Bleu Magazine Issue #69 Woody McClain

D E R R I C K H AY E S

dy oo W n i a l McC VERNON FRANÇOIS

JACKIE JUENY

CASHH

D A’ V I N C H I

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AT I V E BLXST

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check out

BOMBSHELLBYBLEU.COM

Table of

Contents

50 WOODY’S COOL C O R O N AT I O N

s Photography by Andrew Zaeh Fashion by Robyn Fernandes

QUALITY FOOTWEAR. S PA N I S H A R T I S A N S .

I T A L I A N M AT E R I A L S .

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Table of

Contents

14 Access By Bleu

62 Fashion

18 Gadgets

70 Feature

22 Car Ford Bronco

Wealth Garden Entertainment

72 Feature BLXST

24 Soled Up

28 Grooming Vernon François

32 Fuel A.D. Dolphin

76 Op-Ed The Creative “Toxic” Work Environment

78 The Humans

82 Fashion The Hollywood Hustle

34 Fashion

42 The Creatives Lawrence Jackson

46 Travel

92 Spotlight Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks

95 Icon Chadwick Boseman

RV Vacation

60 Books Black Male Authors Photography by Silvana Trevale

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MASTHEAD

On the Cover WOODY MCCLAIN Photography By ANDREW ZAEH Stylist ROBYN FERNANDES

Publisher/Editorial Direction DĂŠVon Christopher Johnson

Head of Content EIC Bombshell by Bleu Ebony Allison

Creative Director Andrew Zaeh

Art Direction & Design

Vee Banionis, Agnes Mazeikate

Managing Editor Jamie Rollo

UK Fashion Editor Sean Azeez

Copy Editor

Trevoy Ross, William Flores

Contributing Writers

AD Sales:

Aisha Redux, Lavanya Sunkara,

Todd Evans, Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

Cataanda James, Kishon Springer, Talia Leacock, Kent Olden, Evan Majors, Dominique Carson, Patrice Gillespie

Contributing Photographers Wyatt Heiberg, Khrystian McCalister , Silvana Trevale, Daniel Igbinyemi , Sam McGuire, Jenna Nelson

Editorial Contributors Apuje Kalu, SANDR, Shannon K. Young, Robyn Fernandes, Danny Walker

Interns Mackenzie Murray, Justin Wallace, Zaire Turner, Madison Allison

Staff Writer

Tommy Rodriguez, Elysia Tanswell, Stacey Edwards

Partnerships & Branded Content LaTecia Johnson Damien Nunes

Digital Content Strategist Kaylin Young, Brandon Beachum

Brand Ambassadors Rannon Harris (Chicago - Midwest), Leroy Williams (Northeast)

Newsstand Distribution TNG 1955 Lake Park Drive, Ste.

Graphic Arts Consultant Sophia Lavergne

Web Design Kelly Janes Olney

400 Smyrna, GA 30080

THE BLEU LIFE MEDIA GROUP Chairman, CEO & President DĂŠVon Christopher Johnson

Submissions Bleu Magazine 26 Broadway, 3rd floor New York, NY 10004 info@bleulife.com

Bleulife Media & Entertainment Inc. | 26 Broadway 3rd Floor New York, NY 10004 | E-Mail: info@bleulife.com | Online: bleulife.com Printed in Canada. Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists, feature writers or other contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Bleu Magazine or its staff. All advertisements, photographs, text or illustrations are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized to have secured proper consent for the use thereof. Bleu Magazine shall not be held responsible for any errors, loss, expense or liabilities on advertisements accepted after the deadline. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or advertisement in Bleu Magazine is not to be constructed as an indication of sexual orientation of such persons, advertiser or organization. Partial or complete reproduction of an advertisement, news article, feature or photograph from Bleu Magazine is strictly prohibited as Bleu Magazine is a registered trademark. A $25 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) fee will be charged for all NSF checks. All rights reserved.

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

P

What a year!

What a year!

What a year!

I usually try and write something witty or encouraging as we wrap the year up. But if you are reading this then you have already witnessed too much for one lifetime in just this year alone. You don’t need a lesson or wise words from me.

Children behave That’s what they say when we’re together And watch how you play They don’t understand And so we’re Running just as fast as we can Holding on to one another’s hand Trying to get away into the night And then you put your arms around me

You do need to know that you are not alone. This year has opened our eyes to a world that is suffering from our own human instinct of greed and power. Our humanity has been tested and we are not doing that great of a job being the best of us. There’s nowhere to run to. Well, at least I haven’t heard of an exoplanet being therma-frosted in time to build proper accommodations. (I’d prefer The Four Seasons on Saturn).

At our best we are human. At our worst we are human. But we have each other. We don’t have to be alone. For now, we must be together apart.

Wear a damn mask!

And we tumble to the ground and then you say I think we’re alone now There doesn’t seem to be anyone around I think we’re alone now The beating of our hearts is the only sound

I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG

DéVon Christopher Johnson Founder & Group Publisher

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C O N T R I B U TO R S

Apuje

KALU

Patrice

GILLESPIE

Lavanya

SUNKARA

Aisha

REDUX

Elysia

TA N S W E L L

Evan

MAJORS

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Apuje Kalu’s talents are indefinable. He is an instinctive freelance fashion stylist and creative director from Washington, DC known for his eye for detail. Apuje injects forethought, creativity, and boundless energy into every project and brings an aptitude for organization and structure thanks to his engineering background.

After developing a strong passion for writing in the 6th grade, Patrice went on to study English Literature with a minor in writing. After receiving her BA, she found herself at The Naiive as a Fashion Editorial intern, creating content on the latest fashions; providing fashion tips for the modern chic woman. She later landed an internship with Bleu Life Media where she reported on topics from sports, beauty, entertainment and more. She currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the SVP of Events and Broadcast at Global Citizen.

Lavanya is a New York City-based writer covering sustainable travel, off-the-beatenpath escapes, adventure and wildlife conservation. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Fodor’s, Forbes, Reader’s Digest, and USA Today among others.

Aisha was born and raised in New York City. Her parents emigrated from West Africa. She is originally from the Upper West Side, has lived in Harlem and has been a proud resident of The South Bronx since her late teens. She is noted for her great capacity in conveying original insight through her writing and other creative outlets. She speaks fluent English, French and Sou-sou dialect and has a unique comfort and aptitude for assimilation to any environment. Through her travels she has gained valuable connections, a vast knowledge of cultures and the force to launch a media and creative projects that inspire and impact. She has written for various publications and loves interviewing and podcasting. In addition to her writing ability, she is well versed in pop culture.

Elysia Tanswell is a lifestyle and culture writer from Britain. Quiet in person, she found that writing was a great way to make her point without being interrupted.

Elysia started her writing career by taking part in a whirlwind internship right here at Bleu! Her pieces cover everything from adjusting to NYC, to being baffled by mandatory patriotism, to only slightly sarcastic responses to persistent millennial bashing.

Evan Majors is a freelance writer and Founder of Major Media + Casting LLC, a casting and talent development company. He’s an avid hot yoga enthusiast, runner and vinyl record collector who has his therapist on speed dial. Follow on IG: @ mr.evanmajors

IT’S NOT JUST A MAGAZINE

BLEUMAGAZINE.COM @BLEUMAGAZINE

it’s a lifestyle.

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AC T I V I S M BY B L E U

LOOKING NORTH Photography by WYATT HEIBERG

Wyatt Heiberg has been capturing the Black Lives Matter protests and marches happening in Canada.

Neighboring the U.S. geographically, it’s no surprise that Canadians have taken to the street in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. According to Heiberg, this alliance actually highlighted issues within their own communities. Mainly, the injustices and prejudices towards indiginous peoples in Canada.

“Our Prime Minister has been very receptive to it, very open to the [BLM] protests,” says Heiberg. “However, as soon as the indiginous communities are brought up, though, then it’s a different story… It doesn’t matter as much.” The photographer explained a recent protest that happened in Canada’s Saskatchewan province. Tristen Durocher, a First Nations man took a six-day trek to the city of Regina to raise awareness about the suicide rates in the northern reserves.

He placed a Tipi in front of a parliament building and the first thing the government did was get him removed. “[They] took him to court right away instead of hearing him out, making change, and looking at the suicide rates,” added Heiberg. However, the court sided with Du-rocher and his tipi remained for 44 days.

While people tend to look to Canada as a probable escape from the U.S, Heiberg’s work reminds us that “Canada is not immune to racism.”

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AC T I V I S M BY B L E U

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THE 4X5

Culture Driving

Creatives We are currently amidst a modern Black renaissance in art and culture. No matter the form of entertainment or traditional art, our artists come in many forms to make up an eclectic discipline. Here are some artists you should know about.

PIERRE JEANTY AUTHOR

Pierre Alex Jeanty is a Haitian American author, publisher and entrepreneur.

He is most known for his international best sellers, HER and HER 2.

Pierre Jeanty’s style is categorized by his ability to examine the impact of Black women and men through poetry and prose.

Jeanty is the CEO of Jeanius Publishing offering self publishing solutions to aspiring authors.

In addition to his print reputation, Pierre Jeanty is also a digital marketing influencer boasting over 700,000 followers on instagram.

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THE 4X5

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RYAN COOGLER FILM DIRECTOR

Ryan Coogler is a film director, producer and screenwriter.

Coogler gained notoriety after his first feature film, Fruitvale Station.

Coogler co-wrote and directed the seventh installment of the Rocky series, as well as Marvel’s Black Panther.

Coogler is most notable for his frequent collaborations with actor Michael B. Jordan Coogler’s accomplishments boast a Cannes and Sundance Film festival Award, as well as an NCAAP Image Award.

AXL BEATS MUSIC PRODUCER

AXL beats is a London based music producer.

AXL is responsible for the popular “Brooklyn Drill” style of hip hop, which combines Chicago drill with splashes of U.K grime.

AXL broke onto the scene with his production of the track, “Big Drip” by Five Foreign. The song has received over 44 million views on YouTube.

Since his meteoric popularity, AXL has worked with artist such as Drake and Travis Scott.

At just 19 years old, AXL is looking to have a promising career in music.

MALIK ROBERTS PAINTER

Malik Roberts is a Brooklyn-based multimedia artist.

Roberts’ works address many of today’s modern day issues such as police brutality and systemic racism.

Roberts’ artistic style has drawn comparisons to Kehinde Wiley and Roy Lichtenstein In 2018, Roberts’ work was featured in Nike’s NYC Air Gallery.

Collectors of Malik Roberts’ art include actor Adrien Brody and model Slick Woods.

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NEW JB G

GADGETS

ENHANCE THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE

JBL BOOMBOX 2 $499.95

JBL has been the leading audio equipment brand synonymous with excellence and high fidelity since 1846.

Carrying everything from headphones, speakers, and boomboxes, JBL continues to provide luxury listening experiences at reasonable prices.

Providing a loud and clear sound thanks to JBL Signature Pro Sound this boombox is perfect for all outdoor and many indoor gatherings. The small and sleek design makes traveling easier than ever before and with waterproof technology, the JBL Boombox 2 can be taken anywhere and can withstand water up to three feet deep.

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GADGETS

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JBL FLIP 5 $119.95

The JBL Flip 5 is tiny but packs a lot of power. With its “racetrack shaped driver,� this little speaker provides near club-quality base and sound. Much like the JBL Boombox, the Flip 5 is completely waterproof meaning you can take it to the pool, the beach or the shower. The system has a 12-hour battery life making it the perfect speaker for at-home and on-the-go.

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GADGETS

JBL CLUB ONE HEADPHONES $349.95

Designed with the help of JBL’s Brand Ambassador and world-famous DJ Armin Van Buuren, these wireless, over-ear headphones provide high-resolution audio for enjoying your music at an all-new level of clarity. What is most impressive about these headphones is their noise canceling abilities.

Made with True Adaptive Noise Cancellation, the JBL Club One headphones adapt and respond to environmental surroundings to prevent any sound leakage caused by things like glasses, hair, or head movement.

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GADGETS

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JBL TUNE 125TWS $79.95

Move over AirPods, JBL came through with a more affordable take on the wireless earbuds that have become all the rage. With clear, Pure Bass sound and 32-hour battery life, the JBL Tune 125TWS are the perfect in-ear headphones for commuting, cleaning, working out, and any other hands-free activity that comes to mind.

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CAR

Words by LAVANYA SUNKARA

The All-New Ford Bronco: America’s Original SUV

Makes a Wild Comeback Bronco’s fusion of retro form and modern function gives novice adventurers and experts a chance to experience wild places anytime, anywhere.

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The iconic Ford Bronco is making its long-awaited comeback and it is ready for action. Debuting in Spring 2021, this gorgeous sport utility vehicle will be hitting the dirt roads and highways of the United States with a modern heritage-inspired style, smart engineering, and topof-the-line off-road technology. Behind the wheel of the part-time selectable engagement 4x4 Bronco thrilling adventures in the great outdoors await - and this time, they’re all the more accessible and fun.

With a tough and rugged Built Wild™ durability and technological prowess, Bronco is a fusion of retro form and modern function, giving novice adventurers and experts alike smooth and long-lasting performance to experience wild places anytime, anywhere.

“Bronco’s advanced four-wheel-drive technology is at the core of its off-road capabilities, and at the heart of it all is Bronco’s exclusive Terrain Management System™ with G.O.A.T. Modes™ that is

designed to help drivers better navigate any type of terrain,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco consumer marketing manager, in a press release.

The SUV, reminiscent of the classic Bronco models from the 1960s and 70s, comes in a two and four-door configuration with a high-strength steel structure and suspension travel that allows for an exciting open-air experience. The two-door model features a standard three-section roof system with a quick release stowable roof panel, while the four-door has four removable sections. The vehicle offers hard and soft top options and provides an 11.6-inch ground clearance, a 29-degree break-over angle, a 37.2-degree departure angle, and a water fording capability of up to 33.5 inches. The front and rear come with exposed tow hooks and heavy-duty steel bumpers, along with the optional winch mount.

Personalize your vehicle with more than 200 accessories and 11 colors inspired by nature. For rocky terrain rambles, go for a

CAR

Inside the sophisticated interior, the instrument panel - inspired by the first-generation model - provides instinctual gauges and controls coupled with a 12-inch SYNC® 4 system multifunction color LCD with wireless updates and integration with the FordPass Performance app for offroad navigation. The SYNC system allows drivers to easily plan, navigate, and share adventures; it displays 360-degree offroad views for additional visibility during activities like rock crawling.

ing. The Trail Toolbox gives off-roaders additional utilities for a smoother experience. Trail Control lets you cruise on low-speed trail driving, Trail Turn Assist reduces the off-road turning radius through torque vectoring, and the Trail One-Pedal Drive (with the braking/acceleration found in most electric cars) makes for more precise slow-mode rock crawling. Bronco’s trail mapping system works on and offline, providing topographic trail and curated map content from NeoTreks’ AccuTerra® Maps, Trails Offroad trail guides and FunTreks trail guides, to make off-roading as seamless as possible.

Drivers can choose from the eight G.O.A.T. Modes™: Normal, Eco, Sport, Sand, and Slippery for standard driving, and Baja, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl for off-road-

The base price is MSRP of $29,995 so what are you waiting for? Make your off-roading dreams come true with the all new durable and impressive 2021 Ford Bronco.

higher-capability model with a reinforced front bash plate and shields for the engine, fuel tank, transmission, and transfer case.

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Vehicle Specs for Two- and Four-Door Models Top Speed: 130 mph Maximum Power: 270 to 310 horsepower Transmission: 7-speed manual, 10-speed automatic Length: 173.7-189.4 in Width: 86.2 in Height: 71.9-73.0 in Wheelbase: 100.4-116.1 in Storage: Two-Door- 23.6 cubic feet; Four-door- 35.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Trim Levels: Six-- Big Bend™, Black Diamond™, Outer Banks™, Wildtrak™, Badlands™ and a limited-production First Edition™.

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SOLED UP

Rare Finds Photography by KHRYSTIAN MCCALISTER

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From a Converse collaboration to the rarest of Yeezys, sneaker collector Jackie Stephens has a collection that features numerous limited releases from the most beloved brands.

SOLED UP

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ADIDAS CONSORTIUM YUNG 1 RETAIL PRICE $150

WMNS AIR JORDAN 4 RETRO ‘MUSHROOM’ RETAIL PRICE $190

ADIDAS YEEZY 500 SALT RETAIL PRICE $200

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SOLED UP

ADIDAS YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 YECHEIL NON-REFLECTIVE RETAIL PRICE $220

ADIDAS YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ZEBRA RETAIL PRICE $220

ADIDAS YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 YEEZREEL (NON-REFLECTIVE) RETAIL PRICE $220

JORDAN 4 RETRO BRED (2019) RETAIL PRICE $200

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SOLED UP

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CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL-STAR 70S HI COMME DES GARCONS PLAY MULTI-HEART GREEN RETAIL PRICE $145

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GROOMING

Words by: CATAANDA JAMES

Photos courtesy of VERNON FRANÇOIS®

The Courageous

Creative:

Vernon François A good lineup of hair products is imperative for looking your best. After all, it’s the crown you never take off.

I

f you are attuned to Hollywood’s most elite creatives gracing the silver screens, parading the red carpets and delivering heart felt acceptance speeches, then you should know the texture king himself, Vernon FrançoisCelebrity hairstylist, educator, groomer, founder and creative director of the Vernon François Collection, a prestige brand of all inclusive hair care and styling products. As a creative in the beauty space myself, I was stoked at the opportunity to chat with some-

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one whose work inspires art from the tube to these textured filled streets.

Creative: (Noun) One who is creative.

Vernon François is not only one who is creative but imaginative. Growing up in Huddersfield, England in a Rastafarian household is where he began his journey to becoming one of the most sought after hairstylists, internationally. Young Vernon taught himself to braid hair on a mop. This boss move

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Vernon François is both a dreamer and a do’er. Intrigued by the art, he found himself practicing on anything around the house that replicated strands of hair, including his grandma’s beaded curtains. Consequently when asked if he always knew that he wanted to be a hairstylist, he recounted “hair has always been my obsession and as a young child I may not have exactly known what I wanted to be in life, but would always fully investigate things that I was interested in.” With the success of his career, one may think it was always his dream to one day move to the U.S. to style hair for all of Black Hollywood, but Vernon said, “never in my wildest dreams! I still have to check myself because the idea that I’m working with some of the most powerful and recognizable people in the world is often still baffling to me.” Not only is he sensational - yes, he won the Sensationnel Hair Awards at only 17 - but he is humble about his stature as one of the industry’s most requested architects of hair.

undoubtedly dots the “i” in creative. When asked to share what sparked his interest in learning to braid hair, François explained that some of his earliest memories involving hair are of his mum doing Sunday hair maintenance rituals. “I was never excited by this because of the level of pain involved, which didn’t make sense to me” said Vernon.

He describes himself as a curious problem-solver. Finding a way to make the process more comfortable was something he

aspired to do. I’m sure many of us with curls, coils and kinks can contest the dreadful Sunday hair rituals with our mum, auntie, sister-cousin or whomever was at the helm of the family comb and brush on Sunday wash day. Vernon used both his curiosity and desire not only to problem-solve, but to birth a celebrated, lifelong career in the beauty industry.

“Being a hairstylist was most definitely my calling.”

Creative: (Adjective) Having the quality of something created rather than imitated.

Academy Award Winner Lupita Nyong’o, the iconic Angela Bassett, and the queen of the U.S. Open Serena Williams are just a few who are a part of Vernon François’ powerful femme squad that he’s created jaw dropping coifs for. He has also designed looks for some of our favorite refined gents like Jaden Smith for Louis Vuitton, Stevie Wonders’ sons Kailand and Mandla Morris, and the incredible music artist SaintJhn. François is multifaceted and gifted. He cuts, colors, and styles every hair type and all textures for men and women alike.

He has proven to be the cream of the crop in the hair game, so we would be remiss if we didn’t ask him to drop some knowledge: Issue 69

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Photography by Aundre Larrow.

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Vernon François 101 What’s the one biggest tip you would give for growing and maintaining a healthy head of hair?

Learn to respect what you have. From there you can love, cherish, grow and do anything with your hair!

It is pretty common for men to begin losing their hair at a tender age, would you recommend a man-weave or is there a style/cut you suggest that may help to conceal a receding hairline/hair loss?

I’d recommend exploring all of the above. Women have been exploring hair expression for so long, while men have often sat behind for fear of being judged and embarrassed, for too long. It’s beautiful to see men exploring opportunities to provide them with what they would believe to be a healthy head of hair and I encourage any experience that will allow that to come true for them.

I encourage them to explore what that looks like and live it to its fullest.

What products within the Vernon François Collection are most common among men and why? Can you give us insight into the fragrance? Is it unisex friendly?

A lot of guys over here in the USA buy and use the Scalp Nourishment Braids and Locs Spray, Mist Nourishing Water and Styling Cream. The fragrances are bright, clean, fresh, uplifting, all-gender friendly.

What are three of your top grooming tips for the beard?

Before any form of shaving or cutting, use a hot flannel on your face to cleanse and relax the outside surface of the hair, which is called the cuticle. Doing this will allow your hair to sit more comfortably and aligned, as well as soften your skin so there’s less chance of cutting yourself.

Applying a little leave-in conditioner is good for helping to add shine and definition for beards and moustaches of all hair densities. You can also get a round ceramic brush and gently blow dry your beard to leave it silky soft. For dense, tight, coily hair it can help it to appear shinier and thicker, which a lot of men like to try and achieve.

Another tip is to gently pat it dry using a microfibre towel in a downward motion to help stop the hair from breaking, frizzing, standing on edge and this is kind to your skin too.

If you could leave us with one word that embodies your innermost feeling as a Black man living in America during superfluous times of unjust killings of Black men (and women) by cops and white supremacists and a heightened rallying of the Black Lives Matters movement, what would it be?

Courage.

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FUEL

DHERBS MAY HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THAT Words by KISHON SPRINGER

CEO and Health coach A.D. Dolphin was born with the entrepreneur gene. Being the grandson of music mogul John Dolphin, he found his niche in the field of health and wellness. A.D. initially started his professional career by pursuing basketball. This dream led A.D across the world to Australia where he played basketball professionally. After returning home from overseas A.D. Dolphin began training clients professionally.

Eventually, his health and fitness career led him to the herbal business. A.D. describes initially starting to sell herbal products as a business venture, he then became engulfed in the health industry which he says ultimately chose him and became his life. In 2004 A.D. 32

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launched his own business called Dherbs.

Dherbs.com has over 400 herbal products that can help treat a variety of health issues or prevent them from occurring due to changing your lifestyle choices. “I was always in the situation of making money but not helping people. When I got into the herbal business, I finally got to see the beautiful combination of both making money and also helping people.”

With his business growing, he started to venture into advertising his products on the radio and other media outlets. This is when A.D. and Steve Harvey were first introduced and started a friendship, which later landed A.D as the health coach for The Steve Har-

vey Show. “Steve is such an awesome person and he gave me an opportunity of a lifetime.

The reason he gave me that opportunity is because I did his radio show. People don’t know that I had been on his radio show six, seven years prior to being on TV. I did a lot of advertisements on the radio show and naturally with me being there so often, Steve and I became friends. Then years later there was an opportunity to do his weight loss transformation on TV and he reached out and we went from there.” Since then A.D. has been promoting a healthy life all over the media industry. We caught up with him to talk about what we should be doing in our everyday life that will keep us healthy.

FUEL

Black men are known for not going to the doctor. Why is it important for Black men to make this a priority?

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“First of all, Black men in general - we suffer from colon cancer. We need to be more proactive. I know Black men don’t like going to the doctor at all because we feel that we’re strong and everything will be alright, but health is wealth. I always tell people. It’s hard to get healthy when you’re sick. It’s easier to get healthy when you’re fine.”

What food should we be eating or staying away from to prevent illness?

“90 percent of all diseases today are diet related.

Which means we’re eating our way into sickness. To eat your way out of sickness, I always say eat vegetables, fruits and drink more water.

Those are the things that are going to keep you healthy.”

“Dherbs is a herbal company, we have 400 different products. Our leading product is the full body cleanse… What it does is it cleans out your blood, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, colon and more.

During the cleanse you will eat fresh fruits and vegetables for 20 days and if you follow the program you will see a result of weight loss between 10 to 30 pounds, a boost of energy, you’ll be able to focus more. It is a total life changer.”

“Having more of us, we see ourselves in that light, and we tend to trust us. My thoughts on doctors, in general, is find one that you can trust. No matter if they’re Black or white, find one that you can trust and is invested in your health.”

Tell me about your company Dherbs and what is the most used product on your site and why?

In this time of injustice, why do you believe it is important to have more Black doctors, or Black people in the health industry all together?

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FA S H I O N

Cashh and Deanyboy: THE DUO PIONEERING AN INTERNATIONAL CARIBBEAN MOVEMENT Photography by SILVANA TREVALE

Creative Direction

BY ROHMARRA KERR & SUKHY BHANDAL

Photography Assistant AUSTN FISCHER

Styling by UNCOMMON DANNY

Styling Assistant STEVIE GATEZ

Set design by SARAH GOBOURNE

Barber NAT BURY FROM MO BETTER CUTZ

Makeup by ROSE REDRUP

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FA S H I O N

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JACKET BERTHOLD SHIRT STYLISTS OWN SCARF STYLISTS OWN GLASSES ASOS

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JACKET BOOHOO MAN JUMPER & TROUSER SCOTCH & SODA SHOES HARRYS OF LONDON JEWELRY FEATHER PENDANT

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FA S H I O N

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JACKET BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB SHIRT UNIQLO

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JACKET & TROUSER TEN STUDIO SHIRT KSUBI JEWELRY FEATHER PENDANTS SHOES HARRYS OF LONDON

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JACKET & TROUSERS BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB SHIRT UNIQLO JEWELRY TALENTS OWN

FULL LOOKBILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB JEWELRY TALENTS OWN

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JACKET & TROUSERTEN STUDIO SHIRT KSUBI JEWELRY FEATHER PENDANTS

JACKET BERTHOLD SHIRT STYLISTS OWN TROUSER BERTHOLD SCARF STYLISTS OWN SHOES PALLADIUM X FINISTERRE GLASSES ASOS

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FA S H I O N

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SUIT STYLISTS OWN SHIRT UNIQLO SHOES HARRYS OF LONDON NECKLACE TALENTS OWN RING FEATHER PENDANT

HAT TALENTS OWN SUIT RICHARD JAMES SHOES ARRYS OF LONDON JEWELRY STYLISTS OWN

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C R E AT I V E S

Words by: TALIA LEACOCK-CAMPBELL

MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO’S CAPTURED SOME OF BLACK AMERICA’S BIGGEST MOMENTS

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At precisely 12:01 p.m on January 20, 2009, Barack Obama took his place in the White House as the United States of America’s first Black President. In the months leading up to that moment, dozens of new staffers were hired. Among them was photojournalist Lawrence Jackson.

When Jackson first discovered photography in his senior year of high school, he didn’t imagine then that he would become one of the five White House photographers for the first Black President. In fact, he didn’t imagine that photography would be a career. He was only certain that he loved the way photography allowed him to capture the world around him.

“I put my print in the developer for the first time,” Jackson recalled, “and I saw this image that I took start to form before my eyes. I still, to this day, think that’s the coolest thing in the world. I didn’t know that I’d be a photographer, but I knew that if I could do anything that gave me this feeling, that I’d be happy.”

Jackson eventually followed that passion into a career as an Associated Press photojournalist who covered, amongst other things, politics. Jackson and his camera worked quietly behind the scenes, capturing moments and stories all around Washington, including inside the White House’s Briefing Room. But when he got the opportunity to become one of President Obama’s official photographers, a whole new world opened up before him. Accustomed to being restricted to the area behind the velvet rope, Jackson was hesitant at first.

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“One of my first days, I saw this Secret Service agent at the end of the hallway, and I felt immediately nervous,” Jackson said. “Then he looked me in my eyes, down at my staffer pin, and I disappeared in front of him.”

That invisibility didn’t offend Jackson. In fact, he acknowledges the ability to be unobtrusive as one of his greatest assets as a photographer. He quietly captured some of the most iconic images of the Obamas during their time in the White House, revealing the authenticity that so endeared them to the American public.

When the Obama’s left the White House, so did Jackson. After eight years with a singular focus—documenting America’s First Family—Jackson once again had the freedom to point his lens wherever he pleased. Running his own photography business, he embraced any opportunity that offered challenge, collaboration, and impact, including social justice initiatives.

With the encouragement of his wife, who saw the value of his unique perspective as the Obama Administration’s only Black photographer, Jackson also published a book, Yes We Did: Photos and Behind-the-Scenes Stories Celebrating Our First African American President. The response has humbled him.

“When I came out with [the book], a lot of people came up to me and said [it meant something to them], and I was really touched.

I realized a lot of people use this, and me, as an example of what you can become or do,” Jackson said.

Jackson’s lack of ego is part of his magic. Though he acknowledges that photography is an art of persuasion, combining aesthetics, emotion, and information to convey the message of a moment, he is also distinctly aware that what matters most is not who points the camera, but what the camera’s pointed at.

“One of the quotes in my book is from Gordon Parks: ‘The subject is so much more important than the photographer.’ Because it’s true. I’m just lucky enough to be there to document and report on things and share them with the world,” he said.

Now, Jackson finds himself documenting another historic moment in America’s history, photographing Kamala Harris—the first Black woman on a presidential ticket for a major party— with the Biden Harris campaign. Jackson’s fellow photographers have asked him how he’s built such a noteworthy career, but he confesses there’s no secret formula or strategy. He said he’s simply kind to people, always delivers a quality product, and makes himself as small and unobtrusive as possible.

And while he acknowledges that there is no magic pill for success, he has this advice for young, aspiring photographers: “Do not chase fame or likes. Get a camera, take pictures, make a ton of mistakes, learn from your mistakes, and make more mistakes.

Don’t just focus on photography. Broaden yourself with other interests, learn another language. And find a mentor—someone you can reach out to and say, ‘I like your work; this is mine. I’d love to hear what you think.’”

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WHAT WOULD AN RV VACATION LOOK LIKE? Words by: ELYSIA TASNWELL

Travel will not go back to normal for a while. But the RV might be able to provide something close to a pre-pandemic vacation.

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f you’re an avid jet setter, RV travel may not be your ideal vacation. Perhaps the word “RV” brings to mind a white suburban dad and his 2.5 children whose idea of “exotic” is the Applebee’s in the next state over. But as coronavirus decimates the travel industry, the recreational vehicle is set to rise from the ashes.

The RV is uniquely equipped to facilitate travel during a pandemic, and with the right planning, contact with others outside your party can be kept to a minimum.

Even before we all became extras in Contagion, RV travel has had a lot to offer. The combination of accommodation and transportation cuts down costs. It gives you the freedom to move locations as often as you like and removes the hassle of carrying luggage around.

So as countries are continuing to close their borders to Americans, let’s take a look at what your next vacation might look like.

Your Lodging Options As our friend the white suburban dad will tell you, RV’s are diverse. Drivable motor homes can largely be categorized into Class A, Class B

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suit different budgets depending on the model you choose and whether you buy or rent.

Buying is a significant investment. New motorhomes typically start at around $100,000.

Class A’s are the most expensive, followed by Class C’s and finally Class B’s. Of course, prices vary depending on the brand and age you go for, but any motorhome will need to be used a lot of times for the travel savings to add up.

The renting prices are less intimidating. Renting a Class A will set you back $175 to $275 a night for a model that’s 10 years or older, and up to $450 a night for a newer model. A Class B is $100 to $200 for older and up to $350 for newer. The C is only slightly higher at $150 to $200 for a mature model and up to $400 for a sweet young thing.

Don’t forget that all of these prices also include travel and storage, but do not include gas.

What’s For Dinner?

The onsite kitchen means the food is only as good as the best cook in your group. That in itself can be exciting when you’re on the move.

This is a chance to spice up grocery shopping.

Not only by avoiding eye contact with the MAGA hat guy throwing beans everywhere because Qanon told him masks are “gay.” You can visit specialty stores in different regions, or even try fishing and hunting around the country. In the before times, an RV could serve as the vessel for a tour of great restaurants. Nowadays, it may be an exciting chance to rise to culinary challenges.

Photo by Rebecca Harris

and Class C. Class A’s are the biggest and heaviest and range from 25 to 40 feet long. They can fit a full kitchen and fridge, and sleep around five people. Class B’s are the lightest and are best for one to two passengers. They typically include a small kitchen, but not always a shower and toilet. Class C’s are a compromise between the two. The kitchen unit is smaller than an A but roomier than B and can hold two to four passengers.

However, these categorizations only apply to us normal folk. The rich and famous were avoiding the public like the plague long before the outbreak. Will Smith is said to have started a mobile home trend amongst celebrities in the 2000s. His vehicle of choice was a $1.8 million Anderson Mobile Estate. These models include a master bedroom, multiple bathrooms, and even multiple floors.

Which brings us to the next big question.

Don’t Forget The Pandemic RV’s eliminate some of the risks of travel, but not all of them. You still need to check the rules for each state you visit, and then check if the rules are relaxed because cases are low or because the governor thinks the virus is fake.

You’ll also need to check what’s open before you set off. National Parks are a favorite of RV enthusiasts, but many are currently closed to the public. Finally, there may be times you’re forced to interact with others like when you need gas or supplies. A vacation is the chance to forget about real world problems for a short time. Just don’t forget too hard.

The recreational vehicle may not be everyone’s first choice. It may not be as glamorous as your last few vacations, but RV’s have a lot to offer COVID-era travelers. Safety, cost-cutting, and even the rare chance to try something new in a time of playing it safe.

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he state of the world has shut us all down over the past several months.

Within the confines of our own homes, we are consuming more content and television than most thought imaginable. Streaming marathons to numb us, distract us, possibly uplift us, but most importantly entertain us.

Naturally all of this consumption has been elevating the role of the entertainer and the responsibility. Not that long ago channels, platforms, spaces, and narratives for people of color were limited. In our current dystopian reality with restrictions placed upon us we are looking for more. We need much more and therefore the influence of the entertainer is greater than ever.

JACKET: KYLE’LYK

Enter Woody McClain, this moment ripe for his talent and presence. McClain, born in South Carolina, but raised in Florida, began his career as a professional dancer before acting took over. His searing portrayal as Bobby Brown in the BET Network New Edition and Bobby Brown mini series were both beautiful moments for the culture and ratings gold for the network. His electrifying delivery was

lauded and recognized with an NAACP image award. A role that displayed a certain degree of authenticity that only an entertainer could.

But in his own eyes, McClain credits Eddie Murphy as being one of the ultimate entertainers truly befitting of the title and one biopic he himself would love to star in. When asked what he would describe as an entertainer, he ponders deeply before thoughtfully responding “an entertainer is someone that can walk into any room they like and you feel their energy and you’re invested in them.”

Pretty powerful, yet in modest fashion he states however that is something he is still working at everyday. He also notes the versatility of Chris Tucker as an ultimate and underrated entertainer and influence of his. Tucker’s range primarily, being able to competently deliver iconic roles from The Fifth Element to Friday.

Much in the plight of the entertainer is the notorious dark side of life. From the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. to Bobby Brown, in between and until the end of time, it will be part of many stories told of Hollywood. Although McClain has had to walk the shoes of a scandalizer, he remains steadfast and keeps a grounded Issue 69

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“an entertainer is

someone that can

walk into any room they like and you feel their energy

and you’re invested in them.”

head about it all. McClain has had a vastly different experience and philosophy of showbiz and fame thus far, and amusingly described Bobby Brown as “the opposite of who I am.”

At 31 years of age Woody is flying high on life. At this same age, just a couple decades ago Bobby Brown pled guilty before a judge to violations of his probation on a DUI conviction. Woody serves as an encouraging reminder that Hollywood and fame don’t necessarily correlate to tragic downfalls and addiction. He credits his close circle of non-judgmental friends in aiding in keeping his mental health intact.

He remains very grateful for the opportunities and doors that have opened for him.

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states “I needed this.” A departure from his workhorse lifestyle.

“I’m a whole husband now,” he playfully beams. Safe from the darkness, he does however credit Bobby Brown in pulling out a part of him that he might have left in the shadows. A more sexual forthright side that he never knew he had. While taking this role on with the intent of expressing more of Bobby Brown as a family man, he was able to create a more even keeled and balanced understanding of Bobby while unleashing a deeper side of himself.

The versatility that acting experiences create seems to be the best part of it all for McClain. However, there’s one thing he remains skeptical about and that is his process. “I don’t like to talk about it,” he says. He sets into a tunnel vision and gets “real quiet” he adds. Many great enter54

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tainers were all known to have some closely guarded methods.

A down to earth demeanor, sense of focus and understated charisma is much of what McClain exudes; perhaps another formula in itself. But he does admit that these current times and racial dynamics are wearing thin on him. As a Black man in America now he describes it all as being “exhausting, everyday there’s something new.”

The state of things has led him into a progressive, liberating and enlightened new grounds, responsibilities, and pressures as an entertainer that exceed image and focus on purpose. McClain no longer knows how he feels about the “N” word. “I don’t want to keep saying this word if we’re trying to move as a society away from it.” He recounts a story in which on set the barber greeted him using the word “king,” instead. It was an unfamiliar yet very welcoming shift in consciousness for him and an opening for him to replace the polarizing epithet with direct exaltation towards another Black man and a reminder of the royalty and strength from which he descends from.

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“I don’t want to

keep saying this word if we’re

trying to move as a society

away from it.” saga. The cast includes Method Man and Mary J. Blige, so we can all rest assured that more amazing and much needed moments for the culture are in store for us. “The cast is great, everybody is amazing, everybody has great energy,” he adds about the experience. An invigorating experience that has kept us enthralled and entertained at the edge of our seats.

As for the future, McClain envisions being able to helm projects that create spaces for his friends and talents that may not have had the same opportunities as he has. He’s already ahead of things and has been “writing and producing” with some work being developed for BET. They say heavy is the head that wears the crown, and that the greatest emperors and kings crown themselves. As Woody continues his takeover, with a new precedent set forth and the glowing assurance of a focused man lighting up the rooms and screens, a look in his eye remains and reveals another closely guarded secret—it’s all light work for him.

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(photo credit: Amazon.com)

Based in Tim’s Creek, North Carolina, this collection of fictional stories captures the dreams, visions and prophecies of a myriad of different characters. With complex characters and artful story arcs, Randall Kenan transports you to contemporary North Carolina in a series of stories from this dynamic community.

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Jason Reynolds In this adaptation of Ibram X Kendi’s National Book Award-winning novel: Stamped From The Beginning, Jason Reynolds takes the reader through centuries of America’s racist past. This novel takes the reader on a captivating journey through time that encourages reflection of our horrific history while inspiring hope for an anti-racist future.

Nelson George After bodyguard turned talent manager D. Hunter signs rapper Lil Daye, things get flipped upside down as D’s past comes back to bite him. In this mystery/thriller, Nelson George focuses on the challenges of being a Black entrepreneur in today’s political climate in this story about trap music and collusion.

RACE FOR PROFIT

THE WATER DANCER

THE SIXTH MAN

Colson Whitehead

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Andre Iguodala

Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys follows the story of Elwood, a young Black man who got caught riding in a stolen car, as his college plans shift from attending a nearby college to attending Nickel Academy, a reform school for boys. The fictional tale reflects on real world issues in terms of race and inequality.

The esteemed author Ta-Nehisi Coates released his nonfiction novel The Water Dancer in September of 2019. The fictional novel follows the story of Hiram Walker, who was born into slavery on a plantation owned by his white father. His actions are guided by his past that is filled with losses including his mother, who was sold off when he was younger. He finds himself in Philadelphia working for “the Underground.” The story mixes in historical realities with Hiram’s fantastical powers.

Andre Iquodala’s newest memoir details the rise of this NBA legend, starting with his humble upbringings in Illinois to his established career as the sixth man on the Golden State Warriors. Iguodala discusses conflicts within the industry, competitiveness among his teammates, and different embedded narratives on how he became the athlete he is today.

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(photo credit: Amazon.com)

(photo credit: Amazon.com)

THE DARKEST HEARTS

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW: A BLACK POWER MANIFESTO Charles M. Blow New York Times columnist and author, Charles Blow draws inspiration from political observation and his personal experiences as a Black man in this riveting manifesto which proposes a shift in power for long lasting change in this country. This groundbreaking work is a call to action for Black Americans to achieve equality -- on their own terms.

(photo credit: Bol.com)

Randall Kenan

STAMPED: RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU,

(photo credit: Amazon.com)

IF I HAD TWO WINGS: STORIES

(photo credit: Amazon.com)

BLACK MEN WRITE TOO

(photo credit: Amazon.com)

BOOKS

(photo credit: goodreads.com)

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TO FLOAT IN THE SPACE BETWEEN: A LIFE AND WORK IN CONVERSATION WITH THE LIFE AND WORK OF ETHERIDGE KNIGHT Terrance Haye Terrance Haye pays homage to poet Etheridge Knight in this collection of writings and drawings that spans an array of genres. In this beautifully composed work of art, Haye navigates between experiences of art, ancestry, Blackness and family.

Photography By DANIEL IGBINYEMI

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74 BLXST and His Quick Ascend in LA’s Music Scene WORDS BY TOMMY RODRIQUEZ

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Photography by DANIEL IGBINYEMI Styling by SEAN AZEEZ-BRIGHT Styling Assistant GELMIRA MANICO Makeup by ZANA MOSES Tailoring by THE HOOD’S TAILOR

REFLECTIONS

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YELLOW SWEATER PEREGRINE RED SWEATER SCOTCH & SODA TROUSER OLIVER SPENCER SHOES G.H. BASS & CO.

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SWEATER: OLIVER SPENCER TROUSERS: OLIVER SPENCER SHOES: G.H. BASS & CO.

BLAZER SCOTCH & SODA SHIRT SCOTCH & SODA TROUSER SCOTCH & SODA SHOES TEVA

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WAISTCOAT SCOTCH & SODA SHIRT SCOTCH & SODA TROUSER LEE SHOES G.H. BASS & CO.

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SUIT OLIVER SPENCER YELLOW SWEATER PEREGRINE SHOES TEVA SOCKS ALPHA INDUSTRIES

JACKET: SCOTCH & SODA SWEATER: TOMMY HILFIGER

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FULL LOOK RICHARD JAMES SHOES TEVA SOCKS ALPHA INDUSTRIES

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JACKET SCOTCH & SODA SWEATER TOMMY HILFIGER TROUSER TOMMY HILFIGER SHOES SEBAGO

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JACKET OLIVER SPENCER TROUSER RICHARD JAMES SHOES G.H. BASS & CO.

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HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN

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GROW

How Two Boys from Buffalo, New York are Making it in Marketing Punk Funk bad boy Rick James to R&B crooner Brian McKnight to supermodel extraordinaire Beverly Johnson, and even hip-hop’s newest rising star Benny the Butcher are all entertainers who built their brands from the bottom up with their roots stemming from the same hometown - Buffalo, New York. These bright stars all had teams behind them who were a force to be reckoned with. Charles Bascom and Polo Kerber are young moguls showing themselves to be that force, they’re doing it with the same hometown pride that fueled Rick, Brian, Beverly, and Benny, and they’re ready to make their mark in the world of entertainment marketing.

IN THE BEGINNING… Charles Bascom always saw himself solidifying his spot in the marketing world.

Not necessarily wanting to choose one facet over another, he made the decision to build his business around sports, entertainment and influencers, and the seed that would become Wealth Garden Entertainment was planted. “The company originally started in April of 2019,” says Bascom. “In the beginning, I was working with small independent artists and influencers based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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gagement that opened doors for Charles to land branding deals for his clients while building a brand for himself.

Just a few months after establishing WGE, Charles was joined by longtime friend Polo Kerber, also a Buffalo native, who brought a wealth of knowledge, experience and success in sports marketing. With Polo’s partnership came constant and consistent upward movement, expanding both their footprint and their clientele. “We now work with over 35 clients across just about every major sports league in the U.S., and well as A-list artists and influencers,” says Bascom.

Photo Credit Wesley Haynie; IG: @716_shots_

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With notable clients like rappers Calboy, Saweetie and A$AP Twelvyy, Philadelphia Eagles RB Corey Clement, New York Giants WR Golden Tate, NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, and NBA star-turned-boxer Nate Robinson, Wealth Garden Entertainment has made itself a premier entertainment and events marketing company in just over a year. “The only competition we see [for ourselves] is Roc Nation and Creative Arts Agency (CAA),” says Bascom when asked about what sets Wealth Garden apart from other marketing companies. “Our primary objective is client satisfaction and our

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ever honing their skills so that Wealth Garden can always be better than it was the day before. “Be on the lookout for different television and movie productions that Wealth Garden is involved in,” says Charles. “We also have some pretty big brand collaborations planned with clients and some pretty big projects rolling out through 2021.”

NURTURE. GROW. EMPOWER. “Be okay with being uncomfortable and accepting failure. There will be times you’re going to fail, but true leaders and entrepreneurs know how to take those failures and turn them in to even bigger successes.” That’s the advice the men behind Wealth Garden Entertainment share with anyone looking to act on an idea that they may be hesitating on. “Just remember to nurture what you have so that it grows into something you can use to empower the next person to take that leap.”

For more on Wealth Garden Entertainment, visit www.wealthgardenentertainment.com.

commitment to that satisfaction can be seen through our dedication to growing our clients’ brands while developing new streams of income outside of their typical revenue. That’s why our company slogan is ‘Soil Your Riches.’” Bascom explains that the slogan embodies the importance of nurturing your riches in order to grow it into generational wealth. “That’s why we tell our clients that it’s easy to get rich in sports and entertainment, but establishing wealth takes work.”

BEING THE CHANGE MAKERS “Polo and I grew up in poor families in Buffalo, so we have seen the effects of poor financial management inside a household,” says Bascom. “I just knew that making ourselves known in the sports and entertainment industries would give us the platform to be the change we wanted to see in not just the world, but in every home that has a child who dreams of becoming greater.” By working with entertainers and athletes, Wealth Garden has afforded itself the ability and platform to make the largest impact possible on the public.

Because of the influence their clientele has over respective fans and followers, WGE can leverage that influence to maintain and manage positive change in families and communities worldwide through a wide array of initiatives and causes, in-

cluding financial literacy, community organizing and building, and charitable contributions – all from a platform of “Don’t give up; give back.”

SECRET TO SUCCESS With achievements to match its ever-growing clientele, Wealth Garden is no stranger to success and shows no signs of stopping when it comes to building their resume.

The company’s greatest achievement to date is seamlessly transitioning three-time NBA Dunk Champion Nate Robinson to the celebrity/influencer boxing world, complete with a match versus Jake Paul on November 28. “Nate is the first professional athlete outside of the boxing world to participate in celebrity boxing events, so for us to be the first company to bridge that gap between sports and entertainment was pretty special to us,” says Bascom. And it doesn’t hurt that the match was scheduled on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones, Jr. card either.

With the success they’ve had in the last year, Charles and Polo continue to set goals to reach to outdo the last. They are ultimately looking to establish a Global Entertainment Tour and to create a celebrity boxing circuit curated by Wealth Garden Entertainment. With every project they take on and every client they add to their portfolio, Charles and Polo are for-

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BLXST AND HIS QUICK ASCEND IN LA'S MUSIC SCENE Los Angeles singer/rapper Blxst is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising, underrated artists of today. Two months after the release of his EP No Love Lost, Blxst is finally getting his well-deserved recognition but knows this is only the beginning of his climb to the top. Don’t blink, you might miss it.

Words by TOMMY RODRIGUEZ Photography by DEVIN RYAN

Despite day-one fans clinging onto their hopes of keeping his music a not-too-well-kept secret, Blxst is en route to his inevitable mainstream success. The rising artist has generated quite the buzz and is breaking through as one of the most talented newcomers in the West Coast music scene. Coming off the release of his impressive EP No Love Lost, Blxst is ready for the spotlight and remains focused on his craft.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Blxst was surrounded by music-making friends of his who encouraged him to do the same. “I started fresh out of high school,” he said of his beginnings. “Just producing and recording myself simultaneously, teaching myself from YouTube. Later down the line, I fell in love with putting words together, so that’s what really got me into writing heavily.”

When it comes to knowing the ins and outs of music production and being a musical jack-of- all-trades, few can compete with Blxst. He has solidified himself as a proficient producer and

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vocalist but maintains that he has no preference between the two. “I love doing both. I just like being an all-around creator, no matter what side of the spectrum it is. If I can be producing, that’ll be great. If I’m the writer in the room, then that’s great, too.” In other words, he can do it all. The man has even edited some of his very own music videos.

Blxst first saw success with his work on tracks like Hitta J3’s “Do Yo Gudda” remix, featuring Kendrick Lamar, YG and Problem. In 2016, the L.A. native released his first single “Who Would’ve Thought,” but it wasn’t until years later that he had his breakout hit, “Hurt.”

The 2019 single racked up millions of streams and catapulted Blxst into stardom.

Later that year, Blxst joined forces with South Central rapper Bino Rideaux to create Sixtape, a six-track mixtape that marked the first project release of his career. The mixtape spread through the streets of Los Angeles and brought in nearly five million streams.

For years, Blxst has been developing and honing his unique sound that is currently separating him from the pack. The rapper/singer grew up listening to the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, D’Angelo, Nate Dogg, and other artists “who are melodic but have an edge to them at the same time.” Their influence is prevalent, much like his West Coast hip hop influence is. “I feel like being from the West, we instill that two-step music, that gangster music. I definitely incorporate that in my own music, for sure.”

Blxst’s versatile and refreshing sound is on full display on No Love Lost, an EP that deserves consideration as one of the best of the year. “No Love Lost is basically another term for saying ‘no hard feelings’. Me going through the transition of having my son, I was falling out with friends and becoming who I wanted to be. Sometimes, everybody [doesn’t] get that vision. Sometimes it takes separation for elevation.”

The reception of the EP has been overwhelmingly positive, with standout tracks like “Overrated” and “Be Alone” earning millions of streams just two months removed from the release date.

“I think I did a good job of making my first impression. Setting the tone and showcasing my sonics, my consistency, especially being the fact that it’s all solely produced by me [and has] no features. It gave the listeners a good chance to get a full feel of who Blxst is.”

If Blxst wasn’t already on your list of artists to watch, you may need to reevaluate.

Blxst has proven that he is head and shoulders above his competition, and is finally getting the recognition he deserves. This is only the beginning. The artist has yet to even drop a full-length body of work, as he is currently focused on the deluxe version of No Love Lost and following up with a new Sixtape with Bino Rideaux.

“I feel like I’m just getting started. I’ve been doing music for about eight-plus years, but I feel like all of that was just the groundwork. It’s just like planting the seed, I’ve been watering it this whole time and now it’s finally sprouting. But I’ve still got a long way to go.”

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Words ANONYMOUS Photo Credit MATT BOTSFORD

HOW ONE MOVEMENT SHINED A LIGHT ON THE EXPLOITATION OF THE GIG ECONOMY AND POSTMODERN JUKEBOX’S MUSICIANS As a former musician for Postmodern Jukebox, the anonymous author delves into the collective’s history of contractually exploiting its creatives. Scott Bradlee helms the group, which has over four million subscribers on YouTube, and has made sure that he is the sole beneficiary of the group’s royalties and profits.

The Black Lives Matter movement was born from a collective pain of witnessing disproportionate police brutality against Black men and women in the U.S. But as the movement marches on — in spite of unnecessary partisanship and misconstrued messaging — it’s also shining a light on the lesser-seen, everyday moments of racism in this country.

This includes discrimination in the workplace. When this is discussed, a picture of traditional corporate America is often painted, of rising minority talents being passed over for white-collar promotions and conglomerate boardrooms remaining full of older white males.

What is not usually discussed, however, is how workplace discrimination occurs in the gig economy. An estimated 36 percent of all U.S. workers took part in the gig economy pre-pandemic, and many experts say that percentage will skyrocket in the post-pandemic recovery period.

The gig economy includes the majority of our country’s creatives. It is also disproportionately made up of non-white people. Most career musicians are gig workers in some way. Where do you think the term “gig economy” came from? This is where my experience with Postmodern Jukebox comes in.

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Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) started as a joke — no, really. In 2011, the band Nickelback was slated to perform at the Superbowl in Detroit. Needless to say, the city that spawned Motown was furious that a band known as the butt of all jokes would represent the city’s rich music history. A petition was drafted and signed by thousands. Scott Bradlee, the founder of PMJ, and some of his musician friends, had the hilarious idea to cover Nickelback songs with Motown sounds. It immediately went viral and the idea of PMJ the band was born.

Bradlee refused to offer his creative partners any stake in PMJ, and later, with his manager Jaron Lowenstein and legal team, set out to build out a business model that would keep it that way, even if new collaborators came on board. Any future video recordings were signed away into his name prior to recording the content. At this point, Bradlee started to introduce PMJ as a “rotating musical collective.” It was first “Postmodern Jukebox.” Then it was “Scott Bradlee and Postmodern Jukebox.” Then it settled on “Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox.”

As PMJ began to experience its initial success, some of its original members who helped create, arrange, edit, and release the early covers confronted Bradlee and asked for a small percentage of the company. This is highly customary with any small growing business, which we now call a “startup.” When young companies offer a stake in the business, it helps to ensure that as the company grows, those who helped build it can be rewarded for their hard work. In Bradlee’s case, he and his friends would create and produce content as a group, but he was the only entity enjoying the financial profit.

Early on, the musicians were paid with falafel sandwiches (seriously). I believe Bradlee mentions this in his book.

While he promoted this idea of a collective — which, by definition, denotes a group of people acting as an whole entity — Bradlee began to build his multi-million-dollar fortune. He did this as his colleagues continued to struggle in making ends meet, existing as traditional gig musicians even as they were contributing to and collaborating on songs and videos that would become viral smash hits. When a group of mostly original PMJ artists moved to Los Angeles with Bradlee to take up a residency and record music videos and an album, the budget for each person came out to less than $1.00 per meal. That’s less than the per-person averages for food stamps.

Bradlee’s profits essentially came from taking original songs from major music artists

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and combining them with original arrangements, many of which also came from other music artists (look no further than PMJ’s cover of Such Great Heights for an example of this model). As he built his music empire, his business model strategically cut out his creative collaborators.

There is no greater example of this type of creative exploitation than PMJ’s work with vocal artist Karen Marie. The performer was one of Bradlee’s first collaborators, working with him on the original arrangement of a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” which has since become one of the band’s biggest hits, performed at nearly every PMJ show. After creating the arrangement and performing the vocals for the song, Karen was phased out of PMJ, her vocal performance substituted on record and in the song’s music video, which now has more than 84 million views.

The exploitation of gig workers at PMJ has been especially difficult for the music artists of color, whose job security has proven especially unstable when they have voiced support of social causes.

This summer’s momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement and worldwide protests of unjust police brutality against Black men and women gave courage and inspiration for a group of Black music artists from PMJ to form a collective, Black at PMJ. Black at PMJ comprises a dozen or so current and past members of PMJ, and the initiative’s goal is to address the inequities within PMJ. Another goal is to encourage Bradlee to explicitly denounce racism and officially support the Black Lives Matter movement by using the phrase in the band’s public language. Believe it or not, PMJ and Bradlee have not yet done this, even as countless others in the music industry and corporate America have publicly come out to support the movement.

Black at PMJ reached out to Bradlee with a letter to initiate conversation. The letter was accepted and Bradlee invited the group to a Zoom call. During the call, each member presented a statement. Some were merely reflections on the situation, while others recalled specific moments of racism that they experienced while working with PMJ. Instead of listening to the group as a whole, Bradlee went through each statement and either validated it or challenged it. When one member recalled her experience of

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sexual harassment by Bradlee’s manager Lowenstein, Bradlee excused the incident, stating that Lowenstein was “socially awkward” and that “he doesn’t remember.”

Still, Black at PMJ sent next steps to Bradlee with the goal of establishing concrete changes within the organization. Bradlee responded, saying he wanted to keep any conversations private and that he wanted to speak with one Black at PMJ member of his choosing. Finding these terms unacceptable, Black at PMJ went public, introducing its goals via a newly created Instagram account. A look at the page is a window into the turmoil that still exists, and fans have started to take sides.

In August, Black at PMJ invited Bradlee, Lowenstein and current and past members and staff to an open town hall. Many members joined and participated, but Bradlee and Lowenstein never even responded to the invite.

This is not a new or unusual story. We know that white men in positions of power have profited off of the backs of women and people of color for centuries without a trace of remorse. Even and especially today, many of them refuse to accept responsibility.

For Postmodern Jukebox, it seems there are two paths forward: Bradlee can actually accept the responsibility of enacting the real, tangible changes that Black at PMJ is asking for. Or, he can continue to ignore the initiative’s request, likely further alienating BIPOC members and fans. Would the latter option be done to save face for fans who do not support Black Lives Matter - or worse, for those that actively support white supremacy? Is this decision made in the name of the almighty dollar, even if that dollar is tainted with the traces of bigotry? We’ll likely never know the explicit answers, of course.

In January, Bradlee gave an interview to Broadway World, in which he explained the value of collaboration: “I found that every project is a collaborative one. It’s not just about one person. It’s not about somebody imposing his or her will on everyone else.

It’s about taking the best pieces from lots of different perspectives. That’s what I got from working with all these talented people. In bringing them onto the team and also giving them input and flexibility to work within our framework.”

I hope this statement can one day finally ring true.

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James Henry TikTok: @jameshenry Followers: 3.3 Million James Henry started his TikTok account back when the application used to be called “Musical.ly” with the motive of sharing his passion for directing, producing and acting.

His hilarious, original content resonated with this fanbase, which has bloomed to a follower count of over three million.

When and why did you start your account?

“So I started TikTok when it was first Musical.ly... Initially, it was to showcase my talents online - to be able to showcase the fact that I love to act and film and direct and produce great content... I’ve gotten a lot of my actual work from my work on TikTok and that was actually my goal in the first place. I believe that there is a huge bridge that’s being formed between the digital realm and the traditional realm of tv and film. A lot of people are really being able to showcase and create their careers based on what they’re showing online and not in the form of a narcissistic way, but it’s another career path that allows you to enter in this field that has always been so challenging to get into.”

What made you go “viral”?

“I think that it had to do with my content creativity and my constant, original content. A lot of times you see people just wanting to do trends to become the next social media star.

What was really important to me was making sure that I was using my creative gene to really showcase fun, different stories and something that people haven’t always seen…

A lot of my fans have actually reached out to me and told me that no matter what they’re going through in their day, they can always come to my page, leave their problems at the

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door - or at their phone screen - and feel like they’re watching like a show themselves when they turn on my content.”

What do you enjoy most about TikTok’s application?

“I think it’s one of the best apps that cares about its creators... I think going through the phase of being on YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, you know, Vine, and it’s like you’re constantly having to create this relationship and bond with this app to see if this is something you want to do. But TikTok, they understand that you’re on there for a reason... You have more exposure to millions of people around the world and you have more of an opportunity to be yourself your authentic self - and not feel like you have to be this two-sided, perfect figure that everyone wants to see on Instagram, for instance.”

TikTok announced a multi-million dollar creator fund - can you talk a bit about that?

“So TikTok, after a few years have realized that the creatives on the app are really what keep it going... They’ve taken the extra step to now announce that they are paying their creators for their work on TikTok, I guess the way YouTube does as well... I think we’re in the middle of this shift where the digital world is really being recognized as a career, which is something that I probably wouldn’t have guessed to see happen so fast.”

What have you grown to love about the community you’ve created?

“I’ve grown to love their support, really. There are times when I post where I don’t feel like I’ve done my best work and I’m like, ‘okay, well I hope they like this.’ They see the effort that goes into my content and they still encourage it, they still like it, they still tell me that it’s good. I’m like, ‘this is not good but thank you guys for being there.’ It’s a really tough thing to have random people stumble upon your stuff, and then follow you and then support you, but have never met you a day in your life... That in itself makes me feel very grateful.”

Why do you feel TikTok has such a negative connotation?

“I think it has to do with where the app is based from and the fact that it’s a privately owned app. When things are privately owned and it’s generating a lot of money, I think a lot of people in power realize they’re not being able to make money with this company as well. It’s their way of getting ‘in’ on it for them to open up as public. But, I think it’s also because Gen Z. Gen Z, multiple times, have come together as a community and as a generation to troll the president and his campaign. I think that is crazy, but we all know our current president is not the most playful person when it comes to jokes like that, so it definitely hit home as to why they wanna get rid of it.”

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Jackie James TikTok: @fatraco0n Followers: 2.5 Million Jackie “Jax” James has become a satirical educational source for all things social justice. Starting her account in mid-March, Jackie became a widely successful creator on the application by just being her authentic, activist self. With over 2.2 million followers, Jax epitomizes TikTok’s educational abilities.

When and why did you start your account?

“I started posting TikToks in the middle of March, I think it was. I just started posting because it was the beginning of quarantine and it was kind of when my social justice got to a point where I felt I needed to talk about this in front of a bigger audience and I thought that TikTok was the place to go. And it was just a creative outlet.”

What made you go “viral”?

“I think it was the satire and comedy that I would braid into my videos that have to do with social justice.”

You often use your page to address social issues - what is the importance in that?

“I feel like knowledge is the most powerful thing and with our generation, I feel it’s really easy to reach people. And so if you can reach people and educate them then I feel like there’s nothing really stopping us from achieving the goal of equality.”

Can you talk a bit about ‘shadowbanning’ and how that disproportionately affects creators of color?

“Shadowbanning is, I think, what started our Black-out day, which was kind of the first domino into the effect of why Black Lives Mat-

ter is what it is right now on TikTok. So, people were realizing that Black creators and creators of color and queer creators were being shadowbanned. They weren’t reaching the same amount of people that other people were - the algorithm wasn’t working in their favor. That’s kind of what started our ‘Black out day,’ which kind of then started everything else.”

able to see all the text messages of people telling me their stories, and how learning about these social issues, and learning about selfcare, learning about how to take care of themselves, or just being happy and having that one laugh and how important that can be - hearing stories like that and reading those has been really empowering.”

What are your thoughts on the potential ban of the application in the United States?

Do you feel it’s necessary?

“I believe that it should remain. Obviously, it’s become my biggest platform and again I feel like TikTok is kind of our generation’s - how you say - ‘group chat.’ It’s where we all come together regardless of if we agree or not. That’s the fastest way that we all reach each other and talk to each other and share our views.”

Do you have any creators on the app that you’re a fan of?

“There’s just too many to name, they’re just so amazing and I think it’s great that there’s an app that just allows people to share their art with people and share their thoughts.”

What has been the most positive outcome from being a successful creator?

“I think the best outcome for me was being

Lastly, do you plan to move your content to other applications?’

“I’ve been thinking about making a YouTube just to have these longer conversations with people. I feel like that would be very educational and fun, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

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Joseph Capehart TikTok: @mistercapehart Followers: 185.5k A New York City public school teacher, Joseph Capehart Photo Credit: Aaron Ni’jai

created his TikTok account as a way to better connect with his ‘Renegade’ obsessed students. He soon began to use his platform to further his educational prowess, often highlighting issues in the LGBTQ+ and Black Lives Matter arenas.

When and why did you start your TikTok account?

“I started my account at the beginning of quarantine. My students went through hell and high water to get my stiff ass to learn the ‘Renegade’ when we were together, so TikTok seemed like a great way for us to stay connected beyond the academic setting of virtual learning.”

What made you go “viral”?

“Well there were some dancing videos that people enjoyed because I’m a teacher, but I think my first viral video was an encouragement to Black people to not expend all their energy trying to convince people that their lives matter. I myself had spent a little too much time responding to and debating white people about the mere existence of systemic racism and wanted to give other Black people a sense of freedom from that burden.”

Can you talk about the importance of educating your followers on social justice issues?

“I think it’s very important that people stay informed, challenged, and inspired towards social change. Specifically the generally ‘young’ demographic of TikTok needs that education because I truly believe teenagers are always going to be the most powerful culture shapers.

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Everyone and everything is vying for their attention (and money) at every moment so this gives them a power that I hope can be used for the good of all people rather than to just line the pockets of the 1 percent.”

Have your students found your account, and if so, what do they think?

“They have! Oh, they have. There are some mixed feelings but generally they’re very excited about it. Some of them rightfully feel that they are responsible for all the ‘clout’ I’m getting. While I did put the ‘Renegade’ knowledge to good use, they are the main reason I keep coming back to make educational videos. I am grateful for any part I can play in creating the world they deserve.”

What has been the most positive outcome of making your TikTok account?

“I think that has to be all the beautiful people that have shared with me how meaningful my content has been for them. Every time I get a message about how I gave someone language for a thing they were feeling, or helped them access their own bravery to have difficult conversations, or to come out to their friends and family (that part always turns me into a crybaby), or just the simple ‘wow, I needed that’… They all just fill me with such nourish-

ing light. And that exchange, that ecosystem, of light and gratitude between myself and people who watch my videos is the best outcome I could have hoped for.”

Do you have any plans to create on other platforms?

“I’ve been thinking about possibly starting a YouTube channel to have more longform content (fitting such big ideas into one minute has quite a few downsides), but I’d want Daily Show level quality and production so I definitely don’t have time for that right now.

I already had a following on Instagram due to my poetry and modeling, so I always keep doing that.”

What are your thoughts on the potential ban of TikTok in the United States?

“While TikTok has given us all such a wonderful platform to engage with each other, I think we’ll be fine without it. There is no shortage of companies that will try to capitalize on TikTok being gone, so I’m not too worried. We’ll still find a way to reach each other. As for data safety, I don’t know a whole lot about the intricacies of it. I know that our data hasn’t been safe forever so that’s kind of numbed me to the idea of protecting it, which is bad, I know.”

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Tatayanna Mitch TikTok: @thereal_tati Followers: 4.5 Million Tatayanna, known on TikTok as “The Real Tat,” became famous on the app for her outstanding cooking skills and bubbly persona. With about four million followers to date, Tati has grown to love the supportive TikTok community she has created.

When and why did you start your account?

What made you go “viral”?

“I started my TikTok account in January. I started off with my cooking account where I started making my cooking videos… I made a Dollar Tree meal and everyone was so shocked... Then I started making meals on a budget because not everyone is able to afford huge, expensive meals so I made budget friendly so that families and people can just get good meals on a lower budget… Then I started doing duets on my cooking page and I said, ‘I’m not about to change my content from cooking to duets’ so that’s when I made ‘The Real Tati.’ And that’s when ‘the Real Tati’ was born with 3.8 Million followers that I’m still shocked about.”

How long have you been cooking?

“I’ve been cooking ever since I was 12 years old. I’ve been in the kitchen, when grandma was living I used to always stay in the kitchen with her. She taught me a lot. I learned a lot from just watching my grandma and just admiring her talents and her skills. She was really hard working, such a great cook; no one’s food can compare to my grandmother’s. I miss her so much and her cooking, and it was just made with love and so I took that from her and I just started cooking because she inspired me so much.”

What have you come to love about TikTok and the community you’ve created?

“I came to love how much they cheer me on and how they love to see me. [My followers] send me inspirational messages. They tell me that I helped them throughout their day.

Whenever I post a video, I’m always smiling and positive and they love to see that because TikTok has some toxic traits when it comes to that, and they said just by watching my videos - it makes their day. I just love the support that I get from them and I try my best to look out for my followers, of course I can’t look out for all of them, but I try my best. I always try to respond to all my DM’s and my comments and stuff. I know that’ll just brighten their day a little bit just as much as it brightens mine.”

What do you feel separates TikTok from other apps?

“TikTok actually is an app that pushes out a person’s content that can make them become famous overnight. That’s why I love TikTok so much. If you post a lot of times in one day, nine times out of 10, two or three of those videos are gonna go viral and end up on somebody’s ‘For You Page’ and that’s how your following will start to grow. That’s what happened to me and I know a lot of other people that I’ve talked to. When I asked

them about their growth on TikTok, they said the same thing. TikTok actually gives you a chance to become famous.”

What are your thoughts on the potential U.S ban of the app? Do you feel it’s necessary?

“I honestly don’t feel like it’s necessary because I feel like all of these apps take our data in some sort of way. I’ve been seeing a lot of posts saying that Trump just wants to ban TikTok because he knows that word travels fast with our generation. That’s why he wants to ban it because he wants to stop us from communicating. I don’t know how true that is, but that’s what I’ve been reading.”

Can you talk about the TikTok creator fund - are you considering applying? Do you know how it works?

“I did apply for it and it’s really good because they’re giving a chance for people who make original content... It’s giving them a chance to make money from that, too… It starts at 100K followers, and I know people who have 100K that make great content. I’m glad that TikTok has this opportunity for them so that they can start making their money from that. So I think it’s a pretty good idea what they’re doing. I haven’t seen any other app do anything like that.”

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Photography by SAM MCGUIRE

Styling by APUJE KALU

Grooming by JENNA NELSON FOR TATCHA

“L.A Stands For…Lying All the Time” Tweeted CW’s All-American series regular Da’Vinchi who plays Darnell Hayes on the popular sports drama currently filming season three, slated to air sometime in 2021.

“I call it red carpet talk. Whenever you’re on the red carpet it’s kind of like, ‘Oh, yeah, you’re super. Oh yeah, I have this…yeah, yeah, you know what? Call me.’ It’s pointless chatter,” says Da’Vinchi talking about the facade of “La La Land” while being interviewed on his 25th birthday.

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Read The Full Story at

Bleumag.com

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Interview by PATRICE GILLESPIE Words by TOMMY RODRIGUEZ

Derrick Hayes UPLIFTS HIS COMMUNITY WITH BIG DAVE’S CHEESESTEAKS Images courtesy of Taylor Brooks of EverythingTaylored Pr

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has had massive success in bringing a taste of Philly down south, but founder and CEO Derrick Hayes remains hungry as ever and is grateful for the journey the restaurant has taken him on. As the go-to cheesesteak spot nears its 7th anniversary, they’ve cemented themselves as a staple of the Downtown Atlanta dining scene and, more importantly, a vital contributor to their community.

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The 33-year-old Philadelphian entrepreneur opened Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks as a small restaurant attached to a Shell gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia, and has since grown the company into a sandwich powerhouse.

They’ve opened a booming location in Downtown Atlanta and recently held their grand opening of their Doraville, Georgia location. With over 350 franchise requests, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks is en route to serving delicious sandwiches nationwide.

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we can move forward because the world is going to fall apart if we don’t.

We read the WSB-TV 2 Atlanta article published on June 2, 2020, that reported your shop was damaged in the riots as a result of George Floyd’s death. How did it feel having your community rally around you to help restructure Big Dave’s?

It was amazing seeing the community stand behind me, you know, throughout the cause. For one, George Floyd had just lost his life in an unfortunate situation, but to see the community stand behind me after my windows got broken out; Russ donated $20,000, Schoolboy Q donated $10,000, and then there were Gofundme pages. I think we raised over $26,000.

What I decided to do though, was to give the money that was raised, to Black-owned businesses that were going through the effects of COVID-19 or may have had their properties vandalized through the riots. I was able to link up with Pinky Cole from Slutty Vegan to help Rashaad Brooks’ family. We’re working on more things for the community right now. So, everything happens for a reason. God doesn’t make any mistakes. I’m going to keep pushing for the people.

It comes as no surprise that their cheesesteak recipe ranked in the top 10 in the Best Sandwich category at the 2018 World Food Championships. On top of their classic cheesesteak recipes, they’ve developed the famous Dave’s Way Cheesesteaks, an ingenious creation that has set them apart from competitors. In addition to sandwiches, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks specializes in other authentic Philadelphian dishes including egg rolls, Philly fries, and water ice.

Now being in the position to give back, Derrick Hayes prioritizes uplifting the community in any way he can. Along with the efforts of his staff, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has been able to donate $26,000 to black-owned businesses, give out 1,000 free meals, and feed frontline healthcare workers at 40 hospitals in the Atlanta metropolitan area during the global pandemic. They’ve also prided themselves in actively participating in the Black Lives Matter movement, recently partnering with Pinky Cole’s Slutty Vegan restaurant to gift the family of the recent Rayshard Brooks with a brand new car, life insurance, and scholarships to Clark Atlanta University.

Bleu: What’s the story behind the name Big Dave’s?

Derrick Hayes: Big Dave’s came from my father. He passed away from lung cancer, so I wanted to create something in honor of him. Big Dave’s makes me feel like he’s alive again; when people scream Big Dave’s name it means a lot to me because I know it’s honoring him.

What inspired you to open a cheesesteak restaurant?

When I moved to Atlanta I saw an open market. I needed to bring something real to the south-something authentic and straight out

of my city. I grew up on cheesesteaks, water ice, pretzels, egg rolls; all the things I have at my restaurant now. That’s what motivated me to open Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks.

How has COVID affected the everyday business of Big Dave’s?

Honestly, it made us level up and help the community. The community has always supported me and had my back, so being able to support and help people who needed it during this time has been a blessing. It created a sense of unity. Everyone is going through so much and it’s affecting us all. But, lines are still down the block for my business.

I thank God every day for that.

How does it feel being a Black male restaurant owner in today’s political and social climate?

You gotta have thick skin or this world will eat you alive being a Black man. I embrace all positivity and know that I am a king but I also tell my young fellow Black men that they are kings, and we’re going to move as kings.

I just want to move forward and make a change. It’s all about a helping hand, no matter what race you are. It’s about everybody seeing each other as equal human beings so

How does it feel being more than halfway throughout this year, going into your seventh anniversary? How big of a milestone is that for you?

For me sometimes it’s surreal because I put blood sweat and tears into this company.

Coming from the streets, I didn’t know anything about business, I just wanted to be successful; I just wanted to make my father proud. I had two kids throughout the journey, two beautiful little girls that I bust my tail for every day, and that is my motivation to keep on moving forward. Throughout this time, I had to be the cashier, I had to be the cook, I had to be the promoter, I had to be anything I had to be to keep making this business move forward. So, me moving into my 7th year, going through what I’ve been through to get here, it’s a true blessing. You know, people look at me and say ‘Man, you made it’, almost in disbelief but I always knew I was going to get here, and I’m saying this most humbly. When you have a vision, and you stay focused on the vision, and you know what you want out of life, nothing will distract you from that vision. There’s nothing right now that would distract me from moving my company forward because that’s how I’m building to take care of my family and to be able to spread the generational wealth for my children, and their children.

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BLACK PHOTOGRAPHERS

ALVIN BALTROP

NAIMA GREEN

JOHN W. MOSLEY

ALEXIS HUNLEY

HOWARD BINGHAM

DEVIN ALLEN

JAIMIE MILNER

BOB METELUS

ADRIENNE RAQUEL

ROBERT OGILVIE

R.C HICKMAN

MICHAEL A. MCCOY

GREGORY PRESCOTT

JAMES LATIMER ALLEN

GREG NOIRE

AISHA SERIKI

PAUL HENDERSON

IDARA EKPOH

GUNNER STAHL

ERNEST WITHERS

DEUN IVORY

DENISSE ARIANA PEREZ

FLORESTINE PERRAULT COLLINS

DENISSE BENITEZ

BRAD OGBONNA

ARTHUR P. BEDOU

TATYANNA BROWN

DAION CHESNEY*

RENEE COX

RAY NEUTRON

RICARDO NELSON *

ERIC JOHNSON

TEXAS ISAIAH

DARIO CALMESE *

SHANIQWA JARVIS

PRINCE GYASI

KHRYSTIAN MCCALLISTER *

JAMAL SHABAZZ

DANA SCRUGGS

JOSHUA RENFREO *

TYLER MITCHELL

CAM HICKS

OWEN DUCKETT *

JAMES PRESLEY BALL

DAVEY ADESIDA

SOMMER NICOLE *

P.H HOLK

FLO NGALA

ANTHONY HILLARD *

ADDISON N. SCURLOCK

KWAKU ALSTON

MARCUS OWENS *

CARRIE MAE WEEMS

MELISSA ALCENA

DANIEL IGBINEYEMI *

MONETA SLEET JR.

MARK CLENNON

OTHELLO BANACI *

AUGUSTUS WASHINGTON

RICKY DAY

ANTHONY GEATHERS *

ELISE FORREST HARLESTON

MIRANDA BARNES

ERIK UMPHREY *

CHARLES HARRIS

MYESHA EVON

ANDRE PERRY *

BERT ANDREWS

RENELL MEDRANO

MICAIAH CARTER *

ROBERT H. MCNEILL

WAYNE FRANCIS

ALBERT LOMAN *

GORDON PARKS ROY DECARAVA

* Photography seen in Bleu Magazine

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Chadwick Boseman:

Our Special Superhero on Earth Words by DOMINIQUE CARSON

Chadwick Boseman was more than just a great actor. He was a pillar of humility and righteousness; leaving behind a legacy that will impact generations to come.

For 17 years actor, director, and producer Chadwick Boseman blessed our hearts, starring and co-starring in several movies and television shows. His love for the theater and storytelling began when he was a child. Boseman knew he wanted to be a theater director and playwright. The South Carolina native attended Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing in 2000. Under actress Phyllica Rashad’s mentorship, he was accepted to the University of Oxford’s summer theater program after Denzel Washington paid his summer tuition.

tested throughout the film. Yes, Black Panther is an action movie consisting of various superheroes, but Boseman still brought his character to life. Viewers recognized T’Challa’s diligence, dedication, strength, and noble character, which influences black and brown kids to reshape their thinking about themselves and the African American culture. He was not reluctant about revealing his genuine emotions on screen. Boseman’s artistic talents are also suited to his department. His colleagues and dear loved ones appreciated his charismatic attitude about life and demeanor.

His road to stardom began when he portrayed iconic Black figures on screen.

He put on his dancing shoes in the film Get On Up, depicting the quintessential legend James Brown.

Boseman continued to show his diverse range as an actor when he starred in Persons Unknown, 42, 21 Bridges, and Marshall.

But he will be forever known for his signature role as T’Challa in the 2018 Marvel superhero film, Black Panther.

Even though Boseman was a courageous man on and off-screen, he endured an enormous amount of pain behind closed doors. In 2016 Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer and he suffered silently. Most people will give up when they hear this devastating news, but Boseman persevered. He still went back to work while completing treatment, performed stunts, went on tours to promote his latest projects, and did not show any signs of defeat. Boseman passed away on Friday, August 28, 2020, at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with the disease. It was quite a shock because the world did not know he was ill. It was a considerable loss, but Boseman’s story reminded everyone that we need to remain resourceful during stressful times. Fans realize that if Chadwick Boseman can work every day when he is emotionally and physically drained from the disease, then maybe we should re-evaluate our outlook on life and purpose on Earth. We can not buy time, so we have to make every moment count in life, and Chadwick Boseman’s story shows how and why we can still push the envelope when you feel like all hope is lost. Boseman’s final onscreen film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, co-starring Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis will premiere on Netflix on December 18, 2020.

In 2018, Black Panther was a cultural phenomenon, impacting audiences worldwide. Boseman was also the first African American actor to play a lead in the Marvel Cinematic Universe catalog.

After the release, the movie received several nominations, including seven at the 91st Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film received an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Original Music Score, and Production Design. Boseman was also awarded for his work in the movie.

He received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in Motion Picture.

Black Panther was a commercial success, but viewers were impressed with Boseman’s connection to the character. In the film, Boseman’s character T’Challa returned to Africa to become the king of Wakanda, and his leadership and authority were

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