Marlowe Whitlow featured on Cover of Consciousness Magazine

Edition - 2017 Vol. 13 Issue 1

Feature Contents

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09

06 A Chat with Felicia Mosley

Fashion In The City business owner makes a Difference in the Community

09 Former NBA Player Mark Blout Former NBA Player scores BIG off the Court

10 Christopher Mann [Interview]

Veteran actor stars in new Drama Series

13 Health: Celia Disease 14 Author & Certified Fitness Trainer Marlowe Whitlow How a a once overweight man loses nearly 300 pounds [Exclusive Interview]

18 As the Community Spins

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An interview with DJ Mitchell Ledbetter

20 Sports: Cubs Win!

A history Overview of the MLB World Champion Chicago Cubs

26 Macy’s Annual Black History Month Celebration

Regular Content Just Thinking

By Dorothy Robinson

Life is full of surprises, happiness, heartaches and pain.

Life is more important than you think it is.

What you make of it…

I could go on and on but I must stop there.

And always remember, Life is no game.

Take it serious not delirious.

Cover Photo: Marlowe Whitlow

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04 Editor’s Page 05 Letters/ Awareness 09 Business/ Profile 09 Words of Encouragement 13 Health Solutions 19 Technology / Arts and Culture 20 Sports Community 22 Remembrance / Legends 26 Album-Book-Movie Review(s) 26 Know Your Rights Teen: College Spirit Section

Editor ’s Note :

Beneficial Information for Growth

CONSCIOUSNESS “Urban Inspiration”

STAFF

Founder & Editor Aaron Robinson

Senior Vice President Mozella Malone

Administrative Asst.

Julia M. Robinson Josephine Robinson Consultant Frank Robinson Fred Robinson

Public Relations Marketing / Promotions A&M Marketing Group

Advertising Agency A&M Marketing Group MediaBids

Over the past decade, Consciousness Magazine has been instrumental to giving back to the community. We have been instrument in strengthening the livelihood of our readers, followers and supporters through our helpful content, by providing beneficial information. As we carry on with our mission, we understand the importance of personal growth and touching the hearts of individuals, in hopes that they can continue to grow and live a prosperous and productive life.

In this edition of Consciousness Magazine, we will provide you with more helpful life tips and empowerment articles that are meaningful and contain valuable content.

We will also go into the life of entertainers and significant individuals to understand how they overcame obstacles to rise above the many challenges in their life.

Thanks again for reading this one of a kind publication. Like always, we thank you.

Enjoy!

Photographer

A&M Marketing Group

Graphic Design / Web Designer

A&M Marketing Group

Illustrator / Comics Eric Plaut

Proofreader

Tocarra Eldridge

Writers/Journalists

Tocarra Eldridge Dr. Shanessa Fenner Elder Lee M. Harris, Sr. Sirrocco Hogue Darnell Jodan Eric Plaut

Special Correspondent Lashana Barker Russell Norman Hector De La Rosa

Reviews

Aaron Robinson Founder & Editor

Tocarra Eldridge Darnell Jordan Hector De La Rosa Aaron Robinson

Contributors

Gini Graham Scott

Special Thanks

Readers and Supporters Views expressed by advertisers and/or press release are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Consciousness Magazine™. Consciousness Magazine™ will not be held responsible or liable for advertisers misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors, etc., herein contained.

About Consciousness Magazine™

“Keeping our Pen on the Pulse of the Community” Consciousness Magazine “Urban Inspiration,” is committed to raising the level of consciousness of the residents in our community. The mission of Consciousness Magazine is to promote understanding, make a difference in society, touch hearts, as well as, emphasize positive celebrities and significant social figures through strong articles and compelling visuals. This publication embraces ethnicity and multicultural, in hopes of bringing different cultures together in peace and friendship.

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by Robinson Publishing, Inc. Postmaster: Send address Change and Subscription Orders to: P.O. Box 2496, Kankakee, Illinois 60901, Phone: (312) 715-7884 Email: info@consciousnessmagazine.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publisher. ©2017 Consciousness Magazine™. All Rights Reserved.

Enriched Life In the last edition of Consciousness Magazine, Tony Little’s interview has really inspired me to be a better person.

Over the years I have watched many of his videos that has empowered and enriched my life. Thanks for highlighting Mr. Little. .

Matthew Teague Chicago

Empowerment I’m always amazed of Consciousness Magazine. You all are always stepping out of the box and taking the challenges to be unlike any other publication.

I really enjoyed the interview with the body trainer, Tony Little. He spoke about how to empower the mind and live a healthy lifestyle by exercising. This is a very powerful read.

Joanne Thomas New York

Personal Growth As I watched this publication grow over the years, I have realized the personal growth in me. It’s exciting to see a publication cover a great range of topics from health, sports and entertainers as well as local individuals. Keep up the amazing work guys and continue to highlight those things that make a difference in our life.

Tericck Walter Chicago

Diversity I really love the slogan “Keeping Our Pens on the Pulse of the Community,” and you guys do just that and much more. Your range of topics and interviews from NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins to the legendary poet Nikki Giovanni and Raheem DeVaughn amazes me concerning how all of these articles are diverse, yet on the same life of a conscious and awareness perspective. Continue to keep on informing the masses.

Nesha Reeves St. Louis

Write to us: We want to know what you’re thinking.

Send emails to info@consciousnessmagazine.com. Include your name, address, and telephone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or length. For Customer Service and Subscriptions visit us at www.consciousnessmagazine.com.

Consciousness Awareness:

Do Life’s Turning Points Make a Difference?

The idea of turning points in our lives is a powerful one. It’s the idea that at a certain point, a big event happens that changes your life irrevocably. Meeting a mentor leads to a new career; a chance encounter at a café leads to a marriage proposal; an accident shatters one’s dreams to be an athlete and leads to a new path in life. There are even mental health organizations with Turning Point in their name that consider a “turning point” as what’s needed to overcome an addiction or mental illness.

Yet do all “turning points” necessarily result in completely life altering changes?

Or might many experiences viewed as turning points merely be another path to the same place in life. In other words, if you have a strong goal, maybe turning points are really alternate routes along the way rather than being the only lifechanging event to get you there.

Maybe what we think are turning points that change our lives aren’t the only way to get to the destination in life we are living now. Maybe what we think of as critical turning points are just one of many paths to get to that destination.

Some paths may be more winding and challenging; others may be shorter and more direct; but they are all different ways to get to the future which has become the present we are experiencing now.

So think back to your own life. Are there experiences that stand out as critical turning points for you; incidents you think of as life-changing incidents?

Then, taking those incidents, consider what might have been if they didn’t happen? Would you still get to where you are today and be doing what you are doing now? Could you have gotten to where you are by traveling a different route?

-Written by Gini Graham Scott-

“Someone You Should Know Written and interviewed by Aaron Robinson - Editor

With a track record of success in the fashion industry, Fashion in the City’s business executive, Felicia Mosley is making a tremendous name for herself all around the country. Known for supporting children’s hospitals and bringing jobs to the community, she is a force to be reckoned with. Here is what she had to say about Fashion in the City.

the City into becoming a household brand. My vision was to begin in St. Louis and travel to different cities. In conjunction with that, I wanted to give back. I had to find a way to give back to charity. That’s how it really originated.

We had amazing designers and models, and gave them four months of extensive training. The end result is a show filled with creativity, beauty and memorable moments.

How did Fashion in the City originate?

Fashion in the City originated from me realizing that St. Louis had great talented designers but the designers did not have a platform to catapult their talents. I wanted to expose the country to designers who go un-noticed despite being so impeccable in their artistry. I created Fashion in the City to open up doors for up and coming designers that I know will go on to rule the runways of the world. I knew it would take tremendous marketing and publicity to get to that level so I enlisted Public Relations Executive, Abesi Manyando of Abesi PR to elevate and develop Fashion in

Who are some of the individuals that inspired you?

I’ve always been inspired by Alexander McQueen. So it just varies. Also, I’m inspired by shoe designer Giuliana.

So many people bring different elements to the fashion industry. I like to create my own things. I’m not into trends, but am definitely inspired by many in the fashion industry.

What do you want people to remember after attending one of your shows?

I want people to remember that what we say we are going

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to give them is what they get! I don’t want people to feel like they know what to expect. I want them to leave with an experience that they weren’t expecting. They really need to know that they are going to get exactly what they want. I want individuals to leave feeling inspired and also knowing that something on that runway is something that they could have worn or their child, grandchild or mother.

What’s the key to your success?

God! That has to be the key. You know how things happen in your life that you have no explanation for. So you have to look at the higher power. I’m the sole owner of the company. So, everything that happened had to be through God blessing me.

How did you develop your skills in event planning and management?

I’m a very organized person…almost too much sometimes.

I’m a native of St. Louis, but I was raised in California.

I’ve always been that way, you know when someone said it was something that I couldn’t do…I strived to do just that. My background is accounting, which showed me how to stretch a budget. I have a team of 2, me and my model coach. People can’t believe how I pull that off.

It’s overwhelming at times, but other than that, it’s about treating it as it’s your job. You have to get up early in the morning and make sure everything is done.

What do you love most about your career?

That it’s helping other people. When I’m doing interviews I tend to forget that it’s about me. I’m always inspired by seeing that model get a call back from a mainstream designer. It’s more of a philanthropist approach, being able to give back. That’s the most reward I can give.

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The Conscious column

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Business Profile

Mark Blount scores BIG off the Court Written and Interviewed by Aaron Robinson - Editor Former NBA player Mark Blount continues to be successful off the court while being a phenomenal small business owner and real estate investor. Having a professional basketball career for 10 years, Mark Blount has played center for the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, just to name a few.

I was granted the opportunity to interview Mark Blount, a successful and brilliant young man who stands strong and tall. His heart of gold pours through many people, as he continues to give back to the community, assisting them in achieving their visions and goals. Here is what the business mogul, Mark Blount, had to share with readers during a recent interview with Consciousness Magazine regarding his career, as he shares valuable business tips and strategies.

Aaron Robinson: What inspired you to want to become an entrepreneur?

Mark Blount: After retirement, I just wanted to be able get into some businesses that I thought I could be successful at.

I learned quite a bit from them. I didn’t have the background coming from the NBA to get into real-estate franchising.

They proved to be very successful for me and I was able to grow and become an entrepreneur in my own way.

Aaron: As a former NBA player, some athletes lose their investments, homes and material objects after or close to retirement. What do you believe separated you from going down this route?

Mark: Well, I just think when it comes to athletes and regular everyday people, they get caught up in the stuff that’s around them…acquiring and buying things that are not good for their lifestyle. You acquire all of that stuff and it turns out to be more of a liability of having it. It makes destruct families and individuals. For me, it wasn’t more about acquiring things while I was playing. I was more so focusing on hard work and improving my craft every year to add something better to my game to help my team.

Aaron: You came up with the concept, Blounts’s Business

Triple Double concept which involves succeeding in 3 main categories, “Starting a Business”, “Growing a Business” and “Exiting a Business with Profits”. How did these concepts come about?

Mark: [They came about by me] going through the everyday process of starting and figuring out what I was going to do and taking time to put the due diligence into the small businesses that I had. Then, being able to sell them and be successful and to move on and figure out what I wanted to do next. That’s where that whole concept of the Triple Double theme came from and also being able to share that with everybody. I thought that would be a good idea.

Aaron: Mark, when starting a business, sometimes it’s challenging to get the word out about your business. What are some affordable and effective marketing approaches that you recommend for new business owners?

Mark: Personally, once you find your passion and what you want to do, it’s about staying on the everyday task.

I used my location area of being able to get the word out and also utilized the local media. Another aspect is adding a charitable cause to it - the holiday seasons or summer seasons - being able to bring traffic to my residential real-estate, making sure that people know that some of the funds are being used to not only help my business but also I’m giving back to the community.

Aaron: I see it all the time where parents create a successful business and hand it over to their child or children and they Continue on page 12

Words-of-Encouragement

Inspirational Quote

By Raheem DeVaughn (R&B Singer)

I strive to be great. I don’t take no for an answer. I strive to be different too. I understand that being different makes you stand out, and it’s cool. I don’t necessarily want to be the second person to do it, I want to be the first person to do it. If I am the second, I’m going to be a lot more successful than the first person.

(Excerpt taken from a prior interview with Consciousness Magazine.)

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Recently, I (Consciousness Magazine) was able to catch up with veteran actor and producer Christopher Mann to discuss the urban crime drama Underground Kings, where he stars as Walter ‘Smooth’ Davis, alongside John Canada Terrell, Tiffany E. Green, and Brian Anthony Wilson.

Christopher Mann has played in films such as The Wire, Michael Clayton, and Duplicity, just to name several. Here is what the talented actor had to share in reference to his role in Underground Kings is now available On Demand and DVD. Aaron Robinson: You play the role of Walter “Smooth” Davis in the crime drama The Underground Kings. How has this experience been for you?

Christopher Mann: It has actually been fun. Playing a character who lives life on the edge, taking risks and gambling his freedom to survive is exciting. You get to do things you wouldn’t do in your normal life. Smooth is a “shot caller” who gets to give orders and makes himself fearful when necessary. Then when you wrap for the day, the fantasy is all over. I go home to the wife and take orders from her.

[Laugh] Aaron: What is your experience like working with such a talented director and cast such as John Canada Terrell, Tiffany E. Green and Brian Anthony Wilson?

Christopher: It’s always a pleasure working with experienced actors and directors. So many nuances and unseen moments can develop on set once you start to work with great talent.

Aaron: What separates this role from any other role you have ever played in your career?

Christopher: Most of the roles I’ve played have kept me on the right side of the law. I’ve played doctors, lawyers, Councilmen, police officers and even a judge. Smooth is a guy who is from the streets. He probably could have been very successful in any professional field if he was given an opportunity. But like many urban, African American males who haven’t been able to avoid the snags that are common in urban life, Smooth resorts to using his street smarts to claim his stake in life.

Aaron: For those who may have never seen the series The Underground Kings, what interest do you think they will gain, or what do you think they will take-away from the series after watching it?

Christopher: As for the viewing audience, there is always an interest in watching stories of those who cross the lines of what is an appropriate life style or way to make a living.

Gangster movies never grow old. These stories are not ethnically specific. There are criminals in every society on this planet. Also, in some cases the only difference between those on the wrong and right side of the law is the badge.

As for the industry, I think there will be several networks who will have an interest in making this an ongoing series. After watching, they will say to themselves, “I think I’ll make this a series.” [Laugh]

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Aaron: Do you have any other upcoming projects that you are working on that you would like to discuss?

Christopher: I most recently could/can be seen in the feature film, “Loving”. It’s about an interracial couple in 1958 who were arrested in Virginia due to miscegenation laws that made their marriage illegal. The film stars Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton and directed by Jeff Nichols. I play Theoliver Jeter, who is the father of Ruth Negga’s character, Mildred Loving.

I also recently worked on a new Netflix series. Not sure I can mention the name of the project, but I did get to work with famed director David Fincher. (“Se7en”, “Fight Club”, “Gone Girl”). I’m in the early development of a biopic on Civil Rights Leader, Cecil B. Moore. It’s working title is, “American Zealot”. I’m looking forward to bringing his story to the big screen.

knowledge of acting to people in areas where there aren’t many resources for the people to get that exposure. I feel the importance that entertainment has in our society, whether it be comedy, drama or fantasy. However, being involved with an activity that can change the outlook of the lives of others who may feel there aren’t any opportunities or hope for their future, gives even more purpose to my life.

Aaron: Before we end the interview, would you like to mention anything else that we haven’t discussed or talked about?

Christopher: I’d like to thank you for granting this interview.

I want to thank everyone involved with this project for all their hard work and dedication. I want to thank Rich Wolf of Breaking Glass Pictures for believing in “The Underground Kings”. Last and certainly not least…. Thanks to my wife and kids for standing by me and supporting me.

Aaron: Christopher, would you like to give any advice or share any words-of-encouragement for the up-and-coming actors or actresses who are looking to be successful in the film industry such as yourself?

Christopher: Well, the one thing you have total control of is your handle of and ability with the craft. Learn the craft. Treat each job with the same respect. There are no small parts, just small actors. Surround yourself with people who truly support you. You’ll need their encouragement and support when things get tough. There will be many days when you feel you can’t go on any further. If you don’t experience those days, consider yourself “One in a million” and unbelievably fortunate.

Aaron: Are you a part of any community initiatives or organizations? If so, what inspired you in wanting to be a part of them and what do you like most about being involved with them?

Christopher: I have been talking with some people recently about being a part of a group where I can share my Consciousness Magazine 11

Mark Blount scores BIG off the Court (Continues from page 9) don’t want it. Why do you think this is the case?

Mark: It’s very hard sometimes. For the younger generation that is coming in, you don’t know if they’re going to make changes; you don’t know if they want to be there. They’re just there just lollygagging around and don’t have the passion for it. If they do, there would be changes. It will always be those complications there unless they really want to be into it and want to take over their family business.

Aaron: What advice would you share for those individuals who have goals and vision, however lack the finances and resources to fulfill their business venture?

Mark: Definitely take the time and understand what you are getting into. [Find out] how much it’s going to take financially; you may not see that. Make sure that you find the correct investors out there that can help you to make your business bloom. Be able to present to them your marketing plan and everything you need to get into the business. That would be the first step for them to do because a lot of small businesses fail because there are resources needed to help in continuing their performance to be successful.

Aaron: Earlier you mentioned of ‘giving back to the community’. Mark, in 2012 you started an annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway and you also created a organization called Seven Wellness where you bring fitness and nutrition awareness to underprivileged kids. What occurred in your life that encouraged you to service and give back to others?

Mark: For me, just getting into basketball, understanding the game and what it took to get to the NBA, and understanding the level of determination and the process.

I didn’t do it on my own, so I was able to start Seven Wellness. It’s very beneficial for low-income kids in the areas who don’t have the funds or the time from their families to do stuff like that in the summer time. I orchestrated a small camp and brought in some trainers and played different sports with them to make sure they understood the kind of food they need to put in their body to have the energy to play sports in school and everyday life.

Aaron: Wow, that’s amazing! I love what you are doing for the community. I give you much love on that, for real!

Mark: Thank you! I appreciate it! We all had people to help us along the way and mentored to us. When you are dealing with those different areas where they don’t get a chance to have opportunities and see different things, it definitely gives them a chance to do something different.

Maybe if you can reach out to 10 or 20 of those kids, they will be able to do something for themselves later in life.

Aaron: Before we conclude the interview, would you like to add anything that we haven’t discussed?

Mark: Just put determination in your small business. And for small business owners looking to get out there and looking to start a business, make sure you are taking the time to understand what you are getting into. I think that’s the most important thing…the time that is needed.

Aaron: Thanks a lot Mark. I really appreciate your time!

Mark: Thank you! I appreciate the love!

For more information on Mark Blount, please visit www.MarkBlount30.com

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HEALTH Solutions

What You Need To Know About Celiac Disease

By Dr. Chad Larson, NMD, DC, CCN, CSCS, Advisor and Consultant on Clinical Consulting Team for Cyrex Laboratories

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that affects one in 100 people in the world and 2.5 million people in the United States, many of whom remain undiagnosed, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). People with celiac disease have a sensitivity and immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If an individual with celiac disease ingests gluten, their body mounts an immune response that attacks their small intestine. In this assault, antibodies can destroy the villi in the small intestine. Villi are the small finger-like structures that help promote nutrient absorption from food. Those with celiac disease who ingest even a small amount of gluten—breadcrumbs from a cutting board for example—are at risk for small intestine damage.

What’s startling about celiac disease is that if left untreated it can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes, or diseases like intestinal cancer, epilepsy, and other debilitating health problems. The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet, and the initial way to diagnose celiac disease is to be tested through a simple blood test.

Additionally, many people may have sensitivity to gluten but do not have celiac disease. People with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) may have the same symptoms as those with celiac disease, such as bloating, fatigue, depression, etc., but without the damage that is done to the small intestine. With that said, here are some of the myths that need to be dispelled about gluten and celiac disease.

Myth #1: Celiac disease is a recently discovered disease.

According to the Celiac Support Association, celiac disease was discovered in 250 A.D. Celiac disease has specific symptoms— the results of which have been found in skeletons dating as far back as the first century. Contrary to popular believe, celiac disease is very real, verifiable health condition that has been around for a very long time.

sensitivity, giving up gluten is probably not the best strategy to lose weight. Rather, choose a healthy, less restrictive diet that is specifically designed for weight loss paired with an exercise routine.

Myth #3: Gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity and gluten allergies all refer to the same thing.

When speaking about gluten there is a lot of misinformation about allergies, sensitivities and intolerance. They are all separate health issues with varying severity. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity is a diagnosed immune reaction with very real consequences. The broad-spectrum of symptoms that are associated with NCGS are often mediated by the immune production of antibodies IgA and IgG. A gluten allergy is also mediated by an immune response, but the reactive antibody in this case is IgE. These antibody immune reactions are signals from the immune system indicating that gluten is not a ‘friendly’ substance and its presence is no longer tolerated by the immune system. Generally, allergic reactions will clear up after exposure to the allergen has ended and leaves no lasting damage done to the body. Gluten intolerance refers to a body’s inability to break down gluten in the digestive process but, unlike CD and NCGS, it is not necessarily mediated by the immune system.

There is a lot to know about celiac disease and the role gluten can play in one’s health and quality of life. If you suspect you might be gluten sensitive, talk to your health care provider about getting tested. Testing is the first step to finding the reason for your malaise and the first step to wellness. Remember, test— don’t guess.

Myth #2: Going gluten free is a great way to lose weight.

Despite what some might believe, going gluten free on its own will not necessarily lead to weight loss. On the contrary, there are plenty of gluten free foods that are high in calories so consumers should beware. Now if you change your diet to the extent that you are gluten free and you are eating nothing but whole foods including plenty of fruits and vegetables, this may help you lose weight. But remember, unless you have gluten Consciousness Magazine 13

Author, Certified Fitness Trainer & Motivational Speaker Marlowe Whitlow loses 270 Pounds {Exclusive Interview}

Interviewed & Written

by Aaron Robinson (Editor) and Tocarra Eldridge Consciousness Magazine 14

It

wasn’t only network level marketing that changed the life of author, certified fitness trainer, and motivational speaker Marlowe Whitlow, but more so his determination, persistence, perseverance and drive to live a healthy life. Weighing nearly 500 lbs, the strong-minded Whitlow came to realize that living for his family and loved ones was a priority after years and years of trying to lose weight to get fit. Whitlow is proof that an individual can overcome obstacles to follow their dreams and goals to not only to be an inspiration to himself but furthermore to his peers.

CM had the opportunity to interview Marlowe Whitlow regarding his weight loss journey, his new book Half The Man I Was, and how he beat the odds of being a statistic of the streets and the drug game to becoming ultimately successful. Here is what the living prodigy has to share with the readers.

years. So, just keep on and keep moving no matter what.

Tocarra: Do you have a cardinal rule of nutrition that you follow or live by?

Marlowe: Yes. The cardinal rule is meal replacement. That’s one of the things I do to offset some of the extra calories that I take in. Meal replacement has been a part of my life for 3 years now. I was with a company before in the past. Now the company that I’m with now, I’m actually a sponsored athlete. I really didn’t do any sports or anything; because of my 270 pound weight loss, I guess it’s a sport within itself.

Aaron Robinson: About a year ago, you said you were going to write a book about your life regarding how you lost so much weight and now here we are with the physical copy.

What type of gratification or accomplishment is that for you?

Marlowe Whitlow: It is a wonderful accomplishment! I was actually working on it for two years – putting it off and on by doing different things and jobs, and not really having the time. Now actually having a physical copy, when I got the first book proof, I pretty much cried. It’s just a wonderful moment to actually see my dream come to a reality.

Tocarra: What would you say is the most important factor in your weight loss? Would you consider it to be a change in mindset, eating habits, exercise, a combination or something else?

Marlowe: It’s a combination. Mindset is very important. I never get too far gone if I find myself falling off. Literally, if I get on the scale and I see an extra ten pounds, I’m kicking it back in gear. I’m so into it; it’s like an obsession for me [to exercise]. I’m obsessed with staying healthy. Let’s just be real, if someone lost 270 pounds, if they gained that back, you had to really get off of your game or your mind really had to be going through to get up to 270 pounds. [I can tell if you gained] maybe 20 or 30 pounds. If I gain up to 100 pounds that would be ridiculous after all that I’ve been through. And the way I feel right now and the things that I can do, I’m just happy where I’m at.

Tocarra Eldridge: For those individuals who are struggling with weight loss and having a challenge sticking to their new lifestyle or regimen, what advice would you give them to follow thru with their goals?

Marlowe: No matter what is going on, no matter what other struggles you are going through, you need to continue on.

People fall off, but it’s natural. You have to learn to just keep going on. You just can’t fall and say “I messed up now I might as well quit!” People quit too early. You can’t get to the goal if you quit. I’m still trying to work on where I’m trying to get to. I stayed at nearly 240 pounds for the last two

Aaron: What would you say to those people who are trying to lose weight and trying to stay positive, however have a challenge doing so?

Marlowe: You have to remove the negative people and entities in your life. Negative people will drag you down.

And even when you do whatever you do, if you allow what they say about you stop you from moving forward – I can’t say that you’re just as bad as them, but at the same time, it makes for a bad situation if someone is dragging you down and you stop what you are doing. When you take a look in the mirror, those people don’t feel confident about themselves,

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that’s why they are trying to bring you down.

Tocarra: How did you manage to integrate your healthy lifestyle and alter your eating patterns while being amongst peers who may not be making changes such as yourself?

Marlowe: I just feel good about what I’ve done. I can’t allow other mindsets to control the way I think. I make more positive choices. You have to lead by example. If you don’t lead by example, you can’t expect someone else to follow.

I’ve been around plenty of people who eat what they want to eat. A lot of people are like, “well I’m eating this just for my cheat day or cheat meal”. It’s your body, and my body is my body. I just decide to make healthy choices for me because that’s what I want to do. If they don’t make that decision, well, then that’s on them. Some people say, “I don’t want to be around him because he does this right and does this right.” I’m not judging you, you do what you want to do and I’m still going to do what I want to do. I’m not going to stop it.

Tocarra: You are an advocate of healthy eating, as you just spoke about. Many people complain about how expensive organic foods are. What advice would you give these individuals to help change their mindset and realize good health doesn’t have a price?

Marlowe: Well, if you don’t eat right, the ultimate price is a box. And your family has to put you in that box. And you can no longer earn an income or have any money. So, it doesn’t matter if don’t decide to do right because the cost of it is death. If you can prevent death from happening so soon, then why not do that. There are plenty of options out there right now. Aldi is probably the top one right now. You can really go get a lot of healthy and organic things from Aldi and the price is really low. When you’re eating more organic or what Big Mama use to grow in the backyard – that’s what organic means, what Big Mama use to grow

without pesticides. You can reach those goals and do what you have to do. It’s not really as expensive as people may think it is. You can get a whole lot of fruit for a little bit of money. A 5 pound bag of rice would probably cost you a dollar. Rice is a carbohydrate, but you still have to learn how much to eat. There isn’t anything wrong with a potato.

It doesn’t have anything that would harm you, it’s what we do to the potato…deep-fry it, dip it in ketchup or put sour cream, and cheddar and cheese on top of it.

Aaron: Going back to your book Half The Man I Was, what would you like the readers to take away with them after reading?

Marlowe: In general, I want them to look at some of the struggles that I went through. The first three chapters talks about the lifestyle that I’ve lived. Fast food is probably the first start of when things started to expand for me a little bit. As a cook in the chicken house, I first had to taste the food to make sure everything was safe for everybody. After it came out the grease I sampled it to make sure it was fine.

The same things with the biscuits. One biscuit lead to a bigger biscuit, then a bigger biscuit. It got to a point where I was making huger biscuits and slapping them up with butter.

It was ridiculous. To get from there and being in the drug game lead to a lot of after have eating, partying, late-night restaurants or whatever the case may be. Even still after being shot at and almost taking bullets to the head, having those experiences and still being able to do what I do now by helping others, I want them to realize, just because your life is bad now doesn’t meant it won’t get better! We live in a vicious cycle right now. People think once they get into trouble they can never have anything good for them. It is sad that society does hold you down. You just have to hold on long enough to get to a point where you want to be or do something better for somebody. Keep continuing to live a life of positive or live more positive from where you were Continue on page 24

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Interviewed and written by L. Barker shanabarker71@gmail.com

It’s amazing when you go to an event and the people are smiling, the crowds are moving and the mood is just right for the feeling. You get to release your day with your favorite tunes to lift your spirits and take your mind off of anything that deters you. Who do we have to thank for this? The DJ!! The art of spinning started as an original centerpiece for the world of hip hop and has grown into pushing emcees into the limelight. However, nobody ever forgets the disc jockey that gets the adrenaline pumping with the rhythm of synchronicities. Although it may seem like an easy job, it is no small feat. I got the opportunity to sit down with local DJ Mitchell Ledbetter who is very well-known and respected for his talents he displays within his community. Grab a tune, listen and enjoy the read. You just might take up being a DJ after this, the sky is the limit!

Lashana: What is it like putting together events that enrich your community through entertainment? What is the main inspiration for doing it? How do you feel after seeing a successful event that you put together and seeing that your crowd is satisfied?

Mitchell: Community based events are great. Whether I’m the DJ or not, I give support in [these] events and assist how I can. It’s always a good feeling putting together something great for my community, especially when music is involved. The inspiration, I love my city. It’s a surreal feeling seeing people have a good time through my work [and] it’s cool to

receive compliments and to see/hear people are pleased.

Lashana: If you could permanently exist in one musical era which one would it be? Why? Mitchell: 70’s [for the] originality of the music [and] the cool behind it. The women were beautiful then, also.

Lashana: What is the go to song you keep in your playlist when the crowd seems to be dragging their feet?

Mitchell: The Wobble by V.I.C. usually gets people moving. Back That Thing Up by Juvenile gets an honorable mention.

Lashana: What is one mistake you see a lot of DJ’s making? What advice could you give to those seeking to get started as a DJ? Mitchell: I usually don’t listen for mistakes honestly. I try to hear/watch how other DJ’s blend, song selection, and just overall timing. A mistake I made first starting out as a DJ was music selection at certain events. You have to know your crowd AND know your event. A DJ shouldn’t play break up songs at a wedding reception!

(Laughs) The best advice I can give to a future DJ...

Practice, arrive at least 2 hours early, if you can, and always have a card on you, always.

Lashana: What is it that you enjoy the most about being a DJ? Mitchell: I enjoy mixing the most. Blending songs

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together and telling a story through my DJ sets.

The initial shock of [hearing] “he’s a good DJ” is a great feeling as well. Especially from people who haven’t heard me DJ before.

Lashana: How often do you hone your craft?

Mitchell: I used to practice daily for hours when I first started. Now, at least once a week I try to get a good couple of hours in of just grooving and free styling.

Lashana: Let me into the “behind the scenes” version of your night. What measures differ when setting up for an indoor/outdoor event?

Which do you prefer to do?

Mitchell: The set up usually is the same whether it’s indoor or outside. Indoors usually have stairs and outdoors it’s usually a walk, so it’s a workout at least. I don’t have a preference either indoor or outside. I try to set up the same way each time.

Just to make sure everything is good and I don’t skip anything. Loading up takes about 5 minutes [while] unloading and setting up usually depends on how far I have to set up. Average time is about 30 minutes.

Lashana: What are some major challenges that you face when preparing for a set? How do you overcome these obstacles in a timely manner?

Mitchell: Cord shortages, blown speakers, computer freezing, microphones going out, physical fatigue, people, mental freeze, weather, miscommunication, forgetting equipment. Showing up early helps [in setting] everything up early. I can make sure my equipment works right and everything is cool.

Also, I DJ alone before each set to get mentally ready.

Contact Mitchell Martell Ledbetter: Musiclives815@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mitchell3287 Instagram @MitchellMartell Twitter @MitchellMartell

Sports Community

HOLY COW! CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! Written by Eric Plaut

“Holy Cow! Cubs win! Cubs win!” We all remember that battle-cry the late Harry Caray used to shout out after a Chicago Cubs victory. With his thick glasses and his enthusiasm, one would have thought Harry’s beloved Cubs clinched a Game 7 World Series win. While Harry Caray may be gone, his spirit was definitely there during the 2016 World Series.

To all those Chicago Cubs fans out there—the miracle

of miracles happened on November 2, 2016. The Cubs, after a 108-year absence, are back on top of the baseball world after defeating the Cleveland Indians in seven games! The so-called curse of the Billy Goat has finally ended, even though you can always go to that namesake restaurant in the Windy City for a legendary “cheezbooga”.

If the Boston Red Sox can be free of the Curse of the Bambino (Babe Ruth) after an 86-year title drought, then so can the Cubs!

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A lot has happened in the past 108 years. In 1908, Henry Ford began the first of twenty years of mass production of the Model T. King Edward VII opened the Fourth Olympiad (modern-day Olympics) in London. Mother’s Day was first observed that year on May 10. Books published included The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (Book 4) by L. Frank Baum. Following that banner year, Halley’s Comet soared past Earth twice in 1910 and 1986. There were two World Wars with the Great Depression sandwiched somewhere in the middle. Oh— and the New York Yankees won 27 World Series, which like leap year and the Olympic games seems to average once every four years. You do the math!

The World Series of the modern era began in 1903. The Boston Americans (now the Red Sox) won their first of eight pennants. Despite having 11 appearances in the Series, the Chicago Cubs only won three titles. Their first appearance was in 1906 against Chicago’s South Siders—the White Sox. The Chi-Sox defeated the Cubs four games to two. The Cubs, however, won their first two titles in 1907 and 1908 against the Detroit Tigers, making them the first of all the modern-era Big 4 teams to win back-to-back titles. The White Sox became World Series champions again in 1917 against the New York— now San Francisco—Giants and in 2005 against the Houston Astros.

Even if one includes the team’s entire history, the Chicago Cubs actually won six divisional titles and 17 National League pennants dating back to 1876. After 1903 though, the North Side Cubs appeared in eleven World Series—they won three and lost eight. They lost to the White Sox in 1906 and to the Boston Red Sox in 1918 after which began the Bo-Sox’s 86-year “Curse of the Bambino.” In the meantime, the Detroit Tigers avenged both of their losses to the Cubs in the 1935 and 1945 World Series. The Cubs also lost two World Series a piece to the Philadelphia (now Oakland) Athletics in 1910 and 1929; and to the New York Yankees in 1932 and 1938.

Some North Siders, however, may gripe about the Cubs’ 71-year absence from the World Series. Some may blame the Curse of the Billy Goat during this reign. In 1945, however, World War II had ended and there were then eight teams in each of the National and American Leagues. (Six of those teams would move to different cities, and two of those teams also changed to different names.) The national pastime of baseball would go from 16 teams to a total of thirty teams within that 71-year time-span! The late “Mr. Cub” (Ernie Banks) stated in

a 2014 interview with Sports Illustrated that the Cubs’ losing streak in playoff games had to do with the wind and the way the structure of Wrigley Field was built.

Yet one must realize that the Cubs currently play in the Central Division, which has the most competitive roster in the National League. The St. Louis Cardinals—the Cubbies’ main rivals—always play their divisional foes like it’s (dare I say it?) the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series. But that might explain the Cardinals’ 19 National League (NL) pennants and 11 World Series rings. Their other Central Division foes include the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates (who have nine NL pennants and five World Series rings each).

The Milwaukee Brewers, who switched over from the American League to the National League in 1998, won their only American League pennant in 1982. The Brewers then lost in the ’82 World Series to—who else?—the St. Louis Cardinals!

There has been quite a lot of folklore involving the Cubs for over the past century. There was a poem parodied from Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.’s Old Ironsides (1830).

Written in 1931 by a Cubs fan, it was titled Old Hack, in honor of centerfielder Lewis R. “Hack” Wilson. (More on Hack later!) Then you had one unforgettable play the following year: Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series when the Bronx Bombers visited Wrigley Field. During the fifth inning, the Yankee legend pointed to centerfield before he hit one of the greatest homeruns in baseball history. First baseman Lou Gehrig, batting next, congratulated the Sultan of Swat as he crossed home plate.

In film and television, there’s also Cubs references mentioned. In what year it all began, I have no idea. In the 1939 Three Stooges short We Want Our Mummy, there is a bit between Curly Howard and Dick Curtis. Curly disguises himself as the Egyptian mummy “Rootintootin” and has a then-recent newspaper hidden in his clothes.

Curtis, as the grave-robbing villain Jackson, “uncovers” this mummy and finds Curly’s newspaper. Disgusted by the Cubs losing the 1938 World Series, Jackson shouts: “Can you beat that?” Curly, as usual, blows his cover and tells the thief: “And I won five bucks!” Pandemonium follows.

Other movies referring to the Chicago Cubs include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Blues Brothers and Back to the Future II. Who can forget the truant Ferris (Matthew Broderick) catching a fly ball while his disgruntled principal just misses the play on live television?

Or in The Blues Brothers when Elwood (Dan Aykroyd)

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falsifies his address as 1060 West Addison Street, his brother Joliet Jake (the late John Belushi) shouts: “That’s Wrigley Field!” Or in Back to the Future II, which takes place in 2015 and shows the Cubs win the World Series? Well, okay it’s only a year later, but the film’s star Michael J. Fox’s tweet from last November third is still memorable: “Only off by a year, not bad. Congrats @ Cubs. This is so heavy. #FlytheW” (@realmikefox).

The small screen tended to poke fun at the Cubs as well.

In one episode of Perfect Strangers, Balki (Bronson Pinchot) is cooking a dinner derived from his hometown in fictional Mypos—ding-ding machmud (pig’s snout in saffron). His cousin Larry Appleton (Mark Linn-Baker) is appalled that Balki will serve this dish to their girlfriends.

Larry tries to tell Balki to wait and prepare this Myposian dish when the Cubs win the World Series. “But, Cousin,” Balki protests, “the Chicago Cubs don’t even have a good quarterback.” Notice in many sitcoms when two people are talking about any sport other than American football that one of them will refer to the quarterback.

And don’t forget the Fox sitcom Married With Children (MWC). The show took place in Chicago where the hapless Bundy family loved their North Side Cubs. One episode showed Al and Peggy (Ed O’Neill and Katey Sagal) arguing about when they tied the knot. “Al,” Peggy grumbled, “you know when the Cubs last won the World Series and yet you can’t remember the year we got married!” Al: “Same year—1908!”

Other MWC episodes showed Ernie Banks guest-star alongside the Reds catcher Johnny Bench and New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath in Dances with Weezy.

Taking place at a newly opened sports bar, “Mr. Cub” had a running gag where he’d be blinded by Jefferson’s (Ted McGinley) camera and he’d crash into something offstage. Then there was the 1994 show titled A Man for No Seasons. Due to the ’94 major-league baseball strike, Al—dubbed “Al Birdie” by the media—crashes Wrigley Field with his “NO MA’AM” friends and winds up forming a league of his own sponsored by a Chicago strip-club.

This baseball frenzy catches on throughout the United States and, like their predecessors, it eventually comes to a crashing halt due to the Almighty dollar. Major leaguers who appear in the episode include: Reds second baseman Joe Morgan (as a sports TV announcer); Kansas City Royals pitcher and 1985 World Series MVP Bret Saberhagen (as a delivery guy for Sneezy’s Pizza); and as Morgan’s cameramen, Yankee right-fielder Dave Winfield and New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who’s “trying to make an honest buck.”

Thankfully, major-league baseball resumed its place in 1995. Through the remaining decade, we’d seen interleague play between the American and National League teams.

Also, Brooklyn (now Los Angeles) Dodger second baseman Jackie Robinson’s number 42 was being recognized and retired throughout the major leagues in 1997. This honored the 50th anniversary of Robinson, a former Negro League player for the Kansas City Monarchs, being the first African-American admitted into Major League Baseball.

Baseball also enjoyed a memorable season the following year.

Within the National League’s Central Division, there was the home-run derby between the Cubs’ Sammy Sosa and the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire. It was a race to break the late Yankee Roger Maris’s 61 home run record set in 1961. On September 8, 1998, McGwire hit home-run number 62 against Lee Trachsel and the Cubs. Sosa hit number 62 four days later against the Milwaukee Brewers.

McGwire finished the season with 70 home-runs while Sosa hit 66. For their efforts, Sports Illustrated honored both major-league sluggers as 1998’s Sportsmen of the Year. The dynamic duo appeared on the cover wearing togas and laurel wreaths. Another memorable photo in the issue showed the two fellows sitting in lounge chairs and sporting hats, sunglasses and loud Hawaiian clothing. Sosa wore a Cardinal red shirt with a matching drink while McGwire sported a Cubbie blue shirt and blue drink.

During the historic home-run race in ‘98, my hometown paper, the Highland Park (IL) News, mentioned about the 1978 biography Hack. Co-written by two former local English teachers and Chicago Cub fans, Robert S. Boone and Gerald Grunska, the book chronicled Hack Wilson’s “meteoric life” and “short, burning career” as a pro-baseball player. Each of the 12 chapters contains a title referring

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to fire—from “Fused” and “Tempered” to “An Aura” and “Extinguished”. Each chapter begins with a quote and mentioned about the time in Hack’s life. (Born in 1900, Lewis Robert Wilson received his nickname “Hack” due to resembling the Russian wrestler George Hackenschmidt.)

In 1930, Hack set a National League record for home runs in a season with 56. (McGwire broke the record on September 1, 1998 against the Florida Marlins; Sosa against the Pirates three days later.) Hack still holds the major-league record with runs batted in (RBI’s) with 191 which he also set in 1930. Wilson was elected by the Veterans’ Committee to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, 31 years after his death.

Somehow I have an idea that former members of the Cubs would’ve been thrilled to see their team hoisting last November’s World Series trophy. While Billy Williams, Greg Maddux, Fergie Jenkins and other past players were ecstatic about the long-awaited victory, I think Cubbies like Ernie Banks, Cap Anson, Johnny Evers, Mordecai Brown, Hack Wilson and “Diamond Zim” (the late manager Don Zimmer) are also smiling somewhere. And I know up there that Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse are making headlines with this news.

Hopefully we won’t need to wait another 108 years for the Cubs to win the 2124 World Series. With the same time span, the same thing applies to the White Sox and the 2113 World Series and for “Da Bears” to win Super Bowl 128 (CXXVIII) in 2094. Maybe the Cleveland Indians can also reach the promised land of a World Series victory within the next forty years. The waiting of 108 years of ANY sports team is way too long enough!

In the meantime—Balki, you may feel free to make that ding-ding machmud. You’ve already waited over three decades to serve it! And while you’re at it, make sure that Cousin Larry gets a double helping of pig’s snout in saffron!

AUTHOR’S NOTES Some may say that this article took 108 years to write— and yet no writer is a mountain.

It was nice to reflect on the history of the Chicago Cubs and several of their most prominent moments of all time. Some of these reflections were taken from memory though I need to give credit to all the additional resources.

Here are the following resources that deserve credit: Sports Illustrated for documenting awesome articles and printing great photos for over six decades; the Highland Park (IL) News on their ’98 editorial on Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire’s home-run chase of Hack Wilson’s National League 56 homers and Roger Maris’s 61 homers; YouTube; Michael J. Fox’s November 3rd quote from his Twitter account (@realmikefox); and also to Wikipedia. org for their accuracy and fact-checking on the Cubs and baseball history in general.

I also need to thank two retired English teachers and Chicago-area authors. Dr. Robert S. Boone and Dr. Gerald Grunska wrote an amazing biography Hack about Cub legend Lewis R. “Hack” Wilson. I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Grunska and his writing for a speech during my sophomore year of high school in 1986. Dr. Grunska gave me an autographed copy of Hack as well as a photocopied article he’d written for a magazine. Even though my speech and the article are long gone, I still occasionally read my copy of Hack.

I’d met Dr. Bob Boone a year later. He proctored an English study to high-school students for the SAT and ACT. Using multiple-choice practice tests, Dr. Boone would give us four choices from A to D. Whenever the answer was D, he’d say: “D—(center-fielder #20 Bob) Dernier, (shortstop #12 Shawon) Dunston, (outfielder #8 Andre) Dawson!” With the 1987 Cubs line-up, Dr. B could’ve added: first baseman #10 Leon Durham; catcher #7 Jody Davis; outfielder #24 Brian Dayett; and two pitchers, #39 Ron Davis and #33 Frank DiPino. Oh well!

A Happy New Year to one and all! See you down the written path.

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Marlowe Whitlow (Continues from page 16) in the past and people will notice what you are doing and reach out to you and help you. You just can’t say “Well, I went to jail, I can’t get no chance” or “I gotta keep selling drugs and keep being in the streets stealing, killing and all of that stuff.” You can’t believe that! God gives us opportunities to change our lives. And if we do it, then we will live a better life.

Tocarra: We live in a fast paced society where many make excuses that they’re too busy to cook and therefore resort to fast food, processed foods, etc. What advice would you give to help those individuals in hopes to change their mindset to realize the importance of eating clean?

Marlowe: Okay, very wrong assumption that they have, saying “it takes too long” or “they don’t have time to cook.”

They have bags of vegetables called steamables. You pop it in the microwave for four of five minutes. They are really delicious. Those excuses that it takes a long time – I can put together a whole meal in probably 20 minutes. Even if you still don’t have those 20 minutes, try meal replacements – something that you can put in a shake or cup, or in a blender and shake it. As far as meat, if you have a little grill, throw it in the skillet with some olive oil. A thin cut piece of meat will take you all of 5 minutes to cook. Get you a thin piece of turkey, chicken or a thin piece of pork chop.

Tocarra: What’s your take on meat?

Marlowe: Well, I think the biggest part for me is to know how food is processed. They literally cut holes in cows and feed them things that they don’t eat and stuff corn inside of a cow while he’s alive so he will get bigger. I think the biggest thing for me is when I was diabetic because of high blood pressure – eating red meats is something that I never went back to fully doing. Maybe once in a while I will have some rib tips, but it’s not something I’m having all the time. I’m mostly a fish eater.

Aaron: When you look back in the past of being unhealthy, what’s the single most important thing that you wish someone would have said to you in hopes of you making a healthy change?

Marlowe: “Do you want to live?” “How long do you want to live?” “Do you have something to live for or someone to live for?” Most people have to have that why. The majority of them, like the classes I run at the gym, some of them would come in there and be like ‘I got a little boy now, I got a little girl now, I want to live, to be alive to be there for them,’ is probably the strongest encouragement. Find out what your why for living is. Some people don’t have kids but you want to be around for the people that need you. The only way to try to do that is to try to stay healthy. We’re dropping off regardless. For some people no reason at all, just because they eat a lot of grease and are eating unhealthy. That’s crazy!

Tocarra: Any thoughts on supplements?

Marlowe: I have tried supplements once in a while. It’s a different feel. I’ve been cleansing my body for a while now by taking supplements. Even with the company I’m with now, I try to take more of the products that are clean and purer. With the proteins choices that I have for the company as a sponsored athlete, I use the plant base protein or a natural supplement. I’m more conscious of everything that I put in my body being that I want to give my body a chance to heal from all the years that I was damaging it; that’s what I did for years, eating whatever. I can die tomorrow. Just because I lost the weight doesn’t mean something didn’t develop during those times, but I have a better chance of living now as oppose to when I was 500 pounds.

Tocarra: Regarding supplements, what would you recommend to take daily?

Marlowe: I would recommend a multivitamin product. It’s a foundation product of any weight loss journey. You can’t build the walls if you don’t lay down the foundation. The multivitamins give you all the nutrients that you need without the extra vitamins and calories. So you get vitamins and nutrients that we need from the multivitamins because we know our foods are full of MSG’s, GMO’s and so on.

There and meal replacements that will give you something without all the extra processed stuff. I’m in a phase where I need to build some more muscle. In the beginning I did a lot of cardio. People sweat their butts off by doing cardio but they are losing muscle. Just don’t do cardio! If you do, you need to do it with some type of restriction; an incline or resistance training. If you are doing something like that, you need to be careful. You can have a combination of training, such as metabolic training which is a combination of weights and cardio together instead of doing one of the other.

Aaron: Is there anything that you want to add before we conclude the interview?

Marlowe: Truthfully, there are a lot of things that got left out in the book that are a little more detailed, such as stories I can tell about when I was in the drug game and when I was in the music industry. They would make for a good motion picture. I didn’t outline that as big as I did the things that are more positive with my life now. I would like for you to read the book. It’s a pretty easy read.

Thank you for the interview!

For more information on Marlowe Whitlow or to purchase a copy of Half The Man I Was please visit www.halfthemaniwas.com

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Review

Event Review: Macy’s Annual Black History Month Celebration By Aaron Robinson Robinson whose humor and love scattered the room. The host Robinson asked Ellis, ‘What was one of the powerful things someone has ever said to you in your career?’ Jay Ellis proudly repeats what a director on a stage set once told him. “Get what you came for!” He explains, “The meaning behind that is to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize.” Outside of acting, Jay Ellis is also a philanthropist, and an entrepreneur.

Macy’s Annual Black History Month Celebration and panel discussion was a night to remember while taking place in the Downtown Chicago Macy’s on State Street in the Narcissus Room. At this casual and exciting occasion where hors d’oeuvre and refreshments were elegantly served, love and inspiration filled the room as Jay Ellis (actor), BJ The Chicago Kid (singer/songwriter) and Jocelyn Delk Adams (blogger/author) stopped by for a powerful and inspiring conversation with Chicago’s own Robin Robinson concerning how a strong connection to heritage and creative self-expression has shaped their careers. Young poets kicked off the event, as it was opened by a video showing of singer-songwriter and poet Saul Williams.

“Trust what you know,” express the Three-time Grammy nominee and Southside native of Chicago, BJ The Chicago Kid, who has been featured on tracks by Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and Schoolboy Q’s hit “Studio”, just to name a few. He continues, “You’re going to always be alright, no matter what,” are the words of wisdom he shares with the audience about believing in yourself and everything that you pursue.

Jay Ellis who currently stars in HBO’s comedy series Insecure and had roles on shows such as Grace and Frankie, How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS and BET’s The Game also sat on the panel. The audience was moved by his heartfelt dialog in his answers as Robin

Chef, author and food blogger, Jocelyn Delk Adams represented career women of Black culture, as the importance of family was added to the discussion of the panel. “If you leap, the net shall appear,” excitedly says Jocelyn Delk Adams as she clarifies the powerful quote that she lives by. Adams gave grace to God as she has been in the baking business for years, amazingly reaching levels she thought she wouldn’t have reached in such a short period of time. “Just keep working; you never know when your time is going to come, some faster than others.

You just have to prepare yourself and be ready when it presents itself.” Adams also published her own soul food cookbook titled, Grandbaby Cakes. She has been featured on The Rachel Ray Show, The Today Show, and Food Network, just to name several.

Be sure to keep a look out next year for Macy’s Annual Black History Month Celebration and Panel Discussion.

It will be an unforgettable event that is sure to inspire and empower you.

Photos by Sebastian Biedron Photography

Parental Advisory: Views and opinions expressed in album, book or movie reviews within this publication reflect the opinion of their respective author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher and editors.

Know Your Rights!

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Article 27 (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

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