Arizona Coffea Magazine Issue 12

ARIZONA COFFEA Issue 12

NEW BEGINNINGS

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU? OR OLD HABITS IN THE NEW YEAR?

BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT Model: Turay ha Nafis tu Isha : Photographer ds Brittany Woo

Arizona Coffea Magazine Arizona Coffea Magazine Copyright © 2022-2023 Arizona Coffea Magazine Published by Top Wire Editing & Publishing, LLC All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976. (For example, a fair dealing for the purpose of study, research, criticism or review). No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated, or transmitted in any form or by means without written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher above.

Disclaimer: The advice provided in this publication is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regards to your own objections, financial situations, and needs.

If any products are detailed in this publication, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement relating to the products from the manufacturer and consider its contents before making any decision.

Arizona Coffea

®

Changing the narrative of the Black community in the media. www.azcoffea.com

Model: Zariah Lajon Photo: TAlan Photography

Sharing Our Stories and Positivity Arizona Coffea®

table of

contents: Business Spotlight Blackowned businesses that are making great strides (pg. 8)

Get connected with Black-owned businesses and how they are making a major impact.

Best Colors to Wear in 2022 Stay up-to-date with these fashion trends and tips (pg. 18)

Our fashion writer Ayanna Williams, tells us the best colors to wear this year and how to keep up with the latest looks.

NEW BEGINNINGS - New

Year, New You? Or Old Habits in the New Year? (pg. 28) Does the new year really force us to change? Or are we too complacent to want to make any major differences? Our poll reveals an incredible truth about how people really move when a new year starts.

Jan/Feb 2022 Issue #12

Arizona Coffea

www.azcoffea.com info@azcoffea.com

Note from the editor Now, don't get me wrong, I do go hard for my children, but I've been going so hard for them that I forgot to go hard for myself. So now, I go hard for us. I take more time for myself and I'm learning who I am.

In 2021, I hustled and I hustled hard to the point of exhaustion. I went into 2022 tired and with little motivation. I knew I needed a reset. I had to ask myself the reason why I was going so hard. The main motivation was for my children, but not really for me.

So, I needed a "Come to Tyshca" moment and looked at what I wanted to do for myself. Once I asked myself that question, my why changed.

I know my likes and dislikes, and one thing that I dislike is doing anything that does not serve my purpose. If it does not provide me peace or align with my personal mission, I don't want it.

Since I've done this assessment, I've made the necessary changes and focused on myself and it feels so good.

Always do what's best for you and your situation. If it does not provide you peace, it is okay to let it go!

NaTyshca

Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Grand Canyon Sedona Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Montezuma National Monument Tucson Lake Havasu Phoenix Flagstaff Prescott Be sure to book your next vacation with Booking.com. Big savings on hotels in 120,000 destinations worldwide. Browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.

Beauty from the top of her fro to the tip of her toe!

MODEL: L AIL A B / PHOTOGR APHER: ANNEKE MARIE

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THE JOURNAL ENTRY We Want to Hear From YOU!

This is an opportunity for you to write in and tell us what's on your mind. The Journal Entry allows our readers to engage with us. Do you have something you want to get off your chest? Do you want to respond to a previous article? Do you have suggestions on what you'd like to see in the magazine? We want to hear from you! Please send your email to info@azcoffea.com.

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BLACK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

G E T

12

C O N N E C T E D

2022

Sweet Tea Coffee House Arizona's Sweetest Sensation 15278 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374

Stacy Best Nervis - Owner of Brownstone Spa / Photographer: Anneka Marie

Brownstone Spa Stacy Best-Nervis is the owner and esthetician at Brownstone Spa. Stacy’s love of skincare blossomed in her youth during her school breaks where she fell in love with D.I.Y spa treatments. After discovering an esthetician and experiencing her first facial in 2011 she knew her dream of having her own spa was within reach.

Stacy is a graduate of Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics in Tempe, Arizona, and opened her spa in November of 2018. As one of only a handful of students and instructors of color in her program, she experienced firsthand the lack of knowledge new estheticians received regarding melaninrich skin tones.

Stacy created Brownstone Spa to be a place where people of color could feel comfortable in getting a skin or spa treatment in which the esthetician was knowledgeable! Learn more at www.brownstone-spa.com.

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Black on the Job

Founder and CEO, Cyn Miller's mission is to dismantle the structure of cultural inequalities, by assisting Black people in attaining economic justice on an international scale.

Because she and her team envision a world free of biases, injustices, and economic justice, they make their services accessible and affordable for all Black people. They create a space of affordable and accessible services so that all Black people can obtain economic security, generational wealth, access to networking, and unlimited knowledge.

Learn more at www.blackonthejob.co.

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KD's Homestead Market KD’s Homestead Market was created as a platform for Black creatives in the domestic arts. The co-op was conceptualized during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, and extreme social unrest. They knew that feminine healing in the form of grace, beauty, and softness was needed within our communities, so they rounded up a small group of creatives, put their minds/talents to work, and started popping up in Washington, DC, and Phoenix. In January 2021, they condensed their physical operation solely to Phoenix.

The co-op currently consists of a yoga instructor, writer, herbalist, chef, lactation consultant, resin artist, chemist/soapmaker, and postpartum doula.

In February 2022 they will be sharing their offerings and joining forces with a group of community healers, laborers, and creatives. Located Inside of the Gift of Gab yoga studio opening 2/12/2022 in Tempe, AZ. Spring also brings lots of new growth, not only in their gardens but in their business as well.

They have sweet things coming because they're adding BeeKeeping to their list of trades! AND they're going to be offering re-treat style yoga events with Vallie Girl Yoga!!

Be sure to follow them and stay connected!

Contact Info Email - kdshomesteadmarket@gmail.com IG- Kdshomestead

Kurnita Wallace / Photographer: Mesi Jelani

Social Services to Spa Services With Kurnita Wallace

By Ayanna Williams

We’d like to introduce you to Kurnita Wallace, an esthetician that provides laser treatments for POC in Phoenix, Arizona. She talks about her journey from Ohio to Arizona, her business ventures, the benefits of laser, and self-care tips.

17

AC: Hi Kurita, before we dive into your present life, let’s talk about life before Arizona.

KW: I’m from Youngstown, Ohio and I’ve been in Arizona for seven years. In Ohio, I started in social work. I used to do case management for mental health facilities and drug and alcohol facilities, but you can quickly get burned out doing that because I did it for ten years. I always loved the spa industry. My mother and grandmother were both cosmetologists. Although I don’t like doing hair, I do like getting it done. Doing skin is my passion because I want people to have nice skin under all of that expensive makeup they like to wear. After I left the social service job, I opened up my salon and spa. At the time, I didn’t have a license to do anything in my spa. I was just the business owner, so I handled all of the money and the business aspects of it. Then I decided I needed to go to school, so I can do something in my school and spa so I went to school for aesthetics at Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture.

AC: What was the journey like from Ohio to Arizona?

KW: It was interesting. I always wanted to live in Arizona and I had never been to Arizona, but then one year my niece was a travel agent and she was like auntie you always wanted to go to Arizona, so let’s go to Arizona. My sister, niece, and I would always take a girls’ trip, so we came out to Arizona and I fell in love. I was like “Oh yea this is where I want to be.” When I got home, I got one of those five-gallon water jugs and started putting my change in there.

It started as my Hawaii fund, but I was like nope I’m moving to Arizona and this is going to be my fund. Within a year, I moved to Arizona. I had got married between that time and I told my husband we’re moving to Arizona and he was like ok. My husband and my son had never been there. He was like that’s where you want to be and it’s warm, so let’s go.

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AC: What services does Maa Wellness Center offer?

KW: Acupuncture, massage, tai chi, yoga, martial arts, yoni steams, laser, sound therapy, meditation, spiritual readings, IV therapy, reiki, facials, and RN nursing services are all healing modalities we use at Maa Wellness Center. Everything is holistic and I only provide the facial, bodywork, and laser services. I don’t perform the laser services at the Maa center, but I have another location in Scottsdale that I do laser at. I own the location in Scottsdale, but I am accompanied by a business partner at both locations.

AC: What type of experience can your customers expect?

KW: When people come in, they always say they like the vibe of the Maa Wellness Center. It’s like a zen space because it’s all about healing. It’s going to be a peaceful, relaxed, and healing vibe they’re going to get because it’s about healing the mind, body, and spirit. That’s what we focus on, so it doesn’t matter what service you’re going to get, you’re going to be healed and you’re going to feel way different from when you came in.

AC: In an interview with Voyage Phoenix, you mentioned that 2020 was your cocoon season and 2021 was your butterfly season.

What about 2022?

KW: It’s my flying season. I’m flying high and I said I want to be very intentional. My motto for 2022 is “All Things New in 2022.”

Everything I have been manifesting is starting to manifest. people are not taking care of themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually. People are starting to think of things as a luxury, but I’m like no this is a necessity. Self-care is essential. Self-care is the new healthcare. I want people to understand that a spa day isn’t a pamper day, but it is a necessity because you have to reset, recharge and give your body a

chance to heal. Resting is a huge part of it.

People are always like “I wish I could take a nap,” and I’m like well, you can. You just have to pencil that in. Also, a massage isn’t just a feel-good session, you need it for your mental clarity. All of these things should be normalized, and we shouldn’t look at them as a special day.

AC: What are some things people can do for self-care on a budget?

KW: I always tell people to go to the beauty school to get stuff done at a cheaper rate. I always go to get the end of my locs curled for only $10-20. They’re students, so they have to practice. The same thing goes for massage school. Even a dollar bottle of red polish is good to have. You can just put that on your toes or nails and it makes a difference because you start feeling pretty and feeling yourself. You have to take care of yourself because things start mentally, then they manifest physically. Having a good self-care routine will help you to do that.

AC: What is the most important benefit of laser treatment?

KW: Convenience. Living out here in Arizona, it’s tank top and bathing suit season at all times. Some people may think that’s very shallow, but medical issues could be a reason as well. PCOS is a common one because it causes clients to have a lot of facial hair. Laser treatments save time and money when you compare them to waxing subscriptions and shaving supplies.

AC: How long does the laser last and how often should it be done?

KW: It’s semi-permanent. We can say you can get a 70-90% hair reduction. I can’t say you will get 100%, you might, but I can promise you that because there are a lot of factors.

It can be up to hormones or how early or late you start, but it can last up to 5-10 years. I haven’t shaved my underarms in 5-6 years and I got 100% hair reduction, but I wasn’t super hairy. If you’re treating the face, come in every four weeks. The trunk (underarm, chest, abs, Brazilian, butt, and back) requires maintenance every six weeks, and legs and arms are every eight weeks. It’s spread out in intervals because you need to kill the hair while it’s growing.

AC: How does it feel to be in an environment surrounded by POC in the workplace?

KW: It feels awesome because being in an environment where your opinion wasn’t valued or appreciated to working in an environment filled with African American peers and a space of healing where you can be more open about the modalities of healing, it feels great to be able to utilize our tools in a holistic space. We recommend herbal teas and different blends on a more naturopathic level because mainstream recommends that you take Alieve, but I’m like no take the turmeric. What people don’t realize is what the allopathic doctors prescribe you are herbs and plants, they just take out all of the good stuff and leave the bad.

For more information about laser treatments and services from Maa Wellness Center, you can visit their website at maawc.org.

AZ Businesses You Should Know

1.

The Confetti Collective theconfetticollective.com

2.

Mind Your Black Biz mindyourblackbiz.com

3.

A&E Women www.advanceandemergewomen.com

4.

Black Women of Arizona www.blackwomenofarizona.com

5.

Rigsbee Law Firm www.rigsbeelawfirm.com

6.

Breton Family Dental www.brentonfam.com

7.

Andy's Shoe Shine & Repair www.andysshoeshine.business.site

8.

Black Wall Street Arizona www.bwsaz.org

9.

DG Self-Publishing www.dgselfpublishing.com

10.

The Black Chamber of Arizona www.blackchamberaz.com

BLACK

LOVE

COFFEA FLAIR FASHION

B E S T C O L O R S TO WEAR IN 2022 EASY TIPS BY AYANNA WILLIAMS

As we transitioned from the Bottega Veneta green wave that had us in a chokehold last summer, we toned it down with neutrals such as brown for the fall and winter season.

According to Vogue, brown is the new black.

In 2022, things are looking to brighten back up.

The best color to wear year-round in 2022 is brand new and it is called Very Peri. It belongs to the blue color family.

“Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place.

As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red violet-infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us,” said Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Alongside Very Peri; Orchid Flower, Olive Oil, Mango Sorbet, Butter, and Atlantic Blue are said to be the top colors to wear in the spring and summer of 2022 according to Coloro, the universal color system, and WGSN, the global authority on trend forecasting.

“This season’s colors are driven by a desire to be uplifted and energized while staying grounded and balanced. Consumers will reconnect with tones that spark joy, whether from a nostalgic or a sensorial experience. These colors will either ground or entice us with their delicious and textural charm,” said Jenny Clark, Head of Color at WGSN.

Orchid Flower (Coloro 150-38-31): It is a vibrant pink with purple and magenta undertones. This color will help serve looks in categories such as activewear and occasionwear. If getting back into the gym is a part of your New Year’s resolution, a workout set in the color Orchid Flower will resonate well with its energizing color quality.

Olive Oil (Coloro 044-52-13): Bottega Veneta green thrived in handbags and footwear, but Olive Oil offers a comforting green color that allows you to feel a sense of balance. This rich color is great to mix and match with other colors. It is predicted to make an impact in the workwear, lingerie, footwear, and accessories category. Olive Oil will be a great color to add to your everyday staple pieces.

Mango Sorbet (Coloro 030-67-34): An orange color with tones of yellow is predicted to be the pick-me-up color of the season and it is much-needed considering the tribulations the pandemic has called. It will be perfect for swimwear, activewear, outdoor gear, and homeware. As spring break and summer vacations approach, Mango Sorbet is the color you will want to pack in your suitcase.

Butter (Coloro 040-86-20): Nowadays, luxury lifestyles are trending. Butter is a warm and creamy shade and it will help you elevate your style. This shade is genderless and allows versatility in both your wardrobe and home decor.

Atlantic Blue (Coloro 115-35-20): This shade of blue represents versatile and trustworthy appeals. It reflects indigo dyes and the ocean. Its versatility allows you to dress it down for a store-run and dress it up for work or a night out.

Whether you’re looking to be active in the gym, a homebody, the best dressed at work, or outside on the weekends, there are colors for everyone to rock this year.

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coffea flair fashion

The key color palettes and Coloro codes are:

COFFEA r i a l F Fashion Magazine Releasing Fall 2022 Model: Nafishatu Isha Turay Photographer: Brittany Woods

New Year, New You? Or Old Habits in the New Year?

By NaTyshca Pickett

Almost everyone says, "It's a new year and a new me!" at the start of a new year. However, we know that this can be false in some cases. More than half of us are going to do the same things we did last year. If we say it's a new you because we want to be better, that's a good thing, but don't say it unless you mean it. It's a big part of this "change" that doesn't work out that way.

We all know this too. This year I've seen many social media posts where many shared they were not making resolutions this year because of the restrictions they cause. Many admitted that they never stick to them.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be your best version of yourself. We all have goals, whether it's to lose weight, stop eating junk food at night, or write a book. However, tying your goals to a specific date can lead to failure – and mental health difficulties — in the future. Instead of "New Year, New You," set realistic goals for personal accomplishment.

Let's get a few things clear before we go into why "New Year, new you" is bad for your mental health. Self-improvement?

Good. We should all strive to be our best selves and look for ways to improve. If you normally eat three pizzas per week, limiting yourself to one (or even two!) pizzas per week is a fantastic idea. If you've always wanted to be a wildlife photographer, having a goal of going out into the woods once a week can help you achieve that goal.

Deadlines — or arbitrary beginning lines — complicate matters. Instead of striving for continuous, incremental growth, you're now competing in a race.

Here are some of the reasons why you should take it easy.

You will (probably surely) fail.

Sorry for starting on such a depressing note. But, let's be clear: you're not doomed to fail because you're unworthy or your goals are unattainable. You're going to fail since failure is a part of being human. Perhaps you want to lose weight. That's fantastic! However, starting the new year with a rigorous diet and a big list of forbidden foods is a recipe for failure. When you establish

unreasonable goals for yourself, such as "I'll be a new person by January 1," you set unrealistic expectations. Yes, there are a few lucky people who wake up one day with a goal and achieve it right away. But, for the most part, there are no fresh starts in real life— only incremental improvements that keep you on the path to success. But telling yourself, "This year, I'll be flawless," guarantees that you'll be upset when you mess up, no matter how tiny the mistake.

The beast known as "false hope syndrome" is a fickle creature.

Psychologists have long puzzled why people keep making resolutions, despite the fact that they frequently fail. What is the solution? False hope syndrome is defined as a "cycle of failure and renewed effort...characterized by exaggerated expectations about the expected pace, volume, ease, and consequences of self-change initiatives," according to the study.

On the one hand, false hope syndrome is an excellent example of how our minds can persuade us to continue forward. We'd never achieve our objectives if we gave up after every setback. But it also makes us jump into January with a false sense of optimism.

Going from such idealistic highs to the harsh realities of life can be a devastating blow to your emotional health.

You're more prone to take risks than to be practical.

The best ambitions begin with little, manageable actions. Do you want to write a book? Great.

Setting a feasible goal can entail determining how many words you could possibly write in a day, attending a writing class, or finding people who also appreciate fiction. An unreasonable aim would be, "I'm going to publish a book this year," with no further explanation of how you intend to accomplish that great feat.

Setting unrealistic objectives is a great way to set yourself up for failure — and to hurt your mental health. Instead, develop SMART goals, which stand for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. This ingenious term originated from the corporate sector, but it is applicable to daily life goals.

You haven't considered making the necessary lifestyle changes.

Unfortunately, many goals fail because you don't address the broader picture: lifestyle change.

Running more is excellent, but you must understand how this additional activity fits into your actual day-to-day life. Are you prepared to get up every morning and run? Do you know what foods are excellent for recharging your energy bar?

Before you set goals, make sure you know exactly how to reach them. Making resolutions at random is a great way to set yourself up for failure, which is bad for your mental health, especially if you keep making the same mistakes year after year.

But there is still hope: wise goal-setting will not only help you beat the annual "I-failed-again blues," but your new-and-improved lifestyle will also boost your mental health. Remember to consider the big picture, not simply a fad idealistic and unattainable new you.

Baby Spinach Salad

Dresing

Directions For the dressing: Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until well emulsified and ginger and garlic are finely minced.

Pour into an airtight container and all to rest in refrigerator while preparing salad (shake or stir before adding to salad).

For the strips: Heat about 3/4 to 1-inch of oil in a skillet to 360 degrees (maintain this temperature, reduce heat as needed).

1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup canola oil 2 tsp orange zest 2 Tbsp honey 1/4 tsp salt 1 Tbsp poppy seeds

Salad 1 lb chicken, grilled 9 oz baby spinach 2 medium avocados 1 cup crumbled feta

Enjoy!

Add just enough strips without overcrowding. Fry just until halfway cooked, then using metal tongs (grabbing as many as you can at once) rotate to opposite side and cook until just lightly golden.

Add all salad ingredients to a large salad bowl and toss.

Drizzle with dressing and gently toss. Top each serving with desired amount of wonton strips and optional sesame seeds.

Serve immediately.

SELF

C a r e

Why is skating self-care for me?

Honestly, skating gets me through stress and toxic energy, which motivates me to get through hard days. Skating is therapeutic for me.

Skating is therapy! ~ Latasha Henderson

Photo: TAlan Photography

Milkshake 1 banana 1 cup nuts 2 tbls cacao powder 2 to 3 cups of milk

Inner Peace

Finding Joy in In the Little Things

Model: Xavion Grantham - Photo TAlan Photography

Self-Care is the Best Care

Yoga Living Get Connected. Mind. Body. Spirit.

Model: Gabrielle V. - Photo TAlan Photography

www.yourfavoritehippie.com

Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Black National Anthem

What is the Black National Anthem?

According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Lift Every Voice and Sing was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (1871 – 1938). It was later set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873 – 1954) in 1899.

The poem was originally created to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. It was a way to show appreciation for his part in the emancipation of slavery. It later became the Black National Anthem as a way for African Americans to deal with the post-slavery era of Jim Crow.

Song of Inspiration The song provided a sense of hope during a dark time. The two major turning points that led to Lift Every Voice and Sing to becoming the Black National Anthem, was in 1905 when Booker T Washington endorsed it and in 1919, it became the official song of the NAACP. This song came at a time when African Americans were free from slavery, yet trying to find their identity. For many, being a slave was their identity and this song gave them a sense of pride in themselves, their culture, and their newfound freedom.

Due to its inspirational lyrics, Lift Every Voice and Sing became popular worldwide. It expanded throughout the southern states of the United States to Japan and South America.

The popularity of the song died down after the Civil Rights movement and was replaced with “We Shall Overcome” but the title of Black National Anthem remained with Lift Every Voice and Sing.

The Importance of the Anthem today PBS states, “today, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ is one of the most cherished songs of the African American Civil Rights movement”. The anthem still plays an important role in African American culture. One can hear this song being played in many schools and churches across the country today in celebration of Black History Month. Its lyrics continue to bring hope to African Americans who are still fighting for peace, change, and equality.

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Lyrics to Lift Every Voice and Sing Lift ev’ry voice and sing,

We have come over a way that with

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

We have come, treading our path

‘Til earth and heaven ring,

Lift Every Voice and Sing, Til Earth and Heaven Ring, Ring with the Harmonies of Liberty. Let Our Rejoicing Rise , High as the Listening Skies, Let it Resound, Loud as the Rollin Sea.

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the list’ning skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the

through

the

slaughtered,

blood

of

the

Out from the gloomy past, ‘Til now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

present has brought us;

God of our weary years,

begun,

Thou who has brought us thus far

Facing the rising sun of our new day Let us march on ’til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,

Bitter the chastening rod,

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat,

Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

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tears has been watered,

God of our silent tears, on the way;

Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

The very essence of femininity

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