Pride Magazine February issue by Isabel Matias

CELEBRATING THE WOMAN OF COLOUR

Heat up the bedroom with

SEDUCTIVE LINGERIE THE FABULOUS

THE LESSONS IN LOVE ISSUE

LIFE OF SINITTA CAN YOU THINK LIKE A MAN?

FEBRUARY 2010

STRICTLY

SEXY:

RICKY WHITTLE WHY ARE WE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE SINGLE?

Double trouble:

BLACK AND JEWISH

FEBRUARY 2010 CoverFeb√√.indd 1

TONI BRAXTON

The soul survivor on money, divorce and cheating death

YOUTH CRIME:

Are all-black schools the answer?

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FASHION:

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Contents

February 2010

Cover 44

Toni Braxton The soul survivor on money, divorce and cheating death 50 Can you think like a man? By comedian Steve Harvey 52 Strictly sexy Ricky Whittle 58 Why are we three times more likely to be single? 60 Double trouble: Black and Jewish

66 Youth crime: Are

all-black schools the answer? 72 The fabulous life of Sinitta! 78 Fashion Heat up the bedroom with seductive lingerie

78 72

Fashion & Beauty 22 24 26 29

Hot list Celeb trends Fashion buys Get the look Blazers 30 Catwalk trends Candy rain 33 Celeb style Get Shingai Shoniwa’s style 34 Celeb beauty Melody Thornton 37 Beauty masterclass 38 Hair of the month 41 Hair buys 89 Fashion insider The designer Emile Carr 90 Beauty makeover 96 Beauty feature Express glamour 99 Hair feature Bobs get flirty 101 Top eight hairdryers 103 Hair trends

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Contents

February 2010

Entertainment 20 65

Jess about town Guest columnist Beverley Knight 70 Introducing Gabby Precious star Gabourey Sidibe 77 My style file Singer Livvi Franc 106 Music reviews 108 Films 110 Culture 144 10 minutes with… Mr Motivator

22 119

Features 48

Mr Inappropriate Dating against the odds 54 Quiz: Do you expect too much from your man? 56 Real life “My man was leading a double life” 140 Retrospective Charley Pride

Health

127

Health news Diabetes 128 E is for eczema Getting help for the skin condition

101

Careers 119 121

Black sterling My financial life Actor Paterson Joseph 123 Secrets of my success

Regulars

8 Readers’ letters 10 Publisher’s letter 13 Agenda 16 What’s on 19 Must-see TV 88 Subscriptions 112 Inner spirit 115 Vanessa Walters Happy Valentine’s Day

37 117 124

Man’s point of view Parenting Keeping your kids healthy 131 Travel Kerala: God’s own country 134 Recipe 136 Food news and restaurant review 138 Stockists 139 Horoscope

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We’veGotMail Our monthly look at what you’re writing to us.

ON THE COVER: Toni Braxton

Star Letter MISS REDEMPTION I eagerly picked up the January issue when I saw that you would be talking to former Miss England Rachel Christie. I’ll admit, I was very disappointed when she lost her crown, and my opinion of her changed really quickly. I just felt that it was such a travesty that it had taken a black woman all this time to win such a coveted beauty prize, and to lose it because of an argument over a man just seemed plain stupid. However, the article managed to put her back in my good books by setting the record straight. Far from being the typical “angry black woman” the media portray her as, Rachel seems very humble and apologetic about the whole ordeal. I guess we all make mistakes; however, being

Entertainment Editor Keysha Davis (020 7326 9119) Features Editor Cynthia Lawrence (020 7326 9110) Fashion & Beauty Editor Shevelle Rhule (020 7326 9109) Contributing Writers Akwasi Duodu, Sherry Dixon Jessica Huie, Dotun Adebayo, Vanessa Walters, Monica McCollum Editorial Interns Pavan Amara Leonie O’Connor

in the public eye makes it more difficult to simply move on. I’m glad that she’s focusing her career on athletics, and wish her all the best in the future. Adebayo, via email

Head of Design/Production Isabel Matias Sub Editors sandseditorial.co.uk Photography gettyimages, 123rf, dreamstime

Lipstick Revolution

LipRest ick vo

Lipstick Revolution

Advertising Manager Michelle Bertin (020 7326 9102)

lution

Who says girls can’t cut it in a masculine world? Pride talks to women living on the edge and proving they are just as good as the men in their chosen fields. Here come the girls!

Lesley Sackey Boxer, aged 27

and you don’t feel any pain. I lost that first fight, but it was probably the best thing to happen. As a result, I worked hard on a strict fitness and diet regime and decided to focus on boxing full time. I won the ABA championships in 2007, and from there I got selected to box for England, so I’ve been travelling abroad When I was 21 I was dating to tournaments to a guy who was a represent the country. keen footballer, and I I recently won the EU wanted to get fit – so I championship, started running. One and it was the first time day, at a friend’s house, that the gold had gone to a first-time we started talking about competitor. the idea of the gym Despite the health concerns boring me and that I wanted for women, to do something boxing is a really well-regulated different. That’s when sport. Women she suggested I try wear head protection boxing. At that time, I and are given the option was at university and to wear a breast guard initially boxing and training and groin guard, which were just a hobby. protects the ovaries. It’s While I was training, entirely up to the I would watch the individual boxer. Contrary boxers train for two hours to what people a night and be think, there is a lot of mesmerized. My coach skill and technique that suggested that I should goes into becoming a try out for the amateur good boxer. boxing club and get my As in most sports, there boxing card, which is is always a a professional medical in stereotype. Not all female order to compete in amateur boxers are butch or boxing. I had my masculine-looking. In doubts, but then I started fact, the England team training for amateur are all beautiful women, boxing and passed the and that’s why we’re medical in 2005. all here working hard I will always remember to dispel that myth. I my first fight, in do think those attitudes are 2006. I was nervous and slowly changing, couldn’t eat, thinking though, especially since about the people in crowd they announced that watching me. I got female boxers can compete into the ring and won in the 2012 the first round, and I Olympics. My partner could hear everyone cheering. is very supportive, even The second if he does get cheeky comments round was the same, like, “Bet she but towards the end my keeps you in check!” But energy levels went and you need a supportive I had nothing left. I was partner who is comfortable getting hit, but my body with himself as a didn’t hurt. When man and won’t feel intimidated you’re in the ring, the by the fact that adrenaline takes over his woman thrives in a male-dominated sport.

Accounts accounts@pridemagazine.com

Ironically, I was never into sports as a child. At school, I hated PE and did everything possible to avoid it. I was into music, and I was more of a creative type.

Women in a man’s world I really enjoyed reading “Lipstick Revolution”. Sometimes women think they can’t do certain things because they seem male-orientated. But these women are breaking the mould and paving the way for others. I admire the women in the feature as they show that there truly are no limits, and we can do whatever we set our minds to. Olivia Brown, London

Publisher/Director CJ Cushnie

Cure your sick house The article “Is Your Home Making You Ill?” was very informative. I knew that stoves could be a bit of a health hazard, but I didn’t think that air fresheners, detergents and carpets could release chemicals in the air, causing us to get sick. Although it’s impractical to give up everything, I am now more aware of the chemicals that these products contain and will air out my house regularly from now on. Sasha Roberts

Address all correspondence to: Pride Magazine, Pride House, 55 Battersea Bridge Road, London SW11 3AX or email us at info@pridemagazine.com

The editor reserves the right to edit letters for clarity.

Pride is published by Pride Media Group Ltd, Pride House, 55 Battersea Bridge Rd, London SW11 3AX Tel: 020 7228 3110 Fax: 020 7801 6717 www.pridemagazine.com Distribution by COMAG 01895 444055 © 2010 reserved by Pride Media Group Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Transparencies and unsolicited manuscripts are submitted at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither Pride nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. All information is correct at time of going to press. ISSN 0963-1720

Pride magazine is committed to producing an informative, contentious and provocative publication. Our contributors offer a diversity of views; their opinions are their own and not necessarily shared by Pride Media Group Ltd.

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FEBRUARY 2010

Publisher’s LETTER

Cynthia Lawrence catches up with soul diva Toni Braxton

Calibrate your standards.

he horror in Haiti is weighing heavily on my mind. Like so many people within our community, I have family connections with the island, and we have spent many hours trying to reach some family members while fearing the worst. I find that it almost beggars belief that one tiny country that is not even a complete island of its own can have so much devastation repeatedly heaped upon it. My heart soared when I saw the pictures of the young boy who, after being buried for seven days, appeared beaming from ear to ear. But then it promptly sank again after seeing reports of a beautiful 15-year-old girl who had been shot in the forehead by the police for stealing a worthless picture from a collapsed store. You find yourself being swamped with mixed emotions of joy and anger and plain disbelief of the world we live in. Events such as the earthquake in Haiti make me re-evaluate what is important in life. It is so easy to get swept up with things that are going on, small issues that you have to face daily that may irritate a little and that you make so much bigger and more important than they actually are. How often have you found yourself arguing with a partner, for instance, over something that really, in the scheme of things, is just not that important? If we just stepped back for a moment and asked ourselves, “What is more important: to have this argument or for my partner and I to have an enjoyable evening together?” I wonder how often we would get into screaming rows with each other. But we rarely acknowledge what is actually important in our lives to make us happy and contented.

Most people will find a major disconnect between what we want and what we do. Life just has a way of dragging you off course unless you take control and keep these things in the forefront of your mind. And normally, it is the little things that truly make us happy, like great relationships with our kids, partners, friends and family, and some kind of selfimprovement for ourselves. Joy so often comes from the things that are free in this world: we would do well to remember that. I am not saying that we should lower our standards or our dreams – if you want that sports car, go for it – but we should lower the level of what we need in our lives to feel happy. In this month’s Pride, our entertainment editor sat down with Toni Braxton to get an update on the ups and downs of the singer’s life so far. Ms Braxton’s life is never boring. Our reporters also went out to investigate issues such as whether we now need all-black schools to improve our community’s education results, and why more black people are converting to Judaism. We asked people for their opinion on the shocking fact that black women are three times more likely to be single than their white counterparts, as well as asking if we really can learn how to think like a man.

We should lower the level of what we need in our lives to feel happy.

So this month, I ask you to step off of life’s treadmill for a second and really think about what makes you happy and what is important to you; then, compare your findings to your actions and deeds over the last month.

Finally, if you have not had a chance to give to the Haitian appeal, please try to do so – whatever you can afford – and let’s hope and pray that all the international help does allow the people of Haiti to rebuild their lives soon. Thanks.

Cynthia on the photoshoot with X Factor’s Sinitta

Our celeb photographer Joseph Sinclair

CJ Cushnie, Publisher

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I’ll tell you the truth: not one person I’ve ever pulled from a burning building has asked me if I could send them a male colleague instead. A lot of people think you have to be big and burly to be a firefighter, but what you need is determination. Plus the influence, leadership and charisma to teach the community about fire safety and fire prevention – which is actually what we’re doing during most of our time on duty. There’s more to the job than you think – and more rewards to come from working with us than you may imagine. For more information on Open Days for Women, call Dawne Stephenson on 020 8555 1200 ext. 30528 or email dawne.stephenson@london-fire.gov.uk quoting Pride.

Do I look like a man to you?

7STORIES AGENDA

YOU SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT KELIS flies the flag for fur

A feisty songstress who is not known for biting her tongue, Kelis has now become the latest celebrity to stand up to animalwelfare organization PETA, which took her to task for wearing mink and chinchilla furs while on a visit to London during our coldest winter in 30 years. Addressing the head of the organization, Kelis wrote an open letter via her MySpace page, suggesting that he find a worthier cause. “Underpaid minorities picking your vegetables, now that’s fine for you, right?“ the singer wrote. “Please, fight for their rights. How about the poverty in the communities of brown people around the world?“ So far, Kelis 1 – PETA 0. However, we would look out for anyone carrying a bucket of paint, Kelis.

Praying for HAITI This year has barely begun, and we’ve already witnessed a human tragedy that has touched the hearts of citizens across the globe. On 12 January, we awoke to the news that an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale had caused devastation to the Caribbean island of Haiti, a country that has seen its fair share of tragedy throughout its eventful history. The TV broadcast disturbing images of men, women and children covered in debris who were either dead or visibly distressed. An estimated 100,000 people may have lost their lives as a result of this natural disaster. We often talk of donating to charities when disasters of this magnitude occur. We urge you to let your wallet do the talking and to give money to one of the many charities providing aid to Haiti, such as www.redcross.org.uk/haitiearthquake or www.unicef.org.uk

5 APRIL 2010 MANCHESTER APOLLO 0844 477 7677

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AGENDA

7STORIES YOU SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT DEVIL-WORSHIPPER? Not me, says JAY-Z

Never one to feel the need to address pesky rumours, Jay-Z has, however, decided to set the record straight regarding rumours that he is a devil-worshipper. During an interview with DJ Angie Martinez, the rapper strongly refuted the claims, saying, “I don’t know where it started. For the record, I, of course, believe in God.” He continued: “I don’t know if there is a devil-worshipping sect. I believe there are cliques of people that control the world…” Jay-Z is not the first artist to be accused of devilworshipping. Let’s just let him continue to make great music and leave the outlandish accusations to fantasy-fiction writers. We’re all a bit careless when it comes to leaving unnecessary stuff in the car, whether it’s old sweet wrappers or receipts for petrol left on the seats. But Usher has taken absentmindedness to a whole new level. The R&B singer has filed for $1 million worth of belongings that were left in his SUV after the car was stolen from outside a mall in Atlanta. Among the items listed were jewellery, furs and electronic goods. Oh dear. Not the best start to the new year, is it?

KENTUCKY FRIED Foolery

Pleeease, say my BUM LOOKS BIG IN THIS!

Hoorah! At last, women who were teased with unflattering names like “bubble butt” can have the last laugh. No, it’s not due to the fact that bigbottomed icons such as Beyoncé and J-Lo have topped yet another desirable list. This is far more beneficial to us. New research shows that having a plus-sized gluteus maximus is good for your health, since it can cut the risk of getting diabetes, as well as cutting levels of bad cholesterol. The findings, drawn by medical researchers at Oxford University, celebrate the virtues of the traditional pear shape, believing that the fat stored around our bottoms and thighs forms a buffer that mops up the fat. We’re sure black men around the globe concur with the Oxford boffins.

Tut-tut to the Australian ad agency that thought it would be a good idea to stoke the fire of a tired racial stereotype. Aussie officials of fast-food chain KFC were forced to apologize and remove an ad from Australian TV screens that portrayed black people as fried-chicken fiends who can be pacified only by a bucket of the Colonel’s finest culinary delights. The ad, which featured a white cricket fan passing out pieces of chicken to quieten down rowdy crowds of West Indian cricket lovers, received hordes of complaints when it was picked up via the Internet by the American media. This is the second time in months that Australia has been accused of reinforcing racial caricatures; who can forget the “Jackson Five in blackface” scandal?

Sleep well, TEDDY PENDERGRASS

USHER’S pimpedout ride

An online commentator said that “we’re losing our music legends faster than we can replace them”, and that sentiment certainly rings true. Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and Isaac Hayes are just some of the legendary soul artists who are no longer with us. R&B crooner Teddy Pendergrass is the latest superstar to have passed away. The singer, aged 59, was suffering from colon cancer and struggled to recover following surgery. The love balladeer shot to fame during the 1970s and was famed for his coarse “alpha male” vocals, with many viewing his sensual sounds as “baby-making music”. Tragically, Teddy had been left paralyzed by an accident in 1982; he spent the subsequent portion of his life in a wheelchair. A true soul survivor who will be greatly missed. RIP Teddy P.

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WHAT’S ON

FEBRUARY 2010

Looking forward to the month ahead around the UK. Next month:

Look out for the return of In Celebration of My Sisters, taking place 14–28 March. Highlights include a Mother’s Day lunch, the 7 Sisters comedy night, and of course the ICOMS concert hosted by Brenda Emmanus and Angie Le Mar. For tickets visit www.fairfield.co.uk

14th: This year’s 7th Annual Reggae

Got Soul Valentine Showcase features the sounds of reggae and R&B legends such as Freddie Jackson, John Holt, Marcia Griffin and newcomer Taurus Riley. All the action takes place at the Brixton Academy. Book your tickets at www.o2academybrixton.co.uk

18th–20th:

1867 is a new play about Madam CJ Walker. The first African-American female millionaire made her fortune with hairstraightening products for black women. Check out www.richmix.org. uk for details of this inspirational story.

4th: Back for a fourth season due to demand, Havana

Rakatan returns with its high-octane dance show incorporating some of Cuba’s best-known dance styles, such as salsa, rhumba and cha-cha-cha, performbed by some of the most talented dancers from the Caribbean island. Book your tickets ASAP. www.sadlerswells.com

7th: Now the Christmas credit-card bills have all arrived, chances are you could do with some Credit Crunch Comedy. The show offers the best in black comedy, so you can expect belly-busting gags from the likes of Richard Blackwood, Slim, Quincy and Mr Cee. Tickets are priced from £10. Visit www.broadwaytheatre. org.uk for further details.

13th: If you attended the Lovers Rock

event at the end of 2009, you will no doubt be glad to do it all again for Valentine’s night. Giants of Lovers Rock Pt 2 returns to IndigO2, with artists such as Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay, Mike Anthony and Peter Hunnigale. Visit www. indig02.co.uk for tickets.

13th: Back doing what she does best,

soul sensation Mica Paris will be performing all her 80s hits plus covers of contemporary tracks when she appears at Rich Mix this month. No doubt her spine-tingling, soulful vocals and witty candour will go down a treat. Visit www. richmix.org.uk for details.

12th & 13th:

The season of romance often signals the arrival of US R&B superstars to provide the sounds for your special night. Musiq Soulchild, Avant! and Donell Jones play Brixton Academy on the 12th and Manchester Academy on the 13th. For more info, visit www.ticketmania.co.uk

All month: Get ready to scream your hearts out as teeny-bop sensations JLS embark on a series of live dates around the country. The group currently causing mass hysteria among the prepubescent will be performing hits from their debut album, as well as no doubt doing the occasional backflip. Visit www.carling.com for ticket info.

13th & 14th: We Brits

obviously can’t get enough of Ne-Yo – he’s back in the UK for another set of live dates. The soul superstar will perform all his hits, including “So Sick” and “Closer”, at Manchester Arena and Wembley Arena respectively. Visit www. ticketmaster.co.uk

20th:

Adinkra Films is a new film club that will hold regular screenings of classic and contemporary black films. This month marks the debut screening of the film version of A Raisin in the Sun starring Phylicia Rashad and Sean “P Diddy” Combs. Visit www.adinkrafilms.com for further info.

26th & 27th:

Comedian Stephen K Amos will be performing his unique brand of stand-up in his own show at the Hammersmith Apollo. Amos has been on a roll following appearances at the Royal Variety Performance and the Edinburgh Festival; see how he fares holding his own. www.carling.com

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MUSTSEE SEE TV The round-up of things you should check out this month.

Must See

BET HONOURS 2010

The BET channel takes time out to honour people it considers inspirational, and this year the line-up of those honoured reads like a who’s who of black Hollywood: Whitney Houston, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Queen Latifah and more. Music powerhouses Mary J Blige, Jennifer Hudson, India Arie and Ryan Leslie will serenade the chosen few. The show airs on BET, 6 February, 8pm.

CLEVELAND

A spin-off from the popular show Family Guy, The Cleveland Show follows Cleveland Brown as he and his son leave their hometown in search of love and a new life. However, things don’t always run so smoothly, as he tries to form a relationship with his girlfriend’s children and to help his son adapt to a new life. Airs on E4 in February.

11 February – 13 March

LEADING MEN: BORIS KODJOE

The series honouring remarkable men and women continues this month, highlighting the gorgeous Boris Kodjoe. The popular actor talks about his life, family and future projects. Tune into BET on 5 February to check it out.

A savy new play by Olivier Award Winning playwright Bola Agbaje

TINGA TINGA TALES

It’s half-term this month, and if you’re a mother struggling to find original, creative programmes for the kids to watch, your struggle is over. CBeebies has come up with a beautifully inspiring show called Tinga Tinga Tales, based on African folk tales about how animals came to be. Check BBC listings for details.

Cast includes Lorraine Burroughs Daniel Francis Ashley Walters

020 7565 5000

Tickets from £10

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JessAboutTown

This month’s gossip…

FANTASIA HEADLINES BARBADOS MUSIC AWARDS

Stars get poking in the Bahamas

LOVE ’N’ HAITI:

Hats off to Simon Cowell for doing his bit for Haiti. By the time you read this, the stars will probably already have recorded the single that will no doubt raise an impressive sum set to be donated to the cause. Cowell announced his plans at the National TV Awards and said Susan Boyle and Beyoncé are likely to be involved. Dear Simon, smart, successful and compassionate – gotta love him.

Joe Jackson was at the ceremony to collect the International Icon Award and the International Lifetime Achievement Award (in memoriam) on behalf of his son, the late, great Michael Jackson. Local talent in the form of Natahlee and Edwin Yearwood blended with the stars, and it was a glamorous and well-organized event, proving that even with the Caribbean’s laidback disposition, they can pull off an event. Certainly a few UK-based event organizers could learn from our siblings across the sea…

Stars come out for Devyne in ATL Over in Atlanta my own dear cousin and best friend Julia Huie Martin was ensuring the Huie family makes its mark on both sides of the Atlantic by helping to organize the brilliant annual Christmas gala – “Puttin’ on the Ritz: The Top Hat Affair” – for the music mogul and “king of Atlanta”, her boss Devyne Stephens. Devyne, who is the founder of Megatainment Worldwide donated $300,000 to the Children’s Healthcare Atlanta, and Jules tells me the Atlanta History Center was transformed into a winter oasis, and stars including Akon, Monica and Jermaine Dupri turned out to support his annual fest.

Check out my new blog for an insight into the roller coaster that is my world: jessicahuie01.wordpress.com

Jessica Huie is CEO of ColorBlind Cards, managing director of JH Public Relations and Pride’s resident girl about town.

While I was having my first Oistins experience in Barbados, Kelly Rowland was busy in the Bahamas playing poker with Nelly and rocker Slash. Sadly, I’m informed, it was raining when the stars landed on the island, and frantic organizers of the amfAR celebrity poker tournament were forced to move the event inside. The wash-out weather didn’t stop the stars having a ball – the event was held at the magnificent Atlantis Hotel, after all. I’m pleased to report that Kelly represented the ladies and knocked out Slash – “the greatest guitarist of all time” – early and left with her pretty head held high. Our Kel’s been busy, and as her promotional schedule begins to speed up while nearing the release of her anticipated new solo material, she followed in the well-trodden footsteps of many stars before her and let acclaimed photographer Derek Blanks create a famed “Alter Ego” shoot for her. The results show Kelly totally at ease with her sexy side. We love them!

Let’s be honest, a British January is grim, so I made like the stars and brought in my 2010 in Barbados. I was in good company, and you’ll have seen the paparazzi shots of Alexandra Burke, the Sugababes, Sienna and Jude and even Nappy from N-Dubz lapping up the rays. The Barbados Music Awards was a highlight of my trip, and headline act Fantasia performed an impressive set before being given an International Award of Excellence. It was clearly a good start to the year for the American Idol star who was plagued by rumours last year of almost losing her $1.3-million North Carolina home. The gossip sites reported that Simon Cowell had bailed out the star, but Fantasia denied the claims, saying, “That’s not true. I’ve been working hard for five years. Don’t believe everything you hear.”

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Leave your true love wanting more with this seductively fabulous fragrance, Very Hollywood from Michael Kors (£66.55; 08700 342 566). The 80s are still in full force, and they have never looked so good! Knuckle rings are making a huge comeback – they’re seriously chic. Make your obsession clear with these rings by Katie Rowland (from £140; www.digitariaworld.com).

This Kingfisher Splash watch (£175; 08448 75 15 15) from Christopher Ward is elegant, sophisticated and seriously envy-inducing.

HotList Nothing says I love you more than these Valentine buys!

Show your love all year round with this cute art print (£38; www.bodieandfou.com). It’s printed on recycled paper, making it ecofriendly, too.

The gloomy British weather can play havoc with a fashionista’s style. Get your own back at Mother Nature with these pink Wedge Wellies from VivaLaDiva. You’ll be able to face the rain, sleet and snow with confidence (£32; www.vivaladiva. com).

Make this Valentine’s a tasty one with this exclusive hamper by Divine. The Divine Lover’s Devotion hamper contains six flavours of Divine, milk- and dark-chocolate hearts and two mugs, beautifully presented in a wicker basket (£40; www.divinechocolateshop.com). Jewellery never goes out of style, and this lovely sterling-silver piece from Chambers & Beau (from £100; www.chambersandbeau. com) will always get you noticed.

Show your love and appreciation for the special people in your life using this DIY Valentine Kit (£8.21; www.gettingpersonal.co.uk). It comes with an instruction booklet that gives you tips and tricks on how to create a perfect card.

Still feeling the January pinch? Headbands are an inexpensive way to update your look instantly. Try this gorgeous red one to ensure all eyes are on you this Valentine’s Day (£14.95; www. whatsabouttown.com).

Add some colour and romance to your house with this quirky rose cushion by B&Q (£12.98; 08458 500 175).

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21/1/10 22:28:01

TREND

FASHION

FACTOR

We take a peek at the month’s best celebrity wardrobes.

Effortless perfection!

Selita Ebanks

Check out the fabulousness that is Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks in this Balmain mini-dress. The colour and cut are divine on her. Jealous, anyone?

Cassie

Someone pass a bucket of water, because Cassie is sizzling in this off-the-shoulder Brian Reyes tiered dress and open-toe boots.

Kelly Rowland

The intricate detail on Kelly’s Basil Soda couture gown is spectacular. It’s moulded to the ex-Destiny’s Child’s shape to create a silhouette Beyoncé would die for!

Zoë Saldana

One word springs to mind when we see Zoë on the red carpet: effortless. Seeing her in this silver RM By Roland Mouret gown and Neil Lane diamond necklace gave us goosebumps!

Hot trend alert

Estelle

Rapper Estelle has shunned dresses for a slick, slimming trouser suit and ankle boots. The trouser suit is set to be one of the hottest trends on the red carpet, and Estelle looks fantastic.

Rachel Roy

I know it’s a bit crazy, with her floral top, multicoloured print skirt and grey trench, but surprisingly it really works. The clashing trend is not for the shy, but Rachel pull it off with aplomb.

023 celeb trends√√.indd 24

21/1/10 22:24:56

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FASHION

FashionBUYS YS

£45 Check out this effortless bohemian trend for spring. Next, www.next.co.uk

Wallis, £75 www.wallis.co.uk

Foxy Fur

BOHO CHIC

Remember the boho explosion in the early noughties, when everyone and their mum were wearing hippy-inspired clothing? Well, this season boho has got sexier and smarter. Instead of long printed skirts, choose ﬂoral mini-skirts, shorts or even trousers, as seen at Dries van Noten’s spring/summer shows. Wear with boyfriend blazers, distressed denim or even a fur gilet to recreate this popular Kate Moss style.

Love Label, £45 www.littlewoods.com

River Island, £124.99 020 8991 4904

Boohoo, £15 www.boohoo.com Lovel Label, £65 www.littlewoods.com

d clothing Animal-inspire to opard prints, – from sexy le ay w ce er ﬁ a is s– faux-fur jacket end. tr c hi -c ho bo e of wearing th is ant to make th If you really w t ea gr e m so ck up look unique, pi gs ru sh d an original coats shops and from vintage markets.

Matalan, £40 www.matalan.co.uk

Miss Selfridge, £38 0845 214 517

New Look, £30 0500 454 094

Matalan, £40 www.matalan.co.uk River Island, £14.99 020 8991 4904

024-025 fashion buys √.indd 26

22/1/10 12:27:19

FASHION FLIRT Y FLOR AL

Asos, £36 www.asos.com

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George at Asda, £12 www.asda.co.uk

Gorgeous on hourglass shapes

George at Asda, £12 www.asda.co.uk

Matalan, £40 www.matalan.co.uk

Next: jacket £45, shorts £22, shoes £35 www.next.co.uk Office, £85 www.office.co.uk

Asos, £30 www.asos.com

Love Label, £45 www.littlewoods.com

Miss Selfridge, £45 0845 214 517

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Asos, £55 www.asos.com

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Asos, £35 www.asos.com

024-025 fashion buys √.indd 27

22/1/10 12:14:48

Pride fahion idol2 ad.pdf

CMY

13/7/09

10:37:45

FASHION Tu Sainsbury’s, £25 www.sainsburys.co.uk

River Island, £49.99 020 8991 4904

Dorothy Perkins, £45 www.dorothy perkins.com

Jane Norman, £50 www.janenorman.co.uk

GETthe GETthe theLOOK

PRIDE PICK

Monsoon, £60 www.monsoon.co.uk

River Island, £49.99 020 8991 4904

Simply Be, £60 www.simplybe.co.uk

M&S, £59 www.marksandspencer.com

Trend: BLAZERS

The most stylish way to easily dress up the simplest of outfits while still looking incredibly chic is by wearing a blazer. Choose from a tuxedo, something with exaggerated shoulders or a boyfriend blazer to really make this trend fashionable. Zoë Saldana, the queen of effortless, shows what a blazer can do for a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

River Island, £49.99 020 8991 4904

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21/1/10 22:08:44

FASHION

CATWALK TRENDS Louise Njamen

Jewel By Lisa

Koketso Chiepe

Aschobi

Gavin Douglas

TREND:

Candy Rain Indulge your sweet tooth with pretty candy colours this spring. Mint green, pale lilac, sherbet lemon and pretty pinks will give your wardrobe a sugar high without being too sickly sweet.

Tiffany Amber

Jewel By Lisa Tiaan Nagel Minka

028 catwalk trends√√.indd 30

22/1/10 12:05:53

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CELEB

STYLE

There is no predicting what singer Shingai Shoniwa will wear next, which makes her fashion choices so refreshing!

Tribal Chic

Shingai hasn’t forgotten her African roots and loves using ethnic references in her outfits. Here she is wearing a David Koma creation with zebraprint shoes. Ferocious!

Sterling Silver

The lead singer of Noisettes looks a vision in this vintage cream dress with metal piping and Terry De Havilland wedges. We adore how this dress is both sophisticated and so daring. Très chic!

FASHION Blue Velvet

This royal-blue velvet-and-silk jumpsuit is very reminiscent of the 80s – from the cone bustier to the harem-style trousers. The singer is a huge fan of colour, which is a delight next to her complexion. Go baby, go baby, go!

Steel Works

Pink Panther

The singer is the heroine of the Afro-punk revolution and maintains her throne wearing a seriously stunning JeanPierre Braganza dress and silver peep-toes.

Shingai is a huge advocate of both vintage and up-andcoming designers and was one of the first celebrities (along with Cheryl Cole and Beyoncé) to wear overnight sensation David Koma. This dress is cool and innovative, and we love the redsatin power-shoulder shrug, too. 33

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21/1/10 22:02:40

Beauty

Celebrity

Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls works a fabulous, fashion-forward look that’s not for the faint-hearted.

Step 1: Base The luminous quality of Melody’s skin is gorgeous thanks to Revlon PhotoReady Foundation (£12.99), which has been tested to guarantee that your skin looks airbrushed under even the harshest light. Cheekbones and forehead are highlighted with Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick Compact (£29.50) to create a brilliant glow and ensure cheeks are contoured.

Step 2: Eyes

The Pussycat Dolls stunner has enviable eyebrows that are perfectly defined. Get this look by first plucking stray hairs with Shavata Slanted Tweezers (£19.50) and then filling and highlighting with Clinique Instant Lift for Brows (£12.50). Complete your eye make-up with Ardell False Lashes (£4.49) to add some allure.

Step 3 : Lips & Nails Most celebrities turned their nose up at the winter dark-lip trend, preferring to play it safe. But not Melody Thornton, who looks amazing wearing a delicious dark-wine lipstick like Revlon Va Va Violet (£7.29). Ensure lips are lined with MAC Lip Pencil in Currants (£10) to prevent the lipstick from moving. To give her pout full impact, Melody has painted her nails a light hue, such as Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Silver (£3.49).

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Ad.indd 1

21/1/10 20:41:31

Beauty

Pride Beauty

Masterclass

Legendary make-up artist Bobbi Brown gives her tips on creating the perfect red pout.

Choosing the right colour

over the entire lip area, making sure to keep the colour within the natural lines of the lips. Continue the application to the other corners of the mouth, remembering always to apply right into the corners on both top and bottom lips. Fill in the bottom lip and any missed areas; and once finished, press your lips together to distribute the colour evenly.

Red lipstick suits black skin when it has a richer plum or berry undertone. A true red can look a little too much against a dark skin tone, and it becomes more about the make-up than the woman. If the skin has a warmer, richer undertone, then a warm burnt red looks fabulous. Alternatively, use a red with berry undertone on skin with cool undertones.

Staying power ) 3

For long-lasting colour, use a lip pencil that matches the lip colour to line and completely fill in the lips. This base will hold lip colour in place once you have layered it on top. Also, a bit of powder or blush patted on top will help keep it on longer

Lipstick ) 2 application

Once you have chosen the colour, apply it using a lip brush or directly out of the tube. Beginning at one corner of the mouth, apply an even layer of colour

.......................

Image by Sleek MakeUp

Pride ’s Must-Haves ..................... Clinique Lip Brush (£10)

Sleek MakeUp True Colour lipstick in Cherry (£3.29)

n tay O ses S (£2.99) s i K 1000 amite mel d Dyn Rim er in Re Liplin

MAC lipstick in Spice It Up (£12.50)

Bobbi Brown Lip Colour in Burnt Red (£15.50)

Rimmel lipstick in Signature Red (£5.49)

Sisley Hydrating Long Lasting Lipstick in L25 (£28.50)

Revlon Matte Lipstick in Wine Not (£7.29)

035 beauty buys√√.indd 37

21/1/10 21:59:44

Hair of the Month

GettheLook Hair by Errol Douglas

Quiffs are absolutely here for 2010. This look was created by teasing the front into a dishevelled quiff. The rest of the hair was slicked back into a high ponytail, and the plait was twisted into a rope. 38

036 hair of monthâ&#x2C6;&#x161;â&#x2C6;&#x161;.indd 38

21/1/10 21:56:44

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HAIR

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BUYS

The best products for your hair.

Shine Limited

With the freezing temperatures and heating on full, your hair will be under immense strain. So swap dull wintry locks for luminous tresses with Revlon Shine Up Shampoo (£8.99; 020 8399 5624) and Shine Mousse Texturizer (£8.99) and boost volume, strength and gloss.

Home Straight

Hair Tool’s Haito mini straightener (£17.50; www.hairtools.co.uk) heats up to 200°C – perfect for travelling and sleeking short hair.

Curlformation

Thought achieving Hollywood curls meant lots of hair-damaging heat? Well, Curlformers (from £8.25; www. curlformers.com) is the latest craze from the US – it’s a bit like a roller but better. They come in a variety of length and widths and are suitable for all hair types. They’ll transform you into a curl diva overnight!

STAR BUY

Striking Oil:

Luxury brand Orofluido (£25; 020 8399 5624) is made from natural exotic oils to restore hair with a luminous shine and lustre.

SILK SHINE

For a fabulous finishing touch on any hairstyle, try Tresemmé Silk Shine Finishing Spray (£4.29; www.boots. com). It’s ultralightweight and non-oily so is ideal for adding a shimmer to fine hair.

Glossy Mane

Make the most of your blow-dried hair with Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate BlowDry Lotion (£13.55; 08000 854 956). It makes your hair silky and luxurious – perfect for Valentine’s night! 41

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22/1/10 18:30:30

CouchTalk To shave or not to shave? That is the question!

n the wake of the humanitarian crisis in Haiti and other pressing concerns, you would think that the fickle world of Celebville would be placed on the backburner. So why did I wake up one morning to find the news abuzz with reports about comedienne Mo’Nique’s hairy legs? Mo’Nique had just won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her convincing portrait of an abusive mother in the motion picture Precious, but it was her “au naturel” legs that received all of the press attention. Accompanied by husband Sidney Hicks, the 42-year-old actress was pictured hitching up her elegant silk dress to reveal full-blown leg fuzz on the red carpet. Her failure to wax for this starstudded bash left the entertainment world mortified, and there were harsh comments on Internet blogs calling Mo’Nique “disgusting” and “nasty”. One site described her legs as “beastly”, another said she had “man legs”. But why should her choice warrant such abuse? So what if she decides not to shave her legs and be a natural woman? Some people were embarrassed at the sight or simply repulsed, but this is not the first time the comedian-turned-actress has shown off her hairy limbs with pride and remained unapologetic for it. During a TV appearance on The View a few years back, Mo’Nique revealed to Barbara Walters why she chooses not to take a razor to her

If Mo’Nique’s man is not complaining about running his fingers through her leg hair, then what’s the big deal?

legs. “I must show America what a real leg looks like, because it’s too much in the morning, every morning, to shave, to cut… you got Band-Aids, baby,” she said. “I really think hair on a woman’s legs is a black woman’s thing.” However, Mo’Nique did admit to shaving her armpit hair to prevent “stink”. You tell them, girl! Why should celebrities conform to the Hollywood aesthetic of beauty? And who makes the decision on how much hair you should have (or not have) in public? Similarly, a few years ago, when actress Julia Roberts lifted up her arm to wave and revealed a tuft of armpit hair, the media were horrified. Surely personal grooming should be a personal preference, and we should be allowed to do whatever makes us feel comfortable. Many middle-aged women love their legs hairy, and in certain parts of the world there are men who find them sexy. And if Mo’Nique’s man is not complaining about running his fingers through her… um, leg hair, then what’s the big deal? It’s a shame that Mo’Nique’s triumphant win at the ceremony was overshadowed by something so superficial. Known for her largerthan-life personality, the actress is all about challenging the Hollywood stereotypes, championing plus-sized women in the industry and encouraging others to embrace their individuality. Surely, that should be more commendable. It is evident that there is still a long way to go before accepting people for simply being who they are. Body hair and all! P

What do you think? Email your thoughts to info@pridemagazine.com 42

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22/1/10 13:12:16

Cover Feature: Toni Braxton

During her five-year chart hiatus, Toni Braxton has been plagued with financial woes and personal turmoil. Here the soul diva reveals to Cynthia Lawrence the heartaches that gave her a new lease on life, so she could resurface stronger than ever. “I love this woman! She is the reason why I’m still doing what I’m doing – I wanted to be her!” We’re sat in the chic lounge of the Atlantic Records offices, and a demure Toni Braxton is flicking through the October issue of Pride, referring to our cover star, comeback diva Whitney Houston. Considering the recent revival of the 90s divas, it is timely that the soulstress is preparing a highly anticipated comeback of her own. Standing at a petite 5ft 2in, the singer is dressed casually in purple. Wearing a fitted roll-neck jumper and leggings, complete with black-suede platforms, she cuts an elegant figure. And despite being in the industry for more than two decades, her youthful beauty has not faded. It’s been a while since we last saw Toni – five years, in fact. The last time I interviewed the singer in 2005 she was excited about breaking free from Arista after 14 years and moving on to Blackground Records with manager Barry Hankerson. However, label disputes ensued and forced her to defect

(again!) to Atlantic. “It definitely wasn’t a smooth transition, but it was time to move on,” she admits in her sultry voice. “That was due to the business relationship I had with the person who managed me at that record label, so I kind of segued into that. But I’m very happy now. I haven’t been this happy since the beginning of my career with LA Reid and Babyface. So this is pretty great.” Toni is no stranger to label disputes and legal dramas. When she was the sweetheart of the 90s R&B hit machine LaFace Records, things could not have been better for the six-time Grammy winner. That was until contract disputes in 1998 led to a well-publicized bankruptcy – something that has somewhat overshadowed her career. “It’s really sad, because pretty much 80% of artists go through bankruptcy. I think my situation was just unfortunate because it was at the height of my career,” she says candidly. “No one talks about the royalty statement that I received. They just say, ‘Oh, she filed for bankruptcy. She spent all her money.’”

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Cover Feature: Toni Braxton

“Things like the bankruptcy, that’s all the press notice. It tends to bother other people more than it bothers me.” 45

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22/1/10 12:46:37

Cover Feature: Toni Braxton

In 2008, she was a contestant on the US reality TV show Dancing With The Stars and did a stint in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hotel until she had to cancel due to ill health. This sparked tabloid rumours of more financial trouble, reports of foreclosure and yet more lawsuits against her. However, she doesn’t entertain or seem remotely fazed by such talk. “I’m not really a tabloid person. A lot of what I read is not true. I don’t really want to be talked about on that level. Things like the bankruptcy, that’s all [the press] notice all the time. It tends to bother other people more than it bothers me. It doesn’t really affect me that way.”

“I was afraid of life and was becoming depressed. And then I said, ‘I’m going to make an album.’”

So, it isn’t true that Toni has extravagant spending habits that have led to her financial trouble? “The most extravagant purchases are my kids’ private school!” she laughs. “For me, my money goes to them. And I have a special-needs child, too, so I haven’t had time to buy anything for myself. Oh, I guess these shoes were $2,000…” She takes off a designer shoe and reveals a perfectly manicured foot. “Way too much, but I had to have them. My treat for the year!”

house, do things, be more active. She pushed me to live to the fullest, and then I said, ‘I’m going to do this. I’m going to make an album.’”

Still, when you are the mother of an autistic son and have to contend with serious health problems, the darker side of fame becomes the least of your worries. The star, now in her early 40s, has been battling with her heart condition – pericarditis – and during the time of her Las Vegas show, Revealed, she was devastated to discover a lump in her breast. “I just felt a little spot, then two months later it was almost double the size. My grandmother had breast cancer, as well as my father’s sister. My uncle died of cancer, too, so the doctors got very cautious and wanted it removed immediately,” she reveals. “Luckily it was benign. It was nothing, just an inflamed breast duct they had removed. I was okay and very fortunate.” Just when things could not get any worse for the diva, Toni suffered a mini heart attack that same year as a complication of her heart condition. “The doctors didn’t understand why, as I was so young. You have this tightness in your chest; it feels like an elephant is sitting on you. It was crazy. I was petrified.” She pauses before jokingly adding, “How ironic? I’m having heart issues, and I sing songs about the heart, which is really weird! But I was becoming afraid of life and depressed. I was going to retire and remember thinking I wasn’t going to do the music anymore. But I met this older lady in cardiac rehab, and she said, ‘What are you doing here? You’re so young.’ She told me you can’t be afraid – that’s the mistake. Get out of the

We recall the last time we spoke, when she talked lovingly of her family and offered me her witty tips on how to maintain a successful marriage. So, it was to my surprise when she revealed her recent separation from her husband of eight years, Keri Lewis. Although she maintains they are still amicable for the sake of their two sons – Denim, 8, and Diezel, 6 – I can sense her sorrow. “We’re still friends, and we get along great. We still remain a family without being together, even though he lives in Vegas now and I’m in Atlanta. I have to be strong and figure out how to coexist. When you go through this, you have to keep yourself busy.” With stories of artists spiralling into depression or turning to addictions, it makes me wonder how Toni has managed to keep sane. But as the eldest of six children to a strict minister father and vocalist mother, the Church and music have always played a prominent part in giving her inner strength. “My family, my strong belief in my spirituality, my kids – all of those keep me strong. Every day is not happy. But it’s okay – that’s life. I have my lemons, I’m going to make lemonade!” she laughs. Despite this further blow to hit the troubled diva who seems to have had her fair share, she is surprisingly upbeat and remains optimistic about the future. And as if she’s reading my concerned expression, Toni suddenly reassures me: “I don’t want people to think that it’s been this crazy story of my life. I’m seizing the moment now. I’m here today. I got my heart beating again – that’s why we’re calling the album Pulse, because I feel rejuvenated!” She’s fearless, strong and determined, so let’s hope the year ahead will look much brighter for this soul survivor. P Pulse is released in April on Arista.

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22/1/10 12:46:37

Cover Feature: Toni Braxton

Toni’s low-down How do you relax and unwind? I guess I like to read a good book, or I like to cook. I try all different things, so I’ll see something on TV and Tivo it and then try it when I get home. I try to be organic when I cook. It helps with my illness and my kids’ health problems.

Describe yourself in three words. I’m a perfectionist and a workaholic, and I’m really silly. I like to laugh. Chris Rock is my favourite, along with Ellen and Comedy Central.

Ideal romantic date? I can’t even think about dating right now, but I will not seduce a man! He’s going to have to work a little bit to get my attention. I want to be wooed.

Name an inspirational book. Barack Obama’s book was the most inspiring book I’ve ever read. The day [Obama was named president] was very emotional for me. Now my kids can do anything in life if they strive for it. My oldest son wants to be a politician; he watches CNN and current-affairs shows.

What is on your iPod? Eartha Kitt, Kelly Clarkson, Jay-Z, Leona Lewis and Barbra Streisand. And Adele – I love her!

What’s a common misconception about you? I think people think I’m more social than I am. I’m never seen at parties; maybe some charity events. I’m not really that chick. I was always a little uncomfortable in my skin, but when I’m singing I’m 100% confident. When it comes to parties, I always feel like I don’t fit in, and I don’t want to have to try to fit in. So I’m kind of boring!

What three items would you take with you to a desert island? My computer, my phone and my piano. 47

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22/1/10 12:46:42

Hooking up with a man that your friends and family deem unsuitable can prove distressing. But against the odds, the following women persevered with their controversial partners, and their relationships have flourished.

M a r r i e d to

E T A I R P O R P P A N MR I

044-045 MrInappropriatedâ&#x2C6;&#x161;â&#x2C6;&#x161;.indd 48

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Denise Fuller, 28, has been dating Des, 51, for three and a half years. THEIR RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN CONDEMNED DUE TO THE FACT THAT DES IS FRIENDS WITH DENISE’S DAD.

I can’t really pinpoint the exact moment I fell for Des. I’ve known him practically all my life because he is a friend of the family. Growing up, I always thought of him as “Dad’s cool friend”, but in no way did I fancy him or ever imagine that we would end up in a relationship together. During my teens and early twenties, I frequently dated guys my age and always ended up broken-hearted. As a consequence, I made up my mind that I would only date older men. I would often bump into Des at family events or out and about on the streets, and as we were both adults at this stage, the more we spoke, the more we realized how much we had in common. We’re both really into music and culture, and when we were together we’d become lost in our own little world. It was then that I started to appreciate how attractive he was. He didn’t seem “old” or “mature”, like my parents. Des was childless, single and a real free spirit – my exact type. I was totally shocked when Des asked me to accompany him to a theatre production. I kept thinking, “Is this a date? Am I reading too much into this?” Of course, I agreed to go with him, and we had a fabulous night. Later that evening we kissed, and my heart nearly collapsed. I was over the moon but also scared at what crossing the relationship threshold would mean in the long run. I couldn’t see my family approving of our relationship, especially my dad. Des must have read my mind, because he also brought up the subject and suggested that maybe we shouldn’t take things any further. But I insisted we should continue to see each other and, depending how things went, tell my family later. Four months later, it became evident that things between us were serious – this was real love. It was awful keeping Des a secret – it felt as if we were doing something dirty when in fact we weren’t. Des was worried that if we told my family, my dad would think of him as a dirty old man. Sadly, his suspicions were right. My dad hit the roof and threatened to knock out Des’s lights. It was an awful time. We became the talk of the family, and Des had to put up with some really awful comments, one

Mr Inappropriate

of which suggested he was a paedophile! But we stuck it out through the storm, and three years later we’re still together. My mum has come round and frequently suggests we come down for dinner. But Des is uncomfortable with the idea, because my dad still refuses to speak to him. I can understand why my father is opposed to the idea, but at the end of the day it’s my life. I only wish I could make him understand how much in love we are and how Des has treated me far better than any other man I’ve dated.

Nadia*, 32, has broken the biggest relationship commandment of them all: THOU SHALL NOT SLEEP WITH A FRIEND’S EX-BOYFRIEND. According to my friends, I’ve committed the worst sin against womankind: I am dating my friend’s ex-boyfriend. Obviously, I had no intention of going out with my mate’s ex; it’s just the way things have worked out. It all started when I spotted Darren* at the gym. He used to date my friend Rebecca* about four years ago, and I hadn’t seen him in a while because the split from Rebecca had been acrimonious. If I’m being totally honest, I’ve always thought Darren was cute, but at the time he was dating my friend, and I can hand on my heart say that I never did or said anything to him that was inappropriate. While at the gym we had a quick catch-up,

“I felt like crap for being attracted to my friend’s man, but you can’t pick and choose who you like.” and he told me that he really felt like he had to redeem himself and explain his side of the story with regards to the split from my friend. He asked for my number, and although I was reluctant at first, I finally gave in. We spent hours on the phone talking not just about Rebecca, but life itself. It struck me how sensitive and sincere he was. I can’t even lie – I was smitten. Of course, I felt like crap for being attracted to my friend’s man, but you can’t pick and choose who you like. I knew from the hints he was dropping that Darren liked me too. We arranged to meet up for dinner and expressed our feelings towards each other. I told Darren I would love to get involved with him but was afraid of what Rebecca would say. He reminded me that they were history,

and he also said that if she was a real friend, she would want me to be happy. Of course, knowing the kind of person Rebecca was, I knew it wasn’t going to be plain sailing. When I told her, she was livid. She admitted that she was not at all interested in Darren, but she was outraged at what she saw as my betrayal. She basically gave me an ultimatum – “him or me” – and I was mortified at the thought of losing my friend. That evening I called Darren and ended things. He told me not to bow down to emotional blackmail, but my mind was made up. As time went on, I began to resent Rebecca for preventing me from pursuing the man that was wrong for her but so right for me. If she no longer had feelings for him, what was the problem? I decided to confront her about the situation and told her that I would no longer pander to her emotions. I started seeing Darren again, and although things were rocky at first (I was ostracized by my friends for a while), things are slowly starting to settle. Darren and I have recently celebrated our first anniversary.

Kelly*, 33, is married to Derek*, and they have a one-year-old son. HER FAMILY WAS GREATLY OPPOSED TO THE MARRIAGE BECAUSE DEREK IS BISEXUAL.

If you were to see me and Derek out and about, you wouldn’t even bat an eyelid. We look like a normal black couple and in many ways we are a normal couple, although my family would say otherwise. This is because my husband is bisexual. It’s an aspect of his being that has pulled the relationship with my family apart. I come from a traditional Christian, West Indian background, and they are greatly opposed to the idea of homosexuality; they don’t even believe that bisexuality exists – you’re either gay or straight. When we got together, I was really hesitant to reveal Derek’s sexuality to anyone other than my friends, who are really open-minded, but Derek was dead against this and said that he wanted my family to accept him for who he was. The revelation caused an uproar. My family called a crisis meeting and forbid me to go ahead with the relationship. They said Derek was just using me and would end up “coming out” in years to come and leave me for a man. I felt this was a risk I would just have to take, and we ended up getting married. We now have a young son together, and I’ve never felt more secure in my relationship. No relationship comes with a guarantee, so if Darren were to leave me for a man – or a woman, for that matter – I’ll just have to deal with it. *Names have been changed 49

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Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey’s toughtalking lessons in love

teve Harvey has emerged as an unlikely relationship guru. The actor/comedian recently wrote a self-help book entitled Act Like A Lady, Think Like a Man, which has earned him best-selling status in the New York Times, as well as guest spots in the armchairs of American daytime talkshow queens like Oprah and Tyra. Steve’s “tell it like it is” advice has provided women across the globe with pertinent information on how to get into the mindset of those most complex of creatures: men. So what led Steve to cross the threshold from acting into relationship matters? “Because I had so many women on my radio show calling in about all these problems they were having,” he says animatedly. So we cornered Steve to ask him to answer the love dilemmas that have been keeping you, our readers, awake at night. Here is what he had to say.

Dear Steve

I’ve been with my boyfriend since I was 19. I’m 31 now, and I’ve yet to receive a ring or any real committed action from him that suggests we’ll be walking down the aisle soon. At first I wasn’t too bothered – we are in a loving relationship, and I didn’t feel we needed a piece a paper to demonstrate our feelings for one another. But it was the niggling comments from friends and family that made me reconsider. Now it would mean the world to me if he proposed and we could get married. How do I broach the subject? My boyfriend is notoriously laid-back, and I fear I could be waiting forever. Janet, north London

Steve says

The ridiculous notion that women try to tell themselves is, “I don’t need a piece of paper to validate my relationship.” Yes, you do! You validate it by law, and you validate it in the guy’s eyes – stop trying to act like marriage is not important to you when you know it is. The only reason a guy won’t propose to you is because you have not required that he gives you a date. Men only respond to requirements. Every woman that I know has dreamed of her wedding day since she was a child. I tell you how important a wedding is to a woman. Women have bridal shops, bridal magazines, wedding planners. Men only have a tuxedo shop. And when we’re done wearing the tuxedo, we take it back. What man dreams of his wedding day? A man only dreams of the woman of his dreams. Tell him, “If you’re gonna keep milking the cow, you’re gonna have to buy the cow.”

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Steve Harvey

Dear Steve

My man and I have been seeing each other for just over a year now, and we live in a rented apartment together. Although I love him to pieces, he is terrible with money. He hasn’t got a clue when it comes to budgeting, which means I end up footing the bill for a lot of things, including our monthly expenses and nights out together. I’ve tried speaking to him about his careless spending, and he promises to get it together, but so far he hasn’t. I’m not really a materialistic person, but I do worry what long-term impact his spending habits will have on our future. Please advise on what you think I should do. Karen, via email

Steve SayS

First of all, you could’ve learned all of this before you moved in with the guy. That’s why in my book I tell women to take their time when they meet a man and to learn to ask the right questions. You could’ve found out the guy was terrible with money before you moved in and shared an apartment with him. Now you’ve invested your time and you’ve got these emotions tied up. The only thing you can do is try to work out a budget. This is the number-one thing I tell couples. You should have four bank accounts. One for your collective bills, two individual accounts for your personal spending, and another one for savings. I learned this from a very old guy. I’ve done it and it’s worked miracles for me. And I’ve turned a lot of people on to it, and they say they love it too.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, by Steve Harvey, Amistad Books, £10.99 (paperback)

Dear Steve Dear Steve

I’ve been friends with my mate Paul for about 15 years ago now. We are both single, and up until a few months ago, our relationship was purely platonic. Then, one night, we had sex together, and our relationship hasn’t been the same since. We’ve been intimate a few times after that, and now it seems whenever we hook up it’s all about sex. I’m playing along with the arrangement like everything is alright, but deep down I’m hurt that Paul could treat me like nothing more than a booty call. I’m frightened to confront him through fear of losing him as a friend. Genevieve, via email

Steve SayS

Paul isn’t treating you like anything that you’re not allowing him to. He is treating you like a booty call because you have decided you’re gonna have sex and act like there’s nothing to it. If sex is important to you, you have to say it’s important. If you don’t want to be treated like a booty call, don’t allow it to be just about sex when you get together. I don’t care how long you’ve known him; you’ve allowed it to become sexual. But now that it has become sexual, you want more. You are trying to play a game you’re not equipped to play. Men can play this game; we’re built for it. Women don’t have that ability.

A few months ago, I met a wonderful man by the name of Migel. Unfortunately, both Migel and I are married, and little did we know that when we met, it would turn into a beautiful love story. Don’t get me wrong: I am a mature woman, not a teenager. Love is something that built up gradually until it became the kind of love where we found ourselves wanting to be together. But how many lives would we destroy if we took this step? Anastasia

Steve SayS

To be honest, if both of you are married, then you have a major problem. Because two laws are being broken right here. There is a civil law, and then there’s a moral law that’s being broken. If both of you are so in love with each other and you’re so perfect for each other, the only thing you can do is dissolve your current marriages. But then you have the dilemma of how many lives will be destroyed. I’m pretty sure this thought could’ve come up long before you got to the “we both love each other” part. But you both threw caution to the wind, so the decent thing to do is to go your partners and say this isn’t working. 51

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Kof theng dancefloor

Following his controversial defeat on Strictly Come Dancing, actor Ricky Whittle talks to Cynthia Lawrence about life after Strictly and why he wants to swap Hollyoaks for Hollywood.

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Ricky Whittle

ou don’t have to be an avid fan of Strictly Come Dancing to have heard of Ricky Whittle. The Hollyoaks heartthrob paso-dobled his way onto our screens, impressing the judges week after week with his fancy footwork. From the start, Whittle was the clear favourite to win the show. But, alas, he was robbed of the coveted prize by BBC Breakfast News sport presenter Chris Hollins, fuelling speculation of a voting fix. Now that the dust has settled, we catch up with Ricky during his lunch break from filming Hollyoaks. “I’m not going to lie, I was gutted,” he chuckles. “You don’t join a competition to come second. I was the only one who was honest about it. Everyone always says, ‘I’m loving the journey’ or ‘I just want to have a good time’. Rubbish! Everyone wanted to win, but they just didn’t say it on screen. I’ve always said I wanted to win.” Ricky’s triumphant journey on Strictly wasn’t an easy one. His sizzling performances with dance partner Natalie Lowe left little to the imagination, sparking off rumours of an affair. Then came reports of his arrest on suspicion of assault after he allegedly struck a photographer with his car. He has recently appeared in court to deny all charges of dangerous driving. So how tough was that on Ricky? “They (the press) ruined a lot and soured the occasion for me. It affects you because you think you can control it but realize they will write whatever they want. You can’t change that, and then it did become a problem. It’s out of order because other people are getting hurt.” So there wasn’t any romance at all? “We hit it off straight away. Natalie is a great girl and a great teacher. She was being professional,” he says sincerely. “If you didn’t get on, it would be very awkward because you spend more time with each other than anyone else in your life. I was just out of a long-term relationship and still head over heels with that girl. So nothing was going to happen!” Still, who could blame the ladies for getting a little hot under the collar for Ricky’s sixpack and bulging biceps? I wonder if there is any special lady in his life. “I’m single at the moment, and I’m not looking for anyone. To be honest, I’m still head over heels with my ex, and I want to concentrate on my career.” Ricky oozes confidence and charisma now, but he wasn’t always self-assured growing up. The son of a black former RAF serviceman and a

“You don’t join a competition to come second. I was the only one who was honest about it.” white mother, Whittle grew up travelling with his family around the world. When they settled in the predominantly white area of Berkshire, he became the target of racist bullies. “As a kid I stood out because of the colour of my skin. On my first day of school I came home crying because the kids were calling me horrible names,” he recalls. “My mum sat me down and told me, ‘Don’t worry, you should be happy that you’re this colour. When you get older, you’ll realize that your differences are what makes you.’” Rather than playing the victim, Ricky beat the bullies by excelling in sports and becoming the popular kid. “That’s when everything changed. I was the school sports star! That’s what made me harder and more outgoing. My dad raised me to always be the best that I could be. If it wasn’t for my dad being strict I wouldn’t be here today.” It was while he was studying Law at university that

Ricky got scouted to do modelling, which led to his first acting role. After a successful audition for the lead character in Sky One’s Dream Team, Ricky left uni to pursue an acting career. Life after Strictly has treated the 29-yearold actor well, and as he prepares to leave Hollyoaks this year, his sights are set on the bright lights of Hollywood. Like many British actors wanting to chase the American dream, Ricky is well aware of the competition. “That’s always been my ambition. I want to go to LA, live in the sun and make action films or romcoms. I’d rather go there and fail and know that at least I’d tried to chase my dream, than sit back here and wonder what if?” We’re sure this won’t be the last we’ve seen of the heart-throb. And if all else fails, Ricky still has his dancing shoes to fall back on. P 53

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Relationship quiz

Do you expect too much from your man? Do you expect a fairytale romance or believe that Prince Charming only exists in the movies? Take Pride ’s fun quiz to find out how realistic your expectations are.

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Relationship quiz Before you even decide to accept his date, what is the first criterion that he would need to meet? 1) He needs to be well educated and successful. The more degrees or PhDs he has, the better, and this guarantees that he will be raking in a certain salary. After all, you wouldn’t want to be earning more than him! He is still the man, and he needs to be able to provide for you and your future children. 2) You need a constant spark, so he needs to be physically attractive and take good care of his body. Never mind the fact that he is a free spirit or lacks your drive and ambition. As long as he earns money and looks the part, that makes up for all of that. 3) Okay, so he may be shorter than your

type and not exactly the sex god of your fantasies, but he has a great personality, and you get on like a house on fire. You give him a chance hoping that you could grow to see past his looks. You have been dating for a few weeks now, and things are going well. He had to leave for a business trip for a week, promising to call on his return, but two weeks later you still haven’t heard from him. What do you do? 1) Think to yourself, “What a loser,” before deleting his number from your phone. How dare he treat you like his other conquests! 2) Give him another week before putting yourself back on the dating market. You haven’t got energy for time-wasters and need to keep your options open. 3) Give him the benefit of the doubt and call him. Maybe (for his sake!) there is a reasonable explanation.

Mostly As: Need a reality check Stop living in a fairytale world with you as the star. Blame it on the movies or romance novels, but seeking perfection in a relationship is asking for trouble. Unrealistic expectations are connected to issues of manipulation and control. Your unrealistic demands could cause conflict and drive him away. Learn how to communicate well – and most importantly, listen to his needs, too.

Valentine’s weekend is fast approaching, and you and the girls have been discussing what you want to do with your fellas. Do you… 1) Tell him you are expecting a romantic, fivestar weekend, as you love surprises? After all, you deserve to be spoiled like the queen that you are! 2) Suggest that he be “creative” and surprise you? You hope that it is a good one because it should reflect how much attention he really pays to your hints! 3) Plan what to do together and swap ideas, as it’s more fun that way?

Your man tells you he is considering quitting his job to pursue his dream business idea. What is your first reaction? 1) You’re mortified that he wants to quit his well-paid job to pursue a pipe dream that will generate little cash. How will you fund your lavish lifestyle? If he thinks he is going to freeload off your wages, he has another thing coming! 2) You support him but give him a deadline by which time he has to find employment, regardless of how he feels! Does he not realize there’s a recession on? 3) You encourage him to pursue his ambitions but help him weigh up the pros and cons. After all, he is always there when you’re having a career crisis.

What are your expectations from your life partner?

1) He should be your greatest fan! His world has to revolve around you and your ambitions. He just has to accept you as you are, as you’re not going to change for any man!

Mostly Bs: Borderline irrational You are on the verge of harbouring unrealistic expectations. Realize that your expectations will change and evolve over time, but as long as you keep things balanced, then the relationship will grow. It is important to value and accept our partners for who they are without expending our energy trying to change them to fit an unrealistic image of what we believe we need and they can provide.

2) His dreams and desires have to match with yours over time, or else he will have to change his ways. 3) You should have common goals as well as aspirations of your own that you can support each other with. Your best friend recently got engaged, but you have been in your relationship longer. Why are you not getting married?! Do you… 1) Give your man an ultimatum about “putting a ring on it” Beyoncé style, before reminding him about your ticking biological clock? You give him a year to “fix up” or else! 2) Conveniently stop in front of a glittering jeweller’s window, pointing out your favourite sparklers, whenever you’re out shopping together? Never mind the price tag, he has a year to save! 3) Have a discussion about marriage and your angst and find out how he feels about the idea? It’s not all about you and your fairytale dream, you know.

During a massive argument, your man tells you he wants to be left alone and gives you the silent treatment. What do you do? 1) Ignore his wishes and continue to rant on about the problem. You continue to stand your ground until you get a decent response from him – usually the grovelling apology that you deserve! 2) Decide to call one of your girlfriends to moan (rather loudly) about your “inconsiderate” man in the hope that he will hear and take note. 3) Give him the space he has asked for, and when he’s ready, you can talk sensibly. You will only make matters worse otherwise.

Mostly Cs: Level-headed,

well done!

You have the ability to weigh things up before jumping to conclusions or making judgments. Having realistic expectations for others involves realizing that all of us are far from perfect. So, instead of looking to others to meet our needs, you must take responsibility for your own life.

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Real Life Sharon, 37, thought she had the perfect relationship with her first love. But after 16 years, she was shocked to find he was living another life with someone else.

My man was leading A DOUBLE LIFE

first met Darius when I was 21. He walked into the shop where I was working at the time, and I was instantly attracted to him. He was tall and handsome and had a great body! The next time he came in, he asked to meet me and took me out to lunch; we hit it off right away. He was at university in the States and played professional American football. As he was due to fly back in the next couple of weeks, we spent every day together. One thing led to another, and soon we embarked on a long-distance relationship, with him flying back and forth every four months. It was quite easy to maintain the relationship because we would write letters to each other all the time. It was very romantic!

When he completed his studies, Darius returned to London. After two years together, things had got serious between us. He started playing for a football team, which meant he was often on the road, so I saw him about three times a week. Being the romantic type, he would often tell me he couldn’t make it but then would surprise me with a nice home-made meal when I came home from work.

I didn’t mind not seeing him all the time, as I was very independent. I had a successful career and had bought my own house. He had a key to the house and came and went as he pleased. But there was never a point in our relationship when he was ready to move in. My friends kept telling me, “You two should be married or having kids by now.” I’d always respond that I wasn’t ready, but at times it would bother me that he wasn’t 100% committed, and Darius and I would often argue. I hated conflict and didn’t like upsetting him, so I felt it was easier just to let things be. It was my first proper relationship, so I didn’t have any experience of how relationships should be. To be honest, I was genuinely happy in our relationship. I trusted him and wasn’t one of those women who checked up on their men. I was very laid back throughout our relationship and just assumed that he was as into me as I was into him. That was until that one Christmas when my world crashed around me. It was during my work Christmas party that I was a little drunk and decided to call Darius. A woman

answered, and when I asked who she was, she said, “His girlfriend.” I was still tipsy from the alcohol, so it didn’t register at first. I asked her to put him on the phone, and she hung up. I couldn’t comprehend what had happened. I got home to find that Darius had left a message on my answer machine to say how much he loved me and that he couldn’t wait to see me. I automatically deleted it. His “girlfriend” had also left a message on my answer machine, asking me to call her. When I made that call, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I discovered that he was living with her in the house they had bought together. She told me that she had been with him for years, and when I did the maths, it could have been three years into our relationship. What was even more shocking was that they had a three-year-old child together. To add insult to injury, Darius had told her that he only saw me once every couple of months and that it was not serious. When I confirmed that we had a 16-year relationship, she too was mortified. As far as I knew, he flat-shared with his friends, and

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Real Life

I’d met them all. In fact, I’d spent time at all of the places he lived in.

“A woman answered, and when I asked who she was, she said, ‘His girlfriend.’”

The next day, I went into work in a daze. I phoned Darius, and all I asked was, “Is it true?” He simply said, “Yes,” and I told him to meet me after work. When I saw him I felt physically sick looking at him. I didn’t cry; I was just numb from the shock of it all. He looked pitiful saying how sorry he was as he tried to explain that he didn’t know how to get out of our relationship because he didn’t want to hurt me. He loved me, and it had just got out of hand. I asked for my keys back and told him to remove his belongings out of my house. Then I walked away. I was devastated. I was off work for two days, as I wasn’t in a fit emotional state. I cried for the 16 years of my life that were wasted, sacrificing my chances of marriage and children. I went through the whole house to find everything he’d ever bought me – jewellery, pictures, even chocolates – and threw them in the bag

along with his clothes. There was nothing in that house left to remind me of him. When he came for them, he started taking everything out, still telling me that he was sincerely sorry for what he had done to me. He really believed that I would simply run back to him, but I told him, “It’s over. The only good grace out of this relationship is that I never had any children with you, so I’ll never have to see you again.” I knew that hurt him, but I didn’t really care. As far as I was concerned, he was just dead to me. I couldn’t cry for him, as I didn’t want to play the victim anymore. I sent a text to my friends to let them know what had happened and spoke to my mum and sisters. When I told them, they all admitted they had never liked him, and my mum said that she was happy. She was glad

that he was gone, as he was never any good for me. I guess I was blind to anything else. Darius was such a charmer and had an alibi for everything. I would never have thought in my wildest dreams that he would have been capable of living a double life.

In a way, I’m glad this happened, as this was the only way I could have got him out of my life. It’s been a year now, and I have carried on single and happy. It will be hard for me to trust another man 100%, and I’ll make sure I know everything about him. I feel that most people at my age would have been married and had 2.4 children by now, but I’m starting all over again. Still, I don’t want to rush into something just for the sake of it. I just want to meet the right person when it happens, and I look forward to that day.

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Vox Pops

Black, Female &

Perpetually Single? A few issues ago we printed a statistic that had our sub editors clamouring for verification. According to national statistics compiled by the government on ethnic differences in women’s demographics, as many as 46% of black women are allegedly single, compared to 18% of white females. For years, black women have been portrayed as undesirable, long-suffering mules of the world, who are most likely to be abandoned by their men. This stereotype is unlikely to resonate among you and your peers, who no doubt are ambitious, vibrant, successful women. However, there do seem to be droves of successful women who are at a loss as to why they just can’t find a good man. Why else would this sentiment be captured through films like Waiting to Exhale, featuring black female protagonists who have it all with the exception of that one missing ingredient: the love of a black man. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the subject of love will no doubt appear. So, we took to the streets to ask our question of the month.

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Vox Pops

CHERIECE TRACY

I don’t think it’s down to race; I think it’s down to the person and how you handle certain situations. People might say it’s because white women put up with nonsense or whate ver, but I think it’s just how you deal wit h certain things that may come up in the relationship and whether you work through it or you don’t. If there’s som ething that we won’t do, maybe anothe r race will put up with it and try to wo rk through it, whereas we see ourselv es as strong and won’t put up with that.

D WILLIAMS I just thin

k that a lot of black guys don’t really take the ir relationships very serious ly, because there’s a lot of women out there who will throw themselves at me n, so they think, “What’s the point of making it work if I can get another girl anyway?” I also think that a lot of wh ite men really do appreciate their women, and, compared to black guys, they put a lot of effort into making it wo rk.

LEONIE O’CONNOR

n I don’t think black wome be to ly like re mo are single, as most of my s, friends are in relationship . term g lon m the some of But I do think that black women are less likely to get married than our white counterparts. I also think that we are becoming more re independent and therefo be to d nee don’t feel the ify in a relationship to just es. ourselv

DEANDRA CODRINGTON

CHAMBERS NATHAN 100 wa % true statement. I kno

I don’t think it’s a h o are in relationships, wit lot of black women wh al tur cul a it’s ybe think ma a black or white guy. I way we’re brought up; thing. Sometimes it’s the marry as regularly as ’t don some Caribbeans le, m fro history, for examp other cultures. I think tionship, we [men] rela bad a had r the mo if your black women are very all get tarnished. Also, ded, and sometimes min ngopinionated and stro of peace. bit a a black man just wants

Are black WOMEN more likely to be SINGLE than any other racial group?

AFFY UFFORT

That’s quite a difference [in the statistics]. It possibly could be true. I just think sometimes, being a black female, we tend to have a low tolerance level. We put up with less; we don’t put up with foolishness.

Maybe it’s because a lot of black women are more picky. Some of my white friends say that they feel better when they have a boyfriend, whereas wit h my black friends it doesn’t really matter if the y have a boyfriend or not. It’s beneficial but not a necessity. Also, I think it’s more like a pride thing – we don’t want to settle for less. We’d rather have someone who we want or no one at all. The standards are hig her for us. 59

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Black Jews

The black j urney t Judaism

In recent years, a growing number of people have been exploring and changing their religion. Cynthia Lawrence asks why many blacks are converting to Judaism.

lyssa Stanton made history last year by becoming the first African-American female to be ordained as a rabbi. Not only did this appointment raise a few surprised eyebrows, but it also highlighted the growing number of blacks converting to Judaism. According to reports, the number of AfricanAmerican Jews has risen to an estimated 150,000. Europe has relatively few in comparison: the Fraternité Judeo-Noire (French Black Jews) in Paris has approximately 250 members, and there is a small but significant black-Jewish community in the UK. So, what are the reasons leading so many blacks to convert to Judaism? One of the reasons is that many are becoming dissatisfied with their religion, choosing to explore alternative faiths that they can relate to as a way of life. Since Judaism is considered one of the world’s oldest religions (it existed long before Christianity), many believe they are going back to their biblical roots. Another possible reason for those wanting to convert is the strong community ties and values. The Jewish community is renowned for helping one another morally and financially, and embracing daily values and traditions.

We have a typical perception of what being Jewish means (wealth, Bar Mitzvahs, skullcaps), but maybe not everybody knows that the Jewish people have a long history in Africa dating to the biblical era. The black Hebrew Israelites are a well-known group of black Jews who consider themselves the true descendants of the Israelites of the Torah. They do not consider Semitic Jews to be true Jews, and, conversely, Semitic Jews do not consider them to be true Jews. They argue that black Jews have not converted properly since they do not have a Jewish bloodline. Traditionally, a child could not be raised as a Jew unless their mother was Jewish, but some denominations now accept the child of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother. Such conflicting ideals have raised a debate about diversity within the faith, and blacks are often seen as a minority within a minority.

Above and overleaf: Jewish African-American children singing in the synagogue choir. (Photo by Leonard Mccombe//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images) Below: Alyssa Stanton

Anybody can convert to Judaism, but they must discuss and study the Jewish beliefs, practices and history alongside a rabbi, as well as get involved with Jewish community life. They will need to attend services at a synagogue, join in home practices with members of their local Jewish community, and become a part of the

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Black Jews

Below: Yvonne Smith

local Jewish life. At the end of this period, which usually lasts a year, the would-be convert appears before the Beth Din and takes part in the Mikveh bath. Most rabbis will ensure that the would-be convert is genuinely dedicated. But what does it mean to be Jewish and to follow age-old traditions for a non-Jewish descendant? Administrator Yvonne Smith, 60, explains why she converted to Judaism and the impact it has had on her life.

The journey to Judaism: Yvonne’s story Prior to my conversion to Judaism, I was a Seventh Day Adventist Christian. Growing up back home in Jamaica, church was the way of

life. I was raised by my grandparents, who were God-fearing people, and going to church was a weekly practice. After I came to Britain and got married, I began taking an interest in the Torah (Old Testament). My husband and I used to have home Bible studies, and some of the studies were based on the Jews, their relationship with God, their lifestyle and the covenant that God made with them. Judaism keeps the Laws of the Torah that God gave to Moses and Moses then gave to the Jews. After studying the Torah, I discovered that the teachings are alive and well today, such as the teachings about diet and cleanliness. The Torah wasn’t a myth or an old story book, and I did not see Christ nailed to the cross as the Christians preached. So I started to ask questions, like why are we not celebrating Pesach (Passover, a Jewish festival traditionally lasting 61

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Black Jews

title

eight days and celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt) instead of Easter? And why not Shavuot (Jewish holy day observed on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan to celebrate Moses receiving the Ten standfirst Commandments) instead of Pentecost? Nowhere in the Scriptures are we instructed to remember Easter, which is a memorial of Christ’s crucifixion. So, I came to the conclusion that the puzzle pieces were not sitting comfortably where they were placed, and that it was time to do something about my spiritual journey. dgsdgsdgTum quis eu facinisl alis nullam, quisit wis delenim ulputpat. A memberUt ofpratum my Bible ip group enim was a pastor vercilisit whovel in hendre dolor exerci had begun esequis going molesequi to the synagogue. tie I just in erat built praessit up nulput vulla minismo the courage dolorem to ask dolor if I could adiamco go with faccumm him one odignim vullum zzrillan rperatue velit Sabbath. Thatnibh was how ex eamy journey began. volorerAfter inim nostie conum dolor faccumm years of attending olenibh erat the synagogue, velit lore I wanted summytononsequi ent wismolor ea facil eum convert to Judaism, niat. Duibut ea Ifeugait did not have adthe exeril ea autpat. nullum ea courage to faciliquatio do so. I wascor filled sisi.with doubts An velit andvenisim dolum quisim Nibh euip afraid thatelis I would nostonot dunt be lore welcomed tat vent by the velJews ut dolore dio dolor sum esequat in because I’dut heard delisit soute many tisi.negative stories. aut iureet eum zzrilit, consecte Ure venisim Finally, one day zzritI adiam approached the rabbi conulla and let commodignis alit praesed ipsumsan her know my volore desire facidunt to convert. ut te mod modolese tat do conullaor aliquisi. adiat. Ommy nonsectet ip exer Cum incip While it usually euipittakes loborone in ex year, my conversion suscilit nostinci tat. eugaittwo took landre years, dolessequam, during whichvel I studied Urerat aboutdo doloreet, sustrud exeratumsan Judaism. Theullut studies landreet entailed vellearning mincidunt about thevelis dolore endre incin volor Jewish life cycle ad tatand lorethe magniam, Hebrew language, feummodolore conse mod sustrudplays which dolorerat. an important Ut lam,part quam in the modigna worship. commodiam adigna in eu On completion faccum ipit ofnonse the course, faciduisis the rabbi commy took me nis nulput illupta dolumsandre before a mini tem counsel iurerofaugue three rabbis tetuerilit to discusslore tinim aut il eu ea feugait what I hadnon learned hent and inimhow volenit my family feuipit was wis amet lan henim zzril autpat. Andre accepting my change. tat. After the theory, iustio I didodthe dunt utcongregation, laoreet ad doI’d avoid them, afraid of being Rillutpat part, practical utpatwhich ulla am, involved senim a Mikveh, commodo or ritual luptatquestioned. exercil iquamet Some criticized me. A girlfriend endipIenibh bath. went endit to a sanctuary nulla feuissi where there iustrud was adoloreetonce lum called velessi.me and chastized me on the tio odofexercin pool water (rain cipisitwater la consequis and tap water) Venit and prat a eu faccumsandre phone: “Yvonne, del how you can turn your back ametueI went rabbi. dipsummy into the nostinci bath naked tatue with utetum specialiusto odon dolorercidui Jesus Christ – after all, he died for you.” I dolor sumsandignit prayers, and, once the iliquam, ritual was sit completed, el do consequisl I just ullakept autatmy mouth shut and said nothing. I landre was allowed dipit lore private vulput timeluptat to pray. praestrud tis adhad dit velit nothing lorero to say in my defence, but in my delisi bla faccum volore ming et odipit utetum essit soulvel I felt etueraese I had madefeuipit the right il diam, decision. vullum Oneessenim adip essi.up to the Sabbath I went to the Leading etum vel del utecongregant dunt alit asked me,aliquat “Have ionullum you not got quisi. Exerilit alisissed synagogue with adiam few friends veliquisand relatives. iriustrud I was modignibh enough et velenim trouble beingGiam black,irit now niam youzzriuscin want to velent diat aliquipit invited to stand ipitbefore ex essecte the open Ark and inciltake euipmy elesedbe tat. a Jew?” Ut aci In other words: “Double trouble, esectet, vows and vullummy become anum Jew ea publicly. am do After blataking facillam mydo eu youfeuis are nosto crazy!” One person was visibly elit praese vows, the Jewish ming ea blessing feui blamet, was pronounced consequisl uponipsummod shocked minit and ip asked, “Did they not throw you consed me. I can delendio recall standing duissectem in front adio of the erat, bimah veliquatem (a out?” delit Some prat. Iquat. will stand on the fence and odolummy raised platform nonullandiam in the synagogue velit where Erothe od digna ampretend alit lummy they have not seen you, while others ad tetue Torah is tie kept) molor withiusciduis tears in my ad eyes. nulput At that nulputa tissit will welcome prat. Ut you, lor like one Christian brother magnim zzriusto moment, I felt humbled. dolor sequip ero irit, quat lore tiswho amcoreet, encouraged vulla me to learn as much as I ent velenit acidunt nit ex eniat autat, sent irit ad can. tet nulputpat. ex ea feugait Whenever I tell dolupta people tinibh I am esto a Jew, I usually Duipit vulput get a lan ea feu feuguer consedreaction. mixed dolorem Sometimes atem er autInim get the odd ing ero lookodignim as Iverat, practise vullaoreet, Judaism daily, by saying my nonulla if to say,con “Areulput you lorperostrud mad?” or “Are youveliquat joking?”dolent ex prayers exerosto from the siddur (Jewish prayer moloreI exer When usedsim to see volorper someone sentfrom et mycommy previous nulla faccums book). andigna I watch what I eat, and we avoid

“One congregant asked, ‘Have you not got enough trouble being black, quoteeyou now want to be a Jew?’”

niatum aliquis sectem vullamet, quam dipit nostrud magna augait nostis at adignis doluptat. Ibh el

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Black Jews

FACTS:

Judaism vs Christianity While there are similarities between the two faiths, here we highlight some of the key differences between Judaism and Christianity. JUDAISM

JUDAISM

Founded in c.1300 BC.

Believes that all humans are born pure and innocent. The Jewish view is that humans are not born naturally good or bad. They have both a good and a bad inclination in them, but they have the free moral will to choose the good. This free moral will can be more powerful than the evil inclination.

CHRISTIANITY Founded in c.30 AD.

JUDAISM The Jews reject the New Testament and read only the Old Testament. The Messiah will be a normal man who must fulfil all the Jewish messianic prophecies in one normal, mortal lifetime. Judaism often acknowledges Jesus as a good teacher and perhaps a prophet of God but does not believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

CHRISTIANITY Believes that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and will completely fulfil the prophecies when he returns, as written in the New Testament.

JUDAISM Believes that no human

ullum Dui blafor augiam diam, canerat. ever die the sins quiof blam ero dignibh ea conum others. quis nit praesent volore modiam irit CHRISTIANITY laorper aessis adiamet ute mincipit lan euisci vel Believes that blamet Jesus died doluptat numsan veliquisl for the sins of mankind. utpat lum dolesto odo dolore coreriurem niam in hent luptat. JUDAISM Duisi bla consed wisi.would Believes thattat God Metnever am dunt adip er si blamet enable a virgin birth. am quam esequipit am, quat. Onulputet luptate velis adiamet CHRISTIANITY iustrud do odolor ing Believes thatadignit Mary gave eum quamconse magna alit, secte birth through a virgin tie dolore doloboreet, sequat. To conception. consed tionse et lor sequat.

CHRISTIANITY Believes that all humans are born with an “original sin” as derived from the Garden of Eden. For Christians, there are no other forms of salvation other than through Jesus.

JUDAISM Believes that there is no devil; the Jewish “Satan” is just an ordinary angel under God’s control. Ortinim amconsequat CHRISTIANITY lamcortismod feugait luptat Has alwaysea described adSatan te modasmolorpercil enisi. a devil and a Guer autpat.angel. Ut do od ercillandit “fallen” iureet iniam do dolenia mconse tionsed ea cortio dit eugait JUDAISM alis alit aut praesto dio coreet Believes that every inisim in henim enis augiamc human should speak onsequi scinis nit ipsustrud te directly to God. volortiniam, susciliqui tion utat. Dui blan elisi. CHRISTIANITY Quamcon sequipsum duissays eugait The New Testament accumsa ndignim quisit ad that Jesus Christ claimed tatthat autethe feugiat wisway nonto verat only God lummolore feum nulputem is via him. nonsequat wismoluptat. Ut alis

unclean meat, as is laid out in the Jewish community. I Exodus 14. I take note of how share what I learn with the I carry myself on the street, family, and we do share many and I try my best to practice aspects of our faiths. Judaism tzedakah (charity, or has made me a more whole ensuring that the needs of person, and I have learned others are met). What is laid how to be bold. Judaism down in the Torah results in encourages me to seek out a good community. Once you the truth about who God is get involved,delenisse you work and praestio and has with dolessequam odioconnected ex euisimme adigna worship as a tionum group and the lifestyle ofelit old ut and laws tatum zzriure non faccum quis nibh alisl become an integral that at are still valid. utat. Ut velit nos duntpart of irilissis utet

quotee

praestrud ming el ea am aci eugait augait praesto commy nos ea facinis eu facinim nostrud modolorer ip er iliquate te esse tie dolorem iure vel iriurem vulla feui endre vel delit, sum veleniam quis nullam quam diam, sectem qui blam ad tis ero dolore tat augait, quam, si. Iriustie do eratincin henim zzrit augiam dolut utat velesto er ipis nibh enisim quamet wismolorem quam, vel dolore dionse tis dolorer cincidunt am dipsusto dio odio erosting essit enim doloborpero odipit incipis nonsequatis nis dit lor summodo dolor iliquis autpat augiamet loreet, consenibh euipis nulla feum aciliquatuer sit, voloreet ing endionu lluptat la con vel dolorer suscips ustrud erostie tat acidunt do er alisit vent iriureCELEBRITY tatum velendreet, BLACK JEW volorpe rostrud te enis dolorem dolobore exerostrud The world’smagna most famous black convert Judaism etremains faccumm to odolorpero lamet Sammy Davis Jr. Whileiustinim recovering ad ex ercipsum vel from an automobile Davis was able to engage in long essis acip accident, ex esed dolesequipit conversations with vel ulla conulla faccumsan ute a rabbi at the hospital. He foundtueraestrud many parallels between the challenges feugait nulputa faced Jews liquat and black Americans, both dolor autpat autebyeriusci and contemporarily. This deep ad magnahistorically feugiam commodiam reflection Davis to convert to Judaism. alismod ignibh er se led ea conse He also worked nulla his conversion into his act, magna adiat, quamcommy where heverit, joked consequamet, core velthat et uthe was entertainment’s one-eyed dolor in utonly luptatu eraese Jewish tinim black man. incipiscipis nim numsandreet

Sammy Davis Jr

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Guest Columnist Beverley Knight Being a recording artist is tough enough. But when you also launch two high-profile businesses, surely you’re asking for trouble? Beverley Knight took time out to write about being a female boss in the masculine music industry.

t was certainly a busy year for me last year. I made the decision to start a make-up line as well as a record company, and it’s been knackering juggling all these things. But when you are driven to do your best, as I am, you will do everything you can to put the hours in to make it all work. The cosmetics line is going really well. I set out to create a make-up line that would really work for me, my sister, mum, nieces and friends. All of us are black women with varying complexions, and all of us have complained about not having enough makeup choices. You know the saying: “If you want something doing well, do it yourself.” I was involved with every aspect – from picking shades and colours, to marketing and PR. At retail level the response has been great. I’ve also got the thumbs-up from singers and celebs too – thank you, Shingai Shinowa and Mel B. Many people ask why I chose to set up my own business instead of signing with another major label. Well, simply put, the more successful you become, the more people will pull you in ways you don’t want to go. I felt that was happening to me towards the end of my time at Parlophone. I was signed to that record label for 11 years and signed to another label for three years before that, so I knew enough about the music industry and

how it works. Taking on board all the changes within the industry, the time was right. Even if I sell way less than before, I’ll still make more money because every bit of revenue that I make is my own.

which effectively is a loan. Leona has sold a lot of records, but having seen the tour dates and other things, I know the amount of money they would’ve outlaid to show the world that this has been a success is a lot more than what is being made over the counter. With these shows, you get rich in recognition, but are you actually wealthy? It’s debatable.

“If ever there were a bunch of candidates ripe for being taken advantage of, it’s the X Factor contestants.” I don’t think anyone plans to rip off artists and take them to the cleaners, but I think what often happens is your lack of knowledge is exposed, and people will take advantage of that. If there was any bunch of candidates ripe for this, it’s X Factor contestants. Chances are they will end up not making any money. They haven’t written any songs, they don’t appreciate that the taxi that takes them from their house to the studio and airport has to be paid eventually, often by their advance,

Going it alone has been great, but of course there are challenges. The music business is extremely maleoriented, and I feel I have to constantly prove myself. Going into meetings, you’ll find that people will use language that is not only colloquial but really kiddy-ish, because of course I couldn’t possibly understand otherwise. I don’t feel, as a result of this, I need to be aggressive, though. Whenever I have a point I want to make, I will put a smile on my face – but don’t be mistaken into thinking my word is anything but my word. P K by Beverley Knight is available at various department stores throughout the UK. Visit kbybeverleyknightcosmetics.com 65

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Black Schools

Is Britain ready for

all-black Schools?

With black inner-city youth crime rising to critical levels, Pride asks whether the problem could be eradicated with the creation of all-black schools. By Keysha Davis

ebra Johnson* is just like any ordinary working mother across the country. She commutes every morning to her job in southwest London, where she works in a management role in local government. Debra is separated from her partner of ten years and has two sons, one of primary-school age and the second, Keiron*, in Year 10 at a local secondary school. Keiron was a top student at primary school, excelling within an environment of supportive teachers, but the stark opposite is happening in his inner-city London comprehensive. “I’m at a total loss as to what to do with him,” says his visibly distressed mother. “Practically every day I get called into school about Keiron’s behaviour. If it isn’t answering back to the teachers or turning up late for lessons, he is being chucked out for threatening behaviour. To be quite honest, I’m at the end of my tether. I’m busy working in a demanding job, and I can’t afford to go to school every day to talk to teachers. And to be quite honest, the relationship I have with the school has become quite fraught.” Debra’s situation is in no way unique. Sadly, it’s not at all unusual to hear of black boys acting in a way that results in frequent exclusion or

permanent exclusion. This ongoing occurrence has reopened the debate on education and black British youth, with politicians, scholars and parents alike wondering if the solution to the problem would be the creation of all-black schools, made up solely of black and mixedrace students, that would allow us to help tackle their problems head on.

Gifted at Primary, failing by Secondary There is no sign of improvement as the situation currently stands. Black boys continue to underperform in schools. A recent survey revealed that only 31.9 per cent of black boys achieved five A to C passes last year, against a national average of 51.9 per cent, and there still continues to be twice as many black men in prison as there are in university. It was the frustration of this all-toofamiliar scenario that caused Neil Mayers, a mathematics teacher at a southeast London comprehensive school, to write a ground-breaking book that acts as a manual for parents and teachers, Gifted at Primary, Failing by Secondary. Mr Mayers, who is of African/ Caribbean descent, would often come up against black students who were underachieving at school. It

was while talking to parents that he discovered an all-too-common thread: most of the kids had done well at primary school but struggled to keep the grades up once they entered secondary school. Mayers wrote his book as a way of communicating to parents why he felt this pattern was emerging. “This book was written out of frustration, anger, confusion and a sense of responsibility to the parents and children of my community,” Mayers says. “I had just done a parents’ evening for my Year 10 students. As usual, a lot of black parents that I had seen the previous year were approaching me with their arms open to embrace me. However, I was frustrated by the fact that not all the black students in Year 10 and their parents would be able to see me, because I only taught one group. I needed a megaphone that evening, so that I could stand up and get my message to as many parents that wanted to listen. Gifted at Primary, Failing By Secondary became my megaphone.” So, in a nutshell, why does Mayers think that so many black children are failing once they enter the secondary-school system? “There is no single reason, but I feel the main reasons are to do with changes in five key areas, which are parental involvement, peer

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Black Schools

Oprah Winfrey with Howard University president H Patrick Swygert at the university’s 139th graduation ceremony. Oprah delivered the commencement speech and received the Degree of Doctor of Humanities. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/Washington Post/Getty Images) pressure, teacher expectations, morals and behaviour, and the relationship between teaching styles and learning styles. I wrote this book solely for parents of African and Caribbean descent. I wanted to make sure the book was accessible to anyone, no matter what their level of schooling.”

A call for all-black schools Many believe that applying the techniques outlined by Mayers will eradicate just a part of the problem with black youths underachieving, but that this approach doesn’t go far enough. Head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Trevor Phillips and Lee Jasper have stated publicly that they feel there is genuine need for all-black schools. This is due to a combination of low aspirations and institutional

“I’m not arguing for a BNP-style, apartheid education system. I’m talking about establishing beacons of black academic excellence.” racism, which lurks along the school corridors like the smell of sweaty gym socks. Jasper, in particular, received a huge amount of criticism for his views, with some suggesting they were racist and promoted separatism. But he remains undeterred: “The fact is, it’s time the black community ran its own schools, devised a curriculum that suited the needs of our children, and employed teachers that look like the young people they are teaching,” he says. In answer to his critics, who claim that his views are racist, he explains: “I’m not arguing here for

a BNP-style, apartheid education system. I’m talking about the vision of establishing inclusive beacons of black academic excellence. Some of the greatest leaders in the world – Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, to name just two – attended all-black schools and universities.” Indeed, we only need to look across the pond to black universities in the USA, as well as countries “back home” in the West Indies and Africa, to see what a different approach black students have to education. Whereas many youngsters in the 67

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Black Schools

“Howard students have a sense of confidence instilled within them that as black men they can do anything.” UK see education as part and parcel of everyday life. In countries where a decent education isn’t so much of a right as a privilege, attitudes to learning are far more positive. As previously mentioned by Lee Jasper, many prominent names within our community received sterling educations from all-black institutes, which fostered a confidence and self-belief that is usually lacking among students who are products of mainstream schools. As a general rule, black teachers often have high expectations of black students. They’ll seldom give up on students who are falling below par and don’t buy into the theory that they are less smart than children of other races.

Dreaming the impossible dream Black British blogger Agnes Agyepong saw first hand the benefits of attending an all-black

institution when she visited the historically black Howard University, located in Washington, DC. “As I walked up to Howard, the first thing that struck me was the campus,” Agnes enthuses. “It was huge in comparison to most of the universities I had visited back home. Outside the local Starbucks, five young black males could be seen loitering around. In London they could have easily been mistaken for a gang since they were wearing hoodies. The big giveaway, however, is that they were wearing blue trousers, so, in fact, these guys were trainee doctors.” Agnes was also taken aback by the unrestrained ambition of the young students. “I met a Howard alumnus who informed me that he had grown up in the ghetto in the Bronx, New York, and that he had been eager to gain a sense of “self-belonging as a black man”, which he felt only Howard could give him. He went

on to say that even though many people in America thought that it would be impossible for a black man to become president of the United States, at Howard, students have a sense of confidence instilled within them that as black men they can do anything. As a result, Obama’s presidency did not really come as a surprise to him.” In truth, it’s hard to imagine in the UK an environment where a pack of black men in hoodies are trainee doctors and the thought of a black British Obama is a tangible dream, and not just a sarcastic suggestion made by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight to a court jester like Dizzee Rascal. Although parents are responsible for instilling within their children a sense of self-belief and a “yes we can” attitude to any of their wildest dreams, if these qualities aren’t being supported by teachers and other influential figures in the kids’ lives, it’s an uphill battle to maintain their motivation. Couple this with the fact that many teachers have negative preconceived ideas about black British youth, as well

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as disillusionment with teaching as a profession, and it makes for quite a depressing combination. It is for this very reason that we’ve seen a surge of mentoring organizations geared towards black youth and producing success stories, such as the famed Eastside Young Leaders Academy, run by Ray Lewis, the former race advisor to London mayor Boris Johnson. So does he agree that there is a dire need for all-black schools? “I think the issue is complex, perhaps more so now than ever. We have to define what we mean by ‘black schools’, taking into account the mixed-race dynamic and the African-Caribbean debate.”

black iS black, or iS it? Lewis has identified one of the problems that may present itself if all-black schools were to be seriously considered: the issue of identity. The cultural landscape of Britain has changed dramatically over the last 30 years, with mixed race becoming the fastest-rising minority group in the UK, and expected to be the largest in 2020, with a forecast figure of up to 1.24 million. So the term “black” will have to be applied loosely since it encompasses so many different racial mixes. Some may argue that, as a minority, you will be subject to discrimination regardless of whether you are fully black or mixed race, but we can’t deny that a white parent may have reservations about sending her child to an all-black school. Similarly, just looking at the way in which faith schools are marginalized, will the creation of all-black schools lead to further alienation for our children, who are already subject to discrimination? Even if said black schools produced graduates of a high calibre, what would their career prospects be like if they were competing for jobs with graduates from mainstream schools? Interestingly enough, despite her inspiring visit to the prestigious Howard University, even Agnes Agyepong has reservations on whether all-black schools could work. “I feel that the reasons that such institutions would not work over here is because, unlike America, black people in Britain do not have a shared identity and culture other than the colour of our skins. To build a school merely on the colour of one’s skin, without taking into account all of the other factors, such

as shared experience, identity and culture, is counterproductive.”

Why We can no lonGer afford to be comPlacent But if the creation of all-black schools is unfeasible, it’s clear that something needs to be done. Too many youngsters like Keiron, mentioned earlier, are being sucked up into the vacuum of poor education, leaving school with only basic skills that will confine them to a life of limited opportunities. And these are the ones who get let off relatively easier. We can also add to the equation the risk of our young falling into gangs, drug peddling or any other type of socially deviant behaviour. These worrying thoughts are prompting Keiron’s mum to consider sending him to live in Jamaica, where her parents are from, in the hope of her son getting a decent education. “I’ve threatened Keiron many times with sending him back home if he continues to mess up at school. From personal experience, I know that the teachers there are not only incredibly strict, but they also take a real interest in the welfare of their pupils.” But Ray Lewis is confident that organizations like the Eastside Academy right here in the UK can help put youngsters like Keiron on the right track. “I can tell you about Marcus, who joined us six years ago. He was described by his headteacher as the most challenging young man in the school (a European term for dreadful),” he says. “He responded to our programme, and within three years Marcus had gained a scholarship to a Rugby boarding school, where he is about to sit his GCSEs. We have made significant progress with our boys because of our commitment to their all-round development.” It would be heartbreaking to see our youth continue to travel down the path of underachievement that seems to be widespread across the country. If black schools aren’t the answer, then it’s absolutely crucial for us as individuals, parents and educators to look at the huge disservice that our children are currently receiving in British education institutions and work towards a viable solution before it’s too late.

TOP-FIVE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY The first black college to be designated as a Registered National Historic Landmark on 2 April 1966, and the only black college to be designated a National Historic Site on 26 October 1974. It was founded by Booker T Washington in 1881. Lionel Richie is an alumnus of the college.

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE This is the largest liberal arts college for men in America. Samuel L Jackson graduated in 1972; Spike Lee graduated in 1979.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY One of the most popular historically black colleges, located in Washington, DC. Notable alumni include Debbie Allen, Zora Neale Hurston and Donnie Hathaway.

SPELMAN COLLEGE A historically black college for women. In 1990, Nelson Mandela visited the college as part of his US tour to raise funds for the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Keshia Knight Pulliam, Rudy Huxtable from The Cosby Show, graduated in 2001.

FISK UNIVERSITY This university emerged just six months after the Civil War. W.E. Du Bois is an alumnus of the college.

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Gabby Sidibe

Introducing

Gabby

Moving adults to tears with her touching portrayal of an obese and abused black teenager, rookie actress Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe is just getting used to the acclaim as the star of the film Precious. She talks to Keysha Davis.

“GAB-our-ey Sidibie.” Her name might not be a household one just yet, but we predict it’s only a matter of time before it starts rolling off the tongues of the masses. As the breakthrough star of the forthcoming film

Precious, Gabourey is credited with putting in one of the most powerful performances in recent cinematic history. She plays the overweight and illiterate Precious, the young unlikely heroine who has to contend with being verbally abused by her mother and raising two children who are the result of frequent sexual abuse from her father. When the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, it won three coveted prizes. And the buzz hasn’t died down since. Actress/ comedienne Mo’Nique has also been bestowed with praise and recently won a Golden Globe for her eerily believable portrayal of Precious’s sadistic mother Mary, frequently described by those who have seen the film as a “monster”. Even superstar Mariah Carey, panned for her acting debut in Glitter all those years ago, has received widespread acclaim for her role as a supportive social worker. Simply put, Precious is a movement. Like The Color Purple and Do The Right Thing before it, Precious will undoubtedly be seen as a defining moment in black cinematic history. And right at the centre of the maelstrom is a shy, softly spoken 27-year-old newcomer who likes to be called Gabby. Is she surprised by the film’s success? “Oh yes, without a doubt,” she says. “I had no idea it (Precious) would be so huge. I’m really surprised by how well the film has done. Whenever something good happens, I’m always proud for Precious. I feel connected to her in a weird way.” Call it divine intervention, but it definitely seems as if Gabby was destined for this role.

With no previous acting experience, the Harlem resident was studying psychology at college when her mother, singer Alice Tan Ridley, mentioned she was considering going for the role of Mary. “My mother turned it down after reading the book,” she says. That would probably have been the end of it if a friend hadn’t approached Gabby regarding the same script, urging her to audition for the lead role. She decided to go for it. “There were lots of people at the audition,” she recalls. “I wasn’t nervous about it at all. I didn’t think I was capable of getting the role, I thought I was maybe wasting my time.” But director Lee Daniels was mesmerized by the young talent’s performance, and two days after her initial audition, she landed the part. “We kept talking, and I was getting kind of antsy about the audition,” says Gabby about her meeting with Daniels. “And then he just came out and said, ‘I want you to be in my movie. I want you to play Precious.’ And I started crying. It had all happened so fast: the audition was Monday, and this was Wednesday.” Since the film’s US release, Gabby has been on a promotional whirlwind, visiting country after country with her fellow cast members. It’s not hard to imagine the whole experience being overwhelming for someone so new to the industry. Gabby wants to make it clear that her life has no correlation with Precious’s. She says she relates to her having low self-esteem, something she says she has gotten over. But their childhoods were totally different. It also seems that she doesn’t want to be the poster girl for large women with body issues. I was given strict instructions by her publicist to avoid asking questions about her weight, which one can only assume must be getting a bit irksome for the vibrant young actress. When I ask if she fears being typecast

due to the resounding success of Precious, she responds confidently: “Not at all. I’ve just finished a pilot for TV, and I play a girl who is very different from Precious. I’ve also just finished a film called Yelling to the Sky with Zoë Kravitz. One day I hope to do a comedy role, too.” Life is promising for Gabby. She admits to enjoying the perks of the job, describes meeting Oprah as “amazing” and attends celebrity parties when time permits. Probably due to her relative inexperience in the industry, Gabby says she finds fame “a little weird” and can’t imagine ever getting used to being followed around and constantly stared at. Remaining coy about her love life, she chuckles when I ask if she is receiving any extra male attention. “Yeah, I guess. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. I think it’s fun. But I’m not a stupid girl,” she declares, sending a clear message to any potential opportunists who are seeking a backstage pass to the glamorous surroundings of the actress’s new life. At the time of print, we had yet to find out the names of the Oscar nominees for this year. What would she make of a nomination? With trademark nonchalance, Gabby responds: “That would be amazing.” Let’s wish her the best of luck. Precious is out now on nationwide release

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Gabby Sidibe

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Sinitta

Following her shock exit from Dancing On Ice, Sinitta gives Pride a peek into her world and her favourite things. Photography by Joseph Sinclair (www.josephsinclair.com) Digital assistance: Ryan Williams-Sinclair Location: No11 Cadagan Gardens www.no11london.com

Jack the Rhino beanbag:

The beanbags were the first big Christmas gifts I bought when I adopted the babies. We were moving into our new house, and I had seen them years earlier. I’d always imagined my babies one day chilling out at home on them. So I bought two, and the kids really love them. Even I love them, and Madeline isn’t happy when she sees me taking over! I’m going to get my own – I’ll probably get a lion.

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Up close & personal

Sinitta

with

Sinitta Gymnasium:

I love the gym, and I do a 45-minute-a-day work-out. I go on all the machines and power plates. I get on a machine and go for it! I don’t run because I find it boring, and I don’t swim either, since I’d have to go through the whole hair drama. 73

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Sinitta

Photo frames: Vintage shoes:

These are my vintage Vivienne Westwood heels, the ones that Naomi Campbell wore when she famously fell over on the catwalk. I remember being so thrilled to get a pair of these – and in a neutral colour, too! The heels were really outrageous at the time, but now it’s normal. I bought them in 1990, and I still wear them when I do my shows.

Crocodile bag:

The crocodile bag is my favourite handbag. It’s an old bag, but I treasure it. I love it when I go to Italy, to these really chic places, and I can feel and see the bag envy going on. You know when a bag is fab. It’s not something I can buy now, but a lot of shop owners come up to me and ask me where I got it from. I keep apologizing, saying it’s really old! I used to be more of a handbag person, but now I’ve become a shoe person. I love Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. I must be the only girl in the world who puts rubber soles on her Louboutins. It makes them more comfortable to wear, even though I’ve totally ruined them now!

Birkin bag:

The blinged-out Birkin bag was a gift from St-Tropez last year. I just love it because it’s so loud. I love the idea that someone took an incredible bag and basically ruined it! It looks like one of my kids got hold of it. In a way, it’s very me.

This is a picture of my mum and me taken on Mother’s Day last year. We were wearing the same colour on the day, and I think we look so much alike in this picture. We’re really close – she is my number-one person! My babies Magdalena and Zac are two of my favourite things. This picture was taken last year at their nursery photo shoot. They are very close. They fight, kiss and cuddle. If I tell one off, then the other will rally around them. My little munchkins may look angelic, but I tell you: they can be little monsters!

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Sinitta

Sinitta Greatest Hits is out now (Cherry Records)

Angel Champagne:

I love angels, and I wear an angel pendant. That’s also why I love Mariah Carey’s Angel Champagne! Mariah introduced me to it when she was here doing The X Factor. We had a party, and that’s where we had the Champagne. So I’ve become a fan. Originally, it was because I was attracted to the bottle, but it is very delicious! 75

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Introducing an Exclusive new range of Intimate and Exciting Lingerie...

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FASHION

My Style File

Bajan beauty and new girl on the music block Livvi Franc talks to Shevelle Rhule about glitz and glamour and dressing for the sun.

LIVVI FRANC Describe your style. I love bold shapes, patterns and colours. I live in the Caribbean, and I hate the cold weather, so I love to wear little sun dresses, cute skirts and high heels. I think I dress quite girly, although sometimes I wear my sneakers – but very rarely!

Where do you like to shop? Right now my budget limits me to high-street fashion. When I visit England, I usually go to TopShop, Miss Selfridge, New Look. They are so reasonable, and you can get lots of clothes at such low prices. The best thing about high-street shops is that you can put a look together that looks like it costs hundreds of pounds. When I am in the US, I like to shop in Bebe, H&M and Forever 21.

What designers do you like? I love Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain and Blumarine. I am just getting acquainted with the fashion world, so I usually use the Internet to look at the recent fashion shows. I love the last collection by Gucci because it’s really chic. I adore the whole simplicity of it, but it’s still sexy at the same time, without being trashy.

How do your stage outfits differ from your everyday wear? I think they’re a little more glitzy and glam. When I am on stage, I want something that’s glittering and shining because it looks good and it makes me feel like a star.

Do you use a stylist? I don’t have an official stylist yet, I am still in the early stages of looking for one. I have been trying a few different people, however. For the video shoot of “Now I’m That Bitch”, I had a stylist called Crystal Streets. Once I find someone, I think I’ll leave most of it in their hands, and I will just take care of the final touches.

Who is your style icon? Victoria Beckham. I love her new line, it is just really classy and chic. Her style is simple and sophisticated, but still sexy.

There are so many beautiful singers coming from Barbados: yourself, Shontelle and Rihanna. What is the secret? I think there must be something in the water!

Boyfriend jeans, £20 www.Yogoego.com

What is your hair and beauty regime? I don’t have much of a beauty regime. I just slap on whatever I can find. I usually do my hair myself and wear it straight or curly. My hairstyle is ever changing, so the products I use vary. I use Paul Mitchell’s gels and waxes when I want the sleek look.

What trends are you following this season? I love boyfriend jeans and jackets – they give character to any look. Also, accessories are a must.

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Pride Fashion

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Pride Fashion Bra: Made by Niki, £64.99 Thong: Made by Niki, £34.99 Fascinator: ChiChiRaRa, £15 Gloves: ChiChiRaRa, £20 Suspender skirt: Made by Niki, £129 Ring: TopShop, £22 Earrings: Stylist’s own

Sexy basques, lacy silks and seductive satin sets are the underwear of choice this Valentine’s Day.

Femme Fatale

Photographer: Luke Forman Fashion & Art Direction: Lauraine Bailey, www.laurainebaileystyling.co.uk 79

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Pride Fashion

Hat: ChiChiRaRa, £20 Bra: Rigby & Peller, £79.95 Knickers: Rigby & Peller, £89.95 Ring: Preshhus, £28 Earrings: Stylist’s own 80

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Pride Fashion

Hat: Beyond Retro, £12 Bra: Made by Niki, £65.99 Shorts: Made by Niki, £89 Ring: Preshhus, £61.50 81

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Pride Fashion

Bra: Wonderbra @ Figleaves, £32 Knickers: Ava Loves @ Simply Yours, £39.99 Headband: Preshhus, £24.95 Earrings: TopShop, £18 Fur: Beyond Retro, £18 Ring: Preshhus, £28 Shoes: Schuh, £49 82

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Pride Fashion

Bra: Gossard @ Figleaves, £32 Fascinator (worn on shoulder): ChiChiRaRa, £15 83

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Pride Fashion

Bra: Figleaves, £49 Knickers: Figleaves, £25 Suspender belt: Figleaves, £23 Hair accessory: Rokit, £12 Stockings: My Tights, £7.99

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Pride Fashion

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Pride Fashion Bodysuit: Rigby & Peller, £155 Fur: Rokit, from £10 Headband: Preshhus, £24.95 Ring: Preshhus, £28 Shoes: Schuh, £49 Earrings: Stylist’s own Opposite page: Bra: Simply Yours, £21.75 Knickers: Simply Yours, £10.50 Basque: Ava Loves @ Simply Yours, £45 Earrings: Stylist’s own Necklace: Preshhus, £48 Hair accessory: Preshhus, £18

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Pride Fashion

Make-Up: Sam Lascelle using MAC cosmetics, www.samlascelle.com Hair: Craig Marsden, www.craigmarsden.co.uk Model: Rachael Williams @ RMG Model Management Photography Assistant: Ray James-Baron Fashion Assistant: Teanesha Fuller-Christian With special thanks to Hotel Russell 87

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FASHIONinsider insider

Fashion Insider

Emile Carr, creative director of Bellanina, talks sewing machines, hustling at uni and looking good in the cold! How was your journey to becoming a designer? My mother used to have her own clientele in dressmaking, so I grew up watching her making clothes. For years I had no interest in what she was doing, and it was only when I moved out at the age of 18, and she gave me one of her sewing machines, that I started making clothes out of boredom. By the time I started my degree at London College of Fashion I was already very good at sewing, and instead of focusing on my uni work, I chose to make money and ended up making clothes for the degree students who were busy doing their final projects. Bellanina was established in 2007.

How does your heritage influence your designs? I was born in Sierra Leone, and when I started my career I used to make a lot of clothes using African fabrics in European styles. This has influenced my choice of contrasting details, which runs consistently through my collections.

What have been the highs and lows of starting your own label? 2008 was a very good year for the company, as we secured a deal with Asos, TopShop and Allders to stock Bellanina. The lows of having your own label are the long hours. I generally function on about three to four hours’ sleep, and at times I can go for two days without any sleep in order to meet deadlines.

Which celebrities would you like to see in your designs? I would like June Sarpong, Davina McCall, Alexandra Burke, Cheryl Cole and Corinne Bailey Rae to wear my designs.

What women do you design for? I design for professional women who have high aspirations and are culturally influenced. She has a respectable social calendar and strives for

the individualistic look without compromising on wearability.

What makes you unique? I think that my experience in other industries – from marketing and hairdressing, to music and retail – has moulded my creative thinking, as well as arming me with business skills. Many designers tend to focus on just the design aspect, whereas I focus on the bigger picture and allow the product to sell itself.

How do women look good in freezing conditions? Big, shapeless coats are imperative in keeping the upper body warm, but they can hide the waist, so consider adding a belt. However, as long as a woman wears some form of fitted garment and heels to emphasis their shape, she will always look good.

What would you be if you weren’t a fashion designer? I would be involved in farming. My parents have land abroad, so I would love to use that to grow my own produce and eventually supply the likes of Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

Are you fashion- or styleconscious? When I was young, my dad taught me to dress smart all the time, so you will hardly ever see me in trainers. However, the majority of what I wear I have made myself, so I would say style-conscious.

www.bellanina.co.uk P

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Beauty Makeover

Sensual

Make your skin look incredibly bronzed and healthy by applying Graftobian High Definition Foundation in Femme Fatale (£7.50) and then adding highlights with Nars Multiple in Tuomota and Rapa Nui (£27). Skin is warmed up with Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Sand and Clay (£19.95), applied with an ELF Kubuki Brush (£3.50). Line your eyes softly with Prestige Cosmetics Classic Eyeliner in Golden Brown (£3.99), and accentuate them with ELF Natural Lashes (£1.50). Line your lips with Iman Nutbush Perfect Eye Pencil (£11.50), and apply ELF Candy Shop Lipgloss in Mocha Maniac and Frosting Fantastic (£1.50) to add a subtle sheen. Fashion: Stackable bangles: Angie Gooderham 90

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Beauty Makeover

Photographer: Charl Marais Make-Up: Nicola Hamilton Fashion and Art Direction: Lauraine Bailey

Caramelized 91

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Beauty Makeover

Enrapture

Give your cheeks a soft hint of colour with Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Seduce and Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Sin (both £16). Apply Prestige Beauty Bar in Techno (£6.99) under the eyelashes. To accentuate the eyes, apply MAC Pro Cosmetics Natural Lashes in 31 (£8.50). Line your lips with ELF FeatherProof Moisturizing Lip Liner in Mauve Luxe (£1.50) and fill them with Illamasqua Lipstick in Salacious (£14). Fashion: Necklace worn as headpiece: Deborah Debonair 92

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Beauty Makeover

Ardour

Start by softly swirling Iman Sable Blusher (£14.50) on to your cheeks, then sweep Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Sand and Clay (£19.95) on to the apples of your cheeks and up to your temples. Prestige Cosmetics Intensity Eyeliner in Intense Olive (£4.99) will add a dazzling green to your eyes. To complete the look, give your lips the wow factor by lining them with Prestige Classic Lip Liner in Love (£3.91) and applying Barry M Lip Paint in 62 (£4.25). Fashion: Gold necklaces, stackable bangles and ring: Angie Gooderham Copper necklace: Caroline Zimba Gold studded cuff: Stylist’s own

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Beauty Makeover

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Beauty Makeover

Allure

To achieve a flawless glow, lightly dust from the cheekbones to the temples with Prestige Natural Bronze Laguna Beach (£7.99) and ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Warm Tan (£7.99). To add a beautiful flush of colour, apply Nars Blush in Deep Throat (£18.50). Eyes are a rich blue with Barry M Eye Crayon in Matt Turquoise (£3.95) and Barry M Mascara in Bright Turquoise (£4.95). Apply Nars Eyeshadow in Demon Lover Duo (£23) in the sockets. Finally, make your lips pop with MAC Pro Orange Lip Mix (£9) and a dab of Illamasqua Perilous Intense Lipgloss (£12.50). Fashion: Necklace: Deborah Debonair dolessequam delenisse praestio odio ex euisim adigna Stackable bangles: Angie Gooderham Copper necklace: Caroline tatum zzriure tionum non Zimba faccum quis nibh elit ut alisl Gold studded cuff: Stylist’s own utat. Ut velit nos dunt irilissis at utet praestrud ming el ea am aci eugait augait praesto commy nos ea facinis eu facinim nostrud modolorer ip er iliquate te esse tie dolorem iure vel iriurem vulla feui endre vel delit, sum veleniam quis nullam quam diam, sectem qui blam ad tis ero dolore tat augait, quam, si. Iriustie do eratincin henim zzrit augiam dolut utat velesto er ipis nibh enisim quamet wismolorem quam, vel dolore dionse tis dolorer cincidunt am dipsusto dio odio erosting essit enim doloborpero odipit incipis nonsequatis nis dit lor summodo dolor iliquis autpat augiamet loreet, consenibh euipis nulla feum aciliquatuer sit, voloreet ing endionu lluptat la con vel dolorer suscips ustrud erostie tat acidunt do er alisit vent iriure tatum velendreet, volorpe rostrud te enis dolorem dolobore exerostrud magna faccumm odolorpero et lamet ad ex ercipsum iustinim vel essis acip ex esed dolesequipit vel ulla conulla faccumsan ute feugait nulputa tueraestrud dolor autpat aute eriusci liquat ad magna feugiam commodiam Photographer: Charl Marais (www.charlmarais.com) alismod ignibh er se ea conse Make-Up: Nicola Hamilton (www.nicolahamilton.co.uk) Fashion magna adiat, quamcommy nullaand Art Direction: Lauraine Bailey (www.laurainebaileystyling.co.uk) consequamet, core verit, Hairstylist: vel et ut Craig Marsden (www.craigmarsden.co.uk) dolor in ut luptatu eraeseModel: tinimDamarais Lewis @ Premier Model Management Make-Up Assistant: Becki Rojas incipiscipis nim numsandreet

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ullum erat. Dui bla augiam diam, qui blam ero dignibh ea conum quis nit praesent volore modiam irit laorper aessis adiamet ute mincipit lan euisci blamet vel doluptat numsan veliquisl utpat lum dolesto odo dolore coreriurem niam in hent luptat. Duisi bla consed tat wisi. Met am dunt adip er si blamet am quam esequipit am, quat. Onulputet luptate velis adiamet iustrud do odolor adignit ing eum quamconse magna alit, secte tie dolore doloboreet, sequat. To consed tionse et lor sequat.

Ortinim amconsequat lamcortismod ea feugait luptat ad te mod molorpercil enisi. Guer autpat. Ut do od ercillandit iureet iniam do dolenia mconse tionsed ea cortio dit eugait alis alit aut praesto dio coreet inisim in henim enis augiamc onsequi scinis nit ipsustrud te volortiniam, susciliqui tion utat. Dui blan elisi. Quamcon sequipsum duis eugait accumsa ndignim quisit ad tat aute feugiat wis non verat lummolore feum nulputem nonsequat wismoluptat. Ut alis

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Beauty Feature

EXPRESS LUNCHBREAK SKIN BOOSTER

The Chelsea Girl Mini-Facial

glamour

TIME: 30 mins COST: £40 WHY: Celebrities have a lustrous complexions because they get frequent facials. Unless you have a good skin base, make-up will never have the ultimate desired effect. Even if your budget doesn’t stretch to salon treatments, have fortnightly facials in the comfort of your own bathroom, and treat yourself to professional ones less often. TECHNIQUE: Perfect for those on a tight schedule, this 30-minute treatment freshens your skin with the basic essential steps of a full-length facial – cleansing, exfoliation, toning massage and moisturizing. WWW.THECHELSEADAYSPA.CO.UK

Celebrities may look fantastic – but it’s often after spending hours pampering and preening. Today’s modern woman is busy, so, let’s face it, who has the time? This is why Shevelle Rhule’s quick-fix beauty tips won’t disappoint.

SWIFT MAKE-UP Fashion Fair Makeover

TIME: 20 mins COST: Free WHY: Are you stuck in a makeup rut and have worn the same eyeshadow and lipstick for years? Well, it’s time to update your look with a makeover at the large department stores across the country, like Selfridges, House of Fraser and Debenhams. Fashion Fair counters have great make-up artists

who are willing to listen to exactly what you want and help bring your cosmetics bag into this millennium! TECHNIQUE: They start by ensuring you have the basics right and are using the right base for your skin type. If you have an oily T-zone, you may find oil-free foundations give better results. Or perhaps you always wanted to perfect smoky eyes or find the perfect red lipstick; well, they can guide you in the right direction. WWW.FASHIONFAIR.COM

FABULOUS FEET

Elemis Sole Delight Grooming for Feet

TIME: 30 mins (or 60 mins to include

a pedicure) COST: £45 WHY: Your feet have been in

hibernation in boots for a few months now, and they need some revitalizing action with immediate effect! While this can be achieved at home, there are times when you

just need a good pamper and want someone else to deal with it! Plus, with spring on the horizon, there is no better time to get your feet back in tip-top condition. TECHNIQUE: The warm aromatherapeutic oil will replenish and soften hard heels. Expect soles to be scrubbed, scraped, buffed and nourished for feet to be proud of. WWW.ELEMIS.COM

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Beauty Feature

LONG FLUTTER Blink and Go Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions

TIME: 20 mins COST: From £20 WHY: Unless you’re blessed with luscious lashes, you probably have invested in wonder mascaras and false eyelashes. However, for ultraspecial occasions, lash extensions are the best investment and the

perfect option for busy women on the go. Lashes look longer, thicker and sexier, all in a blink! TECHNIQUE: It starts with a framework of 10 individual lashes placed on top of your natural lashes. The technician then cleverly builds up this effect by layering the lashes for an instantly dramatic look. The end result can last up to two weeks. WWW.BLINKANDGO.CO.UK

BRAVO BROWS

Shavata Brow Grooming

TIME: 15 mins COST: From £24 WHY: Perfectly shaped eyebrows are the equivalent of a minifacelift, because the difference it makes to your face is immense. Ungroomed brows will make you look unkempt and messy, whereas groomed ones show you to be a sophisticated person who cares about her appearance. TECHNIQUE: Using threading, waxing and tweezing methods, eyebrows are groomed to create the perfect frame for your face. Threading is a particularly popular grooming technique because the results are extremely precise and ideal for creating the impression of defined eyebrows. WWW.SHAVATA.CO.UK

BACK CARE

Space NK Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage

TIME: 30 mins COST: £45 WHY: Massages are just what the doctor orders to put a spring back in your step after a hard day at work and to release your inner glow. When you feel better, you look better – fact! This back, neck and shoulder massage frees the body of tension and everyday stress. It is a seriously good treat that will rejuvenate your spirit and have you ready for the day, night, or whatever life throws at you! TECHNIQUE: The therapist will employ soft- and deep-tissue techniques, acupressure and triggerpoint massage to stimulate circulation, soothe muscles and release tight kinks and knots. WWW.SPACENK.CO.UK

SPEEDY MANICURE

Bliss HotCream Manicure

TIME: 30 mins COST: £30 WHY: With such harsh winter conditions, hands can come under real strain. As well as looking dry, cracked and dehydrated, they can seem aged through lack of care, adding years to you. Hands are on constant show and say a lot about your character, so get the best out of them whether at home or in salons. TECHNIQUE: Hands are soaked in luxurious hot cream to soften the skin and cuticles. Then a relaxing massage helps circulate the blood around your hand and fingers. Lastly, nails are trimmed, filled, preened and polished for the perfect 10.

WWW.BLISS LONDON.CO.UK

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Hair Feature

Give mid-length hair some va-va-voom this Valentine’s Day, says Shevelle Rhule.

here is something about bobs. Maybe it’s that chic sophistication that looks great on all ages, or perhaps it’s easy maintenance that has made this the hairstyle of choice for black women. Whatever it is, everyone loves a sleek and healthy bob haircut. The best bobs are created from “quite thick hair, so it can be cut into a sharp look,” explains Eve Owusu, senior Afro technician at Errol Douglas. “Razor-cut layers create texture and a soft layered look that makes a nice bob. Hair can either be relaxed or blow-dried straight, and then some rollers placed at the crown to give it body.” Bobs have a reputation for being one-dimensional and being worn sleek and only sleek. So why not spice up this look for Valentine’s Day and give your hair a fun and flirty vibe? “Mess up your bobs! Turn your head upside down and spray it with hairspray for a naughty bed-head look.” Alternatively, if you want to try a new cut altogether,

Bobs

Flirty

get

a “sexy fringe covering one eye creates a seductive look”. Even celebrities such as Alexandra Burke ditched the long, flowing weave for a striking fringe bob that instantly makes her look stylish and sophisticated.

This cut has the A-listers’ seal of approval, so don’t let your bob down with poor maintenance. Simply “wrap your hair at night with a silk or satin scarf,” says Eve. Not only will this keep your hair in place, eliminating the need to use heat daily, it will also keep it well moisturized. So, this 14 February, weather it’s dinner for two or partying with your girlfriends, experiment with tousled waves, volume-busting bounce and seductive fringes to make your Valentine’s Day extra sweet! P Visit Errol Douglas, 18 Motcomb Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8LB. Tel: 020 7235 0110, www. erroldouglas.com for a Valentine’s Day restyle.

Top 3 products • Matrix Essential Sleek Look Iron Smoother (£10.25; 0800 387 608) protects your hair from heat.

• Matrix Biolage Smooth Therapie Smoothing Serum (£11.75) gives a smooth finish while blow-drying.

• Matrix Biolage Freeze Fix Hair Spray (£10.75) keeps your hair in place after styling. 99

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...

The right tools..

tools

PROFESSIONAL HAIR PRODUCTS

Nyxon Hair and Facial Steamer Features:

• 2 in 1 function • Power off automatically when water level is lower than safety line • Protect the hair quality remove dandruff

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21/1/10 20:00:44

Hair Feature

Paul Mitchell Express Pro Dryer Make your blow-dry a quick and pleasurable experience with a 2,000-watt motor that lasts seven times longer than regular dryers, and extra torque equals high performance and faster drying. Heat-balancing ceramics also deliver even heat for shiny, manageable hair.

Babyliss Pro Power Lite (£24.99; www. babylisspro.co.uk) Weighing in at only 445g, this is a third lighter than most dryers and the easiest to handle. Its slim concentrated nozzle makes for precision drying, and advanced ceramics give tresses an ultrashine finish.

THE LIGHTEST

Philips Tresemmé

7)Salonpro Nano

Diamond (£25; www.boots. com) With its nano-diamond-coated ceramic elements, this dryer gives hair a gentler, kinder experience. It’s easy to handle, thanks to its sleek and lightweight design, and the ionic conditioning reduces frizz for a polished look every time.

HAIR NOURISH KING

Remington Shine Therapy Hair Dryer (£49.99; www.boots. com) If you worry about the effect of heat on your hair, you will be impressed with this hairdryer. At the touch of a button, it emits a delicate sheer mist of shine-enhancing moisturizers and avocado oil. It eliminates frizz, hair damage and dullness just like magic!

THE MOST STYLISH

TOP 8HAIR DRYERS Have a blast with Pride ’s selection of the best hairdryers.

Nicky Clarke Nano Detox Silver (£32.99; 0800 525 089) Detox your hair with Nano silver technology, which helps cleanse hair of toxins, leaving it radiant and soft. The 2,200w motor makes this one of the most powerful hairdryers in the list, yet it still produces good conditioning and helps control frizz.

Wahl ProPik 4000 (£24.99; 01227 744 330) This essential styling tool is specifically for Afro hair and has ionic technology to reduce damage to the hair. The pik attachment provides heat to the root of the hair to give concentrated, effective results with less stress on the hair every time.

Corioliss Leopard Print Hairdryer (£59.99; 01273 461 111) This professional hairdryer doesn’t just look great; it delivers, too. It’s lightweight so easy to handle, and packs a robust 1,800w motor and the latest technology to ensure moisture is locked into the hair while styling.

GREAT FOR NATURAL HAIR

Imetec Nutriheat Nourishing Hairdryer (£34.99; www. argos.co.uk) This über-stylish hairdryer nourishes hair, improving the condition of dry and damaged hair, as well as protecting healthy hair. Hot air activates and releases a formula of proteins and vitamins. In a trial, 90% of women agreed that it reduced frizz. 101

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Blow Out

This is dedicated to full-out glamour, in which the hair has been blow-dried and made bigger. One section was taken from the top of the head plait into a bun, fixing it asymmetrically to one side to give that bit of elegance.

Hair

trends

Collection by Errol Douglas 18 Motcomb Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8LB Tel: 020 77235 0110 www.erroldouglas.com

Glam-aRazzi

• Hair: Errol Douglas • Products: Matrix • Photo: Helen McArdle • Make-up: Aly Hazlewood • Styling: Thea Lewis

Slick Difference:

Elegance is back, and no one was more elegant than Grace Kelly. This is influenced by her 50s-style scraped-back ponytail, which is pulled back and held at the nape of the neck. The top is slicked back and sprayed.

Gravity-Defying: This is a very sculpted look. The

hair is crimped finely and then meshed together almost into a cube. Use Kirby grips and holding spray to keep it in place. 103

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Hair

trends

Loop the Loop:

This reflects the styling of the Givenchy show, so it’s very couture. The back is twisted up to make it very “done” and grown-up looking. It starts with a fringe and then the swirls and plaits at the back spiral into each other.

Real Finesse

This is a really contemporary look. Its success lies in a strong blow-drying technique that is proving popular with lots of celebrities at the moment

Up and Away:

In this 50s look that’s influenced by ballroom dancing, the fringe is blow-dried into shape, and brushing the hair and curling it back on itself with a big round brush help form the loose barrel loops.

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MUSIC

Albums

What’s hot and what’s not this month.

Corinne Bailey Rae The Sea

drIis

High Class Problems

HHHH

orinne Bailey Rae is back. Following a much-needed hiatus after the tragic death of her husband, the sultry songstress returns with her second album, The Sea. She has understandably done away with the breezy, light-heartedness that was present in her first album and put together a more mature and soulful record. The first single, “I’d Do It All Again”, written after a fight with her husband, is a candid account of being totally committed to a person, while on the album’s title track she croons about love and loss. On “Closer”, we see a more sultry and sensual side to the singer, her vocals almost purring over the slick, soulful funk groove, and “Are You Here?” is a moving tribute to her late husband. Rae wrote and co-produced all the tracks, creating an intimate feel to the album; you feel like you’re reading her personal diary. It has to be said, there isn’t one filler on the whole CD, every track seemingly carefully considered

As you probably already know, DJ and soulful crooner Driis is the alter ego of actor Idris Elba. This release – an EP rather than an LP – runs to just five tracks, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality: “Please Be True” is an easy-going, laid-back affair that exposes his softer side. Check it out, if only for the cover art. Out 8 February

Angie Stone

Unexpected HH

and oozing the sort of quality that separates Rae from her overproduced R&B contemporaries. To say her departure from the laid-back vibe from her first album is due to the tragedy she suffered last year would be too easy. Yes, her loss does manifest itself within this new record, but

we also see the growth and maturity of a talented artist who effortlessly weaves her emotions into her lyrics. Already hailed as her career-defining album, The Sea is sure to be a constant fixture on your iPod. Out 1 February on Virgin Records

“I didn’t want to make the kind of record I had made in the past,” states Angie Stone. Her neo-soul grooves have been replaced with 80s soul throwbacks and pop-friendly synthesized sounds of “Free”. However, on tracks such as “I Found a Keeper”, Angie returns to form. All in all, Unexpected is a solid album, but fans will wait anxiously for the return of the neo-soul queen. Out now

HA PR

Black Winn prom

P R

Singles Sade HHH

Soldier of Love

Sade once again graces us with her presence, with the release of her new single “Soldier of Love”, which is something of a departure from her signature sound. The tense drum beat matches the mood of the lyrics about battling for love. Sheer quality. Out 8 February

Dionne Mitchell HHHH

U Got Me Babe

Cast your minds back to The X Factor series when Leona Lewis triumphed. Remember the shy girl with the powerful pipes? Dionne Mitchell was her name, and she is here now with an irresistible funky house anthem perfectly suited to her voice. Out 2 February

TQ feat Tha Vill HHH

Electronic

R&B artist TQ returns to the spotlight with the release of new track “Electronic”. Joining a growing list of artists jumping on the electro bandwagon, TQ gets kudos for adding his own flavour to the re-emerging retro genre, courtesy of some funky samples. A definite grower. Out now

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FEL ET

Music

NEWS Keyshia rejects family

The return of Jill Scott This year looks set to be quite a busy one for Ms Scott. Jilly from Philly will be recording her fifth studio album, starring in two movies, lending her voice to an animated cartoon series, designing a lingerie line and touring with Mary J Blige and Erykah Badu, as well as adjusting to life as a new mother. Phew!

HARMONY PRODUCTIONS

Seems like all is not well for Keyshia Cole and her family. The singer put out a statement recently, stating that she is not on speaking terms with her family. This comes after her halfsister accused her of not buying Christmas presents for her children, and her mother, Frankie, divulging personal information to various media outlets. With a new baby on the way, Keyshia probably wants to stay away from any stress, and it has been clear for some time that her family is often the source of her problems.

Wyclef Jean Texts for Haiti The devastating earthquake in Haiti has prompted many celebrities into taking action, and none more so than Wyclef Jean. Hours after the earthquake struck, Wyclef, who was born in Haiti, took to his Twitter page to urge people to text to donate money through his charity, Yéle Haiti. In less than 24 hours, more than $1 million had been donated, causing his web page to crash. According to experts, this is the first time such a large amount of money has been raised so quickly after a natural disaster. Good on Wyclef for doing his part to help the millions of people affected by this terrible tragedy.

EST 2001 In conjunction with

Black Tie Comedy Awards Winner for best Comedy promoter 2009

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FILM INVICTUS

Director: Clint Eastwood

Big- and small-screen offerings for your entertainment.

★★★★

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge

IN CINEMAS The Princess and the Frog

★★★

Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker Voices: Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman The Princess and the Frog is finally here! This updated version of the classic sees the action moved to 1920s New Orleans. The subtle mentions of racism and references to jazz and voodoo make this a compelling watch for adults. And the kids? Some of the scenes are a little eerie, and the animation does seem slightly dated, but they’ll enjoy it nonetheless. Out 5 February

Heartless ★★

lint Eastwood continues to demonstrate his directional talent with the release of his new film, a true-life story called Invictus. The movie tells the story of how Nelson Mandela lifted the spirit of a racially divided South Africa by putting together a South African rugby team. The team went on to capture the hearts of the nation with their historic run in the 1959 Rugby World Championship. With such a stellar collection of actors and an

accomplished Eastwood behind the lens, Invictus skilfully dodges the danger of falling into a clichéd triumph-over-adversity sports flick. Instead, we are treated to an inspired portrayal of Mandela by Freeman that is multilayered, rich and powerful. Damon also holds his own as the strong yet vulnerable rugby captain Francois Pienaar. This well-told tale is poignant but also provides plenty of laughs – the perfect pick-me-up if you need a bit of motivation. Out 5 February

FILM NEWS

IN-HOUSE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE SERIES 2

★★★★

The crazy but adorable Doonans make a welcome return in the second series of this cult British comedy, and Simon and his pal Kylie are still trying to take over the world. Watch the rib-tickling antics of the colourful characters that reside in a small town in Britain. Out now

CODE NAME: THE CLEANER

Denzel’s return to the little screen Denzel Washington is returning to the small screen – but sadly he’ll be stuck behind the camera. The Oscar-winning star who started out on the show St Elsewhere is in talks with Fox TV to create a new cop show. Let’s hope for a cameo appearance at least.

Director: Philip Ridley Starring: Jim Sturgess, Noel Clarke Jim Sturgess is Jamie Morgan, a young man who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and has to deal with the disfigurement of a birthmark on his face. While roaming the streets of London, he discovers a demonic force that threatens to steal his soul. Crime, fantasy, horror, comedy, Heartless attempts to cram it all in and is overflowing with very graphic imagery. Redemption can be found in the performance of Sturgess, who oozes star quality. Out 26 February

★★★

Cedric the Entertainer stars in this slapstick comedy about a cleaner who bumps his head and wakes up to discover he is in the middle of some dodgy goingson. Although the storyline is totally juvenile, this is good, old-fashioned comedy fun for all the family to enjoy. Out now

Avatar declared racist: Despite being one of the most

popular – and most expensive – movies in history, Avatar still stirs up controversy. Some critics have suggested that the film is racist and is responsible for rehashing age-old stereotypes of white people being superior and more advanced than other races. Even though some are crying foul, the general consensus is that Avatar is set to be the film of 2010.

SLEEP WITH ME

★★★

Adrian Lester stars in this tense drama about a couple whose world is torn apart by the arrival of a seductive femme fatale. A bit slow to start with, but stick with it for the dramatic climax. Out now

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Culture by Monica McCollum

Play of the Month: 11 and 12

Read of the Month

The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini

While struggling to understand her place in newly independent Zimbabwe, teenager Lindiwe starts a relationship with a white neighbour accused of killing his stepmother. Their story plays against the chaos erupting throughout post-colonial Zimbabwe. In this debut novel, the voice is subtle and the story engaging. Sceptre, £12.99

Lara

Venue: Barbican Centre Dates: 5–27 February Quite often, against our better judgment, we make mountains out of molehills. The new play 11 and 12 examines how violence raged across Mali in the early 20th century as a result of two Sufi orders’ disagreement over whether a certain prayer should be recited 11 times a day or 12. The two groups began to kill each other, and the French, who were eager to maintain control over the region, promoted the attacks. “The play is relevant today because it touches on religious intolerance,” explains Barbican’s Head of Theatre Louise Jeffreys. “Also, it portrays one country

interfering in the affairs of another and provoking war.” One man, Tierno Bokar, spoke words of peace to all sides and paid the price, along with his family and friends. Produced by legendary theatre and film director Peter Brook, this play opens at the Barbican after its English-language premiere in Paris last November. With the support of an onstage musician playing instruments from Africa and Mali, an international cast re-creates this true tale on a basic stage depicting an African landscape. Price: £10–£35 INFO: www.barbican.org.uk/bite

1867 Venue: Rich Mix Dates: 17–30 February In the wake of Chris Rock’s controversial documentary Good Hair comes this play celebrating a woman who made millions creating hair and beauty products for black women in the early 1900s. In 1867, Delilah McAndrew portrays a thinly veiled version of CJ Walker,

America’s first self-made millionaire. The work’s title refers to the birth year of Walker, who survived being orphaned at seven, an abusive husband and the violent death of another husband. Some may criticize CJ Walker’s products, but this play celebrates her strength. Price: £10 INFO: www.rich mix.org.uk

Books

by Bernardine Evaristo The author uses her experiences as the daughter of a Nigerian father and white British mother to weave a lush historical narrative. The novel travels back 150 years and over three continents to examine Lara’s ancestry. With an increased focus on the heroine’s Irish background, this new edition of the 1997 semi-autobiography is about onethird longer than the original. Bloodaxe, £8.95

Michelle Obama: The First Lady in Photographs by Deborah Willis and Emily Bernard While this collection contains 150 photographs of Michelle Obama, it is more than just a catalogue. In two illuminating essays, the authors explain the popularity of Michelle’s style and demeanour within the context of the United States’ changing ideas on race, feminism and family. WW Norton, £18.99

The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson Two 18-year-old friends witness a tragic event. As a result of the ensuing chaos, Poppy and Serena separate. Twenty years later, mother-of-two Serena fights Poppy’s desire to tell the true story of that fateful day. The incisive tale tests the value of the truth. Sphere, £12.99

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Inner For the seat and soul of your spirit.

Restoration 2010: A Love Like This

SPIRIT

New music: Karen Clark-Sheard Gospel powerhouse Karen Clark-Sheard is back with a new album to celebrate the new year. One quarter of the legendary gospel group The Clark Sisters, Karen is a much-loved and respected artist within the gospel world. After a brief hiatus, the inspirational singer presents a new record, All in One, which is released on her newly established record label, Karew Records, on 9 February. It contains 16 tracks, and the first single, “Prayed Up”, is climbing the gospel charts. Karen is definitely a force to be reckoned with and will have you rocking well into 2011. Pick up a copy at www.amazon.co.uk

If you require a truly inspirational start to the new year (and let’s face it, don’t we all?), head down to Restoration 2010: A Love Like This, which takes place on 6 February at the ARC in Forest Gate, London. Here you will witness a fantastic line-up of inspiring speakers and anointed voices that will lift your spirits and get you into gear for another year. Artists confirmed include Ashley-Louise Sinclair, The Levites, Alister Brown and Senior Pastor Peter Nembhard of ARC Ministries, who will be bringing a soul-stirring ministry. The ARC can be found at 66 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London E7, and doors open at 5:20pm.

Gospel Links Live: Evolution One of the UK’s premier gospel events GL Live promises pure, unadulterated gospel vibes. Performances on the night include Richie Righteous, Mali Music, Tunday, GL LIVE RETURNS WITH EXCITING LINE UP FOR A NEW YEAR! Lola Godheld and many more. can catch the concert The story of the UK’s premier regular gospel event,You GL Live, continues with the latest chapter revealing an exciting line up for the first event of 2010. GL Live VI will hit Nottingham, at the Springs Centre Birmingham and London of and Life as usualChristian there will be a mix of British in and Nottingham American acts for the shows. on 18 February, The Drum in Birmingham on the 19th No hype this time around, just a fantastic line up and GL Live’s commitment to a life changing and the in music. London Log onwilltobe message andBlack an eveningGrape of compelling Popularon New the Yorker20th. Richie Righteous bringing his unique and powerful blend of hip hop and ministry to the UK stage and sharing www.glmedia.co.uk/gllive for ticket info. his dynamic testimony. His debut album is already creating waves so GL Live welcomes newcomer Mali Music who will be making his UK debut backed by a live band. Representing the UK are Tunday, who is playing his first GL event after the success of his excellent debut album and fellow Londoners Lola Godheld, Husky and TP. The host DJ will be DJ 4Real.

BET’s Gospel Celebration BET’s annual gospel award show, Celebration of Gospel, marks its tenth anniversary in 2010 and is planning to make this year’s show a spectacular one. Hosted by well-loved comedian Steve Harvey, Celebration 2010 boasts a line-up of some of the biggest names in gospel, such as Bobby Jones, Shirley Ceasar, Donnie McClurkin and many more. Catch the show on BET, Sky channel 199. Check listings for details.

New BOOK:

The event will be happening at Springs of Life Christian Centre in Nottingham on 18th February, at The Drum in Birmingham on 19th February and at Black Grape in London on 20th February. Watch out too for the Funky Fresh after party meet and greet in London in conjunction with Presence, which promises to be a highlight.

SECRETS AND LIES

by Rhonda McKnight GL Live continues to get behind ministry artists who do not have distribution deals in the UK and struggle to find radio play or media coverage. The event is proving a superb way of

Contemporary Christian author discovering fiction outstanding fresh acts and hearing new music. Rhonda McKnight has written an ------------------------------------ENDS---------------------------emotive novel about the dynamics of For more information and to interview Roger Moore, call on 07956 429305 the modern family. Faith Morgan is Website: www.gllive.co.uk a family woman struggling with her Email: gllive@glmedia.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/glmedia faith in God. Existing in a neglectful Twitter: www.twitter.com/gl360 marriage, when a co-worker accuses her husband Jonah of the unthinkable, she loses yet more faith in her Creator as well as in the sanctity of marriage. With pertinent themes that most contemporary Christian women can relate to, Secrets and Lies provides food for thought, as well as some resolutions. www.amazon.co.uk

in the Lord with all your heart; and don’t lean on your own understanding. And one more thing…“Trust In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way. Proverbs 3:5–6 112

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PRIDE MAG 210(W)X270MM

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eandra (4 years) and Simeon* (5 years) are siblings who share a close bond with each other and would need to be placed together. Keandra is described as lively and jolly by her foster carer. Simeon is an articulate boy who has an opinion of his own! Keandra is of an age when she copies whatever Simeon does. Both children enjoy outdoor activities especially going to the park. Simeon recently attended a holiday sports camp, and he enjoyed this very much. Both children benefit from consistent boundaries and routines.

Keandra has started school this September and attends the same school as Simeon. Both children are said to be bright and alert and Simeon is observed to be clever with puzzles.

Keandra and Simeon are said to be in good general health. Keandra has asthma for which she uses a pump and eczema, which is being treated with creams. Both children have had their immunizations and they are reported to be in a good routine, eating and sleeping well.

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22/1/10 14:54:28

The Sista Circle Happy Valentine’s Day,

Are you gonna bang doe?

Why relationships are so last decade

Email your comments to vanessawalters@hotmail.com

ear Lord, I pray for the young. It used to be the case that after several “dry” dates you were considered to be in an exclusive relationship and progressed to exchanging bodily fluids, also known as “wet” dating. After about a year – assuming things had gone well – you graduated to a serious relationship. After two years, you got engaged, had a child, moved in together or broke up. After a bit of rebound activity, the whole cycle would begin again. These days a relationship ain’t what it used to be. It’s no coincidence that two of the most popular downloads today are “Are You Gonna Bang Doe?” and “Baby By Me”, which, let’s face it, is pretty much the extent of young love in today’s Broken Britain. “Are you gonna bang?” followed by “Have a baby, be on benefits.” A relationship isn’t even called that anywhere except that post-modern satire on life known as Facebook, where your “friends” are mostly strangers, and “single” means actually shagging your way through those “friends”. Suddenly one is “engaged” without having ever been “in a relationship”. You’re only ever “in a relationship” when you need a break from linkage and want people to stop harassing you. WTF! Historically, the word “relationship” became obsolete around Sex and the City Season 3, when it was replaced by “linkage”, “hooking up” and “seeing”. Let’s deconstruct these words. “Linkage” is a term for the briefest and

most delusional of encounters, like if he flashed you once in Brixton station, then he linked you back in the day. Like the links on a chain, linkage also implies multiple encounters. You can link several people at once and while the word is suggestive, it’s hardly definitive. Like the term “sexual contact” on Jeremy Kyle, it could mean anything from floorboard-shuddering sex to exchanging business cards in Starbucks.

case that no self-respecting woman under 30 would admit to more than three sexual encounters. “Ten, and every man’s been there!” I was warned back in the 90s. These days, fewer than ten and no one would believe you. In this post-Californication world, a new sexual partner every six months from the age of consent (a round total of 28 partners by the age of 30) is considered practically frigid.

If you’re seeing someone for more than a year and still can’t identify him as your boyfriend, you really should have gone to Specsavers. “Hooking up”. Whereas most white people would freely admit that they have shagged, we have to speak in words that Auntie wouldn’t understand. Hooking up is equivalent to, but a bit more mainstream than, “are you gonna bang doe”, and yes, you will definitely need the morning-after pill after hooking up with an ex. “Seeing someone”. These days, few people will admit to being in a relationship – that’s so passé – but would rather say they are seeing someone. My advice: if you’re seeing someone for more than a year and still can’t identify him as your boyfriend, you really should have gone to Specsavers. How things have changed. It used to be the

So where do we go from here? The plus side is that at least we’re free to do whatever we like. Society no longer dictates that a woman must be a virgin at 21, married by 25, a mother by 30 and an unfortunate spinster at 35. Women are pursuing exciting careers and don’t want a man who thinks he owns you after one date in Nando’s. We have real choices that didn’t exist for our mothers. Science means we can look ten years younger and have children well into our 50s. The sad thing is that the more freedom we get, the less romance there seems to be. By 2020, instead of the poetic sweet nothings we’ve come to expect on 14 February, we will possibly read “Happy Valentine’s Day! Are you gonna bang doe?” P

Vanessa Walters is currently writer in residence for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. She hosts a reading group that focuses on the writings of black British authors and a fortnightly discussion group looking at social issues. For more information on participating in these activities, visit www.rbkc.gov.uk/betweenthelines 115

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Boasting one of the capital’s most prestigious locations, Hotel Russell is located in the heart of Bloomsbury, just minutes from the ﬁnancial and commercial districts, and a short journey to London’s many tourist attractions. This magniﬁcent Victorian building with its imposing façade underwent a major £12 million refurbishment in recent years and offers upper four-star hotel accommodation, facilities and standards. When you stay at Hotel Russell you really have got London at your feet with the majority of attractions, including the British Museum, and places of interest including West End theatres and shopping, no more than a stones throw away. Several major transport hubs, including King’s Cross Station, St Pancras International for the Eurostar, and Euston Station are minutes away. Russell Square tube, connecting directly to London Heathrow, is immediately on the doorstep. All 373 of the hotel’s en-suite bedrooms have been furnished to an

upscale standard to ensure your comfort is guaranteed. Whether you choose a standard, ambassador or contemporary room you can be assured that you will experience one of the most comfortable and memorable bedroom experiences in the country. Whether you wish to indulge in a three course meal or simply enjoy a quick lunchtime snack, the variety of our menus, the quality of our produce and the attentiveness of our staff are sure to impress. Be sure not to miss the relaxing splendour of our Tempus Bar.. Serving a full selection of drinks in a room that encompasses the rich history and traditions of Hotel Russell. Tempus bar is also the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a spot of afternoon tea. Hotel Russell offers unrivalled facilities for meetings, conferences, banqueting and special events. With function rooms, equipped to the highest of standards, which can accommodate between 2 and 450 people, including the elegant Wharncliffe Ballroom.

www.principal-hayley.com HotelRussel.indd 1

22/1/10 13:59:58

w e i V f o t n i o P ’s Man standfirst

I’M NO SUPERMAN

Email your comments to manspointofview@pridemagazine.com

arack Obama has set the benchmark too high. We were having to play catch-up anyway, but in the year since his inauguration, the President has given a whole new meaning to the words “top geezer”. It’s no longer enough to come first; now you have to be the best in what you do, and the best in what you have up until now not done too. The best husband, the best father, the best son and sonin-law. And a good bloke too, so that when the Nobel Peace Prize Committee starts looking for a guy for its Best Bloke in the World competition, you stand a chance of getting that too. In the year since his inauguration, Obama has won absolutely everything: the presidential race, the Nobel Peace Prize and loads of other awards. At the same time, despite being busy sorting out the world, he somehow finds time to be a good father and husband too. How does he do that? Surely there’s only so many hours in the day. Millionaires will tell you that you can’t have your cake and eat it. Success comes at a price, and it’s your family that generally has to pay. Your marriage suffers. Your children become strangers. And you end up becoming the most miserable multimillionaire in the world – with a teenage girlfriend. Ask Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones if you don’t believe me. And if you don’t believe him, ask Eldrick Tont Woods whether he’d rather be a Tiger or a cheetah. Unfortunately for both Ronnie and Eldrick, Barack Obama has set the benchmark too high. Gone are the days when men could whore themselves around and get away with it just because they were rich and successful. This is

2010, baby. That was last year. Now there’s a price to pay. For Eldrick it’s about £900 million. That’s how much he’s going to lose this year alone in sponsorships, endorsements, prize money and child support. The issue for him particularly is that small children are involved. Everybody knows that you can’t be a successful golfer AND a good father AND an adulterer. Something’s got to give. And, by all accounts, it wasn’t the golf or the girlies. Of course, before the extra-marital revelations, Tiger Woods had set the benchmark pretty high himself. Long before Obama, here was a handsome, rich, successful family man and a role model to youngsters the world over. And that’s what all the big sponsors signed up to. The Number One at home, on the putting green and in front of the cameras. It was some standard to set, but Tiger seemed to have his head screwed on, and the multinational companies were falling over themselves to have the most successful dad in the world wear their brand.

rich and successful too: he must have women throwing themselves at him, and yet he’s able to maintain a dignified monogamy. How does he do that? I just don’t know. Because we’re similar ages, he and I. And so are our wives – both beautiful, high-profile women. Our daughters are the same age also. And like Obama, I have to juggle my media profile with running a business – not so vast a company as the USA, admittedly, but the principle is the same. There isn’t enough time in the day. Something’s got to give. I can’t afford it to be my family. At the same time, trying to live up to Obama’s standards is like trying to catch Usain Bolt over 100 metres.

Trying to live up to Obama’s standards is like trying to catch Usain Bolt over 100m.

“How does he do that?” I often wondered. Surely no man is perfect... All this, of course, was before Tiger’s wife took up clubbing. For a lot of men it was a relief that Tiger got caught. It’s demoralizing trying to live up to those standards. Believe me, I’ve tried. Particularly in the last year, since Obama said “Yes, we can”. Obama raised the benchmark even for Tiger, because Obama is handsome,

The work/home balance is the ultimate middleclass dilemma. Women have never been allowed to put their career before their family. And no longer is it socially acceptable for a man to sacrifice his family for success elsewhere. But neither is it acceptable to be a waste man or a failure. After all, Barack Obama walks on oceans and turns water into wine, and he still finds time to be the coolest world leader on the planet and to go surfing with his daughters in Hawaii. Barack Obama is a job for Superman. The rest of us mortals will have to settle for “yes, we can” achieve one thing or another, but we can’t have it all. P

Dotun Adebayo is the host of Brief Lives and Up All Night on BBC Radio 5 Live (909/693 MW) and the Sunday Night Special on BBC London (94.9 FM). Dotun made his first million when he founded his publishing company The X Press and published black classics such as Babyfather and Yardie. He made his next million simply by getting married. 117

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r ree Ca i0n t Sec 118

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BlackSterling Financial advice from Akwasi Duodu (akwasi@sterlingandlaw.com)

Are your financial affairs

good,bad or ugly? The good

The situation: You have a plan. You budget carefully every month and have a good grip on what comes in and what goes out. You are debt-free and use the surplus income you have on a savings strategy for the short term, medium term and long term. You are in a pension and, at the very least, know exactly what it is likely to provide you with when you finally stop working. Your loved ones are protected by the relevant insurances, put in place to ensure that if disaster strikes they will be covered. You have made a will. You review your financial affairs regularly to ensure that your mortgage rates are competitive; your finances are working for you as opposed to against you, and your assets continue to be taxefficient. You fear debt and stay away from it. Finally, you understand that your financial affairs will never be perfect and seek advice from a qualified professional to help your finances grow with you as your life goals evolve.

The bad

of them. Do you know your net worth? Are you in a position to save, and if you are, are you saving? What is in store for you when you get older and hit retirement? Do you have a pension and is it any good?

The solution: For you, a few tweaks could make a huge difference. If you have never had one before, a financial appraisal or review is just what you need. You would be better off speaking to an Independent Financial Adviser rather than your bank, which may simply be interested in selling you a financial product. Ask your adviser to give you a summary of the following points: your savings potential over the short to long term; your retirement reality; and, perhaps most importantly, whether you are protected against the consequences of a sudden financial disaster.

The ugly

The situation: Your finances are messy,

The situation: Somehow, things have

and you know that there is work to be done to get you on the right track. Typically, the problem with you is time. A little time spent addressing the issues would make all the difference. Your problem may be that you don’t have a budget: what comes in simply goes out again, and you live from hand to mouth. Perhaps you have your debts under control and know where you stand; however, you have no real strategy to get rid

gone horribly wrong for you financially. You may have been out of work for a while, had a messy and costly divorce, or simply overspent. The problem is compounded because you refuse to open bank statements and bills. Your head is firmly in the sand; you know your finances are in a complete mess, but it’s simply too daunting and depressing to face them. The noose, however, is tightening. If you don’t do

something soon, the bailiffs will be knocking on your door, you may be evicted and you may lose everything you have worked for.

The solution: The first step is to get your head out of the sand. Open those bills, find out exactly how bad the situation is. Seek the help of an adviser to help you add it all up. Once you know exactly where you are, the next step may be to speak to a debt counsellor to find out what your options are. It may not be quite as bad as you think. Do it now. P

Akwasi Duodu is a fully qualified IFA and senior partner of Sterling & Law Ltd, at No 1 Harley Street, London. Akwasi should be able to help you with any financial matters you may have. Call him on 020 7291 4567. 119

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Our aim is to inspire, enable growth and success, communication, education and assistance for all women. When you join this network you will be participating with a group of women whose common purpose is examining choices, explaining feelings, gaining fulfilment and well being and cultivating confidence and competence. It’s our aim to provide the source of inspiration for women who have lost direction, focus and confidence. Read and participate in discussions on relationships issues, career challenges, health and family issues and finding mentors in the workplace/academia.

There is something for everyone. Join us and be nurtured. Be inspired.

Sherry Dixon Founding Director

www.womenonthecrossroads.com 2.indd 1

6/7/09 11:05:17

My Financial Life

PATERSON JOSEPH e f i l l a i c n a My fin

Actor Paterson Joseph, 45, is a familiar face on our TV screens in series like Survivors and Peep Show. He was also hotly tipped (wrongly) to become the first black Doctor Who. Here he talks to Pride about the joys and perils of money.

MONEY MINDSET Like most actors, I believed that the figures weren’t something I’d have to handle. Money was something my agent or accountant would deal with. I had tax bills that I decided I wouldn’t pay – not because I didn’t want to, I just didn’t have the right idea of how to do so. I got into terrible trouble with the interest on those tax bills within the first few years of my career. Luckily, I wisely married a woman who is very good at accounts, and she was outraged that I’d accumulated thousands of pounds of debt basically due to interest. So I’m very good now, but you must find a really good accountant!

BLOW THE BUDGET When I’m filming, I rarely get a chance to do that, but when I do, I’ll travel to my favourite holiday destination: St Lucia! I don’t go mad on the spending, but I do love buying music and books. Acting is not a lucrative profession – you can make a

living without making a heck of a lot of money to splurge. Of course, everyone only sees the publicity of an actor getting £10m or £20m for a film. But by the time a cut goes to their team, that is not the case. I have no interest working in America because my life is in England. I’d argue that if black British actors, especially the really good ones, stayed and made a stand, then they would change things for the next generation. I wanted to come into this profession to tell stories – it wasn’t to make money. When I told my mother I wanted to become an actor, she said, “Okay, as long as you make some money.” I said, “The chances are that I won’t.” I was 18 at the time, but it was one of the wisest statements I’ve ever made.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS My dad was a plasterer and my mother worked in a factory line for McVities biscuits in Harlesden. It was the early 60s, and raising six kids on those wages was a

I WANTED TO COME INTO THIS PROFESSION TO TELL STORIES – IT WASN’T TO MAKE MONEY. real struggle. But they worked hard to ensure that we were all well clothed and well fed. Pocket money was tight, so I got a paper round when I was 13. As a teen, I still couldn’t buy the clothes that I wanted. Back then, it was the age of the Gucci shirts, Cecil Gee suits and snake-skin shoes – all unaffordable! But you had to find a way to look like you had a bit of money and style.

MY FIRST JOB I left school quite early as I felt I had had enough of academia. At 18 I started working as a trainee chef. But they were not going to send me to college to do my catering qualifications, so I decided to seek some other creative work. I went to The Cockpit, a well-run youth theatre at that time, and got bitten by the acting bug before training at the London Academy of Music

and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). When I left, I worked solidly, without a break. The longest period of unemployment I have had was six months. Luckily, it has never happened since!

SHOP TILL YOU DROP I know exactly where I want to shop, and as soon as I see something I want, I’ll buy it. I’m not a ditherer, and I don’t really enjoy hanging about. Saying that, I have four sisters, so I do have a lot of patience going shopping! I could spend hundreds of pounds a month on books and CDs alone. If I only went to purchase these things and someone else bought my clothes, I really wouldn’t be that bothered! P Paterson Joseph stars in Survivors on BBC1 at 9pm on Tuesdays (www.bbc.co.uk/survivors) 121

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If you look after someone, who looks after you? Carers Direct is a free national service. We offer information, advice and support for people like you who care for someone else.

Call free on 0808 802 02 02 or go to www.nhs.uk/carersdirect

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22/1/10 11:35:04

SECRETS OF MY SUCCESS Name: Erica Kyere

Age: 29

Secrets of My Success

A woman on top of her professional game talks to Pride about the challenges and rewards that come with success.

Occupation: Kuapa Kokoo Ltd Communications Manager

ivine Chocolate is the only Fairtrade Chocolate company owned by cocoa farmers. The success of Divine means that farmers of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana can have a secure source of Fairtrade income, and a share of Divine profits, to transform their lives. Erica is a key contact between Kuapa Kokoo, Divine Chocolate Ltd, and the educational charity it set up Trading Visions. She is responsible for research & development, education programmes and communications.

that I made the right decision, and I am very satisfied with my job!

MOST ENJOYABLE:

VISION: I grew up in the small town Mampong, near Kumasi, Ghana, with my family. As a child, I aspired to be a banker, as I believed all that mattered in life was earning a lot of money and having all the good things in life. I knew that to be able to have a good life, I had to study hard to secure a very good job. So, I went on to study for my degree in Economics in Management at the University of Ghana before taking a master’s in Business Administration at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. After graduation, I worked for a project sponsored by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) called Community School Alliance, and as part of my job, we travelled far and wide to the remotest parts of Ghana. The communities we worked with were very poor – most of them had no electricity and water. But when I saw many social projects that had been provided by Kuapa Kokoo, I was very inspired and wanted to be a part of that. I realized that the world was not about only the finer things, but rather how well you are able to help other human beings make something out of their lives. I received a lot of training, which I took very seriously, and Kuapa Kokoo offered me opportunities other companies in Ghana would

“I feel fulfilled when a farmer smiles at me after I have done something that he thinks has impacted on his life positively.” not have given to somebody who was fairly young with very little experience.

CHALLENGES: A challenge I faced when I started the job was how to deal with the media. I was very conscious of the fact that I could be misquoted or misrepresented at any given time. Of course, I overcame this worry by learning how to communicate more effectively. There is also a negative perception of farming. My friends laughed when I told them I was abandoning my dreams of becoming a banker to take up an appointment with a farmers’ organization. They saw it as giving up the glamour associated with the banking industry to take up a rural lifestyle. Now they all realize

I enjoy the fact that I am the first point of contact for most visitors to the only cocoa cooperative in the world that owns a chocolate company. It gives me the opportunity to sell the organization the best way possible, and I am also able to travel around the world to talk about Divine Chocolate and Fairtrade and what they mean to Kuapa Kokoo. It is great that ownership of Divine Chocolate has given farmers a voice in the global chocolate industry and the benefits associated with that. I feel fulfilled when a farmer smiles at me after I have done something that he thinks has impacted on his life positively. I think it is with determination that the farmers were able to do an extraordinary thing like starting the cooperative, and they are very proud of owning a stake in Divine. Also, I enjoy working with the schoolchildren and serving as a positive female role model who they can look up to. Kuapa Kokoo has impacted on my life positively, and working here has encouraged me to be very determined in life. For further information about the Kuapa Kokoo farmers and the story of Divine, please visit www. divinechocolate.com or email info@ divinechocolate.com 123

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21/1/10 20:58:41

Parenting

Titbits to make parenthood a little easier. By Pav Amara

tips

healthy lifestyle in childhood can keep adult ailments away, yet our children are less healthy now than ever before. We hear it on the news, in books and at the doctor’s: we need to keep our children healthy. So how do we keep them fighting fit into their old age? Maybe by sticking to the simple rules our grandparents followed: eat well and stay active. However, if you want to go one better than they did a few generations ago, check out our tips for your little ones.

BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY A good breakfast will keep them warm, energized and concentrating in school. Supermarkets sell quick and healthy breakfast options, such as microwaveable oat porridge, that take only minutes to make when you’re in a rush. Add a handful of raisins or berries to their Ready Brek to go one better.

GET SOME EXERCISE One hour of physical activity a day is recommended for children. So encourage them to play games with their friends or walk to school and back, and help them find a dance or martial-arts class they enjoy. They may complain about exercise eating into their PlayStation/television time, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

TIPS TO KEEP KIDS HEALTHY WATCH THEIR DRINKS The odd can of Coke is fine, but watch out for “diet” drinks – they are loaded with sweeteners such as aspartame, which can trigger allergies and illnesses. Kids may love them, but swapping fizzy drinks for water will not only keep them healthier, it’ll be kinder to their teeth and keep them more hydrated.

five FRUIT AND VEG A DAY Your kids may protest at the veggies on their plates, but eating them keeps away a multitude of nasty cancers and diseases. Weave them subtly into their diet: some salad with meals, juices or smoothies in the morning, and quick snacks like carrots and hummus or apples with ice cream. For fussy eaters, fruit and veg can be easily disguised

in curries, pies and even in cakes. Try chocolate-covered raisins for the real chocolate lovers in your brood!

EAT WHAT YOU NEED Encourage your kids to listen to their stomachs rather than focusing on cleaning their plates. Avoid waste by encouraging them to take half of what they feel like eating, and then getting up for more. Also get them used to eating when hungry, as opposed to when they’re told to, and stopping when they feel full. This will help keep them in tune with their natural bodily rhythms, and that’s a good habit for life.

LESS SALT Get their taste buds used to less salt. It’ll cut their risk of developing high blood pressure as

adults, and introduce new tastes to them. Use other accompaniments to spice up your meals, such as pepper, garlic, basil, oregano and an array of other herbs and spices that have been proven to benefit health.

A GLASS OF MILK A DAY Milk prevents tooth decay in children, meaning fewer fillings when they’re older. Girls under the age of 17 who drink a glass of milk a day are also far less likely to develop brittle bones in old age. Feed them full-fat or semi-skimmed milk for the right nutrients. Milkshakes and hot chocolate made with milk count too!

HAVE FUN Don’t stress over it too much! Playing with friends, discovering new activities and eating better will keep your kids feeling happier and more energized. It will be more fun if you incorporate these simple tips into family life, let your kids help you cook, do activities together and enjoy each other’s company. P

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Long term fostering In Brent

Can you give Sonia the stability she needs? Sonia is an energetic and curious 11-year-old girl who loves playing in the garden and exploring her surroundings. Sonia has Autistic Spectrum Disorder, severe learning disabilities, Dyspraxia and challenging behaviour. She has been with her current carer for over a year and is described as an affectionate child who likes to be cuddled. Sonia likes to be clean and tidy and she keeps her room very neat. She attends a school for children with special educational needs and is making good progress. She has a statement of educational needs and receives good support. Her favourite television programme is Tweenies. Sonia did not receive parenting that could help her to understand acceptable levels of behaviour and her Autism also makes her behaviour difficult at times. However, she responds exceptionally well to firm structures and boundaries, so her carer would need to be able to set good routines for her. Sonia needs to be the youngest child in a two parent, black Caribbean family, who can reflect her ethnic background. Sonia also has contact arrangements with her birth family that need to be maintained. It would be particularly useful for her carers to have experience of children with special needs. If you think that you could offer a home to Sonia and would like to find out more, please contact Monica Mushaishi.

020 8937 4449 monica.mushaishi@brent.gov.uk www.brent.gov.uk/fostering Pride Magazine - January.indd 1 Ad.indd 1

19/01/2010 14:49 19/1/10 15:42:38

At Haringey Adoption Service we recognise that adoption is a life long commitment and we aim to support new and existing families before, during and after adoption. Siblings Joshua and Alicia are of White UK and Sierra Leone parentage. Alicia was born in December 2007 and Joshua was born in December 2006. Joshua is a happy boy who has a hearty laugh and enjoys playing with his sister. He likes to play with his cars and other toys and currently enjoys watching Bob the Builder and Thomas the tank engine on TV. He enjoys music as well as musical toys. He is receiving speech and language therapy and following this he has made good progress. Alicia is a confident little girl with a bubbly and happy disposition. She is inquisitive by nature and enjoys dancing, watching TV and playing with her toys. Alicia engages well with her brother and other children and is developing well. We would welcome a two parent family or consider a one parent family with strong support networks that can offer a permanent home reflecting the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethnicity and promoting their cultural needs. Advice and support is given to you through your assessment process. For more information please contact Lindi Brits 020 8489 3736 lindi.brits@haringey.gov.uk

Haringey Adoption Service

020 8489 4610 www.haringey.gov.uk

Health Matters Living with diabetes

a better quality of life. Brian Hunte, born in Trinidad 67 years ago, was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 43. “When I was diagnosed, it was a surprise,” he admits. “I More than two million people rsty thi y ver ling Fee • didn’t feel unwell, but I had been in the UK live with diabetes. quently fre let toi the to ing Go • losing weight and felt thirsty all People from Africanss • Tiredne g stin wa the time. I was drinking lots of Caribbean communities scle mu and s • Weight los k) bul water and had to get up twice are three times more likely scle mu of s (los by in the night to urinate, which than the general population • Blurred vision, caused wasn’t normal for me.” Blood to develop the condition. This the lens of your eye tests confirmed that Brian had type is thought to be linked to diet, becoming very dry 1 diabetes. “After a year of managing genetic differences in processing my diabetes with tablets and a healthy diet, and storing fat, and unequal access to I had to start insulin injections. When you’ve taken health services. This is why people from African and Caribbean backgrounds are advised to test for your insulin, you need to eat soon afterwards. I go diabetes if they are over 25 and have any of the risk for regular eye checks, and I visit the hospital every six months for blood tests. I factors. Diabetes is a life-long condition can manage the diabetes very that occurs when the amount of glucose easily.” Similarly, the risk of in the blood is too high and the body developing diabetes can be cannot use it properly. There are two reduced by a healthy, balanced types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes diet and doing 30 minutes of usually develops in people under 40, physical activity at least five days although it can arise in older a week. Having diabetes should people too. Type 2 diabetes can not stop you from leading a full occur at any age. Treatments and active life. So, don’t let it! include insulin injections For further information, and maintaining a healthier visit the NHS Choices lifestyle to control blood website at www.nhs.uk/ glucose levels. blackhealthdiabetes While living with diabetes can be challenging, the condition can be managed to ensure

What are the symptoms?

Diabetes consultant nurse Grace Vanterpool answers your questions.

Ask the EXPERT Will I need injections? People with type 1 diabetes have no insulin in their bodies and will need insulin injections. Your doctor will put you in touch with your diabetes nurse, who will teach you and assist whenever necessary.

Will I have to give up sugar? You’ll need to cut down on sugar and sugary foods, because these directly affect your blood glucose levels. Opt for a healthier diet that’s high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in sugar, fat and salt. You don’t need to buy special diabetic food. When you’re newly diagnosed, you’ll be referred to a dietitian. By sticking to your management plan and following a healthy lifestyle, you should be able to continue with daily activities that you enjoy.

Are there foods that will be beneficial to me?

Celebrity Health

MS DYNAMITE

Health Matters

You recently turned veggie. What were your reasons? One day I woke up and thought, “I’m 27 and I’m still getting spots!” I thought I needed to figure out what was in my diet that wasn’t agreeing with me. Do you feel healthier now? Once I cut down on the meat and dairy products, my skin started to improve. It was all down to vanity, to be honest! I don’t want to get on my high horse about it, but I do feel a lot healthier now.

What are your favourite foods as part of your new diet? I make a pretty tasty pumpkin soup. But my most memorable meals from my childhood would be my Mum’s shepherd’s pie and my Nan’s pea stew. My Mum makes an amazing shepherd’s pie – which, of course, I can’t eat now as I’m a vegetarian. What are your top tips for a healthy lifestyle? Do it all in moderation.

Eat regular meals based on carbohydrates. Foods such as bread, potatoes and rice will help to control your glucose levels. All varieties are fine, but wholegrain ones are best. For further information on health-related queries, visit www.nhs.uk If you have any questions for our expert, please email asktheexpert@ pridemagazine.com

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Eczema

Illustrations by Al Gray

E is for Eczema Eczema affects one-fifth of all children and one in 12 adults. The latest research shows that 86 per cent of sufferers feel self-conscious in public. Sherry Dixon finds out why…

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Eczema

What is it? Eczema, or allergic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition associated with dry patches of hot, itchy skin. In severe cases, these areas can become broken and raw, and they may bleed. The itching can be incessant and intense. Eczema commonly affects the hands, elbows, back of the knees and face.

Who gets it? Eczema affects up to one-fifth of all children and one in 12 adults. It affects males and females equally. On the plus side, research shows that 60–70 per cent of children are virtually clear of the condition by the time they reach their mid-teens.

What causes it? Eczema is thought to be an allergic condition – the immune system overreacts to harmless particles that come into contact with the skin. The allergy may develop and worsen over a period of time, as the immune system reacts more intensely to the irritants. Eczema is also linked to dry skin. It has been suggested that a lack of oils and natural moisture in the sufferer’s skin may make them more vulnerable to skin inflammation.

How is it treated? There is no cure for eczema, but medicated creams and emollients added to the bath water lessen the severity of the symptoms. Such creams reduce water loss from the skin and provide a barrier for the irritants, making the skin less dry. Other creams, such as Eucerin, contain urea, a substance needed for the skin to retain moisture. Weleda’s Soothing Dermatodoron Ointment is a very good licensed anthroposophic medicine specifically indicated for eczema. It is made from natural ingredients and is available from independent pharmacies (£4 for 25g tube) or by mail order from Weleda (www.weleda.co.uk). In more severe cases or during flare-ups, prescription antihistamines can reduce the inflammation. Wet-wrap bandaging may soothe dry, itchy skin. Many people with eczema are thought to be affected by allergens in housemite droppings. Reducing soft

furnishings where the allergens collect (such as carpets and curtains), regular vacuuming and covering bedclothes with dust mite-proof covers can lower exposure and improve eczema symptoms. A recent study found that exposure to ultraviolet light over 12 weeks reduced the extent of eczema and improved symptoms in moderate to severe cases.

What happens if the doctor thinks I have it? Your GP will assess your skin and the severity of your eczema and prescribe treatment accordingly. He may suggest you try a number of different emollients – treatments vary in effectiveness depending on the individual. Topical steroids may be prescribed to calm inflammation. In severe cases, oral steroids and antihistamine tablets may be necessary.

Can

diet help?

Nutritionists and some dermatologists believe that diet plays a key role in exacerbating – or relieving – eczema symptoms. Eczema sufferers should undertake a test to identify IgG antibodies in the blood. Sufferers can then eliminate certain foods from their diet and see if symptoms improve. Essential fatty acids (EFAs), found in seeds, nuts and oily fish, turn into important anti-inflammatory compounds in the body. People with low levels are more prone to skin inflammation. Saturated fat and fried foods should be avoided, as they inhibit the formation of antiinflammatory compounds. An antioxidant supplement containing vitamins A, C and E may help – vitamins A and C strengthen the skin, and vitamin E improves healing.

Nutritionists and some dermatologists believe that diet plays a key role in exacerbating – or relieving – eczema symptoms.

Self-help to ease eczema Naturopath Michael Van Straten says there are also natural ways to soothe eczema. The first step is to moisturize, inside and out. Drink at least four pints of water daily. Here are more tips:

A clean home:

Regularly damp-dust all surfaces and replace carpets with wooden floorboards or plastic, thick curtains with rollerblinds, and fluffy bedcovers with thin cotton fabrics. All bed linen should be washed at high temperatures. Avoid biological washing powders as the enzymes can damage sensitive skin. Wrap pillows and cuddly toys in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 12 hours once a month. Eliminate dust mites from duvets, pillows and mattresses. Astex covers are impregnated with a natural and harmless insecticide and will keep mites away for at least two years (0800 838 098).

Touch test:

Contact with metals, perfumes, cosmetics, nail varnish, rubber and any medicated creams may aggravate eczema. Nickel is one of the worst culprits, but avoiding it is not easy as it is a common ingredient in most metal alloys. Cheap jewellery is sometimes the first cause of contact eczema, which can spread to other areas of the body. Handling some foods can also aggravate the condition. Raw fish, garlic, onions and mangoes are common offenders, and it is advisable to wear gloves.

Natural Remedies:

Evening primrose oil cream helps to heal the skin. Dropping three camomile tea bags or porridge oats into a warm bath is also soothing. Put 100g of oats on a large square of muslin or fine cotton and tie into a bag. Hang it under the tap on the bath so the hot water runs over it. Then, use the bag as a sponge, but do not add soap. A poultice of oats, made in the same way, can be applied to affected areas. Fresh chickweed is a traditional herbal remedy. Health stores have ointments, but you can mix 25g (1oz) of crushed fresh elder leaves with 600ml (1pt) of boiled water, then leave to stand for half an hour. Aloe vera gel also reduces itching and helps healing.

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21/1/10 19:58:55

Kerala

With its rich cultural heritage, quiet backwaters and spice markets, Kerala is a great introduction to the sights, sounds and smells of India.

God’s Own Country

ocated at the bottom of India’s southwestern coast, Kerala has become a lot more accessible in recent years, thanks to direct flights to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). This, however, doesn’t mean that it’s become a tourist trap – far from it. Although travel agents do not recommend this area between April and November (due to the monsoon season), you should be aware that monsoon doesn’t mean continuous rain, it just means daily sunshine interrupted by rainy spells. Indeed, Kerala enjoys warm weather year-round and is worthy of a visit at any time. I landed in Trivandrum at dawn; after a series of questions, my passport was finally stamped and I was off. Due to the early hour, I had expected things to be fairly quiet outside – not so. I soon discovered that

traffic jams at 6am are not uncommon here: life gets moving pretty early in Kerala. I negotiated with a taxi driver and climbed into one of the many 50s-style taxis – it was like stepping back in time. I made my base at Kovalam Beach, 16 km south of Trivandrum. On the drive there, I was overwhelmed by how green the area was, with forests of coconut trees growing out of the richest-looking red soil. A tattered roadside sign read: “Kerala – God’s own country”, and, even at this early stage, I was inclined to agree.

St Francis Church, Kochi

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Kerala

While at Kovalam I enjoyed not only the beach, but also some of the Ayurvedic treatments for which this part of the world is renowned. Ayurvedic spas are plentiful in Kovalam; Somatheeram is perhaps the most famous. But you don’t need to go to a dedicated spa, since the beach is littered with stands offering treatments at really low prices. My next experience was boarding a transformed rice barge to cruise some of Kerala’s relatively unspoilt backwaters. The barges vary in size and are equipped with all conveniences (bedrooms, bathrooms, indoor and outdoor living spaces) and a crew who cook, clean and steer. Talk about lying back, taking in the sights, not having to lift a finger and being catered for like a queen… What more could you ask for? I travelled north to the large city of Kochi (Cochin), where I spent time in Fort Cochin, exploring the way in which many different cultures have left their mark here. Visit the Jewish area, with its famous tiled synagogue and antique shops; the Dutch Palace; the Portuguese Church of St Francis (where Vasco da Gama’s remains were originally buried); and the Chinese fish markets, where your purchase can be cooked before your eyes as you sit back and take in the glorious sunsets. I returned to Trivandrum on the overnight train – an experience in itself (make sure you book a day or so before) and a great way to end my Indian holiday. Unfortunately, I still hadn’t done so many of the things I’d wanted to do – stay in a tree house, visit the spice fields and the elephant sanctuary, take a trip to the unspoilt Lakshadweep Islands (north of the Maldives, just off the Kerala coastline)… There are so many different things to experience in Kerala – from temples and palaces, to beaches and backwaters, meditation, bazaars, spice fields, wildlife… It’s affordable for any budget, since everything is cheap – food, travel and accommodation. The people are friendly, and nearly 90 per cent speak English. Hospitality and service come with a wide smile and a warm heart. Plan your journey or go with the flow, but whatever you decide, put Kerala high on your list of travel destinations. P Visit www.keralatravel.net for more information

A houseboat on Kerala’s backwaters

Kerala

Must Dos

1 2 3

Stay on a houseboat cruising Kerala’s 600 miles of backwaters. Have an Ayurvedic treatment for relaxation or medication. Enjoy great, cheap, Kerala-style food at Panchalis family restaurant in Trivandrum. Have a traditional meal off a banana leaf.

5 6

Visit the sights at Fort Cochin. Enjoy a sunset at the fishing nets while eating freshly cooked fish on the sandy shores of Cochin. Take a shopping trip to Parthas – for clothes, fabrics etc. Everything is carefully wrapped and packaged in trendy hessian carrier bags.

Hit Duron Tailors (next to Parthas in

Trivandrum) to get the garment of your choice made within 24 hours for next to nothing. Travel like the locals, by train, old taxis, barges and rickshaws – all cheap and all an experience.

Go to bed early (nights are quiet), get up early to take in as much as possible, and never forget to bargain – everything is negotiable!

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Ad.indd 1

4/12/09 11:39:50

Pride Food

Chocolate Pud e c u a S y rr e h C t o with H

By Alan Coxon

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 20 mins Chill time: 30 mins

Ingredients • 250g Divine 70% dark chocolate • 1 tbsp strong Fairtrade coffee • 3 tbsp Cognac or Brandy • 3 fresh free-range eggs (separated) • 75g Fairtrade caster sugar • 150ml whipping cream

Hot Cherry Sauce

• 50g Fairtrade caster sugar • 250g pitted fresh cherries • 75ml Brandy • 75ml light red wine • 1 small cinnamon stick • 1 tsp cornflour

Method

illed Divine ch , th o o sm f o n tio a in b The com chocolate pudding and warm, fruity cherry sauce creates a wonderful sensation of ste buds. textures and temperatures for your ta

Melt the Divine chocolate in a double boiler with the coffee and the brandy; remove from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 25g of caster sugar until pale; then add to the melted chocolate, mixing well. In a clean, grease-free bowl, whisk the egg whites; gently trickle in the rest of the sugar until stiff peaks are achieved. Whisk the cream to a light peak, then fold it into the slightly cooled melted chocolate.

2 3 4

Next, gently fold in the whisked egg whites. (You will need to work fairly swiftly so that the chocolate doesn’t set too firm.) Pour the Divine chocolate mousse into serving glasses, place into the refrigerator and leave to chill and set for approximately 30–40mins.

for the sauce

Place the sugar into a warm frying pan and add the cherries. Toss around until the sugar has started to dissolve. Add the brandy and flame.

2 3

Add the red wine, followed by the cinnamon stick, and

bring to a simmer. Dissolve the cornflour in a little red wine or water; add it slowly to the sauce and bring to a simmer, stirring until it thickens. When ready, remove the pudding from the refrigerator, pour over the hot cherry sauce and serve.

4 5

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Food

Restaurant &

Delicious Indian

Tesco has launched a line of frozen Indian dishes that are half the price of your favourite takeaway. Chicken Jalfrezi, Prawn Masala, Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Bhuna for two people cost £9.50, while single-portion Chicken Tikka and Chicken Korma cost £4.30. Every delicious option comes with a naan, rice and dips. The line includes a variety of dips for £1.60.

Try IT!

eat it!

guilt-free frying Tefal’s ActiFry “deep-fries” with only a spoonful of oil. Hot air circulates around food as a paddle evenly disperses oil, so that dishes come out crispy on the outside and with only 3% fat content. The fryer comes with a recipe book, so you have more options than just fish and chips. Available for £149.99 at www.tefal.co.uk

Love it!

I heart chocolate Divine allows you to give your sweetie a treat and to support a good cause. The Strawberry & Raspberry Duo boasts a white chocolate bar paired with strawberries and a dark chocolate bar teamed with raspberries (available at Waitrose for £3.99). Another product, the Divine Valentine Milk Chocolate Heart, is available at Oxfam stores for £4.99.

Drink it!

Bordeaux-bound

Sarah and Mark Hellyar are two Brits making bold wines in Bordeaux. Their wines are aged in oak barrels with minimal chemical treatments and have an honest and contemporary flavour. The 2007 Château Civrac (£12.50) is an approachable yet layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec grapes. The 2007 Element is the winemakers’ plummy Merlot (£7.50). For stockists, visit www.civrac.com

Restaurantreview: Royal China I

f you are out and about in central London and wish to avoid the bustle of Chinatown, Royal China Baker Street offers authentic Hong Kong/Chinese cuisine in a peaceful setting. The white front and modest reception open out on to a large open-plan dining area hidden from the lively high street. On arrival, we were recommended the chef’s specialities and enjoyed the chef’s Imperial Seafood Hors d’Oeuvres. This consisted of spicy baby squid, sesame prawn toast, squid balls and seaweed, all of which were extremely appetizing. For mains, my guest and I shared the Mongolian lamb, which was particularly scrumptious; mixed seafood;

Chinese vegetables; and the Royal China Lotus Leaf Rice, specially prepared with prawns and duck and steamwrapped in a lotus leaf. While the dishes appear minimalist, the main focus is on the quality of the traditional cuisine. Despite feeling ready to burst, we still delved into desserts of lime sorbet and Space Junk, which consisted of chocolate chips in ice cream. Surprisingly busy for a Monday evening, Royal China proves to be the ideal place for after-work diners or an enjoyable ladies’ night! HHH

Royal China Baker Street,   24–26 Baker Street, London W1U 7AB   Tel: 020 7487 4688 www.royalchinagroup.co.uk

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21/1/10 20:49:02

Yourstars

February 2010 by Jenni Neptune

Aries

Libra

21 Mar to 20 Apr The early part of the month is likely to be a light-hearted time, when your social life will be enjoyable and romance light and fluffy. After this period, however, matters take on a more serious note; those closest to you may be working their socks off trying to make ends meet, not only for themselves, but also, perhaps, for you.

23 Sep to 23 Oct During the month of February, the stars indicate that there will be a secretive and clandestine feel about your romantic life. Could it be that you are attracted to somebody who already has a mate? Because of your natural sensitivity, you know that this would not be a good idea, so, if it is at all possible, try to avoid this and be open and honest.

Taurus

21 Apr to 21 May During early February there may be arguments with those you are financially dependent on, and also one or two minor brushes with the law. This is avoidable, though, so it’s up to you to make sure you sidestep it. It would also be a good idea to be more polite when in the company of strangers, especially if they come from abroad, because criticism is likely to make you highly unpopular.

Gemini

22 May to 22 Jun There may be some new faces appearing on the scene at work during February, but don’t overdo the hard work and remember to get in plenty of rest from time to time. From the middle of the month onwards, the stars will be throwing a rosy glow over family and property matters. You couldn’t choose a better time for looking for somewhere new to live or perhaps for redecorating your home.

Cancer

23 Jun to 22 Jul During February the stars suggest that you will be adopting a much more casual approach to your love life, particularly if you’re single. You’ll prefer to enjoy the admiration of several members of the opposite sex rather than continually hunting around for the “love of your life”. This new approach will prove to be successful.

Leo

23 Jul to 22 Aug February is an ideal time for physical activity, including sports. However, when it comes to romance, you will be more than usually

Scorpio

Alice Walker 9 February 1944

AQUARIUS

21 Jan to 19 Feb During February, the stars are throwing a wonderful glow over existing relationships and providing a helpful time to people you are financially dependent upon. This, together with any assistance that you can give them, will make for a productive time and one that may require a celebration at a later date.

guided by the physical; that is fine, but don’t dress it up as anything more important. From the middle of the month, you’re faced with a great deal of hard slog – mind you, once you put your mind to it, there’s nothing you can’t do, Leo, so get cracking.

Virgo

23 Aug to 22 Sep In February the stars indicate that you’ll be physically and mentally in tip-top form, using charm instead of intellect. This proves to be attractive to other people, so your love life is bound to benefit. Should you be forming any kind of partnership, whether it be professional or personal, it is sure to thrive during this period.

24 Oct to 21 Nov During February the stars are throwing a rosy glow over your friends, contacts and acquaintances, so now you know where to go if you need any kind of support. It’s also likely that a close pal could be introducing you to a romantic possibility.

Sagittarius

22 Nov to 20 Dec During February the stars will be throwing a peaceful glow over career matters. It is also quite possible that you may be temporarily infatuated with a work mate. But double check that they are fancy-free, otherwise you’ll be storing up some hurt for the future, and it’s a rare Sagittarian who courts complications.

Capricorn

21 Dec to 20 Jan During the month of February, romance is well starred, and the indications are that many of you will be attracted to those with strange-sounding names. Yes, it’s those foreign accents that set that adrenalin pounding through your veins.

Pisces

20 Feb to 20 Mar In February the stars are throwing a happy, contented glow over all existing relationships, both at home and at work. If you are fancyfree, you should take a second look at any new face that enters your social scene, otherwise you may overlook someone who could mean a great deal to you. So take your head out of the clouds and be alert. P

Jenni Neptune is a member of the American Association of Astrologers. Free daily horoscopes are available at Astroagency.com 139

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Pride

before the fall Few singers can compete with Elvis, but Charley Pride is one of them. He may not be a household name now, but once upon a time Pride was one of the biggest stars in the United States, and he achieved what seemed impossible: dominating the white-country and Western music scene in segregated 1960s America.

t was 1962, and Charley Pride had left Americans astonished: this AfricanAmerican singer had become hugely successful in a uniformly white-music chart. With 36 number-one hits in the Billboard country-music charts, Pride seemed unstoppable and at the top of his game. Pride was well on his way to a glittering career: winning Grammies, making charming national-television appearances, courting young actresses and breaking new records. International fame beckoned as he won award after award and became RCA’s best-selling artist since Elvis Presley. Paul Newman was a close friend, and Charley Pride’s celebrity fan club grew as the stars of old Hollywood flocked to befriend him. Awards for Entertainer of the Year and Best New Male Artist sat on the mantelpiece of his Beverly Hills home, but something was not quite right: bipolar disorder was darkly encroaching on Pride’s life. Suicidal thoughts loomed, desperate anxiety attacks took over, and a new, frightening temper erupted in front of his new-found fans. Charley’s celebrity friends hurried away, and Hollywood’s jet-setters began downplaying their association with the singer and cancelling deals.

Americans were astonished: a black man had become hugely successful in an all-white music chart. Pride entered a dark phase in his life, making outlandish demands to bosses at RCA Records after repeatedly suffering delusions and hallucinations. He was promptly dropped. Without friends, income and career, he was alone. He spent months in a delusional haze, panicking and not sleeping. Eventually, he was hospitalized. His marriage to wife Rozetta hung by a thread, since she also endured his violent unpredictability. Perhaps the biggest blow came after Pride’s music-industry friends

and one-time admirers failed to notice him, even after a tumour was discovered on his vocal chords. Twenty years on, however, and it seems that Charley Pride has come through it all. Determined to recover from his tumour, he found the strength to succeed. He began a music publishing business and decided to beat bipolar disorder with regular medication. The business was a surprise success, and Pride began investing in Texas real estate, a wise move that brought him huge profits. Now, decades after his glorious music career, Charley Pride is on the brink of new success. Along with a flurry of business deals, book deals and musicindustry support, Pride was given the Arts Commission Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. And it seems that his life’s lessons have moulded a new, far more content man, now finally comfortable in his own skin. In Pride’s own words: “I told you in the beginning. I’m not James Brown. I’m not Sam Cooke. I’m Charley Pride, country singer. I’m just me, and that’s what you get.” P

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Derrick Evans, aka fitness guru Mr Motivator, 50, is renowned for his neon outfits and groovy routines. Currently living in Jamaica, he talks to Cynthia Lawrence about Lycra and how he gets romantic.

Describe yourself in three words. Protector; comforter; colourful! Name three things that make you happy. Family, as this gives me a reason to work late and get up early and to live. The next is exercise, as this keeps me feeling great and gives me the strength to carry on. And finally, sunshine. Without this, I would not have a full smile on my face every day.

What has been the most embarrassing thing to happen to you? Many years ago, when I had nowhere to stay and no food to eat, I went to the dole office. Staff there made me feel so low and bad that on the way out, I turned and shouted to her that I would never be seen in there again. It was a busy dole office in Harringay, and suddenly the whole place went silent. When did you last cry? Tears of joy at my wedding, 13 years ago. Lycra or comfy tracksuits? Lycra always! Tracksuits went out with the old clothes some 15 years ago. Lycra works as it offers so much needed support. If you choose well in terms of colours and design, most people will take a second look. After all, it is what I am known for! What is the cheesiest CD in your collection? Rhymes. Now I Barney Sings Nursery Rhymes have been reminded, it will be buried this week!

Name any guilty pleasures. Whenever I’m in the UK, I have to purchase a large bag of Walkers plain crisps and an oldfashioned bar of KitKat. Who is your celebrity crush? Halle Berry would turn my head. What was the last movie you saw? I was at the opening of Avatar in Miami. I stayed awake, which is unusual for me! I was on the edge of my seat. Wow!

When was the last time you were angry, and why? When a certain individual at a TV station let down the hundreds of thousands who joined our new motivation club. We had made lots of promises to all these people, and I was unable to see it through because this individual was insincere in his attitude. I went away feeling personally responsible. What’s your idea of a romantic evening? Getting dressed up in nice clothes, a restaurant by the river, muted lights and candles, and soft background music. Then, after a three-course meal with all our favourite dishes, time to hit the dance floor until the feet ache and we have sweated enough! Home, next, to a nice hot shower and sleep, in the knowledge that once again we have shared a special moment in time. How do you relax and unwind? Relaxation for me comes in the form of working out, reading and spending quality time with my family. I also love cooking on a regular basis. What’s been your strangest fan mail? An Irish lady sent me a good-luck coin attached to a greetings card, signed by her whole family and pledging undying love! P

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