alt + shift. LOCATION: New York City
issue 05 www.altshiftmagazine.com @altshiftmagazine
COUNTRY: United States
@altshiftmag
POPULATION: 2+
the shift continues.
CONT ENTS "Images courtesy of
Google + Pinterest + and the respective photographers."
08 ________
a week in the life.
10 ________
does not equal.
20 ________
reclaiming my time.
32 ________
black photographers.
40 ________
one year post-grad.
42 ________
summer events recap.
56 ________
palate x palette.
60 ________
an ode to burrata.
64 ________
stop.
66 ________
just a reminder.
70 ________
nyc: rooftop edition.
82 ________
healthy relationships.
84 ________
city hit list.
92 ________
sustainable hotels.
100 _______
this is: stonebwoy.
110 _______
creative corner.
for the best viewing experience, please turn your smartphone horizontally. enjoy!
alt + shift magazine noun. [/olt / + / SHift / mage ‘ zen] 01. a digital magazine 02. the + is silent
We’re in a time of change. Not only as creators, not only as people but in every aspect of life. We are changing the way we think, the way we buy, the way we consume, the way we act all due to this generational shift influenced by many extenuating factors such as technology, consciousness, and our new desire to care. In this process, we asked ourselves that exact question: “what do we care about?”
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE A cross between Nylon and Essence, alt + shift magazine is an online platform and digital magazine cultivated to guide us as we “shift” through life. alt + shift magazine is made of various content pieces catered to each platform and audience. We offer a unique perspective on fashion, design, opinion, culture, innovation + more through aesthetic, social, and cultural lenses. Consider alt + shift to be a digital magazine without borders - a living and ever growing embodiment of what we as the creators and what you as readers care about. We can only hope that the things that stress us now will be minor as we go through this journey, making space for new cares and worries just the same, along with new ways of expressing them.
welcome to the shift.
FIND US ONLINE
Find us online at www. altshiftmagazine.com. We update the online platform with the latest issues and all thing alt + shift magazine to keep you inspired and connected with us. You can also subscribe to us and purchase our merchandise and products on our digital space.
FIND US ONLINE www.altshiftmagazine.com READ ONLINE www.altashiftmagazine.com/inthebook CONTACT US altshiftmagazine@gmail.com
FOUNDERS Sage Hunter + Arianna Alleyne
ABOUT US Let’s set the stage of where our worlds overlap. We are friends of nearly 10 years sharing many life-structuring experiences, recent college graduates wanting more than this workforce can offer, lovers of travel constantly looking for our new adventures, and avid fashion enthusiasts. With that being said, both of us as creatives and as individuals have polar opposite backgrounds, one in engineering with an analytical mindset and the other in marketing with an artistic twist. Therefore, morphing and molding this magazine into a common ground for our passions, pain points, and provisions has been nothing short of a journey. Our biggest goal was to prioritize inclusion by bridging the gap between our truth and inclusion everyone in between. We welcome you to grow with us, share with us, and learn with us. This isn’t about us but for us and for all of you. Rather than being afraid of this shift, embrace it - those who don’t will simply be left behind. With alt + shift magazine, we hope for it to become a staple and ultimately a part of your life. Thank you so much to those who have extended your support whether through simple words of affirmation or retweets and to everyone pushing us to work even harder with the lack thereof. We see you. And thank you for seeing us.
a week in the life of you. as the summer comes to an end, the weeks feel as if they’re getting shorter and shorter. they’re ending and starting before we even have a chance to process them. here is a guide to help you be productive in both your personal and professional life.
sunday
monday set the tone for your week by doing something that makes you feel like the best you.
write down everything you want to accomplish this week.
tuesday
wednesday you made it half way through the week - treat yourself today!
dedicate your day to learning something new.
thursday
friday
look back on your to-do list. are you on track to accomplish everything?
make plans to meet up with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
saturday relax.
es
do al
qu
te
no
did you know two words can be synonymous of each other, yet still cannot and should not be used interchangeably? specifically when speaking politically or about the identification of people, using the correct terms or lack thereof can make or break the situation as a whole. here are some words whose overlap in definition changes the core meaning of them all:
= do
es
no
te
qu
al
person of color
black
/’pers(e)n ev ‘keler/ noun a person who is not white or of European parentage.
/blak/ adjective of any human group having dark-colored skin, especially of African or Australian Aboriginal ancestry.
= do
es
no
te
qu
al
creative
artist
/krē ’ ādiv/ adjective relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, typically in a professional context.
/’ärdest/ noun a person who produces paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby.
es
do
al
qu
te
no
= female
woman
/fē, māl/ adjective of or denoting the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs, distinguished biologically by the production of gametes (ova) which can be fertilized by male gametes.
/’woŏmen/ noun an adult human female.
= do
es
no
te
qu
al
relative
family
/’relediv/ noun a person connected by blood or marriage.
/’fam(e)lē/ noun a group of people, usually of the same blood (but do not have to be), who genuinely love, trust, care about, and look out for each other.
CATEGORY IS:
a visual ode to ball culture.
CATEGORY IS:
a visual ode to ball culture.
RECLAIMING MY TIME
paris is burning, 1990
“Images courtesy of Google + Pinterest + and the respective photographers.�
- Laverne Cox
i’m a self-made woman in every sense of the word.
7
BLACK PHOTOGRAPHERS CHANGING THE GAME and our instagram feeds.
+ “untitled,” - 2015 | Devin Allen | @bydvnlln
Yara Shahidi for Harpers Bazaar, 2019 | Adrienne Raquel
@adrienneraquel
+
Deun Ivory | @deunivory
Laura Alston | @lilfedx
David Uzochukwu @daviduzochukwu
blue velvet, harlem. 2015 | Ray “Neutron” Spears | @rayneutron
#shotbysteezy | 35mm | Elijah Banks | @shotbysteezy
shing quality i u g n i t be s i d tw y e nl
s u j I
everybody e and l s e .
’t quit. Tha n d i t’s td
me
the
en
o
- NIPSEY HUSSLE
- Jasmine Mans
discipline is what sets everyone apart - not your degree.
one year
it’s perfectly fine if your dreams no longer align with your degree.
google is the best teacher. at least 50% of all advice anyone has ever given is a lie.
there’s no such thing as perfect timing - just your time.
no doesn’t always mean no, sometimes it just means not yet.
SUMMER EVENTS: RECAP
House of Yes “Music, arts, nightlife, circus, creativity, community, temple of expression” Brooklyn, New York
Heineken Green Room NYC ft. Jidenna
Lot 45 “Local Living Room in Bushwick” Brooklyn, New York
Bar Schimmi “hip hop in williamsburg” Brooklyn, New York
ARTREPRENEUR The second annual Antrepreneur Festival powered by Tier NYC kicked off this June. You may be wondering, what is the, “Artrepreneur Festival?” It’s a festival that shows recognition to up and coming entrepreneurs in our community providing a multi-purpose platform for artists to present their talents and craft. Bringing us electrifying performances, breathtaking art, mouth watering food, informative panelist, & stellar fashion trends, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss out on! The festival included numerous entrepreneurs from upcoming culinary chefs to various musical artists. The event took place at 14B Rooftop located right near the eclectic, Industry City area of Brooklyn. Varying vendors were situated all throughout the event space, perfect for ample exposure and networking. A few pop-up vendors that caught our eye were Tier NYC’s, a street wear brand based centered around art history and cultural impacts. Peep New York, a luxury eye wear brand with
various styles and dope frames. The Crate NY, a streetwear brand that embodies individuality and creativity. Finally, the pop-up that caught both our eye and food cravings was Chef RoyalTee Caters. Chef RoyalTee offered good vibes, great food, and unmatched hospitality. We can surely say we had the #RoyalEatsperience. Next, it was time for the panels to come to the stage to discuss topics such as, “Culture in the Workplace,” and “Passion to Paycheck.” The Passion to Paycheck panel was centered around the notion that we are a part of a generation where entrepreneurship and creating your own is at an all time high. It is important that we realize and master our gifts. The panelists are bosses that built their empires by turning their passion to paychecks. The #bosses included, Gabrielle Amani, founder and CEO of MEFeater Magazine. MEFeater is an independent online magazine based in NYC. Their content is curated for millennials, who want to be in the know about the latest trends in fashion, music, and entertainment,
but who are also interested in current events and social issues. Goldie Harris, founder of 24:OURS. A creative platform and agency for music, media, and art, bridging the gap between community and culture. From this, 24:OURS Creative Studios, an innovation hub, co-working, photo studio and event space to connect, create and build was formed. Shaina Rene, owner of Blink Beauty Company, a luxury mink lashes and premium virgin hair company and Rene NYC, an online fashion boutique, featuring the latest trends in fashion and beauty. Kelcy Hercules, CEO and creator of Blossom Be You Project. A initiative that holistically supports young women of color in New York City through self love, leadership, and civic engagement. Sandra G. Lowery, Forbes Under 30 Nominee, Harlem Google Digital Coach, Marketing and Branding Strategist, and owner of Encounter Marketing & PR consulting agency. The “Culture in the Workplace” panel consisted of Gissel Alvarez, Social Media Marketing Coordinator for BET Networks. Fresco Wilson,
Teacher and Store Manager of Solecial Study and Global Brand Ambassador of Stadium Goods. Rel Carter, A&R Coordinator and Manager at Roc Nation. Deena Morrison, Video/Podcast Producer and Culture and Content at Tidal. The #bosses dropped several keys to success about passion, perseverance, and strategically setting goals.
+
Overall, the festival provided a great opportunity for networking, showcasing talents, and bringing together like-minded entrepreneurs. Let’s see what’s in store for next years festivities.
for all my entrepreneur’s out there working their 9-5:
love what you own.
- @FRESCOBK
“
“
like what you do.
“
“
set goals that scare you.
- @SANDY_GARLOW
“
“
a no for me just means try again.
- @GISSELGISSEL
for me, my passion is personal
“
“
- @THEIVYRIVERA
“
“
if someone isn’t on the path that you’re on, they’re not going to be able to guide you.
- @_SHAINARENE
“
When they tell the black girl she can’t play mermaid. ask them, what their people know about holding their breath under water.
- Jasmine Mans
palate x
x palette
featuring
FOOD EDITION:
an ode to burrata.
un’ode alla burrata Yes, you read that correctly! This is an ode to the heavenly goodness that is, burrata. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do love other cheeses, but burrata is just #thatbitch. At this point, you have seen burrata and all of its glory on every menu, food instagram account, and much more. So what is burrata? Burrata means “butter.” This fresh, southern Italian pasta filata, or “pulled cheese,” is made from mozzarella and cream. To make mozzarella, the mozzarella curd is stretched to form a ball or any shape that matches your preference. To make burrata, that same stretchy curd is filled with a mixture of chopped up mozzarella scraps and cream called stracciatella, then tied with a tiny “top knot.” I guess you can call burrata mozzarella’s cooler, creamier, and chic sibling! I love eatting burrata on it’s own, because why not, it’s utterly delicious, but you should incorporate this cheese into your next dish for sure! Here are 3 recipes that incorporate the new #loml (love of my life!) + recipe #1: Tomato Basil Pasta with Burrata + recipe #2: Grilled Strawberry-Avocado Toasts To access each recipe feel free to click on each image to bring you directly to it. Buon Appetito!
with Burrata
+ recipe #3: Margherita Pizza Drip with Burrata
STOP
doubting yourself. latching onto toxic people. comparing your journey to those around you. saying “it is what it is� instead of changing. lying without reason. looking for the easy way out. listening to unsolicited advice. wasting precious time. sweating the small stuff. making impulse decisions without thought. resorting to unhealthy forms of self-care. ignoring your gut feeling. fearing rejection. denying your inherit privilege. reliving the past. attributing all faults to the actions of others. passing on generational trauma.
just a reminder:
you deserve to give yourself the same love you’ve given to past lovers.
Being the young, impressionable, hopeless romantics we tend to be, it’s very easy to get wrapped up in putting someone else’s happiness before our own. I mean, who doesn’t want to fall in love? This doesn’t only go for romantic relationships, but for platonic ones as well. Growing older, the yearn for solid and like-minded friends can lead us to go an extra mile for those who wouldn’t go an inch. Keep these in mind when navigating relationships, both old and new: Set internal boundaries on what you’re willing to give.
Understand and enforce your limits.
Remember, time does not equate to loyalty.
It’s not a crime to put yourself first.
Redirect unrequited energy and pour it into yourself. Your definition of love/friendship will not always align with the person you want to be with/befriend.
Issa Rae
entrepreneur ‘till i die. i deserve this. bye.
Penthouse808 at the RAVEL Hotel
NYC: Rooftop Edition
ready to hang out and drink? here are a few NYC rooftops to try!
elsie rooftop
$$$ | 1412 brodway
mr. purple
$$$ | 180 orchard st.
vida verde rooftop $$ | 248 w. 55th st.
$$$ | 558 grand concourse
zona de cuba
z rooftop
$$$ | 11-01 43rd ave.
refinery rooftop $$$ | 63 w. 38th st.
westlight rooftop
$$$ | 11 n. 12th st.
190 allen st.
make believe
rooftop | $$
rooftop reds | $ | 299 sand st.
i am a single-minded individual. therefore, I will always be single even if i’m in a partnership or romantic relationship.
- Lizzo
the duality of healthy relationships
snacks
sharing
secrets
attention
hands
holding
pay
for dates
conversations
our dreams
reaching
the top shelf in the kichen
CITY HIT LIST a list of poppin’ cities
to visit this summer and beyond.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
+
DENVER,
COLORADO
+
CITY HIT LIST a list of poppin’ cities
to visit this summer and beyond.
CITY HIT LIST a list of poppin’ cities
to visit this summer and beyond.
CHARLESTON,
SOUTH CAROLINA
NEW ORLEANS,
+
+ LOUISIANA
CITY HIT LIST a list of poppin’ cities
to visit this summer and beyond.
sustainable hotels: what is sustainability?
what is sustainability?
staying at a sustainable hotel is more than just reducing your carbon footprint but you will be giving back to the environment all while enjoying your stay! before I share my list of eight sustainable hotels that have been on my radar, let’s discuss sustainability, what are sustainable hotels, and what makes a hotel sustainable! the word sustainability has been thrown around very often but does everyone really know what it means and how it affects our planet and conservation efforts?
in a nutshell, to sustain is to extend our capacity to live on this planet. “sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations to meet their own needs.” “sustainability is the capacity to improve the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of the Earth’s supporting Eco-systems.” “sustainability is about stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems - human culture and the living world.” what are sustainable hotels? eco hotels, or green hotels, are accommodations that have made important environmental improvements to its structure in order to minimize its impact on the natural environment. what makes a hotel sustainable? criteria ++++ + dependence on the natural environment + ecological sustainability + proven contribution to conservation + provision of environmental training programs + incorporation of cultural consideration + provision of an economic return to the local community characteristics ++++ + housekeeping uses non-toxic cleaning agents, laundry detergent + 100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses + non-smoking environment + renewable energy sources like solar or wind energy + bulk organic soap and amenities instead of individual packages to reduce waste + guest room and hotel lobby recycling bins + towel and sheet re-use + energy-efficient lighting + on-site transportation with green vehicles + serve organic and local-grown food + non-disposable dishes + offers a fresh-air exchange system + greywater recycling + newspaper recycling program + and much more!
+
++++ + 1 Hotels | various locations + Hix Island House | vieques, puerto rico + Amangrir | canyon point, utah + Proximity Hotel | greensboro, north carolina + Inn by the Sea | cape elizabeth, maine + Hotel Felix | chicago, illinois + Six Senses Con Dao | vietnam + various locations + The Brando Resort | french polynesia
1 Hotels | various locations
Hix Island House | vieques, puerto rico
Amangrir | canyon point, utah
Proximity Hotel | greensboro, north carolina
Inn by the Sea | cape elizabeth, maine
Hotel Felix | chicago, illinois
Stonebwoy Burniton Born Livingstone Etse Satekla, Stonebwoy is a Ghanaian Afro pop, dancehall and reggae artiste who hails from the Volta Region. He was born on March 5, 1988 in Ashaiman, a suburb of Accra, and places fourth in a family of seven siblings. As far back as grade four, young Stonebwoy realized his love and passion for creative arts, having successfully scripted and acted for the drama club of his school and also put words together in a rhythmic manner. Since then, the young chap has never stopped singing both songs that he
has written and composed and those by artists he is influenced by. In an industry flooded with people trying out a number of things in a bid to establishing their identity, Stonebwoy stands as one unique artiste with a sense of direction and purpose. His two albums (currently available on iTunes) Grade #1 and Necessary Evil are captivating debut that heralds the arrival of a gifted and significant artist, marking his territory. He recorded his first track in a family studio a decade ago. Thence, Stonebwoy has never looked back.
STONE BWOY
“I need to be strong to continue on.”
“If I have love, I can give love.”
Q
&
Q: What inspired you to initially do music?
&
A: Growing up around music, you realize you are attracted to everything in music. There’s never a dull moment when you are around music. You can only realize what you have is a gift when you are growing up and when people are pointing your gift out to you even more you begin to realize your talents. The origin of African music is storytelling, so when I compose I want to make sure I am telling a story and evoke emotion and that is what I’ve wanted to do since a young age. Q: How would you describe your creative music making process? A: When I create my music, it involves a lot of thinking and processing. I think about what I want to say in the song, what I’m saying in the song, am I going to dance on this song, am I going to move a heart with this song, am I going to touch someone’s mind with my song, am I going to pump more fuel into someone’s spirituality with this song. This
is all things I consider before dropping a song or not. I think that up to now, I am still growing with that. I have not arrived yet. I consider myself an ever growing artist. I see myself as developing because my task is broad. I can not only be considered as an Afrobeats artist. If I was, I may have finished or have gotten to a point where I have reached my peak. In reality, I am a total artist and musician. I am a afro-beat artist, a reggae artist as well. I’m a musician that loves to do music of black origin. Yea mon’! Q: Where do you see yourself in a year? In 5 years? A: I remember getting asked this question many times before. I usually say I don’t know, I’m not sure. Geographically, I would say that I would be in Accra, Ghana or the states, but I would say I want to get further in what I’m doing and be able to become a renowned name that represents for the musical arts. I hope that when my name is mentioned people are proud to know I contributed to creativity, and the creation of music as an African who was able to touch
base on the diaspora, home and abroad. That is all I wish for and it may take more than 5 years to achieve so probably, every 5 years the mission remains the same so then I pray for energy and divine direction to fuel the course. Because so many other forces can make your mission not happen. As much as I do music, I want to continue to expand and it take a lot of factors to make that happen. I pray that nothing stops at a point where I’m not able to fulfill being a fulfilled name when it comes to African music. Q: How do you feel about the recent American popularization of Afrobeats? A: As time is revealing itself, it is very interesting to see this come to life. We are headed in a direction where it is now “cool” to be African and everyone loves Afrobeats. It is very interesting to see this shift because it happens all the time. Last year, everyone wanted to be Jamaican and Caribbean. This year, everyone wants to be African. It’s a cycle. Q: What elements of Africa influence your style and music?
A: Africa as a whole is seen as a picture to me, but Ghana is a feeling because I lived there. Unfortunately, there is a struggle, from the things we see, how the media portrays us, how the international media wants us to look in the eyes of everyone else and the eyes of our own selves. So much that when we look into the mirror we hate what we see. All of these things have added up to my inspiration to compose. Music should have a back story and a message to it. From what the negative messages the media portrays to us, you wouldn’t know the positives and rich culture that Africa has. People don’t know that Africa feeds the world in several ways. All of these things inspire and influence my music and style and to represent Africa in a positive light. No matter what I’m doing, I want to make sure that I represent myself and where I come from and my people. There’s one human race but I don’t expect the white race to look out for the black race so that fuels me to represent my people positively. If I have love, I can give love!
Q: With your platform, how have you made that happen. Giving back, sharing your message, etc.? A: I have come to a level where much is expected of me from the public, but from myself as well. We live in a system where the more you make, the more they collect from you. I don’t have it all but I make sure to share with my foundation and several forms. I want to help people transform their lives. Once people get to understand more about me, I hope that I can inspire them. Q: Who would be your dream collaboration? A: Rihanna, for now! My mind is very open when it comes to collaborations because everyday there are fresh spirits that arise with an amazing message and an amazing voice so you just never know. Your voice is your instrument and you can add whatever vibes to the song to make a dope track.
Q: What do you say to people who say that you are their dream collaboration? A: It is good to know that people feel that you’re somebody that can help them with their goals. They have to realize that they own themselves and I would say that I’m just a catalyst that will help propel them to the next level
but it’s all about them. It depends on them more than it depends on me. Q: How have you been able to balance your family life and music? A: It’s not an easy one because I came from being an underground artist, alone, to being in a relationship, to married, now with kids, so you only experience it when you are fully in it. Everyday I’m living and I’m learning from it. My ultimate goal is to keep my family intact, happy, and smiling so that they can keep me going. They are my motivation. You have to stay focused and keep going. Q: What do you care about outside of music? Any hobbies? A: Family. I make time for family. Sometimes you just have to choose. Once a upon a time when I didn’t have that family dynamic, I had more time but being with my family is my hobby. Time fills up when other parts of you are growing so the most valuable to me is my family. When I call my wife and speak
to my little daughter and laugh and share moments. That is a hobby for me. You should find a hobby from your family dynamic. Parenting is work and I’m finding hobbies based around my family to give me happiness. But besides that I might play video games, sometimes. But I try to find joy in the things I do, you never really need hobbies. Q: How do you practice selfcare and maintain your wellbeing? A: The power, drive and motivation has to come from within you and the people you surround yourself with. I make sure there is a balance and that I am at peace with everyone. I keep a positive and trouble free self so that I can create, think and give, because what I do is very demanding trying to cater to everyone is difficult. Sleep, wake up, create, and plan what’s next and improve myself. I try to keep it simple and try to be me. I need to be strong to continue on!
“
The origin of African music is storytelling.
“Sleep, wake up, create, and plan what’s next and improve myself.” - Stonebwoy
CREAT
COR
TIVE
RNER
here is a collect whose content we shift discussed th and meaning beh
welco
tion of creatives e really enjoy. alt + heir goals, passion hind their brand.
ome.
MARICIA J O S E P H S.
@MARICIAJOSEPHS
@WEDREAMINHD
meet maricia. age: 26 location: new york
How did you get into the industry you are in?
I studied Journalism and Film in college, but people would always tell me I should do PR. I wasn’t at all interested—or so I thought. Fast forward to after graduation. I didn’t like the direction that the journalism industry was going in as writing is very personal and passion fueled for me. I had two options: Accessories Assistant at a major fashion magazine or a PR internship at Moschino/Jeremy Scott. I took the PR internship and my career path was transformed from that moment on.
What are the biggest challenges when it comes to the work you do?
It’s a job that requires a lot of people facing, so it’s often very draining, but thankfully I’ve found my own balance. You also have to learn to separate your selfworth from the job. It’s all about results and pleasing your clients, so you also have to remind yourself that you are good enough at all times.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I’ll have my own PR and Consulting agency.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration for your work?
My father is my biggest inspiration for my work. He didn’t get to fully live out his dreams as he lost his life. As long as I still have life, I will push and push for him.
In what ways do you practice self-care? I spend time with myself without answering texts, calls or being on social media. I establish boundaries. I journal. I also travel, even if it’s a simple getaway. It’s all so helpful. I have to pour into me to be able to pour into others.
K
N !
A
T
H
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