UPTOWN MAGAZINE- MARTHA'S VINEYARD

MARTHA’S VINEYARD

CULTURE DANIELLE TRUITT FASHION KAREEM GRIMES TRAVEL DISNEY WISH AND MORE!

Chris Spencer

Everybody loves Chris

SUMMER 2022

UPTOWN MAGAZINE.COM

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Is it possible to outsmart fate? |

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LEXUS

Because you are our greatest curiosity. And we know that while life can be exciting, it can also be unpredictable. So we created a highly advanced driving simulator to test real-life drivers’ reactions to unexpected situations. What we learn helps us continue to evolve innovative safety systems that help make the real world safer and help you more confi dently handle life’s most thrilling turns. What amazing ideas will you inspire next? Discover the answer at lexus.com/curiosity.

SIMULATOR

SAFETY

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WE WERE CURIOUS ABOUT THAT TOO

Martha’s Vineyard 2022

Features Chris Spencer Everybody Loves Chris

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Disney Wish Disney’s 5th Cruise Ship

Pg. 30

Fashion Summer Vineyard Style

Pg. 36

Derek Lewis President, PepsiCo Multicultural

Pg. 42

Shy Averett An Advocate for Black Children

Pg. 46

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“The service at First Republic is unmatched.

They go out of their way to meet our needs.”

G H I A G R I A RT E , Managing Partner, Ponte Partners R O D B R EW S T E R , Founder and CEO, Pingtumi

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Martha’s Vineyard

The Loop Entertainment: Hipster TV

Pg. 14

Spirits: Medase

Pg. 16

Beauty: Healthy Summer Looks

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Business: Robin Wilson

Pg. 20

Books: Best Beach Reading

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PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Imported Cognac Hennessy ®, 40% Alc./Vol. (80˚). ©2022 Imported by Moët Hennessy USA, Inc., New York, NY. HENNESSY is a registered trademark.

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UPTOWN VENTURES GROUP

CO-CEO | EDITOR IN CHIEF BRETT WRIGHT

EDITOR BRYNA JEAN-MARIE

CO-CEO | CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER LEONARD E. BURNETT JR.

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS PATRICK COOPER COPY EDITOR AMY LONG DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR STEPHENETTA (ISIS) HARMON AD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST ISAAC CHILDS CONTRIBUTORS BAGEOT DIA, JASON GORDON, ANNIKA HARRIS, ANITA KOPACZ, DR. CRYSTAL MOORE, BIANCA MORENO, SHERYL NANCE-NASH, NEKKA SAMUEL, CHINWE UGOEZI, KHALIL WALDRON, YVONNA WRIGHT

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® S O L I DB L A C K ™i sa no n g o i n gi n i t i a t i v ef r o mD o r i t o s t op r o v i d er e s o u r c e sa n dap l a t f o r mf o rB l a c k

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I n2 0 2 2 , T M f o r t h es e c o n dy e a r o f t h ep r o g r a m, D o r i t o sS O L I DB L A C K i sc e l e b r a t i n ga n ds p o t l i g h t i n gi t sn e wc l a s so f B l a c k

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I nt o t a l , D o r i t o swi l l i n v e s t mo r et h a n$ 5mi l l i o nt h i s y e a r a sp a r t o f S O L I DB L A C K ™t oa mp l i f ys t o r i e so f B l a c kj o y , s t r e n g t ha n dr e s i l i e n c e .

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H LIST

Morgan Ashley

Denise Davenport

Selwyn Seyfu Hinds

Stacey Billups

Lisa Davis

Chinyere and Ed Hubbard

Mara Brock Akil

Todd Dumas

Randall and Jillian Joseph

Marielle Bobo

Inga Dyer

Nicole Joyner

Terry and Alvin Bowles

Danielle Eaddy-Alleyne

Erika and Keith Kennerly

Essi Eggleston Bracey

Tina and Eric Easter

Stacey and Charles King

Crystal and Walston Bobb-Semple

Kirk Frazier

Keith and Kelli Lawson

Courtney Booker

Michele Ghee

Tonya and Spike Lee

Joi Brown

Melinda and Jason Hayes

Carla Lewis

Maria and Keith Brown

Susan Hearn

Jeanine Liburd

Jill Davis Cowan

Treis and Saphirra Hill

Erika Liles

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Make that house your home.

Finding a place to call home isn’t always easy.

But even against the odds, our families have made it happen.

It’s your turn now, and Rocket Mortgage® is here to help. With a Verified Approval, you have an edge in a competitive market. Sellers know your finances have been approved and you’re a serious buyer.

Scan here to get started.

When it’s time to buy that house and make it home,

©2000-2022 Rocket Mortgage, LLC. All rights reserved. Lending services provided by Rocket Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RKT). Participation in the Verified Approval program is based on an underwriter’s comprehensive analysis of your credit, income, employment status, assets and debt. If new information materially changes the underwriting decision resulting in a denial of your credit request, if the loan fails to close for a reason outside of Rocket Mortgage’s control, including, but not limited to satisfactory insurance, appraisal and title report/search, or if you no longer want to proceed with the loan, your participation in the program will be discontinued. If your eligibility in the program does not change and your mortgage loan does not close due to a Rocket Mortgage error, you will receive the $1,000. This offer does not apply to new purchase loans submitted to Rocket Mortgage through a mortgage broker. This offer is not valid for self-employed clients. Rocket Mortgage reserves the right to cancel this offer at any time. Acceptance of this offer constitutes the acceptance of these terms and conditions, which are subject to change at the sole discretion of Rocket Mortgage. Additional conditions or exclusions may apply.

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7/19/22 6:21 PM

Rent Vs. Buy: Calculator, Facts And Pros And Cons Of Each

Are you asking yourself “should I buy a house?” There are numerous factors to consider as you decide whether homeownership is right for you, and Rocket Mortgage can help. Plugging your information into our rent versus buy calculator, and then putting together a solid list of pros and cons, can help you decide whether to pay rent or make a mortgage payment.

The Rent Vs. Buy Debate

The rent versus buy debate has been in full swing for ages. And it makes sense. Both options have definite pros and cons but it really comes down to your personal preferences and your financial situation. Before you make any moves, make sure you fully understand all aspects of each option and then weigh the facts against your current circumstances and future goals.

Renting Pros And Cons

Whether it’s an apartment or a house, renting has its distinct advantages and disadvantages.

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PROS Proponents of renting often cite the following as key advantages: less money upfront, no maintenance or repairs and e ibility. et s ta e a closer look at the pros.

More Flexibility To Move If you need to move across the country for your job, it’s generally easier to leave behind an apartment or rental home, both logistically and financially.

You Need Less Money Up Front To Move In You typically need 2 months of rent payments and a security deposit to move into a rental property. Of course this depends on the cost of rent and the price of homes in the area, but usually that’s less than what you need for a down payment and closing costs to purchase a home.

CONS Being able to move easily to a new area and having someone else handle most of the home maintenance are perks of renting. But you pay someone else for those perks, instead of yourself. Here are the cons of renting you should consider.

Fewer Expenses For Maintenance And Repairs Paying for home maintenance and repairs are facts of life for homeowners. And it’s not just the work— you also need the equipment, like a lawnmower. But when you rent, someone else cuts the lawn, and if the hot water heater fails, you’re not responsible for the bill.

You’re Someone Else’s Investment When you buy a home, as you pay off the mortgage you’re not just paying the lender. You’re paying yourself, because you own more and more of your home. And if the home’s market value increases, the profit from your in estment is yours.

You can pay rent for months and even years, but when the lease is

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up, you have nothing to show for it.

All your money went into someone else’s pocket.

Your Monthly Payments Aren’t Stable et a fi ed-rate mortgage and you know a portion of your mortgage payment stays the same, even after years. ent an apartment and you don t ha e that same control over your monthly payments. A landlord or property management company decides when rent goes up and by how much.

You’ll Have Fewer Tax Deductions ust as the apartment condo or home you rent is another person or company’s investment, they also get most of the ta benefits and deductions. You may be eligible for a few deductions e en if you rent as a ta ad isor to see what s a ailable.

Buying Pros And Cons

No matter if it’s a townhouse, condo or house buying a home

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also has its clear ad antages and disad antages.

PROS urchasing a home has long been the American dream. t pro ides stability a sense of community and hopefully a nest egg for your future. t re uires commitment but the payoff can be well worth it. et s unpac that a bit.

It’s Your Investment hen you buy a home it s your inestment and you get the benefits.

The most significant one is home e uity the difference between what your home is worth and what s left on the loan. You gain e uity in two different ways • As you pay off your mortgage, you build e uity in your home. That means the portion of your property that you truly own increases. You can tap into that e uity for things like home renovations, paying off credit cards and other e penses. hen it s time to mo e that e uity can become a down payment on your ne t home.

You also gain e uity when the market value of your home goes up. f homes in your neighborhood that went for fi e years ago are now selling for $120,000, you e made on your investment.

Monthly Mortgage Payments Are More Stable There s a reason fi ed-rate mortgages are so popular The amount of your monthly mortgage payment that goes toward principal and interest doesn t change for the life of the loan.

That doesn t mean your monthly payment won’t change. Most homeowners have an escrow account—money your mortgage company keeps for you to pay your homeowners insurance and ta es.

Part of your mortgage payment goes into your escrow account each month. hen your ta es and insurance costs change, that part of your monthly mortgage payment goes up or down as needed.

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But because your interest rate is fi ed part of your mortgage payment will stay the same. o you ne er ha e to worry about annual rent increases.

of options a ailable to help you become a homeowner if that s right for you. ut here s what ma es buying more challenging than renting for some people.

You’ll Be Eligible For Tax Deductions To encourage homeownership and the benefits it brings to communities homeowners get ta deductions that renters don t li e the mortgage interest deduction. hen you rent someone else gets those ta brea s because someone else owns the property.

More Money Required Upfront Times ha e changed and you no longer need the traditional down payment sa ed to get a mortgage if you ualify in other ways. ut there s no getting around it uying a home is a significant purchase compared to renting a house or apartment so there are more fees and costs associated with it.

There are se eral ta deductions a ailable to homeowners both on federal and state ta es. hec with a ta professional to learn what deductions you may be eligible for.

You Have To Maintain Your Investment ure you need to eep your apartment or rental home in good condition but chances are when the lawn needs mowing someone else mows it. And when the lawnmower brea s someone else repairs it

CONS on t let the cons discourage you.

The good news is there are a lot

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because it s not your lawnmower. eciding whether you ha e the budget to maintain and repair your home and the ability to do it or pay someone else is a big part of deciding whether buying or renting is for you.

Less Flexibility To Move n general you ll need to li e in a home for about years to recoup all the closing costs. And it ta es more to sell and pac up a house than to lea e an apartment behind. o spend some time thin ing about your career and family plans.

Things To Consider When Choosing To Rent Or Buy

ow that you understand the pros and cons of both options you should ha e a better idea of what might wor for you. ere are a couple of other ey things to thin about before ma ing a decision.

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Understand The True Cost Of Both Renting And Buying Many people look only at the rent or mortgage payment each month when they determine which way to go. If monthly costs are comparable, homeownership tends to win.

In order to accurately compare the financial impact of renting and buying, look at the total cost of homeownership and the quality of life it affords you.

There are costs to owning a home you don’t pay when renting, such as homeowners insurance, home maintenance and repairs.

Consider Your Financial Situation And Goals The first thing to consider when choosing between renting and buying a home is where you are financially. Be honest with yourself about your current situation and seriously

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consider both your near-term and long-term financial goals.

A house will cost you significantly more upfront, but could save you substantial money over the long run. It’s important to think about how your finances will be affected by both scenarios, so you can be strategic in your decision making Think About Where You Want To Be In 5 Years Honestly assess where you are now and where you see yourself in 5 years. If you’re not quite ready to settle down, buying a home might not be the best option. Renting affords you the freedom to move each year with no strings attached.

your housing needs and should be seriously considered before making a decision.

Rent Vs. Buy: The Bottom Line

There’s no right answer when it comes to renting versus buying. It’s going to boil down to your unique situation. Your financial situation and future plans can help you figure out if buying or renting is right for you.

If you choose the homeownership route, early preparation is key. The earlier you plan for the transition, the better off you’ll be. Rocket Mortgage® can help you when you’re ready.

Take a look at things like your current job, your ties to your current location, and your relationship status. All of these things can impact

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Cow Lamp Films distribution is launching free streaming app and linear AVOD channel, Hipstr, this November and is coming soon to VIZIO SmartCast® TVs.

Headlining is Hipstr original, Wake & Bake with Dom Brown, where the host pierces the smoky veil of the cannabis world to explore how the perfect flower was able to gain an economic foothold in a country that still considers cannabis a Schedule 1 Drug.

“If we look at cannabis as what it should be and what it has the potential to be, it needs to be seen as a form of reparations because the war on drugs has ravaged our communities.” shared Grammy nominated rapper and activist, Vic Mensa, during the social equity dinner.

Dom Brown is known for Chicago’s pride parade, his infamous Porn & Chicken parties that toured nationally, and as co-director of Activate: Chi, which produced one of the largest Chicago Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

A 2020 analysis concluded Black people are 3.64 times more likely than White people to be arrested for marijuana possession according to The American Civil Liberties Union.

“Creating Wake & Bake with Questar has truly been a dream come true.

I’ve been given the opportunity to reshape the narrative surrounding POC and Cannabis,” shared Dom Brown, host of Wake & Bake with Dom Brown, “I’ve been able to explore legal cities and dive deep into their promises of Social Equity while highlighting boutique businesses.”

Wake & Bake with Dom Brown delves deep into weed’s societal and cultural impact through cannabis cooking, with special guest, Harold Sims, winner of Cooked with Cannabis on Netflix and a social equity dinner with politicians, rappers, and activists.

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Guest stars include Anna Rose Li-Epstein, Social activist, True Social Equity in Cannabis; Rickey Hendon, former Illinois Senator; and Dr. Ameena Matthews, community activist and candidate for Illinois Congress.

“Hipstr is a game-changer in the entertainment world. This is the first dedicated streaming service that celebrates the amazing creative talent in Chicago and the Midwest,” shared Josh da Silva, Vice President of Cow Lamp Films.

Hipstr is curated to challenge perspectives and drive the global conversation forward with Chicago-made films, criminal justice, LGBTQ+ and Black voices, and cult classics. The collection includes award-winning

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indie films including Olympia starring McKenzie Chinn (The Big Leap), Joe Chappelle’s Thieves Quartet, and Blacksmith.

Also in production is a Midwest true-crime series, Uncoiled, which won the 2020 Realscreeen Summit showdown and development deal with A&E. Uncoiled follows the investigation into the violent crimes of Illinois filmmaker, Lilly Warren’s late husband, and her own personal investigation after his closed.

Cow Lamp Films is in post-production for the Chicago sketch comedy show, Out of the Loop. From the home of sketch-comedy, this Chicago Quartet take humor to the next level. The three-part series stars Adjunct DePaul Professor, Colette Gregory, as well as local Chicago comics and talent, Phylicia Mcleod, William Ruff, Colette Gregory, and Andy Rowell.

This is Cow Lamp Films’ parent company, Questar Entertainment’s third linear channel release this year with OTTera, along with FamilyTime and GoTraveler.

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SPIRITS MEDASE, the New Hemp Infused Mocktail Filled with Gratitude Two Black female executives added mixologists to their titles after creating their dream cocktail

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Entertainment Law executive Inga Dyer and Mergers & Acquisitions executive Monica Cornitcher were challenged with finding an alternative drinking experience that was healthy, reminiscent of the flavors they had come to enjoy, that also provided an elevated drinking experience. So, they created what is now known as MEDASE. The Mocktail Margarita and Mocktail Moscow Mule are an all-natural, alcohol free, hemp infused drinks. These plant-based options—sweetened with organic agave, gluten free, GMO free, soy free and low in calories—contain no artificial chemicals and are curated with the finest ingredients.

“Oftentimes we want the taste of a delicious cocktail without the alcohol,” says Dyer and Cornitcher who worked with Patrice Newsome, Food Scientist and Beverage Consultant to create the perfect mix. “Our cocktails offer you the option of the great taste of a margarita or Moscow mule without the effects of alcohol.”

Dyer and Cornitcher knew exactly the type of hemp infused drink they wanted to produce but needed help to bring it to life which required more than a vision. So when the time arrived for formulation, they were fortunate to be connected with Black female Food Scientist, Patrice Newsome. She worked with them tirelessly for almost a year to curate the perfect mocktail.

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“Formulating CBD mocktails with the MEDASE team was an intriguing challenge” says Newsome. “The mocktail space, like CBD, is still new to consumers and scientists—getting the formula right isn’t the easiest but it is fun. I’m so glad to have contributed to this product.”

Dyer adds that “Products containing CBD are believed to be useful in treating conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, migraines, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, depression, and anxiety. So, you can have your drink and feel its benefits too.”

For a distinctly delicious mocktail that elevates mind, body and spirit, We say MEDASE. For premium ingredients lovingly sourced from the earth, We Say MEDASE. For the journey and the celebration of a beautiful life, We say MEDASE. For simple delights and magical moments, We say MEDASE. For Tribes that share our Vibe, We say MEDASE. Medase Means…. Thank You.

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BEAUTY

PHOTO CREDIT: COLLETTE BONAPARTE

A HEALTHY BODY AND GLOWING SKIN, THAT’S WHAT’S IN Try these Black owned beauty lines for a head-to-toe look that dominates the summer Lenelle Daniels-Jerome, FNP-BC

If there is one thing that represents how we look, feel, and treat ourselves, it is our bodies. Beautiful hair that shines, skin that glows and a healthy body says it all. Utilizing products that contribute to the optimal health of our bodies and hair is a must. UPTOWN sat down with dermatologist Lenelle Daniels-Jerome, FNP-BC, who has been caring for skin for 14 years. Just a few years ago she opened her own practice, Beyond Beauty Skin Dermatology in Brooklyn, New York, where she offers services that include Botox, fillers, chemical peels, dermaplaning

and micro needling. Her team treats conditions that are common such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and hair loss/alopecia.

Dr. Daniels-Jerome shares her opinion on three delicious products from two Black-owned women businesses, Next of Kim (NOK) by Kim Hill, and LivSo from Shari Hicks Graham. She encourages us to patronize and support Black-owned businesses and to add beauty products to our daily regimen that are specifically made for melanin rich skin, hair and bodies.

Livso’s Sulfate-Free Shampoo

removes oil from hair without stripping it. With natural ingredients like coconut oil, willow, shea butter, glycolic acid, and glycerin, it’s perfect for all hair textures and safe for color-treated hair. In addition to these ingredients, Livso Moisturizing Conditioner contains Abyssinian oil which helps to improve the hair’s shine, moisture and manageability. It helps to detangle hair and is easily absorbed by the hair, leaving your hair healthy and boosting shine.

“I developed LivSo as an effective, safe and simple system to help people with textured hair manage their scalp care needs. The idea is that a healthy scalp leads to healthy hair, for life. We want people to be able to live so free and not be so burdened by issues around hair management. Black women love the elegant simplicity of LivSo and the fact that it feels like an elevated product that they’re proud to own. As a dermatologist, they know that I’ve considered their needs specifically and that’s special.” ~ Shari Hicks-Graham, M.D. and founder of LivSo

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“I started making natural body care products when I got pregnant with my son in 2009. We were in the middle of the swine flu epidemic, and I wanted to do everything within my power to minimize the possibility of getting sick. So I decided to create a deodorant and the whipped shea butter to keep my body in the best shape. The products started performing well and spread to the mom community, which is when my interest piqued to create formulas that could go to the marketplace in 2017.” ~ Kim Hill, Next of Kim CEO

NOK Deodorant is natural, vegan and cruelty-free.

PHOTO CREDIT: NZINGAH OYO

It contains no aluminum, parabens, alcohol or artificial colors. Its unisex scent contains hents of rose, musk and vetiver. It’s a must-have for people looking for a natural deodorant without the “natural” smell. It will leave you smelling fresh all day. There is also a fragrance-free option for people with sensitive skin.

NOK Whipped Shea Butter in Copper-Gypsy is

the line’s best-selling product and for good reason. It contains shea butter, which is great for both the skin and hair. It also contains chemical sunscreen which protects your skin and hair from sun damage. Aside from its protective and moisturizing properties, it has an amazing smell. With over 200 essential oils including sandalwood, rose, lemongrass, gardenia and a hint of vetiver, you’ll be turning heads.

This product is a must-have.

Kim Hill, Next of Kim CEO

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Robin Wilson The Journey to Become the First Black Woman with a Global License Hypoallergenic Textile Brand

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obin Wilson began her journey with allergies, with involved parents, and humble beginnings in Austin, Texas. Now she is hailed by Inc. magazine on the “Top 100 Female Founders” list and she has launched her CLEAN DESIGN HOME™ x Martex collection at Macy’s. She is now recognized as the first Black American female founder of a global, licensed hypoallergenic textile brand—expected at retail in the UK and Japan by year-end.

Says Robin, “Think about the irony! My grandfather was a sharecropper who picked cotton in Texas. Now my 100-percent cotton luxury, hypoallergenic collection is sold nationwide at Macy’s. It is a legacy story in three generations. Plus, our development arm will be designing a subdivision outside of Austin on 80+ acres of land owned by my family for generations.”

Robin Wilson founded A Blue Egg Corporation (www.ABlueEgg.com), a conglomerate founded in 2006 and focused on real estate, design and licensing.

She left the corporate world in 1999 after an IPO from Heidrick & Struggles provided her with a windfall—and became an entrepreneur, author and has been the creative director for eponymous brand Robin Wilson Home since 2000. However, she also experienced fiscal inequality when trying to build her business, even with a graduate degree in Real Estate Finance from NYU—preventing her from gaining traction as a developer.

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“Generational wealth was not created by most Black families because they didn’t have access to bank loans to buy land or build businesses. It is my hope that we can change that paradigm as we continue to build our brand and license into other categories. It is thrilling to partner with Macy’s and the venerable Martex brand,” she says. CLEAN DESIGN HOME™ x Martex has an assortment of textiles focused on keeping asthma and allergy triggers—like dust mites, pet dander, pollen—under control. This line confirms Robin’s focus to partner with leading manufacturers as the health and lexicon of “home” changes throughout the pandemic and beyond.

The CLEAN DESIGN HOME™ x Martex collection includes pillows, sheet sets, comforters, robes, towels plus a special collection of allergen-barrier utility options for mattress and pillow protection. The palette will be a minimalist palette of white, grey, light blue, ivory and blush, and will also include 400 thread-count sheet sets and duvets. All the products are made with BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton and certified Made-in-Green by OekoTex®. Plus, the towels are Supima cotton-loop and tightly woven bathrobes are low-linting, so they reduce the presence of airborne allergens.

The collection can be found in165 Macy stores across the US, including Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico also online.

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINTON

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BOOKS

Best Beach Reading One of the best acts of leisure for the summer is curling up on the beach with a good book. What better way to expand your horizons than to escape in a novel or learn about someone else’s journey?

Curated by our editorial team, we’ve tapped multiple genres to bring forth a diverse and high-quality list of books we think are must-reads.

Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis One of this generation’s most accoladed actors, Viola Davis’ career is a beacon of inspiration for all people. However, this peeks into her life offers a unique understanding of divine hope, endurance, and gut-wrenching determination. A deep and introspective piece, Davis stretches the reader to consider that behind each role she takes is a wealth of experiences, a journey of self-love, and magical defiance of seemingly insurmountable odds.

The Devil’s Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South’s Most Notorious Slave Jail by Kristen Green This book traces the life of young Mary Jane Lumpkin, a formerly enslaved woman that remarkably emerged as one of Virginia’s most shrewd businesswomen, negotiating not only the education and freedom of her children but the lease for the land that became the hallmark of education for Black preachers. At age 35, this brilliant woman became the first woman of African descent to have her story tied to the founding of an American institution of higher learning, Virginia Union University.

Moon and Mars: A Novel by Kia Corthron Set in New York City’s mid-19th century, readers are permitted a glimpse into the lives of poor Blacks and Irish people living together in Manhattan’s notorious Five Points district from 1857 to 1863 from the perspective of a young biracial orphaned girl named Theo. Corthron weaves the fictional story around real-life occurrences like the city’s draft riots, P.T. Barnum’s exhibitions, and the powerful distinction of pre-Civil War race relations in the newly formed nation’s money center.

Black Cake: A Novel by Charmaine Wilkerson A debut novel for Wilkerson, this story is rich with tradition and culture baked into one theme surrounding a family recipe for black cake and the death of a matriarch, Eleanor Bennett.

It is a profoundly American story, a nation of immigrants, that paints the picture of mystery rooted in the deep secrets left on Bennett’s home island in an effort to give her descendants a chance in a new and promising land.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson “Grown” presents the challenge of being both Black and female in America. It follows the life of Enchanted Jones, a Black teen, balancing various microaggressions at her predominately white school while attempting to fit in. Jones has her eyes set on stardom and is befriended by an R. Kelly-like figure named Korey Fields, who promises her the moon (and a music career) if she becomes his underaged lover and keeps his devious secrets. Though fictional, “Grown” is a lot of young Black girls’ stories.

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CLIQUE A CELEBRATION OF SUMMERTIME GATHERINGS ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD THROUGH THE YEARS

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Chris Spencer Floating on Funny The cherished stand-up comedian, writer, director, and producer prepares for the premiere of his film Back on the Strip and revs up for the “make me laugh” culture on his stand-up tour.

BY BRYNA JEAN-MA R I E

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energy is magnetic. I recently saw him and his lovely wife Vanessa at a MACRO Oscar party in LA, where he greeted me with his consistent gracious demeanor. And in these times, kindness is important just as laughter is medicinal.

Beloved in countless comedy circles, Spencer’s cool demeanor and kind

To be held in such a high regard by people who work seriously hard at their craft is no small feat. Calling him the Godfather of Comedy may sound highfalutin, but it is what it is. When it comes to making people laugh from a genuinely funny place, Chris Spencer is a champion behind the pen and the mic. He has mastered both, and here he shares with UPTOWN why comedy has infiltrated his life and his plan to continue to ride the wave.

hen comedian, writer, and producer extraordinaire Chris Spencer and I talked, he was fresh off a red-eye from Los Angeles to New York City and getting his time zones straight.

Later that evening the thing that he loves the most was on his agenda: stand-up comedy. Three of the funniest men in the industry, also known as some of his closest friends—Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart—were set to perform at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center. Granted, Spencer was not in that lineup on a July night, but I am looking forward to when he is center stage and sharing his comedic genius, which many people in the industry revere as some of the best of its kind.

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UPTOWN: Which is more of your thing? Stand-up, writing, directing or producing?

CHRIS: All of it is my thing. But my moniker now is “He Writes for Everybody” and that’s not how I want to leave this earth. You know what I mean? I don’t know if you saw Kanye’s special. Somebody said, “He’s the dopest MC, writer, and producer that also raps.” I get that same thing. There are all these other things before stand-up comedian. I want to hear the words “very funny.” I do hear it. But I don’t want my tombstone to read, “He writes for everybody.” When the annals and scrolls of comedy are read a thousand years from now, when you mention the Chappelles, the Rocks, the Harts, to the Harveys, the Pryors, and the Murphys, I want, my name to be in there somewhere.

UPTOWN: According to Kevin Hart, it sounds like you are focused on other things more than stand-up. And he’s encouraging you to make a choice.

CHRIS: I don’t think he was saying to do one or the other. He was saying that you have to give stand-up your full attention. Although I will continue to write and produce, I need to give stand-up a hundred percent, meaning, to become a great comedian, you need to be able to be on the stage and work on your hour for the masses to see. That works. Everybody who’s become great has hit the stage. And I was always one who came doing 20 minute openings at comedy clubs for Damon Wayans and Chris Rock. So, when it was time to do stand-up on my own, the same amount of money I was getting for one day with Damon and Chris is what the clubs paid for a solo stand-up for the week. So, I was like, “Eh.” I was fortunate enough to work in LA as an actor and then the writing gigs came. So the stand-up started getting pushed to the side. Now, mind you, I never stopped doing stand-up. I did local spots like the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, and The Improv. And then, whatever was in my reach. And let’s say, I would do maybe five to seven gigs where I would be the headliner for the club. But these guys are 35 to 52 weeks a year working on that thing, that hour.

UPTOWN: Where do you get your sense of humor?

CHRIS: Everybody in my family is funny. My mother’s funny. My father is funny. I’ve passed it on to my kids, who are funny. I married somebody who is funny and who comes from a funny family. Everybody around me is funny. It’s in our DNA. It’s not like, “Watch me make daddy laugh.” It’s just who we are. We don’t know any better.

UPTOWN: What was it like growing up in a Jamaican household?

CHRIS: I’m the guy who would dance for company. Also, I thought I was going to be a magician, or more specifically, an escape artist. I would have people tie me up and I would escape. That was my thing: Tie me to a chair, tie my hands together, tie my hands and feet together. For some reason I had the ability to escape. It wasn’t until eighth grade, that this guy named Eric Webb, brought this leather strap that they used to hold the slaves together. I think his mother worked in a museum or something. He said, “You can’t get out of this!” And I said, “Yes I can.” And I was going to a Catholic school at the time. Why did I try to do it while we were in church? And so, Sister Julie Louise at Maria Regina Elementary School saw me struggling and said, “Chris, why don’t you read the next verse?” And I stood up with—I think it was the Bible—and she saw my hands tied and said, “I want you to go to the principal’s office.” And I got suspended.

UPTOWN: Oh no. Was that the end of your escape artist career?

CHRIS: Yeah. Well, I think that the last escape was from that school. I never went back.

UPTOWN: What comedians inspire you?

CHRIS: Ironically, three of them are together tonight at the Barclay Center—Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Kevin Hart. Yeah, they all do. Their work ethic and their writing is very inspirational. There are others who might make you laugh harder, but the way they put their sets together—they’re all storytellers—is top-notch. And sometimes

comedians feel like they have to be a certain way in a white room versus a Black room. But these guys are the same in every room, you know what I mean? And that’s the art of being a great comedian, the ability to perform and be yourself, whether you’re at Barack Obama’s birthday party or the coming home party of some ex-con.

UPTOWN: Okay, so let’s talk about the buildup to those shows.

What’s the plan?

CHRIS: Yeah. I know what I’m doing is not the end-all be-all. Like I said, I’m going tonight to see these three G.O.A.T.s. And that’s my inspiration, you know, to one day also do stadiums and arenas. I have to put out a special. I did one almost 10 years ago. I plan on shooting a new one sometime later this year. The world and the promoters need to see you do an hour. And that’s just it. I’m on the road as we speak. The plan is in place. I have a totally different voice. I’m a totally different person than when I did my last special on Showtime. I’ve grown.

UPTOWN: Are you excited about it? Or is there a lot of fear doing stand-up?

CHRIS: I’m beyond excited. I’ve never been afraid. Even when I was just starting out. I was dying to go on stage. I’ve never had that feeling of butterflies. Now there’s times when you might have to go up to the mic after somebody just demolished the room. And you’re like, “OK, what am I going to do?” But I never felt like I didn’t want to go up on stage. There were times I had a bad show and thought, “Maybe I won’t go to that club for a while.” But you gotta get back out there and conquer it, or the fear will always linger.

UPTOWN: What about the “originals”?

CHRIS: Well, I mean, come on, the number one of all G.O.A.T.s is Richard Pryor because of everything I just described. He was the best at it all.

And especially, those stories, his ability to do characters, like Mudbone, and just completely become somebody else. You didn’t even see Richard Pryor. So, he would be number one. Dick Gregory. A lot of people don’t mention him enough in terms of his ability to entertain audiences as well. And then the fact that he just said, “I’m not going to do this no more. I’m going to fight for social justice.” And then later—what 30, 40 years later—came back and did stand-up and was still just as sharp as a 60-, 70-year-old man. He’s a genius. Redd Foxx, of course, is a legend because, in terms of one-liners, he did have stories within them, but he was more of a joke guy, the best at just jokes. He doesn’t get enough credit because you know, we love Sanford and Son and that’s how we know him.

A lot of people didn’t really listen to his albums, and it’s not like he did a comedy special because they weren’t the thing at the time. And then there is Eddie Murphy and, of course, Damon Wayans, who are on my Mount Rushmore.

UPTOWN: What female comedians make you laugh?

CHRIS: There are some very funny women out there. Tiffany Haddish, Gina Yashere and Wanda Sykes. They are great with their pen and performance. Lonnie Love is funny. There’s a young woman named Alycia Cooper who will have you in stitches. Luenell. Her comedy is priceless. Oh, and Ida Rodriguez. She has a special on HBO right now, which is a force to be reckoned with. And look out for Zainab Johnson. Cocoa Brown is a monster when it comes to stand-up. And look up Amberia Allen too. There are some very funny people coming up.

UPTOWN: Tell me a little bit about youf and Vanessa’s show, Date Night.

CHRIS: It kind of came to fruition during quarantine. It was my wife’s idea for us to do something. We saw the success of online DJs like DNice. But there was nothing kind of talking to people who were at home for 24 hours a day with each other. And so, prior to the pandemic we started off on Instagram. We sold our idea to Laugh Out Loud, but the pandemic happened. So, we got permission for them to do it on Instagram and it just took off. www.uptownmagazine.com 2 7

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UPTOWN: Congratulations on celebrating 16 years of marriage.

How did you two meet?

CHRIS: At a comedy club. My wife is a casting director. She was doing the movie Be Cool, which was the sequel to Get Shorty. And they were in the comedy club. She also did Soul Plane when she cast Kevin Hart. I had just gotten out of a relationship, and I was ready to hit the streets. I was about 35, single and ready to mingle. And then I saw her, and I was like, shit. You know, I always equate it to this scene in The Godfather where Michael Corleone goes to Corleone, Italy, because he has to hide out because he just killed the captain of the police force. And he sees this woman and he’s immediately smitten. And the two security guards say, “Oh yeah, he’s been hit by the thunderbolt.” And that’s how I felt. I was like, “Am I supposed to be with her?” Literally, I was like, “I can’t believe my single life is over.” We’ve been together ever since.

UPTOWN: Exactly. That’s so true. Tell me about your film. You’re the writer and producer of it, correct?

CHRIS: Yes. It’s called Back on the Strip and it stars Faizon Love, Bill Bellamy, Gary Owen, JB Smoove, Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish and some up and coming stars: Spencer Moore II, Reagan Harris, and Ryan Alexander. And it was written by myself and my writing partner, Eric Daniel. It was an incredible experience to write and direct the film.

My wife is an executive producer, and she did the casting, the wardrobe, and at times the catering, and electrical, and transportation and... She was the glue when things were falling apart. I’m going to start calling her Elmer. It was our first joint production, aside from Date Night, which was something I thought that I didn’t want to do. I wanted to separate church and state. But it turns out that it’s probably been the best thing for our relationship. We shot it for 20 days in Las Vegas. It’s a story about a group of guys who reunite after 25 years to save this woman’s strip club that’s about to get bought by some vultures. They rekindled their friendship and it’s basically magic. The film is like Magic Mike meets The Hangover meets The Full Monty. It’s slated to premiere early next year. I’m not going to give you the exact date because, you know, this is Hollywood.

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UPTOWN: You were a talk show host in another life. How did that happen?

CHRIS: Yes, I met Len Burnett, who was the publisher of VIBE at the time, and I booked that late night talk show VIBE. My first episode was with Bill Clinton. I had everybody from Whoopi Goldberg to Shaquille O’Neal, Diddy, Demi Moore, Mel Gibson, like whoever was hot at the time, did the VIBE show. Quincy Jones was the executive producer. It was hard to say no to this void that was being filled after Arsenio Hall’s show left. I had an incredible band. Greg Phillinganes as my musical director. I mean, I know it was such a good time. I had the most incredible green room that celebrities who weren’t even on the show that day would show up, so they could hang out and eat and play video games and pool and ping pong. It was just a party all the time.

UPTOWN: Did this lead you to writing?

CHRIS: Yeah, the writing came about because when you get hot, you’re asked to do things. So, when your friend gets the job to host the MTV Awards or the Grammys or the BET Awards, the networks will give you some writers, and then you’re going to want your own writers who know your voice.

That’s how I got this moniker, “Chris Writes for Everybody.” Because it’s really true. I write for everybody on these award shows. So, if Jamie Foxx books a show, he will want someone who’s kind of come up with him through the trenches who knows his comedy sensibilities. I think the reason I became the head writer and also why I got this other moniker “Human Rights for Everybody” is because I wasn’t afraid to tell the executives, “This s**t ain’t funny and he ain’t doing it.”

I became their mouthpiece. And then when the artists thought s**t was funny, I was also not afraid to tell them, “That s**t ain’t funny. We have to rework this. Or we have a monologue, we’re shooting the show Sunday, let’s go into the comedy clubs and work it.” So that’s kind of how it happened. Whether it’s Tracee Ellis Ross, or Wayne Brady or Taraji P. Henson, or people who are pure stand-ups, they trusted me. Because producers like Reggie Hudlin or Jessie Collins are like, “You know what?

We need Chris to be by your side. He’ll take you to the promised land.”

UPTOWN: If you had your dream job, what would you do every day?

CHRIS: I’d wake up, play golf, come home, and write. I would hang out with my family and then I would hit the stage. That’s how I want to live the rest of my life. And somewhere in between go shopping. ’Cause if you see my family, we’re no strangers to trying to look good.

UPTOWN: That’s funny because I was laughing at you talking about how Damon Wayans taught you how to shop.

CHRIS: Right, he never thought about it. He was just grabbing s**t. And I’d be like, “What if it doesn’t fit?” And he’d say, “It’ll fit. If it doesn’t, I’ll send it back.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: JACK MANNING

UPTOWN: When did you start going to the vineyard and playing golf with Mr. Obama?

CHRIS: I think this is my sixth year because we missed one during the pandemic. We were visiting some friends, Ray and Shannon Allen, and they had just come from Martha’s Vineyard. And he goes, “I’m about to go back and I’ll be playing golf with Barack Hussein Obama.” And so I immediately ditched my family. They went to New York. And that was the first time I got a chance to play with 44 at Farm Neck Country Club.

When I first went, I didn’t get to play with him. He had his foursome.

It was him, Alonzo Mourning, Ray Allen, and Cyrus Walker. And I was playing with his aides. That was the first day. The next day we played again. I was feeling kind of sick. Well really, I was playing bad. I wasn’t feeling sick. And I was like, “You know, after nine holes I’m gonna quit.”

And then Cyrus is driving by and he looks a little pale, and I’m like, “What’s wrong?” He goes, “I’m a little sick, go play with 44.” And I was like, “I’m going to Air Force One!” in about 30 seconds.

UPTOWN: How many years have you done stand-up there and how’s the crowd?

CHRIS: Five years. And I actually did a guest spot that first year I went to the island to play golf. And I’ve been booked every other year since then.

It’s incredible. Bougie Jack and Jill Negroes that love it when I poke fun at them and their upbringing, you know what I mean? Because nobody else does. I’m like, “I know y’all was all listening to Frankie Beverly before y’all came in here. How y’all doing?” You have to come to my show.

UPTOWN: I’ve never been.

CHRIS: I’ll be there August 8th through the 19th.

UPTOWN: Great. We’re telling everybody to come.

UPTOWN: Is that what you look forward to the most?

CHRIS: I think that’s great. But also just seeing all these brown faces inhabit this island, and from all walks of life, from all, for not just this country, like there’s people from all over the world that come here and do this. I mean, I think I’m preaching to the choir, do this thing in August. And the fact that I’m also performing there is always great too.

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Captain Minnie & Captain Mickey are ready to welcome you aboard the Disney Wish

YOUR WISH IS GRANTED RECENTLY, DISNEY CRUISE LINE LAUNCHED ITS FIFTH CRUISE SHIP, THE DISNEY WISH—AND IT IS TRULY A WONDER TO BEHOLD!

BY JASON GORDON

ecently, Disney Cruise Line launched its fifth cruise ship, the Disney Wish, and it is truly a wonder to behold!

From the moment you step aboard this magnificent vessel, you’ll immediately notice the air is scented with a captivating bespoke fragrance—which is fitting as the theme of the Disney Wish is all about enchantment! And this theme, which is emblematic to most Disney stories, greets you in awe-inspiring flair as you enter the Grand Hall, where a massively whimsical chandelier is anchored by a bold and shining wishing star. The thematic elements in this cavernous gathering place, is truly one of many crowning touches that you’ll find aboard the Disney Wish.

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During its inaugural season, the Disney Wish offers 3- and 4-day sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida (which is about 45 minutes east of Walt Disney World) with exciting stops in the Bahamas at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (3- and 4-day sailings) and Nassau (4-day sailings).

These port stops provide amazing opportunities to interact with locals, take in culture, activities, shopping and so much more!

There’s always something to do on a Disney Cruise, and this is even more the case on the Disney Wish! Whether it’s spending the day in the expansive Senses Spa, relaxing in the adults-only Quiet Cove, having a cocktail among the Magnolias in The Bayou Lounge, watching a classic or first run movie in one of the onboard cinemas, swimming in

PHOTOS BY DISNEY

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one of the ship’s pools, unwinding in a whirlpool spa tub or working out in the fitness center, you won’t run into boredom while on-board. However, if you’re seeking something with a bit more heft, visit the Hero Zone where you can shoot hoops, or compete on the challenging The Incredibles Incredi-Games inflated obstacle course. And if you want to experience the apex of recreational innovation at sea, you should experience Disney Cruise Line’s first attraction at sea, AquaMouse! This exciting experience combines custom animation from “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse,” with lighting, special effects, and a bevy of aquatic surprises that Disney calls “splashtacular!” This thrilling 760-foot water ride is certain to be a hit for everyone in your family as they careen through winding slide tubes that are suspended high above the upper decks of the Disney Wish. One note: You will get wet.

Disney Wish at its home port in Port Canaveral, Florida

Cruising with kids is a particular delight when sailing aboard the Disney Wish! For the littlest cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years, It’s a Small World Nursery offers babysitting services in a themed environment that is inspired by the eponymous and iconic Disney attraction. For those who have younglings ages 3 to 12,

parents can drop them off at the Oceaneer Club where they will begin their experience by literally sliding into the facility. From there, they will begin to experience a real-life wonderland with expertly developed activities: Marvel Super Hero Academy where young “recruits” train to be the next generation; Star Wars: Cargo Bay where children take

Disney Wish as seen from Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, Bahamas

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on the important role of creature handlers sourced from across the galaxy; Fairytale Hall where kids let their creativity shine; Walt Disney Imagineering Lab where kids can discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers; Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck which is a nautical playground inspired by the colors, icons and magic of Disney Cruise Line. And your Tweens and Teens haven’t been left out! Edge (ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17) are trendy hangouts where tweens and teens can chill and play in their own way, with dedicated programming designed to engage the unique interests of these age groups.

Upon first entering the Disney Wish, this will be your view, The Grand Hall

At Edge aboard the Disney Wish, tweens ages 11 to 14 years old play games and make new friends in a bright, colorful hangout inspired by a chic New York City loft Wish Tower Suite, Bathroom and Primary Bedroom

Guest accommodations aboard the Disney Wish are some of the most spacious in the cruise industry. Staying true to the Disney Wish’s theme of enchantment, every one of the ship’s 1,254 staterooms are luxurious destinations that are replete with generous space and storage for families. And if your family is large, no worries! The Disney Wish provides 451 staterooms with connecting doors to adjoining rooms. Most staterooms feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bathroom concept, which is ideal for families with children. Bathroom amenities in the staterooms are from Disney’s signature H20 line.

However, if you seek an elevated experience, the Disney Wish offers Premium Concierge Staterooms and Suites, which provides dedicated services and access to an exclusive lounge with a private sun deck. What’s more, there are four Royal Suites, which accommodate up to six guests and feature extravagant details and first-class amenities, including the Disney Cruise Line’s first twostory staterooms. The height of luxury aboard the Disney Wish is the Wish Tower Suite which is a first-of-its-kind accommodation set high in the forward funnel of the ship (don’t worry, the forward funnel is a façade). This

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1,966-square-foot “penthouse in the sky” accommodates eight guests and features an elegant design inspired by Disney Animation’s Moana, incomparable ocean views, Bulgari bath amenities and premium Disney service.

Cocktails in Deep Space? A Bourbon Bar in a Barber Shop? Yes, both can be experienced on the Disney Wish!

For the first time on a Disney ship, you can experience a space-jumping tour of the Star Wars galaxy at Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge. Once you cross the threshold of its Star Wars “whooshing” doors, you’ll immediately enter a high-end bar that’s nestled within a luxurious yacht-class spaceship. This richly themed, immersive experience is reserved exclusively for adults every evening. Specialty otherworldly cocktails abound and craft brews are on tap – all of which may be enjoyed as you enjoy ever-changing views from a galaxy far, far away. And be sure to stop

by Hook’s Barbery for a haircut, shave and some tasty Bourbons—with all of the trimmings (no pun intended).

Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge

Dining aboard the Disney Wish is nothing short of abundant! Throughout the day, you can enjoy casual bites near the pool at the expansive Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. Here, several themed stations serve up BBQ ribs, smokehouse chicken, mac & cheese, turnip greens, cornbread, tacos, burritos, burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, ice cream and - of course, Disney Cruise Line’s famous Chicken Tenders!

Star Wars: Cargo Bay

Dinner with characters from Disney’s Frozen in the Arendelle dining room

For dinner, rotational dining will transport you to different stories every evening—with unique dining offerings to match: • Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure which is Disney’s first Frozen-themed theatrical dining experience where cuisine is infused with Nordic influences. ProTip: If it’s on the menu when you sail, be sure to order the Scallop appetizer! It will send your taste buds dancing!

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• Worlds of Marvel is Disney’s first Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where guests play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission unfolding around them, complete with a worldly menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Named for The Walt Disney Company’s founding year, 1923 is an elegant dining experience celebrating the company’s legacy of animation and offering a tasteful tribute to Californian heritage

Families can enjoy sumptuous meals at Marcelline Market food hall

• 1923, named for the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, is an elegant celebration of the company’s legacy, paying homage to the golden age of animation and offering a tasteful tribute to the company’s Californian heritage with dishes inspired by the state’s unique fusion of cultural flavors.

In addition, the Disney Wish offers its guests a variety of casual dining options: Marceline Market is a stylish food hall inspired by popular marketplaces from around the world. An ever-changing menu along with ocean views from both indoor and outdoor seating can be enjoyed during Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. However, if you find yourself missing dinner because you rode the AquaMouse well into your rotational dining time—or past Marcelline Market’s closing time—never fear, you can enjoy 24-hour room service in your stateroom.

While the kiddies are in the Oceaneer Club, parents can enjoy some peace at the Quiet Cove

While the aforementioned dining options are included in your cruise fare, you should consider some of the fine dining options which are offered aboard the Disney Wish for an additional cost. Both of which are thematically inspired by Disney’s Beauty and The Beast: • Palo Steakhouse is the next generation of Disney Cruise Line’s popular Palo Restaurant. Here, diners can enjoy numerous Italian specialties (which Palo Restaurant is famous for) as well as American prime cuts steaks, Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef as well as decadent A5 Wagyu.

• Enchanté is specialty dining restaurant that offers selections curated by three Michelin-starred chef Chef Arnaud Lallement of L’Assiette Champenoise, near Reims, France. While focusing on dinner, Enchanté offers a Champagne Brunch as well as a 5-course dessert experience aptly named, “Just Desserts.” Chef Lallement’s menu focuses on seasonal high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world that is complimented with a wine list that is transcendent.

Fun for all ages can be found with The Incredibles Incredi-Games in the Hero Zone.

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The Disney Wish is as magnificent in size as it is environmentally conscious. Weighing in at 144,000 gross tons, the Disney Wish is the first of three new Triton Class ships that will be powered by liquefied natural gas

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The Bayou lounge

Marvel Super Hero Academy is a high-tech Avengers headquarters where young “recruits” will train to be the next generation of Super Heroes with the help of their own real-life heroes

that Disney Cruise Line will launch through 2025. This new fuel and associated propulsion technology is not only cleaner and better for the environment, it means a much quieter sailing experience (and if you’ve cruised within the last 30 or so years with most other cruise lines, you know just how loud things can get when you’re near the funnels).

After experiencing the Disney Wish for its Christening sailing, I am convinced that Disney has raised the bar for the cruising experience.

This was my 3rd Disney cruise and with every sailing, each experience tops the previous one. When it comes to luxury, I am keen on details and materials utilized. It’s clear that Disney spared no expense in the design and construction with this vessel. However, all of the right infrastructure and amenities mean nothing unless you have a team of crew members and staff that make it all come together and function properly. Disney has executed this quite well as the Disney Wish onboard experience exceeds anything I have experienced on a cruise to date.

Entertainment aboard the Disney Wish is what one would expect from Disney: Perfect! Stage performances in The Walt Disney Theatre comes alive with original stage productions developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Wish debuts two brand-new shows and revisits a guest favorite: A Broadway-caliber adaptation of The Little Mermaid invites audiences to rediscover iconic scenes, acclaimed music and beloved characters in new and unexpected ways. An embarkation day celebration called Disney Seas the Adventure takes guests on a musical journey into favorite stories helmed by Captain Minnie, Goofy and an all-star cast of Disney and Pixar characters and Disney’s Aladdin— A Musical Spectacular, a fast-paced musical comedy based on the classic Disney Animation feature. And one night during your sailing you will have the opportunity to experience Pirates Rockin’ Parlay Party which features live action, live music and live fireworks, all themed after Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean!

Truly, the Disney Wish is another jewel in the very heavy crown of assets of the Walt Disney Company. It is my sincere hope and desire that you experience this phenomenal vessel soon.

DisneyCruise.com

Time to swim aboard the Disney Wish

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Bold Cut Outs and Brilliant Colors Dominate Summer Vineyard Style

BY BRYNA JEAN-MARIE

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elebrity fashion stylist and costume designer Pamela Watson was fresh from a production of The Best Man: Final Chapters when UPTOWN grabbed her to get the skinny on summer Vineyard style. She is always fly. From dramatic wide-leg linen pants with a white T-shirt, to a free-flowing, sultry sundress punctuated with sky-high espadrilles, this committed beach beauty keeps it chic. Her family has been coming to the Vineyard for years, and she sees how fashion morphs to suit the golden-brown masses each summer, as well as recognizing that some seasonal pieces stand the test of time.

“Fashion is a very big part of our Vineyard experience,” says Watson.

“We pack for the parties and bring our brightest and best outfits. We love to see each other sun-kissed and sexy. Our personal style is how we bring our flair to the island. August in the Vineyard is our Hamptons or our French Riviera. We want to have a wonderful time and celebrate in style. We play hard and look amazing while we do it.”

She adds that this summer, “We’ll see things like sexy dresses of all different weights. Crochet, raffia, and all of those nostalgic kinds of summer knit fabrics are in trend that you can wear as a bikini top or a maxi dress. And they are also being seen in accessories like handbags.”

If you are a bit bolder and want to show off your beach body, the slasher dress is your go-to. “It’s a lot more body and skin to be seen,” says Watson. “If you are daring and have what it takes to pull it off, go for it.

It’s a head turner, let me just say that.” On the other end of options are long, flowing dresses in bright and sherbet colorways. And these colors also add a bold accent to any look. “Vibrant sherbet colors like pistachio, strawberry, lilac, lemon and tangerine. And you can wear them in

PHOTO CREDIT: KIRWIN RAMIREZ

Summer 2022 offers a mix of cool cut outs and daring slasher looks, with a balance of crocheted cover-ups, vibrant colors and bathing suit ensembles that flow from a day at the beach to an evening of dinner and

dancing. Watson explains that tying a regular sarong around your waste has an upgrade this season. “Designers have been mixing ready to wear with beachwear,” she says. “So you might have a bikini top and a MIDI skirt or cotton pants in the same pattern, with a shirt that goes over it.

It’s all about the fluidity of being able to seamlessly combine beachwear and street wear.

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Pamela Watson enjoying sailing at the Vineyard.

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PHOTO CREDIT: ANTWAUN WALKER; INSTAGRAM @ RAWIMAGE

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PHOTO CREDIT: LESHA REED

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PHOTO CREDIT: JASON WALLACE

Tricia Clarke-Stone,Tracey Smith & Antoinette Clark. www.uptownmagazine.com

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Allyson Bennett, Tereska James and Pamela Watson.

a monochromatic look when your entire ensemble is the same color, head to toe. Or wearing several of those colors at once to make more of a bold statement.”

Some beach days call for a glamorous vibe. Watson says to not be afraid to bring sequins to the shore. Using this bold expression instantly boosts your beach look. “Although we always think of beach clothing as a shabby chic, muted and keep it simple look, you can also take those silhouettes and bump it up a little with some sequins during the day.

Why not embellish your look for a fabulous beachwear day.”

Bandanas—worn like a pirate, not our beloved Tupac—are here to add a dash of color and flair to your hair. “Take a beautiful silk head scarf and tie it bandana style to give the perfect solution for the not-so-great beach hair day or those flyaway hair days. Make sure that it’s silky and has really good pattern.”

Tracey Smith, talent producer and celebrity-influencer connector, who is “everywhere you want to be,” has always been on the cutting edge of fashion. She looks forward to her annual trips to the Vineyard and having fun with fashion. “I’m typically all about having fun, so my fashion is an extension of how I feel and how I want people to feel when they’re around me,” she says. She always knows how to blend classic and trending pieces for an elegant and playful look. “What I wear makes me feel sexy. Some of this season’s looks are about embracing your body. I’m a little heavier than I normally am but I still feel sexy when I show my favorite parts of my body.”

Ultimately, it’s about your own personal style. Whether you go with the trends or keep it classic, it’s about feeling confident in your skin.

“There is no pressure to look a certain way because we have effortless style,” says Watson. “As we reconnect with friends and family and step out to the events, we paint the picture of stylish people having a good time and loving life with a resort style of luxury.” www.uptownmagazine.com 4 1

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Derek Lewis

President of PepsiCo Multicultural UPTOWN: Tell us about your role as president of PepsiCo Multicultural, North America.

DEREK LEWIS: PepsiCo’s Multicultural division operates across PepsiCo and Frito-Lay food and beverage businesses and, as President, I am responsible for working with my team to address business inequalities to drive better results and positive impact internally and externally. This division is a critical next step in PepsiCo’s Racial Equality Journey (REJ), which is a pledged investment of more than $570 million over five years to increase Black and Hispanic representation. We’re working together to ensure that we are bringing meaningful change to our employees, business, and communities. We want to focus on building up minority-owned and small businesses, creating rewarding job opportunities, supporting diverse suppliers, giving back to our communities and more to drive change. With this team, my goal is to educate, collaborate and bring people along with us on our journey.

UPTOWN: PepsiCo was formed in 1965. Why is now the appropriate time to scale its multicultural and equity efforts?

DEREK: The social unrest of 2020 led us to look inward and acknowledge that we had to step up our efforts. We recognized that we have the opportunity and responsibility to use our scale to create change. We also had a proven model of success with our work in PepsiCo’s South Division, where I served as President prior to my current role. We were able to show that our efforts brought not only a boost to the business but also to corporate culture, and community. Not only are these efforts the right thing to do, but we can also make it fun for our partners, employees, and consumers to get involved and further drive change.

UPTOWN: Over the last several years there have been more organizations and corporations collaborating on efforts around diversity and inclusion. This work isn’t easy and requires a real dedication and passion for change. Tell us about your decision to take on this role.

DEREK: As a 34-year PepsiCo veteran, I was proud to take this next important step for PepsiCo and ensure that we continue to make a difference. I grew up in D.C. and attended Hampton University, so championing diversity has always been a cause important to me.

PepsiCo’s values are what resonated for me at the start of my career. I consider myself lucky to have found a home at a company that shares my values and one that has been so supportive in these efforts. The support from leadership has been integral to the establishment of my new role and team.

UPTOWN: You have been at PepsiCo for 30+ years. Tell us a bit about the company’s journey with diversity, equity, and inclusion from your point of view.

DEREK: Over the last three decades, we’ve seen many changes as a nation, culture, and people, however diversity has been a core value of PepsiCo from the very beginning. We were the first company in 4 2

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corporate America to hire African Americans in the 1940s, so we have a history going back decades and we’ve continued to dedicate ourselves to this year after year. It’s built into our foundation. This dedication to diversity has allowed us to scale our efforts company and nationwide.

Giving back and bringing change are priorities for me and I’ve enjoyed seeing the progress our company has made and how much it continues to do so today. I am honored to have been part of efforts that have made a positive impact on so many local communities and individuals alike and put smiles on other peoples’ faces along the way.

UPTOWN: Under your leadership, there will be the rebranding and national expansion of the successful Pepsi Stronger Together community engagement program. Tell us about that program and what’s in store for its future.

DEREK: Pepsi Stronger Together was one of my passion projects when I was President of PepsiCo Beverages North America’s South Division. I played a role in the company’s broader diversity and community engagement agenda and created the platform to spearhead PepsiCo’s series of grassroots initiatives bringing tailored programming support to communities across the country. It started as a way to give back to people who were on the frontlines during the pandemic including healthcare and essential workers. From there, we heard about additional issues our communities were facing and Pepsi Stronger Together evolved to work with partners such as local law enforcement, schools, and charity organizations on solutions. Together, we’ve been able to facilitate education opportunities, de-escalation training, shelter renovations, meals for the community and more. With Pepsi Stronger Together’s proven success and internal support, we’re looking at expanding the program even further, leveraging the scale of the PepsiCo business and footprint to continue to positively impact communities and drive even more change.

UPTOWN: You’re an HBCU graduate and currently serve on the Board of Trustees for Hampton University. Can we expect any partnerships or collaborations coming out of your office with any of the HBCUs? DEREK: As a Hampton alum, I know how important on-campus recruitment is for students, creating a pipeline for long-term career opportunities. As we get ready to welcome students back to campus, PepsiCo will be going even bigger for HBCUs with our Historically Better platform, powered by Pepsi Stronger Together and Doritos Solid Black, our program highlighting Black changemakers. We’ll be hosting a multi-campus recruitment tour across multiple HBCUs, celebrating HBCU culture and looking to engage students and alums through on-the-ground recruitment activities targeting candidates ranging from interns to executives. This new program ladders back to PepsiCo’s REJ goal of increased Black representation and expanded recruitment efforts with HBCUs, and we’re excited to share more details in the coming weeks.

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UPTOWN: The goals for this new organization are big, including helping address systemic barriers and creating economic opportunities for Black and Hispanic Americans. What are some of your plans to achieve these ambitious goals?

DEREK: We know that change won’t happen overnight, and we are committed to our efforts.

Since the creation of our Racial Equality Journey in 2020 and our new Multicultural team earlier this year, we’ve made measurable progress towards our goals with successful initiatives and more to come as we expand including: Doritos Solid Black to provide resources and a platform for Black changemakers who use innovation and boldness to drive culture and give back to their communities.

Pepsi Stronger Together’s recently announced $100,000 national scholarship program for multicultural students interested in a music and arts education, driving awareness for the education gap that multicultural students experience and encouraging them to continue their journey, with workshops in LA and Houston for local youth.

Pepsi Dig In to spotlight, support and celebrate local Black-Owned restaurants across the country, with year two of Dig In Day coming this fall.

Juntos Crecemos to provide short and long-term support to Hispanic small businesses, specifically, restaurants, bodegas and carnicerías, over the next five years.

We are confident that our concerted efforts and dedication, will ensure our Racial Equality Journey continues to enable us to best meet the needs our consumers, customers, and communities.

Derek Lewis is President, Multicultural Business and Equity Development, PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA). In this role since February 2022, Lewis is the first president of PepsiCo’s new Multicultural Business and Equity Development Organization. He is responsible for accelerating retailer business development in multicultural communities; expanding existing successful programming, including Pepsi Dig In and the Black Restaurant Accelerator Program, all aimed at supporting Black and Hispanic communities and leveraging the scale of PepsiCo to drive investment in and support of diverse suppliers and partners. The equity focus of the organization will include rebranding and national expansion of the successful Pepsi Stronger Together community engagement program; elevating PepsiCo’s efforts to be an employer of choice for diverse cohorts and supporting the company’s employee resource groups to build a unified company that celebrates and thrives on the diversity of each employee.

Prior to this position, Mr. Lewis, a 30+-year PepsiCo beverages veteran, has held numerous leadership positions across the organization, including South Division president, senior vice president and general manager of field operations, and a role as vice president, consumer and category insights.

Outside PepsiCo, he serves on the Board of Directors for YMCA of Central Florida, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, and the American Beverage Association. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Hampton University and Lake Highland Preparatory School. In addition, he is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, National Black MBA Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Hampton University in Virginia and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University in Ohio. www.uptownmagazine.com 4 3

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Shy Averett You could hear it in her distinct voice as every sentence passionately came out of her mouth when speaking about helping people—Shy Averett isn’t in this for acclaim or the flashy recognition that sometimes comes with doing inspiring work. Instead, this is her calling—her life’s passion.

BY MALCOLM RASHAAD BANKS

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ho is Shy Averett? The uber-talented University of Toledo graduate is one of the strongest advocates for Black children in the country today. Averett, 41, currently serves as the Community Program and Events Manager at Microsoft, one of the leading corporations in the world today, with a long-standing mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. It’s remarkably fitting for Averett, an individual whose legacy is primarily based on the upliftment of others, to work hand-in-hand with a corporation that aims to accomplish much of the same.

While much of Averett’s work is education-based, it doesn’t fully dictate how she can serve those in need. It’s not simply staying in her bubble or work scope, but extending her undeniable force to those in dire need. A prime example is the leadership displayed by Averett during the Flint water crisis, a devastating five-year period where the city’s drinking water was contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria. The leadership Averett exemplified was demonstrative of what real change agents are about. After preparation and forging a team to help, Averett would supply the city with over 100,000 bottles of water. This is who Averett is, and with programs like MANCODE, which teaches young men of color about tech, and The Legacy Project, a virtual experience open to the public that honors Black Americans making history, Averett continues to rewrite the books on what authentic leadership and community upliftment look like.

UPTOWN recently talked with Averett about her origins in community upliftment, her thoughts on issues of race in America, and her groundbreaking initiatives at Microsoft.

UPTOWN: You have a history of being a change agent and helping people. Tell us a little bit about your background.

AVERETT: I think it was around the age of 11 when I got super curious.

My mom would tell you that I was always a helper as a young kid. That’s all I wanted to do. Even at three or four, I would just follow my mother around to figure out how to help. Once I was able to frame my thoughts, I told my mom I wanted to get involved in some organizations in the community. One of the first organizations I got involved with was the NAACP. I was involved in other nonprofit organizations but since I was a kid there wasn’t much I could do. The NAACP had a youth division. Quickly after that, I became President of the Detroit Youth Council, and then I became State President, and then kept going and worked with other organizations. That started everything and helped me identify what my gift was and what my purpose was.

I knew even at that young age, and it’s never changed. So, from 10 to 41, I have been beyond consistent because I knew my purpose.

UPTOWN: Tell us about your role at Microsoft. What comes with the role, and what are some of the goals you wish to accomplish?

AVERETT: I feel like it sounds so cliché, but I’m serious when I say I love Microsoft. I’ve been a Microsoft fan since I was a kid. Being able to work for them now is amazing. I believe in the vision and our mission. I love our mission because it empowers every person in the organization to achieve more.

When I think about that, my only purpose at Microsoft right now is to make sure I’m one of the people that makes our mission come true. So when we say every person, because a lot of people say they want to help everybody, 4 4

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but they don’t mean everybody, or they want to help everybody, but they don’t know how to get to everybody. I want to be that person who, whoever the others are, or whoever those are, when we do anything, I know it can’t get to that community or that young kid won’t be able to take part, and it won’t get on the ground. I want to be that connector. I don’t have a number of goals or a specific program. I want to make sure that all the best things at Microsoft get to the ground. I want to be the connector to make sure that, especially for the underrepresented kids, students, even adults, teachers, whatever resources we have, they are supposed to be there. They need it more than anything else.

Sometimes there’s a disconnect. I want to be that connection. If Microsoft and all of its greatness went to the communities that required it the most, then I’m good. That’s my only goal. How do we get to do the most incredible stuff ever? But if it doesn’t check that box, then we’re not doing it because that means we’re just doing stuff just to do things. I never want to do that.

UPTOWN: When the water crisis in Flint, Mich. hit, you arranged a water drive where 100,000 bottles were delivered to those in need.

A lot of people talk about the problems but don’t activate themselves. What prompted you to do something about this tragic issue?

AVERETT: When I was younger, I learned that my gift was creating solutions. I’m the type of person that if I see something, a creation will take place. I’m a creator, and part of that is my gift. When I say that, I don’t mean it arrogantly. I don’t know how some of this stuff comes up. That’s how I know it’s a gift because it’s not me. I’m not that smart, but my passion is helping people. The beauty of it is that what I’ve learned how to do now is identifying that every problem is not mine to solve. I know when it is because when I see something, it keeps me up at night, and I can’t move away from it no matter what I am doing. My pastor says, ‘Your agitation is your assignment.‘ If it agitates you, and you can’t walk away from it, it means that there’s something you’re supposed to do. So I pay attention when I see something because there are things that have happened that have been traumatic, and I’m like, wow, okay. Let me talk to my people on the ground over there and ask if I can help. I remember when the Flint water crisis hit, I was responsible for the Detroit community only, and I sat there with my boss, Darcy, who I adore to this day. I went to her office and said, ‘We’re supposed to do stuff in Detroit, but there’s no way I’m going to sit here, and [Flint] is 45 miles down the road, and we are not going to do something. My job to keep in mind was to create educational programs. I felt, if we say we’re going to take care of our community, we can’t put parameters on it so tightly that somebody is down the street and kids can’t drink water. At first, I said, let’s just do water, even if it means we have to have all 20 of our employees bring in two cases. Some people think they’ve got to do big things and go in and drop 10 million bottles of water. I didn’t want to do it that way because if every little small act did not happen, this world would be a mess. So it started with 20 employees working in a retail store. The first time, I think we took hundreds of cases. When I saw the Flint River and saw how dirty and nasty it was, and then realized if I have to wash up or brush my teeth, about five people could do this just based on what we bought. So I went back and reached out to all the other community people in the other cities that did my job. I said, ‘Listen, I don’t know how we’re going to do this. I don’t even know if it was compliant, but I need everybody to get a gift card to Sam’s Club, order

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[the water] online and hold it for pickup, and have our employees donate.

Our employees said, ‘Oh, no, we’re doing this. Then Microsoft matched it. So we took 100,000 bottles up the first time. But we went back three or four times, and I still very rarely go back to Detroit without [visiting Flint].

Let’s be clear; Flint is not over. You still have people who are dealing with issues of contamination and drinking. As I said, I love my Darcy. She said, ‘Whatever you want to do.‘ Our whole community space, where we usually teach classes, is supposed to be filled with kids. She allowed me to shut it down for an entire week just to collect water. The room was filled with water bottles. Then we took all the trucks up to Flint and did what we were supposed to do.

UPTOWN: Doing work that helps communities in need is very fulfilling, but also can be challenging. How would you describe your experiences? You’ve been doing this work since a very young age.

Is it ever daunting?

AVERETT: Every single day. But anything good is worth fighting for. People think that just because we want to do it doesn’t mean we don’t have to fight. No, I wake up ready to fight. I do this because everybody’s not going to get it. If I’m the person, if I could say something and do something and keep pushing, it’s going to make at least one person get it. I’m good with that. It is a fight every day outside of Microsoft. Inside, I’m fighting a battle that most people don’t understand, but I tell myself, ‘I’m going to keep going.‘ Eventually, somebody is going to get it right. This is a weird example, but if somebody’s parents gave their kid a Lamborghini, they trust the kid they’re giving it to; some parents would say, ‘No, you get in a 1974 [Ford] Escort because I know you’re not going to take care of it.‘ But usually, when people give good gifts, they trust the person they give them to. So I look at it that way. I know that every idea I come up with could have gone to somebody else. But for some reason, it was given to me, and I look at it as a gift. I tell myself, they knew that I was going to fight. That’s why it landed where it landed. You think about people who created amazing companies. In my opinion, the invention ideas that we consider incredible could have come from anyone.

UPTOWN: Whether it’s the Flint water crisis or Ahmaud Arbery being gunned down while jogging, there are so many issues of race that still exist. What is your opinion on how we can ultimately get to the root of these problems? Is it kind of what you were referring to in terms of having people with the right mindset entering different spaces and making people a little uncomfortable along the way?

AVERETT: First, I think internally, the individual has to figure out what role they play. Again, I think comparisons are a dangerous thing because you might tell yourself, ‘you see what Stacey Abrams did? I can’t do that.‘

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINTON

Somebody else could have done more research and figured out what somebody else figured out. But it didn’t. I think part of that is because I look at this as legitimately a gift that can be taken away at any point in time. I treat it that way, and I fight it. Ultimately, that is my job. On the other hand, it brings awareness and makes people come along on the journey, even when they don’t realize that things are missing or that they’re doing something incorrectly. I think about when I first [began working] at Microsoft. As a community program, we did nothing for [Martin Luther King Jr.]. We did nothing for Black History Month. We did nothing for Women’s History Month. I didn’t ask. I said, ‘Oh, all right.‘ We just go. I’m just sliding in, and we made changes in the first year, and some people were like, ‘What’s that?‘ because we [weren’t doing it previously]. Then I kept going, and literally, I’ll tell you that my title has diversity included. It wasn’t until they finally figured out I was right, and we should be doing it that they changed and adjusted my title. But what would have happened if I hadn’t? I know my purpose, so nobody else can tell me what I shouldn’t be doing. I know what I’m talking about. If you have a remote control, what does the remote do? It’s supposed to change your channel. You can’t take that remote and say, ‘You know what? I think I’m going to stir the pot with it.‘ It’s going to melt. It’s going to break. It’s because I know my purpose when stuff comes against me, we’re just going to find another way, but no means nothing to me, especially if I know I’m supposed to do it. I can also tell when it’s something I’m not supposed to be doing. So I stay in my lane. It’s a four-way highway, but I drive right there. When something comes against me, I tell myself, ‘I’m supposed to be here, you’re not.‘ That’s how I look at it.

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Everybody can’t be Stacey Abrams. We don’t need a million Stacey’s. We need a million individuals, different people, doing different things. It’s, like, your body. You need your hands, right? But if your whole body were made of hands, you would not be functional. We all play our part. People turn down stuff and walk away from stuff because they don’t get it. But if you get agitated, you’re supposed to do something about it. I spend as much time talking to our people about inclusion, diversity, and equity as talking to people who want to be allies. I could have said I’m not going to say anything because I don’t want to, and they should be getting it right. Think about when you didn’t know something. Somebody tapped you on the shoulder and informed you in a way where you could receive it respectfully. Everything is not meant for us to jump up with an Afro, a pick and our hands up with our all-Black outfit on and tear down stuff. That is not how you get everything done, depending on your environment. Don’t get it twisted. I will come in with my Black jacket and shake this up when it’s time. But on step one, I know how to walk in a room like, ‘No, we need to do it this way.‘ This is another thing that I love about my Pastor. He talked about how when it comes down to change, you have to educate, not manipulate. It was so powerful to me because you have so many people who manipulate. They make people feel bad. That’s not changing. That means I’m responding to something you’re giving me quickly because I feel bad and don’t want to look bad. But when you turn away, I haven’t changed. So for me, it’s all about slowing down. If you have a perspective on something, educate people. You shouldn’t get mad because they don’t know. But guess what? There’s stuff that we don’t know, and not until somebody stopped us and made us pause and educated us. One of the biggest things I learned is that I thought I was

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the most inclusive when it came to taking care of everybody and not leaving anybody out. It was not until Mother’s Day in Seattle that I I went to this Mother’s Day program. Slides were showing all the mothers who they were honoring. They had these slides honoring different mothers, and an empty stool at the end and the slide went dark. The slide then stated how this day isn’t a happy one for everybody. For some of you, this may be sad. It could have been that you could have lost a mother. You could have lost a child, whatever it is. I cried during the rest of the program because I realized that every person I interacted with took my experience, my thoughts, and I made it everybody else’s. I say Happy Mother’s Day because that’s all we’ve been taught. That’s all I knew. It shook me because that woman could have just lost a child. She could have just lost her mother. So it’s not a Happy Mother’s Day. But I took my experiences, and that’s what everybody does. I meant no harm. I meant no ill will. I think we want people to get what we get without taking the time to educate them and make them feel what we feel. We just want to make them feel bad and respond. So for everybody, whether you are in corporate, nonprofit, or whatever it is, we have to do our part. That may not look like everybody else’s. It may just be opening up and sharing your experiences and not expecting people to get it right the first time because we don’t get it right the first time. The same grace we want people to give us and understand that we’re not familiar with is the same grace we should get for other people, and some don’t want to get it. So you will recognize it.

But let’s not say everybody doesn’t want to get it because if I had done that at work, we wouldn’t have a Black History Month program. We wouldn’t have MANCODE, and we wouldn’t have the Legacy Project. All of these programs would have never been created if I said, ‘Oh, they’re not doing it,

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and they should be. So I’m done.‘ Instead, I realized they aren’t doing it because they don’t realize how important it is. So let me slide in here and show them. Now it is the most intricate part of our organization. And greater Microsoft, our staff, pushes out everywhere. It wasn’t that way before because I made people come along on the journey. I didn’t try to manipulate people and make people feel bad or make them feel guilty. I educate people on why this is important. Let me explain to you why and let’s talk about it. I’m going to let you go on your journey and get there when you get there. But they’re getting there. You can’t be mad at progress, even if it’s not as fast as you want it to be.

UPTOWN: I’ve heard a lot about the wonderful work of a program you started called MANCODE. Tell us about the program and why specifically target minority boys?

AVERETT: Yes, it is my favorite topic to talk about. It took that one moment where one little boy said he never used a computer as a third-grader, and I thought I was just going to do something for him. Let’s do something for little Brian and his classmates because they don’t have computers. Then in the middle of the night, it was midnight, and I wondered what the statistics are for Black boys in tech? My wonder-twin Sander, with whom I do all of my community stuff no matter where I am, started digging. I finally found the Department of Labor and some other people. I did some stats, and for Black and Brown underrepresented mine then in 2017, it was 2.2%. And I’m like, okay, well, pause because women at that point were like, at 28, so I get why we focus on limited tech because it’s 28 out of 100. But when we say men dominate technology, that’s fact. But it’s not the full truth. It’s like when you drill down another layer, and we missed something because we just went off what everybody told us and operated off of that. No, we’re not doing that. So once I figured that out, we did the first MANCODE in Detroit, and we’ve been going. I think we just hit a quarter million boys who have been through the program since 2017, and it’s beautiful. It’s intentional. I don’t allow anybody to teach unless they are a minority male. All the programs we’ve done, I created them. I’ve never gotten up in front of a group ever. Sometimes the teachers will tell the children, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t tell them.‘ They’re all brothers who are in the front. They are teaching the class.

They open it up, feed them, talk to them, and mentor them. If there are ladies there, we may be working on registration. That’s about as much as I will allow the women to do. They need to see people who look like them in leadership positions. Everything about the program is super intentional. We’ve had some speakers like Jeff Johnson, who is with BET, Nick Cannon, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade. Those are just some of the brothers who have come through to just love on our kids, talk to them, empower them, and educate them. These brothers have come in on their own time because they believe in our kids. If I could do it every day and just go around the country and help our Black boys I would because we’re not talking about it enough. We talk about it when we see them on TV and when there’s a bad police interaction, and one of them has gotten killed or something else. But they need help, and not because it’s so bad. But our Black boys are so dope and so important.

And in that way, they are everything. You want to talk about strengthening the Black community, like Black women. Yes, we will hold it down all day.

But the deficit and the issues we are seeing in the Black community are because of our Black men. [MANCODE] will stay forever, it doesn’t even matter where I am. That program will live on because it is important and because of the stuff that we’ve seen come out of it. It’s never about the fact we had 1300 Black boys in Atlanta. That was great. But what comes out of it?

One of the last meetings we did was in Seattle, where a 16-year-old young boy went to high school. He was driving and got pulled over by six police officers, with guns drawn from a mistaken identity. That was about the extent of it, pulling him over. The teacher told us that the young man called him afterwards to let them know where he was and why he was late. The teacher called me, and I wanted to make sure he was ok. I didn’t know what we could do. He told his teacher he still wanted to attend. So the police finally let him go. He was about an hour and a half late. But every single time, there’s one breakthrough story during a session. When he went to his session, I told Galen Duncan, the director of player development, who has worked with NBA and NFL teams, ‘Hey, you got a young boy who’s coming in who just got pulled over. Just watch him, make sure he’s good,‘ because that one session is all about love. We put just one strong brother in the room, and they can

just love on them and talk about life because I’m like, ‘coding is cool,‘ but the stuff you all go through every day is equally important for you to have a space. He saw him and could tell that he was struggling. So he went back and said, ‘Do you want to share with everybody what happened, or do we want to leave it alone?‘ He said, ‘Man, I want to talk about it.‘ So he talked about it. It prompted other brothers in a room to talk about how they got there.

Next thing we know, the class is over because every session is an hour-long, and they rotate throughout the day. I knew on that day nobody was coming out of that room. They were hugging and crying in groups. They were there for the rest of the day and there was no way I was going to stop that.

Afterwards, the child’s mother came up to us in the most sincere way. She told us, ‘I am so grateful that this happened today because his father isn’t in his life.‘ She continued, ‘I don’t know what I would have to deal with knowing that he knew he got pulled over because he was a Black man and I’m a Caucasian woman. There’s no way I could have helped him.‘ That’s why we did it. That’s why when we had to change the date three weeks ago, this was supposed to happen so that we could help him. One, this is a gift. Two, we’re supposed to be doing it because I can tell you about every single in-person event. There’s always one boy, there’s always one. So I’m going to stop because I could talk about this subject for the next 12 hours.

UPTOWN: A lot of young people want to make change but don’t always know where to begin. What are ways they can get involved and help bring about real change in their communities?

AVERETT: Part of it is that there’s something you can’t look away from.

It’s back to that education. There’s something that bothers you more than it bothers everybody else. Or there’s something when my pastor says, when you walk into a room, and everybody else is good, but you see something that bothers you, you’re agitated that that teacher speaks to kids that way.

Or you’re agitated when you look in, and I’m going to go from soft to hard.

You could be agitated. And you know, man, when we eat lunch, all they give us is, like, burgers and pizza. That’s bad for us. We should eat healthy meals.

If that agitates you, and nobody else cares, that’s your thing. It doesn’t have to be that way all of the time. We just miss all the pieces of the puzzle. The picture is beautiful because a thousand pieces play their parts. It doesn’t matter what it is. But there’s something that bothers you. Do you want to know why you’re asking yourself why? Because you’re supposed to be part of the solution! The minute the question comes, it is up to you to figure out what part you play in the solution. People think it has to be something so strong, political, and hard. It doesn’t matter what it is. We have this workshop that we created that we do after the Legacy Project every time, where it asks students, ‘What is your legacy going to be?‘ And part of it is that we ask them, ‘What are you good at?‘ ‘What are you passionate about?’ If you’re passionate about helping people in need, then that’s your passion.

I’m good at numbers, but I’m not an accountant. What is that? Okay, well, go do tax services in the community for free. If people don’t know how to merge, the reason why I’m in the position I’m in right now has nothing to do with me. I knew my passion. I knew what my gift was. I married my passion. That would be my big message to young people. I came up with a really good idea, and I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, kids are going to love this.‘ I spent the rest of the day in the best space ever. That’s what I was thankful for. I was thankful that that idea came to me and that it would happen. We get to help more people. But for kids, students, young people, and even, honestly, older folks, because it’s older folks who are miserable right now who have not figured out how they’re miserable and feel like they just went to work.

What is your passion? What is that one thing that if you could only do one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? What’s our gift? What’s the one thing you’re good at? I have a friend who swore they would go to the NBA. He loves basketball more than anything else in life. That is his passion. But it is not his gift. But here’s the thing: That man can cook better than anybody. Do you know what he’s doing right now? He is the personal chef for NBA players. So he gets to sit in the space, go to the arenas, go to the games, travel with them. He’s around basketball all day, but he’s using his gift, and he tied it with his passion. Now he’s walking in his purpose. So whatever that is, you’ve got to figure that out. Then help others along the way. If you don’t leave people better than when they came to your presence, then you’re not living. It’s not even about purpose. If we leave this conversation, learn something, or think about something different that www.uptownmagazine.com 4 7

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I’m doing. I do not allow people to come into my presence without making sure I’ve left a positive impression. For young people out there, what is it?

It’s something you’re supposed to be doing. I think the first step is finding your passion. What’s that one thing that just drives you? Use your talents to help someone else. It’s not for you. It’s for others.

UPTOWN: The Legacy Project is a powerful virtual Black History experience that you created. Tell us about the project. Do you believe we are doing enough as a country to tap into the power and potential of virtual education?

AVERETT: It’s probably the second thing that just brings me the most joy. It kicked off because we were virtualizing real Black History Month museums.

Every day, I go online and see great moments like Princeton graduating its first Black valedictorian. I need kids to know that Black history is alive and well; it’s being made every day and that they should be playing a part. That’s why we do that workshop afterwards to say, ‘What is your legacy going to be?

So that was like the heart and the passion behind that project, which was virtualizing all of these other incredible, real Black History Month museums. I knew folks might not ever make it into the museum, so why not just create this virtual space? That is where kids can learn and engage in a cool way. We wanted to make it engaging and interactive. I’ll say this, just like the one: stay tuned. There are eleven galleries for this one. So it is probably 20 times the size [of last year’s], with different galleries, different rooms, different floors from the history of Africa. We have a historical side now where we’re telling kids and let them learn about Black folks at the start of slavery. But on the other hand, there’s a Black and Tech gallery in one room by itself. There are Blacks in sports. Some of the people, like Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade, have their social change fund honoring them. It’s Black and entertainment, the people we have who have signed up and agreed. So everybody from John Legend to Michael B. Jordan to Laurence Fishburne, they all want the kids to learn about them. I’m so excited this year. To answer the second part of your question, If we’re in a virtual space, who knows how long we will be in it? But even afterwards, the one thing that I love about it, even the virtual Black history museums that we’re doing, is that it’s one thing about us being in a pandemic, and they can’t go. But the reality is that many of our kids will not be able to go to California, Tulsa, Florida and Atlanta to visit all of these museums. So just the exposure to putting something virtually online that can expose millions of students, adults, and communities to history and culture can enlighten them, empower them, and show them what they can be and what other people have done like that. I think everybody should be tapping more into the virtual space, not just because we’re in a pandemic,

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but because of the reach, the fact that somebody can go on their cell phone.

You don’t need a computer. We try to make everything as accessible as possible. It’s always about who we are leaving out, who can’t participate. So if we only say we’re taking 500 kids to the Civil Rights Museum in Atlanta, who can’t participate? The other 2 million kids we should be touching. But now we can’t say that if you’ve got a phone, a TV, a tablet, or a computer, if you can go to your local library, you can visit a Legacy Project. That, to me, is how everybody should think as we empower, educate, and support our kids. If we’re leaving a whole bunch of folks out, we need to do it another way.

UPTOWN: What are some other initiatives you’re working on now?

Anything you can share at this time?

AVERETT: I hate to say it, not really. We’re ramping up everything that we’re doing. We’re going harder. We’re going deeper into the community.

Just so it’s clear, we have an ongoing catalog of about 90 workshops that are free to any school, any community organization, or any parent who wants their kids to participate. They fill out a form that might say, I want my kids to do coding and have a teacher teach A, B, and C [at a specific time and date.] We’ll set it up. We’ll be in a team room just like this. It’ll be free. It’ll be private. So we do that every day that the program exists. Every month we’re constantly figuring out what other initiatives and programs we need to add. Next week, we will be in Tulsa with the three remaining Tulsa Massacre survivors. We’re going to get a chance to sit down with them and interview them, solely because I want the kids to hear it. I think they should hear from the legends. For MLK Day. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be our keynote speaker. So he’s going to talk about how he interviewed Dr. King as a kid, marched with him and some social justice stuff he’s doing today. So whether it’s bringing in speakers to expose them and let them see things from a different angle, or taking a Legacy Project where we honor 30 people. We’re constantly just trying to figure out what we can do to support, but we’re in a space where we’re just listening. Once a month, we have focus groups with people from the community. We find out what they want us to do. I think everybody could take a lesson from that, like, quit being so arrogant to believe that whatever you got is so good that you don’t need to stop and listen and hear what the community needs. That’s all we’re doing. We started doing those museums. That wasn’t my idea. The community came, and said, ‘We can’t take our kids to museums. We have no clue what to do for Black History Month because that’s the best curriculum. Can you help?‘ I thought, well, since they can’t go to the museums, why don’t we take the museums with us? It was an answer. That’s all we’re trying to do, is being an answer to whatever it is that we can be. That’s what’s coming next: more answers.

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