell their designs,” Terrance said. But for now, I offer my storefront, free of charge, to entrepreneurs and vendors selling their products on Sundays. On Mondays, I allow one artist my space to sing, rap, perform poetry, or do their craft. Lastly, once a month, we select a curator who needs funding to grow a community-based business.
clothing line and
and
cultures
in San Diego from connecting. -By Davonne Evans San Diego is known for having some of the best beaches in the world. Yet, Terrance describes growing up in an area of San Diego, known as “Barely See the Beach,” where he says too many families are trapped and living a fictitious lifestyle. “They don’t know all that San Diego has to offer because they haven’t been outside of Skyline,” Terrance says of his community. He started The SDN (which stands for San Diego Natives) Brand to represent different genders, races, nationalities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and everything else that make up the entirety of San Diego. Here, Terrance educates and shares his dreams for his designs, showcasing different talent in his community and sharing his platform with other inspiring designers. BSD Magazine: How long have you been designing and selling clothing? Terrance: I’ve been designing clothes since 2016. I tried twice to get a company going in the past. Then, when COVID hit, The SDN Brand took off. “In reality, the work that I did for the last seven or so years for big box stores was preparing me for this time,” Terrance states proudly. “On June 19, 2020, Juneteenth, I had my largest sale day ever and knew then I would open a storefront, and I have.”
BSD Magazine: What keeps you going? Terrance: Understanding the importance of spending time with self. “I understand that if you are living outside of your purpose, you will crash and burn daily,” Terrance said. What I have now is due to living in my purpose. Doors are opening and I can be a steppingstone for others because my community doesn’t lack creativity or knowledge; they lack resources.
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Visit thesdnbrand.com to find these products and more! 1. Basic shorts $65 2. San Diego native crew $ 60
2.
BSD Magazine: When did you open a store? 30 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
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Isiah Jones
I would tell anyb o dy thinking ab out any bu siness that there is a lane for ever yone, so b elieve in your ideas and know that you aren't alone.”
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32 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
Isiah Jones
I take a g rea t am ount of pr id e i n b eing able to h elp my com mun ity. I want to show th e youth tha t i t's ok ay to go away to college an d com e back an d h elp.”
kay Carl, tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in San Diego… Southeast San Diego to be specific. I went to Howard University in 1998 and studied communications, and received my BA in radio, television, and film production. After Howard, I worked under a producer on the film, “The Fighting Temptations.” There, I honed my skills in planning, organizing and producing. I came back West after that movie to establish my career as a drummer. I’ve been in over 20 bands here locally, from Jazz, to Gospel, to R&B. You’ll find me anywhere from the House of Blues to Flux Nightclub, all the way back to Mount Zion Baptist Church. Music is my passion, but full time I manage a home for young adults between the ages of 18-26 that are battling mental illness. Where did this desire to uplift the community come from? My sobriety. I’m 9 years sober and my sobriety removed me from myself and placed me into a team mindset. What got you on the road to sobriety? It was either sobriety or death from alcohol. Thankfully, God sat me down for about 8 months and showed me a new way of life. A new way through meditation, AA, my sponsor – Joseph Thorell, and my family. What is one of the highlights of your year? My sobriety birthday – March 29th, every year. Being able to share my story with a recovering alcoholic is a reward to me because I was hopeless. It’s been a struggle to fulfill my life goals, but once I was able to remove alcohol as a crutch, I was able to reach new heights. Beyond that is my Hip Hop 5k, which we host every October. It’s the only 5k in the Southeast part of the county.
You put a lot of emphasis on Southeast San Diego. Why is that area so important to you? Because that’s where I was born and raised. I take a great amount of pride in being able to help my community. I want to show the youth that it’s okay to go away to college and come back and help. Why do you think a lot of people leave Southeast San Diego? Just the cost of living vs the opportunities available. People hit their ceiling quickly there, that’s why it’s on us as leaders to continue to create platforms for young, Black entrepreneurs in a space that wasn’t made for them to succeed in. Do you feel that communities are growing again? Yes and no. Yes, we are doing a better job of communicating. We’re doing a good job of having a master calendar of events from everyone’s different organizations. Eventually, though, we’re going to need an even better platform that allows us all to work as a team instead of separate. Where did the 5k come from? Dawud Hassan is the founder. I was recruited to chair the planning committee back in 2019. Our mission is to create health awareness through music. What is Southeast San Diego to you? Southeast San Diego is the Four Corners of life and rolled tacos. The Four Corners will take you to every section, and rolled tacos is to pay respect to our brown brothers. I’m also a moderator at Home Club Council. It’s called Battle of the Throne, a concept that allows us to talk amongst ourselves as Kings and Queens about issues that relate to our community. That’s at 7 PM on Wednesdays. My Instagram is @carryonCEO.
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S T O R Y
O
-By Calvin Brown
C O V E R
CREATING CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY IS HIS GOAL.
L
iving in the Bay Vista Apartments on and off, going to Knox Elementary, O’Farrell Middle School, and Lincoln High School, Terrell Thompson is truly from the Southeast. However, the Southeast that Terrell recounts differs greatly from the one we see now. Terrell remembers a Southeast that was booming with Black culture and unity. He remembers much more community involvement, events, and a strong Black presence. What remains of Southeast, through a gentrification that is “trying to push a lot of us out” and a diaspora of the Black community, lacks in Black culture. However, the changes in Southeast and the lack of Black culture do not d i s c o u r a g e Terrell. Terrell is creating spaces for Black culture, art, music, and entrepreneurship.
that his peers have matured out of the party scene and “developed their own R&B soul type of palate.” Thus, the support for R&B Serenade has grown and continues to do so tremendously. While Terrell creates spaces for Black creatives, he also is a role model for entrepreneurs. He stressed the importance of teaching young people about all opportunities for success and not just college.
TERRELL THOMPSON TALKS BLACK CULTURE & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
“I tried [college] a couple of times...no degree at all, but I’ve got some Sallie Mae stuff I gotta pay back.”
As an entrepreneur himself, Terrell and a partner started his Terrell grew up business Extreme singing. He comes Clean: Floors and from a family that More, originally as a sings, excluding side gig while working his father who at a school district. -By Margaret White preaches instead. However, when he In high school, was tired of working he was part of an at the school district, R&B band when Terrell decided to go everyone else was all in for his business. about the hyphy He eventually bought movement, the out his partner’s half of the business, and just like R&B thizz movement, and partying. As a singer at that time, Serenade, Extreme Clean has grown and continues to there wasn’t really a spot for R&B. grow. “It is very important to give the artist a platform, Ultimately, Terrell wants to make sure that the youth because we don’t have very many out here.” have something to look forward to. He wants kids to see The R&B Serenade was created for the passionate Black people thriving and believe that they can thrive singers and musicians. As time went on, Terrell found too. He wants more opportunities, programs, and places for the youth to branch out and find themselves - whether it is entrepreneurship, artistry, or even going to college. The goal is to inspire them, because they hold the future of our culture.
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“
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Isiah Jones
It is ver y imp or tant to give the ar tist a platform, b ecau se we don't have ver y many out here.”
Steven Gray Opens Doors for Others with Cali Coast Barbershop Photography by Steven Cooper
player, it didn’t really work out. “I just saw fame and money. Basketball skills weren’t really my thing.” Later, his love for barbering began. The skill found him through his cousin, and Steven wanted to go to barbering school but he thought he needed to know more than what he did in order to go. It wasn’t until his cousin asked him to cut his hair that he gained the confidence to attend. After barber school, he worked at a few barbershops which helped groom him to where he is now. He worked at his pastor’s barbershop for seven years which was his
He also believes that everyone in the Black community should have an interest in something that can be put into our communities and help one another.
“Your passion tends to find you,” said the owner of Cali Coast Barbershop, Steven Gray. When it came to his passion, Steven made sure to work hard so he could get to where he is now as the owner of one of San Diego’s most prominent barbershops. Although barbering and being a business owner is Steven’s passion, it wasn’t his first dream. Around middle school and high school, he had the hopes of being in the NBA. Although he had his eye on being a basketball
foundation before starting Cali Coast Barbershop. Steven’s cousin and pastor inspired him in different ways when it comes to his passion, but his wife gave him the extra push he needed to break out of his comfort zone. “She really motivated and pushed me to get me where I am now,” he said. He is the first in his family to own a business and very proud that this is something he can give to his children. Being Black and owning your own business is very important to Steven. He wants to show that if one
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C H A T
businesses. However, for his business, he also believes in diversity and wants to appeal to a variety of people. “If you want to stay in business, it’s good to have a mix of everybody,” he said. Barbershops can also be known for hiring only male barbers, but Steven has opened his business to female barbers as well. “I believe in equality gender-wise,” he said. When it comes to barbering, Steven gets some of his creativity from YouTube and social media, but he also gets it from his fellow barbers. His team learns from one another, and they help each other grow. “We have, like, superpowers and we all have our own sets of powers we bring to this barbershop,” he said. Steven is leading the way for others, so he wants people to view Cali Coast Barbershop as a family-friendly environment. “We’re a shop that anyone can come to and not leave feeling offended. We are professional and all about business. We make sure to keep our environment clean and friendly,” he said.
B A R B E R S H O P
Black person can successfully do this, it’s not impossible for others to do it too. It’s important to him to set a foundation for others within the Black community. He also believes that everyone in the Black community should have an interest in something that can be put into our communities and help one another. Along with Cali Coast Barbershop, Steven created a barber apprenticeship and youth program, which he plans to focus on more as time goes on. To Steven, Black barbershops play a huge role in Black men’s confidence. “Men sometimes come in looking down, but when they get a fresh cut it changes,” he said. It’s more than just cutting hair for Steven and his barbers; he wants his clients to feel good. So conversation, engaging with them, and building a relationship with his shop’s clients is also important. Steven is a strong supporter of Black businesses. He believes in hiring Black barbers and supports other Blackowned
Freshly Faded with Derrick Banks
D
By James Quinn Photography by Angela Ledyard
barbers a reasonable work/life balance are important factors for the business he has created.
Derrick Banks established his barbershop in 2016 after completing barber college where he was trained on hairstyle techniques, barber work ethics, and proper sanitation to receive his barbering license from the state.
Freshly Faded operates from Tuesdays to Saturdays with hours from 7:30 A.M. to 2 P.M. Customers make The African appointments through an Derrick Banks was born and raised in Americans of North Park, online scheduling system to North Park, San Diego and wanted San Diego only make up 3% of to create a different experience avoid long waits that men the population. As such, there aren’t normally must endure to for Black youth that wasn’t get haircuts. Banks does present in barbershops many businesses or establishments that the online marketing for before his. Banks criticized are specifically catered towards them. Freshly Faded and has most barbers from his However, Derrick Banks has changed that own experiences growing breaks already locked with his own barbershop, Freshly Faded. in for his barbers. up in North Park, stating One might think they know what to expect they weren’t particularly in a place called Freshly Faded, but Mr. Banks Derrick Banks not only family-friendly, weren’t wanted to exceed everyone’s expectations conscious of giving their wanted to establish with good vibes, entertaining events, a cool and more barbers reasonable hours intellectual conversations, and bringing aesthetically pleasing for work, and even in some attention to the importance of mental barbershop for the youth, instances, their bodily hygiene health in the African American male wasn’t too great. Giving the but he also wanted to spread Black community a warm and mental health awareness for community. men throughout his community. loving experience, while also giving 38 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
B A R B E R S H O P C H A T
lot of people the barbershop is like therapy for them, and a lot of people have been missing that therapy during the pandemic,” said Mr. Banks when asked about the impact of his shop. Freshly Faded also has noon mental check-in times or periods of time for employees and youth to express what they’re grateful for. Mr. Banks calls these gratitude check-ins, and their purpose is to evaluate how everyone is feeling at the moment and call them to appreciate the time they have. There are also men’s meetings for the youth to go further in-depth about growing up and making a positive impact. Freshly Faded also provides entertainment and the arts so the youth can be exposed to new things. Entertainment includes open-mic comedy, poetry readings, and vegan food events to further expose young males to a culture they might not see often. When asked about what he has learned from his 10 years as a barber, Mr. Banks explains that he often learned a lot from common strangers. “It’s almost like being a taxi-driver,” he stated. “You meet all of these different people, hear their stories, and learn so much about different parts of the world through conversations.” The Black barbershop has been a staple in African American culture for a long time. Barbershops, along with churches, used to be the only two spots where former slaves could speak freely and express themselves amongst each other. Not only that, but many people didn’t want to be barbers, and thus a lot of African Americans were pushed to do the job. Urban barbershops have also 39 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
Shop Black art and apparel.
been a staple for the Black economy as well, according to Mr. Banks, as it is the one business that keeps thriving throughout the changing times and makes more services accessible for the Black community. In his experience, Mr. Banks also finds it important to be a representative of the Black experience and of Black hair for those that are outside of the community. Freshly Faded is one of the many barbershops that is listed for adoptive families to bring their Black children in to not only get their haircut, but to gain a positive African American experience. Mr. Banks tells us of an experience he had with a white mother who called her son’s hair “crazy”, but one of his customers corrected her on how to properly speak about Black hair. Another service that Derrick Banks provides can be seen on the Freshly Faded website in the form of blog posts. Mr. Banks started blogging for his business
Freshly Faded is one of the many barbershops that is listed for adoptive families to bring their Black children in to not only get their haircut, but to gain a positive African American experience. to establish a language for barbers and customers to discuss Black hair. Not only does Mr. Banks write about the many different hairstyles and fades, but he also discusses some of his favorite styles from pop culture, mental health, and fatherhood. Haircuts from Marvel’s Black Panther Movie and Barbers are Psychologists are a couple of the many interesting topics Mr. Banks covers on his blog. Mr. Banks also expresses some of his favorite hairstyles and artists, most notably Ruth E. Carter who did the styling for Black Panther and Coming 2 America. When asked about the future of Freshly Faded and where he might want to go as far as his career is concerned, Derrick Banks said that staying in North Park, San
Diego would be best. “I thought about franchising and opening up other shops around the city,” said Banks. “But I didn’t want to lose the personal touch that Freshly Faded has developed in the community.” Derrick Banks believes that it’s not the fresh haircuts or sharp fades that make his business so special, it’s the feeling and good vibes that people receive when they visit his shop. “I hype people up. I want them to feel good about their haircuts and to be able to express how Freshly Faded made them feel,” Banks said. For information, please check out Derrick Bank’s shop at his website and his instagram for more clean cuts and good vibes. http://www.freshlyfaded.com/ https://www.instagram.com/freshlyfadedbarber/
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So Ebony decided to fill that gap. The original search for products quickly became a search for labs to create her own products. Ebony set out to create a CBD skincare line for Black people. “I do stuff that I use.” Kayaire CBD has an array of products from topical skincare treatments to candles and teas. When asked about how she comes up with new products, Ebony shared that all her ideas start off from products she already uses but wanted to add a bit of her own magic to. When shopping with Kayaire, you won’t find a product that Ebony hasn’t personally tried. Ebony Clay is proud to be the first business owner in her family. She is also proud to be creating products that are
“It is our time [for] generational wealth.” made for and marketed towards Black people. However, Ebony is not only proud of her own business, but of every Black41 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
S K I N C A R E
Kayaire happened when Ebony took matters into her own hands and created her own solutions. She wanted a product that was made for skin like hers. What she found was a lack of CBD skincare products that were geared towards Black people.
I N
Ebony Clay is a busy woman. As an active duty mom, Ebony juggles her priorities between healthily working through PTSD as a military sexual trauma survivor, and being an engaging mom to her four children. With the busy lifestyle, she couldn’t keep searching for doctors who lacked solutions to her skin issues like psoriasis and eczema.
W O M E N
Written by: Maragaret White
B L A C K
How the Search for Skincare Solutions Turned into an Empire with Ebony Clay of Kayaire
owned business and entrepreneurs who are representing the Black community and building for their futures. She has big plans for Kayaire, including expanding the line from just skincare to a whole wellness brand. As for herself, Ebony Clay plans to further her education. She is currently in school to be a medical laboratory scientist so that she can further her knowledge and formulate even better products for her company. She also wishes to be a better mother, even though she is already a great one.
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1
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Reveal Massage Candle 11oz Reveal Bundle Collection Rejuvenating Exfoliating Toner Reveal Black Lava Salt + Saffron Bath Salt 8oz Inspire Loose Leaf Tea
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Visit kayaire.com for more products and collection sets.
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Talking Dirty With
Dirt Don't Hurt
L -R Maritza, Kaya, and Sativa
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Who are Maritza, Kaya, and Sativa?
We are 3 sisters who were born and raised right here in San Diego. We are all mothers, with 6 children between us, and one on the way... ranging in ages of 2 to 10 years old. We strive to be successful Mompreneurs, but Mompreneurship is not for the faint of heart, and it definitely takes a lot of flexibility and multitasking as well as support from husbands, friends, family members to help us get to where we are at today. We would not have been able to survive + thrive without our village especially throughout the Pandemic. What do you do outside of Dirt Don’t Hurt? Outside of Dirt Don't Hurt we are busy with lots of outdoor activities with our little ones... we are true southern California girls in every sense, we enjoy the Beach, hiking, biking, & swimming, just to name a few. We love to cook,
and we love to eat, so throwing a bonfire in the backyard every now and then is always on the agenda with the family. Although we work together on a daily basis we somehow still find time to hang out outside of the office. We are truly best friends and have always maintained a tight bond no matter what. For both Sativa & Kaya Dirt Don't Hurt is their full time job outside of mom life, Whereas Maritza is also a Realtor and occasional actress. How did Dirt Don’t Hurt come about? What inspired you to create a natural beauty product? Dirt Don't Hurt came about out of necessity. Back in 2012 Tiva became very ill and despite visiting traditional doctors, holistic practitioners and naturopaths, it seemed no one could give her the answers she was desperately seeking. She was plagued by memory loss, chronic fatigue, brain fog, and insomnia amongst other symptoms. She began to research how to detox her body and rid her
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body of toxins in an attempt to feel better. Working with activated charcoal, Earth Clays, Essential oils & Herbs... she started making her own personal care products and ditching the store bought chemical crap. When dissecting products she was using on a daily basis she recognized all the unnecessary ingredients that she was putting in and on her body. During this same time she became pregnant with her first child and Maritza with her second, they were not only concerned with their own health and well being but also growing babies. Eventually Tiva was finally diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder but after a month of antibiotics, and still not feeling any better, she knew she would have to take her health and life into her own hands. After years of research and development, she began making her own products and giving them away as gifts to friends and family. She started her own company and began selling her products at the La Jolla Farmers market. All of her products did well, but she soon got overwhelmed with so many products and limited space. She reached out to Kaya and Maritza to help her focus on her best sellers and rebrand the company, bringing her sisters in as partners. We eliminated alot of the products and focused on the products that really aided in Sativas's recovery, and those that focused on detoxification. Primarily the Activated Charcoal products. Which in 2017 were just emerging on the market and really trending in the marketplace. We got to work on rebranding and launching as Dirt Don't Hurt. We launched at Earth Day 2017 and the rest is history, we haven’t looked back since, and have just continued to learn and grow and meet opportunities as they are presented to us, it has been a really fun ride so far. The real inspiration for DDH stemmed from wanting healthier alternatives to everyday personal care and oral care products. We sometimes don’t realize the toll things can have on our body until we get sick and are forced to do better. If you look at the ingredients in a traditional toothpaste- the back of the tube says contact poison control if swallowed. Is that really something you want to
put in your body everyday, multiple times a day? We don’t think so either! And that is why we are so passionate about making truly ALL NATURAL products with no additives, emulsifiers, parabens and preservatives and toxins. What was it like starting a business with your sisters? Were there ever arguments and how did you handle it? It’s been so much fun having a “family” business per se, and we do really enjoy working together. But of course that does come with its own unique set of challenges. On one hand it is great knowing so much about your co-workers and we all know eachothers strength and weaknesses, so its easy to know to who to reach out to when you need help with something or who is best suited for a specific task or role within the company. But at the same time, spending so much time at work and outside of work together can lead to arguments inevitably. Usually how we handle any disagreements or arguments that come about, is by sticking with the 2 against 1 majority rules policy. But yes, there have been screaming matches and after everyone gets their frustrations out and all voices are heard we tend to settle and all come to terms with whatever decision has been made. What is in the future for Dirt Don’t Hurt? What are your goals for the brand? We would love to expand the Brand into more personal care categories eventually, but right now the goal is to build up our online presence as well as continue to grow our wholesale business into larger retail stores. We were very excited that in May of 2020 we launched several of our products into 40+ Whole Foods locations in the Northern California region, and most recently we have been selected as a vendor and participant in the “Buy from a Black Woman Inspire Tour Presented by H + M” In Los Angeles on July 25th.
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B L A C K
Any tips on keeping skin/ teeth healthy?
Charcoal + Clay Mineral Face Mask
What are the ingredients? Activated Carbon (Activated Coconut Charcoal), Sodium Montmorillonite (Bentonite) Clay, Illite (French Green) Clay, Avena Sativa (Collodial) Oatmeal, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense) Oil. How is it beneficial for skin/oral care? Our charcoal mineral mud mask is the ultimate product to cleanse and clarify your skin for the optimum facial detox. French clay for rejuvenation and pore tightening, activated charcoal to pull toxins, bacteria, as well as dirt and oil, and colloidal oatmeal to cleanse, moisturize and soothe. Essential oils of Frankincense and tea tree to top off this magical mud. Frankincense is a natural astringent, excellent for anti-aging to protect and regenerate
healthy skin cells, whereas tea tree helps treat acne through its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well as calm redness, swelling and inflammation for smooth, clear skin. How do you use the product? Mix 1/2 Tsp of Clay mask with 1 tsp of water in a separate bowl. Stir until thick paste forms. Add more water as needed to get desired consistency. Apply smooth and evenly on face with included brush. Rinse when Dry, approx 15 mins. Makes 22 masks, per 2 oz. jar. Recommended use: 2 to 3 times per week. Experience fresh, beautiful, clean skin, naturally.
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S K I N C A R E
Any tips on starting a skin/oral care routine?
Just try and remember to be consistent. You will see results eventually, but you have to keep at it. We have so many people that come back to us after using our products for a couple months and saying they are seeing such incredible results with their teeth and skin etc. Be patient, and give your new routine some time to work its magic!
When searching for Clean Beauty products, don’t just buy something because it says “Natural” Always make sure to read the ingredients very carefully .If there are a bunch of long words that you can’t pronounce and don’t know what they are, you probably want to avoid that particular products. There are alot of harmful ingredients in some so called “natural products.” We like to follow the philosophy, “If you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin.” Our Skin is the largest organ in our bodies, and it is like a sponge. So everything we put on our skin and in our mouth etc, goes straight to our blood stream. So make sure you are making good choices!
I N
One of the most important things to remember when thinking about keeping your skin/teeth healthy is to always remember the old saying of “ You are what you eat.” With that in mind, it is important to pay very close attention to what you are putting in your body to eat and drink. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, sticking with an alkaline diet is also helpful and drinking a good amount of water, these two things alone can help to leave you with glowing skin and a healthy well ph balanced mouth mouth. Try and avoid foods/drinks with lots of sugar and that are highly processed.
What are some major don’ts others need to understand when it comes to proper skin care?
W O M E N
Healthy Skin Care Tips
Charcoal Tooth Powder
Breath and a whiter smile
Charcoal infused Tooth + Gum Oil
Product Name: 1.What are the ingredients?
1. What are the ingredients? Activated Carbon (Activated Coconut Charcoal), Sodium Montmorillonite (Bentonite) Clay, Calcium Carbonate, Kaolinite (Kaolin) Clay, Diatomaceous Earth, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Commiphora Myrra (Myrrh Gum) Powder, Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove) , Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Powder , Curcuma longa (Turmeric) Powder, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil , Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) Oil , Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) 2. How is it beneficial for skin/oral care? Designed to clean, polish and brighten your teeth without harsh or damaging chemicals. Our tooth powder is a wonderful aromatic mix of pure Organic Essential oils of Wintergreen, Peppermint and Spearmint mixed with Earth ClaysBentonite Clay, French Green Clay, Kaolin Clay and herbs of Turmeric, Sage & Clove. This all natural earth + plant based formula will help you to achieve a natural white smile without having to worry about damaging your teeth and causing sensitivity with traditional bleaches/whiteners. Using clean Oral care products that are free of toxins is incredibly important as we brush our teeth 2-3 x's a day, and our mouth is one of our largest absorbers of the body, only second to the skin. So whatever you are ingesting is eventually making its way into your bloodstream.
Fractionated Coconut Oil, Essential Oil Blend : Oregano, Clove, Myrrh Gum, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Spearmint. 2.How is it beneficial for skin/oral care? Give your mouth an immediate wake up call. At home or on the go, this little miracle mixture is sure to keep your breath fresh and bacteria at bay. In a pure MCT coconut oil base, the essential oils of Oregano, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Spearmint, Clove and Myrrh are sure to make anyone smile. And of course it boasts a healthy dose of activated coconut charcoal to detoxify the most stubborn plaque & Bacteria build up. Balance the Ph levels in your mouth for healthy, vibrant, pearly whites. Tooth + Gum Oil is an alternative to a traditional mouth wash/rinse without all of the damaging and harmful chemicals and alcohol that can dry your mouth out and kill off both your good and bad bacteria which damages your mouths biome and it’s ability to fight cavities, gingivitis and bad breath.
3.How do you use the product? Everyday overall Oral Health Place 2 drops directly on the toothbrush and brush as usual. 2. On the go Mouth Rinse Place a dropperful directly in your mouth after eating/drinking. Especially sweets/sugars/carbs. Swish + Spit. No need to rinse with water. Create a paste Pair it with your Charcoal Tooth Powder + create a paste. Dip the tip of the bristles into the powder
3. How do you use the product? You can use the charcoal tooth powder as a complete replacement for your traditional toothpaste. Wet the Toothbrush Dip the Tip of the Bristles into the Powder Brush for at least 2 mins, twice a day and rinse as usual Experience Fresh
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FIND THE PERFECT ACCESSORY FOR ANY SPACE AT
ALTERED DECOR A black women-owned business
GIVE
DECORATE
SCENT
VISIT OR SHOP ONLINE Address: 1227 J Street San Diego CA 92101 P. 619.961.3639 E. info@altered-decor.com Wednesday - Friday 12 pm to 6 pm Saturday - Sunday 11 am to 5 pm 47 | AUGUST 2021 |
BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
48 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
By Calvin Brown Photography By Angela Ledyard
C U L T U R A L
Chef Quinnton "Q" Austin
F O O D
What are the complexities of menu design? When you deal with fine dining you want the menu to focus on the wording of each dish. What are the starters, sides, entrees, and desserts? Wording makes everything when it comes to those types of menus. When it comes to more casual dining you want to be as direct as possible. What are misconceptions people have when it comes to Louisiana food? We cook with a lot of butter. (Laugher) A lot of fats. I think people understate the diversity. For example, when I say Gumbo, everyone’s grandma has a different Gumbo recipe, and it depends entirely on where you are in the city. Our soul food is pretty unique. I feel like the term ‘Soul Food’ isn’t really used in our homes. If it’s fried chicken and yams, it's just fried chicken and yams. I think we don’t really use the ‘Soul Food’ term because of the fact that 90% of our service industry is Black. What are the basic components to a menu? Pricing is the number one thing. The biggest reason restaurants go under is pricing. People talk about our pricing at Louisiana Purchase and say our prices are high, but that’s because the materials we use are expensive. You want to stay at a 30% food cost for most items. For your most popular items, you can drop it to 25-28%
because those sell the most. Our King Crab, for example, we sell it at a loss but since it's one of our most popular items we eat that loss because it brings in customers. For layout, you want your entrees in the middle of the menu to draw eyes. For your starters, high-cost items, seafood, you want those at the top of the menu because that’s where the eyes start. Higher priced items at the top of the menu. Cheaper things like sides will be towards the bottom of the menu. Is there a certain flow to the menu when it comes to flavor profile? That depends on the kind of food you’re trying to put out and the audience you’re feeding. A lot of people say getting the female audience between ages 25-45 will bring in all the other groups. It also depends on the type of food you’re serving. A hamburger spot will have a different flavor profile than a seafood restaurant. What about when it comes to drink and dessert pairings? When it comes to drink pairings it's important to do a taste test to make sure the flavors of the drink match the food you’re pairing it with. It gets tricky when it comes to dessert. Surprisingly, a lot of people don’t eat dessert at restaurants unless the restaurant is known for it, a la a Cheesecake Factory or a restaurant like that. When it comes to designing the menu just stay close to your theme, regardless of what it is.
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E X P R E S S I O N
How many menus have you designed throughout your lifetime? 15 or 16.
Chef DuVal Warner By Calvin Brown Photography By Angela Ledyard
Tips about meats 50 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
C U L T U R A L F O O D
Trial by fire. You get a couple classes in culinary school on butchering a couple of meats but nothing that deals with full primal brands. Typically, they teach you about tenderloin, things like that. I’ve been working with full primal cuts of strip loins, rib eyes, briskets, etc. It's an art and a skill that takes patience and time. What issues do you believe people make with their meat? People don’t realize that they can buy full primal cuts for typically half the price, as opposed to buying 10 individual steaks. There are certain things to look for when buying meat. Things such as color, smell, it shouldn’t be bleeding out. Things like that. There are actually three grades of meat; Primal, Choice, and Select. When a cow is slaughtered there’s a grading process. The better the marbling of the meat, the higher the grade of meat. You get better marbling by feeding the cows better things. For example, the company I work for is grass started, but finished on 300 days of corn. It's important to know where your meat comes from. I’m lucky enough to have been to the processing plant of the company I work for. I’ve seen how the cows are raised and how they are fed. So, I know exactly the meat I’m giving to my customers. You can tell if a cow was in a stressful environment prior to slaughter based on how tough your meat is. We use every part of the cow. We take the ‘offcuts’ and make ground for hamburger. We roast down the bones to
make a broth. Keeping waste down is important because it drops costs and using all the byproducts increases profit. How do you like your steak? Depends on New York,
the steak. If it’s a filet, rare. medium rare. Ribeye, medium.
What is the best way to cook a steak? Salt and pepper. You can add garlic and other stuff, but salt, pepper, and oil are all you really need. Get your steak to room temperature, get your pan hot and then just leave it. I tell people at our cooking classes that when you’re cooking at home it's all about how YOU want the food to taste. A lot of people get nervous about undercooking it and having raw meat, but a piece of raw beef will not kill you. Chicken and Pork you can’t eat raw, but beef is fine. Pair it with a nice red. The flavor notes of a red wine pair really well with the flavors of meat. Best knives to cut meat? You need a solid pair of Chef’s knives. For butchering meat, you’ll need a specialized set of knives that you want to make sure you keep clean and sharp. I typically sharpen my knives 15 times a day, and we get them professionally cleaned once a week. Where can people start to learn about butchery? Go to your local butcher shop and just start asking questions. YouTube has been a huge help in learning how to cut different meats. If neither of those are available, look for a class you can sign up for.
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E X P R E S S I O N
What is your backstory?
S O U T H E A S T
L O C A L S
B u i l d in g H er E m p ir e
As founder of Dynasty Media, Ashley Matthews uses her love of storytelling, branding, and strategy to bring life to businesses and brands, and she is building her empire in the process. - By DaVonne Evans
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tart a conversation about entrepreneurship, brand marketing, or startup businesses with like-minded individuals, and the first thing many will tell you is that you need a website that will grab the attention of your intended audience. But you want to do more than grab their attention, you want to hold it and convert those website visits to business. That is where Ashley comes in:
She strategizes to deliver a website with an imaginative design that will leave customers wanting more. She is client-focused, professional, purposeful in her approach, and takes pride in what she does.
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q&a
How did you get into website design? I started doing design work on the side in 2008, helping people here and there. I worked in several industries before getting serious about freelancing in 2012. Each of my previous jobs taught me a ton, and shaped me into the entrepreneur that I am today. They had an impact on me that was significant and immeasurable. What do you need from your customers to tell their stories? I listen and learn all I can, and it is important for us to build an authentic relationship. We collaborate for weeks and have in-depth conversations, through which I am able to feel how passionate they are about what they do. In that time, we develop clarity and cohesiveness in their stories. They build trust in me and I convey that into their websites for their audiences to build trust in them. What rookie mistakes did you make in business? In the beginning, I wasn’t clear on who my ideal clients were and took on projects that didn’t align with me. There was a lot of push and pull and no clear boundaries. I undervalued my skills, and that caused me to feel burnout after working on those projects. When did you notice a shift in how you approached work? I didn’t just survive COVID-19, I thrived through it. I took mastermind classes and webinars for professional enrichment and growth. The classes opened me up to networking, which opened another world of opportunity. People like Courtney Dade and Hannah Bernabe have come into my life and genuinely compliment my business. I can rely on them for strategy, visuals, research, and anything else about this industry and they help to ensure that I deliver high-quality websites to my clients. Where do you see Dynasty Media in five years? In five years, I want to be running a dope, full-service media services empire, and more importantly, I want to be helping other creatives. I want to help them understand the positive forces that happen when they niche down (which many are afraid of). I want them to know that becoming an expert in one thing is better than being scattered in several. I also want to create courses to help creatives have systems in place for the success of their businesses. I want to show them how to do things easier and how to make some of their systems automated.
A S H L E Y M AT T H E W S & D Y N A S T Y M E D I A C A N B E F O U N D AT : W W W. DY NA ST Y M E DI A .C OM FACEBOOK: facebook.com/dynastymediasd TWITTER: twitter.com/DynastyMediaSD INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/dynastymedia
MORE THAN A MENTOR -By DaVonne Evans
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ho knows more about what a community needs than those who come from the community? Since 2012, Jay Bowser, cofounder and CFO of Paving Great Futures, has worked to increase the health and wealth of the underserved, marginalized, and at risk in the San Diego communities of which he is all too familiar. Jay bowser recently sat down with Black SD Magazine to share more about Paving Great Futures. Tell me about your background and how you came to be CFO of Paving Great Futures (PGF). I’ve had a passion for finance since I was 19 years old. I work with adults on retirement planning and financial literacy, and am honored to have opportunities to pour into others. I have been friends with co-founders Armand King, COO, and Barry Harris Jr., CEO, since high school. We share a common desire to see our people thrive, and we share a strong commitment to entrepreneurship. As San Diego natives, each of us remain committed to transforming lives and making lasting changes in the community.
What types of programs does PGF offer to those who participate? We have several programs to serve the community. They include C.E.O., C.H.A.M.P.S., L.A.C.E.D., E.M.P.I.R.E., G.E.W.E.L.S. and H.I.R.E. All of them encompass six core competencies that are important for attendees to lead productive, successful lives: entrepreneurship, jobreadiness, financial literacy, life skills, community services, and civic engagement.
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Is there an age demographic that you cater to, and do they take a pledge of commitment to finishing the program?
Tell me more about your C.E.O. program. We are teaching the community about the billion-dollar legal cannabis industry. We don’t want them using cannabis, but we do want to educate them on this booming industry that many were harshly punished for illegally participating in. Our highly valued information teaches them how to earn a living in the industry, its health benefits, and how it can bring resources back into the community. Did PGF have to pause due to COVID-19? We didn’t pause, we transitioned to a hybrid curriculum. Our program has thrived virtually and we are excited about expanding beyond San Diego in the future. How does the program get resources? We have been fortunate to receive grants from the state and federal government, as well as corporate donations. We also have partners like the Black Golfers Association that we work with on a fundraising golf tournament. Additionally, we have a gala at the end of every year and sell tickets to raise funds for PGF. The gala celebrates achievements of the year, showcasing the work we have done and recognizing those who have graduated from our programs. Where do you see PGF in five years? I see us expanding our outreach, serving more families, teaching more about social equity, and supporting more entrepreneurs that utilize our program with more intensity. We want to take PGF beyond California with a virtual curriculum, and we want to be more than just great mentors. We want to be the foundation or springboard to a movement that pours into communities of underserved citizens.
JAY BOWSER & PAVING GREAT FUTURES CAN BE REACHED AT: 2307 Fenton Parkway, 107-8, San Diego, California 92108 PAVING GREATFUTURES.ORG FACEBOOK: facebook.com/pavingreatfutures TWITTER: twitter.com/PavingGreat INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/paving_great_futures
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L O C A L S
We started with the intention of servicing youth from the local school districts. However, we realized that helping them would mean more if we could also reach their parents and caregivers. What we do has far-reaching positive effects because we help entire families change their situations for the better. As for a pledge, it’s not necessary. We relate to them and have such an impact that they naturally want to come back.
S O U T H E A S T
We focus on leadership, education, administration, engineering, culinary hospitality, empowerment, employment and reentry programs. We hope to build a community full of progressive-thinking citizens. We want them to be engaged in the community, understanding of politics, and aware that their voices matter.
All About Love:
Erisa Nicole's Message is Clear "To love well is the task in all meaningful relationships, not just romantic bonds" Bell Hooks writes in one of her most notable works, All About Love : New Visions, published in 2000. -By Ciara Hendrix | Photography by Brigelle Henderson Burties
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o close out July on a high note, Black SD Magazine sat down with Erisa Nicole, a San Diego native, to discuss her musical journey and the driving forces that have guided and inspired her along the way. She views herself as a vessel for expansion and communication in the world through her music.
Throughout our conversation, I was enamored with how much grace and gratitude Erisa carries with her. She's graced the Apollo Theatre stage in New York and played alongside legendary bassist Nathan East all in one lifetime. 56 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
q&a
How were you introduced to music? My dad, he's a musician and also a Pastor. Of course, being involved in church you play music, right? I started off playing the piano first and I only knew how to play three songs. So at twelve years old, that was my first job as the church musician; I loved it. This role in church was the beginning of a budding love for music. While attending San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, Erisa was presented with numerous opportunities to continue cultivating her skills and passion. What changed for you? (She lets out an endearing laugh) Well, I don't really sing, so I joined the band and started playing the clarinet. I told my dad that I didn't really like it too much even though he had just bought it. At the Thanksgiving concert that year, there was a lady by the name of Angélla Christie who played saxophone and I was like 'That's what I wanna play!'. From that moment on, I just knew. Fast forward to senior year, I had to learn very quickly because I wanted to play all over town and share music with everyone. In her videos and live performances, Erisa and her saxophone glide over Earth, Wind, & Fire melodies with ease. Her passion and authenticity allow her to easily connect to the audience with one of the most powerful universal languages: music. When it comes to the category of range, Erisa has that covered too. On her profile, you will find no shortage of an eclectic catalogue thanks to her creative direction. Catch Erisa cruising in the bed of a pickup truck to the tune of Justin Bieber's "Peaches" or sitting pretty & skating over smooth jazz sounds to the sultry Snoh Alegra song "I Want You Around". Where do you draw your deepest inspirations from? Ultimately, my goal is to touch lives one heart at a time. I want the audience or listener to have an experience, no matter where we are. So, my inspiration is people and connecting with them through music. Erisa's depth of passion was magnetic even through our Zoom call, so one can only imagine the vibrance she brings to a physical space. She is an astute and studied musician who isn't afraid to defy traditional expectations when it comes to the saxophone. This faith in her abilities is inspiring on screen and promises to be even more so in person.
Shepherd of the Youth: James Wiley Jr. of Reel Teens -By James Quinn| Photography by Corey Butler
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iolence amongst the youth seems to be at an all-time high with gang activities, gun violence, and brutal police officers to combat them. At the center of all this are young African American and Latino people trying to find outlets for their growing need for self-fulfillment and a community to help foster an identity. Those were the struggles that Mr. James Wiley Jr. faced before establishing the Reel Teens organization. Reel Teens is a ministry and organization for youth and young adults in the Southeast San Diego community. Kids can play games, get free food, express themselves and their interests, and receive a Christian gospel from James Wiley Jr. and his team. As stated before, James Wiley Jr. created Reel Teens out of a need to find his own identity. Mr. James Wiley Jr. grew up in Southeast San Diego and primarily went to a religious private school and church before attending Lincoln Public High school. Attending public school exposed his “sheltered” nature as Wiley recalls witnessing gang violence, sex, drugs, and other various situations he previously had yet to bear witness to. Despite being a part of sports in high school, Wiley said that he felt a bit isolated and wasn’t sure where he fit into urban culture. It wasn’t until Wiley started attending Bible study in the 10th grade that his path was set. “God called me to be a fisherman of teenagers,” said Wiley. “Reel Teens is in reference to when Jesus told Peter to be a fisher of men.” With a desire to work with youth and bring them to Christ, Wiley began working with an organization called Youth-Life, where they would go to different college campuses and spread their Christian gospel to students. James Wiley Jr. worked with Jimmy Robinson in the Young Life Organization and brought children to Camp Lost Canyon to experience the outdoors and learn about the word of God. Wiley had such a fun experience with the children at Youth-Life that he decided to branch out and start an organization of his own to bring that same kind of experience to the youth of Southeast San Diego. After working with an outreach organization for
some time, Wiley began his mobile service called Reel Teens. When he started, Wiley would work with local schools and churches to set up a monthly and weekly basis. Reel Teens brings fun games, free food, positive role-models, and a message about finding identity through Christian discipleship. James Wiley Jr. says, “The goal for Reel Teens is to be a safe haven of love and fun, and to help teens find their identity through Christ.” Kids not only engage in games, but are broken off into groups and discuss their interests and questions through Bible lessons. Reel Teens operates in the summers as well, offering more free food, summer camp trips and activities, and weekly Bible study.
“The goal for Reel Teens is to be a safe haven of love and fun, and to help teens find their identity through Christ.”
When asked why he came back to the San Diego community, Wiley Jr. says that he grew up in Southeast San Diego and wanted to help make it better. “I love this
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Wiley also provided some advice on how other community leaders and organizations can help the youth in better ways. “They have to create the culture they want to see,” said Wiley. “They have to create a culture that is fun, form genuine relationships with the kids, and do it all for the sake of their learning and spiritual fulfillment.” Wiley Jr. calls for the police system of San Diego to do better with the youth as well. He developed a relationship with Northeast San Diego after someone tried to break into his Reel Teen trailer. After gaining a relationship with the police force, Wiley invited officers to come to the events to interact and casually have fun with the kids as they did their activities. Wiley Jr. hopes the Reel Teen organization will be expanded in the future to include more state of the art play centers and facilities for students, a skating rink, and more teens ready to help serve the community. If nothing else, he hopes that Reel Teens will give kids a sense of purpose and responsibility towards their urban communities.
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L O C A L S
The Reel Teens organization is also rooted in James Wiley Jr.’s experience as a teenager and his belief that religion plays a big role in a teenager’s life. “I found faith in Christ when I was going through an identity crisis,” Wiley said. “It set me on my path to helping other kids, and has made me want to be a community leader. It has set a moral compass in my life for who I’ve become, and I wanted to share that with teenagers.” Wiley does his best to connect with teenagers and find creative ways for them to connect with their passions.
S O U T H E A S T
community that I hold near and dear to my heart.” There’s potential greatness that is overshadowed by gang violence from the Bloods, Crips, and Latin American gangs, as well as drugs. “A lot of teens are looking for family, acceptance, and community. In the program, they learn to have positive interactions with both each other and adults, value their voices, and be their own individual as leaders. Wiley Jr. sat down with us to tell a story about a young man who came to the Reel Teens program years ago when it started, and is now working with different youths in local elementary schools.
T R A N S F O R M A T I O N
SIMPLY PUT -
FELICIA SMITH IS A VISUAL STORYTELLING VIRTUOSO Written By : Ciara Hendrix
Although it celebrates three years in existence this year, Felicia Smith of Simply Put let me know that she’s been telling visual stories for nearly 25 years. Translation: "She's not new to this, she's true to this" & we are here for it! I had the exquisite pleasure of chatting with Felicia about her business- a Black woman owned and operated events design company based in San Diego, California. Weddings, baby showers, and pop-up events are just some of the services Simply Put provides. We spoke about the levels of entrepreneurship, her purpose behind the company, & her unique approach to event design.
In the hospitality & event spaces, flawless execution is a skill that must be diligently cultivated and nurtured. When asked if she had ever studied any facets of design or art in school, Felicia had this to say: “The root of me is vintage...and I like to approach a design from that perspective...I come from a line of women who like to design in the same fashion, my mom is the redecorating
A lover of vintage, a fashionista, and a highschool counselor (18 years in the game and counting!), Felicia leverages her off time throughout the school year to “tap into her creative side…and go hard on Simply Put” she says. The inception of the business began with planning birthday parties for her son, then grew as she began to plan more events for friends and occasional clients. Over the last three years, she has built & fostered relationships with local vendors in SD and across the country. Felicia guided me through her creative design process with prospective clients and...simply put, it all starts with a conversation. Subsequently, she sends out a mood board based on the collaborative session and what she calls her “Godsend” -her vision for the project. Above all, she values building trust with her clientele through hands-on collaboration, the team that supports her, and is honored to use Simply Put as the vessel for telling their stories. The opportunity to transform a space for others to create lasting memories is part of the driving force behind Simply Put. At the end of each year, Felicia partners with one client to provide them with a pro-bono event. In light of how fortunate she has been on her own journey, her gratitude manifests in the form of paying it forward. “Most of my clients have partnered with me from other events that I’ve designed for someone else" Felicia notes, "I've been very blessed."
queen!...But I make sure I’m consistently educating myself in this business, especially in the floral industry." Simply Put touts a full event & design schedule in Winter, Spring, and Summer and is currently booked until September. The company has designed events in the Bay Area of California, Massachusetts, and Miami, Florida. You can view their event design portfolio or reach out through the website .
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"The root of me is vintage...and I like to approach a design from that perspective...I come from a line of women who like to design in the same fashion, my mom is the redecorating queen!"
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Talking with Jo e Barksdal e
By Calvin Brown | Photography by Ismael Quintanila III
Okay Joe, tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m from Detroit Michigan. I’ve got a wife and two daughters and two dogs. I play music, I used to be a professional athlete. I also do comedy, I write – I’m an artist. Can you tell us about the end of your football journey? I needed to be the best me that I can be, and not continue to die inside doing something that crushed me. It sounds super simple, but that’s really it. The best me is the best dad, the best husband – just taking care of myself so I can take care of my family. After 2017, I really started to think about it, I never fit in with it, the job, it wasn’t… it wasn’t fulfilling. I felt like a prostitute because of the way they sell their bodies. I named my price, they paid me. I was coming back to do it again and I asked myself, ‘is this what I want to do with my life?’ Do I want to run my body into the ground to the point that I can’t play with my kids?
You mentioned your art and your autism advocacy. Where did that come from? Yes, I am autistic. I was diagnosed a couple years ago – high functioning. I don’t have any debilitation disabilities, but there are things I’m not good with like eye contact, social situation, communicating with people in general. That’s why I like art. People seem to understand what I’m saying when it comes from an artistic place. As humans, we want to understand and be understood, so when you’re misunderstood your whole life, it sucks. The diagnosis later on in my life definitely answered some questions for me.
What did it answer for you that was confusing? It helped me understand that I get so frustrated when I get emotional because I don’t understand my emotions. I have trouble identifying them, so I just get angry. It explains why I don’t like looking people in the eye, why I hate being on teams, and that kind of stuff. I like being alone and doing things by myself What advice do you have for parents who have kids that may be autistic? I will say that obviously every kid that has a temper tantrum isn’t autistic. I would caution people against thinking, ‘oh, I don’t like being around people either maybe I’m autistic.’ It’s a medical diagnosis. I wouldn’t want to be overreactive to my kid having autism to the point that I treat him that way subconsciously. Not me, but the parent. Yeah, I think we should be very careful of being overreactive as well. When it comes to your music, tell us about your styling, your artistic endeavors, what drives 62 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
you? There’s nothing like me out there, but that’s not because I’m doing something crazy in the studio. It’s because I’m just being myself. I think some people try to be so different that they end up being the same as all the other different people if that makes sense. I would say my music is a mix between Marvin Gay, Sly Stone, and Jimi Hendrix, with Kanye producing.
stuff I’ve been working on my whole life, but I just started doing standup in February. Richard Pryor is one of the main reasons I had the courage to start. Richard Pryor, out of all other comics, saw the world the same way I did. My style of comedy is conversational, I would call it conversational storytelling.
Last question, what are some things you want people to look out for, catch up on? Let’s end on comedy. When did you get started? We’re just getting started, but I would say just tap What have been some of the pushbacks? The in man. There are different ways. You can me at Jopraise? eBarksdale.com, that’ll get you to the socials, all I started in February; I’ve been doing comedy my en- the music you’re looking for and that kind of stuff. tire life. Through intense therapy I’ve discovered that I use comedy as a shield to get out of everything. Its
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THE PEOPLE’S COUNCILMEMBER
Monica Montgomery Steppe BY MICHAEL COX PHOTOGRAPHED BY OMAR HAMILTON DIGITAL ARTWORK BY JAZZMINE TAYLOR
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T H E
A DAY IN THE LIFE
In addition to serving on three Council
When she’s not attending a City Council or Committee meeting or
fulfilling her other obligations in the fight for equity, the Councilmember will get regular briefings from City staff and department heads, meet with various stakeholders on items coming to the Council docket, grant interviews to local and national media, meet with constituents during her weekly office hours on Fridays, and attend a recordbreaking number of community events in her district and across San Diego. For a typical Tuesday Council day, the Councilmember begins the day at 9 A.M. in closed session. After Closed Session, she attends the open Council meeting voting on various items on the docket. To see her in action on the dais, please view our 2019 and 2020 Year in Review/State of the District Videos.
Q&A Who is the People’s Councilmember? (Give us a background story on Monica Montgomery Steppe) I just love that Professor Adisa Alkebulan identified me as the “People’s Councilmember” when he introduced me at the MLK celebration event at SDSU. I was a new councilmember at the time. Because the larger San Diego grassroots community invested in my campaign and it was the PEOPLE of District 4 who voted me into office, the message carried across the region, not just in the district. The professor described how so many people felt a part of that movement, and that is such an honor for me. I think it represents who I am. I am someone who has always honored fairness and has compassion for people, no matter who they are and where they come from. So, in addition to my titles and my accomplishments, at the core of me is my love for others. I came into the legal field at the time when there were record foreclosures and middle-class families were losing sometimes the only asset they had their homes. I helped many families
fight against banking institutions to keep their homes, which in many ways was life saving. At the ACLU, I fought for the bail system to be changed. For it to be fair. Because right now, our system favors a rich, guilty person more than a poor, innocent person. For most of my professional career, I centered the voice of vulnerable people and I have carried this practice into city government. I feel grateful to be able to do this work. Every day, I work to chip away at unfairness in the system, and to give the power back to the people. Please let us know who is on your staff and their positions, we know your staff means the world to you. Yes, they do. 80% of my team lives in the community and grew up in District 4, and 100% of my staff members put their full hearts into this job. It’s more like a calling than a career. What makes Southeastern San Diego special to you? 65 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
This is my home. What makes this place special is its vibrancy, diversity and the history of the community. It was a community that was redlined, but the people have supported each other and made this place the best that it could possibly be, even when odds were stacked against them, and even when they experienced state sanctioned discrimination and violence. That’s why I fight and sacrifice the way I do. Because of the strong community vision for Southeastern San Diego, which really is to create an economic environment for opportunity as well as a safe place with a focus on a good quality of life. What are some common misconceptions of Southeastern San Diego others should know? People describe our community in deficit terms, like, underserved, low income, poor, etc. We are a brilliant, hardworking, and diverse community. The lack of economic opportunity is a direct result of the historical disinvestment into our community.
C O U N C I L M E M B E R
The Councilmember sits on three (3) City Council Committees, including serving as chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods. There, she has led on many issues, including the ban of the carotid restraint by police officers, enhancing surveillance technology oversight, and establishing an independent commission on police practices with subpoena power and independent investigators.
Committees, the Councilmember sits on the Board of Directors for San Diego Community Power, and has several outside agency appointments, including: Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) , Board of Directors, the SANDAG Transportation Committee, San Diego Workforce Partnership, the City-County Reinvestment Task Force, and the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans at the statewide level. The Councilmember has had a major impact on these regional boards and committees, by centering the principle of equity in these decision-making discussions around energy, transportation, banking, and workforce opportunity.
P E O P L E ' S
A day in the life of the People’s Councilmember is anything but typical or normal. Working in a political environment is dynamic. There are many moving parts, and this results in working from 10-16 hours a day, seven days a week.
That is not the fault of the people. That is a systemic failure. I want to make sure that distinction is made when we speak of Southeastern San Diego. We are deserving of all the resources that other neighborhoods are receiving. The results in this community have been intentional and by design. We must invest in communities South of the 8 with the same vigor and intentionality that we have invested in communities North of the 8 and make up for all that has been lost over the years. What efforts is your office making to help redevelop Southeast San Diego? Economic opportunity was a pillar of my campaign and is now a pillar of my governance structure. When I took office, I stepped into a situation where there were properties that had been sitting vacant for decades without being developed. We’ve been able to break the city log jam of holding back key developments that will result in that economic opportunity we speak of as a key pillar of governance. To compliment that, we have focused on investing in small businesses and job training. We have made major progress in the district. A premier pre-apprenticeship at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) dovetails beautifully with the development of our energy equity complex (scheduled to break ground at the end of the year). This is only one example of how we are creating a balanced community, providing job training so that our residents can work on projects within our district. We also have national retailers interested in coming into the district, market rate, for sale and affordable housing being developed, we are upgrading and building new parks, and we’re working on the Arts & Culture district to honor the contributions of Black people in our region. What are some of the problems you see the community facing that need short- and long-term solutions? My three pillars of governance touch on the problems plaguing our community: Reimagining Public Safety, Economic Opportunity for All, and Clean,
Safe and Healthy Communities. We need holistic solutions to reimagine public safety that includes economic pathways for our youth. This is what the peace movement is all about. We need to attract businesses to invest, grow and prosper. Provide jobs in our community. Things such as illegal dumping, disinvestment, and our aging and crumbling infrastructure impact our overall quality of life. We started the D4 Green Team to tackle the illegal dumping, graffiti, and other constituent service issues plaguing the community, especially in the short term. Our Office of Race & Equity is a long-term strategy. It has been stated time and again that the pandemic exposed the many disparities that have existed in our communities for decades. This is very true. My concern has always been that, as the pandemic fades and we start to move to recover, and the marches and demonstrations that highlight the need to reimagine public safety and demand a more fair system subside, so will the conversations in the halls of government. My vision of the Office of Race & Equity had this in mind. Even when the conversations about race & equity get tough, complicated, and unpopular, we want to make sure that those conversations are embedded in the institution that is the city of San Diego. The 62nd Trolley line is something of importance for your office and the neighborhood, could you explain why? Prior to the pandemic, my senior policy advisor, Eric Henson and I were on the Trolley headed to a Padres game when I came across Jay Kingly. Jay was handcuffed and being demoralized for having an open container on the Trolley. Seeing this grown man sitting on the curb with tears in his eyes underscored our need to reimagine public safety at MTS. My office proposed the MTS Fare Evasion and Diversion Program with astounding preliminary results. In addition to encountering Mr. Kingly and advocating for his humane treatment on the spot, I also have a vision for an Arts & Culture District to extend down Imperial Avenue. MTS commissioned local artists to install 66 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
art at this location, but my vision is to extend the art down Imperial Avenue as well. How can individuals and organizations get more involved to create change in the community? Join our D4 Green Team, volunteer for Boards and Commissions, get involved with local community councils and/or our community planning groups. What is your ultimate goal for your legacy as a Councilmember representing the 4th District? Ultimately, I want equity in policing, economic opportunity for all, and a clean, safe, and healthy place for people to grow and thrive. To build infrastructure for community control, building capacity for our businesses and nonprofits who invest back into our community. Finally, building out and creating a place where the Black history of San Diego can be honored and displayed. v
For More Information Please Visit: sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd4/staff For staff page and bios. sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd4/ business-listing For upcoming development. Not yet listed is our Valencia Business Park development – the Energy Equity Campus. sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd4/ peace For information on our peace movement. sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd4/d4green-team For information on the D4 Green Team.
Join our D4 Green Team, volunteer for Boards and Commissions, get involved with local community councils and/ or our community planning groups.
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We are deser ving of all the resources that other neighb orho o ds are receiving. The result s in the community have b een intentional and by design. We mu st invest in communities south of the 8 with the same vigor invested in communities Nor th of the 8 and make up for all that has b een lost over the years.” 67 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM
68 | AUGUST 2021 | BLACKSDMAGAZINE.COM