WHAT HIGHSCHOOL YOU GO TO?
St. Louis speaks in a language only the locals truly understand. It’s a dialect of soul—slang soaked in history. There’s rhythm in the routine, flavor in the familiar, and style stitched into the seams of the city.
St. Louis was raised on records and riffs, on Sunday songs and basement beats. Chuck let it ring on Delmar. Miles made brass breathe across the bridge. Nelly and the ‘Tics brought bounce to the block, and Smino carves cadences out of chaos. The city’s sound is not for sale—it’s sacred. Passed hand to hand like heirlooms, sampled but never stolen.
This isn’t a city you just pass through—it’s one that pulls you in. Making memories from moments, St. Louis shines in the free features our art and culture offers. Forest Park ain’t just for photos—it’s where family and friends frolic as folks lay blankets down like roots. The Art Museum stands with quiet pride, a refuge of reflection. The Science Center still sparks wonder with every orbit and oddity. And the History Museum holds more than dates and names—it holds us. In the city, culture walks beside you. It waits at the bus stop, it waves from around the way, and it lingers in the laughter that echoes past closing time as the crowd stumbles out into the street.
From spring’s street fests to fall’s food truck Fridays, we gather with pride and purpose. Frizz Fest fills the park with curls and culture. Music at the Intersection blends beats across genres andgenerations. Whether you’re catching a day party in The Grove or finding fresh favorites at a farmer’s market pop-up, the city is still buzzing—with new events, new energy, and something for errbody. Whether we’re partying or posted up in Tower Grove, on Cherokee, or in the Grove— we eat, we dance, and we dap each other up. There’s pride in our presence and power in our pauses.
City Foundry feels like the future wrapped in nostalgia—concrete columns, bold bites, open ceilings, and open minds. You can grab gumbo, Ghanaian jollof, or gourmet cheesecakes before turning the corner into conversation with an artist whose work wraps around your soul. It’s part marketplace, part meeting place—all ours.
When the sun dips behind the skyline and the neon starts to hum, St. Louis sways into night. On Delmar, we gather on rooftops. Off Grand, we linger in lounges. On Broadway, the speakers shake the sidewalk and the bass bounces off brick walls. In the back rooms and basements, where lights stay low and the vibes stay high, folks two-step into tomorrow like the night owes them something. But behind the basslines, there’s a deeper beat.
Barbers who become big brothers. Coaches who bring cleats and care. Teachers who mold the minds of children who don’t yet know the
power of their own voice. Corner stores where your name still means credit. Elders who serve as the historians of the ‘hood—it’s all about strengthening the community connection.
And we see the new wave coming—tripod in one hand, business plan in the other. Influencers and idea-makers, culture curators and quiet disruptors. Not trying to go viral—trying to go deep. They’re remixing tradition, not replacing it. Plugging into a current that’s always been here.
Still, we can’t grow unless we give. The next movement starts with mentorship. Too many young folks staring at screens of oppression and not enough windows of opportunity. Too many dreams deferred by disappointment in the inconsistencies of their elders. They need more than programs. They need presence.
Pick them up. Pour into them. Pull up and stay a while. Talk less, teach more. Help a teen turn their hobby into hustle. Show them how to hold a mic, make a pitch, write a budget, shoot a shot—on the court, with a camera, or in the courtroom. Legacy ain’t about what you leave behind. It’s about who you lift while you’re still here.
St. Louis doesn’t lack talent—it drips with it. From painters in Parkway basements to poets on Penrose, the brilliance is already here. What we need is bandwidth. What we’re missing is margin—for mentorship, for mistakes, for meaningful moments. It takes more than applause—it takes action. And it starts with us.
So when you say, “I’m from the Lou. And I’m proud!”
Be proud of the pulse. Proud of the pressure we turn into poetry. Proud of the cooks and the curators, the parents and the pushers of progress. Be proud of a place that still throws block parties where the community comes together like cousins and kick it like old times. But more than anything, be proud of the possibility. The chance to build bridges, not just bars. To raise a generation that remembers where they’re from—and where they can go.
So if you’ve got the time, give it. If you’ve got the tools, share them. If you’ve got the story, tell it.
Because this city still has songs to write. And it needs every voice.
That’s St. Louis.
WE ALL WE GOT!
And we’re still here.
Seven L. Maxwell Editor In Chief Delux Magazine
DOUBLE WHISKEY NEAT
UNCLE NEAREST
Uncle Nearest is one of the most famous Black-owned whiskey brands. It honors the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. After Green’s death, his contributions to the whiskey industry were largely forgotten, but in recent years, Fawn Weaver helped bring his story to light.
BIRDIE BROWN
Black-owned whiskey distilleries have been gaining recognition in recent years, as more Black entrepreneurs and distillers break into the spirits industry. These distilleries highlight the richness of Black culture and history while contributing to the diversity of the whiskey world. Here are some prominent Black-owned whiskey distilleries and brands.
GREENWOOD WHISKEY
The Birdie Brown brand pays homage to an African American woman who homesteaded in Montana. When the country was deep in the throes of Prohibition, Brown distilled hooch and essentially operated a grainto-glass distillery.
Greenwood Whiskey was born out of shared passion for exceptional spirits and a commitment to preserving a rich heritage. Founded by a group of friends in 2018, the brand draws inspiration from the historic Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as “Black Wall Street”.
ERIC LEGRAND
As Eric learned more about the journey of a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, he found that the precision when creating the mash bill, the patience required during the barrel aging process, and the trust in the overall process paralleled the precision, patience, and trust required in his own grueling recovery.
FORT MOSE
GENTLEMAN’S CUT
This next bourbon is owned by none other than Golden State Warriors point guard and four-time NBA Champion, Stephen Curry. The bourbon dropped in May 2023, and Curry shared that this bourbon has been “years in the making.” The bourbon is distilled from a high rye mashbill, with 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley
In 1726, thirty-eight African born slaves would escape from the Carolinas, head south and seek refuge amongst the Spanish just two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida. In 1738, the governor would declare Fort Mosé the first free Black town in the United States. Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey was created by African American spirits maker Victor G. Harvey Sr. and is bottled at his very own Palm Beach Distillery that has recently relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL.
What a journey.
Delux was born from a “for us, by us” mindset. I felt we needed a space where we could influence the culture—and be rewarded for it. When I brought the crew together back in 2009, we had no idea what we were doing. And that’s exactly what made it work.
We built something different. Something bold. Something disruptive. Shout out to Kyle Griffin, Lawrence Bryant, Brooklyn Kingsboro, and Brian Shields. It’s wild what happens when superpowers unite and form a Voltron-esque situation.
As Delux grew, so did our influence.
My fixer: Jami Ballentine. #IYKYK Our creators: Seven L. Maxwell, Demond Meek, Jenn Carter, Leneia Weston, Nikki Smith, Shadress Burks, Ashley Winters, Tiffany Nashville, McArthur Smith, Mario, Allen Thompson, and so many more whose names I may not have mentioned—but if I missed you, charge it to my head, not my heart. Your work helped shape this brand and pushed it into spaces I could’ve never imagined.
Were there hiccups? Absolutely. I’ve made mistakes, and I hope I’ve made peace with everyone I may have disappointed as I navigated through the mission of delivering content that uplifts the culture.
After ten years of pouring into Delux, I burned out. Then COVID hit. I was done. I was over Delux, over Power 100, over every activation tied to it.
But I have to give massive respect to Dewarren Smith. He took the reins and held them tight for nearly three years— with little to no help from me. He kept the brand alive and on your timelines. If he hadn’t stepped up, we wouldn’t be here. Period.
Now... We’re back.
We’re printing. We’re visible. We’re active. We’re planning to bring you the city’s most exclusive events, content, and activations. It’s been a long time coming. Personally, I was in a dark space. I didn’t know what was next. But once the fog lifted, I realized everything I needed was right in front of me all along.
Delux.
We all we got.
Thank you to my family—Carri-Lauren, Keith III, Karys, and Kameron—for allowing me the space to keep chasing this crazy dream.
Welcome back to DELUX.
Welcome home.
Publisher/Founder Keith N Griffin II @1cognacpapi| Instagram #FreeB
From the heart of the city to the hands of the people, DELUX is back in print. After years of making our mark digitally, we’re bringing the pages to life once again, stacking shelves in over 25 locations across St. Louis. This isn’t just about print—it’s about presence. It’s about telling the stories that matter, amplifying the voices that shape the city, and making sure our legacy lives beyond the screen.
With more than 15 years since our first issue, we’re stepping back into the space we built, ready to remind the world why DELUX has always been the pulse of St. Louis. From music and fashion to business and community, we’re here to showcase the talent, hustle, and heart that keep this city moving. Whether it’s the creatives carving out their own lanes, the entrepreneurs elevating the landscape, or the next generation making their mark, we’re shining a light on the people and places pushing St. Louis forward.
But this is bigger than coverage—it’s about connection. Through our youth initiatives, we’re making sure the storytellers, artists, and innovators of tomorrow have the platforms and opportunities to build something lasting. DELUX has always been more than a magazine; it’s a movement, a record of where we’ve been and the road to where we’re headed.
While nothing lasts forever, today we celebrate. We celebrate persistence, renewal, and the spirit of the city that brought us here. We stand in gratitude for the lessons, the challenges, and the moments that shaped this journey. No longer in the shadows, we’re stepping into the sunshine, ready to document, uplift, and honor the city we love.
Welcome back to DELUX. Welcome home.
Maxwell
GET YOUR SCRUB ON
While getting too many cuppas is not recommended for health, the same can’t be said when applying them onto your skin (the grounded beans, not the drink). Beauty experts and even dermatologists agree that coffee does benefit your skin regardless of all skin types. So if you don’t have it in your skincare routine, we highly recommend that you add one, pronto.
Let’s get straight to the point and go through the list of benefits coffee can do for your skin.
The coffee grounds on themselves are natural and undoubtedly wonderful for an exfoliant. The texture of the ingredient is perfect for effective, gentle scrubbing for exfoliation to smooth out the bumpy texture, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and improve overall circulation.
Coffee is perfect on its own with its chock full of nutrients as mentioned. Plus, coffee grounds used as a scrub is a versatile product that you can mix with other ingredients and they work well to deliver goods for your skin. Use the scrub for the face, body, or even for the lips for the benefits listed here.
The benefits listed are some of the reasons why we use coffee as the main ingredient in our products. Not just coffee mind you but blended well with other ingredients (such as Jojoba oil, coconut oil, Himalayan Salts, and others) to make it an all-around, versatile coffee scrub suitable for all skin types. Choose based on your skin needs - whether to nourish dry skin, soothing aching muscles or simply give the skin a perk up, we got you covered. www.iamglambody.com
BASK & BLOOM ESSENTIALS
Bask & Bloom Essentials provides restorative hair care products to address dryness, breakage, and hair loss in new moms up to two years postpartum. Their products work together to restore fullness vibrancy and luster for all types to flourish. Owner Candera Thompson created this line out of her own desire for an improvement in hair health after giving birth and noticing a change in her hair. Her journey in haircare started with wanting a remedy to allow her tresses to thrive again, and help others who were having similar issues. The end result is a full line of science-backed formulas that focuses on bouncing back to lustrous, flourishing hair. www.baskandbloomessentials.com
FELLAS GETTING FACE
TCM® 3N1 Shave Glaze enriched with Moringa Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Cucumber and Witch Hazel Extracts provides a close, comfortable shave without inflammation and irritation. While shaving, the skin is softened, moisturized, refreshed, and calmed resulting in smooth, healthy looking skin. www.tcmlifestyle.com
REVENGE OF THE BLCK NERD
Blck Nerd Clothing and Apparel are designed for individuals who appreciate style, intellect, and diversity. Whether you’re a trendsetter, a trailblazer, or simply someone who values authenticity, there’s a place for you in our community. Let’s break boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate what makes each of us unique. www.blcknerd.com
ROMEO Y JULIETA AÑEJADOS
Matured for between 5 and 8 years after it has been rolled, the Añejados is an intriguing project in Cuba. As it’s a delicate cigar, care should be taken in not choosing a pairing that’s overpowering.
We’ve noticed that rum produced through solera system ageing tends to offer an ideal harmony between youthful zest and mature refinement. Indeed, we initially sampled it with a Bumbu Rum, which delivered contrasting flavours of candied fruit and spices.
LETS GET COCKY!
THE ICONIC BANANA BUMBU OLD-FASHIONED
HOW TO RECREATE
2 oz Bumbu rum
1 tsp simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel
Luxardo cherry
Instructions:
In a rocks glass add simple syrup and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
Add ice to the glass and pour in 2 oz of Bumbu rum.
Stir the ingredients until well mixed.
Garnish with a twist of orange peel and a Luxardo cherry.
Enjoy the Banana Bumbu Old-Fashioned, a sweet and flavorful twist on a classic cocktail.
* Best Paired with a flavorful Romeo y Julieta Añejados cigar.
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. CHEERS.
Buckle Up: All Gas, No Breaks
Today’s spotlight shines on a woman who embodies strength, confidence, and purpose. She is the truth, the moment, and the full definition of “That Girl.” Her versatility spans entertainment, personal development, and philanthropy, leaving a lasting mark in every space she steps into. As a model and actress, her confidence and empowering presence strike interest immediately. A muse to those who invest in her, she enables others as a life coach and creative coach, guiding inspired individuals to reach their full potential. She uses her unique, delicate voice to inspire people in audible and written forms through voiceovers, books, and podcasting. Dubbed the Midwest Mona Lisa, Chi Anderson is the name to remember.
As a child, Anderson recalls her love of taking pictures and being in front of the camera, highlighting her grandmother’s influence. She also loved to dance. Her love for the camera grew with her and landed her a modeling gig in her late teenage years. “Modeling just never really worked out.” Judgment clouding her vision of her dreams, Anderson states, “I just did what society said we should be doing.” From there, she landed a job in accounting, despite having no real interest in math, which suppressed her creativity and big personality. “I always knew I should be doing something different, like helping people. I just never knew what that looked like.”
“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”
– Maya Angelou.
Anderson’s journey to rediscovering her passions was not without hardship. From navigating divorce and healing from past traumas to overcoming criticism from peers and family, she emerged stronger. She put in the work to find herself, using therapy, like-minded peers, and giving herself a new image. “The Midwest Mona Lisa is Chi Anderson, she is multifaceted, very confident, and loves the camera. I love taking pictures because I get to be someone else for a little while and freeze time.” Anderson’s authenticity allows her to speak about her past struggles, but she does not look like what she’s been through, displaying a calm and warm spirit. “I was always in the shadows of my friends, with low self-esteem, an eating disorder, and very insecure, I didn’t know who I was ‘til 38 years old.” Even though she relives those moments as she speaks on the sensitive topic, she shines bright.
Anderson found her way back to modeling and is signed to an agency in St. Louis, MO, called Now Talent. Her image has graced billboards and national brands, including Mobil on the Run, Sonic, and the Girl Scouts. Using her expertise as a model and creative coach, she helps people with photoshoots and public appearances through her platform and her co-
words by: kiera burns
founded business, Church Productions. Created in July 2020, Jamar ‘Church’ Pinkston and Chi Anderson decided to invest in a space to let their creativity run free through photography and videography. They created a space where people feel and look their best. “It’s a vibe in here; we’re going to make sure you are good no matter what you need. There is no other place like Church Productions.”
In the same space, they have podcast equipment that their clients can use, but they have also started a podcast called Not a Real Podcast (NARP), where they talk about “anything and everything.” Be sure to tune in on the YouTube platform. Anderson is very soft-spoken, and her voice is not limited to podcasting as she has done work for local radio stations and published authors through voice-over work, using her gift to conquer her fears of public speaking.
With compassion, Anderson promotes self-care and healing for others, often enjoying her own self-care solo dates. “Self-care is simply saying yes to you; it is about wanting growth, to evolve. It’s about wanting more for yourself, your future, and your children; self-care is never-ending.” She is hosting, Take Care Sis her very own self-care expo on Saturday, April 5th, where she has many different activities and goods for women and others who may attend. “Take Care Sis is definitely a homage to black women because we give so much of ourselves to the world, it is our due diligence to take care of ourselves,” Anderson spoke with much passion, emphasizing wanting to create a safe space for sisterhood. “The goal is to not only help them create better lifestyles but to create relationships with each other and hold each other accountable to lift each other up.”
there is no cap. Whatever you want to do, just do it.”
She gives flowers to a few of the many people who motivate and inspire her throughout her journey. In her past of being very sensitive and taking things to heart, Pinkston taught her, “There are no feelings in business. That won’t make you any money.”
Stating he has been a silent mentor to her in entrepreneurship. Also highlighting St. Louis content strategist Alana Marie, “Never allow life’s woes to strip you of your imagination.” This piece of advice struck Anderson as she questioned why, as adults, we often stop dreaming and leave it to children. Encouraging everyone to never let go of their creative minds.
Anderson spoke highly of STL Black Fashion Week’s founder, T. Moore, praising his creativity, intellect, and impressive accomplishments by the age of 33. She also gave recognition to Emmy-nominated journalist and author Carol Daniel, who inspires her to rise in all areas of life through her purposeful work and service within the community.
With so much going for a woman of many talents, Anderson wants more for not only herself but other women like her. “I want to be known as the woman who was worthy of having it all, and she did.” She continued with bright eyes beaming, “I want to be known as a giver, selfless, who loves people and wants everybody to win. It is very important to me that black women know their worth.”
Sometimes, doing what you love comes with sacrifice, but Anderson didn’t let that stop her.
As Anderson does all she can to make other women feel good, focusing on those who resemble her likeness, she recalls the times when her 12-year-old self was damaged by the toxicity of this world. “She struggled at home, at school, and with her identity. I would tell her that there are brighter days ahead.”
Sharing a vulnerable moment, tears filled her eyes, “The things you are teased for… from your hair to your height, to the build of your body, to the sound of your voice. Those will be the things people look up to. Those will be the things that people celebrate.” As Anderson is liberated from her past trauma, she pushes to help people know their worth and shine bright through all of life’s cruel ways. “It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.”
She says with a sigh of relief. Anderson is admirable because she never loses touch with her compassionate heart and actively tries to generate healing for herself and others.
Anderson’s advice to many people was inspired by the outstanding career of Cicely Tyson, “There is no age limit, and
“I have sacrificed personal time with family and friends, and I get a lot of backlash, but they don’t always understand. I try to balance being a one-woman show, but when duty calls, I have to do what I have to do.”
We can’t have everything at once, but Anderson knows everything is worth it when she sees positivity generated from what she has done for others.
Whether you’re alongside her or watching from the sidelines, one thing is certain—Chi Anderson is unstoppable. As she stated before, there is no age limit, and at 44 years old, she is working on being more intentional about herself and wants to leave a message to everyone watching, “Buckle the hell up because I’m no longer playing about me!”
For more information on the incredible force that is Chi Anderson follow her on social media @CreativeCoachChi
SITTING THIS ONE OUT: HOW BLACK WOMEN CAN PROTECT THEIR PEACE
KAREN BANKS, M.ED, LPC @TRINITYWELLNESSSTL
Is 2025 trying your patience? Are you feeling the weight of the world and politics on your shoulders? When the national narrative for black women is “we are sitting this one out”, what does that actually look like for us in our everyday lives? How can you practice wellness and self care in your life when the world seems to be crumbling all around you?
During the last presidential election, the United States saw the vast majority of black women cast our vote for the candidate we felt aligned more closely with our values and would protect our interests, or at least did not hate us and intend to bring harm to our community. Throughout the election cycle, black women tried to educate people about the possibilities of Kamala Harris not winning the election, and when VP Harris did not win the presidency, we felt like our concerns fell upon deaf ears and our efforts were wasted. Fast forward to a mere 6 weeks into the 47th President’s term, and the country appears to be crumbling for many of us…just like most black women tried to inform everyone. So now, in response to being ignored, we are “sitting this one out” and letting other cultures fix the problems they voted for. Here are a few ways that black women can sit this one out and protect their peace.
Although we are not a monolith, most of us share some common values such as a sense of community, uplifting one another, and commitment. Consider using this time out as a time in: invest in your community. Use your talents and skills to teach others and be a leader in a community that supports you and listens to your valuable insight. When you take care of your community, it can give you a sense of purpose and leave you feeling as if your efforts are rewarded.
A second way black women can sit this one out is to stop stressing about teaching other cultures about how to respect you. Stop educating people about black struggles when Google is free and libraries are still open! When people have not listened to your education, attempts to connect and find commonalities, and ignored black people’s voices for generations, save your energy.
Another way to protect your peace is to take time to relax and practice self care. Spend time on your hobbies and quality time with your loved ones. Instead of engaging in politics or media, what does it look like to focus on things that bring you joy and peace? Can you take it a step further and focus on your own future goals? Since you will not be busy educating the masses, worry about your own education and knowledge.
Black women: do not allow yourselves to feel guilt on fire and people whose values did not align with are looking to you to save them or offer advice or support; WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF! Imagine what you could become in 1461 days if you spent your energy focused on your own wellness instead of being the superhero we have all been to everyone else. Sit this one out and be your own personal superwoman; you deserve it!
Karen Banks (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor, yoga teacher, and an award-winning business owner (St. Louis Magazi A-List 2021 - Best Therapist/Mental Health Professional). At her primary business, Trinity Wellness, she supports adults and polycules with cognitive behavioral therapy, sex therapy, and couples therapy. Karen pursues her passion for educating people o and wellness by doing public speaking, workshops, and wellness coaching. She is also a Clinical Director for a grief camp and i process of publishing several books, journals, and a wellness course! In her personal time she is an avid gardener, foodie, an dancer. For more information, please visit www.TrinityWellnessStl.com and social media @TrinityWellnessSTL.
Marriage MasterMYnds, LLC operates under the mission to uplift the Black family and, consequently, the Black community, by “strengthening marriages and families, one couple at a time.” Marriage MasterMYnds aims to support married couples, intimate partners, and individuals through educational programs, social events, and resources to provide strategies to work toward the shared goals of thriving in relationships. Marriage MasterMYnds seeks to promote relationship well-being in those that are most critical: self, partners, and family. The rationale is that we must take care of ourselves at home if we are to achieve and produce excellence in our professional environments and communities. This is achieved through the curation of programs and events rooted in love, joy, and intentional engagement:
Special events
Conferences and Retreats
Enrichment Sessions
https://www.marriagemastermynds.com/
Lathon and Chalana Ferguson
words by: tef poe
Kanye West started his career out as the everyday voice of the concerned citizen. He wasn’t a tough guy physically, but he also wasn’t afraid to speak mind his about controversial issues. We love him and we always will. For the most part, I still feel like he has good intentions and speaks from the heart. I respect it even when I disagree because he’s honest. On the other hand, Trump is the devil and you can’t make a deal with Lucifer and win. I hope he comes out of this one alive, but I don’t know, it’s looking kind of sketchy. The situation would be different if Trump wasn’t really actively a full-time, fully functioning manifestation of Satan in real life. Personally, I think people will still buy the music, and this is probably another publicity stunt.
I remember there was a period in time where many of us were ecstatic about Kanye’s high ranking position in mainstream music culture. He once made music that reflected portions of the Black-American experience that were often neglected by other hip hop
artists. But then a shift started to occur and something unusual happened as he expanded his influence.
The fans started to ponder “Where is the old Kanye?” Truthfully, every rapper goes through this shit no matter how big or small you are in the game. The fans develop a sense of emotional attachment to your persona and your music. People listen to our songs when their children are born, at their weddings, when they have sex with their life partners for the very first time, or when they finally become first time home owners. Hip Hop records are known to represent more than a mere moment in time for our listeners. We all change and this includes both the artists and the listeners.
Certain songs have helped people navigate through losing their jobs or the death of a close family member. Kanye West, at one point was like bull matador riding the primary algorithm for this type of vibration. He made songs about everything — the masses felt it, consumed it, and loved it. He once had a quote were
he basically called himself “Tupac for back pack rappers”.
These aren’t the exact words, but the sentiments reflected the fact that at a very early point in his career—he felt as if his vibrations were comparable to Tupac’s on an abstract level. Yes, these two men are totally different, but they were both rebellious souls. Yeezy wasn’t in tune with the industry and he was marching to the beat of his own drum. He led a one man campaign to showcase his energy as the anti-sale out. He paid for his own video’s out of pocket, and he released singles that shouldn’t have worked on commercial radio. He didn’t give a damn about the execs and their opinions. He was crowned the politically incorrect and socially inappropriate champion of black music. He is the forefather of Drake, Childish Gambino, Chance The Rapper, and many others in the same vein.
We owe him this respect in those regards because he forced the music industry to recognize a different aspect of the black male identity. There is no denying the fact that he changed the entire world of music for decades upon decades. His impact can’t accurately be measured in this life time. When he finally does leave this world he leaves us as a genius. He’s done enough work to be revered as an immortal in the American Music Hall of Fame.
The question of the matter is where do we separate the man from the music? I think he’s an interesting and sometimes polarizing figure. But he’s a publicity mastermind and he understands the culture can’t completely get rid of him at this moment. I’m excited to see what he does with the production of Pusha T’s next album. I’m excited to see what him and Nas are creating together.
I’m also exuberantly excited about the fact he’s working with St.Louis’s very own young super producer—Chase the Money. I look forward to seeing what his Good Music imprint does with Chicago’s underground prince of the moment—Valee. He finds a way to crank out something timeless in the studio
one way or another. Even if he doesn’t produce or write the track— he’s one of the greatest curators to have ever lived. He’s a visionary and he understands his self sonically. In the studio, he’s one of best masterminds hip hop has ever birthed. Our culture has an emotional attachment to him because of his work. He’s shifted his art from music to fashion and leans into the controversy at every turn.
Right now, folks are in an uproar online because of a series of tweets on his Twitter page—praising Trump and saying some other crazy sh*t I honestly didn’t bother reading. Truth be told, people are thinking either he’s really lost his mind or this is another publicity stunt in which he’s trolling the general public. Politics today are a sticky subject and many of us feel like the old Kanye would’ve engaged with the politics of today a bit differently than the new Kanye. We assumed our collective consciousness once held a different type agency within his personal perspectives.
He met with Trump and the internet instantly said Kanye must be brainwashed under an MK Ultra experiment. I’ve even read conspiracy theorists claim the old Kanye West was kidnapped, cloned, and murdered. Tupac died and was crucified in order for us to fully respect him.
But while he was alive, many people during his time thought Pac was just as crazy as we currently think Kanye West is right now. Tupac was a different type of rapper though, he was substantially younger than Kanye and he was the first prototype for a rap star constantly gauged by the eyes of the media on this level. He was raised in a strong black radical family and had constant examples of this strength thrusted in his face by his mother.
There’s a different type of mission statement being radiated through Tupac’s actions. Even if we didn’t agree with him at the time— it was still clear he was negotiating the struggles between growing up and uplifting the concerns of the of poverty stricken ghetto’s of the United States. Pac was all about opposing, but he also did his fair share of proposing. He wanted to take action and he was serious about potentially fixing things. Due to his background as a Panther cub—his political analysis was effortlessly sharper than most rappers. He set the tone for us to assume that any well spoken, well dressed rap star was qualified to publicly voice their political opinions and affiliations. He left this void unfulfilled when he was assassinated. Sure others did it before him, but there are times were Tupac might as well had been running for President.
He was qualified to speak on certain things because of his lifestyle on both sides of the coin. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see what happens if Tupac Shakur lives to become a 40 year old man with a super model wife and two children. He didn’t survive his 20’s—they killed him before he could actually experience his best life.
Maybe he grows up to let us down?
But then again, maybe he actually does succeed in changing in the world and things end gainfully different than the way they did in 1996. I think its fair to say Kanye West has never really shared a political analysis deeper than anything that directly uplifts the visionary goals of Kanye West as a creative. Sure, we loved the Katrina speak out on live television. Personally, I thought Yeezy was the realest rapper alive for such a move. Yeah, I too was fist pumping with everyone else when he interrupted Taylor Swift.
Yes, I absolutely respect the way he won’t budge for these corporations
and often challenges racism in corporate art spaces. Yes, this helps black designers invade the racist confines of the fashion world.
But overall, this doesn’t really shift the material conditions of black people, in a manner in which I truly think I should take time to care about his personal political positions. Most of his personal politics have always apprehensively reaffirmed some sort of capitalistic synergy. I think certain black folks have always understood this to be true about his messaging, while the crusting upper black middle class—who can afford to go to an HBCU with ease and shop at Gucci without boosting the clothes—not so much.
This is reflective of our entire culture as we’ve shifted towards a space that allows non-revolutionary behavior to participate in revolutionary acts of bravery, and assume maximum space as if they’ve actually changed the conversation for poor people. On the ground level, the realest people are usually the poorest people.
They’re also the ones that are watching this sh*t on Twitter and pondering why is everyone else so butt hurt? They’ve never thought for one second that Kanye West is an actual radical outside of the spaces where he truly is such. Bougie negroes often think speaking out of turn makes you the newest voice of the rebels. The new Kanye is a rebel on a certain level, but then on another he’s actually not at all. I’m not here to say he has to be or shouldn’t be. That’s’ not the point of this article whatsoever. We should be clear about the content of his art and the things he seeks to represent in 2018. To me, this is always a problematic notion between black politicos and black artists. Just because a person says “F*ck Trump” doesn’t necessarily mean I heartily agree with their politics. Most of the time, people in the streets no longer even listen to the rappers, the activists are championing.
I actually find myself wishing y’all would stop giving rappers the microphone, and letting them speak about things they haven’t read one single book about. Most of the time, I’d honestly like to say share with us your reading list before you start speaking about the conditions of the day publicly. The public gets it wrong sometimes and this isn’t an excuse for the artists, but we do. We’ve made the man Mandela, but he’s always claimed to be Steve Jobs.
Those two identities are remotely different and even though both are drenched in the spirit of revolt—only one actually ushers in an uncomfortable political analysis about the material conditions of blacks in the global diaspora. Only one represents a complicated narrative of uprooting apartheid and challenging racism. In the early days of his career, he did compare himself to Tupac. That was the old Kanye. The new Kanye hasn’t been on that vibe since shortly after we met him. It’s 2018, and we’ve long had the receipts of verification for what he seeks to be made of his legacy. Let us always remember he compared his self to Walt Disney not Mutulu.
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KEEPING COLOR IN A DULL WORLD:
The Art of Brock Seals
words by: kiera burns
Creation is the center of all existence; without a creator’s thoughts, we would have nothing. Art is not just in museums—it is all around us and within us, uniquely crafted together to make the beautiful complexities of our lives.
“Art is a tool to express yourself,” says Brock Seals, an artist, rapper, fashion designer, and all-around creator who gives us a deeper look into what it takes to keep your color in a world that can be, at times, dull and cruel.
Seals, a thirty-one-year-old creator, has made an impact in his community around St. Louis, from murals of STL’s famous basketball player Jayson Tatum to using his artistic talents inside a local high school, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, after a tragic shooting.
In addition, he hosts an annual event featured on the third-floor venue Beaknikbob’s at City Museum in downtown St. Louis, titled Blessed by the Ancestors. The event provides a space for local artists to showcase their work to anyone who pays general admission at City Museum. This reflects the true character and compassion of Seals and his drive to show love to his community.
“I just want to keep using my art to bring people together… I do it for the city of St. Louis,” Seals spoke with pure devotion.
Everyone who watched the 2025 Super Bowl saw Seals’s work displayed on the national stage— Kansas City Chiefs player Ter’Shawn Wharton wore a pair of custom St. Louis-themed cleats for the entirety of the game.
Seals isn’t new to the shoe-designing business. With over ten years of experience, he customizes countless pairs of shoes available to anyone on his
Instagram: @sealsbrock.
His hard work does not go unnoticed, as he has landed partnerships with major sports teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis City Soccer.
For someone who makes art look effortless and intriguing, Seals reveals that his artistic journey wasn’t always smooth—he never even picked up a paintbrush until college.
“I didn’t already know how to draw. I took classes at St. Louis Community College–Florissant Valley; I never thought I was a person who could actually draw.”
Seals spent years consistently working and practicing, bringing life to his remarkable thoughts.
“This made art fun for me because I saw how fast I learned the skill, and with hard work, the sky is the limit if you keep going.”
He understands the work ethic required to remain successful and continuously grow.
“I learn from all artists, new and old. I’m real sensitive to everything around me, so I am forever a student of the game.”
Seals knew from a young age that creativity would shape his life.
“I started making music when I was like eight or nine years old.”
Now, with a unique and distinguished sound, he has released the album CABO, featuring tracks such as Let There Be Light, The Landing, and Him.
He credits his mother for giving him the space to create and dream without judgment.
“It just seemed like the world was at my fingertips, and I always wanted to be self-sufficient and make something out of myself.”
Seals has held onto his childhood trait of being selfdriven, allowing his determination and consistency to open doors for collaborations with brands such as Marc Jacobs and Tecovas—with aspirations of one day partnering with Gucci.
“Yeah, I get rejected, but that adds fuel to the fire. I just learn from it and don’t let it deter me because I’m in too deep to give up.” He continued, “I always say I gotta be my biggest fan because if I don’t believe in my work, then nobody will.”
His advice to aspiring creators?
“Create with no limits; don’t limit yourself to what you can do. Listen to what is in your heart and try different things. Silence the haters.”
For more work from Brock Seals, including clothing, shoes, custom-painted items, bobbleheads, music, and more, visit http://brockseals.com.
PRINCESS STORMM
words by: kiera burns
If you don’t know her name, you probably know her voice. As most would agree, she’s a staple in STL culture, a dynamic entertainer, and someone who never falls short on personality—or heart. For 15 years, she held the mic as the voice of the hottest radio station in the city, Hot 104.1, and proved to be one of the most hardworking women around. She’s the hometown hero homegirl, but the name we know and love is Princess Stormm.
Stormm didn’t grow up dreaming of a radio career. When she enrolled at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), she imagined a different future. “I always wanted to be a teacher. I loved kids, but I realized I couldn’t wake up early enough for school,” she laughs. Stormm has a way of making anything funny—her bright smile and bubbly energy turn even her pivots into punchlines.
In college, she shifted into communications and landed an internship at Hot 104.1. From the ground up, she worked her way to the top. That’s when her love for radio took root— and it never let go. For 15 years, she never worked another job. Just radio. Just Stormm.
Through her role at the station, she helped everyone around her grow—including the station itself. She built her name in the community by giving back: toy drives, block parties, Halloween events, diaper giveaways, and more. Stormm gave chances to people who were often overlooked—and some of those same people are now nationally recognized artists. That’s just who she is. Her character shows in her actions, and it’s clear she believes deeply in the people around her.
She recently appeared on the reality TV show Baddies Midwest, making an impression on the cast as kind, genuine, and down-to-earth. But that’s no surprise.
When the company shifted gears and made changes to the station’s direction, Stormm found herself on a new path—but not an unfamiliar one. “I can hang out with my son, help my family, and be there for my friends,” she says. “I wouldn’t make this a sad moment; it’s a blessing in disguise.”
It’s easy to tie worth to job titles, but this isn’t about that. Princess Stormm is already fulfilled in every way that counts. She’s a loving mother, a dependable friend, and the heartbeat of her family. She loves cooking, gathering her loved ones, and pouring into her son—who is currently working on a children’s book, with Stormm’s full support. He’s the author. She’s the cheerleader. That’s what matters most.
She’s more than a voice. She’s warmth. She’s a safe place. She’s someone who’s been that for countless others.
There’s much more in store. On March 15, 2025, Stormm hosted the Midwest Music Summit, an event for aspiring artists to learn about the industry, network, and share their work. She brought in talent from across the country and created a space where up-and-coming musicians could be seen and heard. This may be just the beginning of what’s next.
On that same day, Mayor Tishaura Jones honored her work and love for the city by declaring March 15th Princess Stormm Day. It was well-earned—and long overdue.
Stormm moves with faith, humor, and heart. She keeps showing up. And when she speaks, people listen.
“Don’t ever get caught up in somebody else’s business,” she says. “Find your own thing—because there is no wrong or right way to this thing called life. Whatever you want to do, do your best and go hard at it.”
LATONYA ANNOOR
words by: seven l maxwell
Step into any room—boardroom, breakroom, or block party—and if LaTonya Annoor is present, you’ll know it. Not because she demands attention, but because she draws it—with clarity, calm, and confidence. She moves with meaning, speaks with steadiness, and leads without needing to be loud. But if you ask her what matters most?
“First and foremost, I’m a wife,” she says. “I’ve been with my husband since high school. This year, we’ll celebrate our 15year wedding anniversary. We’ve been together over 20 years.”
“We have five beautiful children. We homeschool our kids. Together, we have three in college—one started at 14, the other two at 15 and 16. They’re all at UMSL. That is what I’m most proud of.”
From Beaumont High School to the boardroom, AnNoor serves as a Senior Executive for Corporate Affairs at a Fortune 1 company, guiding work across state lines and city blocks. But her résumé is not the reason we’re here. Her work happens in real time, with real people, through real conversations.
“I’m here to give the answers to the test—to help people realize there’s a front door, a back door, and a key under the mat. I want them to get in like I did, but faster.”
She teaches nonprofit leaders how to pitch without pressure. She shows small business owners how to build beyond the basics. She doesn’t hoard information. She hands it off—in conversation, in confidence, and always with care.
“Of course, I love what I do in the community—ensuring people understand how to navigate corporations, sponsorships, and grants—but being a wife and a mother comes first. I’ve got to win at that before anything else.”
There was a time when she softened her tone to make others comfortable. She doesn’t do that anymore.
“Career-wise, I’m most proud of being my most authentic self in every space I step into. That wasn’t always the case—I used to code-switch and play the game—but in 2025, I show up as me.”
She doesn’t shift with the setting. Her values walk in first. Whether she’s speaking on a panel, seated in strategy meetings, or stepping into spaces never shaped for her—she carries the same voice.
“I’m not someone who’s comfortable being the only one in the room. If I know about an opportunity, I’m sharing it. If you tell me you’re struggling, I immediately go into ‘how can I help’ mode—not to solve it for you, but to guide you to your own answer.”
She doesn’t move for medals. She moves for moments— like when someone says, “LaTonya, I got $56,000 from corporations this year because you taught me how to court the corp.” Or when a mother says, “Thank you for showing my daughter a different path than what she sees on TV.”
The reward isn’t in the résumé—it’s in the reach.
“I understand I represent more than just myself—I stand as 10,000. I know my ancestors are behind me. Every little Black girl, every little brown girl who sees me in these rooms—whether I’m on a stage, solving problems, or helping a woman through domestic violence—needs to know I lead with passion.”
She doesn’t show up to be seen. She shows up to shift the structure.
“I always say: I’m just a mirror of you. I represent you. And when I’m in any room, I make sure you are represented with the utmost respect.”
She’s not chasing credit. She’s clearing paths through education and conversations.
From packed clubs to prime-time radio, from skating rinks to sold-out shows, DJ KUT didn’t just spin records—he spun stories, set the stage, and shaped the soundtrack of St. Louis. His name became synonymous with the city’s sound, a constant current running through its culture, connecting generations with every beat.
words by: seven l maxwell| photography:lawrence bryant/lb photography
DJ KUT
But even legends must face the unexpected. In July of 2024, life delivered a news that would shake the very foundation of his world and face an unforeseen future.
This is more than a story of music. This is the story of a man, a movement, and a moment—a moment where the music of life takes an unexpected turn, yet the DJ refuses to drop the mic.
Before he was DJ KUT, he was just Brian Nelson, a kid captivated by sound. While others played with toys, he reached for records. “I didn’t care about nothing else. You could give me toys, whatever—I just wanted music. Give me records,” he recalls.
He wasn’t reading yet, but he knew labels by color, picking out 45s before he could form full sentences. “My mother used to tell me they would play games with me. They’d say, ‘Go get such and such record,’ and I’d go get it—even before I could talk.”
Growing up in a single-parent household, money was tight and moves were frequent. Every year, a new neighborhood, a new school, a new struggle. But one thing remained constant—his connection to the music.
“We moved every single year. It was survival first, music second,” he admits. “I wasn’t worried about no clothes, no shoes, none of that. I was worried about getting my hands on music.”
His teenage years were spent grinding— working, saving, and slowly building his dream. “I was putting pieces together, scraping up money, buying my own records. My money wasn’t going to shoes. My money wasn’t going to clothes. My money was going to music.”
High school was tough, but the radio whispered dreams into his ears at night. “I used to lay in bed listening to the DJs and dreaming about having all the records they played. I knew I was going to do this.”
And he was laser-focused.
He didn’t know when, he didn’t know how, but he knew he would be the one making the music move.
The dream didn’t stay a dream for long. By 17, he had the equipment. By 19, he had a name. By the early ‘90s, he was spinning on Magic
108, the Midwest’s biggest station, making his mark with the 7 o’clock Slam.
“That was a big deal,” he says. “Magic 108 was untouchable. It was like Pepsi—nothing could compete with it.”
From Saints to The Palace, from mix shows to major concerts, his presence was undeniable. If you danced in St. Louis in the ‘90s, you danced to DJ KUT.
But the dream was bigger than the city skyline.
A trip to New York in 1995 changed everything. Standing in the birthplace of hiphop, listening to Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97, he realized something: “I was expecting to hear something crazy, something I couldn’t even imagine,” he remembers. “But I was listening like… man, I can do this. I can do this.”
And seven years later, he did.
In 2002, DJ KUT took the ultimate leap— leaving his kingdom in St. Louis to conquer Power 105.1 in New York City, one of the most competitive radio markets in the country. “That was a hard decision, because in 2002, wasn’t nobody touching me in St. Louis. I was at my peak. Throwing my own parties, DJing the hottest concerts, everything. But sometimes, you gotta jump.”
From Cedric the Entertainer’s tour to spinning for Nelly and the St. Lunatics, he was at the center of hip-hop’s golden era.
Then, in 2011, it was time to come home.
Back in St. Louis, DJ KUT didn’t just return to radio—he returned to the people. The energy, the excitement, the engagement. He brought the big-city mindset back to the Midwest, igniting the scene with concerts, comedy shows, club nights, and community initiatives. One of his proudest projects? DJ KUT University, a hands-on program teaching kids the art of DJing, music mixing, and industry essentials. Partnering with St. Louis Parks & Rec, he built a space where young people could learn, create, and carry on the craft.
“I’m passing the torch,” he says. “I tell my students, you’re connected to me for life. You don’t learn everything in eight weeks, so if
you went through my program, you can always come back. You stuck with me now.”
Then, the beat changed. July 1, 2024.
The diagnosis came without warning, without mercy. Multiple myeloma. A cancer that attacks the blood and bones. A disease he had never heard of, now living inside him. “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do none of that,” he says. “So when they told me, I was like… what?”
Pain in his hip. Numbness in his fingers. The signs were there, but the answers weren’t easy to find. Doctors missed it. Insurance denied tests. It took persistence, patience, and a chance MRI to reveal the truth.
“I had to be my own advocate,” he says. “They kept giving me pain meds. Telling me it’s arthritis, or I’m just getting older. If I hadn’t kept pushing, they wouldn’t have caught it.” Hospital stays. Radiation. Chemo. Strength stolen, energy drained. Yet through it all, the community showed up.
“Man, people came out. I had visitors all day, all night. Two, three in the morning. I wasn’t sleeping, but I wasn’t complaining.”
The fight isn’t over.
A stem cell transplant looms ahead. Recovery won’t be quick, won’t be easy. But DJ KUT is still here. Still mixing. Still mentoring. Still moving.
“I tell people, I’m gonna do this until my last breath. Until I can’t do it no more.”
And the melody won’t stop.
Because legacy isn’t about what you do in the moment—it’s about what lives beyond you. The voices you amplify. The doors you open. The lives you touch.
From the turntables to the turn of fate, DJ KUT’s story is still being written. And through the beats, the breaks, and the battles, one thing remains certain:
The legend lives on.
“I tell people, I’m gonna do this until my last breath. Until I can’t do it no more.”
BBQ 101: SMOKE OR NOT TO SMOKE.
words by: seven l. maxwell
We sat down with Omaha’s Queen of The Pit Jackie Robbins to discuss her St Louis Roots and “The Smoke” That keeps RibShack Smokehouse SMOKIN’!
At 10841 Q Street in Omaha, Nebraska, a steady stream of smoke drifts from Rib Shack SmokeHouse—a scent that stops people midstep and pulls them toward something they didn’t even know they were craving. But behind the menu of ribs, brisket, and soul food sides sits a story that’s as layered as the seasoning blend Jacqueline Robbins crafted by hand.
“Rib Shack SmokeHouse began as a family dream in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2009,” she says. “My husband, Malcolm Robbins, and I wanted to create a place where we could share our love for BBQ with the community.”
They weren’t alone in the effort. “We were also inspired and coached by our Godfather, Mr.
JT ‘Jerry’ Brown, who believed in our vision. He helped put together our dream team at our first location, guided us in creating our menu, and played a huge role in shaping Rib Shack SmokeHouse into what it is today.”
Everything was in place for their son, Malcolm Jr., to eventually step into the business. But life doesn’t always move in straight lines.
“Malcolm Sr. suffered a severe brain bleed, multiple strokes, and fell into a coma for 30 days while awaiting a heart transplant in St. Louis, Missouri,” Robbins explains. “We had to close down our restaurants in 2016.”
The move to Omaha wasn’t planned—it was necessary.
“In 2018, Malcolm took a leap of faith and moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to get on the transplant list. He lived in a trailer on the hospital campus for almost two years while waiting for a donor.”
Then, in the middle of the pandemic, came what Robbins calls their first miracle. After surviving five open-heart surgeries and a long road of recovery, Malcolm received his new heart.
“I started fundraising to get him a home because he couldn’t return to the trailer,” she says. “After meeting a landlord who believed in us, I was able to open Rib Shack SmokeHouse in Omaha—not just to keep our legacy alive, but to provide for Malcolm’s healing.”
And with that, Jacqueline had to commit to the pit. “To save my husband’s life, I stepped into a new role and became the first Black female pitmaster in Nebraska. I crafted my own Rib Shack All-Purpose Seasoning, created homemade soul food sides, and perfected our smoked meats.”
From signature ribs to loaded brisket, fried catfish, candied yams, baked spaghetti, and smoked turkey legs, the menu remains grounded in family flavor and Southern soul.
Jack U Up Street Tacos
Ingredients
1/4 c Olive Oil
1 c Diced Yellow Onion
2 Tbl Minced Garlic
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and sliced
1 Tbl Smoked Paparika
2 Tsp Ground Cumin
2 Tsp Ground Coriander
2 Tsp Dried Oregano
2 Tsp Sea Salt
1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
2 Avacados, pitted and sliced Chopped Fresh Cilantro for the jackfruit for the pickled purple cabbage for serving
1 Can Jackfruit Drained & Rinsed
1/4 c Maple Syrup
2 Tbl Fresh Lime Juice
3 c Thinly Shredded Purple Cabbage
1/4 c Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbl Agave Nectar
1 Tsp Sea Salt
4 Corn Tortillas Roasted Tomato Salsa
MAKE THE JACKFRUIT: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne and cook for another 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the jackfruit. Cook for 10 minutes, using the back of a wooden spoon to stir and break up the jackfruit as you cook. Add the maple syrup and lime juice and cook for another 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired texture, continuing to stir and break up the mixture. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
MAKE THE PICKLED CABBAGE: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, vinegar, agave, and salt. Use your hands to massage the cabbage so it begins to break down and soften. Set aside for at least 20 minutes to pickle. Drain any excess liquid from the cabbage before Serving.
SERVE: Over a gas flame or on a grill pan over medium heat, grill the tortillas for barely 1 minute per side. (Alternatively, you can use a nonstick pan over low heat.) Top the tortillas with the jackfruit and pickled cabbage and finish with the roasted tomato salsa, sliced avocados, and chopped cilantro.
the BLACK LUMBERJACKS
AND
words by: seven l. maxwell| photography: kit karzan
THE AMAZING RACE
When you hear “lumberjack,” what’s the first image that comes to mind? Probably a burly man in flannel, an axe slung over his shoulder, standing in the middle of some snow-covered forest. But in the heart of St. Louis, two men are redefining that image—one tree at a time. For Jeff Bailey and his father, Pop, cutting trees isn’t just a job—it’s a legacy. With over 35 years in the business, this father-son duo has built a legacy from the roots up, turning a family trade into a thriving enterprise.
“Pops” & Jeff Bailey
“It all started with Pop,” Jeff explains, his voice steady with certainty. “Watching him, working with him, learning from him—it wasn’t just about cutting trees; it was about cutting a path.”
Pop, a man raised on hard work and handshakes, doesn’t mince words. “I didn’t just hand him money. I handed him a skill.”
Jeff didn’t grow up with allowances. He grew up with early mornings, long summers, and lessons in labor. At first, he was just the kid in the way—riding in the truck, picking up twigs, watching his father work.
“He probably gave me ten, maybe twenty dollars, just to keep me around,” Jeff recalls. “But as I got older, I got stronger. I started learning. Then, one day, he put a chainsaw in my hands.”
And that’s when everything changed.
“The first time he let me touch a chainsaw, I felt like I had arrived,” Jeff reflects.
But even with sawdust in his veins, he tried to outrun his roots.
“I did everything else first,” he admits. “I was the number one sales rep at my job, climbing the ladder, thinking I had switched careers. But no matter what I did, I always ended up back doing trees.”
Pop saw it coming.
“Ain’t no escaping your roots,” he remarks. So Jeff leaned in. He didn’t just return to tree cutting—he took ownership of it. He started his own company, set his own hours, and secured his own future.
“I wasn’t about to punch a clock for somebody else when I already had a blueprint right in front of me,” he points out.
And just like that, he was back where he started. But this time, it was his name on the business.
“Most people think you gotta be a rapper or an athlete to make real money,” Jeff notes. “Nobody’s telling these young men that they can get rich cutting trees.”
He continues, “We started with a little pickup truck we called ‘Old Stinky.’”
Pop adds, “Now we’ve got a whole fleet.”
For them, tree cutting is more than a trade—i t’s proof that success doesn’t always come from the usual routes.
“We’re changing the image of what a lumberjack looks like,” Jeff emphasizes. “Right now, if you turn on your TV, we are the face of tree cutting. That’s something we take pride in.”
And that’s exactly why they went after The Amazing Race.
Jeff spotted the opportunity before Pop even knew what was happening.
“I told him, ‘We’re going on this show.’ No doubt in my mind,” Jeff declares.
Pop wasn’t convinced.
“Yeah, okay,” he told Jeff.
But Jeff was serious. He studied the show, broke down the challenges, and knew they had what it took.
“We shot our video and sent it in the same day,” he shares.
Two weeks later, the phone rang. Then came a Zoom call. Then another. And another.
“We just had to show them who we really are,” Jeff explains.
When the final call came, Pop couldn’t believe it.
“We’re gonna travel the world,” he marveled. “A couple of Black lumberjacks, running through airports and jumping in taxis. Who would’ve thought?”
Once the cameras rolled, it was all about strategy and survival.
“No phones. No help. Just me and Pop, figuring it out,” Jeff recalls.
The biggest challenge? Being away from their families and communication.
“In Hong Kong, we had to learn how to ask for directions in a way people understood,” he says. “You can’t just say it how you would at home. You gotta adjust.”
Every day brought a new test, but for them, the trust was already built.
“We’ve been working together our whole lives,” Pop points out.
“We know how to get the job done.”
Now that the race is behind them, the Baileys are focused on something bigger—bringing more young Black men into the industry.
“If you look at St. Louis, a lot of young me n are searching for a way out,” Jeff observes.
“They think they have two choices—entertainment or sports. But we’re here to show them there’s another way.”
For years, Pop has been hiring young men, teaching them the trade, giving them an opportunity to turn hard work into something real.
“It’s bigger than cutting trees,” Pop affirms. “It’s about teaching a skill, building something, passing it on.”
Now, Jeff is looking to take it further.
“I wanna bring this to the schools,” he says. “Show these kids that there’s another way.”
They’ve already started laying the groundwork—field trips, apprenticeships, hands-on training.
“You don’t need a degree to do this,” Jeff states. “You just need to be willing to learn.”
And for the Baileys, that’s the real win.
“Money comes and goes,” Pop reflects.
“But teaching somebody how to stand on their own? That lasts forever.”
The Baileys aren’t stopping here.
“We wanna see more young Black men in this space,” Jeff insists. “More entrepreneurs. More people taking control of their own futures.”
As for what keeps them going?
“Time with my son, doing what we love? That’s priceless,” Pop says.
Three generations deep in lawn care, landscaping, and lumber, the Baileys have built a business from the ground up, turning sweat and sawdust into success.
And now, after 35 years in the industry, the world is finally watching.
STL ULTIMATE STAYCATION: Angard Arts Hotel
The Angad Arts Hotel is the first hotel in the world where guests are able to book their luxury accommodations not only by room type but also by emotion of color. Developed by New + Found and designed by Lawrence Group, the 146room boutique hotel was previously known as the Missouri Theater Building and the last vacant historic building on Grand Boulevard in the Grand Center Arts District.
The 161,000-square-foot hotel has gained international recognition for its color-themed rooms and includes the 9,700-square-foot Grand Tavern Restaurant by award-winning Chef David Burke. A number of local artists’
work is featured throughout the hotel room and common areas. In keeping with a nontraditional personality, the hotel’s lobby is located on the 12th floor and the main entrance is at the back of the building.
An indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge called the Angad Rainbow Terrace provides event space and expansive view of the St. Louis city skyline and leads into the Chameleon Lounge. The lounge includes a distinct 360-degree video art experience via a floor-to-ceiling, rotating Chameleon Lamp as well as musical instruments that visitors are invited to access and play.
3550 Samuel Shepard, Dr Saint Louis, MO 63103
TREY WILLIAMS
If you are trying to define sensational, gifted, and diligent, look no further than Vashon High School’s Trey Williams Jr. He is a sophisticated and mature young man who is phenomenal at basketball but excels in his studies as well.
Williams Jr is a four-time district and four-time state champion who surpassed 1000 points and was nominated for 2024 and 2025 All-state first team--securing the 4A Player of the Year plaque to wrap up his senior season. His work ethic separates him from his opponents. This can be credited to the 7 times he has won MVP in many different shootouts and tournaments this season alone. I would confidently say he is one of the many great shooters Vashon has ever seen. This season, he has an impressive field goal shooting percentage of 53%, a 3-point percentage of 48%, a free throw shooting percentage of 90%, and overall averages of16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Once, knocking down 10 crowd-electrifying three-pointers in a close game.
In the same way he works hard on the court, his effort shows in his studies. Williams Jr’s grade point average puts him in the top 10 of his class. Driven to push himself towards success, he is a Dual-enrollment student at STL-CC, where he has taken full college courses since his junior year of High School, with the opportunity to graduate with his associate’s degree and a High School diploma.
His dedication to the game of basketball has gotten him many Division I offers, but Williams Jr decided to take his ever-evolving potential to Missouri State University, where he will play collegiate basketball and receive his master’s degree. Though he is undecided on a major, his dedication and perseverance to the challenges placed in front of him, anything Williams Jr commits to will be a success.
The world will know the name, Trey Williams Jr.
words by: kiera burns | photography: thomas krueger
JT
JUSTIN TATUM
Some people play basketball. Justin Tatum lives it.
His journey didn’t follow a straight path from high school standout to professional athlete to championship coach. There were setbacks, sacrifices, and struggles—both on and off the court. But every step, every delay, every battle made him the coach, father, and leader he is today.
“I really started taking an interest in basketball around seventh, eighth grade,” Tatum recalls. “I was trying to get away from football—it was too physical.” His mother, a school teacher and Army Reservist, kept him active, making sure he stayed involved in sports.
“She put me in track, football, and baseball—just something to do. But I didn’t touch a basketball until I was going into the eighth grade.”
From the beginning, discipline—not just talent—defined his game. Tatum didn’t follow the typical high school basketball prodigy path. He transferred schools, fought through academic struggles, and had to learn patience before he could dominate on the court. His freshman year, he attended Cardinal Ritter, where he admits, “I was just a basketball kid—no promise, just getting into it, loved it. But I could not focus on basketball and books.” The distractions caught up to him.
words by: seven l. maxwell
“I got kicked off the JV team my first year. My grades were messed up. They told me if I got my grades back right, I could probably play varsity, but by then, the season was rolling.” His mother stepped in, transferring him to Christian Brothers College High School (CBC). “She found out about CBC through my AAU coach,” he says. “That was the best thing that happened to me.”
But the transfer came with a price—he had to sit out his sophomore year.
“When you transfer private-to-private in St. Louis, you gotta sit out a year unless you have a hardship case. So I couldn’t play varsity my sophomore year.”
That year off was fuel. He spent it working, studying the game, and waiting for his time. By 1997, his patience paid off—he led CBC to a Missouri state championship. “We were supposed to play Vashon in the finals,” he says. “That’s what everybody wanted. But they lost in the Final Four, so we played somebody else.”
The title was secured, but the unfinished business with Vashon never left him. Coming off a state championship, Tatum committed to Saint Louis University (SLU). But before he could step onto the court, his academic fight followed him. His learning disability—which had made school a constant challenge—delayed his eligibility.
“I was supposed to start playing at SLU right away, but because of everything with my learning disability, I couldn’t start my freshman season until December of ’98.”
That delay set him back, but the real challenge came when he injured his knee in a summer league game.
“I was just trying to hoop, just trying to work on my game, and boom—knee gone.”
The injury forced him to miss an entire year. But he wasn’t about to let that be the end of his career.
“I finished in four years, graduated on time, got my year back, and played my senior season at SLU.”
Still, he had one more year of eligibility left. To use it, he transferred to McKendree College, where he played through pain—on a leg that was only 60-70%.
“My leg wasn’t right, but I wasn’t about to waste that year,” he says. “I played through it and took them to the Final Four.”
He had learned how to fight through adversity, how to keep playing even when the odds weren’t in his favor.
After McKendree, Tatum joined the Nike traveling team—an opportunity that put him up against top competition while building his professional résumé.
“We played Division I schools for exhibition games—SLU, Kansas, Michigan State. We traveled all over, and it gave us a chance to build film.”
That film became his ticket.
“I played on that Nike team for a stretch, got the tape, and sent it out. That’s how I got overseas.”
In 2004 or 2005, the call came from the Netherlands. “They saw the film and reached out,” he says. “That’s how I got my first pro contract.”
For two years, he played professionally overseas, living the dream. But in the summer of 2006, a different call brought him home.
Jayson’s mother reached out, telling him about all the teams trying to recruit their young son.
“She told me all these teams wanted him to play,” Tatum says. “And I knew I had to come home.”
He wasn’t about to let someone else shape his son’s game. If Jayson was going to play, he needed a team built the right way. So Tatum came back, putting together a squad specifically designed to coach his son, making sure he was developed with the right foundation. That fall and winter, he stepped into coaching officially—starting as an assistant at CBC before becoming the head coach at Soldan International Studies High School.
His first season at Soldan, he made his mark. By 2012, he led the team to a Missouri state championship. From there, life kept calling him back—to CBC, to coaching his son, to mentoring other young men who needed the same discipline and guidance he once did.
Through every challenge, every moment, he kept moving forward. When Jayson won his first NBA championship, his father was right there on the floor, celebrating.
But it wasn’t about coaching. It wasn’t about the years of training. “I don’t care about being his first coach,” Tatum says. “That moment wasn’t about me. It was about Jason—watching him accomplish his goal, seeing him fulfill his dream.”
For all the sacrifices, the missed time, the flights, the long nights— it was worth it.
“People don’t understand what goes into it,” he says. “They see the moment, but they don’t see the years of work he put into it before he could get to those moments.”
Today, Tatum is still coaching—this time, on an international stage. He’s the head coach of the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks in Australia–the worst team in the league when he began.
“This opportunity came at the right time,” he says. “I’m in my first year of a three-year contract, and we’re already this close to taking it all the way.” At the time of this writing, the team is one game away from the title.
It’s a new challenge, but he’s built for it.
Beyond the game, he’s a father of three—Jayson, Jaycob, and Kayden.
“They’re my legacy,” he says. “Basketball gave me everything, but being their dad? That’s what matters most.”
The game gave him a way out. It gave him discipline, a career, a purpose. It gave him a way to fight for the next generation of student-athletes so they wouldn’t have to face the same battles alone. And through every sacrifice, every step forward, every win and loss, he knows one thing:
“You have to be willing to give something up to gain something bigger,” he says. “And when you do, you make sure it’s worth it.”
For Justin Tatum, it always has BEEN.
WHERE.
Unearthed are the hip, sexy, and often under-appreciated venues in the Gateway City. Our insiders guide takes you to places to see and be seen. Entertainment options are surging. The Culinary Scene is Thriving with Gastonomic options. Get out and experience SAINTLOUIS like the tastemaker you are. Be Sexy! Be Bold! Be DELUX!
Curated By Star Houze, STL Tour Guide Lady
we got soul GOURMET SOUL 1620 DELMAR AVE
ST LOUIS MO 63103
Nothing beats great soul food and Gourmet Soul takes the cake or in this case, the Peach Cobbler! Gourmet Soul offers what it describes as Urban Soul Fusion Cuisine. For those who enjoy homestyle food with an eclectic touch in mind, come visit our establishment with our ever changing specials and upscale inspired plates We love food and variety, just like you.
.gourmetsoul.com
CIGAR AFICIONADO
ash cigar & bar
3116 Locust stREET St Louis MO 63103
Experience the epitome of luxury with a private membership to ASH Cigar Bar & Lounge. Enjoy exclusive access to our elegant spaces, where you can relax in style and indulge in the finest selection of cigars. ashcigarstl.com
DINNER DATES
RUSSELLS ON MACKLIND
5400 Murdoch St. Louis, MO 63109
Russell’s on Macklind is a neighborhood restaurant that serves seasonal farm-to-table dinner and weekend brunch. Known for thei extensive bakery offerings as well as a bar that features seasonal cocktails, local craft beers, and wine. Russell’s is located in a renovated 100 year old building at the corner of Murdoch and Macklind in the Southampton neighborhood of St. Louis.
the passport craft cocktail & wine bar
1321 washington Avenue st. louis mo 63103
The Passport offers an unparalleled experience of international travel and cultural odysseys through its innovative cocktail menu, curated bottle shop, and unique ambiance.
hidden gems
high bar -clayton
227 south central avenue clayton, mo 63105
THE MARQUEE RESTAURANT + LOUNGE
1911 locust st. louis mo 63103
The Marquee Restaurant + Lounge is a crowd favorite when it comes to having a blast with friends. Boasting a great menu with Salmon Lobster Mac + Cheese, Melanie’s Delux Cajun Pasta (our favorite), and other standard fare like wings in an assortment of flavors and you cannot go wrong. Add delicious cocktails and a turnt up house DJ then it is time to let the festivities begin! All of those elements would be reason enough to pop out to the Marquee during the week or weekend, but a wonderful atmosphere and professional and friendly staff is what makes a DELUX Fave since 2020. For a great time that you know will last all night visit the Marquee!
High Bar Rooftop Bar in Clayton, MO presents a vibrant selection of cocktails, beers, and wines, with The ACGT—a custom gin and tonic—served in AC Hotels’ iconic glass. The menu includes 18 classic cocktails and 12 specialty drinks with local flair, such as Forest Park Fizz, Lou Lemonade, and The 400, honoring the perfect Bar Exam score. highbarclayton.com
BOUGIE BITES
Exclusive food truck @BougieBites
Find your new favorite carry-out treat – without the meat. Thet currently offer a rotating menu that can be found at their food truck, by ordering for pickup online or through trusted delivery partners. At Bougie Bites they are changing the narrative for what nourishing food accessibility looks like in St. Louis – one plant-based meal at a time. boogiebitesStl.com
VEGAN OPTIONS
rooftop vibes
money guys www.themoneyguysstl.com
Frank Ruzicka with Guild Mortgage and Lawrence Hopkins with Longhorn Investments host a monthly podcast focused on assisting real estate investors build financial wealth by providing insight about flipping houses and building rental portfolios. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Youtube.
www.youtube.com/ @TheMoneyGuysPodcast
beyond sweet kitchen + bar 5143 Delmar blvd ST LOUIS MO 63108 LUNCH QUICKIES
Beyond Sweet Kitchen + Bar opened it’s doors in December 2023. With BSK+B, Dallas Holland aimed to bring a vibe to the city of St. Louis unlike any other. Beyond Sweet Kitchen + Bar is a 2 floor, upscale eatery catering to every sense. The restaurant builds on the hype of it’s predecessor, taking their signature BeyondShakes up a notch. Adding a menu full of flavor, fun, and beauty Beyond Sweet Kitchen + Bar currently operates one location in St. Louis, Missouri with plans for expansion well underway.
COCA (Center of Creative Arts) uses the power of the arts and education to build a vibrant St. Louis that is creative, connected, and inclusive. A national leader in innovative arts education, COCA provides meaningful arts experiences in our studios, gallery, and theatres, as well as in schools, community centers, and corporate settings around St. Louis. www.cocastl.org
little Quinn + Little Lucy 4156-4158 Manchester Ave the grove 63110 southern flare
epiphany boutique
1115 pine st
st. louis mo 63101
With a beautiful physical boutique and an online store, customers can find the latest fashion items, including unique pieces not available on the website. Epiphany Boutique prides itself on its limited quantities and does not restock the same item twice, ensuring a sense of exclusivity for their customers. www.epiphanyboutique.bigcartel.com
session taco 908 Lafayette Ave
St. Louis, MO 63104
Session Taco melds chef-inspired Cali-Mex fare, killer cocktails and a laid-back, West Coast vibe. They not like us. Drop into any of thei 6 locations and get whisked away to a beachside boardwalk filled with vibrant, hand-painted murals, bitchin’ tunes and flavor combinations so delicious they’ll make you see the ocean. Grab a friend…. Let’s get this Session started.
www.sessiontaco.com
interwine bar
4710 Virginia Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63111
With wine and bourbon enthusiasts in mind, IntertWine Wine Bar is nestled in the Dutchtown neighborhood with amazing reators and curators. Founded by Chip, a lifelong resident of South City, and Tasha, born and raised in the vibrant streets of St. Louis, IntertWine Wine Bar is the result of this charming couple collaborating at the intersection of their interests to build a business that would help catapult the community forward. By creating a space where culture, creativity, and individuality are embraced and celebrated, IntertWine Wine Bar offers a warm space that welcomes you to raise your glass in a world of wine and whiskey, where every moment is a memory in the making. www.intertwinebar.com
Ben Welch, a recent James Beard Awards semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest, as he prepares to launch his first solo venture this spring.Welch’s passion for Southern cuisine shines through in his dual-concept project: @lucyquinnstl and @littlelucystl, each a heartfelt tribute to his late nana’s warm, matriarchal spirit. His menu will weave together generations of family food traditions—rooted in Mississippi soul, honed in some of the country’s top kitchens (think Emeril Lagasse’s NOLA), and celebrated with accolades like “Missouri’s Best BBQ” by Food & Wine. At Lucy Quinn, expect a refined, modern take on Southern flavors, while next door, Little Lucy will keep things casual with a lively bar and all-day diner fare. We can’t wait to dig in—stay tuned! www.littlelucyquinn.com
red or white
womens fashion
FLING Spring THE
Photography: McArthur25
Location: Soulard Soap Laundromat & Cleaners
1800 S 9th St • Saint Louis, MO 63104
Clothing & Shoes: Neiman Marcus
100 Plaza Frontenac St. Louis, Mo 63131
Jewelry: Couture83
Makeup Artist: Monet Frazier
Makeup Products: Royalty J Collection Fashion Stylist: Nefferterie J
2649 Washington Ave St.Louis, MO 63103 (314) 769-9434
Social Media: IG: @biscuitjoint @dinnerattheloft @_icook_ Facebook: The Biscuit Joint
Before the doors opened or the name stuck, Elliot Brown was already putting in work— early mornings, late nights, quiet doubts, and louder dreams. He didn’t open The Biscuit Joint to chase trends. He opened it to create something that felt like him. St. Louis-made, hands-on, and here to stay. The story starts with a biscuit—but what it becomes goes way beyond breakfast.
words by: seven l maxwell
DELUX: Tell our readers what made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
TBJ: I’d day it runs in the family. Growing up my parents managed a business out of our house so I was around entrepreneurship from a very young age. We’ve always been encouraged to take the harder route and build something of our own so naturally whenever I got into cooking professionally it was always a goal of mine to own and operate my own restaurant.
DM: I’m always curious about how restaurants get their names. Where did the name of your restaurant derive from?
TBJ: I had a very clear idea of the food, the ambiance of the room and the vibe I wanted it to be however the name was probably the last piece. I called and texted my family and close friends with descriptions of what I wanted The Biscuit Joint to be. I had group chats with them and they throw out ideas, most of them I’d shoot down immediately. One day my homie Luke mentioned “The Biscuit Spot” and it got my wheels turning. I’ve always described it as being a place to kick back and hang out at which made me think of a “kick back joint”, a place youre just hanging with your homies and listening to music. The Biscuit Joint popped in my head and I instantly knew that was it.
DM: What led you to open a restaurant? Have you always wanted to be a restaurateur?
TBJ: 100%. I wanted to be a chef whenever I was younger but through high school I near really thought of actually going for it. After trying community college for a semester I knew it was never going to be the path for me. I decided to do a walk through at a culinary school that was near my house. I knew it was for me just a few minutes in. I vividly remember riding home with my parents afterwards talking with them about opening a spot of my own someday.
DM: Do you consider yourself a foodie, just a biscuit lover – can we consider you a food artist?
TBJ: Big time foodie. I’ve always enjoyed dining out but it really took over once I started inside real kitchens. I love trying new things. Its very important for becoming a good chef in my opinion.
DM: I see a lot of your dishes feature amazing looking biscuits. How did you decide on the dishes that are made on your menu?
TBJ: I wanted to stick to familiar biscuit options. Things people could resonate with. From there, I really just tried to focus on what made each of those so good in the past and then make the very best version I could of them with creative twists that could make them my own.
DM: There are a lot of great locations to open a business in St. Louis—- why the Washington Ave?
TBJ: I sort of stumbled upon the space honestly. I live in the neighborhood and my dad passed the space one day and took a picture of it. We went to see in person one day and I instantly knew it was for me. Separate of that, I love being in Midtown. I’ve lived in the area of over five years now and have seen the growth over the years and really wanted to be apart of it.
DM: Your goal is to change people’s expectations of breakfast options. What kind of expectations do you want your patrons to arrive and leave with?
TBJ: I think outside of the food, a great breakfast spot is somewhere that gives you energy for the day. It’s the first meal, the first stop or first human interaction of the day sometimes. I think there is a lot of power in that. We can be a welcoming environment for people that sets the tone for the day. You can get a lot of the same things we have at other spaces around the city but the vibe of the room and attention to details is what will set it apart and can be made unique.
DM: What type of ambiance are you trying to create within your restaurant?
TBJ: I want people to feel the welcomed and feel better leaving than when they arrived. You can always expect good music, high energy from the staff and I feel like people can really tell that myself and the team really care to put out the best food and experience that we can.
DM: Let’s say I’m not a huge biscuit lover, but I want to try your restaurant—- what dish would you recommend?
TBJ: You have to start with the OG and our signature cinnamon roll. The OG was the first sandwich made. Its a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit but we smash the breakfast sausage similar to a smash burger. That hard crust with the seasoning of toasted fennel and lots of sage make it so flavorful. The cinnamon roll was probably the most tested item and sort of
happened by accident. I was out of cinnamon one day making some at home and decided to try it with a more savory spice blend that was predominantly cinnamon mixed with a bunch of sugar and love them. I tweaked the spices inin that blend to something less savory and was an instant staple to the menu. If you’re a first timer I’d recommend both.
DM: Breakfast is normally associated with being a traditional food option. Would you say you are trying to change the outlook on The Breakfast Option? Because this aint no MCD Sausage McMuffin?
TBJ: Yeah I just really think people downplay what it means to get good ingredients, good spices and treat them with intention. We aren’t doing anything crazy technique wise at the shop. We just really focus on every small detail and get good ingredients. Less is more if you do less, your best.
DM: Which Brunch option would you say represents The Biscuit Joint as a whole?
TBJ: I think the egg and cheese biscuit. Its classic. It never misses.
DM: You have a lot of “Brunch Options” here in St. Louis— what makes TBJ different from the rest?
TBJ:The atmosphere that we have created. Everybody is welcomed. Everybody gets the same treatment no matter who you are. You can feel the energy in the room whenever you walk in. It is far from any other options in the city and to be honest most restaurants you’ve ever been to. We play loud music, it’s a little chaotic at times but I think we’re very consistent with what you’re going to get from the atmosphere, to the food.
DM: What’s next for you as a restaurateur?
TBJ: Myself and my business partner, Brandon Panosh, both have much more in store. We operate another business Dinner at the Loft as well. We specialize in private dining and tasting menus. So between these two were pretty busy at the moment but we’d love to open more “joints”. Specifically “The Pizza Joint” or a couple other we have in mine. But more than that, one day we’d love to get back into fine dining more permanently and open a fine dining restaurant in the city.
ROOTED IN RESILIENCE: BLACK
FARMERS AND THE FARM-TO-TABLE MOVEMENT
In a world where convenience often takes priority over quality, the farm-to-table movement is a refreshing return to fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This approach to dining isn’t just a trend—it’s a lifestyle that benefits farmers, consumers, and the environment.
1. Fresher, Healthier, and More Flavorful
One of the biggest advantages of farm-to-table dining is the freshness of ingredients. When food is sourced locally, it doesn’t need to travel thousands of miles before reaching your plate. This means fruits and vegetables retain more nutrients, meats are fresher, and everything bursts with natural flavors.
2. Supporting Local Farmers and Communities
Farm-to-table promotes local economies by directly supporting small farmers and producers. Instead of relying on large corporations and mass food production, restaurants and consumers can help sustain family farms and keep their communities thriving. This creates jobs and ensures that high-quality, fresh ingredients remain accessible.
3. Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable
By reducing the need for long-distance transportation and excessive packaging, farm-to-table dining significantly lowers the carbon footprint of our meals. Fewer preservatives and chemicals are used because the food doesn’t need to stay on shelves for extended periods. Sustainable farming practices also protect the land, promote biodiversity, and encourage ethical treatment of animals.
4. Strengthening the Connection Between People and Their Food
When people know where their food comes from, they develop a deeper appreciation for the process of farming and food production. Whether visiting a local farmer’s market or dining at a restaurant that sources from nearby farms, the farm-to-table movement encourages mindfulness about food choices and fosters a stronger connection between consumers and their meals.
5. Encouraging Seasonal Eating
Eating seasonally means consuming foods that are naturally grown and harvested during specific times of the year. This leads to bettertasting meals, as produce is at its peak ripeness. It also reduces the need for artificial preservatives and out-of-season imports, ensuring that food remains as natural as possible.
6. Enhancing Culinary Creativity
Chefs who embrace farm-to-table cooking are constantly inspired by the freshest ingredients available. This results in unique, flavorful dishes that highlight the best of each season. It also encourages a more sustainable approach to cooking, minimizing waste and maximizing natural flavors.
A
Healthier Future for All
The farm-to-table movement is more than just a dining preference— it’s a commitment to better food, better communities, and a healthier planet. Whether at home or in restaurants, choosing locally sourced ingredients is a simple yet powerful way to make a positive impact on both personal health and the environment.
By supporting farm-to-table initiatives, we ensure a future where fresh, sustainable, and delicious food is available for generations to come. So next time you take a bite of a farm-fresh meal, savor the flavors and appreciate the journey from field to fork.
BUILDING A NEW MINDSET:
Laying the Foundation for Success
Jakobe Hopkins, an innovative and brilliant young man who is also the CEO and founder of Hopkins Estates and We Build Construction, located in Saint Louis, MO.
Growing up, Hopkins’ mother described him as “outgoing and ahead of the game.” He would always hustle to get money. “I used to take my mother’s fruit snacks and sell them at school,” he uttered with laughter, “because I always knew I wanted to make money and provide for my family.” Hopkins knew who he was before he got to this point, but he didn’t know where he would go with this gift. “I never saw myself in this space and doing construction. I thought I was going to be a lawyer or something, but the opportunity presented itself, and it has changed my life.”
Hopkins’ confidence is outwardly displayed from his magnetic energy when he enters a room, to his verbal expression on the things important to him. He draws people in with his gritty and tenacious personality and compelling words. Hopkins entered the radiant classroom of Vashon High School and changed the lives of many students eager to hear his wisdom and left a lingering impression. He shows up wherever he is needed in all areas of his life, not excluding
himself. “I take care of myself because if I’m out of it, the people around me that need me will have a hard time.”
A young man with so many people depending on him doesn’t usually have a calm demeanor, but not Hopkins. “I am not a high-maintenance person. I will be okay if I pray, stay the course, and don’t get deterred.” He speaks with a soft and hospitable voice, yet when he begins to speak about his journey to success, his tone grows stronger with every word, hoping to inspire someone else.
At 22 years old, he has gained the wisdom and knowledge people attain when they are twice his age. Hopkins quotes his words to live by: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. “I used to be the guy that kept a lot of people around me—now I keep a close circle of two or maybe three. When I saw the change in my life is when I changed the people around me.”
Hopkins models the quote of famous philosopher Confucius, “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” Or, in his own words, “Put yourself in places where you are FORCED to win.” He highlights the importance of mentorship and learning from those who know more and have been where you want to go. “I have many mentors.
through and done; it shaped me to be the person I am today.”Speaking of being ahead of the game, Hopkins is the definition of staying ready. He plans his life years before because the places he’s in now were already spoken and written about years back. “I am actively planning for five years from now; the things I have now were in the calendar last year. I am always looking towards the future.” He speaks into existence his next 10 years and declares his business is on track to being one of the largest African American construction companies in the Midwest. Growth is the top priority on his list, and in his kind and leading spirit, he wants to be able to help others get into positions to be where he is now. Hopkins’ faith and favor touch not only himself but everyone closest to him as well. Being in the same room as this insightful and gifted young man, you are bound to learn something new or be driven to elevate and pursue greater achievements.
“SUCCESS IS A LONG-TERM GOAL; IT’S NOTHING YOU CAN JUST DO OVERNIGHT—IT’S A DAY-BY-DAY JOURNEY”
Having a mentor actively pursuing what you are trying to do makes the journey to success less complicated because they can guide you. I am a student of the game every day, constantly learning.” He enunciates each word of the last sentence to emphasize how important learning is when you want to be successful. “I hang around 70-year-old millionaires; most of my friends are 50 years old and older.” The road to success is paved with failures, but every failure is a lesson for us to learn from the setbacks, cultivate resilience, and gain the wisdom necessary to achieve our goals.
Hopkins acknowledges how his failures were a big part of his motivation and success in life. “Failure is a great thing because it shows you the areas of your life that you’re most vulnerable in. Failure pushes me because that’s the one thing I never want to have in my face. I’m determined to conquer and be the best at everything.”
His business mission is to dominate over competing. Despite his speaking on how he never wants to see failure, he never denies how his past failures made him who he is today. “I’ve had multiple companies fail before I got to where I am now. My old construction company failed tragically because I put the wrong people in place that I thought I could trust.” There was no resentment behind his statement because he lives his life with zero regrets: “Everything I went
His advice to young people wanting to start a business or new career is as simple as, “Speak it into existence if you want something to happen. Put your mind to it, believe you can get there, and there should be no reason you cannot accomplish it.” To the older audience, “Don’t worry about time, everyone has enough time, as long as you start now because in five years, you’re going to wish you started five years ago.” Being scared is all a part of the process; do not be afraid to fail. Marianne Williamson says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
“Marketing is EVERYTHING.” Hopkins makes a point on how important marketing is: “If I market myself, my business will be marketable as well because I am the face.” Rejection will show itself along the path, and it is not on you to feel sorry for yourself. Hopkins speaks with a stern voice, “Everybody is not going to feel good about you; everybody is not going to be a fan of you, but instead, that is the time to ask, ‘What went wrong? What can I do to make it right the next time?’ Then, attack the same thing next week, month, year or when the next opportunity presents itself.”
Success and failure go hand in hand like two sides of the same coin; we persist through our mistakes and failures and lay the foundation for success. The pathway to success is like building your perfect home. All your failures and mistakes are the bricks used to build a strong foundation, symbolizing new characteristics of yourself as you learn from your past to avoid making the same mistakes. Eventually, with every brick, you begin to see the solid and beautiful home you have now created and can live comfortably in.
“Success is not about competing with others. It’s about dominating your own path and setting new standards for excellence.” – Jakobe Hopkins
BLACK LOVE IN THE LOU
WORDS BY: CHALANA M. SCALES-FERGUSON, ESQ.
As this issue of DELUX Magazine pays homage to our city in the spirit of #314Day, I seize this opportunity to salute Black Love in our region. This December, my husband Lathon and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. The journey has been beautiful and imperfect. We opened up this year reflecting on the many ways that we have grown in our love, and how our beloved city has been impactful as we evolved as friends, partners, and parents. This piece is an abbreviated love letter to “Our Love in the Lou.”
I remember like it was yesterday, the exact moment in June 1997 that my universe shifted on its axis when “he” happened. Though we met outside of St. Louis on the campus of Mizzou, he was every bit of home that I needed in that space of discovery and reinvention. After a little banter back and forth and some smooth game on my part (yes, I was THAT girl), I gave him just enough room to take credit for the magical love story that persists and endures today. It was supposed to be a summer fling, but I guess I got caught up!
We were both very different than the us that shows up on the streets of St. Louis now. We love both versions of us, and all those that have existed in between. We were both the epitome of what it meant to grow up in St. Louis during those transformative years bridging youth and adulthood. Life’s circumstances forced me to grow up way too fast, and just when I decided that I was undesiring and perhaps unworthy of love, God sent HIM. I understood love to be painful, and I could not fathom the idea of being a wife. Look at me now.
We had never crossed paths that we knew of, but we were both products of Saints and The Palace and learned that we know all the same people. He hailed from Berkeley and I was from Castle Point. We both have great pride in where we come from and we both landed at Mizzou with dreams of a brighter future and together set our sights on what we could become and how we would give back once we “made it.”
For nearly three decades, we have been fortunate to exist in our hometown, and as we navigated the triumphs and challenges of life, we have encountered great examples of Black Love and witnessed family, community, and legacy in ways that allowed us to plant our own seeds. We have held many roles in the St. Louis community, professionally, personally, and as volunteers, both individually and as a unit. Over the past decade, one of our major givebacks has been investing in Black families and communities by emphasizing healthy relationships and Black Love through Marriage MasterMYnds.
As now empty nesters who had tremendous mentorship and love from our village over the years, we are often asked for “The Secret.” Spoiler alert, there is none. We know what has worked for us and how we have reinvented ourselves and evolved every step.
1. Keep God at the center. Understanding not everyone is a believer and that there is diversity among us, I encourage you to recognize a higher authority on which to anchor your foundation as a couple. You can’t do it alone.
2. Find your village of like-minded couples who will hold you accountable. Release the “Me/Us Against the World” mentality and the fear of “letting folks in your business.” Be protective, but maintain good couples in your circle who you can lean on in good times and bad.
3. Now, with that, in selecting your village, choose wisely. We have found that misery does indeed love company, hurt people hurt people, and not everyone wants your marriage to succeed. Surround yourselves with those who are champions of the union (not just one of you), and are willing to call you on your BS.
4. Continue to dream and build in love.
5. Remember to continue to date your spouse and be attentive to your partner’s needs.
6. Grace and Forgiveness.
These are just a few nuggets. You will have to engage with us for more, starting with the Black Love Matters Brunch on May 25, 2025! We shout out the couples out there who are fighting for Black Love and family. We see you and we salute you!
In Black Love and Excellence!
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A few tidbits I will give you are:
THE CHEF BRANDI ARTIS
words by: seven l maxwell
Brandi Artis first discovered the rhythm of the kitchen alongside her grandmothers in Kansas City. The aroma of slow-cooked meals and the quiet repetition of passed-down techniques would become the foundation for a career that continues to evolve more than a decade later.
After completing culinary and mixology training in her hometown, Artis moved to St. Louis, where she met her wife, Brittany, in 2014. A year later, the couple relocated to Chicago and married in 2016. Their first child, Britton, was born in 2017, and Artis began building her catering business, Simply Delicious, known for its street taco pop-ups at neighborhood bars.
In 2020, their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Braylei. Later that year, the family returned to St. Louis. What followed was a burst of restaurant development. In January 2022, Artis and Brittany launched 4 Hens Creole Kitchen in the City Foundry food hall. Combining Southern and Creole influences, the menu featured fried chicken, gumbo, shrimp and grits, and other regional staples. The concept drew steady crowds and critical recognition.
In August 2022, the couple opened a second location under the Simply Delicious name—a breakfast and lunch spot in downtown St. Louis serving dishes like salmon croquettes, waffles, and shrimp and grits.
Both restaurants received praise from St. Louis PostDispatch critic Ian Froeb, who included them in his
2023 edition of the “STL 100,” a roundup of the city’s top restaurants. That same year, Artis was named to St. Louis Magazine’s “A-List Dream Team” and honored at the Kooking for Kids 32nd Annual Best Restaurant awards. Delux Magazine recognized Brandi and Brittany as a 2023 “Power Couple,” spotlighting their shared work in food and business.
In the summer of 2023, the duo was selected to appear on The Great Food Truck Race, Season 16, airing on the Food Network. Competing under the 4 Hens brand, they appeared in the first two episodes before returning home.
Later that year, the Artis family made the decision to move back to Chicago, influenced in part by growing concerns about federal and state-level policy changes. Once settled, Brandi revived her culinary presence under the rebranded pop-up name La Chica Bonita Street Eats. The concept continues the casual, flavorful approach she honed in her early catering days, while she worked toward securing a brick-and-mortar location.
That goal came into view with the acquisition of a restaurant space in River North. Now preparing to open Artis Restaurant and Lounge, Brandi Artis plans to serve a menu that bridges American, Creole, and Soul food traditions with an updated edge. While full dinner service is the focus, a rotating selection of popular street eats from her La Chica Bonita pop-ups will also be available.
As she returns to Chicago with over a decade of culinary experience, two restaurants, a national television appearance, and a family business under her belt, Artis is focused on the future—and keeping the food at the center.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
