April Magazine 2012 by Dark Gable Productions Unlimited

Ambi’ance

5 | JANUARY | FLEXIBLE MAGAZIN | www.flexiblemagazin.com

CONTENT PAGE

ON THE COVER Tiffany “New York” Pollard Up close and Personal

Page 78

EDITORS NOTE

DEPARTMENTS

PAGE 10

kOMIC KORNer PAGE 74 Comedian- Daniel Dugar

SEXY Single of the Month

PAGE 23 Sexy and Fitness is back Myless Hass

Features April- is violence and PREVENTION MONTH page 21

Business spotlight PAGE 16 - Play writer Christine Chatine - You Had it Comin PAGE 22 Synopsis-Director Zelie Dember-Slack PAGE 24 - Spotlight- Filmmaker Toni Odum

ARTIST SHOWCASE PAGE 46 - The Man Behind The Brush PAGE 52- Art That Breathes

BOOKOLOGY PAGE 72 - Ambi’ance monthly reading picks, the books of the month. Add your favorite book by emailing us the name and comments on what you thought made it a monthly pick. Ambiancemagazineinc@gmail.com

Chillaxin fashions

PAGE 33 -The West Coast is known for being the playground for todays fashionista’s. So this month we have Fashion designers that supersede that fashion style.

community news

PAGE 69- Help support your foundations and community activists.

Designer of the month

PAGE 34 Michelle Hebert Southern Calif most prominent designer

PAGE 82 - Comedian -Business man Derrick Ellis PAGE 84 - Branding Consultant , Scotty Scott

Feature ARTICLES PAGE 30 - Butterfly Cosmetics recognizing the beauty in us all. PAGE 27 -Internationally Fly Nails PAGE 78- On the Cover - Tiffany Polland (AKA New York) PAGE 7 - Who is a Bully?

Wh0 is a bully? “We must all take a stand to stop the bullying” by K imberly j ackson

may be a target. Discovering my issue for the month of April is to

Tug of War Tug-of-War is a sport created in the ancient days was practiced in China and Egypt, implying that the legend s that the Sun and Moon played Tug-of-War over light and dark. The sport caused many injuries and deaths of innocent teens because of the war game’s comparisons of weakness from strengths. Tug-of-War is between two groups against one another opening the door to protagonist-vs-antagonist. “Tugof-War can also coincide with the newly released movie, “The Hunger Game” where one girl and one boy who are annually selected by lottery from each of

support Child Abuse, Teen Summit, and Bullying. California, facthe twelve districts adjoining the

ing these devastating problems

Capitol. Their mission is to try to

as other regions, I final embarked

win in a televised combat, where

on the sole purpose of this article.

only one individual will survive the

As a creative writer for Ambi’ance

game” (Wikipedia, 2012).

Magazine, Inc., I decided to inter-

Harry Potter and The Hunger

view two students who walked in

Game reveal the importance that

the shoes of being the protagonist

our teens must remain safe from

or antagonist. Let me get to the

the war of world. Teens engage

point, bullying is wrong! We tend

in tug-of-war daily over popularity,

to not meddle in others business

royal ship, best dressed or even

because we do not want to be

who is the swan or the hunk. As

classified as a snitch. We see the

Harry Potter, who is the fatality,

news daily, some teen or adult

never knew he would be treated

reaches the point in life where

any different because of his magi-

he or she, now fed up, retaliates

cal powers. He was only trying

against their antagonist.

to fit in the crowd, but had never seen the true bullies coming. You

Protagonist: The story behind these interviews, are real victims and victimizers who became the protagonist-vs-antagonist. I am sitting in the home of Shawana Powell, the protagonist, straight from Houston, Texas. After discovering that she once was a victim of a bully, I decided to interview her, so let me give you a little information about her profile. Shawana is a graduate student at University of St. Thomas, where she is currently studying Drama. She not only faced bullies in school, but also amongst her family members. When the evil door opened in her life, she became a victim, not only with the mistreatment of predators, but also sexually assaulted by a jailer. Still single, Shawana hopes that one day she will heal from her past antagonist. Allow me to open your ears as we hear from Shawana as she tells her side of the story. Ambi’ance: How do feel as a protagonist who had more than many bullying experiences in your life? Protagonist: As the protagonist, I feel at times that my good has to balance out with the negative. Being born in the world of good and bad, there has to be equilibrium in life. Ambi’ance: So you are saying that even when you are doing well, evil seem to catch you from behind without notice? In other words, you feel like when you were born into this world, you were created to suffer?

Let me rephrase the question. Tell me a time when someone bullied you. Protagonist: I can remember the time when my mother told my sisters that I hit her. They came to the park where I was to jump on me. To explain what really happened, it came to a point that my sisters realized my mother was lying. Ambi’ance: I have heard of bullying at schools or communiProtagonist: I feel like at times ties like apartment complexes, but what you trying to tell me is that the entire human race is that your family was the antagoactually the falling angels and nist in your life? Child abuse can deceived by the fairy-tale stories. The reason I feel this way be a form of bullying, also. Is that the case? is that I had a dream that the Protagonist: Yes, all of my body of Christ and me made it into heaven. There was Christ at life. Ambi’ance: Were you bulthe Gates of Heaven allowing the Saints to enter in. I was walking lied in your local communities or in your previous schools? Has in heaven and Christ pulled me to the side and said to me, “I will anyone ever intentionally hit you, causing you emotional disturexplain everything to you when bance? you get here.” Almost like him Protagonist: Yes… saying that something has been Ambi’ance: Can you give me left, unsaid. Ambi’ance: Do you believe that a little background about one of the question I have asked and everyone who acts as an antagonist purpose in life is to bully only if your feel comfortable sharing your most devastating someone? moment? Protagonist: I do not think so. Protagonist: When I was goI believe bullies were created ing to school studying for theatre to bring out the goddesses and some of the aspiring actresses gods in us. Ambi’ance: Could you take me mocked me, told lies about me, and got me kick out of a show to a time in your life where you because of hearsay. felt victimize by an antagonist?

Ambi’ance: Sorry to hear that. Bullying can also lead to physical/mental abuse, therefore causing harm to someone. Have you ever been a victim of rape, or physical assaulted? Protagonist: More than many... Ambi’ance: Is there anything you would like to say or bring out before I end this interview? Protagonist: Yes, I would like to let all the protagonist know, to woman-up and manup, and put their war clothes on because there will be many more test and trials to come. There is not much to do about a bully, but to stand strong and do not let them cause me to lose my focus, mission of greatness, and hope in life. As you read the true story about Shawana the protagonist, she not only is standing strong, but she is not letting anyone make her lose her sanity. She is a young woman of integrity and very ambitious in successfully completing her goals. As students do not give up on life, nor allow anyone to prolong your visions. If you meet an antagonist in your life, do not fear the person nor show them signs of weakness. If you do, they may defeat you. After giving you the insight of the protagonist, now let me walk you through the mind of an antagonist (bully). Ambi’ance: Nisha, how old were you when you first started bullying. Antagonist: I remember in the first grade I was angry and I slapped my teacher. I did not know what came over me. The only thing I could think of was to release pain. Ambi’ance: Can you explain to me the pain you were feeling that made you slap your teacher? Antagonist: I felt alone because I was the only child and was not close to my father. He spent more time with my other siblings than me. I felt like the outcast, the black sheep. Ambi’ance: Did that release the pressure you were facing at that time? If so, what was the outcome? Antagonist: My mother did not discipline me, but the school would put me in detention classes amongst students not like myself. They were more like special educational kids. Because of my behavior, I was put back in the first grade and that made me angrier against any students that came my way.

Ambi’ance: You say your mother did not discipline you, so that made you turn against innocent bystanders? Antagonist: No, when my mother used to go to the club with her friends during the night, she let a friend of hers babysit me. Her friend had a daughter that had a mental disorder who used to touch me and she was a girl who acts like a boy. I was very young and did not understand. I thought it was ok. Then I began to battle with sex changes, such as acting like a tomboy. Ambi’ance: I’m sorry to hear that, but why did you not talk to your mother about it? Antagonist: I felt so alone. I did not know how to go to my mother. My behavior got so out of hand I did not know how to control myself. It became so hectic that I began to street fight with students after school to release my pressure. Many days my mother had to go in and out of court because of my outrages. Ambi’ance: So tell me, how you are today? Do you still see yourself as a bully? Antagonist: I am twenty years old; I finally finish school this year. It took hard work to get to where I am today. I realized I had to change for the better. Being a bully is not a good name after you have caused bodily injured someone that did you no harm. I really have released much pressure, and daily I continue to do my best. Ambi’ance: What would you like to say to other bullies that are and had walked in your shoes? Antagonist: I would say to find self-excellence, talk with family members about your issues, or a counselor about any depression or self-inflicting behaviors because if you do so you can release anxieties and fears within yourself. That being said, well, I believe will bring healing and freedom from the spirit of antagonist.

Conclusion Words Now you read that bulling someone can cause many teens undermining, anxiety, and uprising emotions. What makes a person lose their sixth sense to arm forces against the innocent? This answer remains in the mind of an antagonist, meaning a bully. Teens or mid adults are facing many obstacles daily within school settings and amidst their local neighborhoods. You hear on the news daily about teen suicides and child abuse victims who lose their lives due to the pressure of bullies. Your antagonist could be family members, students, teachers, or even jealousy from a boyfriend or girlfriend. This behavior is not accepted.

editors note As we approach the summer of 2012, our readers will notice tremendous growth and expansion. Because of the huge demand for Ambi’ance to cover more and more events, we will be increasing our staff as well as collaborating with August Kimbrough, Dirk Davis, Toni Odum, Janet Rodriguez, Saul Escondero, Eric Zooley, The Speel it Show, The Comedy Union and Hollywood Celebrity Center. We will also be introducing two new magazines: “Internationally Fly Nails, Inc.” and “Just Jokes Elite”. The highly anticipated Just Jokes has been ten years in the making. This magazine will feature innovative expose’s on the hottest comedians in the country“Internationally Fly Nails” will bring intriguing stories of the women behind the “Fly-est Nail Fashions” and “Nail Techniques” around world, as well as avant-garde photography to showcase those nails! Stay connected ! Come and join Ambi’ance Magazine, as we will be involved in several different events.

Catch us this summer at the Los Angeles Food Bank Fundraising Gala being held in Glendale, CA, The Night of Olympians at the Universal City Hilton Hotel, Ambi’ance Magazines’s “Summer Fashion Bling Fling on the Beach” at Oceanside, CA and our new “Talent Showcase” hosted by Tiffany “New York” Pollard at the Celebrity Center, in Hollywood CA. We are also very excited to share with you the growth and the success of our staff. Promoted to Production Chief and Vice-President of “Just Jokes Elite” magazine is, Mark Howard, while Yvonne Coleman- Burney(“Designer YCB”) will be concentrating on the release of her “Unraveled Jewelry Collection” (and of course her National Fashion Runway Model Expo with the release of her ownfashion magazine “ Designer Originial”) and Raalow Street will be producing a series of L.A. Talent and Stage Productions. As you see, Ambi’ance Magazine continues to be Southern California’s hottest entertainment, fashion and comedy magazine!

If you like to place an ad with Ambiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ance Magazine Inc. Our rates are below you can contact us at 888-682-1223 our office hours are between 9:00 am and 5:00pm Mon-Fri

Ambiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ance wants to help you promote your business.

Author and Playwriter Christine Chatine

THE HIT STAGE PLAY - YOU HAD IT COMIN In a world of lust, lies, money and sex, I was known as Brooklyn, Brooklyn with ah I’m a rare breed you see, unlike most I didn’t have to take a drink or get high on a pill before I hit the stage. Even in this world of desire and false reality I was always me. The best Hustler is one who’s always aware. Dead nights for me came once or twice a year if any some never understood this…

(Sample) YOU DON’T KNOW ME!

For some reason I knew I never belonged in this place. You’re probably wondering like myself, how I got here. My only clue is I’ve been used by men since the age 3. My uterus was tilted and I caught a STD by the time I was 8. When I turn 19 I was put out and the streets became my home. Over the years I was beat used raped and damn near took my own life.

I was molested at the age three. Can you imagine a grown man f-ck!ng the $h!t out of a three year old? Waking up to your baby sitter’s brothers’ man hood inside of you? He did it so much I got use to the pain, his every touch. His kiss on my small sensitive lips, then down to my young virgin neck, the way he looked me in the eyes as if he were making love to me.

In the night life is where Christina Chatine, died and Brooklyn became my reality. It was where I learned the game of the street life. Some ask can you walk a day in their shoes. I ask can you walk a day in my panties. If you like The Coldest Winter Ever, you will love Scorn Dirty Hell in my Panties… My book My life My story, 3 times your favorite Author the realist Raw Un-Cut truth. You will be shocked but I will not be ashamed. I’m one of the hottest Authors on paper. I PreReleased copies of my books summer 2008 the D and caused a storm... My style of writing is my own. I don’t do copy well,l said I don’t do it, but I don’t mind being Copied.

You’ve probably heard about me, you might be a fan. You might think I ain’t $h!t, but before you read further into it, I was told I have a cold heart. So of course I couldn’t give a f--k about you or the next B!tc#, at least that’s what I thought.

Three years old and a grown man busting inside of me, two years later when I finally, I mean I finally had the courage to tell his sister, she begged me not to repeat this anyone else. If you do “Then I’ll get in trouble,” she cried. Now I’ve seen plenty of Life Time Movies and not once have I seen some $h!t like this. What type of crap is this to say to a five year old? Five years old and my hymen is broke my pu$$y is already used, unworthy of any man who’d one day want a real woman. So I guess on my wedding day, I’ll be wearing black, which stands for my hell here on earth. Now that you know how I got here let me tell you my story.............. COMING SOON

I’ve been known to make other writers think for putting pen to paper. I’m the first Raw un-Cut and edgy writer ever know. I don’t follow the rules of writing I make my own. Then they follow me. I’ve been known to make grown men sit down when reading my story. I’ve been offered deals to write for others and shall I go on. All this to say If u like The Coldest Winter Ever, Scorn Dirty will blow your mind. I was called to deliver my books to the police station and a law firm. I sold out in a week. #35 books in less than an hour. I’m 3 times hotter than you’re favorite Author and I was told By a Famous Author and Screen Writer, I was hot but it won’t last Long. Well I’m here to tell u personally I’m not mad. God verified my movement and sealed it with a deal Scorn Dirty hell in My Panties: My book My life My story...

Author & Playwriter Christine Chatine

TRAYVON MARTIN RALLY AND SHOW OF SUPPORT! A call for Justice, Planning and Expression –

Come and Join:

 Rev. Al Sharpton,  Rev. Jesse Jackson  Rev. Jamaal Bryant  magic Johnson,  Ben Jealous  Stevie Wonder  Tom Joyner  Along with many more celebrities  Los Angeles Community Organizations  Trayvon martin family,  Families of Oscar Grant, Kendre McDade, Anthony Dunn, and many others unjustly killed at the hands of others, who have not been prosecuted or brought to justice.

WHERE:

West Angeles COGIC north Campus, 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles 90016 Thursday, April 26, 2012 WHEN: 5:30P.m. – 8:30P.m. *Doors open at 4:30p.m. TIME: SPONSORED BY: The Trayvon martin family, nAACP. national Action

network, Rainbow PuSH, SCLC of Southern California, I Choose Life Health & Wellness, Concord Community Baptist Church, Baptist ministers Conference of Los Angeles & Southern California, Project Cry no more, SO CA Cease fire Committee, African American Cultural Center, Christ Liberation ministries, nAACP Pasadena and Concerned Citizens.

Broadcast live by Cnn, mSnBC and fox news!

SUPPORT THE CALL FOR JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!! for more information contact the Los Angeles nAACP, 310-397-1171 or naacpla@sbcglobal.net

THE SWEETEST HEIR

CONTACT FOR THE MOVIE HIS WILL & RAINBOW ENTERPRISES 19713 Yorba Linda Blvd., Ste. 118 Yorba Linda, California 92886 310-358-6609 Contact@thesweetestheir.com

Please visit our film page on Facebook to find out more about our filmmaking journey. SYNOPSIS The Sweetest Heir is an award-winning family comedy about Brittany Thompson, 9, who collects and restores old jewelry boxes. While restoring one, she discovers a seal inside a locket and a deed for the Winthorp Estate, valued at $450 million dollars.

http://www.facebook.com/ pages/The-SweetestHeir/87933436297

The deed clearly states that the bearer of both the locket and the deed will become the sole heir to the Winthorp Estate. With Christmas just two weeks away, the Thompson family tries to claim the estate but Caroline Stone, the late Ms. Winthorp’s maid, has decided to dig her heels in and fight the only way she knows how…dirty, so she can become the only heir to the Winthorp Estate. WRITER, DIRECTOR,PRODUCER - ZELIE DEMBER-SLACK

For more information about writer/director/producer, Zelie Dember-Slack, please visit http://www.zslack.com

Sexy & Single SINGLE MAN OF THE Calvin SimmsMONTH 24

USAF -Active Military & Single Father

What Myles Is Looking For In A Woman I look for a woman with a good personality . Looks are important as well. What Makes Myles A Good Catch

Myles Hass 23 years old Occupation: Entrepreneur with (2) unique businesses Hobbies: Working, Exercising, and Partying with good friends

I am a really likable person with a good personality which I feel compliments my looks. but I am not just nice looking am very intelligent as well. I have dreams and aspirations To contact Myles send your request to: ambiancemagazineinc@gmail.com

A M- C o u l d y o u please give o u r a u d i e n c e a brief back g r o u n d o f M s . Toni Odom? TO: I am a writer, activist and filmmaker and I hope my voice can be heard because I speak for those of us that are never listened to. I have been blessed to be well educated but I remember where I came from. Born in Memphis, raised in St. Louis and I have lived in Milwaukee and Chicago and now Long Beach. Graduated from Marquette University and I’m currently working on my MBA. AM: How did u come up with the concept of launching your own soap opera series? TO: I started to see webisodes all on the internet and thought how about my own show. I wanted to make something that I would enjoy that reflected my life and my interests.

SPOTLIGHT

Toni Odom- activist and filmmaker

AM: How did the name AHSHE come about? Were there any other names that would qualify for the series title? TO: Ahshe is the Yoruba word for “and so it is.” That just reasonated with me because I wanted to show Black Folks as we really are as real people, not just flat characters. We are not just good or bad, we love, we hurt and have full lives like everyone else. AM: AHSHE is such a powerful title for a soap opera? Who are the main characters in AHSHE? TO: The show mainly revolves around the Grant Family, two brothers and two sisters that come from a broken home but all are successful. Ahshe is the name of a bookstore that one of the sisters owns. Her name is Assata and she is the nurturer of the family.

THE CREW

Toni Odom Cont: Raymond is the father figure and business man but he is married and a womanizer dealing with his own problems. Teri owns a beauty salon and is a proud lesbian that hates her brother Raymond and Jabari the youngest brother who is in college and is dedicated to the struggle. All the characters represent very different aspects of life like dealing with our sexuality, commitment to our community or just plain loving each other. AM: Given the numerous activities that occur on the web simultaneously; what sets AHSHE apart from other entertainment entities on the web? TO: What sets Ahshe a part is I don’t see any shows that deal with issues our community has had to deal with. I have young men coming together to work in their community but they are being watched by the FBI. I have a down low Sistah. I have a young woman holding on to her virginity. Despite the images we are fed everyday about ourselves that are usually negative, Ahshe shows there are negatives but positives as well. As a people we have been constantly attacted from without and within. I want to show how that has happened and show how we need to see the truth and deal with it. AM: How often does the show broadcast and where can we find additional information about the show? TO: I am getting the final 7

shows edited but the first 17 can be watched on the shows website: http://www.ahshe. com where more information about the show is available. I’m looking for street team members that love the show to promote it to their family and friends. As soon as all shows have aired I will make the entire season available on DVD. AM: How long has the soap opera been in production? Is AHSHE designed to cater to females or males? TO: I wrote the entire season in a month and took about 3 months to shoot it. The show is really catered to both because even though most would say a soap is for women, the story lines and action are of interest to both. Seeing sisters and brothers that have natural hair, locks, all skin tones, shapes and sizes is refreshing.

Was it difficult gaining exposure and discovering quality talent? TO: It’s difficult and a constant job to get exposure. That’s why I am honored to be in your magazine. The more of us liked minded people that come together, the more our various stories will replace the negativity. We all have a purpose and just like you are educating our people about our traditional greatness, I hope to do the same with film. I used traditional casting and was lucky enough to find actors that I am proud of who really brought Ahshe to life. AM:. What do you want readers of Ambi’ance Magazine to remember about Ms. Toni Odom and The AHSHE soap opera series? What advice would you give new & upcoming screenwriters?

TO: Ahshe is a labor of love and I love my people and our story. It is time for us to love ourselves just as passionately and that love will heal all the maladies we have faced. Despite all that has been done to us and the evil that even AM: How do you keep your creative edge in a highly com- exists in our own communities, we are still here, ready to create anpetitive industry? other day. The advice I would give TO: I think you keep your to new and upcoming screenwritedge by being true to yourself. ers is to learn as much as you can Too many people sell out to about the craft and write somewhat they think will sell. I’m thing everyday. If you have a story telling my story, my way and I to tell it will naturally come. Ahshe really am not concerned about did. what someone thinks. After all the selling out, what has it got- AM: What activities do participate ten us? Nothing but the same in outside of writing for AHSHE? tired, phony, racist crap so TO: I have a non-profit for women why not be different. LOL. At called Between Sisters, Inc. (http:// least it will be real. www.betweensisters.org) where I teach women self esteem and my AM: I find it very fascinating newest venture is called W.A.S.H on how AHSHE is becoming (Water and Sanitation Hazards) an internet sensation. Grant Program where I am raising money to help women in Ethiopia.

Toni O. Spotlight cont: Eight thousand children die a day due to lack of clean water and helping to provide clean water not only saves childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives but gives the women the opportunity to get educated. I am also a national officer of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

AM: How would people contact you for more information regarding your upcoming projects? By email my address is toni@restorefilms. com or call my office at 310-294-9637. Feel free to contact me because I love hearing from my folks!

Internationally Fly Nails In Puerto Rico

INTERVIEW WITH “PUERTO RICAN DIVAH” Q: When did you decide to let your Extreme Nails become your signature or brand? A: When I started doing nails, (twenty years ago) I did them on myself. I practiced and practiced and when I could do both of my hands equally, I decided to do clients. I never opened a beauty salon and worked from my house. I said to myself, “Good work will always tell anyone about me.” I never

put out a sign, only my good work speaks and the word spread. That is when I decided to make my nails my statement. Q: Growing up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, what obstacles did you have to overcome to let your nails become extreme? A: I did not have any obstacles in doing nails in my country. Puerto Rican women always want to look good and sharp.

Q: As a Latina woman, did you experience more or less prejudice with having Extreme Nails? A: I do not experience any type of prejudice in my country. Medium long nails are not rare in Puerto Rico. However, not all women can wear them long like I do, but I am accustomed to wearing mine longer Q: What Fashion and Nail Expos in the States have you attended? Can you

expound on these and/or any other entertainment venues you support? A: Last year I attend Nailympics in Long Beach, CA. I share with nail techs from around the world. Irina Gafvelin (Sweden), Vicky Peters (United States), Carla Collier (U.S.), Mi Won Kim (China) and many other nail-tech icons of our industry. It was a great honor for me to share with them in the competitions as a judging assistant.

INTERVIEW WITH “PUERTO RICAN DIVAH” Cont:

Q: You work at The Caribbean University, in San Juan, Puerto Rico as a “Nail Professor”. Can you please expound on that for our readers who do not know what that means? A: I have been a nail teacher in Caribbean University in Bayamon, Puerto Rico for two years. That experience is a wonderful one, because I can teach all that I know to the girls that begin in this beautiful career. Q: What is your signature design or color scheme? A: When I do nails, I do not use a pattern design. All of my clients are different as well as my designs. My creativity works at a hundred miles per hours. When a client says to me, “Do what you want”, those are sweet words to me! Q: Probably the most insulting question women with Extreme Nails have to endure is “How do you main-

tain your hygiene with those nails?” How do you deal with that ignorance?

I accomplished in my career and with hard work.

Q: Extreme Fashion Nails are rapidly acA: With my long nails, cepted as part of a I never have problems fashion statement incleaning the house or doing my chores. I have stead of an oddity. Where do you see it had my nails for many going in Puerto Rico? years and I am used to it. The most bothering question people ask me, A: From the past years to the present day, I see regarding, “How you a growth in the industry clean yourself? That question does not both- in Puerto Rico. Nailer me anymore because techs want to be more educated in what is new now I answer that “My on the fashion markets, husband does that for etc. because they know me!” That is a winning answer for me. They do that more knowledge means more money in not know how to react your pockets. In Puerto and it gets rid of them easily without hurting or Rico there are many talented people and I am insulting anyone. proud of them. Q: How do your children and/or your significant other feel about your Extreme Fashion Nails? A: My family loves my nails. They know they are a statement wherever we go. People know me because of them and they feel proud of what

Q: How can our readers contact you for information regarding your upcoming shows, and products? A: Contact me on Facebook at ‘Puerto Rican Diva’ or spectacularnails@hotmail.com Q: Is there anything else you would like to

add to this interview? A: For the last few years, an idea had been running through my mind. I wanted to create a support group for nails-techs. In March, I created, ‘Divas from Around the Word’. It started small and now we have almost two thousand members. This is a support group for those, who do not feel secure about their work and would like to have constructive criticism, helping them improve their quality and confidence in their work. We have technicians from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Europe, South America, Central America and the United States. All of the new techs feel like they are family. The group is best when we have an atmosphere where we respect each other and treat each other equally. That was my purpose and I feel good that I have accomplished this. I am here for those who need help.

April Smith CEO of Butterfly Cosmetics

For any business opportunities, media, or future endorsements with Butterfly Cosmetic contact: butterflycsmakeup@gmail.com MarketPros,LLC Attn: Alana Sanders (404)482-0749 AlanaSanders@ME.com www.ButterflyCosmetic.com Facebook (ButterflyCosmetics) Twitter (ButterflyCosmet)

This comes a time in the rapid

tions & much more. April Smith’s

pace world of business when

ultimate goal is to have her beauty

someone comes out of nowhere

products featured in upscale elite

to dominate the industry. That

events around the metro-Atlanta

someone is Buena Vista, Geor-

area & also have Butterfly Cos-

gia’s very own April Smith, and

metics on the tip of the tongue

that industry is the multi-billion

of everybody within the music,

dollar beauty industry. You see

fashion, film, & business indus-

April did not come to get in the

tries. To pull this off successfully

game, her plan is to take it over

she has lined up a one of a kind

through her creation of an interna-

exclusive media tour where she

tional cosmetic line that will cater

already has scheduled interviews

to all shades of color, remember

with magazines, radio, podcasts,

this name, “Butterfly Cosmetics”.

blogs, and talk shows. And we are

On February 28, 2012 the world

not just talking about Atlanta, the

was introduced to the launch of

Butterfly Cosmetics brand is on a

Butterfly Cosmetics which proudly

steam rolling pace to go regional,

carries the slogan, “Looking Fabu-

national, & international. Being on

lous and Loving It”. Her goal was

the scene in a such short period

to produce cosmetics that was not

of time, April admits that she gets

harsh to the skin and she strives

elated when her Marketing Direc-

to provide women with the proper

tor Alana Sanders of Marketing

education on makeup application.

Pros, LLC, informs her of so many

After watching how many teenage

emails and phone calls of people

girls, including her own daughters,

wanting to do business. These

skin would become damaged as

people range from A-list entertain-

a result of trying an array of cos-

ers, top colleges with fashion &

metic lines, she vowed to step in

beauty programs, corporate spon-

with a solution. Wearing makeup

sors from some of the top Fortune

is a big part young girls adoles-

500 companies, who all want a

cent years, so she wants to make

piece of the Butterfly cosmetic

sure that the makeup they are

brand. Don’t be surprised if you

using is not harmful & she plans to

see April Smith and her signature

educate them on the true purpose

lines in commercials & on the

of cosmetics, this applies also to

set of huge movie projects soon

adult women as well. Butterfly

because as she would say, “Why

Cosmetics consists of minerals to

stop somewhere in the middle

create their products which fea-

when the top spot is right there

tures a signature line of lipsticks,

within your reach.

eye-shadows, lip glosses, founda-

BUTTERFLY COSMETICS

This is the same attitude that made the visionaries at MAC, Maybeline, & Revlon billions so why can’t I, a strong black woman from Buena Vista, GA, place my stamp on the beauty industry as well. But I do plan to incorporate and tie in my powerful platform to collaborate with a few selected charities to give back as well. I want be considered a role model to all people, all races, but especially young black girls who sometimes get off track with what they think is cool. I want them to have a visual experience & see a woman like me who did not conform to the norm to become a top-notch respected business woman. My goal is to promote positivity, education, high self-esteem, productivity through my brand Butterfly Cosmetics, I don’t just work in the beauty industry, I have OWNERSHIP in it.”

CHILLAXIN Fashions & Style

Michelle Hebert ~mhebertfashion Desiginer of The Month I love fashion design but I do not limit myself and have multiple interests. I draw, paint, craft, make jewelry, crochet, sew, take photos, sculpt a little (seriously a little), and whatever! If I think something is interesting, I want to do it. Currently I’ve taken an interest to DSLR photography, and for the future I’d like to dabble in screen printing. I’ve also considered getting into metal welding... so we’ll see where that goes. I invite you to talk to me and visit my Facebook page! Thank you!

www.facebook.com/MichelleHebertFashion

Photographer: Andy Sagalongos Model: Christina Bettencourt MUA: Claudia Vella Artistry Hair-Stylist: Elizabeth Tep Fashion Designer: Michelle HĂŠbert

Model: Krispi de la Huizenga MUA: Shiver Feliciano Hair-Stylist: Renee Marie Lopez Designer-Michelle Hebert Photographer - Chanthou Chhay

Photographer: Andy Sagalongos Model: Briana July MUA: MurĂŠ Michelle Browning Hair-Stylist: Elizabeth Tep Fashion Designer: Michelle HĂŠbert

Photographer: Andy Sagalongos Model: Michele Tasiemski Mua: Shiver Feliciano Hair Stylist: Renee Marie Lopez Fashion Designer: Michelle HĂŠbert

Photographer: Andy Sagalongos Model: Briana July MUA: MurĂŠ Michelle Browning Hair-Stylist: Elizabeth Tep Fashion Designer: Michelle HĂŠbert

Photographer Yifei Gu Model : :Mf Wilson The Red Divine Strapless Evening Dress Price: $389 Fashion Designer Dominique Ansari

Photographer Yifei Gu Model : Mf Wilson The Red Divine Strapless Evening Dress Price: $389 Fashion Designer Dominique Ansari

Photographer Nican Robinson Model : Amanda The Essence convertible multi-way Dress Price: $ 139.98 Fashion Designer Dominique Ansari

Photographer Nican Robinson Model : Amanda The Pixie one-shoulder with a draped neckline Dress Price: $89.98 Fashion Designer Dominique Ansari

ARTIST SHOWCASE

Dane Tilghman The Man behind the Brush by Michelle Stackfield

“My art is a calibration of lives past for their contribution to the human experience. Although many of the people I paint are not famous or well known, deep in our souls we connect to them. They lived their lives as we live now and they have been where we are yet to go. Bill Withers said, “The wisdom of the future is the past. Down city streets and wise old southern drawers, the things that say the most say things that last.”

Born in 1957, in a little town called West Chester, which is located about twenty-five miles outside of Philadelphia, PA, Dane E. Tilghman would become one of America’s most sought after African American artists of his time. As a huge admirer of his work, I recently had the unique opportunity to meet and assist him during “A Night of Arts and Jazz” which was a fundraiser hosted by a mutual friend of ours benefitting the area’s at-risk youths interested in art and theater. As the featured artist of the evening, Dane’s work was showcased everywhere within the gallery giving me a rare look at some of my favorite pieces up close and personal. I also took advantage of this occasion to get to know the “Man” behind the brush. Very passionate about his work, Dane took the time to explain the story behind each painting I had shown interest in. As I assisted him throughout the evening, I watched, as he would tell the same story to each person in as much detail and passion. A true artist and of course, a salesperson! I wanted to share with Ambi’ance the same vibe I experienced while working with Dane during the gala as well as introduce or re-introduce him and share some of my favorite pieces, so I called Dane to set up an interview. Still as humble, he stated he was not busy and could talk right then. Not prepared for an interview and definitely not one to let the opportunity pass, we talked and here are the results. Ambi’ance: When did you first become interested in art? Dane: I was very young, maybe about four or five. My older brother would draw and I would do anything and everything he would do, so whatever he would draw, I would mimic his actions and I would draw. It would then become something I would do all of the time. Later, while I was at Conestoga High School, which is in Berwyn, PA, they had great art program that taught us art everyday for four periods per day. It was really a magnet school before magnet schools were popular. After high school, I attended and graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Arts. That is when I really determined that Fine Arts and not Graphic Arts was my ‘hot button’. I had obtained a degree in Graphic Arts because my teacher in high school told me that since it would be no guarantee in making a living in art, graphics was the way to go. (laughs) I never liked it and could not think like a graphic artist. I have always been a fine art artist on the inside. Once I received my degree,

The Man behind the Brush Cont:

Ambi’ance: We talked at the gala about the differences in the colors you use when painting your series of the 1930-1940 eras compared to your sports, jazz and blues series. Dane: Yes, I work in mainly four different styles, Impressionism, Realism, Cubism and a style that I like to call, Tall Tell Art. Say for instance, the subject matter of the people, the nostalgia and what not. I am working from black and white photography as my ‘jump-off’ point or reference material and I am trying to duplicate the scene in my head and putting it down in paint. Since I am not looking at a fullcolored image, I am making up colors as I go along. As an artist, I have the freedom to use very bright colors, but it would not represent the people well. My job, I believe in doing those particular realistic scenes versus what I call my ‘Everyday Man Series’, is to honor those people in the photographs. Even though those are the everyday man, I feel that I need to pay homage and represent them more or less. That is my reason for keeping those colors toned down, more realistic, maybe more impressionistic. However, when it comes to the sports and music themes, it is more expressionistic. It is actually more of a commercial feeling, because I know people like color; they like bright colors and when painting

the blues and the jazz or things like that, then bright colors just go along with the flavor of the music. Ambi’ance: Absolutely. Being eccentric on some levels, when I look at your realistic paintings, I envision them being in a room where I can be mentally grounded. I own a nice collection of the black and white photography series depicting the post-slavery era and they bring me full-circle mentally in appreciating the strides we have made. Strategically placed in an area that I use to bring about that peace is also where these paintings would fit. In the instance of the jazz or blues, I would not mix them with the others. They bring about a different vibe. They put me in the mood for entertainment, creativity or expression: a completely different vibe. I can feel the music in the colors. Almost like, you were painting, flowing to colors in your head. Little weird, but as I mentioned earlier, I can be eccentric on some levels. (laughing) Dane: (laughing) Yeah that is a good way of putting it. This is the mode. It is like feeling the color flowing in your head.

Ambi’ance: I will be the first to admit that I am not an artist, but I love art. If a painting can move the observer, in my opinion, then the artist is an artist and he has sold me a painting. When viewing your work, I get it. Now to sacrifice a couple of pairs of shoes and purchase the one I have my eye on! Dane: (laughing) Right! There you go! Ambi’ance: It shows the work of a good artist. Dane: The work that shows solace is there to tell a story. I am trying to show that moment in time and telling a story. If I did these series in color, the story would get lost. Ambi’ance: Yes, like, ‘Never too Late to Learn’ or the ‘Tired Gardener’ (Side note: those two pieces are included in this article). Ambi’ance: I see that your work has been everywhere, from what I hear, even in the home of Nelson Mandela? Dane: Yes, that was a long, long time ago when he first came home from prison. It was about two years after his release. The Black McDonald’s Association of Philadelphia hosted an event and presented him with a couple of my reproductions. They framed them up nicely and gave them to him. Ambi’ance: That is an honor! Dane: Oh yeah, that was a tremendous honor for me. Of all of the artists in the Philadelphia area, they used my work! Ambi’ance: Today, looking at Mr. Mandela and all that he has accomplished and the status and reputation that he has, it has to be humbling knowing that he has your art in his home. Not everyone can say that.

Dane: You are absolutely right! It is an honor! Ambi’ance: For those unable to view your work in Mr. Mandela’s home, (laughing) where else can they find it? Dane: (laughing) In the African American Art Museum in Philadelphia, I have also done ‘One Man Shows’ and Group Shows, I have murals in two major league ballparks, like Citizens Bank’s Ballpark, there are two over there, Turner Field in Atlanta, I have an 8ft x40ft mural there.

I have about four or five original pieces at the Orlando Magic’s new Amway Center and about sixteen original pieces at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. That is all through agents and these things happened along the way. I do festivals and other shows from time to time. The bottom line is exposure. You know, get in front of the people.

Ambi’ance: How does that make you feel, seeing and knowing that your work is in all of these different venues? Some artists only obtain this recognition, posthumously. Dane: After almost thirty years in the business, twenty different jobs, and never liking any of them, it keeps the wife happy, she can shop, the bills are paid…sometimes (laughing) and I am enjoying what I do. Ambi’ance: But not being at the level of say, Picasso or Van Gough and able to see your work displayed and recognized, how do you stay grounded? Dane: My wife keeps me grounded. Ambi’ance: (laughing) Yeah, we can have a way of doing that! Dane: (laughing) I am not an artist in the household. Ambi’ance: (laughing) The trash still has to be taken out. Dane: (laughing) Exactly! She is not impressed with the hype. She knows who I am. That is the way it should be. At the end of the day, that is what this is all about, being a good husband and father. That is what is important to me. Ambi’ance: Exactly. By the way, I was speaking to a woman that was interested in purchasing one of your paintings at the gala. I turned to look for you for regarding the sell and to my surprise, you were bellowing out some serious notes on the mike! Featured artist and musical entertainment rolled into one! I turned to the woman, pointed out that, you were just a little tied up for the moment, and we both decided to catch you later and enjoy the performance. Dane: (laughing) That caught me by surprise as well. I mean, I sing in church and I decided why not, I have crashed and burned in much tougher crowds! I started doing this open mike thing about four months ago. A couple of buddies of mine from back in the day and I decided one night that we were on the other side of fifty years old and on the other side of the hill. None of us has another fifty years in us, so we decided we might as well have fun within the time we have left. What else is there to do? Sing on open mike night and enjoy! You only pass this way once!

Ambi’ance: Is there anything else you want to do in life? Dane: I have done motivational speaking and that and ministry is still in me. I am not talking about in the pulpit or on top of a soapbox. I just want to be able to speak and make a difference. Dane is definitely making a difference. His work, in the collections owned by Dave Winfield, Bill Cosby, Nelson Mandela, Nabisco, Prudential, Astra-Zeneca and the estate of Ossie Davis to name a few, has earned him numerous awards. His work is also in Widener University, West Chester University, University of Pennsylvania, Penn State and the Butler Institute of Fine Art in Youngstown, Ohio. I also discovered that one of his baseball images was incorporated into the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York. In 2010, he participated alongside other artists in painting the six-foot statue of the ‘Phillies’ Phanatic’ that was on display during that season. In 2004, Kutztown University, Dane’s alma mater, commissioned him for a commemorative poster celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Brown versus the Board of Education. The night of the gala the room was buzzing by those who had spoken to him. His art was selling and he was a hit on mike! People came with pocketbooks and wallets open to purchase an original piece of his work and take the time to talk and have their photograph taken with the artist. I too walked away with two gifted and signed prints, a new friend and an interview! That evening, and I am sure there will be many more evenings to come that Dane Tilghman, the man behind the brush, will make a difference in someone’s life.

Dane E. Tilghman P O Box 1261 Exton, PA 19341 (610) 524-3263 Email: danetda@aol.com www.itsatilghman.com Friend or like him on Facebook: Dane Tilghman

never to late to learn

Tired Gardner

ART WORK BY ENKONE by Yvonne Coleman-Burney

“His work is remarkable Enkone is a portrait artist who does artwork that breathes.” Hundreds of years ago, artists invested time and talent into perfecting techniques that captured life on canvas. These artists worked tirelessly to capture the images of royalty throughout the world. They poured everything into encapsulating the essence of each royal piece they portrayed – aspiring to depict the king’s breath in a single moment. These artists created a standard by which fine portraits and great portrait artists are measured today: the ability to create art that breathes. Dedicated to maintaining this standard in his painting, Enkone creates unrivaled portraits that are as exceptional as they are irreplaceable. Beginning with a camera study and image refinement, the visual rendering is hand painted on artist’s canvas in mixed mediums, using an opulent palette of colors. The result is exceptional beauty. Enkone specializes in what many others fail to achieve: preserving your memories for eternity. His technique combines impeccable photo- realism with the enduring elegance of painting. His exquisite portraits attest to his decades of experience designing art in every medium. THE ENKONE ORIGINAL.

His work on Cars, is outstanding.....

Aerosoul in the making Have you ever seen a genius at work? Well look at this and you tell me how many people you know that can take a can of spray paint and make something so incredible as the next few pages? “If so I want to meet them” This is truly an Enkone Experience………

STREET BIKES

Life Like Portraits

COMMUNITY NEWS AMBI’ANCE MAKES YOU AWARE OF THE THINGS OVER LOOKED IN OUR COMMUNITIES. HOW CAN YOU HELP? e here at ambi’ance support all local and national W foundations and community events. If you have an organization or non-profit foundation that you would like to have recognized, please let us know by sending your information to ambiancemagazineinc@gmail.Com

BOOKOLOGY CLUB From the Ambi’ance Book Club These are April’s selections

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~Chinese Proverb

Ambiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ance With Daniel Dugar

Daniel Dugar Don’t Let the Smooth Taste Fool You Q. Stage Name? A. Daniel Dugar. Q. Birth name if different and you want to share it.

A. Daniel Cantrell Dugar Q. Hometown and where youre side now?

A. Born in New Orleans, LA, Q. Year you started doing stand- up comedy and the name of the club?

A. 1992-Art’s Crab Shack Q. Significant memory of your first time performing? A. I was booed the first two times on stage and was threatened to get off! Q. When did you first decide to become a comic and how did your family and friends react to this news? A. They were cool as long as I kept my day job at UPS. I continued at first to keep working there, but it got crazy when I left. My parents were like, “this is NOT my child!” Q. What are your feelings regarding how far you have come in the game? Have you reached, exceeded or fallen below your set goals? A. I am below my expectations so far. I have made so bad managerial decisions. Q. What is the best thing that has hap ened in you personal life because of being a comic? A. Having the opportunity and ability since 1999 to perform overseas for our mili tary troops. Q. What has been the worst thing to happen in your personal life because of comedy? A Not being further along in my career and the disappointment I have in observing that ‘hot talent’ does not carry the weight it should success in this business. Q. Should comedy have separate genres, and/or are there genres already in place? A. It is already separate and it is cool to me.

Daniel Dugar Cont:

Daniel Dugar is a unique individual and comic. I am not suggesting any weirdness, but unique in a way that he remains calm, cool, collected and very comfortable in his own skin. I personally noticed that the first time we met. Now, the first thing you should know about Daniel is that the pronunciation of his last name is not like Sugar with a D, it is (Doo-Gar). Originally, Daniel’s stage name was Dugar. Later, like most comics who gave themselves what they thought were catchy stage names, Daniel decided to use his first and last name. His roots, as we know, are from Louisiana. Known for “The Bayou”, the unique connection had his family, like others; migrating to northern California known as “The Bay Area”. Since moving to California, I have found there is a direct connection from Louisiana to northern California (SIDE NOTE: If you did not know, Northern Cali is different from Southern Cali, almost like two separate states). Forgive me for dwelling on this insignificant little sub-topic, but could this be a water thing? Bayou is a French term for a body of water; more swamp-like; just like a Bay, which is a body of water; not swamplike, but does connect to the ocean. Like Louisiana, the famous San Francisco Bay area is very artistic and culturally conscience. Entertainment in each area has its own style and is very rich in homegrown talent. However, the food is better in the Bayou, but the comedy, in my opinion, is better in the Bay Area. They can boast over such greats as Robin Williams, Cheech Marin, and Mark Curry to name a few, but San Francisco’s comedy scene is very strong and carries a lot of respect in the comedy world. Being from and carving his niche from the east side of the Bay-Oakland, Daniel did not limit himself to recognition as the comic from Oakland, only ‘good’ on the Black side of the Bay. He went over to what we affectionately refer to as “The City” and worked his way into the so-called mainstream clubs. He took a lot of flak from the brothers and sisters for going to the white clubs, but he understood that comedy is bigger than one city, area, state or even country, so as a comic, his goal was to be universally appreciated. ““Dugar’, as we knew him, did not look to “crossover” per se to whites, he looked to make his act broader, gaining as much popularity as he could with as many work opportunities possible. By 1995, he was a hot name in Oakland. He was the man who hosted the big shows. Anyone looking for a good comic to open a big show, and promoters wanting to start a comedy night in

Oak-town called on ‘Dugar’ to make it hot. The first time I worked with him was in the famed Bay Area, ‘Black Comedy Competition and Festival’ in 1995. I was a semi-finalist and ‘Dugar’ had made it past me into the finals (Look for a story on this competition soon). To give you a perspective, this competition has been a staple in the Bay and Urban Comedy world over twenty years now. People like Mark Curry and Jamie Foxx owe the start of their careers to this great event. The competition begins with sixty comedians, chosen from around the country performing in rounds of eliminations until it is down to five finalists. Therefore, he was in elite company that year with Cheryl Underwood, and the eventual winner, Don “DC” Curry. Over the years when I would come to the Bay for work, he would be the host of one or two of the one-night comedy rooms. By 1997, Daniel was a married man making a big name for his self in the comedy world. He had performed on shows such as Comic View on BET, and the Apollo. If you did not know by now, it is a fact that stand-up comedy is relative to the individual comedian and to the audience. Daniel got married for the first time in 1997. Although that marriage would unfortunately crumble, it gave him like many others, a new perspective to grow as a stand-up comic. As he grew his name in the Bay Area, he formulated his own company, Dugar Entertainment, in 2001. Daniel states that his marriage was doomed from the beginning because he got into the relationship for the wrong reasons. It would end after seven years on what I know to be a very sour note. Not to go too deep into this sensitive matter, I will let you know that Daniel admits that he was not perfect in this marriage, and from their trials and tribulations it ended causing him a great deal of pain and humiliation. This would inspire him to move to Hollywood in 2004. “It was a bad divorce and I needed to make a move.” During his time in Los Angeles, Daniel worked on his career and himself. He began touring the country working with D.L. Hughley and doing clubs, and colleges on his own. He also took on a long distance relationship with a woman who would later become his second wife. On August 8, 2008, Daniel newly re-married, left Los Angeles to join her and her son; from a previous relationship; in Sacramento. Shelby Dugar is her name, and although this interview, conducted by phone, I heard the glow in his voice regarding her.

Ironically, they had met years ago, innocently, at a fashion show that they were both working. Sixteen at the time and Daniel being twenty-four, although he saw her, there was no happening there because she was underage. Some years later after his first marriage was over, by chance and fortune they ran into each other where Daniel was working at the time, and the rest as they say, was history! Knowing Daniel for some time, he seems to be in a great place emotionally today.

to produce and book the shows. Doing this ensures that he can consistently pay the comics he books properly. Now I have told him that not only is he a great person for this, but that I don’t know if I would have been that good myself. People like Daniel Dugar are a rare kind of brother.

He says Shelby gives him balance, “I was about thirty percent-seventy percent when we caught back up”, he says, “She has taught me that love is not hard, it is easy once you are on the same page.”

When you get the opportunity to meet him you will be charmed by his self-confidence and smooth calm way of carrying himself, and that will only be preceded by the fact that he will be one of the best if not the best dressed in the room. Proper people deserve proper attention, and Daniel Dugar is indeed proper.

Daniel now produces shows overseas for the United States military in Okinawa, Japan (A tour that I have worked on prior to his taking over and he has booked me a couple of times since) and he has great ideas for this opportunity.

I have not met his parents, but I am sure they are back to claiming him as “their child“, by now. In fact, I am sure that it did not take very long at all. Look for Daniel to be touring near you soon. You can also friend and like him on Facebook to stay up on where he is performing and to check out his site.

He also plans to expand this to more countries including the United States making this a more lucrative tour. Since Daniel has been producing these shows I have learned more about Daniel the person. He is a comic with a lot more integrity than other comics I have known. A great example of this is with the same budget the military was giving for these shows he instantly paid us more than before. When he goes over for performances, and it is occasional, that allows more comics work opportunities. When he does perform, he does not pay himself a performance fee on top of what he pays himself

http://danieldugarcomedy.com/home/index. html

On the Cover Tiffany Pollard

Tiffany “New York” Pollard has paid her dues in the sometimesfickle world of reality television. If I were to ask you, “Who was the hottest female actress on the highest rated reality show from 2006-2009?” Whom would you say? Kim Kardashian? Snooki? I am sure, unless you were a true fan, you did not realize it was Tiffany Pollard. Yes, that Tiffany Pollard!

Barely thirty years old Tiffany accomplished more in seven years than some seasoned actors have done within their entire career. Because New York caused such an impact on ‘Flavor of Love’ (as evidenced by fan mail in the thousands demanding more of her) the show’s executives were forced to create a situation in order to feature her in the ‘Flavor of Love, 2’

Her popularity index was so high, they created two more shows to capitalize on her as well, ‘New York Swagger’ and ‘I Love New York’. ‘I Love New York’ was not just a show title, but also a paradigm shift in ‘girl’ power! Not since Marla Gibbs, Joan Collins or Lucille Ball has, any woman dominated a show as quickly as ‘New York’. Although it was Flavor Flav

REAL people REAL Talk

By Jonathan W. Fields

Tiffany Pollard is in the House who nicknamed her ‘New York’, Tiffany Pollard was ‘New York’, a phenomenon juggernaut of sass and confidence that belayed her petite, yet busty stature. If you doubted her star-power, let me remind you that after her initial debut on Flavor of Love, there were four spin-offs created just for her: ‘I Love New York’ (1 and 2), ‘New York Goes to Hollywood’, ‘New York Goes to Work’ and ‘Flavor of Love Charm School’. Talk shows such as: Maury, Chelsea, lately Tyra Banks, Wendy Williams and others lined up to have ‘New York’ in the “Mudda F***in House!”

Ambi’ance Magazine caught up with Tiffany at Tony Romas’ in Beverly Hills AM: Tiffany, some entertainment writers have referred to you as an‘American reality television per-

Black Joan Collins

sonality’ instead of an actress. How do you feel about that? TP: My mother told me, “Do not let anyone give you a title. If they give you a title, they can take it away.” If I

keep with my goals and really give my career the punch and determination to see it through, maybe people will recognize me as an actress, but at the end of the night I do not let that dictate how I feel about myself and what I believe is possible. I have always been determined to succeed as an actress in Hollywood. I have some great things to be proud of and the reality is I will break out. Equally, I am excited about what I have on the horizon. No one can take that away from me. AM: When we look at some of the other

“New York” reality shows, women from your era: Kim Kardashian, Snooki, Omarosa, Anna Nicole Smith and Bethenny Frankel, the critics refer to them as stars, icons and celebrities. Yet, seldom do they include you in that group. TP: I am blessed to have quite an extensive collection of work and people do not forget. People come out of the woodwork and say all kinds of wonderful things about me. My true fans that have stood by me and supported me from day one are still in my corner, giving me backing. Whether you see me in magazines or not, I still have that true foundational love from all of my supporters and that keeps me thriving and doing what I still do. AM: Known for your controversy and intrigue, your appearances have brought some of the ‘highest ratings’ to both VH1 and MTV, yet it does not appear you are given the credit you deserve. Why is that? TP: I always like to say that ‘the truth always surfaces to the light’, or, ‘darkness always comes to light’. So whether people want to shine a light or not I am still blessed. At the end of the day, I am fine if I get the credit or not, because, in my heart, I am settled.

It was a great opportunity and I was on one of the highest rated reality shows and I KNOW IT. AM: Most do not know that you have done lots of stage, screen and television work. TP: What it really is, if I tell people I did a film, working on one, or have been on a television show, they always want me to come back to reality television because that is where I got my start. They really do not want to see me doing anything else. I think many of my true fans are not interested in the other things I have done. It can be somewhat irking sometimes, but I totally get it. They just love the reality stuff! AM: What do you like best, stage, screen or theatre? TP: Right now, what gives the most pleasure is motivational speaking. I have done it a couple of times and it really, really has become a passion of mine. To be able to speak to these young people about things like sex, careers, support and real life stuff and being able to go into classrooms and different organizations to do that, is like, wow! It is like a high for me! I love it! Who knew? I have spoken in Boston at North Eastern University for sex week, and recently at a shelter for battered

women in Los Angeles. To see the youths light up inspires me to want to get into that even more. AM: You did two seasons of Flavor of Love and two seasons of I Love New York. Those shows were some of the highest rated shows in reality show history. What are some of your fondest memories? TP: I do not know about the fondest, but my most surreal memory was in Flavor of LoveSeason 2, when he invited me back in the house and I made it to the finals and then he chose Delicious. I was just so angry and shocked because I knew he was going to pick me and when he did not, that was one of the realist moments for me. I did not even recognize the cameras. It was just Flav and I, having it out, one on one. That was one of my more memorable moments. AM: How is your relationship with Flavor Flav today? TP: It is very well! I have seen him a few times after we settled everything. He will send me a text and I will send him a text. We are really cool. He supports me and I support everything he does as well. There is still a strong friendship bond there. He is not a fake. He is just real.

AM: The drama that was created between you and some of the Flavor of Love ladies like Hoopz, Pumkin and Deelishis was the template for today’s volatile reality projects such as Basketball Wives, Atlanta Housewives, Jersey Shore, Mafia Wives, etc. TP: Show after show, we would set that blueprint on how we could do it. No other show offered drama or that kind of in your face, tell-it-like-it-is real-deal type reality show. It was the blueprint for these shows. AM: I will bet you did not know some consider you the Black Joan Collins (who played Alexis Carrington on Dynasty-one of the highest rated television dramas of all time) of reality television? TP: Wow, really? I think that is pretty cool! AM: You have worked with some seasoned actors in the movie, First Sunday, starring, Ice Cube and Regina King and C.J. Sanders. How were they to work with? TP: On First Sunday, I pretty much showed up on set and chilled out! Believe it or not that was my very first movie set (I also did the television series Nip and Tuck about the same time). I walked on the set of First Sunday wide-eyed and not knowing what to expect. Ice Cube and Regina King were so cool and so down to earth, that I felt right at home. I remember Cube gave me a hug and said, “Keep doing what you are doing.” Regina King was such a sweetheart and a very sweet person. I like when I do not have to deal with egos. That is

very rare out here and in this business. It was really cool on that set. AM: You were fabulous on the Tyra Banks Show in 2007. TP: Oh my gosh! Tyra gave me a question as soon as I came out. She said, ‘So you had sex with Flavor Flav?” I sat there and said this is going to be pretty interesting. She took for a ride, you know, but it was fine. By the time she finished, she had the nicest things to say and was down to earth. AM: At comedian, Lunelle’s birthday bash last month, you mentioned there may be some new projects on the table. Can you give our readers a sneak preview? TP: I have an award winning webisode, Season 2, that I am going to be on, motivation speaking and other projects that I am real excited about like Downtown LA which I just finished shooting and I am real excited about everyone seeing. I also just finished shooting a movie ‘Reality Movie’, a spoof comedy and I am managing a rap group, plus a couple of other things I have not filmed yet, so I cannot speak on that yet. Things are kicking off again in the right direction. I just needed a break, I took it and now I am back. AM: I would be remised if I did not ask about my favorite mom, Sister Patterson. How is she doing? TP: Sister Patterson is so wonderful. ‘Queen’ mama is developing another reality show. I really cannot imagine going back into reality without my mom. We have a cool

offer on the table and she is excited about it as well. My mom gets her celebrity thing on, too! AM: Lastly, so what ever happened to the “I Love New York 2” fiancé’? TP: Taylor-Made? He was in it for the cameras. I moved in with the boy and while we were getting our plans together, he was putting all kinds of stuff on MySpace, doing things that had nothing to do with trying to make our relationship work, so I had to take a step back. He tried to get with some other celebrity girls and he did me dirty, he really did. I thought we were cool. We were even going to do a spin off and try to make it work. If a man isn’t in it for the right reasons, there is no way it will work! AM: Well, good for you, Tiffany. When it is time for the right person, God will be the one to find him for you. TP: I agree and I know I am worth it. AM: Absolutely, Tiffany. Because like your fans, Ambi’ance cannot not get enough of ‘New York’! TP: And ‘New York’ cannot get enough of Ambi’ance Magazine! To contact Tiffany Pollard: Itsmyurls.com/tiffanypollard You will also find her on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

By Dark Gable

O r i g i n a l l y, f r o m Houston Te x a s ’ r o u g h Fifth Ward, c o m e d i a n D e r rick Ellis, h a s p a i d h i s d ues in be c o m i n g o n e o f the hottest c o m e d i a n s i n the busi n e s s . I n t h e comedy in d u s t r y s i n c e s eventeen y e a r s o f a g e , Derrick has e x p e r i e n c e d e verything f r o m p o v e r t y t o alcohol i s m . H o w e v e r, in spite of i t a l l , D e r r i c k earned his d e g re e i n m a r keting from Te x a s S o u t h e r n University a n d d e v e l o p e d his own b r a n d i n e v e r ything from t e e s h i r t s , h o odies, bot t l e d w a t e r, e n ergy bars, C D s , F u n n y S nacks and s e l f -h e l p b o o k s. Still, the m o s t i m p o r t a n t thing in his l i f e , b e s i d e s h is daughter E b o n e y, ( t h e s ame Eboney t h a t i s t h e c e nter of his

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

DERRICK ELLIS - Redemption, Recovery and Comedy

“Poltergeist” routine) is his sobriety. As a successful comic and entrepreneur, Derrick has proven that his struggle with alcoholism was not the end, but the beginning of his testimony. His book, “I Had to Get Sober or Stay Broke” has become an effective new tool in reaching those struggling with alcoholism. His book describing how ‘therapeutic laughter’ creates an environment conducive to recovery has caused quite a buzz in the treatment community. Dubbed the ‘Comedic Therapist’, Derrick Ellis encourages those who have given up on their dreams due to alcohol. Wait; let us not get ahead of the story. Before Derrick became the success we are now familiar with, he was a struggling comedian in Houston, Texas.

Like many of the up and coming comedians, Derrick cut his teeth on the ‘chitterlin circuit’ comedy clubs just to make ends meet. As his popularity increased at the ‘Just Jokes’ comedy club in Houston, he became interested in multiple streams of income. Noticing that most comedians struggled because they did not have a hustle, Derrick, refusing to be another ‘stand-up comedian’ relying on gigs to survive, decided to become a full-time entrepreneur. He always knew he was funny and smart, but he needed an edge. He also knew to stay relevant he had to be savvy in business and marketing. That is when Derrick decided to combine Comedy and Education. Returning to school with courses in psychology, sociology and of course, business administration, Derrick graduating with a degree in marketing, soon branded himself and attached his name to more than Houston’s comedy clubs’ marquees. “Funny Water” is Derrick’s signature product right now and he has sold over fifteen thousand units of his early comedy DVDs. Pushing his ‘Funny Ware’ tee shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, watches and snacks, Derrick knew his mission was to give back to the community. However, being the father of a young daughter and knowing that recovery is a life-long process; Derrick realized that before he could change the “hood”; he needed to continue working on his sobriety and deal with his own demons.

Now sober for over five years, Derrick has contributed numerous hours of his time ‘giving back’ by visiting prisons, juvenile facilities, homeless shelters and jails. He has also written a self-help book outlining his recovery from alcoholism entitled, “I Had to Stay Sober or Go Broke”. This book is necessary for anyone who is suffering directly or indirectly from alcoholism. It is Urban Satire coupled with 21th Century Reality! Currently Derrick is working on various scripts, screenplays and other novels ranging in subjects from economics, relationships, horror and of course, comedy. Check out his previous books at AmazonBooks.com; “How I Got Ghetto Rich in the Streets”, “I Want to Laugh”, “Comic Killer”, and the “Crenshaw Vampire”. Derrick Ellis is a winner! Derrick is not a winner because he is a successful entrepreneur, or a successful standup comic, or even because he graduated from Texas Southern University. Derrick Ellis is a winner because he has conquered the Demon and slain the Dragon of addiction. For more info on Derrick Ellis: www.DerrickEllisBooks.com www.Amazon.com www.funnywareclothing.com www.funnywater.com www.ComedianDerrickEllis.com

BEAM ME UP “SCOTTY” “SCOTT”

By YCB

Scotty Scott Who’s Who? list contains very powerful people, for example, the first ever African-American female hospital owner Juanita Bates. Scott has spear-headed or been affiliated with such projects as the 2010 1st Annual Salute to the Legend Celebration as Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins celebrated his milestone 50th Birthday, 91.9 WCLK FM 36 Year Anniversary Celebration, the 2011 “Summer Splash Mansion Party” with Radio One Atlanta Operations Manager Hurricane Dave, HOT 107.9 FM on-air radio personality Beestroh, United Front Media & MK Events. Scott actually brokered the deal to secure the location at the 30 million dollar estate of Lee Najjar in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead area.

Marvis Tyrone Scott AKA “Scotty Scott” CEO of Inspired Consulting, LLC Photo by Dann Finklea BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT “I Desire 2 Inspire”

Born in Monroeville, Alabama on the beautiful siren Gulf Coast & graduating with a B.S. degree from Alabama A&M University, Marvis Tyrone Scott (AKA “Scotty Scott”) has always strived for the highest. In his early years his first taste of the entertainment bug started at 13 years old as a DJ & he later took his talents to college where he received a full band scholarship. As a member of the percusion section of the AAMU Marching Maroon & White Band years ago, he knew his future would be somewhere in the entertainment industry.

So today he applies those same moral principles & disciplines he learned in college to his style of consulting & branding where he resides in Atlanta, GA. He is the CEO of Inspired Consulting, LLC where he advises people as an Entertainment Consultant focusing on elevating their brand. He also runs & operates the blog (Scotty Scott Who’s Who?) where he strategically bridges his connections he has in the music, fashion, & film industry with small business & Fortune 500 companies.

This same multi-million dollar estate has been used for the movies “Zombieland” & the movie “The Three Stooges”. Just for the record, Lee Najjar is the infamous reality character “Big Poppa” from Bravo’s RHOA fame.Scott was very intricate in assisting Founder Ty Johnston the groundbreaking 1st Annual Atlanta Pitch Summit in the last quarter of 2011 (Execs who attended ranged from film houses such as BobbCat Films, Rainforest Films, Our Stories Films, Turner Broadcast Studios, GMC, HBCU Network, & BET, The Cartoon Network). During this event Scott served as the Moderator on the “Soundtrack & Music in Film” panel featuring one of his mentors, the Atlanta music industry legend Ian Burke. He would then host the after-the-panels mixer later night that featured film execs such as Glen Plummer (Our Stories Film), Paul Butler (Gospel Music Channel), & Hollywood film legend Robert Townsend, just to name a few. The goal behind creating his new blog (Scotty Scott Who’s Who?)

Sotty Scott Cont: was to bring a positive balance to a business and entertainment world that has become so negative. Scott created the concept for a photoshoot with world famous photographer Paul Hu called “The Mini Mogul of Atlanta” featuring 8 year old superstar Jabias Da Kidd & top Womble Carlyle Atlanta Attorney Bernard Coleman. He has become very much respected for making his contribution also to charities such as the 2011 Lymphoma & Leukemia Society “Baking for Babies” event with organizers Charmelle Scott & Lea O’Neal.

Look for a future top-secret project with business executive Tony Williams & former VP of Coca-Cola North America Pierre Clements. Scotty Scott is affectionately known as being one of the most connected industry men in Atlanta, GA. & his future plan is to become the #1 Strategic Branding Consultant in the world. For more info contact: http://www.ceoscottyscott.blogspot.com/ inspiredconsulting71@gmail.com

NEXT MONTH HANGING WITH ERIC ZULEY

DIRK DAVIS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Alana Sanders

The infallible work of Designer Dominique Ansari a closer look Musical Duo at her collection of Tracy Neely & LadyVO

Interview With Platinum Recording Star From Having a sit down with Group CHIC. Robin Montague Diva Gray