SUMMER 2018 by DELUX Magazine

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DELUX MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

CONTENT

@deluxmagazine Keith N Griffin II

PUBLISHER/CO-FOUNDER @1CognacPapi EDITOR IN CHIEF Shadress Burks Shadress@DeluxMag.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dewarren Smith DwSmith@DeluxMag.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tierra Wilson Nefferterie Jackson Christina Hayes Brianna Collins Paula Tobias Benjamin Akande

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Lamia ashley Teresa browning MARKETING DIRECTOR ML Hunt Mario@DeluxMag.com Photographers McArthur Smith Allen B. Thompson Keith N Griffin II

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DELUX MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018 · PUBLISHER Keith Griffin II GRAPHIC DESIGN G5IVE MEDIA GROUP 2525 January Ave St. Louis Mo 63110 DISTRIBUTOR Papers Unlimited MO IPAD APP Available in itunes store WEBSITE www.deluxmag.com ADVERTISING Email Ads@deluxmag.com SUBMISSIONS Email submissions@deluxmag.com PRESS RELEASES Email PR@deluxmag.com

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

INFLUENCING THE CULTURE

As we embrace spring and slowly transition into summer, I could not be prouder to bring you this issue that highlights our new direction and focus, “A magazine for the influential professional.” To assist in our rebranding, DELUX asked you, the readers what you wanted to read, and we listened. Our new focus is solely geared towards influencing the culture. To bring content that is informative and relatable, while shifting the mindset of our audience to a more engaging platform. We have always been trailblazers, and we want to continue down the path of pushing the culture forward. One case in point is Revolt TV’s New Head of Content herself, Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, who graces our cover inside of the Revolt studios. As the newest storyteller for the media platform, she positions herself to utilize her repertoire of experience and passion to evolve the hip-hop culture further. As she embarks on this journey, we are overjoyed to have her be part of this influencing the culture issue.

are creating a digital community platform for entrepreneurs like Studio II (Deux), portraying a black, female superhero such as Simone Missick in Luke Cage or a lifestyle influencer -- like Su Solo, Karim Lateef, and Sean Falyon. Of course, we had to chat about Beyoncé and fashion with celebrity fashion stylist, Ty Hunter. Finally, DELUX could not pass up the opportunity to feature Facebook’s hottest new girl group (The Broke Black Girl) founder, Dasha Kennedy in our People Who Inspire section. She has taken the meaning of sisterhood to a whole new level and has used her influence to grow a digital community that encourages, enlightens, educates, and equips black women for a brighter future. We hope the people and the stories featured will help you find your voice and inspire you to join us in taking our culture to new heights.

We all know of at least one person who has taken the reigns of pushing the culture forward and being a positive representation of it. Whether they

Editor-in-Chief @iamshadressdenise | Instagram @iamshadressdenise | Facebook shadress@deluxmag.com | Email DELUXMAG.COM

| delux stuff |

VINTAGE VIBE. SUPERIOR SERVICE.

woman takes her two children on a weekend getaway to her late father’s secluded, high-tech estate in the countryside. She soon finds herself in a desperate fight to save all of their lives when four men break into the house in search of something. Rating: PG-13 (for violence, menace, bloody images, sexual references, and brief strong language) Genre: Mystery & Suspense In Theaters: May 11, 2018 Wide Studio: Universal Pictures

THE THAXTON 1009 OLIVE ST - THETHAXTON.COM 8

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SUNKEN CITIES A DEEP DIVE INTO EGYPTIAN ART

The Saint Louis Art Museum will present “Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds,” an exhibition showcasing antiquities from one of the greatest finds in the history of underwater archaeology. The North American premiere of “Sunken Cities” will be the most significant exhibition of ancient Egyptian art undertaken in St. Louis in more than 50 years. Featuring colossal, 16-foottall sculptures and precious artifacts from the long-lost cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus, “Sunken Cities” focuses on discoveries made during the last seven years of underwater excavation lead by Franck Goddio, president of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology. “Sunken Cities” opens March 25 and will be on view for an extended, six-month run. It recently was shown at the Museum Rietberg in Zurich, the British Museum in London and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. “We long have sought an exhibition of ancient Egyptian antiquities that combines both rigorous archaeological research with objects of the highest artistic quality, and ‘Sunken Cities’ was a perfect match for

us,” said Brent R. Benjamin, the Barbara B. Taylor Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum. “The museum is pleased to bring this groundbreaking, visually stunning exhibition to St. Louis for its first viewing in America.” In 2000, Goddio discovered Thonis-Heracleion under 30 feet of water more than four miles off the Egyptian coast. The French archeologist’s research has revealed that this area was important both as a center of trade and as a site of religious pilgrimage. The excavation also helped scholars understand the Mysteries of Osiris, an annual water procession along the canals between Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus commemorating one of Egypt’s most important myths— the murder and resurrection of the god Osiris. “Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds” is curated by Goddio. The presentation in St. Louis is co-curated by Lisa Çakmak, associate curator of ancient art at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Museum Members can obtain tickets for “Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds” at the museum and from MetroTix starting Nov. 24. Tickets for the public will be available Dec. 1.

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#DELUX UNPLUGGED words by: shadress b

As the world of business progresses, women and entrepreneurship have gone hand in hand. In case you may have been out of the loop, Black women are the fastest growing group in higher education and entrepreneurship in the United States. According to Project Diane, the number of African American women entrepreneurs in the U.S. increased by 322% since 1997. To say, black women, are getting it done is an understatement. Still, don’t be fooled—entrepreneurship is no easy task. Becoming an entrepreneur takes time, ambition, careful planning, and is not for the faint of heart. There are times when your business is soaring high, while other times, the world as you know it is crashing all around you. This is what motivated Tearra High and Ashlee Laughlin to embark on their path of creating Studio II (pronounced Deux). After a failed partnership and the realization they were meant for more than corporate America, they formed a new partnership beyond social media where they originally met. Laughlin left her corporate social media job she hated in 2014. With no plan (she says she wouldn’t do this again), yet a desire to do something different, she went full force with contacting people to solicit business. For High, who worked in corporate customer relations, it was the same feeling of discontent and wanting to do more. After a layoff, High felt this was her time to go full throttle with her PR business. Using the fire set under her feet, she decided to combine their expertise, making her side hustle a reality. Individually equipped with the passion to be their own bosses, the duo soon realized there was something missing for most millennial entrepreneurs they knew. Amid the struggles that came along with entrepreneurship—they noticed there was no comradery. Figuring out the solution to the problem, they created a digital community platform that would not only embrace entrepreneurs across Washington D.C. but would give them a place to connect with others as well. “We just knew other people needed this as much as we did. If we needed that community of people—others had to as well,” says Laughlin. Studio II’s platform provides like-minded entrepreneurs with an outlet to share ideas, advice, resources, and help encourage and uplift one another when the woes of entrepreneurship wear you down. Seeing people on social media speak about taking the leap,

quitting their jobs, and going full-time, the duo decided words like content, entrepreneurship, and community should be the foundation to build their business on. Understanding they needed a strong community to sustain in this role, they collectively agreed others did too. Accountability was another factor both High and Laughlin, most entrepreneurs were missing. Without the day to day managing most received from working for someone else, they could see this was an area a lot of people needed someone to step in and help with. Initially marketing towards millennial women, High and Laughlin were introduced to the fact there were men entrepreneurs who needed a community just like them. Being the first of its kind, they breathed life into their brainchild, The Office Party D.C., the girl bosses quickly embraced women weren’t the only people out there searching for a network. In 2017, High and Laughlin threw their first Studio II event called The Office Party. A holiday party concept for entrepreneurs who miss parties during that time of year since they work for themselves. Both High and Laughlin admit they missed going to these events when they walked away from their corporate jobs. The Office Party D.C. atmosphere was designed to be the same as a corporate party. A place of relaxation after a year of hard work where you can let your hair down—with no judgment. Building something from nothing with boldness and fearlessness, while going out into the world and chasing your dreams—is what the owners strive to project into the community they’ve built. “Millennials are often left out. They don’t get as much notoriety as they should-- we are the group that is forgotten about,” says High. Embracing the fact that millennials are influencing brands, changing legislation and communities while creating empires— High and Laughlin are the main reasons this platform was created for them to shine on. Both agree they want to continue to cater to millennials because they feel that group needs the extra push. For Studio II, the future will be about giving back to that community— and give them a voice. That’s their goal. That’s what will continue to fuel their passion and love for entrepreneurs. As for the Office Party D.C.—keep watching—you never know when it may come to a city near you.

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| community |

WHITE PRIVILEGE: AMERICA’S BABY words by shadress b.

o matter how horrific the situation may be, we can always count on America, White America to ensure white privilege prevails whenever a white person is involved. It’s like there is this not so hidden agenda to make sure the “righteous white image” stays upright, intact and the entitled narrative remains the same. Regardless as to how many people you slaughter at a music festival (Stephen Paddock), a school (Nikolas Cruz, Adam Lanza), a church (Dylan Roof, Devin Patrick), a movie theater (James E. Holmes), or bomb them in their homes (Mark Conditt), you are somehow given a plethora of scapegoats. Matter of fact, you even make it to jail without being riddled with bullets and killed. Despite the obvious signs of terrorism, this country will always find a way to refute the fact that any white person who commits heinous acts against large groups of people is indeed a terrorist. Most people will also argue the fact that the label “terrorist” isn’t used to describe these criminals because the person didn’t commit the acts for political reasons, while purposely leaving out the rest of definition that also states to create terror, or fear, to achieve a financial, religious, or ideological aim. Every day we are subjected to the blatant displays of racism the media plays on repeat to remind us that black and brown people are still public enemy #1. Even though, it’s clear white males are committing domestic terrorism in droves. Though many will deny it, white privilege affords you the opportunity

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of an investigation or family notification, before plastering your face on television and computer screens. All the while, black and brown people have their past dug up quicker than you can even sort out the issue at hand.

ploy to fill thousands of prisons with black and brown faces, even though it was the white agenda who flooded those communities with the same drugs minorities are being imprisoned and over-sentenced for.

It affords you the low coverage of your trial so that the public will forget, and you can be under-sentenced, given your due process and live the rest of your life out while those like; Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, and Eric Garner, who had no weapons are vilified and killed on the spot.

Currently, white people are dying in masses from heroin overdoses, and instead of them being locked up and thrown in jail, this new “war on drugs” has been labeled an “epidemic.” People everywhere are forming help groups, health insurance companies are allowing families to charge rehab to the game, and the media has this call to “help” our young people.

The underuse of terms like “thug”, “criminal,” “animal” in the media when a white person is at the helm of crime takes a backseat to the overuse of “mental illness,” “isolated,” “victim,” “ began to unravel,” and “missed warning signs” narrative we all know is coming when it’s time to sweep white crime and domestic terrorism under the bus. The real “super-predators” of this country are not black men. They are the card-carrying members of white supremacy who march in the streets with Tiki torches and protest for slavery monuments to remain in public spaces as reminders they are at the top of the food chain. The countless excuses white people are afforded can be summed up in two words: White Privilege. As jail cells close, one after the other, the black community is reminded how the 13th Amendment is a joke with an embedded loophole to keep slavery going, and the war on drugs was simply a bullshit

Where was the help when the “crack epidemic” ripped thousands of black families apart? Where was this newfound accommodation of health benefits when black people were sick and dying from drugs? Where was all the compassion, empathy and hand holding at when handcuffs were being slapped on our wrists and prison doors were closed on us? The rally behind the “White America” image is flabbergasting and upsetting at the same time. It’s terrifying to witness that despite wherever you fall on the financial totem pole, whether rich or poor, if you’re white and kill, you’re embraced and empathized. Yet, if you’re black or brown, you’re thrown to the wolves and villainized. But hey, that’s white privilege for you right? Another day in America. Another homegrown terrorist we call a mental patient.

DELUX MAGAZINE PRESENTS

Women Who Inspire

e are currently gathering some of the most influential Women Entrepreneurs, Politicians, and Business Professionals while 50 of St. Louis’s Most Intriguing Women. Not only are we creating a platform for amazing motivational speakers, we plan to help build a sisterhood, connect with local business owner’s, offer valuable skills and information that will encourage individual and community growth, while continuing to push the culture forward by controlling our narrative. Our 2018 theme is “A Year Of ACTION” and we are excited to usher in the year with you!

SUMMER 2018 visit www.deluxmag.com for more details

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| the culture |

words by: tef poe

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.

anye 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 14

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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

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.

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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Yes, I absolutely respect the way he won’t budge for these corporations DELUXMAG.COM

| people who inspire |

DASHA KENNEDY THE BROKE BLACK GIRL words by: shadress b.

step further. Moving into a new neighborhood, Kennedy noticed the lack of togetherness and sense of family she felt in her previous neighborhood. “I had lost my car, and I was riding the bus. I would get off carrying bags of groceries and noticed no one would ask if I needed help.” Realizing she may not be the only person feeling like this, Kennedy decided to do something about it—giving birth to Rebuild the Village.

ometimes in life, what looks like a disaster, seemingly turns out to be rather great. For Dasha Kennedy, this was the case. To her, what started out as a punishment, ended up being a blessing in disguise. Like most teenagers, she had her share of unruliness growing up. The kind of behavior that landed her in front of a judge—not realizing this was a step towards her purpose. “I’ve always been very transparent about my upbringing. Coming up, I was a firecracker and I got into trouble in high school,” Kennedy said. As required, she fulfilled the court-mandated community service. And then, something happened—Kennedy fell in love with helping people. Volunteering at a thrift store, she became passionate about giving back and helping those in need. Whether it was the stories she heard, or the people she interacted with while there, either way, she was hooked. At 17, she looked at this as an opportunity to do more. Kennedy continued with volunteering long after she fulfilled her required hours. This, in turn, led her to take her passion a

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Rebuild the Village is a non-profit organization Kennedy holds dear to her heart. As a newlydivorced mother, Kennedy felt she couldn’t have been the only person in her neighborhood who needed help or felt alone. Canvasing her old neighborhood, she decided to do a survey. She found out what the people needed, collected the items, and then set up a shop. The organization creates a neighborhood shopping experience that provides people in the neighborhood with essential items they need. The idea is centered around people in the neighborhood coming together to shop and mingle, instead of just existing next to one another. “I wanted people to get to know who they were living next to. I figured if someone was wearing the other person’s coat, it was a perfect way to start a conversation.” Although she was doing something that was good, Kennedy was struggling behind closed doors. Within a four-year span, Kennedy had gone through a divorce, had a new baby, lost her car, and suffered an injury to her foot, causing her to be off work. To make matters worse, she lost her father. It was a trifecta of brokenness, having back to back curve balls thrown at her. Kennedy was broken spiritually, mentally, and financially. It was during this time she knew something had to give. Having a background in accounting and finance, Kennedy had always known how to manage her money—she just wasn’t applying it. Little by little, she started making changes with herself. Always feeling like she was never alone in these types of situations, this prompted her to share her journey with other black women. Like some black people, Kennedy never heard about finances growing up—unless it was something bad—so, she decided to break this cycle. Starting with just one member, in November 2017, The Broke Black Girl Facebook group was created. Like most, initially hearing the name seemed like an immediate turn-off. However, Kennedy shared

how it was synonymous to where she was in life. When asked why she chose that name, she said, “Brokenness is not always about finances. When I lost my dad, I was broken spiritually. When I was going through my divorce, it broke me mentally and financially. When I broke my foot, it broke me physically.” Her reason for choosing to focus on black women? Simple. Kennedy feels there is a certain type of brokenness black women endure that other races can’t always identify with. That, along with black women always having to be everything to everyone... all the time. From upbringing to systemic racism—at work and in life—black women are dealt a biased hand from the start. Moving her passion for community service into the digital platform, Kennedy created an atmosphere for women to feel safe about sharing their personal details. Understanding finances is a sensitive topic. She set the tone early for how the members were to interact with one another. “I wanted this group to be a safe haven for women in a non-judgmental manner.” The group’s atmosphere is a positive one, and Kennedy credits herself for being a great leader. Her belief is that whatever energy you put into the group, is what you’ll get back. Still growing strong, the group has accumulated over 40,000 members. All of which, follow a daily schedule Kennedy created to manage and guide the group’s conversation. Topics ranging from money management, career advice, financial coaching, and self-care make up some of the group’s interaction. With so many negative connotations surrounding black women, these topics not only educate, they prove positive engagement and encouragement is possible among women on social media. Essentially, all Kennedy wants for the women in the group is to be responsible for one another and to hold each other accountable without being hurtful. Her mission, like with Rebuild the Village, is to share that sense of community and friendship, while spreading it beyond a computer screen. For Kennedy, The Broke Black Girl is not just a group—it’s a movement. And she plans to continue doing her part to make the world a better place, equipping, encouraging, and educating—one black girl at a time.

DOIN’ IT FOR THE CULTURE

“ “ awareness is fine, but ADVOCACY WILL TAKE YOUR BUSINESS BRAND TO THE

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karim lateef

• su solo • sean faylon

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K A R I M

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L A T E E F

DX: You’ve Been in the influencer game a long time. Something like a seasoned vet. How did you become an influencer and what are some of the brands you have worked with. I’ve always been uncomfortable with the term “Influencer”, I see myself more so as a muse or one that clears the path for mutually beneficial and fruitful relationships between fellow cultural gatekeepers and brand professionals. I’ve always been a major driving force behind the scenes for much of my career in the alcohol beverage industry focused on strategy, managing tactical execution across multiple states and brands, as well as recruiting, developing, and managing other talented people often considered publicly as “Influencers”. So this idea of being in the foreground, in the era of social media is fairly new for me to be honest. First nine years of my career I worked at Diageo Moet Hennessy USA as a marketing executive and subject matter expert on multicultural and lifestyle marketing for brands such as Ciroc Vodka, Hennessy, Crown Royal, Bailey’s, Nuvo, Don Julio, and Tanqueray across the East Coast. Roughly three years ago, I relocated to Atlanta and started working with Pernod Ricard focusing exclusively on Martell Cognac, Perrier Jouët Champagne, and Avion Tequila as a Lifestyle Marketing Manager or as some would say an “Influencer”. DX: Tell us about you and ciroc. I saw somewhere on line where Diddy gave you a shout out. Was that real or a myth? I started working with Ciroc Vodka back in 2005 about two years prior to Diddy’s partnership so was fortunate enough to really see the brand’s life cycle in action. At that time Belvedere Vodka, Grey Goose, and Armadale were the only major players in the vodka category in urban nightlife. I’ve always been great at relationship building and adopting a grassroots brand evangelism approach so prior to the terms “lifestyle marketing” and “influencer marketing” becoming widespread industry buzz words I was a pioneer in that space connecting micro influencers with the brand across Philadelphia and other markets. In 2007, when Diddy came on board those buzz words became much more acceptable to C level executives and the industry at large so there was an evolutionary shift over time in how marketing dollars were spent. Brand executives gradually became more comfortable shifting brand AOP dollars from static billboards and print advertising to events, digital marketing and influencer marketing. Diddy’s partnership could not have happened at a better time as it was synchronized with the development and

cultural acceptance of social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook opening the avenues for influencer marketing and messaging reach on a much larger scale. Diddy did give me a personal shout as well as a few other people within the company that was instrumental in contributing the success of the brand. DX: You also helped develop the Ciroc Boyz Activation correct? Tell us about that. The term Ciroc Boyz was created by Diddy’s agency Blue Flame so I take no credit for that. However, I was instrumental in shaping the blueprint and success metrics alongside my late friend and colleague Gary Richards who was one of the original Ciroc Boyz. In fact, we accepted an award at the first annual Ciroc Boyz retreat in Miami as a best in class example of market collaboration between a Lifestyle Ambassador and Brand Executive. Additionally we presented our ways of working to the entire organization so our roles were paramount in building the Ciroc Boyz program. It’s important to give you some context on why this matters. Many lifestyle programs fail because they are strong in cultural competence but weak in understanding the complexities and barriers to success of doing business in the alcohol beverage industry, which is very different from other industries like fashion or music. The three-tier system separates the makers of the product (suppliers), the wholesalers, the retailers (off premise) and the nightclub operators (on premise) so success lies in efficiently navigating these channels, before even having the opportunity to influence consumer behavior. Pathways must be cleared so that the product is available for sale in nightclubs and retail stores, so the first line of influencing happens inside the wholesaler executive boardrooms and with buyers at retail stores and nightclubs. Since I have an in depth understanding of this complex system as well as a strong affinity for culture, I was able to able to add enormous value in facilitating an understanding of these barriers and how to navigate the ship to success. DX: Now you are doing big things with Avion, Martell & PJ? Yes, now I work at The Fader as a Senior Lifestyle Manager focused on brand development and lifestyle marketing in Atlanta for Martell Cognac and Perrier Jouët primarily. It’s been a really cool experience working on brands that didn’t have a huge footprint in the culture as some competitors at the moment so the challenge to do my part in moving the brands into culture and purchase consideration

fuels my passion and excitement. We have been successful by not emulating competition but instead taking risks by carving our own lanes with such platforms at H.O.M.E. by Martell, the global Be Curious messaging, and Perrier Jouët grassroots brand advocacy programming. DX: Craft Brand Theory. Explain. Sounds Dope. Craft Brand Theory is really a culmination of all of my years of experience in the industry and passion for clearing a path for creative, makers, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in the corporate world to collaborate to push culture forward and bring ideas to life. Craft Brand Theory is a branding consultancy, blogging platform, and mentorship program and at some point will be a multi-faceted brick and mortar multi platform experience. In a nutshell, Craft Brand Theory aims to explore, educate, and increase the appreciation, amplification and value of creativity, collaboration, and innovation in today’s world of good, services and branded experiences. More to come. DX: When you are creating these lifestylechanging events what do you look to accomplish for the culture? My approach is always to challenge the status quo and disrupt mediocrity. Essentially clearing a path for a community of culture creative and gatekeepers to collaborate with brands to push culture forward. I take pride in creating marketing programs, branded event concepts and commentary to provide an example of what’s possible and hopefully spark forward thinking and open mindness to new ideas and products. In order to make Martell cool enough to be considered a relevant cognac brand at the point of purchase or for cultural partnerships, I along with my colleagues had to disrupt the market with consistent culture forward events, responsive or real-time marketing, and smart collaborations with early adopters. DX: What was it like working for Def Jam? Meet Russell Simmons? Is he innocent? I had always loved Hip Hop and really admired Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin so being recruited to work alongside my friend and mentor Shawn Williams at Def Jam/ Def Jam South in New Orleans was surreal. Let me back up a bit, my first concert experience in high school was Craig Mack and from that day on I became obsessed with the idea of working in some capacity in the music industry. During my first year in college, I worked in a record store and later began shadowing Shawn, an

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Artist Development Rep at the time, on his tour runs and wild posting campaigns around New Orleans and Gulf Coast. When he relocated to NYC, I took over his position locally at Def Jam in addition to working with Tommy Boy Records and Bad Boy part time in a similar capacity. During that time I met Russell once and that encounter was pleasant as he thanked me for my efforts in the market and signed an 8x10 glossy with a thank you note, which at the time was a major highlight for me as a college student from a small town. Not sure if he is guilty or not, but I can say that my encounter with Russell was extremely positive. DX: Your resume is sick bro… Tell us about Smirnoff Master of The Mix? You developed that show? Thank you man! My career life has really been a series of being in the right place at the right time and being prepared, truly blessed. I had always been very vocal about my opinions on pop culture and hip hop, you know water-cooler talk inside Diageo, so when Smirnoff Brand Director David Tapscott decided to launch a brand owned reality TV show in partnership with GTM agency and Viacom my name was on the top of the list to come on board the project as Associate Brand Manager with Smirnoff. I relocated to New York City from DC to join a small team of brand pioneers to create the first reality TV show owned and produced by a spirit company. This was truly a dream come true, living in New York and flying cross-country to LA to shoot a TV show about some of my favorite Deejays competing on air for monetary reward as well as Smirnoff endorsement. Since Smirnoff was a spirit company in the business of selling vodka not TV shows, my role was instrumental in making sure that show’s relevance and it’s byproducts such as access to DJ talent, marketing materials and digital content was understand and properly leveraged by sales personnel and retailers to help shape consumer behavior and attitudes toward the brand. DX: Where is Karim Lateef in the next 5 years? Professionally I see myself as a published author and further established as a subject matter expert and educator in the world of branding. Additionally as a major advocate for the advancement of culture and the arts across the African diaspora. Personally, more quality time with my family, freely living and loving life while enjoying peace of mind. DX: I also Hear you are an artist. Tell me your inspiration. Yes, I started out in high school painting portraits in oil and acrylic. It was primarily a stress coping activity that really grew into a passion and hustle. During my 9th and 10th grade I sold over 30 paintings before learning about relief printmaking. During my 11th grade, senior year of high school and first year of undergrad college I was an active print maker, selling over 100 relief prints and securing exhibits in Mobile AL, San Francisco CA, and New Orleans LA. My inspiration has always been everyday slices of life as well the struggle of people of color, particular African Americans. Much of my art imagery reflects my experiences, books I’ve read, my travels, and basically any human experiences that stuck with me visually.

DX: Why is what you do for Lifestyle so important for the culture? What strategies are needed for success? My role in lifestyle is important because I serve as a voice for the cultural gatekeepers to translate their visions, concerns, and ambitions to brand gatekeepers that have the resources to invest in and amplify culture while I aid in ensuring cultural authenticity and that brand ROI is met. Being both an advocate for the advancement of culture and a seasoned branding scholar and practitioner I provide a unique ability to bridge the gap between these worlds and ensure both needs are met and mutual respect is reinforced. I think above and beyond strategies, the key to success in this industry lies in developing soft skills such as unbiased listening, relationship building, empathy, great oral and written presentation skills, understanding business math, conflict resolution, negotiation and discernment. Instagram followers? Are they relevant? Unfortunately, social media is still relatively new so as companies invest more in it, they are struggling to find ways to understand ROI so number of followers has become the widespread metrics for determining the value of “Influencers”. Although some companies also look at likes and engagement, all of the success metrics can be bought and sold on the market for a small fraction of the large monetary rewards the influencers will receive for their deceptive practices. Eventually the market will regulate itself such as a purging of fake followers and ghost accounts revealing true follower counts. At that point the truth will come to light so I patiently trust the process. The first person that creates an alternative universal platform to effectively and efficiently measure and track influence across social platforms and offline will reshape the idea of influencer marketing as we know it. I’ve given myself that challenge.

KARIM’S FAB 5IVE

Favorite Cocktail? A Blue Swift Mule Favorite Jazz Album? John Coltrane “A Love Supreme” and Donald Byrd “Street Lady” Onyx or Magic City? Magic City Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole? Kendrick Lamar, but Common is my overall favorite emcee. Favorite Pastime? Art walks alone looking at street murals and exploring interesting spaces with dope aesthetics Your Social Media handles: Instagram & Twitter: @KarimLateef LinkedIn: @KarimLateefMBA

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S U

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S O L O

DX: I read somewhere when you stated “It all started when the culture needed it the most” explain that.

beautiful decade + with AG Entertainment and looking back, it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Anyone who pays attention to energy and the way it shifts understands that feeling you get when something big is happening. Now more than ever this generation needs a space to be creative, loved and respected with all of the political tension. So when I said that, I was thinking of everyone who can’t live in the shadows anymore, the dream catchers, and I incuded myself in that group. Not only is chasing your dreams about self love, but you learn that your purpose is real and necesssary...the culture needs us.

DX: You are involved in a lot of things. Tell us about this Ipod cast with You, KB, and Ferrari Simmons? The Baller Alert Show is such a dope opportunity! I get to sit with my mentors and brothers Kenny Burns and Ferrari Simmons and literally have the freshest conversation in media. Our Producer is a dope WOMAN named Octavia and my friends, Chris and Rious, are on the visuals so there’s love everywhere. Baller Alert reaches millions of people who love to engage and follow our most popular segments like Comment Creepin or Baller Mail which gets really crazy! We’re over 25 Episodes in so catch up on SuSolo.com and join the conversation!

DX: So obviously you are an important part to the branding scene. How does a person become an influencer. What are those traits? And what is expected from the brands? It’s weird thinking of myself as an influencer so I don’t know how to answer that for real but I will say people make me feel more love than I could’ve ever imagined to feel. People say traits of an influencer are drive, social skills, compassion, and strength. I expect Brands I work with to provide a platform for me to take my creativity in marketing their products to my next level if not higher. There needs to be support, trust and a willingness to listen to someone who can provide a grass rooted experience for consumers. DX: What is life like as an influencer. Walk me through your Friday. Friiyaayy! I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about my weekly brunch series Saturdays in ATL so fridays are a mix of excitement and a little anxiety. We’ve been at BQE Lounge for 3yrs and there are always people from all over the world who join us so you just never know how everyone is going to vibe but silly me! People are social, they dance, make new friends, eat, drink, eat and drink some more and really soak up the experience. It always feels like the first time to me. I go over reservations again, make sure I review my social media impressions to understand what my followers enjoy and don’t, go through as many emails as I can, begin to pull images for future promo material and whatever else needs to be done before the weekend. DX: What brands do you currently represent or in the past? I’ve been able to work with Brands from hair companies to liquor companies and even clothing Brands. Most recently it’s been Perrier Jouet, Martell and Support Black Colleges. DX: Favorite Cocktail? I love a good champagne mule! Its a moscow mule with champagne, so damn good. DX: How was it working with Alex Gidewon of AG Entertainment? Working for such a powerhouse has its ups and downs, most importantly, it’s an experience I believe helped lead me to where I am.. You meet so many people who have contributed so many different things to society and our culture that it feels like time is moving super super fast. So you learn real quick that the industry isn’t for the weak or tired, you keep up or get left behind. Spent a

DX: So your Get Brunch Brand is echoing across the country tell me about the concept and the feel? People still want to have a real brunch experience of bottomless mimosas/ sangrias and chicken & waffles while live DJs play all the right stuff to make you grab your champagne flute, leave your napkin on the table and do a little two step or something! It’s so fun and I love that people visit from places like London, Cali, Canada, Miami, Africa everywhere man I just love it! I went to a locals spot in New Orleans recently and was stopped by someone who came to get brunch again a month after he came the first time for his cousins birthday trip. Like, brunch was a priority on his next visit to ATL I just hugged him haha. DX: Who is that mentor that inspired Su Solo? I’ve had a lot of mentors that have and continue to inspire me. I think a lot about mentorship comes from where you are in life, what your current needs and priorities are. Im in the best place i’ve been in my life and im so grateful to Kenny Burns and Ferrari Simmons for being here for me, right on time. Im growing as a Media Correspondent, Event Producer and they encourage me to keep going no matter how crazy it may seem or feel. They’re so strong and consistent... DX: Where is Su Solo in the next five years? I have so many ideas and goals and don’t know when each one will have it’s time so its hard to say what 5yrs will be like but the ultimate goal is be happy and spread as much of it around as possible.

SOLO’s FAB 5IVE

Favorite Cologne on a guy? Creed. Favorite Designer? I really don’t have a favorite right now! Favorite Fruit? Avocado...yes, it’s a fruit y’all. Donald Trump or Donald Duck? I’ll take the DUCK for $200 please. Shout out you #MCM or #WCW right now! Dj OhSo! Your Social Media handles: IG: @_SuSolo Twitter: @_SuSolo

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F A L Y O N

DX: Sean Falyon is everywhere!! Literally. Tell me more about Sean Falyon and literally how are you everywhere? I remember first meeting you in Atlanta.. I literally thought to myself wasn’t he just in Houston 3 hours ago. I’m originally from West Philly but have been residing in Atlanta since 2004. I was deep into being an artist (rapper), so traveling and connecting with people was my thing. I felt like if I wasn’t there physically they needed to be at least talking about me or thinking I would “BE” there. So that’s how Being Everywhere started. DX: Obviously being an influencer of the culture is a priority in your life. What makes you this influencing mogul? I’ve always been told from friends and colleagues that I have a knack for bringing people together. I started to realize while bringing folks together, people would pick up on things I was doing and implement them into their own life or double back and ask me about them. So I guess it kind of came as second nature,very organic and realizing that with my visibility I could introduce people to new things without it being forced. DX: Not only are you a lifestyle influencer you also DJ. Tell me about how music and being a DJ also influences and pushes the culture forward. Music governs everything from Emotion to Finance. As a rapper I would make songs about how I was feeling and it would connect with people thousands of miles away in the same way it connected with me. As a DJ I have the opportunity to take people on a journey with me without even leaving the building as well. While i’m DJing Introduce people to information and culture while tapping into their emotions. I feel like those three things are what influence is built on. (Information,Culture and Influence) DX: Tell me about Bqe and The Get Brunch Movement Well me and @DibiaseATL formed a company @WGGPevents a while back, we both traveled alot me being an MC and him being a tour DJ. We noticed that Atlanta was the only city who didn’t have a successful/Fun Brunch. So around 2013 @DibiaseATL called me and said we should call our brunch “GET BRUNCH”, I designed the logo and we started our mission to find a venue. It literally took us 2 years almost 3 to find BQE Lounge and finally “GET BRUNCH” on June 27th 2015. Within the next few months we wanted to bring

@_SuSolo in so I reached out to her, we made her apart of the team and now we’re almost on our 3rd anniversary of “GET BRUNCH”. We’ve had politicians,athletes,Celebrities, etc., walk through those doors just to experience what we do every saturday. DX: When you are creating and branding these lifestyle changing events what do you look to accomplish for the culture? I want to bring people together to build without it being a forced situation. I’ve seen big deals come from people meeting at a party or just having a random conversation at a cool bar. I want people to have a great memorable experience and pay it forward for the culture. DX: Being an influencer I’m sure there are several brands you work with. What brands are you currently working with and how are you helping to push the message to the culture? I’ve worked with Adidas,Puma,Coca Cola,MTV,BET,ITunes,VitaminWater,Avion,Hendrick’s and Many more. I’m helping push the message to the culture with visibility, that is a big key, people can’t talk about or be informed on a brand they can’t see.

DX: Where is Sean Falyon the next 5 years?

FALYON FAB 5IVE

1. Favorite Vacation City? Puera Vallarta (No resorts though just with the people) 2. Favorite Cocktail Recipe? (Jameson/Ginger Ale) 3. Houston or Atlanta? Everywhere! 4. Kanye? When people actually listen they will understand his message is needed and he is just bad at conveying it which he has always said.

On a boat in the Mediterranean sea.

5. Michael Jordan or Lebron James Allen Iverson!

DX: Why is what you do for Lifestyle so important for the culture? What strategies are needed for success?

Follow Sean Falyon on Social Media: @SeanFalyon on everything www.SeanFalyon.com

I feel like it’s so important because we are nothing without each other and I connect people of all walks of life. I honestly believe the only strategy for success is learning from failure.

DX: I’m sure there will be people that will read this and wonder how they could be influencial.. any advice? Find what’s missing, fill that void and bring light to it.

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REVOLT’S NEWEST STORYTELLER

words by: shadress b | photography: jam-x

ompanies are like well-oiled machines. Their functionality relies solely on the people you see and those you don’t see. Most times, the people who are behind the scenes are the foundation on which a company is held up by. Unbeknownst to most, those are the people who make the impossible—possible. They are the magicians that keep the machine running. They are the storytellers, writers, producers, and team that push the culture onto new platforms. They are responsible for what we see and hear, influencing what we gravitate to in our day-to-day lives. To many, those type of people are never spoken of, until someone like Robyn Lattaker-Johnson makes it happen.

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ROBYN LATTAKER JOHNSON.

With a track record and resume that evokes reactions like: “she’s doing the damn thing” or “okay, black girl—I see you,” it was no wonder why P. Diddy himself tapped her to be Revolt Media’s New Head of Content. A seasoned veteran in the industry, Robyn has prided herself on telling stories about people who are underrepresented. With an ask-for-what-you-want mindset, she is taking the reigns of her new position. She presides over a platform that will create opportunities for people with different faces—from different backgrounds. She is here to tell Revolt’s story for many generations to come. Revolt is hip hop. Revolt is the culture. DELUXMAG.COM

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DELUX MAGAZINE: Hi, Robyn. How was your day ROBYN LATTAKER-JOHNSON: Hello and thank you for your patience. Things are just craycray bananas over here right now. This is the end of my week seven and it’s just been back to back, exciting madness. But it’s been great. I started with a wonderful photo shoot with Jam; he was awesome. If it had been 10 years ago, this would have been awkward, but he and Noel made it easy for me.

DM: So how long have you been in L.A.? Are you an L.A. girl? RLJ: I’ve been in L.A. about 25 years. I was not born and raised here, but my husband is from L.A.

DM: Well, 25 years kind of makes you an L.A. girl [laughs]. I think anything over 10 pretty much solidifies you as a Cali girl. RLJ: Yeah, well, sort of [Laughs]. DM: Were you affected by the L.A. fires in anyway? I know that was a pretty big thing for the city. How are they recovering from it? RLJ: It was a really big deal. I mean, I live in the city—in the valley area, so it was pretty devasting— but, it didn’t really affect for me. I mean, you saw it on the news and it really did affect a lot of people in the mountain and upper Malibu communities. It was rough.

DM: Tell our readers what’s a day in Robyn’s world like. RLJ: Hmmm... a day in my world. So, normally, my days could start with breakfast with a producer or someone who could be a potential production partner. If I don’t have a breakfast scheduled, then I’m on the phone by 8:15am, driving in and catching up with calls and so on. There’s a lot that goes on in my day and my schedule is usually back to back meetings and pitches to get ahead of the game.

DM: Well, speaking of hip hop, of course you know Cardi B’s album dropped. Did you get a chance to listen to it?

RLJ: Oh yeah, we were listening to it this morning. You know she really knocked it out of the park with this one, right? DM: That’s true, she definitely did. Let’s talk about you now. What would you say led you to pursue a career in media? RLJ: Well, I’m a storyteller, so in addition to reading a lot as a kid—I was also a latchkey kid—and an only child in a single-parent household. Sometimes, my mom would work nights. I get home after school, do my homework, and turn on the television. I watched everything—every sitcom, comedy—everything under the sun. I was there when MTV launched. What I noticed... there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me. I saw that a lot of shows lacked diversity; and if there were black people, it was only one black person, or just one black family that represented the culture and that’s not who we are. By the time I got to college, I started to realize I wanted to shed a light on the underrepresented voices, and those were the stories I wanted to tell. From there, I went to film school because I wanted to be a film director and a writer. DM: Tell me what your title “Head of Content” fully entails. RLJ: Well, right now, I’m a one-woman show [laughs], but I will be hiring soon. Basically, as head of content, I oversee the programming and licensing area, the music department, and production & postproduction. As far as content, I oversee all the long form content—ranging from two to ninety minutes, depending on how the story is told. I oversee all the content you see on all of our social media platforms as well.

SM: I’m sure you’ve acquired a lot of knowledge in your field to pass down to women coming behind you. Is there any advice you would give to women who are trying to carve out their own path in this industry? RLJ: I should’ve wrote answers for these questions [laughs]. Let’s see, I would say, never apologize. Don’t apologize for who you are—for your intelligence—for your opinions. Even just using the words ‘I’m sorry’ is unnecessarily. It just sets a bad tone. Don’t apologize for being your most brilliant self when other people are intimidated. That’s the key. Take a seat at the table—literally, and figuratively. I’ve been in meetings where some of the younger women will go and sit on the outer edge, and

I’ve had to tell them to come sit at the table. Their voices need to be heard; and if you set the tone by sitting behind people that are more important than you are, you are creating that dynamic—not them. Lastly, I would say find a mentor.

DM: We choose our careers of choice sometimes based on something that attracted us to it. What is the most alluring aspect of the media industry to you? RLJ: You know it kind of goes back to what I said before, with being a kid and not seeing myself represented on television. You know diversity is a word that had really good intentions. The corporate world has tried to create a more diverse environment. But, their definition of diversity to me was from more of a monochromatic viewpoint of one person/ group to represent each ethnic group. For me, the most alluring aspect of this industry—specifically dealing with content - is sharing the diversity within the diversity. To be able to bring attention to and showcase all different types of races. I really love storytelling.

DM: What state would you say the media industry is in right now? RLJ: I think it’s getting better. You know the media world endeavors to create real-world scenarios. We’ve always got room to grow. But, I will say about 10 to 15 years ago, reality TV was where we saw more diversity. The scripted world of TV not as much. Though, in today’s world it’s getting better. For instance, people like Shonda Rhimes and Ava Duvernay are stepping up and demanding more diverse actors and directors. You have to go searching for what you want. Ultimately, this is what it takes to see more of a diverse group of people in front and behind the camera.

DM: To date, what would you say has been the single, best advice you’ve been given? RLJ: My go-to advice would be: ask for what you want. I have a pastor who used to say that. Don’t just ask for what you need, ask for what you want. What’s the worst thing that can happen? They’re going to say no—that’s fine because you’re not going to always get what you want. But at least it won’t be six months or years down the line and you’re like, “damn, I wish I would’ve said something.” Always ask for what you want.

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DM: I’m always curious about what motivates different people in the creative fields. What motivates you? What pushes you to your creative euphoria? RLJ: [Laughs] My creative euphoria? I will say excellence—not perfection— excellence. I want to be great. I want my content to be great. I want to leave a legacy of greatness and excellence for my children. I want to represent my family in that way. It’s really about excellence. You know Diddy talks about black excellence all the time. Doing my best all the time.

DM: I looked at your resumé and I was like, “ok, she is really out here doing it”. Do you ever have a moment where you look at it and think, “man I’ve accomplished a lot”? RLJ: I do not...so, thank you, really. I do not, Shadress [laughs]. Well, first of all, I don’t even look at my credits. I don’t really think about the positions or titles. Periodically, someone will say, “My gosh you’ve done so much,” but I’ve never been one of those people who’s been on the hustle to just elevate to the next level or position. My preference would be to stay at Revolt for the next 10 years. I really want to stay somewhere and build. I’m always looking for a home—not just a place to jump to next. What really motivates me is to get to talk to some of the young artists because I get to impress my kids[laughs].

DM: [Laughs] That’s hilarious! Do they think your job is cool? RLJ: They’re starting to figure it out. At first, they didn’t really know what I did. When I worked at Syfy, they weren’t really impressed with that, and they were too little when I worked at BET. I think they are starting to get it now. I took them to a Revolt-sponsored concert with 21 Savage and they were like, “yeah my

mom is dope.” DM: What was their reaction when you told them you were going to be working for P. Diddy? Were they like, “for real”? RLJ: You know, that’s a very good question [laughs]. Initially, I played it loose because I didn’t want them to be out there in the streets bragging to everyone. Occasionally, we still have conversations to remind them about what to post on social media and so on. I was in the job for a few weeks before it really sunk in for them.

DM: I read where you were behind the Syfy series, FACE-OFF, success. How does it feel to see your baby— something you had a hand in creating - go into 12 seasons? RLJ: Crazy—it’s actually 13. I’m not sure if it has aired yet, but it’s on 13 seasons now. So, I don’t take all the credit; even though I was the primary development executive/ liaison, creative collaborator directly with the producers. I didn’t create the idea. It was definitely in-house before I started. But, it was my show and I did all of the day-today duties on it. Everything from approving wardrobe, to approving the challenges, to approving the casting. I left after approving the casting for season 9. But, I’m really proud of that show, actually. It is like watching your baby grow up. I’m still really good friends with the people who work there.

DM: You’re around high-profile people and everyday people you work side by side with. Who would you say you admire? RLJ: Oh my—so many people. My main girl crush right now is Yara Shahidi. She is an intelligent, young woman who isn’t afraid. I mean, she is using her platform, not only as an

actress on Grown-ish, to talk about key issues young adults are going through. She uses her platform whenever she is interviewed to talk about world issues and politics. I really admire her. I think she is just one to watch. I would say Ava Duvernay as well. My goodness, I wish I could run you down a list because there are so many. I’ll just leave it at those two. They’re super impressive. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my boss, Sean Combs. I admire him greatly. He’s like a wizard—he’s wizardly [laughs].

DM: He is definitely on my interview bucket list. I just think his energy is just so attractive. It just pulls you in and you can’t look away. It’s so illuminating and contagious. He’s always on 40 and it’s like, “how are you always on?” RLJ: It’s funny you say that because I ask him that question all the time. It’s like, “how do you keep up?” You know he still goes to these events and out when he needs to. It’s all about branding and selling—making sure people know there’s a commodity to be bought. But he is just so smart and creative. I just love watching his creative juices flow. He gets so inspired. What’s so dope about him is he takes his inspiration and he acts on it—no waiting—no taking notes— just action.

DM: Tell our readers one of your hidden talents nobody knows you can do. RLJ: Hmm…I wouldn’t say that nobody knows about it, but I can cook. I love to cook. I love to cook for my family...the holiday meals—you name it. I love Buzzfeed and Recipes, but my husband will tell you the magic to my cooking is that I never make the same thing twice.

DM: Are you excited about being responsible for putting out content that will influence cultural platforms for years to come? RLJ: Oh yes, I’m here for it. I tell people all the time I am definitely here for this [laughs]. I took this job because I love being able to influence pop culture, and the new generations to come. I’m here for it 100%.

DM: Before we leave, and without telling me too much, what can we expect from you - content wise - from Revolt? RLJ: I will say, you can look for us in the future to, once again, be involved in the political sphere as we approach midterm elections. We definitely need to educate the younger demo—making sure they are registered. You will also continue to see us very involved with social justice issues. And then, in terms of new stuff, I would say more engaged in original programming. Projects that go beyond the traditional talk show format. The Breakfast Show is an example of that—smart, witty, and funny conversation. Basically, everything that is hip hop. We are The Culture.

DM: Thank you so much for taking the time out to speak to me. I really enjoy speaking to people who are behind the scenes and are just overall intriguing. RLJ: Thank you and I had fun too. Take care.

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efore the world knew of Storm, there was Misty Knight. The first black female superhero in the Marvel Comic Universe. The character started out as Detective Misty Knight, the morally impenetrable police officer. Though now, she has found herself on the same side with the people she started out investigating. Playing this iconic role—actress Simone Missick. Making her first appearance in season one of Luke Cage, Missick continues her role of crime-stopping in The Defenders. Now back for season two of Luke Cage, Missick’s character is embodying a different side who promises to kick ass, take names, and set sparks flying with the titular character of Misty Knight. It’s Monday morning and although her schedule is filled with plenty of tasks, Missick sits down with DELUX’s Editor-in-chief to discuss positive black representation, being a woman in Hollywood, and her indestructible superhero show that broke Netflix. This is her exciting story.

words by: shadress b | photography: joe chea

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SHADRESS B: Good morning. Thank you for doing this interview with us. I am such a big fan of the Marvel franchise. SIMONE MISSICK: You are so welcome, and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the show. SB: Well let’s get started. How did you become Det. Misty Knight? Walk our readers through the audition for the role of Misty. SM: My manager had sent me the audition information for me to record myself on tape for a character named Missy. I had no idea what the role was. They didn’t tell me anything about the character or the project. I had to sign a non-disclosure. So, I put myself on tape and I didn’t think anything about it. I sent it off and my manager called me back immediately to tell me how I did. I couldn’t get excited about it because I had no idea what it was. Eventually, I got a call back to come in and audition. Ironically, I got sick the day before the audition. The day of the audition, I was dosed up on cough medicine, but I said a prayer, went in and did my thing. I got a call a week later saying I received the part for Misty Knight.

SB: As a black actress in Hollywood, I know the roles come few, and far between. How do you select your roles? SM: Umm I would say it’s the writing. I never go after a role just because of the people who are involved or the money. And I pray I never have to. Right now, I can say I am blessed enough to not have to just choose something based on a financial situation. For me, it’s 100% because of something that either excites me or the writing, director or because of the cast. I get auditions all the time, but if its something I’m not interested in, I know I’m not trying to take that role.

SB: How important is a representation to you? Do you feel it’s a responsibility of yours as a black actress, and did you feel like your character Misty Knight, does she offer that to you? SM: I think representation is very important. I also think that we are artists and we are responsible for telling stories. Sometimes, we don’t always get to tell positive stories. We as people are flawed, and a lot of times different stories need to be told so that people can learn from them. The character was created when there were no black superheroes. She predated Storm, she was the first. She was created in a time when there was no representation of black women in that comic book world. For her to be smart, strong, vulnerable, sassy, funny, 34

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and all those things, I felt like this was something I could be proud of. I felt like this was something my family could be proud of, and my children, when I decide to have them would be proud of. SB: Of course, our natural hair has always been our natural hair, but now it seems to be a trend for a lot of people. What does it feel like for you as an A woman to be able to portray Misty Knight from a natural beauty standpoint onscreen? SM: When I first moved to L.A., everything was about the hair. Everything was about, do you have a weave, how many inches is it, and how straight is your hair. It was also, do you like basketball wives or a reality tv star? That was the uniform and there was this feeling of if you were wearing your hair curly, you wanted to play someone’s mom or best friend. You were not looked at as a leading lady or sex symbol. For me personally, I think its extremely important for me to be able to celebrate and wear my natural hair. I think it helps combat the ignorance in the media surrounding our hair, and I’m proud to be able to wear mine.

ON BLACK GIRL MAGIC “Black girl magic is standing in your own truth and being like this who I am and if you don’t like it-- you can kick rocks.”

SB: Viola Davis, along with other actresses have been vocal about topics surrounding pay, colorism, and the standard of beauty for black women. What are some of your thoughts on these topics and do you feel there are small changes being made? SM: I think there are small changes being made; however, I don’t think there are sweeping changes being made. When you have directors like Ryan Coogler and Shonda Rhimes, who are demanding the casts and visuals look a certain way, I’m sure we will be seeing a lot of changes being represented on screen. SB: Luke Cage did big numbers for Netflix and was one of the first shows I watched when I let my cable go [Laughs]. I know it’s Marvel, but did you expect it to be that big? SM: No. I know I certainly prayed it would be a success. There were certain elements that I was like this is going to be something. We had Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest) as our music supervisors. Not to mention, Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard, who played the villains, are both phenomenal actors. So, when I looked at the cast we had amassed, and I was like this could be amazing. But, I never imagined it would be received so well globally.

“I think representation is very important. I also think that we are artists and we are responsible for telling stories. Sometimes, we don’t always get to tell positive stories.” -Simone Missick SB: Marvel is a well-known company, what’s it like being a part of their franchise? SM: It’s pretty damn cool. Mainly because I get to see other people of color, and my peers get this opportunity to be a part of Marvel. It’s like I get to be like oh you in the family too [Laughs]. It’s really great and season two has a great storyline. SB: You started out in Luke Cage, then you transitioned to The Defenders. What was it like transitioning from one storyline to three additional ones? SM: It’s most certainly different for the directors, they are used to the writers. The whole team is different, and every show is different. Right now, I’m shooting Iron Fist and that team is completely different from Luke Cage. It feels like when you go to Howard, but then you decide to study abroad. You’re still getting the same education, but the teachers and curriculum are different. It was very similar to being in a big, Marvel movie just squeezed into 8 to 12 hours. It was fun to be in the movie with all of them. SB: What do you love most about your character Misty? SM: Hmmm, her vulnerability. I think a lot of times black women aren’t given the opportunity to be vulnerable. A lot of people gravitate to how strong Misty is and how she doesn’t take any shit, but I love that she is vulnerable. She experiences loss and going into season two you get to see her explore that other side of herself. SB: If you could pick one character of Misty to keep, and give her one characteristic of yours, what would it be? SM: If I could take something I would take her Misty vision. The

fact that she is capable of walking into a room to see what happened and how it happened. If I had to give her something I would give her my husband. He’s a great person to have. If she could find someone to love and trust, it may be a better outlook for her [Laughs]. Not saying every woman needs a man, but just a little balance.

SB: What do think about the relatable everyday people qualities/ struggles aspect of the super people? SM: I think it’s the fact they draw people in. Nobody wants to see these idealistic, unreal characters. I think what Marvel and Netflix are doing together on this platform is bringing what we call “the street level hero.” That’s what they call Luke, Jessica, Daredevil and Iron Fist who don’t wear a cape and are just everyday people who we can identify with; People see themselves in these characters. SB: What’s it like playing an AA police officer in today’s climate, when the outlook on police officers isn’t great from the AA community? SM: I come from a family where my aunt and uncle where police officers in D.C., but I don’t come from a cop family. I’m from Detroit, so I’ve always had a distrust of the police

just by nature of being black and growing up in Detroit. Still, I think there are plenty of cops who are good officers. However, what we are witnessing regarding the excessive force used by police officers have only served to heighten the distrust within the black community. I feel the show offers an officer who doesn’t see their own bias or prejudice, an opportunity to be a good cop and where their bias may lie. It may also inspire a child who can’t stand the police to become a police officer. You just never know. SB: Season 2 of Luke Cage is coming in June. What can we expect from Detective Knight this season? SM: I think it’s better than season one. the fans are going to love our new villains. They are going to love the storyline that we are following. We are going outside of Harlem and we spend time in Brooklyn this season. It’s a different feel from Harlem, everything from the fights and the action will be amazing. You will get to see Misty in action this season and that’s great. It’s a stronger season. SB: What would you like your character to evolve into? Are we going to get a Misty Knight breakaway series? Can we look forward to that? You can tell me, and I promise I won’t tell anyone [Laughs].

SM: It would be amazing to see Misty on her own, in the way she was originally written when she was no longer a cop, and she’s just a private detective. She would be out there with Colleen Wing kicking ass and just being Daughters of the Dragon. That would be amazing. Though I can’t say it’s in the works, I can say if people keep asking about it, or tweeting about it, it may happen. SB: Okay, well I’m going to throw you a plug in the article to see if they do it. SM: [Laughs] Okay, thank you! SB: What is black girl magic to you? SM: Black girl magic is being 100% authentically you. It’s being proud of who you are and not fitting into an idea of who you should be. It’s standing in your own truth and being like this who I am and if you don’t like it—you can kick rocks. Photo credit: Joe CheaMakeup: Keanda Snagg @keysrebelle Hair: Noel from Noel New York Salon Bedford Stuyvesant @noelny Styling: Robyn Victoria @robynvictoriaf

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| candid conversations |

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In today’s world, artists have the capability of capturing the eyes and ears of audiences and music execs from stages or their living rooms. Through a variety of new ideas, sounds, and creative platforms— they can reach a multitude of people by simply being different and standing out. In a society engulfed by social media—music has become about more than just music. It’s about freedom and self-expression. It’s about creating new lanes and reaching new platforms. Music is a gateway to feeling better and restoring hope. For the eclectic duo, Alex Belle, and Isis Valentino, this was the case. Starting out, the Georgia peaches found their sound in the basement of a local boutique they worked. Combining their talents from songwriting and instruments—the two formed their group, St. Beauty. A name that embodies how they view themselves and their music. DELUX’s Editor-in-Chief caught up with the Wondaland singers to talk about their new album— Running to The Sun, whose music they’re jamming to, and what’s next for St. Beauty.

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IV: It’s kind of hard to pinpoint one influence since there are so many from different decades. I would say I love Stevie Wonder. For instance, the name St. Beauty—that name was inspired by a Stevie Wonder song called, Bird of Beauty. I always wanted to learn how to play an instrument from listening to Prince—who inspired me to do that. I know how my voice sounds, so listening to artists who have the same voice as I do and being inspired by them too. AB: It’s kind of hard for me to choose. You know what, it’s not [laughs]. Well actually, I’m very influenced by Nina Simone and the strength in her voice—and the fact she always wrote about things she was going through. In high school, when I knew I really wanted to pursue music—I was and still am very inspired by Kid Cudi and SantiGold. I think those three artists really influenced on how I go about making music today.

SB: No problem. Let’s get started. Tell our readers how you came to be St. Beauty?

goofy one. I’m always laughing at something. Yeah, I would say I’m quirky and goofy [laughs].

ALEX BELLE: We met at a boutique local called Poor Little Rich Girls in Atlanta. We were both employed there. At the time, the company started putting together talent showcases that we were helping with. I had written a song I really wanted to perform and thought the showcases would be a great opportunity for myself. Eventually, I asked Isis if she knew anyone who could play the guitar and she offered to learn or come up with some cords for the song. The performance was a success and from there we started writing songs, composing music, and performing together.

IV: I’m kind of a jokester with a little spice added— but I’m still chill, cool. easy and an all-around kind of person.

SB: Your name is very different, and I’m curious about where it came from. Is there a meaning behind it—or something you came across and liked? How did you come up with the name St. Beauty? ISIS VALENTINO: I had written a song called St. Beauty before we had gotten together. Once we’d gotten together, we were trying to think of names to call ourselves. I just remembered St. Beauty—it was feminine enough—it was called beauty—and the saint part was like something to believe in. It just felt right for us. [Laughs] Alex didn’t like it at first. We eventually took it to Twitter and did a poll to see if people liked the name. In the end, I feel like it means pure beauty and having something to believe in. SB: What are your individual personalities like that make your duality blend so well? AB: Hmmm. I would say I’m more of the quirky, 38

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SB: There are so many different genres and subgenres in music now. Can you describe your sound to our readers? What genre of music would you say your music is compiled of? STB: We decided to come up with our own genre because we didn’t want to put ourselves in a box when it comes to other genres. We thought the word confetti embodies our music. We decided on this word since we felt confetti has a lifeline. When it blows out, there’s this moment of excitement. And then, when it falls, there’s this moment of being in awe. Even after it falls, it’s still on people’s clothes and heads—or on the ground—or swept and throw away. We felt like all the different phases of the confetti—it embodies different moods and emotions—which is what we convey throughout our music.

“We thought Running to the Sun was the perfect name for the album—because when you’re running to the sun, you’re running away from darkness….”St. Beauty

SB: Who would you say musically influences you individually and as a group that you feel you use to channel your creative energies?

SB: To me, music has always told a story, and that’s what I listen for when I turn on an album. I want to hear something I can gravitate towards when I hear a song. What is something you want listeners to take away from your music? STB: We want our listeners to be able to relate. We also want them to know they aren’t the only ones going through something. We really want our listeners to be uplifted by our music—and to feel good when listening.

SB: If this was my first time being introduced to you as an artist—what would be the song I should listen to first to get an idea of who St. Beauty is? IV: I guess today I would say Borders would be a great song to start with. Both of us are singing on it and because of the lyrics. We put a lot of metaphors in our songs—so I think the metaphors in Borders have a good message within it. Oh, and the music is great too [laughs]. AB: I would agree. I think Borders is certainly a strong song that people can relate to—and a good introduction to who we are as artists.

SB: Janelle Monae is such a phenomenal artist in her own right. What’s it like being signed to a label created by her? STB: It’s amazing and it’s a blessing. Janelle is amazing and she’s such an amazing artist. It’s also awesome that we’re able to learn from her—and be

| st. beauty | surrounded by amazing people—working with and inside Wondaland. Yeah, it’s truly a blessing. SB: Let’s backtrack for a minute. I know you both said you were performing at the boutique you were working at—is that where Janelle discovered you? IV: It was all the shows we would do around Atlanta. One by one, reps from the label would come through and then she eventually came to one. From there, they pulled us to the side—asked if we wanted to be a part of the label—and then the rest is history. Everyone, there was very helpful and helped us from the start. It’s been a wonderful experience.

together—that’s why it’s so special. SB: What can we expect from St. Beauty in the future? STB: Touring for sure. Definitely, look for us on the road! Be sure to follow St. Beauty on Instagram @stbeautyband.

SB: Tell me something valuable you have learned about the music industry thus far? AB: It may sound a bit cliché, but I would say stay true to yourself. This industry can be a bit shallow. If you stay true to yourself—know who you are—and what you’re doing this for—I think that’s what’s important.

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IV: I would say have a strong foundation of who you are. Maintain your happiness and confidence. People will change on you, so make sure you have a solid foundation.

SB: Being a new artist requires a lot of giving and take starting out. What advice would you give a new artist coming out the gate? STB: Get a lawyer [laughs]! Don’t come into this industry blindly—and have a good mindset about what you want.

SB: Your album Running to the Sun was released this year. Tell our readers the story behind this body of work? STB: Well we’ve had these songs for a while. This project has kind of been in the works for a minute. We formed the songs over time and as things progressed, and we would go through things, we would write about them. We worked with Jon-Jon who is an amazing producer. The songs just came together with the way they did. When we were sequencing the songs—we were searching for an album title—and we came up with Running to the Sun. We thought it was the perfect name because when you’re running to the sun, you’re running away from darkness—you’re running away from dark times. That’s what this music did for us when we wrote it. Also, when the sun rises—it’s a new day—everything is new.

SB: What are your favorite songs on this album? AB: I would say Colors because it’s very uplifting. I love uplifting songs you can dance to. IV: Dang this is hard [laughs]. I would say it’s between Lucid Dreams and Borders. Only because I love playing those songs. The thing about this album is that I can remember every single moment of putting it DELUXMAG.COM

Salon Talk

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| hair + beauty |

bra McField is giving black girl magic a whole new meaning, by creating a salon experience that you truly have to see, in order to believe. With 13k+ Instagram followers, and over 400 testimonies in counting, women all over the world are witnessing Abra Kadabra’s magical hair growth results right before their eyes. Contributing Writer, Tierra Wilson interviewed Abra McField, owner of Abra Kadabra Hair and Healing, about the beauty of being a boss lady to get the inside scoop on the secret to her success. DELUX: How did you begin your journey into entrepreneurship? ABRA MCFIELD: I began my journey into entrepreneurship with the conscious choice to jump. I like to use an analogy of a crashing airplane. I jumped without knowing what I would hit, or when the fall would end. It was a long way down, but I survived and continued to my next journey. I came to the conclusion that there was no fulfillment in what I was doing prior to entrepreneurship. My creativity was imprisoned, and I made up my mind that I wanted to be free. DELUX: Did you always know you would always be a salon owner? AM: I knew without a doubt, I would be a salon owner. I was built for it. I’ve always been a leader by nature. Owning the salon was the easy part. However, developing an entirely different lane within the hair industry, one that would be revolutionary, was the challenge that I was prepared to take on. DELUX: What is the Abra Kadabra Experience? AM: I have essentially found a proven cure for our epidemic of broken, damaged hair & scalp, as well as stagnated hair growth. This is highly contributed to the Abra Kadabra 6 month sew-In—a sew-in with a purpose. My sew-in technique was created by black women, for black women, but all women or hair types are welcomed to this experience. Not to mention, the experience we provide, creates such a stress free hair journey for the everyday busy woman. We have a 100% success rate with over 400 testimonies in counting. DELUX: What has been your biggest challenge as a business owner? AM: One of my primary challenges was finding balance. Eighty-five percent of my time, energy and money went to my career. That left 15% of which 13% went towards my home and kids, leaving me with only 2%. My work ethic was obsessive and very unhealthy. I neglected myself tremendously. I worked day in and day out, at the salon and at home. I have learned this the hard way. I also learned that if you want a thriving business, you are responsible for living a healthy lifestyle, or your body won’t be able to support your business. DELUX: What inspires you to pursue your passions and to live out your purpose? AM: The transfer of elevated energy is what motivates me to pursue my passion. I have succeeded and continued to execute my purpose of transferring my light, my gifts, my joy, and my peace through and for my company, so everyone involved is flying on a high frequency. It just feels good, and I feel good knowing that I am responsible for creating and maintaining a sacred culture of positive minds, positive vibes and positive lives throughout my company. DELUX: What positive impact does your business have on other black women and our community? AM: Many black women in the hair industry are unaware of how to start, operate, maintain and grow their business. My company provides a breakthrough where black women can excel to remarkable levels without limitations. My company is organically creating leaders. My team is a collective of dynamic women, who are on a journey of personal, professional and economic growth, and prosperity. DELUX: What advice would you give to other women wanting to start their own business? AM: My advice would be to just do it! Women possess so much magic and power. We can offer so much light to this universe, but we dim our power, magic and light, because of fear. Most women have a fear of failure, or the fear of not knowing the end result. Throughout my journey, I have failed many times. Anytime there is a flaw within my company, my impulsive feeling is to think I failed, but then I realize that I can use my failures to become better, and that is how I have been able to grow my business to unprecedented levels. I have learned to embrace my flaws and become extremely grateful for any experiences with failure. You can find out more information about the Abra Kadabra salon experience at www.hairbyabrakadabra.com, or follow her on Instagram @hairdocs_abrakadabra.

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SUMMER SUDS 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

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| delux eats |

There’s something new in St. Louis. Something so incredibly delicious you must try it. If you’re wondering what tantalizing thing we are referring to—its Cork-n-Slice. A woodfire bistro tucked inside the Central West End with a delectable pizza menu that is beyond inviting. DELUX caught up with the owner, Niddy—to talk entrepreneurship, being an influencer, and stepping into his newest role as a restaurateur.

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DELUX: Tell our readers what made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

which has nothing but vegan mozzarella and vegetables.

CS: My mom was and still is an entrepreneur. She has always been one since I was younger. She pushed me and has raised me to become one as well. She is one of the reasons why I became such a hardworking entrepreneur because that’s exactly what she was. She never wanted me to work a regular job. She always wanted me to think of a business to start.

We literally have pizzas for everyone. We have some of the finest and freshest ingredients.

DM: I’m always curious about how restaurants get their names. Where did the name of your restaurant derive from? CS: I wanted something simple and catchy that represents what we are doing.

DM: What lead you to open a restaurant? Have you always wanted to be a restauranteur? CS: I am a foodie at heart and I LOVE food. I’ve always been very passionate about owning my own restaurant. This has always been a dream of mine—I plan to eventually have a restaurant bigger than this.

DM: I know you mentioned you were a foodie, are you a pizza lover or was that just the type of business you wanted to open? CS: Everything in the restaurant was left here from the previous owners and of course I added my creativity to it to make it everything I wanted it to be. So, it was pretty much equipped with items like the oven from the previous restaurant which made it a lot easier. I always wanted to do the Lobster and Shrimp pizza for years. I’m not a super crazy pizza lover, but I wanted a restaurant with comfort food and to have a casual ambiance, customers couldn’t get anywhere else.

DM: I see a lot of your dishes are healthier options. How did you decide on the dishes that are made on your menu? CS: I wanted to do a farm to table concept. It’s not a super health conscious restaurant. We have pizzas for meat lovers like “The Pig Ate My Pizza” which has pepperoni, Italian sausage, and bacon. We also have a pizza for seafood lovers called “Lobster and Shrimp” which the ingredients speak for itself. We also have a pizza for vegans that is called “Vegana”

DM: There are a lot of great locations to open a business in St. Louis—- why the CWE? CS: I chose the CWE because it’s a known area. It is a great neighborhood and has a lot of other restaurants and residential housing. It’s a vibrant neighborhood with a lot of foot traffic; not to mention, proximity to Forest Park, The Muny, universities, and hospitals. I think this location was a perfect choice to open my first restaurant.

DM: Your goal is to change people’s expectations of pizza. What kind of expectations do you want your patrons to arrive and leave with? CS: I want them to arrive with an open mind to try different things they’ve never had before. Upon finishing our dishes, I want them to leave with expectations that it’s more to pizza. More than just a pizza with traditional toppings that we grow up with—like pepperoni and cheese pizza.

DM: What type of ambiance are you trying to create within your restaurant? CS: I want to create a very casual ambiance but mixed with fine dining. That’s the reason I call it fine casual. I want people to be and feel comfortable. Cork N’ Slice is open for everyone such as families, date night, ladies night or a quick lunch run.

DM: Let’s say I’m not a huge pizza lover, but I want to try your restaurant—- what pizza option would you recommend? CS: I would recommend “The Pig Ate My Pizza” if you are a meat lover because it’s a twist on a classic pizza. You have pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, arugula and ricotta cheese. It has ingredients that are outside the box.

DM: Pizza is normally associated with being a comfort food, but your restaurant seems to be on the upscale side. Would you say you are

trying to change the outlook on pizza? CS: Yes, I am trying to change the outlook on pizza. Most of the time people think of pizzerias as a hole in the wall type of place. You don’t think of them as a place you can come to for a first date—which is actually the perfect first date location—especially at Cork N’ Slice. It’s not too expensive and it is fine, casual. and comfortable. We want to be unique and remarkable.

DM: Which pizza option would you say represents Cork N’ Slice as a whole? CS: The Lobster and Shrimp because it is outside the box. It is not your typical pizza. It shows we are taking pizzas to a different level. We’re simply trying to take comfort foods up a notch.

DM: You have a lot of pizza competition here in St. Louis— what makes Cork N’ Slice different from the rest? CS: Everything we serve is made fresh from our appetizers—like Mamma Mia Meatballs—all the way to our desserts like Irish coffee cheesecake. The best part about Cork N’ Slice is that we make our own pizza sauce and dough. We have ingredients that are even imported from Italy. It’s not many pizza places that have a brick wood fire oven that gives you that special artisan flavors—you can’t find that everywhere.

DM: What’s next for you as a restauranteur? CS: I’m learning more and every day, I’m becoming more knowledgeable than I was before. Every day I am learning something new. I want to limit my mistakes as much as possible and keep striving. Eventually, I plan to open multiple stores and franchise them.

DM: Other than Cork N’ Slice—- describe your restaurant in three words. CS: Trendy, Chic, and Unique.

You can find Cork N’ Slice at corknslice.com and on Facebook & Instagram @corknslice Located: 4501 Maryland Ave. St. Louis, MO. 63108 DELUXMAG.COM

| hair tips |

GIRLS LOVE CURLS words by: maya smith

UNDERSTANDING THE BATTLE BETWEEN OIL AND MOISTURE. The first thing people must understand is that there are opposite things going on at the same time. “Due to the shape of curly-haired strands, the hair tends to be under moisturized. On the other hand, the curly-haired scalp can get very oily. Managing these opposite demands is a struggle for girls who wish to keep their curls. “The key here is knowing how best to address both,” explains Maya, who led the movement for women to transition from relaxers to natural curls. BE GENTLE WHEN WASHING CURLY HAIR. According to Maya, kinky, thick, coiled textures tend to appear “tough” and strong enough to withstand heavy manipulation. “In my experience, these hair types are actually the most delicate, and should be handled with care,” she recommends. STEP ONE: PICK YOUR PRODUCTS WISELY. Maya applied over two decades of research and development based on working knowledge of hair texture and listening to what people wanted. “I created The Doux™ SUCKA FREE Moisturizing Shampoo and FRESH RINSE Moisturizing Conditioner as the one-two step that delivers both, deep cleaning plus exceptional nourishment necessary for styling.” It’s now available in Target stores and the full product line is available online at www.thedoux. com.

STEP TWO: PREP FOR SHAMPOO. Maya’s professional instructions for curl mastery begins with rinsing hair thoroughly with water for a minimum of 30 seconds. “This helps to eliminate any water-soluble product buildup, such as hair gel or heat protectant. It also helps you save shampoo! Assuming you’re shampooing in the shower, letting the water run over the hair in a downward motion helps prevent further tangling, and allows the hair shaft to swell and the curl pattern to fully rebound.” For those with extremely thick hair, Maya suggests separating hair into four

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eople with wavy or curly hair are always looking for new products, tips and tricks to lock in their desired look. Whether they want to blow it straight, create looser curls or maximize their tighter coils, Maya Smith, Celebrity Hair Stylist, salon owner and creator of The Doux, the “Indie” haircare line with a cult following now available at Target, is truly the master. Here, she shares her best tips for girls with curls who want to revel in their natural hair and create a style they love. sections prior to wetting the hair for increased manageability. Once the shampoo is applied, Maya recommends light manipulation at the scalp, going from the crown of the head to the nape of the neck. “Squishing” the hair up toward the scalp is a no-no. “Shampooing this way can cause unforgivable tangling and matting. I recommend repeating the shampooing process at least once.” STEP THREE: CONDITION AND COMB THROUGH LIKE A PRO. If your scalp was properly shampooed, conditioning is easy. “This time, you’re focusing on your thirsty ends first, working upward towards the scalp. Gently detangle with a widetoothed comb or detangling brush (our favorite is Felicia Leatherwood’s “Brush with the Best” detangling brush) before rinsing, starting at the ends, working up towards the roots. Remember to rinse with cool water, which snaps cuticles shut, locks in moisture, makes your hair shinier and reduces frizz.” When it comes to “co-washing” or “conditioner washing,” Maya equates the popular trend to washing your clothes with fabric softener. “In my experience, co-washing causes build-up on the hair, coating the cuticle and impairing the hair’s natural ability to absorb water. Oils, waxes, and product residue harden on the hair shaft, making it more brittle and less porous over time. When the hair can no longer effectively absorb water, the elasticity of the hair is compromised, leaving the hair “crunchy” and stiff, where it is more likely to break. The result is hair that feels dry and brittle, no matter what product you use to moisturize it,” explains Maya. One of the things Maya Smith and her team of stylists are known for is their ability to restore hundreds of their clients’ curls, simply by getting them to trade in the co-wash for a gentle, pH-balanced moisturizing shampoo, like The Doux’s SUCKA FREE, which properly cleanses hair of product residue. “Once you have the hair thoroughly clean, it “drinks” up the necessary amount of moisture, and returns to its natural softness,” Maya clarifies. AVOID ALCOHOL AND KICK THE CRUNCH TO THE CURB.

Styling products high in alcohol give curls a crunchy feel. They suck up every last bit of moisture. Hair spray tends to contain the most alcohol, while gels, mousses and anything that provides hold or lift come in second. “I recommend water-soluble gels that don’t feel sticky on your skin, and aerated mousses or foams that resemble beaten egg whites, to give hair fullness, control, and non-brittle curls,” Maya says. She adds that she created The Doux so it can be used on hair that is worn curly or straight. “Our clients purchase one set of products and apply them differently to achieve the style they want. If you’re rocking curly hair today, you’re using The Doux’s Mousse Def and Bonita Afro Balm for softness and definition, and The Light for shine. If you’re wearing a blowout, you’re still using the same products, but applying them less liberally, and using the shine mist as a heat protectant. It’s super simple and easy to follow once you’ve seen the results each of them delivers,” Maya explains.

the curl pattern and focuses hot air on one small section at a time, while a diffuser dries curls evenly for a full, uniform look,” she explains. Maya recommends always applying a heat-protecting product, then flipping your head upside down, using a diffuser at the roots and mid-length making sure to dry the area completely to lock in volume. “It’s important to leave the ends for last and leave them only semi-dry. Air drying the ends is your best option.”

Care for the curls you were born with!

BLOW-DRY WITH A DIFFUSER OR HOODED DRYER. Maya’s first choice for curly styles is to air dry. “If you don’t have the time to air dry, then dry with a diffuser or hooded dryer on a low heat setting. A regular blow dryer nozzle disrupts

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| motivation |

Monsanto, the Blues missing the playoffs, and St. Louis falling out of the Top 20 among the largest US cities. All in all, it’s enough to make one want to crawl back into bed and hide until it all goes away. Of course, we can’t do that because life goes on. Frustrated and depressed though we may be by current events, we have to carry on. I’m reminded of a story by Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym, in which he wrote, “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. (It is) time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” The fact that so much has happened in such a short time supports the belief that we live in a world of no guarantees. A few years ago, I had the privilege to listen to the late management/leadership guru — Warren Bennis — address the challenges that people face in a world of no guarantees. He shared six points he found on a company’s bulletin board, which speak to the corporate culture in our country today:

A WORLD OF NO PROMISES

words by: benjamin ola. akande

he sun finally came out the other day and the temperature soared past 70 degrees. Birds were singing, my flowers have started to bloom, and I was delighted to spend time outside enjoying the springtime weather.

Unfortunately, when I returned inside and turned on the television again, it suddenly felt like “Winter is Coming,” as they predict in the popular Game of Thrones show. It seems as if every hour of every day, we are confronted with another example of a seemingly dysfunctional world, one marked less by hope and optimism and more by confusion, controversy and chaos. In just the first quarter of 2018, we have witnessed the Parkland shooting , as well as almost daily acts of violence on St. Louis’ streets. We’ve been bombarded with tales of sexism and sexual harassment in Hollywood and even here in our own state. We tune in daily to learn of the latest staff turmoil and turnover at the White House-- the ongoing Mueller investigation-- and allegations of Russian involvement in our elections. Then there is the ongoing battle over DACA, a missile scare in Hawaii, budding trade wars, and the roller coaster that is our stock market. Plus, there are the recent Facebook troubles, the shuttering of Toys R Us (which is certainly depressing for the younger generation), and the revelation that the plastic trash in the ocean stretches across an area larger than Texas. We are not immune to bad news on the local front either. There’s Governor Greiten’s troubles, Express Scripts being sold and Bayer’s acquisition of

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• We can’t promise you how long we’ll be in business. • We can’t promise you that we won’t be bought by another company. • We can’t promise that there will be room for promotion. • We can’t promise that your job will exist until you reach retirement. • We can’t promise that the money will be available for your pension. • We can’t expect your undying loyalty and we are not sure we want it. • Bennis’ point was that there is a changing dynamic among corporations, who are no longer willing to make the kind of promises that corporations have historically been known to offer. So, how do workers develop the psychological fortitude, leadership and managerial skills needed to navigate this perilous landscape? Some may find Warren Bennis’ perspective yet another sign of the societal decay we are facing. I, however, find it refreshing and realistic. True, employees, especially millennials, will face a very complicated business environment in which there are no promises. But, knowing that there are no guarantees and having realistic expectations is the first step to dealing with chaos and change. When change is the only constant, we can plan accordingly and remain open to new ideas and new directions. As the late, great Stephen Hawking told us, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” Adapting to change in a chaotic world that offers no guarantees will require not only intelligence, but patience, persistence and creativity. Those are qualities that our American society is built upon, and I am confident that they remain our path to better days ahead. I take joy in seeing our young people expressing their views openly and loudly through their nationwide anti-gun advocacy. I marvel at the strength of the Me Too movement and the courage of women to speak up for their rights. I marvel at the technological achievements our country consistently delivers, symbolized perhaps by Elon Musk’s Tesla rocketing into outer space. Finally, I look forward to the warmth that Mother Nature and our own good natures have in store for us. As we see with the weather, there are no promises or guarantees, but there is always hope.

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REASONS WHY A POLYAMOROUS RELATIONSHIP MAY BE OK

words by: briana cole

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| love, sex + relationships |

et’s face it, when a lot of people consider a relationship with consensual, multiple partners, not many are accepting of the idea. But with the increasing popularity of open relationships, swingers, and TV shows like: Seeking Sister Wives, more and more couples are riddled with curiosity. Perhaps, even open to exploring the possibility. Especially, with the associated benefits involved. I’m sure you’re wondering, ‘what type of benefits would have people agreeing to more than one partner?’ Here, we take more of an in-depth look into what was once a taboo lifestyle, but is now becoming more socially acceptable. First, let’s make a comparison. People often use polygamy and polyamory interchangeably. Some may not have even heard of the latter. Polygamy is the practice of having more than one legal wife and is usually associated with some type of religious affiliation. Polygamy is illegal in the United States but legal in other parts of the world. Polyamory, on the other hand, means “many loves,” where a person has some form of a serious relationship with more than one person at a time. Absolutely legal everywhere, but why would a couple do this? 1. Consistency – Much like an open marriage, partners are invited into the relationship. But with polyamory, you have the same parties involved. No more having to worry about screening multiple partners or making sure certain people are available. Nor do you have to worry about a steady rotation of different people revolving through your bed and household. The relationship partners are already established.

4. Financial – Similar to above, not only are there more parties available to split the household responsibilities, but more people in the home can mean more income coming in. With four (or five or however many) people working, income is multiplied as well. Splitting the bills yields an even greater benefit. Expenses of, let’s say, $4000 a month. Now divide that by four people instead of just two. It’s like getting the roommate deal with the added bonus. Which brings me to my final point. 5. Sexual – They say variety is the spice of life, and with more people involved, you certainly get that. Even if threesomes and foursomes aren’t your thing, at least your partner will be satisfied because there are more options. Coming home after a long day of work, you’re tired, you have a headache, and frankly you’re not in the mood. Let one of the other love partners handle the sexual duties so you don’t have to worry about it. Or, is there a sexual act you know you’re not willing to do? Keep it all in the household and send your man down the hall to bedroom three. There are others pros of a polyamorous relationship I’m sure I didn’t touch on here, but I wanted to provide a “quick and dirty” list to highlight some of the main benefits. By no means is this a testimony or a persuasive article. This is a tiny glimpse that will, hopefully, shed a little light on the subject. Some of you may already be participating in polyamory relationship and just don’t want to admit it (You know that man is still sleeping with his baby mama). That’s a subject for another article. In the words of the polyamorous community, “if you can love more than one child, why can’t you love more than one partner?”

2. Trust - Whether it’s true or not, there is a preconceived notion that women are distrusting. Going through cell phones and social media accounts, the constant interrogation, maybe even following their man and popping up on him just to try and catch him cheating. Well, in a polyamorous relationship, you don’t have to worry about all of that. You know who is involved and you’ve already had the chance to vet the other women yourself. Openness and honesty leads to more trust and all that undercover, detective work may be a thing of the past. 3. Sharing - We will touch on the sexual aspect in a moment. For now, I’m talking about the sharing of responsibilities. With more than one person in the home, there are more people to divide the household functions. You come home from work and you’re tired? It’s ok. One of the other partners will cook. Chores? Children? Same thing. With more “hands on deck” there is less for you to have to do, including stress about who will do what.

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| delux profiled |

CELEBRITY STYLIST

TY HUNTER words by: nefferterie j.

aised in Austin, TX, Ty Hunter always had a passion for fashion. It was always ingrained inside of him. Growing up, he remembers being known as the best dressed. Throughout his life, Ty never really liked or followed fashion trends. Before he became a fashion stylist—he worked in the medical field—at a heart valve company called CarboMedics. Though he made good money, something had changed inside of him. “My quotas were beginning to slip, and a place I once loved coming to, started becoming a place dreaded coming to,” Hunter recalls. “I ended up taking a leave of absence from my employer and gave myself three months to figure out what it was I wanted to do. I packed my car and decided to start a new journey in Houston.” Working at Bui Yah Kah, is where he met Tina Knowles. “Whenever we would get in new pieces that look like it would be a good fit for Destiny’s Child, I would call her up,” Hunter says. From that point, Hunter and Knowles developed a good relationship through shopping. “I remember Ms. Tina would always tell me you’re better than this place. I’m going to get you out of here one day. Of course, I didn’t actually believe her [laughs].” And just like that, life changed for Hunter. During one of his regular calls to Knowles, Hunter ended up landing the stylist job for Destiny’s Child, Survivor video. According to Hunter, Knowles designed most of the girls looks in the beginning. He states, it was very difficult to pull looks from showrooms. Once their

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photography: amarko sovilij Independent Woman song dropped, it became easier to work with the designers they wanted to work with. ON STYLING & BEING BEYONCE’S STYLIST Before styling clients, Hunter mentions he likes to get to know a person—what their likes—dislikes—and insecurities are. As a stylist, Hunter’s job is to make sure the look he chooses for his clients, ultimately looks, and feels comfortable. “We’re not born with clothes on, so our skin is an outfit. Once you truly love yourself, then you will be comfortable in your own skin.” As a veteran in the fashion business, Hunter has learned over the years that it’s not always about the fashion—it takes confidence to pull off a look. It’s how trends begin. Creating new lanes—with fresh faces—and going against the norm. When it came to styling Beyoncé, Hunter generally stayed away from trends. He firmly believes in styling with timeless pieces that don’t age. He began styling Beyoncé when she was very young. Over the years, he has watched her grow into a beautiful woman and it has been amazing. One of his favorite looks was from her Crazy in Love video—where she wore a classic white tank top—denim shorts— paired with a red high heel. The look was simple and something fans could emulate that was affordable. Hunter has witnessed first-hand how her fans look up to her and gravitate towards her. He credits this to her sweet aura and genuine

spirit. “In this business, you have to stay grounded and not sweat the small things. I had to learn everyone isn’t going to do something the way I like all the time.” Having experience be his best teacher, Hunter has seen far too many people burn bridges and destroy good relationships over misunderstandings. ON BEING A MOTIVATOR Unfortunately, social media gives a lot of people a false pretense on how things appear to be or how to act. On Hunter’s Instagram page, he tries to be positive, and share uplifting words of encouragement. He shares how his use of yellow is to mirror the sun. To him, social media can be a very dark negative space. The words and quotes he uses reflect his transparency— allowing room for people to relate to him. His purpose for using his platform in this way is to let his followers know its ok to be positive, humble, and nice. There is no need to compromise yourself by being nasty to remain successful. ON MAKING BOSS MOVES In 2018, Hunter started branching off into various business ventures. On Instagram, he started #TYTUESDAY. That day is also set aside for his new YouTube show called TyLand. The show will have weekly featured guests to join for Ty Talk. During the show, he will discuss fashion, new vegan recipes and motivational speaking. What else in in the works this year? Hunter is in the process of writing two books. One

will be based off his life—the other book will be along the lines of motivational. And we can’t forget the fashion! Hunter will also be introducing a new clothing line. “I have been collaborating with a designer. The collection will be very creative, fresh, edgy, and vibrant.” Like most dream chasers, Hunter admits having this amazing career is a blessing— though it hasn’t always been easy. When he first embarked on his journey, he missed numerous birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries due to traveling. “I was always sacrificing so much of myself to everyone else besides family and friends. I was always on the go and I never wanted to miss career opportunities by saying couldn’t do something.” Thanks to technology, Hunter feels being away from home is a bit easier. When asked how he maintains his sanity in his demanding field, Hunter gives all the credit to meditation and prayer. He also states, learning how to put himself first is now a priority to maintain his own happiness. Advice he would give to budding, new fashion stylists—stay true to your craft and yourself—don’t let the world change your style—and always, always be unique. It’s your God given talent that no one can take away from you!

Be sure to follow Ty Hunter on Instagram @tytryone

| MAR 3,2018 • BLACK YOUNGSTA |

photos courtesy of: lavell monger harris more images availble www.deluxmag.com

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| MAR 24,2018 • URBAN LEAGUE GALA | photos courtesy of: lavell monger harris more images availble www.deluxmag.com

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WE HONOR THE LEGACY OF OUR ST. LOUIS HEROES IN THE FIGHT FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY PROUD MAJOR SPONSOR #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis NOW THROUGH APRIL 15, 2018 MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

BE YOURSELF AT MARYVILLE.

At Maryville University, diversity and inclusion are core principles of our learning environment, and multicultural understanding is

MARYVILLE. MANY CONNECTIONS. ONE U.

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