CBU January Emagazine 2018

Starting Out The New Year With A Dapper New Wardrobe Design by Andrew Nowell Menswear

Cecil B. deMille Award recipient Oprah Winfrey

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HALFTIME RE-UP: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE READIES NEW ALBUM, ‘MAN OF THE WOODS’

by Jada Gomez for cassiuslife.com

It’s been a long-hard minute since we’ve gotten some new music from

Justin Timberlake— five years to be exact. But as the superstar prepares for a solo stint during this year’s Super Bowl Halftime show, he’s also planning to release new music and make the most of that plum promotional opp.

JT’s next album, Man of the Woods is due out Feb. 2, and fans will get to hear the first single on Friday, Jan. 5. He shared a video announcing his upcoming efforts this morning. He notes that the earthy sound of the album is inspired by his wife, Jessica Biel, his son, Silas and his hometown upbringing in Tennessee. We get to hear a snippet of new music playing in the background, and an enthusiastic co-sign from longtime collaborator and friend, Pharrell Williams. “It feels so earthy,” Williams tells JT. “It’s just where you are in your life right now.”

It’s still unclear whether Timberlake will perform new cuts from Man of the Woods during the Super Bowl Halftime show on Feb. 4, just a couple of days after the album’s release. There’s also no word on possible collaborators— although a “Suit And Tie Pt. 2” with Jay-Z on his 4:44 grown man status could be exceptional.

There’s also no word on whether or not we can expect any special guests during his halftime show. The last time JT made an appearance was 14 years ago, during the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson.

With all of these unknowns, it’s still quite clear that 2018 could be a huge year for Timberlake. It’s been five years since the release of his last album, The 20/20 Experience, and his appearances on other artists’ material have been quite few and far between.

Big week for Timberlake and his fans for real.

Check out Timberlake introducing his new project, Man of the Woods, below.

JANET JACKSON ISN’T BANNED FROM PERFORMING AT THE SUPER BOWL Will we see a reunion?

Will the Queen of the Rhythm Nation,

Janet Jackson, be the special guest Justin Timberlake needs to make his Super Bowl performance epic?

Will JT publicly apologize for leaving Janet hanging during their now infamous 2004 nipple gate performance?

ET reports that, according to a source close to the living icon, Janet would join JT if he asks. There has not been an official invitation.

“The door is wide open,” the source says.

“If Justin or his team did reach out, Janet would perform with him again in a minute.”

We are still salty with JT for not stepping up and giving JJ the support she deserved when she was damn near blacklisted from TV after he exposed her nipple during that notorious performance.

Timberlake didn’t suffer half the scrutiny and backlash Janet did, and then he was asked back! But now, it looks as if Janet might be open to recreating the moment that shocked the world.

NFL representatives also reaffirmed that Jackson is not banned from the broadcast.

“There’s no ban,” a league spokesperson told ET on Monday.

“We are not going to comment on any speculation regarding potential guests. There may be no guests.

Along with Pepsi, we’re excited to have Justin Timberlake.”

We’d actually prefer a Janet set minus JT, but we’ll wait it out and see what happens.

By Rae Holliday for cassiuslife.com

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The 35th annual Black Creativity Gala, to be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, celebrates the legacy of rich contributions and achievements made by African Americans while encouraging a deeper interest in science and technology among youth. The Gala is a highlight of Chicago’s winter season and is attended by prominent business, political and community leaders.

The Museum hosts this Gala every year to help raise awareness and support for our science education efforts to promote curiosity, creativity and confidence in underserved communities. We are looking forward to welcoming more than 700 guests for an evening of lively entertainment, dancing, sumptuous food and enchanting settings.

35th Annual Black Creativity Gala Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago - Individual tickets $350

6:30 p.m.

2018 Juried Art Exhibition viewing Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres

7:30 p.m.

Welcome remarks

8 p.m.

Elegant dinner stations

Valet Parking Doors open at 6:30 p.m., West Pavilion

Musical Entertainment Englewood Children’s Choir DJ Nick “Nonstop” Nicholson

Creative Cocktail Lounge Lower Level

Whether you are thinking about finding a new job or contemplating a career shift to another field, the start of a new year is actually a good time to embark upon your search. Making a career change ranks high on many people’s lists of New Year’s resolutions. A large spike in people searching online job boards, reaching out to contacts on various social platforms and applying for new positions has marked the first week in January during the last three years.

So the good news for job seekers is that many people are looking and planning to leave their current positions, which in turn creates turnover and an enormous number of openings. The number of people leaving their jobs voluntarily in the U.S. has been increasing steadily. Once the impact of these resignations is felt, many companies will be searching for new talent to fill these vacant slots and it is expected to create a very robust job market in a wide range of industries.

There is also a sense that this year, more young and mid-level professionals will be looking for the “next” job or making a change, faster than previous generations. As Millennials are now the largest generation represented in the work-place, there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that Gen Y professionals get “job restless” quickly, especially if they feel under-valued, perceive that they don’t have enough visibility, and don’t feel that they are challenged and are learning enough from their current employer. Quite frankly, even if they are happy and like the people they work with, Millennials are often seeking to make a change because they have FOMO (fear of missing out) more than any other generation in history.

New Year

New Strategy New Goals

Whether you are thinking about finding a new job or contemplating a career shift to another field, the start of a new year is actually a good time to embark upon your search. Making a career change ranks high on many people’s lists of New Year’s resolutions. A large spike in people searching online job boards, reaching out to contacts on various social platforms and applying for new positions has marked the first week in January during the last three years.

So the good news for job seekers is that many people are looking and planning to leave their current positions, which in turn creates turnover and an enormous number of openings. The number of people leaving their jobs voluntarily in the U.S. has been increasing steadily.

Once the impact of these resignations is felt, many companies will be searching for new talent to fill these vacant slots and it is expected to create a very robust job market in a wide range of industries.

There is also a sense that this year, more young and mid-level professionals will be looking for the “next” job or making a change, faster than previous generations. As Millennials are now the largest generation represented in the work-place, there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that Gen Y professionals get “job restless” quickly, especially if they feel under-valued, perceive that they don’t have enough visibility, and don’t feel that they are challenged and are learning enough from their current employer. Quite frankly, even if they are happy and like the people they work with, Millennials are often seeking to make a change because they have FOMO (fear of missing out) more than any other generation in history.

Whether you are part of this demographic or not, all of this means an extremely positive outlook for would-be job seekers. So now that the conditions are positive for your job search, how do you make it happen? What will it really take? Here are some tips that should help you land a great new job in the New Year:

1. First, even though there are positive conditions for job seekers, don’t be over confident and make the mistake of under preparing or under estimating the amount of time and energy a true job search takes.

2. Do your research when you are applying for jobs and demonstrate a real interest and knowledge of the employer. Elevate this to an even higher level of preparation for an interview. Recruiters are completely turned off when you don’t even know what the company does.

3. Make sure that you have “good job search habits.” What I mean by this is that you should view your search as a job that you literally get up for each day of the week, get dressed and get to work. You set goals for the day of applying for positions that aren’t random, but you are truly interested in and qualified for and you keep a record of these and dates to follow up. You reach out to a number of contacts in your network and set up as many calls and “coffees” as possible.

4. If you haven’t already, establish an email account that is professional and can handle large files. If you have been using your nickname @ AOL, it’s time to set up a Gmail or similar large email account with your real name.

5. Make sure you name your resume with your actual name, not “my resume.” You would be shocked at how many job seekers don’t do this and then wonder why they never hear back on a job they seem qualified for. It’s often because recruiters can’t find them.

6. Master social. Utilize social media in strategic ways. Find companies and organizations that you are interested in and follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn and comment appropriately. Look out for tweets or job announcements and follow up.

7. Utilize your college/university connections. The career center, alumni relations and LinkedIn university pages are fantastic ways to find alumni from your alma mater who may be working in companies or industries that you are interested in. They can often offer advice and support as well as help connect you to additional opportunities.

8. Speaking of networking, do it in person as well as online. Getting in front of people and being able to articulate what you are interested in, and a little about your background in a short amount of time (60 to 90 seconds), is an important “pitch” strategy to develop.

9. Always be ready. Whether it’s a phone call, text, or other communication. In other words don’t pick up the phone if you are half asleep or at some loud social gathering. Rather, let the call go to your professional voice mailbox and then call the recruiter back when you have had a cup a coffee and are in a quiet area with strong cell phone reception.

10. Keep up your energy, determination, and positive attitude. Job searching can be a very humbling experience, but no one wants to hire someone who appears frustrated and desperate.

Demonstrating your genuine interest and enthusiasm are key. Exercise, get plenty of sleep and talk to friends and job search professionals to get encouragement, vent and keep up your spirits.

Depending on what positions and organizations you are applying for, your geographic location, and your flexibility, job searches can take a while. The good news is that there is a great deal of movement and opportunity on the horizon, and if you follow these tips, you can land that great new job in 2017.

The Chi trailer and premiere date for new Showtime series

Showtime will kick off 2018 with the premiere of its new one-hour drama series, The Chi, created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe (Master of None), and executive produced by Academy Award, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Common (John Wick 2, Selma) and Elwood Reid (The Bridge, Hawaii Five-O). Check out The Chi trailer below!

Reid also serves as showrunner. The series, which explores the humanity behind the headlines sensationalizing the South Side of Chicago, will premiere on Sunday, January 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Produced entirely in its namesake city, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The ensemble cast includes Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton), Jacob Latimore (Sleight), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Queen of Katwe), Alex Hibbert (Moonlight), Yolonda Ross (Treme, The Get Down), Armando Riesco (Bull) and Tiffany Boone (The Following). Kevin (Hibbert) is the pre-teen who must step past shattered illusions and embrace the normal rites of childhood, while Brandon (Mitchell) the dreamer makes his own nearly impossible leap of faith to succeed in life and love with girlfriend Jerrika (Boone). Emmett (Latimore) is the carefree teen is thrust into complex responsibility with guidance from his mother Jada (Ross), and Ronnie (Mwine) is the drifter whose struggle to love and be loved calls into question his every pursuit. Sonja Sohn (The Wire), Jahking Guillory (Kicks), and Steven Williams (The Leftovers) recur.

In addition to Waithe, Common and Reid, Aaron Kaplan (Santa Clarita Diet, Divorce) serves as executive producer along with Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), who also directed the premiere episode, and Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of Freedom Road Productions. The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios.

Keep The Dream Alive

What is the American aesthetic in these turbulent times?

These designers have answers.

Magazine Photos by Marc Baptiste Text by Robin Givhan Published on November 21, 2017 for the Washington Post When New York designers presented their fall 2017 collections earlier this year, many of them were wrestling with more than color palettes and silhouettes. They were sorting out what it means to be a fashion designer in this turbulent, divided America. For Raf Simons, the Belgian who recently took the creative reins at Calvin Klein, America is still the great experiment. It’s a place of dreams and possibilities, tinged with melancholy and even a hint of grief. He referenced sweet heirloom quilts, sharp Wall Street suits, classic denim and even the flag itself. Thom Browne reminds us that the enduring symbol of middle-class success, the man — or woman — in the gray flannel suit, is struggling to be seen, to be heard. And Willy Chavarria cast his eyes on the street-cool style of black and brown young men and women whose lives have been upended by our criminal justice system.

The American ideal is still worth celebrating, even if it has been bruised and battered. At Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond captured the immigrant story through the life of his own father, who came to the United States from Haiti. His collection was filled with the eccentric prints and shapes of the imperfect clothes worn by proud immigrants just scraping by. He emblazoned T-shirts with his father’s original green card photograph. For Tommy Hilfiger, America remains a tale of shiny, peppy youth dressed in plaid, parkas and denim. And Coach, under British designer Stuart Vevers, is an ode to America’s windswept prairies and open roads.

What does it mean to be American in this moment? What is the American aesthetic? Designers don’t have definitive answers. But they have an endless stream of ideas.

Top from left: On Cori Bullock: Blazer, $590; track top, $160; jeans, $330; sneakers, $330; all by Tommy Hilfiger at usa.tommy.com. Earrings by Laruicci, $145 at laruicci.com. On Ariq Graham: T-shirt by Pyer Moss, $75 at ssense.com. Biker jacket, $2,375, and biker pants, $1,250, both by Pyer Moss; info: pyermoss.com. On Desiray Bowie: Lace dress, $2,800, and snorkel coat, $1,200; both by Marc Jacobs at marcjacobs.com. Boots by R13, $1,695 at barneys.com. On Melanie Blankenship: Cardigan, $425, and silk culotte, $375; both by Opening Ceremony at openingceremony.com.

Booties by Stuart Weitzman, $535 at stuartweitzman.com. Jewelry by Zana Bayne, price upon request at zanabayne.com. On May-Ying Lam: Shirt jacket by Denim x Alexander Wang, $695; and catsuit by Alexander Wang, $495 at alexanderwang.com. Boots by Ben Taverniti Unravel Project, $1,497 at farfetch.com. Choker collar by Zana Bayne, $165 at shop.zanabayne.com. On Tyson Paige: Plaid shirt by Fear of God, $795 at farfetch.com. Track pants, $995, and shorts, $695; both by Fear of God. Similar styles at ssense.com. Harness by Zana Bayne; info: zanabayne.com. Sneakers by Vans, $65 at bloomingdales.com. On Reesa Renee: Denim coat, $995; indigo denim, $275; platform boots, $1,800; all by Marc Jacobs at marcjacobs.com. Harness by Zana Bayne; info: zanabayne.com

Above: On Liz/Luke Shumpert: leather jacket, $2,990, and wool-silk jodhpur pants, $1,750; both by Ralph Lauren at ralphlauren.com. Longwing brogue boot ice skate heel by Thom Browne, $3,800; info: thombrowne.com. Earrings by Laruicci, $100 at laruicci.com. (Styling by Robyn Victoria Fernandes. Makeup by Shaune Hayes. Hair by Wayne Wheat.)

On Ariq Graham: Ivory shearling oversize jacket, $1,998; eggshell wool-blend cable-knit turtleneck, $298; ecru slim-fit stretchcotton denim pants, $148; luggage leather belt, $224; Jax sunglasses, $179; and black Garrett Leather lace-up mid-calf boots (not pictured), $448; all by Michael Kors at michaelkors.com.

On Marki Woldemariam: Natural cow shearling coat and plastic cover, $8,500; metal tipped high-heeled Deco sandals, $1,295; and crystal belt, $2,250; all by Calvin Klein 205W39NYC at calvinklein.us.

On Marki Woldemariam: Slate crystal-embroidered crepe-jersey draped dress, $9,995, and Belinda suede boots, $895; both by Michael Kors at michaelkors.com. Links earrings by Sara Shala, $250 at sarashala.com.

On Sung Kim: Tan coat, $350; fold-over flat-front trousers in khaki bull denim, $350; and caguama sweater in hot cherry, $385; all

by Willy Chavarria at willychavarria.com. Suede flat ankle boots by Tommy Hilfiger (not pictured), $149.50 at usa.tommy.com.

On Cori Bullock: Chesterfield single-breasted sport coat with argyle suiting by Thom Browne, $7,200; info: thombrowne.com.

Multicolor argyle cashmere knit cardigan by Thom Browne, $1,780 at luisaviaroma.com; and classic backstrap trousers with argyle suiting appliquĂŠ in herringbone Harris tweed by Thom Browne, $4,900 at farfetch.com. Scythe fingerbrace ring by Chrishabana, $350 at chrishabana jewelry.com.

On Liz/Luke Shumpert: Single-breasted overcoat, short jumpsuit bonded with Oxford shirt, and tortoise lens mask hat, all by Thom Browne, price upon request. Necktie, $190, and longwing brogue platform mule in pebble grain, $4,850, both by Thom Browne at thombrowne.com.

Reesa Renee, left, and Keyo Rucker: Outerspace print pleated dress, $695; embellished penguin shirtdress, $1,595; both by Coach 1941. Similar styles at select Coach stores and coach.com. Lock earrings by Laruicci, $100 at laruicci.com.

On Keyo Rucker: Sleeveless layered petal-hem dress by Brandon Maxwell, $2,695 at bergdorfgoodman.com. Kindred low 105 haircalf boots by Tamara Mellon, $995 at tamaramellon.com. Bracelets by Vitae Ascendere, $750 to $2,750 at vitaeascendere.com.

Photographer Marc Baptiste captures the fall collections for The Washington Post Magazine

On Cori Bullock: Blaine Glen plaid bustier, $1,990, and Simone Glen plaid pants, $990; both by Ralph Lauren Collection at ralphlauren.com. Arielle suede over-the-knee boots by Opening Ceremony, $695 at bloomingdales.com. On Ariq Graham: Quilted toggle coat, $1,150; plaited cotton chenille jacket, price upon request; white tapered cropped jeans, $275; all by 3.1 Phillip Lim at ssense.com. Black Garrett Leather lace-up mid-calf boots by Michael Kors, $448 at michaelkors.com.

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The nation’s only African American Piano Maker counts ‘Empire’ and the Vatican as fans

At Catholic University on a warm September evening, a student plays piano at a fundraising dinner to celebrate the school’s new arts council. As musical preludes waft through the candlelit room of donors and university officials, Warren Shadd sits with his back to the performance and listens intently to the piano, which bears his name. After the final note, he applauds and smiles softly. He wasn’t expecting any problems. But he has been making and selling pianos only since 2012, and everything matters to him — from the shop floor in the Bronx, where he “white-gloves” each instrument, to performances like this one.

Shadd — decked out that evening in a black suit and gold silk tie — is keenly aware that century-spanning companies, such as Steinway & Sons or Bösendorfer or Yamaha, have a head start. “We’re brand new,” he says. “We can’t let anything seep through the cracks.”

If product placement is any measure, then something’s going right. Shadd, who, as far as anyone knows, is the nation’s only African American piano maker, has his high-end, made-to-order instruments in several Rolls-Royce dealerships, on the set of the television show “Empire” and at the Vatican. It helps that he is an accomplished musician with a salesman’s drive and a showman’s charm. When he first heard the Holy See was looking for a piano, he wrote Vatican officials a letter. To his amazement, they wrote back. In 2015, three donors gifted an instrument to the Vatican, and Shadd personally delivered a gleaming black grand piano emblazoned with the papal seal.

At the performance in September, Monsignor Massimo Palombella, head of the Sistine Chapel Choir, tells me that he uses the piano for daily rehearsals and that the Vatican has another one on the way for “official moments,” which Shadd plans to deliver in December. He and Palombella chat for a bit. “You see that,” Shadd says later, with a bit of awe in his voice. “You can’t fake that kind of warmth.”

Shadd makes pianos, but his passion is the drums. (André Chung/for The Washington Post)

Shadd grew up in Northeast Washington in a musical household. His parents, Evelyn and James, were federal workers, but James was also a jazz pianist and had a piano-tuning business. “My father — I call him ‘early email,’ ” Shadd explains. “He worked at the Civil Service Commission. He used to push this big mail cart. That was his gig all day, delivering mail, notes and documents. He would do that, come home, eat dinner, then go to the gig. He and his band would play until 2 a.m.”

Their home was packed all the time with singers such as Roberta Flack and Shirley Horn (Shadd’s aunt), and prominent jazz musicians Frank Wess and Billy Taylor. “Our house was somewhere the cats would come after the gig and they would just hang and play, sometimes all night,” he recalls.

By the time Shadd was 8, local newspapers were chronicling his skills as a drummer. (He has framed clippings hanging on the walls of his District Heights home.) As a teenager he spent two summers playing drums at the Players Club on K Street NW, where, at the end of a workday, men piled in for a burlesque show. Shadd

remembers playing and watching from the stage as men drank and drank some more, sometimes disappearing into tobacco hazes. (No one, he says, questioned his age.)

He started piano lessons at age 5 but did not focus on the instrument more seriously until he was about 12. “That’s when I started thinking that I could write music, and you needed a piano for that,” he says.

He left Howard University his junior year to play jazz organ with Lionel Hampton, then drums with other jazz greats, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Horn among them.

When his dad died in 1993, Shadd took over the piano-tuning business. He had tinkered with ideas for pianos, but it took an encounter with an older customer named Mr. Tucker to convince him that he needed to do more. He was tuning the old man’s piano when Tucker, his voice cracking, pointed at the instrument and said, “That should say Shadd because you’re the only one.” Shadd took that as a cosmic sign that he should build pianos.

Today, Shadd upright pianos start at $22,000, its concert grands at $185,000. Custom pianos can go for more than $300,000. He has chosen to focus, with patented designs, on improving the way pianists hear what they play. “Normally, the sounds of a piano emanate around the sound board and the back of the piano,” he explains. “It doesn’t travel toward the pianist; it goes up and out the curve.” He is tight-lipped, however, about how his design makes the sound also travel toward the pianist.

Shadd has focused on making pianos that help pianists hear themselves better when they perform and on integrating technology in innovative ways. (André Chung/for The Washington Post)

Shadd talks more readily about how he incorporates electronics. Some of his pianos have a musical instrument digital interface, or MIDI, that allows musicians to include anything from bird noises to trap music. He has also developed a “hybrid interactive piano” that people can scan music into and use to communicate with other musicians. It has been helpful to disabled musicians, to people who are blind or deaf, and to those with autism.

Actor Terence Howard playing the Shadd WMS 5'10" Baby Grand on Season 2

Tom Grace, who has worked for Jordan Kitt’s Music for 30 years and is the sales manager for its Rockville store, appreciates what Shadd has accomplished and the hurdles he still faces. “Pianists arrive [at a venue] and play whichever instrument is available. And through the years, Steinway has [dominated] on classical music performance. So the Kennedy Center, Strathmore and Wolf Trap are equipped with Steinways, but there are many pianos on the market that are just as well-made but have tonal differences,” he explains. “For Warren to break into that [type of] concert venue, that would be a challenging task.”

Shadd works out of his home and keeps costs down by marketing on the Internet and social media. His small staff includes Angela Mascia, who oversees logistics and international dealings, and several craftsmen who build the pianos in the Bronx. Shadd still recruits customers himself. Two years ago, he cold-called Caroline Perzan, a veteran set decorator who developed the look for “Empire,” to convince her that his pianos fit the style of the series, about a music mogul. Perzan needed a piece for the ornate office of protagonist Lucious Lyon, played by Terrence Howard. “Empire” “was going for an ambitious high-end look, so the pianos were one of my main challenges,” Perzan said. “I just sent my wish list to him.”

The show now has six Shadd pianos. For the first time next year, he plans to put his pianos in stores — at least 10 nationwide and a few in Italy and Germany. But he won’t disclose sales or rental figures or the number of pianos sold. The master pitchman, flashing a soft smile, offers only this: “We do well.”

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7 Reasons Why Everyone Is Using LinkedIn For Dating

Have you ever been on a date with someone, and it’s going great, until they mention something about themselves that is a total game changer for you, and it changes your entire opinion of them? Well, that’s going to happen slightly less often now, because people are using LinkedIn to find dates!

That means that people are either finding dates in real life or via a dating app/site, and then doing a background check on LinkedIn, or even just looking for dates directly on LinkedIn. Sounds kinda crazy, but it makes sense; LinkedIn is just another source to get a little bio information about someone and see if they’re right for you- no harm in that Now, you do have to approach it a bit differently since it isn’t a dating site, but rather one meant for professional connections; asking someone out the first time you have any kind of correspondence with them might not be the best approach. If you really want to date this person, see if they’re online anywhere else (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and approach them via that site or app.

When you think about it for a moment, there are more than a couple solid reasons to use LinkedIn to find or vet a date; in fact, here is a list of seven reasons why you need to use LinkedIn for dating.

1. (Relatively) Honest Profiles

When you visit someone’s dating profile, you never know what’s real or factual and what’s not; they’re there to get a date, and people will embellish at length in order to get what they want. Things are a little different when it comes to their career, though; while people may lie on their LinkedIn profile, it’s not done nearly as frequently as it is done on casual dating sites and apps.

When you apply for a job and have a series of interviews, the company interviewing you will go through some steps to verify what you’ve told them, while someone you’ve arranged a date with later this week might not do any kind of background check. A company can easily catch you in a lie, and you’re no longer in contention for the job; thus, there’s an incentive not to lie, although people have surely lied extensively on their LinkedIn profiles and still gotten plenty of jobs.

In general though, you can trust what you see on somebody’s LinkedIn, as they’re there to get hired and want to show off their best qualities; if you feel like someone may sound too good to be true, trust your instincts and just keep searching.

2. Easy Vetting

Find someone on LinkedIn you’d love to go out with? To make sure they’re not some catfish or robot, you should do some quick vetting, which consists of just searching through their profile and checking out their connections- if they have very few, ditch them and move on. When you encounter someone on a dating site, it’s hard to do background checks; it’s not like they’ve got their own Wikipedia page and tons of content written about them. With LinkedIn, you get a good overview of their career and education, which can say a lot about them; you might not find honest details like that on someone’s dating profile.

Check out their endorsements as well- what do other people think of them and their capabilities?

3. Great dating pool

Just think about it for a second, people on LinkedIn are about advancing their careers and getting ahead; there aren’t many slackers on LinkedIn (although those accounts are easily distinguishable from those accounts you should pay attention to). LinkedIn is full of professional, ambitious people with goals just like you,

people who want to be successful at whatever they do; if that doesn’t sound like a great dating pool, then I don’t know what is.

Of course there will be a good amount accounts you see that are well below par, just like every dating site. Although LinkedIn isn’t a dating site, there’s a ton of great accounts with potential suitors, so if a couple people aren’t up to your standards, you’ve got plenty more to choose from, rather than having to jump ship and try another resource altogether.

Frankly, the more you do business and the more you network, the higher your chances are of meeting someone to date. If you can’t find a suitable partner on LinkedIn, (as foreign as that may sound) where can you?

4. No fake accounts

Dating sites are chalk full of bots and fake accounts, but it doesn’t make sense to have a fake LinkedIn account. Like literally, I can’t come up with a good reason why anyone would make a fake LinkedIn account.

5. Can use them as a connection/reference if it doesn’t work out

After an unsuccessful date with someone, they’re basically out of your life forever, which sometimes can be a drag if you felt like you could’ve been friends despite what may or may not have happened between you.

The same thing may apply to LinkedIn: you happen to find someone you might like, but go on a date and there was no chemistry. No harm in that- why not use each other as connections and references in the future?

We’re (semi) reasonable people, aren’t we? Just because two people aren’t meant for each other doesn't mean they shouldn’t be respectful of each other and help each other out if need be.

7. They could be the source of your success

Let’s say you’ve found someone on LinkedIn who you’d like to date, and you manage to set up a meeting without sounding overly creepy. This person has knowledge on a professional level that you can learn from and apply to your own career; whether you end up together or not, this person can share with you their business experiences and all they’ve learned.

If you’re not compatible on a personal level, maybe you’d be great together in a professional setting, where you can combine resources and create something that advances your careers.

Honestly, it’s a win-win if you use LinkedIn for dating; if you are great together, great- if you’re not meant for each other, maybe you can do business together.

It won’t be easy to find a date on LinkedIn, but it’s not easy to find a date anywhere. With LinkedIn, though, you give yourself a great chance at success, which is why we’re all on LinkedIn in the first place.

6. You know they’re serious people capable of commitment (or can’t commit to a goldfish)

This is LinkedIn, not Club Penguin; people are on LinkedIn because they’re serious about furthering their careers and advancing themselves in any way they can. They’re also totally capable of commitment (that’s for you ladies out there); see that one guy? Yeah, he’s had three great jobs and each one has lasted longer than 5 years - sounds like this gentleman knows how to commit.

Checking out someone’s work history can give you an idea for who they are as a partner, whether it is in business or in love- if they’ve had tons of jobs in the past few years, they may be qualified for the job (i.e., a great partner), but they’re not into long-term commitment (relationships with them never last). No one lists their past relationships on dating sites, so you never know how long they’ve been able to last in a meaningful relationship.

Hand in Glove:

An Essential Guide to the Perfect Black Leather Gloves

By Out.com Editors

Gloves by Hermes $1,175

Gloves by Emporio Armani $245

Gloves by Hermès $1,125

Gloves by Hestra $135

Gloves by Louis Vuitton $780

Whitney Houston

I Wish You Love: More from The Bodyguard

Whitney Houston’s rapid ascent to R&B and pop superstardom in the mid-1980s was a remarkable feat for a debut artist. Although she had paid her dues singing on background sessions and at nightclub showcases, the across-the-board welcome she received in 1985 from radio disc jockeys and the record-buying public was an event that few artists of any generation have experienced. Her stellar pipes of strength and emotionally stirring methodology of delivering big ballads and dynamic dance numbers made continued best-sellers and industry accolades a given. But never before or since has any soul artist escalated an already hugely successful career to the magnanimous heights that Whitney did with a motion picture soundtrack as the vehicle.

The Bodyguard, an action-driven drama in which she starred with Kevin Costner, was intended to establish Houston as a credible actress. While it did give way to a series of well-received films led by her, there’s no question that the music she delivered as the soundtrack’s chief singer is what made, by far, the most lasting impression. The thought of her covering an early-‘70s Dolly Parton hit was about the furthest thing imaginable by mainstream standards; but it was that very unexpected stylistic choice which made for one of the most far-reaching and enduring moments in popular music history. Her heart-wrenching version of Parton’s 1974 #1 country single, “I Will Always Love You” (which she performed in the movie), sprinted to #1 in no less than 15 countries— spending 14 weeks at the top in the US alone, where it won just as many awards. It was Billboard’s #7-ranked song of the 1990s.

That was, however, just the beginning of the legacy of The Bodyguard. Whitney’s subsequent singles from the soundtrack sold more than a collective three million copies, while the album itself sold in excess of 45 million. Thus, Arista/ Legacy’s new 14-track collection, I Wish You Love: More from The Bodyguard, is a more than merited release to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the movie and soundtrack. While the inclusion of no previously unheard material will undoubtedly disappoint many listeners, longtime and devoted fans will revel in the presence of alternate takes and sought-after live performances of the songs that have endured strongly through the decades.

I Wish You Love opens with the film version of “I Will Always Love You,” complete with Houston’s dialogue as performer Rachel Marron. Just like the title of this collection (culled from a line in “Always”), her spoken words here ring with strikingly sweet sorrow in the wake of her untimely passing in 2012. “When I first heard this song, it made me feel very sad. But it doesn’t anymore. Now it just reminds me of someone very special,” her voice echoes with heartfelt simplicity. Although the vocal take doesn’t differ greatly from the commercially released one, it is a shade more mellow in the verses—and the introductory words make it all the more soulstirring. Similarly, the slightly less sweetened performance found in the film version of David Foster and Linda Thompson’s “I Have Nothing” captures Whitney’s vocal candor in a most affecting way.

What is perhaps the crowning jewel of I Wish You Love is the full-length a cappella version of the traditional hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.” In the film, Whitney harmonized on a brief portion with co-star Michele Lamar Richards (who portrayed the sister of Rachel Marron)—the audio of which is also included here. Hearing Whitney’s delicate treatment of the spiritual lyric sans the glossy production of the original soundtrack version is a shining example of both her gospel core and the ability she had to shift from belting to subtlety in a truly special way.

The only drawback to the presentation here is the audibility of edits that were made to piece portions of different takes together into the final vocal production. A standard practice, but it does take away just a little bit from the purity of the experience.

Of the six live cuts featured, most are from Houston’s world tour in support of The Bodyguard. Each offers an important glimpse into the powerful stride that she had hit with the soundtrack, but the most significant one might just be that of the Jud Friedman/Allan Rich composition, “Run to You.” Though the single release of the pensive ballad didn’t chart as high as its predecessors, the live performance here is particularly notable in demonstrating Whitney’s graceful phrasing capabilities. As she didn’t include the number in many of her tour dates, it’s a treasure to hear now the melodic embellishments and tonal variations she made.

That she didn’t have the pressure of delivering the tune in a singular fashion night after night may explain the refreshingly relaxed approach she employed on it.

Also enjoyable to hear after all this time is the live recording of “Queen of the Night,” a song which made for an energetic clip in the film, but was only released as a single in Europe and Japan. While the studio version bore more than a few marked similarities to En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind,” this performance—which is based a bit more on the club remix than the straightahead rock version—allowed Whitney to show more individuality in her swagger. The tight rhythm section and feisty backing vocalists add fuel to the fire. Similarly, the percussive groove and Houston’s vocal sway on Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” may not be quite as polished as on record, but are invigorating in flair and pizazz.

Movie-goers who flocked to cinemas in 1992 to see The Bodyguard on the premise of Houston’s starring role will delight in the unmistakable concentration of her primary role in the soundtrack given by I Wish You Love. As the original album contained six tracks by other artists, this new collection is a chance to relish the aura and power that she alone brought to the table with her six recordings. Since they are now presented both as they were in the movie and as she performed them on stages around the world during the height of their popularity, it’s a chance to listen to Whitney in a peak period and relive seeing her screen debut— without any visual aids. The musicality of the songs and her delivery of them is a testament to true heart and soul. Recommended.

by Justin Kantor for soultracks.com

Love, Whitney

VKTORY

Meet VKTORY our last walk before the promenade in the VALLEY, the test of our life exercise . It’s all start because We had a VISION as conquerors !!! But through all we win because of the walk of Faith. F8ITH by Alain Fagnidi

Surprise! Anita Baker Announces Farewell Concert Series

In January 2017 longtime fans of Queen of Quiet Storm Anita Baker were devastated when the songstress announced she was set to retire after a 30-year career had seen her deliver some of the genre’s most prized numbers. Indeed, despite a 13-year wait since her last LP, 2004’s ‘My Everything,’ she informed followers there was “no new music or tour” in the works.

Well, apparently that was then.

Fast forward to January 1, 2018, Baker – who is set to celebrate her 60th birthday this month – sent fans into a frenzy when she announced she would be the one imparting gifts to them: a farewell concert series.

As fans of Miss Baker ourselves, we couldn’t be more thrilled that she’s set to hit the road one last time! With countless gems like ‘Giving You the Best That I Got,’ ‘I Apologize,’ and, of course, ‘Sweet Love,’ we anticipate being in the house with the legions of her diehard fans hearing her croon the hits one last time.

Kicking off in March, no official news on dates and ticket prices yet. Trust, when they become available, you can count on ThatGrapeJuice to deliver the news!

Read more: http://thatgrapejuice.net/2018/01/surprise-anita-baker-announces-farewell-concertseries/#ixzz52yKJsQnC

T he Har lem Manfluencer W ith A Strong Suit Game Sponsored By FRYE PAID STORY for This is paid content produced for an advertiser by New York Brand Studio. The editorial staff of nymag.com did not play a role in its creation.

Frye Jones Oxford, FlameKeepers Hat Club hat, H&M t-shirt, Brandon’s own suit, socks, and watch

New York has always been a destination for

transplants from the rest of the U.S. To celebrate that mixed identity, the Cut continues its Hometown Style series in partnership with Frye.

Together, we spotlight fashion-forward New Yorkers who originally hail from one of the other 49 states, and ask them to tell – and show – us how their roots have helped shape their big-city style.

Frye Jone’s Oxford, Bryant’s own suit and socks

Investment banker-turned-style-blogger Brandon Bryant’s bon-vivant image is compelling enough to draw both male and female admirers. His brand: old-school Corporate America meets modern streetwear, with a dash of prep. From smart three-piece suits to the perfectly cropped weekend trouser, to a spectrum of on-point button-ups, each aspect of Bryant’s polished outfits is considered with ambition and purpose.

Though Cleveland-born, Bryant’s style is partly inspired by his current home base of Harlem. It’s also an extension of his professional work. In addition to running Wall Street Paper, his culture and lifestyle site for “the modern gentleman,” he’s co-founder and managing partner at Harlem Capital Partners, a financial firm dedicated in part to investing in businesses owned by people of color and women. Whether he’s called to a presentation or to meet with potential partners, looking consistently sharp is part of the job. We caught up with Bryant at FlameKeepers Hat Club on 121st Street, and found out how his former life on Wall Street and his “adopted hometown” changed his perspective on suiting.

Left: H&M t-shirt, Brandon’s own suit, FlameKeepers Hat Club hat. Right: Frye Chris Chelsea Boot, FlameKeepers Hat Club hat, J.Crew jacket, H&M shirt, Bryant’s own jeans, socks, and watch

What was the genesis of Wall Street Paper?

It grew out of [my experience in] the typical Corporate America setting. I wanted to show people it’s possible to ‘dress down’ suiting. You could wear slacks with a T-shirt, or a blazer with jeans, and still be extremely stylish. My whole focus is, Yo, you should have multiple suit options and wear them all the time.

People don’t wear suits [often] because they don’t wear them to work, but that’s a silly reason.

How do you know what works when playing around with suiting?

There’s an onslaught of things you learn through trial and error. You learn in a corporate setting what color suits you can wear. It’s usually white, blue, gray; maybe Fridays it can be pink. You learn what kind of ties you’re allowed to wear. Don’t wear a red tie because that’s a power tie, and that’s what the boss wears.

There’s all these different shirts to know: slim fit, tailored fit, regular fit. There’s cuffed pants and pants with breaks. There are certain rules [laughs], like the buttons on the front of your jacket. If there are two buttons, always button the top, never the bottom.

Any other tricks to know?

There are cool things you learn from mentors or colleagues: Have extra ties handy, always have a jacket at your desk just in case you’re called for a meeting somewhere, plus toothpaste and mouthwash — have all the things ready to be your 100-percent self, whether it’s 8 p.m. or 8 a.m. I always have a nice pair of brown shoes that can go with anything. Unless you’re going to be in front of the boss, have fun with your socks; they bring character to your outfit. Same with ties to brighten up your day.

Brandon Bryant hangs out in Harlem.

“Harlem is seen by people of color as a place of style, hospitality, authenticity, and cool things.”

Once you have all those rules down, how do you cultivate a look that stands out?

Other people at work will influence your style. You’ll see someone you admire and start dressing like them, copying their mannerisms, shop the same places, drink at the same bars. Eventually, you’ll get your own opinions when you get to their level and you can start mixing your own personal style in.

You live and work in Harlem now. Has that influenced or changed your look at all?

I left banking in December 2015, so since then I’ve gradually started dressing what I call semi-formal.

Every day I’m wearing slacks or a blazer. Every.

Single. Day. I’ll wear a blazer with jeans or slacks, or

slacks with a T-shirt and dress shoes. Dressing [suit pieces] down helps me be a little more comfortable. But it’s still eye-opening to people that you can wear slacks with a tee and loafers and still be presentable. Or wear a blazer, button-down, jeans, and sneakers and still be presentable.

You live and work in Harlem now. Has that influenced or changed your look at all?

I left banking in December 2015, so since then I’ve gradually started dressing what I call semiformal. Every day I’m wearing slacks or a blazer. Every. Single. Day. I’ll wear a blazer with jeans or slacks, or slacks with a T-shirt and dress shoes. Dressing [suit pieces] down helps me be a little more comfortable. But it’s still eye-opening to people that you can wear slacks with a tee and loafers and still be presentable.

Or wear a blazer, button-down, jeans, and sneakers and still be presentable.

Why do you think there’s such a strong sense of style in Harlem?

The Harlem Renaissance was the first time black people were really put in the mainstream of how they dressed and how their swagger came through in the way they carried themselves. And I think that’s still true today, where Harlem is seen by people of color as a place of style, hospitality, authenticity, and cool things. It feels like a modern, millennialminded place where intellectuals who are diverse and focused on style and fashion go

and let it all hang out. Like Flamekeepers Hat Club, which in my opinion, is the best hat shop in New York. It’s owned by the guy who ran the biggest hat shop, J.J. Hat, for 20 years. If you don’t wear a hat, he’ll say, ‘You haven’t tried on the right hat.’ That’s the kind of style Harlem has.

Quality suits are correlated to privilege. How can young people attain that look?

I’ve been designing my own line of pants, putting drawstrings on slacks, almost like joggers, and cropping them a little bit higher. In very simple and very chill, breathable fabrics. I want to build a brand around being minimalistic with your blues, your grays, your browns. It’s a simple approach to basic suiting: You can wear formal clothing in a non-formal setting and not feel overdressed, and definitely not feel underdressed. And I want these to be affordable: pants under $100, jackets maybe up to $150, and you can get a full outfit for $200 or $250 max. The thing that costs the most in suiting is the jacket, so I want to create a Japanese-inspired, kimono-type jacket that you can tie like a trench coat, but there’s no padding or hand-stitching, which are costly. If suits become affordable, people will start dressing like that – wearing that tailored street swag. The Italian suits charge up the wazoo, but once you take that out of the equation, it becomes all about the style, which is what suits should be about.

Photography by Tory Rust. Styling by Calvy Click. Grooming by Sae-Ryun Song.

Jordan Brand Closes The Book On The “Like Mike” Collection With Air Jordan 6 “Green Suede”

Jordan Brand has gone all in this year with

its tribute to Michael Jordan’s long standing relationship with Gatorade, particularly in its “Like Mike” Collection that paid homage to the original 1991 Gatorade ad with Jordan. That celebration will be coming to a close with the release of the Air Jordan 6 “Green Suede”. The final Jordan 6 colorway of the year sports an upper entirely clad in – you guessed it – green suede. Unique detailing for the shoe includes a lace lock made to look like a Gatorade squeeze bottle and the words “If I Could Be” stitched into the inside of the tongue. This more limited release is also expected to come with special “Like Mike” packaging as well. The Air Jordan 6 “Green Suede” will drop via the SNKRS app and select retailers on December 30th for $225.

2018

https://dasoulinc.myshopify.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dasoul_underwear/

Baby Blue Boxer Brief Model: Steven Johnson IG: @steveoback

Black & Gray Boxer Brief Model: Christopher Makel Moses IG: @christopher.makel.moses

Baby Blue Boxer Brief Model: Christopher Makel Moses IG: @christopher.makel.moses

White Ice Mesh Brief Model: Steven Johnson IG: @steveoback

Gray Boxer Model: Christopher Makel Moses IG: @christopher.makel.moses

Baby Blue Boxer Brief Model: Steven Johnson IG: @steveoback

Red and Gray Brief Model: Christopher Makel Moses IG: @christopher.makel.moses

e Ice Mesh Brief el: Christopher Makel Moses christopher.makel.moses

Click Here To See The Trailer

These Black-Owned Tech Upstarts Are Bridging the Cultural Divide These upstarts leverage technology to provide needed solutions for traditionally underserved communities.

The influence African Americans have on mainstream culture is undeniable.

Neilsen Music recently released a report showing hip hop as the most popular musical genre.

A separate Neilsen report verified the wide reaching popularity and influence of black television shows on mainstream culture.

The trend also holds true in the tech world: a 2013 Pew Research Center study found that African Americans and Latinxs use the internet and access social media sites like Twitter and Facebook at higher rates than white Americans.

While there is clearly a large pool of consumers of color, these potential customers haven't always been tapped.

Venture capital firm Cross Culture Ventures (CCV) hopes to change that by putting its money towards what it terms "cultural investing." Essentially, that means supporting startups that leverage technology to provide solutions for problems facing traditionally underserved communities.

CCV released a report titled the "State of Tech & Culture, Culture A$ Currency Report."

In the report, the company explores data about a new generation that is not only transforming what America looks like, but also how it engages in and executes business. The report also hopes to raise awareness around businesses who are shifting culture and highlights the work of founders who are effectively doing that.

"In this report, 'Culture A$ Currency,' we examine challenges for both consumers and businesses within underserved communities, highlight the role that technology can play to address those challenges, and shine a light on the financial opportunity associated with the aforementioned," Marlon Nichols, managing partner at CCV, told Blavity.

"An underlying theme in this report is the fact that multicultural millennials from these communities are driving global popular culture and as such brands and investors alike must note their point view."

Just who are the black-owned tech companies featured in the report? Here are three:

Launched by Leandrew Robinson, Hingeto provides risk-free solutions that allow fashion brands and retail buyers to test out designs without spending capital on excess inventory. It does so by retailing only as many products as customers purchase. NFL player Marshawn Lynch partnered with Hingeto to manufacture products for his Beast Mode apparel line.

"[Marshawn] liked the fact that he could test out different looks quickly on Hingeto -- it was a no brainer for his team," Robinson told Inc.com.

The Hingeto team with CEO Leandrew Robinson at front.

CEO Jerry Nemorin LendStreet helps consumers restructure their debt and reclaim their financial health. Founder and CEO Jerry Nemorin worked on Wall Street for years, helping businesses do the same kind of debt restructuring that his company is now providing to individual consumers.

We are passionate about helping people, so using our financial expertise we have created a new, complete, transparent and social solution.

Social lending has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional banking. It is used to help alleviate poverty in emerging countries, to fund small businesses, and even to help people with good credit reduce their interest rates. Now, it’s time to put it to work to help the people who need it most in our own backyard… the vulnerable, financially distressed borrowers who are burdened with debt.

Using our collective experience with this social problem, together with our financial expertise and the power of social lending, we have created a financial community that provides a new, smart solution…

We negotiate with your creditor to refinance your old debt at a discount.

We customize your payments to fit your lifestyle, not the other way around. We’ve got some neat tools to help you learn more about credit and take control of your finances for good. You’ll get a fresh start on that old debt, so you can rebuild and live the life you deserve…and that is LendStreet.

At the core of our community are commitment, partnership, and accountability. We are committed to helping those who are ready to break free of debt.

Together we can rebuild stronger. Together we can make a difference. Become part of the difference.

Mayvenn is an e-commerce platform that allows hairstylists to set up online beauty supply stores for free to sell bundles of hair extensions directly to their customers. Launched in 2013 by Diishan Imira, this brilliant upstart allows small-business owners to conveniently service their customers without the added burden of having to carry expensive inventory.

Diishan Imira is the CEO and co-founder of Mayvenn, an Oakland, California-based, hair extension company that partners with stylists who serve as the salesforce for the hair extensions their clients buy. For every bundle of hair sold through a stylists’ Website, they receive a 20%-25% commission.

The Famed

Air Jordan 11 “Blackout” Sample Is Rumored To Release In May 2018

by Nick Del Bene for sneakernews.com

One of the most storied and elusive Air Jordan samples ever may only be that for a little while longer, as it is rumored to be releasing in 2018. The Air Jordan 11 “Blackout” first caught the sneaker world by the ear back in 2012 when a Jordan 11 “Blackout” sample popped up on eBay and promptly sold for over $11,000. Since then, fans of the Jordan 11 have only dreamed that they would one day see the famed colorway release. It finally seems that six years later that dream will become reality. The sleek tonal black colorway of the classic Jordan silhouette is rumored to be set for a release in May of 2018. While this may signal one of the most hyped Jordan Brand drops in recent memory, it also shows that releases of the Jordan 11 Mid are apparently no longer reserved for the holiday season as they once were. Nonetheless, its safe to say that this colorway could drop on a random Tuesday in July and it would still have the attention of the entire sneaker-collecting community. Stay tuned to Sneaker News for all the latest details on the Jordan 11 “Blackout” release as they become available.

By Michael Grothaus for fastcompany.com

Your Digital Detox: 17 Smartphone Apps To Delete In 2018 Facebook? Candy Crush? Slack?! Get the new year off to a good start by deleting these time-wasting, money-sucking, depression-inducing apps.

Smartphones are the defining technology of the 21st century—so far. I know that’s a grand statement considering things like gene editing are now on the scene, but the truth is smartphones affect more people’s lives and more of the economy by a long shot. Part of what makes our phones so great, of course, are the apps. And there are millions of them. Apple’s App Store has more than 2.2 million, and Google’s Play Store has 2.8 million apps, according to Statista.

The number of apps a person has and uses on their phone is growing. A May 2017 report from App Annie says that the average user has between 60 and 90 apps, nine of which they use daily. With this rise in app usage is a rise in smartphone addiction. Yes, it’s a real thing.

To combat it, you can try ditching your phone, as I did, or you can simply perform an end-ofyear digital detox. This is where people review the apps that contribute little to their lives and delete them. Not sure which apps to consign to the dustbin? Consider these:

APPS THAT DEPRESS YOU Yes, social media apps are great for sharing your life with those you love and for passiveaggressively humble bragging to those whose admiration you seek. While getting that digital “like” or other positive feedback will give you a very real hit of dopamine (the brain’s pleasure chemical), the problem is that no matter how good the temporary hit of approval feels, social media apps make you feel depressed in the long run. A 2013 study found that the more people used Facebook, the worse they felt. And it’s not just the blue giant that makes us miserable.

Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter also give us low self-esteem. So, if these apps are making you depressed, why are they still on your phone?

APPS THAT WASTE YOUR TIME I’ll be the first to admit the smartphone has made waiting in line for anything so much less painful than it was when I was a teenager. Long wait at the doctors? Long line at the DMV? Just whip out the iPhone and play a few rounds of Candy Crush and you’ll be at the front of the line in no time. Yet the ability apps have to distract us so completely that we don’t notice the passage of time also serves to eat up the most precious commodity any of us will ever have.

Yeah, I know, you don’t spend that much time on your smartphone, right?

Actually, you probably underestimate by half how much time you waste on it, according to a recent study by British psychologists. Another study said the average person spends 23 days a year and 3.9 years of their life staring at their smartphone.

So, what are some of the biggest time wasters? The social media apps listed above, of course, but also most games that feature repetitive play (ahem, Candy Crush, Threes!). Tinder is also a huge time waster–I mean, come on stud, you don’t have enough time in your life to actually meet all the women and men who swiped right on you. And then there are the apps that are hubs for endless topics and digital interactions with strangers, like Reddit, that you could spend hours on arguing with people you’ve never even met.

APPS THAT TAKE YOUR MONEY Our phones already cost us enough money (I’m looking at you, iPhone X) so it’s a kick in the pants that most apps we use are designed to get us to spend even more. The freemium model is one of the most financially successful ways companies make money through their apps. This often involves making the app or game available for download for free, and then offering in-app purchases to unlock more features. Considering that in 2017, people will spend $37 billion on in-app purchases, you can see how well these apps work at separating us from our cash. The worst offenders here include games like Pokémon GO, Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, and Clash Royale.

Then there are the free apps that compel us to make purchases on non-digital goods. I’m talking about apps like Amazon, Groupon, and Walmart that make it all too easy to browse and shop when we are bored and buy anything with just a few taps.

APPS THAT MAKE YOU WORK 24/7 The wonderful thing about smartphones is that they give you virtually instant access to anyone you want. You can start a video call or send a text message or write an email to anyone, anytime, anywhere. But this is also one of the biggest problems. These wondrous communication devices are making it increasingly hard to leave work at the office. This problem is getting so bad that France has recently stepped in to enshrine into law a rule that states workers have a “right to disconnect” when they leave the office.

How often do you find yourself doing work-related tasks when you should be relaxing with your family on the weekend? If you’re like me, you probably check that work email as soon as you get the notification–and you probably reply to those Slack messages both before you arrive at the office and after you leave. Biz communication apps aside, the fact that you can draft entire Microsoft Office projects and Google Documents on your phone make it even harder to not be constantly working when you are away from your desk.

NEW SERIES

‘BLACK LIGHTNING’ FEATURED AT WARNER BROS. AND DC ENTERTAINMENT’S ‘DC IN D.C.’ EVENT

Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of two daughters and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe haven for young people in a neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero to his community.

Nine years ago, Pierce was a hero of a different sort. Gifted with the superhuman power to harness and control electricity, he used those powers to keep his hometown streets safe as the masked vigilante Black Lightning. However, after too many nights with his life on the line, and seeing the effects of the damage and loss that his alter ego was inflicting on his family, he left his Super Hero days behind and settled into being a principal and a dad. Choosing to help his city without using his superpowers, he watched his daughters Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain) grow into strong young women, even though his marriage to their mother, Lynn (Christine Adams), suffered. Almost a decade later, Pierce’s crime-fighting days are long behind him…or so he thought. But with crime and corruption spreading like wildfire, and those he cares about in the crosshairs of the menacing local gang The One Hundred, Black Lightning returns — to save not only his family, but also the soul of his community.

Based on the characters from DC, Black Lightning is from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros.

Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl), Salim & Mara Brock Akil, and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl). The Black Lightning character was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden.

Black Lightning premieres Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9/8c on The CW.

Become a fan of Black Lighting on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CWBlackLightning, and follow the show on Twitter @BlackLightning.

BLACK LIGHTNING

By Jordan C. for massappeal.com

CREATOR TONY ISABELLA TALKS SIDESTEPPING RACISM AND THE NEW SERIES Tony Isabella is a veteran comic book writer/editor who has put his distinctive mark on everybody from Spider-Man to Hawkman, Captain America to Shang-Chi, Teen Titans to Doc Savage.

But perhaps what he’s best known for is creating Bill Foster’s Black Goliath persona for Marvel and Black Lightning for DC. No doubt, his work has been varied and expansive, and it would be altogether unfair to say he specializes just in black superheroes, but he clearly has a knack for creating African-American characters that stand the test of time.

In the 1970s, he wrote the first ten issues of Black Lightning (which ended shortly after his departure).

When the character was brought back in the 1990s, he returned to helm the ship. Sadly, he was pulled off the title before he could see his vision through, and once again the title quickly faded in his absence.

Last year, CW announced that a TV series featuring Black Lightning was in the works, and of course DC followed up by revealing they’d be publishing a new Black Lightning title, with Isabella returning again to re-imagine the character.

We talked to Tony Isabella about how Black Lightning came to be, what he thought of Krondon’s casting as Tobias Whale in the Black Lightning TV show, and who his favorite female comic book characters are.

Tell us about creating one of DC’s most important black superheroes?

When I went to work for DC they wanted me to write another black character [ed. note: The Black Bomber] who was actually a white racist and I refused to do it. I made my case that their first major black superhero should not be a white racist and they agreed with me. Then, I had a few weeks to create a new black superhero, which I did without taking anything from the character they had already come up with.

Seems like your work on Luke Cage got you the job doing a black character at DC. Why did Marvel put you on Power Man in the first place?

The decision-making process at Marvel back then was generally, who’s around who can do this. Not a whole lot of thought went into every assignment.

Once Roy Thomas knew I could do any kind of book

they had, I was always going to be one of the guys Roy considered. I had written couple of fill-ins of Power Man between Steve Englehart and Len Wein. So, they had already seen me write Power Man, or Luke Cage, so I was a pretty obvious choice to jump back on the book after Len left.

I agree that the concept for The Black Bomber — a white racist who becomes a black vigilante at night — was ridiculous but it seems like exactly the kind of edgy fare some of the bigger indie publishers might jump at today.

Well, the Black Bomber was basically a take on the movie The Watermelon Man with Godfrey Cambridge. Godfrey Cambridge’s character at the start the movie, in very heavy white face, suddenly wakes up and he’s a black man. Over the course of the movie he begins to realize that his racism was a mistake and he becomes more radical as a black man. The Black Bomber was well-intentioned, it just hit the wrong tone. It was completely thought out. That is one of the reasons I objected to it so strongly. I felt that the two scripts written for it were offensive…the idea was offensive. And then when you throw in that this would have been DC’s first major headline black character, the offensive level just goes way off the chart. They wanted me to punch up the two scripts and then take over the book with the third issue, and there’s no way I could have ever done that. That’s just not who I am.

Well, kudos to that. Pierce’s arch enemy is Tobias Whale, a literally white character…

Not anymore. He is in the TV show but in the comic book DC said I could pretty much do whatever I wanted. And as you’ll see when you read the comic, one of things I wanted to do was redesign Tobias Whale to get him away from the Kingpin look. He’s still one of the most evil bastards I’ve ever written, probably more so, but I wanted to do something different with him…just like I’m doing new things with Jefferson Pierce.

In the upcoming Black Lightning show they have an albino rapper by the name of Krondon playing the role.

Oh yeah, I talked to Salim Akil about this when they brought me to talk to the Black Lightning writers a few months back. I think it’s brilliant casting. I love what the Akils are doing. I started work on Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands before I knew exactly what they were doing. So, we basically have two very different takes on Black Lightning, but it all stems from the same core values. I was asked early on to write a paper on Black Lightning’s core values and that was for the TV department and was the starting point for the TV series. Those same core values are in both the TV series and the new comic book series.

What inspired Tobias Whale?

He was inspired in the ‘70s series by the Kingpin because I felt Marvel was making him too soft.

They gave him a wife, they gave him a son, he teamed up with Captain America to fight Hydra, but I wanted a really evil guy. So, in many ways Tobias Whale was the Kingpin I would have liked to have seen. Of course, then Frank Miller writes the Kingpin in Daredevil and the evil goes right off the chart.

What is important for you to get across about Pierce in these days and times?

Jefferson Pierce is a reluctant superhero. Teaching is his first love. That’s how he would prefer to help the community. But he’s a man of faith. He’s a very responsible man, whether he’s 28-yearsold as he is in the comic book series, or much older as he is in the TV series. He has these powers and that gives him a responsibility to help his community in ways outside the classroom.

He’s a very moral man. He cannot not be Black Lightning when there is a need for Black Lightning.

Do you keep up on all Black Lightning’s appearances in animation?

I try to keep up with everything. It’s getting a little difficult now because there is so many stories. I very much like the little short bumpers that my friend Lynell Forestall did for DC Nation. In Young Justice he was kind of just another character. I haven’t seen all his appearances…I have the DVDs on a stack ready to watch.

You didn’t create Pierce’s daughters but…

You know, I didn’t come up with them and I wasn’t real fond of how they were sometimes portrayed in the comic books, but I love what I’m seeing from the TV show, [and] I love what was in those bumpers.

So, while Black Lightning in the new series I’m writing is a younger Black Lightning — he’s 28, he doesn’t have daughters, he’s never been married — those two characters will be appearing because I like them a lot. They won’t be his daughters but they will be related to him.

Tony Isabella’s Top 5 Female Comic Book Characters

1. Misty Knight, 2. Wonder Woman, 3. Tigra, 4. Zatanna, 5. Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)

Fresh As Spring

As

Andrew Nowell Menswear Spring 2018

Designer: Andrew Nowell Menswear Dasoul Underwear @andrewnowell_menswear @dasoul_underwear

Photographer: Don Harris IG. @don_harris202

Fashion Stylist: Sam Rhue IG @kappadonna2

Men’s Grooming and Hair: Dior Sovoa IG @diorsovoa

Production Stylist: Leonard Smith

Male Models:

Christopher Moses IG @christopher.makel.moses

Luther Williams IG @luwavyy

Ricky Humes IG @rickdbnr

Issac Smith IG @iam_i.smith

Suki IG @king_sulaiman_rah

Venue: Crucible D.C.

What To Say When You’re Asked “What Is Your Current Salary?”

Here are a few strategic ways to dodge (or kind of answer) the question without sounding shady or defensive.

You’ve finally decided to take the leap and apply for that job that you really want. You made it through the interview stage, and so far you and the hiring manager are hitting it off. They seem interested in hiring you, but then the dreaded question comes: “How much are you making in your current position?”

What do you do now? You need to give some kind of answer. Trying to dodge the question could seem awkward, but sharing your actual salary truthfully might decrease your earning potential, especially if you’re currently making below the market rate for your position. Because of this predicament–in particular because it more often disadvantages women and people of color– some states and municipalities have recently banned employers from asking about salary history altogether.

By Leila Gowland for fastcompany.com

But even those laws (which remain few and far between) may not stop an ignorant or unscrupulous hiring manager from pressing you on your earning history. Here are a few scripts you can use no matter what stage of the hiring process you might be posed that question.

WHEN YOU’RE ASKED VIA EMAIL OR A WEB-BASED APPLICATION If you’re corresponding via email with a recruiter or HR person, they may ask you about your “current salary.” It can feel rude not to answer, and you shouldn’t ignore the question completely.

Instead, take a friendly tone that encourages future discussion about compensation later on. For instance, you might write:

I look forward to discussing compensation once I’ve learned more about the position.

Or be a little more explicit about your reasoning:

If I seem like a good fit for the position, I would love to learn more about the responsibilities of the role, that way I can determine what salary I should seek.

I’m excited about [something specific that demonstrates your interest in the job] and am looking forward to hearing more about [company] and your goals for this position.

Alternatively, if you get asked to share your salary in an online application, you should feel at liberty just to leave that field blank or even enter a zero, then include a note of explanation, like the above, in your cover letter or elsewhere in the application. Don’t worry, it’s highly unlikely that your prospective employer will think you’re ready to work for free.

Will some hiring managers be turned off? Unfortunately that’s not an unreasonable fear. According to a survey last spring of over 15,000 employees by compensation platform PayScale, a woman who declines to disclose her salary earns less on average than a woman who shares what she’s making, whereas it’s the reverse for men: Those who don’t share their earning history get paid more than those who do.

Still, I’ve been helping women negotiate for years, and my advice is still to politely avoid the question. To my knowledge, none of my clients have experienced negative repercussions for avoiding the question. In fact, one even saw her salary increase by 30%. Think of it this way: If you have an otherwise strong application, leaving that question blank is unlikely to be a deal-breaker, as long as you’re qualified, professional, and enthusiastic about the position.

One client who’s in the midst of a job search recently told me, “I’ve been using the classic Lelia line [above] and no one has stopped me yet.”

Personally, if a company were to reject me or pay me less for leaving that question blank, I probably wouldn’t want to work there anyway.

WHEN YOU’RE ASKED IN A JOB INTERVIEW

Getting asked about salary history during a job interview can be far scarier than in a job application. After all, you can’t exactly copy and paste responses in a real-time conversation.

But you still have options–here are a few:

Salary information is something I only share with my accountant.

Or:

My current/previous employer considers that information confidential.

You can also avoid answering with your salary history and switching the conversation toward what you’d like to be making going forward:

Based on my experience and research of positions with a similar level of responsibility and scope in [city/region], I’m seeking a salary range of [range].

If you’re going to say that your employer keeps salary data confidential, make sure that’s actually true. And I’d only recommend using the last script as a last resort. The prospective employer knows the specific responsibilities of the job and the budget for the role better than you do, but coming up with a range can help you pivot away from the salary history question. (A word on tone: being brash or demanding does not help your negotiation, but neither does sounding lukewarm or defensive. Just demonstrate your excitement and enthusiasm the whole way through the hiring process.)

WHEN YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER IS VERY PERSISTENT

Sometimes a hiring manager will just be persistent. You might feel tempted to cave if you feel like you have no other choice. But if you’re underpaid, don’t hesitate to say so forthrightly:

My previous salary was below market value at [current salary], so based on my skill set, experience, and research about this position, I’m seeking [salary range].

This way, you’re showing that while you might’ve been underpaid in the past, you’re aware of this fact and are not going to let it happen again.

When it comes to negotiation, practice makes perfect. Rehearse them out loud and don’t hesitate to rephrase them in your own words. You’ll feel more comfortable saying them the next time you encounter a prospective employer who prods you about your salary history. And chances are, you’ll be happier with the number you hear once you do land the offer.

Lelia Gowland helps women negotiate and navigate their careers. She’s a sought after speaker and writer on gender dynamics in the workplace.

Ray J’s tech company strikes whopping $31 million deal

Ray J struck gold with a $31 million wholesale deal to launch his new brand of electric transportation, Raycon.

The deal would see Ray J taking an active role in the partnership (Cowboy Wholesale) by overseeing global branding strategies and overseas marketing.

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The singer had already begun his foray into the world of electronics with his brand in 2015 and is most famous for the Scoot-E-Bike, a foldable vehicle on two wheels. The new partnership is set to focus on innovation and other green electronic technologies.

“The world is moving towards renewable green energy, and electric transportation is a big part of that. With the Raycon movement, we are going to make sure we are one of the first ones there,� said Ray J, according to a press release.

Raycon launched in mid-November.

TRAP YOGA:

AFFIRMING THE VALUE OF BLACK MEN’S LIVES

Brandon Copeland, Founder of Khepera Wellness Photo: Facebook

Now, more than ever, Black men need a safe space to find a brief moment of peace.

The headlines paint a picture of devalued Black lives, while our justice system repeatedly turns a blind eye to basic human rights whenever Black men and women try to stake their claim. Fortunately for Black men (and women) in Washington, DC and Atlanta, there is a new sanctuary—the yoga studio.

Brandon Copeland, founder of Khephera Wellness Group, is the genius behind “Trap Yoga,” a class intended to appeal to a new brand of yogis. Copeland began practicing yoga while attending Howard University as a way to alleviate stress and deal with increased pressure in his personal life. Through his own practice, he started to share his passion for yoga with fellow Howard students, most of whom were new to yoga practice themselves.

Still noticing the lack of brown faces—particularly those of Black men—in DC’s thriving yoga community, Copeland sought out to create a class that would help to bridge the gap between yoga and his peers, with the help of trap music.

As Copeland explained in his interview with BlackDoctor.org, the “heavy base” and “good vibes” from trap music inspire the flow of this class. It’s no surprise that Trap Yoga has taken off from its humble beginnings in Washington, DC and expanded to new cities like Atlanta, another mecca for young, Black professionals.

Black men, in particular, have much to take away from the practice of yoga. Copeland explains, “Black men have a stigma placed upon them,” that can make some men apprehensive about practicing yoga. Fortunately, “yoga can give [men] a certain level of control and focus to allow them to make better decisions about themselves, which can impact their lives more than they know.”

In Copeland’s class, Black men don’t have to live up to stereotypes. Rather, “yoga can give them the power to rise above expectations,” that are oftentimes unfairly placed on them.

With the help of Trap Yoga, Copeland has been able to change the face of yoga, and introduce…

…his students to the numerous benefits of the practice. Copeland shared with BlackDoctor.org that yoga can help to improve balance, strength and flexibility—which he describes as the “holy trinity” needed to access your deep breath. Yoga can also prepare your body to meet more of life’s physical and mental demands.

Yoga has also been found to provide some relief to people with chronic conditions from arthritis to depression. Copeland recommends that students try a variety of yoga styles and classes to take full advantage of yoga’s unique benefits.

Copeland offers some of that variety at his Washington D.C. studio where students can begin and expand their practice with classes like:

Black Girl Magic: A slow Vinyasa flow yoga experience that celebrates the beauty and strength of Black women. All students are welcome “as long as they are willing to listen to and uplift Black women”

PowerHouse Yoga: A yoga class driven by pumping Afrobeats to push students to their greatest potential, and inspire a sense of movement through rhythm, and create a smooth and relaxing flow.

Trap Yoga: Mixes Power Yoga with Trap music, a form of hip hop with heavy bass and themes ranging from working hard to being your best self.

Vinyasa Yoga: A series of poses that keep students moving between asana on different sides of the body. Vinyasa allows students to “flow” from one pose to the next without stopping breath or focus.

You can learn more about Copeland’s yoga studios in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta by visiting kheperawellness. com. Otherwise, if you’re inspired

by Copeland’s story and practice, you can explore the benefits yoga by trying another class in your neighborhood, and add some much needed melanin to the “traditional” face of yoga.

Why “Atlanta” Creator

Donald Glover

Was One Of The Most Creative People In Business In 2017

“I have only a couple more years of being dangerous,” he says.

Here’s what the one-man culture factory has in the works.

Donald Glover pays close attention to the reactions of his fans. “You’re playing off the vibes, the wavelengths, the algorithms that your audience is giving you,” he says. [Photo: ioulex; Stylist: Way Perry at The Wall Group; Groomer: Ben Talbott at The Wall Group.]

Donald Glover is tired. Like, bone-tired–the

kind of tired that crushes his normally bright voice into a monotonous murmur. “This is a different level of production than anything I’ve ever been involved in, you know?” he says. It’s close to 9 p.m. London time, and Glover is coming off another grueling 10-hour day on the set of his latest movie–the as-yet-untitled Star Wars film in which he plays the beloved Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi character Lando Calrissian.

It’s a part that has required Glover to not only undergo intensive stunt training but also participate in daily weight-lifting sessions and abide by a strict muscle-building diet. Most nights, he says, he leaves the set barely able to walk.

Though shooting a mega-budget sci-fi blockbuster has proven more extreme than his typical

workday, Glover has lately been getting used to fatigue. Consider the relentless pace of his last 24 months, a period that has ce-mented his reputation as one of the entertainment industry’s premier polymaths. In addition to playing Calrissian in the eagerly awaited Han Solo-focused prequel (due next summer), he will appear in this July’s SpiderMan: Homecoming in a mysterious role that has been the subject of much online speculation. (Glover won’t divulge anything for fear of, as he puts it, getting “dragged away by the Marvel police.”) Last December, while still making the Spidey film, Glover released his third official album under the name Childish Gambino–the well-received Awaken, My Love!– and in September he put on a sold-out, threeday multimedia event in Joshua Tree, California, to debut his new music.

But the project that has truly kick-started Glover’s career–that has transformed him from a well-respected performer into one of Hollywood’s most exciting and in-demand creative minds–is the FX television series Atlanta, which he created, stars in, cowrites, and executive produces. When it premiered last September, the show quickly established itself as something original and important: a cerebral not-quite-comedy that uses the 30minute-sitcom format to explore issues of race, class, ambition, friendship, relationships, parenthood, and other endlessly complex subjects. It’s all filtered through Glover’s unconventional aesthetic, which blends pathos and humor with a giddy surrealism that comes and goes like fragments of a dream.

Atlanta has been celebrated for its diversity: The cast is composed entirely of people of color, as is the writers’ room. Glover stars as Earnest “Earn” Marks, a Princeton dropout who washes back up in his hometown, crashing with his on-again, off-again girlfriend (Zazie Beetz) and their toddler daughter. Dead broke, Earn ingratiates himself with his cousin, a rapper who goes by Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), and the first season loosely follows their travels through the local hip-hop scene. Atlanta is a show created by an African-American man in 2017, and its concerns, if not always overtly political, are necessarily wrapped up in questions of what it means to be young and black in America today. (Atlanta recently won a Peabody Award, which recognizes, in part, societal impact.)

Over the course of its 10-episode run, the show built an impressive audience. By its November finale, Atlanta was averaging more than 5 million viewers per episode across platforms, making it the mostwatched comedy in FX’s history. It went on to win two Golden Globes–one for Glover, for best actor, and one for best television comedy–and FX quickly announced it was re-upping the series for a second season, which is due next year.

Keith Standfield as Darius, Donald Glover as Earn, and Brian Tyree Henry as Alfred in the FX original series Atlanta.

[Photo: Guy D’Alema, courtesy of FX]

In January, the network tapped Glover for an

unusual exclusive overall production role, which enables him to create an unspecified number of other shows (including a recently announced animated take on Marvel’s Deadpool, which will air on FXX). “FX, to me, feels like a safe creative place right now,” Glover says. “I’m hesitant to say that, because it’s owned by a big conglomerate [20th Century Fox], but I mean it: If I have an idea, they’ll find a place to put it.” To the network, Glover represents the rare kind of visionary talent who can attract intense interest at a time when it’s harder than ever to break through the cultural clutter. “He’s remarkably multifaceted,” says FX president John Landgraf. “I look at Donald first and foremost as a creator, but also as an entrepreneur–someone who is almost boundaryless, who can do almost anything they set their mind to.”

For Glover, Atlanta’s success–and FX’s faith in his voice and creative vision–is gratifying. “I had this thing, starting out, where people didn’t

really trust me,” he says. “I say that as a young creative person, and I say that as a young black man.” The shows that he will create via his FX deal are a chance to prove, as he puts it, “that I understand what hits are–that I can make a hit.

I’m gaining people’s trust. Every one of those roles is a step that brings me closer to doing the things that I want to do, on my own terms.”

Though Atlanta is not autobiographical, Glover did grow up in a suburb of the city, the son of a postal worker and daycare manager. After graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2006, where he was a member of a popular comedy group, he was handpicked by Tina Fey to lend some millennial savvy to the writers’ room of 30 Rock, and three years later he scored an acting role on cultfavorite sitcom Community, playing Troy, a washed-up jock. Though it was a supporting part, Glover’s endearing performance earned him outsize attention and appreciation. When Glover started releasing music as Childish

Gambino, many fans and critics were skeptical. But it turned out he was serious about broadening his creative purview, and his albums Camp (2011) and Because the Internet (2013) won some devotees.

His most recent, Awaken, My Love!, a carefully crafted tribute to Funkadelic and other sounds of the 1970s, has been admired by both fans and music critics.

Glover now essentially juggles four separate careers, any one of which would be a full-time occupation for most people: star and showrunner of a hit TV show, in-demand film actor (he will also voice Simba in the upcoming remake of The Lion King), creator and producer of multiple future FX programs, and recording artist. Today, in operating this culture factory, Glover has come to rely on a team of colleagues and family members, which includes his longtime manager, Dianne McGunigle, and his kid brother, Stephen Glover, a rapper and one of the writers on Atlanta. Glover refers to this group as a “hub” that gives him a creative base as well as advice, especially as the number of opportunities that come his way have multiplied. “Freedom is responsibility,” he says. “This idea that the only thing stopping you is your own imagination–that’s beautiful, but you still need structure, you still need boundaries, even if you’re making them yourself.” A similar dynamic is at play with the Atlanta team. “At its best,” he says, “it’s like a Ouija board. We’re all pushing and pulling together.”

Part of his strategy includes paying close attention to social media, carefully monitoring reactions to his various projects.

“A lot of art is a dance you do with your audience,” he says. “You’re playing off the vibes, the wavelengths, the algorithms that your audience is giving you. And now that I’ve got that information, I can get ready to dance with them again for [Atlanta‘s] second season.”

Surprisingly, he does not himself actively participate, having deleted all of the posts from his public Twitter and Instagram accounts two years ago. “I wanted, when I said something, for people to know I meant it,” he now explains. “Instead of 140 characters with no detail, I’d rather be like, ‘Here’s this thought. I made a thing out of it, and there’s a whole world contained in there.’ I want you to be able to immerse yourself in it.”

I ask Glover whether, during rare moments of downtime while shooting the Star Wars movie, he finds himself thinking about his next big projects. He admits that he feels an intense sense of urgency. “The way I look at things, I have only a couple more years of being dangerous,” he says. “A couple more years of making risky moves.” After that, he seems to be saying, he’ll be fully caught in the Hollywood machine–less able to gamble with a show as irresistibly strange as Atlanta. “But while it’ll be from a very different place, I hope I’ll still be making good shit.”

30-SECOND BIO: DONALD GLOVER

Hometown: Stone Mountain, Georgia

Notable movie roles: A NASA astrophysicist in best-picture nominee The Martian; a stripper in 2015’s Magic Mike XXL

Early break: Glover cofounded a sketch-comedy trio called Derrick Comedy while at NYU. The group’s online videos won a significant fan base, including Tina Fey, who hired Glover to work on 30 Rock.

Source of inspiration: When Glover was getting ready to film Atlanta, he watched BBC nature docu-series Planet Earth II on repeat. “It’s the most beautiful, honest, visceral, and universal show,” he says. “I love that you could show it to a person anywhere in the world and they’d be in awe.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 2017 issue of Fast Company magazine

Click Here To See The Trailer

Nike, Google and B World’s Coolest B Manila's Hyper Courts brid

BBH Just Made the Basketball Courts dge the digital and physical

By Tim Nudd for| www.adweek.com

Nike, Google and BBH Singapore have partnered for a remarkable online/offline project called Nike Hyper Court, which brings digital content to beautifully painted physical basketball courts, beginning in the Philippines.

There are five Hyper Courts so far, spread across five Barangays (districts) of Manila. Each has been painted—with portraits of NBA stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving—by Arturo Torres, the illustrator known for his superhero-style illustrations of rappers and basketball stars.

The Hyper Courts feature an on-court digital platform that players can tap into with their smartphones. Without having to use any data whatsoever, players can pull up all sorts of Nike content that will help them with their game—including training drills tailored for different types of players. The more a player uses the platform, the more it learns and makes recommendations.

The Hyper Courts launched at the end of November. They follow another celebrated digital/physical installation that BBH made for Nike last year—the “Unlimited Stadium.”

“Bringing two brands like Nike and Google together has allowed us to deliver a true world first,” said David Webster, managing partner at BBH Singapore.

“Nike Hyper Court will be transformational to Filipino basketball, giving millions of kids access to some of the best training available and to help them raise their game.”

“The passion for basketball in Manila is unlike any other city in Asia,” added Nike Southeast Asia & India senior marketing director Bulbul Khera. “We want to inspire young ballers to realize their full potential through the physical and digital aspects of their sport. Nike Hyper Court enables these ballers to train anytime without worrying about access to training drills and data costs.”

“Collaborating with a great partner like Nike and an innovative agency like BBH was a perfect fit,” said Miguel Andrés-Clavera, Google creative technology lead. “Nike Hyper Court, powered by Google, presents a great example of how businesses can partner with the community to customize technology and provide an original, digital solution aimed at empowering Filipino basketball players and youth across the capital.

We are excited to see Nike Hyper Court use Google’s technology to change the game. This technology allows for endless possibilities on and off the court.”

Torres’ artwork is exceptional. The American artist, based in Texas, who grew up in shelters, was drawn to Nike’s aim of nurturing and inspire young people. “I came from a childhood surrounded by domestic violence, in a tough neighborhood.

But to look at myself and know that I’m not a statistic when I could’ve been, should’ve been, that’s amazing.

I’m proof you can make it out, you can have a better life,” he said.

“To know that my art can contribute to something like that, that maybe a kid here in the Philippines can feel excited about playing on that court because of something I drew and that helps him become the next LeBron or Kobe, that’s incredible. I just want to be the best I can be and inspire kids to be better.

That’s my goal—for kids to be better than me.”

Torres had this to say about his five court designs:

“KD is filled with energy. That’s why I gave him rays. This guy is seven foot and he can play any position. Kyrie moves around people so fast that’s why he’s got the wind going against him. Lebron is a freaking God—I wanted him to be like Thor, so a flying superhero with lightning bolts it is. And then there’s Kobe. He’s always in control with those ball handling skills. That’s why he’s got smoke under him. Then there’s Westbrook. He’s a living volcano. Get out of his way or get run over. I put him in fire and lava.”

CREDITS Agency: BBH Singapore Managing Partner: David Webster Executive Creative Director : Joakim Borgstrรถm Creative Technology Lead : Dillah Zakbah Creative Director : Aste Gutierrez Copywriter : Kara Bautista Art Directors : Sudhir Pasumarty, Denise Tee, Grace Wong, Joel Sow, Lee Jing Lin Business Director: Sid Tuli Planning Director: Rebecca Ash Account Director: Nicole Lee Associate Account Director: Cheryl Cheong Operations Director : Lesley Chelvan Digital Producer : Chris Salonga Digital Production : Media Monks Network Partner : NexLogic TeleCommunications Network Inc. Intern : Jereek Espritu Content Production: Black Sheep Studios Head of Production: Jonathan Gerard Producer: Samantha Dalton Illustrations: Arturo Torres Additional Illustration Elements: AJ Dimarucot Photography: Edge of Light Photographers: Xander Angeles, Raymond Celestino, Kharren Granada, Kevin Cayuca Studio Director: Eddie Jackson Digital Imaging: Sally Liu Training Drills Production: WYD Training Drills Director: Caloy Soliongco Film Coverage: Tower Of Doom Training Animations and Post Production: Heckler Animation Director: Shaun Leong Williams Audio: Neon Sound Mural Painting: #honeycombarts

Tim Nudd @nudd

Tim Nudd is creative editor of Adweek and editor of AdFreak, its daily blog. He oversees all of Adweek's creative coverage and is co-host of its weekly podcast, Yeah, That's Probably an Ad.

Larenz Tate and the B.L.O.O.M. Program

(Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men) Black men need jobs. Ex-offenders need jobs, records expunged, opportunities, or they will re-offend.

Increase the viable decent-paying job opportunities. Reduce the recidivism rate.

Larenz Tate https://twitter.com/larenztate | https://www.instagram.com/LarenzTate/

BLOOM BLOOM (Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men) http://calfund.org/transform-la/ccf-priority-areas/youth-empowerment/bloom/

Starting Out The New Year With A New Dapper Wardrobe

Designer: Andrew Nowell Menswear Dasoul Underwear @andrewnowell_menswear @dasoul_underwear

Photographer: Don Harris IG. @don_harris202

Fashion Stylist: Sam Rhue IG @kappadonna2

Men’s Grooming and Hair: Dior Sovoa IG @diorsovoa

Production Stylist: Leonard Smith

Male Models:

Christopher Moses IG @christopher.makel.moses

Luther Williams IG @luwavyy

Ricky Humes IG @rickdbnr

Issac Smith IG @iam_i.smith

Suki IG @king_sulaiman_rah

Venue: Crucible D.C.

Click Here To See The Trailer

ARMS WORKOUTS

ARMS WORKOUTS

ARMS WORKOUTS

The

Navy SEAL workout to blow up your arms

BUSY MEN KNOW how to be efficient in the gym. That’s why busy men train with supersets.

With supersets, leisurely rests—the time lazier guys spend checking Instagram—are gone. Instead, it’s back-to-back moves: one set of A, one set of B, rest, repeat. Plus, since you just crammed in double the work in half the time, there’s no need to rush your rest periods between sets.

And supersetting isn’t just a time-saver. It can also boost testosterone for up to 24 hours post-workout, and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

How it works Using supersets provides more of an aerobic/cardiovascular challenge while allowing you to build muscular endurance. You’ll be overloading similar (rather than opposing) muscle groups, which will more effectively burn out—and blow up—every portion of your biceps. At the end of the workout, you'll do a pullup EMOM. You'll complete either three, five, or seven pullups in a minute (beginner: do three; intermediate, five; advanced, seven). Rest for the remainder of the minute. Repeat this cycle for 10 total minutes for either 30, 50, or 70 pullups in just 10 minutes. Want more of a challenge?

Hold a dumbbell or medicine ball between your feet.

Preacher Curl

1. Sit at a preacher bench and adjust the height so that your armpits touch the top of the bench.

2. Grasp an EZ-curl bar (shown) or dumbbells at shoulder width with arms extended (but allow a slight bend at the elbows).

3. Curl the weight, keeping the backs of your arms against the bench.

Take three seconds to lower the bar back down.

Seated Incline Dumbbell Curl

A.  Set an adjustable bench between 45 and 60 degrees and sit back against it with a dumbbell in each hand.

B.  Curl the weights to shoulder height without allowing your elbows to drift in front of your shoulders.

The biceps brachii actually consists of two portions or "heads," with differing attachment points. The "long" head actually attaches above the shoulder joint, which means that the position of the upper arm relative to the body can determine how much each head of the biceps helps during a curl.

This exercise gets your humerus behind your body, stretching the long head to the max. The more horizontal the bench, the more the long head will be stretched.

Bicep Curls 1. Anchor the band under your feet, holding an end in each hand.

2. Curl it without letting your upper arms drift forward.

Hammer Curls 1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing your sides.

2. Keeping your upper arms against your sides, curl the weights at the same time

Pull Ups Pull-ups should be a permanent fixture in any legit strength training plan. Use these tips to expand their benefits and capitalize on serious muscle gains

1. Grab onto a bar and hang so that your arms are straight and your feet aren't touching the ground.

2. Pull yourself up so that your chest touches the bar, then slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position. That's one rep.

Your Exclusive Beginner’s Guidelines to Meal Prep Take the stress out of your meal prep with these helpful tips from experts

By Douglas Backstrom for ebony.com

M

eal planning seems like something for super organized adults who have nearly perfect

lives. Who else has the time and discipline to meal prep for the week on Sunday? But regular meal preparation is for everybody–or at least it can be.

Putting together and cooking meals for several days can be intimidating if you’ve never done it. It’s exhausting just to think about figuring out the right foods, the correct portions and finding the time to cook it all. Perhaps you don’t even know what “healthy eating” is.

Here’s where a little focus and planning become your best friends. Thanks to the advice of two fitness gurus, you can be well on your way to eating better AND losing weight.

One stumbling block for many who embark on a healthy eating journey is figuring out exactly what to eat. According to nutritional coach and trainer Cliff Wilson, the more variety there is in a diet, the better success one will have adhering to it.

“It saves time and money, and it is the best way to track intake and caloric regulations,” he says.

According to Wilson, planning ensures good results.

“The times when most people’s diets go wrong are when they have failed to plan,” he explains. “It’s not usually the intentional binge that derails people; rather, it’s the lack of planning that eventually leads to overeating.”

But is finding the time to prep really a burden?

“You need to prioritize your diet,” Wilson states.

Most people fail because if they are not honest with themselves, they really aren’t making it a priority. People often say that they ‘can’t’ stick to a plan due to their schedule or kids; however, I be if they were offered a million dollars to stick to a meal plan, then they could make it work.”

Another option is meal services, which offer ready-made nutritious food selections designed to make your life easier. If you decide to go that route, “Make sure they are established and have a rating with the Better Business Bureau,” advises Akhigbe. “Try and get testimonials on the quality of food as well as the taste. Make sure the establishment is clean and passes health inspections. If they state in their advertisement that they are using organic, whole foods, they need to be able to prove their statement by having available literature to reference.”

If you insist on DIY, devoting one or two days to cooking in bulk can save you time. “This will reduce the number of days you must cook, the number of times you need to pull out the cooking utensils, the number of times you must clean up, etc.,� Wilson says.

Also, choosing options such as tuna, fruits and raw veggies as snacks are helpful and keeps meal prep simple.

ESSENCE MAGAZINE IS 100% BLACK-OWNED ONCE AGAIN

by Selena Hill for blackenterprise.com

Time Inc. is selling Essence Communications Inc. to Essence Ventures LLC, a company launched in 2017 by Shea Moisture founder Richelieu Dennis. As a result, the Essence brand has returned to a 100% blackowned independent company, after 12 years of being owned by Time.

The History of Essence

Essence magazine, a marquee lifestyle brand for African American women, originally launched in 1970 under Essence Communications, Inc. The publication became a hallmark for black women and maintained its status as a black-owned publication for decades. However, in 2005, Essence sold all of its assets to Time Inc., placing the premier magazine for women of color under white ownership.

The tables turned on Wednesday when Essence announced that it has been completely acquired by Essence Ventures, a company focused on building content, community, and commerce for women of color.

As part of the new deal, Essence President Michelle Ebanks will continue in her role and join its board of directors. In addition, Ebanks, along with a Black female-led executive team, will have an equity stake in the business. Specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This acquisition of ESSENCE represents the beginning of an exciting transformation of our iconic brand as it evolves to serve the needs and interests of multigenerational Black women around the world in an even more elevated and comprehensive way across print, digital, e-commerce and experiential platforms,” said Ebanks in a statement. “In addition, it represents a critical recognition, centering and elevation of the Black women running the business from solely a leadership position to a co-ownership position.”

A New Chapter

The acquisition marks a new beginning for the legacy brand, which has been granted capital and resources to expand its brand overseas. “Our focus here will be on ensuring that Essence reaches its full potential via heightened capabilities, technology, products and touch points that super-serve the interests of Black women locally and globally,” said Dennis, a featured speaker at BE’s upcoming 2018 Women of Power Summit. He added: “As importantly, we are excited to be able to return this culturally relevant and historically significant platform to ownership by the people and the consumers whom it serves and offer new opportunities for the women leading the business to also be partners in the business.”

The Legacy

Before the Time acquisition, Essence was a perennial on the Black Enterprise BE 100s list. BE Chief Content Officer Derek T. Dingle, however, applauded the new acquisition and welcomed Essence’s return to the “roster of The BE 100s – the nation’s largest black-owned businesses – after an absence of more than a decade.”

Dingle added that the “groundbreaking” transaction “demonstrates that a number of African American entrepreneurs can execute with vision and wherewithal to return valuable institutions to African American ownership – a rare event in contemporary black business history.”

Back in 1997, Ed Lewis, Essence Communications co-founder, told Black Enterprise that he never ruled out the possibility of selling the publication. “Anything is possible, but we have to see how the world is conducting business and be mindful of our shareholders’ interest.”

Time Inc. just sold Essence magazine to Richelieu Dennis Time Inc. has announced that it sold Essence–both the magazine and its parent lifestyle brand–to a holding company owned by SheaMoisture founder Richelieu Dennis.

“This acquisition of [Essence] represents the beginning of an exciting transformation of our iconic brand,” said the company’s president, Michelle Ebanks, in the press release.

Essence will transfer from Time’s hands to an entirely blackowned independent company. “[W]e are excited to be able to return this culturally relevant and historically significant platform to ownership by the people and the consumers whom it serves,” said Dennis in the press release. The move comes as Time Inc. continues to sell of parts of the company that were not included in its recent sale to Meredith.

Now it seems Dennis is looking to transcend his entrepreneurial reach beyond SheaMoisture. You can read Fast Company’s recent profile of the founder here.

Netflix Orders Black Superhero Family Drama ‘Raising Dion’ Co-Starring Michael B. Jordan From Charles D. King’s MACRO Netflix has given a 10-episode straightto-series order to hourlong sci-fi, family drama, Raising Dion, based on commercial and music video director Dennis Liu’s short film about an African-American single mother who discovers her young son has multiple, constantly changing abilities. The project comes from Liu, Creed star Michael B. Jordan, who will have a supporting role, veteran showrunner Carol Barbee (UnReal, Judging Amy), writer-producer Michael Green (American Gods, Logan) and Charles D. King’s MACRO (Fences).

Barbee wrote the adaptation of the Liu-directed Raising Dion short film (you can watch it below), which accompanied the comic book of the same name Liu wrote with illustrations by Jason Piperberg. She will serve as showrunner on the series and will executive produce alongside Liu, who will direct; Jordan, through his Outlier Society Productions; MACRO’s King, Kim Roth and Poppy Hanks; Kenny Goodman; and Green.

Raising Dion, a Netflix production, This marks the first TV series order for follows the story of a woman named MACRO, the multi-platform media Nicole Reese, who raises her son Dion company founded in 2015 by former WME after the death of her husband Mark partner King with the goal of bringing (Jordan). The normal dramas of raising a diverse stories to film and TV. The son as a single mom are amplified when company just raised an additional $150M Dion starts to manifest several magical, in equity and debt financing to produce superhero-like abilities. Nicole must now and finance four to six film and TV projects keep her son’s gifts secret with the help a year. MACRO recently teamed with Van of Mark’s best friend Pat, and protect Jones to produce Indivisible (working title), Dion from antagonists out to exploit him an hourlong political drama set to begin while figuring out the origin of his production in 2018. abilities.

“We haven’t seen this type of superhero “I started this project many years ago story before — an origin myth full of because I wanted to see more diverse imagination, wonder and adventure, all representation on film and television and grounded in the experiences of a modern I’m excited to partner with Netflix, who I single mother,” said Cindy Holland, VP, know shares that commitment,” Liu said.

Original Content for Netflix. “Michael B. “More than ever, we need more stories Jordan is an exciting and dynamic talent, told from different points of view and my and I’m excited to see him, MACRO, Carol hope with Raising Dion is to create a and the team translate Dennis’ unique cinematic experience for all families that vision to television.” will lift your spirits and make you laugh

and cry.”

TRAILER LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=dW9EIxEqrJw

9 ways to build a side business without quitting your day job

Quitting your day job to pursue the entrepreneurial dream can be exhilarating — or terrifying. Fortunately, anyone can easily make extra money from a "side hustle" without losing the security of a steady paycheck. These millionaires and members of The Oracles give practical advice on turning your side hustle into an abundant cash cow.

1. Maintain perspective

You might feel tremendous pressure while birthing your idea and simultaneously performing in a full-time job. Instead of perceiving pressure as a problem, embrace it: the high stakes force you to be decisive, clear, and effective with your goals.

Before you jump off the cliff and get your business going, consider a business partner.

Find someone with opposite complementary strengths to have the best chance of winning.

—Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group and Shark on "Shark Tank"

2. Re-look at your current job

Poor people try to replace income sources; rich people add. Don't hastily quit your job for "greener pastures" until you're certain you could make more with your time elsewhere.

Until then, get better at your current job. Flip your mindset to increasing production within the time you have. When I sold cars, I learned how to finance them. The finance manager didn't have to stay late, the dealer didn't need to take on another salary, the customer was taken care of, and I earned extra money. Everyone won!

When you do start your side hustle, make it "symbiotic" — closely connected to your main income source — so you can give both proper attention. Most people start a side hustle, get excited, ignore their main income stream, then end up with one source again.

Commit to never ignoring your primary income source. With several income streams, you can build true wealth.

—Grant Cardone, top sales expert who has built a $500-million real estate empire, and NYT-bestselling author; follow Grant on Facebook or YouTube

3. Buy an existing, profitable business

Consider buying an existing, profitable business. I've made 13 business acquisitions over the years. It's much easier to build on a proven business model with incremental enhancements than creating something from nothing.

With acquisitions, leverage the seller's support, experience, and insight during the transition.

Strategically finance your business acquisitions so you don't pay all the cash up front. If the financial records are clean, you can qualify for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan with as little as a 10-20 percent down payment.

With an already successful business, you can focus on financing the deal and delegate roles to grow the business further.

— Tom Shieh, CEO of Crimcheck; connect with Tom on Facebook

4. Consider your passion and time

When starting a side hustle, find something you're excited about and don't mind spending time on.

The first time I sold online was on eBay. As an avid golfer, I noticed golf clubs were selling like gangbusters, and started browsing garage sales to see if I could find one to resell. I purchased an almost new Callaway Big Bertha for $20 and listed it within an hour for $100. It sold the very first day. For the next several years, I bought and resold golf equipment on eBay.

If your side hustle is something you enjoy, you may just turn your side hustle into a full-time hustle.

—Rob Kosberg, #1 bestselling author and CEO of Best Seller Publishing, whose strategies have positioned US Ambassadors, professional athletes and CEOs as thought leaders 5. Harness an actionable audience

A great side hustle pays you for what you'd do anyway. When I was in college studying music, I worked the night shift at a hotel where I could study or sleep until a customer rang the bell for service. I umpired baseball games and refereed soccer, earning anywhere from $50 to $75 an hour watching games. I also bounced and deejayed at a club, so I was paid to party and even made great money at weddings.

Take your passion, and see if there's an audience for it. Then create a revenue stream by harnessing people's interest. Today, I write viral videos and produce music that drives customer engagement. It's a side hustle and passion, so never feels like work.

— Craig Handley, co-founder and CEO of ListenTrust; read more about Handley: This boss hires and trains his employees to quit 6. Build Rome in a day

One, find your favorite household item — for example: mayonnaise, books, or doggy beds. Two, build a ClickFunnels, Shopify, or Amazon store. Three, create a Stripe or Braintree account. Four, form an LLC on LegalZoom and create a business bank account. Five, use Facebook ads to drive traffic to your product. These five steps can be accomplished in under a month with a full-time job.

—Tai Lopez, investor and advisor to many multimillion-dollar businesses, who has built an eight-figure online empire; connect with Tai on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube

7. Start with 30 minutes a day, then outsource

The time vs. money value is usually the most important factor to becoming wealthy. The difficult part about having a job is you don't have free time to build a business. E-commerce (drop shipping specifically) for me started as a side hustle, which quickly became a multimillion-dollar business.

Set aside time — even if it's just 30 minutes per day — to work on your side hustle. Outsource your work, and get help from freelancers on websites such as Upwork and Fiverr. It's often much easier than you think to find people who can help you.

—Jared Goetz, serial entrepreneur and ecommerce expert; co-founder of four multimilliondollar companies in five years 8. Build a self-managing side hustle

Create a side hustle that leverages your time and manages itself. The three pillars of a selfmanaging side hustle are:

Learning to sell online Creating "value" products Building a distribution system.

You can learn to sell anything online just by watching a few free videos with basic sales funnel software like ClickFunnels or LeadPages. By creating "value" products such as courses, checklists, or cheat sheets, your one-time effort can have an exponential impact. The fastest distribution system is building an email list by trading a value product to acquire leads.

Ultimately, when you have a self-managing business, you instantly have options and cash flow: the two results that every entrepreneur loves!

—Sharran Srivatsaa, angel investor and president of brokerage (western region) at Douglas Elliman; grew Teles Properties 10X in five years

9. Make it sustainable

Don't quit your day job until you have enough revenue to support your current lifestyle with the side hustle.

I had a friend who wanted to be in the t-shirt business. He was very passionate about the process, the product he could provide, and the lifestyle he would create. Blinded by his passion, he quit his day job without one client or prospect. This put a severe financial strain on him and his family.

When you have an idea, work on it during off-hours, evenings, and weekends until it's fully sustainable.

With this method, you'll be able to minimize risk, generate stable cash, and follow your passion.

—Michael Alden, bestselling author and CEO of CloiXonnÊ

An ode to the most underappreciated Comedy on television,

'Survivor's Remorse'

Cancellation season is nothing new. Year in and year out, television fans and critics alike are subject to the ending of shows they’ve either grown to love or followed very closely.

My personal top four include The Carmichael Show, Limitless, Pitch and American Crime — not including Timeless, which was brought back by NBC and Underground, which I’m still hoping is picked up by Netflix, Hulu or Amazon.

That four was expanded to a five this week as Starz announced that the LeBron James-executive produced comedy Survivor’s Remorse would not be returning for a fifth season on the network.

Survivor’s Remorse follows Cam Calloway, played by Jessie T. Usher, a basketball phenom in his early 20s, who is suddenly thrust into the limelight after signing a multi-million dollar contract with a professional basketball team in Atlanta.

Cam, along with his cousin, manager and confidant Reggie Vaughn, played by RonReaco Lee, move to Georgia to start Cam’s journey to success. The two confront the challenges of carrying needy family members and their strong ties to the impoverished community that they come from. Cam, Reggie and an unforgettable group of characters wrestle with the rewards and pitfalls of stardom, love and loyalty. The cast also includes Tichina Arnold has Cam's mother, Cassie, Teyonah Parris as Reggie's wife, Missy and Erica Ash as Cam's sister, Mary Charles, aka "M-Chuck." Mike Epps starred for the first two seasons as Cam’s uncle, Julius. Later seasons saw an increased presence of Robert Wu as Cassie’s boyfriend and the owner of his the company he has a sneaker deal with, Da Chen Bao, and Megan Tandy also came on board as Cam’s now-fiance, Allison Pierce.

The show was created by actor and writer Mike O'Malley (known for his roles Yes, Dear and Glee) and attracted talented directors for its episodes like Debbie Allen, Victoria Mahoney and Salli Richardson Whitfield, just to name a few.

During its time on television, Survivor's Remorse was critically acclaimed, with most critics across the board praising the performances from the actors and the timely, socially-relevant storylines tackled by the show.

“The cast is terrific, and some of the lines are screamingly funny, but there's also an empathetic, moral undercurrent to the story — the usual cautionary tale about having all your dreams come true.” — The Washington Post

“Survivor's Remorse is a gem, a likable, smart, and wise single-camera comedy that, despite its clunky title, is as smoothly produced as an effortless, fluid jump shot. Swish.” — Boston Globe

“Survivor's Remorse, despite being one of TV's most well-written single-camera comedies, remains one of its most tragically unsung.” — Screenrant

“Superbly written, thought-provoking comedies of this caliber are hard to come by these days - especially ones that leave no question as to what they are and what they aspire to be.” — Salon

Despite all of this, it ran under the radar for the most of the time.

For some of you reading, it may be the first time you’ve heard of Survivor’s Remorse. Maybe it’s the name of the game of being on a premium network? However, the show’s airing on a premium network may have extended its lifespan by a couple of seasons.

A somewhat lack of awareness surrounding the show didn’t just extend to viewers, but also the love that it should have been shown come Emmy time, with Erica Ash, Tichina Arnold and RonReaco Lee giving superb performances — not to mention what should have been Outstanding Comedy Series and Writing nods. Survivor's Remorse filled a void that we didn't know was needed — something that he hadn't seen on television.

Week after week, the actors on the show gave their all in these performances. RonReaco Lee, very familiar to most audiences as Tyreke in Sister, Sister (not forgetting his other roles throughout the years in Let’s Stay Together, The Good Guys, Complications, etc.) gives the performance of his career in the series. No doubt, if the show earned all of the accolades that it should have, Lee would have Emmy nods running neck and neck with some of the best in the game. Not dismissing the other performances, but during most of the show’s run, Lee pulls most of the show’s heavy lifting. Pilot season best be good to him, because if anything, Survivor’s Remorse shows he has the range and then some. The brotherly relationship between first cousins Cam and Reggie is at the crux of the series, providing a much-needed narrative to relationships between black men on television.

Despite all of this, it ran under the radar for the most of the time.

For some of you reading, it may be the first time you’ve heard of Survivor’s Remorse. Maybe it’s the name of the game of being on a premium network? However, the show’s airing on a premium network may have extended its lifespan by a couple of seasons.

A somewhat lack of awareness surrounding the show didn’t just extend to viewers, but also the love that it should have been shown come Emmy time, with Erica Ash, Tichina Arnold and RonReaco Lee giving superb performances — not to mention what should have been Outstanding Comedy Series and Writing nods. Survivor's Remorse filled a void that we didn't know was needed — something that he hadn't seen on television.

Week after week, the actors on the show gave their all in these performances. RonReaco Lee, very familiar to most audiences as Tyreke in Sister, Sister (not forgetting his other roles throughout the years in Let’s Stay Together, The Good Guys, Complications, etc.) gives the performance of his career in the series. No doubt, if the show earned all of the accolades that it should have, Lee would have Emmy nods running neck and neck with some of the best in the game. Not dismissing the other performances, but during most of the show’s run, Lee pulls most of the show’s heavy lifting. Pilot season best be good to him, because if anything, Survivor’s Remorse shows he has the range and then some. The brotherly relationship between first cousins Cam and Reggie is at the crux of the series, providing a much-needed narrative to relationships between black men on television.

Aside from Lee, there’s Erica Ash, portraying one of the most notable representations of a queer PoC that we’ve seen in some time. Brash, outspoken and unhinged, Ash also broke out in this role. In an era where the word ‘unapologetic’ is growing to mean less and less to those who embrace themselves for who they truly are — you can’t help but use this when describing M-Chuck. And Ash is definitely leading woman caliber, bringing both a comedic sensibility and dramatic chops to the show.

Then, there is Missy, powerfully portrayed by Teyonah Parris. As a foil to on-screen husband Lee’s Reggie, over the past four seasons they redefined the “unfriendly black hottie”-meets-“guy from the wrong side of the tracks” storyline that we’ve seen time and time again — and they made it new, fresh and entertaining. Parris, no stranger to acclaimed roles, is taking her talents to Barry Jenkins’ next big hit film, If Beale Street Could Talk.

Continuing to cement herself as the comedy queen, Tichina Arnold delivered a master class with Survivor’s Remorse. Did Cassie always get it? No. Do our parents always get it? Of course not, and that’s what made her performance here, like that of Lee’s, possibly the most powerful in her storied career. Although a good amount of mainstream television viewers might not have seen Survivor’s Remorse, they’ve probably seen that viral clip of Cassie from the series that got thousands of retweets on Twitter, in Arnold’s infamous monologue telling Cam about her gang rape resulting in M-Chuck’s conception.

Mike Epps had a hilarious turn as Cassie’s brother Julius, before he was killed off in the season two finale. While many critiques of the last two seasons might say this was a turning point (in a bad way) for the show, it wasn’t, with the series continuing to rest its laurels on the shoulders of Ash and Lee, and comedic relief from Robert Wu’s Da Chen Bao and a solid performance here from Meagan Tandy.

Lastly, to be honest, we all know that the character was polarizing as hell, but you have to give kudos as well to Jessie T. Usher as Cam Calloway. We rooted for Cam while yelling at the television about his entitlement. How many shows have you watched that can have that impact on you? While I’m excited to see Usher flex his acting chops in a different type of role (he’s toplining an upcoming Shaft reboot), Cam Calloway will be a missed character.

Aside from the acting, the writing was smart, witty, and fun — yet serious. In the age where most of our beloved comedies aren’t just delivering the laughs — but the tears as well, Survivor’s Remorse pulled off the delicate balance of both. A lot of the dialogue consisted of somewhat-lengthy monologues by characters, slowly pulling the viewer in with each line. Despite in what sometimes could have been seen has heavy dialogue, it didn’t seem as such.

Its first season, which fired from all cylinders, are comedy gems which should probably rank in a list of the best comedy episodes of all time — ‘How to Build A Brand’ which cleverly turned the story of a dying teen (Jacob Latimore) into a laughing matter, and ‘The Decisions,’ a hilarious, yet very real portrait of the experience of LGBT folks attending traditional black churches.

Close-runners up are two Season 3 episodes — ‘No Child Left Behind’, which dissected black folks and guns, mixed of the Calloway-Vaughns hilariously discovering their heritage, and ‘The Thank You Note,’ which made me think about how I never thought that an episode of a television series would outline a bougie black tendency such as proper etiquette for thank you notes.

All in all, while Survivor’s Remorse should go down in history as one of the best comedies in our generation, unfortunately, it may just be remembered as the most unappreciated, with the reminders of how incredibly frustrating it was that more people didn't tune in.

However, we are left to appreciate the four seasons we were given, with the final one concluding as not a definitive 'end,' but more questions and answers about the family's next move.

So long Calloway-Vaughns, until we meet again.

by Trey Mangum for ShadowandAct.com

Trey Mangum is the lead editor of Shadow & Act. You can email him at trey@blavity.com & follow him on Twitter @TreyMangum.

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