UCAN! Magazine Yearbook 2020

UCAN!

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VOLUME SEVEN ISSUE ONE

SPECIAL YEARBOOK 2020

2020 WHAT A YEAR! M

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2020

VOLUME SEVEN ISSUE ONE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STAR DAVIS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

RANDELL PEARSON

What a year 2020 has been! The pandemic hit us hard in the States. To date we have lost 350,798 people to COVID-19. We pray that the families and loved ones of those who have died find some kind of solace during this difficult time.

Then, in late spring, the world witnessed what was basically a snuff film of George Floyd being murdered at the hands of police. I literally wept as I watched his life end just after he called out for his deceased mother. I wondered if he actually saw her waiting for him during his final seconds.

What happened next moved my soul. Hundreds of thousands of people in the US and all over the world marched! BLACK LIVES MATTER was echoed across the globe. Africans, Asians, Europeans, Indians, Pacific Islanders all came together to demand racial equality and justice.

There were forces that tried to intimidate and manipulate. The National Guard along with unmarked soldiers were deployed to snatch people off the streets. Others would try to confuse the message and to discredit BLM by highlighting outsider violence, or calling protests Antifa or anti-police.

Protests were always against police brutality, never anti- police.

81,283,485 people cast their vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. History was made when she became the first woman ever to be elected Vice President.

Healthcare workers and educators got a newfound respect as their roles in society have proven themselves more than essential.

For me, 2020 is the year I lost my mother, Naima Solomon (pictured above). I need to mention those most special in her life: her sister Billie Ann, brother Bobby, nieces Kia, Andrea, Hatuma and Loretta - as well as her cousins Earthel and Tony and the rest of the family in Williamsburg. I also need to mention her best friends Alan and Suzy as well as Jane M. and Dave R. — you all are blessings to our family.

2020 was a tough year for a lot of people. In a few hours it will be OVER. It’s a New Year! Happy 2021! We deserve it!

#WeWontBeSilent Twitter: @UCANMagazine Instagram: @ucan_magazine

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

JACQUELINE MARIE ALVARADO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DR TANYA MANNING-YARD KIA DAVIS M. NATASHA REID EMILY MARIE FLOYD EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

MONICA TRAVELLINO ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR

KAREN Y. BROW N RESEARCH CENTER

BRADLEY MOLENZ KEIDRA CAMERON MICHELLE DUBOIS ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

KI MBERLY ANN RI CH ARDS

UCAN! MAGAZINE IS TRADEMARKED AND PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES ANNUALLY IN ENGLISH. UCAN! @ 2015 BY PEARSON DESIGNS, BROOKLYN NY, USA. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PARTS OF THIS PUBLICATION REQUIRES EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. UCAN! ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHY OR ARTWORK.

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MONTHS INTO A PANDEMIC… B Y TA N YA M A N N I N G - YA R D E

The last ten months have been far from easy. As a family, it has meant adjusting to circumstances not of our design or choice.

My son Keith, soon to be 9, is uprooted from what he recognizes as normal and expected. He is a pioneer in so many ways.

He is the only African American boy in his elementary school’s Gifted and Talented Program. He can assemble Lego models of nearly one-thousand pieces in just a few hours. He is inventive, creating a model city after learning about Leonardo Da Vinci: he even created a robot that writes.

But due to the pandemic, he has been in full-day virtual learning since March. He hates it. He misses having live contact with teachers and friends. He misses his daily routines. Virtual learning does not stimulate him the way being in a brickand-mortar school does. He is withdrawn, often turning off his iPad camera throughout the school day. He is inconsistent in his work ethic and productivity, uninterested in doing busy work. Once an avid learner that thrives in school, this change in environment has devastating effects on Keith. It hurts to see him this way.

My son Maceo, aged 8, is diagnosed with Autism and speech delay. Already facing unique challenges both in learning and living everyday life, he too is forced to adjust to full-day school and virtual therapy, which he has never done before. The shutting down of school has interrupted his routine and need for predictability. Now uprooted, he endures virtual learning without physically and socially interacting with teachers, staff, and peers, experiences he needs for his social and cognitive development.

Like his older brother, Maceo is trying his best to cope. The clinic where he received occupational, speech, and ABA therapies afterschool went out of business this past April, leaving us several months without therapeutic intervention. Resorting to self-preservative behaviors such as running water for several minutes from bathroom and kitchen faucets, sitting inside our bedroom closet, to recently mixing soap and lotion and rubbing it on himself and in the carpet, are some of the aberrant ways he deals.

My husband has been an incredible partner and strength for our family, despite the upheaval the pandemic has caused him too. Fortunately, my husband is employed and works from home. Twelve-hour-days were already typical for him, made longer now with all the ways he pitches in to support us at home. Sometimes sitting with the boys during virtual classes, taking them out for walks during lunchtime, reading to them at night. But with a small team at his job, there are not enough hours in the day to complete the work. Consequently, his days can start as early as 4:30 AM and can end past midnight. But added to this is him also doing all the things he needs to do as a father and spouse, with little to no time for himself. Or us.

My days run on a twenty-four-hour clock. I am awake usually by 2 AM, putting in time for writing before starting the day.

Then get ready for the day. Make coffee and breakfast, set up for school. Sit with both boys during classes, switching between the two. Set up materials for Maceo’s online therapies and then do them with him as his therapists watch and direct.

Check Keith’s online assignments. Make lunch. Clean, vacuum, and sterilize. Fit in loads of laundry. Support the in-home behavior therapist that works 3 hours a day during weekdays with Maceo. Take Keith out for walks on local trails. Make dinner. Give baths. Get the boys ready for bed.

Add to the mix the circumstances we cannot control and the setbacks they cause. In late February, my sons and I were hit by a speeding car on the way to Maceo’s therapy, totaling our car, and reinjuring my spine. I had to make the difficult choice to not resume physical therapy for fear of contracting the virus. Then in July, the police unexpectedly knocked on our door, informing us that our neighbors called with a noise complaint. While Maceo’s gestures and movements are at times unpredictable and loud—and our neighbors know he has Autism—we never imagined police would be called to our home.

Sadly, while the police officer showed much more empathy and understanding than our neighbors, the damage has been done. Their weaponizing of the police has lingering effects. My oldest son broke down in tears in front of the officer, wondering what we did wrong. My youngest son picked up aberrant behaviors following the visit including stomping like a jackhammer, shouting erratically, and collapsing on the floor and curling into a pretzel. These behaviors disrupted his online schooling, and still are taking several months to extinguish. If ever.

While the wounds are healing, the fright is not. A knock at the door always has us wondering if the police are on the other side.

But each day, I try to create new paths to happiness. Claim serenity between heaving. I take both boys on walks through local trails. We take family drives to local cities and see the sites. Keith is doing better much better in school. Even writing a Star Wars themed series of middle grade books. Helping peers hold up through this health crisis by hosting watch parties with friends and reading virtually to first graders at his school. Maceo is making noticeable improvements with the behavior therapist. Kerwin is currently enrolled in an online course to learn a new marketable skill. We bond during the early hours of 2-6AM, sharing many early mornings in front of laptops with hot coffee, getting the work of the day done before the kids wake up. We chat, share jokes, discuss current events, and encourage each other. I tutor elementary students remotely, have found freelance editorial work, and continue writing middle grade and children’s book manuscripts.

The pandemic makes life hard. Hardships feel endless. I bend, trying my best not to break.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/police-called-on-black-autistic-child_n_5f7e032cc5b6fc1dec78d5d5?fbclid=IwAR351O-gyM3EZ_HmMdoWApvDTxCMas1trpZBsA2neUJtLKaerqUhneUy-ig U CAN!

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Congratulates Emily Harrold, Lauren Franklin and Xuân V on winning the EMMY Award for this outstanding documentary

https://www.facebook.com/BakariSellersDoc https://www.bakarisellersdocumentary.com/

PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS:

NETFLIX’S DEEP-POCKETED COMMITMENT TO A N T I R A C I S M B Y K I A D AV I S Black Lives Matter. The movement that went from a hashtag to a social revolution in one pandemic summer. Big companies rushed to issue statements of support for BLM. But some, like Netflix, broke away from the pack to make game-changing commitments.

But why now, and what’s different?

ANTI-RACISM AND LASTING CHANGE While most Americans agree that anti-Black racism is terrible, few recognize that generations of structural and institutional racism has gotten us to where we are today. And as a result, very few individuals or companies feel a responsibility to change things.

In 2020, the antiracism movement emerged. Unlike previous movements, being antiracist means acknowledging the harm that anti-Black racism has caused in the lives of Black Americans. And it means real, thoughtful commitment to lasting change.

Fewer press releases and hashtags, more uncomfortable conversations and bold commitments.

HOW NETFLIX IS INVESTING IN A NEW REALITY FOR BLACK ARTISTS Perhaps no entertainment company has made a bigger splash with antiracism commitments than Netflix. As far back as 2018 Netflix created Strong Black Lead, a powerhouse team of executives finding, acquiring, and promoting Black content. This not only increases the royalties for Black talent associated with these shows, but also opens doors for new Black creators. Radha Blank’s surprise-smash indie film The 40-Year-Old Version is a great example of what can happen on platoforms committed to supporting Black talent.

Shortly after the summer BLM protests, Netflix moved quickly to acquire classic Black 1990’s TV shows including Moesha, Girlfriends, and Sister, Sister. The decision was applauded by a generation who grew up on these shows, and who want to introduce them to their kids. Netflix also made waves by voluntarily removing the recently-acquired Chappelle’s Show at creator Dave Chappelle’s request. The reason? Netflix’s deal with Viacom wouldn’t give the superstar a penny in royalties. So overnight the show was yanked (HBO Max followed suit a few weeks later).

The message Netflix has sent to Black artists is clear: you matter.

100 MILLION WAYS TO FIX RACISM Investing in high quality Black content isn’t the only thing Netflix did that created a splash. In June 2020, Netflix surprised many in the finance world with their commitment to transfer 2% of their stored cash to Black-owned banks. While that number might seem small, that’s about $100m in capital straight into Black-owned banks that historically struggled to keep enough cash to make the mortgages and small business loans that thriving communities need. Black billionaire Robert Smith pointed out that if other US companies followed Netflix’s lead with investments, the racial wealth gap could be closed in just a decade. Praised by many as going above and beyond, Netflix was suddenly a company that was paying more than lip service to the Black Lives Matter movement.

A NEW GENERATION OF ANTI-RACIST CORPORATE MOVES Netflix isn’t the only company making waves with their antiracist commitments.

In a historic first, Rashida Jones was named president of MSNBC, becoming the first Black head of a news network. The Nasdaq Stock Market will require companies to have diverse boards and report diversity statistics in their organizations. Microsoft and Amazon have vowed to stop selling facial recognition technology to law enforcement, proven to be less accurate for Black faces and contribute to bias. Dozens of major companies have flooded Black organizations like the NAACP and Black Lives Matter with millions in donations.

Netflix’s strong lead in antiracist commitments, and those of other major companies, is chipping away at the kind of structural racism that’s led to racial profiling, police brutality, and unfair opportunities in education and employment. If this trend continues, racial equality could be achieved in our lifetime.

2020 YEARBOOK FEATURE STORY

FOUGHT THE RIGHT FIGHT

A TRIBUTE TO

ROBERT S. AND

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As the US prepares to leave this age of Trump, the country has shown that racism is not only alive and well, but it’s something the outgoing president keenly promoted.

Even though there have been advances toward equal rights, speaking out against racism in 2020 is still met with fierce resistance. Imagine what fighting racism was like in the nineteen fifties, in the Deep South state of Alabama. Anyone taking up that challenge faced instant danger or even death for themselves and those they loved. Lynchings and fire-bombings were community events.

For African Americans there was never a choice. The crusade was always about their very survival as a people. Had Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers and so many others been flaccid and not resisted, life for African Americans would have been a slow death of indignities and sub-human treatment, and in a land financed off the ancestors’ backs.

Many white people, while not actively engaging in overt racism, chose to ignore the injustices and gained from unequal laws which overwhelmingly benefitted them financially and personally.

In 1955 Montgomery, Alabama Robert S. Graetz, Jr. and wife Jean chose to not partake of those unjust personal and financial gains.

As pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Mr. Graetz and his wife chose to be powerful opponents of racism. Their neighbor and personal friend, Rosa Parks regularly used a room at the church to conduct NAACP business. It was she who informed Mr. Graetz that her arrest had prompted a rally.

The infamous Montgomery bus boycott was originally scheduled as a one-day demonstration in December of 1955. It lasted 381 days due to outrage over disrespectful treatment and catapulted by Rosa Parks having been found guilty of violating the unfair segregation laws and fined a hefty $14. Mr. Graetz was a solid supporter and organizer of boycotting efforts. He repeatedly preached his support to his all-black congregation and regularly drove his parishioners to and from work. Mrs. Graetz organized events and organized their networking efforts with other Civil Rights advocates.

As a white man, Mr. Graetz’s public support of racial equality was very rare. A few other white ministers may have been in agreement with the boycott, but they dared not voice their support publically and risk being ostracized by their congregations. Mr. Graetz remained undaunted. Wearing a cross that read “Father, Forgive Them,” he appeared at the courthouse with Dr. King in a photograph that made the front page of The New York Times. Mr. Graetz’s support became so well known in the city that a reporter from The Montgomery Advertiser asked him what it was like to live as a pariah.

Mr. Graetz never backed down in his support of Civil Rights even after becoming a target of the KKK and other violent white nationalists. Mrs. Graetz reported finding sugar poured into the gas tank of their car. Another time all four tires had been slashed. This was in addition to the scores of threatening phone calls they received on a regular basis. In August 1956, a bomb exploded in their front yard, damaging their church residence while the Graetz family was traveling with Rosa Parks in Tennessee. They were at the Highlander Folk School, a Civil Rights training center. Instead of Montgomery’s mayor condemning the act of violence against a clergyman, he suggested that it was a publicity stunt by supporters of the bus boycott.

In January 1957, the Graetz family survived a second bombing outside of their home, but this time they were sleeping inside. Had the force of the eleven sticks of dynamite and the container of TNT exploded as intended, the entire neighborhood would have been leveled. Somehow the bomb miraculously failed to detonate, so the bomber threw a second much smaller bomb. Everyone, including their newborn son David, escaped injury. Although the authorities made arrests in the attacks, the suspects were later acquitted by all-white juries. Mr. Graetz believed that the jurors had begrudged him for helping black people.

“If anything, a white person who was helping a black person was seen as worse than the black person,” he said in an interview with the New York Times in August 2018.

(Mrs. Parks later memorialized the attack, as well as her friendship with the Robert and Jean Graetz in handwritten notes that the Graetz family purchased at auction in 2018 for $9,375. The family promptly donated the notes to Alabama State University, a HBCU in Montgomery.)

Because of the Montgomery bus boycott being so unified and successful, its result was the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public busses was unconstitutional, thus eliminating racial barriers to access public transportation nationwide.

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For African Americans there was never a choice.

The crusade was always about their very survival as a people. Had Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers and so many others been flaccid and not resisted, life for African Americans would have been a slow death of indignities and sub-human treatment, and in a land financed off the ancestors’ backs.

In 1958, Robert Graetz was assigned to lead another church, but this one was in Ohio, from where he and Jean had originally come. He would go on to serve in churches there and in Washington D.C. The Graetz family became active in Civil Rights and other movements in Ohio. The couple’s first arrest was in 2000, when they blocked a parking garage as part of a protest in Cleveland; they were arrested again for taking part in protests in Washington and Indianapolis.

Something about Montgomery must have captured their hearts. Even after moving away, the Graetzes returned to Montgomery several times, including in 1965 to support the Voting Rights Act in the last leg of the march from Selma to Montgomery.

In 2005 the couple moved back and became fixtures in Montgomery’s activist community. They assisted in the management of the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture at Alabama State.

Robert Graetz died on September 20 of Parkinson’s disease, and his wife Jean died December 16 from lung cancer. Their contribution to the fight for Civil Rights will never be forgotten.

You can read more about Robert Graetz’s story in his memoir, “A White Preacher’s Message on Race and Reconciliation: Based on His Experiences Beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” published in 2006.

August 1956, a bomb exploded in their front yard, damaging their church residence while the Graetz family was traveling with Rosa Parks in Tennessee.

They were at the Highlander Folk School, a Civil Rights training center. Instead of Montgomery’s mayor condemning the act of violence against a clergyman, he suggested that it was a publicity stunt by supporters of the bus boycott.

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OPENING SPREAD: REVEREND ROBERT S. GRAETZ TALKING WITH PARISHIONERS IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. PREVIOUS SPREAD: NEWLY MARRIED MR. AND MRS. ROBERT AND JEAN GRAETZ FROM THEIR 1951 WEDDING. ROBERT GRAETZ TALKING WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. IN 1956.

REVEREND GRAETZ WAS THE ONLY WHITE MINISTER TO SUPPORT THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOT T. THIS PAGE: MR. GRAETZ IN HIS ELDER YEARS. JEAN GRAETZ GET TING HER DEGREE IN 2015 FROM ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY, AN HBCU.

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Comedienne Vanetta Schoefield

WEBSITE https://www.funnyhunnyz.com/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/funnyhunnyz/

THE LAWS OF MOTION A T . T H E I R . P E A K B Y E M I LY M A R I E F L O Y D Over the summer we got to see a delightful play that pretty much encapsulates what life has become for so many in the face of a global pandemic. Circumstances that don’t usually get much attention such as discontent in a marriage or hairline relationship strains with children can escalate to full-on fractures when involved parties are forced to stay inside, cramped together into usually too small spaces, for day in and day out. Financial strains on top of heightening emotions only add to the complete exaggerated stress of everything.

This play, THE LAWS OF MOTION, makes good use of today’s very extenuating circumstances.

We got to quickly talk with co-writer Marc Kaye just after the show. Of course we wore masks and maintained social distancing during the quick Q&A. UCAN! What was it about the pandemic that motivated you to write this play?

MK Sean Lynch was approached by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for potential content relevant to the pandemic. A few years

back we had scoped out the premise for the Laws of Motion and the current pandemic only heightened the plight of the main characters. It seemed fitting that as these times often cause common tensions that remain hidden to no longer be able to do so, we had something relevant to say.

UCAN! How has COVID-19 affected you otherwise as an artist?

MK It’s been a reset and a time for further introspection. As a stand-up, taking the majority of my cues from virtual audience

members - many of whom are not seen nor heard, has given me the opportunity to really work more “in the moment”. As both a writer and songwriter, it has made my voice and those of my characters more authentic.

UCAN! What made you cast the actors and director whom you chose? We ask this to hopefully give a little insight to any

actors who are reading this.

MK It really was based on the relationships Sean had cultivated over time. I had met Sheila Simmons, the director, one time

a couple years ago at an event and knew she was highly respected.

UCAN! What did you want audience members to take away from the play?

MK It was important for me to be real in the portrayal of the flaws of otherwise “normal” human beings. I wanted the

audience to both love and hate the characters, judge and empathize, understand and question - this is the dance of human existence - and the only way to progress is to understand which law of motion is more akin to our “set point” and then strive to overcome it.

UCAN! What motivational words of advice can you give to other writers and actors about how to deal with these crazy times?

MK This is a hard one. I guess I feel the way about art as I do about breathing. It can feel difficult at times - too fast or too slow,

easy or labored - but you have to do it. I think this is an incredible time for recalibration, though it may not be apparent just yet. I would say that you should write, act, perform - whatever it is you do every day -even if it is in the corner of your barelyhave-room closet - and especially when you feel like anything but….

The play was fun to watch and also starred Sean Lynch as “Chris,” Ron Barba is quite engaging as “BJ,” Tony Jackson as “James,” Liza Galletti as the frustrated “Rachel,” and child actors Raquel Sciacca and Alex Vogt whose performances gave insight into how kids are coping with their lives having been majorly upended.

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The UCAN! team got the opportunity to help paint some of the historic BLACK LIVES MATTER mural on Harlem’s Seventh Avenue.

Each of the renowned artists who created this mural was given two letters to design and paint. Artist @omo.misha was responsible for the letters K and L, being the only artist assigned with connecting the two words. Others who helped to paint this portion include Geoffrey Miller, Kia Rogers, and Lisa Nicole Wilkerson to name just a few. @omo.misha decided the theme was children and how this society impacts them. In attendance at the July 8 unveiling was producer extraordinaire Vy Higginsen, Harlem icon Hazel Dukes, as well as state senators and community activists responsible for creating this event full of community pride and optimism.

We got some of the unveiling ceremony. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/o_Y5FGvy1cU

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That’s What They Said!

“All lives matter” comments flooded the Long Shot star’s Instagram post after he shared a tribute for Floyd and Black Lives Matter activists. “If this is a remotely controversial statement to you, feel free to unfollow me,” he wrote back. “You don’t deserve my movies anymore.” — SETH ROGEN

The “Bad Guy” songstress slammed the idea that saying “black lives matter” takes away from appreciating all lives. “No one is saying your life doesn’t matter,” she wrote in a passionate Instagram statement. “No one is saying your life is not hard. No one is saying literally anything about you. ... Stop making everything about you. You are not in need. You are not in danger.” After explaining the concept of white privilege to her 64 million followers, Eilish concluded, “If all lives matter, why are black people killed for just being black? Why are immigrants persecuted? Why are white people given opportunities that people of other races aren’t?” n If someone’s house was on fire & someone is stuck in the house, are you gonna make the fire department go to every other house on the block first because all houses matter???

NO!” the Grammy winner wrote at the time. “The slogan of #blacklivesmatter does not mean other lives don’t. It’s calling attention to the fact that society clearly thinks black lives don’t f–king matter!!!!!! And they f–king do!!!!!”

— BILLIE EILISH

“What’s really sad is you being pushy on a post about a woman’s death and saying ‘what about someone else’ actually does a disservice to the person you are trying to illuminate,” the Serendipity star replied to a mean-spirited comment about Breonna Taylor’s death after police forced entry into her Kentucky apartment. “Someone posting about one does not imply not caring about another. Don’t make a fight where there isn’t a fight, it’s disrespecting both and all.” — KATE BECKINSALE

That’s What They Said!

When a social media user criticized the Game of Thrones alum for protesting in California over the summer, she reminded her followers that the fight isn’t over. “This isn’t just about those 4 cops, this is about Breonna Taylor, this is about Trayvon Martin, this is about Eric Garner,” she replied via Instagram, referencing other African Americans who have died at the hands of police. “This is about the systemic racism that black people have faced for hundreds and hundreds of years. This is about changing the system. Justice will be done when society reflects our beliefs that we are all equal.

Until then there should be no peace.” — SOPHIE TURNER Being a white mother trying to explain racism and bigotry to her white son, who did not understand why anyone would treat another human being that way, was heartbreaking. But not nearly as heartbreaking as being a victim of one of these senseless, violent, unconscionable crimes. Not nearly as heartbreaking as being one of the families who have experienced loss and harassment and discrimination daily. Not nearly as heartbreaking as being a mother who lives in fear of what will happen to her children in this world. We have to be held accountable for what is happening in this country.

What happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery - and countless others - cannot go without justice. Please talk to your children about racism, privilege, bigotry and hate. If you aren’t talking to them, someone else is. — REESE WITHERSPOON “I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen,” the country legend told Billboard on August 13. “And of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little white asses are the only ones that matter? No!” — DOLLY PARTON

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The Black Cotton Foundation announced on September 11 that 15-year-old AUTUMN PELTIER, Chief Water Commissioner, will be the recipient of its 2020 Jasmina Anema Youth Award. The Jasmina Anema Youth Award is given to an extraordinary young person that goes above and beyond to improve society’s quality of life and community. It is a special award that serves to recognize outstanding youth, while motivating others to believe in and achieve their dreams.

Autumn Peltier is a 15-year-old Anishinaabekwe and citizen of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, a member First Nation of the Anishinabek Nation, located on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario. She is a water protector, also referred to as a ‘Water Warrior,’ who has been advocating for the protection of Nibi (water) and Mother Earth since the age of eight. Autumn has gained national & international recognition, and uses that platform to emphasize the connection of the Anishinabek to the land and water, their role to protect the lifeline of Mother Earth, and brings to the forefront the need for clean water for First Nations in Canada. Autumn understands that the work to protect Nibi and Mother Earth must happen immediately in order to secure a future for the next generations to come.

About the Black Cotton Foundation: The Black Cotton Foundation is a community-related, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Newark, NJ. Its mission is to promote and produce programs and events that will have a positive and profound impact in our community, and to educate people through ‘observation and participation.’ Their programs and events are geared to benefit the poor and working class communities of New York and New Jersey—specifically focusing on children by teaching them unity and teamwork—and helping them to build a supportive community.

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AZZI FUDD is a 17-year-old, high achieving student athlete from Virginia. She is a consensus 5-star recruit and the #1 ranked girls basketball player in the country. The silky-smooth guard became the first sophomore ever to be named the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year, a two-time gold medal winner for Team USA in the FIBA 2017 Under 16 Women’s Americas Championship and 2018 FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World, to name a few. However, it was not those achievements that got the foundation’s attention.

In April 2019, Azzi suffered injuries that could have easily ended her basketball dreams. She tore both her ACL and MCL during a Team USA Basketball event. While such an injury--especially when you are at the top of your game--can have long term detrimental physical and emotional effects on a person, Azzi accepted the challenge head-on. She came back and lead her St John’s College High School team to its fifth straight District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) title. Azzi is also a great student, with a 3.89 cumulative GPA. She is a philanthropist, highlighted by hosting annual free clinics for younger children in her area, while raising money for the Pat Summit Foundation, in honor of her great-grandmother who died from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Azzi will be honored during an award ceremony at a later date, due to the pandemic. For more information about the Black Cotton Foundation, or the Jasmina Anema Youth Award, please call 718-415-0523 or visit www.blackcottonfoundation.org.

For more information about Azzi Fudd, please email katfudd@gmail.com.

About Jasmina Anema: Jasmina Anema was a spunky and charismatic 6-year-old girl from New York City who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2009. Her brave fight inspired many people, amazingly resulting in over 10,000 bone marrow donors on her behalf, saving the lives of at least 21 people. Her incredible story touched a countless number of people, including celebrities like Rihanna and President Barack Obama. Unfortunately, Jasmina lost her battle to leukemia on January 27, 2010.

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HISTORY IN THE MAKING

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GO I NG S ON SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS - BLACK LIVES MATTER INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS

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INDIA

NAIROBI KENYA

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GO I NG S ON SUMMER

HIGHLIGHTS

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NEW YORK

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Limin’ with Nessa Preppy

CONNECTING CULTURES, MESHING MUSIC AND SHARING SOCA FOR ONE LOVE B Y M . N ATA S H A R E I D Growing up west indian in the Bronx was always a unique experience. I have that New York swag filled with the vibes of hip-hop cultivated by block parties, rap ciphers and dance battles shaping my love for the culture. Then Soca found me on the isles of Trinidad and Tobago, the country of my family origin, where discovering the roll of my waist is my birthright not an anomaly my friends in the Bronx emulated. This discovery of these two distinct communities started my quest to share with the rest of the world what I know, our music and culture has more in common than it has differences.

Nessa Preppy, German born of German/Trinidadian heritage, found her own cultural blend can see Soca music on the cusp of international recognition with uplifting drums and mesmerizing melodies sending energetic vibes to all who dare to feel the vibes. Our chat on the set of her upcoming video, Nessa shares her love for music, her love for culture and her vision for the future. m. Natasha Reid (mNR) Thank you for this opportunity to connect. Let’s jump right in and tell what was your first ex-

perience with R&B/Hip-Hop music?

NESSA PREPPY (NP) I am a huge lover of R&B/Hip-Hop music. My love for the genres began during my high school years.

Would you believe me if I told you that my first professionally recorded song was actually a Hip Hop track? Well, it was! 2pac, Lauryn Hill and Nicki Minaj were some of my main influences at that time. mNR Wow that is amazing. Listening to your music and seeing your vibe I can get the rebel influence.n Besides place of

origin, what is noticeably different about Soca and R&B/Hip-Hop for you?

NP The difference for me has always been the topics and overall vibe. The most popular Soca songs are usually based

around Carnival and festivities and it is overall happy feel-good music. For me, Hip Hop and RnB are more laid back. You got to sit and listen to what is being said carefully if you get what I mean.

mNR So true, when Soca comes on it is hard to keep your body still. The soul just won’t let you stay still. Could you ever

imagine your music as being crossover into another genre?

NP Actually that’s a current goal of mine. My upcoming album is a blend of Soca, RnB, Rap and Dancehall. I’ve always done

Caribbean and international fused music in the past, for example, my songs “Majah” and “Art Of Flex”. Even my main Soca hits “Tingo” and “Issa Snack” you can hear the fusion of the genres.

With the upcoming album, I am planning to push the barriers of people’s expectations of me musically, especially the stigma that I am only allowed to do traditional Soca because I am from Trinidad and Tobago. mNR I’m looking forward to that. And when you say pushing past barriers, I can’t help thinking about the civil unrest

happening around the world. It makes me think of the global awakening to the Black Lives Matter movement, music has always been a key contributor to human movements. How does your story/music uplift and spark a generation?

NP For those who are unfamiliar with my background, I was born to a Black mother and White father. I grew up being quite

aware of both sides of my history. When I was young in Germany the kids made fun of me and said I was different and by different they meant black. Then when my mom decided to move back to Trinidad with my siblings and me, it was the complete opposite. I grew up in Calvary Hill, Arima and it was the epitome of a multicultural representation of what Trinidad and Tobago is. Every creed and race as neighbors.

Being from a small island, singing mainly Soca music, there were a lot of doubts in my mind but one thing I was certain about is my authenticity. I knew I would have faced challenges but I genuinely wanted to remain true to myself. Truthfully, I could have easily been sucked into a life that was littered with stereotypes. I grew up in a tough area and could have opted for a different route in life. My music has always been my solace. Soca music has since taken me to all corners of the globe.

Soca is life. Being from a small island singing our nation’s music, it’s crazy how far Soca has taken me...

mNR So, what does the future of black music look like to you?

NP Celebrated! That’s what I see! I see black creatives continuously pushing the creative envelopes, making bold moves

and taking risks. I see black music being studied widely, not just by blacks but by anyone who wants to understand the influence and history of black music on the world. I am seeing more success stories and they may look a bit different from those of the past. I think the main focus should be sharing the knowledge and importance of ownership and influence.

Just like today’s music, Black music will continue to attack topics related to culture and current trends but with less fear.

This may be positive, negative or right in the middle. In reality, who are we to judge what someone sings about and what the public likes. I am hopeful and excited for the future. mNR So, is Soca music ready to carry the mantle to uplift and move people to something greater? Are we ready for

center stage?

NP We are already doing it! For us though, our international recognition is not fully there yet as a genre. We are on the

cusp, though. I can feel it. Of course, just like any genre, we can do more but we are definitely capable, our genre is one that is joyous and can unite nations. For example, Freetown Collectives. “Feel The Love” can brighten any day. The sound of Soca has been used in so many international hits in various genres with and without credit, so we know for sure that the genre has merit.

Our cultures are more connected than not and this is the perfect time to connect and build a bridge to what unites us as black people across the diaspora. Music is our ancestral link, where our passion meets our collective culture.

m. Natasha Reid, our guest writer, is the founder and chief creative officer for the Caribbean media network DELiRiUM TV™ - where passion, culture and innovation meet. DELiRiUM TV™ connects emerging markets in the Caribbean and the U.S. through original programming. www.deliriumfete.com IG/Twitter: @deliriumfete and @deliriumfete.tv

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