SECRET TIPS FOR COMPLETE PASSION WITH YOUR LOVER
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
MEN YOU NEED
BLACK DESIGNERS
FORWARD IN ACTION
TO KNOW
OUR HOLIDAY CUISINE TIPS TO FOLLOW!
LETITIA
WRIGHT
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2022
GETS READY FOR THE NEW
BLACK PANTHER:
WAKANDA FOREVER
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CONTENTS FEATURES
BLACK EXCELLENCE With her return to the big screen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Forever, the multifaceted and talented actress Letitia Wright continues to inspire women of color with her brilliance. By Utamu Belle
34 / 12 INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Leslie E. Royal
40 /
OUT OF THE BLUE On camera in her role as “Blue,” the tough chief of security at a lucrative male exotic nightclub on the Tyler Perry produced BET+ drama All The Queens Men, Men, actress Racquel Palmer is straight hard. By Jocelyn Amador
44 /
JAMES BEARD AWARDWINNING EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE CHEF
Mashama Bailey offers inspiration in a Celebration of the Trinity of African American Culture featuring Tradition, Family, and Food By Annita Stokes Thomas
48 /
SANTO DOMINGO Connect and recharge in this Caribbean capital and its unforgettable tastes, sounds, sights and people By Hal Peat
52 /
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FASHION New York Fashion Week is back and better than ever by Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds
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Cover/TOC: cour tesy of Muni Long
For this special feature in our Men’s Issue, upscale magazine’s editors selected 12 distinguished, diverse men empowering their communities.
Cove r image: Alamy; TOC image: Mike Marsland/WireImage; Feature: Mike Marsland; Getty/Alamy/Mar vel S tudios
26 /
CONTENTS 06
UPDATE pener Get ready for Black Creatives on the 06 / O Runway. by Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds
08 / M edia The Violin Conspiracy; Stories from Tenants Downstairs; A Dance for the Dead by Leslie E. Royal
09 / N ext Beval Partners with organizations to increase mental health resources by Tristan Walker
10 / Family Vanessa Simmons and daughter on their Yorkshire Terrier Cupcake by Annita Stokes Thomas
12 / Watches These modern timepieces are ready for your next purchase by Antasha Royal Wilson
13 / F ilm Access The Bronner Bros. International Hair Show welcomed the cast of Angie’s Cure
COLUMNS 14 / H ousing 5 Things you need to know about the air quality in your home by Tony Royal
20 / H ealth & Wellness The state of Black men’s mental health in America by Dr. Johnecia L. Mason
22 / B usiness A marketing guru shares a few creative
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leadership lessons by Greg Hoffman
23 / Relationships How to get reconnected with your lover and invite excitement back by Sharon Grant, LPC
24 / Hotels These 3 elegant hotels are the jewels of Historic Savannah’s River Street by Leslie E. Royal
SPOTLIGHT 56 / Spotlight Precision cuts and perfectly groomed beards by Jocelyn Amador; Patrick Riddick is Gospel’s renaissance man; Dr. Corey Yeager’s new book; Harper Watters redefines ballet
ET CETRA 64 / Last Word The Demarcation of Africa after the Berlin conference by Yannason Duncan
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
SUAVE IN EVERY SITUATION Bernard Bronner met up with our new Fashion Editor Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds at New York Fashion Week 2022. Known as the “Dean of Fashion”, he has worked with brands, institutions, and fashion week events around the globe during his more than 20 years in the fashion industry. pg 52
Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds Bernard Bronner Publisher
BB: What do you enjoy most about your job? CH: Every day is different, so you’re always thinking on your feet, juggling multiple deadlines and personalities, and having new things land on your desk.
Ceobernardbronner Bernardbronner Bernardbronner
BB: What did you take away from NY Fashion Week 22? CH: With parties, shows, and presentations, Fashion Week was in full swing. Designers showed their
SS23 collections to a captive audience. It’s buzzy, exclusive, and the definition of VIP. BB: Can you share upcoming trends for the Fall season? CH: #Lewks include sustainable fashion, extreme shoulders, cargo pants, super-mini bags, leather or ‘pleather’, boots, the evolved crisp white shirt, colorful knits, and shimmering lace.
From the desk of Bernard Bronner 1 Our cover story
featuring Letitia Wright reveals an humble woman from Guyana who rose in Hollywood to become a megastar of one of the largest Marvel franchise. (pg 26)
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2 Our Senior Editor
Leslie E. Royal penned a special feature spotlighting 12 amazing Black men who are making an indelible impact in their communities and on the global stage. (pg 34)
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Jocelyn Amador never disappoints as she spotlights the beautiful hairstyles and fashion of All the Queens Men actress Racquel Palmer. (pg 40)
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Just in time for Thanksgiving, Annita Stokes Thomas interviewed James Beard Award-winning Chef Mashama Bailey who shared a tasty twist to one of our holiday favorites. (pg 44)
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For this special Men’s Issue, we asked experts Tony Royal, Greg Hoffman, and Tristan Walker to contribute timely and informative articles in their various fields of expertise.
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 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; Greg Hoffman, Dr. Johnecia L. Mason; Brenda O’Neale; Dr. Monica J.R. Williams-Riley; Annita Stokes Thomas; Contributors Yannson Duncan, Tony Royal, 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 Digital Manager 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 Annette Johnson Gail Foster/Midwest
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