August 2015 issue by Bronze Magazine

magazine

bronze

Def Jam Comedian

Sonya D:

Using her talents to make her dreams a reality

An Interview with Actor/Director

Bill Duke

NYC UBCTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Queen

Peggy Dodson AUGUST 2015

VISIT BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Celebrate and embrace th

Photographer: Amina Touray Photography Makeup Artist: Crystal Watana Models (from left to right): Krystal Willis, Alicia Erby, Linda Walton, Angela Meryl, and Chelsy Gantt

he beauty of women of colorâ&#x20AC;?

EDITOR’S note

bronze magazine Publisher and Editor In Chief

Shawn Chavis

Chief Operating Officer

Barry Stuldivant

Issue Design/Layout Shawn Chavis

Writers (this issue)

Ameliaismore Deidre Brown Dr. Moses Calhoun, Ph.D. Erin Napolean Snigdaa Sethuram

On the Cover:

Peggy Dodson Photographer: Donald Layne

Happy August Bronze Beauties! My how fast time flies. I can’t believe we are already in the final weeks of summer. I hope that everyone is enjoying every moment of it. If there is anything I have learned is that life is short, so we shouldn’t take any of it for granted. Don’t look back, and live your life abundantly for the present, because that is all we truly have control over. And most of all, follow your dreams! The powerful individuals who are featured in this month’s issue are strong examples of what it’s like to fulfill your passion in life. First, there’s our cover star, Peggy Dodson, CEO and President of UBC TV Network here in NYC. Peggy is a true visionary who is going to change the face of urban lifestyle programming. She is a true inspiration for those women who want to lead instead of follow. Our other powerful individuals who are featured are life coach Deena Gray-Johnson, who, after many difficult obstacles and challenges, dedicated herself towards helping others to discover that there is awesomeness after adversity. Comedian and businesswoman Sonya D. has made her mark on the comedy world by using her talent to make her dreams a reality. Then there’s independent director/producer Danielle Earle, who could very well be the next Shonda Rhimes or Ava Duvernay. And last but not least is actor/director Mr. Bill Dukes, whose interview with Dr. Moses Calhoun, Ph.D. inspires as he discusses how his faith has played a large part in his success. I hope you enjoy this issue as well as the rest of your summer. Until next time!

Shawn Shawn Chavis

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Search for Bronze Magazine or Bronze Mag Apps.

AUG 2015 CONT ENTS FEATURES

6 Deena Gray-Johnson

The Independent Living Skills Educationist talks about how she overcame adversity in order to help serve others.

8 Danielle Earle

The up-and-coming NYC director/producer to look out for.

21 Sonya D.

The Def Comedy Jam Comedian has used her talent to make her dreams a reality.

22 Bill Duke

The actor/director speaks candidly with Dr. Moses Calhoun, Ph.D. about his recent book Dark Girls.

PHOTO EDITORIAL

10 Brown So Beautiful

The new national campaign movement that celebrates and embraces the beauty of women of color.

Peggy Dodson:

Our cover star reveals her new vision for changing the landscape of urban programming.

Deena Gray-Johnson: Awesomeness After Adversity

by Erin Napolean

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hen Deena Gray- Johnson was first born, her parents were mentally handicapped and neglected proper care for her as in infant. She was almost killed due to lack of nutrition and starvation. At seventeen months old she was removed from her mentally disabled parents and placed into foster care. Deena explains that her adoptive family had never disclosed any information in regards to her biological parents, so she was not affected too much by the situation. There were multiple signs that led Deena to believe that she did not belong or fit in with the family she was apart of. She and her siblings soon found out the truth from snooping through paperwork and files hidden in her mother’s closet.

Throughout her childhood and growing up, Deena faced many difficult challenges and adversity. Deena soon began to perceive herself as having a mental disability just like her birth parents. Due to her birth parents’ neglect, she suffered with malnutrition, which caused her to have developmental delays like not being able to walk or talk until the age of two years old. She was always taught by her adoptive parents that she would be and have less than others because of where she came from. She eventually came to terms with that idea and accepted it as her fate. Deena states, “I feel this system failed me, because as a child, I was left in the care of individuals who were not educated on how to care for a person with developmental delays and still ended up being abused.” She explains that the agency’s main goal was not to find the best interest of the child, but find a place for her and others just so that the agencies did not become over crowded. As she grew a little older, Deena became a teen mom, where she faced more intense challenges. While trying to provide for herself and her child and being homeless, she was living on the streets of New York City, which exposed her to abuse, rape, robbery, and physical altercations. She did all she could to protect herself and her child. She was focused on being the mother she never had to her children; often times coming off as doing too much or being overly involved. Her over protectiveness was only the result of her abandonment issues and problems building relationships; but as she got older, she was able to let her guard down. Throughout the whole situation, Deena never gave up. She has taken the obstacles and challenges from her past and used them to help others overcome their adversities and not make them their destinies. The life she had to live has caused her to become a humble person. She explains that she is not afraid of what she has been through or seen, and has no problem sharing her story, thus eventually becoming a successful life coach. Deena had no plans to become a life coach, but she explains that it just found her. She had gone to school for Human Services because it’s a field where she can do multiple types of work without limitations. She went on to start her own company, “Awesomeness After Adversity,” which features individuals who had been through adversities and are now living their lives with purpose. After receiving multiple emails from people who had heard her story and wanted help themselves, she decided to get certified to become a life coach and help people straighten their lives out. Her company offers a variety of services in corporate, relationship, special, and personal development coaching. Deena is currently an Independent Living Skills Educationist, which involves mentoring young girls to prepare them for independent living. She goes to a multitude of places like the local foster care agency, where she administers life skills assessments on children aged fourteen and older. Once they are assessed, she is able to determine where they need the most help. After that, she develops a plan on how to get them to the next level. She continues to work with each girl until they are totally independent, and this includes knowing how to fill out a job application, or just knowing which temperature the water should be when washing light vs. dark clothing. Deena recently met with the City Mission in her area to discuss bringing these services to the young women in their homeless shelter. So far, each young lady has taken well to the program because it’s all about showing them how capable they are. When asked to share a piece of advice about overcoming adversity she said, “One piece of valuable advice that I can share about overcoming hardships is to tell others not to personalize them. Don't allow your struggle to become a permanent part of you because it’s only in your life for a moment. When you're suffering, it will feel like it’s taking forever to subside, but the pain is really only temporary. When it’s over, share your story so that you can help someone else”. Deena is proud of her ability to be resilient and let positivity reflect on her past. She understands that what happened to her happened so that she can help others see that they don't have to become a product of their social status. She is grateful for each lesson she has learned through her adversities. Her only disappointment is that she used to be afraid of sharing her story because it made her feel vulnerable and weak. It took her some time, but she realizes her past made her the strong woman she is today. Deena runs by the slogan, “Don’t allow your diagnosis to be your prognosis.”

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

Behind the Scenes: Danielle Earle by snigdaa Sethuram

irector/Producer Danielle Earle, the mind behind the hit web series Brooklyn is in Love and the upcoming film Lover’s Game, is a young woman finding great success in all her endeavors. Now releasing season three of her most popular web series, Earle reflects on an earlier web series she had started out withnothing but a camcorder at her side-while currently, not more than 5 years later, she has investors and producers interested in her work and pushing through on her creations. After growing up in New Jersey with two supportive parents, one

of whom Earle credits with giving her the artistic ability (“When I was young my father was an artist…probably where I got it from,” said Earle), she took a big leap and decided to go to college, far away from home. Still, her parents supported her move and knew they would be proud no matter what major she might pick. Earle did not always want to be a director/producer. Originally, her plan had been to go into animation-so she moved out to California for her Bachelor’s degree. Despite being homesick, Earle knows that moving out there opened her eyes to a wider scope of people and possibilities-career-

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wise as well as socially. After taking a class in the history of film in her junior year of undergraduate schooling, she fell in love with the various productions she viewedblack and white films, romance, thriller, mystery genres-so much so that she knew she wanted to make her life about film directing. Once she graduated, she went to the City College of New York and gained all her skills in one year-handling camera equipment, learning how to design a set, and conducting shoots. She never regrets her decision; in fact she loves her career and would never change it-she enjoys the control she has over her own ideas, with

filming and set decisions, even being able to create her own content and choose who to collaborate with. She never lost her interest in animation and drawing, however-in fact, she continues to work on an animated series she plans on doing, directed toward a children’s audience, about dreams and the strength even a child can show. Before she had the leisure to focus on creating her work and to think about the variety of stories she could tell, Earle faced a dark time, in her life as well as thousands of others, during which there were a multitude of protests and fears about the career prospects that college students faced, right around the time of President Obama’s campaign. Unlike others who could not do anything about the situation, Earle used it to fuel her creativity and created a web series catered toward her peers, putting a piece of herself in each episode—the famous Brooklyn is in Love series. After a long, enduring task of asking up-and-coming actors to play characters in her production, Earle managed to create an efficient crew with whom her series became an instant success. By traveling to various locations for shoots, and getting shout outs from actors who became famous after being part of Brooklyn is in Love, the series rapidly rose the ranks in popularity. After seeing how season 3 ends for this series, Earle thinks she might also start a spin-off series for Brooklyn is in Love, with the same characters and cast. Earle admits that it was tough, especially being a woman in the industry. Many people told her it would not be possible, that it was a lost cause and was not even a convincing story line to keep audiences interested. She never gave up, and kept to her own aspirations—the result of being inspired by both her own grandmother and the groundbreaking actress Julia Anderson, both of whom she had looked up to since she was a toddler. Even after finding success in her series, Earle had trouble receiving respect enough to give commands and expect them to be followed through. Still, she followed her motto and never gave up. She focused on the content she was trying to create, and kept that goal in mind to get her through. Though she knows she could have done with more crew members and planning to carry out more of her intended storylines (regarding Brooklyn is in Love), she is proud of the work she has done and looks forward to a lifetime of doing what she loves. She’s been so successful that she has finished production on a movie, Lover’s Game, coming out July 2015, inspired by her love of the romance genre as well as a desire to shine a light on the struggles women face regarding having children. Her goal is to portray women in a more powerful role, after one night thinking about her grandmother, who passed away due to a brain development. Once she began writing, however, her idea was picked up and soon started rolling. After a grand total of 3 years working on the film , Earle is proud to present her work. When talking about the difference between shooting a web series versus shooting a movie, she considers the biggest different to be the stress with finding investors, locations, and finishing photography, filming, sound mixing, etc. Whereas with her web series, Earle made do with finding actors as she went along, without much need for funding. After working both on Lover’s Game and Brooklyn is in Love, Earle is interested both in creating more web series and appealing to television networks such as HBO, and reaching to a wider audience. Her movie will be coming out both on DVD as well as on Netflix, so Earle’s aspirations at expanding have been successful. Of course, like every other artist, Earle has found times of difficulty in creating more content. Many of her ideas spring from events in her life, or moments of inspiration that come to her randomly—she admits that she suffers from writer’s block occasionally, and when nothing strikes her, she often goes to a park or similar just to clear her head and focus on her content, which is what produces such appealing plots. Putting aside thoughts of nervousness and uncertainty about the popularity of her work, Earle has worked her way into the hearts of many admirers of her work, so much so that she is working on a new movie, based off of the true story of a childhood friend who was falsely accused of murder—stay tuned to find out more! Learn more about Danielle and her projects at PL Entertainment LLC

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Q&A

Brown So Beautiful is a community that celebrates and positively embraces the inner and outer beauty of women of color. To kickoff this national campaign movement are 5 beautiful women who represent the various shades, shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds that make a BSB woman uniquely beautiful in her own way. Here’s what each of our 5 ladies had to say during our Q&A session: Photo Credits: Photographer: Amina Touray Photography Makeup Artist: Crystal Watana Models (left to right): Linda Walton, Alicia Erby, Krystal Willis, ChelseyGantt, and Angela Meryl

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Linda

Q: What do you love most about yourself? A: my ability to adapt to change. I have reinventedmyself many times. Not just because of heartbreak or tragedies but for passion, interest, God and love. Q: What advice would you give to your younger self? A: "A small fire will keep you warm. A big fire will keep you busy." It's not about the material things. It’s about life and the joy in taking the time to live it. Q: Fill in the blank: My brown is so beautiful because _______ A: Because it changes colors from cinnamon to coffee. I discover a new beauty with each change.

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

Alicia

Q: What do you love most about yourself? A: My ability to always find a unique take or view of something...A true outside of the box thinker. Q: What advice would you give to your younger self? A: Be bold from within, your intuition is always right Q: Fill in the blank: My brown is so beautiful because _______ A: Because it carries the sun. Often, I notice that my skin holds the sun kissed beauty and glow only others achieve by tanning. I love it! Sometimes, I look at my skin and think that I must have been born from the sun.

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Krystal

Q: What do you love most about yourself? A: I love my determination the most. I have a lot of goals for myself and I’m working tirelessly to achieve them. Q: What advice would you give to your younger self? A: To live a little more fearlessly. There are so many more things outside your comfort zone! Q: Fill in the blank: My brown is so beautiful because _______ A: It makes me who I am. And I plan to use this brown to break down some barriers in Hollywood!

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Chelsy

Q: What do you love most about yourself? A: My confidence and positive energy that I can carry into a room without caring what anyone thinks. Q: What advice would you give to your younger self? A: Everyone may not think you’re the MOST beautiful irl in the world, but you’re the most beautiful person to someone and that someone should start with you. Q: Fill in the blank: My brown is so beautiful because _______ A: Because I believe it is!

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Angela

Q: What do you love most about yourself? A: My sense of humor, smile, and my lips. Q: What advice would you give to your younger self? A: Be more open, don’t be afraid to take risks and listen to your gut; it’s always right! Q: Fill in the blank: My brown is so beautiful because _______ A: I’m a strong confident woman!

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

UBCTV’s Queen Redefining Urban:

Peggy Dodson byAmeliaismore

Photographer: Donald Layne 16 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

In order to change the nature of things you must start with the nurturer. Peggy Dodson is the nurturer who is redefining urban through her company, UBCTV. Her years and experience in both technology and television has made her the new name and network to watch. As she begins to gain household recognition, Bronze Magazine wanted to know the woman behind the network as well as get a glimpse of her television for the future. Continued>>

AM: Peggy Dodson the woman, If you had to describe or define yourself what would you say? PD: I would have to say Peggy Dodson the woman is someone who never gives up, who sees things differently, someone who wants to help make the world a better place. She’s someone who loves life and just wants to see people be more than what they are and be happier. That really is the core of who I am. AM: Maybe that is the reason why you are getting so much support. You were on the cover of Black Enterprise as one of the leading women in technology. Fast forward to today and you’re back on the cover of several magazines as a leader in television. What made you switch from technology to television? What inspired you to get into television? PD: Well honestly, I haven’t left techonology. For me, one has always been the other. If you look at television today, networks are going online. That was something I saw many years ago. Being a techy I love things that are new and innovative. My vision and love is finding different ways to show content and exploring different ways for people to experience content. That was really the reason why I got into techonology many years ago. It was another way to deliver content that was new and innovative. I discovered back then that people are tired of the standard way of viewing tv. The infusion of technology has changed the game and the manner in which people ingest content. At first, technolgy was another method of distribution. Now it has grown to engagement. My decision to start my own network is because we have a beautiful culture and a tremendous history. Yet media today doesn’t tell those stories. For me it’s about culture. Culture should not separate people; it should bring them together. It’s said that you can’t make money from uplifting and positive television. I beg to differ with that completely. If you begin to diversify television like you see now due to digital distribution, you even the playing field. The decisions on programming is now being made by the demand, and there is a demand for different stories. AM: You are an inspiration to many women who want to lead instead of follow. What in your opinion is the skill set that women need to break the glass ceiling to move from the back seat of the car to the driver’s seat? PD: (Laughter) Well I will keep it clean so, I will say first you have to have a strong will. You have to really believe in who you are and what you are all about. People will attempt to tell you that you are something else and someone other than you. They will tell you that you should be doing something different than what you are doing. I feel that is what helped me. They made me prove them wrong. My greatest influence was my parents. They helped me because they were entrepreneurs. I learned from them at an early age how to be independent and define who you are and then act on it. That knowledge really goes a long way in developing your own style and your own way of doing business within the corporate structure of the business world. You begin to carve out your own way by being determined and tenacious and most important, prepared for people to tell you that you can’t with the understanding that you know that you can. Your actions will show them your knowledge. Be prepared to hear it, but let it go in one ear and out the other. Famous Amos said something that always stayed with me. He said: “Start where you are.” Too many times people want to be things and then make excuses why they can’t achieve their dreams. They say that can’t because they don’t have this or that. Instead look at what you do have and start from there. Build and buy whatever you don’t have to grow your business. You can’t have it if you don’t start it. People didn’t believe that what I’m doing could be done because I’m building from the ground floor up. I think Bob Johnson was the last person to do what I’m doing. AM: In looking at your story, that honestly is what sets you apart from other female executives who are running networks. You did it yourself. You built UBCTV from scratch. It started as a concept or a dream of yours and now has manifested itself into a viable business that is still growing. Do you think that has something to do with your Akansas upbringing or your NY lifestyle? If not, what is it? PD: A lot of successful people have come from Akansas. You have Bill and Hillary Clinton among many others. (Laughter) I think my humble country upbringing and savvy business mom and dad is what keeps me grounded. I still say hello to people when I pass by people. The energy you exhange with people empowers you. The human connection is what keeps you connected to the universe. As long as you are connected to the universe there is nothing you can’t do because you are connected to the source. It’s a love circle. It’ that energy that cycles around that enables you to attract some phenominal people. I am all about affirmations. I started making goals when I was 10 years old. I always knew I wanted to be in entertainment; singing, journalisim and broadcasting. I always knew I would be here. Singing was my start. That lead me to television. I am very disiplined, probably more than most people I know. I have to have goals and objectives; long, interim and short. Everyday, I plan my whole day. When you work for yourself you have to create a framework of your journey to success. There have been changes here and there, but you have to plan your path to keep yourself on it. So I think everything is what makes you who you are and driven. Having a vision and a planned path is what has helped me to get where I am now. AM: Many say that entrepreneurship is like a roller coaster. What are some of the successes you have had that have not only affirmed your journey but inspired you to continue? PD: Some of the challenges were my success stories. It’s really hard to do this and sometimes you are so busy doing that you don’t realize people are watching you. I was at a point where I was really discouraged and ready to throw in the towel and quit. I was telling God that I quit, that I was going to do something else and out of the blue I get a call. It was from a young lady I met at a conference. After she introduced herself she said; “I am so proud of you. You are such an inspiration for young black women like myself. I really appreciate what you are doing and please don’t ever stop.” I laughed, said thank you, and as I hung up I felt that her call was a message from God saying, “ Girl, get your butt up and keep going cuz I got work for you.” That was a turning point for me. Another one was when I executive produced the Florida A&M game. I had a truck full of guys from all the networks working with me. When we were on the air I watched the tv and it hit me, OMG we are on national tv live! That was the greatest moment for me in my whole career. That helped me go on from there and prepare me to do even greater things.

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AM: Urban Broadcasting television is a broad term. What is your definition of urban and how does your definition differ from others who use the same term? PD: Well I’m on a mission to redefine urban. People have stomped on that term and it has become something negative like the term “ghetto.” Many people equate urban to ghetto but urban is not ghetto. Urban is a lifestyle. It’s the city. You have country and the city. City is the urban area. That’s why we always say urban lifestyle programming. Urban is also culture. Urban city life is the mixture of culture and people and the places they have come from; it’s vibrant and exciting. Urban is a global cultural revolution. It needs to be redefined because it has been mistermed. It’s electric. It’s organic and contstantly moving and always evolving. AM: In your definition you say urban is multi-cultural. How important is globalism as it relates to UBCTV and it’s programming and the images your new media platform will project? PD: It’s paramount. Right now we have over 40 countries that watch UBCTV online. That means thousands of people are engaging, watching our streaming, and signing up to join Club UBC. Those numbers are growing daily. What’s interesting is some people don’t like the term multi-cultural. Yet that is something you can’t ignore. It is where you are. We are multi-cultural. I think if people understood culture more they would be able to understand people better because they would know why they do what they do. They would also know how to interact with them better by understanding their lifestyle. What is accepted and what is offensive. Diversity is not a bad word. People’s definition and perception of that word reflects their evolution. To me that’s what is missing in telebvision today. It’s not multi-cultural. It’s not diverse enough. One aspect or point of view of a specific race does not define the whole culture. Today’s audience wants more diversity . They want images and stories that reflect the whole that is inclusive of the global perspective. They want more of how the world really is, and not just the selected perspective that current tv wants people to think exsists. It’s also good business. Our country does business in so many other countries around the world. To show their culture is good business. So much of what influences the world comes from urban areas. We are the creators of the next big thing. So why shouldn’t I be in the business of culture? Culture is the gateway to content which is king. AM: UBCTV seems to be synonomous with the word multi. You are also a multi platform. Can you explain what you mean by multi platform? PD: This whole thing is a hybrid. It’s something I came up with for UBCTV. As you see now you have second screen and third screen. That is why Netflix is so big. You have people who are streaming. You have people who are watching tv on their ipad. I honestly feel Steve Jobs is brilliant. The ipad revolutionized the manner in which content is viewed within one year. From there it changed the industry as we knew it. You now have the tablets, the large screen phones, you have OTT (over the top) content from the sattelite, and the list goes on. Everywhere tv is alive and growing. UBCTV is part of the everywhere revolution. Our goal is to be able to create urban lifestyle programming and distribute it over multiple platforms. That means streaming, live streaming, cable, OTT and apps. Depending on the programming that will determine the distribution of that content. It’s a content creator world right now. Content is King and Queen. What is going to differentiate one from the other is your production quality and your direction. That is why I chose lifestyle. Lifestyle is where you live. It’s a natural progression for content to be created. It’s a natural format. It’s easy to syndicate and distribute. It’s also easy to cut up into pieces and show in long form. One of my mentors from TimeWarner told me about 10 years ago, “We’re not in the cable business anymore we are in the business of content creation.” Once you have that content you can then distribute it over multiple platforms. That is why UBCTV is a content producing network. AM: A lot of new networks start with licensed programming. Why has UBCTV decided to launch with original programming? PD: We are marketing original progamming because there are so many people with great shows and no outlet to bring it to mass media. To pitch a show to a network is very difficult. Unless you are represented by an agent or know someone who knows someone it’s almost impossible to be seen. That has created a wonderful marketplace full of great ideas and wonderful shows that have nowhere to go. I don’t want to have anything that anyone else has on another network unless I syndicate it. Original programming builds loyatly for my brand because it is more than a network. I have UBC Urban Home Shopping, which helps small businesses sell thru using short runs. That has not be done before. We have our own fulfillment center that can ship to anywhere in the world. We are global. That’s new media. That’s UBCTV. AM: Opportunity seems to be the by product of UBCTV. Why is that the motiviating force behind the programming of UBCTV? PD: I’m focused on new stars. I love celebrities, but for my network, everyday is an opportunity to create a new star for the world to enjoy. A new talent to be discovered. Don’t get me wrong, celebrities are welcomed at our network, but the opportunity to have someone new to tell their story is UBCTV. I don’t think that you don’t have to sensationalize anything. That type of journalism is not true journalism. When I was growing up, the whole family could watch tv. We have gotten away from that true tv. I think we are sensational enough to tell different stories. Sensationalism happens when everyone is doing the same thing and you have to sensationalize it to be different. UBCTV is going to build brand loyalty by being the place that goes from the block to the boardroom. The network that gives you the opportunity to tell your stories and grow. That is who we are and I think we will continue to do that. I’m into marketing, promotion and excitement. UBCTV will have unscripted tv instead of reality tv. There is very little reality in reality tv. It’s what the network has created thru editing. Anyone, if you follow them around there will be sensation. It will be a natural flow that you won’t have to contrive something that is so over the top and so unnatural that you have backlashes from viewers. You won’t create negative images out there. There is a responsibility and accountablity that tv has not stepped up to the plate. We are going to have to step up to the plate about the negative images that are out there that tv has created. I think now due to digital and streaming video, and the growing competition of people out there telling different stories, TV is going to be held more accoutable for what they create and the backlashes from their creations. UBCTV is serious about giving peole the opportunity to tell other stories; their stories creating a new demand.

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AM: What can we expect from UBCTV as you begin to rollout your programming? Is there a specific strategy and why? PD: My strategy is very interesting because I’m doing things from streaming to cable. A lot of people don’t know that when you take a step into cable distribution you need to have an audience. The common mistake most new networks make is going into a platform that is very expensive without having ad support or content ready. They end up spending thousands of dollars a month and going out of business or being pressured to put on programming that they wouldn’t want to put on, but have to in order to stay alive. What we are doing now is launching our streaming channels. Giving people an idea of what to look for when UBCTV goes to cable. We are getting a great response. Our strategy is to go from streaming to live streaming and then cable. That is all happening now. I plan on having a block of time on cable this year with certain programs. Then expand our programming wheel on cable with additonal original programming. In between that, we will have over the top box programming. AM: Does your focus on orginal programming also include films? PD: Yes, we will be expanding to funding and production of film projects. We have signed a distribution deal with a major distributor to distribute original films to theatre and other forms of distribution. Currently we are in the process of buying a major production studio on the west coast and another one in the east. We will be able to create original programming 24/7. That has to be in the plan and then an extension of that is music and film. We are a multi-headed media conglomerate that is manifesting into something very exciting. As an African American woman in a field of men, I am proving that it can be done. AM: Why is it so important for you to take this journey? Have you ever thought of quitting? PD: I think of quitting evey week (laughter). I work 16 hour days. It’s not easy, but for me its fun. I love it! I wouldn’t trade it for anything. One of my jewish godfathers, Bill who has passed on a couple years ago, said, “You have to be a little crazy to work in this industry.” I guess I’m a little crazy, because I’m in it and I’m fully imersed. I took the hardest thing to achieve and made it my goal. It’s now my life. My parents are my role models. They were doing things that most African Americans weren’t doing. They were business, community and spiritual people in the church. My mom was a concert promoter. She promoted gospel concerts. If I can do half of what they accomplished, then I will be happy. They let me dream and be. I dream big things. Roland McFalane is one of my mentors. He was one of the only high ranking executives at Fox. I have had great mentors. I have people who are behind the scenes in this industry that continue to guide me. To be a great leader you have to be a team player and a great listener. In additon, I talk to God a lot. Despite all the bumps and bruises, it’s love and my love for it all that keeps me going. Enertainment adds to people’s life, and inspires others to be the best they can be. I have to be here to keep that going. AM: Last question. Of the many stories that have been written about you, what is the one thing the media still doesn’t know about you that in this article that you want to clairify to make certain the world knows? PD: There will probably be many things that will be written about me, but the one thing that I want everyone to know is that, I ain’t going nowhere! (laughter) I’m here! I am not going anywhere. I am here to create and manifest this vision. It is becoming into being. If anyone thought that I was going to leave they are mistaken. People think that this happens overnight, however, the truth is that none of this happens overnight. Just ask Oprah. It has taken me awhile to arrive at this point because I am picky and I’m not doing anything until I’m ready. I have a certain way I want to present this company. I am not going to let it be anything trashy. We are getting bigger and better everyday. UBCTV is next! The other thing I want everyone to know is how much I appreciate all the media like Bronze Magazine that supports UBCTV and all the media out here that is representing our stories in a proper way. Bronze Magazine is a media outlet that is leading the way of positive change. It’s oulets like us that are going to transform rachet to right. Thank you! For more information on UBCTV go to www.ubctvnetwork.com or follow them on their social platforms, @ubctvnetworks or #UBCTVNetwork

Photographer: Donald Layne 20 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

Comedian Sonya D: Taking Care of Business by Deidra Brown Being in the industry for 20 years, Comedian Sonya D has definitely made her mark in the comedy world. From television, films and even national concerts, Sonya has used her talent to make her dreams a reality. The talented comedian began her career after a $50 agreement with a friend to compete in a comedy competition, but after the competition ended, her journey continued. She started to go to Open Mic Nights in Chicago, fell in love with it, and was on HBO within a year. With hard work and determination, Sonya has been able to grace the stage with performers, such as, Kat Williams, Martin Lawrence and Steve Harvey. The Def Comedy Jam Comedian describes her comedy as, “real, bold, and quickwitted.” Although she doesn’t have anyone in the business who is her biggest inspiration, her fans inspire her. Sonya says, “Fans will always keep you on your toes because they sincerely care about your career.” In 2005, Sonya made history when she became the first AfricanAmerican women to own a comedy club to date. Although she opened “Juzz Jokkin Comedy Club” 10 years ago, she still finds the nomination to be an honor. “When I saw the honor mentioned in the Book of Who’s Who I was blown away because that’s when I realized people really do follow you and your career.” In addition to forming a career through comedy, Sonya can now also call herself a businesswoman. In 2014, she closed a business deal to create an advertising platform for merchants to advertise to millions without her company, Discount Dazzle, taking a percentage of their profits. Her inspiration came after using a “daily deal” site to promote one of her events, in which she had given them $8,000 in profits. Sonya says, “Businesses close down every day because they are giving discounts they really can’t afford to give, and these ‘percentage taken’ deal sites know they are losing money. Discount Dazzle will help the business grow and stay on top.” Even though Sonya started her career in the entertainment industry then ventured into marketing and advertising, for her there wasn’t much of a transition because the two go hand in hand. “If you don’t market/advertise the entertainment, no one will know what you have going on,” says Sonya. For someone who wants to get into the entertainment industry, Sonya thinks the most important aspect of branding is knowing yourself. She says, “Before you can brand yourself, make sure you know yourself. Know your capabilities without putting limitations on yourself. Grow yourself by being your worst critic. Push yourself by always being better than your last performance. And never let someone tell you what you can’t do.” With all of the different ventures she is pursuing, meditations and affirmations are some of the ways Sonya D finds balance in her life. Although there has never been a point where she felt discouraged and wanted to give up, learning to trust people has been a difficult task. However, she continues to push forward. When it comes to pursuing a career in a male-dominated industry, such as comedy, Sonya advises to young girls to go with their gut. “It’s stronger than any man/men, dominating anything.” Although Sonya D is keeping her ultimate goal a secret, she recommends that everyone finds their universal purpose, perfect it, and then change the world with it.

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

Dr Calhoun Interviews Mr. Bill Duke 22 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

Dr. Moses Calhoun, Ph.D. psychologist and author of the book “Men and Women and Change,” interviews Bill Duke, actor and director of several films including the classic “A Rage in Harlem,” and author of his recently released book, Dark Girls. Dr. Calhoun: I personally met with you at your home about writing a screenplay on my first book, “The Addictive Behavioral Personality…Out of Control,” and I shared this experience with you. Bill Duke: “That was a long time ago, (ha, ha). Good to talk to you again!” Dr. Calhoun: Is this book really about your own blackness and to celebrate your success in overcoming the prejudices against your own blackness? Bill Duke: God has blessed me to be successful. I have tried to live the kind of life that has not impeded my success. I am a black man, and my parents have instilled in me a pride that has helped me to overcome the negativity that I obviously have had to overcome as a black man. I believe God gave me the ability to move beyond the racial pitfalls put before me.” Dr. Calhoun: Do you feel that you have overcome the negativity of your blackness as an American black male and among black Americans as a whole? Bill Duke: No, I don’t think that I have overcome all of the negativity of my dark skin as a black man with either white Americans or even, black Americans. God has been with me. I remember when I was in a plane crash and I came out alive. God was with me! I think that God will always be there for me. I have been successful because I believe that God has been with me. It does not appear that some in the white and the black public will ever be desensitized to the effect of racial prejudice, but we are getting there. Dr. Calhoun: How do you see the book, “Dark Girls” impacting or desensitizing the public’s prejudices against darker skinned black women? Bill Duke: My book, “Dark Girls” is exposing to the public some of the most beautiful women of the world. My mother, my sister and my daughter are dark girls. No matter how anyone else see them, to me, they are beautiful! Dr. Calhoun: Has your own experiences helped with desensitizing the public’s perceived prejudice against, “Dark Girls?” Bill Duke: Moses, what can I say, whatever success I have had, has been with God’s help! Look at what is happening in the news today! Most women in front of the camera and in the public’s eye from the American black race are light skinned Black women. We can speculate why that is so. Darker skinned black women have got to perform professionally and when they do, they will get recognition. Racism based on color, appears to be in the very crevices of American society, black or white! Will it ever be rooted out? Only God Knows! One thing that I do know, with God’s help I will continue to do the best work in the acting profession that I can. Dr. Calhoun: Do you feel that the same negativity felt against dark girls is any greater or lesser felt against the American black male? Bill Duke: It does appear that there may be some negativity experienced among dark girls. However, the prejudice felt against the American black male is rooted in the competition between men, and as long as men exist, one is on top. There will always be that competition. Therefore I don’t think that the negativity felt against dark girls is any greater than is felt against the American black male. Bill Duke http://www.billduke.com/ Dr. Calhoun http://mosescalhoun.com/main/ Moses Calhoun, Ph.D. P.O. Box 470618 Los Angeles, California 90047 Moses.calhoun36@gmail.com

BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM AUGUST 2015

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