CUTS & SLICES CUTS & SLICES CUTS & SLICES

In Brooklyn, New York, open seven days a week, there’s an incredible new pizza joint everyone’s talking about. Cuts & Slices is a Black-owned specialty pizzeria on Howard Avenue and it’s taking the Big Apple by storm. As soon as you walk into this place you immediately feel the good vibes, there’s street art everywhere and the mouthwatering smell of pizza dough lets you know that you’re in for a huge treat. The experience here gives you “something more than just grabbing a slice and going” as they really are taking the art of pizza making to the next level.

New York is world-famous for having some of the best pizza, but what makes this place stand out is just how different and creative the flavors are. There are crazy concoctions you won’t find anywhere else. The choices are endless: lobster and shrimp, turkey-baconchicken ranch, brown stew oxtail, flavors so exotic you’ll feel you’re on tropical vacation. The pies get even more crazy: there’s cinnamon French toast pizza and a chicken and waffles one. It’s almost impossible to make a decision as you’ll want to try absolutely everything, which is why so many loyal clients return time and time again. The place actually went viral on TikTok after New York rapper Jaydakiss (who is a regular) ordered an all-crust pizza. As random as this sounds it has since become one of their most popular orders now known as simply the “Jayda Crust.” orange ball to sink into the deep blue ocean and then bleed its final purples to black seems longer than anything I witness where I live in Denver.

Cuts & Slices is not only great because of the food, but also what it means socially for the Black community who have been largely forgotten and marginalized. This business has created jobs and opportunities for Black people, which is one step closer to closing the racial wealth gap in the city. Brooklyn native, Randy McLaren, who previously ran a successful sneaker resale business, opened up C&S with his wife in 2018. The success of this small pizza place is bringing new life to this side of the Hudson without gentrifying or sidelining the local residents who make up a huge percentage of the clientele. Black-owned pizzerias are a rare site in New York, and it is very interesting to see African American culture influence a traditionally European-dominated cuisine. Despite the popularity of the business, it still retains a very local feel. McLaren noted the lack of choice in the area before he opened up. His pizza means the local residents don’t have to just rely on the same Chinese takeaway every day. It gives people the opportunity to try things that they’ve never even heard of and brings something different to the people.

There is one catch however. Starting at $11 and charging up to $100 for the truffle and lobster pizzas, these pies ain’t cheap. But is it worth it? This is a truly new and unforgettable experience with some flavors unlocking forgotten childhood memories and others that you simply can’t get anywhere else. Good quality is also something they’re devoted to. This is why they stopped delivering their pizza. It didn’t taste as good unless it was straight out of the oven. The place is warm and friendly and the pizza here is honestly so special that even if you have to spend hours stuck in traffic getting here, it will be worth the hassle and you’ll leave with a full belly and a smile on your face.

There are so many resort options in PV, but The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta is one good value choice set right on the Bay of Banderas beachfront. Part of the Marriott family, you can book with points as well. Set on 14-acres of what was once a palm tree plantation, today the resort is still home to more than 600 mature palms. Each tree is numbered and maintained. The rooms and suites are comfy and the resort sits right on the sea. There are two swimming pools, including one with a swim-up bar and another that is family focused.

Part of Marriott’s wellness brand, The Westin has a state-of-the-art fitness center to get your daily workout in. And it also is home to an excellent spa where the treatments are designed to assist with movement, sleep and relaxation. Try the deep tissue massage. The Westin is a great choice if you don’t want to go the all-inclusive route. That said, it does have multiple onsite restaurants including its signature Arrecifes Seafood & Steakhouse.

Another perk to staying at the Westin is that every menu offers vegan options as well as health focused choices.

If you want an all-inclusive stay, then I loved the recently opened Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort. Stylishly designed, the resort is also on a pretty stretch of beach. The resort has 444 spacious and modern suites. Rooms are very comfortable with modern decor and the best have direct Pacific coastline views from furnished balconies. If you want to vacation in true style, book one of the suites with a whirlpool tub.

If you don’t want to be disturbed by kids on your holiday, book La Hacienda, which is the adults-only section of the resort with its own set of swimming pools and restaurants (although you will have access to all 14 dining and drinking options on the grounds). Rooms are spacious junior suites and you’ll also have access to premium amenities.

The quality of the food at the Hilton is also impressive for an all-inclusive resort. Along with a buffet, there are multiple a la carte restaurants serving up everything from French fusion to traditional Italian.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

Most Important Information About Biktarvy

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

About Biktarvy

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.

Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:

 dofetilide

 rifampin

 any other medicines to treat HIV-1

Before Taking Biktarvy

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

 Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

 Have any other health problems.

 Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.

 Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Possible Side Effects Of Biktarvy

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

 Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.

 Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.

 Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis) which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

 Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

 The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

How To Take Biktarvy

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

 This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5

 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

The brand expert has a special message for individuals who deny the relevancy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience is unparalleled. Very little compares to the unique support and community that students and alumni gain during their collegiate journey. Business, medicine, law, and entertainment industries are filled with its graduates and students. However, the schools’ impact is very rarely celebrated or even mentioned in mainstream media. That’s why I’m appreciative of platforms like HBCU Buzz and the brand’s creator Luke Lawal.

Luke is a serial entrepreneur from Prince George’s County, Maryland, who was recently honored by DIAGEO and celebrated at the 2022 BET Awards for his commitment to the Black community. Take a peek at his Instagram, and you’ll see endless photos of lavish events, celebrity friends, and the latest fashions. But ask him what he truly cares about and the answer is clear: change, growth, and legacy.

The marketing guru promptly hopped on our Zoom call with a big smile and an HBCU sweatshirt. We made quick introductions and then jumped right into a fun game of This or That. In a matter of minutes, I learned a lot about the innovative entrepreneur. For example, he prefers Nikes to Adidas, feels like he’s a little too millennial for TikTok, and reads more than he listens to podcasts, in fact, he’s writing his own book – but more on that later. So how did this man whose experiences seem somewhat relatable create such a powerful brand? Keep reading to find out.

Luke prides himself on being comfortable in any room, which he attributes greatly to his diverse experiences and ability to connect with others. He’s a second generation Nigerian-American, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, and a Master Mason. And although he’s known most for his entrepreneurial efforts, people are always surprised to find out that he started at Bowie State, his alma mater, as a biochemistry major and even worked in politics. “OnethingIlearnedfromallofthose opportunitiesistoalwaysbemyself,beableto presentmyself,andbelikableandrelatableto who I’m in the room with.”

Luke’s love for HBCUs runs deep. “Ialwaystellhigh schoolstudents,gotowhereyou’regonnafeelthe mostathome.WhenIwenttocollegeIhadfun. Andthat’sbecausemyHBCUfeltlikehome.When IwenttoclassitfeltlikeIwasgoingtoakickback tolearn.Igottobeapartofanenvironmentwhere everyoneinvestedinmeinadifferentwaythanI experiencedinhighschool.” Both of his parents are HBCU graduates and he spent a portion of his childhood at Howard while his mother earned her Master’s Degree. Still, It wasn’t until 2011 that the idea to start HBCU Buzz was sparked. While in college, he attended a leadership conference where he connected with other HBCU students. When it ended, they stayed in touch, and he visited his peers on different campuses. Luke learned about their various opportunities and systems and realized none of it was reflected in mainstream media. “Youonlyhearstoriesof randomnegativitybutyouneverseethepositiveimages.Istarted HBCUBuzztodispelthatnegativenarrativeandgiveHBCU studentsandalumniavoiceintheircommunity.”

However, Luke doesn’t shy away from the fact that it was not an easy task. He laughs about the fact that in the beginning, he wasn’t a writer. “ButonethingIdidhavewassocial[skills].Ithrew partiesbackinthedaysoIknewhowtoconnectwithpeople.I knewhowtogrowbrandawarenessandconnectivity.”

He continues, “WhenIfirststartedthebrandallmyarticleshad typos,butwejusthadtofailforward.Andluckyforus,traditional newswasphasingout,inhowouraudiencesconsumemedia. Thenofcoursecamemoresocialplatforms,likeInstagram,that we used to reach our audience – who we owe for our scale of growth.” Also, they continue to face naysayers who doubt the importance of HBCUs. “My reply to that is always, actually, where would we be without HBCUs? But oftentimes I’m in rooms where people are uninformed of the wonderful things HBCUs do. Also, I work with a lot of brands that are trying to learn how to intersect authentically. So, we’re constantly coaching, teaching, and creating campaigns that do just that.”

Years later HBCU Buzz continues to thrive and has worked with some of today’s biggest brands including Nike, HBO, and Capital One. They were even recently honored by DIAGEO, a global beverage leader that pledged $10 million to create permanent endowments at 25 HBCUs across the country. This fall, DIAGEO celebrated Black changemakers by showing up around classic Homecomings across the country. Luke was one of the celebrated attendees. “I was super thrilled to work with DIAGEO. The MeccaandtheBlackexperienceshinedon,andallthediversity leadersthatarechangingthecommunitywithinthatbrandare soimportanttome. Itkindamatchesextremelywellwith our[HBCUBuzz]top30under30,beingabletocelebrate thechange-makersinourcommunity.Westartedthe inaugurallistin2015andeversince,we’vebeenkilling itwitheverysingleclass.TheeventwehadatHU’s homecomingwillalwaysbeinmyheart.”

That’s not the only major experience HBCU Buzz has created for Luke. He’s been mentioned in the influential Root 100 list and as mentioned earlier, took the stage at the 2022 BET Awards, culture’s biggest night. He shared with Bleu a little bit of what that experience was like. “I gottosharethestagewithPuff;thatwascrazy.MyMom saidpeopleleftflowersatthehouse.OneofthethingsI seemostimportantlyinthisspaceisthatpeopleseeme asarepresentativetobeabletodowhatevertheywantto do.SeeinganHBCUgradonstageattheBETawardsfor somethingotherthanentertainmentfeelsspecial.”

HBCU Buzz continues to expand and diversify. There’s currently an HBCU coin, another way Luke hopes to change our financial trajectory. “It’sasocialtokenpromoting educationandcommunityinthespaceandwe’reusingitto leveragethecommunitytogetinvolved.Itgivesyouaccessto oursocialclub,wehosteventsaboutweb,NFT,andanything inthewebthreespace.” In five years he expects HBCU Buzz to continue to grow and become more experiential. “It was alwaysclient-focusedbutnowwe’regonnastartdoingour own conferences and annual events.”

Looking forward personally, Luke continues to share his passion for HBCUs and pour back into the community. He’s writing a book called, Rich Black, Poor Black, on how to grow generational wealth in the Black community. And he continues to grow his brand. “OnethingIlearned from COVID is there’s no hidden CEO. I was forced to bethetalentandmanageteams.ButIwillsay,it’sextremely importantandsoisrepresentation.Plus,it’seasyforme becauseIlovethepeople.It’sacommunity.”Heclosedwith adviceforaspiringentrepreneurs,“Justdon’tgiveup.Be passionate.Whatyouloveiswhatyoulovesofightforit!”