Black & Magazine JAN|20

JAN|20

San Diego’s Premier Digital Black Lifestyle Magazine

August Wilson’s

JITNEY at The Old Globe

meet mariea antoinette

modern day muse & musical unicorn

happy

new year

2020

12

Ways You’re Secretly Sabotaging Your Relationship

the sweet smell of southeast

7. jitney

contents

contents

46. swav: world’s first inspriational eyewear

14. presents with a purpose: gift ideas that make an impact

48. the sweet smell of southesast: garden of fragrance

19. many new year’s resolutions revolve around a desire to live debt free

52. wash your loofah

22. m.a.n.d.a.t.e. welcomes erisa nicole 24. mariea antoinette modern day muse & musical unicorn

54. second annual skin of color conference 56. haircocracy to the rescue

59. no party preference voters

29. working with an interior designer

60. bridge shelter program 32. how to find a bucket list worthy sailing adventure 36. 12 ways you are secretly sabotaging your relationship

64. the influence of sports on social equality 68. sulwe

70. world population

courtesy the old globe

42. cotton kandico 44. poetic dyme expression of style

72.. opioid crisis hits home

Publisher Rebecca & Company

Editor-in-Chief Chida Rebecca

Contributing Writers Marshaun Olaniyan Vanessa Banks Terri Fowler Terri Schlichenmeyer Blake Ewings

TAYLOR SABREE LEAD MUA

DERRICK SHYTEL COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Black & Magazine www.blackandmagazine.com

TWYLA GREEN publisher@blackandmagazine.com LEAD HAIR STYLIST Advertising

psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

kotton kandico LEAD STYLIST

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM

letter from the editor And just like that... it’s the year 2020!! I’m sure you’re getting an earful (and eyeful) of people’s resolutions and grandiose ideas of how they’ll spend this year. You probably have some floating around in your own mind as well about how this year is going to pan out. The one thing I’d admonish you to do is to truly take life one day at a time. For me, I tell people that all I can handle is this second that I’m in, and no more. If you focus on making the better choices that are presented to you in this moment, then what you’ll discover is that you’ve made a habit of making good decisions all the time. Seconds turn into minutes, minutes into hours, hours into days, days into weeks - then months and whaaala! The year has concluded. Success!! Well I wish it were that easy.

Maybe it can be, but the point is not to be so hard on yourself if you don’t get it right 24/7.

God has blessed you with a new day (and year) that you’ve never experienced and never seen before. There is so much life to live and so many experiences to be gained. My advice for 2020 (in addition to taking it a second at a time) is to get outside of your box. Think bigger... dream bigger. Sometimes we can find ourselves stuck in a routine that can ultimately end up being detrimental to us. We become complacent and begin to take life for granted. You may be going through a rough time and unsure of how to pursue your dreams, but know that you aren’t alone. I’ve hit those speed bumps often. Ask God. I’m always talking to Him. He’s literally waiting to talk to you about your next steps.

Sincerely Chida Rebecca

Nationwide — Hairocracy is a Black-

social

The Old Globe Announces August Wilson’s

JITNEY

courtesy the old globe SAN DIEGO —The Old Globe announced the complete cast and creative team for August Wilson’s Jitney, directed by one of Wilson’s foremost interpreters, Ruben Santiago-Hudson (directed Jitney on Broadway, performed in Gem of the Ocean and Seven Guitars). The American master and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson (the American Century Cycle of 10 plays) had a close relationship with The Old Globe, where three of his plays premiered. This production of Jitney is produced by Erik Falkenstein and Ron Simons in association with Manhattan Theatre

Club. The 2017 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Play will run January 18 – February 23, 2020 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Previews run January 18–22.

Opening night is Thursday, January 23 at 8:00 p.m. Single tickets start at $30.00 and can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office.

A jitney is an unlicensed taxicab. Five tireless drivers in Pittsburgh’s Hill District

fight for love, survival, and respect as the powers-that-be threaten to close down their garage in the name of neighborhood improvement. The Los Angeles Times recently proclaimed it a Critic’s Choice, saying, “This is an extraordinary company! A triumphant melding of acting and drama.

Don’t make the mistake of skipping this one. It’s among the finest productions of a Wilson play I’ve seen.” The Washington Post calls Jitney “a consistently funny and absorbing evening,” while The Hollywood Reporter asks, “Is there a more accomplished living interpreter of the plays of August Wilson than Ruben Santiago-Hudson? The timing feels ideal to visit Wilson’s inimitably pulsating world with a peerless company of actors.”

“August Wilson was one of the giants of the American stage,” said Erna Finci Viter-

bi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, “and he had a special relationship to The Old Globe, where three of his plays premiered.

Jitney is a prime example of what makes his gift as a playwright so unique. A simple story of working Americans and their struggles and triumphs, it’s set against a huge canvas of national themes. Funny and touching and thought-provoking, Jitney is everything we want theatre to be. Ruben Santiago-Hudson, unquestionably the greatest interpreter of Wilson now at work, gives us a production that’s exhilarating and that demonstrates in every moment why it won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. It’s a real honor to have this work at the Globe, and I know our audience will embrace its excellence and theatrical power.”

The cast includes Broadway and Wilson

veteran actors Francois Battiste as Booster (Bronx Bombers, Magic/Bird), Harvy Blanks as Shealy (Jitney, Roundabout’s Toni Stone, King Hedley II and Familiar regionally), Amari Cheatom as Youngblood (the Globe’s Skeleton Crew, On the Levee and The Book of Grace Off Broadway), Tony Award nominee Anthony Chisholm as Fielding (Radio Golf, Two Trains Running,and Gem of the Ocean, Hulu’s “Wu-Tang: An American Saga”), Brian D. Coats as Philmore (Jitney, The Brothers Paranormal Off Broadway, Marvel’s “Luke Cage”), Steven Anthony Jones as Becker (original cast of Negro Ensemble Company’s award-winning A Soldier’s Play), Nija Okoro as Rena (Blueprints to Freedom at La Jolla Playhouse, The Legend of Georgia McBride at Geffen Playhouse, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Mark Taper Forum), Keith Randolph Smith as Doub (Water by the Spoonful at the Globe, Jitney, American Psycho, King Hedley II, Fences, Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, Girl 6), and Ray Anthony Thomas as Turnbo (Jitney, The Crucible,and Race, Pulitzer Prize winners Water by the Spoonful and Between Riverside and Crazy).

The multiple-award-winning creative team includes David Gallo (Scenic Design), Toni-Leslie James (Costume Design), Jane Cox (Lighting Design), Darron L West and Charles Coes (Sound Design), Bill Sims Jr. (Original Music), Matthew Armentrout (Hair and Makeup Design), and Thomas Schall (Fight Direction), Caparelliotis Casting and Nancy Piccione (Broadway Casting), Laura Stanczyk (Additional Casting), Manhattan Theatre Club (Original

Broadway Production), Maximum Entertainment Productions (General Manager), and SenovvA Inc. (Production Supervisor).

J

ust as Wilson’s original masterpieces enjoyed rolling premieres at The Old Globe and other regional theatres across the country, this production is sharing the glory in cities nationwide as well.

The New York Times said of the 2017 revival, “How sweet the sound. And how sorrowful and jubilant, as life in a storefront taxi company in an African American neighborhood in Pittsburgh comes to feel like a free-form urban concerto, shaped by the quick-witted, improvisatory spirit that makes jazz soar… glorious production.” Entertainment Weekly raved “Grade: A! A gem of a play, both timely and timeless,” and added, “It’s like eavesdropping on an often funny, occasionally hostile, always honest discussion about race, urban development (or lack thereof), and relationships—between fathers and sons, men and women, coworkers and friends.”

August Wilson’s (Playwright) plays include Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson (Pulitzer Prize winner), Seven Guitars, Fences (Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony Award winner), Two Trains Running, Jitney (Olivier Award winner), King Hedley II and Radio Golf. In 2003, he made his stage debut in his one-man show, How I Learned What I Learned. He received an

Emmy Award nomination for his screenplay The Piano Lesson. Other works include The Janitor, Recycle, The Coldest Day of the Year, Malcolm X, The Homecoming and the musical satire Black Bart and the Sacred Hills. Other awards include eight New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Rockefeller and Guggenheim Fellowships in Playwriting, a Whiting Writers Award, 2003 Heinz Award, 1999 National Humanities Medal and induction into the Theater Hall of Fame.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Director) is honored to continue this journey with August Wilson’s Jitney whose recent Broadway production garnered several awards for Outstanding Revival including the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League, and the NY Drama Critics Circle Awards, along with six Tony nominations. Ruben’s directing credits include: The Piano Lesson, Skeleton Crew, Othello, Gem of The Ocean, Paradise Blue, My Children! My Africa!, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Cabin in the Sky, The Happiest Song Plays Last, Two Trains Running, Things of Dry Hours, The First Breeze of Summer and Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine, among many others. Mr. Santiago-Hudson received a Tony Award as featured actor for his performance in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. He made his Broadway acting debut alongside Gregory Hines in Jelly’s Last Jam. Other Broadway credits include Stick Fly and Gem of The Ocean. The multi-award-winning director/ writer/actor wrote, executive produced, and co-starred in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues based on his OBIE and Helen Hayes Award-winning play. The movie received several honors including Emmy, Golden Globe, NAACP Image Award, Humanitas, National Board of Reviews, Black Filmmaker’s Foundation and Christopher Awards.

In a career that spans over four decades, Ruben considers opening The Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Learning Center in 2014 in his hometown of Lackawanna, NY as one of his proudest and most cherished accomplishments.

August Wilson’s Jitney is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors

Ann Davies. Financial support is provided by The City of San Diego.

Additional events taking place during the run of August Wilson’s Jitney include: BARRY EDELSTEIN IN CONVERSATION WITH RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON, supported by the Fuson Family: Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center In Conversation is an ongoing series of interviews with major theatrical voices of our era.

This fascinating evening will cover Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s career as an actor and director; August Wilson; and specifically Jitney.

Tickets will go on sale to subscribers only on Friday, December 20 at 12:00 noon, and to the general public on Tuesday, January 7 at 12:00 noon. Tickets are $7.00 for subscribers, donors, and full-time students, and $10 for general audiences, and they can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

VICKI AND CARL ZEIGER INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

This series provides an opportunity to closely connect with productions both onstage and backstage. A panel selected from the artistic company of each show (playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and/or technicians) engages patrons in an informal and illuminating presentation of ideas and insights to enhance the theatregoing experience. FREE; no reservations necessary.

SUBJECT MATTERS:

Saturday, January 25, 2020 Explore the ideas and issues raised by a production through brief, illuminating postshow discussions with local experts, such as scientists, artists, historians and scholars.

Subject Matters will ignite discussion, bring the play’s concerns into sharp focus, and encourage you to think beyond the stage!

Subject Matters discussions follow select Saturday matinee performances. FREE; no reservations necessary.

POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, January 28 and February 4; Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Join us after the show for an informal and enlightening question-and-answer session with cast, crew, and/or Globe staff members. Get the inside story on creating a character and putting together a professional production.

FREE for ticketholders of that evening’s performance.

OPEN-CAPTION PERFORMANCE: Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

Open captioning is live text displayed simultaneously to the performance and does not require the user to have any special equipment for viewing the text. Please contact our Ticket Services Department at (619) 23-GLOBE (234-5623) or Tickets@ TheOldGlobe.org to purchase tickets within view of the captioning screen. Tickets for open-caption performances go on sale on the single-ticket on-sale date and are subject to availability. Support for open captioning is provided in part by TDF. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

CAST

JITNEY August Wilson. Photo courtesy of The Old Globe.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Photo courtesy of The Old Globe.

James T. Alfred u/s Booster, Youngblood

Amari Cheatom Youngblood

Brian D. Coats Philmore, u/s Shealy, Fielding

A. Russell Andrews u/s Philmore, Becker, Doub, Turnbo

Anthony Chisholm Fielding

Francois Battiste Booster

Nija Okoro Rena

Patrese D. McClain u/s Rena

Harvy Blanks Shealy

Ray Anthony Thomas Turnbo

Keith Randolph Smith Doub

Steven Anthony Jones Becker

Presents with purpose: Gift ideas that make an impact

T

he holiday season has come and gone but, what if you could give loved ones a present that makes a meaningful impact on the world? Nothing compares to giving gifts that help others in a direct, effective way. Both you and the gift recipient will know you're making a difference in the lives of people who really need it.

Here are a few ways you can give a gift that truly makes someone's life better: Feed a family - and nourish a community Several global charities have developed unique opportunities for Americans to make a dramatic impact on the lives of families throughout developing countries through gift giving. For example,

donors can direct contributions that pay for a farm animal to support a family or a clean water well installation to benefit an entire community.

In World Vision's Gift Catalog, a gift of a goat and two chickens provides a steady

supply of eggs, milk and protein that can feed two or more struggling families. Your loved one will receive a card to tell them you're making this life-changing donation on their behalf.

A single dairy goat can provide up to 16 cups of milk per day, providing calcium, protein and other essential nutrients for growing children. Goats are well-suited for harsh climates, and produce valuable fertilizer for crops and vegetable gardens. Chickens are easy to raise, and they naturally multiply to help feed generations of children.

Each family who receives chickens gives back some hatched chicks to help other families in their community. This productivity can create a viable small-business opportunity for a single mother or struggling family to help add to their income.

Provide vital medical supplies

Numerous organizations also help struggling families in developing countries gain access to life-saving medicine, vitamins and nutritional support. Donating these types of gifts on behalf of a loved one who has struggled with his or her own health concerns can be an especially meaningful way to show you care.

A monthly or yearly donation to World Vision in the name of your loved one is a great way to provide access to vital pharmaceuticals and medical supplies such as antibiotics, anti-fungals, anti-parasitic

drugs, deworming medications, disposable syringes, gastrointestinal drugs, painkillers or surgical supplies to communities that desperately need them. Your gift will multiply five times in terms of its impact to help ship and distribute necessary medicine and supplies.

Support community artisans If your loved one is passionate about artistic and beautiful things from around the world, you can support local artisans and craftspeople as well. Your support enables artisans to access "microloans" that help them fund their businesses. You can also directly purchase their hand-crafted items, which supports their business and enables you or your gift recipient to enjoy unique and beautiful works of art. Look for organizations that partner with fair trade organizations when you shop for international goods to maximize the impact of your gift.

Browse through World Vision's Catalog to see a wide variety of unique handcrafted gifts ranging from jewelry and housewares to decorative items. A portion of your purchase will be used to support specific, urgent needs for

children, families or communities around the world, benefiting local artisans, along with the individual for whom you selected a gift.

A $75 or greater donation enables you to select a gift from the Opportunity Collection of home decor items, the Grace Collection of jewelry and accessories or the Hope Bracelet. These items were exclusively designed by Emmy-Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton. They were created by fair trade artisans in India in partnership with Gifts with a Cause, a fair-trade organization that provides a sustainable income to artists in developing countries.

This business opportunity helps empower people to thrive, improving the lives of their families and communities. Consider making a donation that expresses how much you care. Your gift will truly have an impact on making the lives of others better - for months and years to come.

(BPT)

GIVE GIVE

DRE AM BIG

DON'T BE AFRAID TO DREAM BIG IN 2020 AND PURSUE THOSE DREAMS.

Many New Year’s Resolutions Revolve

Around A Desire to

Live Debt-Free With the start of a new decade, Americans are feeling particularly good about closing out 2019 when it comes to their current and future financial situation. That said, many are vowing to make it a priority to reduce the burden of personal debt that they incurred this year.

According to Fidelity Investments’ 2020 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, 82 percent of respondents say they are in a similar or better financial position than they were in last year. Most credited their success to their own good habits – saving more (47 percent) and budgeting (29 percent) – rather than their investment gains (18 percent) from a stock market that made one high after another.

Less than 25 percent put it down to having been able to work more hours in a strong economy.

And, as the study makes clear, they want to keep the momentum going.

Of the 67 percent considering making a financial resolution, “saving more” and “paying down debt” topped the list, respectively, at 53 percent and 51 percent.

“Living a debt-free life was the biggest motivator for them,” says Melissa Ridolfi, Fidelity’s vice president of retirement and college products.

Heck, given the choice between the classic New Year’s res-

olution of losing five pounds or socking away $5,000, a resounding 84 percent in the national survey of 3,012 adults opted for savings.

If you want to avoid the biggest and smallest mistakes that respondents made, read on:

• Dining out too much (36 percent).

• Spending too much on non-essentials, such as unused apps, streaming media services, and subscription retail boxes (29 percent).

• Taking on debt or adding to existing debt (28 percent).

•Splurging on something they couldn’t really afford (28 percent).

• Unexpected medical expenses (24 percent).

• Failing to save as much for retirement as they should (18 percent).

So with all the interest in getting a grip on debt, who seems to be faring the best at it?

Boomers, the study finds, with 29 percent crediting being better off financially at year’s end to having refinanced, paid off, or reduced debts or loans. Generation X, the next oldest, trailed at 21 percent, followed by 19 percent of millennials, and just 6 percent of Generation Z.

“Boomers are getting the message that the closer they get to retirement, the more essential it becomes to get their debt under control to make the most out of retirement savings,” Ridolfi says.

Certainly there’s no law that says you have to make a New Year’s resolution – financial or otherwise – but even a huge chunk of those surveyed who weren’t contemplating explicitly doing so, still say they are planning on building up emergency funds. As for what you might call the “traditionalists” out there? Fidelity has some tried-andtrue tips that can help ensure your financial vows don’t wind up being among the 80 percent of all resolutions that U.S. News says, alas, fail by the second week of February.

The firm also has an impressive, free online “Moments” tool designed to help you plan for lifestyle changes or react to a myriad of curveballs – i.e., the unexpected medical expenses cited as a big setback in the study – that life throws at you. And accessing the Fidelity Retirement Score gives you a quick look at where you stand with your savings.

Oh, and here’s one last thing to see if you can relate: Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed predicted they’d be even better off financially in 2020.

POPULAR NEW YEAR’S

RESOLUTIONS Exercise more Lose weight Get organized Learn a new skill or hobby Live life to the fullest Save more money / spend less money Quit smoking Spend more time with family and friends Travel more Read more

M.A.N.D.A.T.E WELCOMES

erisa nicole Courtesy of M.AN.D.A.T.E.

M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records, Inc. is excited to announce the signing of Smooth Jazz and Gospel artist, Erisa Nicole, a classically trained saxophonist with West Coast roots. Erisa Nicole began her musical journey at the age of 18. She formally acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Point Loma Nazarene University and now after a

decade in the music industry she is ready to expand her horizons with a multilevel partnership deal with M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records Inc.

Erisa Nicole has played at multiple venues nationwide sharing the stage with Smooth Jazz artists, Jazz in Pink, J.J. Sansaverino, Donald Haynes, Reggie Codrington, Daryl Williams, Nathan East and

noted Gospel artists, Erica Campbell, DeWayne Woods and John P. Kee. Her appearances include the Apollo Theatre and other venues throughout the United States.

Get ready world, Erisa Nicole is fully loaded and ready for your festivals, concerts and guest appearances in 2020.

mariea antoinette modern day

muse&musical unicorn

By Terri Fowler SAN DIEGO, CA - Phenomenal feats of musical merriment on a harp performed by a skilled and seductive artist with the bravery to burn a path for herself and her craft. This describes the musical unicorn, Mariea Antoinette, and her story began as a young teen in love with the harp – an instrument with origins from Mother Africa. That continent is a long way from sunny San Diego, the hometown of this masterful muse, but not out of character for Mariea. She gravitates to all things organic in life and in her musical evolution from classical arrangements to remakes of funk, blues, jazz and pop hits. Mariea credits her ease with complex musical interpretation and skill to her Russia teacher, Elena Maskovtseva but she recalls her attraction to the harp was immediate.

Mariea recalls, “I was exposed to the harp in middle school in a music program. The Harpist played Debussy’s “First Arabesque”, it was stunning and the hair on my arms stood up, I knew then that’s what I wanted to do and I pushed as hard as I could to become a harpist.”

Her craft was perfected with years of undergraduate work at universities in San Diego and Arizona offering Master classes in harp performance. These classroom experiences translated into in real- time application of this art form. She became the

principle harpist at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra in 2007.

Next, she ventured further on her journey into the world of entertainment as a fixture with the all-girl, internationally known jazz ensemble, Jazz in Pink. The fusion of classical and modern compilations was commonplace for the fiercely unapologetic group of musicians. The band's core members, Gail Jhonson, Althea René, Maria Antoinette, and Karen Briggs, delivers a mixed genre which is primarily Jazz with soul, R&B, symphonic, rock and hip hop undertones.

Whether performing as a member of an ensemble or solo Mariea’s classical and popular music training engages her audiences and makes each event memorable whether at a wedding, VIP reception or special event. However, her biggest thrill and surprise as a solo performer started with the recording of her first album with producer, Carl Evans Jr., Musical Director of ‘Fat Burger’ the National Jazz fusion band. “It was an exciting game changer to have the skill set to come into the studio and put down my harp arrangements and improvise after watching Hollis Gentry and many A-list musician record,” she said.

Other accomplishment placed her squarely on the national stage, with historic figures and legendary artists. “A milestone for me was hearing my music for the first time on radio, then being asked to play on the live radio broadcast, On-Air Radio, for an hour

with it reaching across the country”.

There have been many exciting and unexpected moments, from a call to play a major fundraiser luncheon for the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and a request from B.E.T. to perform on their award show with Ne-Yo. Yet for this “local girl from San Diego” her major thrill was “being asked to perform on at home on a big smooth jazz stage with my band and string section.”

The success and celebrity of her earlier projects, “Sexy Paradise” and “Straight from the Harp” are an indicator of the impression she making in the world of music. In early 2020, she’ll share a new gift to this industry - a full-length album, titled “All My Strings” featuring the latest single “That Thing”, a cover of the Lauryn Hill classic.

DISCOGRAPHY: 1. Sexy Paradise 2. Straight From The Harp 2a. Christmas Single "Gloria" 3. All My Strings, (Released in early March 2020) (With a track that features “Fatburger”)Newest single: That Thang https://www.marieaantoinette.com/press-kit For lots more info on Mariea and her music, check out the PRESS KIT on her official website.

YouTube: https://t.co/4WYKUZWm52 NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:Named the 2018 Instrumentalist of the Year by the San Diego Prestige Awards Awarded the 2018 Best Jazz Single for “Overture” by the Black Women in Jazz & the Arts Association Received a BMA Image Award at the 2018 Black Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles FOOTNOTE: (1)^ "History of the Harp | International Harp Museum". internationalharpmuseum.org. Retrieved 18 June 2016

w living

working with an

interior

designer

I

f you want to decorate a new home, office or redecorate an existing room, call in the professionals! Cutting corners, by not working with a professional interior designer, can ultimately cost you more time and money. Today, many smart homeowners are enlisting the services of interior designers.

Vanessa Banks, graduate of Design Institute of San Diego and owner of Decorating Den Interiors, since 2014. She provides clients with all aspects of interior design for residential and small commercial purposes. Services include custom window treatments, fabric and furniture selection, space planning, color coordination, flooring selection, shopping services and more.

Contact information 951.541.2695 or vanessabanks@decoratingden. com

Designers save on costs by selecting the correct size furniture and products for a room. Returned merchandise, especially for furniture that does not fit your room, can cost you a restocking fee of up to 15%. Designers can also save you time by selecting the correct paint colors preventing additional labor fees for repainting. Using a designer will reduce shopping time. Designers are trained to provide appropriate product selection that will work with the look you want to achieve. In addition, they have access to new products that are not available to the public and can introduce clients to the state-of-the-art design trends.

Prior to meeting with clients in their space, a designer should have a conversation with you to get some background information. Designers need to know you, your design style, your personality, which space would you want to work on, what colors or style do you like, how and who will be using the space or if there are any time constraints.

When the designer meets with the client, a client and designer tour of your home or space should occur. This helps the designer determine the style and tastes of the client. A discussion about the size of the project should

be determined; will the project be one room or the whole house. You should discuss your decorating priorities; which rooms are the most important for you to complete first. Tell your designer if you have certain items that you want to keep or work with, such as a certain furniture, art or collections.

During the tour, the designer will take notes and discuss your family’s lifestyle and ask many questions. Questions about the types of entertaining you conduct, whether you have kids or pets in your household or if elderly individuals will be using the space.

This information is needed to select the appropriate the types of fabric, furniture and products.

Your designer should ask you; how do you want your house to feel. Some clients want to a warm, neutral, relaxing and calm feel, others may want bright, colorful and fun interiors. A good designer would want your selected designs to work with your lifestyle,

personality and with your design vision.

A realistic timetable for completion, especially with a large project should be emphasized to a client. Custom orders can take 6-8-10 weeks and longer for backorders and during holidays. Also, it is standard practice for a designer to require a retainer fee before starting your project. The retainer can be a small amount to get the project started or substantial amount for larger projects and is normally not refundable. Designers will usually ask for a certain percentage down to order products such as accessories, lamps, vases or rugs. You can also sign a designer-client agreement for larger projects.

Make sure you determine a budget and share it with your designer. Trusting your designer will enable them to find the right products that best suit your needs. Decorating can be an overwhelming project, that’s where designers come in. Designers can help you take the guesswork out of all your decorating decisions. So, the next time an exciting design project is on your horizon, call in the professionals.

How to find a

BUCKET LIST

worthy sailing adventure

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be just the adventure you’re looking for.

Finding an authentic sailing ship for your nautical adventure is not out of reach. Sea hat’s on your buck- Cloud Cruises sail the traditional way - by hand. The Sea Cloud is designed for up to et list? A 64 passengers, with a crew of about 60. You ride on the Orient can watch the ship’s sailing crew climb the rigging and work the sails as you journey Express? to smaller ports and unique destinations in Rafting a luxurious, intimate setting - and you can through even volunteer to help work the ropes, if the Grand Canyon? Following Marco Poyou like. lo’s Silk Road? How about a voyage on a legendary four-masted windjammer that is still sailed by hand, with a rich history and A 360-foot windjammer with 29 sails and a main mast towering to 184 feet, the tall ship heritage that spans almost 90 years? was built in 1931 as a private yacht for heiress and founder of General Foods Marjorie If your fondest dreams are more about the Merriweather Post and husband Edward F. journey than the destination, a trip on a Hutton. Shipboard guests included the rich historic sailing ship in the Caribbean may

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While the settings may be the ultimate in luxury, the on-board experience is informal, with no assigned seating at meals, a casual dress code and an intimate atmosphere.

Guests can enjoy collections of photos from American and European guests mingle and past journeys for a peek into the ship’s hisrelax while enjoying Michelin-star quality tory, or peruse the ship’s log for tales of meals out on the deck or inside the gorvoyagers who made vast fortunes. Every geous dining room, featuring fresh seafood journey provides an “Open House” cocktail and produce obtained during the voyage hour where guests can view all the stateat Caribbean ports like St. Barts, the Britrooms, including the luxurious cabins creish Virgin Islands or Bequia Island in St. ated for the heiress and her husband. Other Vincent and the Grenadines. The Caribbecabins have more modern furnishings, most an has been Sea Cloud’s destination since with picture windows, and some with doors the beginning, so the long-lasting contacts opening to Caribbean breezes on the Prom- between the company and local suppliers enade Deck. Travelers enjoy impeccable provide the best quality products for unpersonal service, with many crew members forgettable meals. The smaller size of the staying with the line far over 10 years, and ship allows her to visit lesser-known ports

of call, far from typical tourist destinations.

Often small Zodiac boats are used to let passengers visit quiet island beaches or indulge in a little snorkeling. The Caribbean offers ideal sailing due to the east-to-west prevailing trade winds, making it the perfect destination for the Sea Cloud yachts.

On most of the 7- to 14-day Caribbean itineraries, half the day is spent sailing, allowing guests to enjoy the pure beauty of the sailing ship and revel in the journey.

For those who love to sail, it’s a dream come true. Passengers can visit the ship’s deck any time, stopping at the bridge to speak to the captain or the officer on duty, 24/7. The engines only run when needed, such as for maneuvering, using low-sulfur diesel, so the entire trip is a great example of sustainable tourism. Travelers seeking a longer voyage can travel the crossing from Europe to the Caribbean, which is a two-and-a-half-week trip, and the adventure of a lifetime for the true sailor.

The Sea Cloud spends summers sailing the Mediterranean, but winters are prime for some of the best sailing in the world - following in the wake of buccaneers throughout the islands of Lesser Antilles and other unique Caribbean destinations. The best way to truly appreciate the Caribbean is on an authentic sailing ship.

A second ship, Sea Cloud II, is more modern but still sailed the traditional way, by hand, with 23 sails and a 188-foot main mast. The Sea Cloud II carries up to 94 guests, with a crew of about 65. The com-

pany will christen a third ship in summer 2020.

To learn more, visit SeaCloud.com. View stunning videos at SeaCloud.com/en/ yachts/films and take an onboard visit with a virtual tour: SeaCloud.com/en/yachts/virtual-tours or call 1-888-732-2568 for more information.

12 Ways You Are Secretly Sabotaging Your

Relationship

by Marshaun Olaniyan

Life & Relationship Strategist

Author of ‘Reignite Your Relationship by 7X’

Being in a relationship can be such a beautiful thing, especially when you’re pretty sure you’ve found your mate. Outwardly, things are moving along and everything seems to be going great.

But... there is something nagging at your spirit.

A feeling you can’t shake for one reason or another.

Is everything alright? Where are these feelings of insecurity creeping in from? Why have they shown up now? How can you get rid of them for good? What do all of these assumptions mean?

You can’t quite put your finger on things but you will get to the bottom of it.

You wonder about all the times you said, “I love you” and how perfect this relationship was.

What’s wrong? Doesn’t he or she love me anymore? That’s the question that is plaguing your inner world. Is he or she cheating on you? Have they lied to you about something? Have you found evidence that he or she was someplace they didn’t tell you about? All these things start to swirl around in your head. You’re beginning to suspect your partner is guilty of something, even if you can’t pinpoint it.

Enters the secret self-sabotaging behaviors.

Before you know it, you are starting to verbalize your disdain in a very disrespectful tone and manner. Are you guilty of the following behaviors listed below?

1.You usually focus on the negative about your partner.

This world thrives off of negativity and in your relationship, it seems to be no different, that is, unless you make it a point to focus on the positive. This is a learned practice for most people, but one that can and will create your most beautiful artwork, your relationship. One way to do this is to identify and focus on your partner’s strengths. Another way is to be grateful for your

spouse and the things he or she does for you, emotionally, financially, spiritually, and physically.

2. You both stop kissing each other upon returning from being away.

Kissing is a universal language that says, “I miss you.” “I want you.” “I need you.” “I’m happy to see you.” Many couples get away from this simple act but have no idea that this simple act has many, many benefits, such as relieving our blood pressure, strengthening the relationship, decreasing stress levels, and biological roots that impact our bodies. Researchers in Germany found that men who were kissed by their wives just before leaving for work were more successful than those who were not.

3. You’re still being shy in the bedroom.

Being shy in the bedroom makes for a boring sex life. This is the place where you should be able to let down your hair and become one with your partner over and over again. Your partner can’t be intuitive to your needs if they don’t know what they are. If you’re not comfortable verbally telling your partner your needs, then guide their hands to your magic place and don’t be afraid to ask them to join you in a certain position. Another way to make things happen is to express what you like outside of the bedroom. For example, “Hey babe I really like it when you touch and kiss my thighs.” Your partner will remember this the next time you two become one.

4. Listening to the silent screams within your mind.

Your old faithful, fear, has shown up too many times. Find a way to shake this ever-present being out of your mind and spirit. Fear will

hold you back from experiencing the most beautiful relationship you can imagine. Fear will keep you forever stuck in a place of complacency. It will hold you back from truly experiencing the best relationship with your partner, ultimately, leading you to a breakup. When the silent screams start to rear their ugly head, make a b-line to the nearest set of positive affirmations.

Say these out loud for a few minutes, until you start to believe them and until that silent scream goes away.

7. Everyone gets the best version of you but your partner.

One way or the other you are finding ways not to be committed to the relationship. It could be out of fear or another person has your attention and/ or heart. Sometimes you’re not 100% committed to the relationship because you don’t feel you’re worthy of this type of relationship or the person in which you’re in a relationship. Whatever be your reasons, decide and make a choice if this person and relationship are worthy of going to the next level. If not, walk away and move on to someone who will make you feel as though you never want to leave their side.

Why does this happen? Most times, this happens because you start to take your partner for granted. You know they will be there for you, so you stop putting in the time and energy that’s needed to keep the relationship thriving and as your safe place. It tends to turn into your “steady place” versus your place of peace, happiness, and the place you can’t wait to return back to. You keep giving everyone around you your best self because maybe you are more worried about what others think of you or you want others to see you in a specific light or you don’t want others to think you don’t have everything together. All of these things drain you, and then when you return back to your partner, you can’t give anymore. It’s difficult giving and giving when you’re not being your authentic self. The one person you need to show up for and be your best self for forgets the leftovers from your hard day.

To counter this, make it a habit of recharging and resetting yourself before going home to your spouse, such as singing a happy song or dancing around the office before leaving work or from hanging out with friends or meditating or praying.

6. You lie to yourself about how happy you are.

8.You constantly pick fights for no reason.

You have something to prove, not only to yourself but others around you, so you can’t possibly tell the truth about the way you feel or what’s really plaguing your mind. You know that you’re forcing things to happen or only posting the very few happy moments you have to keep up this facade of you being happy. Why continue to do this? Do yourself a favor and figure out if this is the relationship for you where you two are just going through a tough time or if this is the way you’ve felt the entire relationship, but you stay because he or she meets the requirements on your checklist.

Constantly picking fights will make the relationship toxic and an unhealthy one to be a part of.

Constantly fighting sabotages and erodes the relationship. It takes away from the romance, the stability, and the deeper connection we all long for. Ask yourself why you constantly pick fights. What or who are you running from? Really think about this so you can get to the root of the problem.

5. You’re not 100% committed to the relationship or are focusing on things not working out for the long haul.

9. You’re still searching and browsing the dating sites.

Browsing and searching dating websites while you are in a relationship not only sabotages the

relationship but it is rather disrespectful to your partner and to yourself. This shows that you are not 100% committed to your current relationship nor your partner, or just maybe, you are being selfish by wanting your cake and eating it too, unbeknown to your current partner. If you want to continue to do this, then step away from your relationship and solely focus on the right person. If you are not happy in your current relationship then it is easier to walk away from it than, introducing another person into your mess. You may feel there is something missing in your relationship, and that is okay. Actively searching for another person while in a relationship is not okay.

10. You vent about your partner constantly.

Venting is a natural thing that occurs when things aren’t going your way or the way you think things should be going. However, venting can be a very bad thing to do, especially, where and you are complaining constantly to others about what is not taking place in your home.

Why he or she can’t hold a job or why they suck or why they are a loser. This is actually being disrespectful not only to your partner but to your overall relationship.

Venting all the time causes resentment to build up. You look at your partner with disdain versus love. You start to hate things about him or her that used to seem adorable to you. The intimacy begins to wane or even disappear. Not to mention they become the villain in your eyes and in your thoughts the more you focus on the negativity of your partner. As soon as you notice this is starting to occur, focus on the positive and the good they bring to you and to the relationship.

11.You stay mad for days or weeks at a time.

What has you partner done that makes you stay mad at him or her for days or weeks at a time?

Do you do this as a way to control him or her and the situation? Are you doing this because of

your own insecurities from within? Maybe you are doing this because you are tired of being hurt by your love. Whatever your reasons are, believe me, you are hurting yourself as well as your partner. This doesn’t bring you two closer. It gives your partner a glimpse of what life could be like without you. The more you keep the distance and stay mad at them, the more you are giving them permission to slowly stop loving you, and worse yet, they will start to look for that emotional connection elsewhere... eventually. Don’t set yourself up for failure! Be the bigger person and apologize. Acknowledge your part in the way the argument happened. Offer a solution.

Then be open and receptive to what your partner has to say as well.

12. You won’t let yourself be completely open to receive love.

You sabotage the relationship by holding back and not completely being open to receive love.

Just like many of the things listed above, you are allowing fear to come in and suck the life out of your relationship and your bond with your partner. You believe that staying closed off will protect you from being hurt. And guess what?

You are right, but this only helps you for a fleeting moment in time. The only way to get the love you are seeking is to be open to receiving all the love you are being shown from those around you especially the love from your partner.

Are you guilty of doing any or all of the following within your relationship? How can you make sure you are not secretly sabotaging your relationship, today? Or this week? How will you now show up in your relationship? Who will you decide to be? How are you creating your romantic relationship? Will it be one that stands the test of time or one you remember as the “one” that got away? The choice is yours.

haute

Kotton Candy Co. is new to the Black & team with the goal of educate clients on the latest fashion trends while using ecofriendly fabrics. “Not only will clients look stunning, but we will make sure it's affordable,” shares the company’s owner, Candi. “We’re also available to help build onto your existing wardrobe to make it more stylish and up to date,” she adds.

KottonCandico. is a Southern California based fashion consultant company geared toward wardrobe building and advising personal style. This company also helps create a smoother experience with their closet make overs. “It gives our clients more time to dress and less time to stress. You will know exactly where everything is.”

They take pride in assisting clients with finding clothing that fits their lifestyle, body, and budget.

With awesome personalities and great customer service, satisfaction of the client is always number one. “We always aim to give you the best fashion experience you could ever have. When you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

Make sure you catch us on the many runways of Southern California,” says Candi.

Top: Polka Dot Blouse with Dramatic Bow Bottom: Sesame Street themed printed skirt from KottonCandico 2017

Courtesy of Poetic Dyme A graduate of the Fashion Career College of Fashion Design and Business, Jayme Wiley, has been working in the fashion industry most of her adult life. Jayme’s passion for design and eye for style has catapulted her success as both a stylist and designer. From conceptualizing a piece to dressing a model, Jayme is handson ensuring perfection in every area of her business. An entrepreneur in her craft, Jayme is owner of Poetic Dyme, a custom design company targeting women over age 21. Each piece is handmade and custom fit to style. A creator at heart, Jayme’s love for the arts does not stop with fashion, she is also a writer and poet which is where the name Poetic Dyme was derived. It is a self-representation of her being, as a poet and a pretty fly individual.

Her inspiration comes from her mother, Debra, who would sew clothes for Jayme growing up. While the fashionista side has always been prevalent, Jayme had to push herself to work outside of her comfort zone and become a master seamstress. Jayme’s motivation comes from her two son’s Jordan and Ja’Meer, in which her success demonstrates that through hard work and perseverance you can be anything you want. Jayme loves the “wow-factor” and being different and creative allows her to express her style and garner that amazing reaction every time one of her pieces hits the runway. Fashion shows and photoshoots are a highlight for Jayme, as they give her the opportunity to turn her work into fashion and her fashion into art, seeing her work come to life is exhilarating. While Jayme is extremely proud of how far she has come she recognizes there is still work to be done and doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Her desire is to evolve her business exponentially through manufacturing her designs and working more behind the scenes. Also allowing her the opportunity to follow her dream of styling and designing for celebrities. Jayme is influenced by the celebrity styles of Rhianna, Aaliyah and Left-Eye to name a few. Their eclectic style is mixed with a bit of androgyny and sexiness eluding to a style of endless expectations for an ingenious designer like Jayme.

Outfit by

Top: Polka Dot Blouse with Dramatic Bow Bottom: Green Pleated Chiffon Skirt

SWAV

The world’s first inspirational eyewear company

M

eet Isiah Fowler, the 28year old entrepreneur who believes that everything you do in life starts with a vision. He is the founder & CEO of SWAV Eyewear, which is the world’s first inspirational eyewear company that is on a mission to change the world through eyewear.

Isiah always had a vision to change the world and his journey started when he decided to leave

Sacramento, CA to explore the world by serving the country and joining the United States Air Force. In 2011, a year after joining, he was on his deathbed after learning he had malaria. This eye opening experience showed him he needed to become a successful full time entrepreneur and make a huge contribution to this world.

In 2014, he honorably separated so that he could freely chase his dreams. He’s successfully invested in real estate, has had one of the most popular podcasts (Starts With A Vision Podcast), and then decided to turn that podcast into a product-based business and that is how SWAV Eyewear was born.

After officially launching in Jan 2019, Isiah realized he needed the best quality product possible so he found a European manufacturer and flew to Greece to meet them in person and design their next two new collections.

SWAV Eyewear is the world’s first inspirational eyewear company that sells the highest quality sunglasses from eco friendly cellulose acetate and handcrafted in Greece. Each pair has an inspirational quote on the inside of the temples to inspire you to never give up on your vision, and for every pair of frames they sell they take $5 and put it into their visionary investment Fund. Every quarter they take that amount and invest it into someone who has a vision, because everything in life starts with a vision right?

SWAV Eyewear is meant to motivate, inspire and empower goal oriented, passionate, and driven visionaries to achieve absolute greatness.

Housing is a Health Issue

2.0

Overview Lawsuit Challenging Racially Discriminatory Section 8 Voucher Levels

Know Your Rights When it Comes to Housing

Update

Explain Stable Housing Leads to Stable Communities

More stable and SAFER housing!

See you there!

How

Saturday January 25, 2020, 10:00 AM-1:30 PM

Logan Heights Library Community Room; 567 S. 28th St.

RSVP? sandiegonaacp.org/hhsym More info? Write housing@sandiegonaacp.org

Suggested donation $10 no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

75

The Sweet Smell of

Southeast The Garden of Fragrance

T

here is a sweet smell that lingers in the heart of Southeast San Diego. It stems from a well know establishment called The Garden of Fragrance. Since 1988, this community jewel has been servicing residents locally and abroad offering specialty oils and incense, that are mixed with staying power. If you can’t quite afford the costly name brand perfumes and colognes found in popular department stores, The Garden of Fragrance will enable you to still play in the game of “smelling good”, with their affordable oil mixtures of your favorite scents.

Founded by Yahya Ahad, the Garden of Fragrance was birthed out of his desire to experience entrepreneurship in addition to helping others get into fragrance businesses of their own by offering starter kits and mentoring them through their entrepreneurial processes. Because of Ahad’s heart, his efforts brought economic empowerment to people and created a ripple effect of financial freedom that resonated with many throughout the nation. After 26 years of service to his community, Ahad transitioned on December 26, 2014 after suffering a massive stroke, in effect passing his life and legacy to his children who have kept the business alive and well.

Today, his daughter Najawa Fox can be seen bustling in the popular store front, tending to customers with

a bright smile and a twinkle in her eyes.

She says that getting involved in the family business was always a dream. “Once I got older, I went to San Diego State and studied business and marketing…always with the idea in mind to come back to the store and help it to grow.” She recalls that right after graduation, she spent some time working directly with her dad who gave her insight into developing a rapport with customers. “He taught me about helping people find their strengths in businesses and [how to guide] them. He taught all of us that,” she says. Though her heart was in the business, Fox left the family business temporarily to further develop her skills the corporate world. In 2017 she returned fully equipped, enabling she and her sister to take on the task of upgrading the store and modernizing it.

Throughout they day customers can be seen going in and out of the store, purchasing perfume body oils, home fragrance oils, incense sticks, natural resins and smudge, home goods and gift sets.

While their products have been widely popular over the last three decades, Fox shares that they are beginning to give

space to local smaller vendors in addition to creating their own personalized lines.

“We had a lot of products where we were helping other businesses grow, but we never featured their products here. So, what I wanted to do was have a place where we can showcase other smaller businesses in the community.” The first company to hit the platform was Skinfolk, a local woman-owned skincare line that offers raw black soap, cocoa butter, body whip, herbal balm, essential deodorant and lip balm. Fox says that they saw huge success with the Skinfolk brand in the store, which encouraged her to venture out into the community and find more businesses to support at that level. They are also offering their own line of incense blends, fragrance sprays, and concrete incense holders with the hopes that they too can introduce their line in other stores around the community and across the country.

I

n regard to the importance of being and staying in the community, Fox shares that the products they sell have always been in the community. “It’s always been part of African American culture… to have the body oils and incense.

You’re starting to see it become more trendy and it’s more mainstream. But we want to keep it here. This is where we started.

This is who supported our business, and this is how we’ve been able to grow, so we want to continue that here.

We don’t want it to get so big that we just

leave and forget about people. We want to have a place where people can gather and be exposed to new things and see what we offer in the store.”

Fox appreciates having the legacy that her father left. “This was my dad’s vision. It started off small… just something he did on the side. But to see the growth of the business and to have a second generation come in and to continue that and not forget our roots… I mean this business is a part of our family. For

me it’s like my baby to continue it.” In the new year Fox says they’ll be introducing fragrance blending classes in addition to offering other creative gatherings.

But don’t take our word for it, go visit the Garden of Fragrance for yourself. They are located at 1960(A) 54th Street, San Diego, CA 92105. Their website is www.gardenoffragrance.com. They accept online orders in addition to storefront shopping. You can call them at (619) 527-1307.

Over the years we’ve seen the emergence of the mesh loofah sponge and it’s rise to popularity.

When wash cloths reigned supreme, loofah sponges seemed to be a thing only found among the elite bathers of the world. Now these balls of mesh can be found in every color, texture and size imaginable. They definitely make showering or bathing easier by capturing more of the soap and distributing it at a greater level, but in the midst of all this soapy fun, do people really know how to keep their loofahs clean? Bacteria is at home in a wet environment, and your shower is the perfect place for this. Loofahs can contain fungal organism which can ultimately lead to skin infection, so it’s important to replace them regularly(every 30 days), keep them clean and not wash too vigorously while using them. To wash it fill a sink or bucket with one gallon of cool water. Add 3/4 cup of chlorine bleach if the loofah is made of synthetic fibers, or 1/4 cup of bleach if it’s made of natural fibers. Submerge the loofah in the bleach water and let it soak for at least five minutes. Take it out of the bleach solution and rinse it thoroughly under running water.

Wring out the loofah and give it a few good shakes to remove the excess water. Hang it up to air dry.

wash your

loofah

2nd Annual Skin of Color Conference for Estheticians to be Held in Atlanta

Hampton, VA — Nuekie, a leading provider of innovative skincare products specially formulated and designed for skin of color, will host the 2nd Annual Nuekie Skin of Color Conference to educate estheticians on the science and business of skin of color.

As the ethnic population continues to grow and we are becoming a diverse society, there is an increasing demand for the ethnic-specific skin care. It is known that Black women alone contribute $7.5 billion dollars to the beauty industry. Ethnic consumers are looking for skin care specialists who understand their skin care needs.

The event which is the premier event of its

kind in the world is scheduled to take place on February 7th- 8th, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event is only open to licensed estheticians and provides an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and most importantly bring estheticians together.

The conference aims to ensure that each attendee receives the best quality experience which will then allow them to build a profitable, sustainable esthetics business. While many estheticians are taught to deliver esthetics services in cosmetology school, learning how to treat skin of color and building a profitable business is greatly lacking in esthetics education.

“Many esthetic schools do not provide a solid education in three areas – caring for skin of color, cosmetic science, and business,” commented Eunice Cofie-Obeng, the founder of Nuekie Skin of Color Conference.

“We wanted to create an intensive learning experience which focuses on skin of color esthetics, cosmetic science, marketing, finance, sales, and leadership. We want to give estheticians the tools that they need to cater to the growing ethnic marketing and build successful esthetic practices.”

Jamila Wasson-Pehan, owner of the Anuyou Electrolysis & Advanced Aesthetics in Seattle, Washington attended the last conference said, “As a recent graduate of a master aesthetician program, I have received so much more knowledge about ethnic skincare from this conference.”

Regina Tindle, owner of Masterpiece Face Spa and Body Bar in Hampton Roads shared,

“Not only did I learn about skin of color, how to treat it and the science behind it, but I also learned a lot of information on small business start-up, the financial planning, the marketing, the product lines. The conference is worth your time, money, and energy.“

New to this year’s program is the Black Women in Esthetics Celebration which will take place on Saturday, February 8th, 2020.

“When you look at the major professional esthetic and spa magazines, Black women in esthetics go unrecognized. This event will not only celebrate women of color that are estheticians but will create a safe space where they can network, discuss business, and honor one another’s achievements,” said Cofie-Obeng.

For anyone interested in learning about caring for skin of color, building and expanding their esthetics business, this conference is not to be missed. Register early, as demand is expected to be extremely high.

To register for the Nuekie Skin of Color Conference, visit their website at www. skinofcolorconference.com.

Hairocracy to the

RESCUE Courtesy of BlackNews

H

airocracy is a Black-owned venture founded by entrepreneur Toja Cawley that offers a collection of high-quality hair and facial products.

The company sells hair extensions, male wigs and toupees, hair care and styling products, beard care products, and many other beauty accessories.

Their flagship products include the Edge Control regrow brush and the GrowCap by Hairocracy.

They feature Low Level Laser Therapy to stimulate scalp and result in hair growth. The GrowCap comes in two strength 148 Diodes and 272 Diodes. The difference being how quickly results are derived. These do come at a high price tag but is considerably cheaper than similar products. The Edge Control Brush also features LLLT and is designed to fir small targeted spaces such as the hairline.

Both comes with an all natural organic serum formulated to achieve hair growth. The store also produces a line of Tea Tree Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner to aid with hair growth.

To explore Hairocracy’s Hair Loss Products, visit https://tinyurl.com/tjwekr9 In addition to their Hair Growth devices, shoppers can find a large selection of high quality hair extensions and even hair extensions for men. Customers can choose from more than 30 stretch lengths; and textures.

Toja cawley

Men too are not left out of the fun as Hairocracy offers a long list of hair products for them as well. The Hairocracy Human Hair Durable Hairpieces Lace Thin PU Replacement System For Men Toupees is a top-rated product changing the lives of men who have lost their hair. The product is available in four sizes, and more than 30 design, density, and color options and textures including kinky natural.

Men also have a long list of products for beard care.

Electric beard straightener, beard oil, mustache clip styling tool, etc. are all available at very affordable prices.

informed

Note to the “No Party Preference Voters”:

Act Now Or Risk Not Voting Next Year

N

california black media ot a registered Democrat, or Independent or Republican? Or not affiliated with any other political party?

California’s Secretary of State Alex Padilla is encouraging “no party preference” (NPP) voters to complete presidential primary ballot selection postcards county elections offices across the state are mailing to them.

He said returning the form on time will make the 2020 voting process in California much easier for voters and elections officials.

“The American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian parties are allowing No Party Preference voters to participate in their March 3, 2020 presidential primary elections,” said a press release from Padilla’s office.

“With the launch of a new ‘How to vote for U.S. President’ website, direct mailings to voters, and social media campaigns, elections officials are working to educate and assist all eligible Californians,” Padilla con-

tinued. “No Party Preference voters, in particular, need to know their options for requesting a ballot with presidential candidates, if they so choose.”

NPP voters who do not respond to the postcard they receive in the mail will be mailed a ballot without any presidential candidates listed.

To participate in the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential primaries, NPP voters must first re-register with one of those parties of their choice.

For more information, visit: HowToVoteForPresident.sos.ca.gov

Bridge Shelter Program

Mayor Faulconer expands program to serve more families and homeless youth

San Diego – Advancing San Diego’s efforts to reduce homelessness, the City Council today voted separately to expand Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer’s bridge shelter program for homeless individuals and to create a flexible funding pool to bolster homeless services and programs.

“We’ve gotten hundreds of people off the street and into permanent housing as a direct result of our decision to open the bridge shelters two years ago,” Mayor Faulconer said. “With so many positive outcomes, it makes all the sense in the world to expand the bridge shelter program and help even more people get on the journey to a better life. I want to thank the City Council voting to approve this expansion and investing in a program with proven success.”

The expansion will occur early next year at the bridge shelter at Golden Hall. Father Joe’s Villages currently operates the 141bed shelter for women and families in the North Terrace rooms of Golden Hall and now will expand with up to 138 beds in the South Terrace rooms.

A portion of the new beds will specifically serve Transition Aged Youth – at-risk youth between the ages of 18 and 24 who are transitioning from state custody or foster care. That group makes up 11 percent of San Diego’s unsheltered homeless population.

“City Council’s decision to expand the temporary bridge shelter will provide desperately needed near-term options for people on the streets today and will allow us to

connect them to our integrated services at Father Joe’s Villages, including healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, dental, vocational training, employment services and housing placement,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “This year, we far surpassed the established goal of transitioning 30 percent of clients into permanent or other longterm housing, averaging over 60 percent and at times reaching as high as 85 percent.

We commend the City Council and Mayor Faulconer for taking concrete action to address the very real needs facing those on San Diego’s streets and look forward to working with other transition age youth providers to deliver the best support possible.”

The bridge shelter program – overseen by the San Diego Housing Commission – provides temporary relief from the streets to hundreds of individuals every day with beds, meals, showers, restrooms, 24-hour security, alcohol and substance abuse counseling and job training as well as help to find permanent housing.

This month’s action puts San Diego on a path to achieve two of the targets laid out in the City’s new PDF icon Community Action Plan on Homelessness. The plan – a roadmap for creating a more comprehensive system to reduce homelessness over 10 years – calls out the need to add 350-500 crisis response options like new shelter beds and other programs.

The expansion – which follows the opening of a fourth bridge shelter in November – will bring the total number of beds in the

bridge shelter program to 931 citywide. The City’s bridge shelters include:

The City Council also approved the creation of a flexible pool of funding that will be used in innovative ways to bolster services and programs helping homeless individuals in San Diego using State Homeless Emergency Aid Program funding. In its first year, it will deploy up to $1 million in aid to individuals who need some form of low-level or shortterm help to achieve housing stability, but who might not qualify for some of the City’s other homeless assistance programs. This will address a known gap in the system.

“The city’s new Community Action Plan on Homelessness sets ambitious goals with targeted action items to help people living on the streets,” said City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell. “Today’s item creates the region’s first-ever flexible funding pool. This will help us pay for needed programs like outreach, reunification, transitional storage and safe lots for individuals experiencing homelessness.”

The City and the Housing Commission have collaborated to develop the program and clar-

ify funding needs. The following were identified as target uses for the funds: Flexible funding for housing-related financial assistance, services support and program operations, including targeting additional resources in the city’s bridge and interim shelters.

Exploring development of a master leasing program to determine feasibility of entering into lease agreements with landlords to secure units in existing markets for homeless individuals ready to exit into stable housing.

This is the latest investment as part of Mayor Faulconer’s “Connect. Support. House.” strategy to reduce homelessness. Mayor Faulconer has led the largest expansion of homeless services in City history by opening four bridge shelters, expanding a safe parking program for individuals living out of their vehicles, adding storage capacity and creating the Neighborhood Policing Division with homeless outreach teams to help address quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods.

San Diego mayoral forum What does a strong & inclusive economy look like with our next mayor?

COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA BRY

ASSEMBLYMEMBER TODD GLORIA

COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT SHERMAN

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TASHA WILLIAMSON

CON F I R M E D

CO N FIRM E D

CONFI RME D

I NVI TED

Thursday, January 23, 2020

5:30PM - 6:30PM Hosted Reception • 6:30PM - 8:00PM Candidates Forum National University Sanford Education Center 11255 N Torrey Pines Rd, San Diego, CA 92037 FREE WITH RSVP AT WWW.STRATEGICALLIANCESD.ORG

HOSTED BY THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE SPONSORED BY NATIONAL UNIVERSITY GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

photo courtesy colin kaepernick facebook

commentary

Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick:

The Influence of Sports on Social Equality

Green Beret and former NFL player. Colin Kaepernick’s reason for protesting by kneeling during the National anthem is to bring awareness and change to sad reality of police brutality in the United States of America. Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers after the 2016 season and has not played In an NFL game since then.

by blake ewings It seems that the most controversial story in sports over the past three years has been Colin Kaepernick protesting police brutality by kneeling or sitting on a bench during the national anthem before San Francisco 49ers games and America’s mixed reaction to it. Kaepernick sat on the San Francisco 49ers team bench during the United States national anthem before an NFL game for the first time August 14, 2016. Kaepernick continued to sit during the national anthem until the final preseason game of that season when he took a knee for the same purpose. Kaepernick was advised to kneel by Nate Boyer, a retired U.S. Army

On November 12, 2019 speculation began to swirl around the sports world about an NFL initiated workout to give Kaepernick another chance to play in the NFL. Kaepernick confirmed the workout in a tweet saying “I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years. I can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.”

When the day of workout came the location of the workout was changed from the Atlanta Falcons practice facility to an Atlanta area high school. The change of venue resulted in only 8 of the 32 NFL teams being present for his workout. A press release was sent out prior to the location change and workout saying the NFL didn’t provide a legitimate process leading up to the workout and concerns with an unusual liability waiver that Kaepernick would’ve had to sign. After the workout Kaepernick spoke to media and said “I’ve been ready for three years, I’ve been denied for three years, we all know why, I came out

here and showed it today in front of everybody. We have nothing to hide, so we’re waiting for the 32 owners, the 32 teams, Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running, stop running from the truth, stop running from the people.”

The impact that Colin Kaepernick is making for social equality goes beyond the football field. In 2016 he created the Know Your Rights Camp. Know Your Rights Camp is a program that teaches youth to survive & thrive especially when facing tough situations like police brutality. In a video that can be seen on the website for the Know Your Rights Camp Kaepernick was asked “What are You trying to accomplish?” and he replied “This stand wasn’t for me, this is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, People that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard and affect change so I’m in a position where I can do that so I’m gonna do that for people that can’t.” In 2017 he was named GQ Magazine’s Man of The Year and winner of the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award which was presented to him by singer Beyoncé.

Colin Kaepernick is not the first athlete to take a stand for justice and be shunned by professional sports & the United States of America. On April 28, 1967 heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the United States military by not stepping forward when his birth name, Cassius Clay, was called during a military draft for the Vietnam war. Ali refused to step forward and join the military due to religious beliefs and the mistreatment of Black people in the United States.

At a press conference following his refusal to join the military Ali said “I ain't draft dodging. I ain't burning no flag. I ain't running to Canada. I'm staying right here. You want to send me to jail? Fine, you go right ahead. I've been in jail for 400 years. I could be there for 4 or 5 more, but I ain't going no 10,000 miles to help murder and kill other poor people.

If I want to die, I'll die right here, right now, fightin' you, if I want to die. You my enemy, not no Chinese, no Vietcong, no Japanese.

You my opposer when I want freedom. You my opposer when I want justice. You my opposer when I want equality. Want me to go somewhere and fight for you? You won't even stand up for me right here in America, for my rights and my religious beliefs. You won't even stand up for my right here at home” As a result of refusing induction into the military Ali was arrested later that day, fined $10,000 and stripped of his title as heavyweight champion of the world, his license to box in the United States & his visa that allowed him to box overseas. A jury also sentenced sentenced Ali to five years in prison.

His legal team took the case to a court of appeal which upheld the prison sentence, but the decision was overturned by the United States Supreme Court. Muhammad Ali continued to box in the ring until he retired from the sport of boxing in 1981 but he continued to fight for social equality, religious freedom & world peace until he died June 3, 2016.

Although Colin Kaepernick and Muhammad Ali are known as athletes, they had a greater purpose which is standing up for what they believe despite opposition and ridicule.

Sulwe

by Lupita Nyong’o,

illustrated by Vashti Harrison c.2019, Simon & Schuster $17.99 / $23.99 Canada 48 pages

Other kids can be so mean.

In your classroom, they call you names and whisper bad things. On the playground, they tease you, and it hurts your feelings. You wish you had more friends, and that things were different. But in the new book “Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison, life can change, and it starts on the inside of you.

For a long time, Sulwe hated her skin.

It was dark as midnight and because of it, she didn’t look like anyone else in her family. Her mother’s skin was as bright as the day. Sulwe’s father was like sundown, and her sister was like “high noon.” Almost nobody at school was dark-skinned like Sulwe, either, and they called her names for it.

Sulwe’s sister had all kinds of friends. Sulwe had almost no friends, and it wasn’t fair.

Maybe, she thought, she could scrub the dark

away but ouch! That didn’t work.

Maybe Mama’s make-up would help make her skin lighter but it just made a mess.

She tried to eat bananas, white bread, and other light foods but that just made her full.

Praying didn’t work, either, and when Mama saw that Sulwe was sad, she tried to help. Mama reminded Sulwe that her name means “Star” and that a star’s brightness comes from the inside.

Beauty comes from inside, too, and “it begins with how you see yourself...”

All that day, Sulwe thought about what Mama said.

Could it be that there was light inside her darkness? Was there beauty in skin like midnight?

She thought and she thought, and she fell asleep thinking about Mama’s words.

Not long after Sulwe’s eyes closed, they opened again! There in the middle of her room was a shooting star, inviting her on a journey where dark and light were sisters and the people learned that everything was wrong if they didn’t have both.

Was that a lesson Sulwe could use?

Definitely, yes. And if your child has started to notice skin tones, this is a book she can use, too.

“Sulwe” tells a wonderful tale of differences and loving the skin you’re in.

You aren’t going to see that, though, until later. No, much like the story itself, the first thing you’ll see is the outside of “Sulwe,” and it’s absolutely beautiful. Indeed, the illustrations by Vashti Harrison almost glow, and you may have a hard time keeping your hands off.

Go ahead, though, and open the book.

There, author Lupita Nyong’o tells a child’s tale that, she says in her end-ofbook author note, is somewhat autobiographical: like her character, she was teased for being “night-shaded.” Nyong’o goes on to offer advice to children who wish to be lighter-skinned, or who are bullied for being who they are. Not only is this comforting, but it could serve as a great conversation-starter.

Give this book to your child, read it aloud, and enjoy the gorgeous artwork, too. “Sulwe” is a book you’ll both love, as a beautiful story loaded with meaning.

World

Population Expected at

7,621,018,958 on Jan. 1 america counts staff As the nation rings in the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau projects the U.S. population will be 330,222,422 on Jan. 1, 2020.

The nation starts the new decade with an increase of 1,991,085 people, or 0.61%, from New Year’s Day 2019. Since Census Day (April 1) 2010, the population has grown by 21,476,884 or 6.96%.

In January 2020, the United States is expected to experience one birth every eight seconds and one death every 11 seconds.

Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person to the U.S.

population every 34 seconds. The combination of births, deaths and net international migration will increase the U.S. population by one person every 19 seconds.

The projected world population on Jan. 1, 2020, is 7,621,018,958, an increase of 77,684,873, or 1.03%, from New Year’s Day 2019. During January 2020, 4.3 births and 1.9 deaths are expected worldwide every second.

The Census Bureau’s U.S. and World Population Clock simulates real-time growth of the United States and world populations.

As Opioid Crisis Hits Home, Black Media Outlets Step Up to Get Word Out Tanu Henry | California Black Media By the late 1970s, drug traffickers were shipping so much cocaine to the United States that the street price of the powdered stimulant dealers cook to make crack – the smokable rock form of the stimulant - dropped by nearly 80 percent, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Some historians believe that new affordability of cocaine aided the flooding of crack or “rock” into cities and towns across the United States, particularly in African-American communities where the illicit trade of the drug contributed to sharp increases in gang-related violence and murders during that period.

By 1985, almost 6 million Americans admitted to using some form of cocaine, according to the DEA. Then, in the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan launched the government’s multipronged and widely criticized “War on Drugs” designed to toughen drug crime laws and aggressively pursue and incarcerate drug users and traffickers. Those policies led to the imprisonment of millions of African Americans from the early 1980s until now.

By 2013, African-American men and women accounted for more than 50 percent of the total United States prison pop-

ulation.

Now, more than two decades after the height of the crack era, African-American neighborhoods in California and around the country are facing another haunting drug epidemic: The Opioid Crisis, stemming from untreated addictions to potent - and potentially dangerous - drugs like Codeine, Fentanyl, Methadone, Morphine and Oxycodone, among others.

“When I watch the Republican Party hugging heroin-addicted folks, opiate-addicted folks, it makes me very happy, but it also makes me very mad,” said media personality, author and activist Van Jones, according to the website Inkredibly.com.

“Those same Republicans and Democrats, when the problem was crack, showed no mercy. No compassion. No understanding at all, and locked up a bunch of people,” Jones continued. “I do think that now its hitting everybody, hopefully we can come up with a more compassionate response.”

Although the mainstream news media has largely framed the opioid crisis as a problem America’s majority-White rural and suburban communities are wrestling with, data shows that it is, in fact,

becoming a problem in predominantly African-American neighborhoods across the country as well.

“We have seen a sharp rise in communities of color and urban communities of overdoses and deaths related to illegal opioids, including heroin,” said Chet P. Hewitt, president and CEO of The Center at the Sacramento-based Sierra Health Foundation (SHF).

“Opioid use disorder is often a response to physical and emotional pain, including that of historical and systemic trauma,” Hewitt told California Black Media.

SHF is managing the state of California’s Medication Assisted Treatment Access Points Project in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services (CDHCS), the federal government, California Black Media and its network of more than 20 African-American owned media outlets, and other ethnic media around the state.

The public awareness campaign, dubbed “Choose Change California” will employ a combination of advertising as well as news stories and profiles to inform Californians about opioid abuse in the state and direct people who are affected to locations where they can seek Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

“We can’t afford to go through another drug epidemic that kills our children, parents, brothers and sisters,” said Re-

gina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media. “Our publishers are aware that we have to inform our audiences about this growing problem as well as encourage them to reduce the stigma around opioid abuse so that people suffering from it can come out of the shadows and seek treatment.”

In 2018, more than 10 million Americans misused opioids, according the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In California, there were 5.3 opioid-related deaths for every 100,000 people in 2017. Among African-American Californians, that number is about 1.4 for every 100,000, a high number based on the state’s Black population of nearly 6 percent.

And the death rate from overdoses of the synthetic opioid Fentanyl is rising fastest among African Americans.

In a statement shared with California Black Media, CDHCS says the media campaign began in April 2019 and includes digital, television, print, and billboard advertising. As of October 2019,

the media campaign has had 1.2 billion impressions across media markets statewide.

The second phase of the campaign will continue through winter 2020. It was designed to launch during the holidays when there are historically high incidences of opioid overdoses.

“The holidays are a difficult time for those experiencing addiction. We knew that promoting the campaign’s message of destigmatizing Opioid Use Disorder and promoting Medication Assisted Treatment was critical for those suffering with a substance use disorder,” Marlies Perez, Project Director of the MAT Expansion Project at CDHCS, said.

A third media campaign phase will launch in spring 2020 and will continue to target communities statewide, including communities of color and rural populations, the CDHCS statement said. .

It is widely reported that there are more OUD treatment centers located in predominantly White areas in California and across the country, and that there exists a bias among doctors which leads them to not recommend MAT to minority patients because they fear those individuals would resell their treatments on the street, fueling the crisis.

Hewitt said it is critical that the opioid campaign targets census tracts of the state that are often overlooked.

“An emphasis will be placed on neighborhoods of color and communities that are experiencing a rapid rise in opioid-related deaths along with decades of drug policies that have disproportionately incarcerated and penalized those with substance use disorders.”

“Because of the short time period of this project, sustainability has been prioritized, according to the CDHCS statement.

The aim is to create a community of practice that lifts up and makes available racial and culturally responsive approaches focused on prevention, education,

outreach and referrals, which ultimately results in increased education and access to MAT for California’s most underserved communities.”

On Oct, 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 919 into law introduced by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach).

It mandates CDHCS to license all addiction treatment centers in the state and requires that they adopt the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s treatment criteria as an operating standard.

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