The Power of Women Entrepreneurs upscale
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
TASTE THE BOLD FLAVORS OF BRUNCH
14 BEST HOTELS TO VISIT AROUND THE WORLD THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
NINE BEAUTY ESSENTIALS TO ENHANCE YOUR LOOK CURAÇAO Where to Eat, Shop & Stay
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2025
DREW SIDORA ON HER LATEST ALBUM
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025
& NEXT BIG ACT upscalemagazine.com
CONTENTS 28
LIVING HER BEST YEAR OF EVOLUTION
Drew Sidora’s Sidora’s breakout on Disney’s That’s So Raven to shining under Anne Fletcher’s direction in Step Up, Up, and bringing a vibrant, elevated version of herself in The Game, Game, she’s shown remarkable range. By Jonell Whitt
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BRUNCH GOES CARRIBBEAN By Jonell Whitt
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2025 TOP GETAWAYS
In this exclusive, we’ve selected 14 of the top resorts and hotels globally. globally. By Leslie E. Royal, Annita Stokes Thomas and Antasha Royal Wilson
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THE POWER OF PASSION
These Women are all entrepreneurs with a heart and a vision—driven by the desire to not only succeed, but to uplift and inspire others along the way. By Sherry Ann Dixon
50 TASTE CURAÇAO
LIKE A LOCAL Where to Eat Eat,, Stay Stay,, and Explore the Soul of the Island By Annita Stokes Thomas
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HOT LIST
Spotlights nine A-list essentials that transform everyday looks into paparazzi-ready glam. By Cataanda James
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Courtesy of Drew Sidora
Bold Flavors, Flavors, Big Heat, Heat, and the Perfect Spices: Taste the Flavor That’s Turning Brunch into a Royal Dining Experience
GUTTER CREDITS
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CONTENTS UPDATE
pener/SNAP cuts in 2025 raise food insecurity 08 / O concerns By LeKeisha Edwards
10 / O n the Shelf/Rodney’s Rodney’s Gift: Transforming
Pain into Purpose; Purpose The Valley Between Me and I;I Black Genius By Antasha Royal Wilson
11 / Must-See TV/Divorced Divorced Sistas; Sistas The Daily
Show; The Neighborhood By Dr. Johnecia L. Mason Show
12 / N avigator/Here are a dozen events you don’t want to miss in Belize By Leslie E. Royal
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14 / N ext/ Author Robin Allen blends romance, suspense, and emotional depth to create stories By Utamu Bell
15 / Agenda/ The Weeknd in concert; Highest 2 Lowest in theatres now...
16 / Health/ Managing menopause: it’s a natural
transition, not a taboo conversation By Dr. Johnecia L. Mason
18 / Fashion/Designers defining tomorrow and the muses who inspire them By Dr. Courtney Hammonds
COLUMNS 20 / History/Harriet Tubman legacy lives on By Annita Stokes Thomas
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22 / Chef/ A taste of brunch flavor with Chef ‘LJ’ Joseph
By Jonell Whitt
23 / Film/Rae Wiltshire: A playwright and screenwriter’s dreams and aspirations
By Tash Van Doimen
24 / Restaurants/Chef Serigne Mbaye weaves
West Africa and New Orleans into a culinary conversation By Annita Stokes Thomas
26 / Gospel/Rudy Currence’s unapologetic return with “God Don’t Cancel Me.”
By Audrey L. Aaron
SPOTLIGHT 28 / Spotlight/Sean Garrett wrote his way into
music history; Terisa Griffin: a sultry soul & jazz singer; A Tribute to Malcolm Jamal Warner
ET CETRA
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64 / L ast Word/ Gaza by the numbers
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GUTTER CREDITS
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