Back2Basics Magazine - April/May 2017

April/May 2017 Special Oakwood University Alumni Edition

HE’S FUNNY BUT HE AIN’T NO JOKE !

Jonathan Slocumb shares his gifts of humor and style saying, “My basketball skills at Oakwood were impeccable, but I let Michael Jordan go pro.”

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* Spread Love * That Soup Chic * G. Favored Entertainment * Engage Conference 2017 * Back2Basics Vol. 1

A thousand times I failed.

mercy

Still Your remains.

Publisher Brittany N. Winkfield Advisory Board Tracy Augustin, Philip Baptiste, John Boston, Ramona Davis, Dean Dennis, Juanita Farmer, Kymone Hinds, Marisa Jackson, Timothy Olaore, Donald Rolle, Terri Roston, Michele Solomon, Jennifer Stone, Samuel Thomas, Marcus Winkfield Editorial and Advertising Inquiries 303-351-8180, info@back2basicsmag.com Information is correct at press time. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official company policy. Copyright Š 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is prohibited. Back2Basics Magazine is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit in the United States of America.

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A Christian lifestyle magazine designed to inform and inspire young people in their walk with Christ

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APRIL/MAY 2017

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CONTENTS

volume 6 | number 1 SPRING 2017

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“Whatever we do, or whatever our alums accomplish, character is the only possession e that we can tak . to the kingdom”

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Enjoy this Special Oakwood University Alumni Edition of Back2Basics Magazine

#b2bmag

B2B Tip: Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:16 Although similar, God’s mercy and grace are quite different. A very practical example is found in the story of the Prodigal Son. Mercy gave him a second chance. Grace gave him a feast. You receive mercy and in this issue, funny man, Jonathan Slocumb, talks about being receptive to God’s mercy. Mercy requires that we effect change to continue to receive it. He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. (Titus 3:5) Be bold before the throne of our gracious God!

back2basics vol. 1 coming soon As we approach our 5 year anniversary since launching B2B, we are publishing a coffee table book highlighting the "Best of B2B." A beautifully designed art piece with practical tips to get back to basics in your walk with Christ. pre-order @ back2basicsmag.com

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Experience the G.Favored Playlist at www.Gfavored.com CaraMia (pronounced /Ka-rah-Mee-ah/) are talented sisters Shenée Johnson and Shenika Johnson who are almost identical in tone, yet distinguishable enough to produce the heavenliest of harmonies. Interpretations of their group name and the word CaraMia include “My Beloved” and “My Face.” For these Atlanta based identical twin worship leaders and recording artists, both meanings are relevant as they are God’s beloved daughters who seek to reflect his image in their own.

CaraMia’s influence goes beyond music and impacts secondary education and women’s empowerment.

They are both highly decorated educators in the Gwinnett County school system, one of the largest school systems in the state of Georgia. CaraMia are passionate advocates for women initiatives that promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit. As a result of their advocacy, the beautiful ladies of CaraMia were invited by Lane Bryant to endorse their #PlusIsEqual and #ImNoAngel campaigns which foster body diversity and healthy self-image.

They are CaraMia!

@caramia_music

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Funny man, Jonathan Slocumb describes himself as being in the most perfect place of peace and understanding and being receptive to God's mercy “I did not know what that was, because I did not know it before.”

“Ten years ago this conversation probably would not have happened, because of where I was emotionally, spiritually and professionally,”states Jonathan.

Reflecting on how life was good in the sense of people’s perception of Mr. Slocumb, he sees how his current life can’t even come close.

When you’ve been raised a certain way, you can say all the right things and sing all the songs and recite all the verses, but when it comes to real life, those things don’t really compare to you actually living out certain things. “I’m a grown man now, I finally became grown, because I did certain things about growing late in life, and my life is just beginning.

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(*Phone ringing in background*)My phone is ringing, it’s probably Oprah, but I can’t talk to her right now.

B2B: I don’t want to get in Oprah’s way.

Jonathan: No, no, no I’m talking to Back2Basics right now.

B2B: What goals do you have for your work and your ministry?

Jonathan: I know that I’ve been running from a certain space in this industry that I work in, and let me speak on that, because that needs to be clear. Because I'm Christian and I'm outward about it and I talk about it, then everything that I do people call it my ministry, but I want people to hear that there's a distinct difference between my ministry and my profession. When you get to a job, it gets you a check, and that's why I do what I do, because that is my profession, my career.

However, the person that I am, that is the ministry. Ministry is who the person is, what one does is their job. So after the day ends I do host events, I host TV shows, that’s what I do to get a check. I am not getting the Chris Rock and Steve Harvey check, but it’s coming. Ministry is, I chose to do it this way.

When one of the Kings of Comedy said to me years and years ago, “you know if you just say a few curse words man, I can get you really paid.” I refused. I’m a man of style and fashion that gives a certain image and if I added to that a little rawness, a little roughness, I know I'll get more money I know I would.

Ministry is my choice. That man who works for Fed Ex, his job is Fed Ex, but if a woman with a situation said she really needed to get this package out to her son, she has no money would you please help? If he does it, then that's the ministry. What someone does, that’s a job, who you are is a ministry.

I use the phrase that I've adopted from Whintley Phipps with permission, that states, “I will not compromise just to be recognized.”

That’s what I live by.

B2B: With this being our special Oakwood University edition, how has Oakwood played a part in your journey?

Jonathan: Oakwood is at the pinnacle of my whole story. That’s when I really knew that I had a gift that was going to bless people by way of the person that I have become and the things that come out of my mouth. I'm going to try to give you the short story. So what happened is, I went to a public high school in Atlanta, Georgia and I was quite a standout student there. The funny part is, my high school was right across the street from my church, Berean, Seventh-day Adventist Church. Everybody knew me at my high school. I was very popular, in fact, I was voted most popular and student body president of the entire school and voted most humorous, not class clown, but I was the funniest person in school and a school leader.

Not only in school, but I was a standout in my church. I was choir director, youth elder, youth deacon, AY leader, you know everything, doing all these things. So when it was time to choose a college, I went to College Days at Oakwood because that’s where I wanted to go. So when I went I had the time of my life! I was an amazing basketball player, I dressed like a fashion model and all the girls were after me and all the guys were like this dude can play ball and he can dress nice. I said I’M GOING TO OAKWOOD.

Brian McKnight and Jonathan during the 'Cheaper to Keep Her' National Tour

That's when I knew I had a gift because at the end of the service in Cunningham Hall the girls said, we have a presentation to make. Come on down Jonathan. I’m thinking they are going to do something silly and they say, we all know you’re leaving the campus tomorrow (and she started crying), she said this campus cannot survive without you. And then suddenly two girls came down the center isle with an outdoor garbage can full of money, and so the student body raised So we drove down to Oakwood College on money for my next two years so that I could registration day, we stood in line for hours and hours and my father didn’t really want to stay. That's when I knew I probably have something, but I still wasn't clear yet. be there, but he was there anyways. When we get to the front of the line the lady says, Money transfer notices were coming in from have you registered? My mom said no. She parents of students to put on my account. I said well do you have your payment? My remember this girl in particular who told her mother said no. The lady said, ma'am what do you want us to do? We can't just let him in mother about me. The mother said that her daughter has always dealt with a low selffor free, we can’t do that. esteem. She worked in the cafeteria and every morning when I go to the cafeteria, I My mom said, I just believe that God is just see her and I say, good morning beautiful. going to make a way. The lady asked for That made her day to the point where she my name and my mom told her his name wanted to make sure that I was there as long is Jonathan Slocumb. She looked at her as she was there. list and said, wait a minute, Jonathan B. Slocumb? Mom said yes, the lady said ‘oh It all started from there and that’s why my God!’ just take this paper and go to the Oakwood is a major part of my experience. president's office. So we go to the office When I left Oakwood and I started to get and the president, Calvin Rock, says, I'm so happy to meet you. I’m sorry I got so tied up, in the industry, I became an opening act I’ve been meaning to come to Atlanta I was for this new a cappella group that nobody heard of called Take 6. They had me host going to make a presentation because you the concert for them in got the Presidential Scholarship, but I’m sure Chicago and they liked you didn’t know that. My mother was like the combination of what? Yes! I had a two year scholarship at the two of us, so they Oakwood College all expenses paid. But we took me on the road didn’t know until we got there. with them. That’s when I quit my nine to B2B: Yes, you showed up! five and became a fulltime comedic entertainer Jonathan: Yes, and the story goes on because at the end of the two years I wasn’t thanks to Take 6.

Take 6 reading B2B Mag finished. I majored in broadcasting and that B2B Amazing story! You mentioned in your was a four-year curriculum. So at the end youth how you were accredited most of the two years I'm packed and ready to humorous and I do remember seeing you go, until I got invited to the girl’s dormitory recognized internationally at the Stellar for worship on my last night. I had just been Awards can you talk about that moment? crowned Mr. Oakwood College that year.

But, I had no money for Oakwood, like literally I had no money for Oakwood. My father was not happy and he was like, how are we going to send you to school and we’ve got no money? And my mother was a woman of faith, still is, she was like, we should just take him, let’s just go see what happens.

After some convincing, my father said, “Let’s just go and see what happens.”

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> > Stellar Honors 2016 honorees, Jonathan Slocumb, Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawkins, Marvin Sapp and CCP CEO Don Jackson.

Jonathan: It was called the Stellar Honors, every year they have a group of people that they honor, that are either a part of gospel music or perform gospel music. I became the first comedian to ever host the Stellar Awards and the only comedian to perform on the show. I’ve been there every year, so they gave me the honor medal called the Stellar Honors along with Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawkins and Marvin Sapp.

faith based, but not in your face church. My goal is for people to see that we people of faith shouldn’t be relegated to just one day a week and a certain time of that day. We are everywhere, every day. The show is called Stellar Nights starring Jonathan Slocum.

Interviewer: How does this motivate you and inspire you going forward?

Jonathan: When you don't have to faith, you’re slapping God in the face. At the end of the day, it's about how God will bless you and you are blessed according to your faith.

Jonathan: I’m always going to be associated with the show. I happen to still love gospel music. I’m involved all kinds of music formats and genres, but I just love gospel.

The Stellar Awards is the only awards show that celebrates and pays tribute to black gospel. It’s a fun time to be around people who believe in music that inspires and uplifts.

That’s part of what I do as a comedian and host.

B2B: There’s a lot of distraction that get in the way on our walk with Christ. What is one basic principal that you always go back to?

I recently went through a divorce and it was hard for me. I have a 13 year old son Iand I’ve learned that life is a day-by-day process.

When worry creeps in, you’ve got to be strong in your faith. I believe that the greater your faith, the greater your blessings and I am a personal testament that statement.

Don Jackson, who owns the show, has been a big supporter of mine, so I’ll be there to support. This year he will be launching a new network called Stellar TV. It’s going to be a 24-hour television network that's going to be all about gospel music. I'm going to be one of of the anchors with a nightly talk show like the Tonight Show and we’re going to be announcing all of that.

Be still and let God do His thing.

When He does, you’ve got to always give Him the glory. That's the reason why three of my most herald heroes in my life are Steve Harvey, Magic Johnson and Tyler Perry. Every time they get in front of a camera or an audience, whether it be CNN or TBN, the first thing they do is give God the glory.

I’ve been planning my whole career for this. Because I've been such huge fan of Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Arsenio and now Jimmy Fallon. I really believe that it’s time now for us to have a show that is

All you have to do is say His name. God doesn’t require any of this extra stuff. Just go back to the basics.

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