INTELLECTUAL INK ISSUE 19

Editor in Chief

Julia Press Simmons

Creative Director

Charlotte Young-Foye

Advice Columnist

Coach Coco

Arts & Entertainment Opinion Columnist

Haikeem Stokes Erick S. Gray

Book Reviews

Diane P. Rembert

Graphic Design

Lamont Press

Flash Fiction ~ Contemporary

Braheim Gibbs

Health & Wellness

Phoenix C. Brown, Shonda Mayes

Events

Author Untamed

Activist

Author Obsession

Cultural

Karen E. Quinones Miller

Cover Photo Fashion Credit

Stylist- Charlotte's Closet, Glasses- Vontelle

Copyright & Disclaimer The content in this magazine and on our site is for information purposes only. Intellectual Ink Magazine LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Intellectual Ink. Therefore, Intellectual Ink Magazine llc. carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Comments are welcome, but they should be on-topic and well-expressed. Abusive, antisocial or off-topic comments will be deleted by web administrators. Any form of reproduction of any content on this publication and website without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Copyright by Intellectual Ink llc; all rights reserved.

Black History facts from Wikipedia and Britannica. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use Julia Press Simmons ~ Julia@IntellectualInk.com Charlotte's Closet ~ Charlotte@IntellectualInk.com Haikeem Stokes ~ Haikeem@IntellectualInk.com Diamond Literary Reviews ~ DLR@IntellectualInk.com Erick S. Gray ~ Erick@IntellectualInk.com Karen E. Quinones Miller ~ Karen@IntellectualInk.com Submissions ~ Submit@IntellectualInk.com PHILADELPHIA, PA. INTELLECTUALINK.COM

PAGE 02

Editors' note Issue 19 is here!

The "Dog Days of Summer" are coming to a close, but the heat is still blazing. As everyone daydreams of the cool crisp days of autumn, Intellectual ink Magazine is focused on the vital role that "Black Bookstores" play in our communities. Issue 19 features Yona Deshommes CEO of Riverchild Media LLC, and her company's role in amplifying black authors. August/September is the season of transition, and it's a perfect time to reflect on the past year and set our sights on the year to come and the people and institutions who have our best interests at heart.

As always, we've got our regular features: Charlotte's Closet takes you on her first adventure as a celebrity stylist in "Understands the Assignment." Erick S. Gray talks about "Guns in America."

Haikeem Stokes takes you on a "Summertime High" with a walk-through of the Walters Art Museum, and Author Untamed invites you to "Grow and Glow with Indie Love!" In Write News, we have Naleighna Kai, and Carole McDonnell, and we're bossing up with Dawnyale Peeks. Karen E. Quinones Miller tells of the "Silent Protest March of 1917," and Coach Coco advises without judgment on the "Chat Line."

We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we've enjoyed putting it together. Sending you Love & Light.

Julia Press Simmons EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Charlotte Young Foye CREATIVE DIRECTOR

CONTENTS 2. EDITOR'S NOTE 5. A&E ~ SUMMERTIME HIGH THE WALTERS ART MUSEUM AN OBSERVATION 9. WRITE NEWS~ NALEIGHNA KAI 12. EVENT ~ GROWING AND GLOWING WITH INDIE LOVE 17. WRITE NEWS~ CAROLE MCDONNELL 22. FLASH FICTION ~ THE LONELY MANOR 26. SUPPORT THE SOURCE ~ SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE BOOKSTORE 31. CHARLOTTE'S CLOSET ~ UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNMENT

37.YONA DESHOMMES A CONVERSATION ABOUT RIVERCHILD MEDIA LLC AND THEIR MISSION TO AMPLIFY BLACK AUTHORS 55. COACH COCO CHAT LINE

42. BOSS UP~ WITH DAWNYALE PEEKS OF BLACK PEOPLE DO READ 46. CULTURE ~ A LEARNING MOMENT 1917 SILENT PROTEST MARCH 49.BOOK REVIEW ~ THE 1619 PROJECT: A NEW ORIGIN STORY 51. OPINION ~ GUNS IN AMERICA

ASOPHILABOOKS.COM

~ LIT LIFE ~ BEARDISM ~ ~ DEVOUR ~ ASOPHILA MERCH

SUMMERTIME HIGH The Walters Art Museum An Observation

BY HAIKEEM STOKES

This seasonably comfortable morning in early July finds me traveling to Charm City. Upon arrival, I have breakfast at Saturday Morning Café located at 236 High Street. This place is so deep in the cut, that if you weren’t looking for it, you’d completely miss it, but you most certainly shouldn’t.

As soon as I begin to miss it, I’ll be sure to make a return.

After devouring a seafood omelet with potatoes, I travel a short distance to, The Walters Art Museum, located at 600 N. Charles Street, near the George Washington statue. It’s in a quaint pocket area that is a scenic walk from the beloved Baltimore Harbor. Once you step inside the vestibule, you feel as if you’re already inside the main hall of the museum due to its floor-toceiling glass doors and equally large marble columns. I proceed through and travel up the first flight of marble stairs, then enter the hall to my right which features weaponry and armored suits that I imagine are from the Middle Ages. The craftsmanship, intricate designs, and diversity in each piece leaves one to wonder how physically fit the wearer was to be able to walk and maneuver in such heavy apparel. Sweeping throughout the room which wraps around like a horseshoe, I observe items from the 1500-1600s such as paintings, detailing depictions of that day and time that seem quite hectic, to say the least. There’s also currency, insects, and animals on display that further draws you into the conditions of the atmosphere in that era.

Making my way through the exhibit and back to the pristine marble steps, I continue up one more flight to the third floor. In the center of this room is a large statue of Adam and Eve in the

Garden of Eden which you must see to believe. Strolling to my left brings me to another giant room that features multiple exciting and dynamic works from artists such as Murjoni Merriweather, Stephen Towns, Ventiko, and many other talented creatives. Each work explores the growth and diversity of today’s society with ample regard to the complex thinker.

My tour of this extraordinary venue concluded with a walkthrough of its Ancient Egypt, Near East, and Muslim artifacts displays. Each piece is carefully preserved and frankly tells its own story. The stark detail in each piece is riveting to the eye and astonishing to the imagination. I definitely recommend that everyone add The Walters Art Museum to their next trip to Baltimore. Be sure to visit the wonderful gift shop located in the basement for some great parting souvenirs.

Simply follow the Peacock, you’ll get that post-visit.

The Walters Art Museum Wednesday- Sunday: 10a.m.-5p.m. Thursday: 1p.m.-8p.m.

Closed: Monday-Tuesday (410) 547-9000

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

https://bit.ly/NaleighnaonAmazon https://bit.ly/naleighnaonFB https://bit.ly/NKonInstagram

NALEIGHNA KAI

When did you first consider yourself a writer? Are the characters inspired or based on real-life people?

The moment that my writing opened the way to learn dark family secrets that my mother had There is a splinter of my soul in every book I hoped to carry to her grave. I placed the story write. Some of my family’s generational curses behind being adopted by my biological into my and generational excuses are on the page and book Open Door Marriage. Suffice it to say the specifically written in the book My Time in the physical abuse was exponential, compounded by Sun. my father not respecting my right to say no. My What was your favorite project/character? uncle did not respect my right to say no as well.

So I was damaged at an early age, and writing Kamran and Ellena in King of Durabia. I had an was my path to healing. I put my pain on the amazing time writing them. They were inspired page, and the page became my passion. Now by my trip to Dubai, and some of the vulnerable that passion is my purpose. parts of my life.

Tell us about your artistic process. How do you get from idea to finished project?

My characters talk to me. The dialogue comes first, and then I’ll cycle back to add narrative, settings, description, and back story. .

"I was damaged at an early age, and writing was my path to healing."

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

What are you working on now, and when can Benz Mentor Award Nominee, and the E. Lynn Harris Author of Distinction. In addition to readers expect it? successfully cracking the code of landing a deal Two additional projects this year: for herself and others with a major publishing Promise Me A Miracle and Lady of the house, she continues to "pay it forward" with the Highlands (Book 2 of the Ladies of the Castle experience of NK Tribe Called Success, the Kings series). of the Castle Series, the Knights of Durabia About Na;eighna Kai Series, and by organizing the annual Cavalcade of Authors which gives readers intimate access to Naleighna Kai is the USA Today, Essence®, and the most accomplished writing talent today. She national bestselling and award-winning author is the mother of one son, also an author and a of several controversial women's fiction, NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding contemporary fiction, Christian fiction, Literature. She resides in Chicago where she is Romance, Suspense, and Science Fiction novels working on her next two books. that plumb the depth of unique love triangles FB Author Page: https://bit.ly/naleighnaonFB and women's issues. She is also a contributor to Newsletter Mailing List: http://bit.ly/NKNewsletter a New York Times bestseller, one of AALBC's Instagram: https://bit.ly/NKonInstagram 100 Top Authors, a member of the Chicago Twitter: https://bit.ly/NaleighnaonTwitter Vocational School Hall of Fame (CVS), Mercedes Amazon: https://bit.ly/NaleighnaonAmazon

Indie Love Promotions is one of the premiere events for the independent Black Romance Author experience!

BY UNTAMED

For years, Indie Love Promotions has been one of the premiere events for the independent Black Romance Author experience, and this year’s event was no exception.

Reopening the event since the pandemic shutdown, Indie Love Promotions hosted their 7th annual literary event on June 25, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the theme, “Growing & Glowing”. The theme represents the growth of bringing indie authors and readers together for the ultimate literary experience.

This year’s participating authors included: Love Belvin, Christina C. Jones, Bailey West, K.C. Mills, Shantae Knox, Charae Lewis, Brookelyn Mosley, Genesis Woods, Danesha Little, Monica Walters, Stephanie Nicole Harris, Sabrina B. Scales, Danielle Allen, Alexandra Warren, Johnni Sheri, and Rae Lyse. The event boasted panel discussions with the authors and the chance to purchase books from some of the most well-known and lit-est authors in the industry.

With over 300 readers gracing the venue, it has been akin to one big literary family reunion! And that is a sentiment that Indie Love is proud of along with its close-knit ties to the indie literary community.

For more information about the event and to keep up with updates with Indie Love, please visit the website at www.indielove.com and follow them on social media on Facebook at Indie Love, on Twitter @indielove2016, and Instagram @indielove2022 About Indie

www.indielovee.com

UNTAMED PUBLISHING IS A DISTINGUISHED INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING SERVICE PROVIDER SPECIALIZING IN PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR YOUR SELF-PUBLISHING NEEDS. OUR AIM IS TO HELP YOU UNLEASH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL WHILE CONQUERING YOUR UNSTOPPABLE WRITING DREAMS. THERE IS NO NEED TO GO AT IT ALONE. LET US HELP YOU GET CAUGHT UP WITH BUILDING YOUR FUTURE. WE OFFER: ​

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Carole McDonnell I was a teenager when I first considered myself

were things Shakespeare's contemporaries

a writer. I loved literature and mostly wrote

would catch on to. Or, when I was watching

poetry. I was hoping to become a poet and a

Single White Female, it seemed to me that the

playwright. I finally decided to write short

racial issue was pretty much in the title. So

stories and novels. I adapted stories I saw or

why wasn't it in the movie? The pesky pain-in-

read as a Black teenager growing up in the

the-neck me wanted to fix that.

seventies because some of the stories felt they would have been better or truer if racial or

Tell us about your artistic process. How do you

ethnic issues had been addressed. For instance,

get from idea to finished project?

when Old Montague in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet said that Romeo and his pals were at

Sometimes, an old ballad, an old song title, or a

the banquet to "mock at our solemnities," it

concept grabs me. Sometimes, I write a story

seemed pretty clear to me that the story was

from a dream. I've had characters turn up and

about religious differences, and perhaps there

introduce themselves to me.

Same for nonfiction books. If I dream of a book title, I set up a document and start writing. I never really know where I'm going. I just write and trust the story to tell itself. For this reason, I usually take a while to finish my novels. I'll finish a novel and then leave it for a month, a year, two years, three years, a decade. Sometimes, I work on the story intermittently, adding new "scenes to add" and place markers.

This tends to work out well for me because when I come back to the novel, I see what I've missed: missing characters, missing scenes, missing viewpoints, and missing chapters. I usually write four or five novels and three or four stories at the same time.

This helps me when I'm stuck in one story. By stuck, I mean writer's block about the plot or being emotionally stuck and trying to be brave to address some issue or scene. So I leave one novel and return to another that's been hanging around. It's the same with short stories. My computer is full of unfinished stories waiting for me to return to them. But if there's a deadline for the short story, I plow through. I can write a story in three or four days if I plow through.

Sometimes, it works perfectly, but usually, I have to put it aside for a couple of days and rework it before sending it off. Sometimes, I ask a friend to read it through.

Is the process different for different genres?

In nonfiction, I spend the first week, month, and years framing the book and figuring out the subtopics, and sub-subtopics. I set up Bible verses at the beginning of prospective chapters. The introduction I tend to write and rewrite. I jump about a lot, depending on where I open the document and what thoughts come to me while I'm in bed.

With fantasies, I have to figure out the worldbuilding. I don't create worldbuilding.

I just discover it. Usually, I jump into a world and discover how fantastical elements affect technology, wealth, religion, and tribal relations. I have the most difficulty with mainstream fiction because they usually require honesty and bravery. After all, I'm usually showing my particular take on the world. For instance, I have a weird need to not have culturally acceptable heroines. If I write a Christian fiction book, I want to challenge the readers. That requires bravery. If I write a romance, I want to challenge the readers about age match, beauty, and personality match. So, I often have writing blocks in my mainstream stories because I'm aware that some readers might not like the choices I made. So, I avoid my WIP until bravery kicks in, and then I tell myself that I have to push through.

What was your favorite project/character?

Oh wow, so many! And in so many books! I'll just pick the characters from The Constant Tower.

King Nahas is ruthless, and Ephan is a spacy, laidback kind of mystic. Psal is kind-hearted and tetchy. I do tend to think of some of my characters as aspects of myself or have aspects I would want to have. But sometimes I am totally in love with them. So I love Nahas because he is dangerously sexy...as a king should be. I'm way too affected by Shakespearean and Biblical kings.

It's fantasy/folklore, and I don't know where it's going, but it takes place in the Malku Universe. At this point, I'm awaiting the publication of Who Gave Sleep and Who Has Taken It Away? which is a novel that takes place in the Malku Universe and will be published next year by MVMedia. I am also awaiting the audiobooks for The Constant Tower from ACX and Wildside Press, and The Dignity of Emotions: Ruminations on the Miracles of Our Lord.

But I like Ephan's chill and easygoing character, and I love that Psal is so emotional and touchy.

What are you working on now, and when can

Amazon.com: Carole McDonnell: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle Carole McDonnell | Facebook blog CaroleMcDonnell: Movie Review: SPOOR -- Amazon Prime Video

readers expect it?

I'm working on a novel called A Town for Timothy, a follow-up to my novels My Life as an Onion and Black Girls Have Always Loved Cowboys. It's about a man whose son is dying, and he wants to find a town where his son can die in. Of course, I'm averse to killing any of my characters. And my mainstream stories tend to have a magical realism aspect. So we shall see.

After that, I'll work on SeaWalker, a novel that has been languishing on my computer for the past six years. That's a follow-up to The Charcoal Bride and takes place in the Malku Universe. I'll also be working on The Chimeran Queen, which is a follow-up to The Daughters of Men, which is in the Apocalyptic Nephilim universe.

I'm also working on a short story called, "The Incident at Omnae Palace."

"I jump into a world and discover how fantastical elements affect technology, wealth, religion, and tribal relations."

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Demon Montana: Clawing my way from the depths of hell to haunt the nightmares and steal the lives of many, I earned the name “Demon.” Hardened by a life that no one should live, I had rules that governed my existence. No caring. No intimacy. No love. And then I saw her… Dream.

Beautiful. Brave. Bold. And for thirty days, she was mine. I would follow my rules: have her body, ignore her heart. Then, she looked at me… like she knew me. Like she saw me. Like she loved me. And I knew… thirty days weren’t nearly enough.

Dream Castle: Brilliant and bad ass, I was my family’s fixer. I was the queen of negotiating and smoothing ruffled feathers. I had never met a situation I couldn’t talk us out of… until my brother crossed the wrong family and they would accept only one payment for that debt.

Me. For thirty days, I was supposed to give myself to a man so brutal, they called him “Demon.” I had to follow his rules, honor

his demands, be available to him only. When I met him, he had nightmares in his cold green eyes and an enemy’s blood splattered on his hard, inked body. How could I survive a month with a monster without losing myself?

Except… those eyes seemed to thaw a little each time he looked at me. And his chiseled body fit perfectly against mine. There was so much more to the enigma called “Demon,” so many things that made him my “Damien.”

Suddenly, the only thing I was worried about losing in thirty days was my heart.

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tHE LONELY MANOR FLASH FICTION

“Bella,” I called.

It was raining and we ran to a house we spotted from the bottom of the mountain. It was a long way home and the rain had started pouring heavily suddenly. Bella and I were out hiking. She loved to trod unknown territories. She had run ahead of me. I saw her disappear inside the house but couldn’t find her once I got there.

“Lonely Manor.” The gate had read.

I wondered if it was abandoned, the window was open and the door unlocked, but the house was cozy and well-kept inside. No furniture was covered and there were even teacups and a basket of biscuits on the center table. Someone must be here. Why did they leave their door unlocked like that?

“Hello?” I projected.

I had to shout; the rain was powerfully loud on the roof. If someone did answer, I wouldn’t hear. I resolved to just look around until I stumbled across someone. Bella must be with them, I thought. She was a friendly dog. I passed through a dark hall into an open space that resembled a sitting area and the atmosphere of the house changed. There was an overwhelming sense of foreboding. I felt as if I was trespassing. I backed out of the room quickly, my head somewhat dizzy. My back to the room through which I entered the house, I stood stiffly feeling the strong ominous energy in the hallway. Suddenly, the door behind me banged open. My heart lurched as I spun around. The rain was blowing in. I hurried toward it and latched it shut. I swallowed letting out a heavy breath. I was freaking myself out. I probably just didn’t close the door properly the first time and the wind blew it open. I blinked and paced toward the dark hallway again.

Not stopping to pry into any rooms this time but still noticed that energy shift. I made long strides to a bright welcoming kitchen just waiting to receive me at the end of the hall. It was of a wooden interior and smelt of warm biscuits. A shadow moved over the counter.

“Hello? I’m sorry to intrude but your door was open and it's a rainstorm out there.” I began as I bent around the door to see an old woman by the oven. Her back was to me. “I hope it’s no trouble.”

“It’s a manor, dear. People coming to a manor is no intrusion. Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“It rains every day here now. I can always expect to have company. There was a time when no one came up here. It was a lonely time, such a very lonely time. It’s sad being alone. So very sad.”

“Yeah, your house was the only shelter in sight. I and my dog Bella were hiking when the rain started. We were too far from home to go back. Have you seen her?” I asked looking around. “She loves exploring so much she ran in here before I could reach the gate.”

“There are no pets allowed in the manor dear.”

She said all the while with her back to me.

“Oh...I understand. If you’ve seen her, I can take her out by the front door.”

“There are no pets inside the manor. Tea is ready, help yourself to some biscuits. The teacups are in that cupboard over there.”

Hesitantly, I reached up and got the teacups. When I turned back around, the woman was gone. I poured tea into one of the cups and bit into a biscuit. They were strangely already cold. The old woman had just pulled them from the oven. But I was too hungry to fuss. Bella must be hungry too, wherever she’s gone off to. I’d have another biscuit and finish my tea then go searching for her.

Night was approaching and the rain still poured. I guess I was staying at Lonely Manor for the night. I still hadn’t found Bella though. It worried me. Since tea, I hadn’t seen the old woman. I figured there were other guests in the house that she had to tend to. It didn’t look like a big house but I hadn’t seen it in its entirety. Sitting in the living room, I waited to be attended to. I switched the lights on and looked around. I needed something to do. There was a small bookcase and I skimmed through the selection of books. There was nothing there that interested me, they were mostly for female entertainment. In that instance, I noticed something unexplainable. The light shining from the opposite wall did not illuminate the hallway. Curious, I walked toward it watching my shadow cast before I disappear into the blackness of the passage. The light seemed to stop at the passageway. I stuck my head out looking up then down to the kitchen. I couldn’t see anything up the hallway. It was pitch black but the kitchen, like before was bright. When did the old woman pass to turn those lights on? I wondered if she was in there. My stomach was protesting wildly. Stepping into the creepy passage, I ran my hand against the wall feeling for the light switch I had seen earlier. I stubbed my finger as I found it and switched it on walking down the passage.

“Hey, sorry to bother you again.” I alerted as I reached the doorway. She was old. I wouldn’t want to startle her. “But do you have any food? I’m starved. Miss?”

She wasn’t in there. Well, she did say to help myself. I rummaged through the cupboards but there was no food. I settled for another cup of tea and biscuits. I lifted the cover and hurled it staggering backward as I saw the biscuits I had not too long eaten from festering with maggots. Just then, the light in the passage flickered off and my head felt dizzy with that feeling of menace again. I couldn’t even see the light from the living room that I was sure was on. Something lurked in the darkness, I felt its energy. I stepped into the shadows, I needed to get to the switch, and as I slowly crept through the passage, I heard unidentifiable sounds. My ear twitched, my heart galloped and my breath quickened. A force surrounded me. It was cold and horrifying and as my finger stubbed on the switch and I flicked it up, I caught a glimpse of a distorted shadow disappear under the crack of the sitting room door.

“It’s sad being lonely. So sad.”

The voice came from the sitting room.

“It’s so sad being alone.”

It was the old woman. I opened the door and was revolted by what I saw. The old woman was sitting in a chair, the skin on her face melting from decay. I felt suspended where I stood, staring at the repulsive sight unable to move. Until I heard a familiar bark. Bella. I swiftly shut the door and bolted to the living room, out the door, and into the rain where Bella pranced excitedly around my feet. But there was no time for happy reunions. We had to get away from that house. Soaked, Bella and I weaved through the tall trees and down the mountain until we made it to the main road where there was, surprisingly, no rain.

“It rains every day here now.”

The old woman had said. Her corpse had recently started to rot. She wasn’t dead for a very long time. She must have died there alone of loneliness. No wonder it rained there all the time. It was a sad death. I guess it really is a sad thing being alone. Thank God I had Bella. "You saved me, girl." Shaken, I lowered my arm and scratched her ear, and together, tiredly, we walked home.

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A LEGACY OF LITERACY

SOURCEOF KNOWLEDGE BOOKSTORE

ABOUT THE SOURCE Since 1992 Source of Knowledge has been serving the community of Newark, NJ. What began as a bookstore has evolved into a community center that centers Black art, Black literature, culture, and community. We create space for young people to discover themselves amongst our shelves, for students to dig deeper into Radical Black thought and for local Newark artist to gather in community and love.

The Source of Knowledge is more than a bookstore.

It is an experience.

ART, CULTURE, & COMMUNITY

The Source of Knowledge was deeply effected by COVID 19 and could still use our help. You can shop online sourceofknowledgebookstore.com and or donate here https://gofund.me/81963058

As soon as you walk in the door you are greeted by fragrant incents, positive vibes and a whole lot of representation. The shelves are overflowing with black authors of a wide range of authors and original art from the diaspora.

Source of Knowledge 867 Broad Street / Kenneth a. Gibson Blvd, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States (973) 824-2556 Source of Knowledge | Facebook Source Of Knowledge (@sourceofknowledge)

You can usually catch a book signing from independent, traditionally published, and celebrity authors. It is also quite common to run into a local politician and community activist. The Source of Knowledge is aptly named. It is welcoming to both author and reader alike, and they frequently hold events and festivals that reflect the artistry of our people, and that is priceless. Please support!

Black bookstores are a vital part of the African American community.

They provide a space for black authors and readers to come together and celebrate their culture. Black bookstores also promote literacy and education within the African American community.

Black bookstores first began to appear in the early 20th century, in cities like New York and Washington D.C. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of black bookstores, as more and more people seek out spaces that reflect their cultures and experiences.

For the next six weeks, Intellectual Ink Magazine will feature black bookstores across the country and abroad.

IINTELLECTUALINK.COM

Big Pin*Up Energy is about setting your own beauty standards. It's about believing in yourself and displaying that belief to the world!

ITSCHARLOTTESCLOSET.COM

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

Charlotte's Closet

UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNMENT ADVENTURES OF A CELEBRITY STYLIST

Hey Hey and Mo Hey Closet Crew it's been a minute, but it's all about the reset and the reinvention for me. I'm hoping the summer is being good to you and that you guys are being even better to yourselves because Baby YOU DESERVE, and that is an absolute Snapple fact.

As you know, your good sis wears many hats. I am the Creative Director of this magazine, International Model, Retail Business owner, muva, sister, and friend, but one of my favorite hats to wear is a personal stylist.

Styling allows me to help others become their best self through fashion without breaking the bank. Styled by Charlotte’s Closet is a totally immersive and holistic experience designed to allow your personal style to show up and out at any size.

Charlotte Young Foye

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

Yona Deshommes

As a plus-size woman, my fashion choices are sometimes limited. The desexualization of plus-size women is real in fashion, but that's a gallon of tea for another time. It's my job to see past those limits, and that's where the magic happens. I pride myself on my ability to dress men and women of all shapes and sizes.

Stylist ~ Charlotte's Closet Glasses ~ Vontelle

This issue I'm taking you on a red-carpet ride. I was contacted by one of my favorite clients, Yona Deshommes, the Boss lady & Ceo of Riverchild Media. She needed me to style her for the Tribeca Film festival where she was to walk the red carpet for On the Line the Richard Williams Story. A very gripping must-see film about Venus and Serina Williams's father.

As a plus-size woman, my fashion choices are sometimes limited, The Process

An in-depth consultation is conducted before I style any event because we need to establish the five W's. Who I'm styling, and what exactly do they want their style to say about them? I need to know when the event will take place to establish if we have time to experiment or if we need to get it done quickly. The where is very important to ensure that my client isn't over or undressed for any event. Last but not least is the why you're going. My client's motivation for attending any event really colors my overall style choices for them.

After the consultation, it's time to shop, shopping we did together and some we did separately. I am one of those people that constantly loves to shop. I shop with my eyes. If something in the store window catches my eye, I'm going into that store with my headphones on in full throw-it-in-the-bag mode.

It took us two tries to find the right look. We chose an elegant white wrap dress for this particular event. Her beautiful black skin swathed in all white just gave what needed to be given, and that's on everything. Because this was a working event, we want with sparkly flats, a silver clutch, and rhinestone accessories. We didn't want anything to interrupt her networking, moving, and shaking. Before mademoiselle hit the red carpet, I showed up with the 911 emergency kit because I stay ready to take on any fashion crisis. I'm packing needle and thread, safety pins, earrings, etc. you name it I had it. I gave her a once over before she hit the carpet I made sure she was ready for her closeup and the flashbulbs popped I knew the assignment was understood. My client rocked that carpet and made me proud.

We celebrated the debut at the Nike after party, where I traded in my Sophia Webster's for a good ol' pair of Air Force Ones. The white Nikes go with everything, and just like me, they understood the assignment.

Book me for your styling needs because being styled by Charlotte's Closet is an experience.

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

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Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow.

– Oprah Winfrey

YONA DESHOMMES

OWNER OF RIVERCHILD MEDIA LLC

LESSONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS FROM ENTREPRENEURS INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

We believe in the transformative power of storytelling and owning your journey.

www.riverchildmediallc.com Can you tell our readers about Riverchild Media LLC? Riverchild Media is a public relations company that focuses on the promotion of books for and by the BIPOC community. My main goal is to ensure that the works of authors of color are seen in mainstream as well as BIPOC spaces.

Our community is unique in that we get our information from multiple sources, and I am always looking for innovative ways to promote books. It's not always just about the media! It's about connecting with people and that can be accomplished in a myriad of ways.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced when you started this venture?

COVID! I started my company when we were in the midst of the pandemic. I had to completely pivot and find new ways to promote my authors since there were no book events or in-person interviews, and many outlets shut their doors.

Contacts I knew for years either went on furlough at their companies or left the business altogether. A PR's main bread and butter are their contacts, and I had to reestablish relationships and find new ones.

What skills did you have to acquire to operate your business?

Tenacity and boundless creativity. Media is fickle, so you always have to be prepared with creative, innovative pitches and ideas. I am always creating a new box, not just thinking outside of it. Each campaign is unique, and I try my best to make sure no stone is unturned in every campaign.

How do you deal with difficult clients and personality clashes?

To be honest, I have not had that experience since I struck out on my own. I am very intuitive and can usually tell right away when an author is not the right fit for me. In general, when anyone brings negative energy to me, I either remove myself from

of calls from publishers and clients who had concerns about how they would promote their books. Publishers needed assistance reaching out to BIPOC audiences and authors could see that no one at their publisher looked like them and they had concerns about how their books would be marketed and promoted. I think some publishers are making conscious efforts to diversify their staff, but it doesn't happen all in a day. There will always be a need for services such as mine and as things shift and change, so will my business. The key is to always be open to change and find ways to remain relevant in an ever-changing media landscape.

What advice do you have for people looking to break into your field?

Network, network, network! Attend media events, seminars, book festivals, book events, etc., and strike up conversations with anyone in the business.

the situation or "kill them with kindness" while maintaining my boundaries. There isn't enough money in the world for me to take abuse from anyone, much less a client.

Does the current social unrest and political climate affect your business?

At times it does. When I first started, I got a lot

When you make a connection, follow up with an offer of meeting up for coffee or drinks in person or virtually.

Don't sleep on assistants or people just starting. You never know where they will end up in a few years and they will always remember those who gave them a shot when they were just starting out.

Be of service. Let people know you are available and offer assistance when you can without giving away all the trade secrets. One hand washes the other in this business, so you never know when you will need to call in a favor.

Show appreciation when someone helps or supports you. You would be surprised how a simple acknowledgment can open the door for new contacts and business.

About Yona A highly motivated and experienced public relations professional with over 15 years' experience in the book publishing industry, where she was responsible for coordinating all facets of publicity campaigns for authors, many of whom are high profile. She possesses an extensive list of contacts that include electronic, radio, print and online media, as well as professional contacts at all levels in the publishing industry.

About Riverchild Media The mission of Riverchild Media is simple—to amplify the voices of authors of color. This includes securing top media opportunities and partnering with colleagues to facilitate literary experiences meant to nourish the minds, bodies and spirits of readers.

Riverchild Media will assist in raising awareness to stimulate book sales whether the client is the next great fiction phenomenon or thought leader.

We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach. We’re always in search of new opportunities to showcase an author. This can include author produced content such as op eds or social media strategy with media partners or social influencers. We’ll explore all promotional avenues including innovative approaches to pitching to maximize results.

We believe that the world needs healing more than ever and our words and stories have the power to uplift & inspire.

www.riverchildmediallc.com

BOOK BOOKOF OFTHE THEMONTH MONTH

NO MATTER YOUR STORY OR YOUR STRUGGLE, ERIC THOMAS—CELEBRATED MOTIVATIONAL GURU, EDUCATOR, AND PROBLEMSOLVER TO MANY OF THE TOP ATHLETES AND BUSINESS LEADERS—WILL “HELP YOU WORK HARDER, DISCOVER YOUR REAL MOTIVATION, AND CRACK THE CODE OF ENDURING SUCCESS” (ED MYLETT, #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE POWER OF ONE MORE) If you feel like success is for others, that only certain people get to have their dreams fulfilled, Eric Thomas’s You Owe You is your wake-up call. His urgent message to stop waiting for inspiration to strike and take control of your life is one he wishes someone had given him when he was a teenager—lost, homeless, failing in school, and dealing with the challenges of being a young Black man in America.

Once he was able to break free from thinking of himself as a victim and truly understand his strengths, he switched the script. And now, with this book, Thomas reveals how you, too, can rewrite your life's script. With support, he recognized that his unique gift is being able to capture the attention of all kinds of people in all kinds of settings—boardrooms, locker rooms, churches, classrooms, even the streets—thanks to his wealth of experiences and command of language.

Today, Thomas considers himself blessed to speak to an audience that is as large as it is diverse, from the rich and famous to kids struggling in school to young men in prison hoping for a new start.

Thomas’s secrets of success have already helped hundreds of thousands on their journey, but this is his first guide to show you how to start today, right now. These critical first steps include deeply understanding yourself and the world around you, finding your why, accepting that you may have to give up something good for something great, and constantly stretching toward your potential. No matter where you are on your journey toward greatness, you owe it to yourself to become fully, authentically you. And Eric Thomas’s You Owe You can help get you there.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

BLACK PEOPLE DO READ DAWNYALE PEEKS AVID READER. BOOK PROMOTER & REVIEWER

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

INTELLECTUAL INK MAGAZINE

“KNOW THAT YOU CAN START LATE, LOOK DIFFERENT, BE UNCERTAIN AND STILL SUCCEED.” ― MISTY COPELAND

BLACK PEOPLE DO READ My love for reading inspired me to develop my brand Black People Do Read.

The idea came to me one day as I was scrolling through Instagram, and my news feed was filled with black people reading books. I had a lightbulb moment, and my brand was born. I wanted to show people that the stigma of black people not reading is simply not true.

My brand is a unique approach to getting people to enjoy something they should be doing on the regular, and that’s reading. If you know me personally or follow me on social media, you will soon learn about my passion for books. My tshirt brand breaks the ice and does all of the heavy lifting. The shirts grab people's attention. People become intrigued enough to ask me what it means, and that opens the door to talk about books and introduce them to my book club.

PAGE 14

What new skills did you have to acquire for your business?

I didn’t have to acquire any other skills because the love of books has always been a part of me, and that love lead me to start my business The Literary Butterfly which is a promotional and marketing business geared towards helping black Indie authors promote their books.

How do you manage feelings of doubt?

I manage by knowing that fear is a natural feeling in life, especially when you’re approaching something that you are passionate about. I know that faith without works is dead. I have faith, and I know that will work to make my dreams come true. instagram.com/black_people_do_read

instagram.com/theliterarybutterfly_

B O O KOF O F THE T H E MMONTH ONTH BOOK

THE FIRST AND ONLY FULL BIOGRAPHY ON LEGENDARY HARLEM GANGSTER, BUMPY JOHNSON WHO WAS DEPICTED IN THE MOVIES COTTON CLUB, HOODLUM AND AMERICAN GANGSTER Al Capone may have ruled Chicago. Lucky Luciano may have run most of New York City.

But from the 1930s to the late 1960s, when it came to Harlem, the undisputed king of the underworld was Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson.

Bumpy was a man whose contradictions are still the root of many an argument in Harlem.

But there is one thing on which both his supporters and detractors agree in his lifetime, Bumpy was the man in Harlem.

Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson is the first complete biography of a man who for years was Harlem s best kept, and most cherished secret.

There is also a full chapter on Madame Stephanie St . Clair, the infamous Harlem numbers banker who instigated the famous fight with Jewish mobster Dutch Schultz.

The book is written by Bumpy's widow, Mayme Johnson, and details not only his criminal life but also his personal life.

This book also details Bumpy's relationship Harlem dopedealer with Frank Lucas, who has called himself Bumpy's right-hand man, but was -- according to Mrs. Johnson -- little more than a flunky.

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Great and Sobering Story

Bumpy Johnson was no snitch and nobody's flunky or henchman. Bumpy Johnson was who he was......a Gangster, he made no excuses for that but he did it his way. I wished he could have used that same talent and energy for a more respectable profession but he used what was given to him at the time, and of all the old gangsters of his time he was the last man standing. I would highly recommend this book if you are interested in the Real black gangsters of Harlem. Frank Lucas ain't it.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

A LEARNING MOMENT 1917 SILENT PROTEST MARCH

“ . . . the streets of New York have witnessed many strange sights, but I judge, never one stranger than this; among the watchers were those with tears in their eyes.”

James Weldon Johnson On July 28, 1917 The Silent March

BY KAREN E. QUINONES MILLER

made history as the very first organized civil rights march.

Essence bestselling and NAACP Literary Award Nominee, Karen E. Quinones Miller was born and raised in Harlem.

Miller, who is included in the book Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature, currently resides in Philadelphia, and is the CEO of Oshun Publishing Company AuthorKEQM

Karen E. Quinones Miller

It was held in response to more than 200 African-Americans being killed in what would later be called the East St. Louis riots.

White mobs burn down homes of African-Americans, turned off fire hoses, and snipers picked off the residents. — men, women and children — who fled those burning homes.

The cause of the white mobs ire?

Fear that blacks migrating from Louisiana to East St. Louis MIGHT begin to take labor jobs away from white union laborers.

Little was written in the media about the riots, and many in the North had no idea what had occurred.

James Weldon Johnson, who was president of the NAACP, suggested the soon-to-be legendary march to bring attention to the violence against African-Americans, including the victims of the St. Louis riots, and the many lynchings that was taking place in post-Reconstruction America.

One of the fliers that were distributed announcing the March read in part: “We march because we are thoroughly opposed to Jim Crow cars, segregation, disenfranchisement and the host of evils that are forced upon us. We march in memory of our butchered dead, the massacre of honest toilers who were removing the reproach of laziness and thriftlessness hurled at the entire race. They died to prove our worthiness to live. We live in spite of death shadowing us and ours.” It was estimated that more than 8000 participants silently marched down fifth Avenue, from 57th St. to 24th St., silent the entire time, except for muffled drumbeats Jfrom a procession of drummers who march just ahead of the March organizers who were followed by a large grouping of children dressed in white, followed by an even larger grouping of women dressed in white… And ending with a group of men in black business suits.

Including James Weldon Johnson and W.E.B. Du Bois.

African-American Boy Scouts flanked the paraders, handing out flyers to onlookers explaining the purpose of the March:

“We march because the growing consciousness and solidarity of race coupled with sorrow and discrimination have made us one: a union that may never be dissolved in spite of shallowbrained agitators, scheming pundits and political tricksters who secure a fleeting popularity and uncertain financial support by promoting the disunion of a people who ought to consider themselves as one.”

Though no songs were played, and no words were mouthed, the signs and banners carried by the marchers expressed their sentiments.

“Mother, do lynchers go to heaven?”

“Mr. President, why not make America safe for democracy?”

“Thou shalt not kill.”

“Pray for the Lady Macbeths of East St. Louis.”

“Give us a chance to live.”

"Would America have been America without her Negro people?"

–W.E.B. Dubois

About the book In late August 1619, a ship arrived in the British colony of Virginia bearing a cargo of twenty to thirty enslaved people from Africa. Their arrival led to the barbaric and unprecedented system of American chattel slavery that would last for the next 250 years. This is sometimes referred to as the country’s original sin, but it is more than that: It is the source of so much that still defines the United States.

The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning “1619 Project” issue reframed our understanding of American history by placing slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of our national narrative. This new book substantially expands on that work, weaving together eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in present-day America with thirty-six poems and works of fiction that illuminate key moments of oppression, struggle, and resistance. The essays show how the inheritance of 1619 reaches into every part of contemporary American society, from politics, music, diet, traffic, and citizenship to capitalism, religion, and our democracy itself.

This is a book that speaks directly to our current moment, contextualizing

contextualizing the systems of race and caste within which we operate today. It reveals longglossed-over truths around our nation’s founding and construction—and the way that the legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation, but continues to shape contemporary American life.

Our Review It is truly hard to put into words the joy, sorrow, pain, and pride I felt while reading this book. Growing up black and female in America makes it hard to reconcile what you are taught with how you are treated. The school's history books only had two or three pages on slavery in any given grade. Black history month was a repetitive highlight for a sparse portrayal of Martin, Malcolm, Harriett, and Frederick. This book eloquently fills in the blanks and explains why our nation still suffers from one of its original sins.

The essays and poems are enlighting and poignant. The research was extensive and carefully relayed. Intellectual Ink is grateful to Nikole Hannah-Jones and her fellow authors for an outstanding read!

BY ERICK S. GRAY Guns! Guns! Guns! I’ll say this, American does love guns—especially the AR-15. But why does this country love its guns so much? But first, I need to express my deepest condolences to the family members of children and adults who lost their lives in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. I’m heartbroken and disgusted by these recent mass shootings where 19 children were brutally killed in school, and 10 Black folks were executed while performing a mundane task of grocery shopping. I ask myself, when will it end? Why are we the only country that suffers from this perpetual destruction?

Not to say that mass shootings don’t happen in other countries, but it is a fact that the United States has had more mass shootings than any other country, where mass shootings accounted for under 0.2% of homicides in the U.S. From 1967 to 2019, there had been a record of 163 mass shootings in the United States.

Should we live in fear knowing that the U.S is the leading country when it comes to mass shootings and gun deaths? Among 64 high-income countries and territories, the United States stands out for its high levels of gun violence. We rank eight out of 64 for homicides by firearm. And it isn’t very comforting to know that an eighteen-year-old can go out and legally purchase an AR-15 before he’s able to drink.

This country has a gun violence epidemic and more guns than people—where there are over three hundred million citizens. Say what now? And mass shootings are becoming a too common occurrence which is exceedingly rare in equivalent countries. And when mass shootings happen in these countries, the Government has often been quick to pass gun reform in the wake of such tragedies. But yet, when we bring up gun reform and gun control, it stirs up this nasty argument/debate about the Government wanting to take everyone’s guns away.

BY ERICK S. GRAY Guns! Guns! Guns! I’ll say this, American does love guns—especially the AR-15. But why does this country love its guns so much? But first, I need to express my deepest condolences to the family members of children and adults who lost their lives in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. I’m heartbroken and disgusted by these recent mass shootings where 19 children were brutally killed in school, and 10 Black folks were executed while performing a mundane task of grocery shopping. I ask myself, when will it end? Why are we the only country that suffers from this perpetual destruction?

Not to say that mass shootings don’t happen in other countries, but it is a fact that the United States has had more mass shootings than any other country, where mass shootings accounted for under 0.2% of homicides in the U.S. From 1967 to 2019, there had been a record of 163 mass shootings in the United States.

Should we live in fear knowing that the U.S is the leading country when it comes to mass shootings and gun deaths? Among 64 high-income countries and territories, the United States stands out for its high levels of gun violence. We rank eight out of 64 for homicides by firearm. And it isn’t very comforting to know that an eighteen-year-old can go out and legally purchase an AR-15 before he’s able to drink.

This country has a gun violence epidemic and more guns than people—where there are over three hundred million citizens. Say what now? And mass shootings are becoming a too common occurrence which is exceedingly rare in equivalent countries. And when mass shootings happen in these countries, the Government has often been quick to pass gun reform in the wake of such tragedies. But yet, when we bring up gun reform and gun control, it stirs up this nasty argument/debate about the Government wanting to take everyone’s guns away.

Really? And then there's the second amendment, the holy grail regarding gun ownership/possession in the United States.

When the second amendment was implemented in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, America was completely different. First, slavery was legal, and second, the amendment was created when men frequently surrendered to primordial fears of the great unknown wilderness. Law enforcement didn't exist back then. So, fighting was a way of life, and shooting a gun was the first and sometimes only way a man protected himself, his family, and his property. The second amendment states, "A wellregulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

But times have changed, slavery is no longer legal (so they say, we’ll talk about mass incarceration some other time), and we're no longer living in the unknown wilderness, and there is law enforcement (once again, something I treat with a grain of salt), and the gun isn't the first and sometimes the only way a man can protect himself, his family, and his property. But the NRA, GOP, and Gun enthusiasts want you to believe in the propaganda that the Government intends to take away your guns. It is their right to own automatic weapons like AR-15s, but the AR-15 has become the mass shooter weapon of choice. The AR-15 assault rifle was engineered to create what one of its designers called the "maximum wound effect." It's a perfect killing machine; the weapon is designed to kill many people in a short amount of time. And an eighteen-year-old can easily purchase this weapon? Adolescents can be highly emotional and incredibly sensitive to peer pressure at that age. Yet, it is their right to bear arms.

Gun-makers—encouraged by Congress and cloaked in the Second Amendment—have elevated the AR-15 into an avatar of civilian manhood, independence, and patriotism. The NRA calls this semiautomatic America's Rifle; a modern sporting rifle and insists that the restriction on automatic fire

somehow neuters the weapon. Wow! But I can go on all day about the problems about how compared to the other peer countries, what we have is lots and lots of guns, and we have by far the weakest gun laws. And when a mass shooting happens, certain parties (GOP, NRA) are quick to offer prayers and condolences to the victims' families but aren't eager to strengthen the gun laws in this country. So I say fuck their prayers and condolences. You are part of the problem when you know there is a problem, and it's smacking you repetitively in the face, and you refuse to do anything about it. But then there's the constant argument of Americans needing to protect themselves.

Shit, Black folks are the ones who need to protect themselves. Real talk. Living in a frontier of racism, overwhelming police shootings, white supremacists, crime and poverty, white terrorism, judgment, etc....…it feels like we're behind enemy lines in a country we grew up in. But to cut my opinion short, we need a change in this country because I'm tired of these mass shootings and the overwhelming gun violence. But change begins with us, the individual. The change starts within each of us. And ends only when all children are free to be children. Let us change and let us live.

If we had the gun laws of any other developed country, we'd be better off.

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www.coachcococares.com

COACH COCO CHAT LINE

ADVICE WITHOUT JUDGEMENT

Coach Coco: What are your thoughts on a girl who has been with one guy for ten years, and has always cheated historically throughout the relationship? Do you think a lady can change and settle down, or will she always cheat? She is 38 years old.

Asking for a friend Hey friend, I believe from personal experiences that change can happen if the right circumstances present themselves. If she cheated on her partner throughout their ten-year relationship, he definitely didn’t complete her needs. Whether it was sexually, emotionally, physically, or mentally, something was missing that she continually searched for in others. The question is what made her stay with him. Was it financial, or perhaps she loved him but didn’t feel the passion she needed to complete her? Just because she cheated doesn’t mean she didn’t love him. She only loved herself more and selfishly pursued her satisfaction elsewhere regardless of consequences or heartbreak. Now, if she is starting fresh with a new man, she could quite possibly be ready to be true to this one. Especially, if he completes every desire and all her needs that she searched for in others.

❤️Coach Coco

INTELLECTUAL MAGAZINE

LIFE COACH. AUTHOR. ENTERTAINER. MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER. After surviving over 13 years of incarceration, Coach Coco reinvented herself and became certified as a life coach and recovery coach in 2013. She is well known from her autobiography “Tales of an Original Bad Girl” by Mack Mama. She mentored at-risk youth throughout New York City and the tri-state area.

Her passion is helping people by sharing her coping skills and life hacks that helped her overcome, depression, money addiction, grief, and rage. Coach Coco is revered for her relationship and grief counseling sessions.

Her latest self-help books are “How to Survive Incarceration from a Woman’s Perspective” and “How to Survive the Loss of a loved One-A Caretaker’s Journey” IAMCOACHCOCO

COACH COCO CARES

To book a session or purchase books go to www.coachcococares.com