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F E AT U R E S AN INTERVIEW WITH "MALANDA JEAN CLAUDE" AUTHOR OF BECAUSE OF A WOMAN
22 330: A LOVE STORY
'The King' achieves his dream
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L I F E ST Y L E
18 THE TRAVEL (GUY)DE MIXX 10: BEST FRIENDS 20 THE & BREAK UPS 10:00 P.M. in Dallas...
FA S H I O N
8 MIXXED FASHION 23 THE CREDITS Beauty & The Beast
Interview with Dionte Johnson & Dez Arnez of Sole Classic
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MUSIC
16 THE CAR TEST 'Summer Sixteen'
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THE
STAFF
LETTER FROM THE
EDITOR
FOUNDING EDITOR & CEO KIA MCINTYRE KIA@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @KIAMIXX JUNIOR EDITOR CHARLIE LENARD CLENARD@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @CHALEE2TIMES CONTENT MANAGER DAMAR DAVIS DAMAR@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @RAHTHEPREZ CHIEF COLUMINST SHERMAN SMITH SSMITH@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @JESUSDIDDY SPECIAL FEATURES KRISTA HAYES KRISTA@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @KRIDDAH3183 TRAVIS DAVIS TRAVDAVE@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @TRAVDAVE IMANI WILLIAMS IMANI@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @IMANI_ORWUTEVUH PHOTOJOURNALIST MARKEITH LEE MARKEITH@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @JUCEOCEAN LEON LEWIS LSDESIGNSMEDIAGROUP@GMAIL.COM ART DIRECTOR DANIELLE MEADOWS DANIELLE@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @OCTANEDESIGNS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING FABIAN SOBERS FABIAN@THEMIXXMAGAZINE.COM @THEFABE GUEST COLUMNIST JOSH MCDONALD JOSHUAMAC50@GMAIL.COM @GQ50 TIERA HAGANS THAGANS89@GMAIL.COM MARCUS GORDON @MARCMARC330
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Perhaps the most obvious sociopolitical argument points to the inquiry built into the male-driven systems in our so-called modern society. Seeing ourselves reflected in society as receiving less money, respect, and opportunity than men might push women to be independent minded. Of course, this becomes a very tricky endeavor, because when we are dating or have a close relationship with a man, we have to find a way of tactfully articulating our need to be in power. Men need to feel “like man”. However, driven men can't go at it alone 100% of the time... This Summer Edition is dedicated to the men of this world. The authors, the designers, the musicians, the entrepreneurs, and the lovers. This issue exemplifies admirable men from the main features to the content writers. Although we may applaud these men, we mustn’t forget...” This is a man’s world, but it is nothing without a WOMAN.” I introduce to you The Mixx Magazine’s “Summer 16” Issue.... Kia McIntyre | @KiaMixx Founding Editor & CEO
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MIXX | TECH BIT Danielle Stinnett is a media guru, business owner, mother of three & crazed MMA fan. Follow her Mixx Tech Bit stories online at www.themixxmagazine.com
Old school game pioneers modern mobile gaming And all the socio-anaylsis inbetween
It's happening everywhere. Either you love it or you hate it. Forget that middle-ground feeling. Pokemon Go has taken the world by storm one wrist at a time. I’ve had the pleasure to walk around hatching eggs with other handheld friends and even scraped a few times for a local gym. Strangers who wouldn't dare meet in any other way, become friends in a matter of minutes. Is this what World Peace looks like? I attest that once you’ve captured those higher level pokemon the world becomes a better place… specifically for me, my husband…. and my three kids. You try capturing pokemon and frying eggs and bacon at the same time… Bey ain’t the only one that slay.
What’s really interesting is how much businesses are catering to the product advertising. Grocery stores everywhere are offering deeper discounts at Pokestops. Even the mayor of Rio wants Pokemon Go to be played at the next summer Olympics. Seriously?! Nintendo is either a bloody genius or the biggest and most blatant stealer of privacy I’ve seen in my lifetime. In truth, I’ve come to learn a few things while playing this game. Mostly from trial and error. Hopefully others will learn from me.
1. Turn off AR to make capturing pokemon easier for yourself. Practice makes perfect. Trust. 2. Battling is NOT difficult but kinda hard. To me this part is kinda lame but necessary. Use your special moves per each Pokemon. 3. When to and when not to evolve your pokemon. I’ve bit the dust here a few times. Choose as best as you can. I found out later that it's best to wait till you have enough to evolve multiple stages at once instead of a stage at a time. Check out Paul Tassi’s article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2016/07/09/ ten-things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-pokemongo/#1bc1ae961d8a) on this subject. In the grand scheme of things… the reality of this game has brought lots of fundamental societal questions to light. While Pokemon Go players are physically outdoors they’re weaving a fabric of interlinked social interactions making new friends behind the camera than in front of it. As Zach Gage, a world renown top game developer put it: “It's really exciting to see a piece of tech that makes the social space feel vast and whole again. “ I couldn't agree more. Catch ya at the gym… -Danielle Stinnett | @octanedesigns
MIXXMAGAZINE | IN THE INBETWEEN
Tuh.
For Instance:
Photo by: totallythebomb.com
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Beauty&
MIXX | FASHION
Men inspired Looks on some of the hottest women
VASHTIE Supreme Hoodie Baggy Valore Sweatpants High-Top Nike Air Force 1
DEJ LOAF Comme des Garcons long sleeve buttondown Nike Tennis Shorts Low Nike Air Force 1
JANELLE MONAE
MIXXMAGAZINE | FASHION & STYLE
Classic Tuxedo Look Red Pocket Rose Pointed Toe Shoes
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ZENDAYA Basic Cotten Tee H&M leggings Bucket Hat Vans Sk8 Hi Shoes
RITA ORA DKNY Dress Striped Stance Socks Addias Slides Accented Leather Jacket
-Tiera Hagans thagans89@gmail.com
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The Beast DENIM JACKET YEEZYS
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Oxfords
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MIXXMAGAZINE | FASHION & STYLE
Oversized Hoodie
Distressed Boyfriend Jeans
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This is a
Man's World
...but it's nothing without a woman
Top 5
Power
MICHELLE OBAMA AGE: 52
FIRST LADY OF THE U.S.
MIXXMAGAZINE | FASHION & STYLE
A role model for all women.
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SERENA WILLIAMS AGE: 34
WORLD RENOWN TENNIS PLAYER Record setting athlete recently completed her 22nd Women's Tennis Grand Slam at Wimbeldon.
BEYONCE AGE: 34
SINGER / ENTERTAINER A modern day feminist and cultural icon.
rful Women SOPHIA AMORUSO AGE: 32
FOUNDER & OWNER OF NASTY GAL
AUTHOR OF #GIRLBOSS
She's one of the richest female self-made millionaires...
AGE: 62
QUEEN OF ALL MEDIA Pioneer for African American media journalists. One of the most influential women in the world.
MIXXMAGAZINE | FASHION & STYLE
OPRAH
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MIXX COVER
STORY
THE AFTERMATH OF INTERVIEWING POET MALANDA JEAN-CLAUDE, AUTHOR OF “BECAUSE OF A WOMAN” Concept: MAKTOOB | Photography: Bobby Rogers | Photo Assistant: Jared Tuttle, Nolan Mao Model: Malanda Jean-Claude
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MIXXMAGAZINE | COVER STORY
MIXX | COVER STORY
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Navigating through the mind of a woman is often perceived as a meticulous, painstaking task only a man truly invested in a relationship is willing to attempt to take on. Women in general (not all) are more-so tapped into their emotions by nature, compared to men; society’s standards and gender roles that have been practiced for decades contribute to this obvious statement. However, author-poet Malanda Jean Claude, at only 23-years-old, published an artwork of writings that enthrall the female mind as if he were Dracula, enticing and capturing young and impressionable female victims with a simple stare. In this particular instance, Jean Claude’s “victims” are
compelled, and then captured with honest, impactful words and sentences. “Because of a Woman” counter-acts male human nature and showcases a young man trying his best to understand women based on his celestial yet cosmic experiences with quote relationships. Quote needed to be added around the term relationship because to one couple, it may not mean the same as another. Following a poll of women who read “Because Of A Woman,” this book evoked several repetitive titillations that will be brought to surface throughout this article, the top five were:
“There comes a point in life when appetite becomes more than just a taste of tongue, and hunger is no longer a cry for the body to be filled with diet, but a longing for intimacy as a spiritual connection, and this, is where you are.” – Pg. 8 of 162, Because Of A Woman
“sexually stimulating without sex”, hopeful, clarity, magical and honest. 1. Sexually Stimulating Without Sex “It was freedom to be kissed by a deity. Understand why I can never settle for anything less than the moon. I have been to the mountain top. Nothing comes close to falling in a place where gravity is non-existent, and a heart is still free to float in a mass enfolded as the universe.”
“Your stamina was written inside me like the stretch marks that kissed the ass of a real woman.” These findings from this book as well as interviewing Malanda displayed the fact that women tend to get satisfaction from much deeper; from relationships and communication involving romance and love. While men also desire that, they are not programmed for it in the same way, and that’s how the reader comes to discover the way Malanda figures this out. Of course, he is a man, and men are wired differently when it comes to sex
“I’ve thought of everything your mouth can do wrapped around things with ability to erupt in places with suction. Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Let me touch you in places only I can write about.” Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that: pornographic but graceful, apologetic and honest. Let’s move on. 2. Hopeful “We shift the energy of fear when we confront ourselves with truth, total nakedness, and I’ve yet to find anything more liberating next to love than vulnerability.” Being vulnerable means being susceptible to getting wounded or hurt. No one wants to be hurt, either physically or emotionally, or put themselves in a situation where sooner or later, they will get heartbroken. The quote above makes a comparison to being vulnerable and finding love, and Malanda states that it’s worth it, no matter what the outcome may be. But IS love really worth the risk of being heartbroken? Is the experience of feeling mutual understanding on a deeper level than just the basic friendship, worth the unknowingly outcome? The reader can find themselves searching throughout the book where Malanda exposes himself and becomes vulnerable versus shutting down, a characteristic women can say they experience with men often in real life. And it hurts: the emotional pain of a man shutting a woman out, especially if said woman is falling in love with the man, it can hurt worse than a real wound. However, Malanda stating that pain is worth the love, adds some kind of reassurance and hope when it comes to men opening up to women and taking that risk. 3. Clarity “I’ve been an outstanding woman, but I will not compete nor beg you to validate me…so if you need, or enjoy the eyes and hearts of multitudes, I can’t give you that…you are free to love, King.” - WOMAN “I know my heart is stubborn. I don’t really believe in breaks love, nothing ever comes back the same.” – MALANDA Some women are okay with their boyfriend, husband, friend-with-benefits, whatever – sleeping or engaging in personal relationships with other women, and that’s fine; to each, his own. For those women who prefer monogamy, the above conversation between Malanda "MALANDA" continuess on page 28
MIXXMAGAZINE | COVER STORY
After years of research, scientists have concluded once and for all that for women, sex is all in the mind. A woman's brain is the most crucial organ when it comes to sex and a carefully chosen remark or gesture from someone of the opposite sex paints pictures in the woman’s mind and will prove far more effective than any gesture such as wining and dining, materialistic gifts, etcetera. There are several passages throughout his book, that stimulate the brain and capture a moment in time where a woman is reminded that to simply please us, all a man has to do is take a poetry course.
and expressing love. Majority of the women who were polled…agreed with the bold fact that it was salacious and libidinous to follow along with Malanda through his journey of discovering himself through the woman.
CAR TEST CAR TEST CAR TEST CAR TEST CAR TEST CAR TEST CAR TEST
MIXXMAGAZINE | MIXX MUSIC
When new music is released we all rush to our phones, tablets and whatever else to take a listen. But any true music head knows that you can’t truly make a decision on a record until you give it…….”The Car Test”. So hop in the whip, sit back and ride with us as we take a listen to some of the music that has dropped thus far in 2016.
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"SUMMER SIXTEEN"
and this project is like an R&B version of Kendrick's ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ but with an easier vibe.
1.’Untitled Unmastered’ (untitled unmastered) - Kendrick Lamar I have to be honest; I didn’t really listen to this. I rock with K Dot and all but I just couldn’t get into it. Plus, I'm not the biggest fan of throwaway tracks…..heard good things though. HAHA
4. ‘The Life of Pablo’- Kanye West With one of the messiest roll outs for an album in recent history, I don’t think TLOP lived up to the hype Kanye promised it would. Selling out MSG for the listening party/fashion show was dope but the moment seemed to be bigger than the music itself. Kim Kardashian tweets and Kanye rants had more of impact than any song.
2. ‘Views’- Drake This was probably the most anticipated album of the year as far as Hip Hop goes, and despite having a great amount of success with streams, sales and a summer banger in “Controlla”, Views was a disappointing album, in my opinion. Way too many songs and they tell the same story over and over. We all know Drake is capable of creating a masterpiece, but he fell short on this attempt. 3.’Malibu’-Anderson Paak For some, Anderson Paak came out of nowhere and pretty much destroyed every song he touched on Compton legend Dr. Dre’s LONG overdue release ‘Compton. But if you’ve been up on him since the Breezy Lovejoy days, you spotted a Gem then. The album is sonically amazing and his vocal tone is as strong as it is unique. You can tell The Doctor was involved in this project and Anderson didn't let us down. Writing is one of his major strengths
“Father stretch my hands” is the stand out record strictly based off the memes and mini videos that accompany the song. Now, it seems like TLOP is an ever changing product that comes with updates like an iphone OSI system. I think we all miss the old Kanye. 5. ‘Anti’- Rihanna With RiRi taking over the executive producer title from Kanye West, it was apparent that she had a vision for her album and delivered. One of my favorite albums of the year she doesn't really miss a step with this one. She found a sound that works for her and she explored emotions with good lyrics and melodies. Always sexy, songs like”Kiss It Better” and “Needed Me” stand out, and she even covered a Tame Impala record that sounds just as good as the original. Hands down a must have album.
6.’Coloring Book’- Chance The Rapper Labeled a "weirdo rapper", Chance delivered one of the most well-round albums of 2016 thus far! On this project I think Chance the rapper gave us the album that Kanye West wanted to give. The features all seemed natural and nothing seemed to be forced. Chance comes off as Indie artist but with Apple Music behind him, he is getting a nice bag of money from the streaming. Also, now that Streaming Only Projects are eligible for Grammy Nominations, don't be surprised if Chance wins one.
8. ’99.9%’- Kaytranda Born in Haiti but Canadian bread, Kaytranda is a DJ and Producer that blends his two occupations, creating a wonderful sound for festivals like Coachella and more. Somewhat of a kept secret to the masses, he is loved in the EDM world; his debut album is a colorful twist and turn of dope sounds. He enlisted a bunch of help on the album to bring his vision to life while staying true to his art. Kaytranda doesn’t sound like anyone or anything out right now, you should definitely check this one out!
10.’Still Brazy’- YG YG showed ready to “Get the Bity Back Bracking Again” with his latest effort, "Still Brazy". The West Coast rapper doesn’t have the hit record like "My Hitta" like he did on his last album but he keeps the funk and gang banging alive for sure! “Twist my Fingaz” and “Why you always hatin?” are the stand out tracks on the album for me. “FDT” aka Fuck Donald Trump puts YG in a different space has he gives his take on today’s political and social issues but overall, I don’t think the album has that much replay value. If you like to gang bang or wish you we're in a gang though, this is the album is for you. Well there you have it. My Car Test for some of the most talked about albums so far in 2016. Come and see me before 2017 and we can do this all over again. It’s what I love to do! Until next time………
-Marcus Gordon | @marcmarc330 & -Travis Davis | @travdave
MIXXMAGAZINE | MIXX MUSIC
7. ‘Lemonade’- Beyonce I didn’t really dig beyond the popular cuts on this album but my Dabeeside.com Podcast dedicated an entire episode to this project and broke down/reviewed each song. It is one of our most popular episodes to date; you can take a listen here: https:// soundcloud.com/dabeeside/darnbside-beyonce-lemonadereview
9.’Velvet Portraits’- Terrace Martin I have to be honest; you’re going to need more than the car test to break this one completely down. I don’t think I was able to see the entire portrait (See what I did there?) in just one listen. I'm going to get back to you on this one; I still have all summer ’16.
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MIXX | LIFESTYLE Most hard working men take pleasure in the simple things life offers to decompress from the everyday stressors—a sporting event, a cold craft brew or small batch bourbon, perhaps. While those simple pleasures serve as tools to my relaxation as well, I employ an additional passion to facilitate this process. I travel—frequently. And I’m far from alone in the new world of the wanderlust. One of the more productive and notably less annoying fads that Instagram & Snapchat now propagate focuses on exploring and expanding one’s horizons. Those who aren’t currently active travelers typically possess the desire to explore. In fact, according to a BCG study, millennials account for 20% of international travel (about 200 million people) and are 23% more interested in traveling abroad than boomers. Although, traveling abroad provides unique experiences, friendships with locals that you might encounter, and awestriking sights, most of us have not come close with indulging in all that the U.S. has to offer. From the Grand Canyon to the Statue of Liberty, numerous Americans have yet to bask in the amber waves of grain here in the “homeland”. I happen to fall into this class of travelers with one uncharted city being Dallas, which I recently checked off my list. So, here is a quick breakdown of what I learned during my trip to Big D. Embrace the melting pot. Enjoy. Let me start by saying that Dallas is definitely one of America’s hidden gems as far as Grade A weekend destinations go. Riddled with young people coming into their own professionally, Dallas supplies plenty of activities to keep you busy during the day and adult fun for the nocturnal excursions also. When in Dallas though, remember, you’re in Texas. You will encounter multiple cultures that have inter weaved with the stereotypical southwestern flavor. This shines through in the architecture, the cuisines, and the general feels within the areas of Dallas. Embrace the variety and soak up the culture.
MIXXMAGAZINE | HIGHLIGHT
Explore the different areas and turn up while you explore.
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The Greater Dallas Area offers a lot of pockets in the city with their own unique vibes. Downtown, Addison, and Uptown were the areas in which I spent the majority of my stay, and each stint starred a different cast of character and feel of activity. Por ejemplo (For example for our Latino brothers & sisters), upon my arrival at 10 p.m., one of my boys picked me up from the airport, and we promptly headed to Uptown, specifically a bar called Kung Fu, which produced an offcampus bar type of feel. We entered the bar to a diverse soundtrack capable of appeasing the medium-sized mixed crowd that increased to borderline large by the end of the night. Complete with an attached smoking patio, we stayed inside for the majority of the night because well…I’m not really with the cigarette smoke. No judgment, just not for me. Additionally, Kung Fu served as a perfect spot to catch up with my friend and turn up as the night progressed, meeting new people along the way. Friday & Saturday were action packed—ACTION. PACKED. After knocking out some work during the day, another one
10P.M. IN
N DALLAS of my boys joined us for the Friday night festivities, which started in Addison at a local sushi bar happy hour. As we bypassed the family dining area en route to the bar area complete with separate sushi bar, the music changed to more upbeat hip-hop and spilled into outdoor seating. Good sushi and better (well-priced) sake bombs made this a nice first stop for the night. Addison, which lies about 20 minutes outside of Dallas proper, predominantly houses the slightly more established young professionals and serves as a suburb with a city feel. To be fair, upon my arrival, the friend I was visiting enthusiastically shared with me how the whole city has been or is in the process of being built out, meaning that there’s a consistent city feel throughout the Greater Dallas area. Following the sushi bar turn up we went to Downtown Dallas where we hit a rooftop lounge aptly named “Happiest Hour”. While equipped with an indoor section, it was the outdoor portion of the rooftop that headlined as the attraction on this clear Texas night. The well-dressed, 25-35 year old crowd supplied the perfect continuation to a night of discovering what Dallas had to offer.
Our Saturday came to an abrupt and blurry halt (as many day drinking days do) after Tate, our last stop of the afternoon. With a full-fledged turn up in motion upon us pulling up, we were welcomed with rattling bass and being informed that “You Do What You Want When You Poppin’” because…well, you do. Tate will also have a weekly Saturday day party series all summer from what I understand; definitely a nice look.
I’ve been back for about a month, and I still don’t think I’m recharged on sleep or sobriety. Texas, arguably the birthplace of #SundayFunday, turns. UP. On Sunday. It very well might have been the most secularly lit Sunday of my life outside of Liv on Sunday in Miami, and I enjoy a good kick it session. I mentioned earlier in the piece that Social House provides $12 mimosa carafes, and these types of deals are not short in quantity at many of the Dallas hot spots. We opted out of traditional brunch and made a quick trip out to the outlets because I needed to restock my Cole Haan stable. Four boxes later, we headed to a burger joint called “Hopdoddy Burger Bar” where I had a top 3 burger in life. The walk up style restaurant with outdoor seating allows for creative freedom with your beef and bun canvas. A fully dressed grass-fed burger with bacon and pepper jack cheese on a whole grain bun served as just the right amount of food & fuel (with fries, of course) for the day. The remainder of our Sunday was spent where the trip started, on the strip that houses Kung Fu, except this time we opted for Clutch. Although we didn’t encounter any trouble, I later learned that Clutch had some troubles dealing with minority patrons in the past, which I could see with their strict-ish dress code. My personal experience was that I had on “joggers”, and they asked me to put on shorts at the door. Had they not been in the car, I likely would have had to set it off a little bit, but I chilled. *woosah* Inside, Clutch showcased nice scenery—each booth came with dual outlets for full battery power & continuous snaps, the spacious outdoor patio held all patrons comfortably, and the green, grass-like backdrop added to the overall ambiance of the place. We were easily able to enjoy ourselves with good people and a solid balance of music for the mixed crowd in attendance. All in all, I had a ball and will be returning soon. Let me note that the restaurants, bars, and events mentioned do not make up an exhaustive list. Dallas has a lot to offer and I suggest that you have fun seeing it all!
-Just GQ @GQ50
MIXXMAGAZINE | HIGHLIGHT
Saturday came quickly as we had already purchased tickets to an event put on by a local entertainment group called “Bangers & Brunch”—a brunch experience for the sophisti-ratchet featuring a Future-exclusive soundtrack. Trust me, it was lit as it sounds. While rocking out to Fruture (spelled correctly), we met some folks that let us know the next spot would be a food pit stop at Mi Cocina, a Mexican restaurant with great food and margaritas that warrant cautious steps. The day continued at Social House, a dope spot with an even doper patio complete with adultsize Jenga, cornhole, and picnic tables for drinking & fraternizing. Pro tip: Social House has $12 mimosa/bloody Mary carafes for #SundayFunday.
Sunday Funday is real.
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MIXX | 10
MIXXMAGAZINE | HIGHLIGHT
Best Friends &
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So you’re in love and everything is good. You invest your time, your money and your emotions into this thing and you wouldn’t have it any other way. You two will be together forever. Until you’re not anymore. It can happen gradually and you just watch everything crumble slowly. Or maybe it was abrupt and just one day it’s over. However it happens, Breaking up is hard to do. It takes the energy of climbing out of one hole only to feel a loneliness that feels like you’ve climbed back into another. One day you’re good, listening to trap music and remembering how fun being single is and the next you’re crying into a pillow wondering why you weren’t good enough. It gets tough. And although during the process we feel like all we need is comfort food and Toni Braxton albums, there’s one other key thing that gets us through times like these. Our girls. Shout out to all the besties who rally around their girl when she’s hurting, always ready with the right things to say. Or at least what we think are the right things to say. You see, there are some things that we tell our friends after a break up that are common things to say, they make perfect sense to us, but that could seriously hinder the healing process after a disappointing break up. Here is a list of the top 5 things bffs say to a friend after a break up that may just not be the best.
brea
1. Forget him/her, you’ll find somebody better This one isn’t necessarily a bad thing to say. If you’re a good friend of course you want the best for your friend. You know your friend is dope so chances are, she’ll eventually run into someone who appreciates that. However, the timing is usually off on this statement. If the break up is still fresh, finding someone new probably shouldn’t be the first thing to focus on after a break up. Believe it or not, ending a relationship does require even a short grief period. People experience and cope with grief in a variety of ways, including depending on the company of others. Sometimes, looking for someone new can distract your friend from the actual healing process that takes place after a break up. Instead, be a good friend by possibly being a little more available for your friend during this time. Don’t talk about anyone new, instead, allow your friend a space, free of judgement, to talk to you about the relationship that just ended and really get through some of their feelings. Having a non judgmental listening ear is important right after a break up. Be that for her. 2. See! I told you I didn’t like him/her! I am guilty of this one myself. As a best friend, we can sometimes tell when someone isn’t good for our friend.
put, what if they don’t? What if they really aren’t going to get back together? Now, neither of you may know whether or not they’ll make a comeback, but instead of having her constantly looking forward to that as the outcome, it may be better to just deal with the feelings she is experiencing in that moment. Take things day by day with no expectations for the relationship but being supportive of healthy communication between the two parties.
ak ups
Though you may have been right about him/her, consider how this might make your friend feel. If she was constantly sticking up for her boo and standing by her decision to date them, having someone else she loves remind her of how wrong she was might make her feel even worse. So, even if it’s true that you called a spade a spade before she even knew she was playing cards, be sensitive to your friend’s feelings. Never blame her for her broken heart.
5. Don’t worry, they’ll get what they deserve Now, I truly believe you get what you give and Karma is real. However, this is yet another thing that centers the other person instead of your friend. First, because as mad or hurt as she may be, harboring vengefulness isn’t going to be healthy to her healing process. Second, because who really knows how what the other person has done will come back on them? She may not get front row seats to their demise. They may still be able to present in a way that gives the impression that everything is fine. Trust me, hurting and waiting for the person who hurt you to feel that same hurt only to watch them appear to be happy is just more pain to deal with. Instead, encourage home girl not to worry about what happens to them at all. It is human to think these things and even human to still care, but to really get past a break up, it’s most important that she center herself and not the ex and even more important that she has her best friend’s support in doing so. Supporting your best friend through a break up can often be just as exhausting as experiencing the break up yourself. It’s a roller coaster of emotions that you aren’t even experiencing first-hand. But nothing is better than having your best friend on your side after a heart break. So hold her hand, cry with her, listen when she talks, tell her she’s wonderful and help her work on the areas where she may need some improvement before the next relationship. Before anyone else, YOU are her partner and she loves you for that. Dedicated to my girls. I love y’all.
- Imani Williams @Imani_OrWutevuh
MIXXMAGAZINE | HIGHLIGHT
3. Don’t worry you two will be right back together. This is another one that isn’t a particularly bad statement in itself. But there are a few things that may make this kind of problematic. First, consider how often your friend and her boo break up to make up. Ask yourself if you are seeing signs that your friend is in an unhealthy relationship. Are the two of them constantly breaking up because they are always at odds over petty issues and are being immature in their problem solving skills? Are either of them abusing each other’s trust by constantly separating just to play mind games? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, then as her bestie who loves her and wants what’s best, maybe we shouldn’t encourage the cycle of breaking up to make up. We shouldn’t necessarily tell her what to do either, but if you love her, talk to her realistically about what’s going on and make sure she’s ok. Then finally, this statement can be harmful because, simply
4. He/She will realize what he/she is missing There is no way to say this and not be damaging. After any break up the primary concern should be self. She should be focused on her own feelings and repairing what may be broken on her end. By telling her to do things like ignore him until he calls, post things on social media to make him jealous, etc. You're telling her to focus on him and his feelings. Her feelings then become contingent upon his/her regret. The reality is, some people really aren’t that sorry or they won’t be sorry for long. Furthermore, it may make her feel like if he/she never does wise up that she’s not a great enough woman. This is totally untrue! She is a great catch! She may not have been the right girl for that person and if they don’t care enough to make things right between the two of them, she has to be able to move on without peeking back to confirm that they regret losing her. It’s still his/her loss even when they don’t regret it. Encourage your girl to just continue being her wonderful self regardless of whether it gets noticed or not.
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MIXX | SPORTS
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MIXXMAGAZINE | HIGHLIGHT
A Love Story
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It has been just over a month since my Cleveland Cavaliers became World Champions for the first time in the team’s history and delivered the first major championship to the city of Cleveland in 52 years! I think I think I’ve had enough time to fully digest it all and I'm finally ready to share my feelings. After LeBron James made the 2nd of two free throws to put the Cavs up by four points with just seconds to go, I ALMOST allowed joy to creep into my existence but then I remembered……. this is Cleveland. If you were unfamiliar with the past woes of professional sports in Cleveland, ESPN’S most recent 30 for 30 “Believeland” documentary should have got you up to speed. The history of Cleveland sports can be chronicled in moments. “The Drive”……”The Fumble”……”The Shot” etc.......As a fan of Cleveland sports, it is almost a rule not to get too excited until the clock strikes zero, Game 7 was no different. The last seconds of that game almost took me to see my maker but when Steph Curry missed his three, I knew it was real. The Cleveland Cavaliers had just won the NBA Championship and I was doing everything in my power not to act a complete fool! Down 3 games to 1 (a deficit that had NEVER been overcome prior to last Sunday) on the road against the defending champions, the prodigal son who once ripped the heart of the city, returned home and brought Ohio a championship! Hollywood couldn’t have written a better script. What LeBron and the Cavaliers did for the state of Ohio cannot be put into words. The 1.3 MILLION fans that converged on Downtown Cleveland last week is evidence of how appreciative we are for a Championship to come home to Northeast, Ohio. That’s right, NORTHEAST Ohio! I’ve seen some questions about Northeast vs. the entire state. Like, why is only special for that area? What is the difference? Let me break it down for you. Northeast Ohio is comprised of these major metro cities,
Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown. We all carry the area code 330. So while LeBron plays in the city of Cleveland, his roots are already in the backyard anyway since he’s from Akron. All of these cities were major players in the Steel industry during and after World War II. The steel industry created Northeast Ohio and when they left in the 1970’s, it took all of the area’s prosperity with it. If you ride through these cities you will immediately see the similarities. It’s dark, gloomy, no jobs, high crime and very little hope. THEE Ohio State University has had immense success with their powerhouse football program and that’s something that the entire state can celebrate but for us in that Northeast pocket of the state, it’s not the same. We are probably being a little selfish trying to keep this one for ourselves lol but you have to understand the joy, pride and hope this Championship brought to our area. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the champs and we have an entire year to brag about it. What they accomplished is nothing short of amazing and myself personally, I can’t wait for next year! #ALLIn216
-Marcus Gordon | @marcmarc330
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TheCredits: The Credits is a behind the scenes look at how something is created. It follows the process from the idea stage the final product used for public consumption. Whether it is a clothing line, song, or any other form of art, there is always a story behind it. I intend on bringing it to the forefront.
boutique in the Short North area. With this new boutique he was able to create and grow a unique sneaker culture in Columbus. One of his main goals was to bring a new perspective to the sneaker culture by offering hard to find sneakers and providing a retail outlet for the locals to find fashionable sneakers to add to most of their already growing collection. Safe to say in 2016, he has reached beyond his goal. I was lucky enough to have a chance to sit down with Dionte and his crew to talk about the 10year anniversary of his sneaker boutique Sole Classic. Dionte Johnson Q: Sole Classic has been in existence for 10 years but you actually bought the store in 2009 right? Tell us what your thoughts where when you were closing the deal and you knew it was going to be your very own store?
MIXXMAGAZINE | HIGHLIGHT
When you think of the most famous streets in Columbus, Ohio a few definitely come to mind. Most Columbus locals have built many memories on Livingston Ave. & Broad St., but neither of those is more famous or has more memories than the one and only - High St. High St. is home to The Buckeyes aka Ohio State University and their stadium known as the Horseshoe. There is also a specific area along High St. that has a history and reputation for diversity and an artistic expression. Everyone in Columbus knows this area as “The Short North”. This area of High St. has grown exponentially over the years into one of the most frequent tourist hot spots in Columbus. You will find many creative entrepreneurs, who have or had a dollar and a dream, that have moved their businesses to this area and built themselves a nice artistic community. Surrounded by downtown Columbus on one side and the Buckeyes campus on the other side, there’s a mixture of young and old that have brought life to the area and really helped grow this section into the thriving market it is today. About 7 years ago, one of those entrepreneurs, a Creative Director by the name of Dionte Johnson, followed his dreams and opened a sneaker
Sole Classics
A: Actually, I took over the store in 2010, even though it was open in 2006. Taking over the store was more so of a blur because everything happen within a one month turnaround. So my mentality was just go for it, and caught this dream I've been chasing. At the time I was in between the NFL dream and real life after football. This was my shot in the dark. Q: How has High Street changed since your purchase of Sole Classic and have you noticed a change in black businesses in that area? A: High Street changed a lot. Over the past 6-7 years I watched the "SOLES" continues on page 26
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MIXXMAGAZINE | FEATURE
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progression and I seen it go from an area that was on the fence to an area that's now striving fashion and art district, not only for Columbus but the whole Ohio. You rarely see anything like it in any rivaling city. It's been a joy to watch. It's interesting to watch because it's at the tipping point where it can go to commercial. but seeing it from a customer point of view to where it is today has been great to see and hopefully it continues to be one of the best areas in the world.
A: For our 10th year we got a lot of things coming, we can’t let the cat out of the bag yet, but we do have another project with Vans slated later this year. I would suggest everybody pay close attention to our social media sites, it’s something I'm very excited about and something unique for our store.
Q: What was the first shoe company that you had the chance to collaborate with, help design the shoe and what is the thought process when you’re building a sneaker?
initiative to make sure you put your own stamp on the store?
A: Our 1st opportunity to collaborate came from Vans. It was definitely a fun experience. From the proposal all the way down to watching the idea come to life and watching the people's reaction. What people don't realize is that these projects are a year-year and a half process. We didn't know at the time how long it took. We didn't realize it took 3 months to get the sample and another 6 months for production of the sneaker. We didn't approve the sample until the 3rd time. It's an experience unlike no other. You are working with a brand that's establish but that's excited and willing to work with you and hear your ideas and make it come to life and to see a global response from it is unlike anything I could imagine. To see people line up for your project is unbelievable. Q: Do you have any upcoming collaboration for the 10th year anniversary?
Q: Since you were taking over a store that already existed, how important was your initial marketing and banding
A: I didn’t even have a grasp on the initial marketing and branding of sole classic or even have a game plan in place. I graduated with a degree in marketing but it isn’t a lot that can translate over from the classroom to the real world environment. It was a trial by fire and we were going to make it, and fortunately enough we didn’t break it. Even though it wasn’t a game plan, I wanted to make sure that my DNA was a part of the shop. I didn’t want to survive off what the previous owners built. So we still continue to do things like Gallery hop and keep our integrity high and reputation solid. The social media era we live in also has had an impact on us in a great way. We were able to make names for ourselves and the store has a personality on its on. Q: Legendary Coach Phil Jackson said “The strength of the team is each individual member.” How important is your staff at Sole Classic? A: Staff is probably the most important piece to the puzzle. Not only the staff in-store but the support cast behind the scenes.
MIXX | FEATURE We live in era where a lot of people are out for self. People have to realize nobody makes it on their own. We at sole classic wouldn’t be where we are without the help of family, friends and supporters. It’s peaks and valleys in anything you do, but we feel like as a team we can accomplish anything. The sky’s the limit for Sole Classic and KingsRowe. Q: How do you balance the business and your family life? A: Balancing business and family life is actually tough. I'm not the most organized person there is, and I have a my own way of getting things done. Fortunately, I have a wife that understand and helps me out. She knows I do this not only for me but for the family. They understand that this is what I love to do. This is what I have fun doing along with raising my family. Blessed to be on a career path I love with good people around me. Also coaching football which is also a passion of mine, this job gives me the freedom to enjoy both. Q: Where do you see Sole Classic in the next 3to 5 years? A: In the next 3 to 5 years I see us being a national leader, it’s tough but I want to grow our business and create opportunities for my friends and jobs for my friends and experiences. The goal is to become more than a Midwest name and become global and I don’t we scratched the surface yet. In 5 years we will be an online store within the internet. We always want to tell our story and who we are but we also want to be ahead of the curve and on the next wave. Dez Arnez Q: How did you meet Dionte Johnson?
Q: What is the one thing that you feel you contribute to the Sole Classic brand? A: I feel like what I bring to the brand is personality and being socialite, I know what works as far as sneakers go, also as far as street brands go I know what looks good and what’s hot. I’ve always been a in-the-know type of person so I know what’s the next wave of things and I'm on social media sites and I help promote the brand that way. Q: Some people may think that you just “sell” sneakers and they don’t understand the hard work that goes into running a profitable business. Fill the people in on the day-to-day activities when you are working at the store? A: I'm a manager and I handle online shipments for the brands we with making sure everything is accounted for. I fill orders when we have items that need to be shopped out. Dionte, JD “who is another manager” and I collectively decide on what brands we want to work with and who we want to see in the store. It’s a system and when a product does come in, I notify JD so he can take product shots for our advertising department. I also manage the floor and also payroll. Q: Where do you see Sole Classic in the next 3-5 years? A: In the next 3-5 years I can see us opening another store, working with other brands and doing more collabs. Growing the online business more and hopefully employing more of our people that can expand the business and take it to the next level.
- Travis Davis | @travdave
A: We have mutual friends and he actually went to High school with my little brother. He also listened to a podcast show that I had with a close friend of mine name Kreg. Once we got formally introduced to each other we kind of clicked and been working together ever since. Q: What are some changes in the culture that you have noticed on High Street since you’ve been a part of the Sole Classics team?
Q: This year is the 10th Anniversary for Sole Classic. What has impressed you the most about the company? A: The growth of Sole Classic has impressed me the most. We’re on our 2nd location on High Street and now the recognition we’re getting when we go to trade shows people respect the brand. Working with big companies like Vans and also seeing the growth online also.
MIXXMAGAZINE | FEATURE
A: Everybody on the Sole Classics team plays a big part in how the cultured change. High Street always had a scene, but I think we brought a certain cool and energy to the forefront, especially within the young black community.
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"MALANDA" continued from page 15 and a woman paints a picture of clarity for the reader. According to the poll and conversation between the women who participated in the poll, a lot of females do find themselves looking for some sort of validation through the man in the relationship. This became clear in the above statement: we just want all of your heart, men. Why share? Why is it wrong for women to want all of a man instead of parts, now-a-days? Men and women now function in a world where temptation is stronger than it’s ever been due to easy access, rather social media, happy hours, the work place, TV… lust is everywhere. But there are still women in the world that just want one. Malanda admitted that he was stubborn and does what he does, despite the fact that she completely opened up to him, translucent moments like this are reassuring to the reader because it’s okay for a woman to just want one man. 4. Magic “I experience freedom with you, and that, is a piece of heaven on a plate truly.” “One day I’ll fall in love with you like my ears did for hip-hop.” “I went to church two weeks ago, and when the speaker took podium I remember he said something like, ‘a frame is an important part of a picture. You put the wrong frame on a photograph and it cheats the eye of possibility in perception of things.’ It just made sense to me now. We dissect situations under scope of the wrong frames. No wonder why time isn’t in favor of us, but we are okay.” “Because of a Woman” contains several gems throughout it that can only be described as magical; quotes and scriptures that impact the reader, and make you wonder how on earth Malanda was able to crank these things out. Believe it or not, Jean-Claude is a regular human being with problems like the next man, but his ability to make magic with sentence structure, metaphors as well as re-hash his life experiences detail-by-detail on print, are truly one of a kind. 5. Honest “Why do people run from the fate of their own sentiments? Simple – people run from the pain of knowing, the notion of ignorance being bliss is a lot easier to swallow than the suffering of truth.” “I am going to finish crying, wipe my face, and smoke this cigarette.” “You cried not because you were weak, but because you felt a heaven in the chest for me.” Truth is a hard notion to face when running from it, hence the reason women are hard to understand. It’s often you catch a woman waiting on a man to change, when deep down inside she knows – he won’t. Eventually, women are obligated to face the truth. Reading this book offers a woman, or even a man, a chance to face their truths: compare your relationship to the honesty that lies within these pages; and the truth shall set you free. No one is perfect.
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CONCLUSION: When one obtains the pleasure of interviewing Malanda Jean Claude, it’s as if you’re talking with a 60-year-old who has been with all types of women, possessing the knowledge of what it takes to really please and satisfy women as well as understand everything about femininity and passion. But he admits that he doesn’t; he’s a 23-year-old young man wandering and writing his was through life. Yet the reason Malanda is so special correlates to his willingness to admit to the world that he is only human, and doesn’t understand women, but really wants to. Women who are losing faith in men genuinely need to read this book; it inspires, it’s truthful, and most importantly, it’s a man being honest: there are still honest and good men in the world, dear sisters. Keep the faith.
“Anything honest is poetry. The wisdom just comes out. Poetry gets straight to the point, no matter how you feel, you read it the first time – and that’s exactly how you’re supposed to feel at that exact moment in time.” – Malanda Jean Claude
Written by Krista Jacques Hayes Photo Credit : Bobby Rogers
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