Visit Black Houston October 2017 : The Ultimate Travel Guide

VISIT

BLACK HOUSTON

Magazine AFRICAN INDEPENDENCE is nigeria the only country celebrating it’s independence in the month of october? find out inside

Arts & Entertainment Are you prepared for all of the festivals, concerts, charity events happening this month?

liVE mUSIC IN H-TOWN Do you enjoy Neo-soul? jazz? rhythm & blues? you’re in the right city with the right pan-african magazine.

#ThinkI E#10 levated ssue

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CONTENT 06.

Editor’s Note Tune in as we go deep into why the independence of an African country is relevant to our lives in the Diaspora.

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Poetic Musings Indygo gives us an introspecition into October on pages 7, 8, and 9 in a way to stimulate the mental and spark action.

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Nielsen recently released the Diversity Intelligence Report which is a detailed analysis of the economic well being of Black America.

We are sharing this with you because it is critical that we support our own businesses if we are expecting to win.

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Arts & Entertainment

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While you’re in town, we’ll be your personal concierge to all of the best festivals, nightlife, live music, and activities Houston has to offer.

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Top 15 Restaurants Take out your Foodie Bucket List. Prepare to take your palette on a culinary world tour.

The only bad thing about this tour is that you won’t be getting your passport stamped.

Otherwise, buckle up for an electric expedition through the culinary artistry of more countries than you could have dreamed of.

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Live Music

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Contributors Elevation / Chief Editor I am a visionary who is capable, competent, and committed.

Visit Black Houston is the international nexus of fashion, arts, culture, entertainment, & travel.

I believe the Best You, is an Elevated You. My task is to provide riveting content that will raise your awareness while expanding your field of view. “Love is the highest elevation of Understanding.”

Elevation@VisitBlackHouston.com

Betty Wallace/ Arts & Culture I am a Retired-School Counselor with a Master’s in Psychology and over 30 years experience in the North Carolina Education System. I enjoy all forms of the Visual & Performing Arts ranging from Ballet to Musicals to Painting.

My goal is to provide a uniquely curated experience that will elevate not only your mind but also your spirit in every issue of Visit Black Houston Magazine.

Betty@VisitBlackHouston.com

Jean Walker / Graphic Designer I am a professional graphic designer that creates visual advertisements for businesses and organizations. The material I design are based on the expectations of the company and project goals.

Some projects may require a variety of designs such as logos or print designs like brochures, business cards, flyers, etc… Website design and video advertising are popular services I provide for branding or selling products. Digital billboard design, has been recently to my list of services in creating the perfect material for your marketing plan.

JWAdDesign@gmail.com www.JWMarketingGraphics.com 4 | Visit Black Houston Magazine

Guest Contributor Scribess / Artist & Spiritualist Scribess (pronounced skri-biss) I. Indygo J. Muse is a spiritualist and artist who loves to humor, bring clarity to, and inspire others. She is also a cosmic writer, advisor, and creatoress and her manifesting prayer is that you will find spiritual inspiration, peace, mystic humor, growth, universal love, and divine rainbow vibrations behind the panels of her Poetic Musings.

ScribessMuse@gmail.com

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Editor’s Note Africa is not perfect. So what? Do your parents have to be perfect for you to revere the womb which bore you? Any Independence Day celebrated in the Diaspora is worthy of celebration because these are examples from which we draw strength and wisdom from. Africa has always been treated like the foot stool by other countries and those of use who identify more with colonizers instead of our natural self.

Could you imagine digging a ditch in an all white suit and not getting a speck of dirt on you?

Each country celebrates it’s independence, yearly. That is the most important step, to stand for one’s self.

Next we must begin asking the question and resolving the inequity of (1) Who controls the banking system on the continent?

(2) Who controls the resources? (i.e. Gold, Oil, Diamonds) (3) Who controls heads of government, directly/indirectly?

(4) Who controls the doctrine for the religious system(s)?

I’m asking these questions in order to stimulate your thoughts. Africans and Americans must connect for the maximum benefit of everyone involved.

We, as African Americans, have lived in this country for several hundred years and we have picked up some strange ways and customs. These behaviors aren’t all positive or negative however they can be useful in our plight in Africa if used strategically. For example, we do not naturally have a mindset focused on scarcity because our land of origin is plentiful. If we came from Europe, our mind-frame would be based upon scarcity since there are limited resources there. Well, the resources are limited in America.

We are here. We are looking forward to building bridges because would like to be instrumental in creation economic partnerships, the basis of this reality and progression.

ELEVATION Years 57 59 51 55 49 53 6 | Visit Black Houston Magazine

Country Nigeria Guinea Lesotho Uganda Equatorial Guinea Zambia

Chief Editor Ind. Day

Colonial Country 10.1.1960 Britain 10.2.1958 France 10.4.1966 Britain 10.9.1962 Britain 10.12.1968 Spain 10.24.1964 Britain

A Few Spiritual Reasons to Love October Sunrise.

I take a breath gaze at the colored leaves in browns in a cooler breeze She rolled out her own red carpet and announced its time to harvest the season’s sunset.

At sunrise I thank Her Nature exhale the breath.

- a poem to Mother Nature

by I. Muse

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very month carries its own seasonal vibrations, aligning us with the universal flow of life. October has more than a few reasons to become a favorite month, as it is a month full of divine mystery, powerful love, and supernatural charge.

October’s Mysterious Place on the Calendar

October gives away secrets of the earlier composition of calendars.

Notice the prefix of the word October is “oct-,” meaning eight, when it is the tenth month of the calendar year. Why? March was originally the first month of the year, the month that holds the dawn of spring equinox. In this monthly order, October was once in its rightful placemonth number 8. When January and February were added during times of early Rome, March was pushed to the third month, and October became the tenth. Somehow, it still settled beautifully in its place in time, still placing its mystery in plain view.

October’s Numerology and Healing Stones

10 is a highly karmic number, gently urging our spirits to be mindful of the seeds we plant, be thankful for the harvest, right any wrongs we may have done to others, and reciprocate portions of what we have been blessed with. October is also the first full month of autumn equinox, as September ended summer. Mother Earth sheds Her leaves to remind us to allow all things not serving our highest purpose to fall away...and fertilize new soil, releasing them in peace and positive transformation. Many crops are harvested in the autumn season, placing October at the center of reaping abundance. The ideal healing stones I meditate with this month are opals and red tiger’s eyes. Opals are protector stones that raise the energies of intuition. Red tiger’s eyes are grounding stones for focusing primal energies, increasing vitality, vibrance, and willpower. Sage clearing nearly doubles for many this month, as many take advantage of the heightened spiritual energies already at play.

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October’s Love Energy

In my personal spiritual theory, October is a more potent love month than February. Month 10 carries energies of the 1 and the 0, the 0 egg (womb) fertilized by the 1 (man). Together, they are one, invoking both the masculine and feminine greatness of The Creator/Creatoress unified...this evokes love on divine levels, far past basic desire. October also houses the Libra and Scorpio zodiac signs. Libra is an air sign ruled by the planet Venus, and Scorpio (the sign known to rule the reproductive organs) is ruled by Mars, all submerged in the still waters that run deep. This is a potent elixir of love, desire, and spiritual energy, fermenting in the autumn air. If you are married or in a relationship, This is an ideal time to reflect on the higher reasons that you are together, to be thankful for obstacles overcome, and maybe even grow the family! If you are single, allow yourself to date and socialize objectively, following the spirit over desire, so that your next love connection will be divinely organic. Watch out for the ones only seeking a warm place for winter!

Celebrations of the Spirit Realm

Supernatural vibrations are at an all time high this month. Common traditions observe this month for Halloween, a spookism-saturated, overtly diluted version of the more ancient celebrations of the ancestral realm.

The black cats, pumpkins, house decorations, All Hallow’s Eve and such are things that only provide a shadow half of celebrating the transcended.

I prefer wearing white dresses to the beach, going to the shore where they were brought here as slaves, thanking them for their lessons, and honoring the legacies of our dearly departed...over the echoing sounds of live drum circles. We call it Sankofa...the Caravan to the Ancestors. Don’t you just love October?

About the Writer Scrybess Ivory I.J. Muse is an intuitive adviser, mystic journalist, performing poet, and sole creator of Muses Art Bottle Kraal. Find her on her website, www.poeticallymused.org

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U.S. CITIES WITH LARGEST BLACK FEMALE POPULATIONS (TOP METRO AREAS)

DETROIT METRO

PHILADELPHIA METRO

548,990

736,042

CHICAGO METRO 916,127

1,994,836

882,638

NEW YORK METRO

D.C METRO

523,460

L.A. METRO

DALLAS METRO HOUSTON METRO

627,431

1,074,373 ATLANTA METRO

648,966

MIAMI METRO 706,937

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), One-Year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), 2015, generated by EthniFacts

The states with the highest African-American buying power, and share of buying power, closely align with where the largest populations of African-Americans reside. Looking specifically at Black females, they are geographically concentrated, with 56% living in the South, and the largest populations living in Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia. The metro areas with the largest Black American female populations are New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and D.C., which mirrors those with the largest overall Black populations.

Copyright © 2017 The Nielsen Company

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AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: OUR SCIENCE, HER MAGIC

Young, single, diverse, and geographically concentrated, Black females are a growing population that is increasingly educated and affluent. The current African-American population is estimated to be around 46.8 million, of which 24.3 million are female. The Black female population, which grew 6% between 2010 and 2015, represents 14% of the total U.S. female population and 52% of the total black population.

The number of Black women starting and owning businesses, along with the population growth, increased education, and relative youth of the Black female population, are helping drive African-American buying power.

The Selig Center for Economic Growth estimates that the nation’s AfricanAmerican buying power will rise from $1.2 trillion in 2016 to $1.5 trillion in 2021. In 2016, the 10 states with the largest African-American consumer markets were Texas ($111 billion), New York ($109 billion), California ($87 billion), Georgia ($86 billion), Florida ($85 billion), Maryland ($69 billion), North Carolina ($57 billion), Virginia ($52 billion), Illinois ($49 billion), and New Jersey ($45 billion); they account for 62% of the total AfricanAmerican consumer market. Meanwhile, the 10 states with the largest African-American share of total buying power are the District of Columbia (25%), Mississippi (24%), Maryland (23%), Georgia (23%), Louisiana (20%), Alabama (18%), South Carolina (18%), Delaware (16%), North Carolina (15%) and Virginia (13%).

AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUYING POWER (TOP 10 STATES $ BILLIONS)

NEW YORK

CALIFORNIA

$69B

ILLINOIS $49B

$87B

$109B $45B NEW JERSEY MARYLAND

$52B $57B TEXAS

$86B

$111B

VIRGINA

NORTH CAROLINA

GEORGIA

$85B

FLORIDA

Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth, Terry College of Business, The University of Georgia, June 2016.

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DIVERSE INTELLIGENCE SERIES | 2017

MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Being an influencer and trendsetter requires keeping abreast of multiple industries-especially in entertainment from fashion to music to celebrities.

This might explain why Black women over-index by 18% against nonHispanic White women for dollars per buyer spent on magazines.

Additionally, Black women over-index by 57% for agreeing they love keeping up with celebrity news and gossip (43% agree) and by 17% for agreeing they rely on magazines to keep them up to date on fashion (39% agree).

Magazine advertising also seems to appeal to and be effective with Black women at a higher rate than non-Hispanic White women. Black women over-index by 55% for agreeing that when they smell a perfume or cologne sample they like in a magazine, they will purchase it (49% agree). They also over-index by 9% for agreeing that advertising in magazines provides them with meaningful information about the product use of other consumers (41% agree), by 14% for agreeing it provides them with useful information about bargains (43% agree), and by 33% for agreeing that advertising in magazines is amusing (29% agree). This medium for reaching Black female consumers is becoming even more attractive evidenced by the launch of a number of new tailored magazines from which to choose.

BLACK WOMEN OVER-INDEX BY 18% AGAINST NON-HISPANIC WHITE WOMEN FOR DOLLARS PER BUYER SPENT ON MAGAZINES.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Music Concerts Networking Functions Art Shows and more Roots Reggae Festival October 8, 2017 www.rootsreggaehouston.com The Esteemed Woman 2017 October 8, 2017 www.eventbrite.com OODUA IMAGE AWARDS 2017 Oct. 13-14, 2017 www.eventbrite.com 20th Annual Sankofa Caravan to the Ancestors Weekend October 20-22, 2017 www.eventbrite.com

REVOLUTION or EXODUS Art Show October 21, 2017 www.eventbrite.com 2017 GABC State of Black Education 2017 GABC State of Black Education October 25, 2017 www.eventbrite.com Black Art in America Fine Art Show Houston Oct. 27-29, 2017 www.eventbrite.com Brazilian Food and Music Festival October 28, 2017 www.eventbrite.com AAYHF Changing the Story Gala 2017 November 4, 2017 www.eventbrite.com USS & ZO! + CARMEN RODGERS AND INTRODUCING MS. CHANTAE CANN November 4, 2017 www.serioussoundsetc.com Young African Professionals Honors Ball November 25, 2017 www.eventbrite.com

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Top 15 Restaurants in Houston #NoPassportNeeded 1. Ambrosia Island Restaurant 9603 Broadway St Pearland, TX 77584 (713) 340-3085 www.cafeabuja.com

6. Island Spice Bar & Grill 17802 W Little York Houston, TX 77084 (281) 859-1499 www.islandspice.info

11. Kitchen 713 4601 Washington Ave #130 Houston, TX 77007 (713) 842-7114 www.kitchen713.com

2. Cool Runnings 8270 W Bellfort Ave Houston, TX 77071 (713) 777-1566 www.coolrunningsjamaicangrill.com

7. Lucy’s Ethiopian Restaurant 6800 Southwest Fwy Houston, TX 77074 (713) 334-0000 www.lucyhouston.com

12. Nutmeg Spice Bar and Grille 12709 Beechnut St Houston, TX 77072 (346) 219-0757 www.nutmegbarandgrille.com

3. Boogies Chicago Style BBQ 1767 Texas Pkwy, Missouri City, TX 77489 (281) 969-8626 www.boogieschicagostylebbq.com

8. Ogun Art & Wine Bar 920 Studemont St #150 Houston, TX 77007 (281) 501-1788 www.ogunartwine.com

13. Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack 4529 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77021 713.748.4227 www.raysbbqshack.com

4. D’Marco’s Pizzeria 11102 S Texas 6 #106 Sugar Land, TX 77498 (281) 575-6100 www.dmarcospizzeria.com

9. Sunshine’s Vegetarian Deli 3102 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054 (713) 643-2884 www.sunshineckls.com

14.Smokin’ BBQ 954 Cypress Creek Pkwy Houston, TX 77090 (281) 583-4699 www.gatlinsbbq.com

5. Haitian Caribbean Restaurant 6271 S Texas 6 Houston, TX 77083 (281) 741-9782 www.haitiancaribbeanrestaurant.com

10. The Isles Ice House 1515 Pease St Houston, TX 77002 (713) 739-9039 www.isleseateryandbar.com

15. Triple J’s Smokehouse 6715 Homestead Rd, Houston, TX 77028 (713) 635-6384 www.triplejsmokehouse.com

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LIVE MUSIC

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Live Music

Jamaica Jamaica Ultra Lounge www.jamaicajamaicalounge.com (281) 506-8909

Phil & Derek’s Jazz Club philanddereks.com (281) 501-3261

Martini Blu www.martiniblu1.com (832) 965-5580

Cafe 4212 www.cafe4212.com (713) 522-4212

Dolce Ultra Lounge & Bistro www.dolcehouston.com (832) 427-1526 Club Summers www. clubsummers.com (713) 637-4311 ALJ Bar and Lounge www.houstonjazzbar.com

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How To Eliminate the School to Prison Pipeline:

1. Eliminate suspensions for minor infractions 2. Diversity training for teachers 3. Restorative Justice in schools 4. Offer more electives in schools 5. Increase counselors/social workers in schools 6. Parent cooperation with teachers 7. Reduce emphasis on standardized testing 8. Eliminate out of school suspensions 9. Reform rules pertaining to disproportionate disciplinary referrals 10. End referrals to juvenile court for middle school and younger children 11. Alternative offered for juvenile court referrals 22 | Visit Black Houston Magazine

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