Brock Seals interview w/ Diamond Magazine

Diamond Magazine

- THE DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH THAT IS ST. LOUIS -

“Some say i lucked up, i called it perfect timing / I can’t lose the whole city behind me”

- Jeezy , ‘And Then What’

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Letter from the editor

Message from our Editor-In-Chief $tu

STL Lingo

A celebration and guide to understanding St. Louisans

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Legends of saint louis

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Featured story: Brock Seals

Interview of Multi-Disciplinary and International Artist Brock Seals

the black super market

Tap into some retail therapy shopping with local black owned businessses

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Learn about sexual wellness and STD rates in St. Louis

15. STL Historical Locations

Diamond mine search

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What’s the word

Upcoming events happening right here in St. Louis

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What is art?

The concept of art: A conversation with Yoro

Letters to Black Men

A note from one brother to another

JerMarco’s Farewell

Diamond Mag Team Member JerMarco Britton bids team and followers farewell

Highlight of historical skating rink Skate King headquartered in STL

Sincurrly,

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Letter From

The Editor:

I think it’s time to put plans in motion. We’ve talked about change enough. Let’s show it. Let’s embody it. Let’s get it.

STL Lingo

Words you should know before you come round hurr

thurr

‘th r e

ADverb | Adjective | pronoun | Noun

1: reference and recognize a specific act from an individual you find pleasing

Ex: I like the way she do that right thurr.

Note: Phrase is most famously known to be used by Saint Howard Bailey II.

2: To specify a location or destination

Ex: I’m going thurr tomorrow with the gang.

Note: Diamond Mag does not endorse gang activty.

3: a deep desire to understand the projected populace at an event before confirming attendance

Ex: I might come, I gotta see who all over thurr first.

Note: If your thieving cousin coming I will not be thurr.

SAINT OF

LOUIS OF

A Conversation With BROCK SEALS

What made you start doing art?

As a kid I was always into art. I loved drawing. I just wasn’t the best at it. So I didn’t think I was an artist. When I started studying art in community college that’s when I kind of took it serious. And was like okay, I could make this a straight career for life.

Out of all of the pieces you’ve made, what would you say is your favorite piece?

It was these red timbs that I painted and I used to call them “Ottobre Rosso.” Which is Red October in Italian or some shit. They was like some six inch joints, not the regular... I had painted the toe all red and the button was black and I put my fragmented shapes around them.

But that was one of the first, quote unquote, hits that I had and was actually selling pairs of them. So I feel like that birthed me being like “shoot bigger” type shit.

How do you handle your busy workload?

Notes. On my iPhone. I got a million notes. I love putting everything on a checklist and I feel so relieved when I can just knock things off the checklist.

But I always check my emails. I’m always planning. Being organized. I’m an organized person. No matter how this studio looks. I’m organized and that’s what helps.

Speaking of being busy, we know that you do a lot you have things like AMP and brand deals. And we heard you have a brand deal with the St. Louis Cardinals? Tell us more about that.

So me and the we Cardinals collaborate on Black Heritage Day. On that day, I design the giveaway. So I

try to get as much of the Negro League Baseball, black history, black culture and I try to put that into the giveaway item.

That started about 3-4 years ago, so it’s been something that reoccurs. We do an art show before they get in. We do performances. So it’s a dope way to get the Cardinals involved with the St. Louis community. The art community, to be specific.

“ Legend in the making because I want to take this shit globally.”

Speaking of art galleries, can you tell us a little bit more about AMP coming up? How it got started?

AMP is coming up July 2024. Make sure you all are looking out. AMP started simply because I couldn’t find nowhere to promote my art other than Instagram.

I had a lot of friends who were artists. Then I had a bunch of homies and friends who just loved to be outside and have fun.

So I was like how can I blend these two worlds together. So I was like, you know what? Let me rent out this space. I’ll have the homies put up their work. Everybody sell their work. Keep 100% of their proceeds and we just ran it like that. It was really supposed to be a one-time thing.

I did not see 8 years later, we doing it and it’s getting

bigger and bigger. So it’s just dope to be able to offer that opportunity to others. Last year we had over 70 artists. I was looking back at the first one and we had 10-15 of us, you know. But it’s a blessing.

Do you consider yourself a legend? Or a legend in the making? Why?

Both. I’m a legend in St. Louis. Just the stuff that I feel like I’ve created here. I got a super strong solid foundation.

Legend in the making because I want to take this shit globally. I pop out to different cities here and there but I’m still on the grind. I still got a lot more work to do but I appreciate everything I’ve done here so far.

What’s next?

I can’t even tell y’all. I can tell y’all but I wish I could tell y’all this. More murals. More artwork. Art, Mimosas and Pancakes. ART, MIMOSAS and PANCAKES! That’s what’s next and I’m working on a lot of exciting stuff. A lot of this stuff just comes, I ain’t gone say it comes out of the blue, but these blessings be coming out of nowhere. So stay tuned.

What’s one of your favorite songs?

This song I just dropped called “Love You Deeply” and it’s crazy because I was playing it today. I finished that song a minute ago and I’ve heard it a bunch of times but today I was just running that mug back like hellas.

And I ain’t that type of guy that... I only listen to my own music. I love other music. I love listening to music that’s not even rap most of the time.

But that song I just feel like I was really able to channel my past and speak on my life and different topics that brought back good memories.

What advice do you have for people who are trying to get into your line of work?

Jump in and do it. There’s no rules in art. So don’t think you have to paint a certain way. Or you have to look a certain way. Or you have to do a certain type of work to be successful. Really do whatever it is that you want to do. Get out of your head. Stop overthinking it. There’s no limit to where you can take

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St. Louis Statistics & Sexual Wellness

According to the World Health Organization, “...sexual wellness is fundamental to the overall health and well-being of individuals, couples and families, and to the social and economic development of communities and countries.” Your mindset surrounding sex and sexual activity should be one that is empowered through the awareness of the risks associated with the act and how to ensure you and your partner(s) experience should not only be pleasurable but safe.

Rate of STD’s In St. Louis:

• Chlamydia - 528 cases per 100,000 people

• Gonorrhea - 236 cases per 100,000 people

• Syphillis - 21 cases per 100,000 people

• HIV - 108 case per 100,000 people

preventative methods:

• Abstinence: The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal or oral).

• Vaccination: Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent STD’s such as hepatitis B and HPV.

• Reduce Number of Sexual Partners: Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for STDs.

• Mutual Monogamy: Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with you.

• Use Contraceptives: Correct and consistent use of contraceptives such as condoms are highly effective in reducing STD transmission.

• Routine Testing: While sexually active, knowing your status is integral to STD prevention.

sources:

• St. Louis-MO Gov | 2021 | https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/hiv/data/totals.cfm

• Saint Louis County Public Health | Jan 2024 | https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/public-health/health-data-and-statistics/communicable-disease-reports/sexually-transmitted-infections/monthly-sti-report/

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm

Saint Louis Historic locations

Skate King Corporation was founded in 1970, by Matthew Foggy, Jr. It’s original name was Martin Luther King Memorial Rink. When teh company began its expansion in 1978, the name was changed to avoid commercializing Dr. King’s name.

The company’s name change to Skate “King” in order to identify the natur eof the business and to retain the vision and commitment of Rev.

Martin Luther King Jr. Since opening in 1978, centers in Illinois, Missouri, Louisian, and New Jersey. Currently, Skate King operates in St. Louis, Missouri.

Excerpt

Diamond mine search

March

Mar 14th

314 Day Party

8:30 - 11:30am | Pops

Mar 16th

Katt Williams 8pm | Chaifetz Arena

March 23rd

Winter Jam ‘24 6pm | Enterprise Center

Mar 24th

Noticed Arts Expo 2pm | Angad Arts Hotel

Mar 28th

Mariah The Scientist 8pm | The Pageant

Mar 30th

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Enterprise Center

Apr 4th

Cardinals Opening Day 3:15pm | Busch Stadium

Apr 5th

Elle Varner 6:30pm | City Foundry

Apr 13th

STL Vegan Market 6pm-1am | Forest Park

May

May 4th

Cinco De Mayo Festival 11am | 3407 S Jefferson

May 19th

Mayday Parade

6-9pm | Market Street

What’s The Word?

April

May 25th - May 27th

African Arts Festival 10am | World’s Fair Pavillion

May 29th - May 30th

MJ at the Fabulous Fox 7:30pm | The Fabolous Fox Theater

~ Diamond Sports Network ~

Local Sports Updates

Cardinals: Sonny Gray will be the opening day starting pitcher

Blues: 23-20; New Coach Drew Bannister establishes credibility within the teams competitive season

St.Louis City SC: St. Louis CITY SC agreed to terms on the transfer of Niko Gioacchini to Como, an Italian second division club in Series B

SLU: The Billikens are currently sitting last in the conference with a 8-11 record overall. On the bright side, they’re 7-3 at home

What Is

Yoro

is a self-taught jewelry designer, wardrobe stylist, fashion event coordinator and Founder of Fashion Friendzy where she creates fashionable shopping experiences featuring selected brands at local boutiques, department stores and for private events, helping to bring potential customers to STL locals creatives.

As an award winning published designer, her designs have been featured in multiple magazine publications, red carpets, movies, art galleries and runway shows. Because of her deep desire for the creative community and her ability to bring people together, she has been asked to continue bringing light to creatives and to showcase the hottest styles and trends on Fox2Now Studio STL hosted by Chelsea Haynes.

Yoro years of experience in the fashion community and is highly respected and has an impeccable reputation for integrity and dependability that she exhibits when

Production Coordinator for the movie On Fire and as they began to talk, Yoro was curious about how she found out about the closet sale and when the woman told her she saw Yoro on Fox2Now talking about the sale, the woman said that it was Yoro’s affections energy on camera that made her want to come to the sale and meet Yoro in person, they talked about what the woman was doing in St.Louis, found out Yoro worked on a couple small film projects, asked her to apply for the position for the movie and I guess you can say the rest is history.

Now Yoro can add motion picture Hollywood costumer on her resume, who knows she may be the costumer for many more movies to come.

Website: yorostyle.com

Instagram: @yoroofficial

Threads: @yoroofficial

Letters To Black men

Peace and many blessings to all of the brothers who will read and receive this message.

When we last spoke, we discussed bringing to remembrance the fact that you are indeed much greater than what this world claims you to be. And that it was time to bring the things that are out of order within your life and realm of influence back into a state of balance.

It is my hope that as you’ve embarked on your journey of self-introspection and improvement that you have also considered taking the time to simply be as

necesaary. Please understand, the state of simply being is just as important as the process of doing.

Enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures. Whether that be a walk through your favorite part of town. Or a conversation with your a distant loved one whom you rarely get the chance to speak with but are restored internally everytime you’re able to.

This world will continue turning but that does not mean you need to consistently spin as well. Create that space and time, all things considered, to just be.

Farewell Diamond Fam,

This will be my last issue as an offical member of the Diamond Magazine team. I want to wish you all peace and love and hope that you continue to support this awesome magazine, the team behind it and it’s mission to serve and develop the St. Louis community. It has truly been a pleasure.

I’ll see you all out there in these St. Louis streets.

Best,

JerMarco

Photo Credit: Erica Jones