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FROM THE
EDITORS DESK he original message we intended for you to read has changed in preparing this issue. We stand with you as we face the challenges this new year has presented to us all. The Coronavirus has greatly impacted the world as we know it. And in a short amount of time, Americans have witnessed global devastation in countries like Italy only to have the first case of the disease reported in the U.S shortly thereafter. Stock market plunge, school and business closings, social distancing, and high profile actors and athletes diagnosed, it’s enough to make you wonder what exactly is going on. Whether someone looks at it from a spiritual standpoint in terms of God is trying to tell us something, or not, one thing is for sure, we are living in peculiar times. Perhaps this is where we refocus on the things that absolutely matter. Sure, we’ve heard this thought before, but never has it had greater meaning than now. For many, the takeaway may be to slow down and enjoy life as it should be, and to spend more time with our loved ones. And as we’re told to stay inside our homes more to lessen the chances of the virus spreading, now is a great time to work on shelved projects. We’re not just talking sewing and tool work, but book ideas, podcasts, online courses, business video marketing, and more. We encourage everyone to keep going with the belief that better opportunities come from life’s uncertainties. Despite being affected by the cur-
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rent plight of the world; we BELIEVE you are still hopeful the year 2020 will yield brighter days. It is why we take great care in delivering to you our spring issue with the intention that it will bring you reading pleasure. Enjoy the cover story interview with model, entrepreneur, and reality star of the Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA), Cynthia Bailey, where she talks about her upcoming marriage and loving the skin she’s in at 50+. Meet powerhouse woman entrepreneur, Centrell Reed, her Houston based company CReed Global Media is making way for big moves in studio film space, outside of the traditional settings of Hollywood, New York, and Atlanta. But no issue would be complete without a tribute to Kobe Bryant. The fivetime NBA basketball champion lost his life along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven other passengers Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash. We honor his legacy. Please use this temporary time in our lives to regather plans. Rid as much panic and fear that tries to consume you and BREATHE. Work in bite-size increments to fulfill one project after the next. Hang in there. We will be okay. Feel free to read more celebrity news, entrepreneur, and lifestyle stories throughout this edition, and we thank you for being a loyal part of the BSM family. Best regards, La Trisha McIntosh and La Tasha Taylor
BSM BEAUTIFULLY SAID MAGAZINE Volume 2, ISSUE 7 STAFF WRITERS BSM TEAM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS TWINS OF MEDIA TATIANA BATTLE MELISSA BUTLER CR8 AGENCY CREATIVE DESIGNER CBA MEDIA GROUP BSM MEDIA GROUP PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS (TALENT/PR) INTERN/MENTEE TATIANA BATTLE
The ‘Original’ Twins of Media - Digital, Print, and BSM Network. Culture: Celebrity News, Entrepreneurs and Lifestyle.
CONTENTS 10
14
24 cover story
Photo by: Russell Bae
Photo by: Sandy Hooper
Photo by: Robert Kazandjian
6
6 Kobe Bryant
32
A tribute to an NBA Legend
Cynthia Bailey
10 Camerone Parker
Former Ford model advocates for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
14 Bahara Golestani
Her role on Season 4 This Is Us Celebrates Autistic Son College Acceptance
20 Centrell Reed
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Woman entrepreneur talks film and entertainment expansion in Houston Photo courtesy of: Young at Style
The model and RHOA reality star on her upcoming wedding and business ventures
Photo courtesy of: CGM
Photo by: Roy Rochlin
Photo by: Bobby Quillard
18 Tisha Campbell
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ou existed as one of the greatest athletes to play the game of basketball to inspire a generation. The legacy you leave behind will ensue those not yet born will know your name. You undoubtedly impacted the world. I remember watching one of your past interviews where you described marriage as a beautiful journey because of its ups and downs. I liken your ‘traveler’ thoughts to the lives given to us knowing no one is perfect, but we can practice becoming better at what we say or do, and speaking of practice, it is a word you kept close to your heart. The concept of repetitiveness was a special love, an inseparable bond for the sport you gave your all. You walked, ran, and faced challenges through the use of your mindset, physical capabilities, and spirit to win. The world was in shock upon hearing the news you were no longer with us. Though death is inevitable, many of us imagine certain people will be here forever. No one expected you to be gone so soon, and in the manner, it happened. You were supposed to go to your daughter’s, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant’s game, and come back home and share Instagram pics with the captions of how much better she and her teammates were in ameliorating their game. You, your daughter, and the seven other beautiful souls on board the helicopter were all supposed to come back home and carry on with your lives. I imagine your precious wife, Vanessa would have kissed you as you walked through the front door, and Gigi would have told her about who she did a fade away on and how many points she scored. Your other daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri there to welcome their ‘Girldad,’
and sister as well. It doesn’t seem right that the vibrant family photos we saw over the Christmas holidays no longer include two of its members. Your second act was to be phenomenal. It was already off to a lightning speed start. Who in the NBA leaves the Staples Center stage in exchange for the Academy of Arts and Sciences stage holding the coveted award an Oscar? The honor was in the making for you to receive it back when you lined up the chairs in your home PRACTICING your craft. You deserved it. You perfected your skills, in the same manner, as a future thespian performed in every school play. And we got to know you better because of the woman you dedicated your love to for over twenty years. Kobe, she’s strong. Like myself and others, we didn’t know her too well from a distance. All we knew is she had your heart, and you had hers. We were immediately concerned about her on January 26. How and, Why? It was inconceivable how a wife loses her husband and child the same day. I hoped that she was around family hearing the dreaded news and that someone there hugged her tightly as she blinked to see if she was not asleep and having a nightmare because when the truth set in she would have to tell her surviving girls their daddy and sister were not coming back home. We wanted to know if she was okay not in a nosey way, but because many of us have spouses and children of our own. She’s been gracious with us in sharing updates and memories of you and Gigi. We now understand more why you loved her the way you did. Vanessa could have very well only had a private funeral, but she knew you belonged to the world too. You were a family man, husband, father, son, and brother, five-time NBA champion, Oscar winner, author, friend, and more. Your lovely wife (soulmate) knew others wanted to celebrate your life.
DeaKOBE r
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Photo by: Derek Reed
By La Tasha Taylor BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 7
Photo by: Mike Blake/Reuters
Photo courtesy of Instagram Photo by: Robert Hanashiro
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Since the day you left us and leading to your memorial on Feb. 24, there has been an endless outpouring of love. We don’t know how Vanessa stood in front of 20,000 people in the house you built, as well as be seen by the countless others who tuned in. She carried with her so much strength, and through her tears and deep breaths, she gave the most touching eulogy for you and Gigi. Your parents and sisters looked on as you were remembered. You favor your beautiful mother, but I can see your father Joe in you too. We laughed at the memories she shared like the time after you retired from basketball you were late picking up the girls from school, and it pained our hearts when she spoke about future moments she would no longer have with the two of you. Your wife and the wonderful mother to your princesses gifted us with the special times you all had and we can only be thankful because she doesn’t owe anyone anything. No one would have blamed her if she chose to honor you to herself, but she allowed us to see Gigi’s retirement ceremony and she posted an old photo of the two of you on Valentine’s Day, she shared it was your favorite holiday.
Thank you, Kobe, for sharing your gift with us while here on earth. I believe you and your mambacita (Gigi’s nickname from your Mamba one) is playing the best basketball games above. Know your daughter’s impact in the 13 years she was here has already changed the face of women’s sports in her middle school level, high school, college, and the WNBA. The world misses you and Gigi, but we know your family misses you more. We find comfort knowing you are Vanessa’s and your three princesses guardian angel. In your wife’s words in February inside the Staple Center, she said, “take care of ‘Gigi,’ and she has “Nani,” “B.B.,” and “KoKo.” Adding, you all are “still the best team.” We stand with her and your family; dad, mom, and sisters today, tomorrow, and forever as we remember you. There will never be another Kobe Bean Bryant, but you will have created a legion of young boys and girls to follow in your footsteps and grow a game even more so than when at the age of six Rest in power Mamba #8 #24
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Cam
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merone parker
Former Ford supermodel, Camerone Parker, has emerged as the leading powerful celebrity voice in patient advocacy for Multiple Scheloris (MS) and treatment. Today, she delights audiences nationwide as a highly in-demand speaker, sharing her unbelievable story of being diagnosed with MS and hiding the disease in a highly competitive world of international fashion so that she could earn money to pay for treatment. The former face of Olay, Camerone, has walked the runways for designers like Vera Wang, Giorgio Armani, and Bagley Mischka, to name a few. She’s been seen on billboards around the country for brands like Ralph Lauren POLO. Check out our exclusive interview with the courageous MS warrior. A former Ford Supermodel and face of Olay diagnosed with MS when modeling. Tell us more about your story. I was working away as a model. I did print work, runway you name it, and I happened to be on assignment in Los Angeles where I was home-based in Southern California. I was very excited to be able to stay in my own home and work on assignments, but within twenty-four hours, four models (including myself) who had been booked for an assignment had all become very sick and needed to be rushed to various hospitals throughout the city. We all came down with forms of meningitis. Mine was horrendous spinal meningitis, and I was in the hospital for two weeks. The neurologist assigned to my case basically said, “I see a lot of things from the test I
am running, and I want to make sure meningitis has left your body.” He didn’t say what he was thinking, or what it could possibly be. I thought, okay, no problem and went through the battery of tests. Finally, the last series of questions he had for me were, “am I tired and fatigued often?” Of course, I had logical answers for every single thing, I was like, yeah, I am a little tired I’m a million miles person on American Airlines, I think I might need a nap from airplanes (laugh). His next question, “Did I trip a lot or have episodes of tripping?” I glared at him and said, as a model, we always blame it on the shoes. It is never the model who falls (laughs). But, yes, I have had a few wipeouts on the runway. It’s the shoes, right? The doctor then asked if I had tingling and numbness, so I had all the right answers.
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signed my death warrant. No one is going to hire me knowing I have this disease. I have now become a huge liability, and you are telling me that I don’t know when I’m going to see a relapse in remission. I said, how do people live with this? Fast forward with my doctor’s help and my parents, we calculated what cities I would be in throughout the world, or how I would get my infusion (my injections) wherever I was because I can’t travel with all of that stuff. People would see it, and I had to keep it a secret. I also didn’t have medical insurance, which is very important, but I was an independent contractor. At the time, one of my MS drugs was $65,000 a year, and I paid every bit of it. As a voice of patient advocacy for MS and treatment, you share that you continued modeling to pay for treatments. In what ways do you help people affected by the disease who cannot afford proper care?
I was called to come to his office. It wasn’t his nurse or medical assistant, it was him, and he sat down, and he looked at me, and I just looked at him. He put everything thing down, and he said, “I’m really sorry to tell you this, but everything is coming back that you have multiple sclerosis.” I looked at him and, I went, ok, not knowing what MS was, the two people that popped into my mind were Richard Pryor and Annette Funicello. It was January of 1998. I looked at him, and I said, Well, what do I have to take? How long am I going to be out? Let me call my agent. He interrupted me and said, “Stop! You have MS and you’re going to have it for the rest of your life.” I sunk low in the chair, and huge tears formed from my eyes and rolled down my face. The doctor went on and said, “Well, you can manage it, and there are disease-modifying drugs that are available, and we’re going to get you on one.” My thought: He might as well have been speaking a language like Farsi (laughs). I didn’t hear any of it. I just looked up at him, and I said you’ve just 12 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
This is so important. I know there are tens of thousands of people that don’t understand the world of a model, so when I am speaking, I am changing the face of MS by being raw and authentic because I struggle like every other MS patient. There are a lot of people out there that are not doing enough for MS because they are profiting off their disease, where it does me no good. We have no cure for MS. As a patient advocate, I get up to tell my story and inspire hope, whether you have MS or not. Who better to ask for funds than an MS patient because we need funds for research. We need to get to a cure. I know the stats because I live with it. It is important when I speak at an MS fundraiser. I do not charge a speaker’s fee. I also pay for all of my expenses, which include the team that travels with me. I buy tables and fill them when I speak, and I have friends from all over the world, so whenever I am in a certain place
they will either fly in, come or leave money on the table, I don’t have to ask, they do it, and I also leave money in every city I go to for MS. When I speak without a fee, I am there as a servant. I want to touch lives. I am on a mission to raise funds to find a cure faster. My life depends on it. Do you think by going back to modeling, it gives hope to the millions who suffer from MS that they too can live their dreams? Well, I look at life a little bit differently. Let me put it this way, yes, I am a model that has MS, but I don’t let being a model or MS define me. I define it. Camerone defines being a model. Camerone defies the odds of having MS. I celebrate every single day as an MS patient because they are no two MS patients alike. We may have common threads of the disease, but it’s like a snowflake, no two is the same. I can’t tell you why today I can put on heels and lipstick and slay a runway, and tomorrow I won’t be able to move. I can’t tell you. My doctors can’t tell you either. The positive message is to look at every single day and take advantage of it and be inspired. Everything is around you. If all you can do is sit up and blink your eyes, then be grateful and have gratitude that you can blink your eyes. It starts with simple things and being mindful and grateful.
At the time the interview took place, Camerone suffered a heart attack and required heart surgery. This is what she had to say for how she feels in 2020.
to make sure everything is right. As an MS patient, we complicate things as I have learned (laughs). This year’s success by the inch is synced by the yard because it can be difficult.
I love that it’s 2020. I love that I am married to an eye surgeon because I have my sight set on moving forward now for MS patients. I have done the research, and there are all kinds of new studies that show MS patients are more likely to have a heart attack and or cardiac issues. More extensive exams (not a regular physical), is needed for an MS patient. A standard echocardiogram is not enough. Doctors need to do a little bit more
What do you want people to take away from the work you do with MS and treatment?
Camerone
The number one takeaway is not judging a book by its cover. I know as a model that sounds very opposite because I’m needing you to look at the cover right (laughs). What I mean by that is just because today I am not in a wheelchair or walking with a cane does not mean I don’t have MS. There are a lot of invisible symptoms people can’t see aside from my two eye surgeries. For people: Always, always reach out. The National MS Society is a great organization, and they update their website literally almost every hour because of their investment in all the new diseasemodifying drugs. I should mention, the modifying drug’s purpose is to slow the progression of the disease, and it may not necessarily make you feel better. For MS patients, don’t be afraid to be proactive in your treatment and do what’s best for you as far as what makes you feel good. If that means soaking in a bathtub and getting a haircut, do what makes you feel good and celebrate gratitude for that day. Favorite social media handle where people can follow your amazing platform. Instagram: @cameroneparkermcculloch Twitter: @_CameroneParker Facebook: Camerone Parker McCulloch By La Trisha M. and La Tasha T. Photo by: Robert Kazandjian BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 13
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“This Is Us”
Meet Bahara Golestani: Newest Addition To The Cast Of This Season of NBC’s
The newest addition to the cast of this season of NBC’s, “This Is Us,” Bahara Golestani’s road to acting was not your ordinary story. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, she and her family were forced to flee the country and became refugees in Moscow. Bahara and her family were sponsored by the UN and received help to settle in the U.S. Though she faced many struggles growing up, she never lost the passion of one day becoming an actor. Read our exclusive interview with the multi-faceted actress. Season four of NBC’s smash hit series “This Is Us,” introduced an ensemble of new faces from veteran actor Omar Epps to rising star Asante Blackk and yourself, of course. Where were you when you got the call that you got the role? I remember very vividly I was at the Grove in LA. It’s an Italian restaurant where I always go. I had sat down and ordered my food when I got the call. I was really excited, and basically ended up not eating. My manager, called and he was like you are pinned (basically when you are pinned in LA, it means you are on hold but that the production sees something in you) so I kind of knew I got the part. During the auditions, I felt so connected to the character and her emotions. There is something that happens when you are auditioning. It’s this magical thing of where you are in the moment, as an actor so I kind of had a feeling and then obviously you never know. It’s like a lottery. When I got that phone call, I kind of teared up and called my mom immediately. She is the first person I always call. Viewers have been in love with “This Is Us” since the season 1 premiere. Did you have an opportunity to work with any of the original cast members? If so, what was that experience like? I did get to work with Jennifer Morrison, who was just amazing. I also got to work with executive producer, Dan Fogelman, and our director, Ken Olin, as well as the entire production team and everybody from A-Z who works closely with everyone. It’s one thing to watch the show because I was a huge fan from day one. And I never missed an episode. But it’s a cooler experience when you are there watching everything happen before your eyes. What I took away from the experience was now I know why this show is one of the best. It’s because of everything that goes into it, and each person who is involved is so hands-on. They want to tell the story in a way that is real, and that’s why the show is phenomenal. It was amazing to work with Kurt Kennel. I have so much respect for him as a great director. He brought the character of Dr. Asmaan to life, and he talks to you the way he directs. It’s very powerful.
By The Twins of Media • Photo by: Russell Bae BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 15
You mentioned you never missed an episode of the show. Who do you normally watch it with? I either watch it with a friend, by myself or with my dogs. I have Pomeranians, so probably my dogs some of the time (laughs). You were born in Kabul, Afghanistan, but at a young age, you and your family were forced to flee the country and became war refugees in Moscow. How much of your childhood has influenced your work as an actor? Tremendously! When I auditioned for Dr. Asmaan, I walked out of the audition room, and I was like this really hit home for me like a soft spot because she is such a powerful female a woman who fights tooth and nail for other people. She wakes up in the morning and decides today she is going to save lives while risking her own. In Afghanistan, the women under the Al Qaeda and the Taliban women, they are not supposed to have professions or leave their house without their husband. That is why so many women are just sitting at home, so for my character, she makes a choice every day when she wakes up, and she decides she’s a doctor. She also has a baby. But decides to go to work and save lives to help others knowing at any moment, she and her child can be slaughtered. I watched my mother, grandmother and aunts flee their country and leave everything behind and only take a bag and then fight their way in other countries. Being arrested, starting over, moving from one country to another and having to adjust and speak the language. There’s a racial barrier when you are middle eastern, and you are living in Russia. You are not always accepted and unfortunately, that was the case for my family and me. We had to battle it all. As a young child, I saw my mother get arrested for no reason, and the 16 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
cop drag her in front of me. These are the vivid things you remember as kids and as dark as it is, and how crazy it is, let’s face it, we don’t live in a world that is just peaceful. Even in the U.S., you turn on the news. And all the stuff that’s happening with the shootings and the cops. Pulling people over and them dying, that is something that resonates with me. We protect our kids as much as we can, right? The way I look at it is my parents did their best to protect me and make sure I did not die in Afghanistan. I choose to take all of it into my work in a positive way. And make a difference for someone that is watching This Is Us. For most people, there is a stereotypical thought when they think of Afghanistan. There are women with professions in Afghanistan; doctors, lawyers, and engineers. I think everything I have been through and even the languages I speak, everything that I have learned impacts my work, especially my specific character. I understand her. Maybe not one-hundred percent because that would be ignorant to say because I am sitting here talking to you from California. There are people in Afghanistan who live in unimaginable circumstances, so I can’t relate to it right now because I’m sitting here speaking to you from my apartment in California, but I have seen it, you know. You are a graduate of the worldrenowned Stella Adler Academy of Acting. Do you at any point want to be both in front and behind the camera to tell your story or stories of other women with similar experiences as yourself? Absolutely, I love the process of filmmaking. I remember the first film I did. I was so intrigued by the producers and directors. I loved watching them because it’s like they had eyes in the back of their heads and see everything no one else sees, and that is intriguing. I love storytelling. I also write a little bit, so I have a lot
You speak five different languages and worked as a translator/consultant on film and TV sets and voiceover work in films like 6 UNDERGROUND. Does speaking multiple languages bring more opportunities in Hollywood? It is definitely a great thing. I can say we are progressing to more of a diverse world. I think diversity is really great and big right now, and I think we’re just getting started. There are a lot of stories we are telling take Afghanistan, for example. I speak Pashto and Dari, and on This Is Us, I speak Pashto. Pashto is spoken by the biggest, ethnic group in Afghanistan. My mom is Pashto Zabaan. My dad is
from Kabul Afghanistan, and his side of the family, speaks Dari. My parents and I speak both of the languages. It’s how I was able to book some of the jobs. I was confused, growing up asking, why am I always moving, and why does my family speak different languages? As a mixed child, if you look into my culture, it’s unheard of because there is the backlash. When I was born, I didn’t look like anyone else, and I spoke different languages. I learned Russian, English and my family also speaks Hindi. Coming to the U.S., and not speaking any English and having to learn it helped me to get auditions where it required that I speak Russian, Dari or English. I also did plays with the majority of my background in theatre. I was able to do different dialogs such as British and Southern and a bunch of other things. When you are in the theatre for that many years, you can work on it.
What’s next for Bahara Golestani, any upcoming projects? I worked on Dirty John, alongside Christian Slater and there are a couple of other things I am very excited about, but, unfortunately at the moment I am not able to share it, but, hopefully, the next time I talk to you guys, I can tell you more. Bahara mentioned before the end of the conversation the #SiminHopeFoundation. It is an organization that helps to raise money for the children of Los Angeles and people in need and at risk of homelessness, foster care, and abuse. She also spoke about supporting Breast Cancer causes as well. “It makes me happy to give back and be involved in what’s happening with other people.” Follow @baharagolestani
Photo courtesy of the Anderson Group
of ideas and passions and things I would love to bring together as reallife stories. I would love to be behind the camera one day and take a little bit more control. I think it is a great time for women, and that makes me excited.
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Tears
By Tatiana Battle
Photo by: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
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of Joy
shed for Tisha Campbell’s oldest son, Xen Martin!
Actress and singer, Tisha Campbell took to Instagram to celebrate her college-bound son Xen Martin for applying to college on his own and getting into the school of his dreams! Xen Martin, the oldest son of Duane Martin and Tisha Campbell, was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old. Xen faced a lot of challenges, such as speech delay and other developmental issues. When Tisha discovered that her son had autism, she was worried that he wouldn’t be able to make the same leaps and strides as other kids. Since then, Tisha has been very open about her son’s diagnosis. With the support from family and friends like actress Holly Robinson-Peete whose son Rodney Peete also has autism, she’s been able to find comfort in knowing Xen is not alone in this, and neither is she. Word of Xen’s acceptance into college was particularly special to other parents whose children have special needs, including actress Sherri Shepherd who commented on Tisha’s post. “Tisha this testimony gives me hope for Jeffrey!” she wrote. “You’re an amazing mother CONGRATS Xen!” Tisha has been inspiring and encouraging
moms alike to accept their children’s diagnosis by producing a short film, and children’s book to better understand autism. Despite the barriers that Xen has faced, the 18-year-old has stayed on the Dean’s list in school and is as independent as can be. Tisha Campbell wrote in her post: “He has stayed on the dean’s list and is holding down two jobs because he wants to be independent of a silver spoon He cares less about labels. Xen, mommy’s goal was to make you as independent of me as possible. I wanted you to be able to survive greatly without me. I never knew you would surpass my hopes for your future. You are amazing man. Mommy loves you with all my heart and soul. You and your brother are my everything. Thank you for choosing me as your vessel.” Happy tears flowing out of her eyes says, Tisha, when she found out that her not-so-baby boy got into the school he had been talking about ever since he was 8 years old! Xen is breaking barriers and proving to the world that your disabilities don’t have to determine the outcome of your future. Thank you, Tisha, for sharing Xen’s inspiring and motivating accomplishment! Congratulations, Xen, continue to lead by example!
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By La Trisha M. and La Tasha T. • Photos courtesy of CReed Global Media
C
Centrell Reed is an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and media leader in the city of Houston. We caught up with the New Orleans native inside her studio at CReed Global Media, an impressive space that houses media and production services. Reed’s professional appearance is as polished as her speaking voice. As we approach her office, she admits to operating on very little sleep, but it doesn’t stop her from making sure the operations of her company are intact before offering us to sit down to chat with her. Right away, she says, how super excited she is to introduce film and entertainment in a way no one else has done in the fourth largest city in the U.S. Reed is quick to add, “There may be some who have distribution in some form or fashion, it just has not been prevalent.” Her company, she says, will service the industry through her experience as a producer. And work behind and in front of the camera.
BSM: How will CReed Global Media help to expand Houston’s entertainment industry in regards to film, jobs, and education? CR: CReed Global Media has been working on a project to expand a film studio with the Houston Film Commission, The Mayor’s office, city councilmembers, county commissioners, state senators, and congresswomen and men. To fill the gap in making it happen, my company created the Houston Entertainment Industry Task Force, and we held our first meeting in April of 2019. A whole lot goes into creating a film studio. I want to champion for this, and the solution is “let me do it” and they (the industry people) will come. Around this time, I also started writing for IF Magazine. It’s an International Focus Magazine. I came in as an author and contributor and I write about all of this stuff in terms of film and entertainment space in Houston. What is going on? What’s the growth? I should mention, there were only fifteen people who attended my first meeting, but it was who was there; the Houston Film Commission, the Mayor’s office, multicultural affairs, and Greg Carter, a well-known, director to name a few. He called me the day before and said he heard about my meeting and flew from California to Texas to be there. He also shared the information with people he knew who can help me to provide jobs and resources to make Houston the next Hollywood or Atlanta, GA. BSM: How has the confidence level for the people who were a part of previous attempts to expand a film studio in Houston changed? CR: Initially, the confidence level was low. Those who came to the first meeting and who was super excited said they had been down this same road. Some called beforehand to share their bad experiences, while others gave their support. I also talked to people who worked with the biggest names in the industry, and many of them said to me, whatever you need, I will give it to you. Reed then mentions the likes of professionals like Charnele Brown. Best knowns as Kimberly Reese of “A Different World” visiting her studio as part of the conversation for film and entertainment expansion in Houston. Brown moved to the city some part of the last decade and teaches acting through her company TriWen Productions. BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 21
BSM: Have you experienced challenges as a woman from men who question your role to expand the film and entertainment industry here? CR: Every month I am standing in front of a group of diverse people in our task force and board. Houston is diverse. We have men and women from different backgrounds, Pakistani, Asian, Hispanic, Black, or Caucasian. We have them all. There have been people who have come to the meetings and challenged me with their inappropriate comments and disrespect. Mind you, I am standing in a room for two-hours, and guiding individuals and someone walks into my studio and decides they are going to disrespect me. My thought: I’m from New Orleans, don’t come for me because I can come back. 22 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
But then I look around the room and think, how can I respectfully respond and get everyone back on track. I’ve had someone ask, what gives you the authority to create a task force when even the Mayor hasn’t given you the right? The city government is who creates a task force. You have to have their approval. When someone comes at you like that, you know inside you’re hot. The first thing you want to do is lash out, but I have to remember I am a leader. My response to comments like that is I am a big fan of not asking anyone for approval for something I can do myself. There are businesses and task forces, erected all the time that do not have a city mayor or anyone behind them. But you have people who believe in you. For what needs
to be done, so I move away from those types of comments. I’ve had men come up to me and say, so, who else is helping you run this company, and I’m like, what? Or when they come to my office and don’t let me speak. They will ask me a question about capital for my film studio, and when I answer, they will start talking again. I remember being at city hall and sitting down with leadership there from Houston television and I asked, has a woman ever attempted to do this? And the response was no. BSM: Who or what resupplies your energy when it gets depleted from the things you do with your company and the task force? CR: First, it comes from my creator. When my Godmother passed away in 2014, I didn’t want to be here any-
more. I believe that was the closest I got to my creator. It was a time of uncontrollable all day crying. She was like my mom and more. It was different than me and my mom’s relationship. My mom is mom. She’s a nurse and worker. She adds things to her plate and does it. I recently realized I get this from her. My Godmother taught me about guys and also never do anything I did not want to do. She taught me I didn’t have to try hard. Anything I did, I would be successful. She saw things in me before it was ever a time. So when she wasn’t here anymore, I was extremely sad. I felt like there was nothing here for me to do. I was not the mom of humans. I have dogs. I had not been married yet. I was engaged but thankful not to be married. Those things and her not being there for me is the way I looked at everything. I started praying a lot. Hearing and watching God work through people who were around me. They would give me books and introduce me to things I was unaware of, such as a friend of mine who gave me a book called “I AM” by Howard Falco, which I keep here in my office. It helps you understand the power that was given to you and what you were created to do. In my sadness, God said, I need you to be of service and add value on a greater platform. The other piece of it is, every time I went to church or had a conversation with someone or leader of the church, they kept saying, things are going to happen expediently. And they did. Besides going to my creator, the ways I refuel are spending time with my family. I also do sauna workouts and hot yoga, and I like to play pool, spades, and I go out on dates. BSM: What advice do you have for entrepreneurs who want to expand their brand? CR: Know your numbers and the details of the business. At the end of the day, it’s all words and numbers. Look at things like operat-
ing costs and ROI. Are you operating your business with you and one other person or do you have a vision for hundreds or thousands of people working for you? Do you envision high-rise buildings with lots of conference rooms? Do you know what it takes? So know your business. Also, there is collaboration and not competition. With billions of people in the world, there is a lot of people you can collaborate with instead of competing with them. Example: The task force is a collaboration. Collaborate. Collaborate. Colaborate. It will take you farther when there are no finances to make things happen. Do the best that you can there and with the right people. You have to be open to ideas, innovation, and other things people can bring to your space. I wasn’t saying this in the beginning when I started, but be generous to yourself. What you have is all you need. If you start with what it is you have all of a sudden, you will realize you have a little bit more, and you keep going. What you have is sufficient, and what you do not have you will attain because you can do it. You can get knowledge out of a book. You can ask questions. Keep attaining knowledge and add it to your toolbox. There is no one in this world, not any NFL player, filmmaker, actors, or city government that has all the answers, because like everyone else, they are hoping they are enough and doing a good job. BSM: When is the last time you laughed out loud in real-time? CR: I laughed out loud this morning. I am glad you asked this question because when you are running a business, things can get heavy having tough conversations with all kinds of personalities from clients, people you work with, or any collaborations. I’m listening to Kevin Hart’s book “I Can’t Make This Up:
Life Lessons,” and I laugh on the drive to the office or working out. Even now, I can’t wait to get back to the book. I (people) need laughter. I also go to comedy shows, and when I hang out with family and friends, I love to laugh as well. BSM: Why should Houston be on the lookout for what’s coming next from CReed Global Media? CR: You don’t have to be on the lookout. I kind of feel like it’s going to smack you in the face (laughs). You think about Netflix when they first started. They had a vision. Whatever passion I have inside of me, the action I take, and who I am makes me more unapologetic about what I am capable of doing. This is about seeing what I am made of while everyone is saying, why are you doing it? I want to make sure that people win. I am learning more about myself with every experience. If I leave here today or tomorrow, I have already left a whole bunch of people better than they were before. You will see CReed Global Media as a major distributor of film and content and helping to launch entrepreneurs. We will share with people the business of entertainment. You will see us create videos, film, and television shows. It’s about unleashing the possibilities. CReed Global Media is like Netflix. You will see it happen. Centrell Reed is a woman entrepreneur taking charge of a need in a major city deserving of the space and location to bring on film and entertainment in a major way. Attending numerous meetings with the mayor, lawyers, city government representatives, and big-name industry people, Reed is serious about her position as leader of the Houston Entertainment Industry Task Force. There she champions for millions of dollars with the state legislature and more to make Houston the next Hollywood and Atlanta. BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 23
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BSM COVER STORY
Cynthia Bailey By: La Trisha McIntosh and La Tasha Taylor Photos by: Bobby Quillard
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“These next years are going to be the Cynthia years”
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C
Cynthia Bailey jokes, “I think everybody in the world knows the date of my wedding at this point.” The RHOA star is, of course, talking about her upcoming marriage to Fox sportscaster Mike Hill. The two met on the “Steve” talk show in 2018 when the comedian and host introduced Bailey to three potential matches as dates. She eventually chose Hill and a whole relationship later, an October 2020 wedding is set. The model and mother of a young adult daughter, Noelle (her father is actor Leon from “The Five Heartbeats”) shares, she’s in a really good space. With an already insane schedule and a “big day” to plan, Bailey’s voice bears no sounds of any dubitable emotions. Simply put… Hill is “the love of her life.” But she doesn’t go without saying that it helps to have a great wedding planner, which she found in celebrity event planner, Courtney Ajinça. “She basically lives inside my brain in terms of like … being able to bring my vision to fruition for any special events in my life.” And it was right at this moment, during our conversation that Bailey said she and Mike had not sent their “Save the Date” to guests. Adding, “We have to do so by the end of the week.” Bailey sees her work and business life pretty much staying the same once she and Mike marry. It’s a life that includes part— 10 seasons on Bravo’s RHOA and her entrepreneurial endeavors. “I will just officially have a husband I have to take care of, so I have to carve out a little more time with him because as an entrepreneur and as much as I want to focus on work I want the balance of my family life to help me to be happy. One doesn’t work without the other. So I’m going to work really hard on creating that balance.” Bailey is also happy about a few other things as it pertains to RHOA. And that is being on a reality series for ten years, which she can’t believe it’s been that long, and not selling her soul or compromising her class, grace, and integrity. “I just have a good time being a part of an amazing platform.” But with a bit of humor, she adds, “Keep me in prayer. We have a reunion show coming up.” Then there is her blossoming wine business, the Bailey Wine Cellar. Though it has not always been an interest (we asked), Bailey respects the culture and enjoys a good glass of wine. “I’m a woman of a certain age. I like creating organic businesses from things I am interested in, and honestly, you will see on the show, I really did not know that much about wine when I opened my cellar.” For Bailey, she’s simply enjoying the process of learning its history. “It’s a grown industry, and I am a grown a** woman, she says. Being someone that is on a reality show, nobody appreciates a good glass of wine better than I do (laughs). “I thought it would be a lot of fun, and it felt like something I would want to venture into, and it’s been phenomenal! It’s been a great business endeavor. BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 27
And it’s going really well. People are responding to it, and I’m actually glad I am doing something where I can learn so much about wine. If that’s not already enough on Bailey’s plate, she is also the founder of The Be Better Foundation, whose vision is to in-spire young ladies, to be confident, empowered, and successful in life. Other business brands include Cynthia Bailey Eyewear, and CB VIOR, an affordable luxury leather collection. As for her foundation, Bailey says she targets more than one cause. “There is so much going on in the world. I support breast cancer, homelessness, and domestic violence.” She acknowledges her foundation is an umbrella to encompass these important issues. In her words, “Be Better” is to BE BETTER in every way. “It’s all coming from a positive space. It’s why I started the foundation in terms of being an inspiration to young girls and my daughter. They need to see examples of women doing positive things in the community. You know it’s one thing to talk about it and support it, but it’s actually another thing to be on the forefront of creating things and making it happen so people can be motivated to support.” On another note, and according to Bailey, there’s something to be said about women 50+ enjoying their lives. “Turning 50, by far, has been my favorite birthday. I think I made that pretty clear,” she says with laughter. Bailey recently celebrated chapter 53, on February 19. Looking back on the ways she kick-started her milestone celebration, Remember the time she dressed as 50 Cent for Halloween anyone? The reality star thinks it’s important to let other women like herself, who are of a certain age, know it’s okay to get older. “Getting older is a luxury not granted to everyone,” and Bailey admits she feels more beautiful in her 50s than she ever did in her 20s, 30s, and 40s. “I’m happier in my 50s than I have ever been in my whole life that when I turned this age, it was almost like I did a reboot. I don’t know how long God is going to let me live. I don’t know if I will see 80 or 90. I don’t know, but what I do know is that at this point, in my life, these next years are going to be the Cynthia years.” Bailey, full of vigorous emotion, continues, “I’m going to do me. I’m going to be happy. I’m going to live my life for me.” To take control of falling back in love with herself, Bailey knows all too well the balancing act of being a mom, daughter, sister, and wife (she was previously married to entrepreneur and restauranteur, Peter Thomas from 2010-2017). “We (women) make so many sacrifices for 28 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
our family and village. I feel like you know what, all of that is great, and I love my family, and I’m always going to take care of my people, however, not to the point where I’m not good. I think, as women, we feel like we have to do so much. We think, how selfish is it to put me first before anybody? Before my child, before my husband? Here’s the thing, if I don’t put myself first and take care of me, I cannot be a great wife to anybody. I cannot be a great mom. Turning 50 was about taking care of Cynthia because if I take care of me, I can take care of everybody else.” Also, part of Bailey’s self-care is not taking herself too seriously. “I can be a little bit of a goofball. You guys may have seen my twerking videos. I don’t mind putting myself out there. I can laugh at my own self. I think it’s so
“we are not perfect, but are perfect for each other.” important in life to have a sense of humor. Laughing is good medicine. It keeps you healthy to some degree.” Bailey then remembers the last time she laughed out loud in real-time. “Yes, it was when I was in Los Angeles with my fiancé. I have this joke. I said if I were a guy, I would be Mike Hill because that is how similar we are. He’s the male version of me. I might be marrying my own self (laughs). We have so much in common, and we have fun together. He accepts me for who I am. As you see on the show, the wig comes off. I can snatch it off at any time and truly be myself. I am having fun in this relationship. We take care of business, but I am having fun. And we laugh out loud all the time. He’s my favorite person to laugh out loud with. Not only is he my fiancé, but he is also my best friend. We are so compatible. We shared with Bailey, Mike’s version of when he enjoyed a good laugh. It was around the time we interviewed the author of “Open Mike” back in the fall of 2019, and in his own words, his soon-to-be wife tried to tell a joke with the assistance of Google. He thought it was so cute and hilarious. Bailey, not having heard the story before laughs. The woman with the high cheekbones, whose natural look (you’ve seen it on Instagram) is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside, and nowadays, she’s most
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looking forward to hanging out with her best friend. “I look forward to a partnership with someone who is just as whole of a person as I am. Who come from similar backgrounds, and who love each other. Mike and I found each other in a very unconventional way, and that is all God because I never imagined I would go on a dating show. I made it very clear when I went on (“Steve”) if I don’t meet anyone that I have real chemistry with than I probably am not going on a date with them. But I met this man, and I’m so happy that I was open to meeting him in that way, and by the grace of God, he ended up being the love of my life. He’s the one. Our Mantra is we are not perfect, but are perfect for each other.” Optimistically real, Bailey is upfront when she shares that both she and Mike come with their own set of issues, but that they are really good for each other. “I think we can work through our stuff because everybody has stuff. If I have some stuff to work out with anyone, I would rather work it out with him because I think he’s a good man. He’s a fair man. He gets along with my daughter. He’s good to his children. He’s great to me. He’s good to his ex-wife. Mike is a good guy. He’s a good son and brother. I really feel like I deserve this man. I deserve Mike Hill. The love, I celebrate for him publicly is not to let everyone know my business, but I celebrate Mike in real life too because he makes me happy. I’m proud to post a picture with him and share my journey with him on the RHOA. The ups and the downs, I’m proud of what we go through, on the show, and in real life. Somebody is watching who is going through something way worse than we are, who can be inspired by something I might say or something he might say. And because we are of a certain age, Mike will be 50, this year, people may think, Wow, they found love, maybe I shouldn’t give up. At the end of the day, as an entrepreneur, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, without love, nothing matters. Yes, I like to have money to buy whatever I want and to stay in nice hotels and fly first class, but I don’t want to do it by myself. Quite honestly, I don’t want to do it with Noelle either (laughs). I’m not taking Noelle with me, and she ain’t trying to go everywhere with me like that either. I want to go with Mike. I can do a mother and daughter trip anytime, but what I want now is companionship.” You guys will see this whole journey, says Bailey, who jokes, people will be so happy to see me and Mike get married and sit down somewhere (laughs). I am going to scream my love from the mountaintop. “Everybody doesn’t find this type of love, and if you don’t want to see it, then don’t follow me. If you follow me, you’re going to see it because I’m excited to share.”
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FASHION
Photo courtesy of: Young at Style
Photo courtesy of: Vcheri Designs
store recommendations that cater to petite women. The Influential Petite brand frequently educates women on what the word “Petite” really means. Most people think of petite women as slim in stature, but the true definition is a shorter woman who stands 5’4 and under, no matter their size or body type.
Q: Tell us about your fashion brand Influential Petite. Influential Petite is a resource for petite women to help them look and feel empowered. Most petite women struggle with finding clothes that truly fit their body types. My job is to take the hassle out of petite women spending extra money for tailoring and alterations and instead provide them with alternative options such as DIY ways to enhance their personal style. We also provide boutique 32 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
Q: Did you always know you wanted a career in fashion, and who are some of your early inspirations? I’ve always loved fashion, but I never for one second thought that I’d be passionately pursuing a full-time career in the fashion industry. The journey began right after college when I started to work full time. I would receive compliments at work about my attire on a daily basis, to dressing my co-workers for their social events, to deciding this is something I truly love doing, so why not give it a shot and see where it takes me. Q: Spring is here! What’s hot for the season? Floral dresses are in this season, and really good to wear for any occasion, including work, casual wear, and after 5. Wear them with heels or tennis shoes. Either way, you will still look fly.
Influential Petite
Founder Shadana Chaney Photo courtesy of: Instagram
Q: What is something women can do to feel better about the clothing they wear as the temperatures become warmer?
fit. I show them different ways to make their style work for them by providing convenient style tips that will work with their lifestyle.
I recommend dressing for comfort. In the warmer months, we tend to see women wear clothes that are on the less conservative side. But if that’s not your style, wear something that expresses your style and who you are as a person.
Q: Favorite part of your job?
Q: Name one fashion item women should have in their wardrobe and why? I always recommend a blazer because it’s my favorite go-to item. Every woman needs a blazer in her closet. Here’s why. Blazers are great to wear for an interview, and they can be worn to a business meeting with blue jeans to match for a business casual look. Blazers are also good for more conservative women who prefer not to show too much skin or don’t like the idea of wearing her arms out. Q: How does your brand help to improve the self-esteem of your clientele? Most Petite Women share many frustrations about the way their clothes
Knowing that I can put a smile on someone’s face by helping them transform their personal style and be confident in who they are. When you look good, you feel good. The more petite women that feel better about themselves and their style, the more validation I have in knowing my job is done. Q: What are your plans for the rest of 2020? Continue to be a brand ambassador for petite women by doing more onair appearances to educate women on what it really means to be petite and participating in more speaking engagements around topics that uplift and empower women of color. Please provide a social media handle and blog/website information where people can follow. @influentiapetite on all of my platforms and @theinfluentialp on Twitter. Website www.influentialpetite.com
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Rising Actor
Charles Lott Jr. Appearance In The Ben Affleck Film
‘The Way Back’
Starring alongside Ben Affleck, Charles Lott Jr. appeared in the film THE WAY BACK which debuted in theaters March 6. The film is about an ex-basketball star’s struggle with his past alcoholism as he coaches his alma mater’s basketball team. It is a classic in the making. The film allowed Lott to gain wisdom both from his experience on the film and his relationship with Affleck. Check out our exclusive interview with the up and coming actor who measures how hard he works based upon the recent Kevin Hart docu-series on Netflix, and names Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angela Bassett, and Denzel Washington as other big name actors he would love to work with.
Y
You star with Ben Affleck in the drama-sports film THE WAY BACK. It premiered March 6th, how did you find out you got the role and what was it like working with Ben? So, this is crazy? My manager got me the audition. I got a call late one night, and it was so funny because it was ironic that I was watching the Accountant on TV, and so he had called me and said, “Hey, you have an audition,” and I was like, Oh! And he said, “It’s with Ben Affleck,” and I was like OH! It all happened so fast it didn’t even feel real. Charles, whose character is Chubbs, plays basketball in the film. The actor says he was sent the script and was scared because he never really played the sport before. I played football. 34 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
I’ve always been athletic, but basketball was never really my thing, so that night (getting the part), I got up and took my basketball and went to the rec center and practiced, and I also practiced the script. I woke up the next day of the audition, which was on a Friday. When I went in, there was a dog in the lobby. I got so distracted with the dog that when the casting lady called me five times, I didn’t hear her. When I ran inside the room, I forgot my script, and everything that was supposed to go right, I thought went wrong. Luckily, the audition went well, and they had called me back to audition again because they wanted to see a clip of me doing basketball stuff, training in front of coaches, but I ended up injured. I rolled my ankle practicing because they had actual basketball players there. I was in a wheelchair, and one of the casting ladies came up to me and told me I could leave because I got hurt, and I was rolled out because I couldn’t walk. I am literally on the verge of crying because I was so close after having the directors call back after my first audition went well. My thought: It’s so ridiculous, man life throws crazy things at you. Charles shared he was stopped before he got to the car to come back inside. The director, Gavin O’Connor, was there. He walked up to me, and hugged me and said, I know you’re injured, but we like your character so much, we will just have to work around it and get you into rehab to work on your leg.
Photos by Featureflash
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I was asked, how would you feel if we made you part of the role? I told him, I think you’ve made the right choice, and we started shooting from there.
beginning). I was so happy they had several different roles even though they cut some of the roles that did not work, plus the fires kept happening around LA, so that kind of prevented them from Working with Ben, Man! It was shooting a lot. They kept callreally one of the greatest experi- ing saying they wanted me, but ences I’ve had in my life. It’s funny they never made it official, so I because he’s a big and statuesque thought they were playing games, guy, so he’s kind of intimating to and I didn’t know what was going be around, but once you really on. Eventually the fires cleared, talk to him, he’s very approach- and they wrote a role for this kid able and one of the nicest persons named Private Blankenship. I and easiest people to work with. was asked to audition for it, and He made it fun and comfortable I got the part immediately. The to work with him. show is great! And when I found out Ron Howard was the one proYou have a role in the comedy- ducing it, I was more motivated drama war show “68 Whiskey.” It to join the cast. aired January 15th. Tell us about the show and what inspired you We read acting was not your first to do the project? choice. You had dreams of playing professional football, and if When I first heard about the that didn’t work out, your backproject, I thought it was about up plan was to become a business drinking whiskey in 1968 (laughs). owner? Do you still have plans to I was excited and thought, it do something in the athletic and will be dope! But the people in business field along with your charge were like, no, it’s a mili- acting career? tary show— a naval base camp in Iraq. I thought, Wow! Basically, in Absolutely! I think with business, late 2018 going into to 2019, I au- I want to be able to build and creditioned for the role of Petrocelli ate and it all be in the realms of one of the series regulars on the acting still. My goal in life is to show. They wanted to use me, but be able to own my own producit ended up not working out be- tion company and to develop my cause the name Petrocelli is Ital- own content. In anything I do, no ian and I’m black, but they liked matter what it is, I always want to me. The casting director, Wendy be in control of my own destiny O’Brien, who also cast me in The and create my own narrative, and Way Back told me (at that point) I material. I predominantly want it was on her short list of things she to be around film when creating like to send people out on (audi- businesses, but there definitely tions). I received a text from her are other things that interest me. and she says, there is this show It’s crazy because I play football 68 Whiskey and I remember you, and you see these guys— they and I am going to do whatever it have the mentality of football life. takes to get you on this show be- Grind everyday and don’t do anycause I think they’re really going thing besides football until they to like you (they liked you in the get to the NFL and make a lot of 36 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
money. And they go to different places and expand their horizons and find other interest besides football. That’s why you see some of these guys, especially smart players retire because they find other interests and other things, and when you have that type of money and time to be able to explore outside of the career you have, you never know, so I would not rule out the idea of starting other businesses and working on other stuff whether it’s in sports, film, cinema, music, culinary, or anything. I don’t have anything set in stone that I would want to do differently besides the film industry. I love being able to own my own stuff. Was it easy to go from playing football to basketball in The Way Back? Name the similarities and differences being they’re both competitive sports. Football versus basketball. The camaraderie, the fellowship, brotherhood and the unity of all sports is always going to be similar. When you play football and you’re going out to prepare for a game, it’s a completely different mindset compared to basketball. Kobe Bryant played basketball and has this whole Mamba mentality (killer mentality) and football has what Kobe has. A 15-yearold kid playing football has what Kobe has—that Mamba mentality because it’s a barbaric game. Basketball is a little more relaxed, but I think if you have that competitive nature it’s always going to be easy to translate it into different sports. I can go without playing football for months and as long as I’m still being aggressive can jump right back in. If I take three days from shooting
basketball and come back, I’m air The actor ended the interview create a method or formula balling (laughs). discussing his attitude on goals throughout the year what you for a New Year. You can always would like to do better. Tomorrow is not promised so why wait. Charles then recalled advice his *At the time of the interview, Charles spoke father gave him and that is, if you about Kobe Bryant being a great athlete, little want to play football (insert your did anyone know that just days later, Bryant goal) no one should have to remind you to do so, if you want to would perish in a helicopter crash that also do it you will.
claimed the lives of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna (Gigi) Bryant and seven others on January 26 in Calabasas, CA.
Follow Charles Lott @charleslottofficial
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Photo by Jean Nelson
DEITRICK HADDON
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RELEASES NEW ALBUM
A
Award-winning gospel music superstar Deitrick Haddon’s new album T.I.M.E (Truth Is My Energy) is available now wherever music is sold and streamed digitally. Haddon’s new album is hailed as his “best work yet,” and features the Billboard Gospel Radio smash single, “Open Door Season”. Additionally, it boasts a new verse of the worshipper’s favorite track “He’s Able”, the viral “Gorilla Faith” produced by Zaytoven and “Come Through” lifted from TV One’s original film, “Sins of the Father.” Deitrick Haddon earned the name, “the new face of Gospel,” after his album Church on the Moon debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel chart. The Detroit native is known for his progressive, urban style of gospel music, but he is also the founding pastor of Hill City Church in California. He is also a former cast member on Oxygen’s reality television show Preachers of L.A. Christmas 2018, Haddon teamed up with super-producer Zaytoven to create what they consider to be their best body of work to date, on the holiday EP “Greatest Gift.” Additionally, Haddon penned three songs on Usher’s most recent album, “A”. Deitrick Haddon’s new album T.I.M.E (Truth Is My Energy) is available now wherever music is sold and streamed digitally. Follow Deitrick Haddon on Twitter using the handle @DeitrickHaddon; on Instagram at @DHaddy and Facebook at Facebook.com/DeitrickHaddon. Article | Album cover photo courtesy of CR8 Agency
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Celebrity And Custom Bridal Designer Creates The World’s First Reversible Wedding Dress New Zealand Bridal Designer Trish Peng recently launched her newest collection Reflections, which highlights the World’s first reversible wedding gown.
she was in tears. Then it hit me, why don’t we do both?! I knew there would be a lot to figure out as far as construction goes but was confident I could do it.
The collection includes six reversible styles– each design inspired and named after one of Peng’s brides. The 28-year-old, designer also based in Los Angeles, made her debut in New York’s Bridal Fashion Week back in October. Check out our exclusive interview with the innovative bridal designer.
Q: The collection includes six reversible styles– each design inspired and named after one of your brides (clients). Will this be a continuing trend, and do you plan to add more styles to the collection?
Q: You recently launched your newest collection, Reflections, which highlights the world’s first reversible wedding gown. What inspired this innovative idea?
It all comes down to inspiration. My brides are always inspiring me, so I could definitely see future gowns being named after them. As far as adding more to the collection? Absolutely! I’m thinking we’ll be adding five or so more gowns to Reflections, so stay tuned!
I had a custom bride in New Zealand who couldn’t decide between a lace or plain fabric to the point where
Q:Why do you think you were able to successfully create the reversible gown, what sets your brand apart
from other wedding gown designers? We like to think outside the box to come up with solutions to give our brides exactly what they want. We say yes to everything and then figure it out. That’s exactly how the reversible collection came about. Our bride wasn’t happy having to decide between lace and plain fabric, so we came up with a solution, to make her happy, this is what sets us apart. Q: Which wedding gown has been the most rewarding to create? That is a difficult question to answer because all of my brides hold a special place in my heart. There is something truly rewarding seeing your brides’ vision come to life before her eyes and knowing you had a hand in creating it.
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Trish Peng with bride (client), actress Brittany Daniel
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Bridal designer Trish Peng and her brides (clients) Q: From the age of seven, you knew you wanted to become a Fashion Designer, and you also taught yourself how to sew at an early age. What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career as a fashion designer? If you want to do it, do it! Nothing is stopping you from your dream. Work every day to get to where you want to be, focusing on the present moment and say yes to every opportunity.
About Trish Peng: Trish Peng is a Couture Evening & Bridal gown designer born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. She caters to clientele from around the world, creating custom made masterpieces. From the age of 7 she knew she wanted to be a Fashion Designer. Teaching herself how to sew at an early age and enrolling into Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design. Her gowns are feminine and effortlessly elegant, handcrafted in Auck-
land by a team of expert couturiers. Each dress is designed with you, just for you. Carefully tailored to each woman’s individual measurements and aesthetic. Fabricated with precise detail and luxurious fabrics sourced from all over the world to create something unique for you. By La Trisha and La Tasha (Twins of Media) Photos courtesy of trishpeng.com
Q: When you are not creating beautiful wedding gowns, what do you like to do in your downtime? In my free time, I love going to Waiheke Island with my dog, Bosco! Q: Your favorite social media handle where you like to connect with your audience? Definitely Instagram @trishpeng. It makes it so easy to communicate with real brides and show the community what our brand is all about.
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Photo courtesy of: The Lip Bar 44 | BSM MAGAZINE | APRIL 2020
The Lip Bar
Small Business owner shares impact and advice
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Melissa Butler is the CEO & Founder of The Lip Bar, a pioneer in the beauty industry featuring vegan products that challenge the beauty standard and it’s message on inclusivity. Melissa started The Lip Bar in her Brooklyn kitchen out of frustration with the lack of affordable, quality lipstick options that would compliment her skin tone. At the time, the beauty industry had a very linear narrative and not much diversity with messaging or models. Since then, the brand has become a platform for inclusivity and Melissa has become a role model for positivity and inner beauty. They’ve gone from public rejection on Shark Tank and 500 Target stores nationwide, launched a makeup system called Fast Face (which became the #1 product of 2019 when launched in September). Advice: 1. First and foremost, make sure your staff feels safe and offer flexible options to stay safe 2. Your corporate community is just as important as customers. They both keep the company operating so communicate as transparently as possible. 3. Watch marketing expenses and pivot according to customers needs right now.
Impact felt by The Lip Bar and other businesses: 1. Reduced sales 2. Closed Detroit store temporarily as sales do not outweigh the cost of doing business 3. Forced to pivoted marketing message and postpone launches 4. A pause to any projects in motion and anticipating extreme delays 5. Anticipating beauty products will be held in customs. Shortage of supplies Bonus- Stay Healthy: As a frequent flyer, Melissa’s tricks to a healthy immune system are helpful to everyone now. 1. I drink Apple Cider Vinegar tea daily! Get your favorite tea and add a tablespoon of ACV and 2 tablespoons of honey. 2. Add lime to your water: Lime is rich in vitamin C - which promotes a healthy immune system 3. Load up on Vitamin C: Drink Orange Juice and put Emergency-c in it ( even If you’re not sick) 4. Drink Melissa Tea: I’m not just saying this, Melissa tea (aka Lemon balm) is hella antiviral 5. Sleep!!! Sleep and sleep. Your body needs time to replenish - so don’t be afraid to take a moment to yourself BSM MAGAZINE | BSMANDMEDIA.COM | 45
10 Business
Communication Tips To Take Back Control During
Covid-19 Quarantine It is obvious that the current quarantine situation cannot be compared to any previously announced pandemics or crises - this time, the world is shutting down completely. The situation is going to lead to hardly measurable consequences not only for individuals, but also for businesses. While people actively seek information and assurance from the government and trusted leaders, it is important for companies to demonstrate effective leadership within their own sphere of influence - through the right communication with employees, customers, partners and suppliers. “Blue Oceans PR” is a digital communications agency that works with the most influential journalists around the world, represents innovative companies and start-ups, and, most crucially, has extensive experience in crisis management. Both communication experts are now sharing some essential tips on how to communicate in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and not to take advantage of people’s fears, but to provide useful information, to keep everyone calm and in line with company’s values.
1. Do not ignore the problem
In the event of any unusual situation, do not avoid talking about problems. A pandemic will inevitably affect your company and employees, thus talking about security and any foreseen plans during quarantine with clients, employees and partners should be a priority. Everybody needs to know clearly what your business plans are, whether the team will now work remotely or you will temporarily be out of business, how you can be contacted and how you are willing to help the others. This will allow the company to maintain seamless communication and provide clarity in shaping future communications. “Gartner” has prepared a useful questionnaire to help you understand the level of company preparedness during the pandemic crisis.
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2. Plan internal communication
When a crisis begins, employees need to understand how it will affect their work and the company itself. In times of panic, the reluctance to take on responsibility may begin; thus it is important to appoint a person or a team which will be responsible for sharing the information with employees. Staff should receive all mandatory information regarding the critical points and risks of a crisis, how to ensure a safe and responsible environment and how the work will look like from this point. Any communication with remote workers should be especially empathetic - create open communication, understand that a person is working from home and may have other family members in the same room, thus the environment may not be very professional.
By: Kristina Skindelytė and Raminta Lilaitė founders of “Blue Oceans PR”
3. Maintain contacts
Do not stop fostering relationships with clients, partners and investors. Use various communication channels, such as social networks, just to chat and show that you are responding to the situation. Clients need to understand that in spite of temporary troubles, the company is still in business and you are ready to help and answer any questions. The communication should take place regularly and be available at all times. It is important to stay open about the challenges ahead and how you are prepared to deal with them. Crisis can be a great time to re-communicate your company’s core values.
4. Continue communication with the press, offer help and expertise
While the first instinct in a crisis is to get away from it all, long-built communication efforts should not be suddenly dropped. Do not push the press away - continue talking about your company by fine-tuning your tone, as people need empathy and sensitivity at this moment. A good way to help is by actively offering your comments and company expertise. For example, if you are a virtual educator, offer tips on what to do with children at home, and if you are a private clinic, share insights on health care, etc.
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ter for employees and customers, and then move on to a niche message for your target audience. Think about how you can help people in crisis: “Microsoft” and “Google”, for example, have provided free access to conference tools to facilitate remote work, while some airlines have agreed to waive the fees for flight information exchange and cancellation.
8. Choose partnership
5. Share achievements
Despite the stress, understand that the crisis will not last forever, thus keep reminding your customers and partners about it. During this time, it is important to continue sharing company achievements and success stories. Inspire people and help them understand that this phase is temporary. Of course, achievements need to be communicated in a sensitive manner when many other companies are experiencing difficulties. This requires empathy and diplomacy at every step.
6. Find the right strategy for your business
Global crisis does not mean your customers are no longer interested in your business. For example, trade giant “Alibaba” claims that the number of online shoppers has increased by 2.5 times compared to February last year. Consumer habits are about to change, thus keep that in mind when choosing your further strategy. Business communication will also undoubtedly change - unique, value-creating content is going to be even more important than ever.
7. Work with the right professionals
Choose those communication professionals who have the best knowledge about your niche. In the time of crisis, avoid spending money on general news - focus on specialized publications. Start with an internal newslet-
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In a crisis, finding the right partners is more important than ever, especially if you are a small business. Instead of choosing competition, look for partnerships - help each other, share resources and ideas, and this may get you out of hard times even faster. One great example of open collaboration is the cryptocurrency company “Coinbase” - it has openly shared its internal communication plan with the world, including daily tips for employees and answers to everyone’s concerns, from the latest news about the virus to general advice about pet care during quarantine, etc.
9. Prepare external communication plan - think of existing and potential audiences
In the global context, all businesses face the same situation - only an attitude and preparation will differ. Now is a great time to build a communication plan that will help to address different audiences. If your business is not localized, this is a great opportunity to look for partners in wider and unexplored markets. It is worth considering communication abroad as well - perhaps your business solutions could address some specific consequences of a pandemic. For example, fintech companies can help create new solutions for remote billing, translation agencies could employ more freelancers who now can only work from home, and so on.
10. Contribute to community
There probably are people around you who need help take a chance to find ways to contribute safely. Perhaps you can provide food aid to those who have returned from abroad and are in compulsory two-week self-isolation, or assist elderly people struggling to get the essentials - there are many safe opportunities to contribute to the community. Do good deeds and communicate about them, and it will encourage others to join in as much as they can.
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#AloneTogether You can help slow the spread of coronavirus. By practicing social distancing and limiting your interactions with others, you can help save lives. We’re in this together. #AloneTogether. Visit Coronavirus.gov for the latest tips and information from the CDC.
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