N
Queens Claim
your Throne
Summer 2017
Nereida Lobo is
Miss Africa Rule the Summer in Regal Fashion IT’S TIME to GET CULTURFIED
Hair REVOLUTION with Queen Isis
BUILDING Millennial WEALTH
FACE OFF with Domestic Violence Mastering the Hustle with TINA BONNER NURA Magazine 1
TEAM & CONTACTS Co-Founder/ Executive Director Akilah Dia-Amadi Clark akilahclark@NURAMagazine.com Co-Founder/ Editor-In-Chief Crystal Davis crystaldavis@NURAMagazine.com Managing Editor Imani Camp Creative Director Christin ‘Loocie’ Glover
Writers Akilah Dia-Amadi Crystal Davis Janine Muhammad Latisha Carr Barbara- Walker Green Kenneth C. Temple Content Editors J. Bella Graves
Photographers Rodney Norman (cover) Kendrick Terrance Sean Allen Beauty Consultants Latoiya Crawford Katrina Barbour Sydney Hare Social Media Specialist Eric Jackson Public Relations Auntea Muhammad Subscriptions & Marketing Info@NURAMagazine.com
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NURA Magazine is a lifestyle women’s feature for our sophisticated ladies of urban communities. You will find articles on world news, beauty, health, fashion, relationships, travel and business. Our Mission is to empower women to find the best within themselves, to encourage high level thinking, and inspire them to take action toward a fulfilling life. You will find a balance of celebrity gossip as well as food for thought in life’s complexities.
Behind the Name: NURA The name NURA is derived from the Arabic language meaning “the Light.” Light is a metaphor for wisdom, knowledge, and truth. The purpose of light is to give a clear perception of what may not be seen otherwise. The best example is given in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. The men of the cave thought they knew everything there was to know about life until they were expose to light. Light in that example was not only a representation of knowledge but truth. NURA Magazine hopes to provide articles that are captivating yet rich with wisdom.
NURAcontents 6 NURA’S BEAUTY 8 BUILDING WEALTH WITH MILLENNIALS 10 NURA’S BEAU 12 GLAMOURINA 16 HAIRCREDIBLE 18 QUEEN ISIS 20 NEW ORLEANS RECIPE 22 DIAMOND B. 26 TIME TO GET CULTURFIED 30 RULE THE SUMMER IN FASHION 36 LITTLE CROWNS FOR FUTURE LEADERS 42 TRAVELING TO CUBA 44 FEATURED BLOGGER 48 WHEN TO WALK AWAY 52 POWER IN ONE 56 MASTERING THE HUSTLE Fashion by: Fordam Rowe by Mdurvwa pg.30 NURA Magazine 3
Welcome to NURA Magazine
Peace and Blessings Dear readers, In this issue, we are focusing on the general influence of diversity and cultural humility. Cultural humility is the ability to maintain an interpersonal perspective that is open to the viewpoints of others as it pertains to aspects of cultural identity that are important to the individual. Today, we live in a culturally rich society. Learning from different individuals and cultures can foster immense growth, promote creativity and improve interpersonal relationships. Our economy, education, and media are all influenced by different cultures, races, religions, ethnicities and the like. Unlike ever before, social media has offered a way for us to connect internationally. Across the universe, millions of people are using social media every day and that number continues to increase. Social media has become a part of our everyday lives and is a part of most individual’s daily routine. In order to be successful globally and as a nation we must ban together to be a force against the ills of world. One of the proudest moment as a country was the unity that we experienced in the Womans March earlier this year. As a whole we stood against injustice of all sorts regardless of creed, class and or color. In a society threaten by leaders who do not recognize the beauty in diversity, we must prove that we are united, we will stand together and divided we will fall. “No culture can live it attempts to be exclusive� -Mahatma Gandhi Best, NURA Founders
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Akilah Dia-Amadi Co-Founder/Executive Director
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Crystal Davis Co-Founder/Editor-In-Chief
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Beauty ASHLEIGH DEMI NURA’s
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts Occupation: Media Personality, Writer/Reporter & Executive Producer of Tony Redz’s show on WPGC 95.5 Hobbies: Shopping, Styling, Traveling Community Service: Visiting schools, mentoring the youth, planting flowers in neighborhoods with my sorority-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOUR AUDIENCE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Personally, I love all-things-fashion! It brings me great joy to simply walk inside a fabric store, or to walk inside a boutique located in a small town. In addition, I’m absolutely in love with small dogs. I’ll walk up to a total stranger to interact with their dog. Relatively, my audience needs to know that I’m super approachable. I love to help people anyway I can with career advice, fashion tips and/or self-esteem motivation.
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WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN ENTERTAINMENT?
What I love most about my career is that I’m able to still be very social. Growing up, I’ve always been outgoing and sociable, so now that I’m able to still be myself AND get paid is a blessing.
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WHAT HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED IN YOUR CAREER THAT YOU HAVE NEVER ANTICIPATED?
I’ve been working in news, media, the entertainment industry, etc. for about a decade. Therefore I’ve had to prove myself to men and women, young and old, the minority and majority. Though I never anticipated constantly starting over. Unfortunately, there has been no such thing as a lateral move within my career path; which is difficult, but ultimately humbling.
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WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? WHAT MESSAGE(S) DO YOU HOPE TO SHARE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE IN THE YEARS AHEAD?
I stand for class and professionalism. I never had to compromise my beliefs or morals to succeed. The next generation, “the Instagram Era” should understand that if you were raised as a lady or gentleman, stand your ground. Don’t feel the need to fall into compromising situations in the workplace or outside the workplace. Once a lady; always a lady.
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Hmm…what’s next? I’ve worked in newspaper, magazine, television and radio. So, I hope to appear more on television, and feature in a film.
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WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS?
In the next 5 years, I see myself solely on television and starring in a feature film. In the next 10 years, I see myself married, and pregnant with multiples--twins, triplets or quads with 3 small dogs and a nanny!
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WHY IS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT/SERVICE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Community involvement is important to me because everyone isn’t provided the same opportunity in life. Sometimes giving back by simply sharing your success story with others motivates them to follow their dreams. People helped me along the way, so it’s important and extra special to me, to help someone else.
Social Media Site: @iamAshleighDemi Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Periscope Ashleigh Demi Facebook www.AshleighDemi.com
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BUILDING
in the U.S. workforce” (The Center for Generational Kinetics, 2016). Millennials are the fastest growing generation of U.S. consumers in the marketplace, and are expected to bring the greatest lifetime value to the American economy.
WITH
Millennials have different attitudes toward employment, money, lifestyle and family. Therefore the approach to building wealth with Millennials must fit their expectations. A solid wealth accumulation plan for Millennials should consist of:
WEALTH
MILLENNIALS
B
uilding Wealth with Millennials is very challenging, especially compared to previous generations. Millennials are caught between the financial remnants of the Baby Boomer (the “worst savers” in history), and the Centennial generation (those who believe working a lifetime for someone is insane). The technology revolution puts Millennials in a unique position because “overnight success” is no longer just a cliché. There are opportunities for financial success in places and industries that did not exist for Baby Boomers. Many Millennials are creating their own paths in life and seeking to be financially independent at a very young age. Financial planning and guidance is more important now than it has ever been. Considering the slow demise of pensions, the use of sound financial strategies and planning will be the deciding factor among Millennials who live well, and those who do not. “In the last two years, Millennials have become the largest generation
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• Solid budgeting – the key to success for any financial plan. • Aggressive Investment Strategies – the proper asset mix and risk profile. • Identifying and funding a realistic travel and entertainment budget. • Rainy day fund – 12 month coverage of his expenses (more than the traditional recommendation of 6 months). • Entrepreneurial and financial coaching for those who seek to be self-employed. • Regular financial consultations – to ensure plans are always in line with his current life events. Millennials, look out for Generation Z! This new group of people is making big waves in every way possible. Generation Z is conquering parenting, education, employment, entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, politics, and religion. They are expected to breed more millionaires than any other generation thus far. Don’t be left out! Reference: Generational Breakdown: Info About All of the Generations (2016). The Center for Generational Kinetics. Retrieved from: http://genhq. com/faq-info-about-generations/
Barbara Walker-Green Advanced Wealth and Retirement Planning Concepts, LLC www.advancedwealthLLC.com
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Age: 30 | Height: 5’11 | Education: Marine Corp 3051 Fly Stationed in Japan Occupation: Real Estate Investor Hobbies: Personal Trainer, Couch HS Football, Working Out Community Service: Coaching Football Something People May Not Know: I’m left handed, color-blind and very funny Social Media Name: Millzerati
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Beau
NURA’s
JASON MILLER WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
The fulfillment of working for myself and achieving my own goals. SOMETHING UNEXPECTED:
I was a police officer for four years. Unfortunately, I received a DUI and ended up being backed into a corner, ultimately losing my job. I had to hit the ground running. My partner and I thought about what we wanted to do. I rented out my first house and then we went and bought another one. We decided that we had to do something big. This led to us starting a real estate investment business and we started flipping houses. It’s a self-made business and we started from the ground up. Although we had a mentor, a lot of the consulting was on the phone. Therefore, we learned a lot of things on the fly. We are definitely moving forward. WHAT’S NEXT?
Right now, we are in the process of buying a burger franchise; however, I am currently waiting for one of my partners to close their house in Baltimore. That’s been on hold since February so we are pushing for that. The goal is to also grow within our real estate business and purchase more real estate properties. We also have a YouTube TV show in the works. WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR?
I stand by respect and being humble. I really try to do right by others. Karma affects you. NURA Magazine 11
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WHAT IS GLAMOURINA? Glamourina is an online athleisure apparel store founded in Washington, DC. Co-founders Kia Renee and Nekol Choo are working mothers who have always had a passion for fashion and desire to encourage women and uplift women. “Our mission is to provide affordable, comfortable and quality athleisure apparel to average and above average working women and girls in efforts to promote self-esteem through beauty, health and fitness.
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WHY KENTE? Kente is a traditional tribal fabric originating from Africa. Africa is a strong and powerful continent. We are here to motivate and encourage women to be strong, powerful and confident. “We are especially excited about our Kente line of athleisure apparel,” said Kia and Nekol, co-founders of the emerging company. “Our followers are in for a treat this year. When we premier the new line in April, everyone will finally get a glimpse of a very special design we’ve been working on for the past two years.”
Glamourina’s Kente Athleisure line will be available for purchase online exclusively at www.Glamourina.com before expanding to other retailers.
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Lavada Dale, author and Haircredible CEO, believes in Living Your Legacy. This concept negates the idea of waiting for retirement to start enjoying life, or for your worldly contribution to be remembered long after you pass on. Living Your Legacy is about building your empire while enjoying life. Lavada is a young mother of five including infant twins and a soon-to-be toddler. Not to mention she is planning a wedding! Life can be stressful but Lavada has a life to live and she is determined to do so. “I don’t want to work hard to where I don’t enjoy what I am doing. I want to live through it. We should live in the moment. We don’t want to work hard to where we live a legacy for others to enjoy.” Lavada Dale experienced hair loss in her early twenties as a result of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata, also known as alopecia, is the loss of hair caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles. Ninety percent of the time hair will grow back, but then fall out
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Live Your Legacy
in other areas. Anyone experiencing this condition usually suffers from self-esteem issues. Lavada on the other hand went to find a solution by visiting a nearby medical center where they recommended she take a series of steroid shots. The shots were very expensive and Lavada could only afford one injection which unfortunately did not make a difference. She was told there were no hair care products that would increase hair growth in those suffering from alopecia. While that message was extremely painful, Lavada was not convinced. She decided to take matters into her own hands. With no cosmetology or medical background, she began to do research and purchase products that could potentially bring her tresses back. Lavada credits a great deal of her research to bloggers. With YouTube as a resource, she learned what real people did and did not want in a hair care line. After trial, error, and a few years of heartache, she found a blend of
oils and bases that began making an improvement in her hair loss. She created a product that promoted healthy hair growth in particular those suffering from alopecia. Her product was also lightweight and worked well for thinner hair strands. Ultimately, Haircredible was born! Not only are users confirming its potential, but HairCredible is most recognized for its smell. Lavada was very attentive to the scent because people want something that smells amazing and not linger overbearingly. As a mom, Lavada is constantly performing a balancing act and has overcome major obstacles as a business owner. “I started as a single mom with 2 girls. I didn’t get any sleep. I was even sneaking by working at work. The most stressful part was not having a mentor.” She quickly learned that retail is all about the packaging. Lavada rebranded her products with a new logo, improved labeling, direct messaging, and high end packaging. She relaunched her products in 2016 and has since been a hit! Stay tuned for the Lavada Dale’s upcoming book release, “Living Your Legacy.”
HAIRCREDIBLE
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Isis Brantley, a quintessential enthusiast, advocator and educator in the beauty industry. When she is not being the extraordinary revolutionist, she’s just “a regular ole south Dallas girl and a mother.” Isis has four siblings whom are all very successful. She describes her path as different from her siblings and notes that her direction was guided by her love of culture with the love of her natural hair. She prides herself in being committed to cultivating and being a voice for the African American heritage, community as a whole. Isis’s portfolio ranged from the homeless to superstars. She would often braid without charge just because she thought it was pretty. “I want to redefine the beauty standard” or “I want to redefine the beauty standard & African Heritage” In 1995, Isis was charged by the Texas Board of Cosmetology with breaking cosmetology laws which consists of braiding hair without a license. Although her case was continued for two years, it was in 1997 when she was arrested in her place of business by several undercover policemen. This demoralizing situation took place in front of her clients; however, this did not stop Isis. Later, Isis fought the state of Texas regarding the requirements needed to teach courses in the beauty industry. She notes that the criteria for hair braiders, weavers and natural hair care stylists should not be the same. Isis continues to question and challenge the unjust legislations, and curriculums for all beauty stylists in the State of Texas as well as beyond. The Institute of Ancestral Braiding, founded by Isis is the only braiding school in Texas to offer natural hair care training and loc tightening certifications. She developed a unique curriculum tailored to braiders that will methodically teach the next generation appropriately. According to Isis beauticians who possess an expertise in this realm possess a specialized knowledge in the care and maintenance of natural hair. Isis is organizing a Natural Hair March on Washington in DC on October 7th, 2017. She is teaming up with the organizers of the Women’s March that took place earlier this year. She encourages all to come forward and stand for economic liberty! The route will begin at Howard University, head towards the Capital before ending at Malcom X Park (Meridian Hill Park). The event will end with a major concert with featured artists. “I am a revolutionary and an activist for women and for economic liberty”
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HAIR REVOLUTIONIST:
Isis NURA Magazine 19
MUDDY MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISH
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FEEDS: 4 TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes Preheat oven to 400 degrees PREP:
COOKING STEPS:
4 filets of redfish or fish of choice 4 sprigs rosemary, chopped ½ cup parsley, chopped 8 sprigs thyme, stems removed, chopped ¼ cup creole seasoning or seasoning salt 4 tablespoons oil 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 shallot, chopped 4 oz. button mushrooms, cleaned, sliced 1 tablespoon garlic, minced ¼ cup white wine 1 tablespoon tomato paste 6 roma tomatoes, cored and diced 1 cup fish stock 2 cups rice, cooked
In a bowl add rosemary, parsley and thyme, season each filet with 2 teaspoons each side and 1 tablespoon of creole seasoning evenly on both sides. In a heavy bottom skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium high heat. Cook fish for 2 minutes skin side down then for 1 minute on other side. Transfer to foiled lined baking sheet and pop in oven for 5 minutes. In same skillet add remaining oil and butter and reduce heat to medium, add shallots and mushrooms cook for 2 minutes, add garlic once fragrant add wine, tomato paste, tomatoes and fish stock, stir and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 minutes. Remove fish from oven. Place rice on plate, put one piece of fish over rice and pour 3 ounces of sauce over fish and garnish with remaining herb mixture
ABOUT THE CHEF
Chef Kenneth C. Temple was born and raised in New Orleans. Two years after graduating, from The John Folse Culinary Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts, Chef Kenneth started Savory LLC., a personal chef and private dining service. His company focuses on delicious food with Creole, Cajun, Southern and Caribbean cuisine, to which Kenneth calls “Southern Creole.” He has serviced NFL and NBA players, celebrities, politicians, CEO’s, Grammy award-winning artists, and Hollywood movie producers. With his involvement in the community Chef Kenneth received a proclamation from the City of New Orleans. For more information about Chef Kenneth please see his website at ChefKennethTemple.com.
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“Showing the world who I am, what I went through, and how I overcame it” - Diamond B.
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“Be true to self!”
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Diamond B. is a young and fresh talent from the small town of Newhaven, Connecticut. Although very young, Diamond B. reveals that she has had her fair share of obstacles while growing up in the inner city. Nevertheless, she conveys that her faith in God and having a positive attitude helped her through those trying times. “You have to put God first.”She explains that relationships and situations often detour you from your path, but you should remain focused and ensure that other’s beliefs are in line with yours.” Diamond B. endured a major upset when she lost her uncle. Simultaneously, she experienced heartbreak which triggered excessive stress and ultimately led to her depression. Before this occurred Diamond B. believed that she was a strong person capable of managing stress. However, she felt very discouraged. Despite the situation, Diamond B. was able to overcome by putting her faith in God and believing that He will get her through. “I asked Him to lead the way.” Although a well-known and sought after model in the Newhaven area, Diamond B. inspires to expand her craft by furthering her education and attending acting school. Tyra Banks and Iman are a few of her inspirations and she often recounts watching them while growing up. She studied their walking videos to hone her craft. Diamond B. looks up to these powerful women not
only for their legacy in the model realm, but for their entrepreneurial success.
“Success is all about your attitude. Your attitude will take you further in life more than anything.” This young entrepreneur is currently working on being her own boss! In the future, she will release her choker line and her welldeveloped beauty line will soon follow. Diamond B. emphasizes the importance of surpassing the expectations of the consumer by possessing quality over quantity. She will put her creative spin on the choker, a trendy statement piece from the past. Diamond B. hopes to inspire women and seeks to encourage them to believe in themselves no matter what. Thus far, she credits her success to being real and honest with all individuals, noting the importance of being genuine in everything she does. Diamond B. will initiate this venture by hosting a seminar in the near future for young models. The seminar will focus on the necessary skills to navigate within the modeling world and techniques such as walking and building self-confidence.
“I am no follower.” NURA Magazine 25
It’s Time to Get Cul•tur•fied
T
he Culturfied Foundation began years ago as a social networking website to allow people to share insight on their perspective cultures. Since 2015, the Culturfied Foundation now offers global education and cultural literacy to over 4,000 students. By partnering with The District of Columbia Public Schools and United Nations Global Classroom, the Culturfied Foundation provides enrichment programs to educate students about the diverse world in which they live. Culturfied Founder Mele Melton believes that children need a global mindset to compete in today’s workforce. She transitioned from her finance background to a more passionate career field, satisfying her goal of bringing quality education to
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a culturally rich society. Melton enjoys her new found career, often recalling many fond moments throughout her journey. One memory includes watching her students light up when given the opportunity to travel to Japan for an exchange program. Melton believes students should be exposed to traveling and experience world cultures. As a result, her foundation encourages and often sponsors international adventures. Melton is expanding her reach to a wider range of children. The organization is currently working with a toy manufacturer to develop the Culture Kit Backpacks, scheduled to debut later this summer. The Culture Kits were originally a box of trinkets from around the world. This prize box was awarded to students for passing an end of the program knowledge exam.
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Founder, Culturfied Foundation
The prize became so popular that Melton decided to brand it as a separate enterprise called Universal Explorers. The backpacks will represent at least 12 countries and will include a passport, boarding pass, map, journal, activities, souvenirs, stickers, and access to online games. This keepsake will be donated to every child in the program. Proceeds from international sales will be used as funding for the Culturfied Foundation (www.universalexplorers.com). The Culturfied Foundation has a major announcement for 2018! The organization is partnering with the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. to reintroduce the Annual International Children’s Festival. Children of all ages are invited to grab a passport and travel the world in one day with music, food, and unforgettable fun. There will be over 22 embassies and more than 30 countries represented. The event planning committee expects nearly 15,000 participants. The festival is set for April 29, 2018.
culturfied.org
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Rule the
Summer in
HIGH FASHION Fordam Rowe by Mdurvwa
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Bring
GLAMOUR
to your summer fun...
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Vacation like an empress
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RULE the SUMMER
STAY show stopping 34
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Cover Up
in DIAMONDS
Hair Credit (Platinum Mohawk): Nefertiti Powell | Celebrity Hair Stylist and owner of Multi-Tresses Salon | Instragram: @multitressessalon Make Up (Mohawk): Katrina B. Make- up Artistry | Instragram: @katbmua Hair & Make-up (Crown Braid): Sydney Hare | Instragram: @_hareattitude_ About the Models: Lana Rae (Platinum Mohawk)- Brand Influencer, Fashion Producer, Creative Director | Instragram: @_lanarae NURA Magazine Jeronique (Crown Braid)- High Fashion Model
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Little crowns for Future leaders
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P
ageantry is a great way for young women to develop and share a platform that is extremely meaningful to them. The Miss Africa USA Pageant takes the platform experience to another level by encouraging women to explore Trans-Atlantic concerns. One of the core objectives of the organization is to “Bridge the gap between Africa and the United States through gestures of goodwill between the two continents�. Nereida Lobo currently holds the title of Miss Africa USA 2017. She developed a desire to help children who do not have the resources they need to learn every day in school. Growing up in Cape Verde, Africa, was an educational challenge for Nereida. She did not have the school supplies needed to efficiently learn.
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When Nereida and her siblings came across school supplies, they would have to share. This was a common issue in her community as neighborhood children would often tear pages out of a single notebook to complete their assignments at night. As a result, Nereida believes that no child should have to struggle to learn due to the lack of basic learning materials. Choosing Education as her platform, combined with her style and grace, Nereida stood out to both the judges and the lively audience during the pageant finale show. Now with the crown, the support of the Miss Africa Organization, the Embassy of Cape Verde, and other notable world leaders, Nereida will live out yet another dream. She will travel across the Atlantic to represent and operate her newly founded organization titled Little Crowns. Nereida developed Little Crowns with a mission to provide educational materials to schools in underprivileged communities throughout Africa. In 2017 Little Crowns is scheduled to visit schools in several countries in Africa including Cape Verde, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
Education is a powerful weapon one can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela
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TRAVELING TO
CUBA
The United States has recently lifted the travel ban to Cuba. Americans are itching to get to this once forbidden destination, particularly for the culturally rich society and untampered landscapes. How often do we get to roam an undeveloped beach without manmade structures on the horizon? Well, before you start packing your sun lotion and beach towels, here are five things you ought to know.
Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. Yes you can visit the island legally, but you must have a purpose other than “vacationing.� Before you book your trip you will need an approved visa by the Department of Treasury. There are only 12 approved reasons to travel to the country in compliance with the Department of Treasury. Failure to comply with such regulations can lead you to face criminal prosecution. 42
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Your travel to Cuba must be for one of the following reasons: i. Family ii. Official Government Business iii. Journalistic activity iv. Professional research v. Education vi. Religious activity vii. Public performance or exhibition viii. Support Cuban people ix. Humanitarian projects x. Activity of private foundations xi. Transmission of information xii. Authorized export transactions Bring plenty of cash United States credit and debit cards will not work in Cuba. You will need to bring enough cash to cover your entire trip. Traveling with cash puts you at serious risk for petty theft. Thus, keep out of harm’s way by being mindful of your environment. Traveling with groups is always recommended. Cover your health You will need local medical insurance, but many airlines will take care of that for you. While Cuba has some of the best doctors in the world, medical care in Cuba does not meet all of U.S. standards. Also, some medications are unavailable. Be sure to bring prescribed medicine and a copy of all prescription documentation. In addition, you will need cash to pay for any medical expenses. With all of the restrictions in place, the easiest way into the country is through People-to-People initiatives, tourist groups, or cruise packages. If you choose to go the independent route, it is best to be patient. With such isolation from the U.S., much of the population does not speak English. As far as accommodations, services at hotels and restaurants may not be the 5-star experience that you desire. However, as tourism in Cuba grows in popularity, the planning for excellence of Cuba’s tourist is also growing.
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FEATURED
BLOGGER
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Describe the Living Leah Channel & Fresh Daily Inc?
How would you describe your personal style?
Living Leah YouTube focuses on all things Leah J. You are able to see me in different forms ranging from being a Mom to a Business Woman.
My personal style is based on comfort. If I am comfortable in it, I will wear it — whether on trend or not. I just do me.
Fresh Daily Inc has evolved into many things and currently focuses on all things I consider fresh; which includes — people, current events, inspirational pieces, celebrities, exclusive one-on-one interviews and event coverage.
What is the motivation behind #greyhairmagic?
What inspired you to start your blog?
So, I figured that why not just go full on grey during my journey of creating these various platforms and building my brands or brand as a whole and attract all the wisdom I can possibly attract to help me along my journey. I just think wisdom and strength go hand in hand and I’m putting out into the universe and embracing it entirely.
There’s a myriad of reasons. However, the most important was finding an outlet for talent such as myself to receive recognition not based on popularity; but based on talent. Hence, Fresh Daily Inc was created. Who influences your style? Who are
your style icons?
What opportunities have been afforded to you since you’ve started blogging? There’s a few ladies who influenced my style: Blogging has allowed me to network with Industry movers and shakers, be featured in notable publications such as this one, cover popular events as media/press,and partner with other outlets and business owners. All of this has generated brand exposure for my brands not just locally, but across the US.
What has been the most rewarding experience since you began? I have had multiple rewarding experiences — most of them have been internally...Taking the physical aspect of being in the moment and allowing things to evolve into something bigger, such as a goal or my next venture has been truly rewarding.
Tracee Ellis Ross – I would describe her style as effortlessly chic. Kelly Rowland – Her style has evolved and matured and I like it! Majorie Harvey – She’s just dope. She’s older; but has managed to find the balance of staying up to date without seeming like she’s trying to be young. Teyana Taylor – because her style is hardcore and very androgynous.
What is something that your fans do not know about you? I am obsessed with Cheese. Shredded SHARP Cheddar Cheese is so good. Add a nice glass of wine to that and I’m good, lol.
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How do you balance your personal life and blogging? If you would have asked me this two years ago I probably couldn’t have answered that... I am in a much better space now, with a clear understanding of what works best for me. In order for me to discover just what that was — I had to ask myself one very important question: Do I love my sanity? Was I willing to put my mental health on the line by not doing that one simple thing we call prioritizing. I make sure to give myself and my family the time and attention they need while allotting the time needed for blogging and managing the business aspect of my other brands. A calendar will become your best friend.
What other projects can we expect from you later this year? Hmmm, well you will have to wait and see... lol. As of right now, Black Girls Do has a few upcoming events set to take place throughout the remainder of the year. Living Leah is back to covering events, conducting interviews and putting out fun and informative videos. Fresh Daily Inc will always continue to provide fresh content via social media as we move through the process of it’s rebranding. City Gems is currently looking for a new Gem to feature and Taylor J. and Trinity B. have gotten in on the action too.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in blogging? I would say write for a few publications first to get a feel for blogging and discover your style. Be sure to ask questions to learn more about the industry to determine if this is what you really want to do. Networking is also key. Find as many quality networking opportunities as you can.
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What is a quote or motto that you live by? Can’t nobody do you like you do YOU!
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When to W
Author: Janine Muhammad
In this article, I want to take a more serious tone for our Nura readers. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) (n.d.), 1 in 3 women have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. In addition, 1 in 4 women have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. I know you don’t think you are a victim. You don’t think so because of the image that domestic violence has in your mind. It’s the image of a woman with a black eye. Yes, that is her! But just because you do not have a black eye does not mean that you have not been or you are not being victimized.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV) REALLY IS?
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he United States Department of Justice (2016) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
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Many victims say, “There were no signs.” I say, we did not see the signs. Victims get ridiculed by people who want to know, why couldn’t she see he was abusive? There is a reason for that. In my practice as a clinician, I have yet to come across one woman who has not 1- experienced a form of sexual abuse, most often molestation by a family member, 2- experienced physical violence by an intimate partner. To the ladies in my domestic violence therapy group, I always offer the following scenario:
Walk Away Let’s say that every day you woke up and a pig flew by your window. Now we know pigs do not fly, but for you, every morning you saw a pig fly by your window. For the rest of us, we are used to seeing birds fly outside of our windows. So much so, that we hardly notice. It blends into our everyday routine, and after a while we barely notice the bird. Just like city dwellers don’t really hear sirens, but that same siren is a glaring imposition on the serenity of a suburbia person. One woman’s pigeon is another woman’s pig. Okay, got it? Now let’s say that pig that flew by every morning was really your mother getting punched in the face by her boyfriend. This happened every morning. So much so, you noticed when it did not happen. Sure, it hurt to hear your mom scream and cry. You felt powerless when you saw her bruised face. Of course you knew this was wrong, but this is what you saw. This was normal to you and what became the usual. You woke up to the punch. You missed his behaviors prior to him throwing those punches. So now here you are and you have found “the one.” Sure there are a few things that you overlook because after all, his extreme jealously is cute. It is a sign of how much he really loves you, right? His possessiveness means he is so protective. That time he took off from work to surprise you while
you were in class was not “stalker-ish”, but just him being fun and unpredictable. All of these are signs of an abuser. These are the behaviors you missed when your mother was being abused by her boyfriend. Here is a list of signs of an abusive partner according to New Hope for Women (2017):
JEALOUSY
At the start of the relationship, an abuser will equate jealously with love. The abuser will question the victim about who the victim talks to, accuse the victim of flirting, or become jealous of time spent with others. The abuser may call the victim frequently during the day, drop by unexpectedly, refuse to let the victim work, check the car mileage, or ask friends to watch the victim.
CONTROLLING BEHAVIOR
In the beginning an abuser will attribute controlling behavior to concern for the victim (for example, the victim’s safety or decision-making skills). As this behavior progresses, the situation will worsen and the abuser may assume all control of finances, or prevent the victim from coming and going freely.
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QUICK INVOLVEMENT
A victim often has known or dated the abuser for a brief period of time before getting engaged or living together. The abuser will pressure the victim to commit to the relationship. A victim may be made to feel guilty for wanting to slow the pace or end the relationship.
An abusive person is easily insulted, perceiving the slightest setbacks as personal attacks.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR CHILDREN
An abuser expects the victim to meet all of the abuser’s needs, to take care of everything emotionally and domestically.
This is a person who punishes animals brutally or is insensitive to their pain. The abuser may expect children to perform beyond their capability (for example whipping a two-year-old for wetting a diaper, or teasing children or siblings until they cry).
ISOLATION
“PLAYFUL” USE OF FORCE IN SEX
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
An abuser will attempt to isolate the victim by severing the victim’s ties to outside support and resources. The batterer will accuse the victim’s friends and family of being “trouble makers.” The abuser may block the victim’s access to use of a vehicle, work, or telephone service in the home.
BLAMES OTHERS FOR PROBLEMS
This behavior includes restraining partners against their will during sex, acting out fantasies in which the partner is helpless, initiating sex when the partner is asleep, or demanding sex when the partner is ill or tired. The abuser may show little concern for his partner’s wishes and will use sulking and anger to manipulate compliance.
An abuser will blame others for all problems or for the abuser’s own shortcomings. Someone is always out to get the abuser or is an obstacle to the abuser’s achievements. The victim or potential victim will be blamed for almost anything.
VERBAL ABUSE
BLAMES OTHERS FOR FEELINGS
RIGID SEX ROLES
An abuser will use feelings to manipulate the victim. Common phrases to look for: “You’re hurting me by not doing what I want.” “You control how I feel.”
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HYPERSENSITIVITY
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This behavior involves saying things that are intended to be cruel and hurtful, cursing or degrading the victim, or putting down the victim’s accomplishments.
The victim, almost always a woman, will be expected to serve. For instance, a male abuser will see women as inferior to men, responsible for menial tasks, stupid, and unable to be a whole person without a relationship.
DUAL PERSONALITY “DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE”
Explosive behavior and moodiness, which can shift quickly to congeniality, are typical of people who beat their partners.
PAST BATTERING
An abuser will beat any partner if the individual is involved with the abuser long enough for the cycle of abuse to begin. Circumstances do not make a person have an abusive personality.
THREATS OF VIOLENCE
This consists of any threat of physical force meant to control the partner. Most people do not threaten their mates, but an abuser will excuse this behavior by claiming, “Everyone talks like that.”
BREAKING OR STRIKING OBJECTS This behavior is used as punishment (breaking sentimental possessions), or to terrorize the victim into submission.
ANY FORCE DURING AN ARGUMENT
This may involve an abuser holding down the victim, physically restraining the victim from leaving, or pushing or shoving. Holding someone back in order to make demands, such as, “You will listen to me!” is also a form of force.
In closing, there is an urgent reason why I titled this article “When to Walk Away.” In spite of any intimate partner’s abuse that has already occurred, the utterly most dangerous time for a woman in a domestically violent relationship is when she leaves. Statistics illustrate that women who leave their abusers are at a 75% greater risk of being killed than those who stay. Furthermore, on average, a woman attempts to leave seven times before she actually does. So for those who ask, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” well this is why! Here is what you can do. There are countless organizations dedicated to intimate partner violence. Since our Nura readers are so vast, if you are a victim of domestic violence (of any form!) Please call: The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799SAFE **Safety Alert**: Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet usage might be monitored, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Have a question for the therapist? Submit your questions to Nura Magazine! For more on Janine Muhammad go to www.CenterForStrongFamilies.org or email her at Janine@cfsfamilies.org
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Inspire
with POWER
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CLOTHING LINE: POWER IN ONE
Our mission is to empower lifestyles by igniting the fire within each one of us through fashion and an idea. Power in one is the idea that 54
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you as an individual has the power to affect change within yourself, community, and the world. Exercise your Power, Commit to Accomplishing Goals. NURA Magazine 55
Mastering Tina Bonner is a self-proclaimed hustler. After college she made a vow to never apply for any jobs. At this time Tina had a successful DJ career. She was one of the few hot female DJs on the Washington, DC scene. Following the building of her brand, touring with artists, and working with notable companies in the country, Tina had reached a plateau, but she wanted more. Inching towards her late twenties, she required a career that stretched beyond the club and party scene.
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My skills hadn’t capped, I hadn’t capped, my ambition didn’t cap. My business model had capped. My business no longer had the capacity to stretch as far as I needed it to. I got to a place as a DJ where I had done all of the clubs in DC, I was touring with Wale, Black Cobain and his camp. I was an official DJ for Nike. I did Nordstrom, BET, and was a resident DJ for the hottest club on the scene (The Park & 14th, NW Washington, DC). I did everything. It was time for a massive change if I wanted to see massive results. During college, Tina acquired the love for the business side of the hustle. Already designing her website, flyers, and other promotional materials she quickly realized she was already marketing her business. She began using her relationships developed from DJ’ing to build a client base for what would be her own tech & marketing company later that year. The Park & 14th was one of her first clients. Tina created a mobile application that would allow management to instantly connect with guests. It permitted guests to check-in, mark their parking location, and get the latest news, special guests, promotions, and closures.
the Hustle I realized the cap, so I did an inventory of what I was good at, and I used my skill and relationships to get my first set of clients. The transition was as simple as saying: What opportunities are people around me missing out on, and how can I compile my skills together to provide them a solution and build a million dollar company, at the same time. I was already into design, I loved tech, and I was studying marketing, so I hooked up with a developer to do the coding (everything I couldn’t do) while I created the front end and built the business.
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Tina called this transition “Ladder Switching”, meaning you acquire leadership and status in a different field and then use credibility to switch into a new field. In this case Tina used her marketing expertise, and her credibility as a popular DJ to obtain clients and build her marketing company. Consequently, it afforded her what seemed like an overnight success, as her company was acquired by a much bigger marketing agency just a few months later. Fast forward now two businesses later and with over a decade of technology and marketing experience, Tina has pulled all of her knowledge, skills, and resources together to found a tech startup STAX Agency, Inc., that merges intelligent software and human behavior to help the most talented people in the world monetize their influence. As a full-time entrepreneur, Tina admits the road has not been easy. She hit a few road blocks and hardships along the way. As a result, Tina is beginning her new series “Master the Hustle” to guide promising entrepreneurs on how to get results as they embark on their unpredictable journey. Her flagship product the 27 Laws of Hustle focuses on the core of “hustle,” embodying both hard core business strategies and life changing principles for success. Tina believes that the methods are many but the principles are few, and in order to master the hustle, you’ve got to do more than just stay up late and “grind”, you’ve got to live out the right principles and use clever strategies to achieve greatness in today’s world.
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