Queon Martin Ceo/Founder
Datwon Thomas Co-Founder/Spokesperson
Kali Abdullah Creative Director
Brian Christion Operations
Emmanuel A. Taveras Art Director
Queen Walker Marketing/Branding
Tony Sweeny Director of Community Affairs
Chimene Teixeira Public Relations/ Amada Entertainment
Editorial Letter WOW...we did it HIP-HOP! Have you ever dreamed the impossible dream into fruition? Something far beyond your imagination that will benefit you and others? Often those questions and more have plagued my thought process with no answers...until I came across an untold story from my history. It became the blueprint to the publication in which you see now...CARTER. Four years ago, while watching the television talk show Like It Is, hosted by Gil Noble, I came across a story about a small African-American community called “Black Wall Street.” “Black Wall Street” was a 36-square block section of North Tulsa, Oklahoma (Greenwood), where over 600 thriving African-American businesses prospered. Numerous educated African-American doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, oil men and entrepreneurs actually controlled their own destinies in a society that prevented them from venturing into other parts of the city. We have not been able to recreate this system ever since...until now. After learning about “Black Wall Street,” I was inspired and determined to recreate this movement with arguably the most influential culture amongst African-Americans and Latino Americans: Hip-Hop. My first step towards this goal was the creation of the documentary Bridging The Gap Between History & Hip-Hop: Black Wall Street (www.youtube.com/hiphoptv247org). I used this documentary to enlighten the culture about our glorious past and to initiate engaging conversation amongst youth and adults. Next, I wanted to develop a program that would further my mission and enlighten youth and adults daily. The idea hit me one early morning while watching a documentary on John F. Kennedy Jr. and his publication of George. From that moment, I knew we needed a publication that would enrich African-American and Latino-American history in America. Moments later, CARTER was born. Now, with the inception of CARTER, African-Americans and Latino-Americans have a platform that will enrich their history; a history that is not often told in classrooms across the nation. This information is available 24/7 online with a bi-monthly publication. Knowledge is power...and CARTER Magazine gives youth and adults influenced by hip-hop culture this power for FREE. THE EVOLUTION OF REVOLUTION IS NOW! “Q”,CEO/Founder
C A RTER F E B R U A RY 2011
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by Liliana Salcedo
“I’M NOT A BUSINESS MAN, I’M A BUSINESS. MAN.” THESE ARE MORE THAN JUST RAPS COMING OUT THE MOUTH OF JAY-Z. TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR THE RAP STAR TURNED BUSINESS MAN. WE CELEBRATE THE PHILANTHROPIST.
C A RTER F E B R U A RY 2011
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STYLIST NAME? Darius Baptist HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A STYLIST? Over ten years. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DESIGNER? The thought that I could contribute to someone else’s perception of fashion. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VINTAGE LOOK AND FASHION PERIOD? I have always adored the classic sophistication associated with the 1940’s. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO DESIGN FOR? I would love to have styled Lena Horne, Sidney Poitier, Sammy Davis Jr., and Fred Astaire. There’s still hope with Sidney : )
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CARTE R F EBR UARY 2011
STYLIST NAME? Kareem James HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A STYLIST? I can officially say that I have been a stylist for five years, but it has been in the making for twenty plus. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DESIGNER? I have always been a creative. My first love affair was music, and along the way I stumbled into fashion. My mind works in imagery, and styling is how I am able to tell my story. I grew up in Brooklyn and that environment always cultivated being fresh. I have developed my eye and elevated my taste through my experiences and being able to travel and see things beyond my circumstance that have enabled me to reach this point. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VINTAGE LOOK AND FASHION PERIOD? The current trend in fashion is the 1970’s time period, which I will say would have to be my favorite. It was a time of liberation, self-expression, and thinking outside the box. Live free or die. Enjoy the moment. Dream. Women were sexy, glamorous, and chic, while men were cool, sharp, and debonair. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO DESIGN FOR? If I could go back in time, I would love to style every single Motown artist; Diana Ross of course. How can you get more major than that? But I also really love the funk icon Betty Davis.
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CARTE R F EBR UARY 2011