April 2019 E-Magazine
BAD BOYS
Model: C. Scott Wearing the DASOUL Underwear C.Scott Shadow Boxer Photographer: Don Harris Styled by Andrew Nowell
Featured in
DASOUL Underwear Spring Collection 2019 Designed by Andrew Nowell
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Apple TV+ is the all-new streaming service featuring original stories from the most creative minds in TV and film. COMNG THI S FALL https://www.apple.com/tv/
A Behind-The-Scenes Look At Beyoncé's Historic Coachella Set Is Coming To
Netflix
From NPR.com
Beyoncé Knowles performs onstage during 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Field on April 14, 2018 in Indio, California. | Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Coachella
Beyoncé's history-making performance at 2018's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is the gift that keeps on giving. Homecoming — billed as "A Film By Beyoncé" — is Queen Bey's latest concert documentary, unveiling a close-up perspective at the often-guarded pop superstar in the midst of preparing for her headlining festival performance. Homecoming is set for release on Netflix April 17. Netflix has released an official trailer for the film after sharing a social media announcement Sunday morning that featured the word "homecoming." The snippet, on its own merits, is a grand spectacle to match. Behind-the-scenes footage of Beyoncé and her assemble of performers in the weeks, days and moments leading up to Beychella — including a snippet of Blue Ivy mimicking her mother's choreography — is all set to audio of a Maya Angelou interview. Toward the end, an interviewer asks Angelou, "What advice would you have to give to this generation?," to which Angelou responds, "Tell the truth, to yourself first, and to the children.”
BeyoncĂŠ's show-stopping performance marks plenty of milestones for the superstar. The 2018 performance was the first time a black woman headlined Coachella in the festival's history. It also served as her victory lap for the superstar after the birth of her twins, Rumi and Sir, which prompted the performer to cancel her Coachella appearance in 2017. It's also the first time a Coachella performance has ever been broadcast outside of the official Coachella YouTube stream.
YouTube
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APRIL 14, 2019 FINAL SEASON
The Game of Thrones Final Season Trailer Promises Dragons, Dragons, and Dragons
Rejoice, because not only is the final season of
Game of Thrones imminent, but with it, so too is the end of people saying "winter is coming," as if that's at all clever or funny. Win-win! Here's the latest trailer for HBO's ultra-violent, poorly-lit fantasy drama in which a bunch of cool women and a bunch of dudes with beards fight over the fate of Westeros. Let's watch. Look at all those big, screeching dragons! Long gone are the days of everyone getting mad at the lack of dragons in what is so famously a dragon show. Remember in season two when Daenerys carried around a wicker basket with the dragons inside so HBO didn't have to pay for a lot of CGI? We've got a lot of Arya over here, as well as appropriately brooding shots of Jon Snow and Daenerys, the fan-favorite aunt and nephew Who Bone™. No sign of the zombie ice dragon who tore shit up at the end of last season, though. Sad! Honestly, it's hard to keep track of who we're supposed to believe is alive or dead at this point. We'll find out soon, on April 14.
NFL Reportedly Paid Kaepernick Over $60 Million USD in Settlement Although both parties have signed NDAs.
Colin Kaepernick has reportedly received between $60 and $80 million USD in an outof-court settlement. The settlement is a result of his 2017 file of grievance against the NFL, accusing the owners of collusion to keep Kaepernick out of the league. Bleacher Report columnist Mike Freeman tweeted on Friday, “Number NFL team officials are speculating to me is the NFL paid Kaepernick in the $60 to $80 million range.” Kaepernick’s attorney Mark Geragos said in a statement following the tweet, “For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL. As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party.” The NFL Players Association responded to the settlement claims with, “Today, we were informed by the NFL of the settlement of the Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid collusion cases. We are not privy to the details of the settlement, but support the decision by the players and their counsel. We continuously supported Colin and Eric from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what we believe the NFL and its clubs did to them. We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract, and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well.” This news comes after Geragos announced he believes Kaepernick will come back to the NFL, mentioning on CNN on Saturday that the quarterback could be seen playing for the Carolina Panthers. Despite the speculative claim, it would be a move that follows Eric Reid’s three year deal with the Panthers.
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Now this may seem absurd but who you have On most days I try to fill all of my downtime become is a sum total of what you were signaled over encouraging or reprogramming my mind. I’ve and over again by your parents, teachers, siblings, found that we are sent signals all day long friends, previous associates and yourself. What indicating all sorts of things that we aren’t aware signals do you send yourself every day? I use to have of. Some signals are obvious, for instance, the a terrible relationship with food, I would see the local news station tells you of every murder and unhealthiest foods and it would trigger my brain to robbery that has enough information to alert you cravings. This signal perpetuated until I challenged (that’s not all they do, but let’s explore that in myself one day while eating enough food for 4 people another time and place). However, this same and I asked myself was I still hungry? I asked myself news station will ask questions of you that you why do I need to eat this much food? I found out that can’t answer, so it sticks with you. While the I ate that much because I had an insatiable need to unfortunate acts of violence that occur are truly be strong in lifting weights while in high school and devastating for families and communities, we as my coach gave me validation that overeating was a society are charged with a duty to continue in okay and he gave examples of Michael Phelps eating spite of what has taken place. Meanwhile, signals 10,000 calories a day and others. Basically I never are pushed out that tell you there are certain challenged this signal again until almost 20 years neighborhoods that are notorious for violence after I was sent that signal from a coach and my and therefore, untenable. This signal is sent to fellow teammates which also sent signals and members of that neighborhood and the rewarded me for overeating. It is too easy for us to surrounding areas. When we digest this find excuses on why we don’t have time to think information over and over again and never about every decision we make. I agree with you, you actually have a conversation it or take the time to don’t have to think about every decision that you meditate and search out what this means and make everyday but you should think about every what is my role in this (that’s right you have a decision and action you make at some point and role in every act that occurs in your life), we reevaluate to see if this behavior still makes sense become a “repeater” for the signals. Meaning if and is it leading me to my goals. Check the signals we only receive signals and don’t challenge them that are sent to you everyday from yourself or interpret them correctly then we will accept especially, but then notice the signals that your the signals we receive and ultimately pass them coworkers send.. are you important to them? What along to others. By the way at some point about the signals you send to others, do you consider children and adults in those neighborhoods your actions and what your intentions are before you receiving those sorts of signals buy into it and act act. I don’t speak in terms of holding yourself in accordingly unless they are sent different signals. bondage to other’s opinion of you but I’m referring to Imagine how many signals you’ve received today. the the way you choose to dress, speak, ignore, From the time you woke up this morning. The engage others, etc.. are all signals to others. Start dark room that you woke up too signaled that today, become more aware of the signals that you you might have a little more time before getting are being sent from everyone and then ask yourself if out of the bed. The phone clock signaled that you these are the types of signals that I want. If not then indeed have no more time to stay in the bed. The change the station, and make sure that you are snow on the ground signals all sorts of things to sending out the signals that you would want to you about your commute, and these signals go on receive yourself. By Bryan Glenn all day long. “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
As we know, podcasting is exploding. While it is quickly becoming one of the best ways to share and listen to stories, there is still a lack of diverse voices and Google wants to change that. With the launch of the Google Podcasts app in June, the company is working to make it easier for people around the world to find and access podcasts. Alongside the app, Google has launched its Podcasts creator program, which aims to support these underrepresented podcasters and make it easier for people to learn how to get into this growing medium. Google is now accepting applications for their creator program that will last from now until Dec. 2. The program officially kicks off January 2019 and they are partnering with PRX, who will lead and manage the program and who they also claim is one of the best in the podcasting industry. According to the tech giant, PRX has demonstrated a long-time commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the space. As a pioneer of the podcasting space, PRX will lend this valuable expertise to the podcasters in the program.
GOOGLE PODCASTS CREATOR PROGRAM ü Wants to empower and train underrepresented voices through an accelerator program ü Educate a global community with free tools ü Showcase participants’ work as a model for others ü PRX, alongside a global advisory committee, will select teams to receive mentorship, seed funding, and an intensive 20-week training. Applications will be accepted from around the globe until April 14, 2019.
For all podcast enthusiasts that want to learn more about what it takes to create a podcast, but are not yet ready to apply to the program, PRX will draw on learnings from the program to develop a series of broadly accessible podcasting 101 videos in multiple languages, as well.
You can learn more about and apply to the program on PRX’s Google Podcasts creator program website by clicking here.
'BLACK MEN IN WHITE COATS'
IS ON A MISSION TO SHOW BLACK BOYS THAT THEY CAN BE
By becauseofthemwecan.com
DOCTORS
TOO
It’s so important to remind our kids that they can be anything they put their minds to. Texas physician Dr. Dale Okorodudu is on a mission to do just that with his Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, which took place February 16 in Dallas, Texas. Established in 2013, the Black Men in White Coats campaign aims to increase the number of Black men pursuing careers in the medical industry.
"Some alarming data came out that the number of Black men applying to the field of medicine was decreasing. There were actually less in 2011 than there was in 1978," Dr. Okorodudu shared via the organization's YouTube channel. “Our mission is to inspire the next generation of physician leaders and to diversify the field of medicine with a special emphasis on Black males. The event took place at UT Southwestern Medical Center, bringing together students, parents, educators, clinicians, and community leaders. The students, whose ages began at the third-grade level, were able to connect with mentors and resources that would help them on the path to becoming doctors. It’s an opportunity that the participating doctors have learned to appreciate. With medicine being a top field, the need for community among Black men is vital for success. "Medicine is a long road but it’s a road that many people who perhaps look like them have gone through and been successful. Medicine is a rewarding and exciting and interesting field. I hardly saw any Black males when I was coming up as a resident,” Dr. Emeka Etufugh shared. "I think it’s
"
something to see somebody that looks like you, to inspire you, to help you know that it’s possible to come through this process and be a physician." The summit also provided guidance for parents to help their children on this career path. Salute to Dr. Okorodudu for showing our Black boys the way.
Black & Positively Golden™ Black & Positively Golden is a new movement to uplift communities through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship. It tells stories of truth, power and pride, and focuses on the people and places that are the greatest expression of Black excellence. Join in and follow @wearegolden on Instagram.
BeyoncĂŠ Getty Images
Beyoncé reportedly walked out of Reebok meeting due to lack of diversity Beyoncé‘s not bossy, she’s the boss. The “Halo” hitmaker, 37, may have just inked an iconic partnership with Adidas — but according to ESPN writer Nick DePaula, plenty of other sportswear brands tried to woo Beyoncé as well. The Grammy winner initially met with Reebok, but reportedly walked out of the meeting after she pointed out the brand’s lack of diversity and failure to represent her personal experience and skin color. “Throughout this process over the last year or two,” DePaula told the hosts of ESPN’s “The Jump,” “she had discussed with Under Armour, with Reebok as well, Jordan [at Nike] at one point was interested in maybe partnering with her. She had a meeting at Reebok and they had a whole presentation of everything, potential products, how this could all look, and she kind of took a step back and said, ‘Is this the team that will be working on my product?'” Continued DePaula: “Somebody said, ‘Yes,’ and she said, ‘Nobody in this room reflects by background, my skin color and where I’m from and what I want to do.’ So she took a step back and left and then it did not come to terms.” “For her, it really goes beyond that. It’s not just about putting her name on a shoe and here’s the new Adidas Beyonce 1, or whatever they end up calling it. It’s about having an imprint on the company and an impact in terms of diversity,” he concluded. Reebok issued a statement Friday afternoon saying, “The report that Beyoncé walked out of a meeting with Reebok due to lack of diversity is categorically false. Our discussions with Beyoncé and her team continued for several months after our initial meeting. We are disappointed that false information is being reported as fact.” Reps for Beyoncé did not immediately return Page Six Style’s request for comment. By Emily Kirkpatrick for pagesix.com
THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR Reimagined as a Gritty Drama Called BEL-AIR By Joey Paur
Will Smith’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a beloved 90s series that audiences loved. The popular good-natured sitcom followed a boy named Will whose mom sends him away from his rough Philadelphia neighborhood to live with wealthy Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian in Bel-Air. Well, director Morgan Cooper has taken this concept and reimagined it as something that is more grounded and gritty. He calls it Bel-Air, and you can watch the trailer that he shot for it below. This actually looks like it could be a good movie! I don’t know if fans would want to see a grittier version of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but regardless, this trailer is certainly worth checking out. What do you think? I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before Hollywood really does adapt this series into a film.
Khalid
Takes a Stunning Left Turn on His Sophomore Album
Free Spirit By Craig Jenkins for vulture.com
Khalid writes with intense honesty about the pitfalls of fame. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Uber Eats
Depression and anxiety are mercenarily efficient conditions. They get you thinking you’re only as strong as your most recent failings, that the worst you can feel is the best that life offers. Your mood sours, then you doubt yourself, then your creativity and productivity suffer, then you make mistakes that make your mood even worse. The spiral’s hard to shake; sometimes thrashing around to make your escape just tires you out and traps you further. Comfort is a matter of monastic poise, militant daily routines, and therapy. Holding fast to all three can be hard to manage. Depression is a landlord that wants to keep you renting. It gets you stuck on stasis, fearful of movement and evolution. Texas singer-songwriter Khalid Robinson tangles with the beast on his sophomore album Free Spirit. It’s a stunning left turn. His 2017 debut album American Teen served a smart, charming hybrid of soul and pop that picked up where the Everyman concerns of early Frank Ocean records left off. “Location” and “Young Dumb & Broke” are the kinds of tunes that Ocean might have landed on had he continued down the Nostalgia, Ultra path of making moody, relatable, Zeitgeist-minded love songs instead of embracing a literary, Expressionist approach to writing on Blonde and Endless. But there was more to Khalid than American Teen suggested. In interviews, he grappled with mental-health woes like stress, panic attacks, depression, and social anxiety. The seriousness of these conversations made American Teen seem light in the britches, like a singer writing songs he thinks people want to hear rather than hashing out what he feels it is imperative to say to them. Free Spirit doesn’t waste a minute getting to the heart of the matter. In the album’s intro, Khalid emotes in a blizzard of hurried sentences about a relationship going south: “I can’t even live with being by myself / That’s the part of me that really needs your help / Lately, I haven’t been doing very well / That’s the difference between heaven and hell.”
Free Spirit is a battle between bad feelings and good intentions. “Don’t Pretend,” “Talk,” and “My Bad” work hard at cutting down on distractions and miscommunications in a budding romance. The love songs are weary. The good cheer comes and goes. Free Spirit is the “fame sucks” album. “Bad Luck” rolls its eyes at fair-weather friends and freeloaders: “People only love you when they’re needing your wealth / Damn, laying down, staring at my ceiling fan / Everybody acting like they give a damn / Where is everybody when you need a hand?” “Hundred” struggles to stay focused and positive in a rough patch: “Everybody’s angry, and they’re coming for me / But I can’t give them energy that I won’t receive.” Cataloging and unpacking what bothers Khalid is his path to freedom. In the fourth quarter of the album, a string of dark, reflective songs speaks nakedly and incisively to the nagging feeling that acknowledging a need for help and a yearning for guidance is a mark against a person’s self-sufficiency. “Alive,” “Self,” and “Heaven” examine the scary thoughts that arise in a moment of self-doubt. “Does my raw emotion make me less of a man?” “Told everyone I turned my phone off / Didn’t ask for help and now I’m lost.” “Heaven, make me an offer / Lord, there’s nothing left for me out here.” It’s tough stuff to hear coming from a singer who’s only just turned 21. Popularity is a brutal gauntlet; if you’re not feeling great when you step in the ring, you might find yourself getting rocked by hits that normally wouldn’t faze you. Khalid seems tired beyond his years but also exceptionally self-aware and determined to keep working and loving his way through his worst times. These qualities keep Free Spirit from caving to pessimism. The music is slick and summery in spite of its message. “Talk” gets its exuberant bounce from Khalid’s lilting hook and Disclosure’s pillowy trap beat. The dejected mood of “Hundred” is offset by peppy New Wave production. Collaborators Digi,
Charlie Handsome, John Hill, and others bless Free Spirit with a foundation of uplift that the singer matches with performances that tap into a well of intense emotion without getting lost in it. Carefree pop/R&B tunes like “Right Back” and “Better” are reminders that Khalid can still crush happy-go-lucky radio fare when he wants. But he’s looking at the bigger picture now, as Free Spirit’s depth and expansive range bears out in 17 songs.
Khalid’s honesty as a lyricist, his golden ear for beats and melodies, and his ambition in releasing a freewheeling 45-minute roadtrip film to accompany the album are proof that he’s not only on a quest to know himself. He’s out to improve himself and unwilling to repeat himself. Free Spirit does the work of a good sophomore album: It builds on what came before it and opens up new avenues for the artist to pursue in the future. As Free Spirit unfolds, its title feels like less of a proclamation than a mission statement. This guy’s headed as far as the open road can take him.
SPRING LAYERS Cotton sweaters
Ludlow Slim-fit suit jacket in Italian cotton-linen
Discriminating Against Someone Based On Their Hair Is Now Illegal In NYC "Hair is a part of you, and as such we want to make sure that people can express themselves," NYC's human rights commissioner said. By Sean Collins for blavity.com
Nappy/@devonrockola
New York City has issued new guidance banning discrimination based on hairstyle. BuzzFeed News reports the guidance clarifies the existing New York City Human Rights Law, explicitly spelling out New Yorkers have the right to style their hair in ways consistent with their identities. The ban also contains language meant to help protect Black citizens, noting Black New Yorkers have the right to wear their hair in "locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state.� The ban also contains language meant to help protect Black citizens, noting Black New Yorkers have the right to wear their hair in "locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state.�
Employers, educators and gatekeepers of public spaces can now no longer exclude or fire people based on the appearance of their hair. The only exception to the ban applies to those who must tie up their hair for sanitation and safety purposes, such as chefs and surgeons. The guidance makes it clear employers requiring the restraining of hair for health and safety reasons must demand it of all employees of all ethnicities. New York City’s first lady, Chirlane McCray, celebrated the policy Monday, saying it was much-needed because “bias against the curly textured hair of people of African descent is as old as this country and a form of race-based discrimination.”
New York City Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn Malalis echoed McCray’s thoughts, telling BuzzFeed News, “We want to make the bold statement that these prohibitions on hairstyles that are closely associated with Black people are a form of race discrimination. They really fail to consider the toll these bans take on Black identity.” Malalis said recent stories involving students and employees having difficulties due to their hair helped spark the guidance. She specifically mentioned the case of a New Jersey athlete who, as Blavity reported, was forced to cut his dreadlocks before being allowed to compete. “I think I had the same visceral reaction that a lot of people did," the commission said. "[I was] horrified that somebody would be forced to change something so possibly central to their identity in order to participate in a sports activity.”
The New York City Human Rights Commission was also moved to act by multiple complaints coming into its office. Commission officials say they are currently investigating seven allegations of employers targeting employees based on their hair, including one case in which a worker says he was told he’d be fired if he didn’t cut his “unclean” locs. Brittany Noble-Jones isn’t one of those cases but says she knows how dangerous hair-based discrimination can be. As Blavity reported, the television journalist claims she was fired over her natural hair. She told USA Today the guidance is “huge.” Noble-Jones was based in Mississippi before being fired from her station; she now operates out of New York City. “The fact we have been worried about this all these years is one thing, but I’m very excited we can move forward and rock our hair and wear it the way God intended us to wear it,” the journalist said. Malalis agrees. "Hair is an incredibly personal thing," she said. "Hair is a part of you, and as such we want to make sure that people can express themselves."
ONLY ON CBS ALL ACCESS
LEXUS X JOHN ELLIOTT CONCEPT CAR
LEXUS X JOHN ELLIOTT CONCEPT Lexus and designer John Elliott partnered to create tires inspired by JOHN ELLIOTT x NIKE AF1 sneakers with details from the shoe like white-on-white layering, double-stitched leather and a stepped-metal valve evocative of Elliott’s stacked-metal lace tip. Lexus and designer John Elliott debuted tires inspired by the JOHN ELLIOTT x NIKE AF1 sneaker at New York Fashion Week.
LEXUS X JOHN ELLIOTT CONCEPT CAR
LEXUS X JOHN ELLIOTT CONCEPT CAR
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The wealthiest landlord in Detroit welcomed the wealthiest African-American in the United States to the city Wednesday evening to talk about entrepreneurship, "on-ramps" and a nationwide internship program that will extend an extra-large hand to southeast Michigan. Dan Gilbert, No. 274 on the Forbes list of the world's richest people at $6.3 billion, nodded approvingly as Robert F. Smith, No. 480 with $4.4 billion, told a packed auditorium at the Madison Building downtown that "our biggest challenge is talent." "Where are you going to find them?" asked Smith, 56, a Denver native who lives in Austin, Texas. "Often, the best place is your backyard. Now, how are you going to find them?" One place, he suggested, is internX, which launched Tuesday at internX.org and had a reported 4,160 candidates and 73 companies signed up within 28 hours.
Developed by Smith's Fund II Foundation, the program is designed to connect companies with collegians from historically underrepresented communities. Its particular emphases are STEM-related fields and African-American students. "Detroit matters to us," said foundation president Linda Wilson. "We want to reach out to Detroit. We've given out hundreds of scholarships, and only six recipients are from Detroit.� Wilson spoke after Gilbert moderated a chat with Smith before an audience made up largely of Detroit high-schoolers who might soon become interns. Smith spoke frequently of providing on-ramps to opportunity for kids with ability, but no idea what to do with it.
His parents, he noted, were teachers with doctorate degrees, and when he decided as a high school junior to pursue a college-level internship with Bell Labs, he had the wherewithal to call the personnel director every day for two weeks — and then every Monday for five months. But with many children from modest means, Gilbert noted, "They don't know what they don't know." The college and corporate realms are foreign places. Gilbert, 57, said his companies hire 1,500 interns every summer. Smith said the goal of internX is to place 10,000 interns by 2020, providing them with tools and services to help them stand out in interviews and on the job.
"Become an expert in your craft," Smith advised the students on hand. For now, he said, that craft is getting into the best colleges in their field and learning enough to land the best internships. Smith graduated from Cornell University, became a patent-holding chemical engineer, earned an MBA from Columbia and went to work for Goldman Sachs. After six years there in technology investment banking, Smith and partner Brian Sheth founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000. Vista ranks as the world's fourthlargest enterprise software firm, according to PC Magazine, with more than 50 companies and 65,000 employees. His Fund II Foundation, created in 2014, makes grants primarily in five areas: AfricanAmerican experience, human rights, outdoor education, music education and sustaining such "uniquely American values" as entrepreneurship, empowerment and innovation. Personally or through the foundation, Smith's noteworthy gifts include $50 million to Cornell to support black and female students at the College of Engineering and create a fellowship program; $40 million, in increments, to the United Negro College Fund; $39 million to the National Park Foundation; and $20 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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Esports and Hip Hop: Where Business, Tech & Culture Collide Written by Dana Sanchez
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 13: Drake performs on stage during the Drake Aubrey and The Three Migos Tour at American Airlines Arena on November 13, 2018 in Miami, Florida. Credit: MPI10 / MediaPunch /IPX And the Esports logo.
Esports is the fastest-growing audience in sports, set to compete with traditional sports as it advances in popularity from niche interest to massive appeal. Entertainers are joining investors and brands as they rush to align with major players, upping esports’ cool factor while elevating name recognition and excitement around events and apparel, Matt Foley writes for Ozy. Nothing signals mainstream acceptance quite like an invasion of pop culture — especially hip hop, Foley writes. Hip-hop stars Drake and Travis Scott were recently players on “Fortnite: Battle Royale,” showing up on esports megastar Tyler “Ninja” Blevins’ Twitch stream. It’s a match made in heaven, Adam Fitch reported for eSports Insider. “Rap music frequently tops sales charts; gamers wear the brands donned and created by hip hop artists, and their respective audiences cross over
massively,” Fitch reported. “Young males are undeniably huge consumers of both gaming and hip hop, and that’s a big reason in why the industries are overlapping. As the esports industry rises in value and hype, hip hop moguls and entrepreneurs are lapping up investment opportunities that are presented to them. “ A year ago, there was no sign of an esports-rap convergence, according to Foley. “Today, artists like Drake, Soulja Boy and Meek Mill, and entertainment executives like Scooter Braun, are planting their stakes in the ground, on Twitch streams and through esportsthemed music festivals, marketing deals and apparel collaborations.” In 2018, at least four festivals saw a convergence of esports and music, Foley reported. These included Hyperplay by Riot Games and MTV, Harrisburg University Esports Festival by the university and iHeartMedia, PLAY Festival by Insomniac, and the ICBC e-Sports & Music Festival by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Written by Dana Sanchez for molgudom.com
Rihanna Acquired The Rights To The Masters Of All Her Albums
From: kiss104fm.com
Congrats to Rihanna who recently acquired the masters to all of her previous recordings. Folks are saying this is a smart move for Rhi Rhi because many of today’s artists hand over the rights to their recordings as part of the contract they make with the record company. By doing so, the record company can then use the music however they want and get paid whenever the music is played publicly, on the radio, is featured in commercials or used in any sort of production. The downfall to these contracts is that the artist is only entitled to a small piece of that money, depending on what they negotiate with the recording company. Some other black artists that own the Masters to their music include: Ray Charles (one of the first to ever do it) Michael Jackson (His was recently bought back by Sony for 750mill) Prince Master P Stevie Wonder (owns everything after 1971) LL Cool J Artists like Joey Badass and Keyshia Cole who have been producing music under their own record label and they also own the rights to all of the music.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
How This Stylist Went from Retail Jobs to the Oscars Red Carpet BY MIKELLE STREET for out.com
Stylist Jason Bolden
After working with Taraji P. Henson and Yara Shahidi,
Jason Bolden
will be the subject of his own Netflix Show When Jason Bolden draped a custom deep blue Alberta Ferretti gown on Taraji P. Henson for the 2017 Oscars, he felt like more than just her stylist. “It was that quintessential moment when I saw my mom, my sister, and my best friend come to life,” he says. “The power in that moment and that look spoke to me on so many levels.” That night, Henson was on the red carpet for the Academy-approved Hidden Figures, and the sought-after stylist had given the star (and her audience) a vision of elegance. Beyond Henson, Bolden’s styling roster includes names like Ava DuVernay, Janet Mock and Yara Shahidi — a career trajectory that might not seem obvious for someone with his background. “It was tough for me,” Bolden says of getting into the business. “I look at a lot of other people who came up through the ranks [in fashion], or grew up in a situation where their families were tied to something, and you realize it’s all about proximity. I didn’t have that.” Raised in St. Louis, Bolden got his start via retail and embarked on a path that didn’t involve apprenticing in a typical manner. “I was learning so much being on the ground level with customers,” Bolden says. “I was so close to the people who were really making the cool decisions.” After interacting with consumer interests firsthand — working for brands like Chloé, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci — he helped cofound and curate The Garment Room, a New York-based vintage store. It was in this role that Bolden increasingly developed celebrity connections which resulted in direct requests for his expertise. “I’ve been lucky in the sense that some of my biggest opportunities have just come to me; I haven’t really had to seek them out. I started feeling like this was a career when I began getting phone calls and requests for me to do things,” he says of fielding inquiries from leading women like Gabrielle Union and Henson. “[Styling] kind of chose me more than I chose it.”
Since then, the women (and select men) of Bolden’s talent catalogue have grown alongside him in their boldness. The precocious Shahidi, whom he calls the “voice of the planet right now,” takes turns on the red carpet in brands like OffWhite, Chanel, and Calvin Klein, but is constantly making headlines for her words on activism and politics. In the lead-up to the 2018 midterm elections, she helped organize summits and events to get more teens registered to vote. These are things Bolden has considered bigger than the garments he dresses her in: “The way that the looks land on Yara is always great, but we are always waiting to hear what she has to say,” he says. Bolden’s ever-focused eye for fashion is a major asset, but it isn’t the only one in his arsenal. Through JSN Studio, the company he owns and operates with his husband, Adair Curtis, he’s not only dressing clients, but designing the spaces they live in, too. “I feel like it’s a complete story,” he says. “Like you see people in these really fabulous clothes, but where are they Jason Bolden with his husband, Adair Curtis hanging it? Are they putting these Manolo [Blahniks] in this really bizarre situation?” Bolden answers the interior design questions, while Curtis — a former executive for hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons — handles the business and architectural components. Their collaborative process will soon get the small screen treatment via a new, yet-to-be-named Netflix docuseries. Beyond their work, viewers will also get details on their enviable life together. “You have these two Black men who love each other and their careers are doing really well, but what does that really look like?” he says. “I personally know what it looks like for me because I live it, but I also look out sometimes and have to say, ‘I don’t see anything that mirrors myself and my husband.’” Now, everyone will get the chance.
How to find investors for your business by Darron Pressley for rollingout.com
Finding investors for your business is extremely difficult. Don’t get me wrong, it is not impossible but it is not an easy layup. It is a lot harder depending on your industry (i.e. consumer products) and easier in others (i.e. technology). But you know what they say, “Nothing worth having comes easy.” Venture capital is synonymous with Private Equity. “PE” is usually associated with funds reserved for mature, revenue generating companies that might be in need of a little resuscitation to become even more valuable. On the flip side, venture capitalists are generally focused on younger companies that might be unproven in their industry but have the potential for growth. Competition for investors’ dollars is cutthroat with many firms investing in less than 1% of the 1000s of companies they evaluate. So how can entrepreneurs maximize their opportunity to raise capital? Check out these three major rules to the game.
Know the investment firm. Understand the firm, do research on the leadership team you will be meeting with and have a handle on what the investors are likely to invest. Knowing the typical range of investment dollars a firm will fund a company will provide you with a realistic plan. Competition is expected. Competition is good. Even if you sell very unique products, it is very narrow-minded to think that you don’t have any competition. The marketplace is large and you are almost always competing with someone. Paying attention to your industry and the vast marketplace means understanding who you are competing with. Do not tell a potential investor that you do not have any competitors. Believing you have no competition is naive and dangerous. Be persistent; keep your messaging clear, and work hard. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication. Be flexible in your approach to fundraising and understand that it takes practice.
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Travis Scott & Nas Talk Future of Hip-Hop for 'Playboy': 'Rap Music Can't Be Stopped' by Michael Saponara
The generational divide in hip-hop is
often a hot-button topic of conversation for rap purists. Playboy unveiled their The Speech Issue on Monday (March 18), which included a rare conversation between two of music's superstars from varying eras in Nas and Travis Scott. The pair debated breaking down barriers in hip-hop, how much rap has changed in recent years, and what the future may hold for those coming after them. "The past generation knocked down so many doors where, you know, they were spitting a lot of pain, man. They was dealing with a lot of police stuff. We’re still dealing with that now, but it wasn’t so free. Now we got more of a voice at the label," La Flame recognized of the changing landscape in rap from previous decades. Nasty Nas agreed with Trav's assessment. "Nowadays the pain has changed. We’re after different things. We broke past the barriers," he affirmed. "We understand what we need to do and we’re in control of what we’re doing, and no one can stop it now. No one can tell us what to do, what we can’t do. Rap music can’t be stopped now.” The conversation took a more serious turn when Scott reached out for Nasir's guidance as it pertains to
speaking out on political issues in his art. "I wouldn’t say I don’t feel compelled to speak on political issues; sometimes you just don’t want to speak too much on stuff you don’t know much about," Travis explains. "It’s not like I’m not thinking about what’s going on in the world. I’m an expressive artist, but with media and shit, it gets misconstrued." When touching on political matters, Nas believes it has to be something natural, or it ends up looking forced. "One thing we can’t allow politics to do is take over our mind and make us fall into their game. What’s going on in the news could consume our lives. If that happens, life doesn’t go on," the Queensbridge native said. At the end of the day, Nas feels that the 'hood will always be a voice for the voiceless and the marginalized communities when it comes to breeding the next generation of MCs. "Those 'hoods are always going to yell out and say what’s going on. It’s going to get more fly and futuristic. But the message is always: We want food, shelter, health care and all the things we’re deprived of. We want no police brutality. We want all these things. That’s what hiphop is talking about," the Illmatic rapper concluded. Read the conversation in full over at Playboy.com.
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Staying Fit After 50 By John Beale, Certified Personal Trainer | IG: @heartsoul50
In my 20’s I was in great shape
and I would try all sorts of exercises to try and achieve the perfect body. Turning 30 was a bit of a wake up call for me because I noticed that my metabolism was changing or slowing down or maybe it was just that I got pre-occupied with life and was not exercising as much, so I got back on it and jumpstarted my metabolism and was off and running again.
Then came 40 and my body was like “Hey we are going to go through a change again”. I thought that if I did a few extra ab exercises I would lose the belly fat, but my 40’s proved that I had to do more – it meant that I had to make some life style changes. I realized that I could no longer eat and drink what I craved so I made those changes, which sucked because in my mind I still thought “Why can’t I do what I used to?” I made new food choices and new food preparation methods, which helped but was not enough. I often thought about wanting to be able to do the things that I did when I was in 20’s and 30’s, without feeling limited. I walked as much as possible and thereby ignored the desire of jumping into a car, bus or train, and I also took the stairs instead of waiting on the elevator or escalator. Those few simple things helped but I still wanted to be active with sports and my daily life. 50’s! Yes, I made it, but this age brought yet another set of issues and problems. I got married and with that I gained 10-15 lbs., which was not all muscle. My cholesterol levels were through the roof and even though I am in the fitness industry I knew that I got lazy and was made excuses, so yes (even as a trainer) I struggled. I now had to make a decision about what I was going to do about this. As I struggled with my own weight and body image, I also looked at those around me, especially those in similar age group like me, and what I saw was not pretty. I questioned what they might be doing and why the aging process has been so different for me. It became clear that in many instances people had just let themselves go; that is, they created habits that were causing problems such as over-eating, drinking too much alcohol, smoking and engaging in little to no exercise, which over time could leave anyone feeling defeated. Even though I was not at the
place that I wanted to be, I too struggled. I was not eating correctly, I was drinking too much alcohol and not exercising as regularly as I should, I made numerous excuses and they started to show physically and mentally. Once I turned 52 this past November, I knew I had to get rid of the extra weight and make some changes – food, alcohol, exercise and rest. I struggle with training myself, so I partnered up with a few friends who hold me accountable and help to push me whenever I am not so motivated. I decided to reduce my alcohol intake and drink more water. My food change is merely reducing my portion and not eating after 8pm. My biggest food enemies are sweets and chips, so I have to make sure to limit how much I have and how often. Since making these new changes I have lost 10lbs, I feel great and look better than I did a few years ago. Fitness has to be a regular part of your life and your diet should be a lifestyle change not the latest fad diet.
Some of the challenges or excuses that you may be facing include: • My metabolism is slowing down and between work and kids, finding time to work out isn’t always easy. • I can’t afford to work out with a trainer. • I travel a lot for work and don’t have time to work out. • I eat out all the time. • I am too overweight to go to the gym and exercise, If I go, everyone will look at me. • But you need to push through these challenges and excuses. Exercising on a regular basis is a great way to help fight diseases. • Although it sometimes seems as if weight gain is inevitable as we age, it doesn't have to be that way. • It all comes down to "energy in and energy out." "Energy in" is the food that you eat "Energy out" is the amount of activity that you do.
You will need to do a combination of three things to stay fit after 50: • Watch what you eat • Exercise • Have discipline.
Here are four components to keeping the weight off after 50: Aerobics:
You should engage in real physical activity where you are sweating at least three times a week. Muscle Strengthening: Building strong muscles will keep your metabolism up (muscles burn more calories than fat) and help support your skeleton, keep your bones/back aligned properly. This also helps keep your body balanced (see 4).
Stretching/ Flexibility:
If you don't stretch your muscles, your body can become tight and rigid, making it more painful and difficult to do ordinary activities like putting on shoes and reaching for things on shelves. You can increase your flexibility by doing a series of stretches a few times a week. When you get up, you should do a few stretches, like lie on the floor and reach as far as you can in all directions, move your legs from side to side, do the mad cat position (arch your back), put your hands on the side of the doors and lean into the opening. You can also do those typical runner's stretches like stretching your hamstring and quadriceps. You should hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds; don't rock back and forth.
Balance:
It is important to do balance-building exercises so that you can react to situations and not fall and break a hip. You can do balance building exercises during the routine course of your day: stand on one leg while you are waiting in line, or go up and down on your toes.
Brain Jogging:
Exercise your brain by doing acrostics, crossword puzzles, or studying a language. Portion of the article referenced By TATIANA MORALES
Personal Trainer: John Beale IG: @heartsoul50 Email: bealej@yahoo.com John Beal is based in Chicago.
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DARK FATE SHOWS FIRST FOOTAGE, REVEALS NEW TERMINATOR'S ABILITIES With new images breaking earlier today, Terminator: Dark Fate has made a big push for visibility as the franchise returns with all the familiar faces long-time fans could hope for. The upcoming film showed off some first footage over at CinemaCon and dove into what fans can expect from the newest version of the franchise’s robotic baddies. According to Deadline, director Tim Miller (of Deadpool fame) took the Paramount stage alongside returning stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton in addition to newcomers Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, and Gabriel Luna. Miller was frank in his excitement for the film, calling it “an enormous f***ing understatement” to refer to the project as a labor of love, then gave the details on the new Terminator: the villainous ‘bot can split, making him twice as deadly as the normal killing machines. As "normal" as something like the antagonist of Terminator 2: Judgment Day can be, anyways. And speaking of that entry, this film “picks up where Jim Cameron left off with T2,” according to Paramount boss Jim Gianopulos. They showed off
two longer clips at the convention, both featuring Davis’ futuristic lead. The first footage involves her showing up, completely naked, in a bright blue ball. She lands in L.A., right in front of some unprepared and totally normal people, probably ruining their day. Her character presumably arrives from the future, since her tech is advanced and she handles the presentday cops that show up with no problem. The second clip shows off Luna’s Terminator. His is malleable and transforms while another is more metallic. Neither stand up well to Sarah Connor, who takes them out with ease — only for the footage to cut away for a clip show featuring the one and only Schwarzenegger manning a helicopter railgun. If that doesn’t get fans back on board one of the world’s best sci-fi franchises, there’s not much that will. The timeline gets even more complicated and dangerous when Terminator: Dark Fate hits theaters on Nov. 1.
Photo courtesy of David McC
This Travel Influencer Created A Platform To Encourage More Black Men To See The World By DeAnna Taylor for travelnoir.com
Meet David, a Bronx native and avid traveler. He has successfully founded several Instagram pages and brands with the hopes of changing the way black men, and black people in general, approach traveling. We had the chance to speak with him about his travels and the importance of black men changing their mindsets to become more globally educated.
Photo courtesy of David McC
Travel Noire: When did you fall in love with travel? Why? David: I immediately fell in love with travel as soon as I stepped onto a plane for the first time at the age of 11. The first trip I took was to Jamaica. My family’s Jamaican, so they decided to bring me on a trip “back home.” Coming from a big city with tall buildings, traffic, concrete everywhere and a lack of beautiful beaches, Jamaica absolutely stunned me with how different it was from New York. I was partially confused at why the water was blue, why there were so many trees around, and why air smelled like salt; but I was in love with It all. Because of that trip, I’ve felt an urge to travel to tropical destinations several times per year.
TN: What has been your favorite destination thus far? David: Bali has been my absolute favorite destination so far. I could go on and on and on about Bali, but to keep It simple; one, it’s a tropical environment (Remember when I said I needed to be in a tropical environment? Yea, exactly). Two, Bali is simply gorgeous, from the volcanic mountain range to the turquoise blue water beaches. And three, everything in Bali is so affordable compared to the United States! You can literally eat and drink until you pass out from overindulging and only pay $10, for everything. Photo courtesy of David McC
TN: Tell us about Black Guys Travel Too.
David: Black Guys Travel Too is simply a brand that shares the travel experiences of black men via personally taken photos and videos. You can also find posts requesting travel tips to different destinations, shared by followers who have been to the destination posted. The introduction of the “Share Travel Tips” posts has definitely allowed Black Guys Travel Too to separate itself from all of the other travel pages out there. It’s real people sharing their real travel experience with each other. No filter. The brand is currently based on Instagram with plans to expand to other platforms in the future. Photo courtesy of David McC
TN: Why was it important for you to create a platform like this? David: I remember scrolling through Instagram and checking out photos of other black travelers, and a common theme I noticed was that most of them were women. I saw many pages dedicated to lady travelers, such as “Black Girls Travel Too,” and I wondered why a “Black Guys Travel Too” page wasn’t created. I knew one would be created eventually and I decided to be the first take action on the idea. The community that follows this brand has grown from 0 to over 64,000 people within the last two years and the growth continues. I receive direct messages daily, from men and women, along the lines of “Wow, thank you for creating this page. This was needed.” or “Man, I’ve been looking for a page like this! Love what you’re doing.” It feels good to know that I’m having a positive impact on the traveling community by inspiring other black men to travel as well as providing destination ideas to both men and women. TN: Can you offer any advice to other black men on the importance of seeing the world? David: I want to quickly mention my thoughts on why black men refrain from traveling in the first place compared to black women. In 2018, if you tell any “cultured” black man to name a few people who are influential to them, 8 out of 10 times, a rapper’s name will be on that list. Most of the rappers that are placed in front of us to be “influencers,” actually influence us to do the wrong things like, “stunt’ on you ho*s,” “pop bottles,” “turn up on a Tuesday,” “fu** that check up”, etc. We’re not hearing, “invest that money,” “flip that house,” “stack that bread and make that money work for ya.” You might find a few songs that do, and that’s great, but we need more consistency in this area. Black men don’t travel because they’re more focused on stuntin’ and impressing women by buying nice things like cars, clothes, and jewelry. Fellas, here’s the only motivation you’ll ever need; learn how to manage your finances, invest your money, and travel the world. You’ll impress and attract a lot more women by being a responsible, well-rounded, and globally educated man than you will popping bottles in the club. TN: Where can we find your pages? David: You can find me at @MrTravelGoals on IG, @Black.Guys.Travel.Too and @BlackPassportStamps for amazing travel inspiration. If you’re into black love, follow @Black.Families for family inspiration.
Photo courtesy of David McC
Why is it that every man should have a few simple, easy-sipping cocktail recipes in our back pockets—yet when pressed to actually prepare one, we often end up defaulting to some substandard mixed drink (rum runners, anyone)? That’s why were pleased to get a sneak peek at the line-up of adult beverages being served by Moët Hennessy at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Rather than some fruity, overly tropical concoction, every one of the four featured cocktails is a take on an a classic….none of which require more than three ingredients. They were put together by Hennessy’s national bartender, Jordan Bushell, who will be sharing his trade secrets with us before the doors are opened to the teaming, thirsty masses.
The Sports Legend
• 1.5 oz Hennessy V.S • Equal parts Pineapple and Cranberry Juice • Garnish lemon wedge Method: Put Ingredients in a rocks glass over ice, combine, and garnish with a lemon wedge.
The Belvedere
• 2 oz Belvedere Vodka • 3-4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice • 3-4 oz Simple Syrup Method: Shake and strain over cubed ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a wedge of lemon.
10 Cane Rum: Light Stormy • 2oz 10 Cane • 4oz of Ginger Beer or ginger Ale • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
Method: Built in a highball glass over cubed ice, Garnish with lime wedge
Grand Marnier: The Grand Cran
• 1 1/2 oz Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge • 3 oz Cranberry Juice • Squeeze fresh lime Method: Build ingredients in Boston shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wedge. Cocktail not to be built over ice in serving glass – must be shaken.
JANET in Las Vegas! 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Janet Jackson confirmed a 15-show residency at the Park Theater in Las Vegas spanning mid-May to mid-August. The residency has been dubbed the “Metamorphosis” run and will include a tribute to the 30th anniversary of Janet’s famed Rhythm Nation LP. Janet Jackson kicks off the run on May 17 and continues the residency on May 18, 21, 22, 25 and 26. Jackson returns on July 24, 26, 27 and 31 as well as on August 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10. “‘Metamorphosis’ peels back the layers of the immensely private life of Janet Jackson, sharing her transformation from a young girl with issues of self-esteem to global Icon,” reads a statement announcing the residency. “The centerpiece of this all new thought-provoking show, will be Janet herself, captivating you through your senses with electrifying visuals, explosive dance numbers, chart-topping hits and fan favorite deep cuts. Fans will follow her path to self-love, empowerment, motherhood and activism, amidst the challenges faced along her personal journey. She encourages her audiences to find their own light within themselves through her ‘Metamorphosis.’” Tickets went on sale to the general public Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. PT.
7
Dominique Wells is a DJ and music curator and part of a new class of innovative black creatives. DOMINIQUE WELLS
Ways To Build A Brand With The New Class Of Black Creatives
Written by Goldie Chan
It’s not Black History Month anymore, but it’s always the right time to learn from talented up-and-coming Black creatives. There’s a fascinating new “Black History March” Twitter trend that is bringing black voices back to the forefront. As Shavone Charles, Founder of Magic In Her Melanin, musician and tech leader, states, “It’s critical to highlight the voices of those creating access and building legacy in spaces that need more inclusivity and representation from creatives of color. These next-gen voices are normalizing black creativity and diversity within the world’s biggest industries, from music, to tech and fashion.” These innovative minds from various creative fields share seven crucial tips for building a brand in any industry.
1) Believe in your worth. Most creatives have to push through a bit of imposter syndrome when launching their careers, but it can be an extra struggle for creatives of color who face more intense pressures. Head of Strategy Chiru Mondo Murage advises, “Don’t hold yourself back. From not jumping in the first place to convincing yourself ‘I’m not good enough,’ there are so many ways in which we can stall our own progress. While simultaneously navigating a world built to confine, control and constrict, the greatest disservice we could do is add our own voice to the chorus of doubt. Whenever I find myself being pulled down by the weight of ‘I’m not good enough,’ I try and remember that the best way to honor an avalanche of ‘firsts’ is by turning it into a wave of ‘I can do it too.’” Photographer, stylist, and art director Bukunmi Grace adds, “Don’t listen to naysayers even if that naysayer is yourself. Seek a balanced spiritual, emotional and physical life on your path to ascension, success and knowledge.”
Chiru Murage contemplates her next big strategic move. CHIRU MURAGE
2) Study your craft. As social media and the internet at large democratize access to knowledge and an audience, it can be easy to forget that successful entrepreneurs and artists often spent years putting in unglamorous hours learning the basics and honing their work Bukunmi Grace poses at the Alive Museum in Seoul, Korea. BUKUNMI GRACE
DJ Dominique Wells reminds hopefuls that, “It’s critical to learn the fundamentals. With new technology, many make the mistake that it’s as simple as hitting a few buttons and playing the newest songs but, it’s a much more complex artistry than that. My first line of advice to new DJ’s or those interested, before investing into equipment (because you might buy the wrong thing), I recommend taking a class. Most major cities have DJ schools or classes. There are online schools as well.” Noelle Chesnut Whitmore, Creator of More In Music, advises those working to build an online brand to take the time to do some foundational research on the different platforms. “Take time to understand the platform that you are using, not all content will resonate across all platforms. Understand your audience and who you are targeting.” Dominique Wells concurs, “Instagram is about pictures. YouTube is about video. Twitter is about conversation. Make sure you’re playing to the Noelle Chesnut Whitmore considers the foundations of a strong brand. strength of each platform.” CHRISTINA RIVERA
3) Make your own experience. In crowded industries, it’s not enough to cruise through school and count on landing a lucrative gig right after graduation. Those new to competitive industries have to find a way to make their own opportunities. Noelle Chesnut Whitmore shares, “Gain as much experience as you can whether big or small. Volunteer at corporate events/concerts/community events and/or create your own opportunities. For those in college, get involved on campus, I strongly suggest joining Associated Students or Concert Committees and other organizations on campus. Volunteering and getting involved early on in your career will set you apart from other candidates and help you build your resume.” Curtis Taylor Jr., Creative Director for Magic in Her Melanin, Filmmaker and co-owner of The Greens Co., states, “The moment you stop telling your story, is the moment people stop listening. Your lens and perspective on the world is what makes you dynamic. The way you, tell stories and build worlds is unlike anyone else because they haven’t experienced your life.”
Ariana White attends the annual Billboard Women In Music awards. ARIANA WHITE
4) Be yourself. It’s a cliché for a reason. There are so many self-help books out there with this theme because it really does make the difference. Creatives of color may need to work extra hard to find a way to be themselves in an industry built for others, but the payoffs are immense. Ariana White attends the annual Billboard Women In Music awards. ARIANA WHITE Publicity Manager Ariana White shares, “It might sound cliché, but be your TRUE self and be unapologetic about it. I often times second guess myself when dealing with authority figures in the office…a former boss hired me because during the interview I eventually snapped out of “interview mode,” giving him the chance to see who I truly was. He hoped I would continue to let my individuality shine through to everyone as I grew in the company, regardless of their title. So I’ll say it again — Be your true self.” Hip Hop Editor Maxwell Adepoju adds, “My advice for black creatives would be to unequivocally be who you are online and in real life; the payoff is accomplishing everything you’ve ever imagined all while staying true to yourself.” Noelle Chesnut Whitmore goes even further than personal success when describing the benefits of authenticity saying, “There is so much beauty in the person you are and you can be an inspiration to someone that needs to hear your story.”
5) Build your village.
Chiru Murage on set of a major fashion shoot. CHIRU MURAGE
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that rings true even if the child is your creative project. Creators working today are fortunate to have the option of building in-person networks or taking advantage of online resources, but the key takeaway is the same: our peers will help us thrive. Chiru Mondo Murage elaborates saying, “The one lesson that has proven true time and time again is ‘it takes a village.’ It’s impossible to do something truly alone, and deciding
how to tell your story to the world is no different. How fortunate we are to live in a time with tools that allow anyone to build communities that enable sharing, and most importantly, learning from our peers. Identifying and building those communities both online and IRL are the best ways to learn how to tell your story while at the same time creating a web of links that connect all of us with shared passion to change our world.” Bukunmi Grace wisely notes that community-building can come from helping others reach their goals, as well, “It’s important to dive into your community offline as well as online. Figure out the needs, wants and desires of the community & how you can fulfill those requests without anyone having to ask… collaborate with your heroes and seek positive growth within those collaborations.” Ariana White believes there’s power in supporting each other, “Instead of talking down about what someone is trying to do we should all find ways to work together and lend a helping hand because when one wins, we all win.”
Curtis Taylor Jr. smiles over his next creative project. CURTIS TAYLOR
6) Always show up prepared. There’s no better way to move your career forward than showing up ready to work whenever you go places. Dominique Wells elaborates, “Showing the best version of yourself and your work is a primary way to positively build your brand IRL. Every performance, presentation, or submission of your work could lead to something greater. Showing up half-() isn’t an option if you don’t want to be passed over.” Maxwell Adepoju advises creatives to always be looking for ways to move the genre you’re working in forward saying, “My advice for creatives of color looking to work in music would be to focus on producing great work on a consistent level; and look for those opportunities to move the genre/culture forward. Always forward.”
7) Be consistent, professional, and on time. It seems simple, but being sloppy with your schedule or professionalism is the fastest way to lose credibility, even if your talent is on point. DJ Era advises, above all, “Be professional. Learn your craft. Keep up with the ever-changing technology and social media platforms. Be on time. Helps to be a people person. Love what you’re doing.” Noelle Chesnut Whitmore sums it up with, “Be Prepared. Be Intentional. Be Consistent.”
DJ Era smiles during a photoshoot. DJ ERA
Combining the foundation of research and experience, a village to support you, the belief in your abilities and authenticity, and the professionalism of preparation and consistency is a recipe for branding success. Thank you to Shavone Charles at the Magic In Her Melanin team for helping to curate the great creatives in this article. Chiru Mondo Murage also reminds above all, “Never forget the person you want versus need yourself to be, what you’re worth, and that loving yourself includes taking care of yourself.” This article originally appeared in Forbes.
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ALAIN FAGNIDI presents WALKING IN F8ITH collection What shall it profit a man if he gains the world and not help others? The intent of Alain Fagnidi is to empower people with life we are blessed with. As a conceptual fashion statement, it’s the beginning of a journey experienced through a unique WALK; life’s training path that built our FAITH. A F8ITH that unmistakably stands the test of time.
IG: @alainfagnidi.official | www.alainfagnidi.com
Alain Fagnidi
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$57 Million Penthouse Listed By Formula One Star Lewis Hamilton
Stairs BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
Formula One real estate dealings are in the news for the second time this week. After the announcement of a major stakeholder in McLaren's Formula One team trying to break records with a $110 million listing in Santa Barbara, it appears that race car driver Lewis Hamilton has listed his New York penthouse for $57 million, the Real Deal has reported. This 8,900 square foot unit at 443 Greenwich in Tribeca is in the same building as other famous residents including Meg Ryan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bella Hadid and The Weeknd, and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. Tribeca has ranked as the highest priced neighborhood in Manhattan for the past several years, largely thanks to the influx of superprime condos that have been selling for tens of millions of dollars. It wouldn't break price records for downtown Manhattan condo, but it would come very close. The current record holder is a $59 million condo purchased by billionaire Robert Smith in the Getty. Double height living room BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
This unit is the largest penthouse loft in the building and sold for $43.9 million in 2017, after an initial asking price of $54 million. With only three other units for sale, out of a total of 53 units in the building, it's a prime property to buy. The other three units range in price from $9.5 million to $12.6 million.
The subdued kitchen uses Christopher Peacock cabinetry, with chef-quality appliances and pendant style overhead lighting.
Living room BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
Kitchen BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
The master bedroom has a gas fireplace, attached spa-like bathroom and a separate dressing room.
Bedroom BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
A room that can be used as an office has sash windows to go with the authentic feel of the condo. Office BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
Me and My Motor: Lewis Hamilton, Reigning Formula 1 World Champion
The private outdoor terrace with plunge pool is one of the main features of the home. Visible in this photo is the corner of a glass-walled room that allows for entertaining space which feels like it is outdoors but can be a warm place to stay if the weather isn't cooperating. Inside there's a gas fireplace, wet bar and half bathroom. Deck BROWN HARRIS STEVENS
The monthly maintenance fees are $16,218 which provide for access to a 24 hour doorman, concierge, superintendent, large lobby courtyard, children's playroom, exercise facilities with 75 foot pool and Turkish steam bath spa area. For more information go to the listing page for agent Mara Papasoff of Brown Harris Stevens. There's no shortage of architectural eye candy on Greenwich Street, including this Rafael Vinoly designed building with interiors created by a team who is known for their work on super yachts. They brought the crisp lines of yacht interiors on land. By Amy Dobson Contributor for forbes.com
BLACK INTERIOR DESIGNER CREATES BEAUTIFUL SPACES IN
“BUYING IT BLIND” ON BRAVO TV
by Tyrus Townsend For blackenterprise.com
Interior designer Michel Smith Boyd knows a thing or two about beauty. The star of Buying it Blind, set in Atlanta, on Bravo TV, is one of the top black interior designers in the country. His love of architecture and tailored details pays off each week as he work with people in decorating their dream homes. In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, he discusses his hit reality show; home buying for millennials; and the art of mentorship.
BE: Describe the premise of Buying It Blind and how were you approached to participate in this reality show. Michel Smith Boyd: A team of experts, including myself, a contractor and a realtor, meet real life couples who are desperately trying to purchase a house — and all of that is dependent on budget, school district, and other factor — and have decided to enlist us to find a property. As a team, we are present in each space as we initially meet with each and every client. I became involved in this project because I was approached by a casting agency, and due to my reputation and level of work produced, and I just happened to be the guy they needed. Actually, it is so interesting that you find yourself rooting [for] and identifying with the couples. These strangers are making decisions, entrusting you with their life savings which makes the stakes much higher to deliver a stellar product. I find myself creating spaces I have never done before especially when preservation comes into play. Tell us about your career as a celebrity interior designer. That term is such a strange one because I tend to focus on being excellent and making a huge contribution for my clients every day. If it is based on doing amazing work, and then only if I am being great is being an inspiration to kids who look up to me — then yes, I accept that title. What advice do you have for millennials or those seeking to purchase their first homes? The most important thing to remember is to spend money once! Buy good quality over quantity. Never be in a rush to complete a space; make sure you design in phrases. Start with what you would use the most: sofas, mattresses and multifunctional pieces like dining tables. Always remember: Function before form. If you had your choice of a dream client who would it be and why? My dream client is not necessarily a celebrity. My client who allows me to do my job. Interior design is all about Romanticism and we’ve lost the idea of letting us completely transfer a space without interruption. And big budgets don’t hurt either! As a black man in this field how do you distinguish yourself in the design world? The only one thing you can be is yourself; present your full authenticity. I don’t water down my presentation for no one. I always present myself as a professional and consider myself a student — always learning and constantly growing to be excellent in all areas of my life. I am obsessed with hospitality and design and love the genre. I love the idea that people live better in hotels than homes and I am changing that one home at a time.
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Just ask Alexa for the
By Brett Williams for menshealth.com
GETTY IMAGES WESTEND61
‘High Performance Workout’ playlist and get ready to sweat.
If you've ever spent hours curating the perfect pump-up soundtrack for your workouts, you weren't just wasting your time. Research shows that the music you listen to can affect your athletic performance—so Amazon Music teamed up with a group of music scientists to engineer the ultimate gym motivation playlist featuring a diverse group of artists like Kendrick Lamar, AC/DC, Post Malone, Beck, and more. The researchers, who collaborate with the University of Osnabrßck, worked with music and sound agency TRO and Amazon Music to create the 60 song playlist using criteria based on the established science. "Current scientific studies show that specific musical patterns of a composition (such as a strong rhythm structure) can motivate, especially for anaerobic exercise," a University rep said in a statement to Men's Health. "On the other hand, a diverse variety of song choices within a playlist plays a critical role."
Picking those songs wasn't just as easy as combing through the Top 40 for uplifting tunes or setting a minimum threshold for beats per minute (BPM). We asked TRO team lead Daniel Worrings exactly how the list came together. His answers below, which we received via email, have been lightly edited for clarity. MH: Beyond BPM, did any other factors make songs particularly effective in improving performance? What about lyrical content? Certain styles of instruments being used? DW: Sports and upbeat songs are often associated with one another. Nevertheless, studies show that slow motivational music also increases performance. After all the intensity of the rhythm plays an important role. Our analysis of workout music shows that workout songs have one important element in common—a strong beat. So if any instrument plays a major role in workout music it is certainly the drums.
GETTY IMAGES PEOPLE IMAGES
Of course lyrics are also a motivational factor. This was pointed out by a study which compared the effect of the same piece of music once with and once without lyrics. Were any genres of music more or less effective than others, even with the same BPM? DW: Since music with a strong beat has an especially activating effect, genres with a particular emphasis on intense rhythms such as hip-hop, rock, or electronic are often favored. Does volume come into play? The focus of our playlist is to push people to their limit using the motivational power of music. The perceived emotion of a song and therefore the motivational effect is stronger, if we listen to it at a higher volume. A study by Edworthy and Waring showed a performance increase through louder music in a 5 to 10 minute workouts.
However we have not heard of studies examining volume as a boosting parameter over a full workout session at this point. Volume should be used carefully during workouts though, since it has been shown that our ear is even more sensitive to loud sounds when combined with exercise. We do believe that raising the volume a bit during your last set is a good way of benefitting from the loudness boost effect. Was there any research performed on athletes during other styles of exercise, like weight training? Most studies are based on the Wingate test which is designed to measure anaerobic performance including average anaerobic power as well as maximum power. Therefore, the results can be transferred to other anaerobic sports such as weight training. Is there any difference in effect between an athlete listening to the music on a personal device with headphones vs. over a speaker system? Either device has its advantages. Speaker systems have an advantage as some people find wearing headphones in a training situation uncomfortable. On the other hand, there is the factor of preferred music: Whether you like the music or not affects your performance. People felt less exertion while listening to their preferred music than while listening to music they don’t like. So, if you cannot stand the music at your gym, you might consider switching to headphones. This way you can control the type of music as well as the volume. To hear the playlist, you'll need to have Amazon Music. Ask your device "Alexa, play the ‘High Performance Workout’ playlist” to queue it up, or find it in the Amazon Music app on your phone.
Until last year, Brandon Tory, a senior software Artificial Intelligence engineer at Google and rapper, led a secret double life. Raised in Brockton, Massachusetts, a neighborhood known for crime and drugs, he lived with his family in a shelter as a teenager. Tory knew he wanted to be some kind of scientist, but also had a passion for music. He wanted to have a huge impact in both creativity and science. At University of Massachusetts Amherst he studied computer engineering and then worked as a senior Apple engineer in Cupertino. He was also a rapper and songwriter but kept his secret life as a musician private. In 2014, Tory won the Microsoft and Lenovo Timbaland national song writing contest, beating out 6000 contestants. Still, his work colleagues knew nothing of his musical career. Last year, he went public in a music video, Seriously and was featured in The Wall Street Journal: “When Your Day Job Isn’t Enough; A Computer Nerd Who Raps.” I caught up with the dual-careerist in LA:
Brandon Tory coding in labRAINIER RUBIN
Brandon Tory, Senior Software A.I. engineer at Google and rapperBIXIA MAC
When you were first introduced to a computer? My church had a summer program. It was my first time getting my hands on one and I became obsessed with coding and the idea of hacking — not in the criminal sense but just to understand everything about computer systems. You had no mentor. How did you learn? There was a popular online network called IRC. I asked questions and got really good at a young age. I was living in an apartment with no internet, but I wanted to get online and learn about Intel x86 assembly and operating systems. People were upgrading computers in the neighborhood and I’d find a spare part here and there. With whatever extra money I had, I ordered parts. I installed my own AMD chip into a motherboard I found in the garbage and installed the Linux Mandrake operating system. It became an obsession for me but it wasn’t something that I talked about because I still wanted to be cool. So in other words, being a genius isn’t cool? Not in high school. You graduated from high school and you decided you wanted to be a rapper? Yes, I moved to Atlanta in 2012, with the goal of breaking into the music industry. I was tired of coding. I’d been coding since I was 13 years old. I wanted to be a star. Brandon Tory in his videoJAI SABREE
Brandon Tory mixing soundFORMLESS STUDIO
But apparently you were broke? Not a single person knew that I was secretly a computer nerd. The last thing I wanted to tell my fans or Timbaland was, ‘Hey, I’m actually a computer genius and this is just something I do for fun.’ But financially, I wasn’t where I wanted to be. Would I stay in LA broke or cash in on the fact that I’m an engineer? What was tough for me was in that moment deciding, did that mean I’m a different person, or was there a way for me to combine these two worlds and just be myself. And what did you decide? I joined Apple as a senior software architect. I still maintained my secret lifestyle of putting out music and and driving back and forth to LA, but it started to take a toll. I continued to do these big parties and didn’t tell my friends I was a senior architect at Apple. I had a really big party in LA and shot footage so I could make a documentary and explain to people who I really was. I wanted them to know that the distinction between science and creativity is no longer important. I think we can just be ourselves. That was my goal. At the end of one party my little sister said, ‘You still haven’t told your story. What you do in real life and who you are doesn’t match the online presence.’ She suggested create an ad with the footage and show it to Apple. I made a one-minute mock commercial for Apple that described this new generation of creators and scientists who no longer believed in the boundaries between science and creativity. I can be a kid from a rough neighborhood who loves to rap and is also a level five machine-learning engineer. And others can too. That was my message. I sent that to Apple executives and Jimmy Iovine, the top executive of Apple Music, immediately responded.
Then what happened? I met with Iovine and he said he’d help me build relationships in the music industry, but at the end of the day, I had to have a focus and a clear set of objectives. It was a life-changing interaction for me. So you believe that as human beings, we all have the capacity to accomplish more than just one dream in our lifetime? Yes. And do you think that technology can advance this dream? Yes, because of the advancements we’re making in technology. The thing that’s so special about human beings is our creativity and that’s becoming more obvious as we create more machine learning models and artificial intelligence to do repetitive tasks. There’s going be a new generation of people who don’t have to say, ‘I’m an accountant and that defines my entire life.’ I think we’ll have skills that will span different career paths. And now you’re at Google? What Google is doing in artificial intelligence is something I was excited about. It was also an opportunity to grow and get back to LA so I could be close to the music scene and still do computer science.
What does music mean to you? Music to me is the equivalent of code with emotion. I consider music to be software for the human brain. I believe that within the actual binary bits in the music there are encoded shimmers of the relationships and the things that happened to create them. Where do you see yourself in five years? I’d like to have a cultural impact on kids like me, let them know you don’t have to sacrifice your culture in order to have success. As a kid, I couldn’t come out and say, ‘Hey, I want to be a computer genius,’ because that meant I would no longer be accepted by the culture in which I grew up. I think these things can be merged. It IS cool to be a nerd, and I want young black kids from every neighborhood to know that.
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30
Years of Fashion
An evening celebrating 30 years of exquisite, innovative menswear fashion by Larry Underwood NY.
DESIGNER LARRY UNDERWOOD
Larry Underwood marked 30 years as he presented his retrospective during NY Men’s Fashion Week on February 4, 2019. A southern transport with a flair for fashion, Larry Underwood showed a passion for design at a tender age. Underwood NY launched in 1988, harnessing his creative style influenced by the legendary trailblazers such as Willie Smith, Patrick Kelly, and the iconic house of Gaultier. With drive and determination, he embarked on his journey to New York to solidify his mark on the fashion world.
Underwood’s inspirational and memorable silhouettes embody his unique taste for fabric, print and texture. From classic style to avant-garde, his high-end men’s wear couture designs have a global appeal. His love for film, music and pop culture is clearly reflected in his collections. More specifically, early influences from the 70’s black exploitation films, music, art and urban culture continue to fuel this visionary’s design aesthetic. Underwood promotes an imagery of individual style that emphasizes confidences and continues to push the envelope to interpret what is cutting edge, universal and androgynous, yet strongly identifiable for the contemporary man. From the classic to avant-garde, his couture and global influence in his designs continue to bring the streets to the runway. Underwood’s artistic philosophy remains true to his creative roots. Larry Underwood continues to dress a diverse spectrum of clientele ranging from fashionable men and women, to creatives in the entertainment industry. His clientele range from FX show “Pose” cast break outs, Leiomy Maldonado and Dyllon Hanna, and Rob Johnson, as well as designing looks for R&B group Day 26 on BET’s 106 and Park. Underwood NY designs have also been featured in many fashion publications such as Alpha Fashions, Fashion Ave. News, 7 Hueshommes, Kaltblut, Asian Fusion, Cool American and Urban Ink. The Underwood NY 2019 retrospective collection presents a distinctive line of textures and retrofueled inspiration with flashbacks to 1988 and beyond, as he ventures into how street culture continues to redefine and influence the runway. FOLLOW LARRY UNDERWOOD @underwoodny
After Two Emmy Awards, He's Ready to End Bisexual Erasure in Hollywood By Raquel Willis for out.com
'The Daily Show' alumnus Travon Free is leading the writers' room on his own terms. Travon Free, standing at six feet seven inches tall, was initially set for a promising basketball career — but that was before he became a two-time Emmy Award winner for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. “Basically, I had hoop dreams, then those hoop dreams turned into Hollywood dreams after knee surgery,” he says. While bonding with teammates, the Compton native discovered a latent comedic voice and started his new journey. The next few years would be dedicated to honing his writing and diving headfirst into stand-up. Then, in 2012, the unthinkable happened: After submitting his work to The Daily Show, the writing room enlisted his wits, and, within a few years, the team was awash in Emmy nominations. His first award, for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, came in 2015, and he returned for a victory lap in the same category two years later after joining the Full Frontal staff. “You’re standing on that stage and all the biggest TV stars in the world are sitting right there. They’re looking up at you and you’re looking at them. You’re like, Oh man! Viola Davis is looking at you right in the face right now!” he says. “Winning one time is cool, but then winning a second time, you’re like, Oh, shit. I might actually know what I’m doing.’’
Travon Free in 2007. He was a college basketball player at Long Beach State from 2003-2007 and helped the 49ers to the 2007 NCAA Tournament - Reuben Canales/Getty Images
After his Emmy wins, he feels he’s at the pinnacle of his career, but reaching the top means more responsibility, and this time he’s hoping it’ll be on his own terms. With Him or Her, which boasted interest from HBO and early cosigner Issa Rae, Free plans to delve into the Black, bisexual male experience in a way television has never experienced before. “I’m only really interested in telling stories that I connect to on a deep level, and I knew I had this story that was about me, but it just didn’t exist,” he says. With Him or Her, Free hopes to not only write about everything from bisexual erasure to dating, but also kill the stigma around different expressions of identity. “I definitely want to have a conversation around Black masculinity, and I want to explore it within the context of the Black community and the queer community,” he says. “There’s so many men who suffer from not being able to have this conversation because of what they’ve been taught, and I want to help reshape that conversation because I feel like there’s a lot of people suffering.”
Travon Free and Ava DuVernay after his Emmy win as a writer for the Daily Show - photo credit: Instagram
Free notes that even though there’s more visibility of Black folks and people of color in Hollywood than ever before — name-dropping Rae, Lena Waithe, and Justin Simien — there are still not enough voices being heard. “As far as queer representation, I think we’ve done incredibly well in the last 10to-15 years when it comes to the L-G-T,” he says. “We’ve done consistently poor with the B, and I’m trying to do everything I can to change that.” While Free continues to develop Him or Her, you better believe he’s booked and busy. Last December, he wrapped up his first season on HBO’s Camping, where he transitioned to writing in a more character-driven format than he had done in his previous work. Similarly, on Showtime’s Black Monday, he paved new ground working on a period piece that required extensive research on the 1987 stock market crash. And, just beyond the horizon, you may see his name on the big screen. “Unfortunately, at the speed movies work, you won’t see them next year,” he demurs. “But there are a lot of really, really dope projects that people don’t even know are being made.” IG: @travon
ALPHA 3
PERFECTING THE JOURNEY
WITH ZOË KRAVITZ & LENNY KRAVITZ
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By Shamaan Freeman-Powell | BBC News
"I am a black man with a degree in architecture, and I find I am not taken seriously when I walk into a room full of strangers." Cephas is now trying to change perceptions of black men through the use of photography. The 27-year-old is an entrepreneur from New Cross, south-east London, who works in the community. But he says people don't see him for the person he is - and are quick to judge and stereotype him. He is tired of what he calls the negative portrayal of black men within the media and the stigma attached to them in public. "I may be sitting on a train and there's a spare seat next to me, and you see people looking to see if it's OK to sit next to me. And I have to gesture to let them know it is safe."
CEPHAS WILLIAMS
Positive stories Cephas has started a campaign called 56 Black Men. Using social media as a platform, he posts striking headshots of black men in hoodies. These men are politicians, directors, teachers - all of them have positive life stories that are irrelevant to the attire they choose to wear. But the media very rarely tells those positive stories, he says, so the campaign "serves as a reminder that for every black man you see represented doing something negative, there are 56 of us that aren't". Cephas, who founded Drummer Boy Studios, says he wants to show young black boys they can be something other than an entertainer or a criminal. "Everyone is talking about knife crime and gang culture and violence and that is not the majority of us. "How is that going to change the trajectory or the options for young black boys who are looking at the media and seeing themselves in a negative light all the time? "A lot of us have become what we
have been portrayed to be and I have had enough." The men in his campaign say the hoodie is the most demonised outfit, but Cephas talks of having to change his behaviour to make people feel more comfortable even if he's in a suit. "It's not nice knowing that I intimidate people. It makes me feel uneasy. I'm an extremely nice person and when I know that people around me feel uncomfortable, I adjust." Despite his qualifications and experience, he often feels he has to change his mannerisms and demeanour and speaks of putting on his "white voice" in meetings. He hopes that one day, his future children won't have to - and will be comfortable in the skin they have, the way they speak and the clothing they choose to wear - even if it is a hoodie. 'Next generation’ William Adoasi is number 42 on the list of 56. The entrepreneur from Peckham, south London, says the campaign is powerful "because it tells the next generation that the majority out there, even those who may not come from ideal backgrounds - are doing great".
William Adoasi - number 42 - owns a successful watch company
William, 28, owns watch company Vitae London which supports children in sub-Saharan Africa. In just two-and-a-half-years, it has sold products in more than 30 countries, gained Sir Richard Branson as an ambassador and provided more than 2,000 items of school uniform to kids in need. But he says this doesn't stop people clutching their purses or crossing the street when he passes by. "We have accepted this as the norm, but it shouldn't be for the next generation, they should be comfortable in their own skin and shouldn't feel like they intimidate other people. "I really hope that this is a call for action to the media to seek out role models. We can complain about the negative, but if the media don't provide the platform needed to see more positivity, you are facilitating the negative to continue."
David Lammy - number 55 - is a Labour MP Even one of the country's most high-profile black politicians says he isn't exempt from stereotypes. "It's still too easy for people to fall into lazy impulses about what it means to be a black man in a hoodie," Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy says. "I know so many black men doing great things, as postmen, nurses, city traders and fathers. But when these guys put on a hoodie, their success becomes almost invisible. "I want to live in a society where I can put on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie and be seen as who I am: not a thug or a brute, but just a guy going to the gym after a long day at work." Cephas says he is tired of asking for change and hopes the campaign will shine the light on successful black men. "So much damage has been caused because we have been shoehorned into an identity that does not reflect our full reality. "I am taking the shoehorn out and showcasing a bagga man who are doing great things and - who look like me."
How Gym Selfies Are Quietly Changing the Way We Work Out Science takes a hard look at the Instagram-ization of fitness. By Rainesford Stauffer | Illustration by Alicia Tatone
One minute, you’re soaked in sweat, silently repeating to yourself whatever vaguely inspirational mantra you use to push through each set’s last few agonizing reps. (“Go hard,” “Finish strong,” and “You can get pizza after this” are favorites.) The next, you’re hustling out of the background of a fellow gym-goer's workout selfie—if you aren’t taking one yourself to document your own hard work first. “I have clients give me their phones—they're like, 'Could you take a quick picture of me?'” said Kenny Santucci, the general manager at Solace New York. (Solace, not coincidentally, appears on a list of the “Most Instagramable Workouts in NYC”). “We're in the middle of class, I've got fifteen other people here, and you want me to take a picture of you!?”
The scenario Santucci details is common in 2018, when everything from brunches to crunches can have the insufferable “do it for the ‘gram” slogan slapped on it. “It's become more of a visual game than ever before," Santucci says. "Instagram specifically has made the fitness culture evolve a lot faster." In a recent poll 43% of respondents reported taking photos or videos at the gym, and 27% of those were selfies. And if you were wondering whether the practice based on gender, Santucci says that in his experience, men and women are equally likely to stop, wipe sweat, pose, and snap. The gym selfie, experts say, is more than just a visual brag or photo-driven pep talk. Social media is fundamentally changing the way we work out—and
The scenario Santucci details is common in 2018, when everything from brunches to crunches can have the insufferable “do it for the ‘gram” slogan slapped on it. “It's become more of a visual game than ever before," Santucci says. "Instagram specifically has made the fitness culture evolve a lot faster." In a recent poll 43% of respondents reported taking photos or videos at the gym, and 27% of those were selfies. And if you were wondering whether the practice based on gender, Santucci says that in his experience, men and women are equally likely to stop, wipe sweat, pose, and snap. The gym selfie, experts say, is more than just a visual brag or photo-driven pep talk. Social media is fundamentally changing the way we work out—and the way we see ourselves in the mirror. In a recent study, professors Tricia Burke and Stephen Rains found that individuals who saw more workout posts in their feeds were more likely to feel concerned about their own bodies, especially if the posts came from a person they felt looked similar to them. This means that even a passive scroll through Instagram can be more about stoking selfconsciousness, in oneself and in others, than providing motivation—and that we internalize these lessons more easily than we think. “If people become preoccupied with their weight, that could manifest itself in less healthy ways,” Burke told me. Brunel University professor Tara Marshall was among a team of researchers who examined the how the “big five” personality traits, selfesteem, and narcissism all interact; you may remember their results going viral in 2016 under variations of the title “People who Post About Fitness Are Narcissists.” They found that narcissists were more likely to post online updates about their accomplishments, and, assuming that vanity is among the reasons they exercise, Marshall explains that “discussing their diet or exercise routine on Facebook seems to be one way they broadcast a core aspect of their identity”—here, their physical appearance.
It’s worth noting that nonnarcissists can also enjoy sharing posts about exercise with their friends, even if their motivations for doing so are less, well, narcissistic; seeing someone working out and feeling good can inspire others, even if doesn’t always do so in practice. Rains adds that documenting workouts isn’t necessarily all that different than documenting any of the other mundane things we blast out to our followers without a second thought. “If exercise is part of one's everyday life, it makes sense that it would be documented on social media,” he said. Mark Ribeiro, founding instructor at FitHouse, echoes Marshall on the potential for gym selfies to do some good in the world. “Fitness is a community,” he says. We all struggle with feeling discouraged, wondering if we’re the only ones having a tough time making it through a session —or venturing to the gym in the first place. Posting fitness-adjacent content and interacting with other people who are battling the same woes, he says, can exude positivity and strengthen connections, especially if you find ways to make clear the purpose of your approach. (Example: Focusing less on the body, or at least keeping the shirt on, perhaps.)
As with everything in life, moderation is key. When your obsession with crafting the perfect string of hashtags starts to bug your coach—or, even worse, when it distracts your fellow gym-goers—that’s when it becomes a problem, says Santucci. His major no-nos include skipping parts of a workout, taking too long to complete it, or interrupting someone else’s routine because you’re too busy arranging the equipment to perfectly frame your face. [Ed. note: God help you.] New York City personal trainer Elysia Cronheim doesn’t have her clients ask for mid-session photos for a simple reason: She now has to set ground rules about it. “There's this need to prove to the world that you're ‘being your best self’ on social media, but it's not always a reflection of how you're actually spending your time,” she says. She explains she’ll agree to snap a photo when a client hits a major goal, like the first pull-up or a new deadlift personal best, but otherwise avoids paparazzi duties: “The vast majority of gym selfies are oversexualized, and that's where the body image pressure comes in and becomes toxic.” In other words: Think before you send. Even if your intentions are pure, gym selfies can have ripple effects outside your Instagram grid about which you may not be thinking. Mull over why you’re really taking that selfie: to motivate yourself, or to perform for someone else? And however you come down on that question, a good rule of thumb is to always finish first and and think about hitting the “post” button last. It’ll still be there. We promise.
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