Just Me Magazine by Just Me Magazine

Just Me Magazine "You don't have to be a celebrity to be a star." DecemberÂ 2016 FREE

Star of the Month Elegant Behavior Mother & Daughter Entreprenuers

YOGA and YOU Journey to

TheÂ B-Side "unreciprocated"

Wholeness

Submit Your

New Year's Story What are your goals for 2017?

Who's Nu?

Milayo Negesti Certified Life Coach

Always Love

Happy Holidays! WARM WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Just Me Magazine ESTABLISHED 2012

Just Me Magazine

TABLE OF

Contents 04 Editor's Note 06 10 12 15 17

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Our Own

JUST ME MAGAZINE

Editor's Note

Well...another year is about to end. As I sit and write this note, I am reflecting on what I have accomplished this past year.

The year for me started with good news. My magazine won an award, which was followed by a production wanting to take an idea I had for a reality show to the tube. That was January. By April, things weren’t what they seemed to be, and I saw my whole world crashed before my eyes. Devastation. I had to find the strength to move on. Turned 50 in April (right, 1st). Glad to see the number, but sad because I felt I haven’t accomplished all I wanted…and again for the 7th year in a row, no love. Still moving on. I have to. What other choice did I have? Give up? Not me. Keep it moving. The summer prove to be ok. Lots of events to cover for the magazine and CGF Entertainment Radio is doing well. A few changes there, but increasingly becoming popular. Then…I had to temporarily cancel the show. If it wasn’t for bad luck…I wouldn’t have any. Here’s the quick end of the year…jailed for the weekend, for parking tickets that didn’t even belong to me. Let’s see…my Mom tells my job I’m in jail and one of my friends shows people my mug shot, undeniable the worse picture I can ever take. I am not a happy Girl Scout. But…again…moving on. Shit happens. I just feel it happens to me a lot. So…I made some decisions. I am doing my own reality on show on YouTube, “Pieces of Alice”. I have always wanted to take some risky pictures, professionally done (right, 2nd). I am going to start wearing my natural hair more (right, 3rd), and I will be acting in my second stage play. Things I can control. No love yet…but just as well. I need to get my crap together. These may be small accomplishments, but the point is…don’t give up. Never give up. Evaluate. Move shit around. Just never give up. 2017 you better bring something new. Cause I am ready. Always LOVE, Alice 4

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NOMADIC

THE B-SIDE

Unreciprocated

BERNARD CREAMER, JR.

Now that the media is done pummeling our brains with the patriotic, and saturating our psyches with stars and stripes, we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming, deprogramming. I managed to miss every single Olympic event, on purpose. I had no interest in the pageantry or the blind allegiance involved, and its kind of tough for me to ignore the fact that America hates Black people in order to embrace the false notion of a unified nation where I should care about the U.S. dominating the Olympics. I’m still not certain why any African would care., but that’s just me.

I did care about the success of our brothers and sisters in Brazil competing. From a distance, I cheered them on, and via social media, I saluted their athletic accomplishments. From what I could gather, Africans from America put in major work at the 2016 games; they did the damn thing! I found myself imagining what it would be like if Africans participated as Africans from Africa. I imagined what it would look like if all the Africans in America decided to play for home, our actual home. What would these games look like then? Would America still be the pride and glory of these games? I listened from afar as America’s media tried its best to contrive stories to

discredit and defame it’s representatives of a darker hue; it wasn’t enough that they were winning gold medals. They were still Black. I listened as a good ol’ American White male swimmer reportedly carried on in Brazil like a spoiled, entitled child, only to have his actions pardoned and justified by the American media. White is still right. I sat at a bar full of Africans who chanted gleefully, “U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!!!” as the American athletes entered the coliseum at the beginning of the games. Did we all of a sudden gain equal footing with our oppressors here? Were the litany of lynchings here, past and present, of Africans, just a recurring nightmare of my own? Was racism eradicated along with

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We pledge allegiance . .

its deeply engrained policies, procedures, and social positioning? Were we all of a sudden no longer last in this caste? Africans for Africa . . What if all of those gold, silver, and bronze medals African-Americans won were acknowledgement of the athletic prowess borne genetically of our beautiful continent? Africans work hard, train, prepare, and compete at world class levels to win awards for a country that doesn’t give a damn about their existence, a country trying to continuously wipe them out of existence. I don’t need to describe the myriad of ways in which genocide is being enacted. I don’t need to run down the list of demonic racist occurrences recently in which we’ve emotionally reacted. Black people dying, Black mothers crying . . American media, police, and politicians lying, and the collective ensuing sighing of complacent Whites tired of Blacks complaining about dying. And all these years, Black people have been trying. .trying to become part of the American fabric, trying to live out the American dream, and trying to get a piece of that American pie, no semblance of peace, just periods of quiet.

We go hard for America. We abandoned our own culture for America, to have it replaced with one they felt would make us better slaves, I mean, better Americans, who just happened to be slaves. We fought in numerous unwarranted, unjustified, elitism, and capitalism-fueled wars to solidify our identities as blue-blooded Americans. We adopted and adapted to their education systems, allowing America to reprogram us into humans much unlike our true essence. We participate in their politics, and their policies proved a bit more than problematic for us, election after election, hope kept alive, in God we trust. We’ve tried. We dribble, toss, and catch pigskins that garner billions for owners and sponsors, but those Black bodies who enable these sports leagues to make riches, are treated like apolitical, asocial bitches, muted. We abide by uneven laws of justice to be unjustifiably locked up in prisons where there are just us. We gain employment per that integration package, just to become corporate stiffs forever chasing crumbs as compensation, calendar watching for next vacations. We’re in rat races we’re not set up to win, autonomous communities of us blown up and in the wind, no longer focused on our own independence again. Nope, we’re content to simply be American. Becoming embraced as fellow Americans seems to be our forever goal, as our athletes travel to exploited nations of our own, chasing gold.

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We pledge allegiance . .

I imagine it won’t be anytime soon, as many of us are still captivated and caught up in a red, white, and blue swoon, but at some juncture, we have to cease hemorrhaging our gifts and talents to others for their own benefit. That levee needs to be fixed, and those natural

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The “African-American” athlete comes back to America a temporarily glorified pawn to be exploited for profits by companies owned by others. The African-American athlete amasses a bit of fame and a small fortune to become the fake symbolism that conveys to the struggling Black masses that all is well, that we’ve all made it. That is, until that athlete raises a right fist, or decides to run down a list of transgressions this country has done to us. That gold medal African-American athlete is a shining star among forty-nine others and accompanying stripes until that African-American golden boy or girl flips the script and decides to acknowledge the Africans who gave birth to that prowess, but whom remain powerless. America will place that athlete on a pedestal until that athlete climbs back down and decides not to play impotent puppet. We tend to forget Muhammad Ali was a gold garnering American Olympic athlete, however, he became hated and scorned once America realized he was more about us than them. He could SEE, and spoke often about what he saw. One of America’s greatest heroes was hated by America until he was buried. A dead Black hero is a great American one.

talents and gifts retained and utilized in a manner that enriches the people who produced those who provide that wealth of talent, that Black community often left behind. Our talent isn’t being wasted, it’s leaking out of our communities and into the coffers of those who continuously conspire against us. A gold medal ain’t a win for US, it’s a win for the U.S. No doubt, I LOVE seeing our athletes perform and dominate. I’m in awe of them, the beauty and perfection of our women, the power displayed by our men, but I can’t extend accolades to this country, not when I know it’s this country that records the win. They can keep their gold as far as I’m concerned. “We prefer poverty in liberty to riches in slavery.” – Sekou Toure Not ’til it’s OUR turn. http://statuskno.com/ does mens/womens/childrens t-shirts!

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YOGA & YOU Kimberly J. Davis www.journeytowholeness.org

Why Yoga is a crucial component to health and wellness: by Kimberly J. DavisOver the last decade Yoga has become the new trend in the fitness world. However, most people know very little about the traditional practice of Yoga and why it is so beneficial for your overall health & wellness.

Yoga is an ancient practice that dates back to over 5000 years ago. Its origins are said to be from India. Yoga was primarily an oral tradition passed down through many generations. Yoga is not compatible or aligned to any religious belief system. It is based on an evolving understanding and direct experience of life. Yoga is a Sanskrit term that means “to yoke” or “unite”. The practice of Yoga unites mind, body and spirit. Yoga practices induce peace, health, creativity and balance within every aspect of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual states of being. As the oral tradition of yoga began to grow, certain aspects of the practice were codified. One of the primary texts utilized by yogis is the Yoga Sutras, which was written and collected by the Indian sage Patanjali. The creation of the Yoga Sutras established a pattern or standard for memorizing and studying Yoga. The 8 limbs of Yoga were introduced in this text which is the basis of the Yoga system as we know it today.

The Yoga that we practice today in the Western world stems directly from the 3 Limb of Yoga, Asana or Hatha Yoga. Asana is the ability to form and hold a posture that is stable and comfortable while regulating the breath. This system of Yoga provides a vast amount of healing and health benefits. Most people are only familiar with the physical aspects and benefits of yoga achieved as part of a physical fitness or exercise routine. However, Yoga is much more than exercise. It is a system designed to provide flexibility and strength to the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. It strengthens the spine, reducing back pains and issues. The postures massage the internal organs, regulates circulation and stimulates the glandular system. Yoga Asanas restore the body to its natural equilibrium and alleviates tension so the muscles and nervous system will relax more naturally. Yoga also allows Prana (life force energy) to easily flow through the body’s energy centers allowing it to naturally balance and heal.

These are just a few of many reasons that a daily yoga practice will positively impact your overall health and wellness. However, please be aware that not all Yoga practices are created equally. Since Yoga is now a hot trend in the fitness world, all types of forms of yoga are being created that are not rooted in traditional yoga and may not be the best fit for you. Visit several different types of yoga classes and teachers until you find the best fit for your personal healing and wellness needs. The Journey to Wholeness Center offers Hatha Yoga Classes that are in alignment with traditional yoga practices and benefits. We facilitate various yoga classes 5 days a week. Please check out the yoga schedule on our website www.journeytowholeness.org if you are interested in trying any of our Yoga classes. The first class is free! Kimberly J. Davis is the founder & owner of the Journey to Wholeness Center, a holistic healing and wellness center located in Oak Lawn IL.

Elegant Behavior

Adrienne & Brittany, owners of Elegant Behavior, Inc., the ultimate mother-daughter duo! The first black mother-daughter duo out of Chicago to have their own podcast, (“Let’s Talk Woman 2 Woman”) that airs every Saturday morning on Intellectual/iHeart Radio at 11:00 a.m. CST.

“Becoming Elegant Behavior, the Good, Bad and Ugly”. Their motto is “Inspiring Women in Faith, Fashion and Flair”. They have been invited to speak at events for Debutante D.I.V.A.S. for their spring/summer “Mommy and Me” tea and Evolving Diva, Inc. for the summer camp. These ladies are on the rise!

They are also the Fashion/Style Writers for BOLD & SAVVY Magazine and have their own body care product line, “Nzuri Body Essentials by Elegant Behavior, Where Elegance Meets Beauty”. Their line consists of shea butters, bath/shower lotions, sugar scrubs, soy candles and soaps and bath sea salts. And soon to be licensed makeup artist and fashion stylist which includes the expertise of theatre and makeup artistry. If that isn’t enough, they are working on releasing in 2017 their story,

This mother-daughter duo is planning two events in April and June respectively, for 2017, “Let’s Talk Woman 2 Woman” Conference and “I Am My Sister’s Keeper”. This event will treat women from a shelter to lunch, and they will receive interviewing tips, resume writing assistance and clothing. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to donate clothing to this event, you may contact Adrienne & Brittany at 708-381-0685 or via email at behaveelegantly@gmail.com

Elegant Behavior is a Mother and Daughter Duo that humbly exudes characteristics of elegance and class. We have faith in God and know that nothing is impossible. Our passion is to inspire women to pursue their dreams. We are committed to encourage women to seek God first and work hard to obtain their goals. WWW.ELEGANTBEHAVIOR.COM Photographers: Jerald Hendricks (@jheraldhendricks) on Instagram Jerald Hendricks (@jheraldhendricks) on Instagram

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Adrienne & Brittany Hughes, a dynamic mother-daughter duo! Owners of Elegant Behavior. We are passionate about encouraging women to pursue their dreams. Fashion/style writers and makeup artists.

Hosts of a weekly talk show "Let's Talk Woman 2 Woman" airs weekly on blog talk radio via the BOLD Movers Network, Fridays 7-8 CST.

Bodycare line, Nzuri Body Essentials by Elegant Behavior, where beauty meets elegance.

Milayo Negesti Milayo Negesti means Queen of Happiness and that’s who this Brooklyn, N.Y. native vows to be. From the streets of Flatbush she leapt to the tree lined blocks of Atlanta, G.A where she lived for seven years with her two fantastic children. She came back home ready to share her story and pen her memoir. Milayo Negesti is fueled by her passion to make an impact. She sprinkles her happy fairy dust promoting optimism, positivity, fun and selfhealing. Milayo Negesti earned a Masters Degree in Human Service Management and was ready to start her own NotforProfit. Seemingly out of the blue, she was redirected toward a new course. A spiritual calling grabbed hold of and plugged her into holistic healing. Twelve years later, Milayo Negesti has tapped into the healing arts of massage, energetic healing, empowerment coaching, numerology and sacred healing jewelry design. She saw the parallels in all of these and with a lot of prompting from her ancestors birthed Around the Way Goddess Program. These days Milayo Negesti spends most of her time traveling educating and coaching females young and old about femininity, selflove, sensual energy and of course sexual wellbeing. Continue reading Milayo's story at: www.justmemagazine.com 15

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Submit Your 2017 Story! 2016 is going out & 2017 is almost here! What do you want to leave behind in 2016? What are your goals for 2017? Submit your story and photo and you can possibly be in Just Me Magazine's January 2017 issue. Email - Goals2017@justmemagazine.com