Bleu Magazine Issue #70 King Von

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King Von IN MEMORIAM

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Table of

Contents

56 IN MEMORIAM: KING VON

s Photography by Andres Castillo Fashion by Mickey Freeman

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 .

@mandeauxshoes scan for more info 8

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Table of

Contents

14 Access By Bleu

42 Fuel Kitchen24

16 Gadgets Romp Skis

20 Car Ford Mustang

22 Fashion FRVRFRIDAY

28 Grooming

30 Travel Wisconsin

34 Travel Canada

46 Fashion Shy Glizzy

66 Feature King Vader

70 Feature Ola Runt

74 Op-Ed

76 The Humans

80 Fashion Ugo Mozie

86 Spotlight

38 Books

Antoine Bethea

40 The Creatives

90 Icon

Courtney LeMarco

Ronald McNair

Photography by Daion Chesney

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On the Cover KING VON Photography By ANDRES CASTILLO Stylist MICKEY FREEMAN

Publisher/Editorial Direction DéVon Christopher Johnson

Head of Content EIC Bombshell by Bleu Ebony Allison

Contributing Writers

AD Sales:

Marisa Mendez, Meg Wardrop, Emilie Breslin,

Todd Evans, Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

Heather Grant, Talia Leacock-Campbell, Lavanya Sunkara, Ashlyn Chak, Kent Olden

Web Design Kelly Janes Olney

Contributing Photographers

Creative Director

Koshu Kunii, Daion Chesney,

Partnerships & Branded Content

Andrew Zaeh

Obi Nzeribi, Andres Castillo

LaTecia Johnson

Art Direction & Design

Contributing Editors

Vee Banionis, Agnes Mazeikate

Managing Editor Jamie Rollo

West Coast Fashion Editor Apuje Kalu

Damien Nunes Ugo Mozie, Chevy Wolf

Licenses & Joint Ventures David DeGraff, Oaklins | DeSilva+Phillips

Interns Mackenzie Murray, Justin Wallace,

Brand Ambassadors

Zaire Turner, Madison Allison

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

UK Fashion Editor Sean Azeez

Newsstand Distribution

Copy Editor

TNG 1955 Lake Park Drive, Ste.

Trevoy Ross, William Flores

400 Smyrna, GA 30080

Digital Graphic Designs Sophia Lavergne

Staff Writer

Tommy Rodriguez, Elysia Tanswell, Stacey Edwards

THE BLEU LIFE MEDIA GROUP

Submissions Bleu Magazine 26 Broadway, 3rd floor

Chairman, CEO & President

New York, NY 10004

DéVon Christopher Johnson

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

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Here’s to the ones that we got Cheers to the wish you were here, but you’re not ‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories Of everything we’ve been through Toast to the ones here today Toast to the ones that we lost on the way ‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories And the memories bring back, memories bring back you There’s a time that I remember, when I did not know no pain When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same Now my heart feel like December when somebody say your name ‘Cause I can’t reach out to call you, but I know I will one day, yeah Everybody hurts sometimes Everybody hurts someday, ayy-ayy But everything gon’ be alright Go and raise a glass and say, ayy MAROON 5 MEMORIES

Basically, 2020 Fucking Sucked!!!!

Now what?

DéVon Christopher Johnson Founder & Group Publisher

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C O N T R I B U TO R S

Apuje

KALU

Talia

LEACOCK

Lavanya

SUNKARA

Ashlyn CHAK

Marisa

MENDEZ

Mickey

FREEMAN

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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.

Talia Leacock is a self-care enthusiast, soca baby, and hopeless romantic whose longest love affair has been with the written word. She’s spun that last passion into a full-time career as founder and chief creative wordsmith of Word Count Creative, a boutique content agency that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs speak right to the hearts of their audiences. Find her online @talialeacock.

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.

Currently based in Hong Kong with a background in London and New York City, Ashlyn is a writer whose work has been published in magazines such as Time Out Hong Kong and ArtAsiaPacific. She is a third-wave feminist, cinephile, and drink enthusiast; her favorite film directors are Wong Kar-wai, Greta Gerwig, and David Fincher.

New Jersey-born, Los Angeles-based Marisa Mendez is a journalist, media personality and author. She is the former editor of Funk Flex’s In Flex We Trust blog and the former co-host of The Joe Budden Podcast, then-named I’ll Name This Podcast Later. Marisa has worked as a host on Diddy’s REVOLT TV, a cast member on Hot 97’s Ebro In The Morning show and co-authored chef duo Trap Kitchen’s cookbook, Trap Kitchen: Bangin’ Recipes from Compton as well as actor Columbus Short’s autobiography, Short Stories. She now hosts her Marisa Explains It All podcast and the HipHopDX show, Hacked.

Mickey Freeman is a fashion stylist represented by the Only Agency. Spearheading visual schematics for celebrities, models, fashion brands, publications, and other intriguing people enables him to convey his view of the way the world should be, could be, or would be, without burdening viewers and clients with the weight of reality.

IT’S NOT JUST A MAGAZINE

BLEUMAG.COM @BLEUMAGAZINE

it’s a lifestyle.

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Photography by KOSHU KUNII

OBJECTIVELY REPORTING THE MOVEMENT Koshu Kunii has been a photographer for about a decade and became more active in photojournalism two years ago documenting the Paris Mouvement des gilets juanes, known in English speaking countries as the Yellow Vests Movement. Kunii now lives in Washington D.C., and has been in the streets capturing the Black Lives Matter protests.

“I attended over 10 protests, both to personally support the movement and to shoot the protests,” said Koshu. “I would head over to the protests whenever I could after work, especially around the White House and the National Mall.”

His main goal is to report on the movement, support the Movement for Black Lives, and capture these moments “to be remembered and re-discussed in the future.”

Koshu feels that photojournalism may be the only medium to achieve all three of those objectives. “Unfortunately, the current business model of mainstream media has a natural tendency to shift the narratives. The stories are then either twisted to fit the pre-defined consumer demographics or exaggerated to attract more views.”

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Words by JAMIE ROLLO

ROMP SKIS: Custom Skis made in the Heart of Colorado

Brothers Morgan and Caleb Weinberg are life-long skiers with an affinity for tinkering. They founded Romp Skis in Crested Butte, Colorado to provide their customers with top-of-the-line, custom-made skis.

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GADGETS

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Since its 2010 beginnings, Romp Skis has made its name synonymous with custom quality. At their Crested Butte, Colorado headquarters, founders and brothers Morgan and Caleb Weinberg work tirelessly to deliver the best, handcrafted skis customized to each customers’ needs. Much like custom bikes, surfboards, or golf clubs, having skis customized to your height and needs elevates your experience on the slopes.

“We both have always been tinkerers. We have a construction background and our father was a contractor,” said cofounder Morgan Weinburg. “It has always come naturally to us. As life long skiers, the idea of being able to build our own skis is really exciting.”

Their regular skis are made with triaxial fiberglass and a poplar wood core. This helps give the skis “proportional strength,” according to Morgan, which allows the skis to hold their edge and not twist from the forces of turns. Romp Skis also designs skis made with triaxial carbon fiber. “We have a couple of different versions that we use, one of them uses a vibration dampening material called ‘countervail,’” he explained. “Carbon fiber tends to return a lot of energy and what this does is it dampens that return so you don’t get a lot of vibration. It just makes the skis feel Issue 70

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more solid on the snow and it keeps those vibrations from going into your legs, which can fatigue skiers.”

Romp Skis also offer lightweight carbon fiber skis made with a paulownia wood core.

At Romp Skis, you can customize pretty much any aspect of your skis which makes the price worth it. “The main thing that makes our company unique is the customization process and we have developed flexible tooling so that every ski has a lot of different options for the tip shapes, the camber, the rocker, the flex,” explained Morgan. “We have a modular press that we can adjust everything in on a pair-by-pair basis. A conventional ski factory will set up and make a few hundred or a thousand of the exact same thing and we can make three to five completely different skis in a day.”

On top of the fully customizable base design, Romp Ski customers have 65 different decorative skins to choose from, including a collection of designs made

by Berglund artists.

Romp Skis Price Range: $1,050 to $1,450

Order your custom skis today

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CAR

Words by ELYSIA TANSWELL

THE MUSTANG LEG The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is the classic of the future. The Mach-E marks the first all-electric Mustang, ushering a new age of sports cars.

Whatever comes to mind when you hear the word Mustang, it probably isn’t environmentally friendly.

But the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is just that. This pony is fully electric and can go from 0-60 mph in just three seconds with zero emissions. The car is powered by a state-of-the-art 68 kWh or 88 kWh usable capacity battery.

Fears that switching to electric would mean sacrificing performance are a thing of the past. Ford rose to the challenge of adapting all-wheel drive (eAWD) to an electric model. The eAWD utilizes a primary electric motor on the rear axle and a second electric motor on the front axle to achieve high performance.

Notably, the Mach-E is one of the first electric vehicles to be tested in extreme winter conditions and pass with flying colors.

The hassle of charging is another worry that holds people back from going all electric. Ford has an answer for that, too. The Ford Mobile charger comes as standard. It can be used on a standard 120V outlet for three miles per charging hour or on a 240V outlet for 21 miles per charging hour. The Ford Connected Charge Station installed at your home, will provide 30 miles per charging hour. When out and about, the Mach-E can get its juice at one of 13,500 charging stations in the FordPass™ network.

The FordPass™ charging network is the largest in the country, which is great because this car demands to be taken on excursions. The front trunk has 4.7 cubic

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feet of storage space and is washable, water-resistant, and equipped with a drain. These may not sound like the most exciting features but they mean that the trunk can hold muddy hiking gear, sandy beachwear, or even be filled with ice to hold beers. In case that wasn’t enough hint to take this car on an adventure, the FordPass app features a trip planner that plans your journey around your battery level and available charging stations, so long road trips aren’t cut short by low battery.

That’s not the end of the tech. This mustang comes with a brand new generation of SYNC, Ford’s communication and entertainment system. The SYNC4A is designed with the driver in mind. The interface combines voice recognition, cloud-based connectivity, over-the-air updates, and smartphone integration to create an effortless and futuristic driving experience. As you drive, it uses machine learning to get to know your preferences and adapt to them.

Modernizing a classic is no easy feat but the Mach-E is modern in the ways that matter. The tech serves a purpose beyond flashiness. The time for pushing out gas-guzzlers is long gone. The updated engine is a necessary change. Even for consumers who aren’t concerned about the planet, it’s hard to argue with the estimated savings on fuel. And even harder to argue with the potential $7,500 federal tax credit.

Ford understands the difference between a gimmick and innovation and walks that line to deliver a truly modern Mustang.

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SPECS: Horsepower: 266 HP RWD/eAWD Torque: 317 lb.-ft. Torque RWD; 428 lb.-ft. Torque eAWD Range: EPA-Est. 230 miles RWD; 211 miles eAWD Performance 0-60 mph: 5.8 seconds RWD; 5.2 seconds eAWD Power Train: Rear Wheel Drive RWD; Electronic All Wheel Drive eAWD

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Words by HEATHER GRANT

Photography by OBI NZERIBE

Fashion Styling by UGO MOZIE

Fashion Assistant COLLINS UKPE

FRVRFRIDAY: The Emerging Artist with Something to Prove Independent artist FRVRFRIDAY is making waves all on his own. Focusing on his loyal fanbase, Friday has set himself up for long-term success.

Like it or not, independent artistry is on the rise. With social media and streaming services turning into musical pillars, musicians now have the ability to gain exposure outside of the opportunities that recording companies offer. Don’t get it confused, being an independent artist is far from easy. While the internet has made fans more accessible, it doesn’t create them for you. Take it from 22-year-old, London-born and Canadian-raised artist and producer Tommy Ruhingubugi aka FRVRFRIDAY, whose brand is so fan-focused, it inspired his stage name. When asked about its origin, he said “I wanted to pick something that gets people lit, and everyone looks forward to Fridays.” The name FRVRFRIDAY simultaneously communicates who he is and the experience he wants to provide from his music.

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A self-described loner, FRVRFRIDAY grew even more into his shell after moving from Emberton to Montreal. Not knowing many people in the area, his family computer soon became his best friend, and at the tender age of 14, Friday made his first beat. Although he’s always seen himself as an artist, he found solace in production, and at the time, it was more financially lucrative to provide beats for others instead of himself. As the years went on, his sights switched after reaching the crossroad that stunts many creatives. Torn between whether he should continue his education or make music his primary focus, FRVRFRIDAY saw this battle as the wake-up call he needed. Being forced to make such a life-altering choice jolted him out of his production trance and pulled him into working as a producer and an artist full

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JACKETUGO HYPLAND GLASSES LOCAL FOREVER

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GLASSES LOCAL FOREVER JACKET NAHMIAS JEWELRY NIALAYA

along the way. He named well-known artist and producer Ye Ali as one of his mentors. “Ye Ali really looked out for me, he was one of the first guys to really give me a chance,” said FRVRFRIDAY. “He had a few credits on my second EP (Offline).” When flipping through Fridays’ discography, features are few and far between; Ye Ali and Lil Baby are about the only two names you’ll see. From a force of habit, Friday is more comfortable working on his own but has been making an effort to change that in the future.

time, bringing us his first single “Got It.” The light and melodic track fits in with the popular sound at its time of release in 2017, but also works as a precursor to FRVRFRIDAY’s stylistic evolution. Being at that crossroads is what turned him from an “in the shadows” producer into the evolving artist he is now.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has altered many aspects of everyday life but hasn’t been able to touch FRVRFRIDAY’s creative process. Since he’s always recorded from the comfort of his home, the past lockdown and current mandates haven’t put a strain on his ability to create music. Like many artists, he works best from real-life inspiration and there are times when it comes in bursts. “I can go two days without recording anything and then the next day record for two days straight,” FRVRFRIDAY explained. When he finds himself in a musical rut and inspiration feels farther than he can reach, that’s when his discipline kicks in.

Discipline and the ability to find inspiration from all points of life adds to FRVRFRIDAY’s authenticity and can be felt by his fans - the proof is in the streams. Citing his Spotify Wrapped, he’s gained listeners in 13 more countries and over 9 million more streams compared to 2019. Slightly surprised by the sudden influx of new

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GLASSES OFF-WHITE JACKET HYPLAND PANTS HYPLAND JEWELRY NIALAYA

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DENIM SET HYPLAND BOOTS MAISON MARGIELA

fans, FRVRFRIDAY expressed his gratitude to everyone who’s been rocking with him so far. “It’s been crazy. To be honest, I still can’t believe it. Because of COVID, I haven’t been doing shows so I haven’t had the chance to connect with my fans and see them face to face. So as far as the internet, everything’s been going crazy and I love that.” These new streams are organic, not farm-raised, and what he may have lacked in performances he’s made up for in quality content. In the past two months, FRVRFRIDAY has released visuals for two singles, “Window Shopping’’ featuring rapper Lil Baby, and the more recent “Prideful.”

The lack of live performances may have affected his face time with fans but it hasn’t impacted his ability to connect and cater to his supporters.

JEWELRY NIALAYA

Where many new artists become hyper-focused on making mainstream music in order to keep the attention of new fans, FRVRFRIDAY’s focus is on balance. While he understands that the mainstream bandwagon may be more financially lucrative, his goal is to feed his fans what they want to hear while keeping his creative integrity intact. “I try to keep a balance. Feed the people that want - the trap, R&B, and the pop,” said FRVRFRIDAY, who has plans to release two short EPs in 2021. On these forthcoming projects, he has opened himself up to collaborating with more producers and a few artists. Since the projects are going to be short and he wants the focus to be on his artistry, the majority of collaborations will be with producers. Although there are no teasers, we can expect to hear production from a few of his friends who have recently started their journey.

FRVRFRIDAY has set himself apart from other emerging artists in his field. With so many talented musicians coming from up North, FRVRFRIDAY displays traits that haven’t been seen in many new artists.

The fan focus, discipline, stylistic growth, and self-starting energy that he exhibits are just a few qualities that help to solidify his spot in the industry. “I’m trying to get to the top and retire there… I want to be able to inspire other kids to do the same thing because it’s all about the mindset.”

FRVRFRIDAY is a great example of an independent artist working for the future of the culture, not just for himself.

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Words by MEG WARDROP

DEALING WITH MASKNE Dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie explains the best practices to prevent acne caused by protective face masks.

SO WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSES MASK ACNE? Genetics: Dr. Downie addresses how acne can be caused by stress, hormones, and family history. This type of acne could happen regardless, but the mask may be making it worse due to constant adjusting and touching your face.

Irritation: Cloth coverings irritate the skin, especially the paper masks which can be more irritating and flare eczema, acne, etc., Dr. Downie explains.

The bumps could also be razor bumps or ingrown hairs that got aggravated from the mask.

As we navigate our way through this unprecedented time, we encounter new problems. While some things are out of our control, mask acne - “maskne” for short - is not the sacrifice you must make to be a respectful citizen who helps halt the spread of a deadly disease.

I talked to dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie, founder of image Dermatology P.C. in Montclair, New Jersey, to provide guidance on how to handle maskne.

Dr. Downie is not only a reputable dermatologist but also a co-host of The Gist, a YouTube channel run by top U.S. dermatologists to give comments and advice about different aspects of dermatology with over six million views. She sympathizes with those suffering from maskne: “Acne is not the worst thing, but it is so annoying!”

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Mixing: Certain conditions of our masks can create the perfect breeding ground for acne - breathing under the mask, humidity, face oils, and friction all mix together and create a mess that is, as Dr. Downie puts it, “not optimal” for our faces.

HOW TO TREAT MASK ACNE: Dr. Downie emphasizes being proactive and treating maskne with your typical acne treatment such as topical anti-acne products or oral pills such as Accutane. If you notice your acne is scarring, Dr. Downie recommends seeing a dermatologist.

Dr. Downie also recommends medical grade salicylic acid peels, though she warns of buying them online and doing them at home without the help of a dermatologist. However, for those who are interested in a treatment that can be done from home, Dr. Downie recommends C02 Lifts for acne and other skin ailments.

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BLEU’S PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION:

HOW TO PREVENT MASK ACNE: Dr. Downie does not want anyone ignoring their skincare during this mask mandate. “You still need to wear sunscreen under your mask,” explaining the mask isn’t sun protection, as the sun’s rays still get under the mask. In addition, “Human beings react to outdoor AND indoor lighting, such as lighting from phone and computer.” She reminds us to reapply sunscreen even if you are wearing a mask and/or indoors.

Founded by Texas native, model, actor and recording artist Dorion Renaud, Buttah Skin is a unisex skincare brand with the goal of making products catered for melanin-rich skin. Their Customizable Skin Kit, which is currently available for $59.99, is the perfect skincare system to help combat and prevent maskne, and typical acne. It comes with their Buttah Skin Cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, and your choice of moisturizer options, including their new Cocoshea Revitalizing Cream and their Facial Shea Butter.

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Dr. Downie also mentioned proper mask hygiene.

“People tell me they don’t clean their masks because they don’t know how to.” She recommends hand washing with a gentle detergent like Woolite. You should be cleaning or replacing your mask with each use.

And always remember, for the sake of your skin and health during the pandemic, do not touch your face!

Being mindful of when you touch your face will help prevent acne and scarring and is all around better for your skin and health.

Dr. Downie can be found on Instagram: @jeaninedownie.

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Photography by Gabriel Meinert

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Words by MACKENZIE MURRAY

Door County, Wisconsin: The Cape Cod of The Midwest Door County, Wisconsin is known for being a crosssection of vacation bliss and art. With year-round environmental excursions, countless galleries and studios, and an affinity for Montmorency cherries, it’s no wonder why thousands of tourists flock to this destination annually.

Born and raised in the Northeast, one of the first vacation spots that come to mind is Cape Cod. The peninsula in Massachusetts is a popular family destination and what I have grown up idealizing as the perfect vacation spot…that was until I made my first trip to the Midwest.

As locals like to refer to it, Door County, Wisconsin is “The Cape Cod of The Midwest,” and for good reason, it is located in the Great Lakes region of the Midwestern U.S. Often referred to as inland seas, the Great Lakes are interconnected freshwater lakes which lead to the Atlantic ocean.

They have many characterics of the oceans including rolling waves, strong currents, and distant horizons. Door County, Wisconsin has 6.5 miles of sandy shores and one of the largest concentrations of lighthouses, I was excited for a relaxing trip by the water while taking numerous opportunities to enjoy the art and food scene.

Instead of grabbing myself a lobster roll as

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I would arriving at the Cape, I was greeted with fresh cheese curds and my eyes were opened to the beautiful cultural scene that Door County, Wisconsin has to offer.

Tapering between Lake Michigan and the Green Bay arm of Lake Michigan, Door County Peninsula is bursting at the seams with art and culture. With such scenic views, there’s no wonder why so many artists flock to this destination. Sprinkled throughout the peninsula are over one hundred galleries, studios, and exhibits spanning mediums giving travelers the opportunity to feast their eyes on the many diverse and original pieces.

One of my favorite galleries was the Hardy Gallery in Ephraim. Formerly a dock house built in the 1850s, this building is integral to the history of Door County and carries traditions from the sailors who originally used it. This building itself is a work of art with its colorful walls covered with the names of visitors. Back when the building was used for docking, sailors would write their names on the side of the building in commemoration of their visit. The tradition remained as the old dock house was transformed into the Hardy Gallery in the mid-1900s, a non-commercial venue where local and regional artists have the opportunity to showcase their work to over 14,500 visitors annually.

Traveling along the peninsula, the next stop on my trip was Ellison Bay, a quaint little village where art and nature make a beautiful collision. I was able to heed the stunning shore of Green Bay and walk through just a few of the 128 stately acres of The Clearing Folk School. Founded in 1935, as the name implies, it was built with intentions for the average person to “clear one’s mind” through the meditative effects of nature and experiential learning classes.

Whether you want to improve upon a skill or simply marvel at the natural beauty of the grounds, The Clearing challenges hundreds of students every year to suspend reality, learn, reflect, and wonder.

I set out to Peninsula State Park to embark on some recreational activities and check out the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse that is on sight. Sprawling across a vast 3,776 acres

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of breathtaking views, the opportunities are boundless. Camping, nature programs, and sightseeing ventures are offered yearround while activities such as swimming, fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling are seasonal.

Photography by Dave Hoefler

Along with soaking up the beauty of Door County, I was interested in what their local cuisine had to offer. As a big cheese fan, I knew Wisconsin would not disappoint. One of my favorite meals on the trip was courtesy of Glacier Ledge in Egg Harbor. Located in Door Artisan Cheese, the restaurant has an extensive menu of small plates with fresh ingredients straight from the milk vat.

While the incredible local cheese selection shined, the Door County Montmorency cherry is the star of the show with an omnipresent charm throughout the peninsula. At Orchard Country Winery and Market, I got to try out an assortment of their cherry wines along with many other fruity wines that range from dry to sweet.

Photography by Benjamin Suter

My favorite cherry indulgence on the peninsula has to be the cherry pie that is typically served warm after a traditional fish boil. This simple yet staple dish is an integral part of Door County culture and allures tourists with its story-telling appeal.

Traditionally, a fish boil consists of white fish, potatoes, and onions boiled over an open flame served with a side of bread and cherry pie. As the ingredients simmer with plenty of salt, the “boil master” tells the audience a story before he throws kerosene on the fire, which tends to elicit a strong reaction from the giant flame.

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After my days exploring Wisconsin, I was lucky enough to rest my head at Rowleys Bay Resort in Ellison Bay. This waterfront hideaway has a quaint and cozy family charm while offering activities and accommodations such as ziplining, segway tours, an indoor pool and direct water access perfect for boating, fishing and swimming. Waking up to the beautiful glassy water of Lake Michigan reminded me exactly why Door County is nicknamed “The Cape Cod of the Midwest.” This beautiful peninsula is definitely worth checking out for your next getaway.

T R AV E L

W H AT T O D O :

W H E R E T O E AT :

ROWLEYS BAY RESORT

THE HARDY GALLERY

GLACIER EDGE RESTAURANT AND BAR

1041 Co Rd Zz, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 (920) 854-2385

3083 Anderson Ln, Ephraim, WI 54211 (920) 854-2210

8103 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209 (920) 868-1333

MAXWELTON BRAES LODGE

THE CLEARING FOLK SCHOOL

7680 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 (920) 839-2321

12171 Garrett Bay Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 (920) 854-4088

LAUTENBACH’S ORCHARD COUNTRY WINERY & MARKET

W H E R E T O S TAY :

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9197 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212 (920) 868-3479

THORP HOUSE INN & COTTAGES

PENINSULA STATE PARK

THE VIKING GRILL AND LOUNGE

4135 Bluff Ln, Fish Creek, WI 54212 (920) 868-2444

9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212 1-888-936-7463

12029 WI-42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 (920) 854-2998

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Words by LAVANYA SUNKARA

Find Solace in Tofino during the Off-Season Tofino is known for its sandy shores and quaint off-seasons. Sitting on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada this small city getaway is perfect for those looking to truly wind down.

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battering the rocks on a beach scattered with driftwood, surrounded by towering firs and hemlocks, while contemplating our place in the world. Tiny, but significant. And that’s how I see Tofino. It may be small and isolated, but it shines and beckons.

Images Courtesy of Lavanya Sunkara

From October to April, Tofino attracts nature lovers like me, albeit in smaller numbers. Snowy or rainy mornings transform into sun-kissed days, revealing magical seaside landscapes. Dogs and their people walk along the shoreline with a bounce in their step. Lines at popular food trucks and establishments like Tacofino and Chocolate Tofino are nearly non-existent.

Inside seaside accommodations, folks settle fireside with wine or hot chocolate for storm watching, a popular winter pastime.

Two flights, one ferry, and a car ride later, and I am in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Known for its incredible surfing and foodie scene, this slice of Canadian paradise teems with tourists in the high season. Living in New York City, I am used to crowds and needed a quiet getaway. Little did I realize that it would be my last trip of the year before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back, the trip wasn’t only special because of the timing. It was utterly peaceful to find myself perched at the edge of the continent, admiring the gnarly waves

Best of all, luxury resorts like Pacific Sands Beach Resort, located on the spectacular Cox Bay on the edge of Pacific Rim National Park, offer discounted rates that are almost half off compared to the high season. With a choice of modern ocean-facing studios and beach houses replete with fireplaces, double-soaker tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows, there is no better place to unwind than Pacific Sands in Tofino.

On my first day, with the fireplace warming the living room and “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac filling the air, I sit by the window mesmerized by the crashing waves.

In the distance, I spot brave souls with their surfboards venturing out into the ocean. Pacific Sands Beach Resort’s women owned Surf Sister Surf School attracts people from around the world. Boasting 21 miles of beaches and coastline, Tofino is a hot spot for surfers of all skill levels for its year-round opportunities. Both Cox Bay and nearby Chesterman Beach are among the top 50 global surf destinations.

Cozy and content indoors, I drift off that night, surrounded by silhouettes of trees dancing in the wind just beyond the glass, with dreams of surf, sand, and sumptuous food awaiting me in the next few days.

After an invigorating beach yoga session the following morning, I venture out for

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a whale watching adventure on Clayoquot Sound by Jamie’s Whaling Station. Bundled up, I stand at the bow of the nearly empty boat, searching for a hump or a tail poking from the surface of the water. Resident gray whales and those migrating from Baja California, Mexico to Vancouver can be spotted from February to April, along with humpback whales. The highlight for me, aside from seeing the hump of a mama whale, was catching a glimpse of free-roaming cows on Meares Island, feasting on grass and seaweed.

The good weather soon dissipates with a cold drizzle swirling around. But that doesn’t stop me from visiting the most popular food truck in town - Tacofino -

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a magical school bus look-alike adorned with quirky stickers. Filled with a delicious burrito with room for dessert, I walk over to the nearby Chocolate Tofino to savor hand-crafted chocolates. The owners, Kim and Cam Shaw, who relocated from a town bordering Alberta and Saskatchewan, inspire me to daydream of taking a leap of faith and moving away from New York City.

But that afternoon, I decide to live in the moment, enjoying Hammerhead gelato as I make my way to my appointment at the Clarity Integrated Health Studio for some retail and aromatherapy.

ly prepared crispy brussel sprouts and red Thai curry bowl at Shelter Restaurant, and the globally-inspired kale salad with Madras dressing at the Wolf in the Fog. My trip to Tofino was a feast for my soul and body, and I am eagerly awaiting the border reopening to revisit this enchanting corner of Canada.

Getting there: From Vancouver, a quick Pacific Coastal Airlines flight will bring you to Tofino’s Long Beach Airport.

During winter months, flights are weather-dependent and visitors are encouraged It’s now been months since my visit, but I still to take a ferry from the Vancouver-area crave the creamy poutine I devoured at Pacific to Nanaimo and make the 3.5-hour plus Sands Beach Resort’s Surfside Grill, the fresh- drive up to Tofino.

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SHETLER RESTAURANT

PACIFIC SANDS BEACH RESORT

SURFING

601 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 250-725-3353

1421 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 250-725-3322

Surf Sister Surf School 625 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 250-725-4456

WOLF IN THE FOG

HOTEL ZED

WHALE WATCHING

150 4 St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 604-609-6678

1258 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 855-433-2323

Jamie’s Whaling Station and Adventure Centres 606 Campbell St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 250-725-3919

TACOFINO

THE INN AT TOUGH CITY

MASSAGE AND AROMATHERAPY

1184 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 250-726-8288

350 Main St, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada 250-725-2021

Clarity Integrated Health Studio 922 Tree Frog Lane, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada 778- 868-6516

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BOOKS

SELF IMPRO VE ACROSS DISCIPLINES RELENTLESS SOLUTION FOCUS

by Dr. Jason Selk and Dr. Ellen Reed

This array of books guide their readers to live better lives in several different capacities. From perfecting professional and creative skills to boosting mood and intuitively eating, there’s always room for improvement.

WHOLE PERSON INTEGRATIVE EATING

ELEVATE YOUR CAREER: LIVE A LIFE YOU’RE TRULY PROUD OF

PATCH & TWEAK WITH MOOG

by Deborah Kesten and Larry Scherwitz

by Helen Horyza

by Kim Bjørn

Kesten and Scherwitz provide insight on how to avoid overeating and live a healthier life. They offer readers practical strategies and ways to re-envision their relationship with food.

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Dr. Jason Selk is the former director of mental training for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He and Dr. Ellen Reed provide a stepby-step framework to improve your mental toughness, resulting in better focus and productivity for your everyday life.

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Helen Horyza offers real-life narratives which encourages readers on how they can have a career they love. She encourages readers to find what they are passionate about because there’s likely an enjoyable career path for them.

This text is a great resource for Moog synthesizer enthusiasts and musicians of all backgrounds interested in expanding their knowledge about Moog. Bjørn gives techniques, creative ideas, design tips, and a peek into the company’s extraordinary history.

LEAD. CARE. WIN: HOW TO BECOME A LEADER WHO MATTERS

by Dan Pontefract Dan Pontefract provides nine leadership lessons based on his research and observations. Pontefract delves into key lessons needed to be an empathetic and effective leader, centered around one’s willingness to improve how they treat others.

FEELING GREAT: THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

by David D. Burns, M.D. Dr. David Burns’ 40 years of research and treatment experience are the foundation of this text. He provides case studies and over 50 amazing tools to help readers navigate through and reduce their negative thoughts and feelings.

Photography By ANDRES CASTILLO PAGE

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66 King Vader: From Vine To Netflix Dreams WORDS BY JAMIE ROLLO

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HOW COURTNEY LEMARCO’S PASSION FOR CREATIVITY FUELED A SUCCESSFUL CAREER

Starting as a chef, caterer, and part-time menu designer Courtney LeMarco worked his way from the kitchens to the executive office. He is now an established media professional and created The Big Pitch competition to diversify the entertainment industry.

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Courtney LeMarco is a force. There are few ways to adequately describe a man who pulled himself out of poverty and into the ranks of America’s entertainment executives. LeMarco is the founder of TLG Motion Pictures, the company that saved the Emmy-nominated A&E series Hoarders from cancellation. TLG is just one of many successful companies under the umbrella of LeMarco Brands. LeMarco also owns a vegan skincare and sustainable swimwear brand, a music licensing company, and a real estate development business.

LeMarco grew up in Section 8 housing and remembers his family depending on food stamps to keep the

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cupboards and fridge stocked. With an absentee father and a mother who suffered from mental illness, LeMarco faced more challenges than social assistance and a high school education could remedy. He made it to the 10th grade before dropping out.

“I remember looking around the class and thinking, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing here…None of this is relevant to the issues I have in my life right now.

I have to find a better way to survive,’” LeMarco recalled. “I closed my book, put it on the teacher’s desk, and walked out of the school.”

LeMarco traded classrooms for restaurant kitchens, accepting a job as a dishwasher. His love of food and his work ethic eventually landed him a role as a chef, and he later started his own catering business.

When one of LeMarco’s catering colleagues asked for help designing menus, LeMarco tapped into his tech skills.

Soon, he was fielding so many referrals that he made the switch from culinary arts to media full time. Not long after, he landed a huge corporate client, e-commerce giant Amazon.

That was the first of many enormous opportunities, but LeMarco didn’t allow high-profile clients to intimidate him.

“If I was scared about going into a project and meeting with these high-level folks, once I started talking to them, I realized they were just people, and that fear went away,” LeMarco noted.

LeMarco’s self-assurance and determination didn’t save him from tough lessons in the early days of his career. LeMarco built many positive relationships, including his mentorship with Matt Chen, the original creator of Hoarders. But he also learned the importance of guarding his heart and his brilliance in an industry with more than its fair share of scammers.

“I used to go into rooms with an open heart and mind, willing to learn and bring whatever I could to the table, but I found myself working with people who couldn’t care less about me. It was a hard lesson to learn. Now, I’ve got a really good team that helps me filter through a lot of the BS and a lot of the madness,” LeMarco shared.

That discernment has been essential for LeMarco who knows that success in a world like media and entertainment can be fleeting, especially as a minority in a white-dominated space. LeMarco is often the only Black man in many rooms, but he’s

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actively working to bring more non-white people into the industry. His annual competition for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) in filmmakers, The Big Pitch, released its first production, bLERDS, on Tubi in November. LeMarco hopes he can expand the competition’s reach across the nation, especially for inner-city youth of color.

“I want to see people like me getting the opportunities.

Some of these kids have never seen the ocean. All they know is their city blocks. So, I’d love to create some sort of digital series around The Big Pitch to highlight these kids, even the ones that don’t win,” he said.

Diversifying the future of film isn’t the only area where LeMarco is forward-thinking.

He’s also focused on building generational wealth that will set his family up for longterm success. LeMarco’s grandmother was an entrepreneur who built a successful care home despite having just a fourthgrade education. When she passed, she was a multi-millionaire, but his family lacked the financial literacy to maintain it.

LeMarco wants to change that story.

“I see my nieces and nephews and I want to do something different. When I’m gone, I want to be able to say, ‘Uncle Court, did this. Let’s build off that.’ That’s the motivation,” he said.

But don’t think that means he puts profit above all else. LeMarco is committed to sustainability across all his brands, using vegan ingredients for his skincare, recycled ocean plastics in his swimwear line, and reclaimed materials in real estate development. He also trusts his creativity and passion to guide his endeavors. LeMarco has found that has brought him far more success than chasing profit ever has.

“The creative part is more important to me than the profit because even when I was dirt poor, I was still creative, and that fulfilled me way more than being able to buy a pair of Nike shoes,” he noted. “I believe that if you just focus on creativity and if you focus on being true to your passion, the profit is going to come.”

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GRAB A BITE AT

kitchen24

In the center of West Hollywood, kitchen24 prides itself on serving up delicious, diversified eats while providing an LGBTQ+-friendly atmosphere. With an affordable menu and COVID safety protocols, this L.A. hotspot is a must-see.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area and craving absolutely anything from breakfast to burgers or a cappuccino to a margarita, come check out kitchen24.

Located in the heart of West Hollywood, on Santa Monica Blvd. nearest to the La Cienega intersection, this pink LGBTQ+ family-friendly restaurant and bar features primarily outside seating with umbrellas for that California sun and heaters and candles for those cozy late nights. Indoor seating is also available, PreCovid, along with a full bar. With affordable prices and a massive menu, you’ll be taken back by all of the mouth-watering options.

Founded by a Maryland native, the establishment is designed with an East Coast diner ambiance in mind. k24 sits in the center of the LGBTQ+ mecca, West Hollywood. In particular, Los Angeles’ Halloween and Pride events take place right outside the front doors.

Celebrities are even known to appear at k24, so you may even catch a glimpse of some famous queer icons as well. There’s even a chalkboard skillfully designed and decorated each month by one of kitchen24’s own managers, Adrian. For a fresh place to enjoy a drink or meal, feel welcomed, and at home, kitchen24 is the place you’ll want to visit the next time you’re in L.A. Once known for its 24/7 service, this beloved family-friendly restaurant treated guests with breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all hours. Today, kitchen24 is open daily from 9 a.m to 9:30 p.m with the new

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Photo Credits kitchen24.info

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COVID-19 restrictions. Restaurants are expected to be allowed to offer outdoor seating once again on December 21 in Los Angeles. However, its doors are currently open to “pick-up only” orders.

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fresh-baked cookie, vanilla ice cream, caramel, and chocolate sauce.

Who could discuss a restaurant without mentioning their drink menu? A must-try k24 specialty cocktail is the Hollyhood, a grapefruit vodka extravaganza with a splash of fresh lime juice, triple sec, and pineapple juice. The Kitchen Pink is a treasure - Bombay Sapphire Gin, basil-infused simple syrup blended with fresh grapefruit and lime juices. Other specialty cocktails include The Strawberry Fields, Jalapeno Margarita, Ginger & Mary Ann Mojito, and Dark & Stormy.

K24 also offers $4 mimosas and $7 bloody marys that make for the perfect brunch. The bar also has a variety of beers and wines. However, you CANNOT visit L.A. without trying this beloved local favorite: Golden Road’s Mango Cart, a wheat ale served on tap, infused with the sweet tastes of mango.

The next time you’re in Los Angeles, come by kitchen24. You’ll be welcomed by friendly staff and feel safe in a clean, sanitized environment with spaced out tables for your comfort. With a menu covered in affordable prices and too many items to choose from, you’ll be delighted and more than satisfied with your choice - how could you pass that up? With friendly staff and great service, you’ll feel right at home.

Must-try favorites are the Kitchen Sink burger, a mix of breakfast and dinner including an over-easy egg with angus beef, avocado, and more. The Wakey Wakey, a dish filled with eggs, pancakes, meat, and hash browns or potatoes, is a beloved breakfast treat served at any time. Another fan favorite is the Protein Pick Me Up, an all egg-white burrito mixed with broccoli, turkey sausage, cheddar, and tomatoes. Other must-try meals include: The Home Skillet, Build Your Own Omelet, Crab Cake Benedict, Fricken Waffle, Korean BBQ Wings, Angus Sliders, Jalapeno Burger, White Cheddar Turkey Burger, Tomato Mozzarella Sandwich, Fried Chicken Salad, Asian Chicken Salad, Chicken Pot Pie, and the Pesto Gnocchi.

Being in California, kitchen24 specializes in creating a gourmet vegan menu. This includes their Impossible Burger, a soy protein concentrate patty, the Vegan Burger, Mediterranean Tofu Scramble, Vegan Chili, and of course, the Quinoa Salad.

Many visit kitchen24 with the intention of simply ordering dessert as their menu encompasses a variety of items that leave you feeling full and more than satisfied. Some favorites are the Apple Pie Skillet and the Salty Cow, a warm chocolate brownie decorated with vanilla ice cream, caramel, and walnuts. The Chocolate Chip Cookie is also a fan-favorite, including a

WEBSITE: https://www.kitchen24.info/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kitchen24 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kitchen24 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/k24hollywood Issue 70

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Words by TOMMY RODRIGUEZ

Photography by DAION CHESNEY

Fashion by APUJE KALU

Shy Glizzy: FOR D.C. AND BEYOND

For nearly a decade, Shy Glizzy has been establishing himself as one of the most prominent and influential figures in the DMV rap scene. His incredibly successful Young Jefe mixtape series has cemented him in Washington D.C. rap history, not to mention his countless other projects and 2018 critically acclaimed debut album, Fully Loaded.

Hailing from Southeast Washington D.C., Shy Glizzy was heavily influenced by his uncle’s rap career, along with other prominent raw, street rappers of his era. In addition to his rap influences, he credits much of his sound and energy to his love for Washington D.C.’s go-go music.

Shy Glizzy’s unique voice, life experiences, and rap prowess come together to create a sound his fans have fallen in love with. His authenticity speaks volumes and has earned him respect that transcends rap generations, a privilege that he doesn’t take for granted.

In 2017, the 27-year-old rapper earned his first Grammy nomination for his work on GoldLink’s 4-time platinum “Crew” record, a milestone that served as a reminder of how far he’s come and how far he has yet to go. “I was sitting at the Grammys, man,” Shy reminisced. “Nominated, with a suit on for the first time in my life. I just feel [like] that was an amazing accomplishment [in] my career to be Grammy nominated, coming from where I was coming from.”

As he comes off the release of Young Jefe 3, the final edition of his Young Jefe series, Shy continues to search for ways to give back to his community and elevate those around him. With the starting of his very own music label, Glizzy Gang Records, he is paving the way for younger DMV artists to turn their lives around. “I just wanna see everybody win… I definitely feel like the scene is growing and I would like to be a big part of that, more than I already am.”

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Words by MARISA MENDEZ

Fashion Styling by MICKEY FREEMAN REPRESENTED BY THE ONLY AGENCY

Photography by ANDRES CASTILLO

Fashion Assistant POSH MCKOY

SHIRT DIOR DENIM JEANS DSQUARED2 JEWELRY TALENT’S OWN

King Von’s death sent shockwaves throughout the music industry. A young, promising talent, Von was just at the tipping point of global stardom.

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King Von King Von was celebrating the release of his debut album when his life was cut short on a fateful Atlanta, Georgia night in November 2020. The South Side Chicago, Illinois native had spent nearly the entirety of his teens and early twenties in and out of the prison system, but a determination to turn his life around and rapid career ascension that even he couldn’t explain had put him on a different trajectory. It wasn’t supposed to end like this.

Growing up in Chicago’s Parkway Gardens housing project at the corner of 64th and Martin Luther King Drive, better known as O’Block, Von had every bit become a product of his environment. Bright and articulate, he excelled in school at an early age, but gang culture was just too prevalent to stay away from. As he put it, it was either fall in with them or stay inside. He chose the former.

His father was in jail when Von was born and after finally meeting him around the age of 8, he lost him forever just two years later. With the odds already stacked against him, Von caught his first case at 15 and would spend more time incarcerated than not over the next seven years. The odds changed in late 2017, though, when the then 23-year-old was acquitted of one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was released from his threeand-a-half-year bid and made a promise at that moment that he’d finally change his life for good. And he did, thanks to Lil Durk.

Perhaps as a byproduct of the violence that plagues the Windy City, there’s an innate sense of loyalty among the circles of people who run together. After Chief Keef ’s success in the early 2010s put a spotlight on the city, Lil Durk was one of a handful of local artists who leveraged the added visibility into a successful career for himself – and he was adamant that he wouldn’t be the only person on his team eating. Even while Von was behind bars, Durk helped his longtime friend with everything from legal bills to clothes for court.

“If your brother got on half a million worth of jewelry, he gon’ have a lawyer,” Durkio said as he sat next to a then-unknown Von when he brought him to The Breakfast Club in November 2018. “That’s how we move.”

The second Von decided he wanted better, Durk was there to show him a path. He brought Von and a few more of their OTF crew down to his Atlanta estate, and with nothing better to do than play around in the booth, Von hopped on a song – and it worked. The song found success on YouTube when they dropped it shortly after, and it was enough to inspire Von to shift completely into business mode. It was the first “job” he’d ever held and he approached it like someone who’d been preparing for the opportunity to prove himself his entire life.

Von’s debut solo track “Crazy Story” was released in January of 2019, after just about a year of being un-

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der Durk’s wing in Atlanta. Up until then, Von went with Durk to everything from tours to video shoots and even radio appearances, not knowing that it’d be his only time to soak up the game in person. The two caught a case together the very next month that put them both behind bars.

Though the time was brief, a condition of Von’s probation when he was released months later was that he was no longer allowed to hang around Durk. Meanwhile, his incredible storytelling prowess on “Crazy Story” had already catapulted him to the forefront, so he was going to have to do this alone. But he was ready for it. While he couldn’t explain how it happened so quickly, the Chicago native simultaneously knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be. And he wasn’t taking the opportunity lightly.

After appearing on Durk’s Love Songs 4 The Streets 2 album in August of 2019, Von made his official debut with his first mixtape, Grandson Vol. 1, in September. The tape debuted at No. 75 on the Billboard 200, which was a feat in itself for someone with only one viral song and an affiliation with another artist who’s not yet fully mainstream themself.

Things continued to move quickly, and after Billboard gave him a spot on their “15 Hip Hop & R&B Artists To Watch In 2020” list, it was clear that this was going to work. Von was on the precipice of superstardom.

The upward trajectory continued in March 2020 when his sophomore mixtape LeVon James debuted at No. 40. By Halloween, his debut album, Welcome To O’Block was out, the LeVon James Chopsquad DJ-produced single “Took Her To The O” was on the brink of being certified gold, and “Crazy Story” was nearly platinum. In the blink of an eye, Von’s life had completely changed.

And in the blink of an eye one week later, it completely changed again. On November 6, 2020, an un-armed Von was shot and killed following an altercation outside of an Atlanta hookah lounge. Just like that, it was all over.

SWEATSHIRT COLLINI MILANO 1937

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In just 26 years on earth, Von had gone from the depths of the darkest lows to high points most can only dream of, serving as a tangible testament to what believing in yourself could do. He put everyone around him in the position to better themselves, and the universe rewarded him in kind as he bettered himself in the process.

In interviews, he was laid back as if he was accustomed to the spotlight already. Von was used to infamy, and new to the fame, and really only here to share and bask in the wealth. He was becoming a star faster than he could have ever imagined, but he wasn’t particularly fazed by it. Fame was merely a side effect of telling the world about the life he’s lived and getting to take care of his people, his children, and the woman who gave him life.

“Best son in the world Prize goes tooo,” he captioned an April 2020 Twitter post revealing he’d bought his mother a new Mercedes-Benz, paid off her old car and bought her a house. “Nah fr doe this all a real street Nigga ever wanted to do. Was make they Og proud. I gave her 20 thous too.”

Just after that, he returned to O’Block and gave out $100,000 in cash. And just like Durk, he was there to make sure his entire team was taken care of.

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“My favorite thing about Von was his loyalty,” Chopsquad told Bleu Mag. “He was like me. He wasn’t super close with his immediate family, so his childhood friends were like his siblings. I was an orphan myself as a young boy so just like him, loyalty was a big foundation of my morals. He put others before himself all the time. Not because he expected something in return, but because he was trying to be the person he wished someone was to him, to others.”

His dream was to hold down his loved ones and make a better life for them while staying true to the principles that he lived by. And while his time being able to do that in the physical was devastatingly cut short, he left knowing that his mission was accomplished.

“Von taught me that our past doesn’t define our future,” Chopsquad added. “He showed me that just because your time to shine isn’t right now, doesn’t mean it won’t be tomorrow. He taught me that being a real genuine person isn’t out of style.”

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Photography by SHERI ANGELES

Styling by RAINA SILBERSTEIN

YouTube sensation King Vader discusses his creative accolades, partnerships, and his future goals.

KING VADER: FROM VINE TO NETFLIX DREAMS

Dominique Barrett spent a summer making films with his cousin-turned-manager Brandon Washington, which bloomed a creative passion that would fuel his ultimate goal of becoming the greatest director of his generation. Barrett, more commonly known as King Vader, directs, edits, films, and even acts in all of his videos, and is beloved by his 2.46 million YouTube subscribers. Analytics aside, each Vader video is high quality in both production and concept, helping usher in a new age of internet humor and entertainment.

At just 23 years old, Vader’s work ethic, popularity, and dedication earned him deals with Netflix, Google, Hot Topic, and more.

“The most fun I’d ever had was being in front of the camera, editing and stuff like that. That’s when I realized that I wanted to take this more seriously,” Vader retold, explaining the initial moment when he knew content creation was in his cards. “I joined some social media apps like Vine… I was creating content but not really knowing how to do it. A lot of people kept telling me that I should create content like other people because it works for them and when I did that, it never worked for me. It was the second that I started to create content the way I wanted to create content, that’s where things started to pick up.”

He was inspired by internet personality and actor King Bach. “He’s actually the reason why I have ‘King’ in my name,” said Vader. “He was really pushing and doing his thing. He was just constantly creating and how I viewed that was that he carried himself like a king would. I looked at that like, ‘if he could be King Bach, you know, I could be King Vader.’”

In October of 2016, Twitter discontinued the Vine mobile app leaving an entire generation of creators to seek new platforms. At the time, Vader had around half a million followers and a decision to make: leave behind his budding legacy or try his hand at other social media apps. “I hopped over to Instagram with the same mindset and we kept pushing and here we are today working with brands like Google, Netflix, and many more. So I’m really really glad that I never stopped,” he added.

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King Vader soon took to YouTube where his career took off. Over three years, he managed to gain over two million subscribers with a majority of his videos reaching millions of views. He’s become known for his “Hood Naruto” series and other comic spins on popular shows and cartoons. Vader soon caught Netflix’s eye and the company invited him to create a miniseries for their YouTube Channel called Netflix Dreams.

“It was an amazing opportunity to happen at such an early point in my career,” he said. “I’ve always said, ‘I’m gonna work at Netflix, I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do that,’ and little did I know.” For the series, Vader creates videos based upon Netflix’s original content. The first installment, “The Raincoat Academy,” is a hilarious take on the hit original Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. The story follows a group of children who weren’t adopted by the fictitious Sir Reginald Hargreeves, thus left behind with their special capabilities. “A lot of people liked it. Netflix loved it. And now we’re pushing onto episode two, which should be dropping around January.”

So many young people are aspiring to match a career like Vader’s, which is by no means an easy feat. When asked about his come-up, the content creator said consistency and self-assurance are two things that drove his success. “I had to realize that I had to believe in my dream before anyone else could… You have to, in a sense, be your number one fan before anyone else,” said Vader. “I feel like people rely on their friends’ and families’ opinions and their thoughts when they’re trying to start something new. When they don’t get that instant approval from them, they get discouraged… You have to be willing to do this by yourself in the beginning. You have to have a strong enough mindset in the beginning.”

Like most young creators, King Vader is self-taught.

His success is all due in part to trial and error, and leaps of faith. “I had to throw myself into the ring to get the experience that I needed to become the person I am now,” he said. “It didn’t start like this. Anyone can watch my videos from a year ago or two years ago and see the progression.”

Moving into 2021, King Vader is continuing his partnership with Netflix and will be releasing Netflix Dreams episode two early in the new year. To satisfy his ever-devoted fanbase, he is gearing up to drop more videos to his YouTube channel including a Power Rangers project and a Star Wars project, both of which were highly requested. In a general sense, Vader is advancing towards his ultimate career goal. “My angle is to become the greatest director of my generation,” he said. “I’m just about putting in that work and getting that practice to make that goal a reality.”

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RAPPER OLA RUNT

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Photo Credit Sam Conant

Hailing from Zone 6 Atlanta, rapper Ola Runt has quickly generated buzz in the city with his distinctive sound and lyrism. With his newest project Harder 2 Kill out now, we caught up with the rapper to discuss his latest project, sound, and what keeps him going.

Bleu: Growing up in Atlanta, did trap music influence you? If it did, how did you put your sound together?

Ola Runt: Yes, it influenced me. I took sounds from the trap, considered what I wanted my music to be like, and put it all in one. I think my music is a little more gritty and that’s what makes it different. Young Scooter, Rocko, and Future are some of my favorite trap artists I grew up listening to.

It’s crucial for me to set my trend.

How did you come up with the name Ola Runt?

I got the name Ola before I got out of prison a while back. A couple of my bros started calling me Ola. I was like 18 when I got that name and it pretty much just stuck with me ever since. I changed my social media name to it and started dropping videos with that name. When I was locked up back then, I used to think about what word I wanted to use since I didn’t want to use my real name. When they started calling me that, I thought it was catchy and memorable. I never had another name since then.

Photo Credit Cinematic Music Group

After remixing ‘Brazy Story,’ did the remix’s attraction make you decide to take rap seriously?

Yeah, I dropped it on WorldStarHipHop myself, and the response I got from my fans was excellent. The producer who made the beat helped me take music more seriously. He said he never heard anyone go in on his beat like that. That was an inspirational moment. The outcome I got from it - the views and the outpouring of support from my fans, the look on everyone’s faces in Atlanta - it all pushed me to keep making music.

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Can you talk about your latest mixtape release Harder 2 Kill?

I feel like with my previous projects, I focused on what was going on in the streets. I was putting out grimy, gritty music like what you hear on Beggin For a Body. Harder 2 Kill has that sound too, but I’m also putting out music that shows I can be diverse with my sound. I’m going to be here for the next decade, the century, and beyond. I’m here to stay, and I can do a lot with my lyrics and melodies.

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Photo Credit Cinematic Music Group

Having co-signs from Meek Mill, 21 Savage, and more, who surprised you the most?

When Meek reached out, that surprised me because he’s not from Atlanta. For him to be in tune with my music, that was a moment.

21 Savage surprised me, too because he reached out more than a few times. Many of the people who reached out wanted to sign me, but a lot of them also just wanted to show love. Getting their recognition gave me more ambition to go harder.

As an artist, where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself making significant advancements, traveling, making more music overall just staying busy. I’ll always spend a lot of time in the studio, but I want to do other things too. I want to be a businessman beyond music. I want to work with new artists who could use some guidance from another artist.

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THE FINAL

NAIL IN HONG

KONG’S COFFIN The sentencing of 24-year-old activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow It was the second day of the last month of 2020 — the air had just started becoming crisp in subtropical Hong Kong. The city awoke to the heart-wrenching yet unsurprising news of the arrests of activist-politicians Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow.

Both just turned 24, their sentences were among a series of the government’s brutal crackdowns upon the city’s pro-democracy camp.

But their names ring the loudest on an international scale. Why?

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crowned her “the goddess of democracy.”

Her prominence in East Asian feminism as a young political figure led to some nicknaming her “the real Mulan.” Despite her popularity, Chow had a relatively clean slate as she often took on more intellectual, behind-the-scenes roles as the spokesperson or the organizer.

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They did not care for politics as long as it didn’t interfere with their “comfortable” way of life. Ironically, however, what made Hong Kong such a unique financial capital of East Asia was its “free-market” policy — too bad it’s the only thing in Hong Kong that’s free.

This is where young democracy campaigners like Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow come into play. Since 2014, the two have achieved a lot in their political careers by raising citywide awareness and pushing Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement forward. Many young people in Hong Kong went from being apolitical to participating in demonstrations and protests, in spite of the growing generational divide. Gradually, this awareness became worldwide.

Joshua Wong was included in Time Magazine’s Most Influential Teens of 2014 and was nominated for its Person of the Year.

In 2015, Fortune Magazine called him one of the “world’s greatest leaders.” He was also nominated for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. And a year later, at the tender age of 22, Wong played a crucial role in persuading U.S. politicians to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act during the 2019 Hong Kong protests.

The two activists have been headlining Hong Kong’s newspapers since 2014 for their pivotal roles as student leaders in the Umbrella Movement demanding universal suffrage. Their efforts were politically futile, considering how legislators in Hong Kong are still largely appointed by the Chinese Central Government (same people as the Chinese Communist Party) today. Regardless, and perhaps rather meaningfully, Umbrella turned out to be many Hongkongers’ political awakening.

As the Chinese idiom goes, “tall trees draw more wind.” As the most globally recognized figure of the city’s resistance to Beijing’s encroachment, it comes as no surprise that this crackdown is Wong’s third prison sentence. What he didn’t expect was being sent to solitary confinement with the cell lights on 24 hours a day, while being subjected to regular medical checks.

The authorities said it was because a scan suggested a foreign object in Wong’s stomach. Nothing was found after three days, aside from the uncalled-for suffering inflicted upon Joshua.

For decades, Hong Kong was a glaringly capitalist city hosted by opportunists.

As for Agnes Chow, it’s an entirely different story. In Japan, the local media

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With support from the city’s pro-democracy camp, Hong Kong’s own real-life Mulan had originally planned to run in the local elections. That all changed in December of 2020 when she was sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegal assembly charges over a 2019 demonstration outside Police Headquarters in the early days of the mass protest movement.

This news came just two weeks after she announced that she had finally graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University, where she focused on government and international relations. Juggling activism with studies was no easy feat — and after 10 years of it, Agnes Chow spent her 24th birthday in prison as a first-time inmate.

She was said to have burst into tears when the sentence was readout.

In the same series of arrests as Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow was the lesser-known Ivan Lam. Both he and Agnes Chow were previously core members of Scholarism, the student campaigner group founded in 2011 by Joshua Wong. As the teenagers became adults, the trio, along with longtime colleague Nathan Law, co-founded a new political party, Demosistō, in 2016 in order to continue their efforts on a more legitimate and mature level.

Mainly advocating for a referendum to determine Hong Kong’s sovereignty with the goal of obtaining autonomy, Demosistō had a good four-year run despite constant criticism from the Chinese Central Government government as well as the city’s

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pro-Beijing camp. Unfortunately, Demosistō dissolved in 2020 after China imposed the national security law on Hong Kong, which raised severe concerns of political persecution of activists.

The most terrifying thing is, these names are just a few that stand out among many other arrests and imprisonments of Hong Kong activists. With China’s national security law fully in place, it seems now that any dissent is a criminal offense in the eyes of Beijing.

Jimmy Lai, media mogul and founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested in December under the new law for colluding with foreign powers, with one of the pieces of evidence being his posts on Twitter calling for international sanction against local and Chinese authorities.

Just one year after 2019’s mass protests fighting for justice and freedom, liberals

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and progressives in Hong Kong are now becoming less and less vocal about their political views as “white terror” reigns over the city.

As time goes by and China tightens its grasp on Hong Kong the money pot, what will happen to the once-glorious city’s political freedom? What will happen to the youth of Hong Kong that once roamed the city’s highways and occupied the Legislative Council in hopes for a better and more liberated future?

Nobody knows what the future holds; but as a Hongkonger, I simply hope that I would not have to alter my perception of what basic human rights are anytime soon.

Photo by Anna Go

Shortly after the law took effect, former Demosistō chairman and Hong Kong’s youngest elected legislator Nathan Law announced that he had moved to London in self-exile. He continues to advocate for Hong Kong’s democracy movement, meeting with reporters and government officials all over Europe and from the U.S., one of whom being U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Law even made it to Time’s 2020 list of 100 most influential leaders.

Sadly, to this day, he has no idea of when he will be able to rightfully return to his one true home. As of December 2020, two protest-related arrest warrants had been issued against him by the Hong Kong police.

In an ideal world, the four would still be free citizens of Hong Kong, chasing after the same goal: to liberate their homeland from authoritarianism’s grip. But this isn’t an ideal world - not in Hong Kong, and certainly not for these freedom fighters.

Photo by JJ Ying

Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and Ivan Lam were only able to temporarily avoid a potential life sentence, because the civil disobedience offenses in question took place before Beijing introduced the national “insecurity” law. In fact, Chow was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of “inciting secession” under the new law, which she has not been charged with - yet.

Exiled with no end in sight, Nathan Law wrote on Twitter regarding his colleagues’ incarceration, “Sentences could pile up.

To be honest, I have no idea when the trio could step out of the prison if Beijing pledges to impose the hardest charges on them arbitrarily.”

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We lost the case but we gained an understanding that environmental racism and discrimination, in the way of policy and decision making, is skewed towards protecting white communities and dumping on Black communities. I expanded it to look at Louisiana - Cancer Alley - that 85 mile stretch from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, where all the petrochemical plants are located. I expanded to the Alabama Black Belt, where the nation’s largest hazardous waste facility is located. It just happened to be located in a county that is 75 percent Black in a town that’s 95 percent Black. And this little town of Emelle, Alabama, located in Sumter County, Alabama, received waste from 48 states and at least a half dozen foreign countries. I looked at 76

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the Black community in West Virginia called Institute, West Virginia - the only place that manufactured the chemicals that kill all those people in Bhopal, India.

The only place that that methyl isocyanate was manufactured was in a little Black town in West Virginia, and it’s like woah.

I looked at those case studies and expanded them out and wrote the book Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class and Environmental Quality.

Why is environmental racism not really brought into modern, mainstream climate crisis conversations?

Dr. Bullard: Environmentalism, as it developed in the U.S, was very white and was very dominant. What we are trying to do in environmental justice is to redefine environmentalism. When we say environment, as environmental justice people define it, the environment is everything.

It’s where we live, work, play, learn, worship, as well as the physical and natural world. That doesn’t leave a whole lot out.

If you are concerned about breathing air; if you’re concerned about drinking water; if you’re concerned about eating food, and making sure the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat is healthy, nurturing, and sustaining, then you are an environmentalist.

Can you talk about your research into the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina?

Dr. Bullard: Before Katrina, I had been working in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast for decades. We had seen which communities got left behind when it came to environmental protection, and which communities got left behind when it came

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Dr. Robert D. Bullard is a professor and established author whose work focuses on the cross-section of civil rights and environmental justice. He is a co-chair of the National Black Environmental Justice Network, a coalition of organizations and activists of African descent.

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Bleu: Can you talk about what sparked your passion for environmental and climate justice?

Dr. Bullard: I moved to Houston and I was a geology professor at Texas Southern University. My wife came home one day and said, ‘Bob, I just sued the state of Texas. This waste disposal company is trying to put this sanitary landfill in this middle class, Black suburban neighborhood of homeowners’. What we found was that five out five of the city’s landfills were in Black neighborhoods. And six out of the eight city-owned incinerators were in Black neighborhoods. And three out of the four privately owned landfills went into Black neighborhoods. So, from the 1920s up to 1978, 82 percent of all the garbage and waste dumps in Houston ended up in Black neighborhoods even though Black people only made up 25 percent of the population..

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to buy-outs.The response to Katrina, for many of us who work in environmental justice, was not a surprise.There had been models run two years before that said in each of the communities how many people were car-less, how many were homeless, in hospitals and immobile, etcetera. It hit on August 29, 2005, a few days before people were gonna get paid on the first. Poor Black people oftentimes use a cash economy and don’t have bank accounts, don’t have credit cards, don’t have private automobiles, and so they were basically left behind and stuck. Our military can go to almost any place in the world in 48 hours. We can drop water anywhere, but somehow we were not able to respond to those folks in New Orleans. The recovery dollars followed the same pattern. Which communities were recovered first? And which communities took longer even to come back from being displaced. Again, that’s very predictable.

What are some action items that everyday people can take to help combat environmental injustices?

Dr. Bullard: I think it’s important for people to understand that one person can make a difference. If you’re a part of an organization, or if you see an organization that you think could use you as a member, or as someone who would volunteer, I say volunteer! It doesn’t have to be a large organization with thousands of volunteers, but local groups, faith-based groups, neighborhood associations, civic clubs. Groups that are working on these issues today are making a big difference on the ground in terms of defining those issues. That’s how we build movements - one organization at a time.

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Ayana and Destiny are co-Executive Directors of Generation Green where they work to bridge the gap between environmental justice and Black liberation.

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Bleu: What motivated you to advocate for the climate?

Ayana: Learning about the science behind the existential challenge posed by the climate crisis was enough to propel me into advocacy... What kept me in this work was knowing that climate impacts are of extremely dire consequence to those that have historically contributed to it the least - members of the Black diaspora.

Destiny: I advocate for Black people and Black liberation. Due to a legacy of trauma and oppression, it is often hard to envision ourselves beyond our current means of survival. Black people are the future. In order for there to be a future, we need a habitable planet. We need justice. We need liberation. All of this intersects with climate.

Let’s talk about your work with Generation Green. What distinguishes Generation Green from other climate advocacy organizations?

Ayana: I currently serve as the co-executive director and policy and programming director at Generation Green. Generation Green is a multidimensional and highly intersectional youth-led organization operating at the nexus of environmental justice and Black liberation… Environmental Liberation encompasses a holistic and intersectional form of environmentalism that draws heavily upon the Black Radical Tradition. Generation Green is the first space in this movement where I - in concert with others on our team - have been able to imagine such radical and regenerative ideas behind environmental justice advocacy.

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Destiny: I’m the founder, co-executive director, and communications director for Generation Green… What sets us apart is that we are actively and collaboratively creating a safe space for Black individuals primarily youth - to center their Blackness and explore the concepts of environment and Black liberation (aka environmental liberation). We are actively dismantling white psychosis organizational culture by building an ecosystem where people combine the social ecosystem roles they naturally embody with their interests and skills to create a meaningful career of healing work… It’s a community, an ecosystem of shared learning, and growth with a vision to liberate Black people.

How do you define “environment” and how is that definition different from mainstream climate advocacy?

Ayana: Our ‘environment’ should always refer to the complex set of social and ecological components that may be present in a given geographical region or on Earth, more generally. ‘Environment’ also needs to refer to the interaction between these factors and the holistic effects that these have on human populations. I think mainstream climate and environmentalism doesn’t really factor in the social inequities of climate change enough. It especially fails to center social justice and history, particularly as it concerns Black and Indigenous populations.

Destiny: We use the environmental justice [EJ] definition of environment. By this definition, it is the complex interaction between physical, geographical, biological, social, cultural, and political conditions

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that surround an individual or organism and that ultimately determines its form and nature of survival. The mainstream climate movement does not embody the environment(s) of the Black experience in their definition of the environment. It largely neglects the legacy and impact of colonialism and white psychosis on these environments and Black bodies.

Why do you think environmental justice which includes Black, Indigenous, and people of color, has not often been included in the climate conversation?

Destiny: There is a long history of the mainstream environmental movement not acknowledging environmental justice; only recently have they started to incorporate it. Many big green organizations and much of the mainstream movement has a foundation of eugenics and white psychosis culture. Who better to advocate for us than ourselves, and we are. There are a lot of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) doing environmental justice work. Environmental justice was created

by Black and Indigenous people. The reality is that mainstream organizations consume and hoard funding, while also not hiring or retaining BIPOC staff. We are forced to work on every equity program to represent all BIPOC but when we talk about centering environmental justice, they use the language and [then] burn out BIPOC doing work that the organization/ movement ultimately wants to tokenize.”

What are some action items people can take to fight environmental racism and climate injustices?

Ayana: Educate yourself more on the shared history of environmental degradation and climate change with the legacy of colonialism, extractivism, and white supremacy. Support BIPOC-led and community-based groups that organize around EJ issues and solutions. Inform yourself on the state of environmental justice in your local community (or other EJ communities that may be nearby) and on the global stage. Use any privilege you might have (or call upon allies) to leverage resources for the climate and environmental work that is already being done. Hold your elected officials (local and national) accountable for supporting the environmental and climate priorities that matter to those most affected by their implementation.

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Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks is an assistant professor at Spelman College who advocates for the environmental wellbeing of west Atlanta. She helped launch local organizations that combat environmental stressors in the community.

Bleu: What inspired your career in environmental justice?

Dr. Jelks: I’m an assistant professor in the environmental and health program at Spelman College. I also helped co-found an environmental justice organization called the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, that we call ‘WAWA’ for short. This is a community-based organization that works on the westside of Atlanta, Georgia to make it cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable. I was inspired growing up for a part of my life in Baton Rouge.

There’s about an 85-mile stretch called ‘Cancer Alley’ because of the high rates of cancer people experience in the area. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and it’s not like we can make a definitive linkage to what we may have been exposed to and her diagnosis, but really just the fact that possibility existed made me want to be involved as a change agent. I can remember growing up there. The pollution index was always high, the water and air smelled bad, and I experienced a lot of light splotches on my skin and the doctors had trouble diagnosing me. I just became inspired and wanted to use my skills and training as a young scientist to use science as a tool to impact social and powerful change.

Can you talk about the hazards and stressors that WAWA tries to help combat?

Dr. Jelks: They take a lot of different forms. In some cases, there are things like these treatment plans. [There] was one water treatment plan as well as a sewage plan for part of the west Atlanta community that had the potential to bring waste to the community with a combined sewer system. There are things like illegal dump78

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N stance, we host something called the Great American Campout at one of those spaces every year and we invite families to get a chance to camp outdoors under the stars.

We try to use these spaces as opportunities for education, connecting to nature, and health and overall wellbeing. ing and there are inadequate investments in infrastructure in west Atlanta neighborhoods. A lot of our neighborhoods are subject to flooding so when flooding happens, some people lose property or have to be relocated from their homes. Not only are people being flooded out with water but sewage laced water that carries disease-causing pathogens. Then you have areas in the community that have been identified as having multiple cites that release pollution. This is compounded by the fact there are people in the community that doesn’t have access to healthcare and may be out of work or not have a job that pays enough to sustain them.

You also launched the Atlanta Children’s Forest Network. Can you talk a little bit about that and the benefits it brings to the community?

Dr. Jelks: A big piece of our work is celebrating what is positive and inspiring.

Despite the environmental hazards we face in west Atlanta communities, we also have a lot of assets and some of those assets are our green spaces and forest lands.

These green space areas are places where we put on a lot of environmental education programs that cater to the interests of kids and families.We also conduct a lot of service-related projects to maintain these areas as well, which gives people a sense of ownership of these beautiful spaces in their community. We also engage the community in recreational activities.For in-

You also helped start the Atlanta Earth Tomorrow Program, can you talk a bit about that?

Dr. Jelks: Earth Tomorrow has been a way to get young people involved and help them become environmentally literate and give them the tools and skills they need to recognize the environmental problems and challenges, so they can come up with solutions.It helps cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards, people who will be responsible voters and will care about the environment on an everyday basis.

How can everyday people help in the fight for climate and environmental justice?

Dr. Jelks: One thing I would recommend people do is to look into their communities and see if there are any programs that exist that might have opportunities for direct volunteerism and have opportunities for advocacy and activism.I think there’s a power in numbers and joining forces with other people. And just from a practical standpoint, there’s always stuff we can look at in our own lives: What we eat and buy, and how we dispose of those things.

I always challenge myself to not take on a lot of plastic bags. I’m always with my reusable shopping bag and I know it’s a small thing, but when you think of every person on the planet, if everybody was doing a small thing, ultimately, we can make a difference.

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Elsa Mengistu is a Howard University student who advocates for environmental and racial justice. Working with Generation Green, Mengistu combines her passions to fight for the most marginalized communities affected by environmental injustices.

Bleu: Tell us about your work with Generation Green Elsa Mengistu: Generation Green is a social change ecosystem where we create a community safe space for Black environmentalists to exist safely and wholly. It’s a space where we can focus not just on environmentalism but Blackness and Black social issues, and Black liberation because for our work, they are the same. They are interchangeable. Essentially we’re just creating a space where Black environmentalists, people that are not environmentalists, youth, and people from all different walks of life that are Black and from all over the diaspora can come together, come into a space and get resources.

What initially drove you to advocate for climate and environmental justice?

EM: I never intended to be an environmentalist whatsoever. It kind of just happened by accident. I came across a group of people and they were talking about climate change but not through science, data, or objective means, but rather through a humanitarian aspect. [H]ow the communities are affected, how climate change is a social issue, which I understood but I never had seen people actively pursuing it like that. I just had to reassess some things and so I took some time to think about my impact and my role in this space. I’m fighting for the environment, I’m fighting for Black people.

What are common misconceptions about climate change?

EM: The one is that climate change is ‘coming.’ It’s not. It’s here. Climate change

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is everywhere that you look. [Perhaps] we do not get to see it as much because we’re privileged - like we live in the U.S., we live in Europe, we live in Western countries. We are creating the climate crisis so we will not see the impacts of it because we can shield ourselves from it. But other countries, where we’re taking their resources from and in turn destroying the Earth - those countries do not have the same means to protect themselves and to insulate themselves from a problem they didn’t create.

Talk about the intersection of climate change and health care?

EM: Right now we are living in one of the best examples. We’re living in the middle of a pandemic - a global pandemic. It’s attacking our respiratory system but it is disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities. Those communities are impacted first and worst because of environmental racism and climate change that is disproportionately impacting us.

For example, the Bronx has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the country. That’s because of high levels of pollution that exist in their densely populated, Black and Brown borough. Those same people are the ones that have an already weakened immune system, an already weakened bodily health response because of [environmental] factors that are out of their [control]. On top of that, Black, Brown, and poor people are a large percentage of the essential workforce. This same workforce is [daily] exposed to the [COVID-19] virus.

ronments include the places that we sleep, the places we go to church, the places we go to school. Our environments include how many grocery stores we have. Our environments include how much access we have to green space. If those green spaces are safe. If those green spaces are accessible. Our environments include the school to prison ratio in our cities. Environmentalism is a justice issue. Change that perception in your mind. Environmentalism is not a white issue. Environmentalism is not a suburban issue. Environmentalism is not only a nature-based issue.

And beyond that, uplift and support Black environmentalists. [Research] Black and Brown environmentalists. I wanna hear, learn, and be led by people who are on the ground doing this work and who know the impact of this because they live it.

What are some action items people can take to fight environmental racism and climate injustices?

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IG AND TWITTER: @THEOLDENDAZE

BLESS THE RAINS DOWN IN AFRICA How Chief Ugo Mozie Corrects the Culture of Africa in Hollywood

Picture it: New Year’s Eve, 2019. We were all excited for the clock to strike 12:00 AM so we could welcome in 2020 – the Year of Perfect Vision. Planners were purchased and vision boards decked the halls because 2020 was going to be our year. And then, 2020 came and pulled the ultimate okey-doke. We had to hear about how Breonna Taylor was murdered by police while she laid in her bed after a long day at work.

We watched in horror as George Floyd laid in the street dying while an officer of the law shoved his knee into the side of his neck, cutting off George’s airway while he cried for his dead mother until he died himself. And we are still in the throes of a global pandemic. In the midst of all of it, one man has stepped up to the plate, using what he knows, to shine a more positive light on what it means to be Black in America – to be Black in this world.

THE STORY OF AFRICA Always passionate about sharing his messages and ideas with the entire world, Ugo Mozie was destined to become one of the entertainment industry’s most creative minds. “I’ve always considered myself a storyteller in everything I do. I’m always inspired and challenged in different ways that can’t be compared,” says Mozie on his approach to his clientele and projects. “Just when I think I’m doing something epic, [God] outdoes himself and shows me more.” And more abundantly. As an image director, Ugo Mozie decides every detail of what you see when you see stars like Stevie Wonder and Maluma. As a creative entrepreneur, he’s produced and styled shoots with Karl Lagerfeld and Justin Bieber. Now, as a film producer, he’s taking his memories of growing up in Nigeria and transforming them into a never-before-told story for the silver screen.

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MAMA AFRICA A look at life through the lens of a young Black man in America, Mozie’s film explores the discovery of self while researching our roots. “He sees Africa for the first time as an opulent and relatable place. A perspective we’ve never seen in Hollywood,” he says. “The world needs to see this story, to see the real Africa. To shift the short-sided narrative that the rest of the world has been convinced to believe what Africa is and who African people are. It’s time for us to see Africa like Asians saw Crazy Rich Asians, or how white people always get to see their kings and queens.”

Using the film to shift the narrative, the movie puts Africa in a new light completely opposite of the picture that has been previously painted. “The only thing before this was Coming to America and Black Panther,” but Zamunda and Wakanda don’t exist.

“You can’t catch a flight to Wakanda or Zamunda. You can catch one to Lagos, Nigeria though.” Ugo wants his story to reach out to the world, and bring the world to his home: Africa. “It’s for everyone with a heart and soul.”

AFRICA FOREVER While the film is in development with some major motion picture studios, Ugo Mozie is keeping his African legacy alive on other fronts. Creating a complete cinematic experience for Blacks, Ugo’s takeover of Hollywood doesn’t just stop on the screen. “I’m creating a production studio, where I’m from - Lagos, Nigeria.” The purpose of the production studio? To provide a space for designers to create. Bringing Africa and African culture to the mainstream, Chief Ugo is here to bridge the gap and distance-induced disconnect that exists between Africans and African Americans. Between Africa and the world.

Africa to the World “Sharing knowledge is extremely important to me. I want to continue storytelling on every level.” That’s the goal: The impact. Ugo is constantly challenging himself to live a life of a lasting legacy, ultimately leaving something behind that will change the lives of the people around him and inspire them to do something different. Ultimately looking to get into teaching youth with real-life examples, Ugo shares this tidbit of wisdom with the masses, “A lot of things don’t go the way we expect it, but we have the power to control how we take it and how we shape it. Think about what fulfills you and how it can be used to make an impact and the rest will align.”

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Words by TOMMY RODRIGUEZ Photography by MASON ALFOD

ANTOINE BETHEA: As Antoine Bethea makes his transition from NFL star safety to full-time philanthropist, he reminds us of where he started years ago. After an impressive 14-year run on the gridiron, Bethea has proven countless critics wrong and hopes to motivate others to do the same.

BET ON YOURSELF WHEN NOBODY WILL

Former NFL star Antoine Bethea is no stranger to exceeding expectations and proving doubters wrong. The 2006 sixthround NFL Draft pick established himself as one of the top safeties in football throughout his professional career, picking up three Pro Bowl selections, a Super Bowl XLI ring, and two Walter Payton Man of the Year awards along the way. As his professional career appears to have come to a close, Antoine Bethea’s exemplary 14-year career and years of admirable philanthropic work continue to inspire and set an example for Black and Brown youth.

Since his first glimpses of success in the NFL, Bethea has prided himself on his efforts to give back to his community. Over a decade ago, Antoine and his wife Samantha Bethea established the Bethea Family

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Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting continuing education and ensuring that the young men and women of his community have the tools they need to succeed.

From establishing a rent relief fundraiser for families impacted by the ongoing global pandemic to providing families with Christmas shopping funds for their children, the Bethea Family Foundation is committed to serving the community.

They’ve also recently cut the ribbon on the Antoine Bethea basketball court, the first in an initiative to build eight courts in his hometown of Newport News, Virginia. “At the end of the day, the foundation is focused on continuing education,” Bethea clarifies. “But we try to help the community any way we can.”

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young Black and Brown men and women are understanding the history, the culture, and what HBCUs mean to us as a people.”

“I would just tell high school athletes coming out to just do your research,” Bethea advises. “That HBCU experience is like no other.” As his football career at Howard began to draw attention from NFL scouts, the former Bison encountered his fair share of doubters who told him that he was too small and hasn’t faced competition comparable to those playing in the Power Five conferences. In his book, Bet on Yourself: Inside the Mind of the Ultimate Underdog, Bethea goes in-depth on his underdog status that has followed him throughout his career.

“I always felt like I was an underdog, even when I got to the league. I played with a chip on my shoulder and still felt as though at times I was overlooked and really not spoken about like I should’ve been.” The 2018 book gives a fascinating look inside Bethea’s journey to NFL stardom and offers insight on how to thrive as the underdog.

“I feel as though people in any profession can use this because everybody at some point in their lives has been doubted…

This book is not about [a] football player, this is about a human being who had a goal that he wanted to achieve but there were some hurdles that he had to go through.”

The Howard University alum recognizes that a degree from a four-year university isn’t always the best option for the foundation’s targeted youth, but he hopes that up-and-coming athletes follow in his footsteps by attending historically Black colleges and universities. “As a youngin, my coaches used to tell me that if you’re talented enough, they’re going to find you. That’s what the scouts’ job is to do, to go to these schools and find the best talent.” Throughout college sports history, Black athletes have shied away from HBCUs in hopes of receiving more notoriety at Power Five conference schools. “That narrative is kind of shifting now because

In addition to his book and charity work, Antoine Bethea is the host of the Man to Man podcast. Alongside NFL veteran and former teammate Darius Butler, the two defensive backs cover the on and off-field aspects of the football world. In over five months, they’ve hosted a slew of remarkable guests and have established themselves as one of the most authentic football podcasts. The podcast is available on all major platforms.

As Antoine Bethea continues to branch out into his wide array of talents and passions, he finds fulfillment in his philanthropic endeavors above all. “A lot of times, we think, ‘okay, I’m gonna do this for this person because this person will be able to do this for me.’ But for me, I can help somebody who I know, nine times out of 10, isn’t going to be able to do anything for me. And that’s the gratification of being able to help people. Having my wife alongside me and her having the same type of values, I think that’s a blessing.”

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LIVE LONG AND PROSPER FOR THE LITTLE BOY WHO NEVER LEFT THE LIBRARY How Dr. Ronald McNair Made Space in Space for Black Americans

HBO has a hit on its hands with the latest addition to their long line of original series: Lovecraft Country. An Afro-futuristic all around whirlwind of a time set in Chicago in the 1950s, Lovecraft Country tells the story of WWII vet Atticus “Tic” Freeman and his fight to save his family and their legacy from the Sons of Adam. In an early episode of season one, we find Tic in the library very noticeably annoying a little boy reading Journey to the Center of the Earth. What some may not know, however, is that “the little boy who never left the library” was a real person, and it wasn’t the center of the earth he set his sights on. He wanted to travel to infinity and beyond…

Ronald Erwin McNair was born on October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. The second of his parents’ three sons, McNair displayed early on an affinity for all things technical, which sent him to the library as often as he could manage so that he could fill his head with as much knowledge as possible. Initially intrigued by the Russians’ launch of Sputnik in 1957 and ultimately inspired by the airing of Star Trek, McNair decided he would see just exactly what the cosmos had to offer a little Black boy from the south.

A graduate of Carver High School, McNair excelled in baseball, basketball, and football, played saxophone, and even became a fifth-degree black belt in karate. Graduating as the Class of 1967’s valedictorian, McNair continued his education at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical (NCA&T) State University, one of the nation’s foremost Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics – magna cum laude. Always striving for academic excellence, McNair earned his Ph.D. in physics in 1976 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, despite suffer-

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photo credit: NASA, courtesy of AIP Emilio Segre Visual Archives, Ronald E. Mickens Collection via blackhistory.mit.edu

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ing through two years of his specialized laser physics research being stolen, having to reproduce new data in under a year. He would later receive honorary doctorates from his alma mater, NC A&T University, Morris College, and the University of South Carolina.

Regularly recognized as an expert in chemical and high-pressure lasers, McNair went on to develop lasers used for isotope isolation and researched the use of electro-optic modulation for satellite space communications. All of this hard work – and sometimes headache – landed McNair as the second African American ever in space with the launching of the STS-41B mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger on February 3, 1984 (just months after Guion S. Bluford became the first).

Tapped again to be a part of the crew of the STS-51L mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger, McNair’s assignment included his controlling the Challenger’s robotic arm to release and retrieve a satellite used to make observations of Halley’s Comet. After several delays, the mission was set to launch on January 28, 1986.

Ron McNair died on January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after the Challenger launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The explosion was broadcast on live television. McNair was 35 years old.

Dr. Ron E. McNair’s legacy is one that continues to live on through posthumous recognition, including his 2004 Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and prospers through initiatives like the Challenger Center for Space Education, founded by his wife, Cheryl, and other surviving family members of the Challenger crew. A trailblazer in aeronautics and a path-maker for Black Americans everywhere, Dr. Ronald E. McNair is an icon, and it all started out with the little boy who never left the library.

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photo credit: Sou News

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