Culturs Winter/Spring 2025: Hollywood Evolution and Destination Madrid

HOLLYWOOD EVOLUTION:

FROM ‘CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD’ TO GENIUS IN THE HOOD

WITH FOUNDERS

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD’S, MALCOLM SPELLMAN UNLEASHING GIANTS CEO EMIL PINNOCK & HIP HOP UNCOVERED’S JIMMY CHRIS

CULTURS EXPERIENCES: WHAT TO EXPECT IN

STILLNESS TO SELF: THE SILENT ALCHEMY OF REFLECTION

FROM WINTER TO SPRING: PREPARING YOUR SPACE FOR THE COLD

Uplifting those who grew up in multiple countries or meaningfully experiencing multiple cultures

14

Genius in the Hood

How Malcolm Spellman, Emil Pinnock and Jimmy Chris are using their incubator pipeline organization to provide opportunities in the entertainment industry for people from marginalized communities.

23

Creating ‘Up North’

How Emil Pinnock used his time in jail as inspiration for his acclaimed TV series “Up North,” and his journey to get the funding to film the pilot.

28

Captain’s Orders

Hollywood scriptwriter Malcolm Spellman describes the process of working on the biggest fictional franchise in entertainment history.

44

Culturs Experiences: Marvelous Madrid

Historical tour guide Marik Michalsky provides tips on where and what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Spain’s capital city.

34 The spirit of winter

Eugene Tapahe’s photography takes us on a journey through what winter means to him, both on a spiritual as well as ancestral level.

58 A taste of Madrid Culturs Celebrations!

n the 21st century, assessing someone’s background from outward appearance isn’t enough as hidden, rather than visual, diversity means people increasingly bring more to the table than meets the eye.

Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK)

Culturally Fluid Definitions

Whether through nationality, travel, race or ethnicity, many straddle culture in myriad ways. From Cultural Fluidity, to Third Culture Kid, Expat, Third Culture Adult, Cross-Cultural Kid and more, the language to describe our in-between community is of

A term coined by author Ruth Van Reken in 2002, is a person who is living, has lived, or meaningfully interacted with two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during the first 18 years of life. This includes minority individuals living within majority culture.

Adult Cross-Cultural Kid (ACCK)

An adult who grew up as a Cross-Cultural Kid.

Cultural Fluidity/Cultural Mobility

A term coined by Culturs founder Donnyale

Ambrosine to characterize hidden diversity created by people who don’t or didn’t grow up in a homogenous cultural environment. Culturally Fluid individuals may straddle nationalities, ethnicities, race or culture. The fluidity created allows understanding between or among their foundational areas of meaningful experience. It also may hinder sense of belonging to any one area.

Missionary Kids

Children of missionaries who travel to missions domestically or abroad.

utmost importance. Knowing the vocabulary creates understanding and deepens our sense of belonging and connections to others with similar experiences. Here’s a quick overview so you can follow along any of our articles with ease:

Third Culture Kids (TCKs)

Coined by Sociologist Ruth Useem in the 1950s as a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The first culture is considered an individual’s passport culture, while the second culture consists of the culture(s) in which the individual has lived. The third culture is a result of the person’s life experience; this is the culture to which they most belong. The third culture often is where individuals feel community with others of similar experience.

Domestic TCK

Children who moved to various regions within the same country while growing up, often having to re-learn ways of being, especially as regional differences in dress, speech and action are heightened in formative years when it is important to be accepted.

Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK)

An adult who grew up as a TCK.

Third Culture Adult (TCA)

Coined in 2002 by Psychotherapist Paulette Bethel to signify individuals who travel extensively and are immersed in, or live in global locations after the age of 18 (after identity has been solidified).

Refugees

Internationally nomadic group not characterized by a parent’s occupation. Displaced from their homeland forcibly or by choice, often having fled for varied reasons — violence, politics, religion, environment, etc. Refugees typically do not return to their origin country.

Immigrants

People who, for varied reasons, immigrate to a country different than their homeland to stay permanently. Many return to their home countries to visit, though some do not.

Expatriate (Expat)

As defined by Merriam Webster — to leave one’s native country to live elsewhere; which also sometimes means to renounce allegiance to one’s native country.

Military B.R.A.T.

Children of military who move with parents to different places within or outside of their home country. They often experience other cultures within the confines of a military installation or compound that possesses traits of the home country.

Non-Military Foreign Service

Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, civil service, foreign service, etc.

Traveler

Those who travel expecting differences among intra-international or international culture, however, not immersed in these cultures for extended periods of time, or long enough to integrate local cultural norms as their own.

Diplomat Kids

Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.

International Business Kids

Children whose parents work with multinational corporations that take them to faraway lands, often in professional fields surrounding oil, construction and pharmaceuticals.

Borderlanders

Described by author Ruth Van Reken in the book “Third Culture Kids,” a borderlander is a citizen of one country that lives close to another. Often the norms, customs and traits of each country’s culture seeps into the other, creating a cultural experience separate from either original culture, while allowing inhabitants keen knowledge and insight into their own culture as well as the other.

Multiracial

People whose family consists of two or more races to which the individual identifies. With race often come cultural norms, slang language and attitudes that can greatly differ. Many multiracial children, though not all, have the unique opportunity to learn norms of all the cultures they comprise.

Multiethnic; Multicultural

People whose family consists of two or more cultures to which the individual identifies. Even when belonging to the same race, differences in culture may exist between ethnicities, tribes and other cultural contexts.

WINTER/SPRING 2024

ANTOINETTE LEE TOSCANO, MBA has family ancestry in Nigeria, Ireland, Spain, and the Indigenous Arawak of Jamaica. Lee is an outdoor industry influencer, model, and brand ambassador for several top-tier outdoor companies. She is the co-founder of Diversify Whitewater and founder of the American Adventure Sports Club with a mission of providing free adventure sports training to anyone with a financial need. Toscano is a DEI marketing implementation consultant who serves on the America Outdoors DEI task force. She can usually be found in the U.S.A Northwoods, stewarding the forest and river around her homestead while living the adventure sports lifestyle.

ANABEL is an Cuban professional photographer living in Spain. She captured our photos at Plaza de la Provincia, in the heart of Madrid, just a few steps from the famous Plaza Mayor square as well as Mercado de San Miguel, La Plaza De la Villa and finally, one of the most beautiful places in Madrid: El Palacio Real and La Catedral de la Almudena.

Born and raised in New York City, U.S.A., NI’JAA FOYE is currently studying journalism and criminology at Saint Bonaventure University. She has a passion for uncovering the truth and crafting compelling stories.

MARIK MICHALSKY was born and raised in Michigan, U.S.A. and moved to Madrid, Spain at 18 years old. A historical tour guide, Michalsky created his own tour, called “Medieval to Modern,” which takes visitors on an alternative route to the normal tours in the city center. It connects the pre-Spanish societies with the modern royal dynasties and explains how the city grew into the stunning capital we know today. When not working or studying, he loves to cook, go hiking, play football and explore villages around Spain one restaurant at a time.

EUGENE TAPAHE is the owner, photographer and graphic designer at Tapahe Photography and Tapahe Inventive Design. His experience ranges from Managing Editor, Art Director, Senior Animator/Designer, and Photographer for publications such as The Navajo Times, and ESPN The Magazine, Communication Arts Magazine, and Photoshop User Magazine. He draws creative inspiration from his Navajo culture and credits his traditional upbringing for his continued success. His photography and work in his professional career have taken him to the NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series and other major world events.

Adult Cross Cultural Kid and TCA

Native American Adult CCK

Adult CCK

Third Culture Adult

NI’JAA FOYE

ANTOINETTE LEE TOSCANO

Cuban TCA

MARIK MICHALSKY

EUGENE TAPAHE

ANABEL

EDITION

PRAISE FOR CULTURS MEDIA

I just watched. I will never stop crying listening to other NPE’s describe all of these exact emotions I have felt. @

Stephanie Meyer and @Paulette Bethel you guys did a great job!!! I am going to share with a few family members.

— J. Girad via Slack, on the NPE podcast

I was lucky enough to be able to listen to Doni’s talk at Magazine Street and to speak with her afterward. Her talk on third culture made me feel so seen [...]

I’ve never been able to explain to people why I am who I am - have never been able to explain to myself why I am who I am -befre now. I feel seen and welcomed.

— D. Spiars via Cultursmag.com

I love how you are leading the way to fresh thinking for looking at identity in today’s fast changing world. You continue to amaze me Doni in every way!

— R. Van Reken via LinkedIn

The whole experience of meeting you and having the discussion we had (and now seeing that convo go live/public) has been nothing but positive! I am so impressed with the work that you and the whole Culturs Mag team does. I enjoyed re-listening to the conversation and hope it helps people who are TCKs realize they are TCKs and find their way to Culturs Mag and NPEs to NPE Network.

— B. Kirkpatrick Williams via email, on the NPE Podcast

Doni — you are special and so inspirational. Thank you. I have rarely seen such clarity of purpose and conviction in a company message or product. You created something very powerful.

— Y. Petrossian Boyle via LinkedIn, about the Anniversary Package

Love this! Thanks for all the work you do to bring TCKs together and help connect global nomads of all types.

— L. Adams-Brown via LinkedIn

EDITOR IN CHIEF

John Liang

MANAGING EDITOR

Tammy Rae Matthews

Winter/Spring 2025 www.CultursMag.com

Volume VII, Issue XXVI

PRODUCTION

Ben Ward

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Elleyne Aldine

ART DIRECTION

Diana Vega

DIGITAL

Ahbram Ambrosine

ILLUSTRATION

Diana Vega

ADVISORY BOARD

Chumba Limo

Corine Trujillo

PUBLISHER & CEO

Elleyne Aldine

EDITORIAL

COMMUNITY LEAD

Andrea Bazoin

CONTRIBUTORS

Ni’jaa Foye

Antoinette Lee

Toscano

Marik Michalsky

Eugene Tapahe

COLUMNISTS

Paulette Bethel

Kadija Taylor

Zach Haigh PODCAST PRODUCTION

VIDEOGRAPHY

CREATIVE GURU

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anabel Dilon

Tommy McMillion

Eugene Tapahe

Thomas Tozzi

Anthea Tozzi

INTERIM SOCIAL

MEDIA MANAGER

Marina Sanchez Douglas

SUPPORTERS

Gregory Moore

Donna Musil

INTERIM COMMUNICATIONS

MANAGER

Sara Alcorn

WEB DESIGN

Gamma Waves

The Commerce Shop

Linda Thomas

Brooks

Antionette Williams

SUBSCRIPTIONS: www.cultursmag.com/subscribe. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Contact advertising@cultursmag.com. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact press@cultursmag.com. CULTURSTM magazine, Volume 2, Issue 3. Copyright Culturs Global Multicultural Philanthropic Lifestyle Network. All rights reserved. Published quarterly; Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, by Simply Alive, LLC, 242 Linden Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Culturs magazine, 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80525. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Simply Alive LLC does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor any representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photographs, and other material submitted. Culturs makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claim as to the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information. PRINTED IN THE USA

The Culturs team has worked tirelessly to overcome so many

challenges during the last two years. So many publications have a hard time surviving as the media landscape continually changes. I’m excited to say that because of our tenacity, dedication to community and commitment to cultural identity, Culturs continues to thrive.

This year is about TRANSFORMATION — for me personally and for this organization. You’ll see some of this below with my new name, and with Culturs, you’ll see many major updates to begin the new year.

We have a goal this year to add 100,000 new subscribers to our community, and we have the juice to do so! You’ll notice a brand new website that still provides free content, and after two free articles each month, you’ll be invited to subscribe. This introduces you to our three new subscription levels: Insider lets you deep dive into the community with convenient access to all our media in print, on digital, web, podcast and video — at your fingertips.

The Platinum level includes Insider media plus quarterly delivery of exclusive products to immerse your senses in the destination featured in each issue of Culturs print magazine.

The VIP level is our ultimate experience, providing all the goodness of the Insider and Platinum, while giving unprecedented discount access to in-person events and globally immersive travel experiences. As you’ll see in our “Kudos” (pg 8) and “Behind the Scenes” (pgs 98-99), we love interacting with our community and revel in the joy delivered.

You’ll see our new partnerships this year, with a retail marketplace on Shopify, as well as in The Elizabeth Hotel, a Marriott Signature hotel and luxury property. Plus our CultursCelebrations! Partnership with Madrid’s Cooking Clubhouse (pg 58) and our charitable endeavors continue by working with Genius in the Hood to teach the foundation of media and journalism to their upand-coming filmmakers.

I’ve also become part of the NPE (Not Parent Expected) Network board of directors — it’s the foremost organization supporting people experiencing parental surprises from their DNA test results. When someone finds they have a different ethnicity than previously known, we are happy to be there to provide support.

Finally, this year will bring the Alchemist awards — honoring the best and brightest of the culturally fluid community — while providing

way for us to get together, know each other and feel seen, heard and understood.

With so many exciting launches, we’ve saved one of the best for last: at our Winter/ Spring cover launch you will get to meet our first celebrity Global Ambassador, who we are excited to take on speaking experiences and a product tour around the globe. Stay tuned, there’s so much to come!

Meanwhile, enjoy our new branding and marketing — all created with you in mind. We look forward to seeing how they continue to help us all thrive.

Truly, authentically yours,

Elleyne Aldine Chief Executive Officer, Culturs Global Media

The Alchemist’s Heart award sculpture in copper by TCK Artist Deidre Hardin. Our communitiy’s biggest award.

If you’re a creative individual from a marginalized

community with a passion for movies, our cover story in this issue will give you the chance to learn about Genius in the Hood, an incubator pipeline organization founded by noted filmmakers Jimmy Chris, Malcolm Spellman and Emil Pinnock.

We also get to explore one of my personal favorite cities, Madrid, where historical tour guide Marik Michalsky guides us through parts of the city that even locals may not be familiar with. Our Celebrations! kit in this issue has recipes for various Spanish paellas that will leave your mouth watering.

Staying in Madrid, we also get to meet chefs Alex Villar and Erick Belli, co-founders of the Cooking Clubhouse, a culinary school that blends learning how to cook traditional Spanish dishes with the social benefits of sharing a sumptuous meal with strangers that quickly become friends.

A hop, skip and a jump over to Italy, we meet Rebeca Salmeron and Jacob Park, whose cross cultural love story led to a dream destination wedding there.

Additionally, as winter in the Northern Hemisphere draws to a close while it beckons in the Southern Hemisphere, we get to marvel at photographer Eugene Tapahe’s amazing snowbound images and ruminations about what the chilly season means to him.

Staying in the snowy great outdoors, contributor Antoinette Lee Toscano writes about the invigorating sport of skijoring — cross-country skiing with your favorite canine and advice on how to get into the sport.

If building up a sweat when it’s cold outside isn’t quite your thing, columnist Dr. Paulette Bethel writes about how the winter season can spark a process of transformative alchemy, where reflection and reinvention become possible. Not only

that, our home and sanctuary columnist Kadija Taylor has a holistic view on how to prepare your space for the winter season.

From Genius in the Hood’s efforts to get people from marginalized communities to showcase their creativity, to marvelous Madrid and all its hidden wonders plus ideas to make your winter more meaningful, here’s hoping this issue helps spark your own imagination.

— John Liang Editor-in-Chief

IN THE HOOD:

By John Liang

Photos by Tommy McMillion

Styling by Koya Nyangi Wardrobe by (BBF) Branded By Faith

Location: Downtown L.A. Garment District

If you’re a creative individual from a marginalized community with a passion for movies, filmmakers Malcolm Spellman, Jimmy Chris and Emil Pinnock have set up a mechanism for getting your work out to an audience.

The three recently founded the incubator pipeline organization Genius in the Hood to provide opportunities through education and mentorship for exceptionally gifted individuals — or geniuses — from marginalized communities, i.e. “the hood,” thus the name.

While “the hood” is often considered a place marked by limitations, barriers, ceilings and lack of opportunity, growing up in such an atmosphere can also cultivate originality and authenticity that when one takes a professional hunger and a survival attitude and couples it with creative genius, that can produce an alchemy needed to not only succeed, but thrive in Hollywood.

Spellman, Chris and Pinnock are successful examples of what’s produced from the hood if only given the opportunity.

Chris’ work in entertainment started out in the music business — hip hop specifically — before transitioning to television, where he served as executive producer of the acclaimed FX series “Hip Hop Uncovered.”

Pinnock has been involved in entertainment since childhood, starting out on the public television show “Reading Rainbow” and moving on to act in other shows like “Sixth Man,” “Beloved” and “Gridiron Gang.” He also developed the TV series “Up North” and owns the production company Unleashing Giants.

Spellman is also a longtime showbusiness pro on the writing side, with his most recent works including FX’s “Empire” along with Marvel’s “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” series on Disney+ and the movie “Captain America: Brave New World.”

While many programs seek to address the lack of diversity, equity and inclusion in Hollywood by creating pathways for identity as well as gender and ethnic representation, Genius in the Hood aggressively mines, recruits and trains people that would be unconventional, exceptionally talented and gifted storytellers from the literal and figurative hood with no respect to class, formal education or access.

A major point to consider is all three founders have a history of being incarcerated.

Chris grew up in Compton, Calif., U.S.A. and has been a friend of Spellman’s for more than 30 years. Chris was in and out of jail multiple times and not convicted as a youth, but as a young adult, he was convicted on drug charges and spent six years in federal prison.

“I did wrong, got caught,” he says, adding: “I learned my lesson that one time, been out ever since and the rest is the past and the future is all I live for now.”

Spellman also grew up in California and spent time in jail on drug-related offenses when he was younger, but the main conviction he still has on his record was for possession and intent to sell marijuana. With

unemployment rates being very low when Spellman was growing up, selling drugs was one of the only ways he was financially able to survive.

“I didn’t know how to survive without adding hustle to it,” according to Spellman. “And that’s how I got in trouble, but let me be clear, I did not do like years in prison or things like that. I did a few weeks in jail until my case was arraigned, bailed out, and then got to deal with my case from the streets.”

For Pinnock, who grew up in New York, his brush with incarceration came about on his 19th birthday. He and his friends were driving home when they were pulled over by police. After the police questioned them, Pinnock and his friends were allowed to drive on, but minutes later they saw the same police car behind them. When it followed them into a dark, barely lit part of the neighborhood, the car’s siren started to wail.

“My instincts immediately told me, don’t stop until we get to a main street, because we don’t want to be stuck here in the dark with these officers,” Pinnock says. “So if their sirens have to be on for a minute or two, so be it. And so we just continued, even though their sirens were on, until we got to a place, but they end up cutting us off, drawing guns, taking us out the car and immediately put us in handcuffs.”

Pinnock and his friends were in the police precinct for several hours before realizing they were being charged with possession of two firearms, which they did not have.

“Guns that we did not have and guns that the police said that we did not have the first time by letting us go when they searched the car and searched us,” he says. Nevertheless, they were sent to Queens Detention Center and Rikers Island until their case was heard, and with bail set at a very high level, none of their families could afford to get them out.

Genius in the Hood aggressively mines, recruits and trains people that would be unconventional, exceptionally talented and gifted storytellers.

When their case went to a grand jury, Pinnock and his friends were acquitted on all charges.

Being in jail, though, “changes you,” he says. “It changes your mentality on how you view people.”

“You go into a place that is very violent,” he adds. “Not only from the inmates, but from the guards. You have to defend yourself. You have to be forced to become either predator or prey.”

Pinnock notes that while people might not think of the “Hunger Games” movie franchise as something that represents the community that they come from, when he and friends saw the film, “we immediately started crying because we were like, this is what they’ve been doing to us our whole life. I guess now that you put a different culture inside of it and people can have some type of different sympathy, but this is what they’ve been doing to us. They put us in the projects or put us in the prison. And whoever

makes it out wins. And that’s pretty much where Rikers Island and Queens Detention Center was for us. I’m thankful to have made it out alive, really.”

For Chris, his experience in prison was one of the inspirations for his collaboration with Spellman on the FX docuseries “Hip Hop Uncovered,” which, according to the show’s description, “takes a deep dive into the paradox of America’s criminalization of the genre and its fascination with the street culture that created it and still exists within it.”

The series reveals the untold story of how that street culture helped shape hip-hop “from an expression of survival and defiance into one of music’s most dominant genres.”

Chris says the show was originally called “U Turn,” and “pretty much based on guys behind the scenes [of the hip-hop movement], guys that turned their life around.”

One of Chris’ inspirations to get into the music business was musician and rapper Jai HassanJamal Robles, who in 1995 was gunned down in Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A., an incident that served as the main catalyst for a feud between rappers in New York and Los Angeles.

Chris says Robles’ killing caused him to step away from the music business and “start going more towards film. And that was what made me want to do ‘Hip Hop Uncovered’ with Malcolm Spellman.”

For Pinnock, Chris is an inspiration for those who have been incarcerated, released and want to stay out of jail long-term.

“There’s a model of that second chance that we want to offer the geniuses in the hood that [Chris] proves that that’s a possibility,” Pinnock says. “He comes out of six years of federal time and is able not only to not re-enter the [prison] system, but also at the same time, he’s able to go back to his community.”

In addition to his involvement with music and film, Chris also worked in the maintenance department of Compton College, rising to a supervisory position before retiring recently.

Pinnock admires Chris’ work at the school.

While Compton was a “rough” one, Pinnock says Chris “went back there to work in that community, had a lot of other opportunities to work other places, but wanted to make sure that he served in a place that he was from and make some impact there.”

“I got a second chance,” Chris says, “a third chance, really, to kind of keep my life straight and turn my life around.”

He adds that kids nowadays look up to him as an example of how not to make the mistakes he did.

On the red carpet at a Genius in the Hood premiere.

“So as much opportunity as I can give to them that’s been given to me and others, I try to return that back 10 times and more to people around me that haven’t had a second chance or some of the opportunities that I’ve had,” Chris says. “As many doors I can open to provide to somebody else, I’m always trying to do that.”

Given the three founders’ backgrounds, Genius in the Hood has been focused mostly on getting aspiring filmmakers into the movie and television industry. Pinnock says as Genius in the Hood enters into its first year, they’re going to start with filmmakers and storytellers.

“However, we’ve already begun from the inception of the organization to start to think about how do we incorporate music,” he adds. “We have a lot of relationships there.”

That said, “you can’t tackle everything at the same time,” according to Pinnock. “So we’re hoping that the success with the film [side] that opens up other doors to do that. So, no in the immediate, but yes in the long term.”

Another inspiration the trio have used in their own endeavor is the Sundance Institute’s Labs, Grants and Fellowships programs, which according to the organization provides “dynamic support at every step of the creative journey for individuals with distinct voices in film and episodic storytelling.”

Behind-the-scenes with Genius filmmakers

For Spellman, “the No. 1 thing that may sound hella simple or obvious to y’all that very few people do that we do, that we sort of took from Sundance is, if we elect to work with you, the way we’ve done this with each other coming up, we are with you until you are on.”

Pinnock echoes that sentiment, noting that he doesn’t even have a high school diploma. When they mine for talent, they aren’t necessarily looking for people that don’t have college degrees.

“We’re looking for the dude in the local barbershop,” Pinnock says. “The barbershop is one of the most important places of the community who has everybody laughing to the point where you got guys who go to the barbershop and storytell and people go sit there when they don’t even get a haircut, right? ‘Cause they would rather listen to this dude storytell more than watch the most popular show on television. We want that guy [or gal] to get an opportunity.”

Chris’ personal goals for Genius in the Hood is to reach, teach and mentor as many people as they can from their community “to get a program that could change lives.”

vocabulary or all the things that everyone has, that checklist that people go, ‘Are you worthy of that?’” Pinnock adds. “We’ve thrown that out and we’re using our instincts and our experience to actually mine for talent. I think that’s the thing that we’re most excited about.”

Given the three founders’ backgrounds, Genius in the Hood has been focused mostly on getting aspiring filmmakers into the movie and television industry.

For Spellman, the ultimate goal is to build a program that is formed under the model “that we — me, Emil, Jimmy — have now, which is direct handholding, not just like a program, but it is direct handholding through the indoctrination of a career. And once this program has taken hold in film and television, using this model to franchise into other arenas like tech, real estate, whatever.”

The trio want to take their experiences coming from similar circumstances, “and the fact that we’re not scared to trust it when we see it, and to connect with those people, whether or not they have the experience or the

The three have a goal to produce 50 geniuses out of the program this year, according to Pinnock, with an additional goal of doubling that number every year for the next five years.

Additionally, they have a goal to raising US $1 million for Genius in the Hood and Unleashing Giants’ “Lights, Camera, Future” kids program.

Part of the reason for the fundraising is the wildfires that ravaged the Los Angeles area at the beginning of 2025.

The three have a goal to produce 50 geniuses out of the program this year, with an additional goal of doubling that number every year for the next five years.

Pinnock notes that all of the organization’s premiers take place in Altadena and Pasadena, which were heavily affected by the fires. Several of the schools hosting their “Lights, Camera, Future” program no longer exist.

“We had 24 programs running last year,” he adds. “I have zero programs right now because of the wildfires, right? And I want to get that back.”

The trio has a website, geniusinthehood.org, where people can get more information. They also have a relationship with the Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Program, which provides a mechanism for people to make tax-exempt donations.

To learn more about how Genius in the Hood helps the community, visit here:

cultursmag.com/genius-in-the-hood

Walking the red carpet at a Genius filmmaker premiere.

EMIL PINNOCK ON GETTING HIS BIG BREAK CREATING

‘UP NORTH’

While actor, writer and producer Emil Pinnock got

an early start in Hollywood with a recurring role as a child in the U.S. public television series “Reading Rainbow,” another major acting gig was landing the role of Oprah Winfrey’s character’s son in the film “Beloved.”

With Jonathan Demme directing that film, having won an Oscar for “Silence of the Lambs,” the “Beloved” novel being a bestseller and Oprah Winfrey being at the top of her game at the time, “it had all the right pieces and to be hired to not only be in that film, but to play the special role of her son was really good for me,” he says.

Pinnock’s time in jail at 19 years old was the inspiration for his TV series “Up North,” which chronicles a young black man’s incarceration on a crime he did not commit and the changes being in jail brings to that character.

“I felt the responsibility to tell our story and to educate our community and audiences on what happened to us, but also to use it as a learning lesson on how to deal with the system, exposing things that we encountered in the system,” he says.

“Up North” is a popular term for jail in the U.S. state of New York.

For Pinnock, who grew up in Harlem in New York City, hearing violence and gunfire outside where you lived was the norm.

“You don’t even duck,” he says. “I’ve seen stabbings and things that me and my mother just walk past as almost as if it doesn’t happen. It desensitizes you, growing up in that community.”

What Pinnock’s mother and other older relatives tried to do was to continuously put him in programs like acting, writing, speech and debate or even basketball to keep him away from the seediest parts of the community.

“A lot of parents decide to do that when you have to be raised in those communities, but you still are seeing things, you’re still impacted by it,” he says.

While he was in jail, “there was a lot of kids crying and scared because of stories that they heard,” Pinnock adds. Ironically, in a sense he wasn’t that scared because there were no firearms in there.

“I know I might sound crazy to somebody else, but I had grown up in a community where a gun is a normal thing, so I was like, how bad could it be?” he says. “They’re taking us from the projects with these murders and putting us in a place where there’s no guns.”

That said, one still has to survive in an institution that houses violent individuals.

“We had to stick together and we had to be willing to do anything that we needed to do to stay alive and to protect each other, to not be bullied, to not become prey because once you do that there’s extortion, there’s physical harassment, it could even be sexual harassment, so there’s a lot of things that you got to do, and so that’s what we did,” he says.

Luckily, the other five friends that were with Pinnock when he was arrested were also all there.

“We had people that we knew from the community that was there, and we just banded with each other so that we could protect ourselves until we were able to get out of that situation and have our case be heard,” he says.

Even then, being in jail tends to force people to become criminals, “because no matter what you’re doing, even if you’re protecting yourself, you still breaking the law at some point,” he adds. “You gotta acquire a weapon. That’s illegal. You got to use the weapon in a way that they’re saying is illegal, whether it’s self-defense or not.”

The opposite of that would be to decide to become a victim, either choice of which can be “traumatizing,” according to Pinnock.

Once he was acquitted and had decided to tell his story through the arts, at that time Pinnock had never written, directed or produced anything — he had only been an actor.

“Just like they told [basketball star] LeBron James, ‘Shut up and dribble,’ there’s that same mantra in Hollywood, right?” Pinnock says. “It’s like, ‘Shut up and perform.’ For you to be the lead writer, director, producer or something, they’re just not going to let you walk in to do that from an actor’s perspective.”

As Pinnock went through Hollywood trying to sell his story, no one wanted to buy it, especially not with him as the writer, director and producer.

“I had some interest in just selling the rights of the story, but that just really didn’t interest me because I felt like this was my story to tell,” he says. “I didn’t want to hand over the rights to someone else to tell the story that I’m so passionate about that I believe I’m the best authentic voice to be able to tell it.”

Through his wife Rashidah Pinnock’s encouragement, Pinnock decided to produce the series himself.

“She was like, ‘Just do it yourself. Just like try to make the show yourself,’” he says.

Consequently, Pinnock went on a journey to raise $150,000 to “shoot a concept” that would help him pitch the show and ultimately ended up raising $500,000, which allowed him to produce the entire pilot.

The way he raised the money is a story in itself.

“I always tell people, you never know who you’re talking to and you can’t underestimate anyone because you never know who that person is and you never know who they have connections to,” Pinnock says.

Alysha Jweinat, a young woman in her early twenties who worked at a production company Pinnock was doing business with heard him speaking to her boss about his project. While the deal to finance the pilot fell through with the company, Jweinat approached him and told him her best friend’s father was an investor.

I always tell people, you never know who you’re talking to and you can’t underestimate anyone because you never know who that person is and you never know who they have connections to.

Pinnock subsequently met with Arriola and made his pitch.

Not only did Pinnock want to do make the series from entertainment perspective, he also wanted it to be done from a place of education so that people could see what the criminal justice system is doing and then feel compelled to be a part in changing that system.

At the end of the presentation, Pinnock says Arriola appreciated the younger man’s enthusiasm but wasn’t sure he wanted to invest in a television program, something he hadn’t put his money into before.

“Now this young girl is like almost an intern or an assistant at this place,” he says. “I was like, is this really real? But she seemed very passionate about it. And I was thankful that she took interest in our project.”

Consequently, Pinnock was able to connect with telecommunications mogul and entrepreneur Louis Arriola.

“I traded calls with him for almost three weeks, could never really reach up with him,” Pinnock says. “He’s always out of town. And then one day he calls me. He’s like, ‘Yo, if you can meet me here, I have a few hours before I take my next flight out.’”

Before he left the meeting, though, Pinnock says he told Arriola: “I said, ‘Well look, I would rather not wait to hear from you. What else do you need to know and would like to know now? Even if [Arriola’s final answer] was no, I want to answer every question that you have.’”

The passion in Pinnock’s tone changed Arriola’s mind.

“He just said, ‘You know what, I’m going to do it,’” Pinnock recalls. “He said, ‘I’m leaving the country today and I won’t be

back for a few months, but I’m going to give you the money. How much money were you trying to raise?’ And I told him a certain amount and he committed to giving me more.”

Arriola told Pinnock that the younger man was underestimating how costly just producing the pilot would be.

While Pinnock walked out of that meeting with a handshake, he wasn’t quite sure Arriola would come through with the money.

“I remember just calling my wife, I’m like, ‘Yo, this is crazy,’” he says. “Could you believe this is going, this is like a possibility? All my friends was like, ‘Yo, there’s no way that’s happening, bro.

He’s just telling you that to get you out the house.”

Pinnock and his wife stayed up late that night, constantly checking the Chase app on their smartphones, and fell asleep with the money not there.

“I just remember that day like, you ever had those days you could remember how it smelled, how it felt? I remember the sheets, I remember everything about my house that day,” he says.

That morning, Pinnock’s wife woke him up “and she had the phone in my face, she was like, ‘Can you believe it?! The money is there.’ And so that’s how we began our whole process.”

“So thank you to Louis Arriola, Alysha Jweinat and Keith Patterson because without them that project would have never been made,” according to Pinnock. “I’m forever grateful for their belief in me, for sure.”

Parts of the pilot were shot in the very same jail where Pinnock was held. Once shooting finished and the episode was edited and complete, he submitted it to the SeriesFest independent television festival in Denver, Colo., U.S.A., where it won multiple awards and launched his producing career.

“The advice that I would give is you gotta believe in yourself and take a chance,” Pinnock says. “Bet on yourself and not this blind faith, but know your skillset. I knew I was a really good storyteller. I knew I had an eye for talent. I knew that I possessed that from not only the stories that I had written, but the education I had received outside of the classroom, because a lot of times people were saying, ‘Well, you didn’t graduate from USC,’ or ‘You didn’t go to this particular school.’

“But it didn’t mean that I wasn’t educated in storytelling, I just learned from a nontraditional perspective,” he says.

All that success has prompted Pinnock to give back to the next generation. His production company, Unleashing Giants, goes into schools in mostly underprivileged neighborhoods to provide students with an eightweek program where they’re taught how to write, direct, produce and star in their own movie.

We’re coming to unleash that mentality and let them stand tall as the giants that

they are.

“The students do it all completely themselves,” he says. “We can provide them with all their camera equipment that we would provide any independent project that we produce.”

When the film is actually done, it’s then premiered in a local movie theater in their community, where the students walk an actual red carpet.

“We have a ton of press that comes out. There’s an award ceremony for these students,” he says. “It started with me recognizing how blessed I was from people like Malcolm [Spellman] and Daymond [John] and then now being responsible, right?”

Unleashing Giants’ student filmmakers program has produced over 70 different films in various different communities in California, New York City, Atlanta and still is expanding.

“Most of the kids in our community aren’t told that they’re giants,” he says. “And they definitely aren’t unleashed. There’s a cap. There’s a ceiling. The same ceiling that they put on my head when they told me I couldn’t write, direct and produce my own television show is the same ceiling that these kids gotta look up at, because people are placing them right above their heads. And so what we’re coming to do is to set them free. We’re coming to unleash that mentality and let them stand tall as the giants that they are.”

To read more about Emil Pinnock’s production company Unleashing Giants and the work it does visit here: cultursmag.com/emil-pinnock-embraces

CAPTAIN’S ORDERS:

MALCOLM SPELLMAN ON WORKING ON THE BIGGEST FICTIONAL FRANCHISE IN ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY

For scriptwriter Malcolm Spellman, getting to be the

writer and showrunner of Marvel’s Disney+ television series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” involved a splitting headache. Spellman, who was coexecutive producer on the first three seasons of the hit show “Empire” and is one of the writers of Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” was suffering from a migraine on the day he was supposed to pitch his idea for a series about Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (played by Sebastian Stan).

For the majority of the Marvel projects, “they have an idea already of what they want to do, not as far as like scene for scene or who the characters are, but [Marvel Studios President] Kevin [Feige] knew because of the comic books, it’s time to do something new with Cap,” Spellman says.

Spellman first began working on “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” while the movie “Avengers: Endgame” was being filmed. Consequently, everyone working on the film knew it would end with Steve Rogers passing on the shield to Sam Wilson.

“Most of those storylines in some version took place and Sam Wilson becoming Captain America is also something that exists in the comic books,” Spellman says. “So they knew they wanted to do that.”

With that in mind, senior studio executives reached out for people to come audition to write the series, with Spellman being one of them.

“I got real lucky because Nate [Moore], who is one of their most senior, if not their most senior execs, he’s like, him and Kevin are super tight. He’s a black dude. Nate dug what I was saying on the pitch on my first” try, according to Spellman.

Once Marvel says it wants to do a Captain America series with Anthony Mackie, “writers come in and Marvel says: ‘Here’s some ideas we have. You can add your ideas to it. You can take them, leave them, mix them together, whatever. And in that process, I knew what I wanted to do,” according to Spellman.

The problem was that Spellman was suffering from a massive migraine on the day he was meant to pitch his idea for “Falcon.”

“The pitch did not go well and Nate was like, ‘You bombed that,’” and while studio execs were meeting with other writers, Moore spoke in favor of Spellman, who eventually got the job.

Given Marvel’s massive box office returns from 2008 to 2019, one would think there’s a “secret sauce” behind the studio’s success.

Spellman tells a story that may not sound like a compliment, “but it’s the biggest compliment I can give to Kevin Feige.”

When they were looking for directors for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Spellman says one of the filmmakers they were interviewing asked Feige: “Kevin, if you had to pick anything, like the one thing that’s the secret sauce to what you guys do here, what is it?”

“Kevin thought about it and he went like this: ‘I don’t know,’” according to Spellman.

“And the key to Marvel, I think is … they don’t show up acting like they know, what they

Anthony Mackie in ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (Photo courtesy Marvel/Disney).

know, but they are aware,” he says. “All this shit we’re doing is alchemy and magic and you can’t ever really know if it’s gonna work. And without naming some places, a lot of the places that have had great runs start to believe they know the formula and that’s death.”

Feige’s leadership is one of the main things that has led Marvel to have the success it’s had, Spellman says: “But the fact that he shrugged his shoulders that time is the real magic because he hasn’t fallen into a trap of thinking, ‘I know what I’m doing every time, and this is what works and this is what doesn’t work.’”

For example, for the Isaiah Bradley character played by Carl Lumbly, Spellman says he and Feige “butted heads a lot on whether he could be in the movie. And it wasn’t for any political reasons — Kevin treasures these Marvel characters. And he was like, I might want to use Isaiah Bradley in something else. And, I was like, ‘Nah, dude, he is the heart, he is the spirit of this series.’”

Spellman credits Feige for allowing him a position to fight for the Bradley character without ever feeling nervous about his job.

“And eventually [Feige] gave it up and that was a huge part of the series’ success,” Spellman says. “So that shoulder shrug, I think is the main part of the magic at Marvel.”

At the heart of the series was Sam’s reluctance to take on the mantle of Captain America.

“Especially for a black dude from the South, it’s just not an easy decision to make,” according to Spellman.

At the end of the series, when Sam gives a monologue about why he’s chosen to take on the Captain America mantle, he’s not certain it’s going to work out, according to Spellman.

Once Marvel says it wants to do a Captain America series with Anthony Mackie, “writers come in and Marvel says: ‘Here’s some ideas we have. You can add your ideas to it. You can take them, leave them, mix them together, whatever. And in that process, I knew what I wanted to do,” according to Spellman.

Takehiro Ihara, Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ (Photo courtesy Marvel/Disney).

“He’s like, ‘I know people don’t like me wearing the Stars and Stripes and that happened in real life with them in the Marvel universe too,’” Spellman says.

That real life extends to making sure the people writing those characters need to have their own individual perspectives, he adds.

“I think you need diverse perspectives telling some of these stories for no other reason than we see the world so differently that you’re going to get something fresh,” according to Spellman.

As an example, Spellman offers the “Rocky” franchise, which many thought was “dead” until “a little black kid in Richmond, California was wondering, ‘Whatever happened to Apollo Creed’s family? What if he had a son?’”

And because that kid, Ryan Coogler, was thinking that, “Creed” is born and Sylvester Stallone gets three more movies out of it, according to Spellman.

“And that’s not about ‘wokeness,’” he adds. “It’s about this: Nobody else was wondering anything fresh about the Rocky universe because you looked at it through Balboa’s point of view.

“It takes a young black kid in Richmond to be wondering about ‘Creed’ to make something that’s fun for everybody, regardless of race, right? And so, me being a dude from Berkeley, California, I went to high school with some of the [Black] Panthers’ nieces and stuff, right? It just gives you a perspective that’s going to make ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ relevant because the point of view is different.”

Spellman says he was “relieved” with the success of the series, especially since he heard from teachers who were showing it to their classes who felt it had something positive to offer as a story.

To really succeed in Hollywood, “resilience” is the No. 1 trait people should have, Spellman advises. “Resilience and hard work are going to beat talent, right?”

As an example, Spellman says what separates a good athlete from, say, basketball players Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant isn’t just natural talent but also the work they put into it and the resilience they have.

“Jordan in particular has always been offended by being called gifted because of there’s a science to everything he does,” Spellman says.

He recalls a documentary he worked on that featured actors Kevin Hart and Chris Rock, “and we were interviewing Chris Rock’s brother who pointed out this moment where Kobe was getting advice from Jordan about the fadeaway jumper and Jordan tells him, and it’s in the doc, ‘What you want to do is put your foot in front of the opponent’s foot when you pivot so that they can’t block it when you jump because they’re off your foot.’

“That’s the shit nobody sees,” Spellman continues. “That’s making Jordan great. That’s all science and craft, you know what I’m saying? And you get science and craft from effort and effort needs resilience to be sustained.”

To really succeed in Hollywood, “resilience” is the No. 1 trait people should have, Spellman advises. “Resilience and hard work are going to beat talent, right?”

To read more about Malcolm Spellman’s road to “Captain America: Brave New World,” visit here: cultursmag.com/captains-orders-malcolm-spellman/

THE SPIRITOF WINTER

Eugene Tapahe’s photography takes us on a journey through what winter means to him, both on a spiritual as well as ancestral level.

Youreallygettofeelthe land itself, because it’s quiet and a really solemn silenceandthat, to me, is when I can really feel the spirit

Winterreallymakes me reflect on life, my ancestorsandalso whateverland I’m on, I always think aboutthepeoplethat were there before me.

Du r ing t he w inte r t ime, y ou have to t hink t hat mygosh,people from hundred s of years a go l ived h ere and th e y were preparedtolive there , and th e ybel

That’sthepartthatIthinkalotofpeopledon’trealize is that, wherever the landis,people actuallylived there.

To find out more about Eugene Tapahe and his photography, scan the code below: cultursmag.com/capturing-his-navajo-culture

MARVELOUS MADRID

By Marik Michalsky

Photos by Anabel

The gardens at El Palacio Real.

What better feeling can one have when waking up the morning after arriving in a new city — say, Madrid — and having that excitement of all the possibilities that await? The first thought might be about what to see during the day or which activities to choose, but one thing that always has to be first is what to eat for breakfast.

Although Spain is world famous for its delicious cuisine, the country never really got the announcement that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast in Spain can vary depending on where you are, but in Madrid it is usually a very simple affair.

It’s common to have a piece of freshly baked bread topped with olive oil, grated tomato and jamón (ham) or a pincho de tortilla (slice of Spanish omelette). Or you could go the slightly more elaborate route, which is a piece of bread with olive oil, grated tomato, bonito or tuna, pickled guindilla peppers and oregano.

To drink, it’s essential to start with a coffee and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Many different coffee options are available, such as the solo (espresso), doble (double shot), cortado (espresso with a dash of milk) or the favorite, café con leche templado en vaso (coffee with warm milk in a glass).

The best bit of advice as far as breakfast goes in Madrid is to find a traditional place where one walks in and sees old men reading newspapers with a cortado or caña (small beer); where the construction workers come to get a bite to eat quickly before starting their long day’s work; where the waiters aren’t necessarily the nicest, but get straight to the point: “Que te pongo? (What do you want?)”

These are the places where one will get the true feeling of local life in Madrid and additionally, if conversation starts with the locals, they will definitely be welcoming and give advice.

After getting something to eat, the next thought will be, what to explore now? Although it is one of the most touristy parts of the city, there is no better place to start learning about Madrid than its beautiful Plaza Mayor (main square). Finished in 1619, this 406-year-old square is absolutely packed with history from bull fighting to executions during the inquisición (Spanish inquisition) to multiple fires. However, one of the more hidden stories is that of El Balcón de Marizápalos (the balcony of the Marizápalos).

La Catedral de la Almudena.

As mentioned previously, the plaza was at one point used for bullfighting in which around 50,000 spectators would gather to watch, including the king and queen. One king who loved watching them more than anyone else was King Felipe IV of the Habsburgs. He would always be watching from the royal balcony and one day, with two people alongside him — his wife, Queen Isabel of the Borbones as normal and… his mistress María de Calderón (nicknamed Marizápalos).

As one might imagine, the queen was not quite happy with this arrangement. She immediately demanded the mistress be removed from the balcony and that he stop seeing her in public as it embarrassed her and damaged the royals’ reputation. The king kind of obliged. From then on, he would only watch it from the royal balcony with his wife. But today, if you trace a line from the royal balcony all the way across to a yellow archway, a balcony is visible that faces directly towards the royal balcony — a balcony built by the king just for his mistress.

THE PAELLA PROFESSORS:

CHEFS ALEX VILLAR AND ERICK BELLI SHARE HOW THEIR TCK CHILDHOODS HELPED THEM SUCCEED IN BUSINESS

Alex Villar, along with his business partner Erick Belli, cofounded the Cooking Clubhouse in Madrid, Spain in 2022, which teaches guests how to make mouth-watering Spanish meals.

A Third Culture Kid (TCK), Villar was born in Mexico of parents of Spanish descent and moved to Canada with his family when he was 3 years old.

At the age of 18, Villar left Canada to study at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastian, Spain and subsequently worked at Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark before moving back to Spain to start a paella cooking school in Barcelona.

When Villar started the Paella Club, he and his then-business partner hired Belli as their kitchen manager. Being born in Nicaragua of parents of Italian descent, Belli and Villar “clicked immediately,” Villar says.

“When we started to work together, it was like synchronized swimming,” he adds. “We would give the classes and I would take a step and he would just walk behind me and then he would walk in front of me, and I would hand him something. It was just like, perfect.”

Consequently, when Villar decided to take a bigger step and move to Madrid, he “really wanted Erick to be a part of this because he’s a fantastic person, [and] the way that we work together is ideal.”

For Villar, growing up in Canada didn’t mean forsaking his Mexican and Spanish roots: His parents forbade speaking English in the home.

“If they heard us speak English, we would get in trouble, and that really made me learn both Spanish and English at the same time,” he says. “So, in the house, it was a very strong Mexican heritage, culture, and then outside in my school with my classmates and everyone else, it was very Canadian.”

That bicultural lifestyle allowed Villar to pick and choose from “the best and worst of each culture at the same time, and that really helped me become who am today.”

When it came time to apply for college, being bilingual opened up the opportunity for

ALEX VILLAR

him to apply to cooking schools not only in Canada and the United States, but Spain as well.

As for Belli, he grew up in two very different households in Nicaragua: His father had a sustainable farm, while his mother had “a house where all the social relations were more the thing to do every day.”

Consequently, both of those backgrounds made him “not only a very happy kid because I was able to play in many different ways with animals in the field and we grew up with a lot of plants and a lot of trees, but I also grew up in a very social environment,” he says.

Belli studied culinary arts because of the reaction that people had for his cooking “and the immediate connection and immediate reward that I had with people eating the food that I made,” he says, adding that the food industry makes it difficult to get that reward every day.

Villar’s parents were born into wealthy Mexican families of Spanish descent, and he acknowledges the risk they took to move to Canada to give their kids not necessarily a better economic future, “but a better freedom, in one way or another.”

His parents, being foodies themselves, would often host parties where Villar and his siblings would help out, something he brought with him when starting both the Paella House and the Cooking Clubhouse.

ERICK BELLI

As for the challenge of being an outsider, Belli has this advice: “Own it.”

“At the end of the day you’ll realize at some point in your life that we’re all special and we all come from a different place,” he adds. “And if you own it at the beginning of your life, then you’re not gonna struggle with it, it’s gonna become your armor instead of your weakness.”

While the Cooking Clubhouse is indeed a cooking school where one can learn about traditional Spanish culinary techniques, beyond that, the duo and their team “emphasize the social aspect of cooking and eating,” according to Villar.

“For us, in Spain and in many Latin American countries actually, food is a very social thing,” Villar says. “We do teach you how to cook, you leave with a lot of knowledge, but more than that, we want to bring cooking close to everyone, because cooking can be very therapeutic and also very social, very enjoyable.”

“The fact of seeing someone smile and hearing someone say how much of a good time they had every single time that we have a class — that’s one of my favorite things in this environment,” Belli adds.

The famous Plaza Mayor square.

Not only could the king watch his lover during the event, but as well his wife, the queen, could also see his lover. Not the happiest couple ever, as one might imagine. Ironically, today the side that contains the royal balcony is used as a civil registry where couples can get married, but often has a waiting list of a few years.

Next stop in the journey to understanding Madrid is a small but very busy square slightly southwest of Plaza Mayor called Plaza de la Puerta Cerrada (Square of the Closed Gate). When looking around in that square for a gate, it’s impossible to find one, therefore why the name?

Starting between the 11th and 12th centuries, a gate existed there with a wall on both sides of it. Madrid actually had two walls: a Muslim wall built first alongside an Alcázar (palace/fortress) and a Christian wall built afterward, within which was a gate where today the square is located. The modern square is filled with restaurants, terraces, bars and lots of street art.

Speaking of street art, displayed on the side of a building is possibly the most important mural in the entire city, one which includes a painting of sparks flying off a wall and water underneath it. It also includes a sentence, the motto or slogan of Madrid which says, “Fui sobre agua edificada, mis muros de fuego son,” or “I was built upon water, my walls are made of fire.”

Madrid originally was built on top of a series of aquifers and streams and even gained its Arabic-derived name, Mayrit (the land of abundant waters).

Additionally, the original walls were composed of an inner layer of limestone and granite surrounded by two outer layers of flint — a rock that is notorious for sparking while being struck by steel. Therefore, when the city was being attacked over hundreds of years and the attacker used the bow and arrow from long distance, there would be hundreds to thousands of arrows raining down and striking the wall, producing sparks so violent that it made the wall appear completely on fire.

Once through the historic square, it’s time for a break at a local tavern that serves a unique liquor only found in Madrid. Taberna el Madroño, founded in 1947, is an establishment covered in history, from the azulejos (painted tiles) on the outside to the old photos, bottling equipment and evolution of the crest of Madrid on the inside. It has won awards for tapas, such as their tapa of rabo de toro (oxtail), but the main attraction is the licor de Madroño which is a sweet, digestive liquor served in a shot glass made of a sort of chocolate ice cream cone.

To understand this liquor, it’s necessary to understand the crest of Madrid, which one can see in statue form in Puerta del Sol: There stands a small statue of a bear and a tree that is called El Oso y el Madroño, but if using Google translate, it says, “The Bear and the Strawberry Tree.”

If you’re excited to come to Madrid suddenly because you love strawberries, you’ll be disappointed because it’s not actually strawberries. The scientific name for this fruit is arbutus unedo and it resembles much more the lychee fruit rather than a strawberry.

Between October and November, these berries get very ripe and start to rot. A rotting berry is a fermenting berry. A fermenting berry is then an alcoholic berry. Therefore, what is seen on Madrid’s city crest is a bear getting very drunk.

After this lesson on Madrid’s history and gastronomy, it’s time to go to a somewhat hidden museum only a few minutes away: El Museo de San Isidro (the Museum of Saint Isidore). This is a museum dedicated to the origins of Madrid and made up of three parts: 1) Prehistoric Madrid (fossils of animals and humans tens to hundreds of thousands of years ago); 2) Pre-Spanish societies (Iberians, Romans, Visigods, Muslims, early Christians); and 3) Saint Isidore (information and relics from miracles surrounding him).

Additionally, the museum sports a courtyard filled with plants that have the story of how they arrived in Madrid and how they were used. Finally, the museum is free and one only needs 45 minutes to an hour and a half to tour it.

LUNCH IN MADRID

Soaking in all that information works up an appetite, therefore after leaving the museum, it’s time for lunch. When visiting Madrid in the colder months, one dish immediately comes to mind: El Cocido Madrileño (Madrileño Stew).

Usually when one thinks of a stew or soup, they think of a small bowl which isn’t super filling so it might be necessary to have a sandwich on the side — but this is not that way at all. A cocido can take you anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours or so to eat. Why? Because it traditionally comes in two courses (or you can order it all together like some prefer), the first course consisting of a bowl of broth, usually containing small noodles.

The second course is a massive plate containing beef, chicken, tocino (pork fat), chorizo (spiced sausage), morcilla (blood sausage), cabbage, potatoes, carrots and garbanzos, alongside a basket of bread and a small plate of guindillas (spicy pickled chili peppers).

To understand this liquor, it’s necessary to understand the crest of Madrid, which one can see in statue form in Puerta del Sol: There stands a small statue of a bear and a tree that is called El Oso y el Madroño, but if using Google translate, it says, “The Bear and the Strawberry Tree.”

Plaza de la Provincia, in the heart of Madrid.

Mercado de San Miguel.

What better way to wash it all down than to have tinto de verano con casera (red wine with a slightly sweetened sparkling water). This is a dish found all over Madrid and neighboring cities on their menu del día (menu of the day) but some of the best places to try it in the center are Posada León de Oro or Restaurante Malacatín.

After this meal, it may be really tough to stay awake. This is when going back to the hotel to take the famous Spanish siesta (nap) is highly recommended. It’s a very common question asked by foreign visitors, “Do Spaniards really take naps every day?” The short answer is no. The siesta is not taken every day because that is impossible due to work and school. But on days off or especially during the summer months from June to August, the siesta is very commonly taken due to the time off and, more importantly, due to the weather. If you’ve ever been to Spain during the summer, you know that it can get extremely hot and even in Madrid reach 45º C (113º F). The hottest time of the day is usually between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., therefore during this time (some debate the exact hours) many people take a rest, whether that be napping, reading a book or watching a show.

When waking up from the siesta, it’s possible to be a bit groggy so a coffee or tea and a walk is probably needed. Now, it’s time to head to a great cafe called Pastora Café in the La Latina neighborhood. Not only do they have a great selection of coffee, loose-leaf tea and local pastries, but just outside is one of Madrid’s most beautiful churches: La Básilica de San Francisco El Grande (Basilica of Saint Francis the Great).

This church, built between 1761 and 1784, is filled with many wonders from the massive dome, which is the fourth largest in Europe (33 meters/108 feet in diameter), to the side domes which all have different styles of architecture and are filled with works of art done by masters such as Francisco Goya.

Once a bit of energy is gained, it’s time to explore one of the best parts of living in Madrid: the Casa de Campo (Country House Park). From the moment Madrid became the capital in 1561 until Spain’s second republic was elected in 1931, this forest was used by royalty for hunting, vacationing, growing crops and raising livestock — almost as a homestead. During the second republic (1931-36), it was changed into a public park, as it remains today.

This massive park takes up the entire west side of the city, making it Europe’s fourth-largest domestic park at 16 square kilometers, 6 square miles, 4,000 acres or 1,750 hectares. This

immense area contains nature trails for walking/biking, a lake, thousands of species of plants, over a hundred species of animals and on a darker note, many reminders of the Spanish Civil War, such as bunkers and trenches.

The park also provides a great view of the stunning Sierra de Guadarrama (Guadarrama Mountains) to the north and to the east, a panoramic view of the entire west side of the city.

As it’s getting late now, there is no better place to watch the sunset than from a large hilltop facing west toward the Casa de Campo and containing an Egyptian temple called Templo de

When waking up from the siesta, it’s possible to be a bit groggy so a coffee or tea and a walk is probably needed.

Templo de Debod (Debod Temple).

Debod (Debod Temple). The common question is, “How on Earth is there an Egyptian temple in the center of Madrid?”

To answer that, it’s necessary to go back to Egypt in the late 1950s and 1960s.

During this period, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser began plans to build a dam on the Nile River. There was already a dam to the south with enough storage water for the farmers for one year, but after constantly having to expand it, this new dam in Aswan would solve the problem by storing three years’ worth of water. However, a storage reservoir that large takes up a lot of space, so much that it would actually flood an area which stood dozens of Nubian temples. Of course, knowing they couldn’t just lose all the temples and thousands of years of history, Egypt decided to move the temples out of the way to preserve them.

Starting in March 1960, Egypt, along with a plethora of other countries under the leadership of UNESCO World Heritage, began moving the temples to safety, piece by piece. By the end of the decade, over 40 temples had been saved, including the most important: the temple of Abu Simbel built by Ramses II.

As a gesture of appreciation, many countries who played a large role in this project received temples and obelisks, including Italy, the Netherlands, England, Turkey and Spain. The temple given to Spain is dedicated toward

the god of all gods, Amon, and the goddess of healing and magic, Isis. It is by far the oldest structure in Madrid, built between 200 and 180 BC and is able to be visited for free when booked online.

DINNER IN MADRID

Experiencing so much history and culture really works up an appetite, so it’s time for dinner. One can’t come to the Spanish capital without trying tapas, so it’s time to head to La Musa Latina. It is not an everyday sort of restaurant but when visiting Madrid, celebrating a birthday or going on a date, there is no better place to eat.

For €24, the menú de degustación (set tasting menu) includes six well-thought-out tapas and two contrasting desserts which assures that everyone leaves smiling after the meal.

Although every dish on the menu is a hit, the highlights have to be the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, arugula/rocket vinaigrette salad and fig jam along with the bomba de patatas (potato bomb). This consists of a ball of mashed potatoes filled with seasoned mince, then covered in breadcrumbs and fried. It is then served with three sauces: an herby green sauce, a slightly spicy red sauce and a creamy white sauce.

Not only do all the flavors work together beautifully, but the food also brings an excitement to the meal where everyone is eager to see what comes out next.

The walk between the restaurant and hotel is a perfect time to enjoy the city at night and reflect on the day. What better way to explore Madrid than with a curious and open mind?

On every street corner, there could be a piece of a medieval wall, the house of a famous artist or a hidden restaurant with outstanding food. Always try the new dish, take the different route, start a conversation with a local; take advantage of the opportunity to experience life from a new perspective.

The wise Anthony Bourdain once said, “It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn.”

La Plaza De la Villa.

Front gate of El Palacio Real.

Service: 4 people

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Prep time: 40 minutes

CATALAN CREAM

INGREDIENTS FOR CATALAN CREAM:

1. 750 ml whole milk.

2. 6 eggs yolks.

3. 30 gr of cornstarch.

4. 6 tablespoons sugar (for the cream)

5. 4 tablespoons sugar (caramel)

6. 2 cinnamon sticks.

7. 1 lemon (peel only)

8. 1 orange (peel only)

Take a laddle of milk from the pot and add it little by little to yolk and cornstarch. Then, stir and add another ladle and continue mixing.

Mix in the previous misture to the milk that you still have on the fire, stir without stopping.

Lower the heat and cook gently for 5 minutes, continuously stirring.

When you see that it is thick and creamy and covers the spoor, turn off the heat.

9. Orange marmalade (bitter or sweet)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat the milk in a saucepan with 4 tablespoon of sugar, cinnamon and the lemon and orange peels. Let the sugar dissolve and infuse the milk over medium heat.

While the milk is heating, place the egg yolks in a bowl with the remainning 2 tablespoons of sugar and the cornstarch is well dissolved.

Strain the cream or pass it through a chino or strainer to remove any clumps.

Divide the mixture in 4 bowls and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

For the caramel, melt sugar at medium heat in a pan carefully place the melted sugar or parchment paper and leave to cool. When it is cool, break the pieces and use them to decorate the catalan cream.

Finish with orange marmalade to taste.

GAZPACHO DUO

Service: 15 people

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Prep time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS FOR GAZPACHO DUO:

1. 50 gr cucumber, peeled and chopped.

2. 60 gr red pepper, deseeded and chopped.

3. 1 kl ripe roma tomatoes, rinsed and roughly chopped.

4. 1 garlic clove, peeled (medium size)

5. 150 ml extra virgin olive oil (100 ml for marinating 50 for emulsifying)

6. 60 ml balsamic vinegar.

7. Salt 2 tablespoons.

8. Sugar 3 tablespoons.

9. 200 ml of water.

10. For the fruit version just blend the next ingredients (or any fruit of your preference to the previous recipe and add water until you reach the desired consistency)

11. 200 gr of cooked beetroot.

12. 200 gr of pinepple.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Marinate all ingredients overnight if possible (minus the olive oil for emulsifying)

In batches, place all liquids and rest of ingredientes in a blender and bltiz for 45 seconds to 1 minute at the highest speed.

Once 45 secs are reached, leave it turned on and drizzle olive oil into the mix for the next 10 seconds and then turn it off (repeat for every batch)

Once the ingredients are blended, pour it through a strainer or sieve into a container.

Dispose the chunky parts (Or get creative and use it as salsa for example)

Try and rectify if needed.

Let the gazpacho rest in the fridge for at least two hours before serving.

When serving, drizzle some olive oil over the gazpacho and finish with lemon zest for nice touch of vibrancy.

CALAMARI SANDWICH

Service: 2 people

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Prep time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS FOR CALAMARI SANDWICH:

1. 1 small fresh or frozen squid (150200 approx)

2. 50 gr chickpea flour.

3. 50 gr wheat flour.

4. Salt.

5. Vegetable frying oil brioche bread or bread of preference.

6. 100 gr mayonnaise.

7. 15 gr coriander just leafs.

8. 1 garlic peeled.

9. 10 gr radish sprouts or other sprout of preference.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Blitz half of the mayonnaise with the garlic and the other half with the coriander and save aside.

We start by cleaning the squid and separating the fins and tentacles.

The body is cut into rings with a sharp knife.

Mix the wheat and chickpea flours and pass the squid to flour them. Eliminate excesses.

Heat the frying oil. It is important that it is at a very high temperature, between 180 and 190 degress C (So that the batter is crispy, not at all oily and does not detach from the squid rings)

Once the squids are browned (around 1 minute), drain them on adsorbent paper and then place them on the bread, so that they are well filled. Normally from a medium sized squid, you can get enough to make two squid sandwiches.

To your own taste, add garlic mayo on one side and some of the coriander mayo on the other side of the bread.

SEAFOOD PAELLA

INGREDIENTS FOR SEAFOOD PAELLA:

1. 80 gr chopped onion.

2. 80 gr chopped peppers.

3. 50 gr crushed tomato or tomato puree.

4. 1 garlic clove peeled.

5. 500 fish broth.

6. 100 gr bomba rice (can be substituted for risotto rice)

7. 200 gr fresh or frozen calamari (whole or cut in rings)

8. 4 und of shrimp.

9. 50 ml white wine.

10. 1 gr paella mix.

11. 0.025 gr saffron.

12. 1 gr garlic powder.

13. Lemon peel 1 strip.

Service: 2 people

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Prep time: 50 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add EVOO to your paella pan over medium low heat and add the whole clove of garlic and lemon peel to infuse the oil. Stir until garlic is golden, then remove both from the pan.

Place the garlic in the mortar with the spices and dispose of the lemon peel.

Add the calamari to the pan and cook for 40 seconds while moving it around and set aside (will be finished in the oven later)

Add the shrimp and cook for 40 seconds on each side, then you are going to crush the heads and remove both body and head of the shrimp.

Add to the pan one more pinch of EVOO followed by the chopped onion and begin to caramelize. Once it’s golden brown, push to the side of the pan.

Add in the peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes and mix everything together.

Crush the spices with the garlic in the mortar until you get a paste.

Add the white wine to the pan and let reduce until all the wine evaporates (2 min approx) Add tomato puree and mix, let it reduce until it thickens a little.

Make a small hole in the middle of the pan, add a teaspoon of the EVOO and add the spice paste and stir with the oil for 10 seconds and then mix everything together.

Add the rice to the pan and mix very well for 2 minutes.

Add the fish broth to the skillet, turn the heat to medium high and mix very gently, making sure not to spill the broth over the sides. Continue stirring gently for 4 minutes.

After 4 minutes, leave the spoon aside and shake the pan in a circular motion or “hula hoop” for 45 seconds, then let stand and wait for the smell of brunt toast to appear, making sure the Socarat has formed (1 min approx)

Return the seafood on top decoratively without pushing it or mixing it with the rice.

Place the entire paella pan in the oven at 200 degrees celsius or 392 fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

WHEN CULTURES SAY ‘I DO’:

EL SALVADOR + U.S.A. = ITALY

By Ni’jaa Foye

Photos by Thomas and Anthea Tozzi

Rebeca Salmeron and Jacob Park had no idea

their love story would lead to a breathtaking destination wedding in Lucca, Italy, when they first met playing sports in a social league in the Washington, D.C., U.S.A. area.

However, after years of travel, cultural exploration and a shared love for history, the couple knew there was no better place to exchange vows.

SALMERON’S UPBRINGING AND LOVE FOR EXPLORATION

Born in Silver Spring, Md., U.S.A., Salmeron, a Salvadoran American, grew up immersed in various cultural influences. She attended a boarding school in western Virginia from first to 10th grade where the majority of students were of African descent and she was one of the few Latinx kids.

Coming home for Christmas or summer break was “interesting,” she says, because the District of ColumbiaMaryland-Virginia area is a “very fluid melting pot where you have all types of ethnicities” compared to the more monocultural environment she experienced while at the boarding school.

“It was definitely something I had to get used to, but I quickly learned that that was my new normal,” she says. Living at the boarding school for 11 months out of the year “started becoming more home than not.”

“It was definitely something I had to get used to, but I quickly learned that that was my new normal,” she says.

Living at the boarding school for 11 months out of the year “started becoming more home than not.”

Raised during the summers as well as her last two years of high school at a public school in Maryland in a single-parent household with her mother and brother, she found solace in nature, developing a lifelong passion for adventure and the outdoors.

“With the [boarding] school, it was very regimented. It was all about routine; it was all about outdoor activity, not so much about being with screens. When I grew up, we weren’t allowed to have phones or tablets. You really were living as a child in the outdoors,” Salmeron says.

Consequently as an adult, Salmeron isn’t the type of person who likes to watch television or play video games.

“I like being outdoors, I like being sporty,” she adds.

This love for exploration shaped her desire to travel the world, a passion she later shared with Park. Today, she continues her travels as a professional with the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

PARK’S JOURNEY FROM HOMEBODY TO WORLD TRAVELER

Before meeting Salmeron, Park — who was born in Washington State, U.S.A., and also grew up in Maryland — hadn’t traveled extensively. However, Salmeron’s adventurous spirit quickly inspired him.

“I think one of the best things about Rebeca is that she ignited my passion for traveling.

This love for exploration shaped her desire to travel the world, a passion she later shared with Park.

Immediately when we started to spend some time together, we did a lot of travel, and we hit a bunch of different countries, one of them being Italy,” Park, who works for a restoration company specializing in natural disasters, says.

Just a month after they met, Park joined Salmeron and her friends on a trip to Colombia, marking the beginning of their shared adventures. Since then, the couple has explored Ecuador, Japan, the Netherlands and Costa Rica, immersing themselves in different cultures.

Their travels were made even more memorable by their mutual passion for sports, as they attended soccer matches around the world, experiencing the electrifying energy of global fans. Yet it was Italy that truly captured their hearts, leading them to choose it as the place to say “I do.”

A WEDDING THAT UNITED THEIR CULTURES

The couple’s wedding in Lucca was a heartfelt celebration of their individual backgrounds.

“I was very confused culturally growing up because I always wanted to know my roots,” Salmeron says. “It was very odd coming home. Sometimes it didn’t feel like home when I spent about 11 months of the year at this boarding school.”

Their ceremony beautifully blended Park’s U.S. traditions with Salmeron’s Hispanic heritage. Christian prayers were spoken in both Spanish and English, ensuring that all guests felt included in the sacred moment. Honoring the location, the couple also incorporated traditional Italian cuisine, adding an authentic cultural touch to their special day.

“I just remember going there the first time we visited. It was absolutely gorgeous. The property there was very historical; it had been owned since the 1900s. They’re not remodeling it in any way,” Salmeron says.

THE TRIUMPHS OF A DESTINATION WEDDING

Planning a wedding abroad came with its challenges. One of the toughest decisions for the couple was curating their guest list.

“The most problematic thing was just getting people to the actual destination. This wedding wasn’t only important to us and what it signified. For me, especially, it was like a thank you,” according to Salmeron.

With limited space and the logistics of international travel, they ultimately decided on an intimate gathering of 40 close friends and family members. Despite the hurdles, their loved ones were treated to an unforgettable experience, surrounded by Italy’s rich history and the couple’s deep love for each other.

“One thing we did when we got back from the destination wedding was we had a local celebration where we invited essentially everybody who could not make it. It was basically one big party,” Park says. “It paid off to see the joy on their faces that they were there.”

One particularly meaningful moment in the ceremony was the release of doves, a tribute to Salmeron’s love for nature and her background in animal science. In the wild, doves find their mate at just six months old and remain together for life, symbolizing the everlasting bond Salmeron and Park promised to share.

And just like the doves they released, their love is set to soar for a lifetime.

A LOVE THAT CONTINUES TO SOAR

As they begin this new chapter together, Salmeron and Park remain committed to their shared love of adventure, culture and each other. Their wedding in Lucca was more than just a celebration — it was a reflection of their journey, built on love, respect and a passion for the world around them.

And just like the doves they released, their love is set to soar for a lifetime.

To see more photos of Salmeron’s and Park’s amazing wedding in Italy, visit here: cultursmag.com/from-travels-to-i-do/

EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE

MARCH 27, 2025

Thursday, March 27 th Los Angeles, California

ALCHEMIST AWARD ISSUE COVER LAUNCH EVENT

Featuring Genius in the Hood:

Malcolm Spellman, Emil Pinnock, Jimmy Chris and inaugural Alchemist Awards recipients

From shows to watch and songs to hear, to artistry, shopping and things to explore, know and do, here’s a specially curated list of things we recommend as MUST experience items for the culturally fluid.

THEMUSTLIST

‘WORLDS APART’

— SARAH LUTTERODT AND HER MEMOIR

THAT WEAVES THREADS OF CONNECTION

ACROSS MULTIPLE CULTURES

Sarah Lutterodt’s eventful life spans multiple cultures

— Black/White, U.S./British, Western/ African, academia/ business — and her experiences have opened her eyes to the assumptions and attitudes, deeply rooted in childhood, that too often separate people from one another.

“No one has the capacity to live in an unboundaried world,” Lutterodt writes in her new book, “Worlds Apart: A Memoir of Uncertain Belonging.”

“The scale is too vast, our need for security too great,” she adds. “But we can live with more awareness of our blinders and with compassion for those in other worlds.”

“Worlds Apart” invites readers to join Lutterodt on her journey, from a sheltered post-war childhood on a farm in southern England to her life-changing years teaching university in

Ghana, followed by her challenging immersion in the rough and tumble of the U.S. business world.

With her husband, a Ghanaian mathematician, she struggles to find a place for her biracial family in a 1980s United States that isn’t always welcoming.

While the memoir tells stories from each chapter of Lutterodt’s life, the underlying themes are of identity and belonging, and the joys and challenges in living at the interface between different cultures — recognizing boundaries to be navigated while seeking to build bridges of understanding.

“Worlds Apart: a Memoir of Uncertain Belonging” is available on Amazon.

To get more details about Sarah Lutterodt’s book, scan the code below: ccultursmag.com/worlds-apart-sarah-lutterodt

STRIKING OUT THE PATRIARCHY

Sport can transcend geographical boundaries, finding

expression in various transnational contexts while celebrating powerful women. It is a platform for challenging gender norms, advocating for equal rights as well as promoting empowerment.

Narrated by Oscar-nominated Yalitza Aparicio, directed by Alfonso Algara and produced by ESPN Deportes, “Las Amazonas de Yaxunah” follows the journey of 26 remarkable women aged 13 to 62 who defy gender stereotypes and societal expectations to pursue their passion for softball. Originating from the small village of Yaxunah, with limited resources but abundant resilience, these women have become beacons of empowerment and change.

The film takes audiences deep into the heart of Yaxunah, highlighting how the team began with a woman’s defiance against traditional roles, eventually leading to a viral video and invitations to compete in exhibition matches and tournaments across Mexico. Along their travels, the team encountered widespread mistreatment of Indigenous communities, further igniting their resolve to not only continue playing but also to promote inclusivity and women’s empowerment.

“Las Amazonas de Yaxunah” portrays how these women have become trailblazers, challenging norms and inspiring change locally and globally despite facing sexism and societal challenges. Their story is a testament to the power of sports in breaking barriers and fostering resilience.

To view the trailer for “Las Amazonas de Yaxunah,” scan the code below: cultursmag.com/striking-out-the-patriarchy

CHARTING THE INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCE IN ‘RESERVATION DOGS’

“Reservation Dogs” is a groundbreaking and awardwinning three-season television show that offered a fresh and authentic perspective on Indigenous experiences.

The series, created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, centers around Native American teenagers living in rural Oklahoma, U.S.A., who navigate the challenges of adolescence, friendship and their unique cultural identity. The title is a nod to the Quentin Tarantino classic, “Reservoir Dogs.”

A commendable aspect of “Reservation Dogs” is its commitment to decolonizing storytelling.

The show actively challenges and subverts traditional Western narratives, presenting a rich and nuanced portrayal of Indigenous life that goes beyond stereotypes. It addresses the historical trauma inflicted on Native communities and explores the complexities of decolonization through the lens of humor, friendship and resilience. The writers do not reduce the characters to one-dimensional stereotypes but portray them with depth and authenticity. The show allows them to reclaim their agency and voice, highlighting the importance of self-determination in decolonization.

“Reservation Dogs” contributes to the broader conversation on Indigenous representation in media

by displaying the characters’ unique cultural practices, languages and perspectives.

“Reservation Dogs” is an FX show streaming on Hulu in the U.S.A. and Disney+ in the UK.

To learn more about “Reservation Dogs” as an example of decolonized storytelling, scan the code below: cultursmag.com/charting-the-indigenous-experience

The inaugural Culturs Alchemist Awards will celebrate the best and brightest of our culturally fluid community. From Third Culture Kids and Military BRATs to immigrants, mixed-race, multiethnic and expats in entertainment, business, education and more; we want to uplift and amplify the brightest minds, talents and visions of those often overlooked.

FROM STILLNESS TO SELF: THE SILENT ALCHEMY OF WINTER REFLECTION

By Paulette Bethel, PhD

As the vibrant hues of autumn give way to the

muted palette of winter, the world begins to slow. The crisp air carries the first hints of the season’s change, inviting us to retreat inward as nature prepares for its quiet transformation.

The chill in the winter air is invigorating, a crispness that sharpens the senses and awakens the spirit. It’s in this season that one can be most connected to the process of transformative alchemy, where reflection and reinvention become possible.

For those who have lived in marginalized or liminal social spaces — constantly navigating different cultures, identities and expectations, winter’s quiet, whether marked by snowfall or the deepening chill, can become a powerful metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and belonging.

THE QUIET ALCHEMY OF WINTER REFLECTION

One favorite winter pastime for many is snuggling up in warm pants and a baggy sweater by the fireplace, with a mug of hot chocolate, watching a holiday movie or journaling — sometimes both. These cozy moments are essential to the alchemical process of self-renewal, offering space for reflection, introspection, and winter’s unique transformation. In much the same way, winter ushers us into a time of inner contemplation and reflection.

Often perceived as cold and bleak, winter actually holds a mystical quality — a stillness that offers a profound opportunity for personal metamorphosis. Just as ancient alchemists sought to transform base metals into gold, the season’s quiet gives us the space to question the fixed ideas we’ve held about who we are and what defines us.

It’s a time to strip away the familiar and enter a period of disintegration and reintegration, much like the alchemical process itself.

For those of us living in the in-between spaces — whether as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Military B.R.A.T.s, Third Culture Adults (TCAs), immigrants, multiracial individuals or others with culturally fluid identities — winter is more than just a pause; it’s a chance to recalibrate, to blend the many aspects of our experiences into something uniquely our own.

A SEASON FOR DISINTEGRATION AND REINTEGRATION

Winter, often seen as a time of dormancy, is in fact a restorative season for contemplation and renewal — a time to turn inward and find the gold within the lead of our everyday experiences.

The invigorating chill of winter air serves as a reminder that, even in stillness, there is energy and life. For those of us living in the in-between spaces, this process is particularly vital, as we navigate the intricate task of embracing and honoring the rich complexities of culturally fluid identity and sense of self.

Winter is a season to shed the layers of familiarity and confront the fixed identities that others may impose on us, prompting us to question how these external perceptions have influenced our understanding of who we truly are. Through this process of introspection, we navigate the complex duality between the expectations of others and our own inner desires, making space

to embrace the gifts and challenges of cultural confluences.

This deconstruction of diverse, sometimes intersecting yet distinct elements of identity creates space for the emergence of a more authentic self. It conveys the nuance of holding multiple identities without forcing them into a single, unified narrative.

For those of us who are multiracial, multiethnic and navigating multiple worlds, this process normalizes the complexity of our identity. It acknowledges that living as culturally fluid individuals brings both gifts and challenges — a journey rich with the potential for profound self-discovery. In the quiet of winter, we embrace this duality, recognizing that the complexities we navigate ultimately shape us into our truest, most multifaceted selves.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE ALCHEMY OF SELFDISCOVERY

Winter’s quiet is not merely a pause but an invitation to delve deeper into the self, to unravel the complexities of our identities and reconstruct them in a way that honors who we truly are. Just as the cold air sharpens the senses and awakens the spirit, it also provides the stillness necessary to confront the echoes of our past.

TCK and Religious Trauma Expert Rebekah Drumsta was raised in a culture steeped in rigid traditions.

It’s a time to strip away the familiar and enter a period of disintegration and reintegration, much like the alchemical process itself.

She reflects, “I found myself carrying the weight of expectations that clashed with my growing sense of self. Each winter, the first crisp breeze signaled not just the change of season, but a return to the emotional turmoil of holidays that no longer resonated with me. The discomfort this brought into my home was palpable, affecting those I loved most.”

But winter’s alchemy showed her a different path: “Once I became a mother, each season presented new challenges as I deconstructed the religious or family traditions and culturally avoided traditions handed down to me.”

Drumsta notes that winter was particularly challenging because she knew Christmas was coming — a season that was triggering and dysregulating.

“To be honest, my emotional and psychological discomfort made the holiday season bumpy for my family, as they never knew what would ignite my angst,” she says.

By learning to embrace the stillness and listen to her own needs, Drumsta began to dismantle those old traditions and echoes from her past, replacing them with ones that spoke to the unique fabric of her family. In doing so, winter transformed from a season of dread into a time of profound personal and familial renewal — a season where new growth could be nurtured under the blanket of snow, ready to emerge in the spring.

“Now, I can see winter as the blanket that covers my story to keep it safe, as below the surface, life, hope and a strong future are being nurtured,” she says. “I get to choose my identity. Honoring my own journey also honors the journey of my ancestors and gives my daughter the freedom to be the alchemist of her own future too.”

This process of shedding and renewal is the heart of winter’s transformative power. It allows us to let go of what no longer serves us, to honor the journey of our ancestors and to create space for new traditions that reflect our true selves. In this stillness, we find the alchemy that turns winter’s chill into the warmth of self-discovery and hope.

FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND RESILIENCE IN WINTER

In the in-between spaces, winter is not just a time of survival; it’s a time of creation. The stillness of the season provides fertile ground necessary for creativity to take root.

In the quiet, we find the resilience to face the complexities of our identities and the strength to weave together the many threads of our experiences into a cohesive whole. Just as snow covers and protects the earth, allowing seeds to germinate in the darkness, winter’s quiet allows us to nurture the seeds of our identity.

THE ALCHEMY OF WINTER’S END: FROM STILLNESS TO SPRING’S AWAKENING

As winter slowly gives way to spring, the transformations we’ve undergone during the cold, silent months begin to emerge. This is the true transformative alchemy of winter — turning the challenges into something rich and dynamic. The season’s stillness isn’t just a pause; it’s a necessary part of our journey toward a more authentic self.

For those of us who navigate multiple identities, this cyclical process of internal exploration, reintegration and renewal is essential. It offers a unique opportunity to reflect, renew and embrace the alchemy of self-discovery.

In the in-between spaces, winter is not just a time of survival; it’s a time of creation.

EMBRACING THE QUIET: 5 PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WINTER REFLECTION

Winter doesn’t just ask us to slow down; it invites us to engage with ourselves more deeply. Here are some ways to embrace the quiet and use it as a time for personal alchemy:

• Journaling: The long winter nights are perfect for journaling. Reflect on your past year, your transitions, and the aspects of your identity you want to explore or redefine.

• Meditation: Use winter-themed meditations to connect with the season’s energy. Focus on stillness and quiet as you explore the layers of your identity.

• Cultural Rituals: Engage in rituals that resonate with your heritage. These practices can ground you and strengthen your connection to your cultural identity.

What parts of your identity can you let go of this winter to make room for new growth? How can you use this quiet season to strengthen the ties between the diverse aspects of your life?

As we move through these months, let us savor the stillness, use it to deepen our understanding of ourselves and emerge from winter’s embrace more connected to who we truly are — ready to blossom into the fullness of spring.

For more tips on fostering creativity and resilience in winter, scan the code below: cultursmag.com/fostering-creativity-and-resilience

• Nature Walks: Even in the cold, spending time in nature can be transformative. The invigorating chill of the winter air can sharpen your senses and energize your thoughts. Pay attention to the subtle changes in the environment and reflect on your own internal shifts.

• Stay Physically Active: Staying active in winter is vital for overall health, reducing health risks, stress, and depression. Even light exercise, such as walking or yoga, boosts cognitive function and well-being. Aim for 30 minutes daily, paired with good nutrition, to maintain both physical and mental health.

PAULETTE BETHEL is a career United States Air Force Officer and global transition expert, as well as a variety of topics related to culture, race and identity. Read her CULTURS column: Bella’s Front Porch and Check out her This is Me Now Blog.

Adult CCK, TCA and TCK Parent

PAULETTE BETHEL

SKIJORING:

PREVENT SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER BY EXERCISING WITH YOUR DOG

By Antoinette Lee Toscano

If you’re a Third Culture Kid (TCK) who’s living with your family in a

northern climate, imagine the thrill of working as a skijoring team with your dog during the winter months.

Skijoring — cross-country skiing with your dog — is a shared adventure that brings health and social benefits to you both. Many people dislike winter. Nearly 19 percent of the global population say they experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Winter SAD (W-SAD). Skijoring can effectively help prevent and treat SAD.

A 2002 Norwegian report, The Oslo Immigrants Health Study, concluded that several factors, including country of origin, latitude (distance North or South from the equator), age, (biological) gender and having an existing mood disorder impacts whether you will experience W-SAD or not. The Oslo report had a target study population, including residents of Oslo, Norway plus those who were born in Turkey, Sri Lanka, Iran, Pakistan and Vietnam.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, anyone at any age can experience SAD. However, SAD generally starts between ages 18 and 30. Common symptoms of SAD include:

• Feeling sad or depressed

• Loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed

• Increased or decreased appetite

• Fatigue

• Inability to sit still

• Difficulty with concentration and decision-making

• Feeling worthless

• In extreme cases, thoughts of suicide

WHAT RESEARCHERS KNOW ABOUT PREVENTING SAD

Researchers agree on two concepts: First, get outside to enjoy winter activities. Second, have a positive mindset toward the winter season. These are two keys to escaping depression in winter.

One of the lifestyle measures recommended by England’s National Health Service suggests outdoor recreation is one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat SAD.

Learning a winter sport that you can enjoy alone with your dog, with family or as a club experience allows you to enjoy winter as much as the warmer months. In addition, according to the Compendium of Physical Activities, a 150-pound/68-kilo cross-country skier will burn about 1,000 calories by moving at 8 miles per hour/13kph or faster.

WHAT EXPERTS KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION

In his book “Digital Madness,” Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D., wrote: “We’re just not meant to be sedentary, screen-staring and meaning-devoid creatures. Psychologists have known for decades that the best nonpharmaceutical antidepressant is physical activity.”

Kardaras and other mental health researchers advise getting outside for physical activity with other people, which is essential in your mental health toolbox, especially during winter.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SKIJORING

Around 1,200 years ago, domesticated dogs began pulling gear and people for hunters, trappers and Artic explorers. People traveled across frozen ground and bodies of frozen water in Greenland, Alaska, U.S.A., Canada and Siberia — a vast region of Russia and northern Kazakhstan.

The practice, now known as dog mushing, usually involves three to 20 dogs pulling a sled driven by a driver. Today, in nearly every country with snowy conditions, people combine the principles of cross-country skiing and dog mushing in a hybrid sport called skijoring.

Skiing is especially popular along the Arctic coast and in Scandinavia, the birthplace of skiing. Some adventurous people also ski with a horse instead of a dog.

GETTING STARTED WITH SKIJORING

Getting started with skijoring is simpler than you might think. All you need is a desire to be outdoors in winter, a dog of any size and breed that loves to run and pull and a few gear items for yourself and your dog.

Be warned: if your dog has no instinct to pull, they may not be the best skijoring partner. Pulling is arduous work. Some dogs, like some people, do not enjoy being cold, occasionally wet or physically demanding work.

SKIJORING ESSENTIAL TRAINING

According to the American Psychiatric Association, anyone at any age can

experience SAD.

To start skijoring, begin with a dog with basic obedience skills like sit, down, stay, come and stop. Reading a couple of books on basic dog training and dog psychology and behavior would benefit anyone, even if you are an experienced dog owner. From there, you can efficiently train your dog to respond to the commands used in skijoring. The second edition of “Skijor with Your Dog,” by Mari Hoe-Raitto and Carol Kaynor, is an excellent resource on teaching your dog how to pull and yourself how to skijor with your dog.

According to Hoe-Raitto and Kaynor, there are seven essential dog-driving commands that you will need to teach your dog:

• “Gee” — pronounced with a soft g to turn right

• “Haw” — to turn left

• “Ahead” — straight ahead or on by to continue straight, ignore distractions or go past a turn

• “Line out” — to keep the tug line tight

• “Whoa” — to stop

• “Get up” — or hike to speed up

• “Easy” — to slow down

SKIJORING ESSENTIAL GEAR

Next, you must gain confidence and competency as a cross-country skier before tethering yourself to your dog. You will also need an X-backstyled harness and winter booties if your dog will spend more than an hour outdoors in winter.

When outfitting the skier in this team, begin by talking with a knowledgeable person at your local sporting goods store or someone within your skijoring community about ski selection. The type of skiing you plan to do most often (backcountry touring, short trips or racing) and the kind of trails you will ski (groomed, ungroomed, icy, flat, hilly, wide or narrow) will impact your ski choice significantly.

Your skiing style will determine the ideal ski pole length. Skijorers need more insulated boots than traditional cross-country skiers, which must be compatible with your skibinding system.

Buying a ski package that includes boots, ski poles and skis is economical for beginners. Ski packages range from about $350 in the United States. You will need a skijoring belt with a quick-release snap and a towline connecting your belt to your dog’s harness.

Hoe-Raitto and Kaynor also recommend a warm hat, gloves, an insulated and water-resistant jacket and leggings. Be sure to dress in layers you can easily add, subtract and stow away around your waist or in a small backpack. If you are slightly cold when you begin skijoring, you have an adequate number of layers to avoid overheating and excessive sweating when you begin moving.

Getting started with skijoring is simpler than you might think. All you need is a desire to be outdoors in winter, a dog of any size and breed that loves to run and pull and a few gear items for yourself and your dog.

WHERE TO LEARN SKIJORING

You can learn from friends or family or join a local skijoring club. Learn to skijor through online videos. Hire a crosscountry skiing or a skijoring instructor. Alternatively, learn how to skijor from books.

In summary, hope and a solution exist for those TCKs struggling with the winter blues. Setting a goal to learn how to skijor, taking the time and effort to learn and getting outside for an adventure could solve your winter sadness.

Be sure to dress in layers you can easily add, subtract and stow away around your waist or in a small backpack.

To learn more about skijoring’s health benefits — for you and your dog, scan the code below:

cultursmag.com/skijoring-with-your-dog

AT HOME IN THE COLD: HOLISICALLY PREPARING YOUR SPACE

The winter holiday season often arrives with a whirlwind of

activities, obligations and a seemingly endless to-do list. It’s a time when many of us feel the pressure to show our love through extravagant gifts, elaborate decorations and perfectly planned gatherings.

We have been conditioned to believe that these external things matter most when expressing affection and care for others. But what if we turned everything on its head and took a different approach to the season? What if, this year, we decided to gift ourselves and our loved ones the energy of being truly home?

Preparing your space for the winter season can be a deeply enriching experience when approached with intention and love. Instead of focusing on the hustle and bustle, imagine creating an environment that exudes belonging, connectedness and safety. These elements are the true essence of home and are crucial for a meaningful season. Here, we’ll explore how to introduce this energy into three key rooms in your home: the living room, the kitchen and the bedroom.

Preparing your space for the winter season can be a deeply enriching experience when approached with intention and love.

Story and photos by Kadija Taylor

THE LIVING ROOM: CREATING A SPACE OF BELONGING

The living room is often the heart of the home during the winter season. It’s where family and friends gather to share stories, laughter and warmth.

To introduce the energy of belonging, start by decluttering and arranging the space in a way that promotes comfort and inclusivity. Ensure that seating arrangements encourage conversation and closeness. Use soft, cozy textiles like blankets and throw pillows to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Lighting plays a significant role in setting the mood. Opt for warm, ambient lighting through the use of lamps, string lights and candles. The soft glow will enhance the feeling of warmth and togetherness. Decorate with meaningful items that tell your family’s story — photos, heirlooms, and handmade decorations. These personal touches remind everyone of the shared history and deep connections that make them feel at home.

Belonging in the living room is about more than just physical comfort; it’s about emotional warmth. By creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and valued, you foster a sense of belonging that will make your holiday gatherings truly special.

THE KITCHEN: CULTIVATING CONNECTEDNESS

The kitchen is another central hub during the cold winter months, often filled with the sounds and smells of festive cooking and baking. This space naturally brings people together, and there are several ways to enhance this connectedness. Start by organizing the kitchen to make it functional and inviting. Clear countertops and ensure that all necessary tools and ingredients are easily accessible.

Encourage family members to cook and bake together. This shared activity not only produces delicious treats but also strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories. Consider setting up a hot cocoa or coffee station where everyone can gather for a warm drink and a chat. This simple addition can become a favorite spot for connection and conversation.

Decorate the kitchen with natural elements like fresh greenery, seasonal fruits and flowers. These touches bring a sense of life and vitality to the space. The act of preparing food together, combined with a warm and inviting environment, fosters a sense of connectedness that enriches the holiday experience.

While the living room and kitchen are centers of activity, the bedroom should be a sanctuary of rest and safety. After all the festivities, everyone needs a peaceful retreat to recharge.

THE BEDROOM: ENSURING SAFETY AND RESTFULNESS

While the living room and kitchen are centers of activity, the bedroom should be a sanctuary of rest and safety. After all the festivities, everyone needs a peaceful retreat to recharge. Start by creating a calming environment in the bedroom. Use soft, neutral colors to promote relaxation and ensure that the bedding is comfortable and inviting.

Consider incorporating elements of nature, such as plants or natural fibers, to bring a sense of tranquility to the space. Aromatherapy can also play a role in creating a restful atmosphere; scents like lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus are known for their calming properties.

Make sure the bedroom is a screen-free zone, encouraging rest and relaxation without the distractions of electronic devices. Instead, provide books, journals or other calming activities that can help unwind at the end of the day.

A safe and restful bedroom is essential for maintaining wellbeing during the busy holiday and winter season. When everyone has a peaceful place to retreat to, it helps to ensure that the time spent together is positive and harmonious.

EMBRACING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF WINTER

The winter season is an opportunity to slow down, spend time with the people who matter most and create lasting memories in spaces designed with love. By focusing on the energy of belonging, connectedness and safety in your home, you can transform the holidays into a time of genuine joy and togetherness.

The winter season is an opportunity to slow down, spend time with the people who matter most and create lasting memories in spaces designed with love. By focusing on the energy of belonging, connectedness and safety in your home, you can transform the holidays into a time of genuine joy and togetherness.

This year, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of a truly nurturing home environment. Embrace the holistic approach to holiday preparations and see how it enriches your experience, making this season one to remember.

After all, the essence of the winter season is not found in the external trappings but in the love and warmth we share with those we hold dear.

For additional inspiration on space prep, scan the code below: cultursmag.com/at-home-in-the-cold-a-holistic-view-

Colo., U.S.A. With roots in both Sierra Leone and African American heritage, her global perspective shapes her unique approach to design. Taylor’s philosophy centers around the transformative power of thoughtful design, guiding her clients on a journey toward self-love and self-care.

KADIJA TAYLOR is the founder of Home and Sanctuary, a boutique holistic interior design firm located in the heart of Denver,

Adult Third Culture Kid

KADIJA TAYLOR

BTS Culturs 2025 photo shoot with photographer Tommy McMillion, Stylist Koya Nyangi and models Jaime and Mistine Varela.

BTS at Culturs 2025 photo shoot: Stylist Koya Nyangi dresses model Jiro Hsu at Marriott Signature luxury hotel collection: The Elizabeth, Fort Collins, Colo.

Culturs team after our Holiday Extravaganza (l to r) Sarah, Elleyne, John and Andrea.

Culturs Holiday Extravaganza fashion show: Sydney, Aya, Bryce and Jaime.

Kenyan Stylist Koya Nyangi with Urban Spectrum Newspaper publisher Bea Harris on the red carpet at Culturs Holiday Extravaganza.

Model Kameron McMillion BTS in the Music Suite of the Elizabeth Hotel for Culturs’ 2025 photo shoot.

Covershoot BTS with photographer Tommy McMillion and stylist Koya Nyangi.

BTS (l to r) podcast guests Paulette Bethel, Rebekah Drumsta and Brianne Williams.

Model Tanya Mason showcases original African designer couture with Kenyan Stylist Koya Nyangi and Culturs CEO Elleyne Aldine at Culturs’ Holiday Extravaganza.

Local Scout Guide publisher Shani Canillas with her partner on Culturs’ Winter Extravaganza Red carpet.

THE SCENES

The Destinations Podcast BTS with Culturs’ video crew and columnist Paulette Bethel.

BTS at Rebeca and Jacob’s wedding in Lucca, Italy!

BTS: Columnist Kadija Taylor displaying her tablescape design for CultursCELEBRATIONS! Madrid.

BTS: Wedding prep in Lucca, Italy.

High Point University campus, North Carolina.

DeSean Brown, Chief Relationship Officer for pocstock, with Culturs Editor-in-Chief John Liang at the Bowerbird Cafe after our Holiday Extravaganza.

Live podcast taping at our Holiday Extravaganza (l to r: Gerri Gomez Howard, Elleyne Aldine, Jeff Howard, Tommy McMillion and Kara McMillion).

Prepping for Culturs CEO Elleyne’s interview with culturally fluid High Point University President Nido Qubein’s podcast on PBS, North Carolina, U.S.A.

To see more behind-the-scenes photos and get in the groove of all the Culturs action, scan the code below: cultursmag.com/behind-the-scenes-at-culturs/

Culturs Platinum VIP paella cooking experience with Michelin star restaurant chefs from Madrid.

Chefs from Culturs partner, the Cooking Clubhouse Madrid.

Tiffany Inniss and partner walk the red carpet at Culturs’ Winter Extravaganza.

CULTURS IS THE PLACE WHERE CULTURALLY FLUID PEOPLE WHO GREW UP MEANINGFULLY EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OR CULTURES CAN FEEL SEEN, HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD.