Back2Basics Magazine - June 2019

June 2019

CHILLI’S TRUTH Chilli is living her truth and walking in faith as God’s soldier.

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* Tedashii - Never Fold * Conversation with Wande * Truth About Business * Basic Skincare * Black Bean Burgers * 20 Questions * Back2Basics Vol. 1

CONTENTS June 2019

ON THE COVER 05 B2B Feed 06

Conversation with Wade Isola

07

The Truth About Business

08

Basic skincare

12

Tedashii - Never Fold

16

20-Minute Black Bean Burgers

17

Work It Out : Cardio & Core

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06

10 Chilli’s Truth

20 Questions

Conversation with Wande

12

Never Fold with Tedashii

19

20 Questions

June 2019, Vol. 7, No. 2 Publisher Brittany N. Winkfield

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

B2B TIP:

Live your truth. The game is going to test you.

Never fold!

Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

Psalms 86:11 (NLT) What does it mean to live your truth?

To live your truth means being your most truthful self. Society can largely influence us as individuals if we allow it to consume us. A lot of us spend our day-to-day lives living up to these expectations and definitions of how we should be or how we should act. These expectations and definitions can put you in a cycle of frustration and depression. Ultimately, most of those expectations are unrealistic or hindering to your “true self.”

While others are looking inside themselves for guidance, believers can stand firm in the truth that God’s Word never changes.

We all have a different path we must take and God’s plan is not the same for every person.In this issue, we talk to Chilli as she tells us how she lives her truth and how she gets back to the basics in her walk with Christ. Also, we caught up with two members of the 116 Clique, Tedashii and Wande, the first female emcee to sign on Reach Records. Each of them have unique stories of how they live their truth.

I want to challenge you to spend less time focusing on what you could have by fully cherishing what you currently have in the present. Be proud of who you are and Live. Your. Truth.

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Contributors Eunice Cofie-Obeng, Timothy Olaore Mile High Fitness & Wellness Web Development Marcus 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 Editorial and Advertising Inquiries info@back2basicsmag.com Information is correct at press time.

Signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official company policy.

Copyright © 2019. 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.

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

@back2basicsmag

b2b feed If You Don’t Know, Now You Know

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CONVERSATION WITH

Wande

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n April 11, 2019, Reach Records announced signing her as a full-fledged artist, becoming the first female rapper on a major Christian Hip Hop label. Her syncopated voice got the attention of Christian Hip Hop professionals and doors started opening for her. She’s filmed her own videos and dropped her own songs, described as ratchet holy bops.

“When I initially gave my life to Christ and became vocal about my faith, it was met with a lot of tension,” says the 23-year-old, who came to America from Nigeria as a baby. “I had to make the decision to pursue Christ even when my family didn’t understand. I think many people don’t know how much opposition I had to face to follow Christ.”

Only her mom was Christian and supported her decision. “My mom was my ally throughout my journey,” she says. However there were seasons when I was asked to no longer go to church. There were also many times I was told that Jesus can’t perform miracles and can’t save and I was being brainwashed. I think my family environment forced me to be rooted in my faith and be unwavering in what I believe.” From time to time, her Muslim family members kept Wande Isola from going to church.

As a teen, she struggled with typical American issues. “One of my struggles was insecurity,” Wande says. “I struggled with the need to live for the approval of others.

This desire dictated my decision making process and ultimately led to frustration and let down. I wasn’t always seen as someone who is cool or talented.”

“I overcame all of my struggles of insecurity by filling my mind with the Word of God. I took my thoughts captive and my thoughts manifested into actions. When I reminded myself of who God says I am, I began to view myself differently.”

At a time when there are calls to expand opportunities for women in Christian Hip Hop, Wande is exploding across the spectrum. The battles she has faced have prepared her for ones to come. Ironically, it was her biology teacher in high school who nudged her towards her now-emerging career. As a freshman, she earned an A+ in her class and decided she wanted to be a surgeon. But instead, she became a musician.

She double majored in journalism and public relations at the University of Texas at Austin. “My dream is to be able to live a life where I can use each day to point others back to Christ while being myself,” she says.

“I think the biggest lesson God has taught me is obedience and trust. I am so happy I learned this at a younger age because I can honestly say I would not be where I am today if I wasn’t obedient to God’s plan,” she says. “The path God set before me is much greater than all the plans I had created for myself.”

“I think the message in my music goes beyond my gender. I simply want to inspire the world to pursue a life with Christ through quality unproblematic bops.”

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Know thy Skin

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CHILLI’S Truth

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e know her as Chilli from TLC, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas “The desires of my heart are not relevant if they are not in line with God’s will for me!”

Chilli has always been a believer and has never doubted that there is a God and Jesus Christ. She grew up Seventh-day Adventist through her Great Grandmother who she affectionately calls Big Mama. Everything about her faith was instilled in her at an early age. “I thank God for her so much because the truth was always in me.”

When it’s real like that you can’t stay away and it kind of nags at you. She credits Pastor Doug Batchelor and the Amazing Facts ministry on television as making a huge difference in her life and her walk with the Lord. “God’s Word has never been broken down to me the way that he is able to break it down,” she says. Chilli explains how Pastor Doug came from being a nonbeliever of anything to becoming a pastor and teaching people about God’s Word. “God had a real plan for him.”

“A lot of people will ask me because I’m a Christian and Seventh-day Adventist, how I maintain my faith in this business that I’m in. Everybody knows that when it’s Sabbath I don’t do any work-related things or interviews. If anyone asks why I explain the reasons and bring it back to the Word and the importance of the Sabbath. The Sabbath has not been abolished like so many people believe. I honestly have to talk to myself because I get very frustrated because it’s so clear. While we’re on tour a lot of the dancers or anyone who wants to come on my bus is invited to come and listen to Pastor Doug, especially Sabbath day. I’ll share a link with friends and family and prayerfully they’ll tune in. Every blue moon I’ll get to talk to Pasotr Doug and his wife Karen and I love that.”

Chilli with Pastor Doug and Karen

Often times we grow up and go with the faith that someone taught us. Almost like a soldier, you fall in line and do whatever, but it’s always good to do your own research and pray and ask God to reveal the truth to you. You read the Bible to get to the truth.

As long as we’re living, no matter how old you are, you can always improve areas of your life, especially in our walk with Christ. What’s important to Chilli is that she’s always herself. If you follow her on social media, you see that she shares scripture and healthy food often. As someone devoted to physical fitness, Chilli is fearless about sharing her health insights, which closely align with the counsel found at the Amazing Facts website. “It’s important to take care of the temple; that’s what God wants us to do. So I spread that Word.”

Her prayer is that God uses her as a vessel to be a blessing in someone’s life. We are flawed human beings. When my mind starts to wander, I say the Lord’s prayer and that gets me back to the basics. We are sinners, but thank God for Jesus Christ!

The group had many hits in the 1990s, including four No. 1’s—”Creep,” “Waterfalls,” “No Scrubs” and “UnPretty”— and their Grammy Award-winning second album, CrazySexyCool, sold more than 10 million copies. The iconic girl group is heading back out on tour this summer and through LiveNation.com.

Chilli and T-Boz of TLC

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TEDASHII

Never Fold

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hile Christian rapper Tedashii’s robust stature and delivery on the mic catch the attention of most, his gentle spirit hints at an even deeper story behind the man and the music.

Tedashii has been separating himself from the pack for the better part of a decade. With a slew of revered studio albums and EP’s to his name—including the masterful Below Paradise which debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 albums chart—the Texas-born and bred rapper remains a force. His most recent release, 2016’s This Time Around, was an emotional journey comprised of celebratory records juxtaposed with stories of pain, hope, and overcoming tragedy. But it’s a new day. And with that, comes new purpose.

Tedashii returns with fresh passion and renewed creative vision. Inspired by the pointed declaration of Luke 9:62, which states, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the kingdom of God,” the rapper is charged up anew. It’s no secret that our current social and political moment calls for more action and less empty jargon. Bearing this in mind, Tedashii has adopted a new ethos—one that reflects his clear commitment to making an impact despite the unpredictability of our cultural climate: Never Fold. Tedashii’s devotion is encapsulated in these simple albeit heavy words.

What exactly does Never Fold mean? On the surface, it centers on not giving up; it’s about maintaining and moving forward regardless of the tension and any opposition we might face. But in the light of Luke’s stern command, it’s much deeper and requires greater examination. “I understand pain firsthand,” Tedashii says.

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“Never Fold is about celebrating life in the midst of adversity. It’s a reminder to not succumb to the pressures of life when in the end, it’s what makes diamonds of us all.”

What becomes apparent is Tedashii’s steady spiritual anchoring over the years. Despite his accomplishments— from sold out tours to having his track “Dum Dum” featured on the Fox TV series So You Think You Can Dance—he hasn’t grown complacent. Instead, his success has only raised the stakes and motivated him to continue investing in this generation. It’s this kind of fierce devotion to biblical truth that has propelled Tedashii to where he is today. And his fearlessness has not gotten lost or dwindled.

Tedashii fans itching for new tunes need not worry. The Never Fold campaign will bring new music well into 2018. “This project is meant to inspire people to persevere in light of who God is,” Tedashii offers. Never Fold gives us the Tedashii we know and love at his most transparent and self-aware. He’s a man who’s been tested time and time and again. And while he may have the battle scars to prove he’s been in the trenches, his infectious joy and strength remain intact. “I want to invite others to join me on this journey,” he says. “Not just to see what God has done, but what He’s doing now. Never Fold is a reminder to never back down.” Together, Tedashii says, we can all rise up and expose the beauty of our individual and collective victories. As Revelations tells us, those who put their hope in God are freed through the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. “That’s what I’m on right now,” offers Tedashii. “We can push through any circumstance and give God the glory in the end.”

Never Fold is a construct upon which believers everywhere can build their lives. When it’s all said and done, all we can truly bank on is in what and whom we place our hope. Choosing to keep a steady hand through trials is the key to overcoming.

When not making music, Tedashii is a busy family man. He also has strong ties to his home in Denton, Texas, where he’s part of The Village Church, sometimes using his rich, deep voice to provide background vocals during worship.

We’re all the sum of our experiences. They shape our lives and, for creative types, our art. The events of the last year have changed Tedashii and his music in ways he’s only beginning to discover. They’ve also changed the way he views his faith and what’s next.

“Paradise for me is a must now, not just a hope,” he says.

Heaven has become more real, and there’s a new urgency to get there. It’s an important message he feels compelled to share. This newfound purpose doesn’t make the pain worth it or lessen the ache of loss, but it’s a calling he’s embracing. As he moves forward in his life and with this new album, he’s more determined than ever to prove himself faithful while he’s still here, Below Paradise.

116 Clique: Tedashii, Lecrae, KB, Andy Mineo 1K Phew, Trip Lee, Wande, WHATUPRG, Gawvi

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Back2Basics Magazine Vol. 1 is a coffee table book with practical tips and tools on how to get back to the basics in your walk with Christ.

This is a limited printed edition and serves as a fundraiser for Back2Basics.

Get yours today for $50.

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BLACK BEAN BURGER Make a delicious summer fave in 20 minutes!

Mile High Fitness & Wellness

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 (1-oz.) slice whole-grain bread, toasted and torn into pieces 1/4 cup grated onion 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind 1 (15-oz.) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce 1 large egg, lightly beaten 4 teaspoons olive oil

Directions 1. Place bread in a food processor; pulse 5 times. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Combine onion, garlic, juice, cumin, salt, rind, and beans in processor; pulse 4 to 5 times.

Add bean mixture, walnuts, hot sauce, and egg to crumbs; stir well. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 3/4-inch-thick patty.

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; reduce heat to medium, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned

Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: Serves 4 Calories: 230 per serving Recipe source: https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/20-minute-black-bean-burgers

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Work it out

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20Q UE STIO NS

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2 MINUTE SURVEY

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01 What’s the move this summer? #vacayallday ------------------------------------------------------------------------02 Who you got? #NBAFinals ------------------------------------------------------------------------03 Can Robert F. Smith open his grant to all HBCUs? ------------------------------------------------------------------------04 Can we talk about Sasha Obama’s prom look ------------------------------------------------------------------------05 What is your love language? #5lovelanguages ------------------------------------------------------------------------06 What are you watching on Netflix?

------------------------------------------------------------------------07 Beyond Meat or Impossible?

------------------------------------------------------------------------08 When is the last time you served?

------------------------------------------------------------------------09 Why is gun violence the American norm?

------------------------------------------------------------------------10 Did you take the B2B survey?

------------------------------------------------------------------------11 Are you bringing joy to work?

------------------------------------------------------------------------12 Have you been checking things off?

------------------------------------------------------------------------13 What is your favorite app?

------------------------------------------------------------------------14 How is it June already? #summertime ------------------------------------------------------------------------15 Have you been minding your mental health?

------------------------------------------------------------------------16 Will you be watching Sunday’s Best?

------------------------------------------------------------------------17 What is the thing that’s not being said?

------------------------------------------------------------------------18 How do you align your plan with God’s plan?

------------------------------------------------------------------------19 Are you living your truth?

------------------------------------------------------------------------20 Have you thanked God for your life today?

Got answers? Hit us up on IG @back2basicsmag BACK2BASICSMAG.COM JUNE 2019 19

Oakwood University USM Alumni’s new album “USM Hits Vol. 1” is a collaborative HBCU charity record.

N2A Ministries promotes partial royalty donations to the nonprofits Nathan L. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund and Back2Basics.

Support by downloading or streaming “USM Hits Vol. 1” today!