AMBI'ANCE UNCUT ISSUE 03 JULY/AUGUST 2021 by Dark Gable Productions Unlimited

issue 02 | July/August 2021

Lena Y. Mingo

Dark Gable Productions Unlimited, LLC 1155 S. Power Rd Ste 114PMB320 Mesa AZ 85206

Jonathan W. Fields, CEO/Editor 623-414-8823 | ambiancemagazineinc@gmail.com

Edith Graham, West Coast Executive Assistant 832-404-6783 | artfullybrandingyou@gmail.com

Michelle Stackfield, East Coast Executive Assistant 404-573-7776 | mstackfield5@gmail.com

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Contents

Who’s Who in America Recipient 2021...............................6 NBC Pulls Plug on Golden Globe Awards...........................8 Artist of the Month Ben Heine...........................................10 Fashionista Focus Bertina Bailey.......................................22 Big Boi Couture.................................................................28 Ms. Cassandra Williams: CEO of W.E.T PR of Beverly Hills......................................38 Donna Fitzsimmons Dymally: Justice for Marc Fitzsimmons............................................44 Ferlicia Poole.....................................................................49 Roberto Bolero Noriega: The Man Behind the Music...............................................52 “Lady Alma”: Perfecting House Music...............................58 Lena Y. Mingo: Reality TV and Hair Extraordinaire.............64 Marcus Johnson: The Man Behind Jazz & FLO Wine....................................70 Ms. Camay McClure-Dunn: Honesty, Perseverance, and Integrity................................79

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Nancy Salim: Artistry From Head To Toe...........................88 ReShonda Parker: Again I rise...........................................94 Mr. Rory Seldon: Timeless Sounds.................................108 Scorpio: The Other Man in the Mirror..............................114 Terri Stevens: CEO of Face 2 Face Modeling & Talent Agency..............118 The Ebony Book Club.....................................................122 The Poetry Cafe..............................................................126 Things that Make You Go Hmmmmmmmm?..................128 NY Icon Tonni Young is “On The Move”..........................130 Ambiance Uncut Remembers Those We Lost................136

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MESA, AZ, May 6, 2021, Jonathan Williams Fields has

been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process. Having come of age amid a family of medical specialists, Mr. Fields has long been interested in the field. After serving for 14 years as an operating room technician within the U.S. Navy, he became interested in counseling people after surgical procedures, and was praised for his excellent bedside manner with patients. Mr. Fields received an undergraduate degree from Benedict College, attended the Pre-Law degree program at North Carolina Central University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Pacific Western University.

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Who’s Who in America Recipient 2021 Following the conclusion of his academic efforts, Mr. Fields served as a corrections officer, but eventually decided to focus his career goals entirely on behavioral health. In 2009, he decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He had taken drama courses in college and leveraged his connections to find work in the field. Presently, Mr. Fields owns Dark Gable Productions Unlimited, where he deals with contracts and referral management for entertainers and organizes red carpet functions, and manages his entertainment publications in the form of Ambiance Uncut Magazine and X’tream Nailz Unlimited Magazine. Previously, during his time spent as a behavioral health professional, Mr. Fields was most proud to have progressed from a counselor to a program director in less than five years. Moreover, he is grateful to be able to pursue his dreams in the entertainment industry. As a respected voice in his field, Mr. Fields authored a poetic reflection

of his vast and multifaceted experiences, “Shades of Ebony – Epigrams of my Life,” in 2003. For his military service, Mr. Field has received three Navy Good Conduct Awards, the Navy Sea Service Award, the Navy Combat Service Award and the Navy Foreign Service Award. He also earned several certificates of recognition from the California State Legislature. Throughout the course of his career, he has attributed his professional success to

his flexibility, perseverance and his ability to sustain himself through numerous challenges. In the coming years, Mr. Fields plans on reactivating his non-profit called the Believe & Achieve Foundation (which provides counseling and referral services to both recovering addicts and ex-offenders), market his X’treme Nailz International and Ambi’ance publications to funders overseas (i.e. Dubai, China and Singapore), and finish some urban screenplays he has been working on for a couple of years.

About Marquis Who’s Who : Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com. 7

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NBC Pulls Plug on Golden Globe Awards he future of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has been in question for months, ever since the Los Angeles Times exposed its loose financial practices and lack of diversity. But with NBC’s announcement on Monday that it would not broadcast the Golden Globe in 2022, it began to seem that the HFPA might not survive the crisis. Within the group, there has been infighting over how to reform and how to respond to its critics. But there also continues to be genuine bafflement about how things escalated to this point, as well as mounting anger that the clubby organization has become the focus of Hollywood’s struggles over diversity. In their view, much of the criticism has been opportunistic. The most resonant detail from the Times’ report was the revelation that none of the HFPA’s nearly 90 members are Black, a fact which has been public information since at least 2013. “They have known us for 30, 40, 50 years,” one member told Variety this week. “How could this have been a surprise?” Many HFPA members contacted by Variety declined to comment or referred calls to Sunshine Sachs, the organization’s PR firm, as they had been instructed to do during an all-members meeting on Monday afternoon. But the half dozen who did comment argued that the organization — which is made up of entertainment correspondents, many representing European outlets and some semi- or fully retired — is being scapegoated for America’s racial issues.

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“Maybe as an organization we were self-absorbed, and not thinking about the political correctness and the climate in this country,” said the member, who asked not to be identified. “We are not a racist organization. This is a racist country. Pointing fingers at us now — and saying you should have 13% Black members — it’s ridiculous.” Several also noted that a coalition of over 100 Hollywood publicity firms — which have led the charge against the HFPA — do not have particularly diverse staffs either. “Shame on the publicists, to be so hypocritical,” the member said. The publicists’ group countered that the HFPA members are avoiding the real issues, which go beyond the lack of Black voters. They say that the HFPA has had a long history of ignoring films and shows from Black creators and people of color, failing to show up to screenings and press conferences for critically acclaimed projects such as “Girls Trip,” “Queen & Slim,” and “When They See Us.” When they did show up, their clients were often subjected to lines of questioning that they felt were demeaning. Studios and publicity firms say that they had urged the HFPA to make changes years ago, but those suggestions were ignored. “The HFPA is clearly trying to deflect the real issue, and their own responsibility,” says Jackie Bazan, founder & president, BazanPR and BazanED. “There is no defense against or deflection from decades of systemic racism, sexism, erasure and homophobia that has permeated this organization for far too long, with no independent attempt at reform. The HFPA sits in judgement of the creative work of others, their membership historically opting to exclude the work of BIPOC talent, making or breaking careers in the process, and practicing egregious behavior, all the while collecting millions of dollars for the Globes.” 9

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Artist of the

Month

Ben Heine

BEN HEINE (born June 12, 1983 in Abidjan,

Ivory Coast) is a Belgian multidisciplinary visual artist. He is best known for his original series “Pencil Vs Camera”, “Digital Circlism” and “Flesh and Acrylic”. 11

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Ben grew up in Ivory Coast. He lived there 7 years, along with his parents and his 3 sisters. His father was a commercial engineer and his mother a Modern Jazz dance teacher. Everything changed when the family came back to Brussels in 1990. Ben was a demanding child and he didn’t like school at all. He became wiser, more disciplined and a studious person later on, after a stay in a boarding school (at the “College Saint Vincent” (Belgium), from 12 y/o to 18 y/o). 13

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In 1994, he discovered for the ﬁrst time that his energy, his fears, his emotions and his ideals could be canalized in “visual projects”, it was the very beginning of a never ending adventure in drawing and painting. As a teenager, Ben had many other hobbies and activities: besides writing poetry on a daily basis, he played drums, piano and guitar, he also used to play basketball and to run every day. His interest for graphic arts was eventually the strongest one. 15

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Ben has a degree in Journalism (started at “Université Libre de Bruxelles” (Belgium) and completed at”IHECS” (Belgium) & “Utrecht University of Applied Sciences” in The Netherlands). He also brieﬂy stud-ied History of Art, Painting and Sculpture at “Hastings College of Arts & Technology” (England) but he is self-taught person in Drawing and Photography. Through his studies, he learned several languages: French (1), English (2), Dutch (3), Polish (4), Spanish (5) and Russian (6). Ben loves languages be-cause he loves communicating and interacting with people. He loves people. 17

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Fashionista Focus

Bertina Bailey veryone has a gift. Some are destined to be carpenters, doctors, lawyers, artists and yes, writers. The journey of our gifts is not just discovering them, but to use them.Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Bertina Bailey has found her gift and is using it for its intended purpose, empowering other women to follow their dreams while loving and enjoying the skin they are in. This ‘Grady Baby’ has taking the Atlanta plussized modeling craze by storm. As I have mentioned in past interviews, I love being a writer for Ambi’ance Magazine. It affords us the opportunity to come in con22

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tact with so many different people from all walks of life and sharing their stories with you, entertaining you and hopefully empowering you to live your dream as well. I first saw Ms. Bailey’s photos as a model for one of our recent interviewees; P121Cr8tions designer; Jessica ‘Untile’ Goodwin. Her natural beauty and her confidence radiated in each shot. Later I had the pleasure of seeing her rip the runway, owning it as if it were hers. I overheard the admiration of those in attendance as she fiercely strutted her stuff! Awesome, was the first thought that came to my mind. She’s young, she’s beautiful, she’s confident and she deserves to be shown some Ambi’ance love! Ambi’ance: Hey Bertina, tell us a little about yourself. Bertina: I was born and raised here in Atlanta, GA. I am the oldest of four children. I have two sisters and one brother. I graduated from Fredrick Douglas High School. Afterwards, I attended Life University where I studied Business Administration and later attended Bauer College for Fashion Design. Ambi’ance: So you are a native of Atlanta? You are the first one that I have met since I’ve been here! I almost thought the natives were non-existent! (Laughing) Does anyone in your family model besides you? Bertina: (Laughing) Yes, I’m a

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‘Grady Baby’! (that is the name natives call themselves who were born in Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta) None of my siblings model, but my ten year old daughter; Bella Larman does!

“Project Curve Appeal” as a spokesmodel for Peach City and I moved on to Curve Appeal; which are all under the same umbrella, so that was June 2009 and I have been going strong since then.

Ambi’ance: Great! I am sure she also commands the runway!

Ambi’ance: You have a unique look. What encouraged you to step out and be different? As a sister wearing the natural close cut as well, I love your cut and as you know there aren’t many who will join us in making such a bold move! Did you set yourself apart to be different?

Bertina: Yes, she comes across very shy, except when she’s on that runway! She loves it! (Laughing) Ambi’ance: Had you had any formal training in modeling? Bertina: No formal training. I have never had any modeling or photography classes. When I was coming up my mother has always been a plus-sized woman and she would PUT her clothes on. She had one shade of red lipstick that she would put on her eyes, cheeks and her lips. She always carried herself with pride. My grandmother was also a big woman and she would always say, “I put my earrings on and my clothes on. I may be the biggest woman, but I am the finest woman!” So I have always grown up around confident women and thought I was cute! (Laughing) Now since I thought I was cute, an opportunity came for me to model, I took it and things just took off from there. Ambi’ance: How long have you been modeling? Bertina: Since June of 2009. I started with a company called

Bertina: Even in high school, I was always on the ‘outside’. I had people that I hung out with, friends and family, but was never part of the “in crowd.” I have always worn braids. I‘ve wore the puffy braids so that I would be different. I shaved the back of my head with them, setting me apart from everyone else. I wore them for about three to four years and tried the wigs and weaves for about a year after that. Then I went to a Jill Scott concert; I am a huge fan of hers! She was wearing her hair similar to mine and I said, “Let me do something different!” That was in January, 2012. I cut off all of my hair and my cousin braided the top and I have been rocking it ever since. A funny thing is I see women with the similar cut all the time, but the compliments I get are like, “OMG, I just love your hair, I haven’t seen anything like that!” I get a lot of compliments and it’s very humbling, I love it! I love being different and I love being me! 23

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Anyway, Jill Scott was the inspiration for my hair! I made a comment to someone that I have never felt stronger or more beautiful until I decided to cut my hair. It wasn’t ‘I am woman hear me roar’ or anything like that, but I just never felt more beautiful because I am more than just my hair! Ambi’ance: I completely agree. I know I love mine! It’s a very bold statement and gives you soooo much confidence and it does set you apart. I don’t believe I ever want to go back to hair! I see you’re doing make-up. Tell me about that. Do you have your own line? Bertina: Not yet. It’s still in the works. I started doing make-up before I even started modeling. As a model it’s very smart to know how to apply basic make-up. I was always afraid of other people not giving me the look I wanted, especially with my brows. I’m very finicky about them and I learned how to do them a long time ago. Later, one of my friends, Andrea Shanice, kept saying to me that I needed to do make-up on other people. I was always afraid because what if they didn’t like it and then what am I going to do? I said, “You know what? When God gives you a talent to be something, you need to use it.” So I decided to put my stuff out there and let people know that I could do their make-up. I also have done lashes, but I focus on the makeup. In, 2012, I branded myself as a make-up artist and have been doing it ever since. Ambi’ance: You are definitely your own advertisement because 24

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as a fellow make-up artist, your make-up is always on point! Bertina: When it comes to things like that, I look at is as part of being a woman. I am always a lady

I am always a lady first and foremost and I take pride in how I look and carry myself... Even if you don’t know how to do a full face, carry yourself like you know you have pride in your appearance first and foremost and I take pride in how I look and carry myself. So for me number one is about being a lady. Even if you don’t know how to do a full face, carry yourself like you know you have pride in your appearance. Ambi’ance:

I couldn’t agree

more! It’s also a segway into my next question. Since I have been in Atlanta, I have seen the plus-sized community embracing and loving their curves, taking their curves to the runways, dressing and owning the fashion industry. What do you say to the young people who are not the size two, four or sixes? Bertina: You know we’re ‘homefed’ here in the south! (Laughing) First and foremost before you even consider “modeling” or anything like that, I would say and this is coming from a plus-sized spokesperson, it’s something that you already have in you. It can be grown and honed, but confidence is something that you already have. Even if it’s a teeny tiny bit, you have to love who you are. If you can’t love yourself, then who else will? It starts with self-love and self-appreciation. I got it from my mother, grandmother and auntie. I have always been big. It wasn’t like I was small and gained weight and had to figure out what to do, no, I was a little butterball and the women around me told me all of the time that I was beautiful and that whatever my size was, I was beautiful. It was embedded in me, like a smile that you pass on to others. When you feel good, you are proud of whom you are, you walk differently and you hope that your confidence rubs off on the other women around you. Carry yourself like you know you’re beautiful and nothing can stop you. You are the most powerful person you will ever come in contact with. I have a ten year old and she is about 5’6” now. I tell her all the time she is beautiful. She is and I want my baby to grow up to be a confident

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woman in her own right regardless of whatever size she is. As women, we need to be more secure in giving other women compliments. We can let them know that we like their look, that their outfit is nice. We need to be more loving to other women building each other up. Ambi’ance: You’re absolutely correct! I love being a woman and everything that comes with the territory of being a woman. It doesn’t cost you anything to pay a compliment to another woman. It doesn’t cost you anything to add a smile to her face or to have her place one on yours. What if any has been your adversity and as well as your upside in being in the fashion industry? Bertina: My height! I am not the “standard” height for a plussized model or a model. The thing that gets me in is my curves and my personality. I measure in at 34-27-47 and I am 5’6”, so having these curves has gotten me many, many different things, because of my not being the standard. I have met so many wonderful people being in the industry through my modeling and my make-up. I love it! I love empowering other women by doing what I do and letting them know they can do it as well. Ambi’ance: Have you modeled outside of Atlanta? Bertina: I haven’t. Ambi’ance: Is it on the horizon and what is in Bertina’s future? 25

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Bertina: I don’t know. I love modeling, I really do, but right now my passion is more on my makeup artistry. After I have the baby, I really don’t know how much more modeling I’m going to be doing. I love it and it’s gotten me to where I am and it did so very fast, but I don’t know what’s on the horizon in the modeling industry for Bertina. As far as my makeup, I am in the process of branding my makeup line. I have worked with numerous people and it has really taken off, so right now and until the baby is born, my makeup line is my focus. I have also been approached and will be doing some maternity shoots next week and I’m excited about that. Ambi’ance: Do we know what the baby is? Bertina: Another girl! Ambi’ance: Awesome! The passing of the torch continues! Lately I have been reflecting on the legacy I would like to leave, what is yours? Bertina: That I was someone everyone liked. Not that I am someone who tries to please everyone, but if you were to mention the name, Bertina, you will never hear anything negative. I’m not tooting my own horn, but I try to be a positive and happy person in hopes that it rubs off on anyone that I come in contact with. I always try to have a kind word to say about everyone. Fun loving, kind-hearted and loveable. That’s the mark I want to leave. My mother has always been my inspiration. She has always been a very strong person. She raised us as a single

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parent and on the other side of her strength has been her humbleness. She will give you her last. I admire her strength, her fire and her compassion. I always strive to be the mother and woman that she is and pass that on. Ambi’ance: I love your outlook on life. I love your look and your style. You command the runway and hopefully Atlanta will continue to enjoy you for more years to come. Bertina: You know the night we met at the function; I was going through a huge dilemma and trying to remain positive and professional. I am glad that I was able to present myself positively to you leaving you with a good impression of me. I actually thought you were a model that I had the pleasure of meeting and modeling with when I first started out. Ambi’ance: It’s a true testament to your character because it never showed. You were very warm and inviting which speaks volumes of you knowing that you were able to remain positive and very professional in spite of. Bertina: Thank you Ambi’ance And it’s funny, I’ve been getting that a lot since I’ve been here. I need to find out who she is! (Laughing) It’s been over twenty years since I’ve been on the runway and today, I’m just enjoying watching the next generation doing their thing up there! But, I thank you for the compliment! Where can our

readers find you? Bertina: I am at Bertina Bailey MUA on Facebook and my fan page is Bella Sugar and Spice Makeup and Styling Services named after my daughter, Bella. She inspired me so the business is named after her. Ambi’ance: Well, Bertina, it’s been a pleasure and Ambi’ance is definitely looking forward to seeing more of you and will keep you in our sights regarding your makeup line. In the meantime, we need to get together and enjoy a little plus-sized shopping! I need to get my ‘Hotlanta’ swag on if I am planning on staying here! Bertina: Definitely and thank you for taking the time out for me and I have your earrings! (Laughter) Beautiful, classy, sexy, humble, unique, empowering, and confident. These are the words I found for Bertina Bailey, makeup artist and one of Atlanta’s hottest plus-sized models and spokesperson. During our interview, she lived up to every one of these words and more, representing the inner and outer beauty of a woman empowering other women to live up to their potentials while embracing the skin they are in! Ambi’ance love, Bertina, and we are wishing you a safe delivery of lil Basilyn Amina Elizabeth Clay in August. In the meantime, Ambi’ance Magazine and our readers are watching you! 27

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Unlike most brothers over the age of 50, I thrive on non-

traditional looks & Bright colors 28

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penciled necks that weighed about a buck fifty-seven. All of my peers that were 200 plus lbs. had to have clothes tailored, assuming their parents were fortunate to make that kind of bread. Just in case you missed the memo, Big Boi’s are getting FLY! The days of oversized clothes and dark undertaker clothes are over! Today, the 6’ 4”, 300 lbs. and over dudes have mad Grip! When I think back to my New York upbringing (in the 70’s), all of those ‘big cornbread eating rascals’ only wore the big Levis and prison-styled t-shirts. Most of the fashions of my day were for skinny

As a teen in high school, I regularly had difficulty finding size 13 ½ kicks. I also found myself ordering pants out of the Big & Tall catalogues. My shoes had to be purchased at either Nunn Bush or Florishein, and unlike most of my peers, I refused to mix dress pants with sneakers, uggggggggggh! Although some thought I was trying to be white, most realized I was just ahead of my time, at least fashion wised. They noticed that I was not only attracted to bright

colors, platform shoes and the ‘Cooley High’ leisure suits, but I thrived on them! By the time I entered the eleventh grade, I was rocking the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ Euro-styled blazers, bolero shirts and the ‘Don Cornelius’ styled bow ties at the discos. It wasn’t long before I caught the eye of some modeling agencies in and around New York City. This along with my summer league basketball tourneys became my side gig for extra coins and I continued that trend in college. After matriculating to Benedict College in Columbia S.C. I joined an independent modeling troupe called “The Shades of Ebony”. One 29

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Your kicks wi

always make

outfit, not the way around 30

of the benefits were that I was able to keep the clothes I modeled (this made me the best dressed small forward in college)! After graduating my love of vines continued during my military career. I rocked Stacy Adams in the night clubs of Guam, Korea, Hawaii and the Philippines. After my discharge from the Navy and relocating to the DMV area, I almost lost my mind when I discovered that new clothing outlets were starting to feature the ‘Big & Tall Fashions’ and size 13 and over shoe sizes! At that time, my favorite stores were Burlington Coat Factory and DSW. In the early 90’s Burlington was the first major outlet to feature sizes 14-17 in both shoes and sneakers. The Rack Room also sold Stacy Adams in sizes 14 and over. The big and tall industry literally kicked the door open during the late 90’s

ill

e the

e other 31

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early 2000’s! They finally accepted the fact that big men were a largely overlooked consumer base. Remember in the clothing industry (and US as a whole), it was thought the average height of the US male is only 5’ 9” (despite the increase in boys being well over 33

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6’ 6” and girls 5’ 8”). By the mid 2000’s, I became enamored with designer suits (i.e. Steve Harvey, Tracy Kennedy and Michael Collyer) and sick eel-skinned slides. The more ‘whacked out’ the designs and colors, the more obsessed I became! I’m sure I was the first Prison Substance Abuse

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Program Director to come into work wearing a lime green European suit with matching ostrich and lizard gators. Today, nothing has changed, I’m still recognized for my flamboyant drip! After all, once your peers proclaim you ‘Mr. SwagNificent’, you must represent for all the Big Boi’s!

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Big & Tall Men & Women

aways bring out the best in clothes. They are the ones

that implement trends in Fashion

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CEO of W.E.T. PR of Beverly Hills

Write It, Edit It, and Tell It assandra Williams was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles. Her parents always focused on her and her siblings having a good education. Growing up, she was taught to be diligent about homework and responsibilities. Blessed to have graduated and attended The University of Southern California, a prestigious college known for its strong tradition of integrating liberal and professional education. Ms. Williams credits that education as an academic foundation to succeed, achieving a BA degree in Business Administration and Minored in Music. But it was her Mothers’ influence that propelled this extraordinary woman to the height of success on both a personal and community-based level, now elevating those in the entertainment field via Public Relations. 38

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Although Ms. Williams and her Mother were opposites, she recalls a moment of clarity she gave her when in her mid-teens. Her mother was a strong woman with a meek manner and humility that made her words reverberate like a melodic echo. Her admirable no, non-sense temperament was an example of poise and genuine purpose. She told the young Cassandra “she could do anything she wanted to do in life. She just didn’t have to be so loud about it.” She took those words as her premise and fundamental guide in helping others. A loving wife of 39 years and the Mother of 3 children, DeMon, Christopher, and Crystal. She is also a Glam-Mom. She always wanted to help individuals and concluded early in life being sensitive towards people’s needs would enhance her ability to assist them. A person’s race, creed, or gender have no impact on their ability to express themselves and no two people are alike. She often found people will not physically approach another or write a letter on their behalf be it business or personal. Whether shy, stand-offish, or just low-key, she concluded she could help such individuals and embolden them in their pursuits eventually leading to W.E.T. PR. of Beverly Hills. Her journey’s inception started while working for a Property

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Management Company as a Regional Manager in Orange County, California. The company had acquired a property in Las Vegas that was borderline demolition ready. Despite its condition, it still had tenants living there and the city was going through negotiations for low-income tax credits. Impressed by her work, two key owners of the company decided she would be the perfect person to handle the quest, and although she hadn’t volunteered for the task, she was given an offer she and her husband could not refuse, and they relocated to Las Vegas. The first or initial property had over 288 residents and the second property she was assigned to had over 318 residents. It was obvious the tenants there were not comfortable and there was a lack of trust in those of authority in that community. She and her husband discussed knowing the conditions of poverty and decided to embark on a personal journey within the next year. At their own expense, they traveled to Washington, D.C. There Ms. Williams had the privilege to meet with the then-Secretary of HUD Henry Cisneros and spoke before Congress. Determined not to leave Washington without a definitive solution, she worked with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development tirelessly on the Uniform Relocation Act. After Managing properties and then becoming a relocation specialist for HUD properties. It was time she quit her regional

management position and created W.E.T. National Relocation Services, and started bidding on contracts all over the United States. Counting her blessings in the success of the endeavor, Ms. Williams stresses the things she’s learned to draw focus to in working individually with residents. Everyone isn’t a stereotype or some gangster pedaling illicit products in the hood. She saw people who’d experienced great misfortune, tragedies, and obstacles. Life simply had not worked out so well for them. In short, an eminent domain tactic was the culprit, and that creates the loss of low-income housing. Though often stated “to be for the greater good of the public,” it’s gentrification and means the location would no longer be affordable to the residents that formerly lived there. Once the rebuilding/renovations are started the forced out residents can’t afford to come back, including former property tax-paying citizens that often raised families in these communities. They too get forced out of neighborhoods after living in a home for two generations or more. Most often pushed to poverty-ridden areas, sometimes having to relocate out of the city. Although property owners receive payment of compensation. The right of a government or its agents to expropriate private property for public use with payment rarely puts a homeowner in 39

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a better position. The elderly or larger family sometimes needing to accommodate three generations in one household. The worker who lives on the bus line needing to remain close to their place of employment. These are all factors in such cases. In Ms. Williams’ case, the residents were in low-income housing, and in the late 80s through mid-90s, such an undertaking took a lot of configuration. At that time, it needed to be understood that she and her staff were truly going to help the situation 40

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by putting them in something better. Not relocate them, expecting them to come back unable to afford the area they were forced to leave. Ms.Williams using her business savvy and a strong sense of faith to do the task at hand began the process of not only changing lives but improving them. Recognizing most residents despite the stereotypes, associated with project living were hardworking people who had not had the opportunity for better lifestyles. Often finding themselves

stuck in a cycle based on a lacking of resources. She started what she refers to as “come to Jesus meetings,” using the community centers for meetings and discussions, as well as visiting their homes to explain the process. It allowed her to better comprehend their fears, and assure them it was something beneficial for them. It’s not just housing but long-term improved living situations they can still afford, outside the usually impoverished communities they typically were forced into relocating to.

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W.E.T. initially was established out of her sense of Civic virtue and Christian beliefs of helping Gods’ children, an innate ability to genuinely help for the betterment of residents and their communities. President and CEO Cassandra Williams established a unique and sensitive approach to assist families and improve their quality of life while returning to mainstream living with W.E.T. National Relocation Services. Assisting with social service referrals, job training/development, and all aspects of improved living in the pursuit of achieving their personal goals. It later became one of the top relocation services in the nation. The realization that if a person is not comfortable with him or herself, he or she cannot move forward with any aspect of their life. That same personalized ingenuity would be utilized with the same success in her next endeavor. Before working for the property management company Ms. Williams was an entertainer. Ten days out of the month she was the opening act for Joan Rivers providing the entertainment in a ten-minute segment. Jokingly, using the term “thought I could sing,” while describing her performances at Carlos and Charlie’s on Sunset Blvd. Joan Rivers a legend in life as well as death drawing Hollywood’s A-listers. It was business as usual to see acclaimed celebrities frequenting the spot. Everyone came to her shows. One

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Ms. Williams took advantage of her writing skills, tenacity, and personal approach to helping others particular evening, in a panic over a musician running late, she took the initiative to work the room. Ms. Williams found herself greeting some of the top names in the business. Stars of the era such as Linda Evans, David Hasselhoff, and Michel Landon. The next day she learned they adored her and loved her comedic skills and charismatic personality. Ironically Joan Rivers gifted her $600, a dozen roses, and walking papers. She was fired. The experience shed light on what may be happening to oth-

er entertainers and eventually would be the catalyst for the next phase of career goals. Ms. Williams took advantage of her writing skills, tenacity, and personal approach to helping others. Reformulating W.E.T. into W.E.T. Public Relations of Beverly Hills, not having to change the signage for the relocation company. She created W.E.T. Write it, Edit it, and then we Tell it. Utilizing resources from her previous experience in the industry. Ms. Williams moved to Beverly Hills, and W.E.T. PR of Beverly Hills recreated with the same spiritual integrity and unique approach, assisting individuals who want to enhance their opportunity for success in the realms of the entertainment industry. Whether they’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring singer, model, comedian, or actor, W.E.T. PR, of Beverly Hills gets them recognized. With the same personal approach as her prior endeavor. The talent is screened in advance of signing a contract to ensure all aspects of their positive image reflects in the media; TV, Radio, and Silver Screen. Ms. Williams holds an array of talented clients, well known and celebrated artists such as VeledaSpellman known for Z Rock TV Series (2009), Deadly Devotion (2014), A Crime to Remember(2014), and Congratulations (2018). Jackie Christie, a producer, and actress, known for Basketball Wives LA (2011). Author 41

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of six books, and was personally guided through some very turbulent situations by Ms. Williams, now trying to play peacemaker after a tumultuous Season 8 of Basketball Wives. The Legendary Paul Mooney; a comedian, writer, social critic, television, and film actor. He is also well known as a writer for comedian Richard Pryor. He played singer Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story and Junebug in Bamboozled. Rebecca Holden an Actress, Singer, Entertainer. Best known for roles in Knight Rider, General Hospital, Magnum P.I. The R&B group Troop, most notable for a series of number-one R&B hits, including popular cover versions of the songs “All I Do Is Think of You” and “Sweet November.” and a generous array of Artists and Authors from every Genre and Profession. Ms. Williams is known for spoiling her clients with a maternal instinct that creates an immediate sense of ease. Despite a highly qualified staff, clients demand her exclusive attention, and as a great Mom would, she caters to the need, understanding the sense of comfort the individual attention generates. In July of 2019, she had the prestigious honor of being asked to present an event with Shaquille O’Neal as the new Chairperson 42

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representing The Association of Black Cardiologists. O’Neal’s son was diagnosed with an anomalous coronary artery. A congenital heart defect that causes an artery to grow in the wrong place. Shareef O’Neal, the son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, underwent heart surgery in December 2018. The event held on an annual basis in Washington, D.C. would now be in Beverly Hills, and Ms. Williams had the privilege of having the star-studded event at The Intercontinental Hotel. They arranged a Welcome Proclamation from the City of Los Angeles for Mr. O’Neal due to the health condition of/and in honor of his son. She jokingly speaks on her ability to indulge/spoil her clients and leaves the rest to the imagination. Ms. Wiliams, grounded by her strong sense of faith and devout noble convictions. She wanted to be a full-time Minister and instinctively elevates her client’s long-term goals with honesty and truths. The intent is to present their truth, just as the Bible states. The success of her clients focuses on individuality and honest representation. Her goal is to provide truth-based material focusing on the real, allowing them to be assisted by her while creating a formula that enables their careers to flourish according to their desires and fullest potential. The perception and decisions of those seek-

ing talent are as personal as any decision made in the business. Satisfaction is knowing you’ve given a realistic representation leaving less room for rejection. Her dedication extends to unorthodox gatherings allowing her clients to engage collectively to institute a sense of community. Eliminating the typical PR stance of competitiveness amongst allies. The advice she shares with potential and active clients isn’t righteous sermons but a sense of maternal responsibility in their creative and goal-oriented development. Her professional advice to future artists, actors/actresses, singers/musicians, and authors. “Listen.” If you have a parent(s) who engages, cares, and advises. Listen. Be grateful you matter and understand parents are people who evolved with every emotion and notion you’re experiencing. Take nothing for granted and proceed with humility. When God bestows you with talent, with it comes revelations that tenacity, humility, and faith are required to achieve your goals. W.E.T. PR of Beverly Hills instills these values on a scope that warrants success. The pandemic has proven to be as challenging for the industry as any other business. 2021 holds new projects and clientele for this innovative company. Expect new projects and ventures from Ms. Williams and the talent she mentors.

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spiring for anyone who has suffered a stroke. Enlightening for those with loved ones that have suffered a Stroke. It is an awakening, inspirational read about allowing yourself to heal while re-evaluating every aspect of life, with a renewed recognition and value for it.

orn in Cleveland, Ohio, Donna Fitzsimmons-Dymally, Studied Business Administrator at California State University, Dominguez Hills, graduating with honors (Magna Cum Laude). Ms. Fitzsimmons-Dymally is a Mother of three. Two gorgeous daughters named Mignon, Miya, and a son Marc Fitzsimmons deceased since July 2, 1998, whose life was cut short at the hands of LAPD. Marc Fitzsimmons was a gifted student graduating with honors from Fairfax High School and accepted into UCLA at 15 years old. Donna Fitzsimmons-Dymally is a Stroke triumphant, still advocating for the unjustified murder of her son, Marc Fitzsimmons. Her story is one of triumph and grief, determination, and sorrows of a society refusing to correct a wrong based on the color of one’s skin. The author of “Awoke by a StrokeMy Roadmap to Restoration!” In44

A journey of an incredibly talented soul, reconnecting to life with a passion everyone can gain motivation from. A Photojournalist/Photographer for Jonathan Fields’s Ambiance Uncut, Southern California’s Hottest Fashion, Entertainment, Community, and Comedy Magazine for a decade. Ms. Donna Fitzsimmons-Dymally works mainly in entertainment photography. Predominately a Celebrity/Event Photographer. She’s mainly photographing “on the red carpet,” for movie screenings, fashion shows, comedians, musicians, artists, actors, and community events throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Her photographs have been viewed on television, in various publications, newspapers, and magazines throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Ms. Fitzsimmons-Dymally initially started as a real estate agent selling homes. After acquiring her

real estate license, the real estate market plummeted. She received an offer to be a real estate photographer working on a nationwide project, “Photographing America.” The project entailed 250 urban areas throughout the United States needing to be photographed. She was assigned to cities in Southern California, photographing 800 houses daily for two years in Culver City, Pasadena, South Los Angeles, Bell, Bell Gardens, and Cudahy. She developed the ability to photograph homes with less than a one percent error rate. Ms. Fitzsimmons-Dymally, went on to be named one of the top real estate photographers in Southern California for Zaio Inc. Ms. Dymally is a Photojournalist/ Photographer for Hollywood Diversity Association, Indian Voices, and a special events photographer for Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions. DeLaurentiis is a Producer at Paramount Pictures, an American film producer and actress. A history of being involved with her community, Ms. Dymally is also the photographer for a variety of community organizations. National Action Network, Los Angeles, is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation, with chapters throughout the United States. The Los Angeles Urban Roundtable, a unique non-partisan public policy forum, and a non-profit organization, The Hutchinson Report, and Five Points Youth Foundation.

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She is a Staff Photographer at New Day Talk/Radio Talk Radio Station, specializing in audio talk and video shows serving the community through different talk shows and advertising for businesses, products, and services. “Awoke by a Stroke-My Roadmap to Restoration!” is the non-fiction book published in 2019 about the humble and sometimes tragic life this talented and courageous woman of distinction experienced. Ms. Fitzsimmons-Dymally discusses her life’s journey which started in Cleveland, Ohio, her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, and the restrictions placed upon her by her faith while being an honor student, not letting it hold her back. She learned that God had given her a gift to excel in anything she did. She writes in her book, “Too often when we experience a tragedy, we look upon it as a negative.” In this narrative, Fitzsimmons-Dymally looks upon her affliction as a positive. She explains how this experience made her see that having a “woe is me” attitude shouldn’t be the road that one should take. “Rather one should take whatever is dealt to them, as a challenge and make the most of it.” And forging ahead is how she’s lived her life becoming a sales executive, a teacher, a world-renowned photographer. While many would view this as a blessing, this isn’t where the story ends. It’s a prelude to what was to come. The first tragedy was the murder of her friend’s mother at the hands of her friend’s father. On the devas46

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tating and unforgettable day, July 2, 1998. Ms.Fitzsimmons-Dymally says goodbye to her son? Marc Fitzsimmons was going to run an errand for his sister. Mr. Fitzsimmons, racially profiled by LAPD, who played judge, jury, and executioners’ on site. Marc was killed, gunned down in the same streets where he had planted trees for the community of Jefferson Park. Without evidence or questioning, her son found himself in a police dragnet and winds up getting killed by the LAPD. It was nine months before police would release any details to Ms. Dymally. Elmore Richmond, assisting the family, is still advocating for the injustice and systematic racism of the judicial system. Mr. Marc Fitzsimmons was killed within a two-mile radius of his home in Jefferson Park, where his mother sat on the board of directors, yet the coroner’s office never called to notify her, nor was she allowed to identify her son. Her 5 ft. 2, 125 lb. gifted son, was shot in the chest by police considered a deadly threat because he was Black. Ms. Fitzsimmons-Dymally asks the question, “how do you leave home a law abiding citizen, disappear at the hands of police for five days, and then become criminalized,” a fair and honest question. “Justice For Marc Fitzsimmons” can be seen on YouTube, A Mother’s quest for justice in the 1998 unresolved slaying of her son by the Los Angeles Police Department. Her story is one of devastating loss and injustice, inspiration and hope for all to read. She overcame and how she overcame!

Photography has been a love affair with life. In retrospect, her photographic experiences convinced her, life is like photography. In the age of film, a negative is needed to develop a photo. Similarly, in our own lives, we need the negative to develop. Develop from the negative. If life was too easy, there would be no challenges. The trials and tragedies are tribulations, we are here for our evolutionary transformation, development, and growth. The negative trials are often our lessons on the greatest teachings. “If things don’t turn out, just take another shot.” Ms. Dymally says, always, emphasizing “always,” look on the bright side of things. Let the light be your guide. She’s learned we’re on this planet for experiences so we can develop on the quest for success. Focus on what’s important so you can capture it perfectly. Capture the good times, it’s her, living your life advice. Look on the bright side of things and let the light be your guide. Ms. Dymally was guided to use the camera as an instrument of light. Light makes photography. She describes it as Embracing the Light! Admire it! Love it, but above all know Light! Know it for all it is worth and you will know the key to life and photography. Those are her enlightening and professional artistic views. “I’ll never forget flying home to Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas where I had been hospitalized for several days,” realizing her left arm and hand needed serious divine healing. She recalls ask-

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ing The Universal Force, was I to continue photographing? A voice whispered you have one hand. Use it. I listened and continued my quest to photograph, even though I could only use my right hand and was experiencing severe pain in my left, she thinks. Ms. Fitzsimmons-Dymally speaking at a book signing about her experience, starts the gatherings with an open thank you to God, to the universe, to whoever your Deity may be. Thank you, for waking us up, for being ably bodied, take nothing for granted. She speaks candidly about feelings before her stroke experience, saying she was sleepwalking. The murder of her son had caused her to lose the will to live, not suicidal or willingly destructive. The traumatic event of his life being snatched away from her so unexpected and sudden to violence. The zest that once propelled her into so many blessings and opportunities now left her aimlessly existing. A portion of the heart withered or stifled by the grief. With a routine of flying every weekend to a different state to assist students in enrolling in a college assistance program. The counseling job was her dominant source of income, used to it, she settled in for the routine flight and felt something indescribable about her left hand, the realization she was losing the feeling in her body. A voice in her head said, “Call on God before the airline stewardess.” Ms. Dymally never slept during the weekly flights, she carried a book or a DVD to watch. Saying a prayer and stat47

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ing God put her to sleep. For five hours she slept, still feeling notably out of sorts but assuming better. Feeling something wrong she couldn’t retrieve her luggage. Having a connecting flight, an employee met her at the airport and she expressed a trip to the hospital should be made, as soon as they arrive at their destination. A stroke crossed her mind, and she said it aloud.

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of the stroke. “I was forced into therapy where I regained eight percent of the use of my left side. The medical doctors had given me little hope of regaining my vision.”

Overhearing, the situation a young man interrupted, warning her of the dangers of getting aboard the flight. “Due to insignificant oxygen and the air pressure of the plane’s cabin, a trip to the hospital would be too late for your survival.” Stunned and trying to absorb the reality and her state of being, as she sat there, he dialed 911. The gentleman within earshot of her conversations tenacity struck the wrong chord until he informed her he was a doctor. He arranged for them to admit her to a specialty center for strokes. Divine intervention stepped end, leaving an astonished doctor questioning her in disbelief, explaining she must have done something more than pray, having survived the fivehour flight.

Ms. Dymally sought a holistic approach and found a natural healer who administered healing herbs and eventually regained her eyesight. She was determined to heal despite the physical challenges being extensive. “Photography became the instrument for my healing to occur. Thoughts of quitting were held with contempt, and she did not quit but continued to move forward in a quest to heal.” Defiant being a small woman in a business, mostly dominated by men. She had overcome those challenges, being steadfast in the constant pursuit of greatness. Being taught that comedy was healing, she took one year set in comedy clubs and practiced, and practiced and became adept at performance shooting. That led to a multitude of comedians, and she laughed herself back to good health. Later, selected as one of the top photographers in Los Angeles by Actor Ro Brooks in 2018.

Donna Dymally was experiencing chronic “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.” Chronic arm or leg pain developing after injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack, the exact cause of complex regional pain syndrome, is not well understood but may involve abnormal inflammation or nerve dysfunction. She subsequently lost her eyesight, the ability to move her left side as a result

Opportunity follows struggle. It follows effort, intelligent work, and it follows determination. The tenacity, her passion, follows dedication, and it does not come before. “If I could have told my story in words, I would not have needed to lug around a heavy camera while disabled. I’m so elated, that I listened, and I kept snapping,” Ms. Dymally writes in her book.

“Awoke by a Stroke-My Roadmap to Restoration!” Stroke Triumphant and Celebrity Photographer Donna Fitzsimmons-Dymally is very proud of the reputation she built with her business. Always timely, following through on commitments, and creating fabulous photography. Her artistic craft and skills have offered her the opportunity to cross paths with so many brilliant, creative and entertaining people on the planet while healing during her stroke experience. Photography for this skilled and talented author is a passion igniting her life-force. If a picture is worth a thousand words then, imagine being the eye that captures the thousands of stories to be told. There is no greater moment than one captured, never to be forgotten, and Ms. Dymally has perfected the art of lighting and capture. Despite life’s’ tragedies, Ms. Dymally says, “If I had to start over, I do not think that I would change anything. Everything happens for a purpose. I would leave things just the way they are.” No complaints or changes made. Everything occurred for me in divine order.” Ms. Dymally stated, “I kept my commitment to God that when he healed my body, I would be willing to serve as a testament and supporter of others who’ve had the stroke experience and lived in triumph.” Ms. Dymally advocates for stroke triumphant(s) and supports a weekly online stroke support group and Stroke Focus, Healings in Motion, Stroke of Genius, and Determined TV.

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Felicia Poole had the opportunity to meet the author of the novel ‘In the Midst of the Storm, They Call Me Stormi.

interview began and I was very eager to hear her story and the inspiration behind “Stormi” the main character of her new novel.

The author of this amazing thought provoking emotional novel is none other Ms. Felicia Poole.

Ms. Poole was born and raised in Compton California and is the proud mother of two sons Greggory and Kristopher and a grandmother to seven. She has had a vast amount of career experiences. She owned and operated the Up N Smoke Barbeque Restaurant for 6 years as well as worked as a Airport Concessions Manager with TDM Inc. for 30 years and

I was invited to come to the home of the author for the exclusive interview for Ambiance Magazine. I was greeted with a mini family reception and immediately felt at home. Ms. Poole was very welcoming and a gracious host. Our

has worked as a professional hair stylist for 20 years. This phenomenal book was released April 19th of this year through Professional Publishing House LLC

What was the inspiration behind your Novel?

My inspiration was my oldest son. I am a single mother and can attest to injustice in our justice system for or young men. At 19 years of age he was arrested for attempted 49

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murder and as a mother I had to do what I could to see my child through this. My son Marley ‘fit the description’ of the suspect for this crime. There was a measure of stress that was at times intolerable and heart-wrenching. We knew that he had not committed the crime and were all in for the good fight. My focal point was to see my son free by any means necessary. The DA had never met me or my son and from the beginning had such a disdain for him and wanted him put away and did everything in her power to do so. Finances were exhausted getting the best representation for my son possible. The case ended up in a hung jury. Then the process started all over... The outcome.. He is free today.

The Book.....

Soon after this God told me to star writing, I don’t have a writing background or experience but I was obedient and did. I started the book in November and was done in March and the book was ready to go in April. The words and characters seemed to flow and take on a life of their own. The main character of the book is a young teenage girl by the name of Stormi. This book touches so much on issues that face teens and women in general. This book does touch a little on mental health and really evokes the reader to think not only about ‘Stormi, but a deeper look at themselves. What I didn’t know is that there are so many women and readers that have told me that they can identify with ‘Stormi’ and her story because in one way or another her story was part of theirs.

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During the book there is an internal struggle that ‘Stormi’ faces between good and evil. Girls who are in a constant battle trying to figure out who they are.... this book is a vehicle for them. “Stormi” like most of us is constantly in a storm of life’s conflict. I do get asked all the time if the main character is me...it’s not but it is amazing how so many identify with her struggle and the journey to become a young woman. Ms. Poole has been on several book signings with her close nit family, spreading ‘Stormi’s’ message. They are all dressed in battle fatigues to represent the struggle that ‘Stormi’ is in this riveting novel. Ms. Poole and her crew were also in Ferguson, Missouri this past August and participated in peace activities for the infamous slaying of Michael Brown an 18 year old black mail that was fatally shot by a white police officer. The author, was there originally for a book signing and was moved by the warmth of the community of Ferguson. She was able to share her book and story with great response. Ms. Poole has been very busy trying to get the word out about the amazing novel. She has shopped this novel for a possible movie deal and was told by one company that the book was to ‘colorful’ for them to use but a remarkable story none the less. The criticism was harsh but Ms. Poole is undaunted by nay Sayers and such and realizes that the message that this story has is powerful and will help and start a healing process for many. The author states “From

the 1st chapter of this book it an inspiration for young women everywhere. God is showing me through my words that people are being touched.” Ms. Poole is currently working on the second book of this 5 book series as well as having the books transcribed to audio. She would like to see this book turned into a play. She will be having a launch party for the anticipated second sequel to this series this December. I read the book myself from cover to cover and was literally glued to the book. I can identify with ‘Stormi’ on a personal level in so many ways. It made me look into myself and make some positive changes as well as helped me to see that I need to let some things go and embark on the new that is waiting for me. I recommend this book to anyone that needs to know that they are not alone in their struggle but it is the choices that you make during the struggle that lead to a life journey.

This novel is sold on Amazon. com and Barnes and Nobel book sellers. Instagram: Stormii 1 Twitter: @stormiirain The author also has a Facebook page Email: theycallmestrormi@gmail.com

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hen you think of musical genius, it’s typically legendary names of people like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Micheal Jackson, or Prince. Most musicians grow up with a desire to be world-famous household names, but few get to achieve the dream they imagined. Then there’s an award-winning artist like Mr. Roberto Bolero Noriega, CEO at Media Center Entertainment Group, Los Angeles, CA. that’s spent a lifetime helping create the music that makes the legends famous. Coming from a family of musicians, Mr. Noriega started as a young teen playing drums. The native New Yorker originally lived in Manhattan, but his parents didn’t want to raise them in the city. They moved to the Mid Hudson Valley, primarily called Middletown, New York. He attended Middletown High School, enjoying its drama

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department, having played the lead character in Guys and Dolls as Nathan Detroit. It was a launching pad of sorts for the young Roberto that grew up surrounded by talented musicians. His father, who worked in the garment district, played classical guitar, harmonica and the accordian. His oldest brother, a guitar player, had a band, influencing his musical desires. With the instruments set up in the basement, he started playing at age 11 and eventually was the drummer for his brother’s band at 14-15. He started playing piano around 16 years of age and continued with his studies of classical piano while attending the State University at New Paltz, New York. By way of a Federal program called Talent Search, Educator Mckenzie Willis, discovered Roberto’s ambition to succeed. There, he participated in the EOP program (Federal Equal Opportunity Program) where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree study-

ing Business, Marketing with a concentration in Music Theory and Composition. As a young pilot working at the local airport, his intentions was to qualify for the Air Force jet pilot program. However, destiny took over. Upon his successful completion of his degree curriculum and a special senior year invitation, his music career began as the intern assistant to Music Director, Leon Pendarvis, of the famed “Saturday Night Live” comedy show. Still, he would not stop there! Sticking to his plan, he decided to pause with a two week visit to Los Angeles where serendipity draped him and he remains to this very day! He holds many titles and is an exceptional businessman. His New York flair and dapper style, different from the laid-back Los Angeles realm, probably represented his ambitious, “getting ready, to get going” style. Landing an Investment 53

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/ Marketing job at Century Pacific Investment Corporation via a Beverly Hills temp agency, he was the liaison that met with prospective clients. That dapper appearance got the attention of the legendary actor, Cary Grant, along with his business savvy. Mr. Grant, taking notice of the relatively new West Coast resident, gave him advice he was “notably equipped” to pursue. After one conversation with this outgoing Businessman, he knew he would make his mark there. Mr. Grant told him he was in the land of dreams coming true. Pursue your dreams, “it’s Hollywood anything can happen.” Those early days of his Corporate Investment career included clients such as Elizabeth Taylor, Tony Curtis, The Everly Brothers, Andrae’ Crouch and members of the music group, The Commodores among many other celebrities. Business Relations / Development, Strategic Sales / Marketing, extensive experience in Real Estate, Finance, Entertainment Production, and retail-ready products are all ventures Mr. Noriega currently engages in as a businessman. His impressive resume in the corporate world sounds like the American dream fulfilled. If not for the realization of duality in this astonishingly gifted Grammy-winning Classically Trained Pianist, Percussionist, Composer, Songwriter / Producer, and Vocalist with related industry sales of over 150,000,000 million copies sold worldwide & growing. This Music Mogul has achieved such a vast array of musical accomplishments I sat back in awe hours after our conversation, 54

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thinking of him quoting his Mother, stating she was very religious. She often reminded him with this departing thought, “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted!” He speaks of his parents and family with a sense of love, honor, and pride. We talked as if old friends /colleagues, overwhelmingly obvious the words his Mom spoke to him defined who he was as a man, and Grace would follow him throughout his journeys. His first big break in Los Angeles was at Capitol Records 13 months after going around Hollywood inquiring about work at various studios and record companies. His connection through his job with investor and Grammy winner, gospel great, Andrae’ Crouch, would open the door to session singing with Julio Iglesias. “Little did I know Crouch was the go to person in Hollywood for quality session singers. I would soon experience that everything he touched became a hit and the Andrae’ Crouch Sound was much sought after!” said Noriega. Mr. Noriega has and continues to mystify with his extraordinary talents. His journey to Hollywood reads like an epic fairytale of the music industry. The move to Los Angeles, California, catapulted him into the midst of the most iconic entertainers, both past and present in every genre of music. Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Andrae’ Crouch, George Benson, Elton John, Celine Dion, Miles Davis, George Duke, Prince and Whitney Houston are just a few artists. Earn-

ing over 30 Gold, MultiPlatinum, and Diamond Record Awards with renowned artists, his accolades read like a table of content. Participating in more than 27 releases worldwide with Micheal Jackson among his 128 career releases including: Man In The Mirror (45 million copies sold worldwide) Bad-30 million and Bad Special Edition, Invincible, Will You Be There (Theme from Free Willy), Micheal Jackson: Past, Present, and Future Book 1, Greatest Hits His-

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tory Volume 1. Micheal Jackson: ( Number Ones Release), The Essential- Micheal Jackson, The Original Motion Picture Score: Moonwalker, The Ultimate Collection, Blood On The Dance Floor, King Of Pop: UK Edition, The Music That Inspired the Movie (This Is It ), Bad 25 Anniversary Edition, Immortal, and DMC Mega Mixes. In all instances his focus was vocal production. Though Mr. Noriega never performed on Tour with Micheal Jackson in the Historical Bad tour before

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4.4 million fans spanning 15 countries and 123 concerts he would do so at the Grammy Awards. Mr. Noriega speaks of his friendship with Micheal Jackson, with such loving memories of personal experiences and the cherished times his children spent at Neverland. His tone, nearly quivering as he thought back to the work they had in store the week of his death, reviewing songs written by Noriega by invitation, intended for his followup album after the This Is

It Tour. The quiet reminiscence he shared of his colleague and friend was poetic. I heard the same heartfelt admiration as any fan’s life touched by his music. His history with Michael Jackson would next go beyond production to the heart of the songwriting but with his passing it would not come to be. Other artists he collaborated with are Madonna, Like A Prayer sold over 18 million copies worldwide (5 releases), Julio Iglesias, Over 25 million copies of the Non-Stop Al55

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bum(6 record releases). The Northern Irish indie band Snow Patrol’s Fallen Empire and the Drummer for European Rock Group’s music video “In The End.” The 1994 Lion King Soundtrack- selling 15 million copies worldwide also one of the highest-grossing films of all time. The English pop band Prefab Sprout over 10 million copies sold worldwide, Denice Williams’s “As Good As It Gets, “and Christopher Cross’s Back On My Mind. It was inspiring listening to this renowned Session Musician talk of studying music to be like Quincy Jones, only to end up working with him with his initial participation on The Color Purple Soundtrack. Within the Andrae’ Crouch organization, Mr. Noriega would eventually be invited to the position of CEO of Crouch Music Corporation by Andrae’ Crouch himself. Mr. Noriega appeared singing during a Grammy’s Show performance at Radio City Music Hall with a worldwide viewing audience of 1.2 billion. He’s performed on the Grammy’s finale with many great artists icons of the industry on a single stage! Participated at The Oscars, Nollywood Association, and Various Award Shows. He was instrumental in the collaboration of Hands Across America in 1986. Composer & Producer(Words and Music) to the U.S.Energy Department theme song, “United We Stand, United As One” for its Green Across America campaign. A Periodic actor in film/ television realizing ten major commercial releases in music/film, in 56

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addition to an astonishing 47 recordings for film and television in a single year. Producer CD: Memory Of A Princess in English, French, and Spanish honoring Princess Diana (Copies Still available through CDBaby.com). Here he is simply listed as artist: ROBERTO. With a history in music so vast, this family man well versed in legalities has an extensive Legal background in Contract Law, 25 years plus experience. A 30 year plus Grammy member of NARAS (National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences), Special Guest Speaker at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) 2020. His goal is to make contributions, a difference in any venture, community objective, or people impact. His life’s work proclaims success happens when created with strategic accurate information, collaboration, and teamwork. He’s known to be consistent and motivational when collaborating or speaking amongst peers. This humble musical genius lives and breathes music from morning until night. With two pianos in his home and an array of other instruments, creative notions peek, ideas start to flourish. He loves playing the grand piano, located in a large foyer, its resounding notes echoing rich acoustics. When you’re a studio musician, you get to experience recording with a wide variety of artists in the creative process, oppose to being predominantly live where you are more less imitating that recording with limited added creativity.

The entertainment gene continues in the Noriega family with his children. Identical twin daughters Chelsea and Brooke are TV stars playing Piper and Zoey in the hit series Modern Family, Feud: Bette and Joan, and Netflix’s Prince of Peoria (2018-19) and many other productions set for release in 2021. Older daughter, Bri was the one who set the path for the others to follow and did well in commercials and continues to be a working actress and also has her own YouTube channel Ben and Bri. Son, Christian follows in his fathers footsteps with a love for aviation. Though experiencing much success in films wishes to eventually be an airline pilot flying the friendly skies! Oldest son, Nick having his taste of the business prefers the routine of the high level security industry. Last but not least, the rock behind the family operation, wife Tamaira, who runs her own talent agency representing a variety of talent from actors to writers and is an entertainment development consultant. In addition, she lends her talents as executive producer to various film and music projects with much success. Such success has its moments despite not being as recognizable as his name. Mr. Noriega intentionally avoided the lime light and most social media to be very protective over the years dealing with the unexpected grim side of fame with beautiful daughters. The tone is different when discussing his most treasured gifts expressing a recent frightening stalker situation. He’s gradually adapting through the

years now that his kids are adults. But the experience gave this father a jolting reality of how easily success can affect freedoms. Still, he can be found on LinkedIn.com while avoiding the most popular public platforms. When asked, what is his secret to a successful family life? Roberto replied, “ Quality of life with a respect for each other is where it starts. Then as a team we focused on promoting education, common sense with a balance of wisdom and a strong foundation in what we believed in most. Spending time together, especially at meal times was valuable. Most importantly, positive encouragement and a realization that there is a higher power that we can rely on. Lastly, listen and be aware! Everything requires a form of management.” His valuable advice to those seeking success in the entertainment industry: “Do the work! Get the training to be competitive, be open to collaboration and most of all be patient. You don’t have to be a leader to be a winner, just get on the right team!” His career continues to propel forward to more magnificence, and the legendary Session Musician, CEO, and Business Consultant continues to participate and innovate. He is continuing his education, seeking his Juris Doctorate in Law while sharing his expert knowledge with the community through public speaking at universities, conventions, and corporate events. So what is next in the future?

Noriega is releasing in June, Memory of a Princess Live! to online distributors as a lead to the future release of the entire Anniversary Edition Collection with newly added instrumental orchestrated pieces beginning in 2022. Naturally, there are other secret projects in motion that could not be mentioned here. Also, he hopes to complete his book entitled, “In The Room” a journey of the many recording sessions with never before seen photos. One famous photo worth mentioning is in Michael Jackson’s Bad 25 in the center fold booklet entitled, “Man In The Mirror” with Roberto and all the sessions singers and production team including Quincy Jones. You can find it on Youtube. Certainly there

is more to look forward to but he likes to move at his own pace and instead of talking about it, simply get it done. He has been offered speaking and teaching opportunities abroad but the pandemic became an obstacle. Still, he intends to do more speaking engagements to share his experiences and motivate other dreamers. For speaking inquires contact: Speaker@MediaCenterEntertainment.com and his staff member will be in touch with details. The next time you hear a young person say they have an interest in music. Tell them about Roberto Bolero Noriega. It’s virtually impossible not to have him in your musical repertoire. 57

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“Lady Alma”

Perfecting House Music Internationally known and quoted by legendary DJ/Producer DJ Jazzy Jeff as gifted with truly soulful emotions, moving vocals, and she makes me want to throw my hands in the air and party. From Montreal, Paris, London, Berlin, Japan, Johannesburg, or major cities across the US, Lady Alma is cherished by fans and DJs. Her music makes you move emotionally and physically. Since the 1990s, the soul grasping singer has contributed vocals, collaborating with Philly’s King Britt, 4Hero known as the Kings Of Brokenbeat, and Yukihiro Fukutomi. Known to her fans worldwide and labeled “the heart & soul of the Philadelphia soul scene,” the reigning and most regal, Lady Alma Horton. Alma Horton was born in San Diego, Ca. and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known as The First Lady of House Music, singing came naturally from birth for Alma, who’s Mother, Ms. Carla Horton, was a Preacher, singer, and grand-

mother. By the time Lady Alma was three years of age, she was singing in an all-adult Church Choir called, The Freedom Choir. Lady Alma’s Mother took her love of singing and music seriously. By the time she was 10, Alma had already toured the country coast to coast. She insisted she learned music and gained the knowledge of training and music theory. Lady Alma attended The Girard Academic Music Program. A college preparatory school for students, she attended grades 7th through 12th. They provide a unique educational environment while allowing all its students to pursue music as a Major subject. She attended Settlement Music School after school as well.

rector, and writer. He had worked in television directing productions for the New York Theater Festival, the Walnut Street Theater, and the Philadelphia Company. Formal music training in theory and voice was essential to the artistry of this timeless performer. Lady Alma says of her years of conservatory, “The best part of that type of creative environment was learning and grasping musical theory, the formal and informal training. Reading notes, writing songs, in an atmosphere of being taught to be individuals, your own unique self in music.” Her talent and professional background in music created a backdrop for decades of success and a timeless sound.

A member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education with the highest level of accreditation. Ms. Alma speaks of Freedom Theater, founded by Mr. John Allen, with the support of the Black People’s Unity Movement. Mr. Allen himself, a performer, teacher, di-

“House music,” typically seen as a regional sound due to renowned collaborating collectives in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, and surrounding regions. The term spawned from the disco era tracing back to the underground clubs of Chicago and New York in the 59

late 70s. In attempts to keep the club crowds on the dance floor, DJs experimented with new ways of mixing their sets to keep people dancing. It brought new life to dance music in the dying disco era. The unique sound coined “House Music” , its origins speculative. The genre of dance music has long become a global phenomenon. The sound has influenced pop music, hip hop, and other modern music styles with its many genres and subgenres. Progressive art60

ists like Kindred the Family Soul, Musiq, India Arie, Joan Osborne, Moby, and Les Nubians, were all influenced by the genre, if not the influencer. The cultural impact of House Music continues to inspire new generations of fans, music, technology, and innovation. Few have impacted the scene like Lady Alma, credited as “the heart & soul of Philadelphia’s soul scene,” this artist has an international following by no means regional.

Lady Alma’s stardom ignited while performing at the Black Lily showcases at The Five Spot in the early 2000s as a solo artist. The weekly concert series, hosted by critically acclaimed duo Jazzyfatnastees in 1999, founders Mercedes Martinez and Tracey Moore created the series showcasing female vocalists and musicians. Jazzyfatnastees uplifted such diverse talented female artists, like Jill Scott, India Arie, Floetry, and Jaguar Wright. The first series was weekly at the Wetlands in New York (1999) and later a weekly series at the Five Spot in Philadelphia (2000-2005). As rare as the Black Lily Flower itself. The Black Lily brand showcases at The Five Spot represented, developed, and promoted cutting-edge artists of varied backgrounds. Voices that often were unheard in the male-dominated genre at the time, women, often left out of the various jam sessions and collaborations in the genre, had their own brand of House Music to put out to the masses. Black Lily events have taken place in London, Paris, Japan, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, and Los Angeles. Lady Alma’s star was twinkling long before though, in 1998 King Britt’s acclaimed LP “When The Funk Hits the Fan,” as part of his groundbreaking Sylk 130 Collective, Lady Alma & Tanja Dixon’s remake, Last Night A DJ Saved My Life. The updated remake landed the two on Soul Train and is still essential at old school parties, family cookouts throughout the country, and abroad. The song

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is a club/party anthem revised again and again. Later versions are insulting to those who groove to King Britt’s. Sorry, Mariah and Madonna. Not even your commercial appeal can recreate the vibe these ladies showcased with their perfection of funk-enriched vocals. King Britt began his first DJ residency at the Silk City in Philadelphia in 1990 in 1992 he toured worldwide for the Grammy Award-winning group Digable Planets for two years, a threemonth opening slot with Sade. Starting the label Ovum Recordings in 1994 with Josh Wink. He left in 2001 after the release of “Sylk 130 Re-Member’s Only” featuring Alison Moyet, Martin Fry from ABC, Kathy Sledge, Grover Washington Jr, De La Soul, and others.

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King Britt left to pursue more production work with Columbia Records. King Britt refers to Lady Alma as a “Healing Angel,” as you’ll learn was also the case for a loyal fan in South Africa, during his troubled times.

single (Hold It Down & Something’ But Nothing) featuring Lady Alma. The significant debut “Hold It Down” brought new fans with its fusion of modern beats and orchestra-soul. The song was a global dance floor anthem that year.

Ms. Horton’s vocal performances of powerful leads and soothing multitracked harmonies are on numerous releases such as Zapp Mama (Show Me The Way), DJ Spinna (Chances), DKD (Getaway), Baby Blak (Daddy Dearest), and DJ Mitsu The Beats (Away), Osunlade, Rob Paine, and more followed as the heavily sought out vocalist was the choice for heavy hitters of house, soul, and broken beat around the world. In October 2001 the U.K. electronic music pioneers “4Hero’s” released their fourth album Creating Patterns led by the

The phenomenal “Lady Alma” is a Philadelphia treasure and one of the most widely-praised songbirds from the region, with works from internationally renowned DJs and producers. Bestowed Philadelphia City Paper’s 2002 Best Female Vocalist Award and Temple University’s 2004 Sisters Defining Sisters Award for Artistic Excellence among her accolades. Lady Alma’s contributions and collaborations of mind-blowing vocal arrangements, excelling beyond genre and musical styles, 61

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leave her constituents breathless. London-based innovator Mark DeClive-Lowe called Lady Alma “one of the most deadly and effective singer/songwriters I’ve ever come across.” As stated in a “WXPN 88.5” June 2019 article. Despite Lady Alma’s success and international acclaim, the humble songstress left the scene to care for her Mother when her health declined. For nearly ten years, Ms. Horton scaled back on performances and recording, occasionally collaborating with the collective anxiously awaiting her power-packed return. Songs like ZO!’s “Free Your Mind” and “It’s House Music” are literally an anthem. Giving her fans something to appease the void of her soul-wrenching voice and epic melodic vibes. Lady Alma’s beloved Mother, Ms. Carla Horton, joined the heavenly choir on April 20th, 2017. She had taken the hiatus in stride, allowing herself the time to care for her Mother, who was extremely ill. Being a full-time caregiver to her was an emotional ride and tasking. Caregiving isn’t made easier because of your love when it’s a parent. Often it’s isolating for both when the parent suffers between gratitude and guilt, shared moments of optimism and reality, eventual reversals of roles while remaining the hopeful inner-child. The constant thoughts of if you are doing or done enough. The emotions are a wide array of wishes, fears, and ifs. When Lady Alma 62

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wrote “Let It Fall” in 2008, the song was a personal journey of catharticism. She needed the inner healing only musical expression could provide. To express the feelings and chaotic thoughts, the rollercoaster that exists inside. Years later in July of 2018, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, a man named Nhlaka Nhliriz was clubbing one night. When Koketso Mothapo, known as DJ The General De Kok, played the song “Let It Fall,” because of the passion and emotional release of Nhlaka, he recorded him on video. With the same emotion and nuances in his lip-syncing as Lady Alma, the song was in his core. Mothapo originally thought he was just enjoying the music until he realized he was singing exactly the way the music is played. Nhlaka Nhliriz first heard the song when he was 16 years old. He was going through some tumultuous times living hard to survive, and the song gave him a sense of release and hope. The mournful yet encouraging soulful anthem-like sound embraces your spirit as if drawing your inner strengths to the surface, vibing you through life’s struggles. Hope flowed through Nhlaka from its rhythmic groove, and that night in the club Nhlaka Nhliriz overflowed from the joy of overcoming and the empowerment it had enabled him. DJ The General De Kok so amazed by the depth of his spontaneous and raw emotions, focused his phone camera on Nhlaka as he sang it word for word as though Lady Alma’s spirit had gone within him. Mothapo posted the video, and it went viral.

Nearly six months after her Mother’s death, Lady Alma regained her focus with more determination to return fully to the music. She had been discussing how to return to the scene organically after a ten-year hiatus. How could they regenerate the fueled audiences that for so many years had followed her? How do you resurface and resurrect naturally and reclaim your title/reign and it does not seem staged? With the support and the talent that she so, fortunately, was surrounded by, it had to be done. As if Ms. Carla Horton herself was orchestrating the events, the video almost immediately went viral, the numbers were going up, and the posts were everywhere on social media. Lady Alma merely needed to show up. With her usual humility and gratitude for her loving fans DJ The General De Kok and Lady Alma arranged for her to speak with Nhlaka Nhliriz, and they continue to stay in touch via social media. The worldwide viral video literally opened the floodgates for the fans to come through. Lady Alma’s anthology album, “Twilight” was released on June 28, 2019. Ms. Horton’s fans were ready and waiting with their dancing shoes on, and she returned to the stage before the release of “Twilight.” The Los Angeles-based composer and producer Mark de Clive-Lowe, with whom she has a long history of collaborating, joined Lady Alma in creating some funk-loaded soulful tracks that manipulate your head and feet into unconscientious movement.

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The title track “Twilight” is an invitation to the elevation of one’s higher realm for soulful release as the lyrics tell you to lay your head on her shoulder. The open invite allows Lady Alma to do what she does best, its groove ignites an escape as you lose yourself to a higher plane and atmospheric positivity.

while the 2020 pandemic disabled our ability to congregate and release ourselves in the throws of “House Music’s” groove. Lady Alma and Mark de Clive-Lowe (Yameen Friedberg on “Light Of Love”) have created a timeless uplifting masterpiece of the human experience.

“Hold Your Head Up” has the same principle, she uses her spirited vocals to fill your senses with belief in a higher power to guide you through. The music’s beat infused with basslines dancing around the beats flow as a subtle undercurrent of fluent keyboard shifts you into the uplifting message.

In 2020 Lady Alma was featured on “Landlord” by Swift Technique Band, released on their indie label. Compilations were released of remixes of her track “Make You Move” featuring renowned DJs Shannon, Terry Hunter, Mark Francis, and Lil Dave on T Box’s Records. Refusing to let the impact of the pandemic stop her, with all necessary precautions. She released several new tracks. A remix of Sol Brown Tracksource #1 hit-single “Your Time to Shine” (Wipe The Needle Remix) produced by Lee Gomez, “Breathe” produced by Johannesburg’s own DJ Miza featuring Chris Stevens, and “All The Way Far Away” produced by Rob Paine and David Marston.

There’s “Keep It Moving,” rich in scampering baselines with body-stirring broken beats and slick retro electric piano chords. Check the mirror for a permanent look of funk-face as it spreads to your deepest core. Lady Alma returns with a new set of songs fortified with words of God sustaining us, spreading her source of strength, while the hypnotic transcending flow instills gratitude for the ability to move during the message. “Running For Nothing” has a jazzy drum beat with a baseline telling as much of a story as the lyrics, exuding a sense of unconditional love from Lady Alma, no different than a Mother knowing it’s time to sit you down and tell you your truth. Lady Alma returned with “Twilight” as if foreseeing the impending isolation we’d have to endure

With this digital age of social media and its ability to inform and unite us. Lady Alma stepped into the virtual reality possibilities during the 2020 pandemic, pioneering the virtual concert series “Gimme That Music” with guest band Vertical Current at World Cafe Live. Lady Alma is back in full effect and more powerful than ever, still excited about embracing the crowds, using her voice and musicianship as extended arms of love and hope just as Nhlaka Nhliriz was engulfed by.

2021 will be no different as Lady Alma continues her virtual abode. “Gimme That Music” at World Cafe Live had a Spring release for her newest EP project via T’s Box Records featuring Rich Medina & production by DJ Terry Hunter, DJ Emmaculate & PKR. The show can still be seen on Twitch. Lady Alma credits her longevity and blessings to God and the amazing friends and colleagues who in her case, are the very ones she loves making the music with, she gives special thanks to her motivating manager and friend “Walking Bear,” Mr. Tony Allen, his belief in the music and the people who make it has been a beacon of light for Ms. Alma. Mr. Allen told me “Lady Alma’s music causes unconscious movement in every region of your body, heart, and soul, it’s like musical healing”. So if you’re getting a serious case of funkface and the uncontrollable need to have Lady Alma musically “Lay Hands” on your person, consider attending her May 29th, appearance in my home town of Charlotte, N.C. for Memorial Day Weekend at Morehead Tavern (a historic venue on the edge of Uptown). However, if that’s not feasible Lady Alma can be found on every social media outlet. All you’ll need to do is subscribe, plug in your quality Bluetooth speaker and dance the night away. And I promise you, this will be a oncein-a-lifetime experience!!! 63

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Lena Y. Mingo

Reality TV and Hair Extraordinaire

ena Y. Mingo, the owner of “HairBumpers” in Houston, Texas and Creator-Executive Producer of The Real Hair Junkies of Houston, TX was born in Boykin, Alabama. A young Lena moved to Mobile, Alabama, before the memory of Boykin could define any childhood memories. One of twelve siblings, her parents, sustained 52 years of marriage when their Father passed away. Ms. Mingo refers to herself as a Daddy’s girl. A graduate of Alabama A&M University, a public, historically black, the land-grant university located in Normal. A neighborhood of Huntsville, Alabama, the universi64

ty’s founding in 1875. It’s known throughout the world for encouraging academic excellence among its diverse student body. Popular majors include Biology, Business, and Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement Administration. Ms. Mingo ventured to New York for the city life and eventually found herself in Houston, TX. She married and had three beautiful children, Kevin, Alf, and Melissa all adults now. Ms. Mingo divorced was by no means the ordinary stayat-home Mom. She taught for two years at a private school, (now) closed, and opened Mingo’s Daycare. Although she loved working with children, she had a passion for cosmetology.

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Ms. Mingo mentioned finding inspiration via friend Randy Bows and ventured into Cosmetology studying at Belaire Beauty School. Bellaire Beauty School is an accredited cosmetology training program for different cosmetology careers. Hairstylists, estheticians, makeup artists, barbers, and nail technicians. Ms. Mingo, gaining knowledge and learning techniques that helped launch a successful beautician’s career, was trained for all types of hair from Caucasian to Ethnic. While attending the Popular Houston Cosmetologist, Michael Kemper often ventured the beauty school for assistants, and there lies the beginning of an extraordinary career in cosmetology. 65

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Michael Kemper, the owner of D-Vine Salon & Spa, made regular appearances on Great Day Houston, a Local News and Information show for Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas. Mr. Kemper advised on hair-care and trends in the field. He admired Ms. Mingo’s skills so much he not only offered her the job but to have her picked up daily for it. Their mutual admiration led to a family-type bond, and she advanced quickly during her tenure at his salon. Mr. Kemper, as fond as he was of her skills and customer loyalty, felt it was time for her launch. Explaining her talents had exceeded their capacity or the positions at his salon, he told Ms. Mingo it was time for her to be on her own. With referrals in hand, Mr. Kemper sent the cosmetologist on her journey. Ms. Mingo, immediately employed by Foley’s, a reputable highend salon, would find herself later at JC Penny. JC Penny catapulted Ms. Mingo into a historical league. The inception of “HairBumpers” would come from her trailblazing performance, and JC Penny would find themselves in the Houston Chronicle expressing praise and gratitude to the highest-earning Beautician in their employment. JC Penny’s awarded her “The Golden Scissors Award,” an ethnic challenge, despite a new millennium on the horizon. The requirement, mastering eight premiums cuts/ styles. Ms. Mingo not only perfected the challenge but increased the usual patronage of their ethnic percentages. Earning them an incredible $150,000 during a fiscal 66

period, Ms. Mingo had become a part of the company’s history in the early 1990s. With “HairBumpers” being her next-level decision, this dynamo was about to venture into new territories. Ms. Mingo, in collaboration with a well-known and successful cosmetologist and Rudy Johnson of Pride and Power, became a Platform Artist. In the beauty industry, a platform stylist, called Platform Artist, is a Rock Star among Hairdressers. Part educator, communicator, salesperson, and entertainer, the platform artist performs on stage, mostly at industry trade shows, to promote styling techniques, tools, or products. Famous names in the beauty industry were platform artists before launching their named brands and salons. Ms. Mingo found herself traveling internationally, often to exotic locations such as the Caribbean. Trips to St. Croix, St. Luscious, the Bahamas were commonplace. She mentions the dreamy sunrises on the water, sandy beaches, and welcoming adoration for the Virgin Islands as we speak. Her experiences with Rudy Johnson and his Pride and Power products would find her busy over the next decade, immersed by the innate urge to teach. Ms. Mingo continued regularly to give motivational speeches and demonstrations throughout the Houston areas and beyond. Mastering the art of public speaking as well as styling techniques, she found herself participating in the now-popular

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Bonner Brothers Shows in Atlanta, Ga. The World’s Largest Professional Trade Show Dedicated To Multicultural Beauty. The Bronner Bros Beauty Show’s goal is to inspire, educate and elevate cosmetology professionals, students, and the multicultural beauty industry. Ms. Mingo, with a multitude of experience and knowledge in the beauty industry, grew beyond getting clients in the chair. The flamboyant lifestyles, personalities, mentors, and training entailed in her career were astounding. This highly skilled esthetician, cosmetologist, and platform artist, with a niche’ for body-building, had seen the light. The modest beauty icon throughout the years had found opportunities to pursue her thespian traits. Throughout the years, she’s participated in local theatrical plays and movie productions in the area. After acquiring a small role in Ash Davito’s (an actor and director), known for Temp to Fire (2015), Ms. Mingo was making the necessary steps to become a part of the growing genre of reality TV. It had all led her to the inception of The Real Hair Junkies of Houston, Texas. The Southwest had diversity and style beyond the usual stereotypes and what better way to express it? After years of being surrounded by a multitude of talented stylists and fashionistas, Ms. Mingo realized many were serving in the community. Events like Houston’s Look 67

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Good, Feel Good program (A free, non-medical, salon, and product-neutral Volunteers program) in which she was annually involved. The various Stylists, Product Creators, Models and Platform Artists she’d known was all involved in community efforts. The cast members were cosmetologists she’d work with or do shows with through the years. Different from most beauty-oriented shows, they are not in the same shop performing the same duties. Each member had different backgrounds, specialties, and experiences in the field. The one thing she found most intriguing about the versatile cast as she proceeded with the venture was their community-oriented pursuits. The Real Hair Junkies are unique in concept. It’s not the long-standing friendships or the collaborations through time that draw this group together. The skills and competitive notions unite and inspire them. Yet, Ms. Mingo takes note of the charitable events they found themselves attending. The ability to call on one and two or three show up in support of the other. Everything they loved, from creating beauty to building the self-esteem of their patrons. It was all encompassed within this eclectic group of Barbers, Beauticians, Estheticians, and yes, a Mortician. Through the successes, challenges, and unfortunate death of their beloved cast member Cora Bell Edwards Che’. They were a family. Airing briefly on the On Channel Network, Ms. Mingo and the net68

work’s owner decided the idiomatic types didn’t quite fit the broader audience her production inspires. The subtle nuance between genres and subgenres left something to be desired. As the reality show and the network grow from their infancy. The cult following of the show was impressive, as the show’s creator and executive producer. Ms. Mingo’s show “Real Hair Junkies of Houston is now in the hands of those capable of broadening the show’s base. Ms. Mingo and the casts, slowed by the isolation of the pandemic, have continued the deep friendships. They’ve deepened the bonds as well as the continuous mutual admiration society that propels their independent skills. When asked what the future holds for this extraordinary group of stylists and entrepreneurs? Ms. Mingo, in her usual quiet demeanor, answered. “I hope we can get back to the events we enjoyed together, whether it’s community-based or just hanging as friends. She misses the love and innate growth they inspire among each other via respect and admiration.” Fortunately, as Texas re-opens and vaccinations roll out, their social media makes it evident. The Real hair Junkies can’t stay away from each other as social events draw them together once more, celebrating and collaborating. They’re looking forward to shows, exposing launches their downtime allowed, and new ventures they’ve individually pursued.

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Marcus Johnson

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s an independent Billboard-ranked musician, producer, owner of a music label, Three Keys Music, and NAACP Image Award nominee, International Jazz Keyboardist/Pianist, Marcus Johnson has emerged as one of the young lions of the music world. Johnson’s unique self-taught style of piano play has earned him distinction amongst his peers, praise within the media and accolades across the music industry. And now, he continues his quest for success in the business world with his lifestyle branding company, FLO Brands, LLC.™ Ambi’ance Magazine had the pleasure to catch up with this young man and enjoy a heart-to-heart, unconventional interview! We were able to pin him down between his engagements, travels and business meetings. Our two hour interview (yes, two hours) were filled with fire alarms going off in his office building, securing business deals,

parenting his then five month old daughter, Chase and friendly conversations about life. A master of multi-tasking, not once did his humbling spirit waver as he was able to attend to these matters and keep the conversation going at a very interesting, yet relaxing FLO! Ambi’ance: Marcus, thank you very much for granting Ambi’ance Magazine this interview. I know that you are extremely busy and I don’t want to take up a lot of your time. I did my research prior to talking with you and you have such an accomplished background, that I don’t know what to ask you first! So, let’s just start with the basics, the things not published about you: name, DOB, address, phone number, social security number and place of birth! Marcus: (laughter) I was born in Columbus, OH in 1971 at Grant Hospital. My father was a professor at Ohio State University. 71

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Ambi’ance: So you come from a family of educators? Marcus: I really do. I mean not just a background of educators, but an educated bunch of siblings. All but one of my sisters and brothers are either doctors or lawyers. That’s six of us and the other one got into a program at Harvard Business School, but her husband’s wellness center where he was an OB/GYN was going so well that she actually ended up turning it down. So, yeah, we are very and I hate to use the word, ‘accomplished’, but we did study hard, I will say that. Ambi’ance: Don’t apologize for that. It’s a good thing. It shows the endless possibilities when you apply yourself. Marcus: I mean there are possibilities if you apply yourself, there are possibilities if you persevere, there are possibilities if I mean there are possibilities if you apply you have faith, there yourself, there are possibilities if you are possibilities if you do your best, persevere, there are possibilities if you dare to dream and have faith, there are possibilities if you do if you recognize that your best, dare to dream your children are not your friends until they get older and yet there is still full respect. Ambi’ance: Very true and a great way to look at life. Marcus: A mentor of mine, Edward Hall, told me many years ago, that Ziggy Zeigler quoted, “If you want to be successful, help as many other people that you can.” We don’t build relationships any72

more. Money does count, but relationships are what matter. You have to be an active participant in society. When you are there are so many things that can happen and these are the things that are not taught. Ambi’ance: Are you the only musician in your family? Marcus: Yes Ambi’ance: How was that accepted? Marcus: (laughing) Ambi’ance: You know we’ve talked earlier about your parents and sibling’s backgrounds. You also share these backgrounds, but you’ve decided to make your career in music. Marcus: Well you know the thing about it is of course, my family was like most families. They were fearful of my going into music having a law degree and the main thing is that it goes back to that community way of thinking, “What does that look like? You are a Georgetown lawyer and a MBA. What are you doing music for?” I do this because it is what I love to do and I am going to make a business out of it. Even the people at Georgetown questioned me. I never did an on-campus interview with the business school or the law school because I knew what I was going to do. When they called me in at both schools during my last semester of my program and asked me what I was doing, I told them I was an entrepreneur. I had al-

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ready released two CDs was in the Top 20’s Billboard all while still in my mother’s basement. That is what I was doing and I was starting my own company. They said, “We can’t use this for our statistics.” I said, “I don’t give *@$% about your statistics, this is what I am going to do with MY life and MY education. Ambi’ance: Definitely, it IS your life! Marcus: Exactly Ambi’ance: Did you play music in school like in high school? Marcus: Yes, I was in the jazz band in high school. I started playing music when I was fourteen; the first year I played I won the All-County Soloist Award and would win it every year afterwards. Then I was the All-County Piano Player and finally the AllState Jazz Piano Player.

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it all in the computer. I write all of my music, but composing and writing are two different things. Ambi’ance: Modern technology at its best and the things you find out during an interview! Marcus: I “What does that look like? You are a mean I can write a chord chart, Georgetown lawyer and a MBA. What are but I don’t have you doing music for?” I do this because it is to write out what I love to do and I am going to make a each individual business out of it. note. I can play it for people, they get it and you go from there. If they need to write it down they can do it. Ambi’ance: Great, just a natural gift! Now how did you get into the wine business? You know the list of African Americans doing this is very very short outside of you now. By the way, it is excellent! I had a glass of both the other night at Acoustic’s.

Ambi’ance: All this talent and no one in the family playing music.

Marcus: Aww, thank you! I’m really glad you liked it!

Marcus: Well, my mother played piano before having a stroke my senior year of high school. She played classical piano.

Ambi’ance: I am waiting for it to come on the shelves so that I can add it to my rack.

Ambi’ance: Music just came naturally to you. Marcus: Yes and reading music is not my forte! Ambi’ance: Really and who writes for you? Marcus: No. I mean you just put

Marcus: Great! We will be on the shelves in Atlanta at Total Wine and More within the next week to week and a half. Ambi’ance: Great! I’ll get an extra one for you to sign when you’re back in the area. Marcus: Sure! No problem that’s a deal. When Sean Parker and 73

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MP3.com came on the scene in 2004, it hit the music industry like a catastrophic torpedo. It exposed the industry, the copyright laws and the holes in it. Some of the companies were consolI write all of my music, but composing and idating and some writing are two different things. artists were let go. If you were one of the ones successful you were not just making money on your music, you had to have a brand. I saw my checks going further down and I recognized it as macroeconomics. We then started the FLO Lifestyle CD using FLO as the acronym for “For Lovers Only”. We put out the CD for that and I recognized that it was just not something I wanted to brand. For Lovers Only was an urban adult, grown and sexy thing. I sat down and asked, ‘What is my idea?” We then turned it into ‘For the Love Of”, which could mean for the love of anything and everything. I hurried and trademarked it because I knew this could be my billion dollar idea! We had an exclusive with Circuit City and at one retail of Circuit City we broke into the top all across the board immediately after we stocked it! One of the CDs was #13, another was #7 and the other was #3 on the Billboard charts! Everyone was asking where that came from! That was very successful for us and validated my idea. It wasn’t until I began to see the revenue from those tens of thousands of sales in that short period of time that I decided that this was not for me and not what I had anticipated, but I recognized that I had a brand and I had the supporters. Women would support me tremendously and they drank wine! You guys are 74

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the decision makers. You decide the type of laundry detergent, what we are eating for dinner, where we are going, all of those things on a mass scale. Ambi’ance: (laughing) Marcus: (laughing) well, you do! So why not go on experience and realize that women were my target audience. They would come to see me play and when they see a brother trying to do something positive, they buy the wine just to show their support. So while I was at a CD release party, I went to the vineyard and asked if they did private label wine and was told that they did. That was in February and by that May we were sponsoring the Arlington, VA and North Carolina Jazz Fest. We got a hit to put our stuff on the shelves of Super Value Stores, but that automatically took us out of the realm of VA winery because they couldn’t fill the capacity of the orders. So I took the head of sales from the vineyard and we put together a business plan and pitched it to companies. FLO Wine! It’s a jazz lover’s wine because the thought is that jazz lovers come in a mixture of Black, Asians, and Whites …a nice blend, just like wine! Ambi’ance: Do you drink it? Marcus: Yeah, I mean yeah, very much, a little too much! (Laughter) I took two bottles with me on the Capital City Jazz Cruise and during my set I converse with the audience and I introduced the wine and thanked all of the retailers that were carrying it. Afterwards,

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a lady walked up to me and said that I was doing a great job, but that her store wasn’t mentioned. I later found that this was an Executive with Walmart. She later put a deal together for me in DC, Maryland, VA and Delaware. Who would have thought that the Executive of Walmart would be a sister on the Capital City Jazz Cruise and like wine? In less than two years Walmart will be opening five more stores in these areas who will also be carrying FLO Wine! Another validation. Ambi’ance: Is that the baby I hear? Marcus: Yes! That’s Chase, she’s five months old! Ambi’ance: Aww! Then that brings me to another question. With all that you have done in your career and life, does being a brand new father to Chase increase your drive or purpose? Marcus: I get that question all of the time. I look at it as another point that I focus on. Everything is still the same, just an additional focus. I still do business hard. I have changed some of my travel a little when I can. But we have invested in a great nanny who is full-time and that allows us to do what we need to do and I don’t feel guilty about that. Ambi’ance: When this is all over, what do you want Chase to remember about you? Marcus: That I cared. That I genuinely cared for her and was there

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when she needed me the most. I hope that she remembers that I gave her the skills to self-empower, to do her own thing. If she wants to be a ballerina, which she has her beautiful ballerina outfit on today and looking incredible, then do it. If she decides to be a veterinarian, do it. I hope she just does the best she can. I hope to have tons of money for her to live the lifestyle she wants, I don’t care, I can’t take this When Sean Parker and MP3.com came on the crap with me, but she needs scene in 2004, it hit the music industry like a the tools to be catastrophic torpedo. It exposed the industry, able to manage the copyright laws and the holes in it. it if she wants it. I just want her to live out her purpose whatever that may be and remember that is what I taught her, to live her purpose! Ambi’ance: That’s what it’s all about. Marcus: Exactly Ambi’ance: I saw somewhere that you were a radio host! Marcus: Yes, I had a Top 10 radio show on the jazz station 105.9 in DC. I got up at 3 a.m. and by 5 a.m. I was saying, “Smooth Jazz, 105.9, this is Marcus Johnson along with Jacqui Allen and you were just listening to Kenny G… Ambi’ance: You have shared the stage with some of my all-time favorites and the best jazz artists of our time, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Kim Meadows, Najee, Maysa, Kem, Miles Jaye, B. B. King to name a few. Big question, who’s your favorite? 75

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Marcus: (laughing) Aww man, ummm Gerald Albright, Najee, Maysa and countless others! I look at it as a great jam session!! That’s how I play. It’s what I do, have a great jam session! Ambi’ance: Marcus, I love your spirit, your stage presence and your music. I am glad that I took the opportunity to introduce myself and schedule this interview. Marcus: Likewise. Where else can you sit down and have a refreshing two hour interview with a fire alarm, business calls, babies and never missing a beat talking life? (Laughter) I mean really?

The main thing is like the old song from Sesame Street? Anything I can do you can do better! They sang, “Anything you can do I can do better”, but I say that if I can do it so can you. Dream the biggest dream and put a plan together and do it!

Ambi’ance: (laughing) that’s messed up, but you know I wouldn’t have traded it for the world, Marcus…except that I now have to go through all of this tape and find my interview! Marcus: (laughter) Good luck!

so much is because of what my mother taught me. She used to say that life is not a dress rehearsal, this @$*% is real! When you finally get to the point where you’re ready to leave this world, can you honestly say that you lived life the right way? Not how much money you have or the size of your house, but did you live life right? Did you help someone besides yourself? Were you a participant or an observer? I want to be able to say that I did everything I wanted and was placed here to do. I have traveled all over the world. I have dated the beautiful and the not so beautiful. I have played on stage with some of the best and some not so good. I have had success in business and I have had significant challenges and all that has done was increased my faith that with a purpose, a true dream, perseverance and hard work, it could be done. If I have all of that, and have done that, then I have lived a successful and full life! Ambi’ance: On that note, enough said! Much love and continued success Marcus: Likewise

Ambi’ance: What do you want our readers to know about Marcus Johnson? Marcus: The main thing is like the old song from Sesame Street? Anything I can do you can do better! They sang, “Anything you can do I can do better”, but I say that if I can do it so can you. Dream the biggest dream and put a plan together and do it! The reason I do

For more information on Marcus Johnson please visit: www.likemarcusjohnson.com www.likeflowine.com

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wner and CEO of MCI Professional Consulting Solutions Ms. Camay of Las Vegas, NV graduated from Purdue University Global with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Support Services-Paralegal with a 3.54 GPA. This Queen is a Professional Paralegal, Author, and Humanitarian Award Recipient for Advocacy around Bullying in the Workplace, Miss Plus World/ Ms. Plus Intercontinental International Inaugural Queen, now Executive Sponsorship Liaison at

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Miss Plus World, and Executive Producer and Talk Show Host of the long-running “The Ms. Camay Show.” Ms. Camay supports and sponsors national pageant systems and several empowerment platforms around the country. This exceptional woman is a force to be reckoned with and an example of female/feminine empowerment on several levels. A newlywed, the new “Mrs. Eumir Valentino Dunn” has achieved

goals and opened doors for women on a relentless pursuit of advocacy, volunteering, and personal triumph. She is the epitome of finding one’s voice, and challenging years of unspoken endurance of intolerable work conditions women incur as professionals. Her tenacity not only found her to be the recipient of prestigious awards,but the well-deserved love of her life,after years of advocating the worth of others. She is an example of learning to love oneself while growing, telling her own truths, and the evolution of 79

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realizing one’s self-worth and refusing to settle for less than what one deserves. She graduated from Cosmetology school in 1991 and worked as a Cosmetologist early in her professional career. Stating her Mother always told her, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready” so she has always kept herself together. A true example of being your own best marketing presentation, as everyone else is their best piece of marketing, whether they realize it or not. Not only is she the Owner and CEO of MCI Professional Consulting Solutions, but she also recently joined forces with Sabine-Thayer, LLC, where she is a Partner and Managing Member holding two decades of commercial litigation experience under her crown. Having experience working in law, and supporting lawyers in Fortune 500 insurance defense litigation corporations and international business law litigation, I asked about the benefits of such a prestigious opportunity and its longterm impact on her success? She stated, “The long-term impact of my legal career not only supports the platform on The Ms. Camay Show but is also the foundation to every aspect of my business. There are aspects of law that play a role in everything I do.” From Release Agreements to Last Will & Testaments, to media marketing and advertising, and being commissioned as a Notary Public, the law is always in there somewhere. The legal experience equipped her with life-long experience that she consistently utilizes. 80

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With an educational and personal background of such distinction, many may assume the road for Ms. Camay may have been smooth sailing or repetitive successes. Not by any means, this ambitious professional has endured many tumultuous periods, and if not for her fortitude and determination for change, opportunities for others following her lead would have been challenging if not made impossible. Ms. Camay is a published International Best-Selling Author of two books. “Stand Up, Speak Out, Against Workplace Bullying” and “Family Ties/ What Binds Us & Tears Us Apart.” When asked if the book “Stand Up, Speak Out, Against Workplace Bullying” was based on personal experience the answer was a resounding, “Yes, absolutely it was!” She struggled in her legal career for several years, before finding a job at Allstate Staff Counsel in Seattle. Having prayed months for that job and being phenomenally successful in the role for 3 years, “when the bullying started and as I was navigating through the experience, I felt like the bully was robbing me of my career. It wasn’t just a “job” for me, it was my career.” Ms. Camay explained.

Ms. Camay is a published International Best-Selling Author of two books.

“I went to college and held a degree in Legal Studies and incurred

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thousands of dollars in student loan debt to ultimately land that good job and to be bullied out of it was devastating.” Something millions of women are all too familiar with since tossing the apron and educating themselves for more than a college-educated man. A vital chapter in the Anthology explores her mental state of mind and how she was able to survive being bullied in the workplace. She became an advisory Board Member with the National Workplace Bullying Coalition in 2014 after being bullied in the workplace and directed a fashion and entertainment event, “Ms. Camay’s Black Tie Fashion Gala” that “broke the silence around

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workplace bullying” shining a spotlight on the topic. She used her voice and personal experience to consult with others and help them navigate through workplace bullying scenarios, including providing tools and resources targets can use to negotiate a resolution to their specific situation. The compiled Anthology, “Stand Up, Speak Out, Against Workplace Bullying” helps targets get through the epidemic. She was presented with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama, recognizing her community volunteerism. The Humanitarian Award Winner was honored for her efforts as an advocate in her

community and the American workforce, passionate about eliminating bullying from the workplace through education, awareness, and legislation. Her biggest personal accomplishment achieved, was surviving being bullied in the workplace and directing “Ms. Camay’s Black Tie Fashion Gala.” She had the courage and the strength to speak out when no one was discussing the topic, which gave other targets the courage to speak out about it also. With such a phenomenal outcome of the devastating experience, I had to inquire about the personal impact such an honor entails from the modest professional. 81

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Ms. Camay stated that, personally, she was shocked and surprised to be receiving such an honor. When receiving the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama, “I was so immensely proud of myself. I remember wishing that my late Mother, Linda Lou, was here to see it.” At the time, she was a titleholder in plussize pageantry with the American 82

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Beauties Plus Pageant System, and was extremely active in the community, volunteering with the Northwest Kidney Centers, being an advocate for kidney disease, which both of her parents passed away from. She was also coaching other women who were preparing for the National Pageant Competition, teaching them to love themselves and love their bodies,

so receiving such recognition for doing what she was in love with doing, showed the magnitude of her reality. As if that award was not enough, Ms. Camay received a Humanitarian Award from the “Right Now Today” organization and from a professional standpoint, she was in disbelief because, at the time,

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she had just left Seattle where the bullying in the workplace happened and had lost everything she owned and moved to Las Vegas. “I was attempting to pursue a civil complaint against my bullying employer in the State of Washington and was “in the thick” of the entire experience.” Stating, “Personally, I was simply using my voice and standing up for myself and didn’t realize the effect that was having in my community.” Professionally, the award has yet to reveal its true effect, as many people are unaware of the award, however, professionals who know what a “Humanitarian” is and what it stands for, and who know her story, see it to be very fitting for the advocate. She had the courage and the strength to speak out about the epidemic at a time when no one was discussing the topic, which gave other targets the courage to speak out about it also. “Many people do not know this, but during this time, I was in the thick of fighting for my job. I was pulled out of work by my Doctor in November 2014 and made my event announcement in April 2015 right before I went back to work, which ultimately led to my termination in August 2015, just two months before my event. I was fighting for my unemployment benefits and fighting an eviction throughout the entire four months, which led to me losing my unemployment claim and being evicted in early November 2015,” says the brutally honest award recipient. “This is a life-long assignment I have been given that I will spend

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my lifetime completing it,” says Ms. Camay. Currently, Ms. Camay is lobbying State Legislators around the country to sponsor the “Dignity At Work Act” in an effort to make bullying in the workplace illegal, with the intention of pushing this Bill on the National level. Ms. Camay became known as an on-air radio personality on one of Seattle’s most popular radio stations, KKNW 1150AM after launching “The Ms. Camay Show” the nation’s first plus-size fashion and pageant show on the air. She was excelling the entire time in other aspects of her life throughout all the highs and lows when she was approached by Mr. Rick Tillman while making an appearance for the Northwest Kidney Center at their annual event. He believed she was perfect for radio and after hearing her story, he insisted she consider launching a radio show. “I wasn’t really interested at the time until I realized how many people I could reach being an “on-air talent”, she said. Understandable when you comprehend just how busy this multi-talented powder keg is. The international best-seller “Family Ties/ What Binds Us & Tears Us Apart” takes us on a journey about families bringing to light the many topics that most of us keep hidden due to our sense of loyalty that we have all been conditioned to have within our families. Ms. Camay was contacted by the anthology’s compiler and invited to share her pageant story, along with some amazing people to help get their message across that we are all one

family. “Family Ties-What Binds Us & Tears Us Apart,” explores that we can all heal showcasing issues with different perspectives which lead to upset, confusion, anger, separation, and at times even abandonment. Incredible people willing to open their hearts and souls to you; not just to share their experiences but also their wisdom of how they handled these situations in life. 21 amazing people with heart-wrenching experiences from across the globe ending their chapters with motivational tips that can be used to bring enlightenment to readers. A family extends beyond bloodlines though and delving into Ms. Camay’s extensive history in Plus Size Modeling and Pageantry is as fascinating as her bodies of work elsewhere, often helping to shape the outcome. Referring to them as her “pageant family” they are awfully close and dear to her heart. She found her podium to stand at through her pageant journey and came out of her active reign in 2012 with a much stronger voice. It profoundly changed her life, and she was extremely successful in her pageant career. Somehow the shade became so dark, “I had to walk away from it all and it was devastating, and it really broke my heart” the “Lifetime Queen” stated. Something that she loved so much that made such a significant impact on her life, was treating her horribly. “When I was approached about the Anthology and offered the opportunity to 83

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write, the title was fitting and very appropriate at that time in my life. My pageant journey “bound me” but then “tore me apart,” she said. “Being crowned a Lifetime Queen in 2013 after only one year of service,” she states, is unheard of (which is an understatement). It generated a lot of jealousy and envy within the American Beauties Plus Pageant system. She was modeling in fashion shows around the country and coaching women in pageantry who also, were being crowned in their divisions of competition. Ms. Camay coached two other women in Washington State who competed in the national pageant and were crowned queens in their division, which created the “Washington State Trilogy” making history on the plussize pageant scene.

The Ms. Camay Show Making a Difference and Impacting the World

The Directors of the Miss Plus World/Ms. Plus Intercontinental Pageant knew who Ms. Camay was after watching her pageant journey for several years. They witnessed the impact she made in the plussize pageant platform and had invited her to compete in the 2018 Miss Plus World/Ms. Plus Intercontinental International Pageant. After her initial experience in the industry, she had no intentions of ever competing in pageantry again, but the Directors are amazing pillars in the pageant world, and she trusted their intentions. She was crowned Ms. Plus World Ambassa84

dor, one of the Miss Plus World/Ms. Plus Intercontinental International Inaugural Queens and has watched several amazing women from other countries wear the crown, continuing the legacy of Miss Plus World Pageant System.

The Ms. Camay Show

Making a Difference and Impacting the World Supporting Organizations in Entertainment and Business The initial concept for The Ms. Camay Show was to highlight the plus-size pageant and modeling world on the local level. She wanted to show other people that “they could do it too” through hearing other people’s testimonies of survival and accomplishment. Wanting people to hear her story and understand the impact pageantry had in her life. “I wanted people to see that plus-size women are amazing and not simply a size. I also wanted people around the world to know they shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, which was articulated in my interview with Curtis Young, Dr. Dre’s firstborn son,” she expressed. People think he was born with a gold spoon in his mouth because of who his biological father was, but that was not even close to his story. She stayed true to the mission of the show but did grow a much larger audience by interviewing people from around the country working in different genres, sharing different life experiences, which encouraged her audience and empowered the community through real-life testimonies. I asked the inspiring Author, Businesswoman, Model/Pageant Title-

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holder, Executive Producer, Talk Show Host, and Activist, what guest on her show left her feeling their appearance was personally transforming?”

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“Every one of my guest interviews was transforming for me. Each guest shared their own personal testimony of life in detail, and I was always amazed to hear their truth. I remember my interview with Rona Berry-Morin, hearing her talk about some of the darkest moments in her life. I remember my interview with Lisa Lamont, who shared her truth about her profession and how she had been judged for years when she was simply walking in her own greatness. One of my most memorable interviews was with my Sister on the anniversary date of the death of our Mother. It took place on Mother’s Day that year and while we were mourning the loss of our Mother that day, we were able to touch the lives of people around the world with the story of our Mother. It was a beautiful interview.”

“In saying all of this, my life is and has been an amazing journey! I cannot make this stuff up!!! My trials turned into my testimonies that I share with others, which gives them the courage and resiliency to move forward in their life when they feel like they cannot go on. My losses in Seattle relocated me to Las Vegas where I met my husband and where I have rebuilt my life and my own business through my personal and professional experiences. I am not afraid of anything life could possibly throw at me because I know I have the power to move through it. I have created my life, for me, my way and without apology to anyone. I love people and love the community I live in and cannot wait for what is coming next! I will always be known for being the “People’s Advocate” because my heart is for the people.”

The response, filled with the same humility she showed throughout our interview, genuine and explicitly honest. I left the experience feeling I made a new friend and planning to meet this exceptional person when she eventually makes it to Houston. Her inner beauty and love of others extend so fluently and graciously I asked her to share some perspective for those reading about her experience. Her reply was true to form:

Ms. Camay’s very dear friend, Maurcrei Thibodeux, who was the Producer for Ms. Camay’s Black Tie Fashion Gala, will be joining her in Vegas this summer 2021 for a “Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris Photoshoot” as she shows the world that two women of color can be anything they want to be while supporting each other’s fabulousness as only Ms. Camay can.

Every one of my guest interviews was transforming for me. Each guest shared their own personal testimony of life in detail, and I was always amazed to hear their truth

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Artistry From Head To Toe Nancy Salim is the owner and operator of My Oasis Spa in Whittier, CA. A professional Massage Therapist, Cosmologist, and Makeup Artist of event-themed parties and models. Ms. Salim, an expert specializing in Microdermabrasion, Microblading, Skin, and Breast Pigmentation. Ms. Salim is also a Fashion Designer studying Design at Pasadena City College and Cosmetology at Alhambra Beauty College, located in Alhambra, California, in the Los Angeles Area. Albeit, Ms. Salim has six more credits before graduating with an Associate of Arts. While in Jakarta, Indonesia, her Designers career thrived. Ms. Salim, born in Jakarta, Indonesia, is divorced with one son Renaldo and has been in the United States since the age of 28 years old. Six credits away from her Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. Completion of either program indicates a student completed a course equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor’s Degree. This amazing seamstress, seen adorned in glamorous couture wear throughout the LA scene, designs and makes them herself. She is an established pattern creator of her fashions well-known in Jakarta. Indonesia is a mega fashion capital with styles rivaling New York 88

and Milan. From elegant couture to streetwear, obviously, with or without credentials, Ms. Salim could be designing for top-notch labels. The fashion of Indonesia is a must-see, must-have collection of trendy yet classic styling. Talking with Ms. Salim provides a bounty of information about beauty and restoration. Her “My Oasis Spa” provides an escape from the stress, responsibilities and soothes the mind, body, and soul. A quiet and peaceful retreat, this spa specializes in pampering equivalent to your dreams. The establishment has professional massage therapists that create an experience in which you feel completely and utterly renewed. State-of-the-art equipment and is located in a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere, with a staff of therapists, confident they can provide you with specialized attention and an amazingly refreshing massage experience. Ms. Salim is a cosmetologist whose history of celebrity models and thespians has worked in various movie productions for indie Film works. A graduate of Alhambra beautiful college and cinema secret Joe Blasco. Joe Blasco, credited with creating the most comprehensive series of encyclopedic textbooks for profes-

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sional make-up artistry. Ms. Salim is a trained eye in utilizing her head-to-toe skills, recreating their look for whatever artistry the occasion requires. Joe Blasco is synonymous with glamorous celebrity make-up, high-quality cosmetics products, and cutting-edge makeup artistry education. Ms. Salim specializes in women of color, creating a flawless look and perfecting the pigment of melanated skin. Following in the footsteps of her mentor Joe Blasco, his expertise enabled him to develop a singular technique for make-up application. While working in the industry, Mr. Blasco apprenticed with major professional cosmetics manufacturing firms as a Cosmetics Chemist and Compounder. He taught at a prominent Westwood salon. Joe Blasco would go on to become a personal make-up artist to scores of personalities. Rona Barrett, Bette Midler, Olivia Newton-John, Carol Burnett, Donnie, and Marie Osmond, Hal Linden, and the late Dick Clark, Lauren Bacall, Orson Welles, and Carmen Zapata referred to as “The First Lady of Hispanic Theater.” Ms. Salim works with as many as forty models in one setting for various shoots in the LA area, having the skill and ability to create perfection within 15 minutes. Her skills in skin types and tones give her phenomenal speed and astonishingly beautiful professional results. Ms. Salim’s whirlwind speeds and theatrical painting to create advanced cosmetic effects have made her a most sought-after commodity in the industry. 90

This type of make-up can include creating the appearance of things like wounds, scars, and wrinkles for aging effects applied directly onto the skin. Ms. Salim’s skills are impeccable, with formal training in the horror movie genre. Ms. Salim listed in the IMDb for indie movies such as Jack Rio (2008), Die-ner (Get It?) (2009), and Do You Recognize Me? (2011), her artistry has been utilized in nearly two dozen productions. Ms. Salim specializes in perfecting skin from a medical aspect. She is a trained specialist in Microdermabrasion. The treatments use a minimally abrasive instrument to gently sand your skin, removing the thicker, uneven outer layer. This type of skin rejuvenation treats light scarring, discoloration, sun damage, and stretch marks.

Microdermabrasion can improve age spots, blackheads and improve hyperpigmentation (patches of darkened skin). She specializes in Microblading as well. A brow contouring procedure, giving semi-permanent, perfectly shaped, and filled eyebrows. Eliminating the need for brow pencils, etc. The pigment, administered by using a handheld blade comprised of fine needles. Hair-like strokes are created, mimicking the appearance of natural hair strands. But, Ms. Salim finds the most satisfaction in helping women recovering from Breast Cancer Reconstruction surgery. Providing an option that can help improve a breast cancer survivors’ confidence and 91

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sense of wholeness after undergoing a mastectomy or breast reconstruction. The procedures can include Paramedical PMU cosmetically covering post-surgical scars to recreates the look of areolas by depositing pigment into the skin. Medical PMU (permanent make-up) using various techniques. Permanent tattooing recreates the missing pigmentation around the nipples to resemble its original look, including the texture, natural bumps, and marks. Techniques also can be used to cover scars. Flesh-toned pigments most closely resembling the skin around the scar area to lighten, reducing the appearance of scarring. These procedures often are one of the final pieces of physical and psychological healing for women and shed new light on Medical Microblading advancements. Ms. Salim has a history of helping the community from all aspects. From attending numerous charity galas to a supporter of singer/pianist Matthew Parry. “Jeremiah’s Foundation International,” Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Parry’s mother, Ms. Evelyn Parry-Jones, had a son named Jeremiah, who died when he was 12 in a car crash just a few months before Matthew was born. At 14, Matthew became one of the directors. Spear-heading his very own non-profit organization called Jeremiah’s Foundation International. The organization sponsors the feeding of street children throughout. Focused and single-minded in their pursuit, they help children who have been affected by economic hardships. The ministry is contextual, customized, and culturally relevant, effectively proven, and outcome-driven by creative spirits. They use innovative solutions towards the challenges and opportunities presented. Compassionate and professional, working with excellence and without pretension. Faith in God and His promises empowers them to be confident despite the evils of war and poverty in the world and around them. They remain hopeful and lift spirits, going about their mission of releasing children from poverty. Ms. Salim, now able to continue her many endeavors with growing anticipation as we slowly move beyond the devastating effects of the pandemic. Her fivestar “My Oasis Spa” can resume for its doting clients mourning the luxurious treatments that kept them afloat in their hectic lives, with PPE precautions utilized to ensure clients’ safe return. 92

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ReShonda Parker

Photo by: Terrence Smith

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Again I rise

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eShonda Parker, originally from Ft. Huachuca, Arizona is a professional model represented by Manikin Models and Talent Agency and also Talent Life Management of Atlanta, GA. This busy mother of three has become one of the area’s hottest commodities. She’s an Ambassador / Model of numerous brands, and in some cases, would be viewed as a late bloomer in the field. But one look and you see the magnetic beauty is timeless. ReShonda enjoys her hectic Modeling schedule and busy lifestyle with her gorgeous kids Asia (23), Noah (17), “who’s being signed” with a modeling agency, and Nicholas (10). Her biggest inspiration is her grandmother, Ms. Rose Dandy who raised her and whom she adores infinitely. The model doesn’t use her role to gain the attention of adoring fans. She’s outspoken and honest about issues past, present and advocates for a safer future. She found comfort and enthusiasm among followers. There she finds inspiring people, relieving the subtle 95

insecurities or moments of low self-esteem during her journey. Of course, social media will have negativities, yet she shares inspirational views and gives positive attention with protective warnings for her counterparts. ReShonda has known tragedy and success, and perhaps that humane essence is what radiates from this beauty. She has experienced the worst side of the business and given opportunities she never dreamed possible. She prefers to stand on truth at the risk of her career for the sake of fellow models, shoots, or agents. Bravely filing sexual assault charges on a photographer for undressing her. Sometimes there is backlash from those afraid of speaking out or ignoring the sexual advances to continue working. The field can be exploitative, and she publicly advocates for herself and others. The stunning advocate has collaborated with others to be more vigilant and started a Facebook group to raise awareness, protect models, and others in the industry called “Models and Photographers United for Change”. She has widened that group to include fashion designers, actors/actresses, magazine companies, and musicians because she feels that “we are all in this together”. She was also made the moderator for the “Columbus, GA Models and Photographers” group. ReShonda started modeling at 13 and was enrolled in modeling school to overcome her shyness. 96

She was bullied in elementary and junior high school for being taller than her peers, dark-skinned, and slim. Her 5’10 stature appeared a bit early, and at 15-16 years of age, she was a finalist for “Seventeen” magazine and recognized at an event held at Peachtree Mall that was being sponsored by “Seventeen”. She worked with a modeling agency briefly in Baltimore, MD with one of the owners of Nova Model Management by the name of Christian. In 2012 at 23, she competed in an 8-week online competition

that promotes Black Beauty and Natural Hair since 2004 held by Going Natural. com. The recreated look she exhibited was of the model she most admired, IMAN. The famous model and wife of the late Famed English singer-songwriter and actor David Bowie. IMAN is a Somalian-American fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur who’s idolized the world over as one of fashion’s royals chose ReShonda for the Cosmetics challenge winner. ReShonda’s rise comes amidst unparalleled heartaches and some devastating tragedies. She

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Photo by: Dstewy Dsoul @dsoulphotoartistry

speaks out on the heartbreak of losing two children and the circumstances in hopes of helping others. Born July 1st, her first son passed of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). When her second son Noah was born July 31, she felt a pinch of his spirit there within her blessing. In 2009 she experienced her second loss of a child caused by the negligence of an ER doctor. ReShonda has a fascination turned collector of Angels holding babies. While casually shopping in a dollar store one day, they came to her attention. Immediately thinking of other

Moms that shared her same pain she purchased all of them and placed them on the graves of other infants. The gesture memorialized her loss by acknowledging theirs. She collects them now and continues to help other grieving Moms through their pain. The realities of their tragic passing, though devastating didn’t paralyze the brave young mom. After the births of her other children as they grew up, she realized her passion for modeling was still within her. The working mom of 3 (she creates one of a kind custom jew97

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elry with her business “Sugar”) decided to renew the profession fulltime and maintain her regular job. The former model was still dealing with self-esteem issues about body image and problem skin. ReShonda chronicles her journey on her social media platforms openly discussing the problem and sharing her experiences with like-minded women. The experience was freeing and the self-proclaimed tomboy was gaining momentum in the modeling field. She also felt it important to stress that people never give up on their dreams. ReShonda will be 44 years young in October. The last two years have been her busiest ever. Eventually, her casual colors and muted shades that left her blending into the shadows got peeled away and the glimmering star on the horizon was showing. She rediscovered her beauty doing an artistic nude shoot that allowed her to free herself of the proverbial shackles. The experience was liberating and enlightening, seeing her vulnerable frame exposed in its shameless glory. Despite her thin physique, she doesn’t pretend to work out or watch every bite she eats. Living a holistic lifestyle and the constant activity of her career keeps her in top shape. Modeling is by no means sitting back looking pretty, or one couture design after another. Sometimes you are walking miles for the perfect location, contorting your body in unnatural poses for the art. 98

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ReShonda’s early 40s were suddenly her 20s. The model’s popularity has been remarkably astonishing. It was nothing she ever expected, the ageism or acceptance she’d developed a tough skin for wasn’t there. Her portfolio is surreal, published 14 times, the Cover Model on six magazines/ book covers, and recently played an extra in two movies to be released this Spring (“The Neon Highway” and “Sometime at Christmas”).

She just tries to concentrate on all the sensational photographers she works with preferring to utilize her beauty as their canvas.

ReShonda Parker is the Product/ Brand Ambassador/ Model for FIEcru (clothing and apparelNikki McKnight), Too Adore ( online women’s boutiqueMarnesha Sanders), Black Glass Eyewear (Michele Antoinette Powell Howard), Mod Atlas Media ( Multimedia Company- Christian Ortiz), Hustle Over Fear (apparel company- Tarnesia Hinton), Niyasnightie-intimate-apparel ( Niya Kaliah Robinson-Whitelow), Cak’N Cosmetics ( Tamieka Morton), The Blush Boutique ( online Clothing and Apparel), Acusling ( online Clothing and Apparel), Anaka Honey ( Natural Hair Care Brand - Jazmine Nicole), Petty AF Apparel (Tishon Williams), Lady L.A.W ( Loyalty Authority and Wealth- Tiffany Eli McNeill). She was recognized by Sephora for her makeup look, a Zumiez store in an Atlanta, GA mall, and for an outfit, she wore

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as well. She’s done some work live on Instagram for Camille Rose Naturals, featured on a local business site for Craft Kombucha ( Beejou Craft Honey Kombucha- Suhyoon Cho), natural hair Instagram pages ( “Rockin It Natural” and Fierce and Faded”), and Cosplay Instagram pages (“Black Cosplay Boosters”, “Chosen_Alliance_Cosplay”, “Punk Black”, “Nerdzandhiphop”, “director_ryan4ransom”). She is also the host of a new talk show airing this September called “Sugar Prime Time” produced by “US Round Table”. You can find their pages on Instagram. The successful talent is also a jewelry designer with a line of custom and one-of-a-kind pieces showcased @ Sugar.Custom on Instagram. She also has a jewelry website launching soon. I asked ReShonda if she’d ever experienced any ethnic discrimination along her vast journey, despite the success? As with any profession, there will be some level of resistance. ReShonda tries to call out the injustices when she encounters them and hopes that it provokes change. She just tries to concentrate on all the sensational photographers she works with preferring to utilize her beauty as their canvas. ReShonda is known for the variety of photoshoots she does especially her cosplay shoots. She has worked with photographers Christian Ortiz and Ryan

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Anderson (@director_ryan4ransom) (@modtography), whose superhero characters jump off the screen at you. They have done shoots of ReShonda in various characters such as Storm, Gamora ( Guardians of the Galaxy), Nubia ( Wonder Woman’s black sister) and a “Queen of the Damned” inspired shoot. She also gained some recognition for one of her photographers Michele Antoinette Powell Howard’s iconic Cicely Tyson tribute shoot (@ michelehowardphotography). ReShonda graces the covers and pages of a few of the magazine AMMAMA as well as their erotic poetry book “Naturally Erotic Edition Volume One” with model / VFX artist/cosplayer/ actor/ graphic designer Derick Rogers (@toneedragon on IG). She has been featured in “Southern Vibez”, “Cheology”, “What A Model”, “Royal”, “Faschic” and “D’ Mochelle Magazine”. ReShonda has wrapped up several promotional jaunts. News reporter Nicole Jones of WTVM featured ReShonda in a news article for Columbus, GA. “She was also featured on “The Columbus Site” for Women’s History Month. Sephora used her photo on their Beauty Insiders’ page. She was included in a virtual fashion show put on by The Primp Agency’s owner Sha’ Summerlin. She was interviewed by “Free Gems Network” an amazing local show to spotlight the area’s talents and

business owners, talk shows US Round Table, “Uncorked with T” as well as “John River’s Media TV” show. She has been interviewed by Damien Sanders of “CIE Fashion Magazine”. ReShonda has also walked the runway for designer Melanie Caballero of “Ashley Victorian.” She walks for the NY Fashion Week show in September which

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is a dream for a model. She has also walked for designer Bena Klier Bouler of “The House of La’Rue”, along with many other fashion shows like “Music Meets Fashion 2021” with Tileda Moore Dunn, Lisa Cordes, and Tyrus Davis (Model Material Brand, LLC). ReShonda has more upcoming shoots and shows she is excited about. She will be working with a black-owned art gallery and publishing company “Unique Euphony” teaching basic modeling skills to interested youth. ReShonda is also working on an organization to help empower young girls and women.

Photo by: Ryan Anderson

To learn more about this gifted and amazing woman, check out her work on Instagram @reshonda_parker.

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ike many mainstream artists, Rory Seldon started his career playing in Church. Rory was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. His love for music began at an early age. At age 13, he began playing the trumpet and studied other brass instruments through junior high and high school. Mr. Seldon started playing around on the piano and organ at his home church. I listened to his universal sound that most would label as strictly Rhythm & Blues and realized it has a slight twist. I heard something more from this innovative 110

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musician/singer. In 2004, he produced his first recording project, Etched In Stone, followed by All I Know, in 2006. A family man Mr. Seldon, and his beautiful wife Sherri have two gorgeous daughters Rachel and Lauren. Both are musicians, singers, and talented. Mr. Seldon stated they were the only ones in his family that got the music gene. I say, thank God. Mr. Seldon grew up in the Lutheran Church. His Gospel sound is a unique blend of various genres with songs like “Go Down Moses / Steal Away.” A unique combination

of traditional lyrics with the Iko Iko (My Besty and your Besty) it’s the ultimate universal rendition. The independent album release “Crossing The Line” features original music, a few cover songs with his typical unique twist of Funk/ Jazz/Pop feel. “Come To Me First” is a party within itself while speaking nothing but the truth. The video itself is an all too familiar story for single women, making you shake your head in agreement while dancing around. “Think Before You Act,” features a jazzy groove giving a mother’s message to her child, and “Some-

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day” is a soft song of reflection about what we all aspire to be. With a musical genre that varies from Jazz to Inspirational, his Rhythm & Blues Band “Intersessions,” performing in Southern California, is a virtual explosion of sound. The talented musician’s ability to blend originals and cover tunes during his live performances leaves his audiences in awe. His skills and prolific live shows, and independent album releases speak volumes. He’s broken ground on the local music scene for local musicians. Rory Seldon’s sound has no era or timestamp, a triple threat. The soulful rendition of I’ll Take You There makes you want to get your praise on while People Make The World Go Round, relaxes sending you to a peaceful realm. Things slowed down for all performers during the Pandemic’s 112

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repetitive shutdowns. California became a vitality capitol with entertainers finding ways to remain creative despite several shutdowns. As one of the most performing R&B/Funk bands in Southern California, the impact was mind-numbing. Mr. Seldon kept busy while still playing in Church, and they did a feel-good version of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish,” a great video. While most Americans were, wishing to be back in the day free of isolation and heart-wrenching death counts, Mr. Seldon and InnerSession had fun making it, with fans posting they felt cheated, wanting to see them live. His “InnerSession Band” consists of highly skilled musicians. Mr. Michael Chaney-A guitarist later bassman, Ms. Cyndi Holman, whose sultry vocals can be heard on every track and live. Mr. Samuel Ryan, who started playing drums

at age 14, and Mr. Andy Yoon grew up playing the violin and picked up the guitar around age 12. He and Sam met in the UCLA Drum Line. Andy joined in 2019, and there’s been no looking back with this talented group. His works on YouTube are an array of originals and cover tunes, showcasing his busy Band at their best. His daughter Lauren on Sound cloud, genres include pop, folk, indie. She plays piano, guitar, and ukulele. Following in her Father’s footsteps, her sound is as unique as an individual as her Dad’s. Rory Seldon with InnerSession, can be seen performing at several different venues around Los Angeles and surrounding areas. There’s new material in the works, and hopefully, by Memorial Day. They’ll be performing their blend of Soul, Funk, Jazz, and Old School R&B mixed with original material at your favorite spots in full Funk mode.

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It is said that everyone has a twin out there somewhere. But what do you do when your twin is a global icon? ctually, what do you do when your twin is the infamous King of Pop, the late Michael Jackson? These are the questions asked of Scorpio, Southern California’s hottest Michael Jackson impersonator. Ambi’ance Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with this young man and find just who this other “Man in the Mirror” really is! Ambi’ance: Tell me about Scorpio. What is your story? Scorpio: I was born in Manhattan, NY and since infancy was raised on the west side of Detroit, MI. As a kid during that time we were into making the bikes with the motors on them and I was into that and cars. Then Bruce Lee came on to the scene and I really got into him. I started practicing Chinese Kung Fu and met a Muslim brother who also was experienced in Kung Fu and he taught me a lot of moves, take downs, grabs and so forth. There was a black belt Kung Fu school on Dexter Street and I would go there for a while. Then Michael Jackson came along. He was young then and singing with his brothers. Now it’s all about Michael Jackson and Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee and

Michael Jackson. Kung Fu and dancing, Bruce Lee and Michael Jackson! (Laughing) I was so far into it that I started teaching my dog; King Kung Fu moves! I had him jumping when I jumped and all kind of things. (Laughing) Anyway, my mother was a blues singer and used to sing with B.B. King and The Bobby Blue Bland and I would sit back and rock to all of her music. There were always people from Motown coming by the house for dinner, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, Twins, The O’Jays would drop through and many others. Funkadelic and Parliament used to live across the street from us and my mom used to date the late, Joe Tex. So there were always musical influences around me and I got into their music. There was a dance show called, The Scene; our local version of Soul Train which was televised in Detroit, Chicago and other local cities. Now since I listened and danced to my mom’s music, had the Kung Fu moves, imitating everybody and everything around me, I was able to develop my own dance style. (Laughing) I danced on that show for about four or five years. My oldest brother Adolpho

(who has since passed) came to Detroit from Los Angeles and told me about a show out there called Soul Train. He laid out the plan. He owned a salon in Los Angeles that catered to stars like Barry White, Denice Williams and others. I would be staying with him in Baldwin Hills while I danced on Soul Train and so I would be well taken care of. The plan was a good one, because I had been consistently thrown out of school and had been a member in a couple of well-known Detroit gangs by then. So I moved to Los Angeles. Immediately people started asking me where I was from. You see when I was in Detroit, things were different. The clothes were different. We dressed to the nines. We were clean, sharp clean! (Laughter) So until I moved to L. A., I had no idea what jeans and gym shoes were, so I was super weird to the people in L. A. Anyway, I began dancing and getting noticed by the dancers and the show’s guests, some whom I knew from Detroit and they were yelling out to me and stuff like that and Don Cornelius needed a group of dancers to go to Japan for a while and I was one of the ones selected. There were six of us and we were called, “The Ebony Dancers.” We were in Osaka, Japan for about three months doing the robot routine, dressed in those rainbow wigs, popping, locking and stuff like that. That was my first trip overseas! When I returned from Japan, I moved back to Detroit to finish 115

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school and about a year later I went back to California hanging with the celebrities at my brother’s shop. There was a club down the street called, “The Maverick’s Flats” where Jeffrey Daniels from Shalimar was the deejay at that time. I met a guy there by the name of Robot Rob. He was the baddest robot dancers I had ever seen in my life. Anyway, he approached me and asked where I was from because I was doing something totally different from everyone else and he liked my dance moves as well. We collaborated showing each other moves and later we got a couple of other people we knew together and formed Creative Illusions. We performed at, The Odyssey, Grand Slam, clubs in Hollywood, Orange County, Norwalk, all over, eventually adding lip-synching and entering dance contests always taking first place! (Laughing) One night we were at my house getting ready for an act and Michael Jackson came on. They asked me if I knew any of his moves. I told that I knew a little, but I wanted to do my own because I didn’t know enough of his moves to go into a contest and I didn’t want to risk losing. They went in the living room and got the Bad album, put it up next to my face and told me that I looked like Michael Jackson! (Laughing). I didn’t believe them until I really looked at us side by side! They had pulled a piece of hair into my face and I already wore a ponytail. Rob was an artist and he added some makeup to my face and that’s when I said, “I do, I do!” (Laughing) They kept telling me that I didn’t have to sing, all I had to do was dance which was 116

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fine by me, because I wasn’t singing at that time. We did our regular robot act and then I did mine. I did all of my own moves until the end when I ‘backslid’ which is Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk and jumped up on my toes! The crowd went crazy and the rest as they say is history! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: Wow! So it wasn’t like you started out on this quest to be Michael Jackson, it just happened to literally fall into your lap! Scorpio: Exactly, it just happened as a natural thing. It wasn’t as if I was like, “Hey I’m Michael Jackson!” Ambi’ance: A lot of information was covered in a short period of time and it appears that becoming a Michael Jackson impersonator has been your blessing or your saving grace? It was never due to an idolization of sort. Scorpio: No. It was God’s way of saving me from me! It was definitely saving grace because I would have gone back to Detroit into my old ways of doing things! You know? Ambi’ance: You do carry a striking resemblance to the icon, Michael Jackson. Do you ever get that second look from people when they see you? Scorpio: I have been told by people who see my shows that Michael has been reincarnated through my performances. I have been told that I carry his mannerisms, his speech and his moves.

Ambi’ance: Have you studied him before or better yet, do you study him now since his death? Scorpio: Not study him. I more so am placing my own moves in there along with the way that I have known him to be. Ambi’ance: At the end of the day are you still Scorpio and able to separate yourself from your impersonation? Scorpio: Most definitely. Ambi’ance: Good! I am sure you have seen those that morph themselves so far into character that they completely lose self! Which is why I asked are you still Scorpio? Because of the uncannily likeness, I am sure others are curious as well. Scorpio: Yes all day! Ambi’ance: Great! I read that you actually had the opportunity to meet him? What was that like? Scorpio: Yes. I did the SuperBowl with him as his double. I did the Heal the World Foundation with him in South Africa for the children in hospitals, which I really want to get back to. Especially since he is no longer here in human form, he is still here in spirit. I know that if I did that in his honor, he and God would both be happy. Ambi’ance: What was Michael’s impression of seeing an impersonator of himself? Scorpio: At the time I went, there

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were myself and a couple of other Michael Impersonators. He would look at us give us a smile and a nod of approval. I have had times when I would talk to him for hours at a time on the phone. He would talk about silly things like climbing up in the tree and trying to count the stars, or he was always making beats with his mouths and developing them into perfection to use in his songs and so many other things! Amazing! Ambi’ance: That is something that very few can say they have been able to experience, talk to Michael Jackson. Scorpio: Yeah and my friends would be there and could remember a lot of things as well that we would talk about Ambi’ance: Scorpio, you have traveled extensively. All around the world! Scorpio: Yes I have. (Laughter) Ambi’ance: That’s a long way from the west side streets of Detroit! Scorpio: (Laughing) Wow, yes it is! What a blessing! Ambi’ance: And all from dancing Scorpio: I never thought of that until this moment Ambi’ance: Is your mother still alive? Scorpio: Yes, she’s seventy-five,

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still in her high heels! They call her Lady Gigi! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: I’m definitely not mad at that! I’m going to be just like her at her age! (Laughter) Scorpio, You’ve overcome adversity, you’ve traveled the world, you’ve danced on one of the hottest dance shows ever to have hit the airwaves, you‘ve grown up breaking bread with legendary icons and you’re one of the most sought after Michael Jackson impersonators in Southern CA. What’s left for you to do? Scorpio: Come to Atlanta and give you a big ole hug! (Laughter) I believe God is preserving my look and my life. I want to be on the big screen and show the world the real Michael Jackson. Show them that he was misunderstood. Show the immeasurable love he had for the human race. I have also been approached by Paramount to do a reality show, so that will be underway by the time this article comes out. I also want to return to South Africa and re-energize the Heal the World Foundation. Ambi’ance: Where can our readers find you? Scorpio: www.scorpioasmj.com I am on Facebook, YouTube, my email address is scorpioweebly@ yahoo.com and I can be called at 310-734-9075 for bookings. Ambi’ance: I thank you for taking time out of your schedule to talk with me. I have enjoyed you to the fullest and can’t wait for you to hang out with me in Hotlanta!

Scorpio: I would love to! I keep talking in ears letting them know that I am ready to go when they go so I can see what’s going on over there! (Laughter) Ambi’ance: We’ll both keep talking and see what happens! You take one ear and I’ll take the other! (Laughing) Scorpio: Well I’m here; I’m alive and ready to perform. I love the magazine and for what it stands for and represents. It’s super and it’s definitely a positive thing. For those reading this for the first time, you need to get on it, because the magazine is booming! Ambi’ance: Well thank you and Ambi’ance Magazine feels the same about you! Much love, Scorpio! One can only imagine being you, let alone the impersonator of a legendary icon, but Scorpio is doing his thing and doing it well! Having shared commonalities and pure understanding of the legendary icon, Michael Jackson, Scorpio proudly makes sure that this legend is never forgotten. Both coming from Detroit, reared around the legendary Motown greats, dancing and singing their way to Southern CA. Although, they traveled very different paths, the road still joined these two different, yet similar men together in a way that neither would ever forget and yet respect! Ambi’ance Magazine looks forward to seeing what else is on the horizon as he continues to draw strength from the other Man in the Mirror, Renalto “Scorpio” Spicer! 117

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Terri Stevens

CEO of Face 2 Face Modeling & Talent Agency ome people seek their vision, while others grow to figure it out. Some people seek higher learning and call on a higher power. Terri Stevens counts her blessings by being her authentic self. She is the Founder and CEO of both “Face 2 Face Talent and Modeling Agency” and “2 the T Productions and Casting.” A three-decade resident of Atlanta, Ga. The Detroit, Michigan native is the Mother of three beautiful daughters, Teanna and Yasmine Stevens and Christiane Horton, she proudly stated, and six grandchildren. Beaming with love as she spoke of her family, Ms. Terri Stevens has a lot to be proud of and counts her blessings expressing the same about her professional team. Terri Stevens attended Macomb County Community College, a multi-campus community col-

lege in Michigan accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, professional certification, continuing education, and enrichment. Ms. Stevens’ diligent work history and inherent good taste read like a road map to higher learning and faith in a higher power, helping others along the way. Inspired, renewed, and with life’s twist and sometimes tragic turns and determined recovery of it. This Mother and grandmother, Model, fashion model industry agent, promoting plus-size beauties, standard size models, men, children fashion events, and talent agency, handles every genre in entertainment. Ms. Stevens’ fascinating background as a Cosmetologist and Platform Artist, a platform stylist, called platform artist, is part educator, communicator, salesperson, and entertaining personality. They mainly perform on stage at industry trade shows promoting styling techniques, her specialty being color and cuts.

Ms. Stevens also was the Coordinator of Corporate Events and Promotions for Chrysler in Michigan. The affairs covered everything from car showings and exhibitions to corporate galas and executive entertainment. In Atlanta, she and her brother ran a HandyMan/ Repairman Service, servicing the area with 37 employees called “HoneyDo.” The recently engaged fashionista has several new ventures unfolding. There have been months of traumatic events among colleagues, friends, and family unrelated to Covid-19. She’s regrouping and reinventing herself for spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal. Grateful for the love of her life and the coworkers that she describes as a dream team. Her hectic schedule doesn’t allow time for a hiatus, nor does the reality show Ms. Stevens is working on in North Carolina. Not to mention the Specialty Boutique of Couture 119

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fashions and accessories, celebrating love and attaining personal achievement called “Sunny B’s.” Intrigued about the inspiring inception of “Face 2 Face Talent and Modeling Agency,” Ms. Terri, a Plus-Size Model, has plenty of experience working the runway and was Brand Ambassador for Sharon Gary Dill of “Fashion D’Shacort.” “Face 2 Face Talent and Modeling Agency,” and “2 the T Productions and Casting,” don’t cater to specialty models but provides models and talent for whatever fashion, promotion, presentation, or show for your event, organization, or presentation. Actors, Singers, Musicians, Rappers, and Mime Dancers are available talents. The agency promotes pursuing your talents and dreams, far from solely a modeling agency. Events such as “The Sassy but Classy Fashion Show, Curvy Girl Time is Of The Essence Fashion Show at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, an Evening of Fashion & Elegance by D’Shacort, as well as Fall Into Winter Fashion Show, in Nashville TN. Ms. Terri Stevens and “Face 2 Face Talent and Modeling Agency,” was the winner of Urban CEO Awards (2019), TL’s Hottest Talent, Modeling Agency Awards (2019), Beautiful Black Sister Shero Award (2019), Ms. ATL’s Hottest Awards (2020), and Women of Honor Award (2021). Nominations such as the World Women Vision Awards Nominee (2021) and the listing of shows are endless. Terri credits prayers and being open to God’s voice for the success of her businesses. God’s voice re120

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verberating through her mind, she had no choice but to listen when she had asked. Praying for the right people to work with, and those prayers answered. Her long-time colleagues and friends attended a risqué “Body Positive” segment. There, supporting the full-figured model and entrepreneur. Told she’d have five good people for her deserving success. Immediately Ms. Stevens was blessed to have Lucinda Burroughs and Tomasina King join her in the ever-evolving business. God’s voice reverberating through her senses, she had to listen when she had asked. Her N.C. role involves eight models ranging in ages from 5 to 60. The new reality show is by no means typical. The premise takes these individuals through the process of not only being successful models but event planners too. Parents work with or for the younger ones while everyone gets to experience every aspect of presenting a fashion show. Looks and clothing will be the least challenging. The lessons learned in this reality show will be eye-opening for the cast and audience alike. Parents and kids akin prepped for endless possibilities after the critical thinking and marketing they’ll master for this presentation. It will take tenacity and talent to endure the fun and pragmatic task ahead. Of course, they’ll be the usual lessons of casting but, each cast member has to hire and hire again. Responsible for ticket sales, DJ, vendors, and videographers. They’ll be Tweeting, Tik-Toking, Instagramming, Facebook, and more to

achieve their popularity and overall events. They’ll have to surround themselves with the people that create the look, making them beautiful while applying their management skills to being indoctrinated into the production. A learning experience for any audience as we see who accomplishes the task. Terri Stevens spends a lot of her time traveling to various locations in the country and is happy things are leaning towards normal after the pandemic. Ms. Stevens has mottos that are self-explanatory in defining her business savvy and success. Her signature philosophy is if you’re “15 minutes early, you’re too late”. Another is “if you stay ready you don’t have to get ready”. “Face 2 Face Talent and Modeling Agency’’ and “2 the T Productions and Casting,” operate as a family, and Ms. Stevens stated, “We take care of each other on the runway, off the runway, in front of the camera and behind the camera.” With the upcoming reality show, she and former colleague Sharon Gary Dill of Fashion D’Shacort will go inside the belly of the beast. Soon we’ll all be privy to the array of talented models cast for the show. We’re all going to benefit from the savvy and work ethics of this fashionista. Watch for up-and-coming shows and events near you. With the ever-increasing popularity of “Face 2 Face Talent and Modeling Agency” and “2 the T Productions and Casting,” it’s just a matter of time before she’s entertaining you.

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The Ebony

Book Club

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THE

Poetry

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Leviticus

No Regrets

Can I smile? Am I allowed to be happy? What’s wrong with pleasure? I don’t want endless sorrows, Just eternal joy. My Lord preaches progress, and endless success. No disappointments need apply. Can you smile for me? Will you smile for me? Will you come? Your company, His company, Our companionship. Will you come? Love and happiness. Peace and joy. God and salvation. I love Him. Will you come? Love Him inside my heart, We have arrived. Success!

I’ve cried for you, I’ve lied for you, I’ve even died for you. Most of all, I’ve lived the life you have not. I’ve died the death that’s but a fleeting moment In time for you. Don’t mimic the dark side of the truth, Emulate all that motivates my actions...Love. My love burns for all the moments I’ll never Recapture. I’ll suffer the fate of maternal regression. I’ll suffer because the change of the emotions, Love, Truth and Friendship that existed in another. Please shed a tear son, Not of any empathy but of light. A light that symbolizes an unquenchable yearning to be by your side. Giving strength where weakness exist And guidance when temptation does arise. I’ll die with you on my mind. I’ve died already with you in my heart, Physical death is easy son, I must live on and suffer, Live on and regret, A fragment of a bond from A forgotten mold...no regrets.

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It is funny but there was a time when our “Former” POTUS was only known for slum lording, expensive hotels, the USFL pro football league and grabbing beauty contestants in the crotch. He also had a top-rated reality show called the “Ultimate Merger” (a spinoff of his other farce “The Apprentice”). This show was comprised of several savvy, professional and eligible bachelors looking to get booed up. If this formula sounds familiar (i.e. NBC & ABC’s “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” rewind). The thing that made this unusual was it featured primarily African American males and one sexy, voluptuous, and educated Black Women....WHO KNEW?? Anyway, we were fortunate enough to meet the finalists of this modern day ‘Blaxploitation” skit. We also went behind the scenes of the Ultimate Merger and found out some interesting things about Mr. Trump. However, it was the exclusive interview and feature we did with them (during our Ambi’ance Magazine Valentine’s Day Special Photo shoot) that I enjoyed the most. I encourage my FB fans to go to the archives and do your due diligence on The Ultimate Merger. If your “woke”, you will catch the innuendo’s, stereotypes, subtle racism, negative imagery, and exploitation at our cultures expense. At best it was just a cliché at its worst a historical perspective on how we got here (You see the “Make America Great” champagne officially kicked off when we started to notice the increase in cold blooded murders at the hands of the police (i.e. Trayvon Martin, Breanna Taylor, Eric Garner, George Floyd, Michael Brown, Walter Scott, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and 168 other unarmed African American men (and women) who lost their lives. Ironically enough, a few raising stars, were able to use that show as a precursor to them becoming household names. Who are they you ask? Omarosa, Toccara, Karrine Steffans, and G. Garvin. 129

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alk show host Mz. Tonni was born in Belize, Central America. Her parents moved to New York when she was a toddler. She’s the creator, Producer, and Host of “On The Move With Mz. Tonni” and Program Director and Host of “Photography Insight Plus Experience TV, (PIPE TV),” both shows on BRIC’s Brooklyn Free Speech TV Cable Network and both shows nominated for the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. A Mother of three and proclaimed ‘Glam-mom’. This busy Mom has many titles and talents. She’s a model, coach, educator, host, and innovator, all while maintaining a regular full-time job. She loves working with the youth in her city and possesses the ability to allow them to express themselves freely, as all guests on her show do. Her personality and genuine interest in the human experience have gained the recognition it deserves. Mz. Tonni creates an environment for guests to express their deepest thoughts and concerns about any topic. As a native New Yorker, Mz. Tonni is well informed about the ins and out of the creative fields that yield dreamers to the city. She attended The School of Performing Arts. A trained pianist, playing both drums and bass guitar. The violin was her instrument of choice for her au132

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dition, despite learning in only a couple of months. She was determined to master the instrument, challenging herself to new heights as if being a quick study made her more deserving of her placement. Later as a trained singer, she would find herself being a vocal coach and choir director in her church. Her progressive attitude and creativity eventually lead her into her journalistic pursuits. A published model of nearly five years, the camera loves her as much as the audience, and her photoshoots are visually stunning. Mz. Tonni is truly an inspiration to the full-figured, curvy model industry, her beauty, and ageless appearance make that factor mute. For nearly four years Mz. Tonni evolved to Managing Editor/Model Coordinator/Event Planning (just to name a few of the many hats she wears)/ Executive team player in charge of Michael Katlow Cox’s Photography Insight Plus Magazine. The magazine’s focus is on the history and techniques of photography from lighting and creativity, capturing the beauty of any subject. Photography Insight Plus Magazine provides tips and all essential tools needed in today’s modern world of photography and fashion. Their futuristic motto explains it all while honoring Star Trek, “To Go Where No Magazine or Photographer Has Gone Be-

fore.” But these images captured just don’t stay on paper, Mz. Tonni hosts the innovative talk show PIPE TV...where Photography Insight Plus Magazine Comes To Life. Mz. Tonni collaborates with owner, Brother-Micheal Katlow Cox of Memories 4 Life Photography LLC, who operates demonstrating the history of photography and its ideal conceptual origins. Memories 4 Life Photography LLC offers an artsy and memorable mood-inspired photographic experience. He operates and lives by the slogan, “One Picture, One Word, Beautiful...” Utilizing mood boards allows Mz. Tonni the ability to ignite the unique individuality of their patrons with artistic forms of expression. Her vision of expressive nuances is self-discovery within clients, creating art within their cherished memories. Their combined collaborations push the envelope with models and patrons alike, inspiring New Yorkers as well as clients from all over the state to new heights of elevation in skill, perception, and talent. Her collaboration with Brother-Micheal Katlow Cox has transformed his thriving business into a forum that exhibits varied talents and unique programming, elevating artists and professional photography. PIPE TV and Photography Insight Plus Magazine is a unique combination of artist exposure and

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awareness. Their format showcases local and national talents from all genres, a Magazine for the Professional Photographer and Enlighting Stories to Move the Mind. As Executive Creative Director and Event Coordinator of Memory 4 Life Photography LLC, Mz. Tonni enjoys the creative freedom and expertise of working with an experienced photographer with a demonstration of understanding the history of photography on realms few have thought to explore. Her community-based perceptions led her to, “On The Move With Mz. Tonni,” show which started in September of 2020. Its thought-provoking guests and forum have gained the attention of this year’s B Free People’s Choice Award. A people and community-powered category that’s a part of Public Access TV, The B Free Awards is the epitome of success for the format of entertaining and informing the area and Mz. Tonni is a top contender. The televised event will feature celebrities, glamour, and creatively expressive fashion, with 20 statuettes awarded to content creators at the top of their game. BRIC’s B Free Awards celebrates local journalism and the community-made stories that air on BRIC’s Brooklyn Free Speech TV and Podcast Network. The Peoples Choice Award feels inevitable if you’ve watched such episodes as “On The Move w/ With Mz. Tonni”: Roni Valen, A transgender from Georgia living to create the best version of him134

self; Mz. Tonni’s fun and informative, PIPE TV interview with Brooklyn’s own Five Heartbeats (1991) famed actor and producer, John Canada Terrell, known for movies such as She’s Gotta Have It (1986), Boomerang (1992), Def by Temptation, and Mo’ Better Blues (1990) and numerous other television and theatrical shows/ productions from this acclaimed actor...a conversation of past, present, and future endeavors. With this relatively new show she produces, we expect to see a wide variety of topics from this char-

ismatic and style-setting Model/ Host and innovative artisan of Mood Photography. With her unconditional love, comprehension of the human condition, spirit, and artistic understanding, New York be prepared for many fun, stylish, and intellectually trendy shows. You will also want to be on the lookout for Mz. Tonni’s Artist/Model Development Company, Mz T Castings LLC, with classes starting up in May 2021. The TV, film, and fashion industry is in for something big!

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Ambiance Uncut rememebers THOSE WE LOST

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Whitney Houston 1963-2012

uring Ambi’ance Magazines humble beginnings I was fortunate to rub shoulders with some of the legends of Stage, Screen and Television. However despite the extraordinary accomplishments of these icons they too had to face the inevitability of death. Some call it fate. Others say its life- on- life’s

terms. Coming from a purely spiritual perspective, I feel when your work is done here, you’re called to duty somewhere else. So today we want to celebrate some of the entertainment industries most iconic celebrities. I feel truly blessed to have met and befriended many of these individuals. RIP and know your presence is truly missed. 137

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Natalie Cole 1950-2015

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Renaldo Rey 1940-2015

Tracey Kennedy DOD 2015

James Avery 1945-2013

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Alakazia DOD 2019

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Dick Gregory 1932-2017

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Natalie Cole 1950-2015 Aretha Franklin 1942-2018

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Paul Mooney 1941-2021

Dennis Edwards 1943-2018

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Ron Glass 1945-2016

AMBI'ANCE UNCUT ISSUE 03 JULY/AUGUST 2021

Articles inside

NY Icon Tonni Young is “On The Move”

Big Boi Couture