On The Cover SIDRA BELL
PUBLISHER| EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
To n y Smit h
pu bl ish er @in d iein c o g n t io c o m
MANAGING EDITOR DR. RHONDA FOSTER-SMITH
Ed it o r At Lar g e
Gin a Jo h n so n St el l y
COLUMNISTS
ROBERT WALKER
Pau l et t e Jac kso n
Do mo n iq u e Jo n es
Jo -Lyn n Her ber t
Dan iel l e Bat ist e
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bo bby r o ebu c k
Do n n el l Spen c er , Jr
CONTRIBUTORS
Ro ber t Wal ker
Su bsc r ipt io n s an d Ad v er t isin g : pu bl ish er @in d iein c o g n it o c o m
In d ie In c o g n t io is pu bl ish ed mo n t h l y by kase q t r
Wake Fo r EST, NC 27587 | +818-723-5386
Publisher'smessage
TonySmith, Publisher
We are about to embark on our third year of publishing Indie Incognito Magazine, and I have to say that each issue has been a blessing and a necessary link in our chain We have spoken to acclaimed musicians, indie film makers, young entrepreneurs, politicians, fashion designers and more We have shared knowledge on health and wellness, business resources, finance and more
We are not without struggle as are many 2024 was fraught with unexpected issues and our issues dwindled However, after retooling and re focusing, we are so excited about our next chapter. Features and interviews about more dynamic and inspirational people from around the world With limitless possibilities comes limitless opportunities and we plan to expand, explore, expose and entertain, all at the same time With our dedicated team of writers, photographers, contributors and designers, we will continue to bring you the best
Lastly, Indie Incognito Magazine and Kase Qtr is excited to announce our partnership with Gina Johnson Stelly and SPMG Media Stay tuned for more details about our partnership
Indie Incognito Magazine
SIDRA BELL
is thefounder of Sidra Bell DanceNew York.
Her work has been seen throughout theUnited States, Denmark, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovenia, Sweden, Germany, China, Canada, Aruba, Korea, Brazil, and Greece.
Sidra has created over 100 works, most notably for Nevada Ballet Theater, NashvilleBallet, BodyTraffic, Ailley II, TheJulliard School, Whim W'Him, Boston Conservatory at BerkleeCollege, River North Dance Chicago, NYU Tish Schoolof Arts, Sacramento Ballet, Boulder Ballet, Motto Dans Kolectif Turkey, and many more.
SIDRA BELL DANCE NEW YORK is an internationally recognized boutiquebrand of prolific movement illustrators based in New York City that presents and fosters a canon of innovativeand progressivedance theater programming in realms of ideas, environs and (im)possibilities.
Sidra took thetimeto talk with our publisher, Tony Smith. Wethank her truly.
S I D R A
OneOnOneWithSIDRA
interview by Tony Smith, publisher Indie Incognito Magazine
Hello Sidra I appreciate you taking the time to chat with us today So, how are you and tell me how have things been the past couple of months.
It's been busy. We had our world premiere at downtown at Gibney dance, where I'm an artist in residence, and it was a collaboration with Emmanuel Wilkins quartet, and that was, uh, funded by Creative Capital. So that was a huge year long arc of process and bringing it to stage. And it was sold out. So that was very cool. Never anything wrong with a sell out Kudos to that
it was very momentous. And there's, you know, just a lot of interest in the live music and dance collaboration aspect of it, and people felt, I think they felt that there was something fresh happening in my work. You know, I've had a, I have a long catalog, so they felt like it was a departure in some ways, but also for me, it was like returning home, because I started out with live music with my dad, you know, the early days. So it felt very circular and like cyclical for me.
What made you decide to start that collaboration, like you, say, a year or so ago?
Yeah, well, even beyond, because I met Emmanuel. I have relationships with a lot of the institutions in New York, like Juilliard and NYU. And he was Juilliard, and I think he just heard about my show from one of his classmates. He was graduating that year, the following and he came down to Brooklyn to what was the C Kirkland Art Center, and we met in the hallway after the show. I think he liked it, you know, I just had a good energy. So I said, Let's do something together. You know, I'm always interested in young musicians. And it was just kind of impromptu. And so it was like a co led piece. It's called communion. And he really we were, because of the grant, we're able to spend time with him, just like long rehearsals where he was improvising, we were improvising with my dancers. And so that's where it became very organic and special, I think And then his his band is fabulous. They're all all like independent musicians of their own right. And then Micah Thomas and Rick Rosado, so they, they're actually at the Village Vanguard next.
Do you see more of these in the future?
Bigger piece?Yeah. I mean, when you came to North Carolina, really in that piece, old man in the sea, right?Apprentice, actually, because I've never worked on a huge opera like that. So I've been putting myself and myself in scenarios where I can really learn as an apprentice
Again, it was great. I mean, I movement directed with the director, but, yeah, I just love learning about the different facets of the theater and how you can expand and collapse things in a space. Um. Um, so I feel like each production I do where it's like, really, my production just gets bigger and bigger, and the scope and the ideas I've done set design before with New Orleans called Monster outside that had all these, like, mirrored panels in the space that almost look like a fractured brain. Yeah, you know, I think it always depends on the director, but, yeah, I just love learning about the different facets of the theater and how you can expand and collapse things in a space. Um. Um, so I feel like each production I do where it's like, really, my production just gets bigger and bigger, and the scope and the ideas I've done set design before with New Orleans called Monster outside that had all these, like, mirrored panels in the space that almost look like a fractured brain. Yeah, you know, I think it always depends.
I was laughing at the smile on your face when you said "Fractured Braid". What's with that?
it looked very prismatic. It was with a Swedish band, and that was another big funded piece, the National Dance Project. But even when I don't have a big budget, I try to, like, rearrange things in the space. So there's a particularity to it.
And now working with all these different artists on the road and learning about, you know, the different techniques of the theater, I just think I keep growing I worked on a piece in the fall. I think I may have told you about it with Derek Forger. He's a guy named visual artist. You probably seen images online, but that was in an art gallery, and I designed a dance piece in collaboration with him that happened within the art gallery. And he built this kind of circus tent in the space, you know, and I was watching the woodworkers and how they do that. And I just love seeing the mechanics of production. So, yeah, I just keep expanding in that way, the road and learning about, you know, the different techniques of the theater, I just think I keep growing.
Have you ever had the thought of, I don't want to do this anymore?
I've been the heaviness, and the burden is a lot, but I've been thinking, you know, every day there's a little bit of struggle, because it's, you're getting up, and it's really in your body too, like I'm still very much embodied in my practice. So you have to connect to purpose every day I think I've like in the past few years, I feel like I've gotten more solid and like how my walk within the art form is also my walk within my faith. So that really helps, like, connect to the thing that I was given that I need to do, rather than the burden of it. Like it never feels like a job.
It feels like a calling And within that you can kind of be inside of the struggle that it can be and you're tired and there's a lot of light in it. It's like bringing light in. So that's how I've learned to think about it, because I realized a lot of it's not in my control, like it's the thing that I'm supposed to be doing, and also connected to just, you know, bat way back I was a very shy child, so I feel like the expression, and still, I'm pretty reserved in a lot of ways. I feel like my best expression is when I'm, like, really creating things, and in any way it can be in the studio, or working on something on my computer, or imagining things, developing idea and talking about the art form, or steward, stewardship. And so I feel like I'm at my best when I'm creating. And I think again, that kind of ties up in what we're all given is, like, a very special light to do something. I think work is good too.
You were talking about stewardship You mentioned that two or three times Exactly How important is that to you in the old scope of all that you're doing,?
As an artist, it can't all be kind of reciprocating in you have to give out That's what makes the circle work So I think for me, I have been interested in working on this kind of living archive project, and I was able to show it a couple times so far. It's like, I keep a very fastidious film and photography and even, like costume archive. this couple years ago.
I had t his sm all gallery of w rit ings and cost um es and visuals t hat people could w alk t hrough and see, like t he t raject ory of m y art ist ic pract ice, and w e just did it at m y local public library up here in West chest er a couple m ont hs ago. So part of t hat , I t hink, is processing t he w ork like t o m e, it feels kind of endless t o just keep m aking it So for m e, doing t he archive process has been good t o look at m y w ork, not just m ake it const ant ly, but like, w hat did it all m ean, and w hat does it m ean t o everyone else, and t hen w hat does it m ean t o m y place in t he lineage of w orks? So I'm m uch older now , passing aw ay som e I just had a m ent or t hat passed aw ay, t hat w as a really m eaningful person in m y life, and I had all his archives He gave t hem t o m e because he w asn't part of t he digit al age Whereas I'm firm ly in t he digit al age, I'm int erest ed in, like, how t o t ake care of m y ow n w ork, but also t ake care of ot hers and and also, I t hink t here's som et hing beaut iful as w e do encount er a hard art s kind of t im e for t he art s, w e need t o be able t o language w hat w e're doing. Why is it essent ial? Why is it im port ant ? Why is it vit al? I t hink w e're losing som e of t hat because t here's such a proliferat ion of t hings happening, it 's hard t o digest everyt hing
And those were the words of the amazing Sidra Bell.
What ?s t he Purpose of St ret ching and Why Do We Do It ?
Read m ore at Healt h Line
"Danceisavehicletonavigatepersonal rituals andtranslatetheexquisiterawnessof being alive.Humanfeelingisbeyondlanguageand isamplifiedinthecomplicatedwebsystemsof thebody.Ourbodiesareever-changing networksof tinyspiriteddancesthatcollectand manageour memories;thecorporeal,mysterious, andcognitive.WhenI danceitallowsthe thunderousechoof myheartandconstant oscillationof mybreathtospreadtoothers."
I nOur M ovement
byJo-Lynn Herbert
Movement isnot a frozen façade.
Movement istheinterpretation of theblueskyabove.
Apath to expressdesiresand truths.
Auniversal gift that will not beforgotten.
Alivingwell of inspiration and action to express, All of who weare.
The movement factor is so explicitly serene fueling a meaningful flight I associate the movement factor from previous years that led to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960?s, and beyond to our day which has a full impact on our everyday lives
As a child I remember listening to ?We shall overcome,?not realizing the cause of that song until I heard the voice of Mrs Myrlie Evers-Williams I felt her pain which led me to study something that could have been unreal in my naiveté
Eventually I saw dance and writing as a liberation Dance has been the communicator of our love, pain, wants, needs, social awareness intertwined as corn braiding guided our path to unwavering strength We are here in our Spirit of who we are The Dance Movement will continue as generations through centuries bought us here to thrive, to move, to feel ourselves in our own breath of revelations.
Our dance is our walk with love, honor, and heard by the drum of our being Drums are our body, mind, and soul moving to the depth in meaning for many reasons not to be still, silent, or hidden Movement has such identity of unspoken meaning that aspires the beholder to hear, feel, and become part of the art of movement Dance is the resounding response to it all I remember when my abuela held my daughter and placed her on her lap My abuela started rocking her great granddaughter to the spirit of her soul. I sat there and joined in, feeling the spirit of love bring us closer. Movement is in our bones, conversations, memories our truth Never to be forgotten as our nurturing journey evolves
Dance is a collective experience that is seen worldwide The dance of our lives is our story driven for a purpose that has carried a depth of understanding that has captivated the heights of our trajectory of ourselves Our bodies carry a heartbeat to our being, we?re transforming ourselves
Our projectory is influencing for all to gather to see how history continues to sound our spirit The drums orchestrated our movement to be the light of our aspirations to become a radiance of dance and teacher to become an acclaimed choreographer to influence the veins of Yale, Alvin Ailey Studios, Kennedy Center Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York City Ballet bringing the anthology of past influencers in Nashville to our attention.
Our light is brightly lit to be seen, felt, and experienced in all stages of our lives, that usher in expressions of excellence in time and space
This is for you Sidra Bell! Your light is radiant.
Jo-Lynn Herbert is a published author, writer, and a Licensed Social Worker. She is a regular Indie Incognito columnist.
Jo-lynns-expressions com @jjlynn5110 jo
2025 IS COMING. STAY FOCUSED.
LDF's Thurgood Marshall Inst it ut e Releases New Report " What Project 2025 Means For Black Com m unit ies"
Today, the Legal Defense Fund's Thurgood Marshall Institute (TMI) released a new report, ?Attack on Our Power and Dignity: What Project 2025 Means for Black Communities,?which dissects Project 2025 and details how its radical proposals to restructure the federal government and increase the president?s authority will severely harm Black communities across the country.The report is the most in-depth legal analysis of Project 2025?s impact on Black communities and offers an affirmative vision for how Black communities can thrive.
The report outlines the direct and deliberate threat that ?Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise,?more commonly known as ?Project 2025,?poses to the livelihoods and hard-won progress of Black people in the United States The report provides analysis across seven key areas: civil rights and equal opportunity, education, Black political participation, the criminal legal system, housing, reproductive justice, and environmental justice
?Since its founding nearly 85 years ago under the leadership of founder Thurgood Marshall, LDFhas had a transformative vision to advance the dignity and citizenship rights of Black people and directly challenge regressive attacks like those we see in Project 2025,?said Janai Nelson, LDF President and Direct or-Counsel ?Make no mistake:
These threats are nothing new Steeped in dangerous, exclusionary rhetoric, this extreme proposal is designed to roll back progress, unravel justice, equality, and fairness, and erode the most foundational ideals of our democracy These disturbing and egregious measures include aims to severely diminish Black political power, threaten and subjugate Black communities within the criminal legal system, and undermine every person?s right to quality education and reproductive health care. More than ever, it is paramount to the future of our multiracial, multi ethnic democracy to advance an affirmative vision of justice and equality that serves everyone ?
?Dangerous efforts like Project 2025 only seek to reverse progress that Black communities have fought so hard to achieve for generations within the United States Such anti-democratic, anti-justice actions threaten the very fabric of U.S. democracy as a whole,?saidKarla McKanders, Direct or of t he Thurgood Marshall
Inst it ut e.?We find ourselves at a critical juncture that we have visited many times before in this country?s history: a choice to propel forward in pursuit of a stronger nation that lives up to our constitutional ideals, or fall backward into antiquated, divisive ways that act to reverse civil rights and concentrate power in the hands of a privileged few We must categorically disavow any proposal or action, such as Project 2025, that threatens to harm communities and work collaboratively to build an equitable, inclusive future ?
read full report
Nonprofit set to roll out new programs to close racial wealth gap
ByJavari Burnett Cincinnati
PUBLISHED 8:30 AM ETDec 23, 2024
CINCINNATI ? Cincinnati native Michael Moore knows a thing or two about financial wellness, but he said that wasn? t always the case.
What You Need To Know
- The Black Achievers Network looks to connect, educate and economically empower the Black community through networking and community outreach
- The nonprofit will roll out three new programs at the top of 2025 looking to close financial gaps
- Black Achievers Network currently has 200,000 members across 12 cities
?When I came out of college I had a lot of credit card debt. I thought credit cards were just free magical tools that you didn't even really have to pay back,?Moore said With age came wisdom for Moore, and he wants to share that knowledge to help change lives. Back in 2018, Moore found the nonprofit Black Achievers Professional Network BAN?s goal is to connect, educate and economically empower members through networking and community outreach. There are now 200,000 members across 12 cities, including Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland
- ?The reality is that no one has really made you feel like you?re willing to take the risk Someone is going to help you, nurture you, mentor you, and to sponsor you. That's what you get from the Black Achievers Network,?Moore said read more @spectrum news
AmericansPredict Challengesin 2025, With aFew Bright Spots
Political conflict, economic difficulty, global discord, growing deficit expected
by Megan Brenan
WASHINGTON, DC -- Americans foresee a somewhat challenging year ahead for the country, based on their predictions for various aspects of U.S. affairs and daily life. Majorities of U.S. adults think 2025 will be a year of political conflict, economic difficulty, international discord, increasing power for China and Russia, and a rising federal budget deficit
However, there is at least some optimism for 2025, as 66%of U.S. adults expect gains in the stock market, 54%think there will be increasing or full employment, and 52%predict reasonable price growth. Meanwhile, Americans are essentially tied in their projections for what 2025 will hold when it comes to the United States? power in the world, the number of labor strikes, taxes and crime rates
Republicans?Posit ive Predict ions Far Out pace Dem ocrat s?
With Donald Trump about to return to the White House, Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to offer positive predictions for all of the dimensions measured. Independents? expectations are similar to the national averages. Broad majorities of Republicans foresee positive outcomes for the U S on all measures except political cooperation, which is predicted by 45% Conversely, no more than one-quarter of Democrats expect positive results for 11 of the issues, while 31%anticipate few labor strikes and 46%think the stock market will rise.
Independents?positive predictions only rise to the majority level for two items -- the stock market and employment read full story
Hakeem Jeffrieswinsreelection asHouse Democraticleader despiteparty?slosses
source: https://jeffries house gov/
By LISA MASCARO
Updated 3:29 PM EST, November 19, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) ? House Leader Hakeem
Jeffries won reelection Tuesday as the Democratic leader, receiving support from his colleagues despite the party?s inability to win back majority control of the chamber in the November election
Jeffries and the top House Democratic leadership ? a trio of younger generation leaders along with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar of California . all won their reelections in the private balloting of House Democrats.
?We are prepared to work hard to find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues and the incoming administration on any issue, whenever and wherever possible,? said Jeffries, of New York, flanked by the leadership team at the Capitol
?But at the same period of time we will push back against far-right extremism whenever necessary,?Jeffries said ?But at the same period of time we will push back against far-right extremism whenever necessary,?Jeffries said read more story
About Kei
Robert Walker, Updated:Nov 29, 2024
Kei LaGuins
is a multi-faceted entertainment entrepreneur residing in Atlanta From Books, films, music and product brand endorsements, Kei has her eyes on real success as a multi-media business woman
As we come to the end of another year we reflect on the things we did and did not get accomplished as we turn to a new year with a renewed desire to achieve more for ourselves and our families
I like to do reflective follow-up features on the wonderful artists I have been privileged to write about over the years and my first one will be on Kei LaGuins of Atlanta
I first did a feature on Kei back in 2016 and titled the article ?Kei LaGuins: The Director?s Cut?That article mostly featured her acting, music and filmmaker pursuits, and since that time Kei has emerged as a multi-faceted businesswoman in the luxury products and media industry to add to her acting, music and film making resume.
She says, ?Media/Fashion and Entertainment are my passions. When I?m not out doing my hustle work for my businesses, I wind down with my Kei Sipof wine with the different flavors, and then there?s my cigars that are apart of the products that I package for my Kei LaGuins brand ?
I was fascinated to see how Kei has branched out as an artist well on her way to becoming a business mogul in the media and brand entertainment space
Q&A w it h Kei
RW)
It is hard to imagine that it has been 8 years since we first interviewed about your goals as a filmmaker, a songwriter/singer, and as a businesswoman
I see on social media that you are becoming quite the endorser of your own cigar and wine brand. How did that come about to venture into the consumer brand industry?
KL)
I wanted to be versatile in every way possible; so I thought to myself people enjoy having a good time, or just relaxing and winding down, so what better off to do that than with some wine/cigars
RW)
We first did our feature article on you in 2016, four years ahead of the pandemic that seemed like a Thanos snap from the Avengers movie, causing a shift in how people go about their daily lives How much of a shift did you have to do with the direction of your professional aspirations of where you were before that snap, to how you are operating now?
KL)
I really didn? t have to do a shift I just had to recreate and make it over
RW)
I know that you have a new movie/series and book coming soon, tell our readers about those and when will the book be available and plans to shoot the movie?
Kei LaGuins Brands
KL)
When A Woman Loves A Man is on Amazon Prime and Tubi tv and my book is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble it?s called Secrets Shattered Emotions
RW)
And tell us about your music pursuits, are you working on anything right now in the studio?
KL)
I have a few beats that I?ve been feeling out, but as far recording all of that will take place next year 2025; so be on the lookout!
RW)
Where can our readers find you on social media?
KL)
The readers can find me on all social media platforms Instagram @Keilaguins and Kei Laguins on Facebook Kei LaGuins and Kei LaGuins Productions I?m also on Google under Kei LaGuins
RW)
Thank you Kei for allowing our readers to catch-up with you and I know many will purchase your wine and cigars as we look forward to your music, series, and book
KL)
Thank you so much for allowing me to tell my story.
"I wanted to be versatile in every way possible; so I thought to myself people enjoy having a good time, or just relaxing and winding down, so what better off to do that than with some wine/cigars.?
? Kei
See m y 1st feat ure on Kei
- The Director's Cut with Kei LaGuins Kei LaGuins has been honing her craft as a writer, actress, director and producer and with her new film, When A Woman Loves A Man, she is poised to be one of Hollywood's next successful filmmakers
What ot hers are saying about Keihttps://canvasrebel com/meet-lakeisha-laguins/
Robert Walker
Literary Talent Agent at Smith Young Talent and a regular Indie Incognito guest columnist
Robert is a regular guest writer for Indie Incognito magazine
Contact Robert Walker
MYCLEATSMYCAUSE
NFLplayersreveal their passionsbeyondthegame andwear their heartsontheir feet throughMy CauseMyCleats.Playershavetheopportunityto pickacausethat isimportant tothemand represent their chosenorganizationoncustom designedcleats.
Football isnot onlythefoundationof theleague,but alsothevehiclethrough whichour teamsbuildlastingconnectionswithincommunitiesnationwide. TheNFLembracesitsroleasaunifier,addressingkeysocial issuesand servingasaconstant forcefor positivechange.Whether it bethrough everydayactsof volunteerismor large-scalecommunityinitiatives,theNFL seekstogivebackandunifycommunities.
Theleague,itspartners,andall 32NFLteamsarecommittedtoeducatingthe NFLfamily,institutingtransparent leaguepolicies,andactivelyengagingand supportingcommunitiestoconstructivelyimpact societyyear-round. Together,weaimtomakeapositivedifferenceinAmerica'scommunitiesand connect withmillionsof fanseachyear.
link
Jaguars Ross Matiscik is representing the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund for the NFL's 2024 #mycausemycleats initiative. Listen in to discover the inspiring story behind his choice,learn about the talented designer bringing his vision to life,and understand why this cause holds such a special place in his heart
Commitment to Causes
My Cause My Cleats allows players to express their commitment to the causes that are most important to them
?Our players are passionate supporters of many charitable causes and serve as change makers in their communities," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "We are excited to build upon last year's success and work with our players to expand this unique platform that enables them to raise awareness for causes they support ?
Players will have the opportunity to raise money for their cause by auctioning their cleats off at NFL Auction; 100%of money raised will be donated to the player?s charities. Fans may bid on game-issued player cleats to help players raise funds for their chosen causes.
My Cause My Cleats: Jayden Daniels
We Will Never Forget
Aaron Siskind
American, 1903?1991
Grocery store, 1940
Harlem, New York
Although a photographer, Siskind was also closely involved with, if not a part of, the abstract expressionist movement, and was close friends with painters Franz Kline (whose own breakthrough show at the Charles Egan Gallery occurred in the same period as Siskind's one-man shows at the same gallery), Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning
Wellness
Prepare for a healt hy pregnancy
5 behaviors t o help reduce t he risk of birt h defect s
(Family Features) If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, now is a perfect time to make a plan There are steps you can take to increase your chances of having a healthy, full-term pregnancy and baby ? and part of that includes learning about birth defects. Understanding birth defects across the lifespan can help those affected have the information they need to seek proper care
Each year,birth defects affect about 1 in 33 babies born in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mainly developing in the first three months of pregnancy as a baby?s organs form, birth defects present as structural changes and can affect one or more parts of the body (heart, brain, foot, etc ) They can cause problems for a baby?s overall health, how the body develops and functions, and are a leading cause of infant death
Common birth defects include congenital heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate and spina bifida An individual?s genetics, behaviors and social and environmental factors can impact one?s risk for birth defects Even though all birth defects cannot be prevented, there are things you can do before and during pregnancy to increase your chance of having a healthy baby.
?It?s critical that women who are planning to conceive or are pregnant adopt healthy behaviors to reduce the chances of having a baby with birth defects, which are a leading cause of infant death,?said Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, March of Dimes senior vice president and interim chief medical and health officer ?We also encourage these women to get the COVID-19 vaccine since high fevers caused by an infection during the first trimester can increase the risk of birth
To help prepare for a healthy pregnancy and baby, consider these tips from the experts at March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit fighting for the health of all moms and babies, and the CDC:
1 Have a pre-pregnancy checkup Before you become pregnant, visit your health care provider to talk about managing your health conditions and creating a treatment plan Talk about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements you?re currently taking You should see your provider before each pregnancy
2. Get vaccinated. Speak with your health care provider about any vaccinations you may need before each pregnancy, including the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, and flu shot Make sure your family members are also up to date on their vaccinations to help prevent the spread of diseases
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 compared to those who have not been impacted by the infectious disease. Research shows babies of pregnant people with COVID-19 may be at an increased risk of preterm birth and other complications High fevers caused by any infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can also increase the risk of certain birth defects
The COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people ages 5 and older, including those who are pregnant, lactating, trying to become pregnant or might get pregnant
3 Take folic acid Folic acid is a B vitamin that prevents serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Before becoming pregnant, take a multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to help ensure your baby?s proper development and growth. While pregnant, increase to 600 micrograms daily
Add to your diet foods containing folate, the natural form of folic acid, such as lentils, green leafy vegetables, black beans and orange juice In addition, you can consume foods made from fortified grain products, which have folic acid added, such as bread, pasta and cereal, and foods made from fortified corn masa flour, such as cornbread, corn tortillas, tacos and tamales
4 Try to reach a healthy weight Talk to your health care provider about how to reach a healthy weight before becoming pregnant, as excess weight can affect your fertility and increase the risk of birth defects and other complications. Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods and regular physical activity
5 Don? t smoke, drink alcohol or use harmful substances Cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain harmful substances that can damage the placenta or reach the baby?s bloodstream Smoking cigarettes can cause certain birth defects, like cleft lip and palate It is also not safe to drink alcohol at any time during pregnancy This includes the first few weeks of pregnancy when you might not even know you are pregnant Drinking alcohol can cause serious health problems for your baby, including birth defects Additionally, do not take opioids, which are drugs that are often used to treat pain. Opioid use during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome, preterm birth and may cause birth defects
Consult your physician before stopping or changing any prescribed medications
Find more resources to support your family across the lifespan at marchofdimes org/birthdefects and cdc gov/birthdefects
Understanding Common Birth Defects
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects in a baby?s lip and mouth that can be repaired by surgery Additional surgery, special dental care and speech therapy may be needed as the child gets older.
Clubfoot is a birth defect of the foot where a baby?s foot turns inward, so the bottom of the foot faces sideways or up Clubfoot doesn? t improve without treatment, such as pointing, stretching, casting the foot or using braces With early treatment, most children with clubfoot can walk, run and play without pain
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are heart conditions babies are born with. They can affect how the heart looks, how it works or both CHDs are the most common types of birth defects
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
DefiningM oments
By PauletteJackson
I believe there are times in our lives when we start thinking about choices we?ve made, opportunities we let get away or people we let in our worlds that turned out to be painful lessons, etc I for one, at age 55, have definitely been thinking back on my life and some of the choices I have made, even recently
For me personally, my defining moment (and we will all have them at some point on this journey of life), came in my early to mid-forties when I was at the end of a relationship that turned out to me one of the most hurtful, toxic yet life changing experiences of my life I finally had to wake up and realize that the things or people that I thought I needed to be happy, to feel whole, were not what I needed at all But, it took me going through so much pain and unhappiness to get to that point, that defining moment for me.
Once I started making those changes (which weren? t easy), I began to really LIVE, it was one of the most freeing feelings I had ever experienced and with that, I was beginning to not only like myself but to also respect and love myself more I was discovering new things, stretching my creative abilities, getting out of my comfort zone and taking leaps. So exhilarating!
It is in those moments when you get tired enough to make moves, positive changes for your life No one else can live our lives for us, we must find our own paths our own way and rely on the strength of a higher power than ourselves and push forward to a better world It not only will make us better but also allow us to have better relationships with others, personally and professionally. In having those defining moments, we can then share that with others in an effort to help and guide.
I have shared a little of my life?s defining moment, what are your defining moments?
Maybe you still have to get there. I hope that sharing and explaining how my journey got me to a better place (things aren? t perfect but better than those moments before I discovered my true self) will make you stop and think about your own lives, what are you holding yourself or allowing others to hold you back from?
Trust me, when that light bulb finally goes off and you start to feel differently at that moment and truly ready to make steps to a better, truer you, that will be your defining moment and then a new journey will begin
Paulette Jackson is a regular Indie Incognito magazine contributing editor She is the founder of Scorp Lady Ventures, a published author, radio personality, ASCAPMember
msmusic1.com
amazon com/author/paulettejackson
NEWGENVOICES OBSIDIANPEOPLE
Wow? God is GOOD!
i ?m beyond grateful to share that Harper Assists is a 2025 TolHouse Entrepreneurship Grant Winner! I don? t do what I do for popularity? I do it to create change. Every late night, every idea, every risk? it?s all been for my family, my community, and my culture Seeing this moment reminds me that hard work doesn? t go in vain, and it WILL NOTgo in vain.
This isn? t just a win for me? it?s a win for Obsidian People Company, for every creative, every small business owner, and every dreamer I?ve had the honor of working with. This is what happens when intention and purpose align. Doors are opening, and I?m walking through them with faith, focus, and my village behind me
.
Thank you to TolHouse for believing in my vision and to everyone who has supported me along the way Let?s keep building and pushing forward.When Harper Assists wins, Obsidian People wins. Period.This is what happens when intention and purpose align. Doors are opening, and I?m walking through them with faith, focus, and my village behind me.
Keyanna Harper is the inspirational mastermind behind Obsidian People Company Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio she has always had a strong passion for art and culture
As a writer she believes in creating spaces where all people are free to express themselves creatively, without fear of judgement or backlash Her work focuses on creating inclusive environments that highlight marginalized voices within different communities
Keyanna is a true leader who strives to empower those around her to discover their passions and celebrate their authentic selves. She is dedicated to building a better future with her team at Obsidian People Company
https://www.obsidianpeople.com/
SPREAD LOVE. Odes Roberts, Sr.
Hip Hop Corner
Lawr ence Kr isna Par ker (bor n August 20, 1965 in The Bronx, NY,Unit ed St at es), bet t er known by his st age name KRS-One, is an Amer ican MCand producer . His name is an acronymfor "Knowl edge Reigns Supr eme Over Near ly Everyone."
KRS-One
TO LISTEN IS TO LEARN
HIP HOP ARCHIVES
All Stars Of Hip Hop Featuring KRS-One and Others | BDP RECAPS
33,383 views Jan 22,2023
Last week BDP TV stopped by Atlantic City,NJ for the All Stars Of Hip Hop 2023 show featuring The Lox,Mase,Redman and Method Man,and the legendary KRS-One with special guest Doug E. Fresh. This was a night to remember,Enjoy! Make sure to subscribe for more content! Check out our official website www bdp one
KRS-One Calls for Emcees to Receive Their
Flowers While They Can Still Smell Them
September 4,2024Courtneyb
KRS-One,a towering figure in hip-hop with a reputation for being unapologetically outspoken,has once again made waves with his candid critique of the genre he helped shape During a recent appearance on 97 9 The Box,the Boogie Down Productions front man aimed a troubling trend in hip-hop: elevating artists to legendary status only after they?ve passed away The conversation was sparked by the death of rapper and radio personality Fatman Scoop,who passed away on August 30. KRS-One,while praising Scoop,lamented that such recognition often comes too late ?It?s a shame we?re talking about him in this way,?KRS-One said. ?Hip-hop gotta stop doing that. Only when dudes pass,that?s when they get on?
KRS-One?s comments reflect a broader frustration with how the culture often overlooks talent during an artist?s lifetime, only to celebrate them posthumously. ?We should?ve been looking at Fatman Scoop when his career was blowing up,?he continued,noting that Scoop never received the radio play or recognition he deserved while he was alive. This pattern,according to KRS-One,is a significant issue in the hip-hop community
When asked by the interviewer whether other genres honor their deceased artists more appropriately,KRS-One didn? t hold back ?Other genres suck,?he remarked bluntly. ?We don? t give a fckabout them. Hip-hopruns shit ?For KRS-One,hip-hop,the most influential genre in contemporary music, should set the standard for artists? appreciation and recognition.
This isn? t the first time KRS-One has voiced his concerns about the direction of modern hip-hop During a 2023 panel at the Essence Festival,he shocked the audience by labeling modern rappers as ?traitors?to the genre?s original intent. ?What people call rap or hip-hop today is a disgrace to our culture,?he declared ?An absolute betrayal,disrespect, and a disgrace? If you know what original hip-hop is all about and you choose to do the opposite,you a traitor.?
While KRS-One has shown respect for contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar,it?s clear that he believes hip-hop has strayed too far from its roots His call to action is a reminder to fans and the industry alike: appreciate the talent in front of you before it?s too late For KRS-One,the time to give artists their flowers is now,while they can still smell them.
KRS-One - 50 More Years Of Hip Hop (Official Music Video)
?Nope?-Inspired Docuseries About Black Cow boys Set At Peacock From Jordan Peele?s Monkeypaw & UTAS
ByPeter White
'Nope' Everett Collection
EXCLUSIVE: Jordan Peele?s Monkeypaw Productions is getting back on the documentary horse and is using his movi Nope as inspiration
The Get Out filmmaker is producing a documentary series that dismantles the whitewashed mythology of the cowboy for Peacock
Produced through his Monkeypaw Productions label, Peele is producing the untitled series with Universal Television Alternative Studio as part of his overall deal with Universal Studio Group
The series is inspired by themes from his movie Nope, which starred Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as horse-wrangling siblings attempting to capture evidence of a UFO in Agua Dulce, California.
The docuseries will rewrite a foundational piece of American history, unmasking the forces that erased the identity of the Black cowboy from frontier history and present Peele will exec produce alongside Monkeypaw?s President Win Rosenfeld, SVP, Development and Production Jamal Watson and SVP, Culture and Impact Keisha Senter as well as Liz Yale Marsh, who produced CNN?sLittleRichard:I Am Everythingand has an overall deal with UTAS, and Sacha Jenkins, exec producer of Wu-TangClan:Of Micsand Men.
Peele previously produced four-part docuseriesLorenafor Amazon, about the controversial case of John and Lorena Bobbitt.
It is the latest move into documentaries for UTAS, which produced LAFire& Rescuefrom Dick Wolf and is behind upcoming NBCwildlife series, TheAmericas.
?Nope gave a nod to the deep history of Black cowboys in America, and this docuseries offers a full exploration of their lives and contributions to today?s cultural landscape,? said Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group ?Told through the singular lens of Jordan Peele, this series is every bit as entertaining as it is enriching. It?s been a thrill for UTASto collaborate with Jordan, Monkeypaw, Keith and the team on what is a truly special project, and we?re excited to share it with fans.?
Read More About :
Jordan Peele
Nope
Universal Television Alternative Studio
PEELE
JORDAN
Beth
BETH ISONFIRE
BETH, is a versatile singer-songwriter, producer, and actress hailing from Detroit, MI Despite her impressive musical lineage as the daughter of Motown legend Johnny Griffith of the ?Funk Brothers,?BETH has forged a remarkable career of her own
Having honed her talents as a background singer for acclaimed artists Anita Baker and KEM during their global tours, BETH decided to take a bold step into the spotlight as a solo artist This leap of faith led her to NBC?s ?The Voice?season 16, where she was mentored by music icons Kelly Clarkson and John Legend
Beyond her solo endeavors, BETH remains an in-demand support vocalist, touring internationally with renowned Motown R&B artist KEM and the legendary Mighty O?Jays Her soulful vocals have graced a total of seven solo recording projects and seven additional recordings where she provided backing vocals
In addition to her musical accomplishments, BETH is a member of SAG-AFTRA and boasts an impressive acting resume She has appeared in four feature films, numerous stage plays, and commercials for both TVand radio
Drawing inspiration from her father?s musical heritage, Johnny Griffith of the original Funk Brothers, BETH has performed in prestigious venues worldwide. Her vocal prowess has also been showcased on various television shows, including ?Dancing With The Stars,? ?Ash vs. Evil Dead,??Glee Project,?and ?American Bible Challenge ?
I had a very insightful, transparent and fun conversation with Beth We talked about her life. Her Family. Trial and tribulations. Her time on the road with KEM and how she has seen his maturation as a performer.
I have to admit a foible of mine I actually forgot to hit the record button on the first interview After kicking myself in the butt for two days, I sucked it up and told her and her team. She was as sweet and gracious as can be by understanding However, then the Sista Girl came out and she could not help but give me a shot and it was hilarious Beth said to me " Because you, Kinda, messed up our first one, my article better be amazing". Al I could do was say " Yes Ma'am" LOL
So without further Ado, the following is my one on one interview, Q&A, with a woman who is an amazing caregiver, awesome wife, and oh yeah, BETH ALWAYSSINGS!
"Singingislikebreathing tome..... I havetodoit" beth
Equating singing to breathing is completely reasonable, when it?s coming from Beth Griffith-Manley, singer, songwriter, actress and daughter of Johnny Griffith, the legendary and Multi-Grammy® Award-winning pianist/keyboardist He was an original member of the Funk Brothers, Motown?s in-house studio band that created the famous ?Motown Sound.?
Beth?s father was one of only a few classically-trained musicians who worked at Motown The late Johnny Griffith played on hundreds of Motown songs, including top hits such as, "Stop, In The Name Of Love," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "What's Going On," "Dancin' In The Streets,??I Can? t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),?"Ain't Too Proud To Beg" and "Shotgun." He also played keys on several non-Motown records, including: "Lonely Teardrops," "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher," "Have You Seen Her?" and "Cool Jerk " At age 16, he played with blues superstar John Lee Hooker, and as a young man in the 1960s, he toured with Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin and Sarah Vaughan.
Q & OneonOnewithBeth
BethandTonySmith, Having funchoppingit up!
T Hello Beth, how are doing these days?
Are you still on the road touring?
B No, no, I'm at hom e I'm sit t ing right in t he kit chen, and I don't go back out unt il June 9 We're doing a capit al Jazz Fest ival, so t hat 's t he next t hing So I'm hom e and just , you know , being hom e and being w it h t he fam ily,
T Cool That sounds like a welcome respite When we chatted before it was our ice breaker Now I would like to go deeper inside of who you are right now
T. First though, how was 2024?
B Well Tony 2024 w as been a roller coast er for m e, because it 's been a com binat ion of m e balancing w hat 's happening at hom e and t hen balancing seeing m y grow t h out on t he road And so it st art ed out good, and it 's just got t en even bet t er So let m e st art w it h t his. I'm a caregiver. My husband and I are caregivers t o m y m ot her, w ho suffered her second st roke in April of last year, in 2023 and t ow ards t he end of 2023 t he doct ors w ere t elling m e it w as not hing else t hat w e t hey could do for her, and I needed t o just put her in palliat ive care, because at t hat t im e, m y m ot her had t he st roke She had t he st roke and she had COVID at t he sam e t im e, and t hey did not not ice, and she had a blood clot in her legs and in her lungs, and t hey did not see t he blood clot t hat had hit her brain. So t his happened in April and May of 2023, so fast forw ard t o about Oct ober 2023, you know , w e m y m ot her w as in t he hospit al. We put her in a rehab for a lit t le bit , and t hen w e just , you know , w e brought her hom e because, you know , w as not hing else t hey could do
T Tell me about the role your husband plays in all of this, keeping you where you are right now and being able to maintain,
B. He's such a a rock and a soft place t o land for m e, because w e have been t hrough a lot You know , w hen m y m ot her first got sick in 2017 he said, t ell your m am a t o pack her bags and m ove in He w ant ed t he best for her He's been a safe place He's been som eone t hat I can bounce t hings off of He support s m y m ot her 100% in fact , he cares for m y m ot her as if it 's his m ot her, and his m ot her is st ill alive. And so I t ell him all t he t im e, I said, for you t o do w hat you do, for you t o st ay here w it h m y m om w hile I'm on a plane som ew here is som et hing special My husband used t o t ravel w it h m e on occasion, but for t he m ost part , he st ays hom e He's just like, because you need t o feel com fort able t hat som eone is here in case som et hing happens t hat 's right So he's been am azing.
cont inued on page 70
& A
Tr avel
T How do you get from a daughter with a mom husband, take care of her whatever, whatever, to that artist in front of those people?
B. So for one, I love w hat I do so m uch I know how hard it has been and how m uch t im e it has t aken t o even get t o t his place t hat I am I have been blessed t o be in t his place, so I don't w ant t o forsake t he blessing and t he gift I have a job t o do, but m y job happens t o be a gift t hat I have. Then I have had a lot of m om ent s w here I've had t o m ent ally t alk t o m yself and condit ion m yself t o be able t o separat e and com part m ent alize w hat it is I have t o do. There have been t im es w here m y nerves have been bad and it has affect ed m y perform ance and t he w ay t hat I feel aft er is a feeling I don't w ant t o feel anym ore Yeah, so I have condit ioned m yself t o just set w hat I'm feeling on t he side of t he st age Just sit it t here, do m y show , and I can com e back and get it right
I've t rained t o be on a st age, and I'm st ill t raining t o be on st age, and t hen life happens So you have t o put t hat , you know , add t hat new lit t le dip int o t he rout ine
B We are a w ell oiled m achine, and I really appreciat e t ouring w it h Kem , because I've learned so m uch, and I'm able t o im plem ent t hat in m y show s When Bet h com es out , I know w hat t o look for, I know w hat t o expect I know w hat I deserve, because I've been w it h an art ist w ho is great .
T Can you give me two things that shines out in regards to what you've learned or picked up from being on tour with Kim and seeing how he does his business?
B The m ain t hing t hat I have learned, and I've w it nessed w it h m y ow n eyes, as I've w at ched him develop as an incredible art ist , from com ing out , sit t ing behind t he piano and being nervous and not w ant ing t o get up and really int eract w it h t he people, has st ill having great m usic, but he st ayed behind t he piano. Wow. Now he com es out and he w alks out t he cent er, and he dances, and he spins, and he, you know , leaning t o t he right , lean t o t he left He dip in here He's, you know , doing and he's a st ar And I love it
T. In this world that we live in, you a black woman, your husband is a black man, things that we go through, how does that sit in your soul and in your spirit, and how do you manage that?
2 11 24
T. So speaking of new dips, what's the new dip you put on in this last tour with Kem?
B Let m e say t his, t he last t w o t ours t hat w e w ent on, and t he dat es t hat w e've been doing lat ely, w e've not really had any flaw s t hat w ere w ort h spilling t he t ea over. No, it 's just , it 's w e have t ruly been blessed.
B I t hink t hat goes back t o w hen I w as t alking about com part m ent alizing how I feel about t hings. Because I t hink t he st at e of t he w orld t oday, if you subm erge yourself in polit ics, if you subm erge yourself in t he happenings of t he ent ert ainm ent , t he happenings in, you know , t he Middle East , t he happenings in in m edicine, it can, it can m ake you paranoid
T Tell these folks with any incognito about your father
B. My lat e fat her, Johnny Griffit h, w as one of t he Funk Brot hers. He's an alum ni of Mot ow n, so t his past w eekend, I w as t here represent ing him , and t hat is just in m y blood So m e being in t he room w it h alum ni of Mot ow n t hat st art ed t he R and B, t hat st art ed t hat Mot ow n sound, w hich w ill never be duplicat ed, but has grow n legs and has t urned int o everyt hing Has t urned int o hip hop, has t urned int o urban Adult Cont em porary has t urned int o pop. It has just grow n all t hese legs, right ? And I'm in t he room w it h t hese people t hat st art ed t his t hing, and t hey're st ill alive. They're in t heir 80s, you know ? So I see longevit y is possible, and I also see t he hist ory, and t hen I also see t he t he legacy t hat t hey've left
T. How at home are you on stage Beth?
B When I get on t he st age, I'm like, Okay, I'm at hom e This is w here I'm supposed t o be And it w as set up for m e t o even be here t oo It w as already set up for m e t o do it I just follow ed t he breadcrum bs t o w here I w as supposed t o be. So I'm t ruly, t ruly honored.
T Envision you or doing a speaking engagement at a junior high high school, maybe to the school of music students, commencement kind of kind of speech
How would you open that up?What would you tell them ?
B. The first t hing I w ould say t o open up t hat speech is som et hing t hat I w ish I knew w hen I w as in junior high, and I w ould ask t hem , t he boys and t he girls, do you all act ually know how beaut iful you are?
They don't know Tony. But if t hey knew , t hey w ould w ork harder, t hey w ould go fart her, t hey w ould run fast er, you know , t hey w ould t hey w ould do m ore if t hey really know , if t hey really knew , and I didn't know , and I w ould have done w ay m ore by now if I knew how beaut iful I w as And I don't necessarily m ean est het ically beaut iful I m ean just beaut iful as a person and sm art and capable
T. What can we look forward to from you for the rest of this year, going into 2025?
B. More stages. Lots more singing. That's all I'm gonna say right now. My goal for the rest of this year is to hit as many stages as I can, meet as many people as I can, sing, as much as I can grow, as much as I can Because I just want, I want 2025 well, not even I want 2020 25 is going to be different for me, right?Yeah, so I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm excited about 2025 so I'm sowing the seeds in 2024
@bethalwayssings beth fanlink to/gettoknowme
Works at CEO of Beth Griffith Entertainment
Works at CEO of Anise Records
Vocalist at SAG-AFTRA
Works at Solo artist and bgvs for KEM
"M ymusicisareflection ofmyheart"
theresagrayson
TheresaGrayson
Born in Tyler, Texas and raised in Houston, Theresa Grayson began playing piano and sax (among other woodwind instruments) in fourth grade and enjoyed an encouraging stream of accolades for her outstanding musicianship throughout grade school Building a musical foundation on regular performances at church beginning at age 12, she further honed her musical skills and developed her passion under the tutelage of internationally known instructors/musicians Chuck Nolan, Dr Woody Witt and Dr. Rod Cannon of Sam Houston State University and North Texas University? where she earned a degree in music performance and jazz studies Grayson continued her education with two master?s degrees with an emphasis in music education and leadership.
She plans to continue her studies to earn her doctorate degree She has been a renowned music educator since the early 2000s, first as an orchestra director at a middle school and currently teaching music at an elementary school in Ft Bend County After drawing on her unique brand of cutting edge contemporary jazzWhile embarking on her solo career, the Texas based saxtress has performed in her hometown of Houston and in most of the state?s major cities with her own band and two renowned cover ensembles
She?s since shared the stage and opened for notable contemporary jazz stars like Peter White, Marion Meadows, Mindi Abair and Ronnie Laws as well as vocalists Michael Bolton and Will Downing
Over the years, Grayson has performed at the Third Annual Soul Fest in Austin, Texas, Beaumont Jazz Festival, Red Cat Jazz Festival, Idyllwild Jazz Festival, Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival, Women In Jazz, AFRAM Festival, Baltimore, MD, Jeff Majors Homeless Tour, One Love Cruise, Yolanda Adams Wellness Tour, Lamp Lighters Awards, KHOU Great Day Houston, Channel 26 Fox Rocks Live, Music World?s House of Dereon, Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Artist Showcase, The House of Blues and Houston International Jazz Festival.
?I have had the unique opportunity to perform music in the pop and contemporary jazz worlds, and all of these experiences have given me a taste of what it would be like to be a solo artist,? says Grayson. ?Leading my own band for several years, I have always had a set list that mixes feel good originals and cover songs with unique arrangements that get people up dancing ? and my goal with Live2Love was to capture that spirit in the studio ?
http://theresagrayson com/ @theresagrayson
Fromtheofficesof Veronica McCreary andSOPHISTICATED LADY PRODUCTIONS, weintroduceyou to "TRIPLETHREAT"
Get toknowtheladiesof TripleThreat.
TonySmithof IndieIncognitomagazinehad thepleasureof speakingwiththefirst two membersof thissuper band, Theresa Grayson, Gina PayneandJoyceSpencer. in thisinterview, TonySmithtalkedtoGina andTheresa.
T. Hello Theresa Grayson. Who was little Theresa.?
TG I w as alw ays aut ist ical So I I love t he art s, I love fashion, I love m usic And t hose are t he t w o t hings t hat I at a very age, w as collect ing art icles, collect ing m agazines. We had a new spaper called t he Houst on Chronicle, so I w ould collect , like t he fashion sect ion. So I w ould cut it out and m ake m e a nice lit t le binder of all m y favorit e fashions And it w as just aw esom e So t hose are t hings t hat I did And t hen, of course, I w as already in m usic, st art ing w it h t he piano w hen I w as a lit t le girl So w hen I w as able t o get t o elem ent ary school, I t hen joined t he band, because it w as a Elem ent ary School of m agnet art s and fine art s. So w e had art , gym nast ics, band, orchest ra. It w as just , it w as just a great program t o be a part of here in Houst on. So t hat 's w here I grew up. And I grew up in m usic and fashion, and it 's so crazy because m y last event I just perform ed w as a fashion show and also played w alking dow n t he runw ay
T. The next question is one I asked Gina, about as a young girl, can you remember your first real influence when you when she realized that music was something that you could really do?
TG My very first t eacher in m usic, her nam e w as Shirley Joyner. She is a gospel legend. Was a gospel legend. Um , here in Houst on, and she w as m y piano t eacher. So, like, t hat w as m y st art . That w as, t hat w as launching pad t o w ho I w as going t o becom e, m olding m e and shaping m e Yeah, she w as hard She w as a t ough cookie, t hough she didn't play you w ere going t o pract ice and you're going t o play it right And t hat 's how she t aught us So and t hen w e just , w e just kept m y sist er and I just kept int o m usic.
Now I'm t he only one t hat st ayed w it h it , as all of m y friends, I'm t he only one t hat st ayed w it h t he craft because I just couldn't let it go, or eit her it w asn't let t ing m e go, you know
See, t he t hing of it is, som et im es w e t hink t hat w e're choosing som et hing w hen t hat part icular ent it y m ight have chosen you.
T That is profound The next question I want to ask is about the genesis of of Triple Threat?When did you realize that this band, would be a good fit for you?
TG Veronica discovered m e here in Houst on I perform ed at a great jazz club here in Houst on and and so she m et m e perform ing t here, and she's like, Oh, okay, I got t a w ork w it h you I got t a w ork w it h you. We st art ed. Then, of course, she began t o, you know , w ork her lit t le jelly. And st art ed, you know , prom ot ing, yeah, she w as, she w as like, she w as cooking it up She's get t ing a recipe t oget her So I begin t o w ork w it h t hat part icular art ist , Wake Cam pbell And t hen w hen she saw Yo Jonesy, and t hen Gina lat er reached out t o her, she's like, Okay, w ell, t hen m aybe it w as just like t he universe st art ed put t ing t he aligning everyt hing t oget her and and I saw t he quest ion about how t hat st art ed, t hat 's, t hat 's t he birt h of it . That 's w here it all st art ed. And w hen she saw t hese t hree beaut iful w om en, you know , just ow ning t heir craft out t here in t heir different cit ies, t hey're t hey're perform ing, t hey're w ell know n in t heir cit ies, and t hey w ere doing t heir t hing, she w ant ed t o put t his t oget her and see w hat she can, you know , w hat kind of, w hat kind of, you know , gum bo she can m ake And I t hink it 's pret t y t ast y.
T I mean, I'm in North Carolina, and I can smell that gumbo from here, so I know it's good I want to ask, ask both of y'all this one And I think it might be kind of funny Gina first, how did the first real rehearsal go?
T. Theresa tell me about a seminal moment in your life when you realize you I'm sure you were young when you realize, oh, I can Do this I can, I can do this I'm a bad girl That little self promotion, you know what I mean?
TG. Let m e see. I believe. Let m e see. I w as probably about 12 or 13 years old. By t hat t im e, I had gone t hrough t he clarinet , bass clarinet and band. And t hen w hen I saw t his golden saxophone t hat Miss Thom as Can I play t hat one? I w ant t o play t hat one I w ant t o play t hat one She said, Yeah, okay, okay, sure And she put m e on t he t enor sack So I said, Okay, you know you w ould put m e on t he biggest , alm ost t he biggest one. But okay, so I never knew. I never knew or underst ood w hy she did t hat . I didn't underst and like I saw t he alt o, I know , like I w as learning m y inst rum ent s.
Oh no, I just grasped it so quickly But she put m e on t he t enor But w hat happened w as, as I w as learning t o read m usic, I w as t old, like, okay, t you need t o st art list ening t o art ist s and get out t here and st art playing. So I w ent t o m y hom e church, w hich is evangelist t em ple, Church of God in Christ . So I w ent over t here and sat in t he corner w it h t he rest of t he band, w hich w ere all m en, and I w as only t his, only young lit t le girl sit t ing over in t he corner playing And I knew t hat I could do it w hen I w as list ening t o t hem I said, t his is a great w ay for m e t o learn
Okay, so I figured out t hen t hat I could do t his. And I w hen I w as in it so crazy, it 's like, w hen you're in it , w hen you're doing it , and t hat m ade t he w orld of a difference
And t hat 's one t hing I learned from m y professors and m y t eachers. Like you have t o get out here and get in t he t renches. You have t o do it . And only w ay you're going t o learn is by doing it . You're not going t o m aybe sit at hom e and st ay in your lit t le box and pract ice in front of m irror all day You need t o get out here So w hen I did t hat , I said, Wow , and t hey w ill play I m ean, t hese m en w ere aw esom e t alking about som e of t he best m ale saxophone in Gospel Like, I'm like, You guys are incredible I'm gonna do t his som eday. That 's okay. That 's okay. And I w as t here list ening and st udying. They didn't know t hat , okay, I'm gonna be great som eday. Just , I'm on m y w ay. Okay, I'm gonna do t his So I knew t hen it w as at church I'm t elling you, it w as at church
T. Wow. You saw this at three years old. What about you Gina?
GP I w hen I w as 21 I audit ioned for a spot on t he Ham pt on Road Show w as in Norfolk, Virginia, and I found out about t he audit ion t o be a part of it , and I w ent on over t here, t ook m y violin, and t here's a t here's a m usician here. He's w it hout sight . I'll say t hat he's not blind because he's his ot her senses are am azing. His nam e is Charles St anley. He had w rit t en a Sunday m orning drive for violin, and I learned it , and I w ent over t here and audit ioned for t hat spot
I didn't get it , but w hat I did get w as a call from a saxophonist nam ed Brian Penner, and he had a band fort e. He's you in t his band? I said, Alright , so I got in Fort e Band, and w e t raveled around That 's w here w e t hat 's w hen w e w ent t o perform at blues alley in DC, and w e did a lot of new s like t hat
They t ook m e all over t he place w it h t hem , and I w as t he only girl in t hat band. But it 's because of t hat experience t hat launched m e int o m y ow n because at t he end of t hree years of playing w it h t hem , he cam e t o m e, he said, It 's t im e for you t o be on your ow n w it h t his and I felt like a baby being put a crib I said, What ? He said, it 's t im e, t im e for you t o get on your ow n And I did I put t oget her a band I got t hese m usicians from school, from on social m edia. Back t hen, Facebook w asn't really t hat popular. It w as m ore m y space. Yeah, I w as just out of college and a t eaching job in Surrey Count y, Virginia. I said, Okay, and so t hen t hat w as t he genesis of m e really believing in w hat I could do And like I t old you, I put t oget her t hat set st art from May, like Karen Briggs did, and w ent from t here So yeah, t hat w as t he genesis of m e being out t here, t hat audit ion, get t ing connect ed w it h fort e jazz band, and now being on m y ow n
T. I want to ask, I want to ask both of you, ladies. Is this your musical careers, and this is like going back to maybe, you know the beginning, what strains did it put on your personal and or professional life to keep your music career going? Because both of you guys are in education, and I can, I'm looking at Theresa face right now I don't even know if I want you to answer me. (lol)
GP Well, okay, so I have a son He's 27 now He's a w onderful m usician as w ell He speaks, he's a he's bilingual He speaks Spanish Taught him self how he w rit es He's He's a guit arist , he's a cellist , um , and, and I had t hat lit t le boy w hen I w as 35 years old Aft er m y divorce I st ill cont inued on w it h m y m usic, because it w as act ually t he m usic t hat kept m e in m y m ind, t o keep it , keep m e st able and focused. So I give, I I'm so grat eful. I give m y honor t o God for allow ing m e t o have a gift t hat really grounded m e during t hat t im e So how did it affect m e?
Personally? It really did It had a a posit ive effect , because aft er t he divorce, now I'm a single m om , I'm older I'm an old m om w it h a lit t le baby, but I'm st ill t eaching and I'm st ill playing m y m usic
So t o have a personal relat ionship now , a m an w ould have t o act ually know w hat he's dealing w it h w it h m e is w it h m usic t o be able t o be confident in it in an area w here people are crow ding around, right , right ? Yeah, also support m e as I'm t raveling And it 's, it 's been, it 's been a journey w it h t hat I'm single, so I w ould say it 's a posit ive t hing, t hough it 's kept m e grounded, and m y son is doing great He's w onderful, and, and so it 's, it 's really w orked out w ell. Personally, I cannot com plain t o God be t he glory, and I'm so grat eful for all of w hat 's going on and and t he blessings t hat have com e from all from t hat .
T Amen What about you Theresa ?
TG. So it 's crazy, because som e of our, w ell, I know bet w een Gina and m yself, w e have som e, like, uniqueness in our past , and m uch of w hat she's already shared Like, all I can say is Dit t o But t he one t hing I'm a lit t le t ougher, and I t hink Gina could definit ely cont est t o t hat I'm a I don't t ake no st uff, no excuses, t ype w om an So because I have been a single m om , because I have been root ed and grounded in m y m usic, in God's w ord, in m y careers, in all t hat I do, and plus, I cont inue m y educat ion, because I have t w o m ast ers being a single m om , you know , and not a one, but t hree So I'm like, No, so you can't st ep t o m e any kind of w ay You can't run any kind of line t o m e, if I so m uch, have a inkling of t here's som e insecurit ies or som e issues w it h t hat , t hen I, I w ould suggest t hat you don't even look m y w ay, because I am going t o be, you know , w ho I am I'm not going t o change
T Ladies, this has been so much fun The last thing I want to ask you, ladies, what would be your words of wisdom?Of wisdom for aspiring or young artists, mainly young women coming into the industry?
GP. First of all, t hey have t o, you have t o have a desire t o do som et hing, um , have a dream . If anyone has a dream , t he desire t hat t hey have t o fulfill t hat dream is w hat 's going t o m ot ivat e t hem and propel t hem forw ard The dream w ill propel you The desire w ill st able you And t hen you have t o w ork You got t a w ork That 's it And t hen favor as w ell Favor, t he m ore, t he m ore t hey w ork, t he m ore favor t hat t hey w ill bring t o t hem selves. Because, you know , t hat 's w hat you do w hen you're out here, you you gain, yes, so all of t hose com bined, you got t a w ork desire, dream , favor, and of course, you got t a put God first . You got t a, do you got t a, you got t a put Him first
TG My daught er cam e up w it h, w ell, I don't know she cam e out This is a new t erm t hey using now , but she says, Mom m y, you need t o st and on business. Okay, yeah, I know , right . St and on business. I had high school st age band play in Mississippi before m y event , and I'm like, oh m y god, I w as t here once, and t hey cam e and t ook pict ures, and I said, keep going That 's one of t he lit t le saxophone players I said, keep going I said, you got t o keep pract icing Okay? And t hat 's exact ly w hat I w hispered in t hat year You can do t his, but you got t o pract ice, baby. So t hat 's m y encouraging w ords t o all of t he young and old ones t hat w ant t o get back int o right ? Yeah, you know , it 's just , you know , you got people t hat , oh, okay, I'm just fired My privat e lessons, I w as t eaching grow n people older t han m e how t o play t he saxophone, and t hey did quit e right , because t hey w ere det erm ined t o do it Once you get t hat m indset , boom , it 's done
PAYNE
The daughter of late educators Wendell O and Bessie J. Jordan of Hampton, Va., GINA J. PAYNE completed her undergraduate studies in Public School Music at Norfolk State University under the instruction of former Concert Master for the Virginia Symphony violinist Dr Peter Zaret Gina is also an alumnus of the Graduate College of Hampton University She holds a B A degree in Public School music and a M A degree in Community Agency Counseling Gina holds dual State of Virginia endorsements for Public School Counseling and Public School Music. She is the mother of one son Clarence Jordan Payne. Gina began playing violin in the Hampton Public Schools under the instruction of the late Margret ?Ma? Davis along with Ms. Dianne Chapman. Gina has performed with various groups in the Tidewater area such as Forte Jazz Band, the ?Church Band,?Ty Marquis Smith and ?Pure Chemistry?bands of Hampton Roads. She has also performed as a solo artist at many venues in the Hampton Roads Area as well as Norfolk and Richmond Jazz Festivals. Gina has also performed at the Blues Alley in Washington DC She has an upcoming CD entitled ?High Strung?produced by Martin Blockson
Violin is my first instrument and favorite . I have a repertoire that spans from jazz to R&. Also, pop, rock, and gospel. I am 5'5 at 128. A very nice gift of music in a pretty package. I have a M.A. Degree and a studio where I teach private lessons to all ages I am a string coach for al local youth orchestra in the Hampton Roads area A performer with great style I am very professional and articulate I have taken a master class with jazz violinist Regina Carter I really admire her style Moreover, the music of Karen Briggs and Ken Ford.My classical training has allowed versatility with my playing. The violin has been my second voice and sometimes the one I prefer most. Looking forward to meeting you and providing that special sound to your event You are going to be quite pleased Thanks and see you soon!
Gina
@ginapayne
IndieIncognitoQ&AwithGina Payne
by: Tony Smith
T Welcome Gina Payne , solo artist and a member of the fabulous band TRIPLETHREAT
G. First of all, Tony, I'd like t o t hank you for invit ing Triple Threat t o do t his int erview. It 's alw ays it 's alw ays good t o be able t o t ell your st ory, and it 's alw ays good for ot hers t o hear your st ory, t o not only inspire ot hers, but also t o inform about t he journey of m usic, how people com e about , and t o t alk about w hat 's going on, w hat 's current ly going on w it h different groups. So I really appreciat e t his opport unit y.
T You're very welcome, and the mantra of Indie incognito is all Things Indie and you being an independent artist, I'm sure that touches you deeply So, just to give folks a little bit of insight on who you are Tell us about the baby you.
G Well, let 's see t he baby m e The baby m e w as a person w ho enjoyed just having fun, and out of t hat fun cam e a love for m usic When I w as in kindergart en, m y t eacher not iced t hat I w ould sit dow n at t he and pick out t unes And I w ould pick out t unes so w ell t hat w hile t he kids w ere m arching around, w e w ould do a lit t le m arch in t he m orning. I've act ually got t hat t une on t he piano. And she said, Gina, you go over t here and play it .
And so t hat w as t he st art of som et hing t hat I did not realize w ould becom e a lifet im e achievem ent and a lifet im e of ent ert ainm ent and m y m y m y job and m y career.
So t he baby m e loved m usic at an early age I w as 12 years old I w ent t o m iddle school I saw t hat t he orchest ra w as in need of a violins, and so let m e go on in here, find out w hat 's going on w it h t he orchest ra. And I did. I found w here I socially fit . It w as Asians, m ost ly Caucasians and m e. And I st ayed in t he m iddle school orchest ra. By t he t im e high school, I w as in four orchest ras, driving m y dad's big elect ric, 225, all over all over Ham pt on Roads, going t o t hose pract ices So from five years old t o m iddle school t o now get t ing m y degree in m usic educat ion, public school t eacher, 30 years in w it h t he m iddle school I t ell you pray for your girl. (lol).
T And kudos to you, Gina Let me ask you this who would you say was your biggest advocate or influence once you realize that you might have something going on with this music thing?
G. Well, as I w as grow ing up, I didn't seek out , a m usical m ent or When I w as in college I m et t his young lady from Port Sm it h, Virginia Her nam e is Karen Briggs, and Karen Briggs is a w onderful jazz violinist Played w it h Yanni She's played on m any t racks She's just done so m uch I m et Karen at Norfolk St at e Universit y, and I heard t his girl playing t his am azing grace on t his violin, and at t hat point , I really w asn't playing t oo m uch by ear, because I'm read m usic, so everyt hing. But t hen, you know , I said, let m e vent ure out and t ry t o do t his. I st art ed w it h a phrase, just like she did, and from a phrase, and w ent t o anot her song and w ent t o anot her song, unt il all of a sudden, now I've got like, 30 m inut es w ort h of m usic t hat I can play by ear So now I w ill have t o say Karen Briggs
She w as a m ent or for m e She encouraged m e t hrough her playing, and w e w ere friends and w e shared I sat right beside her in t he orchest ra at NSU, and w e've had a chance t o reconnect on Facebook, and she cam e here. So, yeah, I w ould say it 's Karen
T Here's, here's what's amazing about that I moved to LA in 2010 and I was working with Gail Johnson, and we had a rehearsal She was like, We gotta skip it because we have to go to the hospital. I was the second person that ever held Karen's baby at the hospital. :) I've worked major festivals with Jazz In Pink and Karen always stole the show.
Well, moving on Can you tell me about the genesis of Triple Threat?
G. I w as on Facebook, and I play a lot , and I post w hat I play And act ually, t here's a m an nam ed Mark Grant , from Norfolk, VA He and I w ere w orking t oget her very closely, and I t hink he had a connect ion w it h Veronica McCreary, and she w as put t ing a band t oget her And act ually it w as Mark w ho t old Veronica about m e
And from t here, it w as a w onderful connect ion Veronica is an excellent professional She's a w onder w om an I am so grat eful for, all of w hat Mark grant has done and w hat Veronica very has done for m e
@https://www instagram com/ginayviol62/
@https://www facebook com/gina spraggins
New t o Triple Threat
JOYCE
SPENCER
Joyce Spencer is an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, who covers the gamut of musical influence, style, and genre from traditional to contemporary jazz and classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. The mixing and blending of musical styles in her upbringing are definitely her forte and an asset to writing music and entertainment. Whether it's upbeat music, sultry smooth jazz, or ballads, Joyce provides sensational musical entertainment on saxophone (soprano, alto, and tenor), flute, and vocals that cater to the fans or venue
Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education where she also studied saxophone and flute, classical and jazz, theater, and radio and TV broadcasting. After a 20-year career in corporate America, Joyce returned to music with sheer determination as an independent artist. She single-handedly composed and produced her first album, "Sweet Dreams", and has since released several more projects including "Many Colors", "It's Christmas Time, and other single releases like "Solace", "Cherish", and "Sax-O-Phunk".
She has graced the stage of many music festivals, concerts, church, and corporate events in the United States as a lead artist and with other artists/bands like Yarbrough & Peoples and Jazz in Pink, but radio stations are playing her music all over the world She has been honored with awards and special recognition such as the GHP Radio Music Award Best Groove Sax, NAACP Music Award (Garland, TX), Black Women in Jazz Saxophonist of the Year, Sound Fusion Radio Song of the Week, Sassy Radio Top 20, Radio Indie Alliance Top 10, SmoothJazz.com top 30, Grammy consideration on a collaboration with David McLorren, WSRN-DB Jazz Oasis Top 10 and Number one, Radio Indie Alliance Top 10, The Radio Indie International Network Top 10 chart, and Radio Indie International Network Artist of the Week.
Joyce is the newest member of the dynamic female band TRIPLE THREAT https://joycespencermusic.com/home
