JULY 2012
magazine
bronze
VISIT BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM
Soulful Songstress Conya Doss
5 Cool Non Alcoholic Drinks for Summer
SHE BOSSY Chic Noir Editorial
Summer
bronze magazine Founder and Editor In Chief
Shawn Chavis Publisher
Barry Stuldivant Marketing Assistant
Trisha Stukes
Contributors (This issue)
Phaedra T. Anderson Angie G. Vikki Hankins
On the Cover: Model: Loren Rodriguez of Elite Model Management Photography: AJ Shorter II of AJ Photography http://www.AJShorter.com Swimsuit: KoCoun Swimwear Designs Makeup: Mickael Mika
Stay Inspired! Visit our website bronzemagonline.com Like us on facebook companies.to/bronzemagazine.com Follow us on twitter @bronzemagazine Search our job board jobs.bronzemagonline.com
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
3
Photo: Stephen Midgett Photography Makeup: Jason Kelly
CONTENTS Soulstress Singer Conya Doss
14
8
SHE BOSSY Editorial
18 Today I Choose Happiness
19
6
How’s Your Love Walk?
13
5 Cool Summer Drinks
Model Spotlight
20 BOSS Lady Cameka Smith
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
5
Loren Rodriguez
Model Spotlight
Cover Model
6 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
Model: Loren Rodriguez of Elite Model Management Photography: AJ Shorter II of AJ Photography http://www.AJShorter.com Swimsuit: KoCoun Swimwear Designs Makeup: Mickael Mika
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
7
5 Refreshingly Cool Nonalcoholic Drinks for Summer Summer is here! It’s time to shake things up with something fruity, tart, and/or sparkling to drink. Here are a few summer sippers for every occasion. 1.Virgin Banana Pina Colada (From EatingWell.com) Ripe bananas blended with diced pineapples, pineapple juice and fresh coconut milk make this lower calorie non- alcoholic version of a pina colada a tropical teaser. Puree ingredients with ice in a blender, pour into glasses and garnish with pineapple wedges. 2.Berry Sparkler (From WomansDay.com) Mix club soda and red tea with a handful of fresh berries—summer in a glass. 3.Virgin Pomegranate Sangria (From About.com) Mix pomegranate juice with papaya juice (or mango, apple juice) along with cut slices of oranges, berries, mangos and papaya (sans skin). Let flavors meld in fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight before serving. 4.Uptown (Aka Arnold Palmer or Half and Half) A 50% part mixture of iced tea (or sweet tea) with 50% part lemonade.
Images by Pixmac.com
5.Fresh Melon Quenchers (From bhg.com) Pureed fruit blended with ice and sparkling water makes a refreshing summer drink. A spoonful of yogurt adds creaminess, while a skewer of fresh fruit makes a pretty garnish.
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
13
Photo: Stephen Midgett Photography Makeup: Jason Kelly
The Soulful Conya Doss – Pocket Full of Purpose by Vikki Hankins “I have to have a prayer every day,” says multi-award winning songbird Conya Doss. It’s not often that a mixture of Mary J. Blige and Erakah Badu is in a classroom setting but Conya is that person! Conya Doss is a mom, teacher, mentor, entrepreneur and a celebrity in the music industry, with albums that include “Love Rain Down”, “Still”, “Blu Transition” and her latest “A Pocket Full of Purpose.” “This particular project is very personal, especially now that I have a child”, says Conya of her album, ‘Pocket Full of Purpose’. “Each song serves a purpose…the words in the song may not touch on everything, but they definitely touch on a ‘Pocket’ Full.” Prayer, balance and a great support system are the primary keys to Conya’s ability to give devoted, earnest attention to all aspects of her life. One of the things most interesting about the start of Conya’s career is her strong belief in her abilities. In the music industry, there are times when artist are not paid accordingly and the revenue generated as a result of their music ends up in someone else’s pocket. Taking total control of her career, Conya started her own label and recorded several hit singles in her home. “I had no idea of what I was doing, but I have always been determined to make it work; God put people in my life,” says Conya as she reflects on the beginning phases of her career as an artist. “I continued to grow and get better and better with each song; it was a process. I definitely have a greater appreciation for independence.” One thing for certain Ms. Doss ensures money made through her music does not do a disappearing act. “I learned from Oprah, ‘Never get too busy sign off on your own checks.’” This is great advice for all business owners (large or small) and aspiring artists. “It’s important to surround yourself with people you can trust.” With principles such as these, coupled with her soulful voice, it’s no wonder she’s a success. She’s won Best Female Vocalist of Ohio Hip Hop Awards, Female Vocalist of the Year – Soultracks Reader’s choice awards, Nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year Centric/ BET J Virtual Awards, Best R&B Indie Track and a host of others nominations and awards. A Cleveland, Ohio native, Conya grew up watching another famous voice, the late Gerald Levert. “Gerald was amazing; a good humble person, willing to do anything to help people”. She remembers watching the group Levert and aspired to be like them. During the time she attended school, she was called to audition as background for the late Gerald Levert. She too, is ardent about the education of our young people. When asked how she separates her famous career as a singer from the classroom, she says, “I’m no nonsense when it comes to academics. I keep my singing career separate and keep them focused.” This in itself shows a special talent in Conya. Mentoring young girls after school is a part of her life as well. When asked about mentoring Conya says, “I call them ‘Diamonds in the Rough’; I see the good qualities in them and want to redirect them in a positive manner.” Her sincerity’s and actions are most commendable. Conya will perform at the Apollo for Michael Baisden’s campaign “Mentoring Brothers in Action”. “We need more mentors, especially for the males. I don’t care what race they are they need the male figures.” In the midst of her passions, purpose and beautiful voice, Conya puts her son, Landon Blu, first. I’d say she is the epitome of living your dream, sticking with it, teaching and guiding our young communities and living a balanced life. In her single, ‘Don’t Change’, there is a humbling message for everyone in our ever-changing world; this song is truly a ‘Pocket Full of Purpose’. BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
15
Today, I Choose Happiness
Image by Pixmac.com
“
by Angie G.
We can’t get to happy. Happy is a state of being.”
H
appy. Many of us see it as being a destination. A place we can get to after going through some trial or tribulation; where we strive to return after someone, even ourselves, has taken us off course. We also believe that it's a reward that we receive after overcoming some challenge or adversity; a prize we get for being good or doing well. But, "happy" is not a place and it isn't a reward. Happiness is a choice. We don't need to chase it; arrive somewhere to receive it; or move someone or something out of our way to get to it. It isn't behind Door #3 and it doesn't arrive in a package tied with a pretty red bow. It doesn’t magically show up after that graduation or promotion, and it doesn’t appear after we say “I do.” Happiness is right here, right now. We are choosing it, or we are not. And we make that choice by how we react to our thoughts about the stuff that happens to us as we go through life. We are all mostly on automatic pilot when it comes to our thoughts about the circumstances that show up in our lives, but we get to choose our feelings about them. We choose to be frustrated when another driver cuts us off in traffic. We choose to be annoyed when the person ahead of us in line at the grocery store has 20 items instead of the “15 items or less” posted at the register. We choose to be angry when a friend or lover fails to deliver on a promise. We choose to feel sad or defeated when we don't get immediate results from a project that we have invested time and effort into. We believe that we have no control over how we feel, so we blame other people and we blame circumstances for making us feel the way that we do. But, it’s NEVER them, it's us. No person or thing is the boss of our feelings. We are. So, if we want to be happy, we must choose how we feel. And while it is true that there are certain circumstances in which we would find it difficult, if not impossible, to make that choice, we are fortunate that those circumstances are not a constant occurrence in our daily lives. We can't "get to happy." Happy is a state of being that is available to us in every moment; if we are willing to allow it in. That may not always be easy. It takes practice and commitment, but so does everything else worth having.
18 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
How is Your Love Walk? by Phaedra T. Anderson
O
Image by Pixmac.com
ver the last few years a series of events have occurred in my life that has caused me to have to really examine myself. It’s amazing how many of us will live most of our lives thinking and believing that we are something that we aren’t and we will inadvertently spend years moving and operating in those very things that we claim not to be and this goes for myself, as well. Because I never knew that I was selfish, until I met a man that was self-less. I never considered myself as being self-centered, until I met a man that was noble. I never thought that I was arrogant, until I met a man that was humble. I never knew that I was so guarded, until I met a man that was so transparent and the more time that I spent with this man, the more I saw all that he was and he was love. He gave love, showed love and walked in love and I don’t mean man’s interpretation of love. I mean, 1 Cor 14:4-8 LOVE, which says: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ~ 1 Cor 13:4-8 It was in this man’s presence that I saw all that I wasn’t and all that I wanted to be. No, I wasn’t a thief and no, I wasn’t a liar. Yes, I was a woman of peace. Yes, I was polite and respectful. Yes, I was kind and generous, but my love walk was a bit shaky, because in my own way I could be a bit rude and truth be told, secretly I kept a record of wrongs. So even though I could say “yes” and “no” to all of these other great qualities I lacked the greatest quality of them all and that was love and if all that I am and if all that I do is not motivated and operated in love, then all that I do is in vain in the economy of GOD. Therefore, as a believer I must always evaluate my love walk, because I don’t care how anointed you are, how many crowds you can draw, what ministry you are on, how gifted you are and what title you carry, if you are not walking in love, then you are not walking with GOD, because GOD IS LOVE and HE is not impressed by how many songs we can sing, how many books we can write, how many members are in our churches or by how many letters are behind our names. HE’s impressed by our LOVE WALK. So beloved, I challenge you today to ask yourself “HOW IS YOUR LOVE WALK?” Because if fashion models can be zealous about their catwalks and people in the military can be obssessive about their cadence walk, then surely as Christians we can be more passionate about our LOVE WALK. HOW IS YOUR LOVE WALK? And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. ~ Ephesians 5:2.
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
19
BOSS Lady:
Cameka Smith Takes Leadership to a Whole New Level 20 | BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
C
onnector, leader, educator and believer. These are just a few words that describe Cameka Smith, Founder of The BOSS Network (Bringing Out Successful Sisters), a community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through conversation, online and event-based networking. These days, in addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Cameka finds the time to give back to her community. We caught up with Cameka to talk about her latest venture Project BOSS, a mentoring match program connecting female leaders with young women. BRONZE MAGAZINE: How did the Project Boss Foundation get its start and what is the mission? CAMEKA SMITH: Project BOSS got its start because members of The BOSS Network wanted a way to give back and mentor young women. I decided as a professional network why not create a mentoring match program to connect our members with other non-profits that work with youth. This way we can become the platform that supports these programs and their efforts towards young people. BRONZE MAGAZINE: How has philanthropy influenced your life? CAMEKA SMITH: My background is in education. I worked for Chicago Public Schools as an administrator so my love for giving back is natural. I believe our purpose in life is to be servants and I am a servant leader. There is so much joy and fulfillment in helping others and Project BOSS plans to be that organization that becomes the link. BRONZE MAGAZINE: How does PBF decide on which mentoring programs to connect with? CAMEKA SMITH: We are in the beginning stages of growing this component of our initiative but we base it on the level of involvement and impact the organization has in the community. We want to work with organizations that do “Good Works” and not just talk about it. We are about action! BRONZE MAGAZINE: What are the qualifications that an individual must have in order to become a partner and/or participate in this empowering program for youth? CAMEKA SMITH: The will be an opportunity for organizations to become partners through our affiliate program. We are still in the development stage but should be launching in September. BRONZE MAGAZINE: How can interested parties find out more about Project Boss? CAMEKA SMITH: They can visit our website at www.projectboss.org or email us their inquiries at info@projectboss.org
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM JULY 2012
|
21
www.sarahifashion.com
phaedra coming soon! Phaedra T. Anderson will release her much-anticipated, long-awaited book in 2012. Phaedra’s book has been three years in the making and she has poured hope, faith and encouragement onto every page. The title has yet to be unleashed, but there will be no other book like it in any store on the market today. More than just an “inspirational” book, her book will be a beacon of light navigating readers of all walks of life to their purpose and destiny. © 2012 Phaedra T. Anderson