DUNIA 15 ft 'Superwoman' Karyn White by DUNIA Mag

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CATCH UP ON PAST DUNIA ISSUES

THE 15TH EDITION

CONTENTS TIPS

11. A Guide to Taking Perfect Travel Selfies 16. Simpler Ways To Be Happier In 2019

FINANCES

26. Make Smart Money Moves This Year

HOME

35. The Make-Over: Your Bathroom

WORLD PULSE

40. AGRI-GENTRIFICATION: The Latest in Urban Renewal Trends

COVER STORY

46. Superwoman Karyn White On Surviving The Ups & Downs In Show Business

STYLE

54. Fashion Inspiration

54 WWW.DUNIAMAGAZINE.COM FACEBOOK.COM/DUNIAMAGAZINE TWITTER.COM/DUNIAMAGAZINE INSTAGRAM.COM/DUNIAMAG

Karyn White On when in her life she is most happy... I think, right now at 52 years old and having success, failures, ups, and downs in life, I can say I am most comfortable now in my skin at 52. I know right now what works and what doesn’t, I have learned to be more grateful now. Being a goal-oriented person, many times in the past I had overlooked the good things that had happened, or even the good times; the things I’ve had and experiences and as the old saying goes... you never miss a good thing until it’s gone. I know that to be true… with people, relationships, and a successful recording career, like that quote “Youth is wasted, on the young”. It took me many years to understand that nothing lasts forever and you have to appreciate the little things in life. So, I am conscious now to understand this. I am happy to be wiser instead of foolish. Award Winning Artist & Entrepreneur Billboard Music Award win for #1 R&B Single of the Year (1989)- SUPERWOMAN

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Read Full Conversation: pg 46

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Publisher / Editorial Director Lema M. Abeng

Editor-In-Chief Innocent Chia

Contributions Nik A Ramli

Charles McCutchen Jamilah Humphrey

Dear DUNIA Readers, Happy New Year to you. And welcome to your 15th Edition of DUNIA print magazine! This issue of the magazine is refreshing, breathtaking, and oh, so profound. As you go through these pages, you will understand why. Every piece of writing is packed-full of inspiration and useful knowledge. So, you are definitely at the right place, at the right time... as is the theme of this issue. You will be blown away by our Superwoman Karyn White, she is powerful and incredibly sincere. Her conversation with Nik A. Ramli is worth going through carefully as it will leave you deeply inspired. Our theme “Right place, Right time” is actually inspired by Karyn White’s words. Grab a pen and notepad as you get ready to read from Charles McCutchen whose mastery of financial matters will take you places. You will be touched and well-informed by Jamilah Humphrey’s article on agri-gentrification. We hope that you enjoy reading this beautiful edition of DUNIA Magazine. We always like to remind you that our editorial team keeps editing at a minimal so as to preserve the uniqueness in how each topic is discussed and articles written; this way, you are getting a true taste of the cross-cultural nature of DUNIA Magazine. Thank you for being a part of the DUNIA family of readers as we continue to reach out and connect across cultures. Be sure to visit the magazine’s website www.duniamagazine.com regularly. Connect with DUNIA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube! Email us at mydunia@duniamagazine.com. Love, Lema Abeng (Twitter: @LemaAbeng)

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ITC maintains a habitat of native prairie grasses and shrubs in the company’s transmission corridor in the Tomlinson Arboretum in Clinton Township, Mich. The award-winning natural greenway provides food and cover for native species including butterflies, bees, songbirds, rabbits, groundhogs and white-tailed deer. ITC Holdings Corp. received two major environmental awards at the 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation Conference held Nov. 13-14 in Baltimore.

Wyndham Destinations, the world’s largest vacation ownership and exchange company, was named to Forbes magazine’s Best Employers for Diversity list.

The rain garden at ITC’s Iowa City warehouse allows storm water to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and surface waters. This reduces erosion, water pollution, flooding and promotes healthier groundwater. The award-winning rain garden is designed with plants and loose fill to absorb approximately 4,000 gallons of precipitation runoff in each precipitation event. ITC is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems and lower the overall cost of delivered energy.

www.fortisinc.com

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onlinecasinobox.net

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Sandra Oh and Gemma Chan

Sparkle in Forevermark Diamonds at the 2019 Golden Globes www.forevermark.com

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Lerichi, Italy

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A Guide to Taking Perfect Travel Selfies By OneTravel If you’re not a millennial, the art of the selfie might seem a little intimidating. This pressure is only intensified for travel selfies, when you want to look great and also show off all the activities you’re doing on your getaway. OneTravel, a leading online travel agency, has analyzed the many travel selfies to offer travelers the best tips for getting that perfect shot.

Find the Right Angle –

If you’re tilting the phone at a weird angle to put your best face forward, here’s the straight scoop: a high angle doesn’t improve your photos. In fact, angling the phone too much can leave you looking distorted. Instead of holding the camera at an awkward angle, try facing it headon. Not only will you look proportionate, but viewers will be able to appreciate the scenery in the background.

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Consider Your Lighting –

This should go without saying, but lighting can make or break your travel selfie. Nobody is going to be able to appreciate that gorgeous view if the lighting is bad. Natural lighting is absolutely the best, so use it as often as you are able. Be careful about shadows, which can leave you looking worn out and tired. And don’t forget, when it gets dark the flash can be your absolute best friend.

Seek Out Unusual Locations –

If you really want your travel selfies to spark some interest and keep your audience intrigued, skip the usual tourist spots. Sure, the Eiffel Tower is impressive, but there are so many other stunning options to explore. Look for surprising locales to improve your photos and keep them from the usual boring looks. Not only will viewers be intrigued, your photos will end up looking unique and exciting, instead of like a stock photo.

Sunglasses or No Sunglasses –

Unless you have legitimately cool-looking sunglasses, skip them for your selfie. They distract from the surroundings and make you look more like a tourist than you’d ever want to admit. Sunglasses can also reflect oddly, ruining the careful composition of your beautiful photo. All that aside, there are times when sunglasses are acceptable: when you’re at the beach or in a ridiculously sunny spot.

Mind the Sun –

If you’re taking an outdoor selfie, the sun can simultaneously be your greatest friend and worst enemy. The trick to taming the sun and making sure it helps instead of hinders your photographic dreams is to keep it behind you. Try to frame the photo so your head is blocking the sun. This way you get all the light with none of the harshness. You and your surroundings will look radiant.

Figure Out Your Selfie Smile –

Some of us feel awkward cracking a grin on camera. It’s time to nip that fear in the bud and beam in your next photo. Remember, you’re on vacation: you should look like you’re having fun. If a natural smile just isn’t in the cards, don’t fret. You can go for a milder look with the closed-mouth smile, being sure to smile with your eyes. And if you really want to nail that oncamera grin, practice in front of a mirror. Then

the next time the selfie mood strikes you, you’ll be all set to nail that perfect smile.

Beware of the Solo Selfie –

While traditionally the self is taken by, well, yourself, travel selfies are a bit different. If you’re surfing for the first time, or perched on the edge of a high cliff, you don’t want to be battling with a camera. Instead, ask someone to snap the camera for you. You want to get the shot, but your safety is far more important. Don’t do something risky in the hopes of achieving that perfect selfie. It’s not worth it; and odds are the selfie your helper takes will capture the fun and excitement of your trip.

Get Creative –

You’re on vacation, visiting incredible locations, eating sensational food, and exploring the world. Instead of the standard selfies, try to get creative on your vacation. Take pictures where you try new activities, eat strange new things, or meet cool new people. Your vacation selfies are a chance to show a whole new world — and a completely different side of yourself. Have fun with them, and see where your imagination takes you. For more educational travel articles, visit https://www. onetravel.com/going-places/ OneTravel Going Places is dedicated to creating an inclusive community and is proud to celebrate the diversity, culture, and history of people around the world. OneTravel’s social media pages www.facebook.com/onetravel www.twitter.com/onetravel. For an on-the-go travel concierge experience, download OneTravel’s app for Apple or Android.

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Photo by Andrey Polichenko

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Simpler Ways To Be Happier In 2019 Want your New Year to get off to a good start? Ted Larkins wants that for you too—only he says wishing alone won’t do it. Instead, the author of Get To Be Happy The Companion Guide®, the follow-up to his award-winning Get To Be Happy® title, says you need to create a happiness plan and stick to it for at least 30 days. “New Year’s resolutions are nice,” Larkins says. “But you have to do more than say that you want to lose 15 pounds or be healthier. My book gives people 36 exercises that could lead to a happier 2019 but lets them customize them to their own needs.” For example, to have a happier 2019 Larkins suggests you might want to: • Telephone someone with the expressed purpose of telling them that you love them and paying attention to their reaction • Watch the James Dean movie of your choice and jot down your thoughts about it • Commit to doing something incredible for the next 30 days such as exercising for seven minutes or meditating every day • Make a list of hobbies you would like to pursue and then list 12 steps that would help you get started • Look up someone on Facebook whom you were unkind to when you were younger and apologize to them. Get To Be Happy® won an Indie Brag Medallion and was a finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Award competition. Larkins’ two books utilize his Get-To Principle, which shifts a person’s mindset from “having to do something” to “getting to do something.” Ted Larkins is a 30-year veteran of the entertainment industry, having worked with such celebrities and Jon Bon Jovi, Celine Dion and Jack Nicklaus and for such companies as Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, MGM and 21st Century Fox. Larkins’ life was deeply influenced by his time living in Japan and meeting Mother Teresa in Calcutta. Larkins has presented his Get To Principle around the country, most recently at UCLA and NYU. He is a member of the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) and Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA)

www.tedlarkins.com

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How To Love Yourself More After You’ve Hit Rock Bottom, Been Trampled And Gone Through The Wringer

Life is full of experiences that shape us as individuals and change who we are. Rather than breaking us, traumatic experiences can make us stronger and more beautiful than ever. That is the premise of Rani St. Pucchi’s justreleased book, Gold in the Cracks: Move From Shattered to Whole and Reveal Your Light. St. Pucchi, best known as a trend-setting fashion designer for 30+ years, developed the philosophy after dressing more than 20,000 women in her career. In her new book, she applies the Japanese concept of Kintsugi, in which broken pieces of pottery are repaired using powdered gold, to people. In Kintsugi, the reworked object is considered even more beautiful and precious because it was broken. “We are all broken and every break has left a wound,” St. Pucchi says. “Every wrinkle is a roadmap of our life journey, every scar a solemn decoration. It is up to us to stay broken or gather our pieces and choose to become whole again.” St. Pucchi shares: How a present given to her in 1989 that remained unopened for 29 years inspired her to write her new book. Why no one has to remain stuck in their history or resign themselves to a mediocre life. How to identify the limiting beliefs that are holding you back. Ways we are all capable of making new discoveries about ourselves, our families and colleagues, our history, and reframing our stories. St. Pucchi says Gold in the Cracks is not just a book to read but a life plan to follow; the text is complemented by insightful questions, beautifully presented analogies and stories, worksheets for journaling your thoughts, and affirmations to use as a simple, powerful tool to invite happiness into your life. Rani St. Pucchi is an empowerment coach, inspirational speaker, bestselling author, an awardwinning fashion designer and president of St. Pucchi, the internationally acclaimed bridal fashion house. She draws on her lifelong struggle against domestic abuse and 32 years in the fashion industry to help women abandon debilitating self-doubt and become the designers of their own lives. St. Pucchi empowers thousands of women across the world with her message of body-positivity and selflove. Gold in the Cracks is her fourth book. www.ranistpucchi.com

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Atlantic Natural Foods Introduces TUNOâ&#x201E;˘ Leading manufacturer of plant-based foods brings first ocean-safe flavored seafood alternative to market. Made with non-GMO plant-based protein ingredients, this protein-rich, gluten-free food features the light, flaky texture of seafood and is packed with nutritious omega 3s, but is completely fish-free.

To learn more about Atlantic Natural Foods, visit www.atlanticnaturalfoods.com

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Created in collaboration with seafood industry experts from around the world to help address the growing crisis of global fish stocks being overfished and depleted, TUNO offers a delicious, ocean safe and mercury-free creation that tastes like real tuna while providing its versatility in a more sustainable form. For people looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, TUNO is now available online at Amazon, and will begin rolling out to major retailers in December 2018.

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PepsiCo Announces New Packaging Goal For 25% Recycled Plastic Content By 2025. As part of its sustainable plastics vision, PepsiCo will strive to use 25 percent recycled content in its plastic packaging by 2025.

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RECIPE European table olives have become a gastronomic trend thanks to the versatility of formats and preparations capable of making a difference in the kitchen, even on Halloween. Table olives have many varieties: Manzanilla, Hojiblanca, Queen, stuffed with Pimiento ... They are a star food of the healthy Mediterranean Diet that fit with the preparation of easy and appetizing dishes, capable of making a difference during a very special day for grown ups and children.

Halloween Mini Pizzas With Olives These chilling mini pizzas made with two favorite European olive varieties will delight young and old.

INGREDINETS Serves 4 people (Difficulty: Easy. Prep Time: 50 min) 3 oz. Manzanilla olives 1 cup of water 1 tsp. yeast Melting cheese Ham Tomato paste Salt and extra virgin olive oil

Directions Step 1: Cut some of the olives into slices and leave some whole. Step 2: In a bowl add the flour reserving a couple of tablespoons to fatten and handle the dough at the end. Make a volcano and mix the water with the dissolved yeast. Mix with the help of a wooden spoon. Step 3: As the dough is bounding, incorporate the olive oil and the salt. Then, start hand kneading. On the kitchen table, sprinkle some flour and knead for 10 minutes, stretching and making braids and putting them together again. This helps the dough to be homogeneous. If necessary, add a little more flour, the dough should not stick to the hands, but it shouldn’t leave a trace of flour either. Let stand for 1 hour, wetting the surface with a little olive oil, so that the dough does not dry. Step 4: Once the dough is fermented, make small balls and crush them with your hand. Also, stretch the whole dough and cut with a cooking ring. Step 5: Add a little tomato paste and use different toppings. Step 6: Bake at 350º F for 6 minutes, until the cheese melts.

More at haveanoliveday.eu

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December 4th is National Cookie Day

Great American Cookies has a tradition of offering guests free original chocolate chip cookies at participating stores.

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www.ashleyfoods.com

The Ashley Food Company, a leader in super hot condiments for over 25 years, has solved the spiceloverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dilemma of seasoning on the go. Their new product, Mad Dog 357 Pain on a Chain is a specially designed silver vial with a gasket-lined cap that holds one gram of scorching ground pepper. Stamped with the Mad Dog 357 logo, attached to a key chain, and sold with twenty refills, Mad Dog 357 Pain on a Chain is a convenient, discreet alternative to bulky bottles of sauce.

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To experience the refreshing taste of McGuinness® Ruby Red Grapefruit, these easy-to-mix cocktails are a great start:

GRAPEFRUIT COLLINS 1 oz McGuinness Ruby Red Grapefruit 2 oz. J.P. Wiser’s Deluxe 2 oz. San Pellegrino Sparkling Lemonade Lemon Wedges

Shake all ingredients except the sparkling lemonade, strain into a rocks glass with ice and top with sparkling lemonade and lemon wedges.

For more cocktail inspirations, visit www.mcguinnessmixables.com or follow @mcguinnessmix on Instagram 24

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GRAPEFRUIT MOSCOW MULE 1 oz McGuinness Ruby Red Grapefruit 2 oz. ABSOLUT Vodka 1 oz. Lime Juice 4-6 oz. Ginger Beer

Combine lime juice, McGuinness® Ruby Red Grapefruit, and vodka in a Collins glass or copper mug. Stir and add a handful of ice. Top with ginger beer, mint grapefruit wedges and serve.

SEA BREEZE 1 oz. McGuinness Ruby Red Grapefruit 1.5 oz Polar Ice Vodka 3 oz Cranberry Juice

Pour all ingredients into a high ball glass with ice and stir. Garnish with a grapefruit slice

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Corby Spirit and Wine is pleased to introduce a brand new flavour into the McGuinness liqueurs family: McGuinness® Ruby Red Grapefruit. Made with quality ingredients, this product offers a fruity and refreshing twist on classic cocktails like the Grapefruit Moscow Mule and Grapefruit Collins

MAKE SMART MONEY MOVES

THIS YEAR

By Charles McCutchen Best-Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Real Estate Expert and CEO of a Non-Profit to help homeless Veterans. Charles’ journey is far from over and he has set out to help others to achieve greatness and get their time back so they can continue making memories and being with loved ones. Charles has been speaking in different Universities, Companies, Churches, etc, bridging the gap between what they need to know to be successful. Charles’ next book is an educational book designed to help mold the minds of high school and college students. It will address business, taxes, credit, money, entrepreneurship, etc. Below I’ll list a few things you can do to help you out in 2019. From fixing your credit, to obtaining funding for your business and some ways you can make and save some money!

GET YOUR FREE CREDIT REPORT!! Step 1: GO TO www.annualcreditreport.com

“If all you know about money is how much you have in your bank account, it’s time to get more financially literate. Understanding investment opportunities, market trends and how the economy works is incredibly important for building and growing your wealth.” - Forbes Financial Council

This is FREE if it’s your first time. If you’ve already received yours you can get on a trial period as well. I say get on the trial and cancel. 26

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Step 2: Tell the credit reporting companies (TransUnion, Equifax and

“Financial literacy, for the sake of brevity, is an ability to understand money and how it works – including its management, investment, and expenditure. Being financially sound and aware always works in your favor as it enables you to make choices on investments that can help you double your balance. Even when you are busy with your professional or personal life, putting your money in the right places i.e., the stock market or the money market, can help you become more profitable.” - Srish Agrawal, born2invest.com

“Nearly half of Americans don’t expect to have enough money to retire comfortably. Credit card debt has reached its highest point ever. Forty percent of Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency expense.” - Opploans.com

Experian), in writing, what information you think is inaccurate. Use the sample letter on page 30 to help write your own. Include copies (NOT originals) of any documents that support your position. In addition to including your complete name and address, your letter should identify each item in your report that you dispute; state the facts and the reasons you dispute the information, and ask that it be removed or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your credit report, and circle the items in question. Send your letter by certified mail, “return receipt requested”, so you can document that the credit reporting company got it. Keep copies of your dispute letters and enclosures.

Step 3: Tell the creditor and Credit Bureaus or other information

provider(s), in writing, that you dispute an item. Include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider reports the item to a consumer reporting company, it must include a notice of your dispute. And if the information is found to be inaccurate, the provider may not report it again.

STEPS TO TRUE BUSINESS CREDIT

For all business owners and those who are thinking about starting a business we all should focus on acquiring funds without using our personal credit scores or our social security numbers. Below are some steps you can use to get it done. 1. Incorporate your business and get a Federal Tax I.D. Number 2. Your company’s Tax ID Number or Employer Identification Number is the number that you will use to get registered with the business credit bureaus like Dun and Bradstreet. You can get a D&B number for FREE! 3. Get your company’s phone number listed in the 411 directory. Get a toll free number as well. You can’t use a cell phone or a home phone! Go to RingCentral and get a phone number and a fax number. 4. Open a Net30 account. You can order office supplies, computers and marketing materials with payments to Net30 in 60 days. Companies you will use for your trade line: BP, Quill, Uline, Dell, Staples, Home Depot, Lowes, Reliable Office Supplies, Monopolize Your Market Place, etc. Then make sure you ask about rewards cards from different companies. Go to google and type in NET30 accounts and companies will pop up. 5. You don’t NEED a brick and mortar business. You can get a virtual address. DO NOT PUT YOUR HOME ADDRESS ON YOUR APPLICATION. 6. You need a website. Your company will be researched. Buy a domain from GoDaddy and get your email address there.

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7. You have to open a bank account tied to your company, so call

your bank and ask what they need. They’ll need your articles of your business set up as one piece of parcel. 8. You need a high account balance and having that gives you more of an approval chance. 9. Have the proper licensing for your company. 10. You should get your small business credit report after you’ve established credit.

TOP PLACES TO GO TO SAVE MONEY AND MAKE MONEY! 1) Stash – This can get you to stocks https://rebrand.ly/stashforcash

2) Unclaimed Money Searches. Make sure you’re searching on government sites. This one is Virginia: https://trs.virginia.gov/vaMoneySearch/Account/LogOn 3) Self Lender – Helps with fixing credit https://selflender.com/refer/12703964 4) Acorns – A way to invest and save money https://acorns.com/invite/E9C7LU 5) Digit – It’s another way to save money on auto pilot https://digit.co/r/6atxN5F2X7?ai 6) Allows you to pull your credit report for FREE www.annualcreditreport.com 7) Collection Shield 360 – FREE program that helps repair credit https://www.collectionshield360.com 8) DOSH – A Cashback app that gives you discounts whenever you shop. Come on. You’ve shopped at Target before! If you share you get $15 per referral bonus and $5 to sign up https://link.dosh.cash/YCLI/hgGKmAQPxJ 9) For more information on what’s listed in this write-up go to http://hiddengemconsulting.com Website: www.CharlesMcCutchen.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/CharlesTHEMogulMcCutchen/ Email: CharlesMSpeaks@yahoo.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/charles-mccutchen-34bb9927 Twitter: @McCutchenSpeaks Instagram: @McCutchenSpeaks 28

“Make the Most of Side Hustles Even if you have just a little freelance income or money from a parttime job, you can still benefit from some tax breaks. More readers are taking advantage of the gig economy to earn some extra income, and a lot of retirees continue to work in part-time jobs.” - Kim Lankford, Kiplinger.com

Importance of Good Credit History “Landlords may check your credit when deciding whether to rent to you. When you try to get a cellphone contract, your credit scores and reports are usually checked. “Being a responsible credit card owner shows you’re trustworthy,” says Julie Pukas, head of U.S. Bankcard and Merchant Services at TD Bank. Your auto insurer also may take a look at your credit scores when deciding what rates you’ll pay. And your credit can even affect your job prospects.” - Christy R Bieber, CreditKarma.com

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SPEND LESS! SAVE YOUR MONEY “Choose something to save for. One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Start by thinking of what you might want to save for—perhaps you’re getting married, planning a vacation or saving for retirement. Then figure out how much money you’ll need and how long it might take you to save it.” - Bank Of America, Better Money Habits

SMART MONEY MOVES = Financial Stability = Happy Living

BUILD WEALTH! CREATE MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME “How many streams of income do millionaires have? Tom Corley, author of “Rich Habits”, studied the habits of millionaires during a five-year study of the rich and poor. Here’s what he found...: 65% of self-made millionaires had three streams of income. 45% of self-made millionaires had four streams of income. 29% of self-made millionaires had five or more streams of income. Having multiple streams of income is the same idea as diversifying your investment portfolio. When one income stream suffers, the others make up for it.” - Amanda Abella, Inc.com

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Sample Letter of Explanation to Dispute Credit Report

Date Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Complaint Department Name of Credit Bureau Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The items I dispute also are encircled on the attached copy of the report I received. This item (identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am requesting that the item be deleted (or request another specific change) to correct the information. Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such as payment records, court documents) supporting my position. Please reinvestigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible. Sincerely, Your name Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing)

Source: www.myfico.com

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Meet the intelino smart train. It engages children, helping them get smarter while having fun.

The intelino smart train augments the classic toy train experience to entertain and develop today’s tech-savvy children. It has the simplicity and ease of use expected in a child’s first train set. Yet it has the sophistication of an advanced robotic toy. This smart train is intuitive, interactive and intelligent.

intelino.com

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Photo: Viktoriia Kulish

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Everyday self-pampering that never ends starts in a beautiful bathroom

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THE MAKE OVER – YOUR BATHROOM By Nik A Ramli Have you noticed that nowadays everywhere you go in town there are ‘SALE’ signs displayed in shop windows? So, let’s use this as an opportunity to grab the best offers you can to update your home; hallway, lounge, bedroom and also the bathroom. On a tight budget? Then why not join me on a brief journey in updating one of the most important areas of your home – the bathroom.

UPDATING THE BATHROOM

A good bathroom design is crucial in any home. It will increase the attractiveness and therefore the saleability of the property instantly, and may also add value as well.

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The design mood needs to be fresh, warm, comfortable and inviting for you to use. You don’t need to revamp the complete bathroom especially if you have a limited budget. Begin by updating what you can and give that bathroom a fresh new look. Here are some of my design tips:

WALL AND FLOOR TREATMENTS

You can update the walls and floor of the bathroom easily with new paint and tiles. The choice has never been so varied so whatever style you want to create, a traditional look or an ultra-modern and contemporary feel, there is a huge selection of tiles, slate,

mosaics and even marble at good prices available at all good DIY and home stores. To create a different atmosphere in the bathroom you can also try using wallpaper that is suitable for the bathroom. This will add another dimension to the design of the room, but tiling is probably the best idea.

BATHROOM ACCESSORIES

Attention to detail plays an important role in any design project. Mirrors and lighting can change the look of a bathroom dramatically and are often the simplest and cheapest way to update any room. Lighting is very important to a bathroom and the right choice can create a relaxing ambience. Update the wall lights, spotlights, down lighters in the room. For a mirror, you don’t have to use the standard bathroom mirror. You can use any style of mirror to create a focal point and give impact, creating an interesting and exclusive look. You can also install wall lights above or around the mirror.

EXTRAS

If you’re looking for a new bathroom suite, fitting a floating sink will provide a spacious look. A modern white bathtub and WC will always provide a sophisticated look. Installing a new shower is also a good way to add a contemporary feel. Go for an oversized showerhead and some sleek chrome fittings. You can also get a new feel by just investing in some new water taps.

CONCLUSIONS

There are so many ways to update the bathroom within a budget. These are just some brief suggestions. Remember, good research is the key to getting the ‘WOW’ factor. Mix and match different items carefully and you will be able to have that exclusive ‘MAKEOVER’ look without spending too much cash. Copyright Nik A Ramli 2019

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A 2017 study...indicates that some essential oils, notably geranium and rose, have the ability to influence the salivary concentration of estrogen in women. This may be helpful for women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms that are caused by declining levels of estrogen secretion. Essential oils are also able to lower cortisol levels, which can help to improve your mood and reduce symptoms of depression, and increase testosterone levels, which can improve a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s libido. - Dr Axe

The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbursh every three months

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Photo credit: Joshua Mellin

Accordint to The Japan National Tourism Organization, more than 30 million overseas travelers visited Japan in 2018, an all-time record and an 8.7% increase over 2017 (the previous record year). “Tourism to Japan from the United States – about 5% of the total – soared 11%,” says Naohito Ise, Executive Director of the organization in New York, “with more and more Americans seeking beyond the classic tourism destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto to discover lesser-known parts of the country.” In 2018, America’s two most influential travel magazines gave travel to Japan a major thumbsup, with Travel+Leisure pronouncing Japan the “Destination of the Year” for 2018 and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards citing Tokyo and Kyoto as the top two big cities in the world. “American tourism to Japan is expected to continue to rise in 2019 as the country builds up to host major international sporting events.”

Tokyo

Photo by Jason Goh

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55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. Close to 90% of this increase is taking place in Asia and Africa.

Today, the most urbanized regions include Northern America (with 82% of its population living in urban areas in 2018), Latin America and the Caribbean (81%), Europe (74%) and Oceania (68%). The level of urbanization in Asia is now approximating 50%. In contrast, Africa remains mostly rural, with 43% of its population living in urban areas.

Urbanization is the gradual shift in residence of the human population from rural to urban areas

Tokyo is the world’s largest city with an agglomeration of 37 million inhabitants, followed by New Delhi with 29 million, Shanghai with 26 million, and Mexico City and São Paulo, each with around 22 million inhabitants. Today, Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing and Dhaka all have close to 20 million inhabitants.

This is according to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, May 2018

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Photo: Adrian Petrean

AGRI-GENTRIFICATION: The Latest in Urban Renewal Trends By Jamilah Humphrey

WHAT IT IS

As Africans on the Continent go through residential gentrification and farm land encroachment resulting from the immigration of Europeans and Diaspora Africans, Americans of African descent are experiencing a new phenomenon-- Agri-gentrification. It is the displacement of urban dwellers, specifically low-income residents, for farming activities for the purpose of economic development. Many American cities in particular Detroit, Michigan, are following this trend in conjunction with residential gentrification. These activities have left few options for affordable and low-income housing. In the late 1950’s and into the 60’s similar economic development projects came to 40

be known as “Nigger Removal” among social activists. As U. S. American cities built infrastructure to bypass Brown and Black neighborhoods in exchange for expedient suburban commutes, it forced low-income residents to move. Many of these residents never found replacement housing and we can see similar results with Agri-gentrification.

WHAT IT DOES

Touted as an answer to food deserts and an economic development driver, Agri-gentrification allows urban farmers to use the same principles as developers. They look to buy or lease cheap land and maximize profits. The food grown is not readily available to persons living in the neighborhoods. Most produce is WWW.DUNIAMAGAZINE.COM / Winter 2018-’19

sold at farmers markets at competitive prices, not close to residents, which does not resolve the food desert problem. Some growers sell their products for processing, meaning that they are not growing edible foods. Often, the farmers do not live in the respective city where they farm. Therefore, the revenue does not circulate within the community, nor the city. The only revenue the city realizes is through leases. Leased land typically does not require the renter to pay property tax. The land and buildings used for urban farming activities are taken out of residential use for years at a time. The duration depends on the type of crops grown. A Detroit tree farmer has leased land for 40 years, possibly more, for the trees to reach full maturity for harvesting. This longevity of land use in turn discourages the replacement of affordable and low-income housing, as well as encourages blight. Slum

Credit: Soldeandalucia - Dreamstime.com

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lords are motivated to allow their properties to fall in disrepair, then clear it for more profitable ventures. Commercial buildings converted into farming use also discourage the creation of retail businesses; thereby, omitting Brown and Black families the opportunity to benefit from the urbanization trend of walkable communities. In the 1980 Master Plan for the city of Detroit, urban agriculture was mentioned as a remedy for the out-flux of cash resulting from urban sprawl. This left a lower tax base and challenges to provide city services. It was to be a way for the local residents to earn money to contribute to the tax rolls. However, not much attention was paid to it or community activist growers after the defunding of the once viable Farm-a-Lot program the city sponsored. By the time planning officials took it seriously the explosion had begun. Trying to catch up, the city began to pass ordinances to manage the growing industry. However, it did little to ensure area residents were incentivized to participate. Thus, much of the land was gobbled up by large scale urban farmers who were predominately Americans of European descent. Developers were also paying attention and began to buy vacant residential lots and rundown properties to hold for speculation. As long as they met Detroitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirement to present a Plan for the development, they could keep the property indefinitely by continuing to revise their plans. One such entity was the Ambassador Bridge owners who inflated residential vacant lot prices thwarting neighborhood growers from using the land for its intended economic development purposes. By taking land out of production for housing it has forced people to live in highdensity structures or occupy fewer square feet for higher costs. Newly built or renovated studio apartments have rented for as much as $1,000 or more per month, for less than 800 square feet. This high density living is at a price. The effects are psychological as well as socio-economic. High density living and generational stacking studies have shown that there is an increase of psychosis and depression among residents. In some areas, health issues have arisen with the influx of wildlife such as deer, which carry Lyme disease. 41

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE

According to the US Census Bureau (2017), 37.9% of the population of Detroit city, Michigan lives in poverty. 79.1% of the population is Blacks/African American

Urban Agri-business is a wonderful opportunity if plans are made to house the displaced. It is up to informed Brown and Black citizens to organize and insist on programs to create affordable and low-income housing. We must be creative in working with these new developer farmers who use more than one parcel of residential land. For every residential parcel sold or given a long-term lease, a premium could be paid that goes into a trust fund to secure residential land in another location. Farmers could commit to build one house in the same area where they have located their farms for every five (non and contiguous) parcels bought or leased for more than 10 years. Local governments can do more to identify land for urban farmers that will not displace whole communities or discourage investments in building single and multiple housing in areas kept blighted through planned obsolescence. There is an economic reason in doing so as well. Without neighborhoods to house the poor, government support systems are overwhelmed. Homeless shelters seek more funding because they cannot accommodate those in need. And our prison system continues to fill up with Brown and Black people because of the pressures to earn enough money to pay for housing, among other items. Everyone has a stake in ensuring that affordable housing is available to all that need it. The problems of Agri-gentrification also migrate to Africa with the return of Africans from the diaspora. What is expensive in the U.S. is not in other countries. Americans take advantage of this and have driven up the price of housing for locals by paying exorbitant prices for farmland and housing. Because Americans can live in luxury in many African countries due to the currency exchange does not mean that they should. By doing so we are no better than the European investors who have pushed us out of our homes and communities.

ÂŠ creativecommonsstockphotos

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LAND GRABBING Current statistics

• According to the Land Matrix, the top investor countries in concluded land deals are: USA (7.09 million hectares), Malaysia (3.35m ha.), United Arab Emirates (2.82m ha.), United Kingdom (2.96ha.), India (1.99m ha.), Singapore (1.88m ha.), Netherlands (1.68m ha.), Saudi Arabia (1.57m ha.), Brazil (1.37m ha.) and China (1.34m ha). (https://landmatrix.org/en/get-the-idea/web-transnational-deals/)

• Of the top ten countries targeted by investors for large-scale land acquisitions, 5 are in Africa - South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Congo and Liberia. (http://landmatrix.org/en/get-the-idea/web-transnational-deals/ )

• Foreign investors target countries with weak governments to acquire land. Research into large- scale land deals in 56 countries found that more than three quarters (78%) of the deals were in countries with weak governance i.e. low accountability to citizens, weak rule of law, lack of regulation of the private sector and control of corruption.

• The World Bank has funded land deals to the tune of more than $8 billion over the past decade. (source: www.actionaid.org)

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Christmas came early at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, where a new bundle of joy had just arrived. Ubi, an endangered Malayan tapir, delivered a healthy fourth calf early in the morning on Dec. 17. The new calf is the 12th Malayan Tapir born at ZooTampa. With less than 50 Malayan tapirs in human care in North America, this birth is critical to securing a safety net for a species facing extinction.

zootampa.org

ZooTampa at Lowry Park recently celebrated the births of seven rare African painted dog pups. The multi-colored pups are the first of this endangered African species to be born at the Zoo.

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Department of Taxes and Attorney General’s Chambers Building (left) and Ministry of Health Building (right) in Gaborone, Botswana. Photo: Eddie Chuan-Shun Ho

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COVER FEATURE

SUPERWOMAN KARYN WHITE ON SURVIVING THE UPS & DOWNS IN SHOW BUSINESS A Conversation With Interior Designer Nik A Ramli

Have you ever had a ‘Secret Rendezvous’? Sure, some of us have been there and done that. This time it is not just any ordinary rendezvous. From a night at a Jazz Café in London, to these pages of DUNIA Magazine where we are about to have an in-depth conversation about life as an entertainer and entrepreneur with the fabulous Karyn White! Karyn White – Artist, Real Estate Investor, Interior Designer, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Director and Actress - is a star with a voice that is both energetic and full of emotion, whose willpower and motivation has helped her survive the ups and downs of a life in showbusiness. Here the ‘Unbreakable’ ‘Superwoman’ talks about how she started in showbiz and how she has branched out from music. So, let’s ‘Seize The Day’ and enjoy a conversation with a talented and motivated individual whose work such as ‘The Way You Love Me’, ‘Romantic’, ‘Hungah’ and ‘My Heart Cries’ has thrilled so many people around the world. Hello, how are you? Can you please describe who Karyn Layvonne White, aka Karyn White, is in your own words? Karyn White: Driven! I am an extremely focused person; I always have to have a goal, something to do… with doing real estate to recording a song, to interior design, to training in acting. Once I start something, I become obsessed with learning it until completion. Lol (I love staying busy). So Driven is my middle name. Lol! So, is there such a thing as a typical working day for you and if so what does it entail? KW: I stay up all night toiling with things until I

have finished them. I am super anal. Lol Could you tell us about yourself – your upbringing and the values that were instilled in you. KW: Well, I can say my foundation is spiritual, my faith and a strong work ethic. My parents were both hard workers and local celebrities. My Mom owned a Beauty Salon at age 13 and could do anything from cooking, sewing, gardening, she was the first Mart cheerleading, anything I wanted to do she was there rooting for me and allowed me the freedom to dream and become a Star. My Dad was amazing as well, he worked two jobs

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and owned a cleaning business. He was so incredible, he used to challenge me and he pushed me to do my very best. He knew I was competitive and he used that to drive me to work harder. My parents are the reason for my strong work ethic. What is it like being the youngest of five children?! KW: I was the baby girl, I was special and got away with a little more than my older siblings. When you first started singing, you sang in a church choir. How old were you then? KW: I was about 6 or 7 years old, I was in the children’s choir, and I was not shy! I made it known I could do anything the older kids could do and when I got a chance to do a solo I had the church shouting. Lol Do you think your experience singing in the choir influenced your subsequent musical journey? KW: Absolutely! I enjoyed it in my choir, besides the church was my first audience, that gives you the confidence to sing and perform. You had a challenging moment at the beginning of your singing career. You were in a band called Legacy, and the band secured a record deal. However, you were dismissed from the group because your voice was not deemed to be commercial enough! At such a young age, in your teens, in fact, to go through that experience must have been very upsetting. Can you share with us how you dealt with the situation at that time and how it affected your confidence? KW: I was completely and utterly devastated!!! Oh, my God! I licked my wounds, picked my-

self up and continued. I started doing background gigs, and sessions work and sang on demo tracks for producers. I started auditioning and going to cattle calls in Hollywood; I was one of the finalists for Shalamar after Jody Whatley left. I ended up working with solo artist Howard Johnson, doing background work for them; it showed that I had what it takes to go far. It was a blessing to me, being in his camp in the beginning. So, getting kicked out the group was a good thing in the end. Besides I knew after that, I did not want to be in a group anyway. At the age of 18, you wrote a song for Stephanie Mills. Do you still remember how that came about? KW: Yes, I was working with the late and great producer / singer / songwriter, Robert Brookins who was a friend of a friend. And I happened to be hanging out in a writing session, and I came up with a melody for a song they were working on. And they liked it. I got writing credits and paid for it. I took the money and invested in a demo, and that got to Jeff Lorber, and that’s how I ended up working with him. I was in the right place at the right time. So, I was a student of the game I would hang out while people would be working and before you know it I was singing backgrounds. Success is when preparation meets opportunity. And the rest was history. What was the title of the song and the storyline for the composition? KW: ‘Automatic Passion’, it’s about a one-sided relationship, waiting all day for someone to call you (being in suspended animation). You are a self-motivated individual. You used the pay cheque from that song to record a demo tape. How did you plan for the session from start to completion? KW: Self-Motivated indeed, I was telling someone this story, and they were like… you are 18 years old, and you got a nice check with a comma in it. And you invested in yourself with a demo. You didn’t go shopping or buy a car or whatever? So, I guess, I saw the bigger picture, my boyfriend at the time had a band in San Francisco and I paid them to record the demo. I paid them $50 a piece for the demo (3 songs). They probably would have done it for free just to be in the studio, but I paid

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them and put it together. I am fair, and I always take care of people and make sure I paid them for their services. Do you still remember the songs and the titles for your demo? KW: OH YEAH!!! 1. ‘Do You Love Me?’ 2. ‘What If You Could Change The World.’ Do you still have the original copy of the demo? KW: Sadly… No! How did you choose the songs? Were they original compositions or covers? KW: They were original songs. I felt they would showcase my voice and writing ability. I co-wrote a song for the all-girl band Klymaxx. However, they passed on it, so I recorded it. You also recorded a few tracks for Jeff Lorber. How did your contribution to the ‘Private Passion’ album come about? KW: I recorded 3 songs total on his album. The first single “Facts of Love”, I believe it was a top ten R & B hit and helped introduce me as an artist; It was HUGE, so the deal was, if the song did well, I could get signed by Warner Bros, and it all worked out. We toured, opening up for one of my all-time favourite artists “Chaka Khan”. I was on Joan Rivers’ show singing, with Jeff, we had a nice video playing in which I got a lot of notoriety. It was incredible and the start of my solo career. Was that the point you thought “Yeah, this is it”? KW: Absolutely! All my dreams, hard work was starting to pay off. It was surreal. You signed to Warner Bros. Records. That must have been exciting! Can you share your experience of recording your first record with them? KW: Beyond exciting! Oh, My God! First of all, everybody wanted to be with Warner Bros. They had all the iconic artists then. Prince, Rod Stewart, Madonna, George Benson, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Chicago, Peter Gabriel… it was a boutique label. First of all, I had the incredible Benny Medina as my A&R. I have the ‘Karyn White’ album, and I love it including all the single remixes. The album was a great success and achieved

platinum status in the US. There is one particular global hit that music reviewers associated you with. Why do you think the press connect you so much with ‘Superwoman’ more than other songs that you have made? KW: Wow!! It’s an incredible and iconic song!! You know I am referred to as the Superwoman? I was 23 years old when I sang that song, little or no life experience then, but now, I know what it means. I have women coming up to me all the time, telling me what that song means to them; from being a little girl going through a traumatic experience, to grown women dealing with grown women issues. It was bigger than we could have ever imagined. A worldwide success, from Boston to Beijing, Los Angeles to London, Wow! I love the title. What is your favourite aspect of the entertainment business? KW: Performing Live with my Bad Ass Band! I have an out of body experience when I am on stage; I feel that’s when all my gifts work, it comes easy to me, that’s what I feel I can do effortlessly. How different was the music business when you started compared to the present day? KW: Night and Day! The business has changed completely. People loved buying new music, and

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radio was playing more of a variety of music, now Pop & Hip Hop rules. And it all sounds the same, no originality exists as much, I feel that music is watered down and has very little substance, so when someone comes along with substance it’s refreshing and they make a huge splash. Adele, Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino, Rihanna. But back in the day… there was so much variety like, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, James Brown, Chaka, Gladys, Whitney, the list goes on. Now it’s limited to a few stars.

my story in this new journey I’ve embarked on, and now I’m not just saying seize the day to me, but I’m shouting it out to everyone!!! Young and old, male and female but my message is especially for the over 50 women who truly are super as it relates to this planet and all that we’ve given it. Why did I self -publish? Because I am an Entrepreneur and I don’t believe in sitting back and waiting for anything or anybody to come and do something for me that I can do for myself! So, I went in the studio, produced the album with the incredible Derek DOA Allen on my label Karyn White Enterprises (KWE), I designed the album cover and the whole marketing package, and we released it on my label with a distribution deal with EMI lightyear. The music business now is about knowing your audience and dealthe day… ing directly with them.

After gaining success, fame and releasing three albums you left the label to concentrate on your life and your family. Aside from that and the music world, you are also a businesswoman in your own right: You have an interior design / real estate business. What maked you branch into a new direction? KW: Yes, I love real estate and interior designing. I love buying “...back in homes and making them beautiful there was so much and selling them for a nice profit. Lol! I would study interior designvariety like, Marvin ing, landscaping, how to buy and Gaye, Al Green, James resell, that works! Also, since I am a very focused person and it’s Brown, Chaka, Gladys, tough being on the road with a Whitney, the list goes young child at home, so I decided to raise my daughter and do real on. Now it’s limited to a estate & interior designs.

What are the pros and cons of self-publishing? KW: The Pros is; You are in charge. The Cons is; You are in charge. Lol! Look if you win, it’s on you and if you lose, it’s on you. But as an entrepreneur that’s what it’s all about taking few stars.” risk. Calculated risk, not being How would you describe your brand style? foolish at all. It’s not for the faint KW: Rock Star Funk with a touch of vintage! Lol of heart. It’s for the ones who want to forge their way. Do you have any words of wisdom for anybody hoping to set up in the interior design / real estate business? Would you encourage budding artists to self-publish and KW: Yes, study the business, learn the business, what is your advice to them? know the business and begin with the end in mind. KW: I would ask: What are their goals as an artThere are many ways of doing real estate with ist and label owner? money or no money. Study, study, and more study. The record business has changed dramatically. Interior designs are about style; I have learned You have to be it all, the CEO, A & R, Publicist, how to work with less and make it look like its Artist! high fashion and nice. Success is measured by doing what you love to do and being able to make a living off of it. HowAfter some time away from the studio the ‘Superwoman’ was ever, what if you can’t make a living off it right back with ‘Carpe Diem’ in 2012! Wonderfully put together away? Will you quit or give up? I went platinum with a stunning sleeve design, the project was published on and gold, but realistically it’s extremely difficult your label. What made you self-publish? for an Indie artist to do. But it all comes down to KW: Carpe Diem! Seized the day; it’s really who the numbers. If you have a good fan base, who I am, how I’m living and what I’m bringing to my loves your music and don’t mind spending with future. This project represents freedom, triumph, you directly, you may be able to earn a living and and growth. tour and grow as an indie artist. With the internet Every song has a special meaning and tells part of and social media, you could make a good living WWW.DUNIAMAGAZINE.COM / Winter 2018-’19

“Dreams come true with hard work, luck... and god’s will” free of a big label, if you work smart and hard. I say study the game for sure… there goes that word again; Study, promote and Work. We have seen yet another aspect of your talent: Karyn White the author and actor! You wrote ‘Carpe Diem’ with Tony Haynes, a book of thoughts & affirmations to ‘Seize The Day.’ Also, you acted in ‘Karyn White: Secret Rendezvous’ in 1989, ‘Beauty And The Baller’ in 2017 and ‘Gale And The Storm’ in the same year. What was the experience like with these ventures? KW: Wow!... I plan on releasing another (untitled) book on thoughts & affirmations later this year. I co-wrote the screenplay along with executive producing the movie, as well as music supervising the film “Gale & The Storm” being an actor was a lot of work. I hadn’t thought about acting since I was Dorothy in “The Wiz” in high school which garnered me a lot of success back then. So, I trained with one of the top acting coaches in Los Angeles Ivanna Chubbuck and Amy Lyndon. I ended up being a series regular on BET Centric sitcom “Beauty & The Baller” created by Emmy award-winning writer Michael Ajawke. That was so much fun, and it came out the same time when we were finishing up my movie “Gale & The Storm”. We shot “Gale & The Storm” in a 7 days’ time period on a super shoe-string budget in Sacramento, and I loved it… The mere fact is that we took control and created a storyline loosely based on my life and my manager, Jay King Founder of “Club Nouveau.” I and my partner, Derrick Muhammad co-wrote the story, and we both starred in the film, he directed it, we cast the actors, put together a small production crew and went to work. One of the main reasons why we did a movie is because we both got tired of waiting on someone to give us a role, so we took a film course and studied the craft, and I am very pleased at the outcome. Now we are in talks about a theatrical release, Amazon exclusive and licensing to networks. I am so excited about this project.

What is your advice for anybody who dreams of becoming a singer? KW: Dreams come true with hard work, luck (when preparation meets opportunity) and god’s will. But more importantly, know thyself. Learn the business, study the greats of the past. I just started studying the past greats, like Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Dionne Warwick, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Sade, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder. So many greats, so much to learn and I am one who is always trying to learn more and get better in every aspect from business, music, acting, producing, a mother, sister, a friend and lover. When the next generation looks back on you and hears your music, what would you like to be known for? KW: My style, My grit, My moxie, My music and being a Superwoman. Any closing words…? KW: Dream Big, work your ass off in whatever you do, and winners never quit, and quitters never win. Finally, it was an honour and a pleasure to speak to you Karyn, thank you for your time. KW: Thank you for talking to me!

--www.nikaramli.com

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“Success is measured by doing what you love to do and being able to make a living off of it.” As a singer-songwriter, what are the things that you are most passionate about? The lyrical content, the groove, does it move you to dance or feel what is being expressed, in the song. Now, all the songs on the radio are the same cookie cutter, no substance, no love, no feeling. The beats are funky, and dope, but very few songs give you that specialness inside that makes you say “Damn” I feel that! Lol! --Having had such a successful career, you must have many fans and admirers. How does it feel to be famous and how has it affected you? I have never let my success go to my head most people who have met me will say that. However, I must admit it’s nice to fly first class around the world and perform in front of screaming fans who sing your songs word for word. That’s incredible and surreal, but when I am home or walking around the city, I am just Karyn going in and out of the store to buy groceries or walking my dog “Bella.” --How do you stay grounded in the real world when you are away from the glare of the spotlight? Easy, I just go thru the day being me; I never get caught up in celebrity, even thou it’s a nice card to use from time to time. But there have been times when people ask me if I am Karyn White and then I tell them and they are like Wow, some of them get weird and standoffish, and I don’t get that, but I am cool, and I enjoy meeting people.

KARYNWHITE.ME

FACEBOOK.COM/KARYNWHITEMUSIC INSTAGRAM.COM/KARYNWHITEOFFICIAL

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SHOP at the DUNIA STORE DUNIAMAGAZINE.COM/SHOP

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Barbie® honors journalists Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb as role models, or “Sheroes,” for breaking boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls. The pair made history as the first female duo to anchor NBC’s TODAY Show in the franchise’s 66-year history. This milestone furthers girls and women alike, as the co-hosts bring a diverse perspective in the newsroom at a time when it’s needed most. Guthrie and Kotb were awarded one-of-akind dolls in their likeness at the Glamour Women of the Year Summit. Barbie.com/DreamGap

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FASHION Designer: Armine Ohanyan PARIS

Avantex Paris - February 2018 Fashion show, Armine Ohanyan PARIS Credits: Messe Frankfurt

Facebook.com/armine.ohanyan.paris

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Avantex Paris - February 2018 Fashion show, Armine Ohanyan PARIS Credits: Messe Frankfurt

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Lavender Breath SS18 - Breath of Wind Armine Ohanyan PARIS At Oriflame Fashion Weekend / Oriflame in Armenia

Designer: Valentino

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Collection: Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2019 Credits: Giostaiano for Now Fashion

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Collection: Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2019 Credits: Giostaiano for Now Fashion

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Collection: Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2019 Credits: Giostaiano for Now Fashion

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nowfashion.com valentino.com

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CONGRATULATIONS

Ariana Grande

2018 Billboard ‘Woman of the Year’

Credit: Dave Meyers 62

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The Coco Taps Toolkit provides an easy and safe system to tap fresh coconuts and provide an environmentally sustainable coconut water container. Coco Taps encourages the reuse and recycling of used tapped coconuts to reduce the waste stream to landfills. The company’s Coco Taps Tapping and Branding Facility is the first to earn a TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Zero Waste certification in Las Vegas.

Used coconuts are upcycled as planter pots. Coco Taps announced the launch of the Tap Back Rewards pilot program to encourage its customers to return their coconuts and plastic taps for recycling and reuse. Coco Taps customers will receive a credit for each used tapped coconut that is returned. The program will cut commercial waste costs for Coco Taps customers by decreasing the amount of material sent to landfill. Tap Back Rewards is the next step toward reaching Coco Taps’ zero-waste goal.

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