Drew Sidora Cover Issue

2010 Vol 3 Issue 1

“Urban Inspiration”

USA $4.00 /Canada $5.00

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine 2010 Vol 3 Issue 1

Feature Contents

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6 Harlem Globetrotters' Herbert "Flight Time" Lang

Flight Time reunites with his teammates and gives us some insight about the world famous basketball team

1 3 Trey Songz and Noonie G

R&B Singer and Ex-gang Member talk about the importance of stopping the violence

1 4 What Is the "Green City" Movement?

17 The Informed Mind 18 Drew Sidora "Young, Talented & Successful"

Writer, Russell Norman talks about the controversy of everyday distractions

Singer, actress, and community activist shares with us her new projects as she reaches back to her fans

24 Murphy Lee

Grammy Award winning Rapper gives us some insight about his career while he gives back to the community

25 Inspiring Comedian Lil Rel

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3 0 Community Reinvestment Act 32 Curley Mays‌Tells it like it is!!!

Regular Content

A Chicago comedian discusses his hunger and passion to make people laugh and feel good

A musical legend reminisces as he takes us through the journey of his past to current career

34 Krumper Tommy The Clown

The world's famous clown teams up with icon Snoop Dogg to help get children off the streets

Cover Photo:Drew Sidora Graphic Design: AR Arts & Graphics

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

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4 Editor’s Page 5 Letters 11 Business/ Technology 11 Words of Encouragement 14 Environmental/ Earth Talk 15 Health Solution 27 CM Corner 30 Teen/ College Spirit Section 30 Know Your Rights 31 Book Review(s) 32 Legends

Measure of Success

CONSCIOUSNESS “Urban Inspiration” STAFF

Founder & Publisher Aaron Robinson

M any believe that success is measured by our finances and material things that we may

Senior Vice President Mozella Sullivan

possess. I've always asked myself, "Are we socialize to think that we are successful by those means." I believe that success is measured by a person's experiences, such as the goals and challenges that he or she has overcome or defeated.

Administrative Asst.

Julia M. Robinson Josephine Robinson

Be mindful that there are individuals that may have gained success by overcoming illnesses, hurt and pain, or those who may have waited days or years to get out of a situation and achieved just that. Some may have shifted gears or took another course with their endeavors. By possessing strong ambitions or drives individuals may finally be able to discover the light at the end of the tunnel.

In this issue we will learn about individuals, in hopes to gain insight from their testimonies while desiring to understand what the motive is behind their success. There will also be inspiring content of articles and events, in hopes to enlighten and broaden your mind.

Aaron Robinson Founder & Publisher email: Arobinson@consciousnessmagazine.com

Consultant Frank Robinson Fred Robinson Event Coordinator C’lebrity N’dorser PR P H O T O S A T R O N P R O D U C T I O N S

Marketing / Promotions / Public Relations CM Strategic Team Advertising Agency Anthro 21 Photographer Atron Productions Graphic Design / Web Designer AR Arts & Graphics Technician AON C.C.A.D. Illustrator / Comics Eric Plaut Writers/Interviewers Tocarra Eldridge Shanessa Fenner Lee Harris Darnell Jordan Special Correspondent Russell Norman Hector De La Rosa Columnist Dangerous Lee Contributor Writers Jeff Hagan John Moulton Ryan Latimer Special Thanks David Noble Marco Williams Views expressed by advertisers and/or press release are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Consciousness Magazine. Consciousness Magazine will not be held responsible or liable for advertisers misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors, etc., herein contained.

Consciousness Magazine requires that all advertisement be in compliance with all applicable laws and be truthful and not offensive or detrimental to individuals, groups, or businesses. Consciousness Magazine reserve the right to revise, delete, objectionable words or phrases, and refuse any advertising it deems unacceptable.

Subscription rates; $24.00 per year (6 Issues) Consciousness Magazine ISSN:1553-5568 is published by Robinson & Sullivan Publishing, Inc. Postmaster: Send address Change and Subscription Orders to: P.O. Box 6858, Chicago, Illinois 60680, Phone: (312) 217-2276 Email: info@consciousnessmagazine.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publisher. ©2009 Consciousness Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

CM Letters Great Press Consciousness Magazine has great press coverage. I love everything, from the content to the design layout.

Keep up the good work.

Richard Vale Los Angeles

Photo: Aaron Robinson & Danny Glover

Testimonies

An Informative Change Thank you very much for my complimentary copy of Consciousness Magazine. I have read it and it is very interesting, informative and overall is a good publication. It has everything a magazine needs. I have been encouraged by the articles written by the founder himself. May God continue to use him to reach others.

Nobody, I really mean nobody knows what anybody is going through in this world but almighty God. One simple word or a collaboration of words can encourage, give hope, inspire, and change the course of ones destiny.

Greater things are in store.

A Good Read The Melba Moore interview was a good read. I love the way she opens up in the interview and tells her life story to the writer. I never knew so much was going on in her life. This story was very enlightening to me.

Tawa Bishi England

Toya Martin New York

You are the new age media and we need you desperately; you're the bloodline. " -Melba Moore "I'm happy to be a part, this is my introduction to Consciousness Magazine."

-Heavy D "I give big props to you. You cats are very important to keeping Hip Hop alive."

-Guru & Solar "Much success to Consciousness Magazine."

-Bern Nadette Stanis "I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your vision. This is the beginning and will open doors for many.�

-John Pee Kee "We celebrate your efforts.

We appreciate that we can be a part of this Journey."

-Trin-I-Tee 5:7 "Keep grindin' on your magazine and I'm going to be there for you."

-Scarface

Write to us: We want to know what you think. Send emails to comments@consciousnessmagazine.com. Include your name, address, and telephone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or length. For Customer Service and Subscriptions visit us at www.consciousnessmagazine.com.

Consciousness Awareness:

By Jeff Hagen

don't take." Think about that. If you don't try, you have a 0% chance of success! But if you put all your heart into something, and work hard, you can and will succeed

In today's pressured world, many teens are afraid to fail-and even-afraid to succeed.

They don't want to stick out, whether for good or bad. They want to be accepted, and just 'fit in.' This type of mentality will lead you nowhere but the path to mediocrity-and that is nothing to be proud of. As Douglas Malloch so aptly wrote:

you tried-and will have no regrets and no wonders of 'what could have been.' The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them, into the impossible.

With that in mind, let me share with you what Michael Jordan has said: "I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why... I succeed."

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail, If you can't be the sun be a star; It isn't by size that you win or you failBe the best of whatever you are!

Each of us have different talents and different abilities, so don't get me wrong, it's not about being the best-but rather about being the best YOU can personally become. The hockey great Wayne Gretzky has said "You miss 100% of the shots you

in whatever you will. And if it turns out your best wasn't good enough, then at least

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

So from one teen to another: I encourage you to do today what others won't, to have tomorrow what others never will‌And never be afraid to fail!

By Tocarra Eldridge Teldridge@consciousnessmagazine.com

S tanding 6 feet, 3 inches tall, you will find Herbert "Flight Time"

Lang playing the guard position for world's most famous basketball team with a memorable whistle theme song, the Harlem Globetrotters. Not only does he have athleticism and fundamental skills, but he also encompasses tricks and a great personality that entertains millions of fans.

Lang became a member of the Harlem Globetrotters about 11 years ago after graduating from Centenary College, (La.) earning a degree in health science and physical education. As a student, he made the dean's list twice, and was named the 1998 Male Student Athlete of the Year. Later, his talent and effort spoke for itself, earning him a title as a recognized and successful athlete.

You may have recently seen Lang appear as a guest on many popular television series. One of the most noted, the Emmy Award winning series, "The Amazing Race," along with his famous teammate "Big Easy" Lofton. I had the privilege to speak to "Flight Time" about his amazing and exciting venture with the exhibition team that has been entertaining the world for more than 85 years, the Harlem Globetrotters.

Tocarra Eldridge: Are you excited about the 2010 "Magazine Memories" World Tour?

Flight Time: Oh yes, definitely! For me, it's my 11th year going out on tour with the Globetrotters. Every year is different. Every year is exciting to me. I feel blessed to be a part of it and I make the most of it. I couldn't ask for more.

TE: How does it feel to reunite with Big Easy Lofton and the Harlem Globetrotters?

FT: Well, Big Easy and I have still been spending a lot of time together, but I'm definitely excited and looking forward to getting back with some of my other teammates that I haven't seen in a while.

TE: What or who influenced you to want to become a Harlem Globetrotter?

FL: My biggest influence was my mom and my high school basketball coach, Herbert Williams. He was like a father figure. He prepared me for a lot of things. He talked to me about carry-

ing myself a certain way and helped me out mentally and helped mold me into the person I am today.

TE: How do you guys select your opponents?

FT: Actually, initially we'd go around playing whoever would challenge us. In the 50s we traveled to different parts of the world taking on challengers. However, our opponents for the past few years have been the Washington Generals. We just generally beat up on them in our games and make the fans happy (laughs).

TE: With the skills you have, is this something that you were born with or something that takes years and years of practice?

FL: Well, growing up I played a lot of different sports. I got lucky and got a basketball scholarship. A lot of things that we do are art of the realm. The Globetrotters look for the best basketball players that we can find. Being a Globetrotter, you have to master your craft and practice…in 11 years, I'm still working on my craft!

TE: What advice would you give to those who want to become a Harlem Globetrotter?

FL: Um! My advice to those who want to become a Harlem Globetrotter…well, a lot of people want to challenge you when they find out you're a Harlem Globetrotter. But I feel like I don't have to prove anything to people at all. So my advice would be…don't be focused on being a Globetrotter; find something else that you are focused on. And thru hard work you will be able to reach those goals.

Don't fully focus on basketball. See, I'm educated. I got a degree in Health Education, so if something happens to me I got that to fall back on. Whatever opportunity you get, make the best of it, because opportunities only come once in a lifetime.

TE: Do you have anything else that you would like to say before we close?

FL: Yes! I'm sure we will be coming to a city near you and hopefully you all will have time to come out and see us in person and see what the Harlem Globetrotters are all about!

<Ex-Factor> Did you know that the Harlem Globetrotters were created in Chicago, Illinois (1926) Photo courtesy of Harlem Globetrotters

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Interviewed by Aaron Robinson Arobinson@consciousnessmagazine.com

Tatyana Ali has been a household name for more than 15 years, playing Will Smith's little cousin on the famous sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." As actress and producer of the groundbreaking series "Buppies," Tatyana Ali has a starring role in this first original web series that present an all African-American cast.

Consciousness Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with the talented actress to ask her about her new BET web series "Buppies."

Aaron Robinson: Can you tell us a little about your new web series "Buppies" that premiere's on Bet.com?

Tatyana Ali: It's a story about five friends living in Hollywood and most specifically Black Hollywood. It's about their life, their love and everything that there're going through, professionally and with their families.

AR: You play the character Quinci. What is her character like?

TA: My character Quinci Allen is a little bit of the social in Hollywood. Her father is sort of a factitious actor, kind of like a Sidney Poitier. He's a really good actor and the people just love the way he loves to be Poitier. They followed him, and through following him, they also followed his daughter Quincy. She grew up in the public eye. She's a little neurotic and a publicist by trade.

Quincy suddenly taken everything she knew about the business through her father and decided to put that into her work. She's very emotional because of everything she's gone through.

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that we financed it ourselves. My sister and I, we hooked up with the writer Julian Breece, who I actually went to college with. He came to me with this story like 3 years ago or about 3 years ago. So we produced it with the help of Will Smith's company, Overbrook Entertainment and brought it to BET. Every episode is 3-5 minutes.

During the run, there are 10 episodes. As my first baby and as a producer I'm really excited about this project.

AR: What does it feel like to work with your sister Anastasia?

TA: It's so much fun. My family's really close. I have 2 sisters, Anastasia and the youngest is Kimberley. Growing up as a child actor, you know your family is much involved with what you do.

Anastasia's been through every set I worked on. She's been through most of the meetings. My mom used to manage me. Anastasia was there during it all…we have a great time. I really trust her aesthetic sense. She's a great lady.

I hope it open up doors for African-American stories period…in a different kind of story-telling.

AR: Do you feel as if this series will open up doors for other African -American web series?

TA: Yeah! I hope it opens up doors for African-American stories period…in a different kind of story-telling. This project is really close to my heart because it's my production company's first effort.

My sister and I started the company two years ago. It's called HazraH Entertainment. We decided that the web space would be just a really great way to start.

What's great about it is

”

AR: Was there a major difference working as an actress versus being behind the camera?

TA: Yeah, there is a big difference…definitely! Just putting all the right people together; trying to figure out a way to make the show kind of financially sustainable was a big challenge.

AR: Are you still close to the cast of the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?" TA: Oh Yeah! We really became a family.

AR: I know it had to be amazing working with Will Smith!

TA: Oh, he's incredible, so funny, so cool and nice and so smart. I learned a lot from him.

AR: Would you like to add anything else before we close?

TA: I would like to encourage people to watch the show and to send in your comments, because these characters are really brand new.

They're characters we have never seen before. I think it will have a real interesting effect on who we are as a group, who we are culturally and where we're going; especially with the Obama presidency.

I think we all kind of feel this. Two other projects that my company are working on is a TV show, a traditionally TV sitcom called "Love That Girl." The executive producer…creator of that is Bentley Kyle Evans. People will know from the Martin show; he created the Jamie Foxx Show. The producer of "Love That Girl," besides me and my sister, are Martin Lawrence and Raphael Saadiq. That's going to be out soon and then my second album, which has taken like 10 years…will be out in the spring in April.

It's called The Light. Two companies behind that are HazraH Entertainment and Klock Work Entertainment.

AR: Thank you. I definitely appreciate the interview.

TA: Thank you so much.

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Interviewed by Lee Harris eternalchoice2@yahoo.com

Lee Harris: How are you doing today DeWayne?

DeWayne Woods: I'm good sir, how about you?

Lee Harris: I'm lovely! Before we began, I would first like for you to tell us just a little about yourself DeWayne.

DeWayne: Basically, I am saved first and foremost, originally from Kansas City. I reside in Chicago Illinois. I've been singing all my life, been in church all my life and really love the Lord and what it is that He has given for me to do. I have a passion for ministry and have a passion for encouraging and inspiring people. I just want to do all I can for the sake of the gospel.

Lee Harris: You've beaten the odds of this world through faith. Can you tell us what it was that took place in your life that ignited you to confirm that the gospel was truly your desire?

DeWayne: Oh wow, beating the odds! It comes in various forms of course. I mean, different illnesses, overcoming depression, overcoming self esteem issues, but most importantly being able to fight a debilitating disease that the doctor said is incurable. I was diagnosed HIV Positive. I went through years of treatment.

When you've got to the point that you take God completely at His word, you say, "God, it's a good thing about you being a healer." I want you to heal me. You believe God beyond everything and see beyond everything that you're experiencing. That pushes God to work on your behalf. That's kind of what happened with me. In dealing with the disease and with the virus, I was able to go back to the same doctors that diagnosed me and they were able

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we just say that. To be able to speak to someone that has actually lived that experience through the miracles or whatever we may call it, just does something for me.

DeWayne: Most definitely. I say this all the time. We have people that have reports and testimonies that's been healed of cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis and all types of diseases. Now there's fate for the epidemic of HIV and AIDS. I'm excited about what God has done for me.

I'm here to encourage the world and God's people that, if you really turn everything over to Him and you really trust Him with everything that you have, that pushes God to work on your behalf and pushes Him to work on your side.

Lee Harris: I'm sure that all your songs has their own motives behind them. The song, "Let Go," I feel burns just a little deeper than most of your songs. What exactly was it that inspired that particular song?

DeWayne: It's really the inspiration of singing it. I didn't write it actually, PJ Morton, who is the son of Bishop Paul Morton, wrote the song.

He actually produced it. When I got a chance to really hear it and kind of fit and live with the song before going into the studio, God just brought me back to all the situations that I'd been dealing with; even during the time of dealing with the sickness. I got to the point to where I said you know what, "I can't handle thisâ&#x20AC;ŚI don't have the answers. I've got to let go, and just let Him have his way. That's the passion behind the song. For a lot of people, they tell me all the time that song has really kind of reached them at some of the toughest times of their lives. We all just need that reminder, that message that we serve a God that cannot lie and cannot fail. We just have to

If we believe that God is God then we don't have to worry about the stress.

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to tell me that I had tested completely negative.

They didn't even recognize me as the person they had tested before. God is a great God! He is a healer! When He does something, He does it completely well. I'm excited about that!

Lee Harris: In other words, God is exactly who He say He is.

DeWayne: Exactly who He say He is! That's absolutely right.

Lee Harris: I just feel sometimes that a lot of us say that we believe in Christ, and that we believe that the works of God is as strong as they were during the days that Jesus walked the earth. I just feel sometimes that

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just trust Him. We just have let go and just watch Him. If we believe that God is God then we don't have to worry about the stress.

Lee Harris: After God had shed this unexplainable new spark of faith and healing within you, how has this changed your life?

DeWayne: It changed everything about what I do and how I approach ministry. It changed the way I worship God. It places God in a new light, it places Him back in authority and it places Him back on the throne where He is always supposed to be. You began to believe God for every area, aspect, and for everything concerning your life.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Lee Harris: John P Kee and Donald Lawrence being what some would refer to as your educators. Why do you figure the public would automatically expect your sound & performance to resemble theirs?

DeWayne: Most of the times, when you've shared up under a particular ministry for such a long period of time, of course you adapt their trait, sound and heart. I'm very grateful. I'm definitely grateful for Pastor Kee and the experiences that I've had there because he taught me something about passion with singing. Then definitely, being under Donald, who also believe in powering people and pouring into empty people. You learn so much. I've learned so much with both of the two ministries, I don't get offended when people would say that my sound kind of resembles Donald Lawrence or Pastor Kee, because that's been my training ground.

Lee Harris: DeWayne, if you had to give your own answer as to why two pioneers such as Donald Lawrence and John Pee Kee truly stood behind you and believed in you, what answer would that be?

DeWayne: They knew the calling of God on my life. Donald said, it best in his testimony, "there are times that people are assigned to you for a particular reason, for a particular purpose. Only God knows that person and it's for us to just follow his ways and follow his heart." So definitely, they were able to see that God really had a purpose and had a plan for me. He had a calling on my life.

Lee Harris: And they were following the request and the orders by God Himself to just stand there and stand by you, because they knew that what you were doing was God's work.

DeWayne: Exactly!

Lee Harris: What words of encouragement can you offer to someone who may not have the faith and belief that God is the only and final solution to our healing; both physically and spiritually?

DeWayne: He is the final answer and has the final say concerning every matter of your life. So just trust and cast your cares upon Him, for He does care for you. He would never let the righteous be forsaken nor His seed begging bread. He's already taken care of the end from the beginning. Just trust Him in the middle with everything that is going on with your life, knowing that He is the author and the finisher of your faith.

Lee Harris: I know there's something else you would like to say to your fans, family and friends.

DeWayne: Well most definitely, just wanted to encourage all God's people. I just pray that people are blessed by my message and testimony.

People can use it as an evangelistically tool to just encourage their brothers and sisters I just really want the faith of God to be rekindled and restored in God's people.

Lee Harris: This concludes my interview with Gospel Artist DeWayne Woods. DeWayne, it was an extreme pleasure meeting and talking with you. May God keep blessing you in everything you do, putting Him first while at the same time, healing someone else through your extremely powerful testimony, "God bless you and much success!â&#x20AC;?

DeWayne: Thanks a lot, I appreciate that!

<Ex-Factor> Did you know the choir; When Singers Meet was handpicked friends of DeWayne's Woods at a concert. They received their name from an announcer who came to the stage and said, "This is what happens when singers meet!"

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Jermaine Smith:

"A Piece of Me" Jermaine Smith is an American Playwright from East New York Brooklyn, whose mission is set out to deliver self-healing to all those that witness his bodies of work. His play, "A Piece of Me," is sure to move you. The initial motivation behind the project was to begin the long over-due healing process between he and his mother (Sonia Smith), who was a substance abuse user for 27 years of his 33 years on this earth.

CM had the opportunity to interview Mr. Smith in regards to his life and play, "A Piece of Me." CM: What do you want people to take away with them after seeing this wonderful play?

I want people to leave differently from the show than how they came, as well as to know that forgiveness is for you and not the other person.

CM: What were the challenges of putting together this project?

The main challenges of putting the project together which still remainsâ&#x20AC;Śwere to find sponsorship/financing...

CM: Who are some of your inspirations?

My greatest inspiration is my GOD. My son Kyree is definitely a great inspiration to me, because he is always looking forward to the next show, as well as the people that come out who may be spending their last twenty dollars on a vision that GOD is allowing me to share. "The response of the people, whether it's a thank you, smile or a tear: Is priceless."

CM: What advice would you give those who are having a difficult time putting together a stage play?

I would say definitely pray. Pray for GOD's direction; pray that GOD places the right people in front of you, as well as around you.

CM: Do you have anything else that you would like to add before we close?

I would definitely like to remind anyone that is going through, or is just about at the end of their rope to please remember that "Your dreams can be bigger than your environment." There was no way I could have foreseen that anything I'd written would help 80 people turnover a new spiritual leaf.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Business

SHORT-TERM INVESTING By Ryan Latimer While many investors have established a personal investment plan for their short & long-term financial goals, few people have focused on the need for a savings plan and investment plan to meet their short-term goals. Some important decisions to make in order to attain your short-term financial goals should include: 1. How will you reach the goal?

2. How much risk can you or are you willing to take?

3. How you will invest to meet the goal?

4. How soon will you need the assets/money to meet your goal?

There are a variety of investment choices when investing for your short-term financial/investment goals. You could be saving for a new house, a vacation, a new car, or education for your children.

Cash and cash equivalents are smart choices for when considering your shortterm investment goals, saving for a "rainy day" or emergency fund. Some of the most popular types of cash equivalent investments include: Treasury bills, certificates of deposit, some types of money bonds, money market accounts and money market funds.

Most investment advisors will tell you to take as much risk as you can take in order to build your wealth and reach your investment goals. Some people are content to just leave their money in a bank savings account collecting a minimal amount of interest. Something to consider if you are going to leave your money in a bank account; the average interest yield on a taxable money-market account is around 1.5% compared to a

3% CD returns. But keep in mind that inflation should be factored in to the investment.

When it comes to evaluating your shortterm financial goals, you don't want to look at investments options that only return 1.5-3%. You want to look at options that will return significantly more than a paltry 3%. In order to achieve your short-term goals and make your investments worthwhile, you want to have a return of at least 8%. Your plan of attack should have 2 areas of focus.

Long Term Focus (i.e. retirement) should be invested aggressively, keep in mind that the drop or hits you will take will usually be made up by the market's longterm growth. Short Term Focus will be needed in the next 1-3 years should be invested more cautiously. You might not have time to make up for any drops in your investment. If you will need the money within the next three years you are probably going to want to also avoid mutual funds and real estate investment trusts which can drop if interest rates increase.

investors need to keep in mind that the real return on their investment is the return they have left after they pay Uncle Sam and his cousins in the state and local tax collection offices. There is a huge difference between a 10% gain taxed at 36% and a 10% gain taxed at 20%. You need to consider the waiting time when investing and cashing out your investments. You need to ensure that you get the most favorable tax rate possible when selling an investment.

Tax consequences should always be something you should consider when selling an investment, especially shortterm capital gains. You should never let taxes be the tail that wags the investment dog. The decision whether to keep or sell an investment should never be made based on tax consequences alone. For more information on figuring out how taxes affect your investment decisions, you should contact your broker or tax professional.

If you will need the money within the next five years you are going to want to avoid individual stocks. Some safe investments for your short-term investment goals should include: 路 Treasury strips 路 Low-Risk Stock Funds 路 Bonds 路 Loan Participation Funds These are safe and stable investment options that won't expose you to much risk. Also, they don't require a large initial investment. When investing,

Words-of-Encouragement

The Way of Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-13) Love blooms in the midst of life's viciousness. Love is our gift to embrace a loved one or a stranger outside the gate, in spite of their inadequacies and faults. It is the ability to "be there" for that person, 11

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

no matter what the circumstances.

True love is not only professed but acted upon and acted out. Love is putting all of our good intentions into action. We can never outlive love, for love can never die.

By Shanessa Fenner

I f a man hits you once he will hit you again and again and again.

1 in 4 women have been physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. 1 in 5 teenagers will be beaten by their boyfriends. This is a serious matter and more and more women are being abused on a daily basis.

I have been told countless stories of women who have been beaten, raped, tortured, thrown out of windows, down the stairs, poisoned, threatened, had guns pointed at their heads in the middle of the night and the tragic list goes on. The scary thing about it is in the beginning of the relationship, the male was her "knight in shining armor" but eventually those true colors began to shine

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Mothers take caution of your sons and daughters watching you being abused. You do not want your daughters to think this is the way that a man should treat a woman. Be careful of your sons observing and thinking this is the way he should treat a female.

Talk to him about the importance of respect, love and treating a female like a queen.

Examples of abuse entail name calling, put-downs, withholding money, stalking, intimidation, sexual assault, actual or threatened physical harm, stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job and keeping a partner from contacting family and friends. These are intentional acts that the abuser uses to control the other person.

The cycle of violence includes the incident, tension building, making up and calmness. brightly for her to see that he was indeed an abuser. As I have stated many times and will continue to say: Your last whipping that you received should have been given by your mother or father.

Domestic violence is an issue that needs to be discussed with teenagers as well. Young males should be given advice on how to treat females. Males need to know what behaviors are unacceptable towards females and should be reminded that they do not want the females in their life such as their mother, grandmother, aunt and female cousins to be abused, so do not disrespect someone's daughter. He may have a daughter one day and definitely would not want his daughter to be abused. Males should also be told that when they get mad at a female they should walk away and take time to cool off. Violence should not be a part of a relationship. Love is supposed to make you feel good, not scared or upset.

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The cycle of violence includes the incident, tension building, making up and calmness. It can happen hundreds of time in an abusive relationship. Your safety is the most important thing and you should call 911 if you are in danger. Always remember that it is not your fault and help is available.

Leaving a domestic violence relationship is the most dangerous time for a woman. If you are considering leaving the relationship have a safety plan in place and have the phone numbers to shelters and agencies that can help you. You will need to protect yourself. No one deserves to be abused. Life should be filled with happiness, opportunities and great memories. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and most of all, alive.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

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oonie G Rosa, N r De La o ct e H z, rey Song Photo: T

By Hector De La Rosa 5hiphopelements@gmail.com

"Remember, if you can think it you can be it.

Can't anybody hold you down but yourself. Keep GOD first and everything else follows," said R&B singer Trey Songz to the youth at Southside Chicago's Simeon High School as he wraps up the Stop The Violence conference. Also present at the conference were former Gangster Disciples member Noonie G, Coach Eric Morris, Warren XX, Alex Tievy, 107.5 WGCI's Tony Scuffield, Frankie Robinson, and Leon Rogers, and a performance by Next Level Dance Troupe. It was more than just doing a promo tour for his new album Ready or winning accolades for Songz but "to encourage the youth to see a bigger picture on [life] by having panels and discussions telling them they can do the impossible and find ways to change their lives." Songz and Noonie G agreed, "hopefully they learn from [individuals] like us that went through similar situations because violence has gotten out of control to very ordinary, perceptive, and rigid."

"I was told that I was not good enough to be [anything] in life and I had to see past the [negativity] to where I had to believe in myself and put full work in to getting to where I'm at today." -Trey Songz

Leon Rogers adds, "Kids are dying everyday for stupid stuff regarding gangs, over clothes and sneakers while kids overseas die for something they truly believe in like their religion or the color of their skin." Rogers feels that drive-by shootings that take innocent lives is cowardness. "[Youth] needs to put down the narcotics. When you are locked up you'll be the only one there and see whom your true friends are. I want for you all to live for decades," affirms Tony Scuffield. For Noonie G, it was more than promoting his DVD and book titled Gangster With a Heart of Gold. "It is about being role models for the youth and making an impact on their lives because there are a lack of role models other than what they see on T.V. and taking on responsibilities people before us should have done, but failed in doing so." The youth being productive citizens like great producers, directors, athletes, and doctors, to lawyers lets him know he did his job.

The lack of a father in the lives of many male youth can affect effective decision-making. "It makes me want to be there for my children and be a better father, the man my little brother can look up to. It makes me a better man," mentions Songz with pride. "I was told that I was not good enough to be [anything] in life and I had to see past the [negativity] to where I had to believe in myself and put full work in to getting to where I'm at today." Overall, the conference gave everyone a sense of admiration, inspiration, and motivation.

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Environmental: EarthTalk

What is the "green cities" movement?

By John Moulton, Greenwich, CT

Best described as a loose association of cities focused on sustainability, the emerging "green cities movement" encompasses thousands of urban areas around the world all striving to lessen their environmental impacts by reducing waste, expanding recycling, lowering emissions, increasing housing density while expanding open space, and encouraging the development of sustainable local businesses.

Rekyjavik, Iceland, where hydrogenpowered buses ply the streets and renewable energy sources-geothermal and hydropower-provide the city's heat and electricity. London, Copenhagen, Sydney, Barcelona, Bogota and Bangkok, not to mention Sweden's Malmo, Ecuador's BahĂ­a de CarĂĄquez and Uganda's Kampala, also score high for their green attributes and attitudes.

Green cities abound in North America, too. In 2005, Portland, Oregon became the first U.S. city to meet carbon dioxide reduction goals set forth in the landmark (if ill-fated) Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement forged to mitigate the threat of global warming. Seattle, Washington also committed to meeting Kyoto's goals and has persuaded 590 other U.S. cities to do the same under the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

And Vancouver, British Columbia draws 90 percent of its power from renewable sources while its metro area boasts some 200 parks and more than 18 miles of accessible waterfront.

Perhaps the archetypal green city is Curitiba, Brazil. When architect and urban planner Jamie Lerner became mayor in 1972, he quickly closed six blocks of the city's central business district to cars, delighting residents and business owners alike. Today the pedestrian-free zone is three times larger and serves as the heart of the bustling metropolis. Lerner also put in place a high-tech bus system, greatly reducing traffic, energy usage and pollution; the move also encouraged density around transit hubs and thus preserved open space in other areas that would have likely turned into suburbia. Today the bus system still goes strong, and three-quarters of the city's 2.2 million residents rely on it every day.

Another

green

cities

leader

San Francisco is a leader in green building, energy efficiency and alternative energy, and has been on the forefront of the battle to reduce plas-

is

tic usage. Austin, Texas is fast becoming a world leader in solar equipment production and has made great strides in preserving open space. Chicago has invested hundreds of millions of dollars revitalizing its parks and neighborhoods, and has built some of America's most eco-friendly downtown buildings. It is also working to provide affordable clean power to low-income families.

Of course, many would argue that New York City-with its densely packed housing, reliance on mass transit and walking, and recent green policy moves by Mayor Bloombergmay be the greenest of all.

While there is no formal green cities organization, per se, many groups have sprung up to help urban areas achieve their sustainability goals.

GreenCities Events, for one, hosts conferences around the U.S. at which local experts, policymakers and business leaders share ideas for greening their region. And International Sustainable Solutions takes urban planners, developers and elected officials on tours so they can check out some of the world's greenest cities to glean first-hand what works and what can be applied back home.

CONTACTS: Mayors Climate Protection Center, www.usmayors.org/climateprotection; GreenCities Events, www.greencities.com; International Sustainable Solutions, www.i-sustain.com.

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

F

Staph bacteria

HEALTH Solutions

LESH

EATING

DISEASE

(Nosocomial infections) Pt. III continues

By Lee M. Harris eternalchoice2@yahoo.com

Photo: Alicia Cole

Now, if you're a doctor coming out of my room and I've got a disease like MRSA and you go across the hall to visit your next patient and you haven't washed your hands, when you shake that person's hand, when you lift them or turn them, you're spreading bacteria all over them. So it's important that your caregiver, every single time they come into your room, wash their hands. When your visitors come to see you, before they hug you, they should wash their hands. They can use the hand sanitizer on the wall.

Another recent study found that of 150 randomly tested Stethoscopes, 133 of them were full of staph bacteria. Make sure that you ask the nurse or the doctor before they put that stethoscope on your skin that they take an alcohol wipe and clean it off.

These are just the little things that we never really think of, but they spread germs and bacteria. Also, if you are a patient and you've been told that you have an infection, but they can't figure out what it is yet, at that point, everyone that enters your room should have on a mask, the paper disposable gown and gloves. You have a weakened immune system and anything introduced to you can compound the situation. It also protects your visitors and other patients.

It's very important that we look at hospitals in a new way as patients. We have to go in with the mentality of protecting ourselves from getting something new. It's also important that when things do go wrong, we must start reporting them to the proper agencies. If you are not willing to be a part of the solution, you are only perpetuating the problem.

We've got to hold our hospitals and doctors accountable so that they do better and so that our Health Care system is run according to the Hippocratic Oath that doctors took to "First do no harm".

Legally, as far as victims rights, we have a long way to go. There is so much misinformation about medical malpractice out there. People are not taking advantage of the system as they been told. Medical malpractice is one of the most difficult areas of injury to even get legal representation. In California, there are a group of laws called The MICRA Act of 1975. These laws were enacted to protect hospitals, doctors and health care workers from medical malpractice and negligence claims. Something

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which we can all appreciate, however, no one wants to see the system abused.

There's a woman in Florida, her name is Claudia Mejia, she went into the hospital to deliver her baby; she had a C-Section like me.

She developed Necrotizing Fasciitis in her CSection like me. She did not leave the hospital for months, like me, only when she left the hospital, she was a quadruple amputee. She lost both of her legs and both of her arms. I read that the hospital is fighting her tooth and nail, insisting that they did nothing wrong. I don't know anybody who would think it's normal and that nothing that went wrong, when a healthy young woman going into the hospital to deliver a baby comes out with both arms and both legs amputated.

There's an organization called Stop Hospital Infections.Org which was created by Consumers Union. CU is the company that publishes Consumer Reports Magazine. There are other patient safety and advocacy organizations that people can become active with. Start demanding that your local elected officials support public reporting of hospital-acquired infection rates.

Right now, even with the outrageous death numbers, less than half of all states have laws that require them to make their hospital acquired infection rate public.

We have to demand change across the country.

If you go into a restaurant in most states, you can judge the restaurant's cleanliness by an A, B, C or D displayed in the window. Our hospitals should be held to the same standard of hygiene. There should be public knowledge of what the cleanliness factor is. In California, restaurants are inspected two to four times a year for cleanliness. Hospitals are only inspected once every three years by the Joint Commission.

I am so pleased that Consciousness Magazine is out there and trying to bring awareness to the community. It is so necessary; we, as a people, have to start looking at the issues around us because what affects one person in our community, affects all of us. So, we do need to wake up. We are a sleeping people and we need to be conscious, so thank goodness for Consciousness Magazine for putting real issues out into the forefront and for giving a voice to people like me who are crying out to be heard and save other lives.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Ending...Lee Harris With compassion and empathy for the traumatic, avoidable, tortuous experience of this one time happy, healthy and very talented young woman, through the loss of my father & mother from negligence by the hands of hospital staff, I personally feel her pain. My parents along with millions of others, never lived to warn the rest of our society, but the words of Alicia Cole are nothing less than not only a message from God, but proof that by her even living to warn us, He does exist.

For more information please visit: www.PatientSafetyASAP.org www.AliciaCole.com

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF 1. Ask that hospital staff clean their hands before treating you, and ask visitors to clean their hands too. This is the single most important way to protect yourself in the hospital. If you're worried about being too aggressive, just remember your life could be at stake.

2. Before your doctor uses a stethoscope, ask that the diaphragm (the flat surface) be wiped with alcohol.

3. If you need surgery, choose a surgeon with a low infection rate. Surgeons know their rate of infection for various procedures. Don't be afraid to ask for it.

4. Beginning three to five days before surgery, shower or bathe daily with Chlorhexidine soap.

Various brands can be bought without a prescription. It will help remove any dangerous bacteria you may be carrying on your own skin.

5. Ask your surgeon to have you tested for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at least one week before you come into the hospital.

The test is simple, usually just a nasal swab. If you have it, extra precautions can be taken to protect you from infection.

6. Stop smoking well in advance of your surgery.

Patients who smoke are three times as likely to develop a surgical site infection than nonsmokers, and have significantly slower recoveries and longer hospital stays.

7. On the day of your operation, remind your doctor that you may need an antibiotic one hour before the first incision. For many types of surgery, a presurgical antibiotic is the standard of care, but it is often overlooked by busy hospital staff.

THE INFORMED MIND

By Russell Norman rssllnorman@yahoo.com

2009! Wow, what a year. Already this nation we live in has taken amazing leaps and bounds…true triumphs and tragedies of epic proportions. Let's see, America's first Black president takes office and the country is reeling from a devastating economic recession in full swing. Coincidence? That depends on who you ask.

Truthfully, in what is suppose to be a climate in "change," all I see is business, no wait… politics as usual. No changing of the guard here, just more gratuitous, good old fashioned American racism. Overtly and covertly. Yes, racism, that ugly word. I see it from so-called reputable news sources such as the N.Y. Times and their cartoons and televisions most popular sitcoms to the music industries next average white rapper. More supposedly misconstrued insults thinly veiled as bad excuses for a joke, offensive comments taken "out of context" and downright incendiary remarks completely degrading people. Now lets not forget the millions of jobs lost, hundreds of thousands homes have been foreclosed on and sorely needed state funded programs to aid the less fortunate are being cut left and right. America is in TROUBLE!

ing. For instance, what if we took the budget for a major motion picture, you know one of those summer blockbusters or better yet, the cost to build one of those brand new, state-of-the art baseball stadiums built to give us what...more entertainment.

Distractions. These numbers range from hundreds of millions to even billions easy, and this of course is before they even pay those athletes their lofty salary which astonishingly is also hundreds of millions. Wait a moment I thought we were in a recession, but I bet that won't stop the next NFL draft though.

Incredible, even more so there are still people starving and homeless in New Orleans, unemployment is reaching record numbers in Detroit and Chicago (while making an international bid for the 2016 Olympics) is steadily plagued by more school shootings where yet another teen dies as a result. But at least the Bulls

“

Seriously, we're in grave danger and all some people seem to be concerned with is Hollywood's most recent celebrity rehab story or the latest gay rumors.

Seriously, we're in grave danger and all some people seem to be concerned with is Hollywood's most recent celebrity rehab story or the latest gay rumors. Maybe its fake rap "beefs" of the moment, where obviously staged verbal tirades and scathing disses involving everything from families (mamas, babies mamas and children) and friends to criminal pasts and suspect work history are traded over the information super highway in ridiculous viral videos. This has diminished the art form drastically to where its now reminiscent of the WWE so much to the point its become painful to watch let alone listen to. Or is it the almost bi-monthly meltdown of some pop star on the current "It list" where the public clamors to watch the sickest downward spiral into self-destruction, as they slowly fade into obscurity.

You see how I did that? That's my point exactly. Distractions. The point I am trying to make is simple, this country is headed down the toilet and we're continuously distracted by trivial things.

Almost as if by design, we follow these rappers, actors and athletes and are distracted from the real questions we should be ask-

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”

made the playoffs right? Wrong. I did it again. Distractions.

Stay with me now. Like so many others, I too was distracted. In turn, putting celebrities on a pedestal, defending immoral lifestyles and turning a blind eye to questionable behavior all the while dismissing it as "whateverrr." It's hard to believe these are the people most adults, not to mention our youth look up to as role models. Faced with this fact, all some people can say is at least he/she is "PAID", ignorance at its finest, once again subjecting ourselves to be defined by another piece of paper.

The moral of the story is we should be looking to a higher power for strength, inspiration, wisdom etc. not some pompous, overpaid celeb. Worshipping these false idols can only lead to a deadend road filled with disappointment and despair, leaving the consumer confused and infected by the most negative and detrimental influences.

Looking back, I do believe I was dangerously close of heading down that path of wickedness, glorifying the love of money, sex and drugs. This was the case but now, I can honestly say, thanks to the Lord above I am truly WIDE AWAKE! No distractions.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Young, Talented & Successful!

By Tocarra Eldridge Teldridge@consciousnessmagazine.com

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

L

ike any other career, the entertainment business has its ups and occasional downfalls. There are those individuals who rise above the platform and those who give up and never experience the outcome of their dreams. For Drew Sidora it was destined.

Her goals and ambitions allowed her to become a house hold name before she reached the age of 10. Currently in her middle twenties, she's still following her dreams.

Sidora's accomplishments speak for itself as she continues to work diligently, allowing her goals and aspirations to inspire, empower and entertain. As a child, her television career was established at the age of 9 while doing national voice-overs, television commercials and print ads. After graduating early from high school, she moved to Los Angeles where she was signed to Babyface entertainment, and started writing for Edmonds Publishing. Later, she landed a reoccurring role for the Disney sitcom That's So Raven. From there she appeared in movies such as Never Die Alone, White Chicks, Wild Hogs, and Step Up. Today, she is a regular on the series The Game and has many projects in which she is currently working on.

Sidora has become recognized for more than one endeavor, as her singing career excelled. Her brains, beauty, and savvy entrepre-

“

TE: You are very creative, how do you balance your music and acting career?

DS: Well, I was able to kind of do both in certain roles like Step Up and The Game. I was able to incorporate the singing with the acting. I've always wanted to be able to pursue both, because both are a passion of mine. So, pretty much, it was just me going from the set to the studio…from the studio back to the set. Then when roles came up like Step Up and The Game, I was able to actually implement that in the show. So it really worked out. Especially, The Game…people never really recognize me as myself or as a singer and an actress. That's what ultimately allowed me to even ink my deal with Slip-N-Slide.

TE: As a teenager, you maintained honor roll status throughout high school and graduated early. Was that a challenge?

DS: Most definitely! My parents told me if I did well in school, I would be able to go to Los Angeles. I wanted to ultimately go to L.A. and get my feet wet. They told me if I focused and did well I could go to L.A. for the summer. So, I focused and did so well that I was able to graduate early. I was so focused, that I probably didn't really realize how difficult it was because I was so focused on being successful, being able to accomplish that goal and being able to go to L.A. It took a lot of hard work. I went

”

Education is by far the most important and key to anything you want to do.

neur skills have been a major driving force leading to her stardom.

She is a very down-to-earth individual when the camera and microphones are not present, always greeting her fans with a kind welcome. There's no question as to why her charm and personality has helped heighten her level of success! The warmth of her spirit has been a catalyst, inspiring her to advocate for her community. When it comes to her acting, dancing and her national recording career with Slip-N-Slide Record's, she proved to the world that dreams can come true. She continues to explore the possibility of her talents throughout her career, along with her production company, Drew Sidora Productions.

I had the opportunity to catch up with the young, talented and successful Chicago native, Drew Sidora, in hopes to share some exciting information to the readers. Here is what she had to say.

Tocarra Eldridge: Can you tell us a little bit about the the talented individual that fans know as Drew Sidora?

Drew Sidora: Well, I'm just a girl from Chicago who has a passion. My passion and dedication led me to ending up in L.A. and doing it professionally. It's just a matter of trying to be successful.

I'm just blessed! Right now, I'm really focusing on my record. My solo drops in January. So I'm just really excited…getting ready for that, getting ready for promo tour and ultimately the album that will actually be released late summer of 2010.

TE: What inspired you to want to become an actress?

DS: It was really my passion. You know…everyone has something that they fall in love with at a young age. Some people choose to pursue it and some people may try to figure it out as they go along. For me, it was just being able to play the piano at 3 years old and falling in love with it. And that was me…I was that little girl! You know…finding video tapes, putting myself on camera, dancing, singing, getting involved in the choir…all of those things.

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to summer school. I took honors courses. It ended up working in my favor. So, I look back and that's why I say…people if they have something they want to do, and if they know what it is…you can achieve it. You just gotta put your mind to it and believe in yourself.

TE: Your new single "Juke It" is soon to be released. Are you excited about that?

DS: Super excited!! Really really excited! I got the chance to work with a phenomenal producer by the name of Lamb. Slip-N-Slide has been really excited. We share the same vision, so everyone is real excited. Anybody from Chicago knows that juke is a dance crave out of Chicago. So, I'm real excited about doing a record for my home town. I'm looking forward to Chicago being put on the map and supporting the record, and letting the world finally hear the record that we have been working so hard on for the last year.

TE: You play a role in the series The Game and have several movie projects. Is there a difference when acting on a sitcom verses acting on the big screen?

DS: Most definitely! When you do films its a lot more intimate.

You take sometimes 3 or 4 months to shoot a film, as opposed to a television show where you're doing an episode a week. It's more like a stage play when you're doing a television series. You have the live audience; you're getting the energy from the crowds.

Whereas with a film…it's close to two hours so you have to keep every line on a certain rhythm in order for the show to follow a certain rhythm. It's definitely very different, but I ultimately enjoy both. I've always enjoyed being able to perform in front of an audience, because of the energy I get from them.

TE: Can you tell us about some of the programs and resources that you have for young people?

DS: I'm actually the spokes person for The Love Is Not Abuse Campaign; it's a Liz Claiborne domestic violence campaign.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Domestic violence is something that our society deals with right now, very prevalent as you see with two very successful musical stars. A lot of people that are involved in domestic violence don't feel like they can talk about it. So, it's a hotline and a curriculum that we have developed to open up the lines of communication on domestic violence, so that they feel like they're not alone and not the only one going through it. Hopefully, they will talk about it and seek help and advice, so that they know how to get out of those situations. That's what we've been working on for the last two years. We're looking to launch in 2010. It's going to encompass a school tour along with my music promo tour; getting out in schools and being able to talk about the curriculum. And hopefully, ultimately getting it implemented as part of the school curriculum.

TE: You are the spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois. Can you briefly talk about this?

DS: Yes. I became apart of The Sickle Cell Disease Association because my father is a physician. Every summer we'd go to the summer camp, because kids that have sickle cell can't be on a summer camp without doctors on the premise. They have to have proper medication and must be monitored. My whole goal was to be able to raise awareness for the organization, to bring awareness to research and also to give money to the sickle cell summer camp. Sickle Cell is a predominantly African American disease, and it's not a lot of awareness about it. A lot of people don't know that there's money that needs to be donated for research to ultimately find a cure or proper medication to keep the disease under control. I wanted to be able to have a voice and bring some attention and awareness to the organization in hopes to raise money.

Recently, we've developed a postage stamp that is now available in U.S. post offices. We also have a golf outing that we do every year that brings a lot of money. A lot of NFL players support it and donate money. We're looking to get it

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bigger and greater every year. It's something that I'm very passionate about!

TE: For those who are trying to make it as an entertainer or with their endeavor, do you have any pointers?

DS: Definitely stay in school! Education is by far the most important and key to anything you want to do, as far as, if you want to be a lawyer, a doctor an actressâ&#x20AC;Śanything. It's really important to have education. Even in entertainment, you have to know the business and you have to know how to breach contracts. You have to know how to figure out what kind of percentages you're supposed to get, so that you don't find yourself in a situation where you're working and not receiving the right amount of money. And also just finding your passion in life and being able to pursue it, because there is nothing like being able to wake up and love what you do.

TE: Do you have anything else that you would like to add before we close the interview?

DS: I just want to say to everybody out there, please reach out to me on Twitter/Drew Sidora. Facebook me. I always like to give out my manger's information as well, because there are people out there that want to get in touch or get advice. Every Monday I call 20 fans and offer them advice or just show them love and reach out to them. My manager's number is 757-717-0537. His name is First. He will take your name and number and we will call you on Monday and reach out and just say thank you. Also look out for Frankenhood with Charlie Murphy and Deray Davis on BET. And keep watching The Game on TVâ&#x20AC;Śkeep supporting it. Please support "Juke It." Request it in January!! I thank everybody for the support, I really do appreciate it!

TE: Thank you so much for the interview. It was a pleasure speaking with you.

DS: Thank you! I really appreciate it Tocarra. Thank you!

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Written and interviewed by Lee Harris eternalchoice2@yahoo.com

As we go through the trials and tribulations of our world, the need for encouragement is still at the top of the list. Whether young or old, slow or fast, to bring a message of urgency from God Himself to His lost sheep is excessively welcomed. Sometimes the rhythm of the music is put in place to draw sometimes closed ears. When the lyrics are full of God's Holy and Blessing Words, young artist such as Urban Gospel Songstress "Yunek" has been sent to combine the glory of her gift to steer hearts toward Christ. Today, I had an opportunity to really get inside the heart and soul of this very gifted artist.

LH: Yunek is a very unique name. Please tell us a little about yourself prior to hitting the stage.

Yunek: Well, prior to hitting the stage, I went to Prayer View University; I graduated with a degree in social work. That's basically what I was aiming to do before God called me to the ministry. It was my senior year in college when I met a friend of mine who really introduced me to Christian Hip-Hop…that's really when God was dealing with me in my personal life. From there, I was really inspired by this music and he really encouraged me and put me out there.

That's where I got my start into the ministry side of things, but I was on the road to social work.

LH: The name Yunek, is that your given name?

Yunek: No, it's not my birth name; it's definitely God-given. The way I got that name is when I went to a church that I was invited to and a woman of God pulled me out of the audience. I had nothing symbolizing music, talent, or my gifts. Actually, at that time I was running from my calling. I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do. She pulled me out of the crowd and she said, "You've been set apart as a young child, you've been the black sheep and you're unique. You're going to reach the nation through your music!" At that time I was just like in aw! I was like…wow! I knew that had to be God speaking through her, but still I was in that stubborn mindset. When I did finally accept my calling, I stopped running from God and my purpose. That is the only thing that stuck in my mind. That's when I went forward in ministry with, "Unique," I just decided to spell it differently being that it is unique. I spelled it, "Yunek." My birth name is Jessica.

LH: I understand that you recognized your gift early in life. What was it that kept you on track to become who you are today?

Yunek: I would definitely say that it was the influence of my mother and my father. My mother is a person that really noticed my talent.

She told me a story of times when I'd be in the car and I'd sing and she'd say, "No, that's not how that goes, it's supposed to be like this."

I'd say, "No, I like it like this. It doesn't say that. It says this, so I like it like this." From that time, she recognized that I like to do things my way. I was very creative and I had my own unique way of doing things. From there she pushed me into piano lessons. She just really encouraged me to not be put in a box. In ministry or just in life period,

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she's been my support in going forth in ministry, never telling me that I need to get a fulltime job or anything. So I'm fulltime ministry. I'm going forth with the help of my mother and my father.

LH: Being raised in the church, studying Audio Engineering and learning how to create music…tell us about this experience.

Yunek: This is all in the process of me accepting my call. My friend Bruce, he was really excited about producing and doing an album together. I was like…well, I'm going to get equipment. We're going to do this, but I didn't know how to use it. Again, my mother was like, "Well, if you don't know how to use it get the education to get the skills you need to be able to learn." So that's what I did, I went to Media Tech Institute here in Houston. I went for Audio Engineering, Mixer Mastering, Producing and I learned how to use my equipment. I got into the studio after I finished school. I started working in the studio learning everything I needed to know and also started working on people's projects. During that time I was still running, but it was something that was just calling me. I would be in the studio by myself at night and I would just start working and writing on something. Before you'd know it, just with the influence of my mother, I was starting to work on my own album. That's where Exodus 3:17 came from…the album.

LH: So you produced your own album?

Yunek: Well, actually no, I've done production and producing stuff on my own. Really, what I decided to do with it being that audio engineering, is such a technical side of things with me finding who I am as an artist, I decided to put it in the hands of the people I trust. I got with a producer that I trusted and an engineer that I was actually working with in the studio. I said, "Well I want you all to handle this side. I'm really going to go for it in the word and really just try to get to the cre-

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

ativeness in this thing." We just came together and made the project happen. I did help with a little, but I just really put that in their hands.

LH: Without further due, let's talk about Exodus Three: Seventeen the CD. Yunek: I'm really excited about the project. I feel that it's a project that's going to touch and encourage people's lives. When you say Exodus Three Seventeen, it speaks of out of affliction and into the promise land. That's basically my life story. It's twenty-five years. It's years that made up this project. I understand the importance of His word and the relationship with Him. So that's really what it's talking about… real life issues and real struggles that we face; whether it's abuse, frustrations, sexuality or addictions. I just keep it real and I shed some light on how we can get through these things

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Gospel Dream Showcase in 2005. Tell us about the feeling of being nominated for The 2009 First Round Stellar Award.

Yunek: I've always said that what I believe now is that I would never say what I won't do anymore, because I said I would never sing or never be in the forefront. I'm just so open to what God has. Since I've trusted Him with my life, He's taken me to places I've never imagined.

To be nominated for a Stellar Award is wow!

LH: So sky's the limit?

Yunek: Sky's the limit. I'm ready to bring some more productions into Christian entertainment so that we can have fun, get out there and entertain in Christ.

LH: Miss Nicole Heyward, how did you get up with this very nice lady?

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When I did finally accept my calling, I stopped running from God and my purpose.

LH: In Galatians 5:22, explain your association with the Fruits of the Spirit?

Yunek: Galatians 5:22, it speaks for the characteristics of Christ and that's basically how I looked at it; as a baby Christian really trying to find my way. I was seeking and trying to hold onto something that I could use in my daily walk and my daily life to really be Christ like.

When he talked about love, joy, self control and all the rest of the Fruits of the Spirit, they're so vital. Everyday life we deal with haters, people getting on our nerves and all kind of things. We see somebody out on the street; we need to give, to show love…so, I just really took Galatians 5: 22 as an opportunity to find a creative way to apply it to my life. That's basically where the song came from.

Yunek: I just thank God for the people that He has placed in my life.

Nicole Heyward, Dominick's my manager and beautiful people who have a heart for God. That's the number one thing that I look for…very humble and ready to work.

LH: With your mixture of what is referred to as Neo-Soul, have there been any resistance from the audience when putting the collaboration of Urban Gospel, Rap and R & B together?

Yunek: I would say that there may be some resistance. Overall, it's been accepted. There is some people that just don't understand. I'm not even going to blame it on the older generation because really my music has been able to inspire even the older generation. Overall, I feel the mixture is very beneficial.

LH: At this time is there anything else that you would like to say to your fans or any upcoming artist that may allow obstacles to stand in the way of their dreams?

Yunek: The number one thing that I would like to encourage is to seek first the Kingdom of God. It is really important that if we put Christ first, all those things will be added. Sometimes that is the hardest step, but when we take it, God will take the rest. It's really just keying into God's word and building your relationship with him before your friends, family or anyone else. He's the most important. Basically, I just encourage everyone to keep the Fruits of the Spirit, continue to support that song. It's a wonderful song and I pray that you all will listen to the lyrics of the song and not just the beat. The lyrics are life changing and they're God sent. If you know anyone that needs some encouragement, some love, some joy, and some self control; all of that is in the Fruits of the Spirit.

LH: You've been on stage with some of the most talented entertainers in the business. How did you feel the first time you landed the first big gig?

Yunek: Oh my gosh! All I could do was thank God. It was truly amazing, because I would have never thought that I would share the stage with some of these people such as Detrick Haddon and Marvin Sapp. So to share the stage and be on that platform with them is truly a blessing.

LH: Do you have anything that you would like to add to our interview and or any words to Consciousness Magazine?

Yunek: I just want to thank Consciousness Magazine for the love and support that you have shown in getting this interview and God's word out and promoting God's work, because it's not about me. I pray that you'll continue to do what's well in the ministry and supporting upcoming artist. My pastor is Ralph Douglas West in Houston Texas, Church with our love.

LH: You were recognized at such events as the Annual Texas Holy Hip-Hop Achievement Awards, Various Stellar Award Events…The

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LH: Can you tell the fans where and how they can get their hands on this CD and how to keep an update on your performances?

Yunek: My CD is in stores. Check it out at Best Buy, FYE, I-Tunes, anywhere on line, Target.com, Walmart.com. Also check me out on my Myspace.com/yunek. My official website is Yunekmusic.com. I try to stay posted with my fans. I love ya'll. I do it for the fans and for the people out there that are struggling and just really have a heart for God.

LH: It has been a pleasure to have been given the opportunity to interview you today and on behalf of myself and Consciousness Magazine. We wish you much success in everything you attempt. Not only the music, but also in your everyday walk with the Lord. Thank you so much Yunek and may God keep blessing you!

Yunek: Thank you as well!

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

CONS

H i g h l iSgC I O U S N E S S hts...

Murphy Lee has not only been recognized for having a tremendous role in one of the hottest rap groups, the St. Lunatics, but has also been recognized as a solo icon and business man. During 2003, his hit song "Shake Ya Tailfeather," has won him a Grammy and much success. It has been nearly six years since dropping his platinum album Murphy's Law. Now, Murphy Lee is back with his second album, You See Me, in respect to giving back to the community. I had the opportunity to catch up with Murphy and speak with him about some of these successes.

Tocarra Eldridge: You constantly give back to the community.

Could you tell us a little about the Demetrius Johnson Charitable Foundation and Project ARK that you recently teamed up with?

Murphy Lee: Um, The Demetrius Johnson Charitable Foundation gives back to inner city kids...basically, kids in one parent homes. They're doing a toy drive and this year I've been able to be a part of it. At all of my events I'm doing a toy drive. Project ARK helps children that are affected in Illinois by HIV and AIDS. Without people like myself and this organization a lot of kids would not have toys.

TE: You are the CEO of your record label U C Me Entertainment and co-owner of Derrty Entertainment. How do you balance being a businessman and an artist?

ML: As an artist you are a product of what you are selling, so I have to sell myself anyway. As a label, it's easier. It's not really hard to balance the two, because now I have knowledge of the business side. This game is 90% business, so you have to definitely be business minded anyway.

It's not hard...just a little more on my plate.

TE: What keeps you motivated?

ML: It's the youth and the kids. We can get rich all day, but we don't build wealth for the next generation. This is my way to build wealth for my family, as well as for the youth and for future generations. So that's what I'm doing, trying to help the young African American generation.

TE: As a male icon, do you have any encouraging words for black males in particular that are going through trying times in America?

ML: Yes! Study your history so you know what's going on in the present. Once you know what's going on in the present, it will make your future a whole lot easier. Also, stay strong! I know it's hard, but we've been through way worse stuff coming from where we've come from.

Just don't give up.

TE: A while ago, you dropped the mixtape Murph or Die, U Choose.

Can we expect any new mixtapes real soon?

ML: Murph or Die, You Choose was the '08 classic. It dropped at the end of '08. Now you can listen to "I'm Free" on Murphderrty.com. You can get a lot of free mixtapes on there. But my new single "I'm Free" is what's hot!!

“

You should study the game and learn from it, and most importantly stop the hatred!

”

TE: Can we expect any up-and-coming projects from the St. Lunatics?

ML: Yes. You can definitely expect some projects. We are looking at spring time...summertime. We're actually dropping it with Nelly. So we're making it a big thing.

TE: What insight would you give to an up-and-coming artist who sees rapping as their outlet?

ML: Don't do it (laughs)! This is a full-time thing, so once the ball gets rolling, you gotta be able to handle it. You should study the game and learn from it, and most importantly, stop the hatred! There's no need to step on others toes to get where you are going. You just gotta study the game and accept it.

TE: Do you have anything else that you would like to add before we close?

ML: The big release of You See Me…you will be able to get it online and in stores. It's going to be crazy! It's going to be big!!!

-Interviewed by Tocarra Eldridge

Attacked By Many, Defeated By None

By Tocarra Eldridge at all. So I went to his house and he gave me a beat. It was my first time recording a song. It was the "In My Hood" track. And we've been tight ever since. He's been on my team for about a year and a half now," says the inspiring artist as he reminisces.

Kwame Thomas a.k.a. K.T. has anticipated much success as a hip-hop artist.

Born and raised in the heartland of music, Memphis, Tenn, now residing in Urbana Champaign, IL, (Scottswood Manor and Woodstone) this up-and-coming artist is no stranger to hard work.

K.T.'s mixtape The Inauguration consists of 12 tracks, with production

by DJ Redd, along with local producers. While remaining calm, K.T. gives some straight forward advice to those who are trying to make it as an artist. "Be true to yourself. Second, be humble. Three, don't try to imitate or act like anyone else. Be original; be yourself. You will always have critics…good or bad. You can be your own worst critic sometimes.

But whatever is good to you…just let the music move it! You should always say what you want to say. Do what you feel. You never know what type of listeners you will get out there."

K.T.'s recent new company Killa-t Productions allows him to be more creative and active. "You must have public presence when you are in the community," K.T. says, as he sits confident and excited about his new venture.

Support the album Attacked By Many, Defeated By None, with guest appearances by the Merchant Boyz; anticipated to release October 2010.

Visit K.T. at Facebook/killat, Reverbnation/killat, YouTube/killattv, or YouTube/bubblecitytv

His collaboration with DJ Redd enabled him to fulfill more of his goals.

"I used to write poetry and rhymes and DJ Redd wasn't really arrogant

For booking call (217) 954-1325 or (217) 390-5229 Email: Killatproduction@comcast.net or Gritit1@comcast.net

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Frazier Thompson III, who we know as "Trae Tha Truth" has had a

major impact on the music industry. Many may recognize Trae for his deep mellow deliver that runs smoothly over every track, while others may recognize and relate to the real life powerful messages in his music. Since making a guest appearance on Z-Ro's album Look What You did to Me in 1998, he has been independent and successful at his craft. Trae's first album was released in 2003, called Losing Composure… his latest (6th) album, Tha Truth.

During 2008, Trae was awarded his own day (Trae Day) by the mayor of Houston. This was the first time an honor was given to a Houston rapper for outstanding work within the community.

When an associate of mines at Rap-A-Lot called and told me about the gentleman, I researched the talented artist, discovering that he would make a good candidate for an interview with Consciousness Magazine. This is what he had to say.

What made you want to pursue a career in the music business?

I was like 12 or 13 and my brother got hit with a couple of life sentences. You know, every lil' kid look up to their brother. What he wanted me to do is rap so that I wouldn't follow that path. At first I wasn't really into it. Then when I got into it, I got better and better.

Many rappers come from a deprived neighborhood and have sort of a rough life. How was the childhood life for you in Houston, Texas while growing up?

I'll say everybody had a rough life. With me, I experienced everything on my own; like I got in the street. My older brother was gone.

I didn't have anyone to tell me right from wrong. It was rough to a sense being involved in these streets. At the same time my momma would try to support us to death her hardest. So, my life was what it was. I'm just blessed to have made it.

You've been incarnated, caught cases and so on. What would you say to a person that's involved in this lifestyle, but is trying to escape it?

Really, it aint nothing live about that! That ain't nothing to glorify. You don't want to be in that situation. Don't infatuate if you can't get out.

You're often described as "The Prophet of the Hood" and keeps God first in your life. How would you say that your music is spiritual and inspiring?

A lot of people told me that it helps them make it through there day.

Sometimes a lot of people go through stuff and they think they're the only one going through it. With what I do, a lot of people see that they're not the only ones…I tell them how I made it through a situation.

What advice would you give someone trying to make it in the music business?

It's a long process. If you focus on it, go for what you want to do.

You were one of the first involved with "Screwed" music. What type of feeling is there knowing that you are a part of history of that era?

What I get from it is the blessings. Anything's a blessing when you can't see any kind of goal from being nothing.

Is there anything else you would like to add before we close the interview?

Go get the album! Get two or three copies.

-Interviewed and written by Aaron Robinson

Comedian...Lil Rel Q&A

By Tocarra Eldridge Teldridge@consciousnessmagazine.com

Q. What influenced you to become a comedian?

A. Really just the love of stand-up. Television was really my biggest influence. I used to love to watch Saturday Night Live (SNL). When I was younger I would sneak and stay up just to watch SNL. I just love stand-up!

Stand up is one of the most honest arts…you can just get on stage and say what you feel.

Q. Since starting off your career, are you surprised by the reactions that you have received?

A. No, not really. Once you start doing TV, people begin to notice you. When I initially started, people didn't take me seriously. When I first did ComicView, that's when they took me more serious. Before then, I didn't have much support besides my close friends and family.

Q. What's the feeling like when you're about to go out in front of hundreds of people to perform, such as BET ComicView? Is there any nervousness at all?

A. Not really. I'm more anxious than anything. I'm so excited to perform, because you wait a long time before it's time to go on stage. However, if you have to wait a long time, you are even more anxious, which turns into nervous energy the more you wait. TV audiences are pretty easy; they are there to laugh.

Q. Can you tell us about some of the influential people you have met on your journey?

A. D Ray, comedian Meechie, and Wildcat. Wildcat took me to different schools to perform and I gained a lot of experience and confidence. It made me more comfortable with my act.

A. One of the biggest challenges is being where I'm at now with things…once I got my career started. I find it hard that…to a certain extent, veteran comedians don't know who I am. They perceive me as cocky, etc., just because I didn't follow them. I did my own thing and made my own way. I feel that just because they've been doing it much longer, they should still respect me. They shouldn't have a problem moving over and letting the new comedians get their turn.

Q. Besides stand-up comedy, you have appeared in films, such as Barbershop 2, and you have been in several plays. Do you see yourself pursuing a prominent acting career?

A. It's funny (laughs)! Somebody just asked me that. To answer your question…it's all the same thing. Comedy is a key that opens up a lot of great doors. Acting, producing…it all comes with it. Jamie Foxx is a great example of just doing what you want from comedy. I believe that every comic wants to be an actor or actress.

Q. How does it feel to be a father?

A. I love being a father and a husband. It's a blessing. If you do things the right way, God will really bless you. People are more impressed that I'm a person committed to my family, because most of society thinks that you have to be single, a bachelor and so on.

I'm just glad that I got a cute kid (laughs). I try to be a good influence, because it's time for us to put black families back together.

Q. What are some of the challenges that you've faced while becoming successful?

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Q. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

A. I'm on Power 92 (Chicago) every Sunday evening. I'm the co-host of Reggae Radio.

Best AlBums of

2009

Mariah Carey Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel

We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel is the new creation from Mariah Carey whose darker musical territory features heavy R&B and hip-hop mid-tempos and celestial thumping bassline love ballads. This body of work stands out on its own without any guest appearances.

Memoirs are a collective of inspired stories turned songs of love, passion, hope, faith, virtue, and devotion also consisting of heartbreak, pain, desperation, and foremost sacrifice. There are few noteworthy tracks that showcase a side of Mariah the woman and celebrity: a kind rarely expressed in her artistry and new to fans.

She tell fans, "Welcome to a day in my life, memoirs of an imperfect angel," a story demonstrating skew aggressiveness and slight touch of vengeance in the first piano album cut "Betcha Gon' Know." She emits, "See you both in lover's silhouette..Can't cover with makeup what my tears want to erase…Betcha gon' know how it feels/ When your hearts been cracked/ When we fade to black." Mariah gets dirty taking it to a different level, "Oprah Winfrey, whole segment, for real/ 20/20 Barbara Walters for real…You're gonna know how it feels…To be continued." The post side effects of a sedentary rela-

Chrisette Michelle Epiphany Chrisette Michelle is considered the offspring and new breed of R&B diva sensations delivering pure elegance and grace. With her sophomore set Epiphany, it is evident that her throne waits of her arrival. Amidst the excessive bump and grinding in R&B comes the most irresistible, unforgettable, and passionate album with heartfelt emotion of mournful-painful soulfulness. The throwback classic 1940s jazzy "once upon a time when the love was real" album title track "Epiphany" showcases Michelle's darker personality triggering the mood for the rest of the album.

"Notebook" is the alternate as cupid shot her with love's arrow while the sweet lullaby "Playing Our Song" reminds Michelle of love's everlasting memory. The album returns to bring on the heartbreak with "Another One" and the heavy sorrow "On My Own," having

Maxwell BLACKsummer's Night The year 2009 marks not only the return of Whitney Houston but also the return of the prolific-soulful Maxwell with BLACKsummer's Night, an extension of his smooth jazzy "baby makin' music." It is evident in the yearningdrenched-in-lust single "Bad Habits."

With lyrics, "This is the highest cost, take you and break you off…will you forgive me…I feel my heart's about to explode" makes it seem that making love is a serious crime.

Maxwell cannot contain himself in "Love You," a single that professes he will do anything for this woman on bended knee.

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tionship follows suite turning to fascination with "Obsessed" as she professionally and cleverly vents at rapper Eminem in verse one, "You're in L.A. and I'm out at Jermaine's/ I'm up in the 'A'/ You So So lame…It must be the weed/ It must be the 'E'," and addresses the 'haters' in verse two, "You're a mom and pop/ I'm a corporation/ I'm a press conference/ You're a conversation." The anguish and agony is felt in her five octave vocal range in the betrayal "Standing 'O.'" With the baby cradle sound effect in the background of single "H.A.T.E. U.," she puts to perspective her love and hate for her lover, "We went round for round til' we knock love out/ We were laying in the ring not making a sound/ And if this is a metaphor of you and I/ Why is it so hard to say goodbye."

Mariah comes stylish yet classy maintaining her composure with a 1970s classic piano driven single of lies and deceit "It's A Wrap." As a bold single woman she tells the men and her ex-boyfriend trying to get at her to get "Up Out My Face" expressing, "But I should have had another mechanic under my hood…Pretend you're on a sofa/ And I'm on TV/ But you won't see me for free/ Boy this ain't no promo." Mariah uses Twista and Bone Thugs N Harmony's rapid tongue twisting technique towards the song's ending, "Gel and Acrylic can't fix this/ Even the Harvard University Graduating Class of 2010 couldn't put us back together." The use of a marching band in the song's end blends slickly. (read more at www.consciousnessmagazine.com)

spiritual growth proving she can make it through relationship's stormy weather penning "I'm a woman/ I'm a grown-up/ And that means you gotta let me fall and learn to get up/ On my own/ I know your gonna care about me forever/ How will I ever learn the price of my heart/ If your always it's protector/ I love you but this is my fight/ Let me fight it/ On my own."

She converts misfortune to heroine with "Blame It On Me," a single that makes you feel the bravery in the guts. She comes on strong with sharp sultry vocals while she refuses for anyone to dress her up in Barbie clothes in "Porcelain Doll." Epiphany paints a story of love turned sour and it would have been beneficial for the album to start off with songs of love leading up to the fallout or vice versa instead of singles being thrown all over the place. Though, the album has elements of protection and sacrifice making it a crafted woman's soundscape of excruciating heartache and a mere celebration of independence and survival.

Everything stops and not a sound to be made when he sees a Sly Fox like Mariah Carey or an Afrocentric beauty queen in "Stop The World." His ultra buttery Marvin Gaye vocals come to life. Maxwell evolves with fuller enriched content with what is his version of Gaye's "Inner City Blues" inspired single "Help Somebody." The chime music box sound blends perfectly to the heartache of letting go a love one expressed in "Pretty Wings." Production in BLACKsummer's Night is darker than several July midnights. The only disappointment is few tracks make up the album, but still fulfills the listeners' ears with neo soul-gasms.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

The Holiday Hop Featuring Gunter's Coasters, The Platters and The Marvelettes Fans gelled together to take a holiday ride to the past to celebrate The Holiday Hop that took place at The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, located in Illinois. The top chart-topping '50s and '60s groups, Cornell Gunter's Coasters, The Platters and The Marvelettes brought down the house with oldies but goodies, leaving the crowd electrified. With non-stop performances, their songs were exactly like the audience remembered them on the radio nearly 50 years ago. The show was supported by Soul 106.3 FM.

This Is IT Movie Premiere While in Los Angeles, California, Consciousness Magazine had the opportunity to visit the Michael Jackson's This Is It movie premiere. Some of the present entertainers that attended the Red Carpet Event â&#x20AC;Ś Jermaine Jackson and family, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Vivicia A. Foxx, and many more.

Photos by Aaron Robinson

CM CORNER w/ Tocarra Eldridge I had an opportunity to finally meet Ben One. I seen him in concert previously and later had the privilege to interview him over the phone.

He was very cool and laid back, just as he was in person. Thanks for the photo Ben!!!

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

By Hector De La Rosa 5hiphopelements@gmail.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;T

hug related style attract millions/ Fans, they understand my plan/ Who's the kid up in the green land? Me and the RZA connect, blow a fuse, you lose," are lyrics Raekwon the Chef professed on stage that pumped loudly out the black speakers.

The lyrics to Raekwon's "Incarcerated Scarfaces" and the 2009 Rock The Bells Tour Chicago uniquely have something in common: attracting millions connecting with true diverse hip-hop die-hard fans having a festive time blowing a fuse.

This year's intense line-up gave crazed energy.

Though it was a bit confusing when one set of performers performed at the Paid Dues Stage while other acts like Reflection Eternal, Big Boi (Outkast), The Roots, to Nas and Damian Marley rocked the mic at the Main Stage making it difficult to be at both places at one time. It would have been preferred to have all acts under one stage.

Each performance at the Paid Dues stage including Raekwon's was gripping and hypnotizing it was irresistible for one to leave as Washington native Tabi Bonney and Chicago native Mickey Factz performed back to back with critically acclaimed discography. It was not until West Coast hip-hop group and Cypress Hill family Psycho Realm wearing an all black ensemble bought the raucous with their politically infused music. Brooklyn natives M.O.P. immediately took to the stage taking up Alchemist's performance slot after canceling last minute. The absence of this producer served a disappointment after hearing a displeased audience loudly grunt. However, the duo's "Cold As Ice" performance became a freezing point to fans on a hot hazy day after getting them "Ante Up." A high esteem and praise was given to them for never losing their incredible stage presence.

Moon's frontman Buckshot to the stage.

He gets down with special guest "The Professor" KRS One on a few songs from their collaboration album spitting verbal exquisite knowledge to the masses before bringing back the nostalgia of real hip-hop with the songs "Who Got Da Props" and the head banging "I Got Cha Opin." Detroit's Slum Village replaces Sage Frances after a no show. It was a "Tainted" and "Selfish" concert setting without the presence of both J.Dilla and Baatim (R.I.P).

The mournful T3 and Elzhi represented the crew to the fullest ending their performance with having fans put up their peace signs in the air in remembrance of bandmates.

There was mass confusion as fans thought Slaughterhouse was a rock band coming to an all hip-hop show. Interestingly, the four members Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joel Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9 make up the group. They rushed to the stage manslaughtering the mic giving the masses verbal anxiety making it hard for them to breathe. This was at a time when everything was cool between Raekwon and Joe Budden. GZA wraps up the show showcasing his current album material to bringing it raw with "Liquid Swords."

Though there was crowd participation, there were little artist interaction moments that stole the show whereas last year Method Man jumped into the crowd while Redman threw water at fans.

Despite confusion of two stages, the 2009 Rock The Bells produced a stellar music festival that untied the biggest hip-hop acts to provide a music experience that serves timeless and ultimately memorable.

Rating: "C" for Consciousness

Rapper/host Murs (how does he keep his hair like that?) introduces Black

PHOTOS: Hector De La Rosa

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

The fest has a rich history of presenting live entertainment of the most prolific, soulful, original, and authentic live talent including Goapele, Little Brother, MC Lyte, to Kool and the Gang on two stages: the Hip-Hop and the World Music stages. This year's lineup is presented on one stage. Performances by The Ohio Players and Booker T. Jones are far outstanding. It was George Clinton and Parliament that received major crowd reaction. There were so many eye-catching and defining performance moments. What was considered a wardrobe malfunction became an eclectic 1970s fashion show as members of Clinton's Parliament dressed as a baby in a diaper, a wedding's bride, to stylish pimps. "Atomic Dog" pumping through the speakers made the crowd hysterical. It was not until Sly Stone's appearance with Clinton that gave fans pandemonium.

The audience roared like African lions of the savanna as the classic throwback hiphop groups Camp Lo, the all-grown-up Tajai and the Mighty Souls of Mischief, and The Pharcyde delivered a high-energetic and praised performance. Camp Lo kicks it off with their tongue twisting best of…singles "Coolie High" and "Luchini AKA This Is It." The Mighty Souls of Mischief followed performing the notorious "'93 Til Infinity" along with new album material that will soon be helmed classic.

The idea of original member Fatlip reuniting with The Pharcyde became a shock to many, but was received with cheers of warmth. Audiences were satisfied with the exception they demanded for them to perform their favorite "Otha Fish," but time did not permit.

Other sources of entertainment were provided. The public participated in the "Tennis Tournament." The McDonald's sponsored "McCafe House of Couture" showcased spoken word artists and jazz musicians. The Drum Village remarkably stood out as experienced drummers described their African storytelling through skillfully drumming patterns and techniques while dancers danced to the soulful sounds giving audiences a sense of serenity and peace of mind. The Kenya Acrobats had an explosively mind-blowing performance as members run through rings of fire and put out sticks of fire with their mouths. The dance routines were well choreographed.

It is a festival many say would be Washington Park's last if the 2016 Olympics bid comes to fruition. If this were the case, the African Festival of the Arts saved the best for last.

Rating: Super "C" for Conscious

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CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Photos: Hector De La Rosa

By Hector De La Rosa 5hiphopelements@gmail.com

Teen/College Spirit Section

Schholaarshhip, Oppoortuniity, Succeess The need for financial assistance is becoming a major stressor for parents that have children that are eager to attend college. Although many students receive Financial Aid and qualify for loans, many are not taking advantage of scholarships. After doing research on my own to find scholarships upon entering my freshman year of college, I found that the problem was not finding scholarships but applying for them.

If you follow these steps your process of filling out an application will be an easy one.

When applying for scholarships it is important to read the application thoroughly. After you have gained general knowledge of each question, take time out to brainstorm.

Compose a list of all your goals and accomplishments. This compilation the end will be the major component of your

Know Your Rights!

The Community Reinvestment Act requires federal agencies to encourage depository financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate- income neighborhoods. The regulatory agencies assess the institutions' records of meeting those credit needs by preparing a written evaluation of the institutions and assigning a rating with facts supporting the conclusions. Such ratings shall be

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essay. When composing your essay make sure that all of your sentences are in complete form and are as detailed as possible.

After the essay is complete remember the key word, proofread. This essay is a writing sample of who you are and your academic ability. Look over it carefully to correct any errors.

It is also good to have someone else critique your essay.

The last step is submitting the essay. Once you submit the essay you are on your way. If you don't get the scholarship don't give up, keep applying, you have nothing to lose.

So don't feel threatened when it comes to applying for a scholarship; the process is simple. Don't miss an opportunity that can financially help you in higher education.

Community Reinvestment Act disclosed to the public for examinations beginning July 1, 1990. The Act also requires regulatory agencies to consider an institution's record of helping to meet community credit needs when evaluating certain corporate applications, such as permission to establish a branch, to relocate a branch or home office, or to merge.

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Jennifer M. Norwood: The Twelfth Window Q&A

By Lee M. Harris eternalchoice2@yahoo.com

Lee Harris: Hello Jennifer, how are you doing today?

Jennifer Norwood: Pretty good.

LH: Briefly tell us just a little about the person we know as Jennifer Norwood.

JN: Well, I'm just an average American girl. I've been writing every since I was very young. My friends and I actually exchanged our stories and sometimes we would write our own stories and our characters would interact. I went to college and majored in broadcast communications. I always loved music as well. My job has taken me all over the country.

LH: Please tell us about your experience with the record business.

JN: I basically have been in the business about fifteen years. I started out working at a record store. I was doing the record store, radio station and label while interning in New York. I had like all three goingâ&#x20AC;Śanything I could do to break in.

No two stories are alike about how to get a job in the music industry. My first label job was in 1993.

I've pretty much been in the game ever since.

LH: I just personally feel that you're a very motivated and energetic person when it comes to your beliefs and personal commitments toward others. What are some of the missions that lead you toward sharing your time and yourself with God's people?

JN: When I was first began to write when I was young, I always had interest in religion and especially in Christianity. However, when I was writing, I didn't realize that at the time. I guess I always had like a figure in the story that would have to sacrifice their life to save some people or someone. The more I wrote, the more I said, "oh my goodness this could be something that could really help people." My angle isn't so much to (quote on quote) preaches to the choir, but to help bring an understanding to people that aren't really trying to open the bible or hear about the word.

Everybody has different gifts. Being in the record business, occasionally the faith question comes up in casual conversation. I just had this weird little talent where I could explain the word to people in ten seconds or less, or in like a vernacular or Ebonics. I have like six other books that go with this one.

LH: When you learned that you had a true desire to become a writer, how did you feel about that?

JN: Well I already knew that just from my liberation to read. I love to read. When I was very young my parents would say, "You're a pretty good writer."

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LH: Jennifer, could you briefly tell the readers a little about The Twelfth Window and how God is related to your story?

JN: The Twelfth Window is an allegory. I'm trying to show how the bible'sâ&#x20AC;Ś really from the beginning to the end. As far as the setting, I had to use a fantasy setting. The bible is already written, so I'm not trying to rewrite the bible. I divided the book into five acts. I told the story like eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade and so forth. I think that God led me to write the story and to show Jesus is love. There's a lot of literature out there today that says, "Oh well, maybe this Jesus guy didn't really exist. Maybe it's just a fable or a story or they made it up." I'm trying to show that it really happened.

LH: What are some of the challenges a first time author may face depending on whether they self publish or commercially publish their book?

JN: Well, if you self-publish you have direct control, which is good in regards to the artistic layout of the book and the content. Everything is basically what you have. It's your book. There's no editor telling you, "okay, we'll change this." You are the editor. It's self edited, you come up with the cover art and you can pay extra money to have someone to do it correct for you. Self publishing is the way to go. If you're going to get picked up by a major publisher, then they are definitely going to have a say so in how this book is edited.

They have a sales force that actually gets your book into the major book chain.

LH: Please tell the readers where and how they can get their copy of The Twelfth Window.

JN: You can go online to the major book store chains. They have the book for sale on their website, Borders.com, Sales.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Book-A- Million.com, Target.com, Amazon.com and Author House.com as well.

LH: Before we close our interview, what are some of the other talents you have or what are some of the other things that you're doing at this time?

JN: I'm active in my church community. I taught Sunday school two years ago but I'm not a morning person (laugh). I really liked the kids. Right now, I'm just doing the lecture thing.

LH: We wish you much success with not only your books, but in every attempt you take toward moving forward. May God keep blessing you and make you mega from the inside out. Thank you so much for allowing us to share this time with you.

JN: Thank you Lee, Thank you! www.12thwindow.com

CURLEY "GUITAR" MAYS

Telling It Like It Is! Interviewed and written By Lee Harris eternalchoice2@yahoo.com

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n this world of music, there were many doors and gateways that had to be opened before this freedom of talent could be shared with the rest of the world. As we all know, music like everything else in this world came from someone who first had a total desire and love for it. I decided to go back to much of the roots of Jazz and early style Rock & Roll. I spoke with one of the greatest singers in the world of music, not to exclude his unmatchable talent as a guitarist, Mr. Curley "Guitar" Mays. He started his era in the fifties and still plucking when it hits him. Curley has his own southern way of explaining the way he feels about music as a whole and his own story about how life was for him during his fabulous career. Many of the opportunities we have today, such as the betterment of teachers and other educational tools, Curley Mays did not have them, but a man with his own mind and way of thinking and expressing, he did have. One of the things that were once a question in my mind was, why did Curley Mays never sign with anyone and how he became famous by not doing so? If I had to guess, I'd have to say it's because he was a talent that was hard for anyone hiring him to not do it his way.

LH: Living in the South…in this world of Racism and Segregation, how difficult was it for you to get a decent education during that time?

Curley: Well, it was difficult! Back in them days, you had Black schools and they didn't get the privileges of the White schools. At that time, I didn't know any better because that's all I knew. I thought that was the way it was supposed to be.

Lee Harris: I would like to say that it's truly a privilege to have the opportunity to interview you today. I do thank you for that. I would like to begin by asking you to tell us a little about Mr. Curley Mays.

Curley Mays: I was born in Maxie, Louisiana.

At the age of two we moved to Bomarton, Texas. I have a wonderful son, five brothers and a sister. Two of my brothers passed. My daddy played the guitar. My mother was a church lady back in the days. Two opposite people, but they got along great.

LH: Did you just pick it up on your own or what enticed you?

Curley: Well, I seen my daddy playing the guitar and I had an uncle who played as well. I just started messing around with my daddy's guitar when he was out in the shop working. I would grab his guitar and I got a little band together and started playing at the night clubs and had a lot of fun.

LH: What were their names?

Curley: My father's name was Jesse Mays and my mother's name was Gladys Walker before she got married. I have a younger brother, Sam, who plays the guitar. Winfred Mays and "Gatemouth" are my daddy's brothers…different mothers, but same father.

LH: During your childhood, can you tell me just a little bit about your father and mother?

Curley: My father was a mechanic and my mother was just a lady that stayed home and took care of the kids.

LH: So you never thought or asked yourself why people were separated as far as the schools and education goes?

Curley: At that time, that was just the way it was. I thought that was it! I didn't like it or anything. It made me kinda hate other races because of that.

LH: Were you basically in a black neighborhood at that time, or were you anywhere near the whites?

Curly: It was a Black neighborhood.

LH: Mr. Mays, at what age were you when you started performing with your guitar?

Curley: I was about fifteen.

LH: What exactly inspired the name for Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown?

Curley: I think because he sang real loud. I think Don Roby (Peacock Label out of Houston) gave him that name. He treated all his recording artist badly. I heard he used to slap "Gatemouth," and never paid him.

"Gatemouth" died about a year or two and he didn't have any money. I can't think of who all was with him back then. I know Bobby Bland and Jr. Parker was with him. I don't know if he treated them that way. That's why I would never sign to anybody, because I wasn't going for that kind of treatment.

LH: How did you meet Etta James and how

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did the two of you start working together?

CM: I finished school in 1957 and this guy, Howard Lewis was the biggest promoter down here in Texas. His son was her manager and they played in Bomarton at the Raven Club.

We opened for 'em and his manager saw it.

Howard Lewis saw the act and he said he wanted me to come to Dallas and work with him.

So, I went up to Dallas after I finished school.

He owned the Empire Room and booked hot artist during that time. He would book so many and he would send them on a tour through Texas and put me on the show. I also worked with Howard Lewis' son. I worked with Etta and we toured all over the United States and different places.

LH: Who were some of the artist that you've had the privilege of working with?

Curley: I worked with just about everybody from '57 to the 60's when I was booked by Howard Lewis, and everybody that came through Texas that had hot records. I worked with Count Bassie, Jerry Butler, Freddy King, The Five Royals, Little Willie John, James Brown…I was always booked as a singer. A lot of people think I played behind all these people, but I didn't.

LH: You had a very unique style of playing your guitar; could you tell me what inspired you to perform differently than others?

Curley: Everybody was playing the guitar and I just said I wanna be something different. I started playing with my teeth and then I'd say, "Well that ain't good enough, you know that's alright," then I started playing with one of my feet. I was playing my keyboard with my hand. Then I would say, "Nah, that ain't good enough." I wanted to do both toes. So I'd put the guitar down and I learned to play that way. The song I played was an old song by Guitar Slim.

LH: Was he a different type of player? Did he do different things with the guitar?

Curley: Yeah! Most guitar players just play, but Johnny Guitar Watson and I used to have battles. He did some tricks, but you know not as many as I did.

LH: As mentioned before, racism was outrageous in the days you were performing on

the regular. What were some of the problems you ran into on the road?

Curley: Personally, I never ran into that many.

I always expected something to happen with us riding. You know…me and Etta in the same car and she looking like a white woman…going through Mississippi, Alabama and all those places.

LH: Because of the race of your audience you played for sometimes, what were some of the rumors you had placed on you by some Blacks?

Curley: I went through more with my people than I did White people. They're more envious.

Some black people hate to see you progress.

They'd rather hold you down in these clubs.

They hate to see another club with a crowd. So we're our own fault right now. It used to be the White man, but right now, we're holding each other back.

LH: Would you like to tell us a little about the situation with your guitar Mr. Mays?

Curley: About a year after I moved here, some-

LH: That's Channel 33?

Curley: Yeah. You know…they got 'em up there calling one another the N-Word. Then when the White man say black something, then they want to get mad.

LH: What do you think the motivation is behind young Blacks, actually doing this music this way and performing this way?

Curley: I think it's more of a show off thing.

They have no talent. Most of 'em get on stage and they can't play or sing. It's just somebody with nerves. They get up there; they're not performing. To me, it's embarrassing.

LH: I've looked at a lot of the photos back during the days when you were on stage and I must tell you that you were a pretty sharp dresser.

Curley: Well, that's what everybody did in those days. Jackie Wilson was my favorite.

I used to love to see him dress when he was on stage.

LH: How was Jackie Wilson as a person?

down fall today. That's the way I look at it.

LH: So you're saying a lot of people could really take a lesson from the guys that are still here?

Curley: They think they know better than you.

You get some of these young Blacks, how can I tell them something? They're saying, "you're old, how could you tell us something?" This is today and boy it's bad today. They're not progressing in anything.

LH: Mr. Mays, before we conclude, is there anything else that you would like the readers to know about Curley Mays at this time?

Curley: Well, people ask me "What was the most exciting thing in your life?" The most exciting thing I liked is when I toured through Texas with Count Bassie Band playing behind me. That was exciting. All those horns…you know, I think it was, Smalls Paradise in New York. I was on the show with Redd Foxx. Miles Davis wasn't on the show, but he was there. He came and complimented me for playing. They say Miles Davis never complimented nobody.

“I like to see people get on stage and not clown. Dress up!" body broke in my house and stole my guitar and some money. The guitar is the main thing that I missed.

LH: Your guitar, it was pretty old. You say you had it for a while?

Curley: The year of 1957 is when I got it. I may have had it from when I finished school.

LH: When people see you, do the majority of them know that you've played all over the world?

Curley: Nah! A lot of 'em don't know. See, around here in San Antoine, they remember me from the East Wood. They don't know me, but some of 'em do after seeing my website. A lot of 'em don't even know I have a website. A few of 'em have been going on MySpace. They were just shocked, because they couldn't believe it. I never go around telling anybody that I'm an entertainer.

LH: Is there anything you would like to say to the young artist of today about keeping their music in good taste the way the pioneers of your day did their music?

Curley: Yes! I like to see people entertain…you know. I like to see people get on stage and not clown. Dress up! Maybe I'm old fashion, but I hate to see somebody go up on stage with tennis shoes on, pants hanging down, or have a ring in their nose. I don't care if it's White or Black! To me that's a disgrace to music. This rap stuff, you know where you're cursing and all that stuff, I can't stand that. That Channel 33, you know…that's what the White Folks like, because Blacks are making a fool out of themselves on there.

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Curley: He was a good person. He was a great man! He could sing and was actually a showman. James Brown and all of them in those days were entertainers. What they have today, I can't even look at it. It's disgusting to me!

LH: You're speaking from your own heart.

Curley: Yes! You know they're envious and stuff like that. I went to a couple of clubs and they asked me to sit in and I'll say, "Well, okay." The guitar player says, "Oh! I don't let anybody play my guitar!" Now these are Black bands. The other ones say, "Well we don't do Blues." But they're doing "The Thrill is Gone."

I'll just say, "Hey man, forget it!" They don't sound like nothing. But that's envious stuff. I can go to the White side of town and I could have sweared I was Elvis Presley or somebody.

You come to your own side of town and they treat you like a dog. They want you to pay to go in and play.

LH: So there is a major difference in the way that you're treated?

Curley: Yes, and it makes me feel bad that White people respect me as somebody and my own people don't.

LH: So, would you say that there have been many times that the word have been put out that there was racism with many of the Whites when most of the time it was with many of the Blacks instead?

Curley: Right! I was talking to a club owner the other day and we were talking about that. It's sad that these club owners, they shake hands and talk, but they hate to see another one have a bigger crowd than the other. We're our own

CONSCIOUSNESS Magazine

Miles Davis hardly said anything to anyone.

That helped me a lot. Those are the things I don't forget. When I played Las Vegas, everybody had their arrangement. Stepin Fetchit was there. The Nicholas Brothers were late and they were like, "Oh gosh, what we going to do?" So I said, "I'll take care of it." I said, " Hey band follow me, we going to do E-Flat. We going to do High Heel Sneakers and I'm going to prolong it a little 'til they get dressed." I went up there and did it with no music. There wasn't any arrangement. That made me feel good!

That's the best write-up out of all of it. I let a friend use it and he lost it. It says, "Curley Mays, The New Talk of the Town." He said, "Man let me show it to my mother and he took it and I ain't seen it since."

LH: He might still have it.

Curley: I'm thinking he might still have it. That was the biggest write-up that I appreciated out of all the people that was in Vegas at that time.

LH: How was Redd Foxx?

Curley: He was great! I recorded all his shows back when he was on TV, when he first came out with the sitcoms. That night at the Smalls Paradise, he said, "Yeah! His toes look like sardines in a can," (laugh) I said, "Thanks a lot!"

LH: He was a funny man I'll tell you. I say thank you for giving me the opportunity to hear it straight from the mouth of Mr. Curley "Guitar" Mays.

Curley: And thank you for interviewing me; I appreciate that! That's another thing in my life I will never forget!

Changing Lives One Youth at a Time Written and Interviewed By Tocarra Eldridge Teldridge@consciousnessmagazine.com

Tocarra Eldridge: Tell us how C.L.O.U.T. (Changing Lives One Youth at a Time) came into existence.

Entertainer and famed Krumper Tommy the Clown has partnered up with icon Snoop Dogg to create the C.L.O.U.T. (Changing Lives One Youth at a Time) Foundation. This Nonprofit organization aims to provide a creative and social outlet for at-risk youth in hopes to help avoid the misplaced creative energy which too often results in gang violence, crime, and abuse. "As a youth I had one teacher who really pushed me to be the best and gave me an outlet to really feel like I could be somebody? I became successful partly because of his belief in me. I want to give that to the kids so they know there is more to life than the street hustle or crime. I have been friends with Tommy the Clown for years and seen what he has done for so many people; this partnership is very important to me," Says Snoop Dogg.

In addition, Tommy the Clown's National workshop tour and series of events will allow both children and adults to experience his positive presence along with his impeccable dance technique, which we know as Clowning (a type of street dance characterized by free, expressive, exaggerated, and highly energetic moves). Consciousness Magazine had the opportunity to interview Tommy the Clown to speak with him about this exciting and newly created e n d e a v o r , C.L.O.U.T.

Krumper Tommy the Clown: Well you know…I've been doing it for years! I just wanted to take it to another level, a step higher and keep the movement going. So we invented the C.L.O.U.T. Foundation and partnered up with Snoop. He (Snoop) understood my vision with the kids. Snoop has the youth football team as well, and he wanted to work together and help me push the movement. We feel as though we can just do it one youth at a time! You know you can't help every kid in the world, but you can sure try! You have to give kids something to occupy their time. We want it to be enjoyable for the kids as well as give them an outlet.

T.E.: What was your motivation to start the entertainer we know as Krumper Tommy the Clown?

TC: I started the movement from entertaining and doing birthday parties. I created a show called Battle Zone. The dancing became so intense that we started calling it Krump…now it's all over the world.

I was inspired by the way the dance has inspired so many people.

T.E.: Are you looking to tour throughout the United States?

TC: Yes. That's our goal. We have a workshop in which we're starting to tour now. We're trying to set up a tour throughout each city. We want to teach the youth and train them and do a nice, big battle at the end. We're trying to get these kids motivated…trying to keep hope alive.

T.E.: What words of encouragement would you say to a child who is at risk and doesn't have or know a way out?

T.C.: I would tell them to put God first and find an outlet consisting of something that they like to do. Ultimately, they have to realize and want to make a change…and must seek that change. They should always push towards a positive lifestyle and keep God in their life.

T.E.: Is there anything else that you would like to add before we close?

T.C.: Yes. Check out my website www.tommytheclown.com and learn about my foundation and how it's doing. We're always looking for donations to help push the academy so that children can have a place to come and interact in a positive environment.

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