Vomé Magazine | August 2017

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Nyakim Gatwech

Queen Of Dark

Feature

My “BLACK IS

BEAUTIFUL”

Mrs

Priceless

“Men of Purpose” series

VOMÉ August, 2017

Margaret Tari Featured Talent

www.vomemag.com

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Letter From The Editor in Chief

The world we live in is constantly evolving and it is a beautiful thing to behold, it’s incredible how style, fashion trends, the appreciation of the complexity of our color and different shades of melanin has evolved. In a world where mostly light skinned, very skinny models receive preference in the world of modeling, it’s refreshing to finally see the darker skin and curvy models receive some much needed attention as well.

In this special edition of Vome’ magazine, we highlight a few models drenched in melanin. We believe that black is truly beautiful and we want to take a moment or an edition and put a spotlight on dark skin. I am a firm believer in

loving the skin you’re in, no matter the shape, size or complexion but more especially, appreciating the skin others are in as well.

Enjoy!!!

Much Love: Oremeyi Kareem

photo credit: Dee Johnson

V

ome’ is a Fashion & Lifestyle magazine with an African twist; it was birth out of the strong need for more diversity in the community and the world at large. It provides a platform and opportunity for regular people to showcase their God-given gifts and talents and to tell their stories to uplift, educate and empower the community.

Oremeyi Kareem Editor-in-Chief and Publisher

“So What ‘s your Definition of Normal?”

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www.enejodesign.com animation | illustration | graphics

VOMÉ Magazine PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Oremeyi Kareem CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Nana Jenkins; Adefunke Grimsley CREATIVE DIRECTOR Oremeyi Kareem GRAPHIC DESIGNER www.enejodesign.com STYLISTS: Donovan Ray Keith ACCESSORY STYLIST: Ashas Glam Hair: Stylz on Wheelz Nyakim’s outfit DESIGNER: Annie’s House of Fashion

CONTRIBUTORS: Kimberly Vaughn Angelique Johnson Margaret Tari Theposhstandard Niyi Olayinka Ray Keith MAKEUP ARTISTS: Tameka Elliot Brionna Jones Lola Tia Mao PHOTOGRAPHERS: Albert Jones Davey Dave Hilton Demisha McCauley-Youn

Vome’ Magazine is published Quarterly by House of Debonaire’ 332 West Broadway suite 1604 Louisville, KY 40202 IG:@vome_magazine vomemagazine6@gmail.com Website: www.vomemag.com Advertise: : 5023771613 or email: vomemagazine6@gmail.com

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DONOVAN

the POSH STANDARD FEATURED MODEL

Y

Interview by Brianna Graham

photo credit: Courtesy of Donovan

ou are seen before you are heard.

Your style speaks for you. The way you carry yourself, the way you conduct business, and being sure of who you are. Style is the way you piece things together, which signifies you and the things you stand for. We all have it.

VOME Magazine • AUGUST 2017

26 year old Donovan is way ahead of his time. He is a trailblazer, a man who wears many hats, and believe me he wears them well! He is a genius when it comes to marketing his fashion along with influencing others. And, he is the very last to boast! During our interview, Donovan provided insight into his career and the raw truth about his soaring through life, snatching every opportunity, and turning his Dreams into Reality!

THE INTERVIEW I SEE YOU ARE A MAN OF MANY TALENTS. DESCRIBE YOUR CAREER. I model and I am a style influencer, people send me stuff to promote and my followers will follow them. Some people pay me to do it. I do PR (public relations), working with people looking to expand their brand. [Pauses] I hate talking about myself [laughs] sounds like I’m bragging. I teach a marketing class with someone on how to grow your brand.

HOW DID ALL OF THIS BEGIN? Continued on page 8

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FEATURED MODEL

VOME

“They used to pick on me, laugh at me for dressing up [laughs]. I was a party promoter at Coastal Carolina.

Nobody at Coastal dressed up at the time, guys were sneaker heads. I kept at it still. People used to call me GQ, I always overdressed. They are asking me for advice now. I had confidence in what I had on.�

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Somebody walked up to me on campus and asked to take a picture of me. They wanted to build their portfolio and said I should teach people how to dress. I used to make bow ties and advertise them on my blog. I needed different things. I started realizing I was good at other stuff. I’ve helped people create their website too.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW “I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT, I’M TAKING MY TALENTS TO THE TOP”?

I still struggle with that. It’s funny having an interview, because I was down on my luck all weekend. When I’m down I am the most motivated. Even when my mom passed, I went to school the next day. When I was homeless I was working at McDonalds. I have a life full of lemons but very few lemonade. With every bad I have good. I flunked out of Coastal and went to job corps. It’s a year and a half training, I did it in 25 days. I did work everyday.

My life is full of extremes.

WAS THERE EVER A TIME WHERE YOU FELT NO ONE BELIEVED IN YOU? Both of my parents are deceased. I had to believe in myself. My dad died at three and my mom died when I was 15. Doctors said I would never walk. One day my mom said she saw me turn the corner and I was walking with both casks on my legs.

IN YOUR OWN WORDS, DESCRIBE SUCCESS. Being in the position to help others and making my mama proud.

FEATURE

photo credit: Albert Jones

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r. Angelique Johnson grew up in a family of ten children, and you could say she was destined to enter the world of science and entrepreneurship.

Her dad, who was one of the first African American males to receive an engineering degree from Drexel University, also started many entrepreneurial ventures, including owning his own construction company.

Her Mom, a trained mathematician, was one of the earliest African American females to have a role as a software coder, a hidden figure in her own right. The two have been married for over 50 years, and raised Dr. Johnson and her ten siblings to have a deep appreciation for science, technology, and entrepreneurship. They also instilled in her a determination to push through systemic barriers and a drive to defy societal stereotypes.

Early on in her career, Dr. Johnson became one of Freeman Hrabowski’s Meyerhoff Scholars and a member of the Tau Beta Pi honors society, receiving Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Engineering and Mathematics from the Uni-

ambassador versity of Maryland, Baltimore bilities to the point of implyCounty. She then went on to ing that she was only good for attain a Master’s and Ph.D. in a “lap dance.” She has endured sexual harassment at technical conferences, and a barrage of microaggressions towards the validity of her place as an African American scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur. Despite these difficulties, Dr. Johnson has excelled on projects at the Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and California Institute of Technology.

Her work at the University of Michigan on microfabricated cochlear electrode arrays has resulted in several national and international patents; major funding from the NSF and NIH; and a feature on the cover of Hearing Research.

Seeking to make a difference in human lives and not just scientific journals, she moved from the world of academic research into the art of enElectrical Engineering from trepreneurship. She founded The University of Michigan. MEMStim LLC, a startup that When she graduated with her produces implantable elecPh.D. in 2011, she was only tronics to treat neurologithe third such African Ameri- cal disorders. As CEO of the can female to have done so. Startup, she has raised nearly Being an African American $2.5 million in non-dilutive woman in STEM has been an funding from the National enjoyable, but difficult road Science Foundation, National for her. She has had peers di- Institutes of Health, Michiminish her intellectual capa- gan Business Challenge, San

photo credit: Albert Jones

Diego Venture Challenge, and Texas Venture Labs Investment and other sources. Her ultimate goal is to lower the cost of medical devices to individuals subjected to inadequate healthcare systems, and to enhance the full lives of those with Parkinson’s tremors, hearing loss, chronic pain, and paralysis.

Never satisfied with obtaining success only for herself, Dr. Johnson is very passionate about helping other women and minorities. She has led numerous programs to promote science and tech careers to underrepresented minorities and women. One such program involved her traveling to Abu Dhabi to increase opportunities for Middle Eastern and North African Women. Dr. Johnson has also co-founded a grass roots effort entitled “Diversity Pitch Fest” to build social, financial and intellectual capital in the minority business community. She observed the ever-exclusive nature of the startup world, and realized that many networking opportunities, funding sources, and training programs were passing over minority-owned ventures, because the founders and/or the business ideas did not resonate with the majority white male audience. Dr. Johnson regularly coaches small business owners utilizing practical skills learned through her own entrepreneurial experiences, and developed through training she received in the Lean Launch Startup methodology through the National Science Foundation, by instructors that included creator Steve Blanks.

Dr. Johnson welcomes any opportunity to break the invisibility of African American women in society. She has been featured on NBC Universal, National Public Radio, The Root news site, People Behind The Science Podcast, WHAS TV’s Great Day Live, Louisville Insider, Business First, and other such media outlets. Ultimately, she wants the world to know that you can be a scientist, you can be an engineer, you can be a CEO and enjoy running marathons, traveling the world, cooking, and dancing, all at the same time as being a stunning African American woman. She dispels the one-dimensional narrative of the black female experience in America and beyond.

Finally!! I’m JUST POETRY BY Kimberly Vaughn…

Loving the me I see and the skin I’m in. Sister Honey Chile’, (As Jill would say) it has been a beautiful madness and incredible journey and I’m taking time now to take it all in.

Letting go of some mind sets and incorporating some new. Listening more to what” I feel” and listening less to the “we too” blues!

Their planted seeds of negativity. Self-image, self-love, and self-worth that took root and started to grow, very early as little girls and we’re told that the “we too” blues was just the way it was and there wasn’t too much that we (now women) could do.

Just to allow it to continue to grow and do its damaging part. It has slipped into our minds and chewed away at our esteem. Which in return keeps us chasing the next great thing ….

It keeps us buying off the shelves everything from girl A to Z. From waist trainers that squeeze our pudgy fronts to the bones in our back.

Our hair is now down isle 5 it comes in a bundle from Malaysia or lace front made from a horse’s back.

Designer Jeans we die to fit in that were never designed for sisters with our curvy hips and glorious round behinds. And shoes from gay designers that painfully tear up our feet too.

Ever stop to think, they’re designed that way because he hates that he’s not you?

Meanwhile we still “ain’t happy,” hair ain’t bone straight, in fact some say it’s “Nappy.” We’re still not cured from the “we too” blues, “we too” dark so Bleach your skin… “We too” fat so go get lipo to instantly become thin… “We too” skinny, so unhealthy we eat to become thick…. Girl “we too” blues got us getting pumped so full of silicone that we end up looking so unnaturally distorted, many looking like fools. We are Queens Perfectly Created. But wait!

The “we too” blues don’t stop there. “We too,” our eyes ain’t right. “We too” want eyes of grey or blue… thick eye lashes? Honey, don’t you worry “we too” got some glue and single hairs we’ll get them looking furry quick, fast and in a hurry! Oh, it doesn’t stop there.

Say what, you don’t have enough money for all of this? But need it to make you feel like you…. Have no fear. We’ll just issue you “the ole credit card” Boo! Now you charging your life away and making a bigger mess.

Just stop a minute! Take a break and check yourself, understanding in all areas your truly blessed!

Mind, Body and Soul. You as you are…are already bad to the bone! From the realness of stretch marks to our candy store variety of complexions…from Honey Drop to the Darkest Chocolate known.

The “We Too’s” don’t necessarily have to be your blues. Don’t care if you’re in your own lane and not really fitting “IN!” Tell yourself, “I woke up like this!!!!

Smile and love the skin you’re in!

MY BLACK

Models left to right: Alicia Antonia, Andrew Brown, Jessica Kat, Mario Martin Photographer: Albert Jones

is Beautiful

photo credit: Albert Jones

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Top photo: Ladies: Jane Lado, Alicia Antonia, Jessica Kat, Busayo Guys:Aaron McGahee, Donovan, Mario Martin, Andrew Brown Photographer: Albert Jones

photo credit: Albert Jones

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My black is Beautiful Left to right: Melissa Cox, Lola, Kenyatta Desha, Alisha Jordan, Yemisi Kareem, Brionna Jones

photo credit: Albert Jones

Above: Melissa Cox, Victoria Nwosu, Brionna Jones, Busayo Kareem, Jane Lado, Karen Ndour, Shannon Giggins, Alisha Jordan, Jessica Kat, Alicia Antonia, Kenyatta Desha, Akundur Maker

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ambassador

eet one of the most dynamic leaders in the automotive industry. Steve Mudd Jr., is the General Manager for Montgomery Automotive Group based in Louisville, Ky.

From Sales Associate to leading an entire automotive division, Steve worked his way through the ranks at a rapid pace. Over the past 10 years, he has motivated his team to be leaders in the industry while earning some major personal goals.

Steve is the only African American General Manager in the City of Louisville. He’s been awarded National “Top 40 Under 40” by Auto News.

The father of three cares just as much for his community. He serves as President for Super Student Athletes Inc., a non- profit foundation founded by former NFL/AFL football player Mario Urrutia.

The organization prepares student athletes for both on and off the field with life skills, literacy, private instruction and conditioning. He is an avid speaker at youth prisons and youth organizations around the city and state of Kentucky.

Steve has served as a mentor for the Right Turn program and KYCC. Steve is also a member of the Greater Louisville Auto Dealers Association, the National Minority Auto Dealers Association , Rotary Club of Louisville and Unbridled Eve Board.

He also supports and sponsors various organizations and events from Highview Youth League Sports, West Louisville Broncos Sports, Newburg Middle School, Simmons College, Unbridled Eve Gala, Community Connections Show, Louisville New Car Auto Show, Summerfest, Central High School Lady Jackets, Louisville Dirt Bowl and the Stamina Foundation. He is often heard during The Tom Joyner Morning show and The Steve Harvey Morning Show.

He’s an expert of leadership, motivating the unmotivated, giving second chances to those who need some additional support to talking about never giving up on a person even if they’ve hit a rough patch in their life which he can share his own testimony.

VOVE’

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VOME Magazine • August 2017

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JUICE BAR + CAFE

“Why settle when you can ASPIRE’’ 332 West Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 www.aspirejuicebar.com

502.554.9955

His Style His Way

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he Man With More Style Than A Corvette: A young one with passion in his heart, zeal in his eyes and a vision in his mind. That is the start to a many stories of men and women of renown who brave the waters of the fashion industry. However, that does not quite properly exemplify the come up of Caleb Oluwarotimi Owolabi. In fact at a very early age, Caleb knew he was destined for the job to become this form of iconic figure, to alas receive the often quoted tagline: Caleb Owolabi -- The Man With More Style Than A Corvette.

Today you can find Caleb, a cum Laude Bachelor of Science graduate from Montreat Colleges’ School of Business Management, operating his own clothing line Mon Jean-Pierre just weeks after graduating. Mon jean Pierre or MJP is The quintessential crossroads of lifestyle and fashion; made for the individual with style, class, and

purpose. Started by a college colleauge Adam Odomore of Texas State University who submitted the two friends business proposal to a sweepstakes competition their junior year of college. The business would later be taken over fully

by Owolabi to allow his business partner more time for his Master’s Sudies in District of Colombia’s premier American University. Owolabi seeks to garnish his fashion shows with models from all the seven continents, layer his fabrics with flavors of African life growing up, and include his guilty pleasure luxury products that aspire everyone to be the best that they can be “as God designed it!”- as Owolabi, a devout believer since childhood, pronounces it.

Caleb Owolabi: Owolabi is the silent author of several business plans written for Some of the top businesses & restaurant concepts in the South and currently operating today. He is also member of distinguished society Rotary Club International and an Honorary Paul Harris fellow. Owolabi has conducted numerous photo-shoots in the SouthEast Region. Many claim he is responsible for bringing style/fashion to a certain level in the Asheville, North Carolina Region con-currently.

photo credit: Albert Jones

His style his way

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photo credit

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VOME Magazine • AUGUST 2017

FEATURED MODEL

photo credit: Denisha McCauley-Young

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His style his way VOME Magazine • AUGUST 2017

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Mrs Margaret Tari

photo credit: Hilton Siaffa.

Featured Talent

photo credit: Hilton Siaffa

photo credit: Hilton Siaffa

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photo credit: Hilton Siaffa

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argaret Tari is a teacher, a writer, a designer and an artist. She was born in Edo state in Nigeria. Before moving to the United States in 1989, she earned a higher national diploma in textile design from Auchi polytechnic. In the United States, she decided to pursue a career in education. She went through an alternative certification program, which enabled her to start teaching in the public school system in Louisville Kentucky. She went on to complete a master’s program in education at Indiana Wesleyan University and then she obtained a rank one license at Indiana University Southeast.

Even though she is now in education, she has never let go of her artistic background. America is a melting pot for all cultures around the world. Margaret Tari has always been an advocate for cultural diversity. She believe everyone should be able to see him/ her-self in the books and objects they interact with on a daily basis.

She creates all kinds of art works: Relief art-work on canvas with fabric, wall hangings with fabric, etc. Her most recent interest is the need to shape the market in the doll industry instead of allowing it to shape us. It is very difficult to find black dolls in stores. She finds this very frustrating.

A young lady who makes black dolls to sell was told that she will do better making white dolls just a few months ago. Margaret Tari is very passionate about encouraging our black children to embrace their heritage. She they need to be empowered to identify with their culture and to feel good in the color of their skin. With this in mind, she started hunting for black dolls. When she finally found some, she bought a lot of them and started dressing them up in magnificent outfits and accessories that depict various black cultures. And because she also strongly believe in “Inclusion�, she dresses up dolls of various nationalities in their traditional outfits.

Everyone should have a sense of belonging. No one should feel left out. If everyone is represented, people will appreciate each other better, treat one another with kindness and respect and work on celebrating their differences.

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Nyakim Queen Of Dark

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ur cover girl is none other than the Gorgeous, melanin-popping, sun-kissed, African goddess and super model Nyakim Gatwech, who is often referred to as the “Queen of Dark.”

photo credit: Photographer: Davey Dave x

Nyakim, the 24 year old from South Sudan in East Africa has gained quite a bit of attention from social media, and deservingly so because of how deeply pigmented her skin is, she is absolutely stunning but her journey wasn’t always as glamorous. In my exclusive photoshoot and interview with her, she recounts some of her experiences below.

She recalls being bullied as a young girl because of comments from other children, she was told to go take a shower, that they couldn’t see her in the dark, some were scared of her dark skin, but the page last straw thatContinued really pushedonher over the edge and really inspired her to begin modeling was when a random Uber driver asked her if she will accept $10,000 to bleach her skin. Her response to the driver was “why will I bleach this beautiful melanin I’ve been blessed with.”

Her beautiful, dark skin has not only gained international attention but her smile, her very powerful modeling talents and her sense of confidence shines very bright! She

Continued on page 40

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photo credit: Photographer: Davey Dave x

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photo credit: Photographer: Davey Dave x

photo credit: Photographer: Davey Dave x

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VOME Magazine • AUGUST 2017

photo credit: Photographer: Davey Dave x

Photographer: Davey Dave Stylist: Oremeyi Kareem Outfit Designer: Annie House of Fashion

is definitely challenging the conventional, stereotypical standards of beauty in the modeling industry.

The stereotypical norms that exist in the beauty and modeling industry has always favored light skin models; even the makeup and fashion industries typically cater to the lighter skin girls. The lighter skin girls were regarded as prettier, more attractive to guys, gain more attention and work, they are viewed as smarter, more successful in their careers, whereas the dark skin was viewed as a badge of shame and less attractive.

It’s truly exhilarating to see societal norms and stereotypical standards of beauty been challenged by the likes of Gatwech and other upcoming dark skin models. In a society where conformity is the expectation, its easy to feel alienated when your looks or beliefs are challenged and viewed as different.

Gatwech addresses the fact that she never viewed herself as different until she came to the US, she saw herself as different from others because of the way she was made to feel. She stated that it wasn’t Racism but Colorism which basically means “prejudice against dark skin.”

She never understood why anyone will have any prejudice against her because of the color of her skin.

When Nyakim is told she’s too dark, she’s fond of saying the sun loves her so much, it kissed her more than the rest. She has learned to love the beautiful skin she’s in and her goal is to inspire others to do the same.

Nyakim is a student, studying elementary education and hopes to be a teacher someday and definitely has a huge modeling career ahead of her.

Congratulations Nyakim Gatwech for all your success so far and see you at the top!

Article by: Oremeyi Kareem Editor-in-Chief of Vome’ Magazine

photo credit: Denisha McCauley-Young

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“Men of

Purpose”

series

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Mario Martin:

Pastor, Comedian, Mentor, Purpose Driven (Full interview with Vome’ magazine @Vome’ on FB)

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Nai Lee:

photo credit: Denisha McCauley-Young

Owner/Director of Education at Nai’s 1st school of Hair Design, Master Barber, Mentor, Driven by Conviction & Purpose (Full interview with Vome’ Magazine on FB)

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Tim Findley Jr:

Pastor, Visionary, Mentor to the youth & CEO/ Founder of Life Development Corporation, Living in his purpose

photo credit: Denisha McCauley-Young

(Full interview with Vome’ Magazine on FB)

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Phil Allen:

Coach, Mentor, Photographer, purpose-driven life

photo credit: Denisha McCauley-Young

(Full interview with Vome’ Magazine on FB)Â

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COMMUNITY EVENTS Atlanta Walk Fashion Show JUNE 4th

photo credit: aesthetic aperature

Alexandra H Corbin Designer Contact: IG: @AlexandraHCorbin Email: ShopAlexandraHCorbin@gmail.com Website: www.AlexandraHCorbin.com Photographer: TK McCoy Instagram: tkm_ Models: (Top to Bottom) 1) Taylor Lang 2) La’Raven Rouse 3) India Hammond 4) Anastasia Allen 5) Shekinah Armstrong 6) Christian Pridgen 7) Brii Michelle 8) Tiffanney Tolbert 9) Alexus Gervin 10)Natasha Clarke 11) Azia Robinson, Alexandra H Corbin (L to R)

Comunity Events KMAC Fashion

photography by

Justin Collins

Community Events:

KMAC Fashion photography by Justin Collins (Visual Artist/blogger/aspiring author/published photographer)Â

Organized by Angelique Johnson

2017 DIVERSITY PITCHFEST

COMMUNITY EVENTS