Kriolada Magazine - #2 June Issue - The Self Love Issue by Kriolada Magazine

KRIOLADA

May 2021 June 2021 ISSUE ISSUE 02 02

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Models: Ary 2

Fonseca & Lara Andrade

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Lara

Andrade 3

Letter from the Editor In our inaugural issue we asked the question, “What did the pandemic teach you?” The answers we received all had a common thread running between them. Though no one said it specifically, the underlying principle behind everyone’s answer was the concept of self love. In a world that commodifies our insecurities and fears, inundating us with distractions and marketing that tell us we are not good enough, self love isn’t just difficult, it’s a revolutionary act. In this, our second issue, we explore this theme. We ask how embracing your roots and learning to love yourself can change your life. Our hope, is that in these pages, you’ll find the answer for yourself.

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Jewelry Designer: Alzerina Gomes Makeup Artists: Irving Vaughan Jewelry Designer: Alzerina Gomes Graphic Designer: Eden Soares Editor: Jonathan Paul

Tirzah Evora 4

Editor-in-Chief | Kriolada Magazine

TABLE OF CONTENTS SELF LOVE ISSUE -ARTICLES:

07 Let Love In..................................... 08 Be Proud.........................................13 Check In With Myself...................17 A New Way of Being.....................

The Black Experience and Self Love.................................

20 Embracing Your Roots................. 26 Sister’s Love................................... 43

Editor-in-Chief Photographer Graphic Designer Writers

Stylist Makeup Artist

Tirzah Evora @tirzah_evora Cee Jay Sena @ceejaysena @sena_vision Eden N. Soares @eden_soares @trigrfx Jonathan Paul @triii,bee.rrr Cátia Fortes de Andrade @mayrahkee17 Destaney Andrade de Laraxadu @kriolakush Doriane Tomar @dory_tomar Djamila Evora @mysticwildchild Ornela Oliveira @ornelaoliveira_kriolacvmakeup Irving Vaughan @irvingvaughan_mua

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Makeup Artists: Irving Vaughan Jewelry Designer: Alzerina Gomes Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Erla 6

Monteiro

A New Way of Being My interests and passions truly sit

in personal development through transformational work. Finding self-love and personal development through inner & holistic transformation helped me to reconnect with the most precious thing we all possess; our inner greatness. You will discover and develop yourself beyond imagination, creating a future filled with possibilities once you unlock a deep acceptance and greater appreciation for this journey.

to the surface. The realization that the truth cannot be taught but substantiated has been placed on me and in my life journey. I love how all new concepts introduced to me have reflected and transpired in such empowering ways and freed me of all limiting beliefs.

Inner observation has pointed me in the direction of the need for selfchange and while observing free of judgment I have noticed becoming an instrument to my transformational process. I see myself in my Firstly, when becoming your own surroundings and I see myself beself-critic remind yourself that coming more than just all my past your birthright is to succeed in labels. all aspects of life. Furthermore, in life, the thing about transfor- Invite yourself to create an envimational work you must know ronment that will empower you, is that “The choice you refuse to and if you stay in an environment make is the one that will be made that pulls you from the old you, the for you’’(anonymous) and if you new you will most likely flourish. want transformational work to Trust the new you and create an enlead you towards greatness initiat- vironment that aligns with the new ing this process starts within your- you. Through acceptance and selfself. But don’t get it twisted, finding love, one’s responsibility in the face self-love takes time. But our minds of healing will welcome the many are natural magnetic fields contin- dimensions that make up who you uously being transformed and, in are, which will also allow you to discover your inner strengths and turn, transform us. depths. Finding yourself wholeMy whole life I was living a very heartedly and nourishing self-love limited experience until I real- is something to which one can ized that my story told me whom rightly lay a claim to. I thought I was (which at times didn’t feel real). My experience has been one of further awakening and awareness. I found myself gaining a deeper understanding of my true self. This process at times was emotionally challenging and brought a much-needed level of discomfort

Secondly, without pain, we couldn’t reach the fullness of ourselves. As you go through life’s peaks and valleys one is presented with tools, skills, knowledge, and so on to be able to tap into their highest self. Therefore, to unleash your natu-

ral abilities and to expand yourself, first is important to deal with what makes you uncomfortable, particularly pain. To create a foundation of workability the biggest advice I ever received was ‘’don’t go through it, grow through it.”- It’s imperative! The pain will too pass, and you will ‘birth’ a new world of possibilities. Creating possibilities in your life through breakthroughs will expand what’s possible for you in various aspects, it will ignite the realization of wholeness, completion, and powerfulness. Not to mention at times in life whether it’s relationships, circumstances, or people you encounter, you will need to take a step back and inevitably ask yourself; “Does this or do they support the life I am trying to create?’’ or “Am I feeling 100% empowered and in alignment with my self-love journey by allowing it in my space?’’ For that reason, remember that elevation will require separation and I am not saying complete detachment but do it so you can feel some sort of positive impact. You will never fail when you have the knowledge and the tools that will allow you to position yourself further ahead in life and your power. Therefore, today is a great day, to expand on your self-love/development journey and create magic in your life.

Trust the process. 7

Let Love In Tell people how you feel and do

not concern yourself about being too much. Be too much! Care too much! Let people show up for you. Let people remind you that there is goodness in this world. Be vulnerable and don’t ever be afraid or ashamed of what you feel. Try finding the beauty in each breakdown, try moving forward, and let it go. Learn and believe in new beginnings, despite all you have been through. Your inner journey reflects your outer journey so make sure to embrace your experiences, the people, particularly your tribe, hug their broken pieces back together, laugh out loud, live loudly, and most importantly be gentle with yourself, be gentle with your healing process.

make you aware of just how special a human being you are. Through love and connection, you will feel so alive thus don’t let beautiful things such as yourself vanish.

The truth is – love exists beyond its romantic sense of the word. Love is within you and all around you. Learn how to open your eyes to see in people as well in nature. Find love in every aspect of your life. Strung between laughter you share with friends, in the smell of your favourite places in the candyfloss skies, sunsets, and sunrise. I honestly hope it bounces off you when you hug the people you care for when you hear your favourite song. I hope you fall in love with becoming exactly who you want to be. Fall in love with change, Love, Love, Love… Connect, con- growth, and the beauty of making nect, connect with every ounce mistakes when you learn from it. of who you are. Connect with the moments that make you emotion- Let authentic love move you, from al, love the things that make you places within yourself you could vulnerable, embrace the things that have been kinder to, softer to, in 8

the past. If there is one thing you need to fully grasp it is that love is so much more than what we individuals hold it within our hearts to be – It is in everything and it is always in you.

One day you will understand, my dear, that love was always about being kinder to yourself and embracing the person you are becoming.

Model: Erla

Monteiro 9

self o t r e d n mi e r y l i a d My

e h t l l a e v ”I lo s e c n e i r expe e me that shap

y l h g i h I am & d e s s e l b ” . d e lov Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Makeup Artists: Irving Vaughan Jewelry Designer: Alzerina Gomes Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Erla 10

Monteiro

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Joseane 12

Semedo

Be Proud I think it’s quite simple – in a world that

experiences at the ‘hands’ of life, that the has taught us to idolise being cool over beauty you had yet to feel existed in this being connected, be loyal to yourself and world. At the end of the day be proud of promise to always choose to be the per- the way you survived. son who cares, to be the person who does Be proud of the way you showed up. Of not desensitize. the way you left your mark here, of the By being a kind person and being a per- way you dedicated yourself to living the son of love do not silence the parts of kind of life that allowed for happiness, yourself that leap towards the beauty you suddenness, setbacks and growth to flow see in another human being - Be all that through you like rain. you are. Be proud of the way you fell in love with Stand proud in the person you have be- a version of hope that you’ve created from come, be proud of the way you’ve loved, the deepest parts of your soul. Be proud the way you chose vulnerability, how of the fact that you never let your past you never stopped choosing yourself, no convince you that you did not deserve the matter what your soul might have expe- potential that the future was holding for you. rienced.

Be proud of the way you fought for oth- I want you to be proud of the way you’ve ers still, particularly by dedicating your- risked your soul by going through an unself to making them feel seen and under- comfortable healing journey; the way you honoured it and the way you’ve chose to stood. move in the direction of love. Be proud Be proud of the way you’ve tried your of the person you have become and the very best to speak beauty into parts of way you connected. other people, that no one else clapped for. Be proud of the way you cared.

In the end I want you to leave this world with a heart that is worn-out of tender all Be proud of the way you fought to be over, a heart that aches from loving, feeling and caring - in the best way possible. here. Be proud of the way you worked through your darkness, and the way you I want you to leave this world knowing healed even when it hurt. that you’ve poured Love into yourself as well as everything you did. Be proud of the way you tucked hope into yourself for safekeeping. Be proud of the way you believed there was more to

Be Proud,

that you have loved, that you are Love.

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Joseane

Semedo

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Catheleen 16

Veiga

Checking in with Myself The aim is to show up for

unconditional love has in an yourself, although we often unfair society and to what see ourselves in such a dis- price to our individual lives? torted way due to a range of Our lives can be difficult at factors that often make us times, as we grow into it, and believe they there to dictate the realization that we truly your worth, draw your path meant for greatness, physiand shape your identity- cally, mentally, and spirituthese factors are often deter- ally has now become a paramined by race, gender, social mount pursuit. and economic status. We live in an era where The constant projecting of what once was private it’s the lives of others and the now and often public and state of our world saturates that alone can compromise our news feeds making it dif- one’s sense of integrity and ficult to distinguish the real morals. But whatever haprealness from the virtual re- pens, understand that the journey of happiness and lo alness. ve is about giving yourself Which begs the question how all. So, don’t forget to check does one redefine himself in- in with yourself as much as stead of defining themselves? you check Facebook, Twitter, And how does one rise above Instagram, and other news challenges to truly operate outlets. from a place of true purpose and true power?

Life has taught me that how the things you see, read, and In this current climate where digest even the messiest of all the world’s distractions are only speaks volumes about often positioned central the culprit and not about stage stakes are high. You you. So, don’t ever feel too ask yourself what place does invested instead give your-

self permission to let go of anything that does not serve you any purpose, things that do not hold your heart with the greatest regards, or the things that are constantly holding you back pay them no mind. Your greatness should never be compromised. Meanwhile, hold on to things that can greatly strengthen your sense of self. Gain wisdom from adversity, even when it doesn’t necessarily remove all the pain you’ve gone through in life. See love to take shape, when you are willing to confront our fears and embrace them, rather than allow them to consume us. It brings our journey into focus. Knowing that there is an undercurrent of unconditional love in our surroundings and within us helps us solidify our identity and move towards our life’s purpose. Love is a safe place therefore remind yourself daily of that.

Be on this journey with a

‘like-minded tribe’ to unpack self-love, purpose, and self-identity.

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Catheleen 18

Veiga

Be the

The Black Experience & Self-Love

I am a ‘world-builder ever since

I can remember. From an early age while becoming aware of the world’s greatest challenges and struggles I’ve unknowingly became a ‘world-builder and from that point on I chose to use that awareness towards building from within and pouring positively into the world. Growing up, I recall being often told ‘’we do not see things as they are, we see things as we are’’. Therefore, my immediate understanding was whatever I and other people put out into the world it’s simply a reflection of how each experiences things. Although I’ve personally failed at times to identify that my exposure to the world’s bias and ill-treatment, was in part strongly correlated to the colour of my skin. I was raised in a strictly religious and predominantly white community, and the same way I did experience a great deal of love, by contrast, I’ve also experienced a great deal of racism and ignorance towards the skin I was born with. I’ve witnessed and experienced firsthand being boxed into the minority group square and being treated with utter disregard by people who consider themselves superior. The 20

gaslighting and racist words from school days still linger in the back of my mind. I remember the time I had a white classmate coming up to my desk and saying insensitive things like ‘’Africans live on trees, you are African so what was it like?’’ and the infamous words ‘’go back to your country’’. I remember feeling so infuriated and thinking kids can also be so mean. Years later I came to the realization these people felt threatened by my melanin and were portraying their fears and insecurities towards something I was highly blessed with. I was never the problem; the problem was the ugliness in their hearts. I could appreciate racial differences but what I could never understand was the intentional diminish of another human being towards the colour of someone else’s skin. Back then I used to think why am I being treated differently? Don’t I belong here? In hindsight now I know, it goes deeper than skin colour. It was not my place to pour love into these people’s hearts; they couldn’t have possibly felt any type of love since many refused to acknowledge any

wrongdoing and suffered from what we now know as ‘white privilege’’. Like me, so many people started in life by experiencing racial discrimination, mainly in white spaces, which wounded them deeply. Still now and then I hear stories of black folks who find the idea of loving this same type of people revolting. Some black folks still don’t see their worth and the trauma is deeper than the experience itself. The reality remains that almost every black person in a white western country has experienced the sting of disrespect based on being black. And right now, with the amount of unrest lingering when it comes to social injustice and racial prejudice, can no longer continue. Today, Enough means Enough! The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement gave back to many black folks, an authentic voice, and a platform to demand real change. People at the top were spooked by the impact this time around. After years and years of feeling disrespected, being able to take matters of justice into their own hands through peaceful protesting was as if a weight was lifted. One could also say in other words

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Ary

Fonseca 21

A great person once said:

“Be part of the solution” - turn hurt into kindness, turn hate into love and

be the change

you want to see in the world.

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Cátia Fortes de Andrade Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Lara 22

Andrade

that the movement translated in the greatest acknowledgment of self-love and revived the following historical acclamation ‘we are taking our power back!’’ In present times, the biggest obstacle to selflove in black communities is the ‘policing’ of one’s blackness and the black experience. No wonder why so many found themselves reflecting on their journey towards identity by fully grasping black history and disperse the pervasive idea that black history started with slavery. The ugly truth is that the everyday blunt racism despite being embraced by so many still, in many societies across the globe no longer has a place if we continue to show up and speak up.

cial challenges but today we can assert our humanity. We are certainly beyond resilient! On the emphasis on love, or the lack thereof, we can demand respect, and we certainly must take examination and reflection to an empowering level. Furthermore, we can explore deeper the topic of the power of black selflove in face of all the challenges we still endure. Whereas before many had to learn how to navigate in certain white environments, that were often overtly against them, more and more black folks are now unapologetically leaving a mark and standing tall and proud. Rather, in white spaces they are now forced to think about it theoretically, culturally, personally also while finding the space to accommodate us The blowout of the 2020 BLM led (whether they like it or not). to raw conversations supporting black identity to black self-love One of the biggest challenges in while condemning racial hatred the 21st century without a doubt and prejudice. While many black is to overcome racism and bigotry. folks day in and day out are tear- From the realization that there are ing up, depressed and exhausted, layers to the black experience that just on the account of racial abuse needs to be acknowledged to the they receive daily, the movement respect we are owed, there is still a offered an invitation to dig deeper, long road, but we are right on track. through the personal lens of the Hate and fear will not throw us off black experience and the history of our plan and if the narrative still the many black social movements is our white counterparts fear ‘the that set precedent. other kind’ then again my opinion is any sensible person should know Even though the system contin- that our DNA is not enticed by ues to enable the rigid distinc- hate so let’s cultivate love given that tions between white and black only unbiased love as an energetic folks the only way we black folks force can dismantle this historical will overpower and overthrown cycle. such institutionalized racist society is by strengthening our ways to demonstrate black self-love. This can, unequivocally, serve as an act of resistance and embodiment of Unlearn what you have been taught, transformative power. from attitudes to behaviours. Respect people’s differences, embrace The mental framework of our peo- unity, cultivate the love deep withple is constantly being attacked by in your heart. This is the start that these profound historical and ra- will change the relationship with

Where to start?

one another. Love shouldn’t have to see colour to flourish and work its magic in people’s lives. The cynical saying ‘’Love doesn’t see colour’’ as an old archetypal, can be easily disagreed seeing that its implication assumes an innocence that blind love could reverse any adversity. Both nurture and nature play a crucial role in how we relate to other people and whichever culture/ethnicity we are born into we have the responsibility to educate ourselves and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to move towards racial understanding and acceptance. The wave of the BLM demonstrations across the globe during the summer of 2020 respectfully highlighted the importance of connectedness, empowerment, and unity as a driving force to open up to overwhelming conversations. The underlying resentments and frustrations experienced by black folks throughout history can rightfully be used to shame those who still support racism and injustice, embrace our allies and still allow us to continue to have a contagious attitude of love and kindness. I believe; if each person on the planet could truly see what separates us can also unite us, we would effortlessly work together to end devaluing others. Coming from a place of empathy, when loving others and seeing other people as they are we must certainly recognize colour furthermore we must embrace it, we must respect it, we must treat it with kindness and the dignity, to which our white counterparts have always been entitled to, so we can to thrive.

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Lara 24

Andrade

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Ary

Fonseca 25

Embracing Your Roots What are roots? The dictionary

after we left Rhode Island I was the everything that I thought validated my identity. says “ the part of a plant which at- only Cabo Verdean girl around. taches it to the ground or to a support”. Where are my roots? Where In our house of 7, only myself and In search of who I was, I found do I gain support? I am sure many my mother knew how to speak more of what I wasn’t. My jourCabo-Verdean Americans have Kriolu, so I wasn’t as in touch ney was filled with acknowledging asked themselves this very ques- with my roots as I craved to be. aspects of my personality I’d nevtion, especially with the abundance Throughout my school years and er greeted before. A difference I of racial/social tension in BOTH early adulthood I was constantly wasn’t prepared for was one of my our countries. Just as flowers, finding myself creating my iden- identity. I was not ready to arrive many of us feel uprooted, yes we tity around the bits and pieces of and be called branca. Never before flourish in our new environments, my culture that I had. By the time had I been referred to as that, in but sodade often overwhelms us. I reached my mid 20’s however, I America my hair coils too much to The “longing” (even for many couldn’t stand the feeling of not be white. The world is full of boxfirst generation Cabo-Americans) knowing who I really was any lon- es, and in search of understanding is overwhelming. I was riddled ger and that’s when I decided to fi- people are quick to place others in with confusion and senses of loss, nally venture off to Cabo Verde. I them. which ultimately led me to book- had just spent a year living in New ing a flight, ALONE... pa nha terra, York and they say if you can make After moving to Cabo Verde and it there you can make it anywhere. living there for two years I realized in search of my roots. So I left to find out who I was. I am not a Cabo Verdean girl living in America nor am I an American Personally speaking, I never quite I arrived in Cabo Verde with a girl living in Cabo Verde. I am a thought I had a place to belong. I was born in Rhode Island, in and handful of kriolu and an open Cabo Verdean American living in around the largest CV community mind. When the day arrived ev- this world. I have seen privilege in the US, but at 7, when my mom erything seemed so familiar, and I have seen loss, and intrinsiremarried, I moved to Florida. We these were the places I’d go in my cally I feel like it is my responsibilmoved into a predominantly white dreams, it seemed like I had been ity to pass on any knowledge that community and I was already in a here before. I took in the sounds I can that would help any other box for being African-American and the smells, went to the beach Cabo Verdean feel a little bit more only to be placed in another box and bathed in the watersin wa- at place in any space. for being Cabo-Verdean. My fam- ters of my island. I even visited ily moved a few more times after the homes built by my great great The roots come great grandparents. I finished evthat, but no matter where we went from plant. erything on my “cultural checklist”, 26

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Edtor: Destaney De Andrade Laraxadu Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Lara

Andrade

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Ary 28

Fonseca & Lara Andrade

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Ary

Fonseca 29

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Ary

Fonseca

Makeup artist: Ornela Oliveira Designer: Angelica Timas Graphic designer: Eden Soares Phtotographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative director: Tirzah Evora Editor: Jonathan Paul

Graphic Designer: Eden Soares Editor: Jonathan Paul

Danielle

Johnson widely to any stage and/or airwaves. Born female owned digital radio station known as Ms. HotSauce has en- in Massachusetts, 37 year old Hot- in Boston, Spark FM Online, a nacompassed the essence of her stage Sauce is a mom, a radio personali- tional digital radio station empowname, combining her fun loving ty, event host, and creator. In 2020 ering the voice of the urban and appeal and fiery sense of humor Danielle Launched the first black Caribbean community.

Sparkfm,

Boston’s first blackowned radio station, was born, like many great companies out of necessity. After working at a number of the smaller radio stations and seeing their lack of execution, Danielle Johnson, Sparkfm’s owner, decided to branch out. “I’ve always dreamed, since I started radio, of being a syndicated national radio host.” She tells me at the beginning of our conversation.” But as a black woman in Boston, there was not a lot of opportunity for her to reach that goal. After applying to all the major stations and not being able to get her foot in the door she decided to take her dreams into her own hands and build a platform, that would not only help her, but others display their talent. Where most saw a dead end, she saw opportunity, and in April 2020, Sparkfm was born. “The idea came alive in October 2019. Before that, Sparkfm was suppose to be a podcast studio. I wanted a space that I could offer to people to come and record their podcasts.”

route and instead launched Sparkfm as an online streaming platform. This forward thinking helped enable Sparkfm to be a success, even in the midst of a pandemic. “The pandemic was a blessing and a curse. We are already ahead of the curve with streaming, but the pandemic increased the competition. Everyone was online doing all the things we had planned to set the trend in. But it put the brakes on having to move so fast on the business side of things. It gave me the opportunity to really concentrate on the business side of things and really build a foundation to set us up for longevity.”

She used the time spent in quarantine to take accelerated business classes. Bringing back things she could apply immediately to Sparkfm’s success. The will to make things happen is a recurring theme After an on air mishap she decid- in our conversation. Danielle, who ed to leave her job and re-imagine is a Boston native, seems to have what Sparkfm could be. She got a always had the spirit of a go getter. team together, made up a business plan and put people in positions “Back in high school I was the treathat she knew could get the job surer of our step squad. I think done. Her business model is based that’s where I really started to like on having a strong team and con- the idea of making money and tinuing to educate yourself as you owning something. I would go to build. Using this mode of thinking, BJ’s and purchase a bunch of canshe bypassed the traditional radio dy and truck it from Boston to Bell-

mont High and sell it during lunchtime. With the profits we were able to buy our uniforms, sneakers, and anything else we needed. From there I started to like to create things that generate revenue.” Creating things is how she first got into radio, starting with a blog she wrote when she was bored in her administrative assistant job after graduating college. Realizing she was better at a talk format than writing, she transitioned to doing her own Internet radio show. Where she had to pay every time she broadcast. “I had to bring in all my own music and I would interview all my friends.” It was here she fell in love with radio. Nine months later she had an opportunity to intern at a traditional radio station and never looked back. Being a woman in a male dominated industry comes with its challenges. “I’m often counseled instead of helped. The difference is I’ll ask a specific question and instead of getting an answer I’m given advice. And I don’t need the advice, I’ve already taken the actions. I just need an answer to my question. Then there’s the sexual innuendo and the flirting. Everyone wants to get with ‘The Boss’. To deal with it, you have to find your authoritative voice. But being a woman has helped me more than it has hin33

dered me, being in a male dominated space, especially now. There’s a ‘I’m not with the BS energy that follows black woman around these days. And I get the privilege of being able to exude that energy.” There is no typical day for Danielle. Wearing the hats of mother, business owner, morning show host, Podcast host (Henny and Hotwings), she describes her days as hectic but fun. “At any given time, something is not working. Sometimes it’s a com-

Graphic Designer: Eden Soares Editor: Jonathan Paul

puter, sometimes it’s a program, the internet went down, something is unplugged, there’s an amplifier missing. There’s always something happening that you have to be aware of.”

sums it up in one word: “Caretaker.”

From Sparkfm to the people she has in her life, that’s what she does, takes care of things. She deals with this by keeping a strong team around her that can Sparkfm is Boston’s number one help troubleshoot. station for Hip Hop and Carribean music and can be streamed 24/7 at Being the first to do something is Sparkfmonline.com challenging. But Danielle has the attitude and skillset to continue HennyandHotwings is streamed to make Sparkfm a success. When every Friday night at 9 on FaceI ask her to describe herself she book and YouTube.

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Ary

Fonseca 35

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Lara 36

Andrade

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Lara

Andrade

Cee Jay Sena is an artist and

entrepenuer from Cape Verde. After moving to the United States nine years ago, Cee Jay developed a love for photography and started working professionally on sets five years ago. He used his time working for others to gain knowledge of the industry and technical skills, culminating in the launch of his own production company SENAVISION in 2018. We sat down to talk to him about his role at Kriolada and his vision for it’s future. What is your role at Kriolada? I am the Co-founder and main photographer of the magazine. How did you get involved with this project? Tirzah had the idea and brought it to me because she needed a photographer that could match her vision. It has always been my plan to showcase the beauty of our people, so it was a perfect fit for SENAVISION. What do you see for the future of Kriolada? Kriolada is a project that is focused on embracing our culture, our beauty, and the uniqueness of our country. If we focus on that, we’ll have content forever, so we’re here to stay. The next phase is to have the magazine widely available at retail locations across the United States, Europe, and Cape Verde.

Graphic Designer: Eden Soares Editor: Jonathan Paul

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Irving Vaughan Jewelry Designer: Alzerina Gomes Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Erla 40

Monteiro

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Irving Vaughan Jewelry Designer: Alzerina Gomes Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Model: Erla

Monteiro

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Models: Catheleen 42

Veiga & Crysthal Veiga

Sister’s Love Born five years and one day apart, sisters Crysthal Morias Viega and Catheleen Viega got off to a rocky start.

“My sister was born five years after me, and one day before my birthday. I was jealous of all the attention she took from me, which made our relationship distant.”

Says Crysthal.

“The first photo we have together was taken the day I was born in the hospital. It shows how much my sister hated my arrival. She wasn’t happy that I was getting all the attention on her birthday and that she had to share the love of our parents.” Says Catheleen.

Birthdays were a point of contention. For children, it is often a special day where, for once, all the attention is centered on you. However, since the sisters birthdays were only one day apart, they shared birthday parties. Which a young Crysthal did not enjoy. “When my sister started to get older, she did not like having to share a birthday party. She did not like to have me, a kid, around her friends.”

Says Catheleen.

The sibling rivalry was short lived. Before long they grew close, learning to trust and depend on each other. “It didn’t take long for us to create our unconditional bond. In no time I became not only her big sister, but best friend and guardian.” Says Crysthal. This bond only deepened when Cathleen, four years after her older sister, moved to the United States to finish her education. “With time she started to love having a sister and started to see me as her responsibility. No one could mess with me and not her. She became my role model and guardian. When I moved to the U.S., we became even closer.Being older and living together, we began to hang out more, and realized we liked some of the same things. Those shared experiences deepened our bond.”

Says Catheleen.

Today they see their bond as stronger than ever and their relationship, as described by them, is open, honest, and trusting. “My sister is my Ride or Die. She is my number one supporter and the person that keeps me motivated. She does what is possible and almost impossible to see that I am happy. She always goes out her way to make me happy and make my days special.”

Says Catheleen.

“My sister is open, honest, a good listener, and the person who keeps me on my toes. She is very creative, and determined to get and do, whatever she wants.” Says Crysthal. 44

Models: Crysthal

Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Veiga & Catheleen Veiga 45

Stylist: Djamila Evora Photographer: Cee Jay Sena Creative Director: Tirzah Evora Makeup Artists: Ornela Oliveira Graphic Designer: Eden Soares

Models: Lara 48

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KRIOLADA MAGAZINE | Issue 02 | $18.00