BSM_MAG March - April 2019_Spring Double Cover Issue_2 by BSM MAGAZINE

BSM BEAUTIFULLY SAID MAGAZINE MARCH/ APRIL 2019

Cool Spring Ideas

Inside!

TRACEY

EDMONDS BET

On Family, New Series, & Lifestyle Brand “AlrightNow”

BSM

Beautifully Said Magazine VOL. 9

from the

PUBLISHER BSM MEDIA GROUP

editor’s desk

GROUP EDITORS-IN-CHIEF LA TRISHA MCINTOSH LA TASHA TAYLOR GROUP EDITOR BSM TEAM SENIOR WRITER LA TRISHA MCINTOSH LA TASHA TAYLOR EDITOR AT LARGE ROSALIND ROBINSON STAFF WRITERS RYAN NICKERSON DESIRAE ALEXANDER DESIREE CANTU CONTRIBUTING WRITER JESSICA TAYLOR-MOSLEY ADMINISTRATION BSM TEAM CREATIVE DESIGNER KARLA OLVERA PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS (TALENT/PR)

Spring Cleaning! Who remembers the days when your parents made this a household event during school break? No one? Only ours? Okay, we had imagined perhaps at least one reader would be able to relate. For us it was organizing closets, cleaning windows and sweeping the carpeted stairs. We did it throughout our entire home with the exception of the bathrooms and kitchen. Somewhere tucked away was a vacuum cleaner that failed to operate. Nonetheless, we were expected to tidy up certain areas that had been “untouched” the season before. This brings us to this question, “What areas of your life need cleaning up because those things were unkept the year prior?” With the new year relatively still “new” and the spring season on the horizon, now is as good a time as ever to organize our professional and personal lives.

Taking on new things and getting rid of the old “clutter” to make room for what should occupy our space. We are excited about our spring bi-monthly edition which features producer and business woman, Tracey Edmonds as our cover story. In the interview she talks about new projects she has in developmentone of them being the upcoming BET series, Games Divas Play. She also discusses why she prefers a diverse selection of development projects when it comes to television and film. This and much more inside the latest edition of BSM_Magazine. Welcome to spring!

La Trisha McIntosh La Tasha Taylor

INTERNS DESIRAE ALEXANDER RYAN NICKERSON KARLA OLVERA DESIREE CANTU GELESA CASTLE MARKETING EXECUTIVES BSM MARKETING TEAM CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION BSMANDMEDIA.COM

The ‘Original’ Twins of Media - Digital, Print, and BSM Network. Culture: Celebrity News, Entrepreneurs and Lifestyle.

BSM 2 | BSM MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 10

Photo :Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Philippe McClelland

34 COVER STORY

9 Jussie smollett

Alleged hoax could cause the Empire star his career and freedom

10 Gina la piana Actress on her role in the new BET series American Soul

18 Kamala harris

Could this be our new president in 2020?

34 Producer & business woman

tracey

Edmonds THE ICONIC MEDIA MOGUL

Tracey Edmonds talks developing new TV and film projects, Lifestyle brand AlrightNow.

30 michael kors

Spring 2019 Fashion

42 Malina moye

Lefty Guitarist releases new single and raises social awareness

Photo Credit: AlrightNow

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Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Larry Busacca

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Photo: Michael Kors Site

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AMANDA

Seals

Amanda is known for her activism and her smart, funny and black talents and should be every black girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fan favorite - Desirae Alexander By: Desirae K. Alexander Photo: phxsoul.com

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If you don’t know! “She be knowin”, Amanda Seals comedian, actress, poet and more has been making relevant news on social media and the comic stage. Amanda has her solo comic show/ tour called “I Be Knowin”, where she, like any other day tells it like it is. Amanda is known for her activism and her smart, funny and black talents and should be every black girl’s fan favorite. We should all keep an eye out for her and pay attention to what she has to say. The” Diva’s”, social media keeps things interesting as she promotes her tour and unapologetically shares her views on our society, racism and feminism. Amanda shows her fearlessness in ways that even I couldn’t understand how one has such radiance. As a black woman I can relate to her spunkiness and truth. I feel as though she is the perfect role model for millennials to look up to in today’s society. She stated in her recent Instagram story explaining the motives and the passion that goes into her creative work and jokes. Amanda is an activist and doesn’t take crap from anyone and all at the same time she is respectful. Amanda is a down to earth celeb that never seems to stray away from who she is or what she strives for. As she continues to be her authentic self, I would recommend listening to her very intellectual podcast “Small Doses” where she drops gems about side effects of real life situations. You might have seen her or heard about her on the HBO series “Insecure”, and her attitude and character defiantly screams Amanda’s charisma. However, don’t be offended by her being up front and personal because once I found out about her I had to grow into loving her for who she really is or at least what she shows. I would simply take in her knowledge and truly admire her and her “Ebony Excellence”. Now I don’t know about you but, I would definitely invest in going to see her show “I Be Knowin” because it seems to be just the thing we all need as women and especially women of color. If you take a look at her Instagram, there are so many pictures, videos and hot topics that will for sure have you knowing much more than you did before.

BSM MAGAZINE | 5

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Jussie Smollett From Victim To An Arrest

BY: Ryan Nickerson Photo: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

The Jussie Smollett case is proving to be a strange unfoldment of events that only seem to happen in films and novels. Smollett has now been charged with disorderly conduct by prosecutors in Chicago. The prosecutors state that Smollett filed a false police report for the purposes of staging his own assault. Smollett was arrested on Thursday, February 21. On Tuesday, January 29th, Empire actor Jussie Smollett was allegedly attacked by two men as they yelled out racial and homophobic slurs. Smollett, who is openly gay, was apparently heading home at 2 a.m. when the men attacked. They poured an unknown substance on him and tied a noose around his neck before fleeing. The two men were masked, says Smollett, and also yelled, “This is MAGA country” before they fled. The Chicago Police treated the attack as a possible hate crime. After the attack, detectives reviewed surveillance footage of the area surrounding the reported time of the attack. They identified and released photos of two “potential persons of interest”, Chicago Police reported. On Feb. 13th, Chicago Police raided the house of Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, two brothers of Nigeria descent who were allegedly part of the attack on Smollett. While the two brothers were detained by police, (after landing in Chicago on a flight from Nigeria), the police found: a black face mask hat, an Empire script, phone, receipts, a red hat and bleach in their home. On Feb. 14th, Smollett appeared on ‘Good Morning America’ where he addressed the criticisms. He stated “It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim, a Mexican or someone black, the doubters would have supported me much more,” Smollett told ABC’s Robin Roberts, a lot more.”

The next day the two brothers were released from custody without being charged and were no longer considered potential suspects. It was only a day following that Chicago police announced they were planning to interview Smollett again. Apparently the two brothers told the Chicago police they were paid to take part in the hoax. This shifted the direction of the investigation. On Feb. 20th Smollett was charged with a felony and a disorderly conduct charge in connection to the police report he filed. His lawyer issued a statement: “Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this, one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.” The producers behind Fox’s “Empire” have decided to remove actor Jussie Smollett’s character from the final two episodes of the current season following his arrest. The decision, producers said, was made to “avoid further disruption on set.”

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10 | BSM MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPH BY: PHILIPPE MCCLELLAND

GINA LA

PIANA

BSM MAGAZINE | 11

BY: LaTrisha McIntosh & LaTasha Taylor PHOTOS BY: Philippe McClelland

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Check out our exclusive interview with actress,singer and writer- Gina La Piana as she talks “American Soul”, a new film project and her beloved dog Atlas.

You take on the role of a tough, hard-hitting attorney “Sandra Jacobs” in the highly anticipated new drama series from BET “American Soul.” How did this role come about? Yeah, this for me was such a blessing. To be an iconic piece of American History and just paying homage to the late Don Cornelius. He was a true pioneer and legend of his time (our time) and it just felt so right. I am so excited that they are finally sharing his story! I hope it gets the light and opportunity it deserves because it is just a a special piece of history. The role came through casting like any other assignment. I had to put it on tape. It came during a very interesting time for me; a very dark period where I was trying to figure things out. I

wasn’t sure if I would be moving to San Diego and continue acting- just to keep my foot in the door. I was sort of spreading my wings a little and undecided as to whether or not I was going to get a particular house. I had been working on getting it for months. I then said a simple prayer” God, if this house is meant for me grant it but if it’s not let it go.” I asked him to show me if I should be diligent in continuing the path as an actress and storyteller. That Saturday I received a call and I did not get the house after so many months of working on it. I was emotional and sad, however, within two hours I received a call from my agent. He said I needed to jump on a plane and head to Atlanta. Talk about prayers being answered quickly! What was it like working with such a great ensemble of cast members? Oh, so cool! I have to say there was such a frenetic pace of activity going on. They had to work according to the schedule of a soap opera. That meant being busy, everyone is coming and going with very little time for small talk. You know, people were getting down to business. The sets were insanely beautiful. So much attention was put into designing the set and the wardrobe was divine. I mean, I was in heaven trying

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on clothes and I got really fun photos. I wanted to take half the wardrobe because it was so amazing! It was an all-around beautiful experience. People were professional and really into getting the job done. I also witnessed this really high level of professionalism and no nonsense. Everyone was there to tell a great story and to get it done. it was great seeing everyone so committed. It was during this time that we told Gina that her American Soul costar, Jason Dirden, was the December cover story for BSM_Magazine and this is what she had to say: “That’s really cool! Yeah, Jason’s great. He’s got a strong position on the show. Yeah, he’s an awesome fella.” Can you tell us if there is anything new you learned about the Soul Train era while filming the series? Well, I did some research along the way. I was always a fan and this was my dad’s show- he liked watching it. I come from a musically inclined household. My dad never missed a beat when it came to the show. I was his little follower- daddy’s little girl, so whatever he watched I watched. I never realized people like Rosie Perez and Nia Peoples were actually on the show. These were people I had always admired and watched as their careers blossomed. Even people like Curtis Mayfield. I always saw Soul Train as mostly a dance show but when I watched the documentary where Terrance Howard was doing the score (voice over), I realized everyone needs to see this documentary. It’s so moving and exciting and I thought ‘WOW’ they have to do another Soul Train. It was such a powerful show and a way for people to jump-start their careers. Many people became famous and successful as a result of Soul Train. Tell us about your film” Welcome to Wolfson Castle” Ladies, I am so excited about this film. You know, it’s funny- I was in Atlanta for a few months working on a project. I was lucky enough to bring my dog, Atlas, along. We were cruising around and I had no idea how beautiful Atlanta was since it was my first time there. I was just smitten. It’s a city inside of a forest and it’s beautiful. We ran around and had a great time. I was so inspired as I was concluding that particular job and I didn’t know what was coming up next. I was thinking about how I could create that same environment. I wanted to create that same environment that Don Cornelius had- I think it started with his friends. He had a great time in uniting his friends and giving them employment. I wanted to build a group of actors with people I feel are incredibly talented. I have been surrounded by so many brilliant people. People oftentimes never get the opportunities that others receive. I wanted to create a vehicle that was big enough for lots of people that I admire. The film is kind of a cross between Gosford Park and Scream. I really love the horror-thriller-suspense genre. I wanted to do something classy and fun like a

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Gosford Park gone wrong. The filming takes place in a castle with a bunch of kids. The kids all go to boarding school together and then go off to carry out their careers and successes. This is sort of an elite group of very successful people. Whereas some people come from nothing, this group built a very powerful life. My character basically buys the castle when it goes up for sale. She remodels and renovates it and moves into her old school. She then invites all of her friends from school to come spend a games weekend to celebrate the new purchase and the boarding school. Without giving away too much, I’ll add that everyone comes for the weekend from different parts of the world and the games begin. All hell ensues!!! To lighten things up from the dark times we sometimes live in-when was the last time you literally laughed out loud (LOL)? Oh, what an awesome question. Thank you so much for that- you made me smile really big! I agree with you in that laughter is everything. We need to do it more often- every single day<laughs>. My life is full of a lot of laughter. I have to tell you about my dog that I inherited. He’s a Great Dane/Pitbull mixture and belonged to one of my dearest friends, the late Rob Stewart, a documentarian and filmmaker. This may not sound like the best conversation to have when we’re discussing laughter but the dog actually brings me so much joy and laughter. He helps me celebrate the life of my dear friend Rob. He’s a great dog, very funny and keeps me in the moment. I’m always giggling. He does some ridiculous things. The looks on his face of entitlement when he jumps on my bed. I’m always giggling with him. We love it! Go Atlas….tell Atlas we said hello! <laughs> Favorite social media handle to share Thank you so much. I am barely getting into the Instagram thing. It’s starting to jump off a little bit. Here I was slow to draw but it is @ginalapiana13. I would love for you guys to jump in and follow me. Follow me and I will follow you back. LOL! Thank you for interviewing with BSM Media Thank you and let me celebrate you as well. I will be online looking for all the great things you guys are spreading. Thank you for supporting all of us actors. Have a great day guys! Lots of love! “American Soul” premiered on BET February 5th at 9/8c. Set in the 70s against the backdrop of an extremely cutthroat Hollywood, BET’s new original series “American Soul”shares the untold story of “Soul Train” creator, Don Cornelius. An experience like no other, audiences will take a look into this legend’s life with Sinqua Walls as the lead, alongside Kelly Rowland, Kelly Price, Jason Dirden, Iantha Richardson, Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol, and Jelani Winston.

www.thewrightstuffchics.com

Kristoff

By: Ryan Nickerson Photo: blackmainstreet.net

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St. John

You never really know. . . It’s more often than not the person with the happiest smile, the sweetest charm, the strongest love to give goes through the most private and shocking pain. Kristoff St. John, star of the long-running soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless,’ was no exception. On Sunday, February 3rd, St. John passed away at the age of 52. He was found dead in his home in San Fernando Valley, California, and was pronounced dead on the scene- his cause of death has been deferred “pending additional investigation” after an autopsy was completed on Monday. “He was so loving and not afraid to show it”, Stephanie Sloane, editorial director of Soap Opera Digest, told PEOPLE magazine, “but I think that just proves that you never really can know someone’s pain”. Kristoff married professional boxer Mia St. John in 1991 and had two children with her: a daughter named Paris (born 1992) and a son named Julian(born 1989). Although Mia and Kristoff remained close, they divorced in 1995. Their son, Julian, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 17 and suffered through severe depression. He became suicidal while off his medication and abused methamphetamine, wrote Mia St. John in the Washington Post in 2015. In the summer of 2014, Mia and Kristoff checked their son Julian into Telecare’s La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Long Beach, California. On November 23, 2014, Mia and Kristoff received a phone call that their 24 year old son was dead. He was found unresponsive in the bathroom of the Mental Health facility and his death was ruled a suicide. The couple filed a lawsuit against the rehabilitation center, alleging that the center provided inadequate mental

health care and allowed their son access to the item he used to kill himself. The news surrounding his son’s death ruined Kristoff as he then became a Survivor of Suicide Loss, someone who is intimately traumatized by someone’s suicide. “Overwhelming guilt about what they should have done more of or less of become daily, haunting thoughts”, wrote Deborah Serani, Psy.D, in Understanding Survivors of Suicide Loss. Although Kristoff was beloved by thousands of fans, burying his own child made him live his worst nightmare. In 2017, Kristoff underwent psychiatric treatment after a reported scare regarding his mental health. Around the three year anniversary of his son’s suicide, Kristoff reportedly held a gun to his own head and threatened suicide. When the cops arrived, they confiscated 2 guns and placed Kristoff under a 72hour hold for mental evaluation. “No parent should ever have to bury their child, and for those who do, it is a nightmare that haunts you forever.” wrote Mia at the time, “The death of our beloved son Julian has taken a toll on both of us. He is an actor and while he may appear whole on the outside, his heart is broken.” There was no sign of foul play regarding Kristoff’s death, although the cause of his death is still unknown. According to TMZ, the actor had checked himself into UCLA Medical Center a few weeks ago “for depression issues”. Kristoff’s last episode of “The Young and the Restless” aired on Wednesday, February 6th, 2019.

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Ms.

Fixit

Kamala Harris

is more than determined to make

the world a better place for all People

by all means By: RYAN NICKERSON || Picture: DREW ANGERER/GETTY IMAGES NEWS/GETTY IMAGES

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After graduating from Howard University and earning a law degree from the University of California, Hastings, she worked her way up the law enforcement ladder to District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003. As district attorney, Harris started a Back on Track program with the goal of reducing recidivism by equipping ex-offenders with the tools they need to successfully reenter society. Although she has an encouraging track record of progressive criminal justice reforms, she has always been under heavy criticism over her stance on the death penalty. In 2004, Harris came under fire from the San Francisco Police for not seeking the death penalty for the convicted murderer of Officer Isaac Espinoza, a decision which Harris admitted was “politically naive”. In 2010, as California’s first woman of color attorney general, Harris reversed her stance on California’s death penalty by defending it after a federal judge declared it unconstitutional. In a recent 2019 NPR interview, however, Harris admits she doesn’t think there is a place for the death

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Photo credit: Christian K. Lee / Los Angeles Times

Harris’ ability to make tough decisions propelled her into the United States Senate in 2016, where she has been one of the most liberal members while becoming famous for asking tough questions to members of the Trump Administration. As a Democratic

Photos: www.pinterest.com

If elected President, Harris would be the United State’s first woman president and the second president of color. Throughout her career in the criminal justice system, her experiences as a woman of color are often sidelined by her visions of justice and unity for America.“There’s no question that men and women are judged differently.”, Harris was quoted in the LATimes, “Come on, we know that. It’s true. Do I play a violin about it? No.”

penalty, and there never has been. “I have always been- and I remain- opposed to the death penalty…. But as attorney general of the state of California, I had a constitutional responsibility to represent my clients. One of my clients happened to be the California department of corrections and the district attorneys of California who did seek, in many jurisdictions, a death penalty sentence.”

Photos: www.pinterest.com

amala (pronounced KAH-mala) Harris is an attorney, politician, junior United States Senator for California since 2017, a member of the Democratic Party. On January 21st, 2019, she announced she will be running for President of the United States. A daughter of the Civil Rights Movement, she was born from an Indian mother and Jamaican father in Oakland California, where racial tensions between the black community and the largely white police force helped shape her long standing values of truth and justice.

senator from a majority Hispanic California, with a Trump Presidency in one of the most divisive times in United States history, Harris “is a minority woman at a time when minorities and women are trying to gain more power in national politics, wrote Perry Bacon Jr, senior writer for FiveThirtyEight, “and she is the only black female senator”. With Harris’ decision to announce her presidential campaign on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, she makes it clear that she is for unity and justice for all people, regardless of race, faith or gender. Her announcement adds another name to the growing list of Democratic primary candidates for the 2020 election, a race in which the Democratic Party may be looking to elect a woman and/ or minority to be the next face of the party. Harris satisfies both criteria. With her track record of a ‘no nonsense’ attitude towards the Trump Administration, Harris could be looking forward to a strong campaign season, regardless if people can pronounce her name correctly.

“There’s no question that men and women are judged differently. Come on, we know that.

It’s true.

Do I play a violin about it? No.” BSM MAGAZINE | 21

Already planning a trip for spring and summer?

Photo: cancun.com

Monica Quillian

CEO of BlueStones Travel shares wonderful tips for your next getaway

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What services do you provide as CEO of BlueStones Travel? As CEO of BlueStones Travel, I plan dream vacations for couples, family trips, destination celebrations, honeymoons and girls’ trips. They all include a complete travel package for the flight, hotel, and transfers to and from the hotel or car rental. I also provide destination wedding planning, book cruises, provide hotel and travel arrangements, plan family reunions, weekend get-a-ways, Disney vacations and all kinds of excursions. Who are your clients? Family members, friends and referrals.

What are your top packing tips for traveling? 1) Roll your clothes instead of folding them in order to save space. 2) Cover your footwear with plastic bags or shower caps. 3) Place a fabric softener sheet in your suitcase to maintain a fresh scent. 4) Sunglasses, chargers and electronic devices should be placed inside of your shoes. Why do you think people should travel more? People should travel more to experience different cultures and lifestyles. It’s an opportunity to recharge, reduce stress and take in new experiences.

“People should travel more to experience different cultures and lifestyles. It’s an opportunity to recharge, reduce stress and take in new experiences.” Have you always been interested in the travel business? No. I became interested in the travel business when I realized I was always the go-to-person for planning trips with friends and family. I really enjoyed the planning side of the trips. This lead me to becoming interested in the travel business as well as my love for travel. What are the three (3) top spots to travel to during the Spring? Miami Cancun Dominican Republic

Where did you travel to last? Venice, Italy Where’s the one place you would like to travel to in the future? Dubai What’s the best part of owning your own travel business? Flexibility for my particular lifestyle and the joy of interacting with my clients. What’s next for BlueStones Travel? My goal is to continue building my brand and to personally see more of the world. I’d also like to start a travel blog to highlight places I’ve visited. It would also provide planning tips and travel advice. By: La Trisha McIntosh & La Tasha Taylor Photo: Courtesy of Monica Quillian

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MOVIE REVIEW had to sit in the front of the room, not my ideal seat but had plenty room. As the popcorn bags were rumbling and candy boxes rattling, the movie soon began. I did expect there to be previews of other movies just like any film you’re about to see but it didn’t quite start that way. I shook it off as the movie began and sunk into my seat. The movie starts off with (Ali Davis), a strong and ambitious sport agent living her daily life when things start to take a turn at her agency. After a bad day she blows off steam with her friends and she meets “Sister” played by Erykah Badu. Now I feel like everyone was anxious to see the legend of neo soul put her acting skills to the test. This had to be my favorite part of the movie because, “Hello Erykah Badu.” The part where Ali and Sister meet is where everything started to get pretty interesting. Honestly everyone in the room grabbed their stomachs and wiped tears from their eyes because the movie was actually funny. Throughout the movie there was some predictable moments but as the climax kept rising, it made up for it so it didn’t lose too much of anyone’s attention. There was cute eye candy in the movie that I could not get over like, Kellan Lutz, Max Greenfield and we cannot forget the show stealer Aldis Hodge! Aldis Hodge came in and certainly romanced the entire film, playing a character by the name of Wil, who seemed to make her finally submit to trusting and believing in real love. No spoilers, but you have to see the movie!

What

MEN Want

ouldn’t it be nice if women, just women had a super power?!!!! Which would you choose? Flying, teleporting or being some sort of mystical creature? There are so many powers to choose from, but girl I stand with Alison “Ali” Davis who is played by Taraji P. Henson in her movie “What Men Want.” In this movie you’re going to wish you had the ability to read minds. Now she could only read the minds of men, what could be a better super power? I got a chance to see the exciting movie before it hits all the the-

aters February 8. I was so excited to see the film because I thought it would be an interesting twist from a black woman’s point of view and it’s Taraji P Henson! Before I actually saw the film I didn’t foresee too much to the point where I might have predicted the entire thing. I went with an open mind and perspective and just simply wanted to laugh and see some eye candy. The theater was packed but you could instantly tell it was a chick-flick. There were groups of girlfriends getting together ready to have fun and laugh. It was so packed I

In the movie you watch Ali struggle as a strong successful black woman through a male driven career. Of course by the end of the film she finally understands her self worth and what she is capable of doing to remain successful. I really enjoyed the film and it inspired me to push through as a black woman in this male driven world. I recommend a girls’ night to watch, laugh and to remember how important self-worth is. Once the film was over, I pondered on the fact that her nick name was “Ali” and thought, she was truly a fighter!

BY: Desirae K. Alexander PHOTO: Paramount

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THE

W right

STUFF CHICS

ny tee shirt ideas for the Spring? We are so excited about some new Spring colors from our number one tee shirt source! We will release our St. Patrick’s and other Spring designs soon. We love to utilize pastel and bright colors. What three (3) tips would you provide to encourage kindness? We love to follow the golden rule (1) “Treat others how you want to be treated.” This can be very hard at times but we also believe it’s worth it in the end. Growing up my mother always said “you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.”(2) We also believe that being kind will come back to you tenfold. You never know who you may be helping. You may need that person sometime in the future. Teamwork is essential in our business, therefore, we make sure every experience with employees and customers is a pleasant one. (3) Giving back is one way to encourage others to be kind. We love doing giveaways and blessing teachers with tees and classroom items. We have been in the trenches and we know that teachers are not shown appreciation so we want them to feel special. That brings us joy!

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What are the top reasons people should visit the Wright Stuff Chics online? Visit The Wright Stuff Chics online for cute, fashionable tees for teachers as well as a trendy boutique full of items not found in any other shop! How do you come up with catchy and motivational phrases for your tee-shirts? We come up with new designs in several different ways. Many of them are things that come to mind as we are driving or maybe even in the shower. We also take some of our favorite things/ideas and work along with our amazing graphic designer to bring our vision to life. We want all of our tees to send a positive message that others can share. We do accept t-shirt ideas from our customers and also educators. What are your top five (5) tee shirt items? Our top five(5) tee shirt items are: “Different not Less”(our Autism awareness shirt), “If you can’t teach them, love them”, “Love will teach them”, “Read Your Heart Out” , “I’m here for the Kids” and “When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.”

What inspired you to start the company, The Wright Stuff Chics? We were inspired to start our company because of my twin sister who had only recently launched her Christian t-shirt apparel line. Both my mother and I are educators. We wanted to create cute t-shirts for teachers which could be dressed up or down for any occasion. Our shirts are not just for educators. We have many that serve as inspirational tees and send messages to the world. For example: “Always Be Kind” and “Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti.” There are also many others.

“Giving back is one way to encourage others to be kind.”

My twin sister, Elise Dunnigan Bethel, was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer and ultimately passed away in July of 2018. Our family started a non-profit, “The Pink Santa Hat Movement” in which we send care packages to educators battling breast cancer. Also, in December we chose a group of women to bring to Atlanta, GA for a weekend of pampering inspiration and team building. We also have a Pink Santa Hat 5K that is held each September to kick off breast cancer month. Our goal is to bring a small amount of these women who are in the battle for their lives. We want to encourage them to “Fight On.”

Photo: thewrightstuffchics.com

-Tosha Wright

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Journal

www.cleverfoxplanner.com

KOR

SPRIN

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ICHAEL

NG 2019 BY: Desiree Cantu Photograph: Michael Kors Site

Michael Kors has always been inspired by the jet set lifestyle. Every piece has always been designed as luxury on-the-go whether you’re going to the beach or a business meeting. This season he’s adding a pop of color by collaborating with Australian artist, Christina Zimpel. She created custom paintings that were showcased during his spring launch at New York Fashion Week. Her artwork is featured on multiple handbags and clothing to uplift Michael Kors’ vision of Todos Santos, Mexico. “I’m so excited to be collaborating with Christina Zimpel for our runway show. The Spring 2019 collection is inspired by the idea of a utopian escape, and surrounding our guests with Christina’s colorful, optimistic artwork was the perfect way to transport them to these glamorous locations. ” - MICHAEL KORS On the runway this year Kors was not afraid of mixing patterns from dots, stripes, floral, plaid, and letters! The fun collection doesn’t end with just patterns, anything solid has accented leather, fringe or eyelets. His broad range of designs allows a piece for everyone. Michael Kors is known for being a designer absolutely everyone can afford but now he is expanding that concept and creating clothing that fits everyone’s version of fun. The women’s line ranges from bright and bold to dark and sexy. The transition from day to night is seamless with his pieces that can be worn mixed and matched or alone as a statement. This collection is unique in having so many different textures and patterns, the artistic eye that Michael Kors has is truly remarkable. The attention to detail is what brings his utopian escape to life. The models are seen paired with similar wedges and patterns, this shows the

variety of ways that one item can be contributed to a look. The transition from day to night is presented with the straw bag worn with a colorful, fringed dress and also with dark, sheek night looks. The men’s wear executed the same bold attitude as the women’s. Kors continued the fun patterns into the blazers and button up shirts while giving denim and earth tones to pair with. He has mastered layering and practicality with colorful details and accessories. Michael Kors for Men is shifting smoothly into a more playful wardrobe for the spring. The Floral Embellished Georgette Maxi Dress gives a fun, effortless look. The detailed stitching and white belt transforms the dress to shape the fabric and accentuate your natural curves. The Demi Platform Sandal keeps the style casually chic paired with the Brooke Shoulder Bag. The shoulder bag is perfect for the everyday person, it comes with an additional strap for a hands free moment and is made with pebbled leather to tie together the elevated look. The Brooke Shoulder Bag and the Felicity Butterfly Wedge are statements on their own, but their neutral color keeps the focus on the pink carnation Floral Appliqué Lace Dress. Detail is key with Michael Kors and he does not disappoint with the high quality lace which leads to a polished finish. This graceful dress is another must have in any wardrobe. The simplicity allows you to accessorize and layer to add your own personal twist on the outfit.

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Michael Kors

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Photos: Michael Kors Site

Spring 2019 www.michaelkors.com

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PHOTO : Alrightnow

racey

Edmon 34 | BSM MAGAZINE

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Cover Story

By: La Trisha McInctosh & La Tasha Taylor

racey Edmonds’ life is pretty crazy! The business woman and television producer caught up with us in between production of her new BET series. Ever so gracious, she thanked us for our patience in conducting this interview. “If you had to see my life right now it would wear you out,” she says in laughter. The series: “Games Divas Play,” is a television adaptation from the best selling novel with the same title by author, Angela Burt-Murray—former editor of Essence Magazine. Tracey previously collaborated with Burt-Murray on the Lifetime movie “With This Ring.” It was based on the book, Vows by the same author.” Games Divas Play is the follow-up movie. Tracey recalls how Burt-Murray asked her to check out her latest mystery novel. “Hey! We made some noise on “With This Ring.” Here goes another book. What can you do?” Salacious, juicy and wonderful is what Tracey thought of the read. Basically, it’s about the world of the NBA through the perspective of three dynamic women; one being an NBA wife, the other, quote “side chick” and the third, is a really smart, aspiring journalist covering the NBA sports world. “So we see how these three women’s lives intersect and the story unfolds there,” says Tracey. The pilot (first episode) opens with a murder and all the women are tied to this girl that was murdered. The entire first season story line is “who did it?” “It’s a really juicy soapy world,” Tracey shares. The show takes place in Los Angeles, which Tracey says, “is a character in itself.” The crew also filmed in Malibu and all over the city. “Games Divas Play” is about what goes on behind the NBA platform and the world many are not privy to see,” says the star producer. Tracey, who is known for producing quality television and film, spanning a couple of decades, still finds joy in what she does. When taking on new development ideas, she admits to finding projects she personally would watch herself. “That’s always the litmus test. Is it a TV show or movie I would watch or that I am curious about myself? She makes it known she doesn’t work on anything she is not passionate about. “I’m involved with every aspect; casting, finding directors, overseeing scripts, hair, makeup and wardrobe. It has to be something I enjoy waking up to every morning and working on. But, obviously, there is the business involved and it has to be relevant to an audience that is going to be curious about it as well as tune in.” Not one to play it safe, Tracey’s development slate is very diverse. “My curiosity is very diverse,” she says. “I’m a truth seeker. I am very curious about the world, the universe, spirituality and what exists in

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this world outside of earth. So I’ve gotten some sci-fi projects as well.” Tracey looks for unique projects, the ones that allow her to develop stories, scripted shows and docu-series. She has in development an urban thriller called, “End of the Road” with Lionsgate and “Letters to Charlie” about Charles Manson’s pen pal. Talk about diversity! So how does the busy producer maintain balance? “I have always put family first,” she shares. “I am all about family and family has kept me grounded in this industry.” Tracey admits, “There’s a lot of nastiness in Hollywood.” A superficial element, “smoke and mirrors stuff” is how she describes it. “I’ve had the same girlfriends for decades now. My best friend was my best friend in college. I’ve been a single parent-mom, let’s see, for the last fifteen years (since my ex-husband and I broke up). The boys have been raised in my household and I’ve stayed very involved and hands-on as a mother. I never wanted to have a nanny or housekeeper raise my kids. When you’re not seeing me, when I’m not working, I’m typically with family, friends or the man in my life. I’m not out partying or clubbing.”

Have you guys seen those at all ...”Oh! My gosh it’s amazing!” Tracey calls it the new wave of fitness. “It looks a little bit like a mini treadmill, but you stand on these vibrational plates and they shake your body through the resistance bands attached to the machine. It’s a good workout for your arms. Ten-minutes on this machine is like the equivalent of 30 minutes running. I train a lot with this vibration machine every morning in addition to running a mile on the treadmill. All of that to get your system (energy) in your body flowing. For me, exercise, super foods and really eating right is important.” If you follow Tracey on Instagram you will know along with a healthy lifestyle she also loves to travel. We asked her to name the last best place she’s traveled. “Machu Picchu,” she recalls. I’m an aquarian...my astrological sign is an aquarian. I’m always so curious about the world. That’s why I’ve traveled all over and I’ve instilled that in my kids as well. This past July, we flew all the way to South America- to Peru. We were in the mountains of Machu Picchu, which is an ancient civilization. Me and my two boys trekked to the top of Machu Picchu and just absorbed it all. If you follow ancient civilization, it’s one of those areas that is like a spiritual vortex. You get to the top of this mountain and you feel some crazy energy up there. It was an amazing trip for us! Tracey gushes at the thought of her two boys. “I have my two amazing

“I am all about family and family has kept me grounded in this industry.” In fact, Tracey is too busy living her best life! The yoga enthusiast is the founder of lifestyle brand- AlrightNow! It’s a platform where she teaches people how to make healthy lifestyle decisions. Her website is dedicated to showing people how to be the best versions of themselves; prevent disease and other health issues. “It’s designed to help people find their inner strength and drive,” she says. The site also supplies readers with articles and information that will allow them to have the tools required to live the most radiant life they can; in order to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually fit. Some of the tips she provides help followers to fortify their bodies with good stuff and to combat any of the bad stuff the environment exposes us to. Take “super foods” for example, which Tracey stresses is filled with antioxidants that fight radical agents that cause cancer and diseases. Blueberries tops her list as one of the “amazing” and healthiest fruits to put into our bodies. They are loaded with so many vitamins and antioxidants. Other favorites Tracey mentions are kale, apple cider vinegar and the Indian spice, Tumeric. Tracey says, “I usually start my mornings with a health shake loaded with twelve of these super foods. If I don’t eat anything good for myself throughout the day (which I do) I know I’ve gotten all my vitamins and nutrients for the day by drinking my health shake.” Along with a proper diet, Tracey encourages exercise to get the energy flowing. “I get on the treadmill. Actually, I have this new one that’s like a vibration machine.

boys that I stay closely involved with. Now young men, her youngest son Dylan is a senior in high school. He will attend attend Sarah Lawrence College in New York to study art and film making. Tracey’s oldest son, Brandon is currently a student at Loyola Maramount studying TV, film and music. With such a busy schedule we asked the President of Edmonds Entertainment when was the last time she’s “laughed out loud”-not typed, but literally laughed? “With the man in my life, Deion Sanders,” she shares. He keeps me laughing out loud all the time. One of the things that makes our relationship work is the fact that we are able to have fun together. He cracks jokes all the time. I was literally in Dallas, TX yesterday and I’m in LA today -so he definitely keeps me laughing all the time. Speaking of the man in her life, Congratulations are in order as the two announced their engagement on Valentine’s Day. What’s next? The lovebirds, who enjoy a long distance relationship, are building a country home together in Texas. Tracey just realized she has to be somewhere in a matter of minutes, but she doesn’t end the interview call without expressing some heartfelt gratitude. “I’m sending love over the phone and you guys stay close as sisters. I love you guys!” Proving that in the land of Hollywood there’s room for integrity.

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Interview with Dr. Julie Ann Gray Co-Author of Diva Five Alive: Letters to My Sisters Q: What can you tell me about the title, meaning and what the book is about? A: The book came about as result of childhood memories and things my sisters and I experienced growing up. We wrote letters and decided to put them into a book. Q: What kinds of topics are covered? A: Mental illness, domestic violence, substance abuse, alcoholism, trauma, incest, hereditary conditions - such as sickle cell and lastly, HIV because my oldest sister is actually living with it. Q: Were your siblings open right away to the idea of sharing the letters? A: They were a little afraid of intimate family things being exposed, however, they were all open to the idea and ready to share. Q: Do you think your role as a therapist helped with the approach to presenting such intimate and personal details to the public? A: I didn’t necessarily approach this from a clinical perspective. It was more personal and the book is about the actual letters we wrote to each other. Q: What part of the process did you enjoy most with this project? A: The joy and laughter that came about. Although these were painful topics- we were able to laugh about some things- nuggets of gold in dark places.

A: Since being released on December 9th, there have been mixed comments. Some have laughed, cried, a hometown friend talked about how she could feel our pain. Q: What are your professional thoughts about trauma and Social Media? A: I would say there are big T’s and little T’s when it comes to trauma. Little things like not getting approval from your parents, big things like sexual trauma or deep depression. Many things are covered up and never talked about. People on social media tend to portray everything as being good. A traumatized person may feel like he/she has to live up to that image and they can potentially feel worse because they don’t measure up. Q: Do you think there will be a follow-up, play or movie about the book? A: We also have brothers. The letters were written by us sisters. I’d like to see the brother’s story in print also as they went through so much. All of the letters were not included in the book, so let’s see. Q: When was the last time you actually “Laughed out Loud?” A: This morning!! I had actually had a deep belly laugh during a dance class last Sunday. Q: What do you want the readers to gain from reading the book? A: I want them to know it’s ok to be open about who you are. It’s ok to be vulnerable. We hope to be a testimony to others. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We want them to see the strength in women. Q: How can people reach you or purchase the book? A: The book is available on Amazon. My Instagram is @Dr.JulieGray

Q: What has the feedback been like since writing the book?

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GRAY

BY: La Tasha Taylor PHOTO: Dr.Julie Gray

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the

Malina M lefty guitarist BY: Twins of Media (La Trisha McIntosh & La Tasha Taylor)

PHOTOS: Marc Fusco

BSM: Tell us about the release of your new single, “Enough”. It’s a reminder that I am somebody. It doesn’t matter what others say-I mustl love and appreciate myself. I’m grateful for every opportunity I have to perform. I’ve also enjoyed my role as an actress. There’s always purpose in what I do and a message in my music.

Have faith in yourself and all that God has created you to be. There are still issues of racism in America that must be explored. Basically the message is that we are all “Enough”-enough to be whatever we want to be. God has a plan.

BSM: What is God’s Plan? We already have everything we need to be whomever we want to BSM: What is the message? be. This is especially for women of The message is that anything is color who have been overlooked possible. Love everything about for many opportunities. Even for yourself. It’s especially paying trib- myself as a woman of color in a ute to. We matter. We can succeed. rock star atmosphere. Society has 42 | BSM MAGAZINE

Moye an idea of what we should look like and what our limitations are. We have to get beyond that. We were created equal and can be and do whatever we have been gifted to do. The walls have to be broken down. Hold on. Never give up.

people to enjoy themselves and to enjoy the music.

BSM: Do you agree that God has been very graceful in allowing new opportunities in the world-The White House (Obama-era), in music and social meBSM: Has anyone ever told you that you dia? sound like and have views similar to Absolutely! God is graceful and gifts us former First Lady, Michelle Obama? with individual talents. It’s up to us to use I love that and receive it! Amen and thank those gifts. Let’s not forget the sacrifices you. I do feel we have similar views on our ancestors made in order for us to be issues concerning our country. She’s defi- where we are today. Unfortunately we still nitely a woman to be admired so I’m ap- have a ways to go but we’ve also come a preciative for that question. long way. Thank you for mentioning the former first lady. That part of history alone is a true testament to God’s goodness. Social Media is definitely an avenue for sharing music and pretty much anything else.

“I want the younger generation to realize that if I can break barriers, they can too. ”

BSM: What can you tell us about the “Bad as I Wanna Be Tour?” I’m happy to be working and so thankful for the opportunity to share this message on the tour of just holding on and never giving up. Change must and will take place. I want the younger generation to realize that if I can break barriers, they can too. I’m happy to have a platform to encourage them. I pretty much just want

BSM: If you had to choose one word for 2019 what would it be? Integrity! My integrity-my power-my uniqueness. BSM: Thank you for having a voice! Thank you for listening!

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TANYA

WILSON Tanya Wilson is a woman on a mission to empower, equip, and enhance the lives of all that she comes in contact with! She is determined to help people live their most extraordinary lives! We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with her and learning a little bit more about who she is at her core and why she is compelled to live a life of servanthood through her work.

What does your business exist to accomplish, and who does it serve? 360youllc incorporates a number of arms. Under the entertainment arm, we seek to support artists, not only in their craft; but educating them on and preparing them for the nuts and bolts of the industry. The Take2 arm I consider my personal life mission. My current book Take 2 Steps To Rejoining Your Life is based on Joel 2:25. The message is for them to not allow their trials to leave them stranded in the midst of a trial, rather to refuse to stop where it happened. What is a major business goal for you in 2019? In 2019, the goal is to increase my footprint domestically and internationally. Who or what inspires you to live your best life? The experiences of my life, both the great things and the challenging. To have endured and learned through every circumstance, is a celebration of a life worth living. What has entrepreneurship done for you? Entrepreneurship has challenged me to invest in myself. Also, to realize that in addition to many years in the entertainment industry, I had to own my gifts in my own business, while seeking to give them to the world.

As an entrepreneur what have you had to sacrifice to make this business work? The biggest sacrifice has been a financial one. Investing in yourself and your business is not always free. Knowing you are properly placed in your business and valuing your contribution forces you to commit the revenue for your greater good. What motto do you live by? Don’t Stop Where It Happened. What advice would you give someone desiring to quit their job to become an entrepreneur full time? Be clear and be sure. Understand that it is far beyond something cute to say. Be clear that your commitment of time and sacrifice could very well exceed that which was committed to your job, working for someone else. Please connect with Tanya: IG: officialtanyawilson IG: 360YouEntertainment Twitter: take_2now BY: JESSICA TAYLOR-MOSLEY PHOTO COURTESY OF: JESSICA TAYLOR- MOSLEY

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BY: BSM Team Q: What inspired you to start the company, Clever Fox? We are all about productivity and personal development. With that in mind we knew we needed a system to track our goals and to help us increase our performance (plus overall quality of life). We tried different apps before but none of them seemed to stick. As true believers that pen and paper works wonders to program our subconscious mind, our quest lead us to paper planners. When you work with a pen, it becomes personal – customized. You are much more likely to stick to using the paper planner instead of digital. It pretty much becomes a part of yourself, if you know what I mean. I’m sure you do. It’s more than just “keep yourself organized and increase productivity” - a paper planner which allows you to plan and store your life makes you truly happy- it really does. It makes me a happier person knowing that all I need is right by my side, inside this very personal and very aesthetically pleasing planner. We tried out several productivity planners on the market and although those were great, something was missing. Either the planners were only for 3 or 6 months (while we wanted a 12-month planner), the planner lacked some very important features (such as a habit tracker or a yearly goal- focus section) or they did not have enough space for notes, to-dos or goals. In the end, for lack of finding the planner that would 100% satisfy our needs, we decided to create one ourselves. That’s how The Clever Fox Planner was born. At Clever Fox, we truly want to make a positive difference in the world. Our products are designed to fulfill this pledge. With the goal of making people of all ages live a

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more fulfilling, more productive life, we’re making the world a better place in our own unique way, one person at a time. Q: How do you come up with new concepts for your planners each year? We always innovate - we always try to improve our own life. When we see that a particular concept works for us and our colleagues/friends/family and also makes our life easier- it gets added into an existing planner or a NEW layout is created. So yeah, we are always looking forward to fulfilling our customers’ needs. We are listening very carefully to the feedback that our customers provide and when they request something - we deliver! We also deliver in the best way possible. Our motto is pretty simple - we MUST create a product that delivers more value to our customers than ANY other product on the market and it should be aesthetically pleasing and super high quality so it can last for years to come! Q: What are your top 3 planners? 1) Clever Fox Weekly undated A5 size 2) Clever Fox Pro planner (big A4 size life planner) 3) Clever Fox Daily undated A5 size Q: Provide 3 great tips to encourage others to stay on top of their goals all year long? 1.) Staying on top of your goals always requires a lot of energy, so I would recommend first focusing on increasing your life energy by eating healthy foods (more veggies, fruits, drinking more water) - you can track your hydration in your planner in the habit tracking section or by using the hydration stickers that we provide on our separate product - the Clever Fox sticker book. The more energy you have - the lon-

WHAT’S THE

PLAN?

The Most Important Things in This Clever Fox Planner

ger you can go on with your daily tasks- not losing passion and not feeling fatigued. This one is the number one game changer for anyone. 2.) Manage your time effectively and efficiently. We all have 24 hours in a day, so in order to get more done, we need to utilize our time in the best possible way. Prioritizing, planning, organizing appointments in a planner will help you with that dramatically. If you once planned things out in your head or on pieces of paper (without the system we have in our Clever Fox planner), you will dramatically increase your productivity and time management just by using our planner. 3.) Build positive habits and get rid of the negative ones. “We are what we repeatedly do” as Aristotle once said. That is so true. The changes that really stick for a lifetime are habits. Clever Fox planner has a Habit tracker to make sure you can work on your daily routines until they become habits. This will change your life forever. Q: What are the top reasons people should visit Clever Fox online for their planning supply needs? The Clever Fox Planner is a LIFE-based planner, created specifically around your own life, work needs, unique personal habits and even your most important motivations, goals, ambitions and MORE. The Clever Fox Planner has been carefully designed to not only be easy and fun to use, but to keep you organized and motivated in ALL aspects of your life. This includes: Productivity, Focus, Passion, Motivation and of course, your own Happiness. It will help you stay accountable and will keep you on track towards achieving your goals and not becoming distracted when the temptation to get off track becomes unbearable. This tool has the power to change your life, if you commit to it. To give you an idea of the organizational scope and benefits our planner can provide for you, here are just a few of the ways you can use The Clever Fox Planner: * Plan and organize work tasks, appointments, special events and meetings * Take important notes, log personal observations, set new goals and create “to-do” tasks * Easily keep track of personal finances, budgets

and when bills need to be paid * Plan out daily meals for you or your family, jot down daily inspirations or thoughts * Keep track of positive habits to keep you on track to achieve goals that are important to you * Use images to create your own “Vision Board” in order to make your goals that much more enticing! * Perfect way to create ideas for spring cleaning and getting rid of clutter I personally use the Clever Fox planner every day, it has become a routine and a habit. Every morning I review my gratitude section, affirmations, and my goals. Every evening I reflect on my day and see how can I improve tomorrow. The same goes for the week and month. Just remember that no planner can make a difference in your life if you don’t use it. This means that you have to make it a regular part of your daily, or at least weekly routine. Doing this allows you the opportunity to set goals for yourself and to focus on your priorities. Clever Fox planner will also track your journey so that it’s much easier to see how far you’ve come.

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MARKETING GONE WRONG

B It was 1830 when Thomas Dartmouth “Daddy” Rice took hold of American popular culture by painting his face black with shoe polish and impersonating an old, crippled black slave named “Jim Crow”. As the “Father of American Minstrelsy”, he developed a song and dance routine that forever popularized racist stereotypes of African Americans as an acceptable form of entertainment. These performances characterized African Americans as lazy, ignorant, superstitious, hypersexual and prone to thievery and cowardice, all which nonetheless, encouraged racial violence and discrimination towards people of color. Almost 200 years since their inception, these racist caricatures prevail- most recently surfacing through the fashion industry and the state-government of Virginia. On February 1st, 2019, the first day of Black History Month, the current Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, admitted it was he who was in a 1984 medical school yearbook photo that surfaced online, showing a man in blackface and another in a

BLACKFACE

Klu Klux Klan robe. Although the Governor did not specify which person he was in the photo, he acknowledged that the photo was clearly racist and that he is, “deeply sorry for the decision [he] made to appear as [he] did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now.” Immediately after that, Northam received tremendous pressure from all sides of the political spectrum to resign. Top democrats in the state, the president of the NAACP and numerous 2020 presidential candidates demanded that Northam step down, making Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, a black man, the next in line to be governor. It’s worth noting that the state of Virginia has a long, painful history of racial violence and oppression, all of which was brought to the surface amongst the revelation of the racist imagery. Despite Virginia’s troubled history, a day later Northam rejected the calls to resign, walked back his claim that he was in the photo and then shockingly admitted that he put on blackface in college to imitate Michael Jackson for a dance party. His ambivalence towards the use of blackface showed how undisturbed the Governor is with the imagery as well as his lack of awareness of how racist black-

face truly is. Northam’s admission and refusal to resign drove the Virginia government into chaos as other shocking revelations about other heads of government surfaced. The chaos pushed yet another conversation about the use of blackface into public conversation, giving a platform to those who are unaware of the history behind it and reinforce the stereotypes because of it. It set a stressful and painful tone to 2019’s Black History Month, trickling the racial fervor down into pop-culture and the fashion industry. On Wednesday, February 6th, the clothing line Gucci announced that they would stop selling their latest item, a blackface-resembling ‘Balaclava’ sweater (a turtleneck that can be pulled up to cover the bottom half of the face with a cut out that reveals oversized red lips). The Italian fashion house immediately received criticism online with filmmaker Spike Lee calling on people to boycott the brand. “I, Spike Lee Of Sound Mind And Body Will No Longer Wear Prada Or Gucci Until They Hire Some Black Designers To Be In Da Room When It Happens,” the filmmaker director wrote on Instagram. “It’s Obvious To Da Peoples That They Don’t Have A Clue When It Comes To Rac-

ist, Blackface Hateful Imagery. WAKE UP. Ya-Dig?” Rappers T.I. and Soulja Boy followed Lee’s footsteps and called for fans to boycott the brand, with T.I. claiming that African Americans spend “$1.5 trillion/ year” on fashion sales but are “the least respected and the least included” in the decisions of the fashion house. This all comes a week after the clothing line Adidas was pressured to stop selling a special edition allwhite shoe that was supposed to be sold in celebration of Black History Month. Racial tensions in America have been inflamed since the start of Black History Month and with the heads of the Virginia Government still refusing to step down, tensions don’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. Racially charged imagery still persists in 2019 and is still powerful enough to hurt businesses and politicians. The ignorance of not knowing how these images started and how they spark outrage have serious implications because as history has shown: they don’t go away over time.

BY:RYAN NICKERSON PHOTO: GUCCI

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