upscale
CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
The
Bold New Looks
Beauty Issue
20
to Wear NOW THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
Celeb Style Trends to Try
FRESH, COLORFUL, EASY AFTERSUMMER HAIR TIPS
CHLOE BAILEY TARAJI P. HENSON ELLA MAI KEKE PALMER LIZZO + MORE
PLUS
THE BEST LOVE LANGUAGES FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP
EXCLUSIVE
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022
upscalemagazine.com
MUNI LONG On Fame, Family and How She Currently Feels About the Industry
CONTENTS CONTENTS
FEATURES 30 / ARTISTIC RENAISSANCE Affirmed by her global phenomenon of a hit “Hrs and Hrs” and various new projects, amazingly gifted Muni Long proves that staying true to the beauty of one’s own creative abilities and instinctively charting bold courses in life yields remarkably victorious outcomes. By Leslie E. Royal
There’s no better place to spot the best hair trends than on culture’s biggest night! And on the 2022 BET Awards red carpet the stars came to slay. Here, we turn the spotlight on 20 stunning celebrity hairstyles to inspire your next mane moves. By Jocelyn Amador
IN THE MONEY
44 /
Vice President Kamala Harris’ Harris’ Alma Mata Howard University and Other HBCU’s Get Record 2.7 Billion Dollars in Funding. By Johnecia L. Mason, DBA, MBA
BIG ENERGY
48 /
Easy After-Summer Hair Refresh Tips.. Tips By Jocelyn Amador
MYSTIQUE OF THE FETE
53 /
The magnificent spectacle of Carnival is rooted in colonialism, religious conversion, and freedom from slavery. By Leslie E. Royal
60 /
BEHIND THE MASKS OF OLD SAN JUAN Images of loss, darkness and light inside the old Puerto Rican capital. By Hal Peat
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GUTTER CREDITS
STAR STYLE TRENDS TO TRY
Cover/TOC: cour tesy of Muni Long
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CONTENTS
UPDATE pener The Black Plight of Invisibility 08 / O
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by Carolyn Walcott
10 / M edia Dele Weds Destiny; Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Leslie E. Royal
12 / N ext One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World by Anita Stokes Thomas
13 / Navigator New York’s Grand Central is buzzing with activities. Start your trip at Westgate Hotel by Kitty Pope
14 / Humanity Former Miss America and
veterinarian DEBBYE TURNER BELL talks about her book and Elly the cat by Anita Stokes Thomas
16 / A utos The Infinity 2023 QX55 makes a dazzling debut by Ibiyi J. Wilson
COLUMNS 22 / M ind, Body & Soul 20 Steps to a Healthier, More Balanced You by Utamu Belle
24 / R elationships Here’s how to identify, disengage from, and move on after your toxic relationship! by Sharon Grant, LPC, CAADC
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25 / H ealth & Wellness 7 Signs Indicating You Should Definitely See a Doctor by Dr. Monica Williams
26 / Business DAWANNA WILLIAMS is raising the bar in real estate by Utamu Belle
28 / Gospel TITUS SHOWERS creates music to inspire by Utamu Belle
SPOTLIGHT 64 / Style Ashro Beacon Randa Slide; 7 Wines that
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are sure to please you
66 / Spotlight GEFFRI MAYA leads cast of All
American: Homecoming; MELBA MOORE stays true to her passion
ET CETRA 06 / Publisher’s Letter From the desk of BERNARD BRONNER
72 / Last Word upscale Celebrates 33 Years 4
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
ANOTHER MILESTONE Bernard Bronner chats with our very own Digital and News Editor Utamu Belle, who is an awardwinning journalist, former news anchor, and radio host. Quite versatile in her writing, for this issue, she interviewed celebrities Titus Flowers, Geffri Maya, and Melba Moore while simultaneously penning Q & A pieces with Dawanna Williams and Michelle DeShields.
Utamu Belle BB: Can you share some media projects that you are currently working on? UB: I’m hosting a series of monthly digital webinars as well as working on writing projects.
Bernard Bronner Publisher Ceobernardbronner Bernardbronner Bernardbronner
BB: As digital director for our social media platforms, how do you select posts that are of keen interest to our readers and followers? UB: There’s so much negativity floating around on social media, so I try to publish posts which will empower, motivate, inform, entertain, and inspire our followers.
BB: Labor Day is coming up, what are your leisure plans? UB: I would love to visit New York’s Labor Day parade and spend quality time with family. BB: What do you think is the single most important current event in the world today and why? UB: One is the significant rise in the cost of living, more so food and gas prices in America and many countries around the world. This negatively impacts the poor and working class.
From the desk of Bernard Bronner 1 The epitome of beauty,
style, and genius, I am pleased to share that our exclusive cover story features Muni Long (pg 30) penned by senior editor Leslie E. Royal.
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2 To God be the glory.
upscale magazine celebrates 33 years of being a beacon of light and inspiration in the African American community.
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3 Jocelyn Amador
fabulously brings Big Energy Hair Refresh Tips (pg 18) and astonishing Red Carpet Celebrity Styles (pg 36) to this year’s beauty issue.
4 The Biden-Harris
administration allocated 2.7 billion dollars in funding for HBCUs, and our editors were more than happy to share the breakdown with you. (pg 44)
5 upscale magazine extends
its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of media executive and Black consumer expert Linda Jefferson in her passing.
Bernard Bronner
Founder / Publisher
P. Nigel Killikelly Leslie E. Royal Michael A. Chester Utamu Belle, Sheryl Nance-Nash Asha Rodney, Dr. Terrence R. Blackman, Michelle Elliott DeShields Senior Writers Jocelyn Amador, E. Monique Johnson, Hal Peat Neva Jones Foster Copy Editor Writers Jacinta Howard, Kitty J. Pope, Editorial Events Manager Dirk “Chigga” Christiani Editorial Coordinators Kadeem N. Killikelly, Bria Vancooten Senior Contributors Sharon Grant LPC, CAADC; Dr. Johnecia L. Mason; Brenda O’Neale; Dr. Monica J.R. Williams-Riley; Anita Stokes Thomas; Carolyn Walcott, Ph.D. Contributors Dr. Kenneth Barnwell, Christian Cook, Antasha Royal Wilson, Ibiyi J. Wilson Correspondents Errol McCollin, K. Nkosi Killikelly VP / Editorial Director Senior Editor Art Director Associate Editors Editors at Large
VP / National Sales and Marketing National Sales and Sponsorships Senior Account Manager National Sales and Promotions National Sales / Health and Wellness East Coast Sales and Promotions West Coast Sales and Promotions National Sponsorship and Events Media Consultant and Advisor Radio Producer / Host / Graphic Design Newsstand Sales Director Publicist Regional Promotions Manager
Millie Y. Harrell Billy E. Dyson Armenious Patterson Jr. Cara Everett Leris Bernard Kiki Kennedy William M. Johnson Terry Allen Bob McNeil Kerry Hines John Blassingame Jonell Whitt Gail Foster/Midwest
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Two and Naturi Lewis shows love for their upscale cover! Upscale magazine is the ultimate lifestyle magazine addressing the needs of stylish, informed and progressive African-Americans. You Can Also Stay Connected to Our Digital and Radio Network Platforms DIGITAL Like and Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @ Upscale Magazine to stay informed on the latest in news, lifestyle, entertainment and education. Check out the links below: website: upscalemagazine.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/UpscaleMagazine Instagram: instagram.com/upscalemagazine Twitter: @upscalemagazine All editorial queries should be sent to upscalemediateam@gmail.com
Subscription Service: 770-988-0015 upscalemagazine.com upscale (ISSN 1047-2592) “The Ultimate Experience” is produced quarterly by Killikelly Media for the Publisher. VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4. Periodicals postage paid in Atlanta, Ga., and additional offices. Copyright © 2022 by UPSCALE Communications Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustrations without written permission from the Publisher is prohibited. UPSCALE assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine. ABC membership applied for. Subscriptions are $19.95 for six issues in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Send address changes to UPSCALE, 4200 Wendell Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA. 30336.
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