THE BEAUTY OF BELIZE IS CALLING + STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR BLACKS
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
HAIR
STYLE LOOKS THAT GIVE AN EDGE EXCLUSIVE
MARTELL
HOLT
ON CO-PARENTING & LOSING EVERYTHING
33 GIFTS
HOTELS
OUR TOP PICKS FOR 2023!!!
RELATIONSHIP
HOW TO AVOID FAMILY DRAMA
DECEMBER-JANUARY 2023
FOR THE HOLIDAYS upscalemagazine.com
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FEATURES
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The Survivor
Cover and TOC: Jakeem Smith
CONTENTS
Love and Marriage Reality TV Star Martell Holt talks co-parenting, finding love again, and owning his mistakes. By Jonell Whitt
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Santa’s Closet 32 Gifts That Will Bring Joy to Their World Curated by Utamu Belle, P. Nigel Killikelly, Leslie E. Royal, Annita Stokes Thomas, and Antasha Royal Wilson
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Hair Resolutions Give your new year—and your hair—a beautiful start with these seven New Year’s hair resolutions By Jocelyn Amador
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Escape Havens In this exclusive, we’ve carefully selected 21 of the top resorts, cottages, inns, and hotels worldwide.
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Belize is Calling Answer and you’ll encounter a wonderfully exotic, unique retreat to remember. By Leslie E. Royal
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CONTENTS UPDATE pener Debt Forgiveness for Black College 06 / O Students by Dr. Carolyn Walcott
08 / M edia Reviews Kooking with Kelli; Sweet Auburn Desserts; Tomato Love by Leslie E. Royal
09 / S ports The world’s most prestigious soccer tournament will be in Qatar!s by Ibiyi J. Wilsonr
10 / Humanitarian T.C. Stallings answers the call
Cover and TOC: Jakeem Smith
of hope for animals in need by Annita Stokes Thomas
12 / Fashion Trends Here’s a few style resolutions
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to stick to in 2023! by Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds
COLUMNS
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14 / N utrition Tips from renowned author and healthy lifestyle advocate Dr. Yvonne Sanders-Butler on preparing nutritious dishes after the holidays. by Leslie E. Royal
19 / H ousing Questions to ask when purchasing a home in today’s real estate market by Shindana Johnson
20 / H ealth Opting for chiropractic care in the New Year can lead to a whole new you. by Dr. Johnecia L. Mason
21 / Gospel Dr. Kerwin B. Lee shares an essential perspective on the holiday and how it should be commemorated. by Utamu Belle
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22 / Relationship How to handle family drama and enjoy the holidays by Sharon R. Grant, LPC
SPOTLIGHT 56 / Spotlight Jody Watley continues to make timeless music; Netta Walker on Being Seen and Heard; Kristin Henning is the voice of Black youth
ET CETRA 64 / Last Word Remembering Rosewood by E. Monique Johnson
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
THE DAWN OF A NEW YEAR Bernard Bronner chats with our very own senior editor, author, and multimedia journalist Leslie E. Royal. An award-winning writer, she penned several intriguing lifestyle features in this issue.
BB: What’s the world of an editor and journalist like? LER: It’s a face-paced, perpetual, highenergy, and I love it. There’s a saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword”. I’m blessed to positively enrich the lives of others through writing.
Bernard Bronner Publisher Ceobernardbronner Bernardbronner Bernardbronner
BB: What do you most look forward to in the new year? LER: I’m looking forward to 2023 with great anticipation. upscale magazine will help our readers live their best lives.
Personally, I’ll be presenting How to Become an Author workshops based on my book How to Write and Self-Publish Your Book for FREE with Amazon’s KDP. BB: As we move into 2023, what is the vision of the editorial team? LER: We seek to empower, inspire, and inform. We do so as we create compelling content in which our readers can learn something tangible as they leaf through each and every page.
From the desk of Bernard Bronner 1 Our cover story
2 We’ve created a
featuring Martell Holt of Love and Marriage Huntsville spotlights his transparent conversation about life after divorce and his joyful life with his children. (pg 24)
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specially curated, onestop-shop of a holiday gift guide. Whether looking for electronics, fashion, beauty, wine & spirits, and tasty items, we’ve got you. (pg 33)
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The Hot Hotels List returns exclusively featuring chic properties both here and abroad. (pg 44)
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As family drama rears its ugly head in our homes this holiday season, relationships expert, Sharon R. Grant, LPC shows us how to discreetly address and defuse conflict. (pg 22)
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In Update, we discuss how loan debt forgiveness programs disproportionately affect Black people and spotlight philanthropist Robert F. Smith who tries to level the field. (pg 6)
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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 Fashion Editor Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds Copy Editor Neva Jones Foster Writers Kitty J. Pope, Pat Ramonou Editorial Events Manager Dirk ìChiggaî Christiani Editorial Coordinators Kadeem N. Killikelly, Bria Vancooten Senior Contributors Sharon Grant LPC, Shindana Johnson, Dr. Johnecia L. Mason, Brenda Washington-OíNeale, Annita Stokes Thomas Contributors Yannason Duncan, Carolyn Walcott, 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 Social Media Coordinator Senior Account Manager National Sales and Promotions National Sales / Health and Wellness East Coast Sales and Promotions West Coast Sales and Promotions Media Consultant and Advisor Radio Producer / Host / Graphic Design Newsstand Sales Director Publicist Digital Manager Regional Promotions Manager Event Managers
Millie Y. Harrell Lyriq LaShay Armenious Patterson Jr. Nudura Govan Leris Bernard Jay Ellis William M. Johnson Bob McNeil Kerry Hines John Blassingame Jonell Whitt Annette Johnson Gail Foster/Midwest Marie Tichler Denise Powell
CORPORATE/EDITORIAL OFFICE 4200 WENDELL DRIVE, SW ATLANTA, GA 30336 404-407-5750 OFFICE 770-953-0848 FAX
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