Issue 18 Tamala Jones

Tamala Jones

Table ofContents Table ofContents

R D S F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R FOR MAKING THIS AN Thank You

AMAZING YEAR

This is the last issue of the year for us as we begin working on our first issue for 2023 I want to take this moment to thank everyone who has allowed The Official Black Magazine to tell their story and truth

One of the best things I can do each day is wake up and look to tell more positive Black stories From entertainment to lifestyle, we can take you on a journey in the shoes of people who never gave up, persevered, and exemplified Black excellence

In this ssue, you get to hear from legends like Tamala Jones & Chad L Coleman on their recent projects and how they have navigated such a longstanding career in entertainment Then you get to meet newcomers who are getting their big breaks and loving the process

I want to do my community justice by showcasing it in the most favorable light

With love, light, and much gratitude, I look forward to continuing to tell our stories.

Michael G, Cox

CEO & Publisher

Michael Cox

"Iwanttoleavesomanythings,butmymainthingis thatitdoesn’tmatterwhereyoucomefromforyouto besuccessfulinthisindustry.Idon’tcarewhatyour situationisorhowgrowingupwasforyoubecause it’sallaboutwhereyouwanttoendup.Youcanbe successful,butyouhavetoputyourwholeheartand mindintoit.Nomatterthetrialsandtribulations you’vebeenthrough,youcanliveyourbestlifewhen youdecideyoureallywantit."

Photography Credit Le gh Ke ly Ha r & Make-Up Mara Capozzi @glam mara Publ c ty by Status PR @statuspr Outfit by Oscar de le Renta

ACTRESS

Cox: Tamala Jones, you know I’m excited to talk with you about your new film The Holiday Stock ng

Jones: The Holiday Stock ng is a beautiful movie about family and the holiday season My character Marlow and her sister Dani, played by Nadine Ellis, are v s ted by our recently deceased brother Robert Robert reappears as an angel named RJ, played by BJ Britt, to help us get back on track as a family H s one m ss on is to help us bring some forgiveness and healing

Cox: Why did this movie stand out to you?

Jones: We don’t have enough Black Christmas mov es so I was exc ted when this came my way, and I instantly fell in love with the script after read ng it What I love about th s movie is that it’s the first Chr stmas film from the Mahogany d vision by Hallmark Our film got to be the r first holiday debut, that was something really spec al to me

Cox: What made you really connect with Marlow?

Jones: She reminds me of my mom growing up My mom was the fun mom growing up who really had us doing lots of spec al things around the holidays This woman would bake all day We would have tons of d fferent cookies during the holidays and watch movies as a family

Jones (contin): My character Marlow inherited the bakery from her mom after she passed and s trying to keep her mom s dream al ve She is a no-nonsense bus nesswoman who is all about fam ly and tradition One thing you will see with her s that she acts a certain way toward her siblings She doesn t bel eve they share the same concept when it comes to the mportance of family and when we meet her there is a lot these siblings must work through

Cox: I love hear ng about all of this! What is someth ng you hope we take away from this movie?

Jones: I hope everyone takes away from this movie that you can be mad at your family but you can’t change who your fam ly s Whatever the issues you all have, you have to ron them out At the end of it all, you only have one family You know in Black families sometimes we get so mad at each other; we hold on to that for years and the next thing you know we are at that family member s funeral You might never get the chance to say how you really feel, and that’s someth ng you get to experience with th s movie

Jones (contin): The movie illustrates the real meaning behind Chr stmas, wh ch is not rece ving gifts It’s about the happ ness and pleasure you get from giv ng and you w ll be reminded of how fun t can be to reconnect w th fam ly

Cox: Outside of this project you have been work ng in Hollywood for a long time which is a testament to you as an actress You ve stood the test of t me where others give up easily Jones: Regardless of race or gender, if you want to be a performer or actor n Hollywood, you have to prepare yourself to hear “no” a lot and be okay with t This business doesn’t care about you personally They care f you are available and if you can bring n the money

Jones (contin): I’ve been work ng in this business since I was 14 years old had the support of my family who pushed me to be anything I wanted to be even when I changed my mind a m llion times They only cared if I was going to put my all nto whatever I was working on Listen, when I was younger growing up in the business, didn’t see how race and other things played a part But when I got nto my 20s, I saw a whole other s de to it It made me push harder for my dream I would not sit around because I got told no I would look for jobs under a rock f I had to (laughs) It s because I love what I do, and I keep working towards it I couldn’t imagine do ng anything else

Cox: Speak ng of loving what you do! You do t so well, Tamala Why do you think when they pick you they know you are going to del ver what is needed?

Jones: I got this advice from Jennifer Lewis who said, “If it doesn t sound real to you, then it will not sound real to anybody else ” Whoever ’m playing, that character has to be relatable to the audience The audience needs to feel like they know someone just l ke them I make sure that f that character is funny or ser ous you feel exactly that Even if they are someone you don’t know well, I want the character to be someone you’ve met before

Cox: With so many roles that come across your desk, have there been any times where you have turned them down even if the money is right?

Jones: Yes, I actually just had a moment l ke that a couple of weeks ago My manager sent me th s script to read, and I just couldn t get nto t I couldn’t even get into the rhythm of t Even if I can’t get the rhythm, I usually make a song in my head and rap the words out loud None of this was work ng, so I ended up not aud tioning

Jones (contin): You have to feel these th ngs out Just l ke in real life, when something doesn t feel right, never force t I know it’s hard because you m ght think this s your golden opportun ty but maybe t’s someone else’s, and you have to be okay with that too

Cox: Tamala Jones because you stay working (laughs)

Jones: You know, before I had my brain aneurysm, I was that girl known to be about her coins I collected a lot of support with n the industry from producers, actors, and everyone because of my work habit They can tell you I was never late, always showed up on time, and was always professional I was doing all of this when I was work ng three jobs at once

Jones(cont n): It’s also about att tude and the “ ’m here to work” mental ty I’ve booked roles because people have brought me n on aud tions, or their fr ends have heard about me and how I work That reputation is important to me and goes a long way in this business

"You have to feel these things out. Just like in real life, when something doesn’t feel right, never force it. I know it’s hard because you might think this is your golden opportunity, but maybe it’s someone else’s, and you have to be okay with that too. "

H U S H

DR. DRAYA LOGAN

JOYFUL DRAKE

Photography Cred t: Leigh Keily

“The set was just full life, joy, and excitement.”

ACTRESS

Cox: Joyful Drake I’m honored to be speaking with you today! I want to get right into your latest project Hush as Dr Draya Logan Tell me all about it

Drake: Hush is an e ght part episodic ser es premiering Dec 1st on AMC’s streaming service ALLBLK It is produced By Bree & Chuck West from Octet Productions and wr tten by Angela Burt-Murray, Chazitear and Don B Welch My character Dr Draya Logan is one of the top marriage and sex therapist in Washington DC If you had the Black girl s version of The Desperate Housewives meets How to Get Away with Murder plus more scandal, you would get Hush

Drake (cont n): I love Dr Draya Logan because she is such a multidimensional character to play She came up hard, but she cares for people When you look at her, you see someone who has been hurt multiple t mes and really is broken I th nk that’s what makes for a great TV when the main character has so many issues Different people can relate to that more than anything because t’s reality for a lot of us

Joyful Drake said this was a dream come true to play a lead role l ke this Once she had gotten the scr pt wh le filming in Italy she couldn’t put it down This was an opportunity that I couldn t pass up Filming this series on location in DC made t even better for her They filmed n some of D C’s landmark locations such as the infamous Watergate condos Joyful said you get to really see how sexy, h storic and classy DC really is

Cox: Joyful this is your f rst time as a lead in a ser es! Congratulat ons because you have been in the industry for a long time and th s is well deserved How does this moment feel?

Drake: My God-f dence is strong t’s my confidence in what God has for me that kept me going in the business regardless of the degree of the role I believe he places me where I need to be! Everything is on his time and not mine

Drake(contin): So for me to be number one on the call sheet I was a damn good number one I have been n th s ndustry for a long time and worked in many facets of t I come from a sports background so it doesn’t matter who you are on the team because it takes a team to win It was a joyous moment be ng able to lead this cast of amazing people like Caryn Ward, Erica Mena, and Candice Dillard In this position my focus was more on how I can make sure we shine together than me sh ne indiv dually

Cox: Speak ng of roles Joyful you somehow always get these roles w th characters who are sassy, outspoken, and ambit ous And they usually have deeper levels to why that act a certain way Why do you think that is?

Drake: I have a very big personal ty so always just love to play these roles What’s fun about these roles is that they seem like they have t all together but then you discover they don t You see how frag le they can be and eas ly hurt This is real life!

Cox: Speak ng of roles Joyful you somehow always get these roles w th characters who are sassy, outspoken, and ambitious And they usually have deeper levels to why that act a certain way Why do you think that is?

Drake: I have a very big personal ty so always just love to play these roles What’s fun about these roles is that they seem like they have it all together but then you discover they don’t You see how fragile they can be and easily hurt This is real l fe!

Cox: You mentioned enjoying the journey is more important than the destination

Drake: I think the biggest thing to do is have fun on the journey Your l fe isn’t when you get to that dest nation, you get that Oscar get that part, or ach eve however much money you desire Your life is what’s happening on your way to achieve those goals So for me I'm always enjoying the journey

Drake (cont n): Talking about my journey ’m a wife, mom, daughter s ster, and auntie Being all these th ngs I have been shaped by those such as my mother and father who I’m a daughter to My dad was the one who pushed me and told me I can do anything I want to do in l fe I just have to do it I learned from them I have to try continuously and also pick myself up again when th ngs get tough

Drake (cont n): There have been roles where I know I would have na led it and I didn’t get it And now I’m at a point n my life where I see that those weren t part of my path

Cox: Joyful you said earlier there was a time during the pandemic you were at your lowest How d d you find the strength to get out of it?

Drake: It was tough for me because I had to abandon a ser es that got p cked up that I shot during p lot season I was eight months pregnant dur ng that time so obviously I couldn t take it And this was a script and role I was so looking forward to Then six months after having my baby the pandemic hits I’m isolated from my family and they are my support system I’m here look ng at my newborn because I want to make sure they are good healthy and taken care of

Drake (cont n): We didn’t know when and how the industry would pick back up So I started writing! I ended up selling my first script, which is something I wanted to do for a long time Look fast forward two years later and I’m selling my third project Doing this changed the game for me It was both amazing and unbelievable for me

As Joyful and I f nished the interv ew, touching a l ttle more of overcoming someth ng stood out that was profound She said she could f nally do the things she always wanted to do because she f nally sat down and had t me to do them

“Because was always working and runn ng to auditions You know I was doing everyone else’s call ng except mine ” – Joyful Drake

So to the reader! Are you do ng your calling?

Photography Cred t: Benjo Anwas

ACTOR

A Christmas Prayer

Cox: Why did you choose this role?

Coleman: My brother is my insp ration behind why I chose th s film He is an amazing minister in Richmond, Virginia We grew up there and n the church My brother has always been a beacon of light and a role model for me His church East End Fellowship is mult cultural and very pos tive t’s very nurturing towards the community and about togetherness

Coleman (contin): We are in such polariz ng t mes and my brother is standing in the gap, trying to br ng things together

Cox: Your character, Pastor Andre D llard, is a former alcoholic Coleman: I’m honored to take on a role w th a character that has suffered from t It’s such a real deal within our commun ty and in the world I have known people who have suffered from t It’s mportant for a character to inspire hope for v ewers And we want to show it to him in such a real and relatable way

Coleman (contin): And yes the pastor too has some problems (laughs) He has some problems, and it’s alr ght y’all

Coleman (contin): That’s what makes him even more relatable because we all have genu ne problems

Cox: What drew you to this movie?

Coleman: This is a very real movie It’s different from the other ones, wh ch are always so heartfelt I th nk Skye Den se did an amazing job keeping t grounded This mov e reflects the times we are liv ng in and of our community In th s movie, you see the community rally around the pastor when th ngs go south, which you don’t see often in similar mov es

Coleman (contin): I th nk people will nudge each other during the premiere because they can relate to the character or they know someone like them From a cultural standpoint I th nk people are go ng to be very pleased And un versally, I th nk everyone will relate to it

New Role as Bruno Mannhe m in CW’s Superman & Lois

Cox: I know playing a supervillain in the DC Universe is excit ng Your character Bruno Mannheim is a supervillain mobster

Coleman: This is absolutely one of the most amazing roles that I have been given the opportunity to play I want to thank Greg Berlanti The CW, Todd, and the amazing showrunners This role has so many social and political levels to it Bruno s very real and deep, as you w ll see

Coleman (contin): Bruno’s backstory is so deep and r ch You will see what he has dealt with and why he is the way he is He is very three-dimens onal He is the type of character you listen to and you don’t mmed ately go oh he is a villa n! What you see with Bruno s him being a leader and an inspiration to people He has actually helped change people’s lives

Coleman (contin): There is this gray area with him, but the gray area is the gray area I’m over the moon excited for people to see this one

Cox: There is a duality w th a character like Bruno Mannhe m where you don’t know if you want to hate or root for him

Coleman: And see that’s enterta nment There is a certain ambigu ty with him, which I find even more nteresting You can’t quite peg t all for him Th s is what will keep the audience on the r toes throughout the entire ser es

Cox: You hear actors say they have to empath ze w th their character Was that the same for you and Bruno?

Coleman: To be honest, have to say the wr ting s just so sound, clear, and cr sp We can point to many people in our society who are like him You think about most leaders They are usually conflicted They usually have more than one side than they are presenting There are very few and I think Barack is probably one who has done an incredible job of who you see s who he says he s

Play ng Complex Characters

Cox: You always play complex characters from The Walking Dead to All American Such a w de range of characters How have you been fortunate to get these types of characters?

Coleman: It s because I come from the stage (theater) Somet mes people get p geonholed into character types because they ‘pimp their persona ’ In a play, it’s about character, and the play is the thing We have to do our homework and character study n the theater That has really served me in my career

Coleman (contin): We learn it s about the approach and be ng able to take on whatever comes your way

Cox: Before we end, could you elaborate on the concept of p mping your persona?’

Coleman: In this industry you have this volume of people who are uniquely who they are But then you get someone who has this persona that is so compelling that people can t get enough of t The problem then becomes the type of work they receive It doesn’t challenge them and all they have to do is play that persona over and over

R O B E R T C H R I S T O H P E R R I L E Y

INFLUENCER

The Love of Storytelling – Family & Culture

During our conversation, Robert said, “I’m a storyteller, and my goal is to do the stories justice ” I wanted to learn more about that because h s affinity for storytelling resonated throughout the conversation

“We tell some stories in the Caribbean, boy ” said R ley as he mentioned that h s love for storytelling before acting came from his upbring ng and, in particular, his grandmother Grow ng up n a very Trinidadian household with h s mother and grandmother, his childhood memor es were bu lt around family members telling stories Robert said, “I grew up in the 80s when we didn’t have access to all these different screens I would spend time talking and hearing stor es from my granny, aunt es and uncles ” This was amplified for him because his father’s side is from Barbados, and it’s a Caribbean th ng all around to tell stor es

Storytell ng for him isn’t just about conveying informat on or connecting w th other people It s bigger than that because with a story there s meaning, heart, emotions, and a message behind it and those involved The same love and pass on he had as a ch ld growing up listen ng to his elders share parts of their soul is the same energy he matches with each role he takes

Professor Johnson Pointed him on the Right Path

Robert’s passion for act ng was ignited in undergrad by happenstance

“I can’t look God in the face and tell h m he is wrong! So guess I better tell these stor es ” said R ley, taking me back to where acting was introduced to him As a young football player at Lehigh University, acting was the furthest th ng on his mind But this all changed when he took an ntroduction to act with Professor Johnson, who was from Queens and of Jamaican descent

“She asked me to audition for a part of A Ra sin n the Sun several times,” said Riley

He had rejected her request several times until he reluctantly accepted Professor Johnson must have seen something n him he hadn’t because he landed the lead role Robert said, “I stuck with Professor Johnson throughout my college career because she was the one who steered me in the right direction ”

He was on his path to graduating with an undergraduate degree in Theater from Leh gh University and enter ng a graduate program in Theater from Oh o Un vers ty (which he completed) Then, “18 months later, I’m on Broadway working with Terrence Howard, James Earl Jones, and Phylic a Rashad Debbie Allen directed the production,” said R ley This moment sol dified that this was what God had intended for his l fe

From The Stage To The Televis on Screen

“These characters develop from episode to episode,” said Riley He loves serial television because the characters develop over time As a natural storyteller, Robert finds joy in the continuing story of someone he is playing to develop

Robert said, “Before that, I would have said Broadway because the audience is right there ” A stage is where he shares a moment with the audience members that can’t be rewatched or recorded He said it’s not the same on television because once it s shot and edited people watch it at the r leisure or on the programmed date

“I felt your laughter, which let me know to keep going,” sa d Riley

t’s this shared experience that you can only get in theater “I saw your tears, and you saw m ne ” said R ley There s a deeper level of connection and intimacy in theater, and s not capable on telev sion After speaking with him you realize that n theater, it’s a two-way rece ver between the cast and the aud ence On the other hand, television is a one-way receiver from the cast to the audience

Robert sa d, “There s nothing more humbling than a standing ovat on ” For h m, a standing ovation always signifies that he has entertained the aud ence, and that s a job well done Therefore h s advice to anyone look ng to make it n the business s to focus on tell ng the story and noth ng else

Photography Cred t :Dalvin Adams

T A T Y A N A

J O S P E

ACTOR

For Tatyana, social media and content creation are business tools and opportun ties for her as a young Black woman who started out first just wanting to be an actress “ saw how social media and followers were playing a key nto people gett ng modeling and acting g gs,” said Joseph Before she started she did all the research on trends, analytics, and how to activate each channel successfully

Tatyana said, “I learned how much business could come from th s so I just had to learn how to apply it to my un queness ” loved how she chose the word unique’ and how it applies to her indiv dually What most people do is they try to mimic or even copy others to gain viewersh p and following, but Tatyana chose the route of creating her own blueprint

“ don’t th nk following trends are bad ” said Joseph when I asked her about keeping her content current She looks for what s happening in the world of social media from trends to challenges and makes them her own Her goal is always to make t unique to her and stand out amongst the crowd Tatyana suggests following trends can be helpful because they are what’s n the moment and what people like So go for it because they will soon quickly change and your aud ence will look for something else to entertain themselves

“But still I don t enjoy doing what everyone else is doing,” said Joseph laughingly W th the pressures of soc al media from followers want ng constant content to them thinking they actually are fr ends w th this person, I wanted to know how Tatyana stays grounded and centered “I have a good fr end group ” said Joseph These are the family and friends she loves and trust who she says bring her back to reality They know the real Tatyana and whenever she needs a reminder, they are there

Tatyana said, “But I also don’t let people bother me” as another way she stays grounded With all the opinions and comments from others Tatyana s phased like water off a duck’s back She doesn t care to block or delete any comments that are negative Her followers will def n tely take care of you if you have anything negative to say, so users be warned

The reason her followers are this way is that they feel they actually know Tatyana as f she s their best friend or sister “I share a lot, “said Joseph with a smile Though she keeps some th ngs pr vate on soc al media, she does a great job with actually sharing who she s naturally We laughed because she said even some of the content she shares are bloopers or aren’t perfect

People really do fall in love with her because she is just REAL “I go live when I’m at the grocery store or even when ’m shopping for underwear,” said Joseph

Through th s crazy social media world of likes, comments, and follows Tatyana has now empowered the light that she brings “I read through DMs from young Black g rls who sa d my content has empowered them and saved them,” sa d Joseph She didn’t be an inspiration or motivation for young women but she is r ghtfully accepting it because for her th s s all bigger than her Th s kept her going in the beg nn ng of her journey to become a social med a nfluencer

“Th s has so much more power f we want this to have more power,” said Joseph on how she now views soc al med a, being an influencer and connecting with followers and fans Beyond the business aspects of these platforms she sees how much more light and positivity she can spread Now you know when you visit her page or if someone shares her content why it’s always going to be extremely posit ve

JALYN HALL

IN

T I L L

ACTOR

Cox: Jalyn You’ve starred on shows and movies such as All American, Black-ish, Family Reunion, Shaft The House with a Clock n Its Walls How does t feel to be only 15 and having major success n the entertainment ndustry?

Hall: t’s a crazy feeling if I do say so myself When you are starting out, you never really know where the journey will take you I mean, you have hopes and dreams – but you never know how you will get there For me right now, at this place in my l fe, all I can say is: “Wow! I’m actually here, and all my hard work s paying off ” I feel thrilled with where I am currently, and I haven’t even reached my fullest potent al yet n my career

Jalyn is probably one of the humblest people you’ll ever meet When I asked h m how t felt to be this young and to have worked with so many legends, he told me he s always a fan of other people and their work Because he doesn’t come from a family w th a background in entertainment, he has always looked up to and admired the people he is sharing the screen with

Cox: Since you d dn t grow up w th a family in the enterta nment ndustry, where did the love and passion for acting come from?

Hall: Funnily enough, it came from me just watching TV I would watch my favorite shows and tell myself; I’m going to be on TV The more I pursued it, the more th s spark n me grew I have to thank my mom because she was supportive of me from day one She kept hear ng me say that acting was all that I wanted to do, and she has bel eved in me since the beginning

Cox: This sparked a great career path for you, playing a variety of roles How do you get into character?

Hall: I get into a certain mindset If the character doesn’t have any prior history to it then I create an entire background so that they become whoever want them to be This s what I usually do when you see my work on shows like “All American”, or something featured on Disney Channel For a role l ke Till where I play Emmett Till, the process is a bit d fferent as there is a prior h story and certain gu delines to follow I embody who th s person was and how people knew him and remember him, while still adding my own personal touch

Cox: Tell me more about your process for creating the background for a character

Hall: I th nk about the small things of the character I create scenarios of their favorite foods and even their pet peeves, for example Once you figure out the little things it shows n your acting and translates on-screen

He mentioned that during his process of br ng ng a character to life, he also focuses on a natural chemistry between him and the cast You never know how things will play off each other when the cameras are rolling, so he lets t all go when t’s time to shoot Jalyn also mentioned that once the cameras are off, he leaves the work and character there so that he doesn t take it home with h m That’s a big part of h s act ng process

Cox: Now speaking of T ll, how was that exper ence for you? I know there had to be so much pressure for you because of the h storical s gnif cance

Hall: To speak on the pressures of the character – the heav ness of what occurred historically s well-known Naturally, there is th s tension where people are wondering how this f lm w ll turn out and I had to push all of those ideas out of my head and just focus on what s right for the role My goal is and was to do the story and the character just ce, and to play the role to the best of my ability

Hall (contin ): This was a very educat onal experience for me Generally, people knew parts of the story, but they don’t know what happened down to the smallest of deta ls Th s project did exactly that and sheds light on everything There s such an authentic ty in it that is unbelievable Authentic ty is what I really wanted to bring to the role

Jalyn said that th s project s one where people can both marvel at the details and learn from them as well

Cox: When it came to this role, what is something you took away from that you learned about yourself as a young and growing actor?

Hall: It helped me learn more about myself as an actor and more about my craft In th s project, you can see moments that are l ghthearted, but then there are moments that are dark and scary Th s is one of those roles and films where you have to go to d fferent places to fulfill them Going to those different places helped me emerge as a better person and actor

Cox: Last, what advice would you g ve to actors coming up around your age?

Hall: I heard a thousand no’s before I heard one yes As a result, you have to have a drive in you to keep going If you can see yourself at the top of the hill and where you want to be, hold on to that dream Mistakes come with the process and they build character that propels you forward n your journey, because you w ll learn from them Let nothing turn you down and keep holding on to that dream Th s will make every yes you receive even more sweet

ELIJAH RASHAD

Photography Cred t: B rd e Thompson

ACTOR

Cox: Elijah I m excited about your new role as Der c in DC s Doom Patrol on HBO Max! How does this feel for you?

Reed: I m a huge comic buff and stepp ng into this role in the DC universe is something I didn’t know I needed to experience This DC universe is magical, gritty, and funny

Reed (contin): That’s the beauty of a show like Doom Patrol because everything is blurred with these characters These characters have a reason for what they are doing but just like life there are always complicat ons I mean you can have a clear color on what is but later on everything becomes gray

Cox: And how did you prepare for it?

Reed: Outs de of my normal preparat on I looked for the diosyncrasies of different people and communit es in Detroit I found and studied as much information as I could find My goal was to bring this character to life who has l ved experiences I haven’t exper enced But I am pretty techy so there s that commonality between me and Deric

Reed (contin): But I have to g ve a lot of cred t to Joivan Wade who was an incredible cast mate He opened up his home to me and we just d d a lot of scenes study together to prepare His generos ty made me feel like I had been working on the show for the last four seasons

Cox: Speaking of four seasons, how was that coming on to a show with several seasons under its belt & ded cated follow ng?

Reed: Ironically during my sophomore year at college n Washington I transferred to Loyola Marymount where I got my degree So I have that exper ence of coming into an environment where things are already establ shed

Reed (contin): But I have to g ve it to Joivan aga n (laughs) He didn’t directly tell me to relax but he let me know I needed to relax When I went there I was ready to go, like give me whatever you all have because I will not drop the ball Joivan reminded me we are here now so all we can do is relax, study and perform

Cox: You are fairly new to television acting, less than four years What adv ce do you have for those who are just getting started but want immediate success?

Reed: You just want to g ve it time The moment you try to keep h tt ng and pressing that gas you will eventually burn out Trust me, I’ve burned out a few times This is because of my basketball background I was taught that if I do these techniques hundreds of times, I will get better at t That’s true n sports but not n the world of acting Yes, I w ll get better at my craft, but that doesn’t mean it s going to translate into more roles But roles kind of f nd you

Reed (contin): I learned all you can do is relax, work on your craft and let the roles find you Plant seeds along your journey and force nothing Plant t, leave it alone, and see what’s at the harvest

Cox: Speaking of sports, how else has your sports background shaped the way you show up in acting?

Reed: My coaches used to tell me, “Once you are in these four l nes you leave everything else outs de of them ” So it doesn’t matter what I m going through personally or what is happen ng on set I’m able to leave what happened on set on set and whatever is going on n my personal life outs de of my gig doesn’t make it to set w th me

Reed (contin): In sports the team s family and if something is d re I know I w ll need to speak up and ask for help This goes the same for when you are filming with a crew

Cox: Coming from a theater background how would you describe the d fference between that and telev s on act ng?

Reed: It’s more visceral In theater you get to feel the people s energy You know instantly if what you are do ng is good or bad to them n televis on it’s different because of all the various pieces it takes to make it happen As an actor you do your best to show up prepared and ready for day But it’s tough sometimes on television because th ngs can change quickly and you have to learn new lines without notice I would say that these are the biggest differences honestly

In this industry where everyone is trying to force themselves on the screen, Elijah suggests people take the time to find who they are as an actor and what’s unique to them. He compared it to music where the artists who truly understand themselves and their gifts create something that can’t be duplicated. “You can transcend all those auditioning for the same role when you truly know yourself and what you bring to the table,” said Reed. This part right here hit home because in most environments outside of acting we are challenged with competing against people with the same level of skills and education or even more But when we truly understand what makes us unique and how we want to show up in the world then no one else matters in the room but you.

“It was God’s promises and me knowing that I have a bigger role to play in the grand scheme of things that kept me from giving up. I had to see everything He promised me would come to pass because if I gave up then I could never see it. ”

ACTRESS

Cox: So how do you feel?

Ekeobong: I feel like I’m just getting started It s been an honor being on a show that has a devoted following and has been on for several seasons Th s show knows where t’s go ng! The direction and characters are clear

Ekeobong loves playing the role of Laura in Ruthless This s an opportun ty where she gets to explore so many emot ons and scenarios which more than likely won t happen n her normal l fe But it s being around other actors who are seasoned and on their A game that keeps her mot vated to develop an excellent performance

Cox: What else about th s experience excites you?

Ekeobong: Working with Tyler Perry! My family and I used to watch his plays growing up We have all heard h s story, so it blew my mind that this was the f rst major door to open for me

Ekeobong (contin): Getting to work w th him as a d rector, and see ng all the hats he wears inspired me to see that there is no real cap to this You can start off as an actor and own a whole studio at some point f you are really willing to put in all the hard work and sacrifices to get there

Cox: This is the type of show that illustrates your range as an actress

Ekeobong: Yes, that s a great po nt I don t know if you are aware of how Tyler Perry shoots but we just get one take

Cox: Wait what just one take and that’s it? Ekeobong: Yes, he does retake only f necessary But this stretches you as an actor because you have to show up n that moment right there Whatever you del ver is what it’s going to be I like t because it’s that rush of adrenaline that this is my one shot I have to be in this fully because there is no ‘let me try th s again ’

This pressure cooker system is something she attr butes to helping her grow tremendously as an actress in a short amount of time She didn’t know the profound effects it would have on her because now she approaches projects and roles d fferently

Cox: Now that we got through speak ng of your breakout role I want to know more about Ekeobong and how she got started in acting Ekeobong: I can’t talk about my origin story w thout bringing in my faith as a Chr stian It all started when I was 10 years old watch ng the D sney Channel I was watching the video where all the teen stars sang the Circle of L fe and I don’t know what happened but I started tearing up and crying My mom came into the room to check on me Through my heavy breathing I told her I want to be there and w th them I remember th s like t was yesterday because it was a defining moment for me

Ekeobong (cot n): I d dn t know what this meant, but I just had this feel ng inside of me It directed a lot of my journey and affected many of my decisions after that This is the reason ’m here now and came to California

Ekeobong was very honest with the hardships of this ndustry There was even a moment where she almost wanted to g ve up and move back to the slands

Cox: You mentioned almost giving up What kept you from do ng that?

Ekebong: It was 2020 and there was a lot go ng on in the world I was going back and forth to the islands, and was starting to cons der just stay ng there You always hear those stories about artists getting a break right at the brink of giving up That’s what happened to me

Ekeobong (contin): It was God s promises and me knowing that I have a bigger role to play in the grand scheme of things that kept me from giving up I had to see everything He promised me would come to pass because if I gave up then I could never see it

Ekeobong (contin): I th nk anything you want to get n life s going to require sacr fices and hardships I had to tell myself if I’m go ng to be miserable doing anyth ng in l fe then it might as well be the thing that I really want for the chance that it can work out than to be miserable pursuing something else that isn’t my dream

Cox: Along with your faith you have an excellent support system which is essential to anything in life

Ekeobong: Yes I do! I have my pastor, my family, and n particular my mom I’m grateful for everyone especially my Nigerian family t’s rare n a Nigerian household that they would support you going for a career in the arts Support usually goes for the more secure paths such as medicine, law or eng neer ng

Ekeobong (contin): Even outs de of my family support I have always had people who have been in my life for seasons who were there just to encourage me I m also thankful for those who have been in my life for a l fetime because they are the ones who remind me of who I am and my ident ty They keep me grounding, go ng, and focused

EKEOBONG

U S H A

Photography Cred t Daaron Cowan

PRODUCERS, A&R, MANAGER

Who better to call when you want a hit , be discovered or need management, then Pusha Rod? He s someone who grew up in the industry and alongside others who have made a name for themselves such as YG, Ty Dolla $ gn and Mustard Pusha Rod’s story is about an exceptional individual who learned about the business rather than be ng enamored in it like most would He took what he saw learned from being in the room, and created something for h mself by understanding what his fr ends had gone through

“I literally learned this being amongst my friends ” said Pusha Rod To be successful in any business, but in particular the entertainment ndustry, you have to understand how to navigate effectively Learning to commun cate with artists s one of his many prominent gifts, which he learned from being around them He didn’t just learn how to speak to them but understood how to l sten effectively to them the r desires, and how he could be of service to them in their careers

Pusha Rod said, “ t’s when you say no that the r faces will change And don’t change your opinion when the r faces change It’s the honesty they are going to appreciate ” This was a pivotal moment for him when he started voicing his op nion that was contrary to everyone else’s n the room At first he was a fly on the wall when he was in these rooms, but soon people started ask ng him his op nion on tracks “It changed the bar for me when I told them you could go harder on this part of the song,” said Pusha Rod The snowball effect happened because then people really started trusting h s judgment because they could see the impact his suggestion had on the song

“Giv ng your honest opin on to artists is important because they will know you are around because you believe in them and not just to be around,” said Pusha Rod

When it comes to A&R, he is known for making hits So people call him “I’m never focused on making a hit,” said Pusha Rod When the artist steps into the room w th him, he immed ately wants to know how they are doing Mus c talks come later for him because he s more interested in understanding the current state of the artists rather than mental or physical Pusha Rod said, “It’s about getting the honesty out of the art st That’s what go for when I’m with the artist ” Those honest conversations many times nvolve ‘situationships’ happen ng in the art st’s l fe which Pusha Rod can use to translate into an honest song

“As a producer I honestly don’t produce us ng my fingers,” said Pusha Rod

What is his secret sauce for being a producer? His ability to bring the right people together Pusha Rod sa d, “When I bring all the unique talents to produce someth ng for the artist my role is to tell them what I think they need or are miss ng ” He is l ke the Pied P per in the room because he gets everyone together n a space

“The thing that brings A&R and producing together s honesty for me,” said Pusha Rod

In his day to day w th artists, he becomes their therapists, best friend, and str ct confidant Pusha Rod said “I look to see how I can get an artist to talk about what they are going through in a cool way to be put in the r music ” It’s important for whatever they put in a song to come out the right way because if t comes out the wrong way then the art st has to deal w th other consequences But that’s why Pusha Rod works w th them so closely and ensures whatever they are putting n their songs is honest and cool

“The biggest factor is building trust with the artists,” said Pusha Rod

For the artist, the biggest and most mportant th ng for Pusha Rod is the trust factor I wanted to know how he dealt with so many egos in the room Pusha Rod sa d “they have egos but that’s because many people in th s industry have been screwed over, so the ego is there to protect them and not how most people think ” Bu ld ng trust between him and the artist comes from h s empathy and understanding that in this industry so many of these artists have sacrificed, grinding, and been taken advantage of to get to where they are So he brings much ease to them by com ng n w th a listen ng ear, open heart, and no judgment

“The thing that brings A&R and producing together is honesty for me,”

“It’s being in a room full of people of Acknowledged African Descent learning about different subject matters like robotics, theater, pre-law, and even foreign languages like Chinese. Learning about our craft and ourselves in this space is profoundly empowering. HBCUs give us our own Wakanda to experience so that when we enter the working world, we can be our true selves. We can then operate in this world from the most powerful version of ourselves.”

Photographer: Tayo Kuku Jr Ha r Veda Nelms Makeup El ven Qu ros Styl ng Laura Farr s Schuffman

ACTRESS

Cox: Zuri, you play Malika in Good Trouble She is such a mult faceted and layered character How does it feel play ng her?

Adele: It feels really amazing It’s like I have a soulmate in her because I relate to her so much Like me, she s pass onate about collective liberat on and Black liberation, a selfstarter and pursues her cont nued educat on Even her love life and relationship styles reflect my own curiosities I see myself in Malika, and I know others do, too, making it a more ground ng exper ence to portray her

Adele (cont n): Mal ka goes on these crazy emotional rollercoaster rides, which are great But because I can dentify with her on multiple levels, I have to remind myself what’s mine and what’s Malika’s in terms of emotions

Cox: Speak ng of the complex ties, Malika challenges how we see Black women on television with her flu d sexuality and nonconforming when t comes to trad tional relationship structures

Adele: I love that about her These are conversation topics our generation is having right now questioning the status quo What she is portraying is something feel is a tool for us to start asking those quest ons It s happen ng outside the textbooks, and people now have them n their l ving rooms and dining tables With Malika, you see her liv ng unapologetically and you can ask yourself, what does my authent c life look like?

Adele (cont n): There is something very l berating and vulnerable with Malika and her cho ces regarding her sexuality and relat onship dynamics It makes me even look at life even more with a clearer focus on what I want without judgment

Cox: I’m in love with Malika, but there is something special about Good Trouble that draws us all in Adele: My friend told me he th nks what makes this show special is that t s a lot l ke a millennial version of Sesame Street At first I didn’t think that was a compl ment unt l real zed what they were saying In th s show, so many people feel seen There s this safe space the show brings to the v ewers because you get to not just ident fy w th different characters, you get to see and learn the r backstories You get to learn from them and become an ally

Adele(cont n): The writers of the show write with such great intention Through the fun and drama that happens on the series you get to see the clear center around justice and collective liberation This naturally pulls people in w th great ntentions to watch this show

Cox: Now that we have covered Mal ka and Good Trouble, I want to learn about Zur , the actress Where d d th s love for it stem?

Adele: I grew up n a creative household My family s very express ve My mom and aunts would dance in African drum circles I remember when my dad would write poetry and perform it for us He wrote a short film and had me play a role as a kid I was three years old in this environment in my house where we were shoot ng a short film with my whole family involved

Adele (contin): Then I found myself writing poetry I just had been drawn to t all and found it to be an enjoyable way for me to express and learn about the world

Cox: You are very spiritual How did you connect your spir tuality w th your love for acting?

Adele: It came from me study ng acting at Spelman College We approached learning about theater from this sacred place of r tual and storytell ng This experience really exposed me to storytell ng throughout the African diaspora as part of African h story

Adele (contin): I have been taking drama elective classes from k ndergarten to High School, and it wasn’t unt l I studied at Spelman that I found the connection between this spiritual place of the theater and my ancestry This was when it became non-negotiable for me to pr oritize my spir tuality

Cox: Before we end, I would like to learn more about your experience at an HBCU like Spelman Because of this you have created the Zuri Adele Fellowship for Historically Black College and University Alumni at UCLA s TFT

Adele: know 100% for sure that going to Spelman (a HBCU) was the best decision ’ve ever made in my entire l fe Every bless ng I have received after making this decision can be l nked back to that At an HBCU there is a sense of self-empowerment You learn about the history that precedes slavery We get to learn about the mathematical, artistic, and scientific nnovations that happened in Africa

Cox: Looks like I have a few minutes left If you can give a younger Zuri advice, what would that be?

Adele: I would tell her to trust her nstincts and keep go ng We re moving from glory to glory This means that even when you have those feel ngs of discomfort, anx ety and fear when you are making those big leaps of faith they are only temporary There is noth ng like what’s on the other side of glory wait ng for you

A D E L E

Z U R I

BRIA DANIELLE

Photographer Tyren Redd

Styling: Tabitha Sanchez Ha r: Sean Fears Makeup: Kimora Mulan

ACTRESS

Cox: Br a want to first say congratulations on your latest role as Bobbi Kristina Brown n I Wanna Dance with Somebody How does it feel?

Singleton: Honestly, I still can’t believe it I’m l ke Oh my God every time I pass by a poster or someone br ngs up the movie to me It’s so unbelievable and crazy

Cox: I know this has to be a world wind of an experience for you right now How was the process for you from gett ng the sides aud tioning, to ultimately gett ng the part?

Singleton: Well, it was dur ng the height of COVID so everything was self-tapes My twin sister helped me with tap ng my audit on and then there was th s long wait ng period I was shocked and in d sbel ef when my agent finally called me and told me I got the part For me it was a moment like wait they really want me for th s That was such a shock for me

Cox: Dur ng that waiting period what was go ng through your mind?

Singleton: I knew this could be a jumpstart for my career Like this could be my moment

Cox: So, when you f nally got the part, how did you prepare to play a young Bobb Kr stina?

Singleton: For me, it was looking through the internet to find clips and footage of how Bobbi and Whitney interacted wanted to see, feel and understand Bobbi Krist na as her genuine self Because I’m playing the teen version of her, I wanted to find that version of her That was important to me

Cox: There were so many opin ons on th s movie from fans both pos tive and negat ve Were you nervous at any point?

Singleton: 100% because I knew this would be the biggest th ng for my career so far There was backlash immediately when t got announced I just felt that people were more nervous about the project because they are such fans and they wanted it to be a good representat on of Whitney I understand that they didn’t want someone to ru n her story I think this f lm did a great job captur ng Whitney Houston

Cox: Speaking of being nervous and the criticism that came w th the f lm How d d you handle seeing or hearing the comments?

Singleton: It was a lot of me protecting myself and my fam ly and friends as well When I would show my mom things that I found sometimes she would be surprised because she and others would work to make sure I didn’t see the negat ve comments But of course you know those things will get back to me Everyone around me kept me nformed on what was true and not true when it came to what people were saying about the film, I had a lot of reassurance from everyone that kept things in a pos tive light for me

Cox: With all the mixed opinions, why do you feel people should g ve this f lm a chance?

Singleton: It gives another s de of Whitney Houston for people to see It s not one sided We all have many versions of ourselves that people get to experience and see Many times, in the media and with projects they focused on the negative parts at the end of her story This film shows how she got to where she was, what she overcame and all her ach evements It does a great job at showing truly how much this iconic woman went through

Gett ng to know Br a

Cox: Thank you for sh n ng light on this film, but before we go, I want to get to know a little more about Bria How d d you get into this world of act ng?

Singleton: I was actually born into this world with my twin sister She was doing modeling and acting before me My mom pushed me to try a lot of the th ngs in the arts besides acting such as dance and mus c This helped me see that acting was for me even though I liked those other things and could do them I really thank her for that because it helped me f nd my love for t and realize it at an early age

Cox: The acting industry is all about the hustle and bustle What makes it all worthwh le for you from landing the role to the rejections?

Singleton: It’s really the whole process for me From getting the scr pt to reading for the character All these components are brought together to br ng everything to life from the writers, directors, actors, and crew It’s such a beaut ful th ng to be a part of and amazing to watch

Cox: I know you have plans for college Tell me a little bit about that

Singleton: I plan to go to college and actively pursue acting simultaneously I want to study psychology I really want to be able to help people especially k ds At first I thought about being a teacher, but that changed because I want to get more personal and deeper w th people I want to build those connections so that I can help kids who need an outlet to express themselves

Cox: Is there any genre or type of movie or show you want to star n?

Singleton: Yes, I would love to be in someth ng in the Marvel Universe Right now, I love Moon Knight it’s my favorite But also, I love what A24 s putting out because their projects really make you think There are so many elements to what they produce like you really have to sit back and pay attent on It s like a scavenger hunt when you watch the r films I have such an obsession with them so that would be a dream come true

“I want them to know it’s about being patient. It took me sixteen years to get this opportunity Nothing happens overnight. It’s a process and you have to remember why you are doing this, don’t give up, and keep reminding yourself this is what you love.”

“Level Up was created as a consultancy to help them with the transition, but it also became an advocacy organization for parents who didn’t know how to talk or approach the schools. ”

When it comes to bus ness or advocacy Elnora Harris is a woman on a mission With several companies under her belt and over twenty years of experience in educat on she is someone who understands that to see the change you want n the world means you have to be it So from custom balloon designs to empowering the next generat on of Black children with Our Reflections, Elnora is making it her business

“It’s mportant to start early because t helps shape the r minds,” said Harr s when I asked her what inspiration was behind Our Reflections With a background in educat on Elnora understood that there are p votal ages for development in ch ldren that have last ng effects both negative and posit ve Well, to keep it pos tive for young Black ch ldren, she created a toothbrush company where at young ages, they would see themselves as they learn proper oral care Elnora said, “ they need to see themselves to understand that they are beautiful and important ” What better way to show someone growing up than with a tool they use daily to remind them?

Level Up

“I wanted to know how I could help those high school students as they transition out of high school,” said Harris With her tenure in education help ng to teach students with special needs, she found a gap between them leaving grade school and going into the real world Not being satisfied with how the school system was preparing them she charted out to do it herself Elnora said, “ Level Up was created as a consultancy to help them with the transition, but it also became an advocacy organization for parents who didn’t know how to talk or approach the schools ” She saw many parents gnored by the school system and their children being misrepresented when problems arose because of the r behav or

Soar Balloons N More

“I don’t want to say it was a fluke because everything is ordained,” said Harr s She recalled the start of this business came from her doing balloon decorating at her church for a senior citizens Valent ne s Day event She did such a great job that people requested her serv ces Little do they know she d d like we all do on the f rst day on the job and went stra ght to Google and YouTube Univers ty One thing about Elnora s whatever she is go ng to do, she will dive deep into learning all the aspects of it Elnora said, “It took off so sw ftly that I incorporated other things into th s business because I’m so crafty ” This is how it became an entire decorative service business

I wanted to get back nto her advocacy because she was pass onate about it dur ng the interview Elnora said “Sometimes I would have to tell Black parents before we go into the meeting to ask for th s ” She said parents and students aren’t represented in spec al needs advocacy n marginalized communit es in schools Often, the parents don’t know what to ask for or how to defend the r children when presenting a case to the school “A lot of times, our counterparts have teams of attorneys on the r side wh le our Black and Brown populations have no one fighting for them “said Harris She said they don’t have adequate resources and information, so they just take what the school says That’s not enough for Elnora who is a mother of three

She does th s out of the k ndness of her heart “Though the business is in the infancy stage, the parents don’t grav tate towards what s offered and they trust the school system more,” sa d Harris It’s such a defic ent area that she hopes parents understand they need to know what s happen ng and what’s available She doesn t want Black and Brown parents just to take what’s given to them because someone says so They deserve more!

It’s About Full Representat on

Elnora shared with me that Our Reflections has plans for the future, and those include representing more than just Black people Though Black is near to her heart, she understands that representat on matters in the wide range of spectrums that we, as human beings “Those kids in other ethnic groups need to see a reflection of themselves,” said Harr s With th s company, she s expand ng beyond toothbrushes and just one race Her miss on is to impact the world through representat on Elnora will ensure people feel seen heard, and understand how beautiful they are

Elnora, The Advocate

ELNORA HARRIS

CLARA D.

Clara D Lew s was n her 40s when she became aware of the unconscious biases that informed her beauty ideals As a Black woman, she grew up playing with dolls that did not look l ke her For many generations and still today Eurocentric features have been predominant n dolls: straight blond hair blue eyes, th n nose W th Brown D va Dolls, Clara D Lew s seeks to break the cycle of low self-esteem that spec fically targets Black girls and foster a culture of acceptance among the next generation Her new line of children s dolls, Brown D va Dolls, she hopes to help children embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity that surrounds them

We spoke w th Clara about the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur and lessons she’s learned along the way

OBM: t’s great to meet you, Clara Tell us about the mission behind Brown Diva Dolls Who is your largest demograph c?

Brown D va Dolls really came from my own experience I only realized my own beauty going nto my 40 s Grow ng up, I didn’t have any dolls that reflected my features – so when I started my company I wanted every young girl to see a reflection of themselves in a beaut ful doll Our dolls range n skin complexion to hair color and hair texture We want all little girls to feel represented

OBM: What challenges have you faced while launching your brand? Any lessons you’ve learned along the way?

My biggest obstacle was financially took my family savings to start my business and with the support of my children I was able to achieve success It was hard but was passionate about my vision Another obstacle was, I didn’t have anyone else to look up to for mentorsh p in the doll industry in Canada, so it was not easy for me I had a large vision and wanted to find another entrepreneur to emulate So until today, I am the only pioneer that specializes in creating the features you find n the dolls

REPRENEUR

OBM: What makes Brown D va Dolls unique?

Brown Diva Dolls is unique because we go further than just skin complex on and hair texture, we want all children to feel represented that’s why we have dolls w th vitiligo, we have alb no dolls red ha red dolls, we have a doll with a hijab and now work ng on a doll n a wheelchair coming out soon to sensitize children to wheelchair access bility You see, that way every child can find themselves in Brown D va Dolls

OBM: The hol days are right around the corner, where can our readers purchase the dolls?

Readers can purchase the dolls online via https://brownd vasdolls com/ and n Canada at Tour de Jeux in Eaton Centre, Complex des Jardins and Fa rview PointeClaire Shipping to the US and Canada until the end of January 2023

OBM: We are all about Black beauty, tell us what does Black beauty mean to you?

Black beauty for me is natural We have to learn how to appreciate our differences and see the beauty in each other Black features are very unique and distinctive, we have so many beautiful shades of black beauty and that’s what makes us so special and beautiful

“The lessons I learnt was patience, we work hard but only see the fruits of our labor at a later date. Despite that, we have to keep going A second lesson is knowing how to process a “no” and knowing when to go back and try again. Never give up. ”

ASH PHILLIPS MIRO LAFLAGA &

Creatives Ash Phillips and Miro Laflaga began the r entrepreneurial journey back in 2015 as freelance creative directors producing visuals for local artists in Montreal Driven by their shared pass ons for diversity and innovation in Montreal’s creative industry they began a partnership, collaborating on several projects for three years until deciding to carve their own path: Six Cinquième – a strateg c design agency that focuses on brand ng help ng visionary companies def ne and express who they are The company was created out of necessity; the necessity to shake things up n our industry for the better

OBM: It s great to speak w th you both! Congratulations on all your achievements so far How would you define a visionary company?

A: For us visionary companies are led by people w th imagination They imagine a future or poss bility that doesn t yet exist and actively build towards making it real Visionary companies th nk long term and aren’t so concerned w th temporary gain Every move they make is calculated They play chess, not checkers M: A company who is not comfortable They are always seeking change and despise the status quo

OBM: What advice would you give to young creat ves hoping to follow n your footsteps?

M: Majority of folks don’t know what they are doing They are figuring t out as they go along So don’t let them psych you out nto feeling you a n’t good enough or ready

A: Don’t close yourself to the people and opportun ties in your own community Be curious, go to other’s events, f nd your people and grow with them It’s not a competit on and there’s enough abundance out there for everyone to eat

OBM: Do you have any dream collaborations or brands you d love to work with in the future?

A: Not sure in what capac ty either brand ng, brand act vations or product on, but anyth ng related to Issa Rae or Donald Glover On a more local to Montreal level, I really love what Sheertex is doing!

M: Haha I always said Nasa And I am go ng to keep say ng it unt l it happens

OBM: What s the best part and the most challeng ng part of working together as a couple? Any t ps you can give to other couples considering going into business?

A: Best part is having that security of know ng that you don’t have to go through things alone With Miro, I feel like I can do anything even if it seems impossible or scary, because we have each other s back through t all Most challenging would be finding the balance between business partners and l fe partners Work l fe balance takes on a whole new meaning when you’re doing work and life with your SO It was challenging at f rst and st ll can be, but has gotten easier with patience, understand ng communicat on and time M: It’s kinda taboo to be n bus ness with a lover r ght?! don’t know why it is because it just makes sense Why wouldn’t you be in bus ness with someone who really knows you? The fact we know each other so well, we can balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses That s the best part for me The most challenging is creating the boundaries between the business and relationships

OBM: What are your thoughts on the current landscape for Black creatives in Canada?

M: We ex st We are here We are talented as hell If Canada doesn’t realize that soon enough, they will constantly lose out on the talent

“

For us, visionary companies are led by people with imagination. They imagine a future or possibility that doesn’t yet exist and actively build towards making it real Visionary companies think long term and aren’t so concerned with temporary gain. Every move they make is calculated. They play chess, not checkers.”

ACTOR, MODEL, AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

JUSTIN "JC" COLLINS

How old are you?

39

What’s your zodiac sign? Taurus Hometown?

Lansdale, Pa currently living in Miami Fl Education and current occupation?

Bachelors in Communicat on from Clarion Univers ty and occupation is CEO/Coach of the Fitness by JC Body Transformational Program SAG-AFTRA Actor/Model, and Mot vational Speaker

What’s currently on your reading list or podcast?

Currently on my reading l st is “The Power of One More” by Ed Mylett, “W1nn ng” by T m Grover, “Non-Negotiable” by Wes Watson, and “Can’t Hurt Me” by Dav d Goggins

Podcasts I m currently l stening to are “The Bedros Keuilian Show” the “Ed Mylett Show”, and “REAL AF with Andy Frisella ”

What got you into the various careers (Model, Speaker, Actor, Fitness)?

What got me into my current careers surpr singly are my goals I set when I was 12 They were to be a profess onal athlete, actor/model, and motivational speaker As t me passed and through constant work, they all took on a life of the r own No, I d d not become a profess onal athlete(nba was the goal) but I did develop a love for training, and now I earn a liv ng training myself and others to get in the best shape of their l fe Naturally with be ng in shape, I took the step many years ago to get nto modeling with the focus on fitness model ng From there things expanded branching out to print, commerc als televis on and film, and even voice over work With the progression of my F tness Career and tak ng my mess,and turning it into my message my speaking career took shape mot vating others to pursue the r absolute best life, and to show them what’s poss ble when you decide to step into your greatness How do you stay in peak shape? What’s your workout and diet regime?

I stay in peak shape by following what my coach provides to me (shout out Rob Reed F tness) Even though I am a coach I have coaches that keep me in line just like I do my clients(I used to be 45lbs overweight, and my coach helped me change that for good, which changed my life) They give me my meal and workout plans, and it s my job to execute and create the results I’ve learned over the years that nutrit on s everything, so deviating from what I m provided is non negotiable, as well as training I work out 6 days a week, one day off for rest and recovery With these two things dialed n at all times, it allows me to show up my best n every aspect of life It also sets an example, to practice what you preach What does self care look like for JC? (We love to encourage our readers to take part in self care)

Self care s so mportant For myself t’s very simple Daily meditation to quiet and keep my m nd still helps keep me sharp, focused, and Balanced Lastly s something I like to call “Grat tude walks” which s just me go ng to the beach and walking reflect ng on how grateful I am for the life I get to l ve Tak ng n the sunsh ne, waves and palm tree vibes truly gnites my soul, and br ngs me true happ ness and peace and grounds me n abundance

What is something you wish you knew before getting into your careers?

Things I w sh I knew prior to gett ng nto my var ous careers would be learning patience, and not going at t alone, but surrounding yourself w th great mentors, coaches, and h gh qual ty people When I f rst began I expected things to happen so fast, and that led to great frustration when it didn t Over time, I real zed there s a process to everything, and following someone like a coach/mentor who has walked the path you’re on makes all the difference n the world They can tell you what not to do, and establ sh a bluepr nt of what you need to do to create the results you desire, in less time This leads to faster growth expansion and success I have coaches in every aspect of my life from my health/fitness, business, and my agents for my modeling/acting Truly remarkable people that I am forever grateful for

We are all about black beauty what does black beauty mean to you?

Black beauty to me means embracing every aspect of your melan n skin tone and being proud of who you are and everyth ng that embodies that Choosing to glow up and stand out rather than being picked apart and dim nished

With a growing fan base and platform, what is someth ng you want your followers to take away from follow ng you on your journey?

What I would l ke my followers new and old to take away from follow ng my journey is that I am just like you The same 24/7, 365 The d fference s what you choose to do with that t me will be the separating aspect of your dream l fe, to a life full of settling You CAN be whoever and whatever you want to be n life if you f rst decide, and second work relentlessly to create it and never quit for any reason Great th ngs are given to those who g ve great efforts, and the greater the goal, the greater the effort required Face your fear, and pay the price for the life you want, and you’ll deliver to yourself the key to unlock it, and enjoy the fruits of your labor

Lastly, what’s next for JC? What’s next for me is taking the impact of the results of the Fitness by JC program from the thousands(1,500+ client results to date), to the millions With every l fe changed, there s always a ripple effect down the line of greater change I truly feel the more people that go for and change their life will be a growing example of leadership to others to what’s actually poss ble in l fe if you go for what you want That multiplied exponentially will equate to a Better world, with more people lov ng l fe, and inspiring others to love it too, start ng with themselves

RACHEL DINKINS

How old are you?

34 What’s your zodiac s gn?

Leo Hometown?

My Mobile, Alabama

Education and current occupat on?

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Marketing and Management, CEO & Founder of Rachel Indira

What’s currently on your reading list or podcast?

Currently on my podcast I am a huge fan of listening to Real Talk Kim with Pastor K mberly Jones She gives me so much encouragement and mot vation to start my day I try to use my mornings as t me to meditate and listen to encouraging uplifting words Somet mes we just need to hear that uplifting word to push us further nto our destiny What got you into the various careers?

I decided to jump in the Ha r Care ndustry because growing up it was hard for me to find a hair care product and/or system that targeted my issues and worked for my hair type I dealt with Eczema on my scalp and d dn t want all those chemicals in my ha r After years of trying out different products I decided it was t me to make a change and start my natural hair care journey I attended SCAD Savannah College of Art & Design Having majored in Fashion Marketing and Management I always had a passion for the beauty & fashion industry This led me to research the hair care industry wh ch is a thriv ng $87 billion ndustry

How do you stay in peak shape? What s your workout and diet reg me? I stay in peak shape with the help of my trainers Coach Devin @solofitnessatl and Coach Monet @mot vatebymonet I also do a mixture of weight lifting as well as Yoga I see the difference in my body which is helping me stay motivated I believe fitness is a lifestyle and should be incorporated in our daily lives I try to workout at least 3 times a week and I do Yoga at least 3 times a week As far as diet regime I always try to implement a lot of fruits and vegetables n my diet also drink plenty of smooth es which I make myself or I pick up at one of my favorite smoothie restaurants Fresh Squeezed Juice Bar in Ph pps Plaza Mall

What does self care look like for Rachel? (We love to encourage our readers to take part n self care)

Self Care for me looks l ke hav ng a work life balance I practice sound meditation which has helped me get in tune with my m nd body and spirit I think carv ng out t me for med tat on yoga, sound baths etc can help you take your mind off your workload and do some self healing and vis on refocus ng There is a woman I go to her IG is @dearl fechat Tay Lang, she is awesome and can bring you the whole Hol stic Sound Therapy experience to your home!

What is something you wish you knew before getting into business for yourself?

I believe as an entrepreneur it’s important to have a great team around you We overcame so many challenges, especially starting our company during the he ght of the pandemic I was faced w th lim ted resources such as low raw mater als from manufacturers When we first Launched in June of 2020 off cially online, we sold out with n 48 hours and had to reassure customers that restock would be coming soon! It was definitely challeng ng as we had to meet the needs of our supply & demand I do w sh I had known about some of these challenges before however, all of th s is a part of learning through my journey As far as Do’s & Don’ts, I would just advise that you do need pass on in your endeavor Success w ll come but it requires a lot of hard work drive and sleepless nights It is bigger than someone who solely is starting a company out of just want ng to make money You need to be able to have passion so you can be impactful to your audience And this w ll help you succeed and withstand any obstacle And don’t give up The road to success is hard however you have to be able to be persistent and keep yourself motivated

We are all about black beauty, what does black beauty mean to you?

Black Beauty to me means our melanin is powerful beautiful, elegant exquisite and confident I bel eve that Black Beauty insp res and truly capt vates the essence of be ng comfortable with yourself and lov ng yourself So long we have always looked at the typical European beauty standards however, I am happy that we are sh ning l ght on Black Beauty all around the world and understand that Black Beauty s extremely diverse It s a celebrat on of our hair, skin, features and body type Black Beauty means so much and simply can’t be put in a box

With a grow ng fan base and platform, what is something you want your followers to take away from following you on your journey?

I would tell my audience that it is important to be passionate about what you are pursu ng You need to have a go-getter, innovative mindset to keep going I would say to always be patient I think sometimes we don t see results as quick as we may want them but I am starting to learn as an adult you have to let things naturally happen What is meant for you will happen These are key th ngs I was able to learn along the way during my journey of where am today

Photography Credit Jasm ne Lav Photography

Brittney Mullins Photography

Beauty of The Week

AMIR LANCASTER

How old are you?

26 years old

What’s your zodiac sign?

Leo Hometown? Arlington, Texas

Education and current occupation?

Bachelors of Science in Business & Real Estate Agent What’s currently on your reading list or podcast?

“Its All In Your Head” by Russ

What got you into Real Estate?

What got me nto real estate was my yearning to be a commun ty leader After graduating college I accepted the first corporate job offer I rece ved Work ng day in and day out for someone else’s dreams and never having a chance to connect w th people in my community just d dn t fulf ll me I ve always had a passion for real estate and the industry and knew that the best agents were indiv duals who were well networked within the r communities That sounded like everything I wanted to be How do you stay in peak shape? What’s your workout and diet regime?

The way I stay n peak shape is mainly because of my personal trainer Lane Bunch (BodybyBunch on Ig) He has created personal zed workout plans for me to follow and help me ach eve whatever my current phys que goals are I’m also someone who is very active and enjoys sports like box ng, Rock climbing, Volleyball and Rugby to name a few What does self care look like for Dwayne? (We love to encourage our readers to take part n self care)

Self care for me looks like cooking! I’ve had a passion for t ever since I was young To the point that my mother actually enrolled me in culinary summer camp classes Cooking is one of the only th ngs in my life where there s no rushing the process There s nothing like taking a bite of something that you labored over and letting out a sigh of relief when you’ve captured the exact flavor that you’re looking for What is something you wish you knew before getting into real estate?

Something I w sh I knew in real estate before I got nto it was that just because you have a desire to help everyone doesn t mean that everyone wants your help We are all about black beauty, what does black beauty mean to you?

To me Black Beauty is the culture The fact that no matter what shade of black, blackness is still blackness and it is all beaut ful and unique

With a growing fan base and platform, what s something you want your followers to take away from following you on your journey? No matter what you want as long as you’re willing to work for it ANYTHING is poss ble It might not happen today or tomorrow but with a little b t of consistency t’s bound to happen some day Keep Showing Up

Lastly, what s next for Am r? What’s next for me is to make it as one of the youngest top producing agents in Aust n and start speaking at high schools and junior h ghs to make an impact on the youth of America

Beauty of The Week

MARCUS GREAVES

How old are you?

27

What’s your zodiac sign?

Big Leo Energy Hometown?

My hometown is Pr neville Oregon a small town of 10 thousand people in central Oregon

What’s currently on your reading list or podcast?

Currently, I am reading “ As a man thinketh” by James Allen The Book focuses on the key to master ng your life is harnessing the power of your thoughts and helps you cultivate the philosophy and attitude of a positive, successful person

What got you into Sports Broadcasting?

Once I was done play College football at Oregon State University I was quite lost to be honest with what I wanted to do with my l fe After numerous discussions and mentoring by former NFL running back Yvenson Bernard, who grew to be a fantast c mentor for a young black individual wide-eyed about the real world He invited me to come join his show at NBC Sports Northwest where he was an analyst As he cont nued to nvite me to part cipate in h s show talk ng all th ngs Oregon State, I found a love and passion for broadcasting From there, I have cont nued to perfect my craft and move up within the industry where I have landed a dream Job as an Anchor at CBS8 in San Diego

How do you stay in peak shape? What s your workout and diet regime?

I have always been into fitness w th my Sports background, but I would say now more than ever, I have a heavy focus on being n better shape than I was in as a college athlete I make t a pr ority to at least workout six t mes a week and while most people will talk you that is over tra ning it has become a enjoyable hobby for me so I can’t get enough of it! I also love the discipline and work it takes to stay in top shape, because I bel eve t helps me grow not only physically but mentally In regard to diet I am easily the most bor ng eater you w ll ever f nd I have a very Strick diet of lean proteins (Chicken, Turkey, Lean ground beef) and some sort of complex carbohydrate and vegetables I know it is boring for most folks, but to me the feel ng of being healthy is more important than eat ng whatever I want! (Boring I know)

What does self care look like for Macus? (We love to encourage our readers to take part in self care)

I actually take mental health and self-care very seriously, every morning I make sure to wake up and wr te now 5 th ngs I am grateful for within my life It does not matter if am having a bad day, or wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I w ll always get those 5 th ngs wr tten down to remind myself no matter what is going on, I have things to be grateful for I also be sure to stay on top of my daily aff rmations to myself In a world where so many things can break us down mentally, I be sure to tell myself good th ngs will continue to come my way and am grateful to be a young healthy black man Lastly, self-care for me looks like throw ng on Brown Sugar by D Angelo, my slippers and robe, and embracing my R&B soul! What s something you wish you knew before getting nto Sports Broadcasting?

There are so many things to know about Sports Broadcasting, but the most important is BELIEVE IN YOURSELF Everyone has a different story how they got nto the industry, yours might be different from someone else But, it is a very competitive f eld to be in, and when folks move up within the industry you have to understand that your time is coming, even if you cant see it you have to believe it I found myself frustrated plenty of times at the beginning of my career try ng to understand why I couldn’t land a dream job that I wanted I appl ed to over 75 stations when I first started in broadcast ng and didn’t hear back from any So I had to push through the frustration and believe in myself that my t me would come and it did Then, I landed a dream job as a sports anchor in San D ego

We are all about black beauty, what does black beauty mean to you?

It’s s mple, black beauty to me, is the culture of what we are and what we have In my op nion, black beauty s all about seeing the way black culture has formed all of us, whether that be lighter or darker individuals, the texture of our hair, the way we talk, the way we dress, the l st can go on I think Black culture and Black beauty go hand n hand because we are all d fferent and bring something different to the culture Its about how we all can be nd viduals and branch out but at the same time all have the same beaut ful qualit es Black culture s absolute beaty n my mind

With a growing fan base and platform, what is someth ng you want your followers to take away from follow ng you on your journey?

No matter what you want as long as you’re will ng to work for it ANYTHING is possible t might not happen today or tomorrow but with a l ttle b t of cons stency it’s bound to happen some day Keep Showing Up

Lastly what’s next for Amir?

What s next for me is to make it as one of the youngest top produc ng agents in Austin and start speaking at h gh schools and junior h ghs to make an impact on the youth of America

With a growing fan base and platform, what is something you want your followers to take away from following you on your journey?

The main thing I str ve to give my followers s no matter what you do, what walk of l fe you come from, you can accompl sh whatever t s that you want by being who YOU were meant to be I want to nsp re other young Black ndividuals to be themselves and make the world feel their presence by be ng themselves In today s world there seems to be a lack of authent c ty and self-love Not only do I take pride with my work and my journey to get to the po nt in my life that I am in But I bel eve I have done MY way, there were plenty of people who have helped me along the way and continue to help me, but at the end of the day th s is MY story and MY journey, and I want others to feel inspired from the fact that I have created th s l fe for myself, and they can do the same by being themselves