CON TRI BUT ORS
PUBLISHER Ronnie Walker @iamronniewalker EXECUTIVE EDITOR DJ Sincere @drtybsmnt
Peige Tuner Offers advice on how to spice up your sex life and increase the intimacy in your relationship.
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Belinda Trotter - James @modelocity @Belinda_Trotter_James
LOLA SYKES @lolitabrigante Offers how-to tip on MAKE UP and becoming a better you...
ART ASSITANCE Mike Hanna @bigcalhoun
Neema Ali @iamneemaali
CONTENT
DOES BHM STILL MATTER? BEATUY TIPS RODNEY REED Story Update LOVE UPS
09 08 22 28
IA
AM
T O H S T O G THIS .. E W FOR #!T. $ L L BU
DOES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH STILL MATTER
February 2016, Black History Month. It just doesn’t seem the way it used to. The desire, energy and enthusiasm from the African-American community itself for the continued celebration and advancement of the culture seems to be waning. We hope we’re wrong. While indeed there are many forces and ideologies at work these days to distract us and take us further and further from our original selves, that’s not new. There have always been concerted efforts to minimize and marginalize the accomplishments of all non white peoples in general and of African culture in particular. Push back however was always the rule and it came in the way of self financing and publishing our own magazines, movies, etc. It came in the form of trade organizations, advocacy groups and award shows. This enabled us to tell our own stories and to celebrate our successes together. Long standing Institutions such as the NAACP, organizations like Black Lives Matter, companies like BET and even Black History Month itself are being attacked, called into question, pointed to and cited as racist themselves. (which is a whole article by itself) It also occurred to us some time ago that there had been a turning down or a muting of the acknowledgement and even just the awareness of Black History Month from the larger society and corporate America. I can recall a time when there was heavy corporate sponsorship of events and programming related to the celebration. Of course this was viewed no doubt as an investment, a great opportunity to promote and market their products to; and also gain goodwill from the Black community and help to increase their bottom line. While Black folks continue to support these companies to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars that sponsorship support has dried up. With these things in mind we put out the call to many people from different walks of life to give us their favorite Malcolm X or Martin Luther King quote or if they wish they could answer the question “Is Black History Month still relevant”?
09
Community Advocate
Tony Herbert
“
BLACK HISTORY MONTH is an awesome celebration of our history and the great many contributions made by our ancestors and leaders. Our national choice to give reverence to the contributions of African-Americans is worthy of celebration. However, the question remains, why only a month, why not celebrate it everyday, our community and political leaders should insure that our history is taught in the public school system everyday thus educating the minds of those who are clueless. Then and only then can today’s society learn to appreciate that which we have contributed to make this nation great...........
“
10
#BHM
President/CEO Double XXposure Media Relations
ANGELO ELLERBEE
“
With all of the uproar as of late, regarding any continued merit behind a Black History Month, I am left speechless by the simplicity of the solution—extend the celebration of achievements by African Americans beyond a single month. In a racially balanced society, meritocracy should not be confined to white achievers only. And with so little time to highlight any other race, that is what is happening. Our country is so gangster it gives my people thirty days to learn about, recognize, and salute more contributions than can be counted in a year, much less a month. Any celebration of Black achievement serves as being important when it educates our youths on the many struggles and limitations that African Americans miraculously surmounted. Yet it diminishes us when carried out in the shortest month out of the 12 offered. This takes such significance and crams it into quick presentations that often lacks depth and are not very entertaining for today’s youth. Our children deserve equal education across the board—especially information about their contributing roots found throughout the world’s history.
“
African Americans celebrate a past bulging with far more merit than this country seems willing to acknowledge, even given a lifetime. If we can stop squeezing so much importance into such small spaces, we as a country would grow exponentially.
#BHM
11
#BHM
#BHM
Actor/Comedian/Media Personality
Sherwin XL
“
I have always absolutely loved Black History Month since I was a young man not only because it’s the month that I was born; February 21st, but also to take time to honor the life of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Garvey, Frederick Douglass along with many other African-American Men and Women who contributed to the history of African-Americans. The schools in America need to educate our children with the truth about African-Americans. Some of us already know the truth and need to speak on it.
“
Host, Hip Hop Chronicles
Mike Nyce
“
We celebrate BLACK HISTORY MONTH because we are grateful for achievements that have been made by our ancestors however, we must continue to make history and be revolutionary. We are young. We are black and We are legendary.
“
14
#BHM
Founder of the James & James, LLC.
Jared James
“
l agree with the slogan of the APEX Museum, “Where every month is Black history month”! We should always acknowledge the past to understand the present. However, that’s the problem! Let’s teach “the story” and leave “his” out of it. Our story doesn’t begin in slavery and our achievements are not limited by our popular ancestors. We come from royalty and that’s something to be proud of! Let’s celebrate and highlight the efforts of our people everyday.
“
Author, film producer, radio show host
Darlene Lewis
“
I love the fact that there is an entire month dedicated to people that often get overlooked. I created a Black Inventors app which is available at http://www.appcatch.com/app_blackinventors-414658.html which is a great way to learn about all of the products black people invented, that we use still today. There are not enough teachers to teach history of Black people, nor are there enough knowledgeable enough to teach. Parents have to take the initiative and learn and share the info and not depend on outside sources all the time to bring information to their children.
“
#BHM
15
Recording artist and song writer
Calico Jonez
“
“
Black History month will always remain essential, understanding our past was foundation to our future.
April Walker Walker Wear | Chief Dream Officer
“
I think Black History month is necessary more than ever, especially considering the racial climate of this country. We’ve been an integral part of the building blocks for this country, but we have a long way to go in terms of telling the stories and celebrating black history all year long.
“
16
#BHM
B.k. U-Allah
“
Many people say we do not need black history. But what nation of people do not celebrate their heroes and the brave of their own biological roots? Although we have been given enough the shortest month of the calendar to celebrate black history, black history is everyday. Not only we should be inspired by our history, bot we are the genesis and foundation of all history, since we were the first in existence to explore the planet’s and all its function; Sun, moon and stars. The American Caucasians study and cast their history daily.
“
Black history month is revenant and should not be whitewashed because if you don’t know from which you came how do you know where you going its very important to teach black history to inform the youth and at the same time insert pride into their psyche African Americans have a very rich history here in the United States and around the world. The young ones around my household and family are very excited about black history month that started out as black history week.
“
#BHM
17
“
Al STONE
legendary radio personality and program director
Lola
Sykes
Although we see so many beautiful images of perfectly blended, colorful eyeshadow looks on social media, the reality is 95% of clients just want an everyday look. The main question I get asked as a makeup artist is “how can I look like this everyday?” A full face look can take about an hour or more so many women don’t have time for a full look.
18
#BHM
Here’s a few tips for an everyday wear makeup look: 1. Correct, don’t cover! This is a mistake made by many that can make or break a look. Lighter concealer over a dark spot or under eye circles can look gray, instead, correct with an orange or peachy/apricot corrector before applying foundation. 2. Liquid foundations work best for everyday and apply easily with a brush or damp sponge. 3. Always be sure to match your neck, not your face. Most times our faces aren’t the color of the rest of our bodies or even our neck. Dab a small amount on the bottom of your jaw to color match at your favorite makeup counter. 4. Brown, never black pencils for the brows. Even if your brow hairs are black using a black pencil will give a harsh artificial look. 5. Eye Liner isn’t always necessary especially if you have trouble with this step, but mascara is a must. Two coats if needed. 6. Warm the skin for pale or lighter skin, do the reverse for deeper skin tones. In other words, if you have a light skin tone contour lightly, if your skin is darker highlight only. Doing this will put dimension back into the face as foundation can give the face a flat unrealistic look. 7. Blush is optional, but if you do want a flush of blush use one without shimmer if you have acne or textured skin. 8. A quick swipe of orange-ish brown eyeshadow across the crease of the eye lids will give depth to the eyes. I like saddle or brown script by MAC for this step. 9. Powder to set! Please do not skip this step! Your liquid or cream foundation will melt and slide throughout the day if it isn’t set. You can use a translucent loose powder for this step or a pressed powder foundation the same color as your liquid or cream foundation. 10. Finally the lips, nudes are best and don’t look weird when fading throughout the day.
#BHM
19
Stetsasonic
Daddy o
“
Is Black History Month still relevant? “Absolutely. If for nothing else, to show blacks as a part of American history.”
“
Channel live
hakim green
“
“
#BHM is needed more than ever. Knowledge must always conquor ignorance. One month to focus on that.
20
#BHM
Brand Nubian
lord jamar
“
Black History Month was never relevant for me because I celebrate Black History everyday. How can you encompass hundreds & thousands of years of history into the shortest month of the year? What month is white history month? Black History should be celebrated daily if you appreciate reading, writing, language, mathematics, science, astronomy, masonry & anything else you can think of that contributes to civilized society, as the BLACKMAN & WOMAN are the father & mother of all civilization. Peace!
“
Tragedy Khadafi
“
Black legacy and the rich heritage of our people is always important and needs to be placed at the forefront of man and mankinds history...being that its confined or compartmentalized to a month ...still in americas ‘curriculum’ is quite disturbing .disproportionatism is evident when you look at it in comparison to european his story which indicates the influence of white supremacy.
21
“
#BHM
#BHM
23
BASTROP COUNTY, Texas -- Two new affidavits filed last week reveal new details in the case of Rodney Reed, the man who maintains his innocence after being sentenced to death for the 1996 rape and murder of a 19-year-old woman. Red Rock resident Calvin “Buddy” Horton, the cousin of Stacey Stites, states in an affidavit filed last week that he saw Stites and Reed together at a Bastrop Dairy Queen months before Stites’ death in April 1996. According to Horton, he took two of his children to Diary Queen to get ice cream on a Sunday afternoon sometime in the fall of 1995. Horton said he saw Stites with a black man he did not recognize, and Stites and the man ignored him. Horton said after he saw photos of Reed on the news and in the newspaper after Stites’ death, he recognized Reed as the man Stites had been with at Dairy Queen months before. Family members of Stites and Reed maintain that the two were lovers. Reed’s attorneys have said more DNA testing is required to prove Reed’s innocence and maintain that Stites’ fiance, Jimmy Fennell, murdered her months before their wedding when he found out she was having an affair with Reed. Fennell is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman while he was a Georgetown police officer.
“
“I have always believed Mr. Reed’s story that he had a relationship with my cousin Stacey,” Horton states in the affidavit.
“
A Bastrop Court convicted Reed of Stites’ 1996 murder. Reed’s supporters have sought to exonerate him, and his execution was stayed by an appeals court in March. Reed’s defense team says Stites’ former fiance, Jimmy Fennell, is likely the real killer. Fennell, who most recently worked as a Georgetown Police officer, was indicted last year on charges including aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping related to his raping a woman he had taken into custody. Last month he agreed to plead guilty to two charges in exchange for two years in a state jail facility, but that plea deal was denied by Williamson Co. District Judge Burt Carnes, and Fennell will now go to trial in September. In addition, Reed attorney Benjet writes that information obtained from the Travis Co. Sheriff’s Office demonstrates that Fennell was accused of trying to force a woman to dance for him naked back in 2004 after he pulled her over near Round Rock for having a “crooked license plate.” When Fennell found out the woman was driving with an expired registration, he asked her what she “wanted to do about that,” suggesting she drive to the parking lot of Inner Space Cavern, disrobe, and give him a “lap dance.” She apparently avoided her fate by mentioning that she was friendly with the wife of the Williamson Co. sheriff. The woman immediately reported the incident to TCSO, but Georgetown Police Department officials apparently did not pursue the complaint.
24
#BHM
The most recent development in the case a new opinion from Dr. Roberto Bayardo, the forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy in the case and testified for the State. Having reviewed his work in the case and the opinions of the habeas experts, Dr. Bayardo does not now believe that the presence of Mr. Reed’s sperm and DNA indicates anything other than a consensual affair. In fact, he believes that the condition and amount of the sperm indicates a sexual encounter at least a day before Stacey’s death. The crux of Dr. Bayardo’s statement is that the State twisted his opinions at trial to falsely accuse Rodney. Dr. Bayardo’s opinion is one of a number of forensic experts who have now disagreed with the State’s theory that Rodney raped and murdered Stacey. In over a decade of litigation, the State has never presented a single expert witness to contradict any of the scientific opinions exonerating Rodney. Despite the important breakthrough of Dr. Bayardo’s statement, the federal district court has denied Rodney’s case. We are currently appealing the decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and will continue to pursue every legal option and investigate any information we receive to find the truth in this case. Bryce Benjet Staff Attorney, Innocence Project New York, NY
WE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR RODNEY REED GOTO LINK BELOW FOR SUPPORT https://www.facebook.com/texasinjustice/
#BHM
25
CEO/President, Blue Ice Entertainment
BAKARI ADEYEMI
“
I know that everyone is jumping all over Stacey Dash about her Black History Month comments however, a couple of years ago I had similar thoughts, but a little bit different from her opinion. If I had my way I would end Black History Month and I will tell you why. I feel that Black History or African American History should be infused or intergrated with all American History and should also be extended to World History to discuss the slave trade and the African Diaspora. Currently, we put emphasis on Black History during February, but we need to study Black and/or African American History all year round. In addition, studying Black or African American History should be required for all students, not just African American students. Right now, not enough is being done to educate all students about the African Diaspora which led to African slaves being transported to Brazil (South America); the Caribbean Islands and the United States. If you ask some African American children or teens where they come from, they will say, ‘North Carolina, South Carolina or The Bronx’, but they all actually originated from Africa. So right now until we begin teaching all kids about Black or African American History all year round, we will need to celebrate Black History Month and consolidate our entire history into one month.
“
26
#BHM
Celebrity hairstylist and make up artist
Gerard Dure
“
I love it for the celebratory aspects of our journey and where we have come from, but because it is the shortest month of the year I believe we should be encouraged to seek out info about our history all the time. We have to teach black history to outsiders. We should learn and teach from an inclusive pro active position because history is being born daily. We are staples in the foundation of this country Black history is American history.
“
#BHM
27
28
February Fantasy Play
By: Paige Turner
February is upon us. We all know what that means— VALENTINE’S DAY!!!! The same dinner and movie that you’ve been doing for years. I don’t know about you, but I think this is the year to shake things up. How about you take the reins and show your guy how much he means to you. We have been so conditioned to think of Valentine’s Day as a holiday that is strictly for the ladies. Guys are really getting the short end of the stick.
Granted, it may sometimes be extremely difficult to shop for the man in your life. Instead of buying him a gift, I suggest you try some acts of service. Fret not, If you have no clue where to start, I’ll definitely guide you in the right direction. Even if you feel silly, I guarantee your guy will appreciate all the effort you have dedicated in order to give him the best Valentine’s Day experience. The first step to blowing his mind on Valentine’s Day starts way before the holiday even approaches. It entails putting your ego aside and asking him what types of things turn him on. I’m not talking about an interrogation. I’m talking about gathering information from multiple conversations. Be mindful to listen to him when he lets you in on those innermost thoughts and fantasies. Make a mental note about the things he says he like or would be curious to try. As the holiday approaches, go through your mental list of his likes and dislikes. Figure out what things you would feel comfortable trying out with him. Fully commit to the process and pull out all the stops. If he has a “Coming to America” fantasy, make sure you spread out all the rose petals and run a nice bath for him. Make sure you have light snacks close by and take the time to pamper him in every way. Think about it…How often does he do things for you simply because you like it? This is the perfect opportunity to show him how much you appreciate him. He will love knowing that you listened to him and took the time to apply so much action. Even if the night doesn’t turn out perfectly, you’ll be his quintessential perfect woman.
29
Music industry executive
KERMIT HENDERSON
“
“
Black History Month in February and Black Music Month in June are BOTH VERY important
Recording artist
PARIS
“
“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” - MLK, Jr. “I believe that there will ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those that do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the systems of exploitation.” - Malcolm X Peace Always,
“
30
https://ronniewalker.jeunesseglobal.com/en-US/
31
“SOMETHINGS N #BHM
#BHM
“
NEVER CHANGE
WE SHOULD ALL EMBRACE OUR BLACK