So FN Dope Magazine Issue 16

IN

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TE

DEC / JAN 2022

THE ACTOR’S ISSUE

MUSTAFA SPEAKS

GIVES US A PEEK INSIDE HIS NEW ROLE ON SPECTRUM’S NEW DRAMA SERIES

JOE PICKETT

+

EDI GATHEGI

THE HARDER THEY FALL’S

SHARES HIS VIEWS ON USING ART AS ACTIVISM

Cover Photography: Diana Ragland

6WAYS YOU MAY BE HINDERING YOUR OWN

+

CAREER GROWTH

CHICAGO FIRE ACTRESS

ADRIYAN RAE

BRINGS A LITTLE SOMETHING NEW TO

THE GAME

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Photography by Diana Ragland

FN

® FOUNDERS / Editors in Chief

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hat’s good! Thank you for your interest in So FN Dope® Magazine. We are a fairly new magazine based on the West Coast looking to make an impact in the entertainment industry by highlighting music, performance, and the entrepreneurial spirit of independent artists, all across the country.

Our staff constantly spends countless hours scouring for dope content to feature including, but not limited to, new music, music videos, artwork, interviews, comedy, models, live performances, photographers and bloggers. In other words, we are always looking for new content for our digital magazine as well as our website.

It is going to take dope independent artists like you to help build our brand, but it will also take magazines like us to give indie artists a platform to be heard. We would love to feature your music, videos, mix-tapes, photography, artwork, as well as set up interview arrangements for future issues of So FN Dope® Magazine.

Let’s work together and leave our mark on the industry to show the world why we are So FN Dope®!

DISCLAIMER: Here at So FN Dope® Magazine, we have done our best to provide content that is up to date and correct. However, changes may have occurred since the content was submitted that may affect the accuracy of this issue for which So FN Dope® Magazine holds no responsibility. The views and opinions of our contributors are not necessarily shared with So FN Dope® Magazine or its staff nor are we liable for their views and opinions or how they may be interpreted.

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: email: sofndopemagazine@gmail.com

Photography by Diana Ragland

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Walter Michael Welch Jr. Corey Norwood Sr.

CONTRIBUTORS

Axum Avlacier Spring Water Hype-Radio.com Creative Beauty Boutique The Art Of War for Creatives JB & Benny Blue Review Mixed Behavior Caravan Film Crews Shadow Promotions mweaton.com S.T.A.B.L.E. Chayo Briggs Yanory Norwood Corey Norwood Sr. W. Michael Welch Jr. Grooming: Rebekah Aladdin Barber: Darrin Lyons Wardrobe: Apuje Kalu Hair : Kalin Spooner Makeup: Shannon Pezzetta Wardrobe Stylist: Monica Cargile

COVER STORY Edi Gathegi

FEATURED Edi Gathegi Mustafa Speaks Adriyan Rae

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Diana Ragland

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Diana Ragland Caravan Film Crews Photo by: Flamingo Images/ Adobe Stock Photo by: Kosim / Adobe Stock

MAGAZINE

INSIDESFND

DEC / JAN 2022

16 16)

28) 38)

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6 WAYS YOU COULD BE HINDERING YOUR OWN CAREER GROWTH In this article we take an in depth look into some of the things you may be doing on the job that could potentially be keeping you from that promotion. Find out what you are doing wrong and how to clean up your act.

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40)

DOPE QUOTES Dive into some inspirational quotes both the past and present from some very influential people in entertainment.

44)

ADRIYAN RAE Check out our interview with Adriyan Rae as we talk about her journey as an actress from SyFy’s Vagrant Queen to her current role as Brittany Pitts on The Game reboot on Paramount +.

52)

EDI GATHEGI From Hatian gangster on Start Up, to sharpshooting cowboy on The Harder They Fall, Edi Gathegi’s on screen performances have been nothing short of stellar. Check out our interview as we talk through some of his most memorable roles, as well as what he has cooking up next.

MUSTAFA SPEAKS Check out our exclusive interview with this rising talented actor as he gives us a peek into his role on the new Spectrum original series Joe Pickett.

PROS & CONS OF BANKRUPTCY This article by Chayo Briggs breaks down both the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy including the types, requirements and time commitments in which they are associated.

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Photography: Diana Ragland Grooming: Rebekah Aladdin Barber: Darrin Lyons Wardrobe: Apuje Kalu

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FNDOPE

SO

MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITH

MUSTAFA SPEAKS page

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®

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDERS

Letter From the Founders

Y

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

ear after year we’ve done our best to create content that is not only fresh and new to our readers, but also entertaining and relevant as well.To close out 2021, we thought that it would be cool to highlight some extremely dope actors who are certainly leaving their marks on the television and film industry. We are particularly excited about this because we were able to interview three talented actors from some of our favorites TV shows and movies. We were ecstatic to sit and interview Adriyan Rae from Chicago Fire as she talked about her role in the reboot of The Game as well as a gentleman who was recently cast as a regular on Season 4 of All Amer-

® ican and on Spectrum Network new drama series Joe Pickett. We also had the pleasure to interview Edi Gathegi who had a leading role in Startup, The Blacklist, and most recently played a sharp shooting cowboy by the name of Bill Pickett in Netflix’s hit movie The Harder They Fall.

ISSUE # 16

We hope that each and every one of you enjoys this issue as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. We hope that the remainder of your 2021 is blessed and we look forward to continuing to bring you bigger and better content in the new year!

Be Fly Be Original Be So FN Dope

EDI GATHEGI

Corey Norwood Sr. Co-Founder So FN Dope Magazine

Walter M. Welch Jr. Co-Founder So FN Dope Magazine

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Diana Ragland

AVAILABLE ON

WWW.SOFNDOPEMAGAZINE.COM

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EDI GATHEGI page 52

Photography by: Caravan Film Crews

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WAYS YOU MAY BE HINDERING YOUR OWN

CAREER GROWTH

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BUSINESS

Photo by: Flamingo Images/ Adobe Stock

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here are many ways that employees can hinder their career growth, some of which are more obvious than others. These habits may seem harmless at first, but they eventually lead to a stagnant, unhappy work environment and low morale among co-workers. This is not just your problem; it also affects your employer’s bottom line! So what can be done about these bad habits? Let us take a look at some common ways employees may be hindering their own career growth.

1

PROCRASTINATION

If you procrastinate on tasks and do not complete assignments on time, your boss may start assigning more work to other employees to make up for the work you

should be doing. This will move other employees ahead of you in productivity, which could result in them being promoted over you without ever having been given the opportunity to do anything different. You also want to avoid procrastinating on tasks because it can have a negative impact on company deadlines and scope of other projects.

2

FEAR OF CHANGING ROLES

Another way employees may hinder their career growth is by not accepting a promotion when it is offered. This could be due to a reluctance to change roles or a fear of being disliked by coworkers who have been working in the same role for a while. It is important to keep in mind

that you do not have full insight into why your manager or boss wants to promote you. If they feel you are capable and know the steps needed to complete the task, it is likely because they believe there is a high chance of success.

3

LACK OF SELF DEVELOPMENT

Another way to stunt your career growth is by not developing or improving skills as they grow in their career (e.g., learning new skills to display their talents). Reusing the same old skillset will cause them to stagnate and become less valuable over time, making it more difficult for them to advance in their career.

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BUSINESS

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WAYS YOU MAY BE HINDERING YOUR OWN

CAREER GROWTH

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DEPENDING ON OTHERS

If you rely on others too much because of a lack of independence, your managers may begin to think that you are not capable of completing tasks on your own. They may also begin to rely less on you for new projects because they do not think of you as a reliable resource. It is important to take initiative where you can and to show your managers that you are a valued member of the team.

5

FREQUENT TARDINESS OR NO SHOWS

When employees show up late, take too much time off, or have a physical infirmity that keeps them from being productive at work, this can also negatively affect their career growth. The best way to avoid this is to be proactive about your health and wellbeing. It is important to see the doctor for any symptoms that may indicate an illness or injury; even if it does not seem like anything serious. If you’re feeling stressed out because of

work-related issues, speak with your supervisor as soon as possible about how to find ways to manage stress so you can continue working productively. Finally, try not taking on more than you can handle in terms of workloads and deadlines so that these factors do not cause undue stress and anxiety, which could potentially affect your health. Most importantly, be on time. Nothing says, “I don’t take my job seriously” quite like being late every other day.

6

NEGATIVE ATTITUDE

It is no secret that some people just do not like their jobs. It’s normal to want more out of life than the job you have now, but if your attitude remains negative at work, there are serious career ramifications. If you act as though you hate your job and everything about it, people will start to wonder why on earth you stay in such a miserable situation. Furthermore, if clients or customers notice that someone who works for them hates their work environment then they may worry about what kind of care and attention the company provides its employees.

If you find yourself feeling dissatisfied with your job and the only thing saving it from a complete and utter mental breakdown is the thought of quitting, perhaps it is time to start looking for another job position.

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“If you act as though you hate your job and everything about it, people will start to wonder why on earth you stay in such a miserable situation”

BUSINESS In conclusion, while there are many ways one can accidentally break down their career growth, it is vital to note that the majority of these mistakes

could be avoided if one simply recognized and reflected on their behavior.

By doing this simple task, you will be able to better understand what aspects

of your behavior may help or hinder your own professional development.

Nothing says, “I don’t take my job seriously” quite like being late every other day.

Photo by: Flamingo Images/ Adobe Stock

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The ULTIMATE guide for anyone pursuing a career in The Arts!

After touring, teaching, inspiring, and mentoring aspiring musicians for over 20 years, Music Industry Pro Charyn Harris reveals her strategies on how to successfully navigate the intersections of life, career, mindset, and business as a creative.

charynharrisonline.com “The Art of War for Creatives is not a biography, yet it provides great insight into the life of the author, her experiences and learned values, and even the battle scars… and how you heal them. This is an ample text, but you don’t need a classroom nor a teacher to digest it. It’s rich with experiences, strategy, and artistic artillery… you’ll be equipped to traverse the land, build bunkers and fly high above clouds that would otherwise rain on your intellectual property…

Charyn Harris shares it all in this textbook reveal… of where the battles actually lie… and how you can be selective to win the war.”

-J. Curtis Warner

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“Your wedding day is special. Your photos should be too.”

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FEATURED Photography: D’artagnion Winford

M

MUSTAFA SPEAKS You may recognize this next actor from his role as Messiah on the Netflix dramatic series Seven Seconds. He currently plays a former Special Ops soldier on Spectrum’s new hit series entitled Joe Pickett as well as Coach Kenny Boone on Season 4 of All American. We are ecstatic for you to check out our recent interview with this talented gentleman, Mustafa Speaks.

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FEATURED

Photography: Diana Ragland Grooming: Rebekah Aladdin Barber: Darrin Lyons Wardrobe: Apuje Kalu

Photography by: Cameron Perry

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FEATURED

FND MAG: Before we get started, we just want to let you know how much we appreciate you for interviewing with us Mustafa.

We are glad to have you in this issue of So FN Dope Magazine. How have you been my brother?

MUSTAFA: The pleasure is mine, King. I respect what you all are building at So FN Dope Mag. I’m very well. Blessed.

SFND MAG: For our audience who may not be familiar with your work just yet, tell us a little about yourself and what attracted you to start a career in acting?

MUSTAFA: I’m originally from Booker T. Projects, Jersey City, NJ. I am what many would consider a Renaissance Man. Prior to my career in acting, I studied as a Marine & Environmental Scientist specializing in Shark Behavior. As an undergrad, I became internationally published for my work discovering a repellent for sharks.

I transitioned into acting after ending my football career with the Pirates and accepting an academic scholarship to continue my scientific research. With a little extra time on my hands, and a tip from a friend, I decided to join the stage play at the university. I immediately fell in love with the craft and discipline of the arts. Reminiscent of my sports days.

I found almost immediate success in the Hampton Roads area and decided to pursue a serious career in LA upon graduating. During in LA, in pursuit of my ultimate goal, I’ve developed numerous talents and skills along the way.

SFND MAG: Mustafa Speaks is a very interesting name. It is very strong and unique and it immediately drew us in and made us want to Google you right away just to see what you are all about.

Is that your birth name or was that the name you chose to use as an actor / producer?

MUSTAFA: Coley Mustafa Speaks is my birth name. It means Wealthy Chosen One. My father’s name is Coley Speaks.

He blessed me with “Mustafa” because he wanted to give me a name with meaning…Arabic for “Chosen One” Contrast to the “slave name.” He’s a product of

Photography: Diana Ragland Grooming: Rebekah Aladdin Barber: Darrin Lyons Wardrobe: Apuje Kalu

the Black Islam era in the 60’s and 70’s, so self-empowered and identity was his foundation. Growing up, close friends and family called me Mustafa. In school and professional settings, I went by Coley. Very recently, I decided to solely go

by Mustafa.

SFND MAG: Did you have any formal training as an actor or was it something that you had to learn just by doing or did it just come naturally to you?

MUSTAFA: I definitely learned on the job performing in school stage plays. I did have something innately that allowed me to perform at such a high level since I was so green. However, after my decision to take it seriously, I immediately immersed myself in professional training.

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SFND MAG: So we watched the trailer for the new series you are in entitled Joe Pickett and it looks really good. If you can, please tell us a little about your character Nate Romanowski, and what inspired you to take the role?

MUSTAFA: Nate Romanowski is a simple man who must fight to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. I fell in love with the character because not only is he the baddest man in cinema…a Master Falconer, Ex-special ops soldier and superior survivalist, but his heart, integrity, and unique perspective permeates everything he does. These are the stories I’m compelled to tell.

SFND MAG: From the looks of it, the

FEATURED Photography by: Cameron Perry

“ I fell in love with the character because not only is he the baddest man in cinema…a Master Falconer, Ex-special ops soldier and superior survivalist, but his heart, integrity, and unique perspective permeates everything he does. These are the stories I’m compelled to tell.”

--MUSTAFA SPEAKS

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FEATURED Photography: Diana Ragland Grooming: Rebekah Aladdin Barber: Darrin Lyons Wardrobe: Apuje Kalu

“Snow capped mountains. Lush forests. Big open skies.

A major treat for a city boy from the projects. Being outdoors really helped me tap into the character on a deeper level.”

--MUSTAFA SPEAKS

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FEATURED setting of this series seems very rural and somewhat in the wilderness. As you just mentioned, your character is a former special ops soldier and looks like he is quite an outdoorsman. What was it like to be on set for this series as compared to others?

MUSTAFA: Shooting in the beautiful location of Calgary, Canada was a dream come true. I’ve never been in such a place before. Snow capped mountains.

Lush forests. Big open skies. A major treat for a city boy from the projects.

Being outdoors really helped me tap into the character on a deeper level.

SFND MAG: You also have recently secured a recurring role as Coach Kenny Boone on Season 4 of All-American, which airs on The CW. This is actually one of our favorite shows to watch. Did you find it easy or challenging to settle in with such a dynamic cast?

MUSTAFA: I found it very easy and comfortable to settle in. I understood my assignment and was ready to rock regardless, but it was cool to feel how warm and welcoming the entire team was. As a fan of the show myself, it was exciting to work with such dynamic talent and be part of the storytelling.

Nkechi Okoro Carroll, the amazing showrunner, has built something special.

SFND MAG: I can tell you’re still a pretty athletic guy. Was it easy to transfer some of that experience from your college football days into your character as Coach Kenny Boone?

MUSTAFA: Yes, I played at Hampton University. Linebacker. 2004/2005 D1 MEAC Conference Champs! My experience absolutely helped me tap into Coach Boone. Honestly, I fight the urge to suit up every time I film. Ha! SFND MAG: Of all the roles you’ve played to date, which one has been the most challenging and why?

MUSTAFA: Nate Romanowski has definitely been the most challenging thus far. The levels and layers of this character are so dynamic that the gold I find as I mine his soul is endless. Pushes me to the limit every day I’m with him.

SFND MAG: With all that comes with the television and film industry, I am sure that it is important to remain inspired. Who do you typically look towards to find that inspiration as an actor?

MUSTAFA: I simply look at my wife, Michelle Mitchenor. She is truly my inspiration for what can be accomplished.

She’s FN Dope! Not only as an artist, but as a woman. I’ve witnessed her journey and learned so much. I’m an avid student. The inspiration I get from my children is too great to explain here. My family/community in Jersey is another major source of inspiration. It all keeps what I do in perspective. My livelihood as an actor is a very small part of who I am and what my life is about.

SFND MAG: What else can we expect from Mustafa Speaks in the upcoming

year of 2022. Any other exciting roles or projects in the works?

MUSTAFA: I have several projects bubbling, including some that are under my personal production umbrella, but right now, I’m focused on and enjoying the ride with Nate and Coach Boone.

SFND MAG: Since we are nearing the end of the interview, could you please let our readers know when and where they can go to see latest work? In addition, where can they find you on social media?

MUSTAFA: Catch me on Joe Pickett now streaming on demand at Spectrum Originals and All American Mondays on CW. Socials Instagram: @mustafaspeaks Twitter: @mustafaspeaks_ SFND MAG: So...We often conclude our interviews with this next question.

Before you go, could you name for us one other person that you think is So FN Dope and tell us why?

MUSTAFA: Michelle Mitchenor. Look her up. You’ll see why.

SFND MAG: Mustafa thank you again my brother for interviewing with us.

We are looking forward to seeing much more of you in the future.

MUSTAFA: Much Love.

Photography: Diana Ragland Grooming: Rebekah Aladdin Barber: Darrin Lyons Wardrobe: Apuje Kalu DEC / JAN 2022 - SOFNDOPEMAGAZINE.COM -

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FINANCE

PROS & CONS OF

BANKRUPTCY Article by Chayo Briggs

T

he choice to file bankruptcy is a choice not to be taken lightly. If you are considering such a gesture, please seek the advice of a credit counselor, or bankruptcy attorney. The decision could save you from losing your home, car, or other belongings.: Bankruptcy has some serious drawbacks; however, it can be the right choice in certain situations. It can be a financially healthy decision. Below are the Pros and Cons:

Pro:

Regroup – Bankruptcy will give the

filer some breathing room. It does not matter what type is will allow you to regroup and regain some financial footing. Plus, will cease all the calls from creditors, letters, and threats against your belongings.

Con:

Ongoing Process – The process is

not just one simple step. Once you have met the criteria to file, there are specific demands to meet. The commitment requires a serious life change, and you may still have to make ongoing payments on some of the debt.

Pro:

Maintain a Life – The decision can ensure you are able to maintain a certain baseline quality of life. For example: cars are not normally protected. Especially, if you file Chapter 13, it enables you to continue to be productive.

Con:

Long-Term Ramifications - The previous lifestyle must be eliminated. It means giving up credit cards; you will not be able to spend money like in the past. Loan options in the future will be affected.

However, will good credit decisions in the future you can once again be successful and life is not dead.

The next section is how to file bankruptcy is you choose to make that choice.

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 When most people think of bankruptcy, they imagine a situation where a court swoops in, takes all their assets, and leaves them with little or nothing. I’m happy to report that reality is much different, but that is the classic view of what we call a Chapter 7 straight bankruptcy case.

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Chapter 7 is not the only type of bankruptcy available to us. There are five in all. You may have heard of Chapter 11, which companies often use to reorganize their debts. Or a Chapter 9, which is used by municipalities like a city or a public water utility to reorganize its debts under the protection of the bankruptcy court.

Or even a Chapter 12, available only to farmers and fishing operations.

There is another type of bankruptcy that individuals use to reorganize their debts called Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Unlike Chapter 7, it does not involve liquidation. Usually, a debtor (a person who files bankruptcy) is permitted to keep all of their property, whether it is exempt or not, as long as it complies with the law. Chapter 13 may also involve more expense than a Chapter 7 in terms of attorney’s fees, as the process is more complicated and drawn out.

Time Commitment Chapter 7 is a comparatively brief process and usually only lasts four to six months before the court issues the discharge. On the other hand, Chapter 13 bankruptcy will last from three to five years, the length of a monthly payment plan you propose to the court to pay certain debts.

The plan period will vary from three to five years, depending on whether your income is generally above or below the median income for your state of residence.

FINANCE

Photo by: Fizkes / Adobe Stock

Payment Plan

Plan Requirements

A Trustee

The Chapter 13 plan is simply a payment plan. It’s an attempt to “reorganize” your debt over time. It’s a great tool for the debtor who is behind in house or car payments. Those payments can be caught up with the payment plan over time, thereby saving the house from foreclosure or the car from repossession. The plan will also include any past due priority claims, like alimony, child support, or recent income taxes.

The Chapter 13 plan must meet several tests in order for it to be confirmed or approved by the bankruptcy court. First, the plan must be proposed in good faith.

This means, essentially, that you intend to completely follow through on the plan and aren’t attempting to misrepresent your finances or perpetrate a fraud on the court.

Similar to the Chapter 7 trustee, the Chapter 13 trustee acts as the main point of contact for a debtor. The trustee will review the proposed payment plan and has the authority to challenge the plan in bankruptcy court if he or she believes it is improper. If the bankruptcy court confirms the proposal, the trustee acts as an intermediary between the debtor and creditors receiving payments. Specifically, the debtor makes payments each month to the trustee. The trustee then divides up the payment, as established in the Chapter 13 plan, and issues payments to the creditors.

The Chapter 13 plan can also include payments to unsecured creditors like credit cards and medical bills. A calculation is applied to your income and expenses to determine if you have any disposable income after all your other obligations are met. You are expected to devote your disposable income to your payment plan, and that extra money will be used to pay unsecured creditors like those credit cards and medical bills. If you have no disposable income, that’s okay. The debts will still be discharged because you’ve devoted your best effort to paying your bills.

The proposal must meet the “best interest of creditors” test. In this section, the test requires you to pay unsecured creditors at least what they would have received under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

In many cases, the unsecured creditors would have received nothing in Chapter 7, so this test can often be easily met. The other practice is called the “best efforts” test. It means you pay unsecured creditors a certain amount multiplied by the debtor’s disposable income.

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FINANCE Chapter 13 carries a few more restrictions, which are not present in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the monthly payment plan being the most obvious. In addition, you will not be allowed to incur any more debt, like a car loan, without court approval.

You must also maintain insurance on any collateral, like for a car loan.

Discharge

Similar to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, at the end of the plan, most or all of your debts will be discharged. However, you may be left with debts that are not discharged, like student loans. As in Chapter 7, the discharge is personal, meaning if someone is obligated on one of the discharged debts, he or she is still liable for the debt.

Chapter 7

If you are having difficulty keeping up with your bills, and think how liberating it would feel to have a magic genie wish away your debt, it’s not quite that simple, but there are some federal laws that can help you manage or eliminate that obligation.

The single most common type of bankruptcy in the United States is Chapter 7. It is sometimes called straight bankruptcy.

In a nutshell, the court appoints a trustee to oversee your case.

Part of the trustee’s job is to take your assets, sell them, and distribute the money to the creditors who file proper claims.

The trustee doesn’t take all your property. You’re allowed to keep enough “exempt” property to get a “fresh start.”

Preparation

7 case has to participate in a session with an approved credit counselor before the case can be filed. This can be in person, online or over the telephone. The rationale behind this requirement is that some potential debtors don’t know their options.

“A credit counselor may be able to suggest alternatives that will keep you out of bankruptcy. You can get more information about this requirement on the website for the U.S. Trustee.”

Means Test

A debtor must also successfully pass the means test calculation, which is another document that must be completed prior to filing for bankruptcy. This test, which was added to the Bankruptcy Code in 2005, calculates whether you are able to afford or have the “means” to pay at least a meaningful portion of your debts. The means test compares your income with the median income for your state. If you fail the means test, you can only file Chapter 7 bankruptcy under very specialized exceptions. Your alternative would be to file a Chapter 13 repayment plan case.

Meeting of Creditors

After a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is filed, the court will issue a document giving notice to debtor’s meeting of creditors. This notice is also sent to the creditors that are listed within the bankruptcy documents. During the meeting of creditors, the bankruptcy trustee will ask the debtor various questions about the bankruptcy, such as whether all of the information contained within the bankruptcy documents is true and correct.

The trustee may ask other questions about a debtor’s financial affairs.

Before a case is filed, you’ll have to gather all your financial records like bank statements, credit card statements, loan documents, and paystubs. You’ll use that information to fill out the bankruptcy petition, schedules, statement of financial affairs, and other documents that will be filed with the court. You can download copies for free from the website maintained by the US Courts. Your attorney will use bankruptcy applications to produce them.

If the trustee wishes to investigate the bankruptcy further, the meeting of creditors may be moved to a future date. It is important to note that at the meeting of creditors, as the name suggests, any creditor may appear and ask a debtor questions about their bankruptcy and finances. In reality, however, the only creditors who appear regularly are car creditors (to ask what you intend to do about your car payments) and the IRS (to ask when you’re going to pay back those no dischargeable taxes).

Broadly, these documents include the voluntary petition for relief, the schedules of assets and liabilities, declarations regarding debtor education, and the statement of financial affairs. These documents require you to open your financial life to the bankruptcy court. They include a listing of all of property, debts, creditors, income, expenses, and property transfers, among other things. Once completed, you’ll file with the clerk of your local bankruptcy court and pay a filing fee.

“If you’re interested in finding your local court, visit the federal court locator page, choose “Bankruptcy” under “Court Type”, and type your location in the bottom box.”

If you have any non-exempt property, the bankruptcy trustee has the ability to seize and sell the property. Exemptions refer to federal or state statutes that allow you to protect certain types of property when you file bankruptcy. For example, exemptions exist to protect retirement accounts such as a 401(k) plan. Any assets that the trustee can recover are distributed to creditors.

Credit counseling

Almost every individual debtor who wants to file a Chapter

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Seizure of Assets

Financial Management Course

Before most debtors can receive a discharge, they will have to take a course in financial management this class is likely taught

“

FINANCE

by the same group that you used for the credit counseling. Plan to spend about one and a half hours in person, online or on the telephone.

Discharge

If the trustee and the creditors do not object to the debtor’s discharge, the bankruptcy court will automatically give the debtor a discharge at some point after the last day to object. The

last day to file a complaint objecting to a debtor’s discharge is 60 days after the first session of the meeting of creditors.

If no complaint is filed, the discharge is usually entered several days later. The discharge prevents creditors from attempting to collect any debt against you personally that arose prior to the filing of the bankruptcy.

Thus, for all intents and purposes, the discharge effectively wipes out debts.

However, it is important to note that not all debts are dischargeable, including certain taxes and child or spousal support obligations. Furthermore, a discharge is personal. This means that a creditor can still collect on a discharged debt from a co-debtor that did not file for bankruptcy. A creditor with collateral may also be able to use that collateral to satisfy some of that outstanding debt.

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“Bankruptcy has some serious drawbacks; however, it can be the right choice in certain situations.”

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DOPEQUOTES

DOPE QUOTES

“The chances you take, the people you meet, the people you love, the faith that you have.That’s what’s going to define you.”

-Denzel Washington

“Life isn’t how many breaths you take, but it’s the moments that take your breath away.”

-Will Smith

“Certain things should be yours to have when you work your way to the top.”

-Red Fox

“I bring something to the table as a woman; I bring something to the table as a woman of color.”

-Kerry Washington

“If you have the opportunity for your art to meet activism, you shouldn’t pass that up when it comes your way.”

-Regina King

“Waking up in truth is so much better than living in a lie.”

-Idris Elba

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DOPEQUOTES

DOPE QUOTES

“I believe everyone should have the freedom to represent “Your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way what they believe-in in their own way.” out of it, absolutely 100 per-Nia Long cent makes you who you are.”

-Viola Davis

“We all have a gift; we all have a passion - it’s just about finding it and going into it. Being an asset to your family and community.” -Angela Basset

“Every artist has to grow, and has to challenge themselves with a new form of expression.”

-Terrance Howard “The most important thing you can do is articulate your vision and cast that group well so youhave people that realize what you’re trying to accomplish.”

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A

ADRIYAN RAE Interviewed by Yanory Norwood

It is always refreshing to meet people in the entertainment business who genuinely care more about their connection to their audience than being rich & famous.

It is a rare quality that only a small amount of entertainers truthfully possess. In our opinion, this young actress is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside and sincerely cares about making a difference. We are honored to have had the opportunity to sit and chat with this amazing young lady. She’s recently been cast as Brittany Pitts in the reboot of The Game on Paramount +. Check out our interview with Adriyan Rae.

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Photography by: Louis Bryant III

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FEATURED

S

FND MAG: First and foremost, we want to thank you Adriyan, for interviewing with So FN Dope Magazine. We are extremely excited to have you.

How have you been?

ADRIYAN RAE: I am well. I’m feeling grounded and good. There are a lot of transitions happening, but I’m embracing them all so I’m feeling good.

SFND MAG: Love the word grounded.

It is important that we ground ourselves daily especially with all that is going on.

So let’s start at the beginning because we definitely want to get to know you better.

Where are you from and how did you get started in acting?

ADRIYAN RAE: I am from Seaford, Delaware and growing up I never even knew that acting was “a thing.” I thought the people on TV were just people in the TV. [LAUGHS] My whole life I thought I would be a scientist or a doctor or some-

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Photography: Diana Ragland Hair : Kalin Spooner Makeup: Shannon Pezzetta Wardrobe Stylist: Monica Cargile

thing like that. While in college I dabbled in singing, and someone suggested that I should go to Atlanta. They said, “It’s like Black Hollywood. You should try it out.”

So I went, and that is when I experienced my first time on set and my first experience in acting and I really just fell in love with the whole thing. I kind of just followed my heart and took a leap. I guess something struck me and I thought, “I think I want to do this. I’m just going to try it.” I stumbled my way through a bunch of stuff. I feel like I rolled down a hill and landed, got up and I was like “Oh... The Game... Cool.”

SFND MAG: That is amazing! So, you have already made some huge strides in the industry. You landed the lead role on SyFy’s Vagrant Queen, as well as secured a role as a season regular on NBC’s Chicago Fire and most recently you were casted for The Game as you just mentioned, which airs on Paramount Plus.

What has been the most rewarding part about your journey as an actress so far?

ADRIYAN RAE: I think the most rewarding part is the ability to connect people and the ability to create art that makes those connections. To be frank, I could really care less about people being like “It’s Adriyan Rae, Oh my gosh!” I appreciate the support. I love it, love it, love it so much, BUT, that is genuinely not why I act. When I hear things like, “This helped me through a really tough time.” or like, “I was crying all day and I turned on Vagrant Queen and it made me laugh and thank you so much for that.” That is the reason why I do it. That has been the most impactful and the most beautiful part of the journey for me is just being able to have these growing platforms to interact with, and affect, and help so many people in so many different ways that go beyond just me seeing myself on a TV screen.

SFND MAG: It is very humbling to hear you say that the reason why you do this is to be able to connect. I think a lot of people miss that so I commend you for

having that and soulfully doing that. I think that is amazing. So, of all the roles you have played so far in your career, which one do you feel like you relate to most and why?

ADRIYAN RAE: Oooh, that’s a good question. Who do I relate to the most? It’s hard because Alita is an alien and she’s in space, but she had her own little journey, and then Brittany and I are very different.

I honestly don’t know. I don’t have any roles where I’m just a quirky geek yet.

[LAUGHS] I think that would be the one that is really like Adriyan. [LAUGHS] Gianna is cool. I think each one of them has a different part of me, a different aspect that I try to dabble in there as well as honoring the writing and the tone of the shows, but I don’t have one specific one that is spot on. They each have pieces of me. You can take a little piece of Alita when she is snarky, and you add in the empathy from another character and pair that with the persona of maybe Candace in Atlanta, there are different things that I sprinkle into them all. If you look closer, you’ll possibly find a bigger picture of me.

SFND MAG: You mentioned Gianna from Chicago Fire. What initially drew you into that character to want to take on the role?

ADRIYAN RAE: It was in the medical field. Like I told you, I thought I would be doing medicine. I was just talking to my friend, who is a neurosurgeon physician assistant. I was telling her how I “fangirled” over Jesse Spencer, because we used to watch House every day. When I saw him I was like “Dr. Chase!” and he responded “Hi Adriyan” [LAUGHS]. I got to play a paramedic. I really wanted to do medicine, so I wanted to incorporate my medical mind and analytical mind into a character and it allowed me to do that so it was super exciting. She is also spunky and sassy.

SFND MAG: So we’ve been following you on Instagram for a few months now.

I must say that we were thrilled when we saw your post that you were being added to the cast of The Game. Personally, we‘ve been fans of the show for a long time.

How excited were you when you found

FEATURED

out you got the role?

ADRIYAN RAE: Very excited. I remember getting the call. My best friends and I were doing a little barbeque. So, I looked at one of my best friends and said, “I think I just booked the role.” And he was like “Shut up!” Then he picked me up and spun me around. Meanwhile, my other friend was on the phone arguing with AT&T completely oblivious. [LAUGHS] I was so excited because I love the show.

I’ve loved it for years. Growing up, I told you I was doing the medical thing. I had a little athlete boyfriend. I thought I was Melanie and he was Derwin. [LAUGHS] I have always just related to it. I love the story lines and the characters and things like that. It’s just such an honor truly to be a part of the legacy. It’s just a blessing

pour into everyone around them. It is just a beautiful thing to see and experience especially for me coming in as Brittany. Brittany has been played by two other actors before and they made sure I felt safe. They allowed me to make choices. They gave me creative space. They respected my artistic mind and my artistic take on this character and they poured into me that way which allowed me to genuinely build the character that is fresh but familiar. It’s just beautiful things like that. I remember I was so nervous and Wendy just showed me how to be present. She sat down with me and she broke it down. She is good for that. Wendy will drop a pearl quick. [LAUGHS] There are things like when we do press, Hosea will always suggest that I say something even though I’m very introverted. He pushes

“Honestly, I want to work with anyone that is trying to be present and create something dope and impactful that we can change the world with.”

-ADRIYAN RAE

because the people that I work with, the cast, the crew, and the production they are So FN Dope. [LAUGHS] They really are. To learn from Wendy and to learn from Hosea and to be able to act with Pooch and Coby, I mean... I fangirled when I saw them too. [LAUGHS] It’s been amazing and I’m so happy to be a part of it because I’ve been a fan for so long.

me, and pours into me to make sure that I not only know that I have a voice but that makes sure that my voice is heard.

Things like this, I really appreciate.

SFND MAG: I’m glad you mentioned Wendy Raquel Robinson and Hosea Chanchez and some of the other cast members. What type of valuable things have you learned from them while on set?

ADRIYAN RAE: I would love to work with Benedict Cumberbatch. He is fire.

He is my favorite actor. Also Debbie Allen because I’m obsessed. There are going to be so many interviews where I’m saying “Debbie Allen.” She is going to see me one day. [LAUGHS] I would love to work with her. Honestly, I want to work with anyone that is trying to be present and create something dope and impactful that we can change the world with.

ADRIYAN RAE: I’ve learned different ways that you can lead. They are such brilliant, beautiful leaders and the key is that they always lead with love and they

SFND MAG: Sounds like they drop lots of gems. So, as an actor on the rise, who are some people but, you have not had an opportunity to work with just yet and tell us why?

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FEATURED It doesn’t matter if you have a name or if you are new or if I have ever heard of you before, but if we can make something really dope that is really impactful, I want to work with them.

SFND MAG: That’s awesome. How exciting. So...You have been super busy!

You have recently starred in Light as Feather, which is a Horror series on Hulu as well as guest starred on FX’s Atlanta and BET’s American Soul as well. How do you manage to stay so busy in the industry? Do you constantly audition for new roles or do you have a really good agent or both?

ADRIYAN RAE: I manage to stay so busy because I operate in abundance.

The one thing that I worry about the least is work. I know that it is going to come to me as my intentions are pure. I have an amazing team surrounding me.

I trust them. They know me, and I think that one of the key things to me finding parts of success was building a team of people who get it. They believe in me

just as much if not more than I believe in myself. They push me and they are real.

I’ve built this amazing team, they work really well, and I know that I’m operating in abundance so we get these auditions.

But nothing is out of disparity. There are times when other actors may say. “I really didn’t want to do it but I auditioned anyway.” Why are you auditioning? They often respond. “Well, I really don’t feel like I can turn down auditions”. Yes, you can. If it is not meant for you or if it does not resonate with you then why are you wasting your time and their time? You’re just doing it because you are scared of scarcity and you’re operating out of being desperate. But if you know what is for you will find you and you’ll never miss it then you’ll have the confidence to say, “You know what, that’s not really for me.

I’m going to pass on that.”

SFND MAG: Dope! So in all of our interviews we like to ask this question to all our interviewees. Before you go, could you name for us one other actor that you think is So FN Dope and tell us why?

ADRIYAN RAE: Zazie Beetz because she is a light and one of the realest people ever. She is one of the sweetest and she knows how to hold boundaries. She is just phenomenally talented and her spirit and her outside beauty and talents all match. It is all just amazing and she has taught me so much. I love Zazie.

SFND MAG: Awesome! Is there anything else you would like to add before we wrap up this interview?

ADRIYAN RAE: Yeah, sure. I would like to add for people to tune in to Atlanta Season 3 because I’ll be in there. Also, follow me on social media @Adriyan Rae. It’s always love and light so I hope you find love and light there.

SFND MAG: Once again, we would like to say thank you Adriyan for interviewing with us. Clearly, you are a star without a doubt. We are rooting for you and wishing you much more continued success in all your future endeavors.

“ I have an amazing team surrounding me. I trust them. They know me, and I think that one of the key things to me finding parts of success was building a team of people who get it.”

--ADRIYAN RAE

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

EDI GATHEGI There are many characteristics that actors must have to be successful in this industry. Actors that are confident, charismatic, and highly imaginative can go far especially when paired with hard work and dedication.. This next actor has all of these characteristics and so much more. He has constantly proven that he is not only versatile but also very much in tune with his purpose. He’s starred in several television shows and movies such as The Blacklist, Startup, Netflix’s The Harder They Fall and will be a series regular on Season 3 of For All Mankind on Apple TV. We were overjoyed to have this brilliant actor for the cover of this special issue of So FN Dope Magazine. Check out our interview with Edi Gathegi.

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S

COVER STORY FND MAG: First and foremost, thank you my brother for finding time in your busy schedule to interview with us.

We definitely appreciate this opportunity! How have you been? This year is finally almost over and it has been quite a ride for many of us.

How did 2021 treat you?

EDI GATHEGI: The year was a win for a lot of people because the world got back to breathing to a certain extent. I was able to travel again, spend time with loved ones. Looking back on this year, I’d say win.

SFND MAG: Ever since your role in Twilight, it seemed from that point, we could not turn on TV without seeing you playing a significant role in a TV show or movie. From which of your television shows or films do you feel was your biggest breakout role?

EDI GATHEGI: Technically, House was my biggest win because it was my first network television show, which by nature exposes you to millions of viewers. It put me on the map as a new face in Hollywood. However, the role that I believe allowed people to understand me as an artist is StartUp, on Netflix, which came 9 years later.

SFND MAG: Throughout your career, you have played many roles that have been So FN Dope. [ No pun intended] (a)What role have you most identified with as a person? (b)What has been your favorite role and why? (c) Lastly what role do most people, supporters, fans most identify you as? For instance, for us, when we see you, you are automatically Ronald Dacey from Startup. [ LAUGHS ] EDI GATHEGI: Firstly, thank you for the compliment, and to answer your question, that’s the trick of acting – you bring a little bit of yourself to every role you play. But to answer a) b) & c) is StartUp. Ronnie is so complex. He’s a flushed out human being, and when writers do that, it’s easy for a lot of people to see themselves in those types of characters no matter how far away they actually are.

We notice qualities and a humanity that resonates with us and inspires us to be

better versions of ourselves. Ronnie is a stone cold G. SFND MAG: Lately, whenever we speak with actors, we can’t help but think what effect Covid 19 Pandemic has had on you all’s careers and your mental states over the past couple years. We noticed that you have starred in some really powerful films, most recently Princess Of The Row, a film about a homeless military veteran’s battle with PTSD and Caged, another film that dives into the character’s mental state due to confinement.

What does it mean for you to be a part of these types of films, and these types of conversation pieces? How important is it for you to bring awareness to mental health especially for black men?

EDI GATHEGI: Critically important. Art does not have to serve any agenda other than to tell the truth and entertain, but I like to believe it has the power to change hearts and minds in addition to bringing awareness. I’m interested in art as activism. Art that can change the world in some small way. These are the types of projects that turn me on the most. And with regards to mental illness, so many people suffer from it and it’s still taboo.

Black men have enough to deal with, and lessening the taboo on something that should be understood better and discuss better ways for the community to receive support are conversations I’m happy get ignited when people view the art.

SFND MAG: Let’s talk about The Harder They Fall. Bravo! Bravo! The movie was definitely So FN Dope! Black Cowboys…

I call them the ghosts of history. We know they were there, but we rarely get to see them. Black Cowboys in the 19th Century American West were omitted from many of the well-known tales of the Wild Wild West, why do you think that is?

EDI GATHEGI: It’s as clear as the air we breathe. It’s simply the history of white supremacy. Owen Wister wrote the first western novel in 1902 called “The Virginian” and he was a white author writing for a white audience. Hollywood screenwriters picked up where he left off and wrote screenplays about white cowboys.

They would turn well-known black fig-

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ures into white Hollywood action heroes, and that was the beginning of the erasure of the 1 in three black cowboys that were actually there. It was a design to delete us and it worked. The Harder They Fall says: Enough. We were there. And we were dope, and keep the door open because there’s more of us coming. And it’s about damn time.

“Art does not have to serve any agenda other than to tell the truth and entertain, but I like to believe it has the power to change hearts and minds in addition to bringing awareness.”

-EDI GATHEGI SFND MAG: Normally with a huge name like Jay-Z behind a film, the name will garner more attention than those in the film, but honestly, this is not the case with this movie. The buzz about this film has been about the cast and the cast alone. How does that feel knowing you all’s performances live up to the hype?

EDI GATHEGI: It’s wild. The cast is wild.

And I’m in that shit. So it’s wild. I’m also glad folks are really responding to our

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY Photography by Diana Ragland

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COVER STORY interpretation of the fictionalized version of real life figures.

SFND MAG: They are most definitely responding in a major way. So, as you just mentioned, the movie itself is fictional, however it is based on real characters.

For us, the way the characters were depicted in the movie made us want to dig deeper about their history. It made us want to know more about the Black Cowboys. What type of digging did you have to do to prepare yourself for this type of role and was it easy for you to settle into your character as Bill Pickett?

EDI GATHEGI: Like for every role, you do your homework. Sometimes it’s extensive and sometimes it’s an easy skin you wear. This was a skin, that I felt, the best way to honor real life Bill Pickett was to learn as much about him as I could and weave his essence into this sharp shooting superhero. The homework was extensive because the mission was great.

To honor our history and to help birth this classic into the lexicon of film.

SFND MAG: Talk to us about the cast of The Harder They Fall. How was it being on set with that much Black Star Power?

What is it like? Was there any competitiveness there among actors?

EDI GATHEGI: The mission kept me focused on the bigger picture. And Bill Pickett’s heart is pure. He’s the watcher.

He has everyone’s back and puts the group above himself. I was there to bring truth to Bill’s mission which became my

own.

SFND MAG: If you were to give yourself a Cowboy name to fit in with the likes of a Cherokee Bill, a Stagecoach Mary, or a Rufus Buck what would it be and why?

EDI GATHEGI: Bill’s cowboy name is the Dusky Demon. Mine would be Black Prince. That’s what my second mama called me growing up – shout out to Mama Nita.

SFND MAG: So, during our research we found out that you were quite an athlete in college. Hypothetically speaking, in a perfect world, if your knee injury never happened and you could accomplish fame and wealth with either basketball and acting, but could only choose one, which one would you choose?

EDI GATHEGI: I’m going to cheat here and say basketball. Because I never lived that life, it would be curious to achieve that knowing at my core I’m a storyteller and could use that fame to get into acting when the basketball career was over.

That’s the cheat. Both.

SFND MAG: Ok, since we are on this subject, let’s have a little fun. Which do you prefer, being on screen or on stage?

EDI GATHEGI: Antagonists are more fun, but protagonists inspire.

SFND MAG: New York Pizza or Cali pizza?

EDI GATHEGI: I didn’t know Cali pizza was a thing and I spent most of my life in Cali. I prefer Italian pizza. You know what. I just love pizza in general. Give me a NY Joe’s pizza slice I’ll fold that up and kill it, give me Blondie’s or La Val’s (Berkeley) and it’ll make me nostalgic.

Give me a wood-fired La Antica Pizzaria Di Michele (Italian pizza in LA) and you transport me to Italy. I just love pizza.

SFND MAG: So what is next for you Edi. What can we expect from you in 2022?

Anything new you can tell us about?

EDI GATHEGI: I’ll be joining the 3rd season of critically reviewed Apple + TV show FOR ALL MANKIND playing a role I’ve never played before. Should be fun. It’s a good show that only gets better each season. I always tell the showrunners of FAM that when all 7 seasons are available in a box set they’ll have a masterpiece in their hands.

SFND MAG: Thank you again Edi for interviewing with us man! We sincerely appreciate your time. Keep doing your thing. We wish you much continued success!

EDI GATHEGI: I dig both stage and screen, but I’m more at home on stage.

That’s my roots.

SFND MAG: Protagonist or Antagonist?

EDI GATHEGI: With pleasure. Thank you kindly.

“I’m interested in art as activism.

Art that can change the world in some small way. These are the types of projects that turn me on the most.”

-EDI GATHEGI DEC / JAN 2022 - SOFNDOPEMAGAZINE.COM -

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