BSM Magazine_ September-October 2020

CELEBRITY NEWS I ENTREPRENEURS I LIFESTYLE

BEAUTIFULLY SAID MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020

Curtiss Cook

Talks “The Chi,” Being Cast in the Remake of the West Side Story, and His Journey to Acting

VOTE!

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In this issue:

Be Fall Ready in a Pandemic BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 1

Images Credit: McCall Ryan

Shades of Rose

bynham-Luyendyk Lauren Bur w w w .T h e S h a d e s O f R o s e . c o m

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ARANYANI - LUXURY HANDBAG COLLECTION

Photo courtesy of Udo Spreitzenbarth

Mini Crossbody in Green Bottle

WWW. ARANYANI .COM

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from the

editor’s desk ACCOUNTABILITY. Within this word is COUNT. Actress Kim Fields said a mouthful in a two minute and thirteen-second video in a post on her Instagram page, and an on-time message rooted in the number of black people affected by hate, pandemic disease disparities, and police brutality. Fields and other celebrities like LeBron James are taking a stand. But no one has to be famous for doing their part. It is necessary to call a thing a thing for the sake of saving lives. May we all dare to face the faces of those who choose to dispose of people of color in senseless acts mired in ignorance and systemic racism.

television, and film star happily married.

We are angry. And tire of defending ourselves when we proclaim “Black Lives Matter” because, in plain English, it does! It does not do away with the thought that other people’s lives don’t matter. Still, when you cannot jog, sleep in your home, or be out with your children without being fatally shot, Yes, there needs to be loud yelling for justice. We didn’t ask to be a part of any made-up clique.

None exists where any person of color wants to be a part of their livelihood being in jeopardy. COUNT the number of times black people have had enough.

When the issue went to press, we heard the news of Chadwick Boseman passing away from colon cancer at the age of 43. He was a gifted actor whose legacy holds in the iconic roles he left for fans to enjoy for years to come. The world will miss him.

Comforting thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, family, friends, and industry peers.

In the same breath, we talk about racial injustice; we also celebrate black people’s achievements in this issue. Take our cover story with “The Chi” actor, Curtiss Cook, who details his journey from being a single father on welfare to becoming a Broadway, 4 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

And no issue, including ours, would be complete without a tribute to Civil Rights Leader and US Congressman, John Lewis. In July, the world lost a stand-up man who caused nothing but “Good Trouble” in the fight for justice. We honor his legacy and memory.

With a new season, Yes, fall is here; we must remain diligent in keeping ourselves and family safe from the coronavirus. Continue to practice social distancing, wash hands thoroughly, and stay abreast of any news and updates.

We encourage those reading our publication to Keep Going! Don’t give up on fighting for justice; don’t give up on your health, don’t give up on your dreams. Keep going, someone!

We’re here cheering for you and thank you again for being a part of the BSM family.

Best regards, La Trisha McIntosh and La Tasha Taylor

BEAUTIFULLY SAID MAGAZINE VOL. 2 ISSUE 10 PUBLISHER BSM MEDIA GROUP GROUP EDITORS-IN-CHIEF LA TRISHA MCINTOSH LA TASHA TAYLOR GROUP EDITOR BSM TEAM SENIOR WRITER LA TRISHA MCINTOSH LA TASHA TAYLOR STAFF WRITERS BSM TEAM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS TWINS OF MEDIA BET LA TRISHA MCINTOSH LA TASHA TAYLOR BRANDEDMGMT.COM WPR.COM STRATEGIC HEIGHTS MEDIA ADMINISTRATION BSM TEAM CREATIVE DESIGNER ANDRA BRANDHOFER BSM MEDIA GROUP LLC PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS (TALENT/PR) UNSPLASH.COM INTERNS/MENTEE VIKTOR HARGROVE MARKETING EXECUTIVES BSM MARKETING TEAM CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION BSMANDMEDIA.COM THE ‘ORIGINAL’ TWINS OF MEDIA DIGITAL, PRINT, AND BSM NETWORK. CULTURE: CELEBRITY NEWS, ENTREPRENEURS AND LIFESTYLE.

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18 COVER STORY

Photo Credit: Michael Avedon

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Photo Credit: David Gmartinez

Photo Credit: SamJonesPictures/Instagram

CONTENTS

8

8 John Lewis

Remembering Civil Rights leader and US Congressman

YouTube Influencer On Overcoming Insecurities

42 Carlo Arrechea

The Cuban-Born bilingual actor is a star on the rise in Hollywood

44 Chadwick Boseman

Honoring A Movie Legend Who Made A Huge Impact in Cinema and Across the Globe in His 43 Years of Life

Subscribe today

Visit bsmandmedia.com for this month’s digital subscription offers

Photo Credit: Rafael Paiva

Curtis Cook

“The Chi” actor talks the season 3 finale, his newest role in the West Side Story, and his rise to fame

Photo Credit: Desiree Navarro | WireImage | Getty Images

Photography By: Parrish Lewis

26 Haresh Mirpuri Founder of Aranyani

32 Ty-Leah B. Hampton

Images Credit: McCall Ryan

Photo: Vikrant Kharat

25 Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” season 7 and the new show “Assisted Living” on BET

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BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 7

Photo Credit: Michael Avedon

JOHN LEWIS

Honoring a Civil Rights Hero 8 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

Photo Credit: alamy.com

H

1963 March On Washington

He stirred up nothing but Good Trouble. Civil Rights Leader and the United States Congressman John Robert Lewis used his years on Earth to fight racial injustice. Born in Alabama on February 21, 1940, he passed away from cancer on July 17, 2020, at 80 in Atlanta.

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Photo Credit: Archives, The Birmingham News John Lewis - March from Selma to Montgomery, “Bloody Sunday,” 1965

A

s a young boy, Lewis wanted to preach so he would talk to the animals on the farm where his family lived. His early years a blueprint for the countless times he would use his voice to evoke change in a world where his skin color was not accepted, especially in the era of Jim Crow laws and marches. Sadly, before his death, Lewis still fought for justice as tensions stemmed from racism continued to rise from law enforcement officers’ across America.

In it, he called on the younger generation to continue the work for justice and an end to hate.

A message rang in the documentary “Good Trouble” that chronicles “interviews and rare archival footage of Lewis’60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights.”

Actor and activist Erika Alexander is one of the film producers who “never planned just to be a spectator in the fight for civil rights.” She and

others on board for equality know the importance of preserving the history of Lewis to ensure all generations now and in the future, get themselves into Good Trouble.

May we all honor and uphold the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient’s legacy and all of his other deserving accolades and do our part to make Lewis proud today, tomorrow, and forever.

Good Trouble. It’s the only way John Lewis knew. Never has a man been consistent standing up for what is not right in our country, and each day wake up to try and fix it. His legacy is for everyone to honor as he tirelessly served the people with dignity and grace even when it was not given to him. Before his passing, Lewis “wanted citizens to use their votes as a means to rebuild America (in the image of God and democracy). Already underway are streets named in his honor, most recently Nashville’s Fifth Avenue to ‘Rep. John Lewis Way.’ Tributes such as this is only right for a man who bled on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 in what is known historically as “Bloody Sunday.” His final trip across took place days after his death and leading up to the funeral on Thursday, July 30.

Forty times are the number of arrests associated with Lewis. He, until the end, urged people to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.

The same university (Troy University) that denied Lewis admission in 1957 due to his skin color held a public service honoring his life before services at Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama.

Lewis “penned an op-ed to the nation published in The New York Times on the day of his funeral.

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Photo Credit: William A. Smith/AP John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo credit: 9to5mac.com BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 11

RCA INSPIRATION CELEBRATES A POWERFUL NIGHT OF FAITH AND MUSIC AT THE 35TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS

Photo credit: BET.com

RCA Inspiration celebrated a powerful night of faith and music at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards, which aired on BET on August 23rd. Produced as a virtual special due to the global health pandemic and also paying tribute to first responders,

12 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

the show was co-hosted by Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA), RCA Inspiration’s Koryn Hawthorne, and Jonathan McReynolds, with further airings in broadcast syndication to run nationally between August 29th – September 27th. The Stellar Awards

are the biggest night in Gospel, and RCA Inspiration garnered 16 awards this year, with the Stellar Awards announcing wins for Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence, Le’Andria Johnson, and Kurt Carr’s releases. The night also featured performances

from Hawthorne, Marvin Sapp, Travis Greene with DOE, Kierra Sheard with J.J. Hairston, Tauren Wells (Provident Label Group/ RCA Inspiration), plus Melvin Crispell, III on the emerging artists stage.

Sweeping half the awards with wins in 14 of the 28 Stellar Awards categories, among the night’s wins included the major categories of Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Choir of the Year, and Producer of the Year. Co-host Kirk Franklin and his latest chart-topping album garnered eight awards in six categories, winning for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for LONG LIVE LOVE (Fo Yo Soul/RCA), Producer of the Year (with Franklin, and RCA Inspiration’s Phil Thornton and Ronald Hill each getting awards as the album’s co-producers), Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year for LONG LIVE LOVE, and Music Video of the Year for his hit single “Love Theory” (Dir: Matt DeLisi).

Donald Lawrence garnered four awards, winning Song of the Year for his chart-topping hit “Deliv-

er Me (This Is My Exodus)” with his co-songwriters, Choir of the Year and Contemporary Choir of the Year, for Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers, on the album GOSHEN, and Urban/ Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus).” Le’Andria Johnson, featured on GOSHEN for “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus),” won Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year. Kurt Carr won for Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year for his latest acclaimed album together with The Kurt Carr Singers, BLESS SOMEBODY ELSE (Kurt Carr Gospel/RCA Inspiration), and the album won for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (Art Dir: Derek Blanks).

With a mix of solo performances and duets, featured performances included co-host Koryn Hawthorne also taking the stage in a debut performance of her new single “Speak To Me”, Marvin Sapp delivering a performance of his single “Thank You For It All”, a duet of Travis Greene & DOE on “Good & Loved”, Kierra Sheard performing with J.J. Hairston on his song “Miracle Worker,” Tau-

ren Wells debuting a solo performance of his new single produced

by Donald Lawrence, “Trenches (Sunday A.M. Version)”, and BET “Sunday Best” Season 9 winner Melvin Crispell, III, making his Stellar Awards performance debut on the emerging artists stage with his single “Wonderful Is Your Name”.

Phil Thornton, RCA Inspiration SVP and General Manager says: “Congratulations to Kirk, Donald, Le’Andria, and Kurt, on the Stellar Award wins this year and to the amazing work of the hosts, performers, and everyone who worked together on the Stellar Awards! Truly humbling to be recognized. Although the celebration was different this year, this was a momentous night to continue honoring Gospel music, the vital efforts of first responders, and the much-needed inspiration, strength and comfort that God brings to shine a path and carry us through difficult times.”

For more information on RCA Inspiration, visit: www.rcainspiration.com Article courtesy of: www.wpr.com

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THE BACHELOR’S LAUREN BURNHAM-L Former reality television personality Lauren Burnham-Luyendyk has not only added Fashion Entrepreneur to her resume but also Fashion Host and Producer, showcasing her new label, Shades of Rose, as part of a virtual fashion show.

I

n a year where the catwalk is closed,

runway lighting and 13 models showcasing

Burnham-Luyendyk is offering a unique

26 different looks from her pre-fall collec-

front-row seat to a classic runway

tion launched in August.

Luyendyk, Jr. and their daughter, Alessi.

The virtual fashion show showcased the work of Burnham-Luyendyk’s two-years

experience with all the traditional

The “fashion week” experience streamed

of sweat, determination and hard work,

bells and whistles of an NYC-style fash-

live on Instagram late August from

bringing Shades of Rose to market. The

ion show. Burnham-Luyendyk will turn her

Burnham-Luyendyk’s Phoenix home she

line is a lifestyle inspired brand for the spir-

backyard into a fantasy experience with

shares with Bachelor franchise lead, Arie

ited muse who cannot be defined as one

14 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

Images Credit: McCall Ryan

LUYENDYK VIRTUAL FASHION SHOW thing because there are many shades to

appearance on Season 22 of ABC’s The

guests in Maui, including Bachelor host

who she is-courageously herself, paving

Bachelor. On After the Final Rose, Bach-

Chris Harrison who officiated the wed-

her own path and is always up for a little

elor Franchise Lead, Arie Luyendyk, Jr.,

ding. They then welcomed their first child

adventure along the way.

proposed to Burnham-Luyendyk in front

together, Alessi Ren Luyendyk, on May 29,

of a live studio audience in Los Angeles on

2019.

Burnham-Luyendyk’s USA-designed line includes: dresses,

blazers, pants,

blouses,

rompers,

bodysuits, shirtdresses,

skirts, and tops, all of which range in price from $40 to $150.

Shades of Rose is the first product launch from Burnham-Luyendyk following her

March 6, 2018. The pair then announced their wedding date on ABC’s The View, confirming they would wed in Jan. 2019 in Hawaii. Days before their co-BachelorETTE Party in Las Vegas, the duo an-

To learn more about Shades of Rose by Lauren Burnham-Luyendyk, please visit: www.TheShadesOfRose.com.

nounced they were expecting a baby.

They wed on Jan. 12, 2019, in front of 100

Article courtesy of: www.brandedmgmt.com

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Photo credit: bet.com 16 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

BET’S “SUNDAY BEST” SEASON 10 WINNER STEPHANIE SUMMERS The new winner of BET’s “Sunday Best” – Stephanie Summers – announced on the Season 10 finale episode, which aired on August 23rd. After public voting on the two finalists, for the 10th season of “Sunday Best” – America’s most inspirational singing competition on BET, Stephanie Summers will receive a recording contract with RCA Inspiration, as part of the “Sunday Best” winner prize package. RCA Inspiration in partnership with BET will be releasing new music from Stephanie Summers in the future. In addition to winning the title of “Sunday Best,” Summers will also receive a cash prize of $50,000, and an opportunity to be a featured performer on the McDonald’s Inspiration Gospel Tour.

Hailing from Colorado Springs, CO, Stephanie Summers is a veteran in the gospel music scene. She has opened up for legends like Pastor John P. Kee, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and others, and has returned to the stage to pursue her dreams. Her gospel career was derailed following the death of her best friend and father. After a short period of becoming homeless, she has once again found her footing and is ready to return to the gospel scene. Proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, she has persevered on “Sunday Best” this season. Today, she is living with her children in Colorado Springs, CO. Article courtesy of: www.wpr.com

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Photography By: Parrish Lewis 18 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

Cover Story

CURTISS COOK

By La Trisha M. & La Tasha T. ‘Twins of Media’

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I don’t think anybody who has reached my age hasn’t had something happen the way they didn’t want it to happen

20 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

Cover Story Fresh off the season three finale of the Showtime series “The Chi”, Curtiss Cook is ready to take on a groundbreaking role in the Steven Spielberg remake of the West Side Story musical with the casting of black characters for the first time.

“Can you believe that?” Curtiss says as he speaks to us from his home via video. The actor sitting comfortably on a chaise lounge leans away from the camera while resting his hands behind his head before continuing. “I went to school in London, England, and all I ever wanted to do was musical theater,” he says before mentioning being the first African-American to receive a full scholarship to Mount View Theatre School in London.

This experience helped define his craft. “A welltrained musical performer is one of the strongest and captivating performances in the world, that’s my opinion if it’s done right,” he shares.

“THE Steven Spielberg I don’t know if I can curse here, but that mother… he says in admiration is doing the reincarnation of West Side Story.” The original—set in the 1950s in New York City, where you saw Puerto Ricans against Whites. “There were no black people?” Curtiss asks as a rhetorical question. “Hold on, hold on, was it an alternative universe?” He laughs before adding, “I’m sure it had to be one black person walking down the street at some time”, he says matter-of-factly followed by another laugh. Leaning back once more, Curtiss acknowledges the “where-with-all and foresight of Spielberg and scriptwriter, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner to revisit time and indeed tell a story as it was. Cue the call from Curtiss’s agent sharing news that the Oscar-winning director had his name in mind for a new character named Abe, a significant role that only adds to Curtiss’ Broadway star status.

The conversation then goes to a place Curtiss reflects upon before acting. Looking off to the side in a moment of fastidious thought, he says, “I’m not going to lie—during that time I wasn’t on Broadway, and I didn’t have a lot of money.”

The Dayton, OH native, is talking about his first marriage, failing. “In that situation, the woman I was with decided she no longer wanted to be

a mother or wife.” They shared three children; Curtiss Jr., Isis, and Kimani. “You know, I say this because I think it needs to be said,” as he looks directly into the camera to communicate a painful memory. “Although that seems very harsh (his first wife leaving and outsiders questioning why or how?), Curtiss acknowledges it with wisdom.

“I think it takes a lot of courage and strength for someone to recognize in themselves they don’t have what it takes to take on the task because,

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in the long run, it could have been more detrimental to the children and me than it ended up being.”

The fifty-something actor admits, “I don’t think anybody who has reached my age hasn’t had something happen the way they didn’t want it to happen.” Still, Curtiss doesn’t mind being transparent about those early memories and sharing when he was evicted from his apartment or had to go on food stamps, which in his words, “was humiliating,” but his only recourse. And throughout, he continued to better himself and believe in who he was, especially looking at the three faces of his oldest children. Curtiss is married to his second wife of 17 years, Angelica, a Broadway actress. The couple is parents of 16-yearold twins Harlem and Jade. The father of five goes without saying, “Although I have had challenges, there have been some beautiful things as well,” he knocks on wood, a sign of good luck before making it clear, “I thank the Creator I am here now!”

Curtiss’s career resume is impressive, having done two Broadway shows and multiple movies. When asked if there is a character he would play that is no longer here, his response speaks more so on the regal aura of black people’s culture (think Black Panther or Shaka Zulu). “There are so many stories to tell,” he says, but, you know, movies like the Game of Thrones, I see movies like that for black Americans and Africans to show their beauty and incredible landscape in all that we have owned or created.

“There is nothing wrong with slave movies because it’s necessary, but “We’ve been Kings and Queens in history for years, and I would love for more of those stories told.”

Marvin Gaye? Curtiss was surprised at us thinking he should play the legendary singer that all he could say was, “Whoa!” He had never heard anyone mention it before, which brought us to ask if he could sing.

“Yes, but am I that dude you would buy an album?

Umm, No!” (laughs). “I’ll tell you why, I can talk a song better than anybody you would ever know and do a scene and you’re like, “Alright!” but if you put me on a set (singing) you may go, “Oh, Okay Alright not so enthused and say, who’s next? (laughs). But, I can carry a note pretty well.”

Speaking of handling things well, Curtiss and his family have stayed occupied in the pandemic. “The older kids are out of the house. They outta here!” (laughs). “The twins are still here; they’re sixteen; I said that already right? When the pandemic first started, no one knew how long it would take, so we 22 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

were like, oh okay, we can figure this thing out. My wife was on Broadway, and March 13th is when it officially closed. Broadway never closes!! So we got a little nervous.”

Keeping him and his family’s minds active is how Curtiss is navigating through this different change of events in the world. They binge HBO shows like the “Watchmen,” and play Scrabble, which he advises one should never play with their teenagers, particularly his (laughs).

In humor, he jokes, “These dumb folks sit here for 20-minutes to put an “i” next to a “t” on the board (laughs), but in all seriousness, he’s proud that his daughter Jade completed a summer theatre program via Zoom classes, which he says, was “Amazing!” And his son, Harlem, plays football that just started back up. “We’re sticking it out together, and as things slowly open, we are still trying to find our way.” Adding, “We spent a lot of time with each other. It’s all in God’s plan for things to happen like they are supposed to and its benefits, I’m sure we’ll see.” It’s much like the advice Curtiss gives to anyone following their dreams.

Cover Story

don’t get caught up in where you should be or how far to get there. We think too far in advance, and it makes us stagnate. Breathe, be kind to yourself, and know failures give you the information of knowing what not to do. Please take a minute to appreciate you are still here because life is fleeting, and we’ve lost so many loved ones too soon and unnecessarily.”

Failures give you the information of knowing what not to do

“If there is something you dream about and it’s in your soul or spirit, keep going each day at a time and

There are laughs when Curtiss breaks into the character of Otis “Douda,” Perry, saying, “Cause I’m going to be there!” Of course, he’s talking about the last season 3 episode of the hit series “The Chi” and why fans should watch it in the future. “The show (created by Lena Waithe with writer Ayanna Floyd) is exciting, and it’s good (Douda is married to character Roselyn Perry played by Kandi Burruss, who joined the cast in 2020). I think it’s necessary to have a representation of ourselves in all of its beauty. You know what I mean. To have that moment on the screen to say, I wouldn’t do that or do this. It’s fun. It’s entertainment. Who at this time does not need some excitement? The Chi is dope!”

In fun-spiritedness, and before the conversation ends, Curtiss dances to the know-how that “Life is

beautiful. Yes, Life is good!” @curtisscook

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THE SEVENTH SEASON OF “TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE” & NEW SERIES “TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING” PREMIERING ON BET WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND

“TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE” and “TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING” will premiere on BET Wednesday, September 2nd at 8 PM ET/PT and 9 PM ET/PT, respectively. Two half-hour episodes will air for each show.

help his crazy grandfather. Grandpa Vinny (J. Anthony Brown) has foolishly purchased a terribly run-down home for the elderly and he is in way over his head, but comedy ensues as Mr. Brown (David Mann) and Cora (Tamela Mann) show up at the right time as needy investors.

“TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE,” returning for its seventh season, is a hilarious comedy about retired fire chief Curtis Payne (LaVan Davis) and his lovely wife Ella (Cassi Davis Patton) that picks up five years later, as they continue to navigate the problems of life with their quirky modern-day family.

“TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING” stars David Mann as Mr. Brown, Tamela Mann as Cora, J. Anthony Brown as Vinny, Na’im Lynn as Jeremy, Courtney Nichole as Leah, Tayler Buck as Sandra and Alex Henderson as Phillip.

“TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE” stars LaVan Davis as Curtis Payne, Cassi Davis Patton as Ella Payne, Lance Gross as Calvin Payne, Demetria McKinney as Janine Payne, China Anne McClain as Jazmine Payne, Keshia Knight Pulliam as Miranda and Allen Payne as CJ Payne.

“TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE”and “TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING” are executive produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. Michelle Sneed serves as Executive Producer of both series for Tyler Perry Studios.

In the new sitcom “TYLER PERRY’S ASSISTED LIVING,” Jeremy (Na’im Lynn), a patriarch of a young family with teenage children, loses his job and decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to

Article courtesy of Strategic Heights Media Photos courtesy of BET

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Photo: Vikrant Kharat 26 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

HARESH MIRPURI

Photo: Haresh Mirpuri

Haresh Mirpuri is the Founder and creative director of Aranyani, a luxury handbag collection from India. Here he talks about being an entrepreneur, his brand, including a new launch in the U.S., and how the thriving company looks out for each other during a pandemic.

Q

Q: As Founder and Creative Director of Aranyani, tell us the origins of the brand.

The Aranyani brand is inspired by our desire to build a business that brings together the Vedic values, the heritage of India, and the artistry of India’s craftsmen. We were inspired to build a responsible business that cares for the environment and all of the business’s stakeholders while using all of nature’s resources responsibly. We chose the name Aranyani, which in Sanskrit means Queen of the Forest because it embodies our vision of the brand; natural, strong, and exquisite.

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Photo: Udo Spreitzenbarth | Model: Archana Akil Kumar

Photo: Udo Spreitzenbarth | Model: Archana Akil Kumar

Q: Your latest collection launched in the U.S. Who is your customer base, and what is the feedback?

We find it interesting that we have two customer bases: Those between 18 and 34 who love the Mini Crossbody and the Baguettes. The second group includes those between 35 and 55 who love the more classic silhouettes like the Top Handle and the Tote. They love our bags because we combine two very distinct aspects of our designs; artisanal craftsmanship and contemporary silhouettes.

There is no one else doing anything like this in the marketplace currently.

Q: What do you like most about being an entrepreneur and a leader in the luxury textile and manufacturing industry?

Design is a language that delivers emotion and a message. I am grateful to be in the luxury textile and manufacturing industry as I can communicate myself effectively through design to the global audience.

Q: Have you had to shift the operations of your business due to COVID? Q: After 20-years of mastering the world. India has been considered the “land of luxury” for thousands of textiles, you felt the need to re- years. Luxury products created jobs We remain steady and care for each other. We look out for each other. vitalize and redefine India’s lux- and helped build rural and urban That is our culture. We have kept eveconomies throughout India’s history. eryone on our team working and emury industry. Explain why?

I believe that luxury businesses have to take the lead in building responsible companies. The luxury segment is followed by hundreds of millions of people and is closely watched. Hence, this segment can actually communicate most effectively to the rest of

I am keen to communicate this aspect of India, which is one of our culture’s foundations and one of the reasons our civilization survived 32,000 years. I believe that India will remain an important leader in the luxury segment and will be embraced globally.

ployed during this. No one has been furloughed or lost their position. Instead, we have done many things to help them cope with the pandemic.

Among them, we did not cut anyone’s pay and have provided all our team members medical insurance

BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 29

that covers their spouses, parents, and children. We also offer our team rent-free accommodations.

We recently started the Aranyani Education and Vocation Trust to provide education to all team members’ children. In addition, we planted a beautiful garden with a wide variety of vegetables. We taught our team how to grow their own chemical-free vegetables, which they use daily. Aranyani also joined together to help feed hundreds of needy people during the lockdown.

looks can customers look for- sical music and World music. I ward to in your Spring/Sum- practice yoga and meditation for my well-being. I enjoy cooking with mer 2021 collection?

The Top Handle, and the Mini Crossbody is the general favorites.

In Spring/Summer 2021, we will be using new approaches to art, such as the use of pure gold gilding techniques that have been the specialty of India for a long time.

We are also planning some exciting collaborations with global artists in the upcoming collection.

Q: How do you spend downQ: What are your most popu- time away from the business? lar handbags, and what new I have a penchant for Indian Clas-

my family during the weekends and love traveling to understand and appreciate other cultures.

Q: What’s next for Aranyani?

Aranyani is in its infancy. We have many great ideas and a creative and dynamic team that can convert those ideas into reality. Our world of Aranyani will always do things to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Visit: www.aranyani.com

Photo: Udo Spreitzenbarth | Model: Archana Akil Kumar 30 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

Shop now! www.bsmandmedia.com

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@tyleahbh

by La Trisha M. and La Tasha T. (Twins of Media)

“My reason behind this shoot was to promote my fitness side and to step out of my comfort zone.

To prove myself wrong, I am more than capable of doing things I once believed I could do.” - Ty-Leah

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Photo Credit: David Gmartinez

TY-LEAH B. HAMPTON SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER

Ty-Leah B. Hampton is a social media influencer quickly becoming recognized for empowering others to embrace who they are. Her story began as a child when school-age kids teased her appearance, including her struggles with acne. She shares with us overcoming not being able to look at people face to face, which she admits has been hard to break. Today this beautiful and talented young lady with a gorgeous smile and loves to laugh is ready to take on the world with her athleticism in track and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Read more.

Q: Please introduce yourself.

I”m Ty-Leah B. Hampton, a YouTube influencer, fitness influencer, all-above influencer, whatever influencer (laughs). I am out here living life and fighting for a dream.

Q: We like that “Fight for a Dream.” What made you start sharing your story on social media?

I felt like someone else could be dealing with this (not being happy about their physical appearance). I had a YouTube channel a year before I was starting to Vlog my journey about insecurities. I knew it was something I wanted to do, but I felt I was not ready in my heart. You know you want to be one-hundred percent yourself and transparent to the world. At the time, my confidence was not right, and I just wanted to be as real as possible. I didn’t feel right talking about it until my heart said, alright, it’s time. You’re ready now.

Q: Watching your YouTube videos, you are a beautiful person inside and out. To hear you say people were calling you ugly was hard because we don’t like that word.

There are no ugly people, ugly ways, or behavior, maybe but not ugly people.

Some of these kids you grew up with were mean, but you had a boldness back then even when teased. Where did that come from at that time?

Umm. My momma (laughs). Even though I wasn’t confident on the inside, you would have never known I was insecure because my family would always say, “Leah, you’re so pretty. For me, it was like a “fake it to you make it type of thing,” but on the inside, it (my insecurities) were killing me. I remember coming home and crying in the

shower, and my grandmother not knowing what it was, and I remember one day she asked me, “Are you okay?” I didn’t know why I was crying at that point. It was so much build-up.

guy I was dating at the time, he would hear it. I would say to him, I’m just now pretty, and he would say, “You are beautiful.” I never felt comfortable with people calling me beautiful.

I was in 7th grade wearing Mary Kay. Who wears Mary Kay in the 7th grade?

Q: What has been the feedback from viewers after you began sharing your videos on social media?

Q: You not only wore make-up to look like your mom, who people said was pretty, but you did it to cover-up what you were dealing with, acne. For young people, what do you say to them about embracing their inner and outer beauty?

I have gotten tons of feedback with messages every day. People talk about their weight and skin and tell me stories about their insecurities.

What would I say, you know, it’s hard. Going back to that little girl and the boost of confidence you have after wearing the makeup, I would say, “You’re enough!” I didn’t know I was enough. It was days I didn’t wear the makeup, and people would still compliment me, but I on the inside was like, you’re lying. And I was like; it was you, it was you all along, even if someone said whatever they said it was me, it starts with you.

You’re enough! Anybody, You’re enough!.

As long as you have validation from yourself, you don’t need it from anybody else.

Q: It sounds like Ty-Leah had to heal within herself.

Yes.

I’m just happy I can help people feel comfortable coming to me because I’m in the same position or have been in the same place. We all have insecurities, and we’ve dealt with them.

Q: When you talked in your videos about the teasing, we were like, “Who are these people? We want to get them.” (laughs), but you also had moments with a friend who told you that you were beautiful.

We believe it was in your Part 2 video, where you were calling yourself ugly at a different time, and this friend of yours told you, “No, you’re not ugly!” She was pouring into you how she saw you and a boyfriend you had that was able to find what he likes about you. In the videos, you mention he would say, “I like your hair, I like your teeth,” and between those two interactions, how did hearing what they said made you feel?

[Pause]

Q: Talk to us about the affirmations you received at home and the teasing at school. You’re in the middle. When was the point you reached that moment of healing in your life to where you believe you were beautiful inside and out?

I’m still healing. I would be lying to you if I told you I was fully healed. Like I tell anyone, the journey is so important to me.

It was before as it is now. The moment I started to realize or have affirmations was about 7-months ago. Not too long ago.

Again, when I started posting my first videos on YouTube, I was like, It is what it is. I am going to be; however, I feel and what I say. When I talked about my insecurities in videos 1 & 2, I say I was dealing with it even in college. I was hiding it so well. My friends then even said, I would have never known you were like this or felt that way.

It was times I was crying in my dorm. The

Q: In the video, you cried, talking about your friend.

I did. That moment I was probably a junior in college, and I was just over it at this point.

I know people will say they’re your friends, and they will say whatever, but when she said I was “beautiful,” it just felt like she meant it. Her reaction was like, “Hold up,” let me address this because it was like she heard me and she listened. She didn’t let it go in one ear and out the other. She made me feel shame having called myself ugly, and she was like, “Don’t say that because you’re not.” The thing that made me laugh is when she said, “Come here and she went up to people and asked, “Do you think she is ugly?” Followed up with, “Ain’t she beautiful?” She kept saying, “There is nothing wrong with you, and that meant everything to me.

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After seeing my videos, my dad called me, and we have conversations all the time, so I did know he dealt with insecurities before the video. Look, it wasn’t new for me, but it was still good to know that I am not alone. It’s not a good feeling (insecurities) because it makes you feel uncomfortable. My dad made me feel that I was not alone.

Q: The videos and its message you share are saving a young girl or boy or adults. God’s timing is always the right time. We must say, your videos are so authentic that when you fell out of the chair in one and kept going (laughs), you just got back up and continued the video. We were like, “Yeah, she’s a trooper.”

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I was like, “Am I going to keep this in the video?” I kept it because it is what it is (laughs).

Q: We’re glad you did. People these days like to be able to relate to real life.

In your journey, did you ever seek help?

I did not. I just dealt with it, which is not good. Okay. I don’t recommend anyone to do it because of how it affected me. I tried to come up with my own solutions because I was embarrassed. I mean, I’m freeing myself now. Thank God for release and healing, and I pray, but some people can’t handle it at a young age. I say parents talk to your kids sometimes.

My mom and dad didn’t know because of how I wore it. I was devastated. I am not going to lie. It was times I would say slick comments to my friends (about the way I thought I looked) and I was saying it not for attention but because I was really hurting, but if people don’t see what you see they are not going to think you are serious about it. It was real (the way I felt about myself), and I was always talking about it.

Q: How can we make people feel comfortable on social media without trying to emulate someone else?

Social media can be a dangerous plat-

form. I feel like it should be less social media and more real life, but I would have never thought me being this transparent would have this much impact.

I cannot post a YouTube video (about my skin and have makeup on). If I am talking about how my skin affected me, I wouldn’t feel right wearing makeup.

Q: You were running track in school and do so now. How did it help you deal with being teased back then?

I started running track in my 9th-grade year, but it definitely helped me in college because I was a student-athlete.

Running track was that light in my life because it was always my skin for me, and I just wanted a smooth look. I bought Adobe in the 7th grade to edit my photos to look a certain way.

Q: Keep creating your videos because there is a need. What’s next for you?

I am hoping to get a big sponsor endorsement. I will launch my sportswear line soon. I am on my track journey to train for the Olympics next year. And continuing my skin journey and making videos and doing whatever God allows in my path honestly.

Watch the YouTube Video!

Photo Credit: David Gmartinez

Q: One of the other moments we love is the video you did with your dad after your previous videos about insecurities. The interaction between you and your father is beautiful first of all, and authentic. Something that stood out is here you are talking about your insecurities and because your whole life you were told your mom is beautiful and your dad is fine, and you questioned, “Who do I look like?” In the video, your dad shared his insecurities. Did you know about it, or was it new information?

IN-PERSON OR MAIL-IN BALLOT...

Just Vote!

BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 35

Lifestyle

by La Trisha M. and La Tasha T. (Twins of Media)

Shaheda Wright is a proud Oakland resident who didn’t come into the world by way of the hospital but at 1004 Peralta Street, her grandparents’ home. She, like most people from the Bay Area, recognizes the rich history that comes from a place where the new Vice-President-elect, Kamala Harris, was born—wearing a T-shirt that communicates her love of the town that she has always called home, Wright shares why Oakland is unique.

Q: What are you most proud of hav-

ing been born and raised in West Oakland?

I am proud that I am included in such a rich legacy. Most people that are from Oakland have a very strong sense of pride. I am a part of an extended family that includes so many, from Bill Russell to Kamala Harris.

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Q: Living there, how did it define you as a person?

Being born and raised in West Oakland, I saw a lot. I had uncles on drugs, so I knew what direction I wasn’t going to take, but there was “The Village” the next-door neighbors that felt like family, the families that represented every block, and people cared about each other. I feel like seeing those positive things molded me to want to do the same thing…

GIVE BACK.

Q: A memory of your neighborhood

Q: Share something about West

you can share?

One memory that I will never forget was a bad situation. It was the great earthquake of ‘89. It was horrible, but let me tell you I saw the West Oakland community come together as we stood in disbelief that the Bay Bridge and Cypress Freeway collapsed.

Everyone went out of their way to help. That was a sad but amazing day.

Oakland most people don’t know.

The houses that we used to walk by to get to school daily are now one-million-dollar homes or close enough.

WEST OAKLAND has been THRIVING for years and is a true GEM in the eyes of true OAKLANDERS. Photographer: Eric Taylor

Fun fact: La Trisha and La Tasha ‘Twins of Media’ were raised in Oakland, CA, and attended the same elementary school, Prescott, as Shaheda Wright.

The House Where I Was Born. My Grandparents Home.

My Childhood Neighborhood Near the Elementary School, Prescott I Attended.

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Photo is courtesy of Renee Rivon

SECTION TITLE HERE

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RENEE RIVON

Renee Rivon is a playwright based in Houston, TX. She writes about the black experience and her latest play taken from the 1970s with the story of Carl Hampton of the Black Panthers. Renee shares that it’s important to write a story about something that we dealt with in the past that we are still dealing with today and fix or overcome

R

it. Read more.

by La Trisha M. and La Tasha T. (Twins of Media)

Q: You have some exciting news, a play based on a true story. Tell us about it.

Q: Where did the interest come from to

It’s called Power to the Queendom. The story is about four female Black Panthers in the 1970s who find themselves in a hostage situation with an HPD captain. It is loosely based on a true story in Houston in 1970 on Dowling street, now Emancipation Street. There was a Black Panther headquarters there, and the leader was Carl Hampton. A shootout happened between the two parties, but it was the HPD that started to shoot in their headquarters. The whole ordeal lasted an hour or two, but it ended with them assassinating Carl Hampton. The officers stood on top of St. John’s church, and through a witness, Carl was identified when he came out of the headquarters, and they shot him twice and killed him.

I was writing another play about a neighborhood in Houston called Pleasantville. I wanted to talk about Houston in the late ‘60s, and ‘70s and I started researching the community and where I found out it gave birth to a lot of the men who later formed the Black Panthers in Houston, but they were called the People’s Party II. The name was because when Carl and the others worked with the real Black Panthers in Oakland, CA, the FBI was hot, and they (Oakland division) didn’t want to open any more branches at the time but lay low.

When Carl returned to Houston, he still wanted to adopt the good things the Black Panther Party was doing and uplifting the neighborhoods, and so he didn’t want to name it the

write the play?

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Black Panther Party, so he just called it the People’s Party II. Two as in under the Black Panther Party. I did not know this story in Houston. I remember asking my mom when I was young, did Houston have Black Panthers? And she told me, “Yes, my uncle was a member,” but that was all she knew. From there, I started to research, and I saw these articles from the New York Times.

The headlines read, “Houston Assassinated Carl Hampton, and it said how he was so passionate and strong, and I thought they were talking about Fred Hampton in Chicago. Since then, I have met with him and another member who became the leader after Carl Hampton. They have provided me with books and stories, and we email, and I have now gained all of this information that you don’t see on the internet.

Q: Playwright and storytelling are essential for people to learn about their history. Why is it necessary for you to write?

I have a philosophy of wanting to entertain and instruct. It’s my own personal way of helping us (black people). Instead of opening a book, I felt it was entertaining to tell stories in this way. I just so happen to be writing the play during the time in 2020 and everything that is happening.

Like I said before, I was writing a play about the Houston city Pleasantville, but around April, I switched it to this story. Here I am now writing; we’re currently dealing with the exact same things they dealt with in the play. It’s important to write a story about something that we dealt with in the past that we are still dealing with today and fix or overcome it. My goal is to display it. And figure out a way we can together collectively get over it.

Q: What are your plans for the play as it debuts?

I developed the play with the theater Rec Room in Houston. I joined the group after being accepted as a writer. It’s nine of us in the group, and we each develop new work. The plan was initially to have a play read and invite people out. Since COVID happened, we have now restructured it. I already have my cast and director I’ve been working with, and we have been rehearsing through Zoom. Once we start rehearsing with the director, any rewrites I need to do the Rec Room will bring in about two to three cameras to make it look really nice. And they’re going to set us up in the theater six-feet apart where they will do more of a reading and record it, and then they will stream it from the website.

daughter is learning too. She knows about the Black Panthers now.

The play I did before Power to the Queendom took place in 1954. It was about a black comic who wanted to be a movie star during Jim Crow, and my daughter learned watching from that play as well in regards to how things were back then and how does it look now and to know that we were not always able to do things such as follow our dreams.

Q: Why do you think there are parts of history black people don’t know that happened in their cities or neighborhoods?

They are not in the history books. Somewhere in Texas, they had in our kid’s history books that Africans came over to the United States for jobs. Parents protested, and it was removed, but there is so much black history, especially in Houston, that I didn’t realize.

Mickey Leland was good friends with Carl Hampton, and he was arrested the night Hampton was shot. The FBI infiltrated the Black Panther Party and gave them a bad name, but the Black Panther Party helped kids despite the FBI saying the organization was putting drugs and rat poisoning in the food served to the youth.

They totally discredited their name and everything they were doing. The Black Panther Party was the majority of women. That’s why my play is focusing on four strong women upholding their communities.

Q: Have you encountered any resistance from writing plays about black people’s history, and what can we do to make sure we learn the stories that are not in the history books?

Request, and then when you hear about it, support it. Some people are complaining about another slave movie, but speak up because there are so many other stories. I am working on a cycle play like August Wilson, who focused on black life through different centuries. Mine mainly focuses on black women throughout history, like in the 50s with a black actress trying to make it through Jim Crow and in the 80s where a woman who graduated from college and tried to get into corporate America was pushed out.

Q: Congratulations on all the work you are doing!

Q: How important is it for your daughter to see what you do as a playwright to nurture

Thank you.

her path?

To find out more about Renee Rivon and her Writer’s Workshops online, visit:

It’s very important because her mother has dreams, and I want her to see her mother pursuing and achieving those dreams. I also let her see and hear me pray. We pray together because then she can see it come together. My

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www.Renee-Rivon.com.

@ReneeRivon

Layout/Design: Dezreal Parker BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 41

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Photo Credit: Rafael Paiva

CARLO ARRECHEA

C

Cuban-born bilingual actor Carlo Arrechea is a star on the rise in Hollywood, recently making his U.S. prime time debut in the CBS hit T.V. series S.W.A.T. He portrayed ‘Gio Torres’, a Cuban middleweight boxer, aka “The Caribbean King.” The heartfelt role has garnered him much media attention and was especially significant to him as it tied back to his Cuban roots.

Check out his interview below.

Q: What has the quarantine been like for you and your family?

I’m by myself in L.A. It’s been crazy in the beginning. It was more like adapting to everything; you know everything stopped.

After the second week, I was kind of like working with what I got. I have been reading a lot and working on myself and my mental health. So that’s been my priority, working out, honing my skills as an actor, reading, spending quality time with myself, which is a beautiful gift that I’m able to give myself because of everything that is happening.

Q: What is one thing that you have learned about yourself that you did not know before the quarantine?

I learned to let things flow, release control, and trust that everything is happening for the best, and there is a bigger picture even though we don’t see it. I think, as humans, we believe that is going to put us together during the process we are living in and not trying to control anything that is not in our hands to control, so that’s what I have been learning.

Q: Talk to us about your Breakout CBS role where you portrayed ‘Gio Torres’.

What did you enjoy most about the role?

It’s a dream role because I was able to represent my birth country Cuba on prime time T.V., so for me, it was a huge deal because, with my birth country, we don’t get that much representation in Hollywood as Cubans. Like back in the days when

by La Trisha M. and La Tasha T. (Twins of Media)

Ricky Ricardo, played by Desi Arnaz in “I Love Lucy.” It’s been a dream because it was my debut in the U.S. market. It was a challenging role because I shaved my head and gained weight, even having a stronger Cuban accent to go with the character’s movement of energy. It was a delightful and fun process to embody him and the story. It was a very heartfelt role, and the fans, people from Hollywood, the industry, the press have been very supportive, giving me a lot of love. I feel very blessed and grateful for what’s happening in my career from playing this role.

Q: You always looked up to Desi Arnaz.

Quote: Your dream role would be to reprise ‘Ricky Ricardo’ in a comedy series or film. What about the late star do you love the most?

Yes, for now, I am just putting that in the universe, and I genuinely believe that when you put something in the universe, it comes back to you and. I would love to play the role of Ricky Ricardo, maybe not the same but something similar like a 2020 Ricky Ricardo comedy with the same flavor and energy, but something fresh.

Q: Can you think who would play Lucy?

No, but I am pretty sure there is an actress that will play her amazingly, but as for now, I don’t know who.

We mentioned “Will & Grace star, Debra Messing would be a great choice to play the iconic role of Lucille Ball, namely because they have similar features.

Q: You are active in volunteering at The Ronald McDonald House. In what ways do you continue to give back during the pandemic?

Well, now it’s about social media, being honest, and donating your time and money. That is what I am doing. It is everything I can share and give advice on to having phone calls with people because we cannot do anything in-person. When you volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, you feed and play with the kids, but right now, because of C.O.V.I.D., it’s sharing what I have with what I can do, where I am.

Q: How important is it for you to maintain your wellness?

Yes, I always say it’s a priority. To help others, we need to check ourselves first and make sure our mental health is on the right path. It’s the only way because you are not going to give your pure, beautiful 100% energy otherwise. I think it’s very important that we put ourselves first and our happiness. I firmly believe that you have to take care of yourself and be grateful for what you have.

Q: Any upcoming projects that you can share?

I have something kind of like cooking (laughs!), but I can’t share it right now. But, what I can say is I have another project that made it to a few festivals. It’s a very dark short film, and it’s called “This Charming Man”. It’s different from anything I’ve done in the past, so hopefully, the short film does well. I think people are going to like it.

@carloarrechea BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 43

Chadwick Boseman, who brought the character T’Challa to life in the Black Panther, died of colon cancer Friday, August 28. He was 43. The actor privately fought a four-year battle and passed away in his Los Angeles home with his family by his side. His publicist Nicki Fioravante confirmed the news with The Associated Press.

Boseman ignited many roles throughout his career that put him on the map as one of the industry’s best. From playing Black icons like Jackie Robinson and James Brown to his outstanding performance in the “Marvel cinematic universe,” he approached every role with a unique ability to draw you into that particular character. When you saw him play Thurgood Marshall, he was that and all of his other memorable roles. He was a one-of-a-kind talent who continued to work while ill.

filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

Immediate news reactions came from actor and director Jordan Peele on Twitter, “This is a crushing blow,” and actor and writer Issa Rae wrote, “This broke me.”

The South Carolina native, who graduated from Howard University, will be missed.

Watch the Video: Chadwick Boseman surprising fans in a touching video on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said in the statement.

“From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more- all were

Chadwick Boseman

“Black Panther” Dies at 43 of Colon Cancer

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Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Pinterest

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Photo Credit: La Tasha T.

Burger of the month

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What’s on the Menu!

r e g r u B n Black Bea

By La Tasha T.

Are you looking for a healthy alternative to a traditional beef burger? Try a simple homemade vegan Black Bean Burger recipe. You can add in natural herbs and seasonings to create the patty texture for your taste buds. Happy Eating!

Ingredients:

1. Mash black beans with a utensil until blended

* One can of organic black beans (drained)

2. Finely chop onions and garlic (by hand or food processor) and set aside

* Chopped green or white onions * Garlic (optional) * One egg or egg substitute * 1 Tablespoon of chili powder * 1 Tablespoon of Ground Cumin * ½ Cup of Bread crumbs * Olive oil (optional)

3. In a separate bowl, stir egg, chili powder, and pour it into the mashed beans mixture. Combine bread crumbs.

4. Add in olive oil to achieve the texture you want. The recipe makes four patties.

5. Place each patty in foil and cook for no more than 15 minutes.

Prepare your burger using vegan butter spread on wheat tortillas and warm for 1-minute in the oven. Garnish with your favorite toppings.

Pictures: Pre-cooked patty bottom (r). Cooked burger without bun top (r) with baked sweet potato wedges, sliced oranges, lemon, and celery sticks. Burger with wheat tortilla (l). #health #wellness #veggieburger #blackbeanburger BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 47

Photo credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Katy Perry And Orlando Bloom Welcome A Baby Girl Named Daisy Dove Bloom Singer Katy Perry gave birth to a baby girl named Daisy Dove Bloom. Her fiance, Orlando Bloom, confirmed the news on Thursday, August 27 via Instagram.

By BSM Team 48 | BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM

“‘We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter,’ Katy and Orlando told us.”

Perry and Bloom, who are ambassadors for Unicef, also shared in the Instagram post, how grateful they were to have experienced a “peaceful” birthing experience with good healthcare.

“But we kno w we’re the lucky ones, and not everyone can have a birthing experience as peaceful as ours was. Communities around the world are still experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers and every eleven seconds a pregnant woman or newborn dies, mostly from preventable causes. Since COVID-19 many more newborn lives are at risk because of the in-

creased lack of access to water, soap, vaccines and medicines that prevent diseases.

As parents to a newborn, this breaks our hearts, as we empathize with struggling parents now more than ever.”

Perry, 35, first revealed she was pregnant in a music video for her song “Never Worn White” in March. In the video, the American Idol judge cradled her baby bump while wearing a white dress.

Perry and Bloom have had an on-again, off-again relationship since 2016 but rekindled their romance in early 2018, followed by an engagement in 2019 on Valentine’s Day. Their daughter is Perry and Bloom’s first child together. Perry was previously married to British comedian Russell Brand from 2010 to 2012, while Bloom was married to model Miranda Kerr from 2010 to 2013. They share a son, Flynn, who was born in 2011.

Congratulations to Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom on their new bundle of joy!

Photo credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Bloom, 43, shared a black and white photo of the child’s hand and a repost from @unicef with the caption; “Welcome to the world, Daisy Dove Bloom!

We are honoured to introduce Goodwill Ambassadors @KatyPerry and @OrlandoBloom’s new bundle of joy.”

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WHAT’S ON SOCIAL MEDIA? Looking for something cool on Instagram?...See what popped up in the search.

BSM Magazine #bsmmagazine #curtisscook #TheChi #coverstory Photo Credit: Instagram

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@bsm_mag

Watch

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ss e in s u b ll a m s l Support a loca

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YES, 2020 rough YEar for us all. has been a

however, a reminder

to continue to

Fuel your Story in

2020

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