The Unleashed Voice Magazine - 2021 July-August PIVOT Issue featuring Andre' Hammonds on the Cover!

JULY - AUGUST 2021

AN EMPOWERING

C O N V E R S AT I O N with TUV Editor’s

+

E XC LU S I V E INTERVIEW!

Andre’ Hammonds From Tennessee To Hollywood

C E L E B R I T Y FA S H I O N STYLIST | JUDGE O N S H A DY B R U N C H | FA S H I O N D E S I G N E R Andre’s roots extend from Somerville, TN to Hollywood CA. Andre’ is making his mark in the fashion industry and is quickly cementing his place as an ICON. His philanthropy work is credited with helping others by using his annual fashion show to give back.

VISIT TUVMAG.COM

2021 MARKS

4 0 Ye a r s o f t h e H I V/A I D S EPIDEMIC

+

A ME S SAGE TO THE

Black Community VA X X E D O R N A H ?

+

W H AT

PRIDE

is

NOT!

The argument against Commercialization of Pride by White Corporations

+

P O R N S TA R

DEANGELO Shares what life is like to be Black and working in the porn industry

The Pivot Issue

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: � Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. � Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. � Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. � Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. � Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. � The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

� Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your

healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: � dofetilide � rifampin � any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: � Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

including hepatitis infection. � Have any other health problems. � Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. � Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: � Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

� BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION � This is only a brief summary of important information

about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

� Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 � If you need help paying for your medicine,

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, KEEP ASPIRING, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0370 04/21

2

| THE UNLEASHED VOICE

DIMITRI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP ASPIRING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Dimitri’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

THE UNLEASHED VOICE |

3

CON TEN TS

Ad Deadline August 12, 2021

Next Issue September | October 2021

10Cover & Story 11 Andre’ Hammonds Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Fashion Designer, TV Host 06 | Editor’s Letter Gwendolyn D. Clemons Dr. Davin D. Clemons

09 | Health & Wellness

16 | Entertainment

Jeremy Johnson

Ariel Johnson

The Road from COVID To Recovery

One To Watch

12 | Health & Wellness Diandra Marie Vaxxed or Nah?

15 | Spirituality Beth Trouy Pivot If You Must

08

Special Feature Monique Monell Living Beyond Limits

19 | Arts News Anthony Green Souls of Black Pebbles

20 | Fashion Jevon Martin Strut Your Pride Apparel

21 | Mental Health News Davis Washington LGBTQ Counselors

22 | Special Contributor Madison Butler

14 17

Spirituality

4

Brodderick Roary Get Out of Your Own Way | CONTENTS

Entertainment News DeAngelo Jackson Porn Star

What Pride is Not!

23 | Commentary TUV Staff 2021 Marks 40 Years of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Shawn M. Clemons Administration/ Fashion Director

Gregory Graphics Layout/Design

Diandra Marie Guest Contributor

Monick Monell Talent Director & New York Correspondent

Whitney Johnson Chief Editor

Renae Taylor Transgender Correspondent

TEAM TUV

Snap to Subscribe to TUV Magazine Scan this code with your phone to subscribe to The Unleashed Voice Magazine Today! Take it everywhere you go, along with the print edition.

You’ll qualify to download each issue digitally through your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.

@TUVmagazine National Advertising + Rivendell Media Company 1248 US 22 Mountainside, NJ 07092 Office 908.232.2021 | www.rivendellmedia.com

CONTENTS |

5

“God’s Plan, God’s Plan I can’t do this on my own, no way” — DRAKE

ecently, American actress Tabitha Brown

made headlines after announcing that she was

retiring her husband from LAPD after securing enough

money from her acting career and recent contracts. Talk show

host Wendy Williams chimed in on the news to share her two cents

(as if she is the authority on healthy relationships) and negatively criticized Mrs. Brown for her decision. Nevertheless, in Tabitha-style, she eloquently addressed Wendy Williams by encouraging her to heal and find her own peace and love. Tabitha also shared with the world the secret

principles that she and her husband have applied in all aspects of their

lives, attributing their success to keeping GOD first!

This brings me to my focus on the importance of GOD’s Plan. The secret sauce to your success is not tied

to your own plan, but it is tied to GOD’s Plan for you. I remember when we first launched TUV Magazine. I had

big dreams to small-minded people. The vision is yours.

The imagination is yours. They can’t see your thoughts, so

stop sharing them with dreamkillers! GOD’s Plan is fail-proof if you stay the course and be

like Tabitha Brown: “Keep GOD first in everything you do!”

ON THE COVER:

a lot of plans and ideas in November 2014, but ultimately those plans amounted to truly little progress in our

Andre’ Hammonds is a native

the plans GOD had for me. It has taken us seven years to move from my home into a physical office space and

TSU. We are proud to highlight

businesses. Those plans were pretty much aborted because the plans I had then were not in alignment with finally create passive income for ourselves. As a business owner, building TUV Media has been particularly challenging and frustrating because things were not happening as fast as I envisioned. The money wasn’t there in the first six years. The staff we started with is not the staff we have now. People have tried to

sabotage our businesses. People have copied and stolen our brand and marketing strategy. People we

thought would be around to support us, abandoned us and tried to ruin our reputation. BUT GOD! But GOD blocked every attempt to take us out, and I mean EVERY ATTEMPT!

In the grand scheme of things, I have learned that GOD’s Plan for your life will blow your mind. The things I had planned for our businesses are matchless when compared to the moves and the people GOD has initiated for us. I could not have imagined the position we are thriving in now because these

weren’t my plans. I was planning too small, but GOD always goes BIG once you’ve proven your faithfulness and complete trust that things will come to pass for you.

One piece of advice for those of you who are waiting on your big breakthrough. Stay on Faith Street because that’s the only address that GOD delivers too.

6

And… please don’t tell your

| EDITOR’S LETTER

Tennessean and a graduate of this Southern Gentleman with our audience so that you can

vicariously experience how to “Live Beyond Limits.” Andre’ shares how hard work and

meeting the right people have positioned him to pivot and

thrive in Hollywood, California.

Be Well, Do Well, My Friends,

Gwendolyn D. Clemons, MBA, MSM

Editor in Chief of TUV Media

Living Unapologetically am often asked this question: Q: “For the younger Black generations, what is your greatest piece of advice for living unapologetically or pursuing passions or joy?”

Here is my answer in hope that someone reading this will become free and

inspired to Live Unapologetically!

A: Well, this is a loaded question, but let me give it a try. Living unapologetically is

an act of self-realization that means not expending energy on what people think! It

means loving yourself and your inner circle of friends because some sure won’t. I love my deep

melanin and my rich culture. I love being LGBT and the voice I have to speak about important

issues. I am so proud of who I am and who I want to be. And whenever someone wants to just sit and listen, I will be unapologetically me.

Now, in my humble opinion, this position can take some time and experience to develop. If

you are underage or living with your parents, for instance, you risk the chance of becoming evicted or possibly homeless due to your parents being homophobic. But if you’re an adult facing the dilemma of living your life unapologetically then it’s time for you to stand up and be you. Being “unapologetically you” is your ultimate freedom. It’s where lifelong joy is found. It’s how you craft a lasting legacy that persists in the world beyond you. This is the time to stop asking others for permission to live your life!

To all my sisters and brothers who are LGBTQIA+ ...heterosexual, pansexual, black,

white, or whomever… You possess the infinite power of choice. And through some hard-earned lessons, plenty of

dedication, and genuine commitment,

you can choose to start living a brandnew life from exactly where you are

today. No matter who you are or what

you do, it begins with becoming more and more unapologetically you.

I approve this message!

Dr. Davin D. Clemons, DMin.

EDITOR’S LETTER |

7

Living Beyond Limits

By Monick Monell

C

hoose to acknowledge the brilliance in you! Many years ago, I met someone

who told me I should not be working on so

many projects since I just came back to New York City. She also said something later I

overlooked. I’ve been hearing this for years and usually watch others say this to their peers.

They say, “Stay with what you know” I often

wondered, what’s wrong with doing multiple things in life? I know artists who

have written books and worked a 9 to 5

office job as well. I have heard of sports players and actors who turned into politicians and have transcended.

I walked into New York City party life and

found out that things have changed as I’ve

gotten older. Things have change and evolved, so we must evolve with it. I started promoting parties and noticed something was missing.

It is a belief in the human spirit, that to live without placing limitations on oneself or other’s ability is to experience, grow and thrive. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

– Marianne Williamson

There was too much division and not enough togetherness or opportunities. I started

working for a company that fosters social

responsibility through fashion installations,

as a platform for activism and the promotion of sustainability. Something that provides

awareness to the following causes: global water crisis, anti-bullying, anti-domestic

violence, body positivism, marriage equality, trans-justice, youth homelessness, among

other major issues that the LGBTQ community still face. It helped me reach my next step,

a new action in my life, it gave me purpose.

I learned something new; storytelling and creating safe spaces was something my heart desired. The SAGE Table and The

Generations Project provided me a mirror

to navigate intergenerational connections

with people of all ages. The Unleashed Voice Magazine gave me my passion back for

writing, something I did years ago that proved to be healing. They gave me the opportunity to give people space and light, while also

highlighting people’s talent and creativity.

Legitmindstate_LLC

@shellyferrrellofficial

8

| FEATURED INTERVIEW

of gender-diverse women and people who

identify as queer & trans Black, Indigenous, People of Color (QTBIPoC). Their stories

allow us to reflect on the truth that gender is infinite. By honoring this, it brings us a step

closer to liberating ourselves from damaging social constructs. Additionally, “I Identify as

Me” addresses social issues that are avoided within the LGBTQIA+ community and society at large. The film spotlights folks who are

often invisible in entertainment and media.

Now my story has not stopped there at

age 43, No! There is more to come. I write

this to let you know that every turn, every connection, every door has led me to an experience that gave me hope, gave me

fulfillment, and of course gave me power

to believe in myself. Could you imagine if I

listened to that person who said I should do only things in life one at a time? Would you

only take a trip once in your life? Would you swim only once in the sea? Would you hug

someone you love only once in your life? No! So why not take a chance in getting to know

yourself more, see what change you can give back into this world.

Every day we evolve, we take release things

that hold us hostage (Family/Friends) from our dreams. We remove the heavy armor (doubt) that has been dragging us down (negativity), as we get closer to our purpose. Our drive

changes (heart) our course, our views, the

way we eat, the way we choose to express ourselves through how we dress, even the

way we talk to ourselves. Are you growing?

Do you know that person you are becoming?

Hold on to what makes your soul richer, where you find completion and self-actualization. Go beyond the state of success, experience life and visualize creating a bigger picture that

connects to something greater that is you!

They shine a light on Black LGBTQ and our

Remember there is always more to come. Live

piece by piece each day on this earth.

you will be able to see that there is more to

history which we are actively decolonizing, Photographer:

on a documentary. The feature is a chorus

My newest adventure helped magnify

my voice to an even greater extent. I am

working as one of the directors/producers

life beyond limitations, stretch out your hand, grab in this world. My motto is “Breathe You” and I will ask again, how much love have you poured into yourself today?

FROM COVID TO RECOVERY-ONE MAN’S DETERMINATION TO KICK THE CORONAVIRUS ASS

By Jeremy Johnson

P

icture it! Atlanta,

Georgia, February

2020. The air, musty. The birds, chirping as usual.

And traffic, hella congested

as always. Townships, cities,

and states everywhere would soon become battlegrounds and rallying centers, once

again, for justice and the continuous outcry that “Black Lives Matter.” The United States of America and ultimately the world-at

large was dangerously anxious about the

upcoming presidential election. Yes, the good ole resilient folks of this great country, were carrying about with everyday life shit, and I was one of them. Going to work, coming

home, doing the laundry, having sex, eating,

praying, and repeating the cycle that so many of us had spun ourselves into.

AND THEN, SOMETHING STARTED HAPPENING. Strangely, there are many times, I don’t recall specific dates or events; and frankly, I am

not sure what attributes to this absence of

memory. But I can remember February 22nd

and 23rd with razor-sharp accuracy. I was one

was extremely necessary for my seated

virus of systemic racism and injustice reared

response, I had hit another home run. Little did

brutal murder of George Floyd later this same

performance. Judging by the audience

I know though, shortly after that performance, something would hit me and send me running home. I recall using my knee scooter to roll myself back to my seat, and upon my safe

transition, a tickle developed in my throat.

Initially, I didn’t pay it much attention as I just assumed it was nothing serious. But that “nothing serious” began to escalate.

I managed to get home that evening with

the help of a friend and rested to prepare

myself for the following day’s performance.

Like Saturday’s performance, Sunday’s

performance went well. And then, suddenly, something started happening. Remember

that tickle I spoke about previously? The one that I just assumed was nothing serious? It’s

like someone was in possession of a dial that when turned to the right increased the level of seriousness, and they turned the mutha

fuckah all the way to the right. Within minutes, I went from experiencing a tickle in my

throat to a full-on cough, feelings of nausea, a headache, and a whole bunch of other

symptoms. I removed myself from the general

population, which was several hundred people at this time and waited for the event to end.

Wanda Hollis, affectionately known as the

“Motivational Queen” drove me back home,

and I informed her that I was not feeling well. I recall unbuttoning my shirt and loosening my belt to make my transition to the bedroom as expeditiously as possible. After a quick honk

of the horn and an exchanged wave, I dashed

into my apartment and threw myself onto the

bed as quickly as possible. My head pounded, I felt congested, and I just could not quite grasp how things went left so suddenly.

its ugly head again with the senseless and

year, which sparked national and world-wide protests. I never did find out whether what ailed me was the Coronavirus. All I know is that many viruses were actively plaguing

our country simultaneously in 2020. By the

time the Presidential Election rolled around

more than 250,000 people had lost their lives.

Things that make you go hmmmm.

BUT LIKE DESTINY’S CHILD SANG… As previously stated, I never did find out

whether what I experienced in February of

2020 was Coronavirus related. But, in May of 2021, I took myself out on a date and I often encouraged single folks to date as well. I

started my afternoon at Virgil’s located in

Eastpoint, Georgia and then concluded my

evening at Louisiana Bistreaux which is also in Eastpoint, which happens to be the company that employs me. I was having a good time. I

enjoyed my oysters and my rice and my drinks and laughter, and yeah, all was well-until I got home. The same as with the February 2020 occurrence, I went from feeling completely

healthy, wealthy, and wise to feeling like shit.

It started with a cough, and then it progressed to feelings of nausea, chills, a fever,

excruciating headache, and a loss of appetite.

I was advised to get tested for Coronavirus

and this time I listened. The test came back positive, and I was given the instructions

to self-quarantine for 10 days; 14 days if I

experienced any symptoms. Those fourteen days felt like the most debilitating time I

have ever experienced on this earth. Friends and family came to my aid and provided me

with nourishment, fruits, vitamins, tea and all

manner of advice and well-wishes. I followed

of several entertainers slated to perform and

IN THE NEWS…

their instructions on how I should sleep to

be a guest panelist at the 2nd Atlanta Creators Conference, which was held that Saturday and

And then came the news that a new virus

to the emergency room, and my relentless

Sunday at the Atlanta Marriott Northeast Emory

had reached America, kind of like when

the Pilgrims landed. Could this be what I

Hotel. Created by B.R.E. International Inc., the

event brought together filmmakers, producers, illustrators, actors, cinematographers,

screenwriters, musicians, Entertainment Law

and Associated Industries together for a 2-day conference and networking affair.

Even though I had to perform with crutches and a cast, due to my recent surgery to

repair a fractured fibula, all went well that

Saturday. I sang with power and confidence

and even managed to recall my vocal coach’s instructions about snatch breathing, which

was experiencing? Was I one of the first to

contract this new Coronavirus? I recall hearing news stories of China this and monkey that; bat this and meat market that and yeah,

somehow, we now had this virus that was running rampant and claiming lives. That was February 2020. From then on, that’s

pretty much all we heard in the news about

Covid-19! We learned from the news that the death toll across the world was rapidly rising

supposedly due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

As if this wasn’t challenging enough, the

avoid getting a lung infection. Upon my visit pursuit to know what the heck was going

on with me, a CT scan determined that my

condition had advanced rapidly to Pneumonia.

And to think they barely wanted to take a

chest x-ray. But you know how the saying

goes, you can’t keep a good man down and what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.

Through prayer, journaling, an attitude of

gratitude, patience, and perseverance, just like Destiny’s Child, I’m a survivor, and thankfully, without the emergency approved “vaccine”

that every celebrity and their mama is trying

to convince us to take. Take that Coronavirus.

Who’s next?

HEALTH & WELLNESS |

9

What is the story behind the establishment and personality of Shop HEM that sets it apart as an apparel brand —and what can we expect to see coming forth in your collections as everyone finally gets back to their regularly scheduled slaying in 2021?

Andre’ Hammonds IS A NATIVE TENNESSEAN where he credits his fashion

career to his days at

Tennessee State University where he studied Fashion

Merchandising. After a

successful run in Tennessee

booking campaigns for bridal, tech, and other companies he

decided to make the leap to

Los Angeles. Andre’ is working hard and showing aspiring

designers and entrepreneurs that it’s all possible.

10

| COVER STORY

Shop HEM is my web-based luxury fashion boutique that offers clothing, accessories, and custom designs for any occasion.

We strive to provide our customers with affordable prices, high quality

merchandise, and most importantly top of the line customer service. The brand was birthed through my extensive career as

a celebrity stylist & costumer designer. I realized the value I was providing to

emerging designers through styling their creations on my clients. Coupled with

my decade long friendship with my now

business partner, we were able to create a brand that was true to our heritage as

friends and our unique individual styles.

“Not to be cliche, but I honestly believe we can truly do anything we set our minds to. The worlds of entrepreneurship and entertainment are riddled with obstacles and learning opportunities.”

As a stylist what’s the most godforsaken

What advice would you offer to others

look that you’re beyond sick and tired of

with big aspirations in such competitive

seeing — whether in the streets, on the

and premier industries as fashion and

runway, or on the screen — and why?

entertainment— or any entrepreneurial

Truthfully, there are no looks that I am “sick of”. I believe in the power of uniqueness

through fashion choices. Fashion should

or creative venture, for that matter — where it can be so difficult to set yourself apart and make a name for yourself?

be seen through the individual lens of the

The best advice I can give to people aspiring

and other avenues create our unique

and entertainment is to follow their hearts

that individually as we build our personal

believe we can truly do anything we set our

works for you might not work for me and

and entertainment are riddled with

garments, but for others the “oversized”

must be willing to face them all head on with

wearer. Travel, culture, food, architecture

to be in the competitive markets of fashion

sense of style, and we should all embrace

and intuition. Not to be cliché, but I honestly

aesthetics. The old saying is true, what

minds to. The worlds of entrepreneurship

vice versa. For what it’s worth, I hate ill fitted

obstacles and learning opportunities. You

look is always in.

the same tenacity.

We’ve noticed you mention in a couple

What do you have in the works that you’re

of different spaces that, “Everything

most excited to have coming up next?

matters,” is your favorite quote and

This year has been off to an amazing start.

favorite piece of advice. Can you expound on the context, the meaning, and the reason that statement resonates with

I am a recurring cast member on two digital series that just finished airing, “The Shady

you so deeply?

Brunch” presented by well-known media

The context in which I say “everything

Chasing LA. Both of these amazing shows

matters” is very simple, everything matters!

It’s my personal mantra to move with

intention. To make every decision, choice,

and action intentional. Often times I notice people make moves in their career and

life without any real direction or thought

behind the steps they are taking. Typically,

they end up underwhelmed with the results or taking different courses of action.

Through moving intentionally, we create

an awareness that every step we take to

further our brands or personal lives must be methodical and well thought out.

titan The Shade Room & Chasing Reality’s

just wrapped their first season with record

breaking numbers that will hopefully solidify

us for a season 2! In addition to my multimedia presence, I have been strengthening my work as a costume designer with my first feature film as a lead designer airing this summer

on the Lifetime Network. I will be releasing

new and exclusively designed pieces from my luxury boutique Shop HEM that I look forward to sharing with my audience.

Overall, I never know what the future holds for me, but I am always eager and excited to see what’s in store next!

Photo Credits: Photographer: Reginald Alexander @childishart

Stylist: Niko Brown @nkthbrnd

Clothing: Blue Suit: Naid’s Fashion @Naidsfashion

Beige look: ANEAU Fashion PR

Multi Colored Short Set: Guess

Sunglasses and Jewelry: SHOP HEM Purple Top: Shop HEM

@Shop_With_Hem

Plaid Pants: ANEAU Fashion PR

PR: @thebookingconnectionteam COVER STORY |

11

Vaxxed... or Nah?

By Diandra Marie

P

arties, concerts, & no masks – oh my!

Our lives have been transitioning back

to a state of “normalcy” after following

CDC guidelines and regulations for over a year. Many states have lifted most (if not

all) of their COVID-19 restrictions, giving

is a quick go-to argument against receiving

others, indoor and outdoor. We’re able to

scratch the surface.

concerts again. As an extroverted millennial

unwilling (and often unknowing) participants

us free reign to be in close quarters with

the vaccine, but that honestly doesn’t even

enjoy gatherings like parties, brunch, and

Overall, there’s a lack of humanity shown to

myself, I have found a lot of recent joy in

of science experiments like The Aversion

going out with my friends and enjoying each

other’s company without masks on. It seems like the dread and fatigue of quarantining has dissipated and I’m ready to have a

#HotGirlSummer. The reason I’m eager to

get back outside & live my life like it’s golden isn’t because I think COVID has magically disappeared and there’s no longer a real

concern about the virus. My concern is still there, but now that I’m fully vaccinated,

there’s a huge sense of relief with reducing the spread of the virus.

Project in South Africa, the Guatemalan STD study, and “The Chamber” used

during the Cold War to test a deadly poison on prisoners. Even the Agent Orange

Experiments, which used 75 prisoners to study the effects of Agent Orange, was

partially funded by Johnson & Johnson, the company also responsible for the 1-dose COVID vaccine. It’s clear why someone

would disregard the vaccine altogether,

especially when it took less than a year to

develop, run trials, and receive approval from

Let’s face it, recent progress with COVID-19

the FDA. What I will say about my reason to

Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines

another huge deciding factor that came into

the year. Daily COVID cases have decreased

If you’re like me, you know that living alone

11,500 as of June 21st. While the cumulative

dread of a new, deadly virus no one had the

has been largely attributed to the Pfizer,

get vaccinated, though, is that there was

that became available at the beginning of

play: my mental health.

from over 220,000 in January to roughly

with stay-at-home orders combined with the

death rate has risen to over 600,000, the daily death rate has maintained a steady

decline, especially as the vaccines became

more available. Yet, there is still a portion of

the American population who have decided

not to get vaccinated for a variety of reasons.

What connects those reasons seem to be a

general distrust toward science...and I get it.

As a Black woman, the Tuskegee experiment

12

| HEALTH & WELLNESS

cure for was not the business. The extrovert I am felt cut off from society, not able to see my family and loved ones in person, out of

fear of getting infected or infecting someone else. Mix that with the constant news cycle of daily infections, death tolls, and seeing

Black people die because of police brutality,

mental breakdowns were imminent. If you’ve lost a loved one to COVID-19, I can only

imagine how much more magnified that

would be. I struggled to hold on to my sense of purpose as the days melted together and it felt like my inner demons always wanted

to come out and play. Not even 6 months in and I was calling my therapist to see if she

could put me back on her books. So, when the opportunity presented itself to get

vaccinated, my concern about the effects of the vaccine were outweighed by my mental turmoil. My reason was bigger than just

wanting to get back to normalcy, it was for

the concern of my mental state and keeping those around me as safe as possible (I still wear my mask in stores for that reason).

While I don’t judge people, who choose not to get vaccinated, I hope you realize the bigger picture – getting back to enjoying each

other’s company, in person, without fear or high risk of someone becoming infected.

If the vaccine turns me into a “zombie” (for the record I don’t believe in zombies or

their pending apocalypse), that’s a chance

I’m willing to take. Are there symptoms you experience after taking the vaccine like a sore arm, fatigue, and chills? Absolutely,

but they are a small price to pay for you or someone else not to experience the more difficult symptoms of COVID-19. As the

world continues to move toward getting

as many people inoculated as possible to reduce the risk and spread of the virus, a prominent question we will all have to

grapple with is: are you vaxxed... or nah?

LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER

HIV prevention our way.

HIV doesn’t have to stand in the way of a healthy sexual relationship.

PrEP is a daily pill that can help prevent HIV.

FIND A PrEP PROVIDER NEAR YOU

13

CONTENTS |

Get Out of Your Own Way

By Brodderick Roary

achieve IF you put your mind to it. And be

uncomfortable? Yes sir, Yes Ma’am but this

make your goal and/or dream a reality. Will

trying something new, you can only grow if

committed to doing the work necessary to it be hard work? Yes. Will you want to give up? Yes. Will it be worth the fight? 100%.

However, you cannot just dip your foot in the pool of the unknown. You must dive

in, headfirst. It is mind blowing what can

happen when you choose to not give up. In the words of Thalia, “I think that nothing is

impossible when you want to fulfill a dream.

A lot of people will tell you that you cannot

do it, that you do not have what it takes, but if it is in your heart and you feel it, there is

nothing that will stop you. It is like the sun you can’t block it: it will shine regardless, if that is what you want.”

It will spark your intrinsic motivation and light a fire under your behind that will

put you into a state of doing whatever

is necessary to achieve your goals and

dreams. In fact, it has been proven time

and time again that great things happen

when we are challenged and work at the

edge of our skill level. When was the last time you went above and beyond your

limits and did something that tested every bone in your body? Whatever challenge you are currently facing in life, you are

strong enough to rise above the things that are trying to hold you down.

CIRCUMSTANCES. RISE ABOVE THEM!

Dwelling on the “what if’s” and having a

words out loud? Instead of dropping into fear mode when a challenge hits you, try approaching it from a position of

Your circumstances do not define who

you feel awkward and uneasy.

YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR

How does it feel when you say these

RISE ABOVE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

is where the magic lies. Any time you are

excitement and enthusiasm.

Is this going to be

pity party will not help. Trust me. I have

done it, and it only leaves you feeling stuck and afraid to move. It all comes down to pushing through

your mental blocks and fears

knowing that your only limit is

YOU. Get out of your own way.

you are. When you live without limits, you

You must do the thing that

people are willing to choose this path.

above your circumstances.

are truly FREE. Unfortunately, not enough

you think you cannot do. Rise

Instead, they stay in their comfort zones,

In the words of the late great

for fear that they will fail or letting other’s put limitation on they live their lives.

The fact of the matter is you are the only thing standing in your way of

success. Guess what? Change can be

scary but living with regret is even scarier.

The key to conquering anything that

seems impossible to the mind’s eye is an

unwavering belief in oneself. We all reach

critical points in our lives where our mental toughness is put to the test – the loss of

a loved one, the ending of a relationship,

marriage, a financial crisis or a health scare.

You have the power to turn the impossible into the possible. It all starts and ends in

your mind. It is amazing how much you can

14

| SPIRITUALITY

Muhammad Ali:

“Impossible is not a fact. It is an opinion.

Impossible is not a declaration. It is a dare.

Impossible is potential.

Impossible is temporary.

Impossible is nothing.”

Now is the time to show the world that the word, “impossible” does not exist in your vocabulary.

PIVOT IF YOU MUST!

By Beth Trouy

N

othing like spending much of your day off in a social media confrontation

with someone on a mission to attack the

gay community, unprovoked, with stone-

throwing. Worse still when it is an old high school classmate. I decided though, that in honor of Pride Month, I was not going to overlook the negative posts about

the gay community. Not this month. As

expected, my attempts to bring him around only brought on more biblical quotes and

accusations about my sexual promiscuity that he assumed I was performing:

(Interesting how so many people think of themselves authorities of the bible and

endowed with X-ray vision to see through others’ bedroom walls). The righteous hypocrisy of this divorced man and so many like him, who claim to be devout

Christians as they throw stones at others, well, it is perplexing to say the least. His friends soon joined in and wrote about

the “choice” of being gay and the hatred

God has for those in sin. One even spoke about burning in hell for the choice I had

made. You might wonder at this point why I even stayed on his wall and kept reading

the comments. It would have been so much easier and less emotionally draining to just

conversation. These were deeply rooted

confusion and self-hate might be lethal. We

condemn, not listen. I needed to pivot away

be accepted and loved and allowed to grow

and motivated people out to preach and from my anger and toward my purpose.

Confronting them was necessary because of those in the margins: the bystanders

who were silently watching and reading. I was fully committed to supporting those in the margins who needed to hear a

positive and affirming message. I was

speaking to the ones who were vulnerable enough to believe the man’s words that

God did not love them as they were and

until they changed, they were doomed to

hell. You see, I was once that bystander. I once heard those very words from good-

stand up for them. Everyone deserves to

up free to discern what and who they are in this world. I also think they deserve to hear that God loves them as they are. Come to think of it, I am standing up for God too.

Directly after his sentence, “Who am I to

judge” Pope Francis added, “Religion has the right to express its opinion in service to the people, but God in creation has

set us free. It is not possible to interfere

spiritually in the life of a person.” We too

are the Church and there is room for all of us in God’s house of many rooms.

meaning Christians too. My presence

today is because there was someone who

confronted the negative messengers with a positive one and I heard them. It saved my life. Someone was brave enough to

keep engaging them with a level-headed

proclamation of the Good News and I heard it loud and clear. It certainly sounded much more like what I felt Jesus would say.

Yes, I will pivot and take the blows, even

the stabs in the back from this classmate I deeply care about in spite of his missdirected behavior. Why? Because

In the flush of love’s light, we dare to be brave, and suddenly, we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet, it is only love which sets us free.”

– MAYA ANGELOU

sometimes, like during Pride Month,

standing up to the hate gives others hope.

Sometimes it is not even so much what we are saying, but it’s what we are doing, that influences the bystanders around us. We

have come a long way, but we have a long way yet to go. For every time someone struggling with gender identity issues

is confronted by these comments, their

scroll and find some puppies to watch. I

admit, I was beginning to lose motivation to support Pride Month as my anger and frustration mounted.

I needed to pivot. You see, there are times

when confrontation is not only appropriate, but necessary. Not because we are

trying to win an argument; certainly, no

minds were going to be changed in this SPIRITUALITY |

15

Letting The Music be

the influence Q

ueer artist, Ariel Johnson but known to her fans as Ariel J, is taking on

the music industry with her R&B vibe and

vocals and expressive and relatable lyrics.

She is a songwriter, musician, and an artist.

She writes her own songs along with ghost

writing for other artists, as well. She brings a

universal topics that everybody can listen,

twenty-year-old of African American descent

an influence to help bridge this gap in the

new sound and fresh style to R&B. Ariel J. is a who has proven her mettle as a singer and songwriter and is now working her way to

the top of the music scene. With her passion, determination, and drive, she is sure to fulfill her lifelong dreams of being a well-known, established, and successful artist.

Ariel J. is passionate about many things

beyond music and is ready to shine light,

address, and fight for things that she feels heavily on. “While we focus on music, we need to have conversations about how

LGBTQ+ people are presented and treated as individuals in the media and day-to-day interactions. There are so many wrong

things that need correction, and those

conversations must be had”, she says. Her music contains real-life storytelling about

16

| ENTERTAINMENT

connect, and relate to. She is proud to be music industry.

Ariel J.’s motivation to build her music

brand comes from seeing how hard her

entire family worked when she was young.

She wants to be a successful musician and create a better life for her entire family and everyone coming after her. “I watched my

grandmother, father, uncles, aunts, and other members of my family put work into their

music. They all sing or play one instrument or the other, and they’re the reason I

decided to expand on my gifts. I want them to experience real comfort, and I’m willing to put in the work to get me to that level

where nobody has to bother about anything anymore.” Ariel says.

In the next 10 years, Ariel sees herself as an established songwriter in her career with a

couple executive producer credits. Hopefully

by this time, she would have won an academy award and is well secure in her career.

Songs like “Excited”, “Are You Down”, and

“Fears Off”, are 1 of many reasons why fans love Ariel’s music. It’s real, relatable, and

from the heart. She writes a lot about her own experiences so her fans will be able to connect with her through her songs.

“Songs about love, unity, and understanding need to be released, and I want to do that

to make the world better,” she says. As she continues to grow as an artist and person, she just hopes that her fans will be right there beside her.

e

N

arrated by GAYVN 2020 Best Actor

and reigning Performer of The Year

the Oscars. He started his career in 2009 and is now in his third year as Noir Male’s

Award winner DeAngelo Jackson, Being

exclusive contract performer. Jackson was

men of color as they navigate their way

studied Criminal Justice at Florida State

adult film industry. Through interviews

as a way to make extra money in college.

and LA, the film examines their unique

Jackson lost his virginity on camera. He

Black in Porn follows the lives of four gay

born in Germany, raised in Georgia and

in the competitive and often complicated

University. He entered the adult industry

with the men in NYC, Chicago, Las Vegas,

Having never been with a man or woman,

experiences including their encounters

doesn’t regret any choices he has made

with racism (being cast in servant roles

or as thugs; also, facing white performers

who refuse to perform with them because of the color of their skin), stereotypes

(black talent are expected to have large

penises and they’re made to bottom when they do not) and inequality (though “BBC films” is one of the most searched terms in porn, black actors report making less money than their white counterparts).

In addition to their time behind the

camera, Being Black in Porn delves into the personal lives of the men, exploring

the impact their careers have on their real worlds, on social media and in the global Black Lives Matter movement. Being Black in Porn is being distributed by

and maintains a happy relationship with

Productions and adult production house

proud of all of his adult film success.

will premiere world-wide Juneteenth

struggles as all working professionals,”

Mile High in association with Novo Novus

his supportive family who say they are

Noir Male. The Being Black in Porn trailer

“Our favorite porn stars have the same

weekend through Noir Male’s Instagram

says DeAngelo Jackson’s co-executive

channel here:

@officialnoirmale

producer on Being Black in Porn,

“I had to share this story,” says DeAngelo

Dwight Allen O’Neal. “Our hope is that

Black in Porn is also the film’s executive

understanding of these men and sends

the documentary: Dillion Diaz, Max Konnor,

of adult film that Black Lives Matter

directed DeAngelo’s first scene in adult

within very industry.”

Jackson who in addition to narrating Being

our documentary creates a better

producer. He selected the main cast for

a message to everyone inside and outside

and Rock Rockfella, an industry legend who

everywhere, in everything, and

film. “I had to do this for my fellow brothers and sisters in the entire adult industry. I

learned early on that if we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything.”

Jackson is the first black man to win a GAYVN Best Actor Award in 2020 and

most recently claimed the most coveted GAYVN Performer of The Year 2021 title,

from the adult film industry’s equivalent to ENTERTAINMENT |

17

18| CONTENTS

A

social horror film about a black, gay republican haunted by the ghost of a murdered, unarmed black man. The plot explores society’s fear of black

bodies and the concept of sexual soul ties, where remnants of the soul linger within sexual partners. Not only is it an allegory for STIs but it depicts the body itself as a

haunted house rather than an actual dwelling. The Souls of Black Pebbles is a multilayered narrative that has not been told before.

Anthony Green is the founder of Cage Brid Productions where he creates socially conscious projects that affirm African-American LGBT storytelling. The goal

is to provide representation in genres where LGBTQ perspectives, culture and

lived experiences are often ignored. His last play, When Boys Exhale sold out last

January and received news coverage in Metro Weekly. His team scheduled another run as well as a tour, but the pandemic cancelled their shows. Luckily, he was

awarded a small grant from the DC Arts and Humanities Commission to begin

work on his first film,The Souls of Black Pebbles.

Green is in need of financial assistant to take the story from the page to the screen. Your donation would ensure that our cast and crew have the necessary equipment, props, wardrobe and

locations to bring a quality film to our community.

Connect with him or follow him on Facebook @anthonygreen.

By Anthony Green THE UNLEASHED VOICE |

19

STRUT YOUR PRIDE APPAREL I

f there ever was a time to Strut You

Pride, THIS IS YOUR TIME! With what

is going on in the world, the need

to claim, own, and celebrate YOUR fierce uniqueness, as an LGBTQ+

person, is more important than ever.

I you identify as LGBTQ+ of an ally,

NOW is the time to grab your PRIDE flags, shake your tambourines, hit your drums, take to the streets &

STRUT YOUR PRIDE! It’s time to lead the parade and march in style, slip on these 100% Italian handmade

shoes and prance, baby, prance down 5th Avenue in NYC, pump down the

Santa Monica Blvd. in LA and in every country that celebrates LOVE! Today, we need to dig into our LGBTQ+

community soulfulness. We need to be seen. We need to be heard and we need to strut our pride every

opportunity we can. How you strut your Pride is up to you! Check out

these 100% Italian handmade limited edition leather shoes!

These shoes are designed by Transactivist Jevon Martin.

Order: aliveshoes.com/strut-your-pride-1 aliveshoes.com @aliveshoes

ALIVESHOES

20

| FASHION

The Davis-Washingtons They have been married for four years and are celebrating their anniversary!

M

eet the Davis-Washington men!

These two live in Houston, TX.

Britton is an administrator for K-12

schools and Los works as an operator in oil movements for an Oil & Energy

company. They have been married for four years and are celebrating their anniversary!

As advocates for mental health within

the LGBTQ+, these two not only chose

to get married on the first day of pride

month but they also both went to gain a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Mental

Health Counseling. They are both eager to spread love, inspiration, and a little hope during these trying times in society!

Get to know them more @thedaviswashingtons THE UNLEASHED VOICE |

21

WHAT PRIDE IS NOT!

By Madison Butler “Blue Haired Unicorn”

Pride has not been brought to you by big tech and rainbow logos.

Pride was brought to you by Black trans women.

Pride was brought to you by Black trans women throwing bottles at cops.

Pride is not about rainbow capitalism. Pride

is not about changing your logo, your banner or your frame. Pride is not about cis-heteros making themselves feel good by waving a rainbow flag.

Pride is about queer liberation. Pride is about Black queer liberation. Pride is about queer

existence. Pride is about queer people, period.

Yet every year, companies show up with their

updated logos, screaming how much they care about the LGTBQ community?

Yet very rarely are they telling us how they

are supporting their own LGBTQ community

who is employed within their four walls. They

never show their C-suite, boards or equitable

pay structures. Instead, they spend their time pushing marketing campaigns to boost their revenue and expand their social footprint.

They market themselves on the backs of LQTBQ

Allyship is a verb.

Change does not come from adjectives.

Change does not come from making money off those you claim to “support”.

That’s the tea.

This month my inbox has been full of companies looking to profit off Black or LGBTQ trauma.

Profiting off people’s pain is not justice.

Before you buy big box store’s “Juneteenth” or “Pride” merch

on sale, remember that you can go into these same stores and

demand to not have to work with a Black or gay associate.

Ironically, during the Pride month

we announced that Juneteenth would

become a federal holiday, while states

simultaneously banned the teachings of why Juneteenth even exists.

The irony of creating a national holiday around

a topic that is being removed from curriculums around the country is not lost.

pain and trauma. The first pride was a riot, it was

The pain and suffering of our communities is

yet you rarely see companies touch that topic. Too

learned we really know how to throw a party.

about the pain and suffering of our community,

often people want our rainbows, but not our rain.

You can’t just slap a rainbow on your logo and call yourself an ally.

You can’t take an unconscious bias training and call yourself an ally.

We deserve more than rainbow logos and skirting around hard conversations/

We deserve to have companies and people who

too much to look directly at, but they’ve Slapping a bow on systemic racism and homophobia doesn’t make it prettier.

Removing history from books doesn’t make it disappear.

Reform comes through policy change.

Reform comes through accountability.

Reform comes through education.

stand alongside us fighting this fight.

Reform comes through economic equity.

We deserve visibility 365 days a year and we

Reform does not come in the form of

deserve safety.

We deserve to hold hands in public and love out loud.

As long as it is unsafe to exist as a Black trans

22

woman, your rainbow logos are a dog whistle.

| THE UNLEASHED VOICE

marketing campaigns to push your white/ hetero owned brand.

If your allyship is rooted in capitalism, it is not allyship, it is performance.

Pride is about queer existence.

Pride is about queer people, period.

2021 Marks 40 Years of Commentary by TUV Staff

F

HIV/Aids

In the U.S.

orty years ago, on June 5th, the

Centers for Disease Control and

REFLECT

RECOMMIT

of what later became known as AIDS. At

We honor the more than 32

The U.S. government is fully

that AIDS would still be with us today or

from acquired immunodeficiency

a diverse group of partners to help

Prevention reported on the first five cases that time, none of us could have imagined that it would have taken more than 32

million lives globally, including 700,000 in

million people who have died

syndrome (AIDS) -related illness

globally, including 700,000 in the

the United States.

U.S., since the start of the HIV

Today, we honor the memory of these

we will not stop until we end

men, women, and children, many of whom we lost in the prime of their lives to this

devastating disease. We also celebrate the

epidemic. In their memory,

the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and around the globe.

more than 38 million people worldwide,

To commemorate June 5th, federal

RE–ENERGIZE Forty years into the HIV epidemic,

ending the HIV Epidemic.

of-society mobilization effort

The United States Government has committed on focusing the theme of “Four for Forty” SOURCES: www.state.gov/on-the-40th-anniversary-ofthe-first-reported-cases-of-aids/

oar.nih.gov/nih-oar-mmwr-40th-anniversarysocial-media-toolkit

abroad, especially in communities of people with and at risk for

HIV, while ensuring an effective response to COVID-19 and

preparing for future pandemics. To this end, the Biden administration has proposed increased

health programs, including those

agencies around the country hosted a

series of talks, shared strategic plans for

end the HIV epidemic at home and

investments in global and domestic

including 1.2 million in the United States, who are bravely living with HIV.

committed to continued work with

we need to re-energize a wholein order to end it. This requires

reinvigorating and diversifying the HIV response to ensure equitable access to prevention, care, and

treatment services, especially for

those disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. This effort is only possible by engaging

people with lived experience and

elevating their efforts to energize the community. We have made

remarkable progress in preventing

addressing HIV.

RE–ENGAGE The U.S. government cannot

end the HIV epidemic alone. We need continued contributions

and innovation from all sectors

of American and global society.

Together we must re-engage, continue to empower, and

strengthen coordination with

our partners across the U.S. and around the world for maximum and enduring impact.

and treating HIV in the U.S. and around the world and our work

is not finished. Stigma remains

Thank God we have a sitting United

COVID-19 pandemic has slowed

proactive stance of eradicating HIV and

a significant barrier and the

and threatened hard-won gains.

States President that encourages a allotting funds toward this cause.

THE UNLEASHED VOICE |

23

24

| THE UNLEASHED VOICE