AFRICA USA TODAY MAGAZINE
Poliosocionomics of World Peace
www.africaustodaymag.com 312/880-7016 October/ November 2015 U.S.- $4.99 Canada- $5.99 London- 3 Pounds
Andre Bellos the art of following your dreams
Laurie Borse’
Mastering the Art of Fashion Design in Paris & Chicago
Celebrating the Arts Lallopalooza Highlights
Michael Jackson ranked
by Forbes as top earning dead celebrity for fifth consecutive year at $140 million
Gordon Parks,
a prolific, world-reknown Renaissance man
Festival of Life Vendors exhibit artistic flair
Taste of Chicago Highlights
Chicago Urban League’s
54th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner
40 African Leaders
donned traditional Indian attire at 3rd India- Africa Summit
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AFRICA USA TODAY 54th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner: Inspiration for the Next Generation
3
Olawale Idreez, Publisher
“2016 Democracy and Hillary Clinton in the Global Arena” by Olawale Idreez
I was playing the test-your-brain online game called “ZADAVAKA”. The question asked, “What two animals are allowed in the British Parliament House?” But first all, I soliloquized: That was a luscious and royally amazed question: That, why will the “Rulers” allowed the animals to be present where the crucial matters affecting the lives of the “Ruled” are being discussed? Nevertheless, for the fun of it, I thought the answer was an easy one. Ladies and Gentlemen, you will never guess what the correct answer was. It said, “Cat and Horse”. What? But then what do I know? Methinks should call London to find out why. Please stop laughing. I just needed to get that out of my chest before treating and tricking my friend, SCENE-CHICAGO’s GMAN to a Dunkin Donut extra-large coffee, as the Saturday morning ritual thing. Now, Year 2016 is about seventy days from the day of writing this missive. Everything about 2016 looks very promising; at least, to encourage human beings cope with this cruel people, but wonderful world we live in. That, no matter what happened yesterday, today is a bright new day, and tomorrow will be loaded with bags of goodies, like Santa Claus (Father Christmas, like we used to dub him in Lagos, Nigeria) coming to town. With the United States successfully convincing the rest of the world; who are saying if the U.S. truly believes in democracy, then, it should practice what it preaches, by electing a woman in the White House, as president. That is on global front. On the local level, it must also be emphasized that, in the last three decades of the U.S. elections, the majority of us, who usually love to glue to the television set during the election night, have probably never seen any election process so entertaining as this 2016 election. That is good news; at least to motivate lot of voters who do not feel, or see any reason why they should fulfill their patriotic duty, and go out to vote for the candidate of their choice. If only to limit the focus of this missive to (now) two major front runners from both parties: Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton; and Republican Donald Trump. It is worthwhile to evaluate them critically. Mrs. Hillary Clinton came out to fulfill the U.S. idea of equal opportunity for both men, and women; particularly in the democratic system of government. To convince huge number of global communities that are emulating this system; that it should lead by example. Needless to say, that Mrs. Hillary Clinton is well qualified for the office: As a former senator; as a former first lady; as a former U.S. Secretary of State; as a wife; as a mother; as grandmother (oops! Not yet!); as a top socialite; and as a champion of hope for the minorities. A Philanthropist that believes in what she preaches: “If a woman is giving what is rightly deserved, her family, community, and country flourished.”
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“2016 Democracy and Hillary Clinton in the Global Arena” Many people will agree with me, that Mrs. Clinton will be elected, not necessarily because she is more than qualified for the job; but particularly she will be elevating the spirit of millions of women both nationally and globally, who have been inhibited with the belief that they are only good for the kitchen and bed. This is a great opportunity to rise and shine! *It is equally worthwhile to mention that if the current vice president, Mr. Joseph Biden (A noble man) can agree to stay in the office, again, as a vice president for Hillary Clinton; that ticket will be so formidable, that both Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump will not be able to resist voting for HRC. (Hillary Rodham-Clinton). Oh! Lest I forget the other front runner, Mr. Donald Trump, who came out with the rhetoric that worked for former president, late Ronald Reagan, who won on the merit of main global issues on the table at that time: The 444 Days American hostages in Iran; and U.S. versus USSR (the two warring-brothers) cold war issue. Ronald Reagan trumpeted so loud that even Russian president Michal Gorbachev could not resist smiling in the camera at the White House; unlike his predecessors; albeit the current U.S. President Barack Obama trying so hard to forge the same gesture of goodwill with the Russian Comrade, Mr. Vladimir Putin. Good luck to that. Now, as with Mr. Donald Trump, the reality is, the rhetoric that worked in the 1980s, will not necessarily be favorable in 2015 going 2016. Meaning, attacking and dubbing the hardworking people, believers in the dream of great nation as (USA), and family-oriented people to be dubbed as “low-life” does not spell a sound etiquette for a person that want to lead this free world. Apparently, Mr. Trump needs to invite former presidential candidate, Mr. Mitt Romney register and attend the University of Political Ethicology” That rhetoric should in no way, distract the majority of voters in focusing on three major uncompromising and critical issues on the table, that are lusciously begging everyone to go out and campaign; and more importantly to vote. The motivations are: 1. Party identification: Republican or Democrat, etc. 2. Candidate’s image: Likable or less likeable in relevance to mannerism. 3. Most importantly, issues both locally or globally such as: (A) Gun Control, which is doing more damage in the U.S. territory that the world could ever imagine. Thank God Almighty for fervent believers who would not give up on praying for this great nation (USA); (B) Female President: Is it a reality or myth? Perhaps the answer depends on majority of female voters, who should troop out and support this historic democratic event; and (C) The effect of democracy in the global arena. It sounds and feels exciting already: Madam President! 4. The global arena is waiting for the answer from the champion of democracy, USA! Olawale Idreez can be reached at email: usafriglo@yahoo.com (www.africaustodaymag.com). Next editorial topic: “America: Where Democracy Married Capitalism: Survival of the Fittest” by Olawale Idreez.
AFRICA USA TODAY 5
Africa USA Today Magazine
DARLENE HUMPHREY
VERA GILES-NORRIS QUEEN BUNMI AJIBADE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BARBARA KENSEY MEDIA CONSULTANT TORNU PRYNCE ARMAND J. AZAMAR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS REV. ROD REINHART JUANITA CREAR-PRICE, MS REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL
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Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography
Contents Celebrating the Arts
JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
8
Celebrating the Arts 8 The Art of Following Your Dreams Interview with Andre bellos
10 Laurie Borse’, Mastering the Art of Fashion Design
10
12 54th Annual Golden Fellowship
Dinner for Chicago Urban League
14 Michael Jackson ranked by Forbes as top
dead celebrity in earnings for 5th consecutive year
18
18 Lolapalooza highlights
This issue celebrates various forms of Art including the art of following your Dreams, Fashion Design, Music, Photography, & Painting. Also, we take a look at some of the highlights of various events. This is a time to celebrate, enjoy activities and even participate. Be creative !
22 Gordon Parks, a prolific Renaissance man 22
26 Art show opening, Chicago, IL 32 Africa News 38 Festivals in Chicago highlights John E. Smith Jr. Photography
38
47 Book Club features AFRICA USA TODAY 7
The Art of Following Your
Dreams an interview with
Andre Bellos by Olawale Idreez
1. The last time we saw you perform was at the Stratford mall in Illinois, where can we see you perform next? -I had a blast at that show it was my bday also! I will be performing at the Mayfield ballroom Oct. 24th in Chicago at the LH Couture fashion show. 2. You have really evolved over the last two years into a mega online personality. What do you make of your new cyber celebrity status? -That is really sweet of you to say but I do not really look at it like that, the recognition feels great though! I am here to to work as a vessel to inspire the youth and I love that everyone has been so accepting of me and my message. 3. What compelled you to do the cover of Africa magazine? -Well one thing I feel strongly about is breaking down barriers, I am the first White/Latino male to grace the cover of a prominently African american publication and am honored that the fans and readers want to know more about me. 4. What does culture and diversity mean to you, and how does it tie into your artistry? -Diversity and culture is what I live for and it ties into every being in my body not just my artistry. I love different languages other than the ones I know as well as traditional dress. Seeing people be comfortable in their own skin and culture is one of the most beautiful things in the world. 5. Etsy.com has you doing print work for BiBi's fashion beads, what is the significance of this jewelry line? -I am ecstatic about this project because I have been able to bring my younger sister in on the deal, so you will be seeing pictures of her soon showing off some of this marvelous jewelry. The line is a beaded style coming from Egypt and all beads are made out of glass and hand panted, so each piece is exclusive. 6. You are currently the spokes-model of Barbizon USA, how did that come about and where are you going next? -I am so proud to be representing the same company that helped me launch my career when I was just 9 years old. Now as a 28 year old I can recall what I have been taught and put it to good use and help other aspiring models get their start as well. I will be in Minnesota during the holidays if weather permits, but stay tuned their is more to come from Barbizon and I. 7. We see you have been working on new Dick Wolf produced show Chicago Med, tell us about it! -I just want to thank Dick Wolf and casting for making a bunch of unknown actors like myself dreams come true. I cannot speak too much on this project at the moment but trust me you will not be disappointed once it airs. There will also be some iconic TV actors that will be returning to TV through this show. 8 AFRICA USA TODAY
The Art of Following Your
Dreams an interview with
Andre Bellos by Olawale Idreez (Contd. from pg. 8)
8. We saw a brief cameo of you in a nightclub scene dancing on Chicago P.D, what was it like working with former One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush? -Chicago P.D is always a blast to work on and I do have some history with the show as well. Sophia is just a delight to work with and is so beautiful inside and out! 9. Now we know you have returned to Empire to reprise your role as a recording artist, what other shows will you be returning to this fall? -Yes! To the Empire! I am humbled and honored to be asked to return to such a powerful new show on television. The show does not need me but it feels great to be apart of history in the making. You have to set your DVRs and tune in to this falls TV lineup to see where I end up. 10. Now you have been photographed on the red carpet and have recently become a style icon in Chicago. What style advice would you give our readers? -I must say it is really bizarre being asked to give style advice because I was bullied growing up for my unconventional sense of style. I dress from the heart, it is not about brand or price but the confidence you exude from within. The man makes the clothes the clothes don't make the man and I really live by that saying. Also I love to mix and match high end brands with low end brands which works very well if you are on a budget. 11. What is your ultimate goal? -To inspire the youth.. 12. Who has been helping you stay grounded during the launch of your career? -My mother, by far!! 13. Do you have any new music coming out? -Yes! I do not have a release date but I will be coming out with a new song along with a new music video, look out for it! 14. What advice would you give to other aspiring models reading this article? -Be yourself, have fun, and disturb your comfort zone! 15. Is there anyone you would like to thank? -I would like to Thank Wale from Africa magazine for this wonderful opportunity and the mother of fashion in Chicago Latonya Hubbard for believing in my vision.. 16. Any last words? -#TeamAndreB I love you! Make it your business to follow your dreams! AFRICA USA TODAY 9
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
10 AFRICA USA TODAY
AFRICA USA TODAY 11
54th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner: Inspiration for the Next Generation For nearly a century the Chicago Urban League has been a leader in educational opportunity, economic development and social justice in the African American community. Our advocacy and programming is supported by a diverse group of funding partners and has played a significant role in improving the quality of life in metropolitan Chicago. A key component to our longevity has been our commitment to developing aspiring and emerging leaders. Throughout our history we have empowered students and young professionals to be engaged in issues that impact African Americans and the broader community. In addition to our successful education and mentoring programs that provide middle school, high school and college students with the support they need to succeed academically and socially, we also develop leaders through the Metropolitan Board, our young professionals auxiliary, and the IMPACT Leadership Development Program, presented in partnership with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. As we approach our second century of service and face contemporary civil rights challenges, it is important that we capitalize on the creativity and talent of Chicago’s young leaders. We have Founded in 1916, the Chicago Urban League is one of the nation's oldest and largest dedicated ourselves to inspiring the next generation of leaders by giving them access to the communitybased movements devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic skills, training, and technology necessary to make lasting change and meaningful progress. and social mainstream. Through unique community, corporate and civic relationships, the Through this, we are securing the future of the Urban League movement and ensuring that Chicago Urban League has helped people find jobs, affordable housing, educational Chicago continues to be a better city for all its residents. We are here to be an inspiration for the opportunities and grow businesses. next generation.
We thank you in advance for your support of this important fundraising effort, and look forward to seeing you on November 7th. Yours in the movement,
Shari E. Runner Interim President and CEO 12 AFRICA USA TODAY
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood, better known as Brandy, born February 11, 1979 in McComb, Mississippi. The singer and actress rose to stardom at the age of 15, when she released her self-titled debut album, Brandy. The album reached the top 20 of the US Billboard 200 and was certified four-times platinum, selling over two Brandy Rayana Norwood, as copies Brandy, born February 1979 in aMcComb, million copies in the United States better and overknown six million worldwide. As Brandy 11, evolved from teenager to Mississippi. The singer and actress rose to stardom at the age of 15, when she released her a young woman she diversified her interests, including acting, modeling and producing films and other artists' music. In 1996, she landed a starring role on the top-rated UPN sitcom Moesha, which ran for six years. selftitled debut album, Brandy. The album reached the top 20 of the US Billboard 200 and was certified fourtimes platinum, selling over two million copies in the United States and over six Brandy's acting career continued to blossom when she acted alongside her idol, music legend, Whitney Housmillion copies worldwide. As Brandy evolved from a teenager to a young woman she diversified ton in the first multi-racial cast, performing in the television version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. her interests, including acting, modeling and producing films and other artists' music. In 1996, In 1998, she landed her first major theatrical film role in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and the folshe landed a starring role on the toprated UPN sitcom Moesha, which ran for six years. lowing year, she appeared in another television movie with Diana Ross called Double Platinum. In 2001, she voiced a character in the successful animated film Osmosis Jones. The roles continued coming her way when she became a part of the ensemble cast on BET's hit sitcom “The Game” and the acting pinnacle was when Brandy's acting career continued to blossom when she acted alongside her idol, music legend, she made her Broadway debut in the hit musical Chicago in 2015. While solidifying her acting career, Brandy Whitney Houston in the first multiracial cast, performing in the television version of Rodgers and still managed to top the music charts with the release of her album, Never Say Never in 2008, which sold more Hammerstein’s Cinderella. In 1998, she landed her first major theatrical film role in I Still Know than five million copies and which lead to a string of four more successful albums that sold more than 40 milWhat You Did Last Summer and the following year, she appeared in another television movie lion copies worldwide. with Diana Ross called Double Platinum. In 2001, she voiced a character in the successful The Grammy Award-winning singer, actress, the first international spokesperson for UNICEF and a recipient animated film Osmosis Jones. The roles continued coming her way when she became a part of ofthe ensemble cast on BET's hit sitcom “The Game” and the acting pinnacle was when she made NAACP Image Award is also a well-known and active philanthropist. She co-founded The Norwood Kids Foundation as a catalyst shape the musical youth of today into self-confident, disciplined, responsible individuals. her Broadway debut toin the hit Chicago in 2015. While solidifying her acting career, Through her efforts these young people are making a tremendous impact in their communities. Brandy has Brandy still managed to top the music charts with the release of her album, Never Say Never in received countless endorsements and recognitions for her God given talent and wholesome persona that garnered the hearts of music lovers all over the world. AFRICA USA TODAY 13
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Called the King of Pop, his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971. In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, were credited with breaking down racial barriers and with transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. The popularity of these videos helped to bring the then-relatively-new television channel MTV to fame. His 1987 album Bad spawned the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror", and "Dirty Diana", becoming the first album to have five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. With videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream", he continued to innovate the medium throughout the 1990s, as well as forging a reputation as a touring solo artist. Through stage and video performances, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive sound and style has influenced numerous artists of various music genres. Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, with estimated sales of 65 million copies worldwide. His other albums, including Off the Wall (1979), Bad, Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling albums. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Dance Hall of Fame as the first and only dancer from pop and rock music. His other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy Awards, the Grammy Legend Award, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 26 American Music Awards—more than any other artist—including the "Artist of the Century" and "Artist of the 1980s", 13 numberone singles in the United States during his solo career,—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—and estimated sales of over 400 million records worldwide.[Note 1] Jackson has won hundreds of awards, making him the most awarded recording artist in the history of popular music. He became the first artist in history to have a top ten single in the Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades when "Love Never Felt So Good" reached number nine on May 21, 2014. Jackson traveled the world attending events honoring his humanitarianism, and, in 2000, the Guinness World Records recognized him for supporting 39 charities, more than any other entertainer. Aspects of Michael Jackson's personal life, including his changing appearance, personal relationships, and behavior, generated controversy. In the mid-1990s, he was accused of child sexual abuse, but the civil case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount and no formal charges were brought. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges after the jury found him not guilty on all counts. While preparing for his comeback concert series titled This Is It, Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication on June 25, 2009, after suffering from cardiac arrest. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled his death a homicide, and his personal physician, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief, and a live broadcast of his public memorial service was viewed around the world. Forbes currently ranks Jackson as the top-earning dead celebrity, a title held for a fifth consecutive year, with $140 million in earnings. 14 AFRICA USA TODAY
Jackson's financial interests in the music publishing business expanded after Jackson collaborated with Paul McCartney in the early 1980s. He subsequently learned that McCartney was making approximately $40 million a year from other people's songs. By 1983, Jackson had begun investing in publishing rights to songs that others had written, but he was careful with his acquisitions, only bidding on a few of the dozens that were offered to him. Jackson's early acquisitions of music catalogs and song copyrights such as the Sly Stone collection included "Everyday People" (1968), Len Barry's "1-2-3" (1965), and Dion DiMucci's "The Wanderer" (1961) and "Runaround Sue" (1961); however, Jackson's most significant purchase came in 1985, when he acquired the publishing rights to ATV Music Publishing after months of negotiation. ATV had acquired the publishing rights to nearly 4000 songs, including the Northern Songs catalog that contained the majority of the Lennon–McCartney compositions recorded by the Beatles. In 1984 Robert Holmes à Court, the wealthy Australian investor who owned ATV Music Publishing, announced he was putting the ATV catalog up for sale. In 1981, McCartney was offered the ATV music catalog for £20 million ($40 million). According to McCartney, he contacted Yoko Ono about making a joint purchase by splitting the cost at £10 million each, but Ono thought they could buy it for £5 million each. When they were unable to make a joint purchase, McCartney, who did not want to be the sole owner of the Beatles' songs, did not pursue an offer on his own.[ According to a negotiator for Holmes à Court in the 1984 sale, "We had given Paul McCartney first right of refusal but Paul didn't want it at that time." Jackson was first informed about the sale by his attorney, John Branca, in September 1984. An attorney for McCartney also assured Branca that McCartney was not interested in bidding. McCartney reportedly said "It's too pricey", but several other companies and investors were interested in bidding. Jackson submitted a bid of $46 million on November 20, 1984. His agents thought they had a deal several times, but encountered new bidders or new areas of debate. In May 1985, Jackson's team walked away from talks after having spent more than $1 million and four months of due diligence work on the negotiations. In June 1985, Jackson and Branca learned that Charles Koppelman's and Marty Bandier's The Entertainment Company had made a tentative agreement with Holmes à Court to buy ATV Music for $50 million; however, in early August, Holmes à Court's team contacted Jackson and talks resumed. Jackson raised his bid to $47.5 million, which was accepted because he could close the deal more quickly, having already completed due diligence of ATV Music. Jackson also agreed to visit Holmes à Court in Australia, where he would appear on the Channel Seven Perth Telethon. Jackson's purchase of ATV Music was finalized on August 10, 1985. AFRICA USA TODAY 15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (9/29/15)
Gina Gay Centurion Realty & Estates 3129335224 ginagay716@gmail.com U.S. Congressman Danny Davis names 2015 “Realtor of the Year” th Annual Awards Gala 7 Congressional District honors Centurion Realty & Estates at 5th Chicago, IL: Managing Broker from Centurion Realty & Estates, Ola Sanni was honored as “Realtor of the Year” at the 5th Annual Awards Gala hosted by Congressman Danny Davis. The ceremony, held July 26 was put on by the 7th Congressional District’s Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force (MEATF) at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, IL. The district is home to a host of worldclass cultural and educational institutions and includes an abundance of the best entertainment and education that Chicago has to offer. “Relator of the Year Award is given to an individual who has excelled in his field and made a difference in people's lives” says Chairperson, Dr. Tapas Dasgupta. “The Annual Gala showcases our community heroes and reinforces that the various ethnic communities play a significant and integral role in the progress of our society”. Centurion Realty & Estates brings over twenty years of experience helping those looking to buy, sell or rent in the Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs. Ola Sanni also serves within the neighborhoods he does business through organizations such as Hope Club Chicago. With over 500 guests present, the room was filled with some of the best lawyers, physicians and business professionals from all walks of life, particularly ethnic communities. The regions represented include India, Greece, African Americans, China, Nigeria. Pakistan and many others. Established in 2010, the Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force allowed for a platform to acknowledge and give thanks to those leaders who were giving back in their respective communities. They continue to play an important role in promoting the successes of minorities and others like Homewood based company, Centurion Realty & Estates. Centurion Realty & Estates: Centurion Realty and Estates offers a solution for those interested in buying, selling, renting or needing tenants. Simply looking to rent? There are no charges for apartment rental assistance and we have full access to MLS listing services to find you the perfect new home. Visit www.centurionrealtyandestates.com for more information. ### 16 AFRICA USA TODAY
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Paul McCartney Duets with Brittany Howard at Lollapalooza As Friday night of Lollapalooza came to a close, Paul McCartney made his inaugural appearance at the festival, taking to a stage that overlooked Chicago’s impressive Grant Park skyline. In a set hailed by critics and fans as one of the best in the festival’s 25 year history, Paul was joined on stage by Alabama Shakes’ singer Brittany Howard. To the delight of all those present, they performed a duet of The Beatles’ classic ‘Get Back’. Talking about the evening, Brittany said: “It was such an honor to play with Paul and his incredible band. They welcomed me with open arms and I’m grateful. Once in a lifetime! I hope they had as much fun as I did.”
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Kid Cudi by Greg Noire
Black Pistol Fire by Charles Reagan Hackleman AFRICA USA TODAY 19
FKA Twigs by Max Hermiot
Charli XCX by Charles Reagan Hackleman
Nicky Romero by Shea Flynn 20 AFRICA USA TODAY
Gary Clark Jr. by Greg Noire
ASAP Rock by Greg Noire
Metallica by Cambria Harkey AFRICA USA TODAY 21
Gordon Parks Biography
Pianist, Director, Photographer, Songwriter, Writer (1912–2006) Gordon Parks was a prolific, world-renowned photographer, writer, composer and filmmaker known for his work on projects like Shaft and The Learning Tree. 1 of his quotes “People in millenniums ahead will know what we were like in the 1930's and the thing that, the important major things that shaped our history at that time. This is as important for historic reasons as any other.” —Gordon Parks Born on November 30, 1912, in Fort Scott, Kansas, Gordon Parks was a self-taught artist who became the first African-American photographer for Life and Vogue magazines. He also pursued movie directing and screenwriting, working at the helm of the films The Learning Tree, based on a novel he wrote, and Shaft. Parks has published several memoirs and retrospectives as well, including A Choice of Weapons. Early Life Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks was born on November 30, 1912, in Fort Scott, Kansas. His father, Jackson Parks, was a vegetable farmer, and the family lived modestly. Parks faced aggressive discrimination as a child. He attended a segregated elementary school and was not allowed to participate in activities at his high school because of his race. The teachers actively discouraged AfricanAmerican students from seeking higher education. After the death of his mother, Sarah, when he was 14, Parks left home. He lived with relatives for a short time before setting off on his own, taking whatever odd jobs he could find. Famed Photographer Parks purchased his first camera at the age of 25 after viewing photographs of migrant workers in a magazine. His early fashion photographs caught the attention of Marva Louis, wife of the boxing champion Joe Louis, who encouraged Parks to move to a larger city. Parks and his wife, Sally, relocated to Chicago in 1940. Parks began to explore subjects beyond portraits and fashion photographs in Chicago. He became interested in the low-income black neighborhoods of Chicago's South Side. In 1941, Parks won a photography fellowship with the Farm Security Administration for his images of the inner city. Parks created some of his most enduring photographs during this fellowship, including "American Gothic, Washington, D.C.," picturing a member of the FSA cleaning crew in front of an American flag. 22 AFRICA USA TODAY
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After the FSA disbanded, Parks continued to take photographs for the Office of War Information and the Standard Oil Photography Project. He also became a freelance photographer for Vogue. Parks worked for Vogue for a number of years, developing a distinctive style that emphasized the look of models and garments in motion, rather than in static poses. Relocating to Harlem, Parks continued to document city images and characters while working in the fashion industry. His 1948 photographic essay on a Harlem gang leader won Parks a position as a staff photographer for LIFE magazine, the nation's highest-circulation photographic publication. Parks held this position for 20 years, producing photographs on subjects including fashion, sports and entertainment as well as poverty and racial segregation. He was also took portraits of African-American leaders, including Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael and Muhammad Ali. Parks launched a writing career during this period, beginning with his 1962 autobiographical novel, The Learning Tree. He would publish a number of books throughout his lifetime, including a memoir, several works of fiction and volumes on photographic technique. Filmmaker In 1969, Parks became the first African American to direct a major Hollywood movie, the film adaptation of The Learning Tree. He wrote the screenplay and composed the score for the film. Parks's next film, Shaft, was one of the biggest box-office hits of 1971. Starring Richard Roundtree as detective John Shaft, the movie inspired a genre of films known as blaxploitation. Isaac Hayes won an Academy Award for the movie's theme song. Parks also directed a 1972 sequel, Shaft's Big Score. His attempt to deviate from the Shaft series, with the 1976 Leadbelly, was unsuccessful. Following this failure, Parks continued to make films for television, but did not return to Hollywood. Personal Life Parks was married and divorced three times. He and Sally Alvis married in 1933, divorcing in 1961. Parks remarried in 1962, to Elizabeth Campbell. The couple divorced in 1973, at which time Parks married Genevieve Young. Young had met Parks in 1962 when she was assigned to be the editor of his book The Learning Tree. They divorced in 1979. Parks was also romantically linked to railroad heiress Gloria Vanderbilt for a period of years. Parks had four children. His oldest son, filmmaker Gordon Parks Jr., died in a 1979 plane crash in Kenya. The 93-year-old Gordon Parks died of cancer on March 7, 2006, in New York City. He is buried in his hometown of Fort Scott, Kansas. Today, Parks is remembered for his pioneering work in the field of photography, which has been an inspiration to many. The famed photographer once said, "People in millenniums ahead will know what we were like in the 1930's and the thing that, the important major things that shaped our history at that time. This is as important for historic reasons as any other." 24 AFRICA USA TODAY
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“Chicago’s Best Kept Secret” Art Show Opening Where: One Stop Productions, 340 N. Ogden Ave.,Chicago, IL Curator, artist: Angie Reddick Theme: Showcasing Chicago’s Best Kept Secret- Artists who are up & coming
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John E. Smith Jr. Photography
“Chicago’s Best Kept Secret” Art Show Opening Where: One Stop Productions, 340 N. Ogden Ave.,Chicago, IL Curator, artist: Angie Reddick Theme: Showcasing Chicago’s Best Kept Secret- Artists who are up & coming
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
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AFRICA NEWS
40 African Leaders donned traditional Indian attire at 3rd India-African summit in New Delhi Since being elected to office last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sharp dressing and flamboyant wardrobe have consistently made headlines both in India and abroad. Yesterday, his government took his sartorial diplomacy a step further when over 40 African heads of state donned traditional Indian attire at a dinner held on the sidelines of the 3rd India-Africa Summit in New Delhi. The African leaders were dressed in raw silk kurtas, “Modi jackets” and safas (Indian headgear), a look frequently sported by Modi. The only exceptions to the dress code were the presidents of Zimbabwe and South Africa, Robert Mugabe and Jacob Zuma. The summit is being held between Oct. 26 and 29, to boost economic ties between India and African countries. A sleeveless waist coast, the “Modi jacket” is a more colourful variant of the iconic “Nehru jacket” worn by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. For the India-Africa summit, the Indian government had specially commissioned the Indian fashion label Biba to design bespoke jackets and kurtas in various colours for each leader. Last year, the Indian PM had also gifted a “Modi jacket” to Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India. In interviews, Modi has described his flair for “mixing and matching colours” as a gift from god. His attention to clothes is said to extend to designer glasses, pens and watches. Most of his clothes are made by his long-time Ahmedabad-based tailor Jade Blue, who even sells a trademarked “Modi kurta”, the short-sleeved cotton tunic associated with the PM. In January, Narendra Modi wore a dark pinstriped suit with his name monogrammed in dull gold stripes during a reception for U.S. President Barack Obama in New Delhi. Image: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press The most famous instance Modi’s sartorial flamboyance is the pinstripe bandhgala (an Indian suit) worn by him during US President Barack Obama’s visit to India in January. Its navy-blue fabric had his full name monogrammed in tiny letters into the golden pinstripe. Following public debates about the value of the suit, which allegedly cost around 1 million rupees or $15300, it was finally sold at a charity auction for approximately 43.1 million rupees or $693,000. Narendra Modi greeting US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on their arrival in New Delhi in January. During the same visit by Obama in January, Modi came under the Indian media’s scanner for changing his clothes thrice in a single day, even overtaking the American First Lady Michelle Obama. This record was surpassed during Modi’s recent visit to the US in September, when he donned four different outfits in a day, between visits to Tesla Motors, meetings with CEOs such as Google’s Sundar Pichai and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, a Facebook town hall with CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and a reception by the Indian community. He has also been in the news for adopting the colourful headgear of different Indian states during his visits. Since being elected to office last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sharp dressing and flamboyant wardrobe have consistently made headlines both in India and abroad. Yesterday, his government took his sartorial diplomacy a step further when over 40 African heads of state donned traditional Indian attire at a dinner held on the sidelines of the 3rd India-Africa Summit in New Delhi. 32 AFRICA USA TODAY
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Miss Illinois Latina Miss Illinois Latina is proud to promote the ideas of community service, education and heritage for young Latina women living in the United States. For the first time Latin women were to be showcased in a program that would recognize their personal attributes beyond their physical beauty. Although this was not a new concept in the United States, in the world of beauty pageants in Latin America it was unique. For the Latin woman in the U.S., this program represented a chance to compete in a non-traditional pageant that would welcome their identification with their Hispanic ancestry and finally award them the opportunity to win on their own merits, without regard to their ethnicity. Since Angelita Pagan who won the first Miss Illinois Latina in 1984 to Martha Freites, the current Miss Illinois Latina 2015 and Julissa Unzueta the current Miss Teen Illinois Latina 2015, the organization has always awarded its title to smart, articulate and innovative women. The Miss Illinois Latina pageant is produced annually by Silver Beauty Latina, LLC and lead by Israel Silva, CEO and Hernan Rivera, President of the brand. The Miss Illinois Latina pageant is a gateway to national and world titles. With the guidance of Acirema Alayeto, current president of the Miss America Latina Del Mundo Organization, the state of Illinois finally had the opportunity to participate in the national competition after 4 years of absence. The Miss Illinois Latina Organization has been completely renovated with great focus on the role models of tomorrow. Casting and auditions are held to determine the final young ladies that could possibly become the next Miss Illinois Latina and Miss Teen Illinois Latina. During the competition, the candidates are provided with great leadership training and seminars that have a focus on beauty, health and fitness, modeling, public speaking, among others. The winner of Miss Illinois Latina automatically qualifies to represent the State of Illinois in the National Competition. The National competition has typically been held in exotic locations such as the Rivera Maya in Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The winner of the Miss US Latina Pageant automatically advances to the Miss America Latina Del Mundo pageant representing the United States. The Winner of the Miss Teen Illinois Latina automatically qualifies to represent the State of Illinois in the National Competition. The National competition has typically been held in different cities around the U.S.A.
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Miss Illinois Latina Organization All state and local preliminaries in the Miss U.S. Latina™ pageant system are required to conform to established rules and regulations for participants in this program; however, these contests are licensed events operated separately and independently of the Miss Latin America Organization. Organizacion Miss America Latina, Inc. owns all the tradenames in the Miss Latina America® / Miss U.S. Latina™ Pageant system.Their unauthorized used is strictly prohibited in exact form or in any similarly confusing manner.
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Some Artistic Flair of Festival of LifeVendors
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John E. Smith Jr. Photography
Some
Artistic Flair of Festival of Life Vendors
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
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Shorty Trombone at Taste of Chicago
John E. Smith Jr. Photography 40 AFRICA USA TODAY
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
Frankie Beverly
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Erykah Badu at Taste of Chicago
John E. Smith Jr. Photography 42 AFRICA USA TODAY
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Frankie Beverly & Maze at Taste of Chicago
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Women International Unity Forum Highlights What: A forum dedicated to women highlighting issues concerning all women. Where: Oak Park Library Oak Park, IL Produced by Mary L. Swopes
John E. Smith Jr. Photography
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Book Club Feature
The Self‐Made Myth: And the Truth about How Government Helps Individuals and Businesses Succeed [Paperback] Brian Miller ﴾Author﴿, Mike Lapham The Self‐Made Myth exposes the false claim that business success is the result of heroic individual effort with little or no outside help. Brian Miller and Mike Lapham bust the myth and present profiles of business leaders who recognize the public investments and supports that made their success possible—including Warren Buffett, Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s, New Belgium Brewing CEO Kim Jordan, and others. The book also thoroughly demolishes the claims of supposedly self‐made individuals such as Donald Trump and Ross Perot. How we view the creation of wealth and individual success is critical because it shapes our choices on taxes, regulation, public investments in schools and infrastructure, CEO pay, and more. It takes a village to raise a business—it’s time to recognize that fact. Monday, Apr 30, 2012 07:00 AM CDT Self‐made men, debunked A new book makes a strong case that nobody ever makes it on their own in America By Sara Robinson, Alternet Donald Trump﴾Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament﴿ This article originally appeared on AlterNet. The self‐made myth is one of the most cherished foundation stones of the conservative theology. Nurtured by Horatio Alger and generations of beloved boys’ stories, it sits at the deep black heart of their entire worldview, where it provides the essential justification for a great many other common right‐wing beliefs. It feeds the accusation that government is evil because it exists only to redistribute wealth from society’s producers ﴾self‐made, of course﴿ and its parasites ﴾who refuse to work﴿. It justifies conservative rage against progressives, who are seen as wanting to use government to forcibly take away what belongs to the righteous wealthy. It’s piously invoked by hedge fund managers and oil billionaires, who think that being required to reinvest any of their wealth back into the public society that made it possible is “punishing success.” It’s the foundational belief on which all of Ayn Rand’s novels stand. If you’ve heard it once from your Fox‐watching uncle, you’ve probably heard it a hundred times. “The government never did anything for me, dammit,” he grouses. “Everything I have, I earned. Nobody ever handed me anything. I did it all on my own. I’m a self‐made man.” He’s just plain wrong. Flat‐out, incontrovertibly, inarguably wrong. So profoundly wrong, in fact, that we probably won’t be able to change the national discourse on taxes, infrastructure, education, government investment, technology policy, transportation, welfare, or our future prospects as a country until we can effectively convince the country of the monumental wrongness of this one core point. The Built‐Together Realty Brian Miller and Mike Lapham have written the book that lays out the basic arguments we can use to begin to set things right. “The Self‐Made Myth: The Truth About How Government Helps Individuals and Businesses Succeed” is a clear, concise, easy‐to‐read‐and‐use summary of government’s central role in creating the conditions for economic prosperity and personal opportunity. AFRICA USA TODAY 47
What Makes A Man A Man And A Woman A Woman? Sexual Identity Is Not As Simple As X and Y, Scientist Says The transgender story of Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, continues to raise discussions across America about what it means to be a man or a woman. The simplest answer – that a woman has two X chromosomes and a man has one Y and one X chromosome – provides an incomplete picture. What makes a fetus become a male or female is more complicated than who ends up with a Y chromosome, says Peter Schattner, a scientist and author of the book “Sex, Love and DNA: What Molecular Biology Teaches Us About Being Human” (www.peterschattner.com). “Our sex is determined less by our chromosomes than by individual genes and the proteins that are encoded in those genes,” Schattner says. “For example, there are healthy, although infertile, men who do not have a Y chromosome. At the same time, normal women can have a Y chromosome.” Yet even as science show us how genes and proteins make some fetuses develop the physical characteristics of a male while others have female features, understanding what makes us feel that we are male or female is still challenging. In fact, some people, such as Jenner, have a condition called gender-identity reversal or gender dysphoria. “They appear on the outside to be unambiguous members of one sex, while their brains tell them they belong to the opposite sex,” Schattner says. Science is still unraveling many of the complex questions about gender, he says, but some things have become clear, such as: • Gender-identity reversal is not the same thing as homosexuality. “Some homosexual individuals are 48 AFRICA USA TODAY
gender-identity reversed, but most aren’t,” Schattner says. “Some individuals with gender-identity reversal are attracted primarily to the opposite sex; others are not.” • The prevalence of gender reversal is difficult to estimate because people with gender dysphoria are frequently reluctant to speak about it. Estimates of gender-identity reversal range from 1 or 2 per 1,000 people to 1 or 2 per 10,000, with considerable variation in different societies, Schattner says. Consistently higher estimates of transgender prevalence are found in surveys made by transgender activists than those by mainstream psychology organizations, he says. But even using the most conservative estimates, about 30,000 transgender people are living in the United States and an estimated 60,000 Americans have undergone gender-change surgery over the last 60 years. • Not that long ago, many scientists believed a person’s gender identity was largely, if not completely, determined by childhood education and upbringing. “The view was that if you are raised as a boy, you would see yourself as a boy, and if you were raised the way girls were traditionally raised, you’d develop a female self-image,” Schattner says. Now scientists are learning how genetics and prenatal biology play important roles in determining someone’s sexual identity, he says. Although progress has been made, questions remain and efforts continue to understand the complete picture, Schattner says. “The origins of human sexual orientation and gender identity,” he says, “remain among science’s most frustrating and challenging puzzles.”
Book Club Feature
“Winner – Best General Non-fiction Book” — 2015 Great Southeast Book Festival “Winner – Best Science Book” — Foreword Reviews’ 2014 Book of the Year Awards “Winner – Best Education Book” — Indie Excellence 2015 Book Awards for Small & Independent Presses “Winner – Best Education Book” — Reader’s Favorites 2015 Book Awards “Finalist – Best General Non-fiction Book” — 2015 Los Angeles Book Festival “A fantastic job of communicating complex subjects in a way the layperson can understand and connect with.” — Finalist, Shelf Unbound Contest for Best Independently Published Book of 2014 (one of five finalists out of 1000 entries) “Immensely absorbing and eye opening.” — San Francisco Book Review
In Sex Love and DNA, readers discover how proteins and DNA affect our lives. Based on the latest scientific discoveries, Sex Love and DNA explores the amazing world of molecular biology through stories of people who don’t feel pain because of rare genetic variants, children whose DNA enables them to perform unusual feats of strength, and people who can’t speak or read simply because they lack certain proteins. Written in language that anyone can understand, Sex Love and DNA will show you how science is revolutionizing our understanding of what it means to be human. - See more at: http://peterschattner.com/sex-love-anddna/#sthash.eZP187vR.dpuf
“Will astound and entertain you far more than any science fiction might.” — Bookviews ” Raises a feeling similar to watching one of those fascinating National Geographic specials—the one where you are so entertained, you do not realize you are learning.” — New York Journal of Books ” A marvelous entrance for those ready to plunge into popular science.” — Kirkus Reviews - See more at: http://peterschattner.com/sexlove-and-dna/#sthash.eZP187vR.dpuf
About Peter Schattner Peter Schattner (www.peterschattner.com) is a scientist, educator and writer with 30 years of research experience in molecular biology, genetics, biomedical instrumentation and physics. He is a recipient of the Technical Innovation Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Schattner received his doctorate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg and has held research and teaching positions at the University of California, California State University and Stanford Research Institute. He is the author of numerous scientific articles and reviews, as well as the textbook “Genomes, Browsers and Databases.” His latest book, “Sex, Love and DNA: What Molecular Biology Teaches Us About Being Human” is his first book for non-scientists. AFRICA USA TODAY 49
Book Club Features Strong Women only IntImIdate Weak men
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