Issuu

JANUARY 2022

New Faces of Media & Entertainment Get to know them

Making it in Hollywood What does it take?

New Series, Reboots & Remakes

&his Big break

The rise of black series

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What’s INSIDE

Table of C

JANUARY 2022

Beauty and Fashion

We are bringing glam and luxury into 2022. Learn all about looking glamorous without breaking your bank with Jazmine Hill. Lady Maximo shares her styling tips as she shows us how to elevate our street wear. And Tosin of Naid’s Fashion shares his colorful and African inspired designs.

Lifestyle

Do you want to know your horoscope and what this month has in store for you? Or maybe you want some relationship insight from our Black Love Chat? You’ll also find a mediation guide to start your mindful journey, a delicious recipe from Chef Tony, and Bri’s travel destinations for 2022.

Photographer of the Month

Take a peek at how Lawrence Lawton beautifully captures urban environments.

CONTENTS Our Black TV Guide

Check up on the latest shows centering Black voices and narratives! You might find your next binge or favorite show.

Making it in Hollywood

The experts are here to help you make your big break. From the secrets of the red carpet to finding your spot in a production, we’ve got you covered. Roc Nation’s own National Director of Radio and Promotions Reza Sarrafieh shares how to keep your music and branding authentic.

Jermelle Simons

People of the Month

We bring you people worth celebrating. Whether it’s actors who are honing their craft or making their break or even people creating more inclusive spaces for us in the entertainment world, you’ll be able to read all about them and their work here.

Editorials

This is where we take a deeper look and ponder on current topics and trends. From looking at how the pandemic has affected the filming, to Atlanta rising as a Black film powerhouse, to even how to a discussion about Blaccents, you’ll definitely find something worth thinking about.

The Upshaw’s actor Jermelle Simons is taking the world by storm. Read about his plans and the impact he plans to make in 2022.

Emerging Artists

Artists are always on the rise. Here are some of our picks of rising stars and artists you just have to look out for.

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JANUARY 2022 JANUARY 2022

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER To start off the New Year and our official rebranding into The Official Black Magazine, I wanted to showcase the new faces of Black entertainment and media. I wanted to highlight the growing representation and the inclusivity efforts our people have been making since day one. It often seems impossible to make a vying career out of entertainment, but this issue goes to show that those with grit, determination, and perseverance will always shine through.

“Never give up because right when you think it’s not possible the possible happens” I would first like to say thank you to Jermelle Simon for accepting the offer and honoring The Official Black Magazine as our Cover and Feature story for our first issue of the new year. He is someone who demonstrates what it means to never give up on your dreams. As a publisher the cover person is meant to represent the overall theme of the issue and this issue is dedicated to the dreams and those who hustle to make their dreams a reality. From the small town of Florence in South Carolina to the hills of Hollywood Jermelle is making his mark and leaving a lasting impact.

“It doesn’t matter where you are from but it matters how determined you are to win” As an audience member, we only see the glamorous moments or the polished and finished product. Those who are working behind the scenes go unrecognized most of the time. In this issue, I wanted to also provide them with a spotlight to share their experiences. You’ll find advice and tips from those who work in acting, media personalities, styling, management, production, and public relations. I also want to discover emerging artists and new talent with you. Our emerging artists all have something in common: a desire to share their story and experience through their art. They all might be artists through different means or genres, but it goes to show that art is another form of story-telling that brings people together. And some talent might not be new or emerging. Some talent might be seasoned with years of experience and grit. We bring you many actors who have and still are putting their all into their craft.

“The Shine belongs to all these individuals who shows us that we can make a reality out of our dreams” My New Year's resolution is to bring more lifestyle content to our readers. In this issue, I want you to learn how to meditate and decompress because physical and mental health are important. I want you to explore and travel in luxury while not breaking your bank. I want you to feel and look glamorous with some helpful tips. Learn some recipes to your favorite cocktails that you have seen ordered in your favorite television shows and classic movies. I promise you that with this issue one key take away everyone will receive is that the dreams we had as little black children to make it in any industry is possible. Never give up on it, don’t listen to the naysayers and enjoy the journey as you reach for the stars. CEO & PUBLISHER Michael Cox

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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Ray Christopher The Celebrity Hairstylist

JANUARY 2022

R A Y

How did you get your start as a celebrity stylist? Honestly, it’s funny because I never wanted to do hair. My best friend is actually the reason why I started, she needed her hair done for something and she knows she can trust me. So I did it and it came out pretty cute. Then we came up with the idea that I would get into hair. What are some hairstyles that are timeless and always work? Timeless hair is my specialty. Hairstyles like a top knot or bun, middle part and bone straight are always a good choice as well as a bob. You have worked with many celebrities. When deciding what type of look to give them, what are some things you consider? Honestly we don’t really choose hair until we establish a wardrobe. It’s very important to be a cohesive team that works together once I see the wardrobe, then my mind gets to racing and creating.

What are some of your favorite styles and why? What are your go-to tools or products? Anyone that knows me knows I love a top knot. They’re fully functional and there’s so many different versions of it that you could never get bored. Things that I always have to have in my kit are scrunchies and a lot of them, bobby pins in different sizes and hair shapers. Scrunchies are a staple because you’ll always need one to either pull the hair back or pull the hair up. Bobby pins can tuck, hold, tie, reinforce and hide anything you need them to. Hair shaper is always a great finishing tool, it pretty much puts a period on the look. Do you have any tips or advice for those who want to feel like a celebrity at home? A lot of tools that I may use are professional but they do have versions for everyday use, those are best for at home use. Effortless hair is always in trend and celebrities tend to love it, always think effortless. What’s the difference for hairstyles when it comes to Red Carpet, Editorial Photo shoots, and Television? That’s a good question. Doing hair for different types of events is inevitable. The key is to see it before everybody else sees it. Red carpets might be my favorite because they’re fast paced and quick. Most times you have to make sure it looks good from every angle on the red carpet because you never know where they’re taking the picture. With editorial, it’s literally a picture and effortless tends to work, less is more. Photo shoots tend to have a little bit more leeway as well because it’s a still picture. You can set the look in the front because that’s all we see. Now television is a whole other beast. You have to think of it as live soooooo it’s the most stressful. You’ve got to make sure there’s not a hair out of place.

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Hollywood Glam for the Everyday Girl JANUARY 2022

Sleek & Silky Satin dresses exude elegance and simplicity. The best part: they look good on every body type! When aiming for an everyday, Hollywood glam look, satin dresses are great staple pieces to have because of their versatility and endless styling opportunities. Add a fur coat and sleek pumps for a dressy look or opt for a laid-back look by adding a turtleneck underneath with a fedora.

All That Glitters This look is for the lady who doesn’t mind being the center of attention! Sequins don’t always have to be over the top. For a simple and sparkly look, it’s safe to go with black, gold, or maroon for a less dramatic look. Going for a sequined or shiny dress is a great and easy way to play up a “little black dress.” It adds a nice twist that will be sure to have you standing out from the rest, but not too much!

Let’s Get Dolled Up Hollywood glam makeup looks are so fun but can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Red lip? Glitter eyeshadow? Nude lip? So many options. Try choosing one of these options as a starting point: 1. Bold eye with neutral lip 2. Bold lip with neutral eye 3. Bold lip with bold eye From there, let the fun begin... Pink glitter eyes + a nude satin lipstick is perfect for the lady that has a dress that already makes a statement. This combo is more subtle and pairs well with a colorful and fun dress. Want to have a little more fun and dress up that little black dress? Try a shiny metallic eye look with a bold red lip- they’ll be sure to do a double-take.

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Channeling your Inner Royalty with Tosin of Naid’s Fashion.

hat should we know about Tosin and Naid’s Fashion? I’m the Founder and creative director of NAID’S, an African Luxury brand founded in 2019 back in Lagos, Nigeria where I was born. I recently moved from Lagos to Los Angeles to further my dreams of reviving the watered-down African Culture across the diaspora through fashion, not to foster separation but to bring unity and awareness to the fact that we are all one people! How would you describe the Naid’s Fashion brand? What sets Naid’s Fashion apart from other brands? NAID’S is a brand that is redefining what African craftsmanship looks and feels like with authentic handcrafted suits and trench coats that bring out the royalty in you.. We are known for merging the spice of Africa with western trends to create a world where people of all cultures don’t just co-exist but genuinely live, love and bloom together and this is what sets us apart from others. How do you get inspired when coming up with new designs? My inspiration comes from spending time with nature as well as dwelling on my royal African background. And images that showcase these are what you’ll find on my mood board when it’s time to create a new design or collection.. How did you get into fashion and designing? What initially interested you to take up making clothes? I’ve been very passionate about fashion since I was a teenager. I would often design my own clothes and style myself for occasions back then. Fast forward to 2013, I had the dream of owning one of the biggest fashion brands in the world, and in 2019 that dream was set in motion. What have been some challenges you faced when starting Naid’s Fashion? How did you overcome those challenges? The starting stage of NAID’S was a

JANUARY 2022

very winding road that came with lots of challenges. From not being sure how the world will receive your next collection, to having workers on payroll regardless of whether the collection sells, to hiring the right workers that are aligned with the brand’s essence, to lack of funding and investors, the list is long. Thankfully, I was able to overcome it all by focusing on my “why”, why I started the brand in the first place. This principle, alongside collaborating with other creatives and designers helped me through every challenge I was faced with, and things fell in place over time Naid’s Fashion is about giving people a “taste of home and a way to express their cultural identity.” Can you explain the African and Nigerian fashion in fluences we can find in your designs? It is a blessing to have been born into such a rich culture and colorful way of life. The pride I have in my roots sparked up my desire to www.theofficialblackmagazine.com

redefine African luxury. This has a direct impact on my design process as you will often find the same vibrant colors in my designs channeling the inner royalty in anyone who wears them.

“

NAID’S is a brand that is redefining what African craftsmanship looks and feels like with authentic handcrafted suits

” THE OFFICIAL BLACK MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2022

Street Fashion with Lady

“My styling is rooted in streetwear and street culture, but I like to think of it as “elevated” in a way that it’s a little more deliberate. There is a power that comes from seeing the youth in the streets dictate and drive where fashion is heading, but I’m also inspired by the influence of the past and the history from which today’s trends are anchored. It’s the combination of the two that fuels my creativity and energizes me. So when you see my styling choices, my goal is that it reflects elements of newness but also elements of the past. That it has both masculine and feminine contrasting energy, and that there is always a touch of edge.” Lady is a first-generation Filipino-American who was born and raised in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. She got her business degree from a university in the Philippines and her fashion degree from FIDM in Los Angeles. She moved to the US in 2009 and has since styled fashion campaigns, music videos, TV commercials, celebrity red carpet, artist performances, magazine covers, and many more. Although she is well-versed in all styles, she considers her forté to be in streetwear, or what she calls “elevated streetwear.” As for being the Art & Style Director to The Official Black Magazine, she says “I am honored to have this position in such an important and trail-blazing publication. I feel extremely grateful to be able to help share black stories and amplify black talent through my artistry.” Photography Credit: Lensaccess

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JANUARY 2022

LIFESTYLE

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Corey and Raychel

Darien and Mariah

Black Love Chat Four couples answer questions on their first year woes and what they’ve learned within their relationships. Darien and Mariah Give us a brief introduction into you both: Our names are Darien and Mariah Peterson and we met in college at Cal State University, Northridge back in 2010. We both stayed in the freshman dorms, he was on the 4th floor and I was on the 3rd. I, Mariah, had recently gotten out of a relationship, and I was crying at the pool with a friend of mine. Darien and his friend saw us, Darien comforted me and we’ve been friends since. We then became official in 2013. So we’ve been together for 9 years in February 2022 and married for 5 in June. What are typical year one challenges you experienced? Money was one of the main challenges we experienced in the first year. We moved a little faster than normal because we were like best friends for 3 years before getting together. So still being students at the time and working minimum wage, we struggled a lot of the time, which made it challenging for us to stay on the same page in our relationship. What did you learn from those challenges? We would say we learned to be more patient with one another and to listen to each other’s needs. Whether that was emotional, spiritually, sexually; you can get so caught up in all the challenges you are facing in a relatio

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nship, and get distracted by money, or outside influences, you can forget to ask your partner what they need. Also, being more accepting of where that person was at in life and not rushing them into becoming the person who they’re trying to be. Overall, be patient with each other. We’re all growing and learning new things about each other and even ourselves everyday. What is something you wish you had known before getting into your relationship either about yourself or your partner? We wish we would have understood early on that as people grow older, you change overtime. People don’t stay the same. And in a relationship, you have to be willing to go through those changes together. Through thick and thin, through the personal battles, or the issues you gave together, neither one is perfect. And if that’s your muse, your soulmate, you’ll work it out and continue to grow together. What advice would you give that you believe is most important for any couple in their first year of the relationship? What works for your relationship, is what works for you. There will always be someone telling you how you’re supposed to be and what to do when you’re married. But honest ly, there’s no rule book. What may work for one, may not work for the other. There’s all

these preconceived ideas of what a relationship should be like. But whatever worked for you before, keep that. There’s no reason for you to change.

Corey and Raychel Give us a brief introduction into you both: We are Raychel “Raye” Smith and Corey McWhinnie. Corey works as a Hospital Administrator. Raye works in TV and Film Production. You can find us on our Instagram page Notorious_LUV. We met at a birthday dinner for one of our acquaintances. We established our relationship in May 2020 and have been together for a little over 1.5 years. What are typical year one challenges you experienced? First, we would say dating during a pandemic. When we fell in love, we fell fast and hard. The pandemic gave an unlimited amount of time to learn each other quickly, without any interference, and we may have taken too much of an advantage. Before we knew it, we looked up and year past, and we realized that we took very little time for ourselves and nor spent much time outside of each other. Additionally, before getting together, we both were single for quite some time. Once we decided that we were going to be in a relationship, we had to learn the value of compromise. Prior to

Treci and Amir

the establishment of our relationship, we had individual lives and catered to our own needs. We quickly learned to be considerate of each other and how to honor our exclusivity.

Be a good communicator – say what you mean and mean what you say!

Treci and Amir

What did you learn from those challenges? We learned to be gracious toward each other. Because we have found each other’s presence valuable, there’s absolutely no problem with us giving each other as much grace as we need to be the greatest we can be. Also, we’ve learned that every word of criticism isn’t negative. We try to find the constructive pieces in our hard conversations and see how we can build and grow from them. We’ve learned to speak ONLY peaceably to each other, despite how tough the conversation(s) may be.

Give us a brief introduction into you both: Amir: We have been together for 29 years and married 27 years. A mutual friend (Kelly Henson) set us up on a blind date at a high school football game. We both found each other attractive, but it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Treci: Yeah, there wasn’t really a spark. But we remained friendly throughout the years. It wasn’t until we ran into each other at an SDSU step show that we felt the spark. I was 21 and he was 22. We’ve been together ever since.

What is something you wish you had known before getting into your relationship either about yourself or your partner? Corey: Before getting in a relationship, I would like to have been more secure in my purpose. Also, I wish I would’ve known how long it takes Raye to get ready. Raychel: I’m not sure if there’s anything I wish I would have known, but I definitely wish that I would have been better prepared entering into a relationship. Prior to us making it official, I was very content with myself. The idea of having a partner was nice, but If it happened or not, I was totally fine by myself. Once we established our relationship, I quickly went from single and selfish to being more considerate and inclusive of my partner’s wants and needs.

What are typical year one challenges you experienced? Treci: It’s typical to have struggles around daily habits, finances, etc. and we’re no different. We didn’t live together until after we were married so we had to deal with the challenges most couples don’t really think about until they’re doing the day to day together. Amir: Listen, when you have two autonomous people coming together, there’s going to be some tricky things to navigate, especially when it comes to finances. We immediately combined our finances because it solidifies the partnership but it can be hard to manage if there’s a difference in income. Beyond that, there can be little things that creep up like large purchases or differences in philosophies around how and when to pay off debt.

What advice would you give that you believe is most important for any couple in their first year of the relationship? No matter how new and fresh the relationship may be, be prepared to put in work. Be compromising & open. Remember, your partner came into the relationship as an individual with their own life. Be gracious, and allow them space to evolve within the relationship!

What did you learn from those challenges? Amir: The first year is rough, but people are too eager to give up on their relationships. We learned to stay in communication throughout the challenging periods and to learn from each other. Treci: Exactly. We learned each other’s strong points and how to embrace them in the relationship and how to leverage them in the www.theofficialblackmagazine.com

partnership overall. What is something you wish you had known before getting into your relationship either about yourself or your partner? Amir: I wish we knew how to deal with our different sleeping habits. Treci is a night owl and I’m in bed by 10pm every night and I am a light sleeper. It sounds like a small issue, but it can be tough. Luckily, we worked out a sleep schedule that works for both of us. Treci: There are things you intuitively know about your partner- otherwise there would be no connection. But recognizing the difference in communication styles is key. Think about it, we came from two different families with different communication styles and when that’s not recognized, it can make you feel like you’re not being heard. It would have been so much easier if we had known how to articulate our love languages early on. Once we learned, it amplified our connection. What advice would you give that you believe is most important for any couple in their first year of the relationship? Treci: Be careful about bringing your old relationships into your new relationships. Understand your triggers and insecurities from your old relationships Amir: Again, communication is key. You have to understand that it’;s a transitional time for both people involved. If you create the atmosphere in which you can talk and communicate, then it should be a space where they can tell the truth.

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TRAVEL WIT The Top 4 Destinations to Travel Like a Celebrity in 2022.

2022 will be the year of increased pandemic travel! Here are my top 4 destinations and pro-tips to travel like a celebrity without breaking the budget!

Tulum, Mexico Tulum is Travel + Leisure’s top destination for 2022! If you want luxury, low cost, and ease of access during the pandemic— take your talents down to Mexico. Many of the iconic art installations are on a single strip. So with a few hours to spare, a photographer from Instagram or with a nice Airbnb experience, you can get the pictures of your dream and show up on your timeline like an A-List! French Riviera The French Riviera is known as a playground for the wealthy. Our fa vorite Insecure girl Issa Rae got married in a private ultra-lush wedding in Saint-JeanCap-Ferrat, in the south of France.

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If you want to look like a celebrity, save on the luxury hotels and opt for more modest accommodations. You’ll have money to spare to visit one of the hidden gems, like the Gorges du Verdon. I have been around the world and back and never have I seen water this turquoise blue! Visit this hidden gem and shut down the gram. Paris, France If you are going to France, you must take a trip to Paris and visit the Eiffel Tower. On your way to Europe? One easy way to snag an Eiffel Tower photo is to schedule one of your stopovers in Paris! With a few hours of layover, you can get a Taxi or Uber down to the iconic

ITH BRI

location and nab the iconic photos and make your way down to your dream destination. Split, Croatia Croatia is one of the unsung heroes of the Mediterranean Sea. I had the privilege to sail to Split, Croatia, and neighboring islands Trogir, Hvar, and Vis with Yachting in 2021 and I plan to return in 2022. The Mediterranean Ocean and islands of Croatia are absolutely picturesque and provide the perfect photo backdrop for your 2022 Celebrity world tour. Dubai, UAE Last but not least is Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Did it seem like every

one was in Dubai in 2021!? If so, it’s for good reason! A trip to Dubai is not only a luxury experience! It truly is a visit to the future. The Architecture is second to none. Honestly the only city that can outshine Dubai is Dubai itself.

•

ed photos at a fraction of the cost Don’t be afraid to whip out a tripod and self-timer if you want to cut out the middleman all together.

Airlines like Emirates offer stopovers so you can squeeze in a desert tour and get more bang for your buck while you are circling the globe. Pro-tips for nailing internatonal travel • Schedule layovers or Stopovers at Iconic destinations to maximize your travels. • Use Air bnb experiences of a photographer to get paparazzi approvwww.theofficialblackmagazine.com

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Cooking with Chef Tony B

orn and raised in Southern Virginia, Chef Tony found the highlights of his life in the kitchen next to his mother. From the roots of the southern iron skillet, Chef Tony has found his passion in combining the flavors of the south and plant based recipes. didn’t grow up in an ideal situation. I’m from the Camp Grove neighborhood of Danville, Va. I have sold drugs, been locked up, and done numerous things I’m not proud of. But, I always knew it was more to life,” Chef Tony shares. As a chef, he is known for his farm-to-table approach to cooking. Chef Tony focuses on using fresh and high quality ingredients. He says that “the quality just tastes different and you can simply use salt, pepper and fresh herbs and turn a regular dish to an outstanding one.” Since becoming a chef, he has seen so many more doors and opportunities become available to him. His culinary skills have given him the chance to travel and learn even more about food. “You will never stop learning about food. Once you stop learning and studying, your growth will become stagnant. Most of your clients will look at you as the expert on food, so you have to give them an experience based on your culinary knowledge and creativity.” His career is derived from a decade of work as a Culinary Specialist for the U.S. Navy, ranking in the top 1% of Military chefs. He has worked for the top generals of the military, winning multiple awards. His 3 year training in Japan influences his cultivative flavor combinations found in many of his recipes. His travels throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America lend a hand to his continued development and matured dialect for the mastery of cooking. Chef Tony has never let his rough upbringing hold him back. “I always knew there was more to life. And I defied the outcome of the stereotype of a young black man from the hood,” he says. He broke the cycle by pursuing his love and passion for cooking.

Egg Rolls

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 5 mins Total time: 20 mins Servings: 8 Eggrolls

Ingredients: • • • • •

1 cup vegetable oil for frying 3 avocados diced 1/4 cup shallots 1 /4 cup sun dried tomatoes 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves 1 teaspoon Chef Tony’s AP seasoning

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• Juice of 1 lime • salt and pepper to taste • 8 egg roll wrappers Instructions:

In a large skillet heat the olive oil to medium high heat. In a medium bowl, add the avocado and mash to desired consistency. Add the shallots , tomato, cilantro, Chef Tony’s AP seasoning, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. To make the egg rolls: Place the avocado mixture in the center of each wrapper. Using your

finger, rub the edges with water. Bring the bottom edge of the wrapper and roll it tightly over the filling. Fold in the sides and continue to roll up the wrapper and press to seal. Repeat until you have used all of the wrappers. Add the. egg rolls to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown on all sides for about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a metal tong onto a paper towel lined plate. Serve immediately with favorite dipping sauce or Chef Tonys Drip hot sauce.

IN YOUR STARS Offering insight and reassurance for january 2022.

Pisces

Feb 20-Mar20

The Ten of Wands is a sign that you could be working too hard. The Fool in reverse demonstrates that doing too much work can also be considered reckless. If you prioritize everything else above your needs at some point, your body will shut down. For the upcoming new year, try limiting your workload and make some time for yourself like going on walks or meditating. Mental peace is achievable within the next year and so on, but only if you make the necessary changes to your lifestyle.

Aries

Mar 21-Apr 20

The Star signifies good health and good fortune. If you’re an artist this means that you’ll be feeling inspired and if not, this could mean a promotion at work. Alongside with the King of Swords in reverse, it might represent someone who does not bring out the best in you. If you have not cut ties with this person yet, try making it your New Years’ Resolution to cut ties with toxic or negative influences in your life. If you are creative and want to dedicate more time to your craft, let go of expectations and just allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.

Taurus

Aquarius Jan 20-Feb 19 The Queen of Pentacles describes a balanced home life or good health, and that you will be nurtured or nurturing others. It may also just be a reminder to be there for your loved ones because you either might be receiving help or giving it. Followed by the Chariot, which is emblematic of triumph after hardship. If you are usually hyper-independent, try to be more vulnerable, so you can balance your emotional stress. A first step to be more vulnerable would be to confide in someone you already trust more than others.

Apr 21- May 20

May 21-Jun 20

Jun 21-Aug 22

Eight of Swords describes the sensation of being stuck or mentally being in a dark place. The Ace of Cups symbolizes a new beginning and possibly that could mean a new friendship. Don’t be afraid to take new risks and do something a little spontaneous for fun. Sometimes we feel stuck if we don’t change our routines, but if you are in a depressive episode that drags on, it might be time to finally stop ignoring your own calls for help and talk to someone. Letting new people into your life could

The Justice card signifies that you may need to stand up for yourself and what you believe in or stand up to an authoritative figure. This may not be an actual figure, but maybe a controlling partner, pushy relative or a toxic friend. The Queen of Cups is symbolic of a kind and sympathetic person that you may cross paths with. As this year ends, this serves as a reminder that you deserve to be treated with respect as long as you are being respectful.

Virgo

Aug 23-Sep 22

The Two of Pentacles represents balance and alludes that the need for adaptability might appear. You may need to think about what matters most to you and limit your commitments. The Sun reflects happiness, good fortune and health. You can be happy, but you need to do the work and prioritize your physical and mental health. This will benefit you in the long run as the current year comes to an end.

Libra

Scorpio

Sep 23- Oct 22

Nov 23-Dec 21

The King of Swords in reverse, symbolizes someone intelligent but possibly manipulative, be cautious and be ready to defend yourself. Could be someone new or a relative or friend if it’s someone you already know. The Four of Wands means a celebration could be ahead. If there has been tension amongst family or friends, this could mean a peaceful resolution. If mending a strained relationship has been on your mind, do not wait another year, that person could be here today and gone the next.

The Temperance card stresses the need to balance out the chaos in your life. In addition, the Four of Swords in reverse suggests overcoming internal struggle. For instance, if you are depressed and your room is a mess, you are only going to keep feeling miserable. Cleaning up won’t cure your depression but it will help you feel a little better. Something to keep in mind as the New Year approaches is that the changes worth embracing can often be the hardest.

Cancer

Jul 23-Aug 22

Three of Wands represents a trip abroad, or it could simply mean freedom, or good luck in business related affairs. So someone you know could be going on a business trip or vacation that may end up bringing extra good news. Six of Pentacles symbolizes good fortune and to expand your good karma, possibly help out those in need if you have the means. These past two years have been restricting travel so if you hope to finally make a trip in the next year, be sure to plan ahead and save.

The Hierophant symbolizes someone with strong ethics and good morals, this could be their nature or they might be a lawyer. Alternately, this could just be telling you that you might need to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. If it is your goal to be more outspoken, the Six of Swords in reverse, foreshadows conflict ahead. This could be a court case or a simple conflict amongst family or friends. This coming New Year, step into your own confident self, do not step down when others try to intimidate or belittle you.

Gemini

Leo

Capricorn

Dec 22- Jan 19

Knight of Pentacles, means that a project or situation needs to be wrapped up! If you are an artist, give yourself a deadline to complete your project. Page of Pentacles, foretells success in a project or hard work in general finally paying off. This means promotion at work or if you’re in a creative field, it will be financially successful in this next upcoming year! It may not come into fruition this year for everyone, but when it comes to meeting your goals, view the journey as a marathon, not a race.

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Sagittarius

Nov 23-Dec 21

The Five of Cups symbolizes loneliness or mourning a physical or symbolic loss of someone. Take the time to view this as a learning experience. Along with the Five of Wands, this symbolizes an interpersonal conflict with a relative or friend. Just because you are better off apart, does not mean it won’t hurt, honor your feelings but, rest assured this will pass. Make a resolution to yourself to be more truthful with yourself and to honor your own feelings, you have nothing to lose from this.

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Meditation Guide M

editation is a practice that allows you to close out the outside world and take your mind on a vacation. Meditation is great for when you’re coming home from a busy day and you need that 30 minutes to yourself to unwind. Often time, music or guided meditation is used along with candles, essential oils, or burning incense. Essential oils are usually used to calm you and burning incense purify the area and have been shown to raise serotonin in the brain. Candles— well they smell good, but this can still be used to calm you. When meditating the most important step is creating a comfortable space. This space should be free of distraction so you can focus and relax. Next, you’ll want to sit in a position that is comfortable to you making sure your spine is straight. This can be done sitting on the floor, in a chair, or in various positions if it’s yoga meditation. You can also do this laying down if your purpose is to sleep. Now that you’re set up away from distraction and in a comfortable position, focus on your breathing and visualize. Meditation heavily focuses on your state of awareness and focused attention so this step is going to be what helps put your mind at ease. For visualizing, having a guided meditation would be helpful

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helpful because it gives you the images to focus on but eventually, this will come naturally if practiced enough. If you are or have been wondering if you should try meditating, this is your sign. Why not start today? There are great meditation guides on YouTube and for music, Spotify has multiple playlists that are helpful as well.

take note of any patterns. This practice combines concentration with awareness. You may find it helpful to focus on an object or your breath while you observe any bodily sensations, thoughts, or feelings. This type of meditation is good for people who don’t have a teacher to guide them, as it can be easily practiced alone.

Some mental health benefits gained from meditating include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness, lower controlled stress, and anxiety, and it can generate kindness. It has also been proven that it may help fight off addictions.

2. Spiritual meditation: Spiritual meditation is used in Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Daoism, and in Christian faith. It’s similar to prayer in that you reflect on the silence around you and seek a deeper connection with your God or Universe.

Meditation is something anyone can do at any time. You don’t need any special equipment, just you and that all it really takes.

Essential oils are commonly used to heighten the spiritual experience. Popular options include:

9 Types of Meditation

frankincense myrrh sage cedar sandalwood palo santo

1. Mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness meditation originates from Buddhist teachings and is the most popular meditation technique in the West. In mind fulness meditation, you pay attention to your thoughts as they pass through your mind. You don’t judge the thoughts or become involved with them. You simply observe and

Spiritual meditation can be practiced at home or in a place of worship. This practice is beneficial for those who thrive in silence and seek spiritual growth. 3. Focused meditation:

Focused meditation involves concentration using any of the five senses. For example, you can focus on something internal, like your breath, or you can bring in external influences to help focus your attention. Try counting mala beads, listening to a gong, or staring at a candle flame. This practice may be simple in theory, but it can be difficult for beginners to hold their focus for longer than a few minutes at first. If your mind does wander, it’s important to come back to the practice and refocus. 4. Movement meditation: Although most people think of yoga when they hear movement meditation, this practice may include walking through the woods, gardening, qigong, and other gentle forms of motion. It’s an active form of meditation where the movement guides you. Movement meditation is good for people who find peace in action and prefer to let their minds wander.

9. Visualization meditation: Visualization meditation is a technique focused on enhancing feelings of relaxation, peace, and calmness by visualizing positive scenes or images. With this practice, it’s important to imagine the scene vividly and use all five senses to add as much detail as possible. Another form of visualization meditation involves imagining yourself succeeding at specific goals, which is intended to increase focus and motivation. Many people use visualization meditation to boost their mood, reduce stress levels, and promote inner peace.

5. Mantra meditation: Mantra meditation is prominent in many teachings, including Hindu and Buddhist traditions. This type of meditation uses a repetitive sound to clear the mind. It can be a word, phrase, or sound, such as the popular “Om.” It doesn’t matter if your mantra is spoken loudly or quietly. After chanting the mantra for some time, you’ll be more alert and in tune with your environment. This allows you to experience deeper levels of awareness. Some people enjoy mantra meditation because they find it easier to focus on a word than on their breath. This is also a good practice for people who don’t like silence and enjoy repetition. 6. Transcendental meditation: Transcendental Meditation is a popular type of meditation. This practice has been the subject of numerous studies in the scientific community. It is more customizable than mantra meditation, using a mantra or series of words that are specific to each practitioner. This practice is for those who like structure and are serious about maintaining a meditation practice. 7. Progressive relaxation: Also known as body scan meditation, progressive relaxation is a practice aimed at reducing tension in the body and promoting relaxation. Oftentimes, this form of meditation involves slowly tightening and relaxing one muscle group at a time throughout the body. In some cases, it may also encourage you to imagine a gentle wave flowing through your body to help release any tension. This form of meditation is often used to relieve stress and unwind before bedtime. 8. Loving-kindness meditation: Loving-kindness meditation is used to strengthen feelings of compassion, kindness, and acceptance toward oneself and others. It typically involves opening the mind to receive love from others and then sending a series of well wishes to loved ones, friends, acquaintances, and all living beings. Because this type of meditation is intended to promote compassion and kindness, it may be ideal for those holding feelings of anger or resentment.

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THROUGH

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Through Their Lens: Street Photographry “New York has a thousand universes in it that don’t always connect but we all walk the same streets, hear the same sirens, ride the same subways, see the same headlines in the Post, read the same writings on the walls. That shared landscape gets inside of all of us and, in some small way, unites us, makes us think we know each other even when we don’t.” — Jay Z

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here is something to be said about urban environments and the way they tend to connect strangers together. While Jay Z speaks about New York City, I, who has never stepped foot in the whole state of New York, can recognize the similar motifs in my own urban environment. It’s the same motifs that Lawrene Lawton captures in his urban photography. Whether it’s the empty street at night surrounded by tall buildings, the led-signs on a storefront, or the city’s public transit system, Lawton evokes a sense of nostalgia in all of us who have ever been at the heart of any city. And while we might not ever walk the same streets as Lawton, his photographs alone are enough for us to feel connected.

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JANUARY 2022

MAKING IT IN

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Making it On the Red Carpet with Ariana

Tell us a little bit about you and how you got your start in PR? During my tenure at Hampton University, is when I discovered my passion and love for public relations. I applied for an internship at BET and the rest was history. Widely known for my top tier clients, I have worked with major networks and organizations including; Warner Brothers, BET, NAACP, TV One, UNCF and more. In order to succeed in the public relations industry, it’s important to be multifaceted. Bold, professional, and charismatic, I am taking over the industry one project at a time.

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miere of a movie screening but you first need to ask yourself: why do you deserve to be there? Were you a part of the cast or crew? Do you have a large social following that will benefit the studio if you attended and took content on the carpet? If the answers were no - then you probably don’t need to be at that event. Anyone can get a red carpet for their event, but ask yourself why you want to be on one. We typically see the glamorous photos and outfits on a red carpet. What is happening behind the scenes on a red carpet? Behind the scenes is madness. Publicists and managers are trying to get their clients interviewed, celebrities are taking pictures and grabbing content, people are socializing, attendees are talking and catching up. It can be quite hectic. It can also be fun, but very overwhelming depending on how large the carpet is. A red carpet is perfect for networking, but it’s important to also remember why you are there. As long as you take advantage of the opportunity and use it to your advantage, then it is a night well spent.

What is the significance of the red carpet? Why should rising stars aim to get on one? The significance of having a red carpet and a step-and-repeat is for branding purposes. This is typically where celebrities walk the red carpet and the media conducts their interviews. Having your logo and branding displayed on the step and repeat will only optimize and increase your brand awareness. Is there such a thing as red carpet etiquette that talent and or managers should be aware of? The only advice that I would give as far as carpet etiquette is to arrive early. I like my client to speak to all outlets no matter how big or small. Many times smaller or urban outlets get ignored. And it’s always good to show love and to send a thank you note to the event organizers once the event is finished. Is there anything someone can do to try to get onto a red carpet? I would strongly recommend hiring a publicist. I think a lot of the times people think they need to be on a red carpet when actually they don’t need to be— no shade intended. People walk the carpet when they have something that theywould like to promote. Also it depends on the carpet. Everyone wants to be at the world pre

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Keeping it Authentic: With Reza

eza Sarrafieh is someone the industry calls when they need to propel the careers of upcoming music artists into the limelight— especially in the arena of radio promotions. He is an industry veteran who has decades of experience in making sure that artists are branded and marketed authentically. Today’s artists are focused on followers, which to a degree is important, but for Reza they need to focus on their core and developing an au thentic image andmusical career.

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Be True to Yourself The number one mistake labels make with artists is using a formula of familiar beats and hooks from a previous track record of success. Sarrafieh shares about his experience working with Kendrick Lamar to get his break on the radio. They had chosen to push Kendrick’s song “Swimming Pools” which didn’t meet much success. “It’s because instead of being authentic to the sound of Kendrick Lamar, we pushed for a song that had a Dre beat

“Many times artists find a disconnect with their audience sooner than later because what they are singing or rapping about doesn’t match the same way they move.“

with catchy hooks,” said Sarrafieh. For artists like Kendrick Lamar who have their own unique sound, flow, and pen work, following a previous artist’s formula is not only inauthentic and not conducive. Sarrafieh said it wasn’t until they went back to their authentic self in terms of music that more success was found.

turns,” said Sarrafieh. Artists must not only ask themselves who is their authentic-self in terms of their musical career, but also if the label they are signing to is ready to support and develop that authentic-self.

Establish You Brand

“Many times artists find a disconnect with their audience sooner than later because what they are singing or rapping about doesn’t match the same way they move,” said Sarrafieh. Though the audience tastes changes, the thing that stays the same is their want for the artists to actually mean and live what they are talking about. The thing about life in general is that it is always changing. Musical careers change and evolve as well. When artists feel the desire to change, Sarrafieh advised “it comes down to the artist staying in their lane and having faith.”

Artists initially have to establish a brand that works in creating and sustaining a fanbase while producing music that is both purchased and downloaded. “When you look at the soundcloud artists, they have similar looks and sounds because we see what works for their audience and they share the same audience,” said Sarrafieh. It’s the reason people tend to complain that emerging artists are inauthentic or copying each other, they are building an audience out of an already existing audience. “The more the artist is established and around longer, the more they can play around with their look and sound to see what works and what doesn’t,” said Sarrafieh.

Match Your Energy

Find the Right Label From Interscope to Roc Nation, Sarrafieh shared that the power as we know is held by the label and what they measure as a successful output and return by an artist. “When I was at Interscope it was all about the bottomline: how much are you selling and what is being downloaded,” said Sarrafieh. That’s the huge con of a major record label that comes with a financial benefit with larger budgets. At Roc Nation, they are ableto work with the artist in an organic way. The question they ask is how is the artist going to move the culture forward. The biggest benefit of an Indie label like Roc Nation is the time they have to invest in the artist development. “We can get to focus on nurturing their creativity instead of thinking about our new stake holders meeting and explaining immediate rewww.theofficialblackmagazine.com

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Getting Into Production with Raychel The start to get into production work for television and film is different for everyone but what was your journey? My TV & Film career began at the tender age of 16. I started out working as a volunteer/intern at a boutique public relations firm called Lynn Allen Jeter & Associates in Los Angeles, CA. Lynn Jeter (owner) just so happened to be my mother’s customer at the Post Office. One day, my mother boldly asked if I could be a volunteer. Lynn agreed, and I began volunteering in her office every day after summer school. One of the young ladies I interned with was a student at Howard University. After graduating, she was hired at BET Networks in the Public Relations department and shared with me that there were internships at BET. I applied, was hired, and later worked as a Public Relations Assistant. I remained with BET for 4 years, and decided to refocus my career on TV and Film production. I made a critical decision to leave BET to work full time in TV/Film. I revamped my career in 2017 and began working as a Production Assistant on various TV sets. Through hard work and dedication, I was quickly promoted to a variety of positions in television production, beginning as a PA and matriculating all the way to Producer status. Currently, I am scaling back from TV production to refocus my creative efforts on Filmmaking. As of now, I am refining my skills through the UCLA TV and Film Develo pment program, and preparing to begin my creative journey on the film festival circuit. My goal is to share meaningful stories that not only impacts, but shifts culture for the better. JANUARY 2022

What does a typical movie production look like? Movie-making is a very meticulous process with many moving parts. There are so many different functions that help a production get into motion. On any given day on set you may see: Executives and Camera Assistants setting up shots. Actor’s preparing for scenes. Wardrobe steaming outfits, Hair/Makeup artists prepping talent. Gaffers setting up lights, Audio perfecting sound. Caterers setting up craft services. PA/Runners assisting with every aspect. Security securing set. Coordinators and Set Managers dealing with the administrative petty accounting aspect. Like I always say, the “glam” of show business is not glamorous at all. A quality production takes a lot of hard work and passion. What are some jobs or positions in a production (besides the actors and directors) that really bring the production to life? What behind the scenes positions are vital to the making of a movie? Every function and position on a movie set is vital; no position is greater than another. Think about it! If the Director was left alone with actors to simply direct, how would they eat? Or if a gaffer needed batteries for lights, do you think it would be wise for him to walk away from his post o run to the store? No! He would need a PA/Runner. Again I will say (and can’t stress enough), that every position in TV/ filmmaking is vital to a quality production.

wants to work in production? What are some places that people can look for available productions/jobs? For people who want to begin their career in physical production, I suggest first searching for PA/ Runner positions. For those looking to work on the creative producing side of TV/Film production, I suggest seeking out internships at production companies with Development departments. You can find valuable opportunities on sites, such as: Staffmeup.com, production company websites, entertainmentcareers.net, and the anonymous production assistant.

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Black TV Renaissance T

he last three years have been an interesting and somewhat innovative year for black television. Now more than ever, not only is the black diaspora being represented in diverse cultures but is also being represented in diverse genres. No longer are black people pigeon-hold to particular narratives and genre-tropes; now in this new golden age of television black people can be just as eclectic as ever. But where to start? Here is a guide of some of the most popular black television shows out there separated by genre.

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Strong Black Women Casts Run the World Starring Amber Stevens West, Andrea Bordeaux, Bresha Webb, Corbin Reid, Run the World is about a group of female friends portraying their personal and professional lives in Harlem, New York. From the creators and writers of Living Single, the show is not scarce of conversations on the social aspects of black women’s lives, and has a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Writer and creator Leigh Davenport created the show as a love letter to black women and Harlem. The series is based on Davenport’s experiences from living in Harlem, and she writes to depict

First Wives Club Divorces and ending longterm relationships can be rough, but luckily First Wives Club can give you a bit of a cathartic experience in revenge and problem-solving. Based on the premise of the 1996 film, after reuniting over the death of a college

black and feminine perspective. With a host of comedies rangingfrom Angela Bassett to Issa Rae, please do yourself a favor and have a good laugh with A Black Lady Sketch show on HBO. Queens In the mood for a musical romp?!? Look no further than Queen on ABC! Queen depicts the “Nasty Bitches”; a 1990s girl group consisting of Naomi AKA Xplicit Lyrics, Brianna AKA Professor Sex, Jill AKA Da Thrill, Valeria AKA Butter Peacan, and Lauren as Lil Muffin. The group of former hip-hop stars reunite for a reunion tour to relive their glory days and find closure in their life as ground-breaking celebrities. From Scandal creator Zahir McGhee, Queen has great drama and witty rap writing to go along with it! Tyler Perry’s Sistas From the ever prolific pen of Tyler Perry, Sistas depicts a group of single black women Andi Barnes, Danni King, Karen Mott, and Sabrina Hollins, trying to navigate through the chaos and drama of their careers, romances, social lives, and personal journeys. With the constant drama, plots within plots, and ever

black women in a supportive and nurturing state; which is contrary to how black women are often depicted in media. Be sure to check out Run the World on Starz network and watch these four black women dominate the world!

friend, three women will reconnect through their shared experiences of heartbreak and embark on a comedic but heartfelt journey of self-empowerment. Revenge has never been sweeter, so be sure to check it out on BET+.

Harlem Starring Meagan Good, Grace Byersand Whoopi Goldberg is another story about women living in Harlem in their 30s, but this show has a bit moreof an attitude depicting the professional and personal lives of its women. Harlem depicts a group of girlfriends of various personalities and charac ter quirks that keeps the characters well-rounded and the dialogue engaging.

A Black Lady Sketch Show Black women are not often depicted as funny or humorous in their own right, but A Black Lady Sketch Show is here to show audiences otherwise. Starring and hosting black women comedians Robin Thede Gabrielle Dennis, Quinta Brunson, Ashley Nicole Bank, along with a slew of comedic guest-stars A Black Lady Sketch Show dares to depict sketches and comedic scenarios from a

complex character dynamics shifting and changing, be sure to check Sistas quickly on BET!

Black TV Dramas The Chi An urban drama that’s almost as all encompassing as the Wire, The Chi concerns the personal lives of those inhabiting the South side of Chicago. Written by Lena Waithe, the show aims to depict the life of its young teenagers, as well as professional adults in a dangerous neighborhood. Be sure to check out the Chi on ShowTime and on BET. Snowfall Set in 1983 Los Angeles, Snowfall concerns the lives of those that were deeply affected by the first cases of the crack epidemic. It’s main

characters are 20 year-old drug dealer Franklin Saint, Mexican luchador Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata, CIA agent Teddy Mcdonald, and niece to a Mexican crime boss Lucia Villanueva. Created by the late John Singleton of Boyz in the Hood, Snowfall is just as character-driven, heartbreakingly dramatic, and truthful as his other directed and written works. Already 4 seasons in, be sure to watch Snowfall on Hulu or on FX. Our Kind of People Concerning the interworkings of the black elite and their relationship to others, Our Kind of People is about a young single mother named Angela Vaughn who seeks to reclaim her family name amongst the

black elite of Oak Bluffs, and claim her wealth through her revolutionary hair-line business. Based on the 1999 novel of the same name, Karen Gist’s show depicts an image of black people in power, but also shows some of the problematic and elitist prejudices that we can have against our people. Be sure to catch up with all the drama on Fox! True Story Featuring Kevin Hart in one of his most dramatic roles, True Story is about a famous comedian who goes on tour but encounters many problems that become a matter of life or death as well as a dramatic conflict between two brothers. True Story is a great display of the acting abilities of not only Kevin Hart, but of Wesley Snipes as well making a comeback into stardom. While it’s only a 7 episode mini-series on Netflix, True Story was written and created by Eric Newman to stretch and display some of the most popularblack male actors of this generation. Power Book III: Raising Kanan The second spin-off of the Power series and a prequel, Raising Kanan is about a young man in 1990’s South Jamica Queens named Kanan Starks who is looking to learn the tricks and trades of his family’s drug business. Created and run by Sascha Penn, Raising Kanan gives much needed and intriguing character background and inner-motivation to 50 Cent’s character in the first Power series, much like how Marlon Brando’s character was given much more depth and dimension in Godfather part 2. If you’re a fan of the original Power series, this is a much needed watch as it is informative and rewarding for viewers. Power Book II-Ghost Acting as a sequel to the original Power series, Ghost is about the son of James “Ghost” St Patrick as he tries

to save his family from the drug-dealing and crime life that his father had gotten them involved in. Despite Tariq’s good efforts, he’s finding that escaping his father’s criminal legacy is harder than it seems, and even finds himself falling into some of his father’s old habits while trying to maintain a proper education for himself. Created by Courtney A Kemp off the success of her work on Power, the show is a deep reflection of the long-term effects of a life of crime; how it impacts you and the people around you. Be sure to check it out on Starz! The Family Business Carl Webber’s The Family

waaay before, The Family Business takes all the drama and intrigue from Carl Webber’s urban crime books about family heirs seeking to take control of a throne, and displays it in all its emotional honesty that keeps you glued to the screen. Be sure to check out The Family Business on BET. P-Valley Based on her play “Pussy Valley”, P-Valley is Katori Hall’s series about strippers in the Mississippi Delta. P-Valley gives voice to a niche group of people in Mississippi such as drag queens and sex-workers who get their unique and often brutally honest live depicted to a larger audience. Despite

the drama, P-Valley is also a fun slice of life show that features witty dialogue and “twerk battle recruitments”. Be sure to check out P-Valley on Starz.

Business features a family with two lives; by day they own and operate a car dealership but by night and behind closed doors run a secret and dangerous business that involves keeping everything close within the family. Much like Empire before it and King Lear

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The Godfather of Harlem Based in 1960s Harlem New York, The Godfather of Harlem is about real-life gangster Bumpy Johnson who, after spending 10 years in prison, returns back to Harlem only to find the Ital-

ian mob family the Genovese crime family has taken over his neighborhood. Using his skills as a criminal and master planner, Bumpy Johnson seeks the aid of Malcolm X to gain control over Harlem for the betterment of his people. Starring Forest Witiker as Bumpy Johnson and written and created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckistein, The Godfather of Harlem informs audiences of some interesting history that is not often taught in schools and presents it with the drama and style of a Martin Scorcesse or Francis Ford Coppola film. Be sure to catch Bumpy’s battle against the Italian mob on Epix! The Games People Play Taking a behind-the-scenes perspective of the professional sports world, The Games People Play (featuring song “Lost in Lost” by Samuel Green) concerns the lives of a basketball player’s wife (Lauren London), an ambitious reporter trying to rebuild her reputation (Karen Obilom), and a groupie looking to become a star ( Parker Mckenna Posey), as they try to protect their lives as well as the athletic men in their relationships. Based on the novel Games Divas Plays by JANUARY 2022

Angela Burt-Murray, the show is a rivint and dramatic story about these three women protecting or fighting for the men in their lives, but will that be their downfall? Tune in to BET to find out! Tyler Perry’s The Oval One of Tyler Perry’s first swings at direct political commentary, The Oval is about U.S. President Hunter Franklin and first lady Victoria as they proceed to gain more political power. Behind closed doors however, the Franklin’s are caught in numerous and jaw-dropping scandals as they the true nature of their family from the public. The Oval is also about the working staff of the white house and how their lives are affected by the drama of the presidential family. The Oval is a different side of Tyler Perry for its setting and subject matter, but still contains some of the messy and intriguing drama of his other works as well. Be sure to catch The Oval on BET and BET+.

from dangerous circum stances. Be sure to check out Ruthless on BET and Sling! David Makes Man From the pen of Tarrell Alvin McCraney (writer of Moonlight) David Makes Man is a coming-of-age drama about 14-year-old David; a student prodigy attending a prestigious private school and balancing his intellectual life along with his life of poverty and violence. Starring Akli McDowell as David, David Makes Man deals with issues of death, poverty, and living two worlds as the young man struggles to make it out of his neighborhood. Just as beautiful and emotional as his Oscar winning film, McCraney’s series can be shown on OWN and HBO max.

the story of Puleng Khumalo; a high school teen who is on the search for her long lost sister who was taken at birth by human traffickers. After attending a party at a Cape Town, Puleng believes that swimming star Fikile is her sister. Will Puleng Khumalo be able to reconnect with her sister, or will the secrets of her family further separate the siblings. Be sure to find on Netflix! The Upshaws Created by Regina Y Hicks and Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws is about a light-hearted, fun, and witty sitcom about a middle class African American family making it in their daily lives with no particular plan at all. Sibling rivalries, fun arguments,

Tyler Perry’s Ruthless Another entry from the ever prolific Tyler Perry, Ruthless is about a woman named Ruth Truesdale who gets involved in the inner-workings

and dark plots of a powerful cult of sex fanatics. A brutal and often gruesome depictions of abuse and sexual power, the spin-off of The Oval is a story about survivaland saving your loved ones

The Underground Railroad Another Moonlight alum, Barry Jenkins is the creator and writer of historical fantasy drama The Underground Railroad. Based on the novel by the Colson Whitehead, the Amazon mini-series is about Cora Randall and a group of other former slaves escape the south on an actual underground railroad. Imbuing elements of magical realism and fantasy, The Underground Railroad takes history and turns it into a dream-like story of escape and freedom. Be sure to check it out on Amazon Prime! Blood & Water A South African teen crime drama, Blood & Water tells

goofy middle-aged scenarios, and pop culture references galore, The Upshaws is a nice family sitcom to watch on Netflix and unwind a bit. Family Reunion Sitcom veteran is back again, but this time with a full family of her own. Family Reunion is about a family from Seattle Washington and mover to Columbus Georgia for a family reunion with extended family, but then decide to stay to be more connected with them. The Mckellan are another fun, middle-aged, and relatable bunch that shows the brighter and fun side of the African American experience. Raising Dion A different take on the su

perhero origin story, Raising Dion is about a mother named Nichole raising her son Dion while also hiding his superpowered abilities; powers that were given to him by his late father played by Micheal B. Jordan. Think Akira or Chronicle mixed with Pursuit of Happiness. What sets it apart from most superhero stories is that it’s largely about the struggles of being a single parent but amplified with a son that has superpowers and being hunted by those that want to exploit him. Be sure to see what Dion grows into only on Netflix! Lovecraft Coutry One of the biggest and most popular pieces of black genre-fiction of last year, Lovecraft Country (based on and acting as a sequel to the novel of the same name by Matt Ruff) is about Atticus Freeman along with his friend Lettia Lewis and his uncle George travel through the Jim Crow south avoiding white terrorists and the monsters that inspired the author H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft Country does what the best kinds of speculative fiction does; which is take issues from the real world and present them in a fictional-

ized way to teach us a lesson. Unfortunately the was cut short due to bad working conditions on set, but you can watch all 10 episodes on HBO max!

Always a Witch Set in 2019, a witch and slave from 1646 of the Inquisition era travels back in time to avoid her public execution. However, in modern day Carmen Eguluiz has to keep her magic abilities a secret as an evil wizard named Lucien is still after her. The Colombian show depicts a black woman practicing witchcraft and magic; something that is not often seen in a positive light in the media lately. Not only does Carmen have to protect herself, but also the new friends she has made in the present day.Now renowned for a second season Be to watch Carmen and all her magical adventures on Netflix.

Featuring Tracy Morgan’s return to television after a car accident that put him out for a while, The Last O.G. is about an ex-con named Tray who gets released after 15 years in prison to find that his neighborhood has been gentrified and his his girlfriend is with another man. With help from his cousin Bobby and the owner of a half-way house Mullin, Tray embarks on a comedic journey to become a better father and overall man. The show presents Tracy at his comedic best as he tries to adjust his masculinity to a world that has moved past such toxic behavior. Be sure to check out The Last O.G on TBS.

South Side Set in Englewood, Chicago two community college graduates Simon and Kareme hatch up schemes for business success as they work at a rent-to-own shop. South Side contains all the comedic, chill, and absurd scenarios one could think of in a working class environment. As comedic as it is, South Side also contains scenes of sincerity and love that show that no matter where you are in the rat-race of capitalism we’re all human and trying to make the most out of our lives. Now renewed for a second season, be sure to check out South Side on Comedy Central or HBO Max.

Woke

The Astronomy Club Created by the first all blackcomedy group called the Upright Citizen’s Bri gade, The Astronomy Club is a sketch comedy show that is also a reality TVshow where all of the members live together in a house. Much like Key & Peele before it, The Astronomy Club has a lot of irreverent and black nerd comedy that sets itself apart from most comedy shows. Be sure to laugh and learn with Upright Citizen’s Brigade on Netflix! The Last O.G.

After being racially profiled, a black cartoonist by the name Keen Knight finds that he is able to hear inanimate objects talk to him like on his cartoon shows. The show follows the mentally stroke animator as he navigates through life with a newly sensitive outlook on racism in America, and with cartoon segments throughout his journey. Woke is a bold, creative, and unique comedy show that examines our modern culture and our involvement in the conversation about race and “wokeness”. Created by Keith Knight, and Marshall Todd, be sure to check out Woke only on Hulu.

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EMERGING

ARTISTS

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THERE ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE : A CONVESTION WITH ERWIN HINES Words by Ciara Hendrix

s children, we often surmise what our lives will look like through drawings or imaginative role play with one another. We are encouraged to dream big, to bypass the fear of not making these dreams come true. Somewhere along the line though, these dreams grow farther away from realization. In tandem, it can be difficult to conceptualize how expansive one’s life can and should be if the possibility is never presented. Erwin Hines is a multi-hyphenate artist and forward-thinking designer focused on reimagining the future of Black history. Now an LA transplant, Hines unabashedly reps his native city Cleveland, Ohio. He comes from a dedicated family of urban developers and community advocates, so it’s no surprise that purpose-driven design is the intersection where we meet him. Future is Color, his T-shirt brand, is the vector and tangible culmination of his vision for a vast future within and for the diaspora. It was established to challenge the ageold narrative that Black people are not pivotal determinants of what the future looks like for the rest of the world. The mission and purpose for the brand, and for the culture are rooted in exchanging stories and carving out space for empathy to permeate our lives. The facets of Black culture and our diversity is what drives Erwin to create engaging, wearable art. Through your journey with art and design, who are you most impacted by? I’ve always been impacted by pop culture, hip-hop and the influence of Black culture in the world specifically. My parents instilled in me the beauty of the spectrum of Blackness when I was growing up and my aunts would regularly bring me biographies of Black historical figures when they came to visit. Can you expand on the literary playlists that correlate to your designs? As Black people we’ve contributed so much to this nation and the world, so the study of culture has always interested me. I used to be a creative director at JANUARY 2022

digital aagency, and in that role, I had to do a lot of research to understand the impact of digital tools on the human brain and our society. It wasn't until I actually went back home for a bit that I made the connection that I couldn’;t design unless I read or was engaged in research. Design was my conduit into loving education. Each piece I create is directly related to what I’m presently going through, which spurs me to read more, to better understand and navigate my emotions. So this year has been full of Bell Hooks, Audre Lorde, etc. The playlist is there to provide people with the tools to go deeper within themselves. What are your thoughts on pursuing art as a means to thrive and take up space in the world? I think it’s super important. We as Black people shouldn’t be held or relegated to specific career paths or industries. In Black and other traditionally marginalized communities, it is a real issue. We have been oppressed for so long that our communities struggle to make room for other pathways like arts or technology, we’re made to feel like we can only get in specific ways. The disparities between large brands and how they engage with communities of colorcreate ripple effects that touch the lives of everyone involved. Oftentimes, the ways in which we are engaged or invested in perpetuate restrictive narratives. “I believe that real freedom is a human being having the opportunity to explore who they are and how they fit into this world by any means necessary” Hines says. He wholeheartedly believes in art as a conduit to see and understand the world differently, to form meaningful connections. “This is a huge influence in my design process now, I purely want to design things that aid in shaping space and help people understand that we as Black people are beautiful, spectrumed individuals who carry this amazing history with us and we’ll never be able to shed that” Hines shares passionately.amaing history with us and we’ll never be able to shed that” Hines shares passionately.

“You have to decide who you are and force the world to deal with you, not withits idea of you.” James Baldwin

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Freaky Boiz JANUARY 2022

By Cheyenne Simpson Although social media showcases Freaky Boiz talent, you won’;t find much about the rap duo’s origin story. Thankfully, I was able to interview the duo and find out where their beginning of their music started. Pierre shared how he and Terrance met in college way before the streaming era and right when Youtube started picking up. They started creating their own raps to upload to familiar sites like YouTube as a parody. They didn’t think much of these parodies they posted; and yet, their songs ended up going viral. Terrence touched on how the group was formed before going “viral” was an idea. Their fan base grew as people started sharing their videos and songs. Out of these songs that were meant as a joke, fans gave the pair their name: The Freaky Boiz. We are all aware of how technology, and social media have continued to be a tool to help artists get their mark, but “Freaky Boiz” started before that era. As they grew in popularity, their fans started asking for live performances. Of course, the pair listened. It was so inspiring to learn that the group listened to their audience and found their passion in that. The Freaky Boiz both identify as gay. Terrance and Pierre both knew that their sexual identity, along with being African American, and making rap music, made things tricky by constantly adding a target to their backs. But their passion and tenacity kept them pushing harder toward their goals. They want their audience to gain more than inspiration but action from their music. They are clear examples on how being put through obstacles in life should not be something to keep you away from your dreams. Being not only Black men but also Gay men, the duo shines for the LGBTQ+ community and the Black community. Pierre touched on the message the group wishes to portray in their music, that being their audience can relate to them on personal levels. With Terrance and Pierre both being able to recall the struggles and hardships they grew up with, they want their audience members, who might be going through the same thing, to get hope from their music. He also mentioned how both he and Terrance were able to make it out of the hood and become participants of higher education. These memories are what helped the duo realize how long they would go in their journey to stardom. Terrence says he is inspired by artists like Kanye West. Being from Chicago himself, Terrence found himself relating to Kanye due to him becoming a well-known name within the city of Chicago and making it big. The group mentioned other artists such as Trina, Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne, and how they admired not only these artists’ journeys but their work in general. www.theofficialblackmagazine.com

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Samuel Green Space, the Complications of Love, Loneliness, and Spirituality: A Voyage with Samuel Green By James Quinn

JANUARY 2022

or the past decade, a lot of alternative and unique voices and styles have been coming into the R&B genre. As our understandings of love and the self have become more complex, so too has the musings of our favorite romantic song writers. One of those up and coming voices is Samuel Green; most famously known for his singles Lost in Lost, and Dark Matter. “I say Dark Matter is the song I’m proud of because I was super transparent, vulnerable and it touches on my experiences with loneliness and anxiety. It was the first time I had vocalized those feelings outside of my friends and family.” Samuel Green used the theme of dark space to emphasize his loneliness and isolation when he moved from Texas to Los Angeles. “I was always into astrology, space, and NASA; but I also felt isolated and different from the natives of LA or just other artists. It’s also a topic that I want to focus on for my next project as well.” Growing up in Kansas City Missouri, Green’s foundation in music came from the Blue and Jazz influences from the city and from singing in church with his family. “I sang in church, my mom sang in church, and everyone in my family were pastors so I was always in church.” As a child, Green always knew that he wanted to be in the performing artssinging in musical plays and playing trombone in school bands. One day Green’s grandfather, on his death-bed, told him to sing to him despite not knowing that his grandson could sing. Being a spiritual person, Samuel Green took this as a sign to seriously

pursue a creative path toward music. “I loved singing around the house. The first song I ever started singing around the house was Pony, but my grandfather asking me to sing for him on his deathbed was the extra push to become a professional singer. Samuel Green is an introspective and spiritual person. Not only does being spiritual help keep himself grounded, but it also helps him connect with his fans through his music. “My spiritual journey has taught me to be vulnerable, and I like to convey that through my music. Writing music is also therapeutic for me as well.” One of the challenges Green faced in beginning his music career was establishing his own sound and not being pushed to make the sounds of others. “There’s nothing wrong with comparisons,” Green said, “but it can distract from making your own sound when people want you to work for certain producers.” Samuel Green distinguishes himself from other R&B singers in that he derives his sound inspiration from his own experiences. “All of my music are staple moments from my life,” Green said, “People can relate to that, and I create emotional vibes. People nowa days would call it alternative R&B, but I always have a story to tell in my songs. My music does, however, give out that spaced out kinda vibe that gets you into the zone and makes you feel good. It’s very emotionally driven.”

lyric or a melody I try to write it down somewhere or voice memo it. Sometimes I might hear the beat in my head first, or vice versa. Then I would go in the st dio and let the producers know what I hear, and sometimes take a hand in producing. I love writing, and I’ve been writing poetry since I was a kid.” Through his music, Green wants to promote self-love by acknowledging your flaws by overcoming them. “Some of my friends call me Deacon because I’m always preaching about moving forward, and acknowledging your present moment in whether it’s anxiety, a broken heart, or love loss or whatever it is you’re going through so that you can grow from. My message to black men is that it’s okay to be vulnerable and be open about their emotions in life. As black people, we have such a vibrant culture; we have different shades of skin tone, masculinity, femininity, and art and we should embrace that.” From Samuel Green, be expecting another single, 8+ plus songs next year, more music videos, two projects, more collaborations with producers and fashion. Green will also be exploring different genres with musicians in different countries. “I’ll be playing with an EDM sound fused with funk, and I’m super excited for it.”

Green’s process for coming up with songs is something that hits throughout his days. “Often I’ll be out running errands or working out, and if I come up with a song

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A STAR ON THE RISE: RAVEN BOWENS By James Quinn

JANUARY 2022

he next generation of black actors and actresses are coming in today’s media, and some of us will have the privilege of watching their rise to greater stardom. I had the privilege to speak with Raven Bowens; a rising black actress who has starred in several television and streaming shows such as All Rise on CBS, Future Man on Hulu, Henry Danger on Nickelodeon, and Insecure on HBO. Raven Bowens can trace her beginnings of acting all the way to her adolescents in the inner cities of Southeast San Diego. Growing up, Bowens participated in all kinds of after-school and community programs that introduced her to the arts. “I would do dance, cheer-leading, and sports. I was attracted to things that were performance based.” Bowens said, speaking on her youth activities. One of the programs Bowens took was a mult-media club that she took with her best friends. The multi-media club involved acting, making comedy skits, news reports, and small dramatic scenes. “It was sort of like the TikToks of its time” Bowens said “we would edit, cut, and act in little scenes and skits for the program.” Bowen’s high school football player boyfriend Todd Doxey encouraged her to seriously pursue acting in her senior year of Sarah High school. However, after her boyfriend’s devastating death, Bowens didn’t pursue much of anything because of her distraught feelings. It wasn’t until Bowen had a serious conversation with her father that inspired her to continue acting. As a working actress, Bowen looks to many actresses for inspiration such as Hallie Berry, Cameron Diez, Gloria Glifford, Elizabethe Taylor, and Diane Carole who Bowen has dubbed the “soap opera Queen Goddess.” After sending in many audition tapes and videos, Bowen landed her first acting gig on a show that had never gotten produced called Cheerleader Undercover where she was the main character. Unfortunately, working on Cheerleader Undercover was not the best experience and Bowen faced many problems on set. “I had accidently missed my flight, so I had missed the promo-shoots for the show” Bowens admitted with laughter “There were bed-bugs in the hotel we stayed in. I wasn’t part of the union, so they had me work 17 hours a day for $100 a day.”

Despite the many setbacks, Bowen did have a fun time filming the 7 episodes of the series. Unfortunately, the producers and filmmakers of the show had lost much of the footage so she couldn’t add it to her acting portfolio. However, after Cheerleader Undercover Bowen got a slew of acting jobs after such as Student-Body President, a Ford Commercial, and a major supporting role in BET’s New Edition Biographic mini-series. Bowen will often work with her acting-coach Gloria Glifford to rehearse with her, run down on some lines, and work on her delivery before shooting. For example, Bowen is now working on a soap opera called The Days of Our Lives. With the quick writing and the amount of content they have to shoot with little time Bowen constantly works with her acting coach to get herself ready for the many scenes to shoot on The Days of Our Lives. Sometimes Bowens would do research to get into the headspace of a character. In a role for All Rise, Bowen had to do a small amount research on sex trafficking to play a victim on the show. “I have to find how we’re alike,” Bowen said “and how we’re different as well. Understanding the human condition can help actors find common ground with the characters.” A more personal favorite role was when Bowen played the main character in a short film titled Seize. Seize is a timeloop drama about an older sister, played by Bowen, who saves her little brother from child abuse. Bowen has said that she loved the role because she got to play the hero,and is a supporter of the message of the short film which is free to watch on YouTube. Raven Bowens offers some advice for those that want to work within the entertainment industry. Bowens recommends to anyone that they write down their goals to envision them and lay out a path. “Once you have your goals written down, do something for that goal everyday.” Bowen said “You can’t dream too big, as long as you’re willing to work for it.” Some of the future roles she wants to obtain later in her career are Eartha Kitt, and Janet Jackson both for Biopic roles, and hopefully a major superhero role. Bowen also hopes to co-write and direct a film, and wants to help produce and star in a book-series she’s been passionate about for a long time. Regardless of her future projects, be on the lookout for Raven Bowens as she gains more notoriety for her roles.

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A Sneak Peek Into the Life of

Yonathan Elias Written By Gloria Pebbles

onathan Elias became a viral sensation after he made a Youtube video named “DC Metro” in which he found himself on an empty metro and proceeded to let his inner child out. While some might know him as “DC Metro Guy,” Yonathan has been building quite a resume as a media personality.

Yonathan was a co-host for BET’s number one rated music video show 106 & Park. He was also a cast member for BET’s hit reality show Grand Hustle alongside T.I while hosing other popular podcasts and other TV programs. Yonathan is currently Ebony Magazines lead correspondent and media personality. He has over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He takes nothing for granted and continues to stay rooted and grounded in his upbringing so that he doesn’t get caught up in the Hollywood hype. Being Eritrean and Nigerian descent and from Inglewood California, his parents who are big on education were totally against him going into the entertainment industry mostly because they didn’t know a lot about it. But Yonathan proved to his parents that he could be successful in whatever he chose to do. “I started working at the age of 15, saved up and bought a car at 16 and started taking myself to auditions; it was like if they weren’t going to take me, I was going to find a way to take myself,” said Yonathan. His first gig as the youngest dancer on Soul Train at the age of 17. “I was known as the soul train kid going down the soul train line,” said Yonathan and that’s when his career began to take off. While growing up, he had a lot of insecurities. “I wasn’t too fond of who I was as a child. I was very doubtful I was bullied a lot; I didn’t think I looked good compared to my siblings and cousins” stated Yonathan. He felt like acting or being in the entertainment industry glamorized everything, giving him the attention he wasn’t used to receiving. He felt accepted in the entertainment arena and decided this was where he wanted to be. The most challenging thing Yonathan finds in the entertainment industry are the nos. “Sometimes when you get so close to booking that big gig, you get a no— especially for someone who wasn’t as confident in himself. Nos used to hurt me” said Yonathan. But then he realized it was business and nothing personal. He has learned to flip the no into motivation believing a better opportunity lurks around the corner. Yonathan recently booked his first nationally broadcast commercial which aired in December. His plate is full and he’s working hard to become the successful entertainer he desires to be. He believes in living life to the fullest. But, most of all, he wants to make his parents proud. Photography Credit: Jack Abarilles Stylist & Creative Director McKay Loving Retoucher Credit : Lee Manor

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HANIECE An Interview on Her Role in Sports Broadcasting What interested you about the sports broadcasting industry? Kobe Bean Bryant was my first love & basketball was second. Before I knew sports broadcasting was an option for women, the actual industry hadn’t yet diversified into the melting pot we see now. As a child, I didn’t question the lack of diversity, not fully understanding that it would later affect the way I navigate the industry. I simply enjoyed the knowledge I was gaining by listening to the commentators and analyzing the game from my own perspective. I didn’t realize that my knowledge of the game was a gift until I began debating the males in my family about sports-related issues. Men can be emotional about the game of basketball when debating. To a certain extent, I was too, but there’s also a theoretical component to anything that requires a well-groomed opinion. That’s what separates a passionate fan from a sports professional: speech, knowledge, articulation, and delivery. It’s an art. I began to study that art by listening to some of my favorite personalities on television. As one of the few women sports broadcasters, what have been some challenges you have faced? Have you had difficulty being taken seriously by your colleagues? How have you worked through these challenges?

they think I am. Because I am. Black women are the most educated, creative, intellectual, gifted, and God-fearing human beings on earth. For every malicious word that someone has used to describe a black woman, I combat it with an antonym. Being in a male-dominant field, how do you make sure that your voice, opinions, and ideas are heard? Like I noted above, men are extremely emotional about sports. When someone is emotional, it’s difficult to construct a well-balanced argument or opinion. You began to over-tone the person that you’re speaking to. Men are powerful in their physical and tone levels. That may work for some, but it’s not enough to overthrow a brilliant voice, opinion, or idea. Do you have any advice for women who also want to go into sports broadcasting or any male-dominated field? Find your commitment. For me, I am committed to the growth of my heritage. Therefore, everything that comes after that reflects getting black women where we need to be as a whole. There isn’t much room for error or foolery with the weight of your ancestors on your back. Walk with integrity, have faith, and commitment!

Not only am I a woman, but I am also African American. I’m on the brown side of the melanin spectrum. Women are marginalized in this industry, but there’s also colorism and racism. Challenges have comfortably disguised themselves in micro-aggressions. Insensitive comments about my anatomy, appearance, and intentions have surfaced throughout my journey. It’s challenging to be taken seriously when history has written and is still writing the story of the black woman for her. I’ve chosen to combat these false narratives by authentically being the polar opposite of what www.theofficialblackmagazine.com

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Arrington Foster When it comes to acting, the role an actor gets early on can be so pivotal for the trajectory of their career. You get the right role and the audience can see the depth you can go and the multidimensional character you can play and develop.

It’s always been business

Foster’s acting has been prevalent in his life since he was 10 years old. From plays to musicals, he had done it all throughout his middle and high school years. After honing in on his theatrical skills while attending Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Dallas, he realized that television is where he wanted to go. “I really felt like television is where I wanted to be and that there is nothing wrong with theater because most of the greatest on television are classically trained in theater,” said Foster. Foster appreciates going from theater to the screen because it built a foundation for him to develop professionally and artistically. He wants new emerging actors to remember that you need to put in the hours of always working and developing your craft. In the day and age of social media you can get distracted with popularity and being an influencer rather than being a great actor.

Valet was the start

At 21 after graduating from TCU, Foster moved back home to Maryland where he valet cars and did community theater. This wouldn’t suffice for the hungry actor as he had his sights set on television. An associate informed him that he could easily pick up valet gigs in Los Angeles if he really wanted to see what was out there for him. “It was a no-brainer. So I went to Los Angeles for 10 days to check out different hotels to get some form of stable employment before deciding to make the big move,” said Foster. With this move, he had to start from ground zero taking odd jobs and doing free work to start to get his name out there while surviving the not so cheap cost of living in Los Angeles.

The Big Break

To build his resume, he was doing everything from short films to student films and many of the times they were unpaid. Foster didn’t care because he knew that it would take time, exposure and more credits on his resume to get him prepared for when his big break would come. For Arrington Foster that big break would come in Carl Weber’s The Family Business as the tough, feisty, and loyal Rio. “This was a my first gay character I have ever played, which meant I had to make sure to do him justice,” said Foster. His dreams were coming true as he shared the screen with so many amazing people who he grew up seeing and admiring. JANUARY 2022

There is still more work

Foster still has more work to do as he shared that even during the first season of the show he was valeting cars. “ Many people think once you get on a new show the money and roles start coming in,” said Foster, which is the opposite. Many might be surprised but since the airing of the show he hasn’t booked another gig yet, which he shared last year he went through a period of depression. “From the pandemic, police brutality, to asking where do I fit in Hollywood, I really started questioning things,” said Foster. It was the daily meditations, workouts, prayers, and daily affirmations that helped center himself. This was the work that not only got him out of his depression but also became a way of life for him to keep himself grounded and protected. Foster is thankful for this opportunity of life and is looking forward to where it will take him next, but until then he will keep practicing and perfecting his craft because he says he is always a student of the theater.

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A Clearview Path: The Rise of Biggie Bull By James Quinn

apper, actor, and former football player Biggie Bull is a force to be reckoned with in the growing and ever evolving genre of rap. Tony Westly AKA Biggie Bull is best known for his single “Clearview” a song about staying true to yourself, your roots, and your past while becoming a notable star. Like most of the great rappers, Biggie Bull prides himself in his story-telling ability from his own personal life. Unlike many artists, Tony Westly began getting notoriety for his college football career at Louisiana State University— specifically playing as defensive back. Although he doesn’t play anymore, Biggie Bull still brings that same determined and hungry energy into his music production. “A lot of what I’ve learned in playing football is to take on leadership roles, and set an example for your fellow artists coming up.” Biggie Bull said, “You want to be that leader to set your own path, instead of going down other people’s path or examples.” It wasn’t until after graduating college and moving out to California that Westly realized that he could seriously pursue his passion for music. “Music was something I always had an interest in,” Westly said, “but sports got in the way of that dream.”

JANUARY 2022

After releasing his first single as Biggie Bull, Westly started during performances that got him more attention from listeners and producers. With some help from Just Brittany of Love and Hip Hop fame, Biggie Bull gained enough online attention and concerts to just start his newly established music career. One of the bigger challenges that Biggie Bull had to overcome withs starting his music career was letting go of the need to be signed. “I was waiting for someone to pick me up so that I can push out the rest of my songs” Biggie Bull said “But after doing research, I learned that it was better for the labels to find you.” Working independently, while freeing, can also be a lot of hard-work. Biggie Bull had to do a lot of his own marketing, social media posts and presence, and scheduling concerts as well as setting up paid studio time. “I was able to book 40 and 50 shows between February and June.” Westly said. Luckily through networking, Biggie Bull was able to meet and get signed with music manager DE Music Management who will help him with scheduling, marketing, and booking shows throughout his career. When it comes to recording, Biggie Bull’s pro cess starts with writing the lyrics down, and

memorizing the words before getting in the studio. “When you’re in the studio time is money” Westly said “I don’t have time to go in there and punch lines and punch free-styles like artists do. This is my stuff I’m putting out so I want people to know my stuff is genuine. It’s straight from my soul. It’s straight from my blood, sweat, and tears.” When it comes to making the beats, Biggie Bull looks to a plethora of talented producers such as DrumDummie, 88dagame, Young Devante, and Causmic beats, and Shopwood ken. Biggie Bull’s musical style is pushed toward his own narrative. “I’m influenced by a lot of my top 4 artists, and I fuse what they do with what I do to create something different.” Those musical influences being Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, and Meek Mill. “For your Eyez Only by J Cole especially because I also had a homie that got shot and killed.”

aged me to try acting out. I sent my resume to some acting agencies, and one acting agency called me up to come in for an audition. I was set up with the acting agency on the spot and did a photoshoot with them.”

Please be sure to check out Biggie Bull’s social media, and his single “Clearview” on YouTube.

Biggie Bull

As a rapper and musician, Biggie Bull sees himself becoming as big as Biggie Smalls and Tupac. “You gotta have that mindset, and you gotta speak it into existence. I already have the mentality like Tupac with his overall hustle. I’ve got everything that will push me forward, it’s only a matter of patients. It’s gonna end with me being Grammy nominated and Oscar nominated at least.” Biggie Bull also looks to one day be in a superhero movie one day. A particular preference; Batman’s arch foe the Joker.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggiebul1/

Biggie Bull is also an actor as well. With only a few speaking roles under his belt, Westly feels good about the direction his acting career is taking. Bigge Bull has done small speaking roles, starred in short films, and has been an extra in commercials. Biggie Bull still continues to audition for bigger and leading roles.

Clearview: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2Sj1hRvXuVg

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The Peak of PR The David Brand and the World of Entertainment Public Relations

avid Robinson put in a lot of work to the foundation of the David Brand, his marketing and public relations firm. Founded in 2015, the firm specializes in entertainment relations like movies and theater. Since 2015, the David Brand has grown a star-studded roster for former and current clients like TC Carson, Terri J Vaugn, The Clark Sisters, and so many more. I got the opportunity to speak with David Robinson and what the world of public relations is really like. To start from the beginning, David Robinson, received his bachelor of arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University in 2010. However, the entertainment scene in Grand Rapids, Michigan is non-existent; so he started working in corporate public relations. In 2014, David got his first taste of the entertainment public relations when a friend asked him to walk Selena Johnson down the red carpet at the Atlanta premiere for Think Like a Man 2. David shared, “Kevin Hart was there and Terrence J and Lala Anthony and Gabrielle Union and I remember being like ‘whoa, this is amazing.” At that moment, he knew he wanted to take on the entertainment public relations. “So I started volunteering at different events until 2015 when I took on my first client,” he said. David described the beginning of his PR work as a learning experience. “I kind of was doing a little bit of everything. I was a social media manager, being security, being an assistant to hold a bag or drive a car,” he shared. He explained that he had to really start thinking about what public relations meant and what value he was bringing to his clients. He also shared how he had doubts about his abilities in the beginning due to being unknown. “The biggest thing I can

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recommend to anyone in PR, and just networking in gener al, is to remember that this is a givers game. It’s not about what can I go into a networking event and receive, but what can I give?” The typical work day of a publicist does not include the glamorous red carpet event. “90 to 95 percent of the work that I do is at home with my laptop and phone,” David shared. The day of a publicist is a lot more scheduling, coordinating, emailing, and pitching. David said that his typical day will start at 9am but will end around 11 pm or even 12 am. And before the David Brand was picking up enough work and revenue, David was actually working full-time as a digital marketing consultant. When working with clients, David shares that his firm likes to make their clients feel heard. “It’s also very important to me that the client feels like I truly have their best interest at heart.” But sometimes clients aren’t the right fit for the David Brand. David shared a story about how he had to fire a client for requesting direct contact information for someone that David had introduced him to. “Sometimes what people want to do is cut out the middleman…there has to be a level of respect,” said David. When working with the historical Ebenezer Church, this client directly asked for the reveend’s cell phone number over a conference call. Not only was the move unprofessional, but it was also disrespectful to David as his publicist. David described himself as fuming but he kept his composure during the call. He has since severed ties with that client. Keeping things professional is important in an environment that relies on networking. The David brand has recieved numerous opportunities, clients, and projects from referrals from other professional relationships. Maintaining those relationships and delivering good work is how the David Brand stands out in the Atlanta Entertainment world. When I asked about the future of the David Brand, David actually shared that he has already hit his 10 to 15 year goal. He’s accomplished so much more than he actually thought possible in the short time period since establishing the David Brand. While his plan beyond this point is still in the making, he did share that he would love to see the David Brand branch out into different cities.

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Diversity and Inclusion: An Interview with Xavier Byers What does your role as manager of business operations and content strategy for Warner Bros Studios entail exactly? In my role, I focus on our overall business strategy for Film and TV once the productions wrap. My focus can span from business deals with outside vendors, to forecasting and budgeting funds to make sure that productions are completed and ready for distribution. For example, during the pandemic my studio made a huge decision to release every new movie on our theatrical slate (2021) in theaters and on HBOMax (our streaming platform) simultaneously as what we call Day-And-Date release. Last month we had The Matrix Resurrection releasing on 12/22/21 and my team works with various parts of the studio to make sure that happens without issue for consumers— whether you go to see it in theaters or view it at home on your HBOMax app. JANUARY 2022

How do you advocate for diversity and equity in Hollywood? The way that I started to advocate for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in Hollywood was internally through the studios Employee Resources Group. I joined the Black Employee resource group. There, I started by focusing on employee’s professional development and making sure that black employees had opportunities to learn information not broadly shared to help advance their careers, network with senior leaders and decision makers, and develop skill sets via workshops so that they were prepared for next steps in their career. After that role, I became the executive chair where WB gave me the opportunity to continue to help advance employees but also work on initiatives for talent as well as business initiatives. One of my proudest moments was my first major event as chair where I hosted a joint studio mixer with our

sister black employee groups from NBC Universal, Sony, and Paramount. The mixer was a panel discussion and solution proposal for diversity issues in Hollywood after the #OscarsSoWhite trend. We had a room of over 200+ black studio employees of all levels and a panel that consisted of WB TV Executive Chris Mack, Actress Regina King, Producer Stephanie Allain and to help with solution proposals, we had the 3 diversity chairs for the Writers Guild, Directors Guild, and Producers Guild.

to support professionals in the film and television industry from underrepresented populations.

Why is diversity and equity important when it comes to Hollywood and the entertainment industry? It’s important because as an industry what we do impacts the culture globally for decades to come. How could we not take the impact that we have on culture so seriously? Our voices are amplified times millions and I take this platform seriously with every project that we do. My goal is to make sure that different voices and perspectives are recognized and amplified. I believe that communities of marginalized voices should see themselves represented across the board through their own stories and alongside other amazing stories being told. With diverse voices in storytelling being celebrated, I am sure that the next generations will benefit from the strides that we make today on all levels. Do you think Hollywood is making progress towards more diversity? What are some roadblocks on that road to diversity? Looking back to just over a decade ago to 2010, I think that you can see great strides have been made in the entertainment industry. I remember in TV when prime time broadcasts only had Taraji P. Henson as Cookie and Traci Ellis Ross as Rainbow. Then we looked up and saw rapid growth thanks to Shonda Rhimes (and other creators Mara Brock Akil, Kenya Barris, Ava Duvernay) when we were introduced to Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope and Viola Davis as Annalise Keating. In the land of TV/Streaming people will see the most progress made or at least I will say that progress happens at a faster rate. In 2021 think of the span of options that you have to see people that look like you. The theatrical side of our business is a larger ship to turn so it moves a bit slower…but it is moving. In film you can look at a popular genre like Action/ SuperHero film from any studio and you will see how those characters have changed no matter the original source material. There have been roadblocks to diversity, specifically as it pertains to creating pipelines for talent to gain experience as well as creating platforms so that people of color can be seen by producers, agents, and executives. Director Ava Duvernay has recently created a solution to help with both roadblocks by creating a platform called Array Crew. Array Crew is an equal opportunity platform, with a mission

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THE EDITORIAL TEAM CORNER

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The Revolution of Black Supernatural SCIFI AND HORROR

By CM Lucas

JANUARY 2022

Blackula. Ganja and Hess. Sugar Hill. Those are some of the films that may first spring to mind when thinking of the African American mark made on the horror/supernatural cinematic landscape. A foothold in the world of genre cinema perhaps but hardly worthy of being labelled anything other than nostalgia or good ol’ fashion schlock. Recently, there has been an immersion of the African American footprint within the supernatural, sci-fi and horror genres both featured and as creators. The days of black men and women being nothing more than slasher fodder, “red shirts,” or token characters spewing curban clichés ad nostrum are now, for the most part, few and

far between. A sneak peek into what was on the horizon was in the late 90s. The comic book, vampire action romp that was the Blade trilogy burst onto the scene, which was not only Marvel Entertainment’s first success but also saw the first black helmed superhero flick. However, this was but a small step, albeit a small step in the right direction. Indeed, the recent wave of African American helmed projects in the realm of both Sci-Fi and horror has not only given rise to superstar actors and direc tors, but also delivered excellent and in some cases award worthy work within the genre. In the world of

Sci-Fi, Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther holds the distinction of being the first major comic book film to feature a main cast composed entirely of African Americans (Meteor Man was the first but on a smaller scale). Black Panther was the vehicle that launched the late Chadwick Boseman into the stratosphere, was the first MCU film to receive an Academy Award win and cemented Coogler’s place among the hottest directors in Hollywood. Television has also seen a solid black presence emerge, with HBO’s Lovecraft Country (starring Kang The Conqueror himself, Jonathan Majors). Debuting in 2020, the show is based on the book of the same name and mixes Lovecraft themes with mid-20th century, southern racism. Of course, the rise of Jordan Peele has been an unprecedented one. First making his presence known in the world of comedy, Peele has shed his comedic skin and emerged as one of the prominent writers/directors of horror/ sci-fi. With such films as the Academy Award nominated Get Out, Us and his re magining of Candyman, Peele is quickly becoming a modern-day master of the macabre. Not limiting himself to the world of film, Jordan has taken to revamping the horror anthology classic The Twilight Zone, bringing his unique, modern vision to the 50s TV staple. The landscape of the supernatural and Sci-Fi genres has never been brighter for African Americans. With haunting stories, powerful performances and projects that have generated over a billion dollars as well as become saturated with award nominations, black hands now grip the genres that once reduced their presence to that of the individuals, first to die.

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How to Make a Short Film on a Budget

f you’re a movie producer making a short film can be challenging if you’re not using your creative mind to help you get around the stumbling blocks filmmaking can bring, especially when it comes to the financing of the movie. With all the new technology and information available today, it’s easier than you may think. No one builds a house without counting the cost. This must be the first thing you must take inconsideration. Planning and organization are two important keys to the beginning of a successful short film on a budget.

Tips for Low Budget Film Planning: • • • • • •

Be sure to budget expenses such as food and fuel costs. Be honest with your cast and crew on what you can offer. Keep track of your time each day and don’t overschedule each day. Set goals that are reasonable to meet. Consider doing some fundraising to help meet the budget. Apply for a film grant. Use cash only if possible. Select a location that fits your budget.

Creative ways to write a low budget film: JANUARY 2022

When making a low budget film make sure not to hire more people than you need such as celebrity cast members due to the fact you will have to pay them more money based on their celebrity status. Do not compete with other film producers that have more funding than yourself. Hire people that you know and have worked with. Make sure they are credible people that will be on time and not hard to work with. Personal connections make a much better setting. Make sure you’re not overspending on equipment like extra cameras you probably don’t need. Make a budget of all your costs creating a production schedule, planning your edit, and considering all parts of the production before you purchase a camera. Budgeting food and fuel on the movie set When it comes to budgeting food and fuel on the movie set keep this in mind make sure you plan what you’re getting for lunch. If you’re not careful you will overspend in feeding your cast. Preparing food, yourself sometimes and bringing it on set will save you a lot of time and money. On a low budget short film, bottled water, sandwiches, and snacks are ideal. If you’re unable to pay your crew, make sure you pay their expenses like trav el and lunch, so they are not out of pocket.

Use cash as much as possible this way you know that many of your purchases have been paid in full. Stay away from using your credit card or getting a loan for your project. Use a free film budget template to help you keep track of your spending. The template will guide you through all the areas of budgeting you need from the beginning of your project until the end. Depending on what type of film you are making will determine what type of budget you will need. Also keep an estimate on how many days of filming you will need for each actor. There will always be some extra costs that will arise during pre-productions, so you want to be prepared for that as well. These tips are just a few of many things you will need to consider before making a short film on a budget. But planning and organizing will pay off in the end and make your dream come true.

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Georgia is Becoming the New Filmmaker’s Mecca By Adilene Delgado

eorgia is lining up after New York and Los Angeles to become the next top destination for the filming industry. One thing that makes Atlanta, Georgia so appealing to show producers and filmmakers is that it has suburban towns, beaches that Los Angeles usually offers and concrete jungles like New York. Georgia has many open spaces that can be easily transformed into different sets. Georgia also has many programs that offer students hands-on experience and post-graduation job offers into the industry. And with rent expenses nearly half of Los Angeles’ usual rent, Georgia allows actors in hopes of building their resume to afford housing as they pursue their acting ambitions. The Georgian filming industry has been growing through the years as a force to be reckoned with but this only grew more evident as the pandemic halted filming throughout the nation.

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Development Department in Georgia, the filming industry had hit a record-breaking four billion dollars in production costs due to the pandemic in the year of 2021. A couple of years ago, the Marvel studios made the move and decision to partially film multiple major blockbusters such as, Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp and even Black Widow. Major television shows have been filming there such as Walking Dead, Stranger Things, and even Black Lightning. So the upcoming years seem to predetermine that Georgia’s influence will only continue to flourish at a growing pace.

While most productions shut down due to covid restrictions, the Georgia filming industry was permitted to resume production with safety covid precautions. Only thriving throughout the pandemic as most businesses have been threatened of being shut down. According to the Economic www.theofficialblackmagazine.com

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How the Pandemic Affected Filming By Sabrina Giles

f there is something that the pandemic has affected, it would undoubtedly have to be the way it affected the way everyone enjoys media. Many reports have confirmed that people’s reliance on it would be done out of the negative impacts that the pandemic would have on one’s mental health. Media continues to be consumed for its intended use, but for others evolved as form of escapism. However, how have the masterminds behind these films and programs worked around the pandemic? After all, most yearn to give the audience what they are looking for. One way the pandemic has affected filming is that movie theaters suffered the imposition of social distancing without proper promotion of newer films, ultimately leading to the drastic decrease in movie theater attendance. In March 2020, when the virus began to fester, it was predicted that over five billion dollars in global box office would be lost in China, being the largest movie market with the U.S. being second. It wasn’t long before individual movie theaters would lose revenue. A major franchise like Cinemax, have been forced to permanently close and AMC, to file for bankruptcy. Instances such as these caused many to view streaming services as a sole liable option. They have cultivated a lucrative space to anyone regardless if they are at home or at any other location that is easily accessed from a portable device and continue to compete against traditional television. One for its convenience, but its seemingly easier access to mountains of content that gives creators of different programs more creative freedom. It is also from the appearance of convenience often producing liberating results because of said access. Simultaneously, the pandemic has prompted film makers to switch to streaming in an opportunity of appealing to a wider audience who uses them. Instead of prolonging months for films to be released for digital or Blu-Ray sales, the releases were done early. Other applications including Disney+ and Discovery Plus, among others introduced a new adaptability for many that made services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc., more consumed. Before the pandemic, in the beginning, dilemmas rose between how to work around demanding schedules erstwhile Covid cases increased without an available vaccine to suppress it at the time. The strictness caused by social distancing initially led many regular businesses to implement measures to enforce them. Not solely that, an unpredictable

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overtone manifested in regards to Covid regarding returning to the slightest form of normality. Thus, the film industry is an example of a divergence that became void of further production for the rest of 2020. When it comes to the crew and main stars, continuous testing for Covid was when the main route of ensuring people was not contacted with it and susceptible to spreading it. With this came a wave of diagnoses revealed in the media from celebrities, well-known or not. However, the spotlight placed on these individuals was through conveying transparency of the side effects and severity of the virus. This, all the while, behooves production companies to take unprecedented measures. Eventually, with varied success, the implementation of social distancing rules led them to be slightly lifted. The varied vaccines’ experiences allowed films to garner money at events like private screenings from independent theaters and lesser-known franchises. That did not wholly suffice, however. Timelines for budgeting films to find casting throughout prolonged weeks and months of quarantine proved tremendously tricky. The more people there were, the topic of how people were getting paid became debatable. Foreseeing predictability in making a film was once a commonality to maintain better management, but is now hindered with differences in casting and crew working from different companies on one project. Most of it involves meeting tighter deadlines and without accurate specification on how they would pan out, thus leading investors to consult on how to better handle production times promptly with bonding agents in charge of scheduling in that regard. Covid has brought up many pros and cons. TV and streaming, while beneficial, present how drastic changes can turn up when we least expect them. It then becomes imperative to work out such unprecedented maneuvers in producing good content that everyone can enjoy. The feelings of good content can make a genuine difference on the people who watch it due to the unpredictability of underlying issues they may be facing. Additionally, the strain of society makes entertainment more seemingly needed than ever. The finance and teamwork of production companies challenged by guidelines of the pandemic provide their difficulty in doing what was once done as mundane into working to live up to a new “normal” reality. There are things that one is never prepared for in life.

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The Case of

REBOOTS & REMAKES By James Quinn Lately, Hollywood is very nostalgically driven merely banking on recognizable intellectual property that already has a built-in fan base and not taking much risk on more original ideas. It’s the very reason that on film-twitter or any online discourse concerning Hollywood, you’ve probably heard the complaint that all new movies now are just remakes and reboots— and to some extent that’s true. I can definitely agree that Hollywood film-making has now reached an over-reliance on recognizable intellectual property. However, I’m a little less bitter about it since the American film industry under capitalism has always been this way. The real issue with reboots and remakes is when there is a clear tell that the movie is being produced purely for a money grab. Before I discuss further on the merit behind these productions affecting the quality of the story-telling, let’s go over the distinction between reboot and remake. A remake is a film that retells the narrative of a previously made film but with a different style, perspective, or overall direction.

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Most remakes are fairly straight-forward and mostly update the narratives of the moves they’re taking from; think Peter Jackson’s King Kong from 2005 which is a remake of Merian Cooper’s King Kong in 1933, or even more recently Stephen Speilberg’s West Side Story of 2021 which is a remake of Robert Wise’s West Side Story of 1961. A reboot is a little more complicated and often confused with remakes. Simply put: a reboot is the revamping of a previously established franchise with a new narrative and focus. Comic book fans of Marvel and DC comics are a lot more familiar with reboots. DC comics will reboot their universe every few years with all new and different enough versions of familiar characters to keep their content fresh and engaging. Reboots don’t necessarily have to take on the same exact narratives like remakes, but will often remix and retool characters, concepts, worlds, and ideas into a new narrative that still captures the “spirit” or tone of its predecessors. Reboots can often vary more than remakes; reboots can sometimes just be re-packaged or revitalized se quels of the original. For exam-

ple, Raven’s Home is often called a reboot of That’s So Raven but it also works as a canonical sequel as well. As to what makes a great remake or reboot ultimately depends on whether or not the writers or directors have a genuine and real story they want to tell. A good remake is whether that director or writer has a unique take different and distinct enough from the first movie. This can come in the form of making a modern update or it can be the same story but from a different character’s perspective. A good reboot is a reboot that breathes new life into a franchise, and tells new stories within that franchise. On the other hand, a bad remake or reboot is one that either just makes the same movie shot for shot and beat for beat, or misses the point of the original movie entirely and only resembles the original by look alone.

person. The criticism that “Hollywood has no original ideas” takes the value away from all the story-tellers, directors, and writers that have offered unique takes on familiar ideas. The best reboots and remakes come from those that have love for a franchise rather than to make a bunch of money off people’s nostalgia.

Now more than ever we’re getting an influx of reboots, remakes, and sequels. Christopher Nolan was a genuine fan of the Batman comics, and had an interesting and distinct take on the character that he wanted to share with the world. Nolan’s Batman Begins was so popular that it inspired a number of franchises to go for the “dark and gritty” reboot craze; Dracula Untold, The Bourne Legacy, Casino Royale, and Dredd. The impact Nolan’s Batman has on the overall movie-making industry is proof enough that the reboots and remakes work, it just needs to come from the right

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The Thing about the BLACCENT Written By Margaret White You know that saying? Everybody wants to be Black but nobody wants to be Black. With the advent of social media and pop culture, that statement has never seemed truer. Time and time again we have seen non-Black people rise to some level of fame (even if it’s a mediocre-level of 15 minute social media fame) while wearing a blaccent as an accessory. We have seen the Iggy Azalea or the Awkwafina types. So what is a blaccent? Blaccent refers to when a non-Black person speaks with an accent reminiscent of Black English. It’s similar to the appropriation of AAVE. However, a blaccent doesn’t only take the language, it tries it’s best to imitate the mannerisms and speaking patterns of Black English. It usually comes in the form of a caricature of Black women stereotypes and it doesn’t even take into account the regional differences of Black English or AAVE. The issue with the blaccent is that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes of Black people, especially Black women. We can have a discussion that there really is not a way to “talk Black” or “sound Black” but there is no way that we can watch these so-called influencers and not feel like Black women are once again the butt of the joke. What else could be the joke? It’s definitely not whatever 30 second story they’re telling. influencers and not feel like Black wom en are once again the butt of the joke. What else could be the joke? It’s definitely not whatever 30 second storythey’re telling. JANUARY 2022

Nonblack people don’t face the same consequences that black people do when they speak in a blaccent. Instead, nonblack people are able to prosper and gain from a blaccent, whether it’s internet noteriarity, fame, or money. In comparison to Black people who have to code switch between Black English and Standard American English just to be taken seriously. I have actually been on a job interview where the interviewer kept pointing out how “well-spoken” I was. It didn’t feel like a compliment; it felt like a dig at Black people. I don’t foresee the blaccent going away any time soon. With social media like Tiktok and Twitter, AAVE is more accessible than ever. It doesn’t help that somehow AAVE is now often being called Gen-Z language. Now, when we try to call out those appropriating the language, we are often told “it’s just slang” or “it’s just internet-talk.” It’s not.

“It’s Just Slang”

Reclaiming Our Stories: The Rise of Black Directors By DaVonne Evans When Malcolm X directed his Nation of Islam brothers away from the hospital with the flick of his wrist in the 1992 biographical film Malcolm X, we all felt the minister's power and his presence. Similarly, in the scene at the end of the movie when Malcolm began what would be his final message before being assassinated, the sense of doom in his heart leaped from the screen and left viewers aching for more of the disruptor and changemaker. Today there are more than 17 films and documentaries about Malcolm X. However, none are as powerful as the one starring Denzel Washington. Yes, Washington is a force to be reckoned with and commands attention, but the directing by Spike Lee in Malcolm X is incomparable. It is an understatement to conclude that as a director, Lee understands the raw, persevering, and historical relevance of a character as prominent as Malcolm X. His mission to captivate us all was achieved.

racial gap of high-budget films and highlighting our stories in truth. In addition to closing the racial gap of directors, black female directors are also rising. Without a doubt, we’ve seen movies and television shows directed by acclaimed directors Ava DuVernay, Regina King, Shonda Rhimes, DeMane Davis, and Melina Matsoukas. These women are breaking barriers and doing the complex movie-making business. Looking forward, the once-coveted job of a director is getting a spin as more actors are crossing the line for work on the other side of the camera. Complex characters and storylines came into sharper focus with directors like Kerry Washington, Jay Ellis, and Natasha Rothwell, who all stepped up to direct Insecure episodes this season. That alone is a sign of what's to come with powerhouses like Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey owning television and movie studios. The best is yet to come as black directors rise in number to reclaim our stories.

“Lee understands the raw, persevering, and historical relevance of a character as prominent as Malcolm X.”

Lee didn’t become a recognizable household name without climbing on the backs of other directors like Oscar Micheaux, Gordon Parks, and Melvin van Peebles. They were trailblazers in bridging the racial gap of black directors, often creating greatness without a decent budget and in atmospheres that were seemingly setups for failure. Their contributions to black films have made the success of reclaiming our stories lead to the rise of black directors who are currently shaking things up in Hollywood.

Like Lee and those before him, when we heard that a new John Singleton film was released, we flocked to movie theaters. We were there because representation matters behind the camera and in theaters. So now, regardless of the genre, we represent huge numbers, reclaim our stories, and rise in number calling lights, camera, action. And although it has taken decades to get behind the camera with equal footing and financing, directors like Ryan Coogler, Debbie, Allen, Jordan Peele, Barry Jenkins, Julie Dash, Steve McQueen, F. Gary Gray, Antoine Fuqua, Pennie Prentice, and even veteran actor Denzel Washington, are presenting our stories of hard ships and perseverance. Whether it's historic, urban, romance, sci-fi, or even a superhero story, black directors are closing the

Looking forward, the once-coveted job of a director is getting a spin as more actors are crossing the line for work on the other side of the camera. Complex characters and storylines came into sharper focus with directors like Kerry Washington, Jay Ellis, and Natasha Rothwell, who all up to direct Insecure episodes this season. That alone is a sign of what’s to come with powerhouses like Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey owning television and movie studios. The best is yet to come as black directors rise in number to reclaim our stories. DaVonne Evans is a writer and entrepreneur based in Maryland.

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