PYNK Lemonade The Squeeze | Volume 4

THE

One Year Year A N N I V E R S A R Y

ALL I NEED ARE FIVE MICS

also also

ISSUE

+ protecting your brown body + entertainment industry tea with coco + facing yourself in a time of crisis + music for the soul with Reggie becton

We are tired.

The time is now. We started this company because we wanted to represent something bigger than us. This is bigger than us. And we would not be who we were if we did not pause to take a moment and sit in solidarity with our people.

Although life has shifted significantly, our mission has not. Our mission has always been and will always be to be a part of something that will really impact the culture and change lives. Our responsibility is to celebrate black excellence, bask in the gloriousness of black culture and continue to amplify the voices that should be heard. THAT’S what we are here for. And THAT’S what we were called to do.

We would not be us if we didn’t use our platform to do something to help someone else. That’s our job. That’s what we’re here for. We are the strongest when together and we can affect more lives when we do it together in the best way we can at the moment. Our way of doing that right now is through the stories that you will come across in this issue.

We hope that in these messages you will be inspired to achieve your wildest dreams and know that you are extraordinary even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Let this serve as a reminder that your mission is not done, it’s only the beginning, and that your voice has the power to impact millions around the world. We have come a long way and have far more to do. The work is not yet done!

Please say a prayer for the families of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and all of the others whose lives have been taken by racism and hatred. Please also say a prayer for the families impacted by COVID-19 due to the negligence of our country’s leaders. And please say a prayer for yourselves and your loved ones who need the support to keep pushing.

Remember, there’s always one Love and it’s in us.

Photo By: Kelly Lacy from Pexels

The PYNK Lemonade Team

June 2020 | Volume Four CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, WRITER Chloé Francena Adams CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, DESIGNER Chanah McKenzie EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SENIOR WRITER Ramona Roberts COPY EDITOR, WRITER Adrinece Beard Contributing Writers by appearance

Nzingha Florence Cynthia Vasquez Khrystina Blanks Deiona Monroe Ta’lor Prince Karima McKenzie Imani Hendrick Martin Soaries Steven Hughes Ethan Scarlett

Copyright ®2020 PYNK Lemonade - All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review - without written permission from the publisher.

Please direct all permission requests, ad inquiries, subscription inqueries and orders to info@pynklmn.com.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS

Wow! What a year it has been. At the end of 2019, our team gathered in Philadelphia, PA to host our year-end meeting. We laughed, caught up, shared our plans for the new year, and left with motivation ready to take on what was next. Little did we know, what was “next” proved to be quite the challenge that literally turned the world upside down. However, as we progressed through this first half of the year, we still realized that what we planned for and the theme that we wanted to follow, was still just as relevant these last few months as it was then.

Our focus for the year 2020 was “intention.” While some teams may focus on intention as it relates to working, our focus looks at intention through the lens of reflection and purpose.

This year had been a rollercoaster, to say the least. We don’t think anyone was prepared for what has come our way since we entered into this new decade. If there’s anything that we’ve learned thus far, it’s that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty there will always be a time for connection and renewal.

We’ve seen it within the work that our healthcare workers have done. We’ve felt it through the hugs from our loved ones. We’ve experienced it through the passions of our voices in the fight for the greater good. We’ve literally watched a renaissance of creators take something considered negative and turn it into an influx of creativity.

This has been an example of the truth. And the truth is, we are always going to push through and come out victorious. It is who we are as a people. And even in times like these, our purpose has always risen to conquer disparity and indifference.

We certainly have a long way to go, but we are so thankful for what these last twelve months have taught us since launching this company and we look forward to what the next twelve hold.

Hold on. Stay steadfast. Keep pushing forward. And remember, there’s always one Love.

Keep

it

Sweet!

Chloé Francena Adams + Chanah McKenzie PYNK Lemonade, Co-Founders

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

What can I say about celebrating one year of The Squeeze. It’s been a journey so far, full of learning experiences and constant growth. One year of committing ourselves to creating stories for and by US. One year of constantly trying to raise the bar of presenting real, authentic stories in the most relatable way.

For me personally, one year ago I was at a very different stage in my life. I was overall unhappy about where I was and confused about how to get to where I wanted to be. Through PYNK Lemonade and building this magazine, I found a safe haven. Me working in my passion and in the very role I manifested for myself as a child, I was reminded of who I was and what I was capable of achieving. So this one year for Ramona has been a year of growth, self-love, self-affirmation, and seeing the fruits of holding true to my desires in life.

Of these desires, I found a burning need to do more with my passions and skills to have a positive impact.

With all of the hate, racism, and chaos in this world, I developed a responsibility to be a part of the solution.

Therefore this issue was shifted to not just celebrate PYNK Lemonade, but to rawly take a stance on the injustice of the countless police killings of black bodies, and the never-ending game of downplaying and ignoring our humanity. Now– if not ever before, we all have to find our place to be a part of the solution. To be a part of the change we want to see.

I hope this issue reminds you of the significance of our black bodies, the importance of our voices, and our uncontrollable magic in every way.

Sincerely, Ramona Roberts Editor-in-Chief & Senior Writer

INSIDE THE SQUEEZE

34

10 Beauty, But Keep It Real 14 The Truth About Corporate Inclusivity 18 The Power of “No” 20 Your Social Media Presence Matters

LIVIN’ YOUR BEST LIFE // 24 Sweat Check!

29 Creatives in Quarantine 30 Facing Yourself in a Time of Crisis

Cover Photo By: Denzel Golatt

STEADY HUSTLIN’//

Photo By: Mika Borgia from Pexels

44 WE ARE THE CULTURE //

MUSIC MATTERS //

34 All I Need Are Five Mics with BGP 40 Becoming: The PYNK Take 42 Scared to Have Brown Bodies 44 There’s Coco & There’s Tea

60 Soulful Hues of Orange 64 The Woman Behind the Mic 66 A Seat at My Table 70 See Yourself There 72 Straight from the Boxhound

BIG BAG TALK // 50 The Work is Not Done 54 It’s What We Deserve 56 Basic Budget Worksheet 57 Who Want’s to be a Millionaire 58 Numbers Don’t Lie

60

the

refresher a digital experience

07.11.2020

REGISTER 0N

06.19.20

Photo By: Wallace Chuck from Pexels

Excuses don’t make empires.

UNKNOWN

BEAUTY, BUT KEEP IT REAL

A CHAT ABOUT BEAUTY STANDARDS WITH MODEL & CREATIVE NÉOMI ELBAZ

W

ho is Néomi Elbaz? Meet the 21-year-old American-turned-Canadian who didn’t originally expect to enter the fashion world. Described in three words, her most prominent descriptors can be thought of as relatable, authentic, and independent. A proclaimed “model by necessity,” her journey began at 16 after several companies directly messaged her on Instagram about modeling for their brands. At 17, she decided to move to Montréal, Québec, by herself after graduating from high school.

Today, she’s doing her thing collaborating with creatives throughout Montréal and New York City. We engaged in a conversation about all things related to beauty. What exactly is deemed as beautiful today?

What and who are most poppin’ in fashion today and every day? Who’s deciding the latest trends? Why are the latest fads so popular? From the perspective of a Black creative who appears both in front of and behind-the-camera, Elbaz gave her scoop on the fashion scene she’s experienced.

Who are some of your favorite models that you also

10

THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

Photo By: @fabiolaphotography_

by Cynthia Vasquez

consider role models?

“Since I’ve started modeling more seriously, I’ve met higher class models. They do beautiful work. One model, in particular, is Adetutu Oluwabusayomi Alabi, who also goes by Adetutu OJ. She’s really beautiful. If you know Burna Boy, she’s in one of his music videos, actually. She has [tribal marks] across her face.

[However], I don’t really believe in idolizing people, and I don’t necessarily even believe in meeting your heroes. Because I have met famous people and I was really disappointed when I met them because I felt I couldn’t really connect. Whether because there wasn’t any real depth to that person. I’m a very laid back person, so I don’t know, I firmly believe people are people. Even if you do great things, I don’t believe in idolizing another being.”

They say don’t have too many expectations before meeting your heroes, because you might be disappointed. Do you have any favorite designers?

“The last brand I worked with has so far been one of my favorite brands. I think what they’re doing is really cool. It’s called ORAKI. All their stuff is made from recycled plastic, and I think that is awesome. Nike did that stuff, making shoes out of recycled plastic, and I think that’s so cool. Because we have all this trash that we’re just throwing out into the world, and they’re making things that are so beautiful out of it.”

How do you think the fashion industry has changed over the years?

“I think things change but stay the same because, at the end of the day, fashion is recycled. Everything in this world is new and old. We have bell-bottom pants coming back; we have all these different prints and styles that are coming back. Maybe they’re altered in a little different way, but this was fashion just a little bit ago, too.

There are also still many, many people who are still not inclusive. Now, maybe you’re not supposed to be this tall and this skinny, but you’re supposed to be a very specific type. I know [that] Fashion Nova’s a little bit more inclusive, but when they first started out, I saw their page, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is clearly not for me.’

This is for women who are shaped in a very specific way that I know I wasn’t. Nothing against Fashion Nova, though. They’re all beautiful girls. Whether it’s

real or fake, or whatever. It’s just I saw that and was like okay, I don’t need to come back here.”

Do you think that models feel the need to change themselves according to the current trends and fads to continue receiving work?

“A hundred percent, yeah, definitely. Even the Jenners/Kardashians, they change all the time. As much as people want to say, ‘Oh, but Kendall didn’t get butt implants,’ and this and that. That’s great, that girl’s had work done, and she’s no older than I am, or maybe just a couple years. But, yo, that girl gets work done. All these girls get work done.”

Do you think the “Kardashian effect” is impacting what brands make for everyday girls looking to model their clothing? (Fashion Nova, Pretty Little Thing, MissGuided, etc.)

“I think this Kardashian effect is very real, and I think Instagram models are the new norm and expectation [for women]. Maybe the beauty standard is no longer a super tall anorexic girl, but now it’s looking like an Instagram model, aka cardboard cut-out of Kylie Jenner, which is ultimately fake. This is the general vibe, but not all clothing lines, and not all agencies are like this. However, I’ve definitely been turned down due to my size. But, I know for a fact that it’s not real.

It does definitely play a big role in how a lot of brands are marketing their clothing. As for Instagram models, the only reason these girls are Instagram models is because they’re able to pull it off. As much as we want to say it’s nothing, it’s just a girl wearing makeup. Do you know how much time these girls put into this persona? Literally, every waking hour has to be devoted to self-indulgence and not even selfcenteredness; but it has to be all about you all the time on social media. Like you’re famous, but you’re your own paparazzi. You’re constantly advertising yourself, and I don’t think that’s what people are. I think there are some people who are able to be, though. That’s when you get these Instagram models who are willing to alter their bodies and do these things to get whatever result they’re looking for.”

Were you ever told that you needed to change anything about your physical appearance?

“Definitely, I’ve been turned away many times, for my height especially. I’ve been told that ‘You know, your

It goes so much deeper than just a beauty standard. It goes down to our perception of people.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

11

market their product shows that it’s like a man-owned thing because I don’t feel represented. I feel like this is what you need to be. You need to sell sex. It makes me question the ideals of the company themselves.

I think that’s a huge thing also that people need to learn to accept themselves because these expectations that we’re asked to meet are not realistic. That’s not what everyday women are like. There all shapes and sizes; there are different body types all over the world.

I couldn’t care less that it’s canceled. I never bothered to watch those shows, they don’t appeal to me in any way shape or form. I don’t think that show impacts many people like the Fenty show does. I like the Fenty show because it’s more than just, ‘Look at these clothes!’ It’s also about sharing diversity, sharing music, and sharing in the community. And, you see all these girls, like I know there was a girl and her leg was amputated. She was dancing, she was strutting, she was doing all this stuff, and it was awesome.

So yeah, I’ve definitely been told that I need to alter the way that I look. Whether it’s been by people I’m trying to work with or for, or by the general public and them saying you could definitely get all these jobs.

That’s not what I’m personally striving for, I definitely try to be a healthy person by exercising and eating right. I think going under the knife is for some people, but it’s not for me.”

This year, something very shocking (and as many people feel) overdue occurred: Victoria’s Secret fashion show was canceled months before COVID-19 started. How did you feel about that?

“I’ve never quite been a fan of Victoria’s Secret. I felt something was wrong with that business from the second I first walked into the stores. The way that they

And it’s cool because it helps all these different kinds of women, and men, and whatever people want to identify as, feel good about themselves. And while I understand that many people with the older mentality might say it’s fashion, it’s supposed to be for this and that, and that aesthetic thing is something that people really hold onto. But if you have the power to do something so widespread, why not make the world a bit of a better place at the same time, while you’re still killing the game?

Photos By: @fabiolaphotography_

hair isn’t long enough.’ Or it’s not a certain way. Or ‘You don’t have these features.’ Bodywise, I have been told before that I need to lose weight or have a curvier look, but this is just my womanly form.

What do you feel needs to change when it comes to those deciding what’s trendy and fashionable at the moment?

“That’s a really big question, because first off, who is deciding what’s trendy and hot at the moment?

I think we’re blinded sometimes by the wrong things.

I think it’s not just the people who are behind the scenes, but I think it’s also the people who are in the scene because… well, who sets the tone today? If you’re walking down the street, what do you hear?

What’s hype? What’s poppin’? What are all these trends? Where do they come from? Black people. At the end of the day, we have the power. It’s just at what point do you want to stop being this trope that they want you to be, and speak up for what’s right and to speak up for your community.

It goes so much deeper than just a beauty standard.

It goes down to our perception of people. I’ve lost friends because of the color of their skin. I’ve almost lost my life because of the color of my skin. I’m sure that many Black youths have a similar story, and that’s sad.

That’s why fashion statements, trends... It’s something way more than just clothing. That’s why I hold onto the modeling thing and being able to share my voice because I know that I’m an opinionated person. If I have something to say that can help someone, then I’m gonna.”

What’s something you think fashion can do to make yourself feel that you’re another girl on the stage?

“I think I’ve had to accept myself the way I am. I remember being in school… I was getting made fun of for my natural hair. I remember coming home and crying to my mom. I remember having to straighten my hair until it was fried off of my head. I remember these things, and that wasn’t too long ago. I remember whiteness being the definition of beauty. I still think that it’s somewhere there in the general public and media because you’re going to see one feature on a Black woman and have people say it’s vulgar. While you see it on a White woman, and have people say well, that’s beautiful.

It took many years for me to accept myself. I think I’m still working on accepting myself. I don’t think that women are these perfect beings all the time, and I think that we hurt ourselves a lot, trying to be these perfect cut-outs. But that’s just not what real is. I think it’s a harmful thing to much of society, to many girls growing up, you know.

Through makeup and fashion, I’ve already been able to change the person I am, depending on what I’m wearing and my style. I’ve developed a tough enough skin to be okay with who I am. I definitely know that I am my own person, I’m unique and very happy with the person that I am.”

THE TRUTH ABOUT CORPORATE INCLUSIVITY

by Ta’lor Prince

14

THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

“O

h my god. This is so sketchy.”

“Sketchy?” I ask. “Why?” Silence. My coworker, who shouted that a neighborhod filled with Black children playing basketball in their yard was “sketchy,” was now silent.

A series of questions run through my head: Did my other colleagues hear her? Do they even care? Did I make her uncomfortable?

A few moments later, the conversation steered away from the “sketchy” comment and found a lighter topic to discuss—lunch.

“Lunch?” I thought. My white colleague wiggled her way out of the conversation by flippantly talking about lunch—and our other colleagues allowed it. They didn’t care to acknowledge what she said prior. They didn’t care how it might have affected their colleague who looks just like the kids she called “sketchy.”

Although this happened months ago, I still think about this day, as it was my first encounter with microaggressions in the workplace—and unfortunately, it wasn’t my last. While working with this team, I experienced everything from hair stares, to accent scrutiny, and the most common occurrence— exclusion. It was hurtful. Haunting, if you will.

“Am I overreacting?” I asked myself daily. “Am I too sensitive?”

I wasn’t.

Photo By: Fauxels from Pexels

Instead, I was scared to recount my experiences because not only was I the only Black person on my team, but I was also a junior-level employee. I figured it would be best to keep my frustrations to myself to avoid being problematic—so I did.

My experiences with my coworkers’ biases negatively impacted my contentment in the field, my confidence in my work, and my affinity in the office; it was unhealthy. Despite this, my time on this team contributed to my growth as a professional and helped me realize what I can no longer accept in the workplace—exclusion.

Because of my previous experiences, I started to screen each potential employer for similar toxic practices by crafting a list of questions to ask in every interview, and I want to share them with you, my fellow Black millennials.

If you’re looking for ways to see if a company values diversity and inclusion, try asking the following questions at your next interview:

DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES? This question lets you know if the company cares to improve its culture. Of course, no company is perfect, but the answer to this question will let you know if they are at least striving for a diverse office and inclusive space. If the company offers training, follow up with questions about what the courses entail. The more you know, the more you can assess.

HOW IMPORTANT IS DIVERSITY ON YOUR TEAM? Asking this question may surprise your interviewer(s), which is good, as it will provide you with the most authentic answer. Red flag: If the hiring manager stumbles on the question or responds with “I think it’s important,” without giving a substantial reason why—it’s a strong indicator that diversity has never crossed their minds.

HOW DOES YOUR SENIOR LEADERSHIP ENSURE EVERYONE FEELS INCLUDED? Yes, many companies boast diversity; however, they miss the inclusion aspect. By asking this question, you find out what leadership does to make sure everyone feels welcomed and comfortable in the workspace.

When asking this question, you should look for examples of how they have done this in the past and systems to continue it in the future.

Although my past experiences were tough, they taught me what to seek in a potential company. I want an employer that holds workers accountable for their offensive comments, and I want leadership that strives to make all people feel comfortable—and I’m sure you do, too. By asking the above questions, you can ensure your soon-to-be company will do just that!

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

15

ANGELA Y. DAVIS

Š Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Photo taken on film by Johnny Defroe

I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change.

I am changing the things I cannot accept.

AC C E L E R AT E YO U R J O B S E A R C H

NEW!

THE ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL PACKAGE Designed to help advance your career by providing superior career coaching and guidance from enrollment until you get hired.

Photo By: The Lazy Artist Gallery from Pexels

Including: Professional Resume Writing Linkedin Profile Development On-Demand Interview Coaching Resume Distribution Job Offer Evaluation & Negotiation AND MORE! Secure your dream job today.

BRANDRESUMES.COM @OFFICIALBRANDRESUMES

THE POWER OF “NO” REJECTION IS A CATALYST, NOT A BARRIER

by Cynthia Vasquez

L

ike my mother Beyoncé said in her 2019 interview with ELLE, “Least favorite word: No.” Show of hands, who else can relate? One lesson I’ve learned is that a “no” is a sign to move on and create a new opportunity for ourselves. If we’re not capable of successfully challenging it to receive a “yes” from our rejection’s source, it’s time to pivot our lives in a new direction.

As the world has recently proven, it’s even more vital to remember that we’re in charge of creating our breakthroughs. 2020 is an all-around interesting year. It’s almost inconceivable how the world has so drastically changed in only six months. Our lives won’t go back to normal because it’s a new reality we’re living in. One that we’ll have to adapt to and learn to manage from a new perspective.

It’s the unexpected rejection that’s added to the world’s hysteria. After being impacted by a pandemic that’s brought the entire world to a standstill, we’re all attempting to piece together the latter. What is going to happen once everything resumes?

The fact that we’ve all faced a lot of “no’s” has caused us to fill in a lot more blanks than usual. Even moments that would’ve shaped our lifetimes were postponed, or canceled, as a result.

Amid a plethora of abrupt rejection, it’s easy to think how receiving a few more green lights would’ve made understanding our new definition of normal somewhat stress-ridden. They could’ve led to more paychecks and less worry. They could’ve prevented us from moving back home with our parents or even having to postpone a semester or year of school.

In general, a lot less rejection would’ve allowed most of us to feel better. Yet, we’ll eventually have to progress.

Pondering what could’ve or would’ve happened only allows us to remain fixated on the past. Instead, we can ask ourselves, “How do I plan to move forward and past the “no’s?”

Rejection actually does hurt and that’s why it’s difficult to move on from it. Studies show the areas

18

THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

in the brain activated when we’re in physical pain are also stimulated when we’re given the cold shoulder.

So, when life punches us, we must heal and plan to bounce back. If not, what else can we do?

We don’t (and usually can’t) wait for the latter to just appear. But, that’s a negative point-of-view. Instead, we can approach it from a mentality that whatever was meant to happen, did. 2020 was meant to happen for a reason. Why? I don’t think most people have a definite answer to that. Yet, the question we can ask is, “What can I do now to prepare for when this is all over?” Or, even ponder the steps to creating a new door after the world has seemingly closed a vast majority of them.

There’s power in a no. Rejection encourages us to change. This time in history is unique because the world is changing along with us. It’s showing us we’re supposed to do things differently; and thankfully, we’re always capable of adapting.

Life functions in a complex way and we can only trust in our ability to make the most of the cards we’re dealt.

Although a closed-door can seem to work against us, it’s usually a favor. Wondering why the things that seemingly didn’t happen in our favor or happening to us only hinder our future plans. In reality, everything is happening for us, even if we don’t fully understand at first.

Rejection gives us the fuel to reroute our lives and organize ourselves for successes that align with who we are. Anyone who’s successful in their own way claims they faced a lot of “no’s” before they found a silver-lining. Usually, one that they created.

Today, our situation isn’t any different.

“It is all said and true when you Touch and Agree.”

- Unknown

To stay healthy and strong we need to cleanse our bodies actively. Completing this 7-Day Immunity Boost Challenge will allow your body to reap the following 3 benefits:

HYDRATION Fact: Our bodies are made of 70% water.

We must stay hydrated for optimal health. Your body will consume waterbased beverages and high-water content foods, particularly with fresh fruits, juices, smoothies and salads.

IMPROVED PHYSICAL APPEARANCE & MENTAL STATE Fact: Most of the physical ailments we feel or experience in our bodies are directly related to its’ inability to properly remove the toxins.

Eating whole plant-based foods will allow your body to open up its detox passages so they can work most efficiently.

INCREASE ENERGY/ DIGESTION Photo By: Joe Wright (@jolasoul_)

Fact: Digestion requires 50%-70% of your bodies’ energy daily.

Raw foods supply maximum nutrition, hydration, and enzymes which all aid digestion and help you get rid of more toxins, which gives you more energy.

AVAILABLE TO ORDER JUNE 19, 2020 www.taatsolutions.com

YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE MATTERS

by Nzingha Florence

W

ith COVID-19 ruining everybody’s 2020, small businesses are being hit especially hard. From the entire country quarantined to every media outlet encouraging social distancing, small businesses are being shut down and the streets are empty. It is now more than ever that these businesses need to up their game when it comes to their social media presence. Your page being prominent on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn can be helpful when trying to increase business sales. It is important for black-

20 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

owned businesses specifically to stay engaged with their followers and promote themselves as much as they can.

Spelman College students DeAndria Madden and Arianna Valbrun are both the owners and creators of their own businesses. DeAndria started her own skincare line providing her customers with quality and inexpensive products. “I have been selling since the end of February and my sales are about $400$600 a month before buying supplies & containers,”

says Madden. However, when COVID-19 hit, there had to be a shift in the way that entrepreneurs sell their products.

“Quarantine has had a positive and negative effect on my business. Some of the negatives include a decrease in sales. Majority of the revenue I received was because I was on campus and it was easier for someone to place an order and pick it up the same day. Now, my customers have to pay for shipping,” Madden explains. “Additionally, there have been many delays with receiving supplies and containers, which has caused a delay in pushing out orders.

On the bright side, since I’m home, I have more time on my hands. This has allowed for me to test and release new products, create more interactive content, and brainstorm new ideas.”

Madden’s skincare page on Instagram, @sunny.deskincare, features an aesthetically pleasing color scheme that focuses on the color yellow and a sunflower theme.

“Social media has given me a platform that allows me to reach people from nearly everywhere around the U.S. As of recently, I have shipped orders to half of the United States! These platforms have given my business exposure and revenue that I don’t think I’d have gotten otherwise if I wasn’t as active on social media. It’s also given me the opportunity to expose my business to my followers and advocate for my brand and my purpose; switching over to all-natural skin care products and “ditching” harsh and unknown chemicals.”

(many of whom I’ve grown up following and watching their tutorials early on). We inspire each other and share business opportunities. Also, a lot of my followers will tag me in posts for people who are looking for crochet artists.

A magazine once contacted me about pulling some of my pieces for shoots all because my followers tagged me under their posts. I have an Instagram account specifically for my crochet but in general I prefer to promote my work on my personal Instagram and Twitter pages.”

Valbrun’s Instagram crochet page is @knottybyari and her personal page is @ariannavalbrun. Her Twitter page is @ aribigshoes.

A tip for keeping track of how much exposure you’re getting is making your Instagram page a business page.

This allows you to see how many people sent your posts, how many people viewed them, and how many people saved them. Twitter analytics are also helpful when you click the View Tweet activity tab underneath one of your posts. There are so many ways to see your growth and where you can improve in certain areas of your social media branding through these platforms. In this day and age, word spreads more rapidly through technology than word of mouth. In order to have an outreach that expands beyond in-person contact, a social media page or presence that promotes your brand is necessary.

Valbrun’s crotchet business, Knotty by Ari, and its online presence is also a testament to how social media branding can positively affect your business. Valbrun started her business in 2019 but has been crocheting for a total of seven years. Although she started out only making custom crochet pieces for close friends and family to make money, social media catapulted her business to even greater heights. “I guess my experience is unique because social media actually jolted me into starting a business rather than me starting the business first and using social media as a secondary tool. One day I was bored and had made a bunch of new pieces that came out really well. I was proud of myself and my work so I decided to upload pictures on Twitter. When I woke up in the morning the tweet had gone semi-viral and I had over 70 DMs of people with serious inquiries about purchasing clothes from me,” says Valbrun. That summer, the crotchet artist made almost $2,000 in sales and has continued to go viral on Twitter with her work.

Not only is social media a place to acquire more customers, but it’s a great tool to see what appeals to people and what does not. “I think an online presence is so important for small online businesses because it’s one of the only ways that we can receive mass visibility in a short amount of time. If I have a new design coming out, I can literally take a selfie, put it on Twitter, and get a bunch of orders right then and there. Social media is also amazing for feedback,” says Valbrun. “I get to connect with other black crochet artists

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

21

PARTNERED WITH THE MEDITATION CENTER OF CHICAGO

“The mind is so powerful it can make you see things that don’t exist.” - John Celestand

BASKETBALL SOCIETY

PRESENTS

TAPPING INTO THE ZONE

available exclusively on youtube the basketball society

BASKETBALLSOCIETYONLINE.COM

Photo By: Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

A SPECIAL SERIES FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Š Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Photo taken on film by Johnny Defroe

Everything negative -pressure, challenges -- is all an opportunity for me to rise.

KOBE BRYANT

It doesn’t matter what fitness level you’re at or what your body looks like or what workout you did, we all sweat. At the end of the day, that’s the whole point. It’s to show people that we are all human.

SWEAT CHECK! AN INTERVIEW WITH ZAMARA AMANKWAH, THE GIRL BEHIND THE FAMOUS #SWEATCHEKK

by Chloé Francena Adams

E

very time your friend tags you on their IG story while they’re at the gym, you can thank Zamara Amankwah for the hashtag (#Sweatchekk). Yes, spelled with two Ks. Zamara is the Founder and CEO of Femme in Bloom, a digital resource for women that serves as a guide for health and wellness tips for those transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. I had a chance to speak with the New Jersey native over a Zoom call to discuss where she is today, what her plans are in the future, and how she came up with the idea of the fitness phenomenon that changed the scope of workout accountability across the world.

Chloe: Tell us a little about yourself!

Zamara: Well, I’m a first-generation child. My parents are from Jamaica and Ghana and raised my brother and me to be very self-sufficient. But growing up, I kinda of stepped out of the norm (of dietician, accountant, marketer, etc.) and I decided I wanted to focus on sports. My entire life my parents put us out there to be able to try different things and see what we liked. I realized I had an interest in sports medicine and it was something I really wanted to do. So, I went to Temple [University] and got my undergraduate degree in exercise/sports science.

Photo By: Corbin Booker

I worked in corporate fitness for two-and-a-half years and found a lot of success. But I felt like I had done everything I wanted to do and reached my limit. I was praying about it and after talking to God and enjoying my talks with my sister-friends, I realized I wanted to make that safe space for people and that’s kind of how Femme in Bloom came to be.

C: So, what exactly is Femme in Bloom?

Z: The whole premise behind Femme in Bloom is to create a space where women can come to in which they can celebrate their progression from the time between adolescence into adulthood. But I want to focus it through a lens of health and wellness. Just because I feel like as women, oftentimes, we are put

into situations where we are so focused on helping others that we don’t always turn the lens inward and help ourselves. We need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves during this process as well.

It can be difficult because oftentimes we are not taught how to take care of ourselves. So, I wanted to take my knowledge of health and wellness and focus it from there. So, health would focus on physical health, mental health, nutrition, things like that.

Then wellness would focus on things like our sexual maturation – because that’s one of the things we don’t really get the proper guidance for. And also an emphasis on our social development too. So, I kinda wanted a space where we could just, essentially mind dump. And let everyone know that it’s okay and that your experiences and feelings are validated as well as uplift those around us who need it.

C: Wow. I love that. When did you start?

Z: 2017. Oddly enough, I started it the exact same month I started grad school. Going back, I would’ve definitely done that differently. *laughs* And high key, I think God was laughing at me.

C: So what kind of services does Femme in Bloom Provide?

Z: So, I do personal training. It’s very easy to fall into Instagram hype and 1,2,3, programs. Quick body and easy body changes and so on. So I offer consultations on how to do it a natural way. I also give tips on how to make better eating choices (I’m not a nutritionist) [but] I offer free programs just to get you started.

C: What made you take a step and change your health journey?

Z: It’s easy to want to take the step when you have people who say ‘Oh, you’re fine don’t worry about it.’ When in reality, I was thinking to myself, ‘I don’t feel like me.’ I know what I feel like when I’m at my healthiest and this wasn’t me. And it’s not just about

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

25

C: What was it like deciding to be a business owner?

And do you have any suggestions for individuals willing to take that risk?

Z: Make sure you actually have a following and build a foundation for your brand. I wish I had known that when I first started. I had everything. Website, business cards, photos, big launch plan, everything.

And then I launched. And after a month it went dead.

If there’s one thing I learned, you have to make sure you have products that people can use. Show people what it is. Have proof that people used it and it works. And just focus on building that brand. Don’t have business cards when you don’t have programs [created]. Work on the back end at all times and keep consistency!

Also, it’s okay to have periods where you aren’t creatively motivated. I feel like there’s so much

pressure on creatives. And it’s okay to step back and take the time and refocus yourself so that you can come in and be the best self for your brand.

C: Tell a little about #sweatchekk and how it got started? A lot of people don’t know, but you’re the one that started this entire phenomenon!

Z: Girl. It was an accident. #Sweatchekk started with

26 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

me and my best friend Danielle. And I started helping her get on her fitness journey and I was also trying to work out in between a crazy work schedule. We both were like ‘Let’s hold each other accountable.

Every time we work out, I’ll post a picture and say sweat check.’ And it started to catch on. Our friends wanted to join in and asked to be tagged, too. Then some other friends joined in, and their friends joined in, and then they began to tag other people, and it exploded out of nowhere. And the next thing I know, I started seeing people in Florida and London having their friends do it. And I was like “Wow!” It was so random. One day my brother took me to the side and told me his frat brothers were doing it all over the country and it was so crazy. And a complete accident.

C: To think that you have influenced so many people around the world. You must have a lot of power, girl!

Z: I’m happy just to see how it’s actually helping and affecting people. It’s keeping people consistent. It’s bringing people together. It’s exposing other people who are in the fitness industry that need their shine

and need their light. I’m loving it.

C: Some like to work out in secret, for multiple reasons.

Do you have any tips for people who are participating in accountability checks?

Z: I understand people’s reservation. Everyone wants to look their best, especially on Instagram. And to put a picture up when you’re sweaty, disheveled, or

Photos By: Isaiah Gaymon

my body, it’s about my mental health as well. And so I decided to make a change for me.

not even pleased where you are... with your body or health, it can be very nerve-wracking. It’s a very vulnerable place to be. But at the same time, it’s a very humbling place to be.

It doesn’t matter what fitness level you’re at or what your body looks like or what workout you did, we all sweat. At the end of the day, that’s the whole point.

It’s to show people that we are all human. There are those of us who are really trying to be our best self.

Sometimes we gotta look crazy to get to that point of feeling the most confident that we feel. Which, by the way, you can #Sweatchekk and not show your face! But the whole point is just making sure you stay accountable.

Z: Figure out your why. Once you figure that part out, it’s what’s going to keep you going. Why do you want to do this? How will it help in the long run? Where do you want to be? And then, take baby steps. Don’t force yourself. You want to make this a lifestyle you enjoy and not a punishment.

A little accountability and a lot of love can get you to the place you want to be. And when you make it, you’ll feel yourself in full bloom like Zamara.

C: Let’s talk about COVID-19 taking a toll on a lot of individuals, mentally and physically. And for those who just need the extra push to get out of bed, what do you say to them?

Z: I get it. It’s hard to think of yourself in a time where everyone else around us is hurt and dealing with something. This is a time where a lot of people’s mental health is affected in a strong way. It’s about showing up for yourself and understanding that showing up looks different this time than it did back in the day. I consider exercise a form of preventative medicine. And it’s important that we take our daily dose in the best way we can. I understand the feeling of not wanting to get up. But it’s important to fight it and keep going and keep moving.

C: For those who want to start their health journey but just can’t seem to take the first step, what do you say to them?

Get in contact with Zamara: IG: @thefemme_zee W: www.femmeinbloom.com

#SweatChekk!

Check out these fitness apps and popular pages that give you the best at-home workouts! // NEO-YOU Fitness – Guided Workouts // Joseph D. – Push Class (Bootcamp) @josephd_fit // Jersey Strong (IG LIVE workout classes) @jerseystrong

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

27

DANCE BUT MAKE IT MAGIC!

NOW REGISTERING

FOR THE 2020-2021 SEASON PROFESSIONAL DANCE STUDIO FOR INDIVIDUALS AGES 2 - ADULT NEWARK, NJ // NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ

@INSPIRAPACC

CREATIVES IN QUARANTINE

by Nzingha Florence

A

s a creative, being forced to be in the house is never and will never be fun as a creative. It’s in our very DNA that we should be exploring the world and creating masterpieces that reflect our perception of all that we see. However, one thing I can attribute to COVID-19 is free time. All this free time as a creative has us bored in the house, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. This time can be utilized to really honing in on your craft and planning for your next projects once we’re finally free to move how we want to. With school, jobs, social lives, and personal issues, it’s hard to have as much time as we do now to really focus on creative endeavors. Now is the time! As a fellow creative, I have a few ways that I keep my creative juices flowing and continuously working on taking myself to the next level.

WRITING A LITTLE BIT EACH DAY As writers, we should be writing at least once a day.

Even if it’s only for 10-15 minutes, we need to write.

Why? Because you never know what ideas could be born within that small frame of time. Something that seems completely unimportant such as a random free write or just writing down how you feel that day could be used for something great in the future.

I’ve had instances where poems or random phrases I was jotting down just to get them out there have blossomed into beautiful bodies of work that can now be utilized. You never know what concepts could come out of what you put into the universe. So you have an idea? Write it down. Had a weird dream you want to remember? Write it down as soon as you wake up. Write, write, write.

WATCHING YOUTUBE TUTORIALS I really was sleeping on YouTube until I realized that a lot of the successful creatives we know today learned to enhance their craft by learning on YouTube. YouTube is a great resource to acquire new skills when it comes to your work. I have recently been watching YouTube videos of different filming techniques and how I can

incorporate them into my own videography. Trying out what you’ve learned, practicing it, and seeing the end results is a lot more rewarding than you think.

SOCIAL MEDIA CLEANSES We’re all pretty much addicted to social media at this point in our lives, and if you’re one of the rare unicorns who doesn’t connect to the rest of the world through social media, more props to you. But the vast majority of us at least have an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or Snapchat account where we scroll mindlessly down the timeline. We’re constantly looking at other people’s lives, comparing, analyzing, blocking, laughing, fantasizing, and even crying depending on the circumstances. When you clear out a distraction like social media, you create space in your day to just be alone with your thoughts. During that time is when some of your greatest ideas peer out, hidden behind everybody else’s thoughts and opinions. Sometimes I like to put time restrictions on those certain apps, and sometimes I like to delete the apps off of my phone completely. I know that social media is a big aspect of creatives’ lives especially because that’s where we promote our work, but it’s good every once in a while to have a healthy cleanse. A week, two weeks, a day, a month, anything helps.

MANIFESTATION I’ve been big on manifestation for a good bit of my life, but during this time, I’ve really been taking the time out to manifest what I want for the future. I usually manifest while I am meditating or doing yoga, but you can do it anywhere at any time. As long as you’re in the right headspace to think about your future and leave the fear of failure at the door, you can practice manifestation. Be open-minded and unafraid to think big. The bigger, the better. Once you put an idea out into the universe, the possibility of making it a reality increases tremendously. Before, it could have just been a dream, but now, it could be a plan.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

29

FACING YOURSELF IN A TIME OF CRISIS

by Karima McKenzie

W

hile we are dealing with a challenging time in our lives, I come to bring a message of hope.

A word of encouragement to help you seize this opportunity. Everyone is grinding, planning their next big move once this all is over, and that’s great!

But what about the opportunity we have been given to simply just be.

What do I mean by that? I mean sitting with self and living in the moment. Self-reflecting, self-analyzing, and learning more about who we truly are. In this way, I have taken a glass half-full approach and have begun to see this time as a gift. A gift of the present, to recognize what’s really important--the REAL you.

But are you willing to face yourself? What does that entail?

It starts by analyzing the personality traits and patterns of behavior that make up who you are. In the midst of this crisis, while life has seemingly come to a halt, you now have been given precious time to selfexplore.

In my own self-exploration, I sat with myself and identified some things that I did not like and wanted to change, seeking to put an end to it for good. One of those things was the pattern of broken and failed relationships in my life. In that exploration, with the help of my therapist, I’ve discovered that all my relationships have failed because of a perfectionist pattern that I unintentionally created. During one of our sessions, she asked me, “If I were with you, am I allowed to make a mistake?” I was perplexed by this question, while I answered, “Yea I don’t think I’m that hard on people.” This one question changed my life because it stumped me. Deep down, everything in me screamed, ‘No, people cannot make a mistake.’

I created this idea that everyone should think, say, and do everything the way I would, and when they did not, I’d write them off. I’d continually search for and look for this unattainable perfection in others, while simultaneously not practicing the same perfection myself. This led to failed relationships because people would give up trying to please a person who could

30 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

never be pleased. Once I discovered this about myself, I wanted to put a stop to this pattern of behavior and break the cycle. I no longer wanted to be anyone’s judge.

It was difficult being honest with myself about this, but I continued the work of self-exploration and healing. I began asking more questions, “Why am I like this? How was this pattern created?” So I took it a step further and began to look at my childhood experiences and memories. I began journaling, reflecting, and having conversations with my mom about some of these experiences. After a long talk, we discovered a lot but in a nutshell formulated the following conclusions.

One, my mom set high expectations for us. She pushed us hard in school and really anything we put our minds to. Two, we were in church every Sunday, which came with its own set of judgements of others.

And three, subconsciously trying to live up to my mom’s perfection. Together these things created a confidence chip on my shoulder, which then translated into thinking I am better than everyone else and that I have a right to judge others. However, that could not be further from the truth.

In the face of crisis, I’ve been set free; free from the idea that I always have to be right. Instead, I have made a daily decision to choose unconditional love, to accept people for who they are, and to practice patience with others when they do make a mistake.

I say all this to say, you too can make the same discoveries and changes at this time. What or who is more important than you?

Let this time be used to teach us a lesson on not just healing our physical bodies but let’s heal the traumas, the emotional body, and spiritual body too. Let’s take off the masks we’ve been wearing all our lives. Busyness can no longer be the excuse. Let’s quiet ourselves enough to listen to that still inner voice and begin to break the patterns of negative behaviors too, which also affects your overall wellbeing. Facing yourself in this time of crisis is the greatest opportunity to become the best version of you!

Practical Application: Photo By: Jermaine Ulinwa

Start by choosing one thing about yourself that you would like to change.

Once you have identified what that thing is, follow the drip. Analyze where the pattern began, go as far back as you can remember. Once you have made the discovery, acknowledge it. This is when the pattern begins to change, just by being aware of it. Once you are aware, you can begin to establish a new pattern by repeating daily affirmations and meditating on the person you envision yourself to be.

Do this daily and watch how your life will begin to change.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

31

GRAB A GLASS AND LET’S CHAT!

A CONVERSATION FOR “TODAY’S EVERYWOMAN” HOSTED BY

Melyssa Ford

SEASON 1 AVAILABLE NOW

@IM.HEREFORTHEFOOD

No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.

MARSHA P. JOHNSON Celebrating PRIDE Month

Sapp

Gia Alysha

Photo By: Mark Pont

ALL I NEED ARE FIVE MICS

Scottie

phira

Bexx

by Khrystina Blanks

A

s millennials and Gen Zers, we sometimes struggle with finding our ‘place’ in society.

We may feel like we are in constant search for something relatable where we can feel accepted among others. So, we create our own lanes of expression, making it easier for us to find those that look like us, think like us, and can guide us in the right direction. The voices of Black women are the very strength and understanding of our people. As a millennial in the media industry, I look for those voices and examples that I can learn from. And in my search for something refreshing, I found a podcast: The Black Girl Podcast.

In 2016, five dope Black women, working at Hot 97 decided to take their daily conversations from the radio station to the studio. Alysha Pamphile, Gia Peppers, Deanii “Scottie Beam” Scott, Rebecca “Bexx” Francois and Sapphira Martin decided to embark on a new journey to showcase exciting and relatable discussions about personal struggles, pop culture, sisterhood and much more. After spending years in the game and breaking barriers, they brought their stories to the people, impacting thousands of listeners and more than 45,000 followers across their social platforms. Their voices have definitely guided some of my choices working in a male-dominated industry. I got my entire life while interviewing them.

It’s in times like these, when our voices are needed the most.

“I don’t think we’ll come out of quarantine or this moment looking the same. But this time, right now, we really have to speak,” said Gia Peppers.

While currently dealing with a pandemic at the same time as fighting racial injustices in our country, I’ve been asked multiple questions that I, myself have struggled to find answers to. Whether it be, “How are you feeling?” “Are you okay?” “Will things ever change?,” it seems like this rollercoaster of emotion is never-ending.

“I’m angry. I am angry. There are so many Black lives that have died. It’s happening all the time. It’s happening every day,” said Scottie Beam.

I’m angry. I am angry.

There are so many Black lives that have died. It’s happening all the time.

It’s happening every day.”

I don’t think we’ll come out of quarantine or this moment looking the same. But this time, right now, we really have to speak.”

36 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

In talking with the ladies of Black Girl Podcast, it was clear that the frustration was mutual. However, I was able to gain a more leveled insight into how we can also grow individually especially during this pandemic. “During this time of quarantine and pandemic, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching,” Alysha told me as she shared her social distancing practices. “Within that time, I’ve been exploring who I am, what my blackness is, what that means to me, and unlearning a lot of the things that I was raised on, and kind of understand who I am more so and what I can contribute to my society.”

Photos By: Shannon Wallace

“Every day somebody is silenced. Every day a Black life feels like they are not heard, not seen, not visible at all. I was angry then, and I’m angry now. But now, I have more resources to help.”

women once they gather in a room. It is an experience like no other. There is power and truth. There is sisterhood, support, magic, and lessons. “I am blessed and fortunate to have grown up in the arts,” Sapphira stated. “One of my goals is to be able to teach people the things I have learned as a child. I have been fortunate as a Black woman in America to be enriched and learn my culture.”

During this time of quarantine and pandemic, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching.”

Black women have been the voice of change for years. We have seen them stand tall and proud on the frontlines of multiple movements, working constantly and consistently behind the scenes with the loudest voices but the most pushback from counterparts. We find it in activism, workspaces, and even in media. For the ladies of Black Girl Podcast, their mission and what they represent provides a platform for Black women to be confident in their voices and vulnerability. “None of us thought we would be here making an impact in the way that we do, for being ourselves, or for speaking how we speak in this way. We are open to growing and building more spaces and more movements where Black women are centered and where we feel affirmed and heard,” Gia expressed.

Younger me used to set unrealistic goals because I didn’t know my worth as a creative. While I knew I was talented, I just didn’t know where to start. In explaining this to the ladies, I was quickly asked: “What to you is an unrealistic goal?” I paused. “I don’t think there is a thing anymore as unrealistic goals,” said Gia. She was right. Some of us may feel like we’re setting “unrealistic goals” for ourselves and that’s not true. Living in a patriarchal society can shape you if you allow it. I’ve learned over time that being yourself, is to love yourself. Take away the limits that society tells you to set for yourself. “The importance of setting goals is that there is so much power in the tongue,” Sapphira shared. “Be intentional and be sure about what you’re writing down. It may not happen now or tomorrow. It may not happen in three months, but it’s going to happen.”

With goals comes responsibility. With responsibility comes purpose. And in purpose, you find yourself learning something new every day. “Don’t discount what you’ve done because, in some way shape or form, they still spoke to your purpose,” said Bexx.

There is an undeniable chemistry between Black

I am blessed and fortunate to have grown up in the arts.”

Don’t discount what you’ve done because, in some way shape or form, they still spoke to your purpose.”

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

37

Photo By: Build Series

As Black women, we are often placed in boxes and only viewed through a specific lens. We are seen one way and told various things about ourselves that can be limiting to who we are as a people. “Befriend your curiosity,” she said.

We’ve all heard these statements before. “You’re too this, you’re too that.” But I’m here to tell you that you aren’t “too” anything. Your hair is not distracting, your clothes are not loud and your nails are not too long.

We, Black women, are expressive. We are creative. We are bold. And we will no longer limit ourselves in any capacity when moving forward toward our greatest endeavors. (PERIOD!) “If you censor who you are, you don’t have much after that,” said Scottie. “Be what you think blackness looks like.”

The question is not about what people may think of you. The question is what are you doing to make yourself happy while also impacting your community?

Make it your business to succeed on purpose and in purpose.

The effects of constantly having to deal with things on your own can form very warped opinions about life. That is why it’s important to have a support group as you continue to grow in yourself, your social life, personal life, and career. I can personally say that Alysha was a major inspiration for me to find a therapist because she walks in the light of taking control of your mental health - which is really important in the African American community. “Once you start really doing the self-healing work, you’re going to realize

38 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

Photo By: Pink Pig Productions

how tangible all those goals you thought weren’t realistic, actually are,” she said. “Once you hone in on the magic that you are, everything is literally going to fall into place.”

Everything will fall into place. And your happiness will find itself shining in all that you do. As I began to close the conversation, I asked the ladies “What makes you happy?” It seems like a simple question, but given the times that we’re in, the weight of the answer can really determine and help guide how you can navigate through such a trying period. After a small pause, Bexx answered, “What’s making me happy is that I’m making MYSELF happy.” Let that marinate for a second. To young Khrystina with a dollar and dream, there is so much power in understanding the confidence within myself. “In doing some of these things, you start to realize how much you’re catering to that inner child that allows you the success and freedom you’re looking for,” said Alysha.

And just like these women who took the risk to share their stories and speak their truths, you can do it too.”

Freedom is right. It lies in the excitement of the young Khrystina walking down the streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant eager to create groundbreaking films. It lies in the voice of the young woman who spoke her truth and expressed her vulnerabilities unapologetically. It lies in the warmth from the hugs that have continued to comfort and encourage those who needed uplifting. It is freedom. It is power. It is change. And just like these women who took the risk to share their stories and speak their truths, you can do it too. Because your voice matters. All it took for them was five mics.

Photos By (Left to Right): Q. Munroe, Karl Ferguson, Jr., Mark Clennon, Sandy Soohoo Studios, Manny Carabel

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

39

BECOMING: A PYNK TAKE I

n 2009, when America made history electing it’s first black president, they voted for more than just Barack Obama. Yes, he was the presidential candidate, but Michelle Obama was the first lady that stole the hearts of the people. Regardless of how disrespected she was by the media and politicians, how expected she was to just be a wife, Michelle held her head high being the most educated, elegant, and relatable first lady we’ve seen. Through her recently released documentary Becoming, we are reminded of just that, and learn more about the upbringing that has made who we love today. Some of the PYNK Lemonade family shared their thoughts on how this documentary inspired them.

Nzingha Florence “The strength that Michelle Obama exhibits in ‘Becoming’ is just the epitome of how black women are the backbone of this country. While it was her husband who was the president, her image was just as important as well. She speaks of how after eight years, she could finally breathe and not have to be scrutinized for whether she was perfect or not. Her being the most known and looked at person in the world is a burden that our ancestors wouldn’t even comprehend to be possible. This movie has made me admire her even more than I already do because of how brave she is. She is an example of how black women can be anybody and do anything. It has made me want to take advantage of any opportunity I’m given and use it to the fullest.”

Rayshawn Eghosa “As a brother and a son, I was happy that this documentary was made. Showing the heights black women can ascend to in whatever they put their mind to. The documentary showed the essence of which she was made, coming from a working-class family from the South Side of Chicago. It also showed how much of a team Barack and Michelle are and were during both terms. Personally my favorite part of the doc was finding out she was his mentor which led to them dating and he was late on their first meeting.

She has been the best example of a FLOTUS and made a name for herself during Obama’s two terms, to the point it seems like they were both [the] president equally.”

40 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

Chloé Francena Adams “My greatest lesson from the documentary taught me about purpose. What you’re called to do in life is bigger than you. If what you’re doing in some way doesn’t bless someone else, then what is it all for?”

Ramona Roberts “She made this documentary knowing it would be seen by ALL people, yet still catered messages specifically to us - black people and black women.

Seeing her taking the time to talk to young girls, her humility and dedication to uplifting the culture are just inspiring. I also love her commitment to remembering where she came from and making sure her girls have that same foundation although having different upbringings. Lastly, it showed me that regardless of how big and famous you get, how much money you make... what’s happening with black people in the world can still affect you, it can still anger or hurt you. Whether you’re far removed or not.”

Adrinece Beard “I love that she’s true to herself like when she went back home to the Chi to be reminded of where it all started. Or when she reminds us that she too came from slaves. I hold my head up higher because of her. I’m less likely to make excuses for falling short, and more likely to pick up the slack. And I now know it’s the thought that counts when she says, ‘When they go low, we go high.’

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

41

SCARED TO HAVE BROWN BODIES I

t’s scary times. The United States is looking at one of the most shocking times throughout its history.

We’ve broken records in job loss and unemployment filing; domestic abuse reports have skyrocketed; businesses are shutting their doors forever, because of a virus. However, the statistics that creep me out the most are the ones tied to the number of brown bodies that have been laid to rest. The extent to which brown bodies have been being killed these past few months is...I honestly don’t even have a word for it.

42 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

It’s, literally, impossible to accurately describe how it feels to fear for your life on a daily basis because of the pigmentation of your skin. It’s impossible to give a definition to the chills that come up when walking past a cop car while Black. Even if I were able to describe that feeling, if you don’t look like me, you couldn’t begin to relate and barely understand. With the times that we’re in, you would think that color wouldn’t be a factor. You would think the messages being spread throughout the country of “everyone

Photos By: Bash Mutumba from Pexels

by Deiona Monroe via heycoffeebreak.com

surviving together” referred to everyone living in this country, and talked about the survival of everyone.

When people are at their lowest, trying their hardest to maintain their sanity and keep themselves and their loved ones safe, you would think that “everyone surviving together” would mean something beyond just the survival of white people.

Brown Bodies aren’t “everyone.”

Though there is already a virus for us to be weary of; during a time where there is barely anyone outside, people are still finding ways to bury brown bodies.

People are still going out of their way to hunt brown bodies. People are still arresting and killing brown bodies for being brown bodies. People are still mimicking brown bodies but the real brown bodies are being eliminated.

Though we bleed the same, there’s something about brown body blood that excites and terrifies people.

With so much brown body blood being shed— especially these last few months—it seems as though the shedding is more of a sport than a coincidence.

We have brown bodies being killed for: Peacefully sleeping in their home.

Going for a run.

Having a broken light on a car.

Having a mental breakdown.

Playing music inside their home.

Though common things that 100% of the world’s population typically goes through, brown bodies are excluded from living as the rest of the world does.

Brown bodies are depicted as dangerous, incapable of living out their lives not in fear unless a white body simulates the brown body. A brown body cannot seek a life of normality, safety or peace, simply because it is a brown body.

The brown body is met with much resistance.

It’s not enough to want to kill brown bodies, but for the ones who survive, they will be pushed back more as they fight to be allowed forward. It’s not enough to laugh as we hang from trees, but for someone to go out of their way to ruin a brown body just for being a brown body is beyond me. Brown bodies have to just ignore being terrorized and falsely accused by people who openly know that the system will always be on their side. The country has willingly allowed these people to know and practice violence and hate against brown bodies as if it’s a fucking sport. Saying that they are about to call 911 is a threat against the life of a brown body; overlooking a qualified candidate for a job because their name sounds like it belongs to a brown body should be considered a hate crime.

No matter how good, educated or well-mannered a brown body may be, the push back on the brown bodies’ success is astronomical. How could people spend years ensuring that brown bodies remained as far behind as possible? Doesn’t unnecessary hate get boring? Doesn’t all that force and manipulation to create the resistance get tiring? Is it not overwhelming to keep trying to hold back a people that have proven to overcome resistance for hundreds of years? To see the different levels that these people will go to—as I said before—it really has to be a damn sport.

But, the brown body brings hope.

As previously stated: brown bodies are a people that have proven to overcome resistance for hundreds of years.

Though the increasing amount of brown body blood is alarming, there is something about the perseverance of the brown body that brings me some sort of peace.

It’s something about seeing a mother who lost her son in a hate crime attack, turn something so painful into something so powerful that makes me smile.

The masterpieces that brown bodies create from the ashes that the world has left them in are creations that are godly and unfathomable—you can only begin to understand it if you live while in a brown body.

The brown body cries, but it fights; It bleeds, but it heals; There are permanent scars, but the wounds have been completely shut.

For every brown body that is dropped, the rest get louder and stronger. Though times have gotten scarier, brown bodies are very familiar with scary times, but this time the brown body is taking charge of writing its history. This time, when the blood is spilled, the rejection is sent out, the denial is processed, the brown body doesn’t sit back silently—it speaks and it grabs hold to what’s rightfully theirs. It is attacked, but the brown body is now fighting back in this war.

Yes, it is scary to be in a brown body, but it’s history has proven that, again, it shall rise.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

43

THERE’S COCO & THERE’S TEA

COCO SPILLS HER TEA ON THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

by Adrinece Beard

Adrinece: How are you rebranding your personal and business platforms on social media?

CoCo: I started doing these daily videos where I give entertainment news and the videos are usually less than like 90 seconds. But I’ve been doing them every day and posting them to Instagram (well, not just Instagram) but all my social channels. So, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and YouTube.

So that’s something that I plan on continuing to do.

And then on my personal Instagram page that’s where

44 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

I’ve been doing the CoCo’s Quarantine Convos.

That’s something that I came up with where I just really wanted to talk to individuals who work in different sectors of the entertainment industry and kind of get their take as to how the coronavirus has affected them personally, professionally, and how they think it is going to impact the industry long term.

A: How are you using your personal platform to reach people?

C: So basically, I feel like my platform is a bit different because I am getting people who are a little bit more experienced or have a little more quote-on-quote “clout” than I do. That’s part of my rebrand, is just to get people to be more engaged with my story as like a person slash personality.

My conversations are still very much centered around entertainment to a certain extent, but it’s not so newsy; it’s more conversational, and something that people can engage in, and it’s something that I guess you could say is educational as well. I mean, part of me doing it is because there’s so many people who constantly hit me up about them wanting to be in this industry; or how do they get into podcasting; or how do they get into radio ... So if you’re interested in

Photos By: @akil.ks

C

oCo's Tea, the brand, is not to be confused with its host's on-air personality as "I Am the Real CoCo." Cody Short, more professionally known on-air as CoCo, started the brand as an Instagram blog in college, which turned into a podcast in 2015. However, CoCo is finding new ways to serve her followers the tea on all things pop-culture and make a name for herself (apart from her brand). She said to think of it this way, CoCo’s Tea is what The Real Daytime Show is to Tamera Mowry. It’s just one portion of who she is but not what makes CoCo as a person. From working in radio to interviewing celebs on red carpets, the Southern belle speaks on what it means to make a name for herself—not for anybody else.

understanding what my story is, it’s these Instagram lives that you’re gonna get pieces of that. You’re going to be able to understand my story and you’re also going to get lessons from other people who are in the industry.

A: What type of people have you interviewed?

C: The people that I’ve been able to interview are far more experienced than me. My first interview for IG live was with a woman who’s been in radio for at least 15 years. The second interview I did was with a comedian who has grown his platform to where he has thousands of followers like I think he has close to a million between Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

He’s done comedy and radio. And then the interview I just did this last week was with a hit singer and songwriter who wrote Alessia Cara’s “Here” song; and he’s constantly turning out hits in LA. A: How did you get your first break into the radio industry?

C: I would say, on average, every five to ten years, there’s a little shake up that happens at a station, right.

So, in radio those on-air positions are very difficult to get. A lot of times, it’s a waiting game. So, if you want to be on-air radio, you gotta start off at the bottom and then you gotta wait for someone to either get fired, quit, or die.

Birmingham was a good mid-size market. 95.7 JAMZ, the station I’ve been working at, has launched the careers of a lot of other people like Rickey Smiley, Roy

Wood Jr., Funny Mane. Like these are all people who’ve gone on to have success on a more national level. So, I knew right before it was announced that Tom Joyner was getting ready to retire. And that Rickey Smiley was going to take over all of his markets. I also knew that the people who had been on full-time at the radio station were either going to quit or get fired because they had been in those spots for so long.

So, I was like if I get back to that station now and I work my ass off, I could possibly take one of these spots that’s going to open up soon, and be full-time on-air. That was the plan, in my mind, and then also I knew working in radio was going to leverage me for other opportunities. I knew that it was going to allow me to leverage Coco’s Tea as a brand. It was going to allow me to get other job opportunities. So, I would like be able to possibly get other media or writing jobs, other marketing jobs.

A: Why radio?

C: So, a few reasons. Radio is my passion. I interned at our local hip-hop station in 2014, and that was when I fell in love with it. I became so obsessed with not just radio but just the audio business, period; and listening to podcasts. And I started listening to like four or five different podcasts after the internship. Then I started my own. To this day, I’m very interested in how conversations are being held. I think a good interview is when you intently listen to a person’s story and ask ‘why.’

A: Since working in radio, what have you learned

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

45

about yourself?

C: So, basically things didn’t work out at the radio station, without going into a lot of detail. And for me right now because I don’t have the leverage of the radio station... I’m making it a point to prove the talent that I have. Not only to them but to myself and to my peers because I don’t need a radio station to validate me or to get me to where I want to get to; I could do that on my own accord with my own work.

some people ... they think that just because their friends circle is funny that they should be on a microphone and talk. And it’s like no. There’s even people who are on Facebook, who do Facebook live once a week and call it a podcast and that’s not wtf it is. A podcast is an audio show. There are a lot of people who were able to reach large audiences and have really great, meaningful conversations via other platforms, but that’s not what a podcast is. Don’t tell me that you have a podcast and I can only find it on Facebook live.

A: What have you learned about podcasting?

C: The thing that I’ve learned about this podcast industry is that everybody’s gonna pretty much say the same--stay creative and be consistent. And that’s a lot easier said than done, because you can do a show every single week. And it may not produce the numbers or the results that you’re looking for.

To be honest, I’m still figuring it out. I’m not satisfied with where I’m at. The thing that struck me about the podcasting business is that there is no blueprint.

There’s no one way to do it. A lot of people make money off doing a podcast, and there’s logical ways you can do that. I’m still working on trying to get my numbers up. Everybody knows that in podcasting the only thing that you can do is work on increasing your numbers. You can’t really do much else until you have a decent amount of listens per episode.

A: Do you feel there’s competition in the podcast industry?

C: Yes and no. So, I feel like podcasting is very much like blogging was in the last decade, or like the early 2000s. I feel like in between like 2016 and 2018, you saw a lot of people who started podcasts who are not podcasters today. You have a lot of people who are interested in doing a show, but don’t necessarily understand that they need to be consistent. They don’t necessarily understand that their content has to be something that makes them marketable, something that makes them stand out.

A: How did you know your voice was good for radio or podcasts?

C: I didn’t. So, for me, I just always enjoyed listening to radio. I always knew that I wanted to work in media, to some extent. I used to want to be a singer so I knew I always wanted to be in the entertainment industry, to some degree. I just didn’t know what I was going to be doing. I didn’t know if I was going to be a writer.

I interned at a law firm, I interned at the City of Birmingham in the communications department. And then, I ended up at a radio station and that was when I was like oh this is it! Everybody there was kind of like, oh, you’re like natural at this. So before then I didn’t know, but I was always listening to radio, listening to interviews and just being really enthralled with the music industry and the entertainment industry as a whole. I mean, I come from a musical family, so that was always kind of in my blood.

A: Tell me about the type of music you grew up listening to and who’s your favorite artist.

C: I mean, now…I love Beyonce: the queen of everything.

But growing up, I listened to old school music. My grandmother used to be a background singer for The Temptations. So, she was a musician within her own right. My dad studied music. And so we grew up listening to a lot of old school music, of course from Motown to Jack Swing to early hip-hop. I feel like I can appreciate a little bit of everything. Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, obviously.

A: What makes a podcast worth listening to?

C: There’s a lot of different things that go in the podcast and that makes the show great. I think for

A: Who was the music artist you were most excited to interview? And why?

You have to always have a little bit of hunger in you. You have to always want to not be satisfied and not settle.

C: Probably, Meg Thee Stallion. That was about a year ago. To be honest with you, I feel like I’ve become a super-fan since I’ve interviewed her. Initially, when I interviewed her I was more so a fan because she didn’t sound like anybody else, and she could really rap. It was very clear that Meg was creating her own lane, and she sounded different. And she was from the South; she’s not from New York!

even more because you know I moved to Birmingham almost two years ago. I moved back here so that I could pursue a media career. A lot of people were like okay well why would you move back to Birmingham?

I decided to come back home because this is where I knew I had a network in media that I could leverage-that’s one. Two, I really wanted to get back into radio.

A: What’s your advice on building a network?

A: What other music artists from the South, specifically Alabama, would you be excited to interview?

C: I gotta get Chika and Flo-Milli on the podcast.

A: What music do you listen to when life gets hard?

C: I usually listen to something really aggressive like Cardi B, or Nicki Minaj or Megan. I love hearing a woman rap about her p*ssy and how n*ggas are gon’ pay for it. That’s my favorite kind of rap.

C: One thing I’ll never forget that Issa Rae said, ‘It’s important to not always reach up but reach across.’

She was like it’s coo’ if you are able to reach up and leverage your platform because somebody who’s an exec[utive] here or does this here may have more pull.

But she was like if you can reach across the aisle and work with people who are on the same level as you, that’s the best way to grow yourself a level up.

Instagram: @iamtherealcoco

A: What keeps you motivated?

C: I think you have to always have a little bit of hunger in you. You have to always want to not be satisfied and not settle. So for me, right now, I’m pushing myself

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

47

SPREADING SPREADING POSITIVITY POSITIVITY ++ GIVING GIVING BACK BACK TO TO THE THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

Summer Delivery Coming Soon www.igybclothing.com

Excuse me while I save, invest, and build wealth.

Photo By: David Owaga from Pexels

STEPHANIE LAHART

THE WORK IS NOT DONE A CONVERSATION WITH OFO EZEUGWU, CEO OF WHOSEYOURLANDLORD

by Chloé Francena Adams

T

Like so many other stories of protest, strength, and strategy, there will always be someone willing to fight the fight by any means necessary.

Meet Ofo Ezeugwu, the Co-Founder and CEO of WhoseYourLandlord, Inc. This company allows renters to review their landlords and also provides housing and literacy resources. Ofo and his team work together as liaisons between tenants and property owners to establish trusting and fair relationships between both parties. “The first step is stating what the issue is,” says Ofo. “Then, we talk to the landlords and the developers and get them to actually make those changes to improve the quality of life for their residents.”

Photo By: @Natiahjones

here’s a lot of work to be done--especially now. The effects of COVID-19 have turned this world upside down. We’ve seen it. We’ve been in it. We’ve watched news station after news station and read article after article. We’ve comforted those who’ve lost loved ones, we’ve celebrated those who have returned to good health, and we’ve even found time for ourselves to readjust. If anything, this pandemic has shined a light on the things that really need to change. The things that we cannot ignore anymore. Police brutality. Lack of resources for healthcare. Unemployment. Housing discrimination.

The list goes on. But the resilience and vigor of those who have been left unheard have always triumphed.

The proof is in our history. The proof is in our DNA.

50 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

It started in 2013 as a platform for college students to express the various issues they had with their landlords. “The power dynamic is extremely off,” said Ofo. “Think about it... we call them land-lords. Just from that standpoint, it’s making sure that mediation occurs between the two and that respect is served on both sides.”

Photo By: Durrel Hospedale (@makewonderspa)

In college, we’re usually under 21 years old and expected to make real-world decisions with minimal life experience. A decision like renting alone may impact you for years to come. “I actually had solid experiences with my landlords throughout college,” Ofo said. “I was fortunate. But what was unfortunately happening was we (The Temple University Student Government team at the time) were hearing all kinds of stories... Female tenants being harassed by male landlords, infestation issues, electrical fires, all kinds of

stuff. So, I thought that there had to be some type of way that someone could review their landlord so that they had the information they needed before signing a lease. At the time, it was ‘Rate Your Landlord.’ And then WhoseYourLandlord was born about a year or so later.”

Starting as just an idea, the impact of WhoseYourLandlord has certainly reached masses, especially members of the black and brown community. “It circles back to redlining,” Ofo said as we discussed the importance of understanding the ins and outs of affordable housing. For those who don’t know, Redlining is a discriminatory practice in real estate, typically involving lenders that refuse to lend money or extend credit to borrowers in certain areas of town. Lenders draw red lines around portions of a map to indicate areas or ‘hoods’ in which they

I always believed truly in the people. If you’re creating a community of people that have trusted information and you’re creating a space where true data is being shared about people’s lived experiences, then you can adequately, effectively and efficiently solve those problems.

don’t want to finance.

“Right now, if any of us are in a position to rent, it is incumbent upon us to know as much information as we possibly can to ensure that our rights are just due,” said Ofo. Though renters are often in greater need of affordable housing than homeowners, the publication, NextCity, said more than 90% of all housing discrimination occurred during rental transactions. “The person that gets evicted the most times in this country is a single black mother,” said Ofo. “When thinking about housing court, the landlord is represented most times, but the tenant is not. You’re set up to fail in that kind of system.”

Understanding this, WhoseYourLandlord has put together a Renter Commandments handbook of what you need to know throughout your rental experience.

As Ofo explained, “A lot of it has to do with the law.”

Currently, the handbook is available specifically for Philly and New York City residents and has versions in several languages. However, Ofo looks forward to expanding this handbook to include information for other cities as well.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty on all sides of the market,” said Ofo. “The reality is, workforce housing has been affected the most [since COVID-19]. On April 1, 2020, $50 billion was owed to rent and $90 billion in mortgages in the United States. So, we provide content and resources on how to navigate through that and arm people with information amidst COVID. We’re working. That’s the mandate, and we’re here to do it.”

quickly. But the team is everything. There’s no way to accomplish this much and position ourselves where we are right now if our team is not very strong. We literally have a team where everyone is an expert at what they do. That’s infectious.”

Ofo’s done a lot as a two-time business owner and model for names like NY Fashion Week, Nike, ESPN, and more. However, to him, the work is not done.

“I don’t want black people to all feel like they have to always be so exceptional to get an opportunity; when white counterparts can be regular and get an opportunity. It’s not an indictment against [white people] because I have white friends who are hardworking,” said Ofo. “But it’s just the reality of our society. That’s something I won’t solve during my lifetime, but I can put a massive dent in it. And that’s what drives me. When I think about my past and who I am, I always look forward.”

Consider Ofo’s advice for those eager to get out and create change in their community, industry, or the world. “Create something that you’re passionate about. Think to yourself, ‘What’s the one thing that I can do that can add value to someone’s life?’ Our minds are smarter than we give credit for. But all you have to do is believe it can happen, and it’s yours.”

Connect with WhoseYourLandLord IG and Twitter: @WYLCommunity W: wyl.co

“I always believed truly in the people,” he said. “If you’re creating a community of people that have trusted information and you’re creating a space where true data is being shared about people’s lived experiences, then you can adequately, effectively and efficiently solve those problems. In the beginning, I felt as if this needed to exist in the market, and I kept building it. It’s as simple as that.”

Having the right idea is one thing, but implementing it with the right people is another. “We’re five years as an actual business,” said Ofo. “A misconception is how fast this happened. People think it happened really

52 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

Photo By: @Drivensociety

As an entrepreneur, many individuals battle with ideas.

The struggle becomes knowing when there’s a good idea, and when there’s the right idea. For Ofo, the right idea meant doing something that could impact the greater community, partnering with organizations like ESUSU that can help renters build credit through rental payments.

Š Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Photo taken on film by Johnny Defroe

Take advantage of every opportunity; where there is none, make it for yourself.

MARCUS GARVEY

IT’S WHAT WE DESERVE CAPPIE PONDEXTER SPEAKS ON WNBA PAY GAP

by Martin Soaries via basketballsocietyonline.com

M

any streams of dialogue have picked up steam around the WNBA, including from seventime All-Star and two-time champion, Cappie Pondexter. For those who need an introduction, Cappie Pondexter is a recently retired American professional basketball player who last played as a member of the Indiana Fever in the Women’s National Basketball Association.

The dialogue mainly stems from the drastic difference in wage gaps between WNBA players and their NBA counterparts. The average NBA player salary for the 2019-2020 season is around $7.7 million, according to Basketball Reference. The average salary of a WNBA player, meanwhile, is around $79,000. Pondexter believes that players would definitely take part in a potential strike if it was backed by other WNBA stars like Diana Taurasi and Elena Delle Donne.

I had a conversation with Pondexter about the difference between women’s basketball fandom in the states and abroad. “Honestly they just care about women’s basketball a lot more than they do here in the states,” she said. “That’s just the bottom line. It’s a part of the culture, they enjoy supporting the women that love to play sport and that love sport in general. I think that alone is the biggest difference, they love to support it. They don’t mind giving up a dollar for their team to be successful in their country. It’s what should be here. It’s what we deserve.”

When former WNBA star and current assistant coach to the San Antonio Spurs, Becky Hammond, was

54 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

being considered as the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Pondexter commented about basketball not being about gender. They always allude to us staying in the kitchen… we don’t need to play sports but they don’t understand that sports brings confidence.

It helps with fitness, with health, [and women’s empowerment.] They don’t understand the impact that sports has in that aspect. It’s not just about the money. But it changes so much about the woman in general.

Liz Cambage, the Australian who lit up the WNBA for over 22 points per game in her rookie season, has also spoken out about the issue and why it caused her to not return next season.

“I’ve said this many times: [The WNBA] doesn’t pay my bills. We make more money overseas. I’m ready to have next summer off and focus on getting a European contract where 10 seasons here are worth the pay.”

“It sucks because I love to be here, I love to put the game out there, I love what comes with playing here.

But at the end of the day, for my longevity, I worry about my body, my mind, and my soul. I really don’t get paid enough to be beaten up every game. I’m not a WWE wrestler and that’s how it feels sometimes out on the court.”

Hopefully the base salary can continue to grow and more opportunities can open up for players to receive not only more exposure but more profit.

Your apartment needs to be protected too!

Intelligent Video Surveillance Corporation

NOW OFFERING: Easy-go alarm systems that keep you protected and make life easier GET A QUOTE TODAY intelligentsurv.com

YOUR MO N TH AT A GLA NCE

basic budget worksheet USE THI S WO RKSHEET TO HELP GUIDE YO U THRO UGH YO UR MO N TH FINANCIALLY!

1. Your Income Take-home pay (Wages + Tips)

$

Additional income (Side business, interest, etc.)

$

total income

$

2. Your Expenses Housing (Rent or mortgage plus taxes and insurance)

$

Transportation (Car payments, gas, insurance, tolls, etc.)

$

Utilities (Heat, electricity, etc.)

$

Subscriptions (Cable, internet, cell phone, gym, etc.)

$

Groceries

$

Medical (Co-pays, prescriptions, etc.)

$

Dining, travel, and entertainment

$

Other discretionary spending (Hobbies, personal care, etc.)

$

Debt payments (Credit cards, student loans, etc.)

$

Savings

$

Other

$

total expenses

$

3. Your Bottom Line Income minus expenses

56 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

$

sponsored by

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?

by Chloé Francena Adams

T

he road to millions is a long one, but it’s definitely achievable. Millennials have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. That doesn’t necessarily mean becoming an actual entrepreneur, by the way. It means that we have learned how to create more resources for ourselves that will allow us to prosper financially as we go through life.

Actually, according to CNBC, millennials are better with money. How can we prove it? Research by Charles Shwab tracked how 1,000 Americans ages 21-75 managed and used their wealth. Overall, Baby Boomers scored 49%, Gen X scored 45% (lower than average), and millennials came in at 51%.

JW

Given the statistics, our question is, why do other generations feel like we can’t achieve that milestone nor keep up with the money? I mean, come on. We weren’t the ones that sent our economy spiraling into a recession. But that’s another conversation for another day.

Anyway! In our effort to debunk some of those stereotypes (even though the stats should’ve spoken for themselves), we decided to ask a few of our friends what they would do if they had a million dollars. Here’s what they said.

NB

“Invest.”

CA

EP

“The Christian in me says “tithe.” Give it to Jesus first!”

“I would buy a house.”

KB SJ

“Quit my job.”

“Start a couple of businesses.”

AK

PA

“Give back!”

“Help my family.”

“Buy my mama anything she wants.”

CJ

“Pay Uncle Sam and get rid of this debt so I can do the things I want to do!”

I don’t know. Seems pretty responsible to me. What would YOU do with a million dollars?

Catch up on the latest from You’re Such a Millennial. Now available on YouTube @PYNKLMN

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

57

NUMBERS DON’T LIE P

art of forming the right attitude about your finances is knowing what is true and false about money. Let’s dispel five money myths right now:

MY HOME IS A GOOD INVESTMENT Many people realized this during the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. With increasing mortgage prices, property tax, insurance, and maintenance, it’s simple to see why your home isn’t an asset. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy one, just don’t count on it to make you money.

CREDIT CARDS ARE TERRIBLE The average credit card debt is over $15k per household. We haven’t been taught how to use them properly so we often write them off altogether. Your credit cards will affect your payment history and credit utilization that accounts for 65% of your credit score.

When you have a healthy management of your cards, your credit score rises and you may earn rewards from your card company that can pay big dividends in travel savings.

YOU SHOULD PAY OFF ALL OF YOUR DEBT BEFORE SAVING Saving is “paying yourself first.” Any income that you receive should have some dollars applied to saving for emergencies or your financial goals. Your spending plan (aka your budget) will include paying off debt, but saving is a higher priority. Over 60% of Americans don’t have $500 to cover an unexpected cost. This myth feeds that number.

58 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

MONEY MYTHS THAT HOLD US BACK FROM WEALTH

by Steven Hughes via knowmoney.org

DRINKING COFFEE AT HOME WILL SAVE YOU A TON OF MONEY You can’t nickel and dime your way to becoming rich. Focus your energy on earning extra money, reducing your bigger expenses and staying in a good mood after your Starbucks or local coffee shop visit.

Looking to put your untapped skills to work? Check out freelance sites like UpWork and Freelancer.

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL This is my favorite myth to dispel because it’s as old as time. We’ve put our money mindsets in ‘Park’ while internalizing this saying. While you can find the corrected quote in the Holy Bible as “for the love of money is the root of all evil,” (1 Timothy 6:10), my quote of preference comes from Mark Twain: “the lack of money is the root of all evil.”

To learn more on money myths, follow us at @KnowMoneyInc

Excellence isn’t an act, it’s a habit.

QUINCY JONES Celebrating Black Music Month

SOULFUL HUES OF ORANGE AN INTERVIEW WITH SINGERSONGWRITER REGGIE BECTON

by Ramona Roberts

Reggie: It’s literally like when it’s good, it’s good, and when it’s bad, it’s bad. Everybody is going through it

60 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

from my videographer, content manager, producers to my publicists... So, it makes it harder to want to create.

I remember when I wanted to release something, I could just release it. Now it’s gotta go through this person to make sure the production is great. It’s gotta go through me to make sure the vocals are great.

Then I have to send it to mixing.The quality now has to be a certain standard. It doesn’t make it less worth it or make me not want to do it, it just makes me want to throw my phone ten times a f*cking day. Like I want to buy a new phone just so I can throw it every day.

And I got a stress ball, [but] I don’t want to throw that because I want to see the phone crack. I want to feel

Photos By: Megan Jordan

M

usic for the soul is a phrase we can all relate to. Outside of it being just something we hear, music is something we feel. It can heal, heighten, or flip our emotions, trigger our decisions, and facilitate our vibe. So, when it comes to the music that makes us feel good, Reggie Becton is on it serving those soulful hues. Between his unique ear and 90s R&B style, music is who he is, and according to the DMV native, has been a part of him since he was a child. I had the chance to talk with the soulful singer and learn about his artistry and how he’s coping with the times.

fulfilled. *laughs* M: So, what has been helping?

R: Candles help. I keep some sage on me. Working out has been a part of my routine in quarantine.

Meditating and stretching all those things help. I told myself I can only handle what’s in front of me, just trying to take on one thing at a time.

M: How is Reggie with the orange beanie different from the Reggie your friends and family know?

R: I think it’s the same. Right now, on my social media, I’m really focused on spreading the word about my musicianship and where I am as an artist. So, I don’t present those things at this time because I want people to focus and fall in love with my music... more than my life. There’ll be those moments where you can see more of Reggie as a person, but I think that it’s very important to establish myself as an artist first.

M: Do you feel like where you came from helped formulate your connection to music?

R: I remember music was such an integral part of our childhood. Like at parties and road trips, my dad would have this mixed CD with 22 songs, and it was like something he just bought off a bootlegger, but it was just the greatest CD ever... My mom, she would listen to a lot of Lauryn Hill and gospel [like] Trin-iTee 5:7 and Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin. And my sister, she was a lot older than us in the 90s. So she would listen to a lot of Brandy and Usher.

So, all of that played a part in what’s going on in my ear, and I think it formulated my foundation of music.

To this day, when I create, I always lean back to those sounds rather than the sounds that I feel like were present when I grew up. I don’t find myself leaning on sounds of current artists that are mainstream right now. I’m more so going off the Brandys and Aaliyahs and Ginuwines and that era of music. And Avant, my dad’s like a huge Avant fan.”

M: When it came to college, did you find yourself at a crossroad between furthering your education or starting a music career?

R: To a certain extent I feel like if I would’ve started like after I got out of college and I started hitting the ground running with music, had I [done] that after high school I would’ve been way further than what I am now. But, I also feel like I needed that development and that space because it makes me a better musician in today’s world. You have to do what you feel, you have to follow your instinct on that one. I would tell anyone to just go to college, get that experience and

just grow as a person, but I also think that if you want to hit the ground running...do it because...it will help.

M: You moved to L.A. shortly after graduating college.

How was it facing your fears and emotions taking that jump?

R: “It was literally crazy. I think initially even before I took the jump...I bought a one-way ticket to L.A., and I was like ‘I’m moving in August.’ As it got closer and closer, I got nervous. If it wasn’t for a tribe –all my friends and family– If it wasn’t for them, I may have not ever moved like actually got on the flight... I got on a flight to L.A. and didn’t even have a place to stay, that was the craziest part. We didn’t have an Airbnb booked, didn’t have a hotel booked or anything...We found an Airbnb for that first week and then just made it happen after that.”

M: So let’s talk about some of the progress you have been making with your career.

As soon as I feel that nature in me, I click retweet because I feel like you gotta spread love and just follow the love… not get caught up into whose gift is what and what gift is better than the other. To me, it’s like there’s a place for everybody’s gift. And once you realize that, it’s you-against-you in this world. I think that you can do all things through prayer, gotta have passion behind it, persistence, perseverance.

M: If you could choose any festival you could perform at, what would it be and who would be your headliners?

R: I’m gonna say Made In America because I feel like it’s such a staple [for me] being in Philly when it first started. I’ve been to every one. If Stevie [Wonder] and Prince headlined that be epic. I would want to see Kendrick there. I would want to see Saba, I would want to see Miguel, one of the goats... And I would want to see Rihanna—with a new album.

M: Who have you gotten to or would like to work with in the future?

R: Yeah, so we just got our first song with 100,00 streams, so that’s great. Sold out a show in DC… that’s a great notch under my belt, super proud about that.

Went on a small east coast tour, last year, [videos dropped] and projects have been streamed over 50,000 times on Spotify. Different things like that that seem a bit small but (right now) hold the magnitude of winning a Grammy.

R: Recently, I’ve gotten into the studio with Jordan Hawkins. He’s a male singer too on the uprising and plays guitar. So that’s super dope. He is super cool to work with. Ye Ali. The way he creates is just so different, and the way he creates is just so free and vibey.

M: With the ups and downs, what have you incorporated in your life to stay true to yourself in the industry

People I would want to work with; PJ Morton. He’s great. I got a chance to meet him on his GUMBO tour.

He was cool, and that project literally changed my life like it was a huge inspiration to my My Beanie’s Orange honestly. H.E.R. is like another person.

R: I think one of the most important things is keeping genuine people around me. I guess I’m the front person of all this creativity and artistry, but it takes a team to make it. Other than that, I would say staying grounded. One thing I always do is practice gratitude. So, every morning I’m waking up just saying I’m grateful for different things. Saying what I want to come from the world, what type of energy I want to put out, and the type of energy I want to receive. I think daily affirmations are super important. I’m a big fan of dream/vision boards.

M: What do you think separates you as an artist?

R: I think the one thing that I’m realizing that’s really setting me apart is like I choose to spread love and show support for even people I don’t know. It takes nothing from me to retweet something that can help someone get seen that may be able to change their life.

Even when I’m like in a low moment, and I’m feeling a little competitive or like I’m better than this person.

62 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

M: Do you want to be signed or do you want to remain independent?

R: I have friends who are signed who are like they can’t release the song they feel passionate about because someone feels it’s not a hit. I don’t want to be signed to something like that, but if it was somewhere where it’s like we believe in the vision and we want to support it... then I think that’s the key. Creative control is big for me.

All of my music is made off instinct. And how I feel at the time and the vibe of that day. I haven’t made a song yet thinking, ‘This is going to be great, and it’s going to be a hit.’ You know what I mean... I think people will just love it. To me, that’s a hit.

M: Which of your projects are you most passionate about.

R: The one I’m working on now, I’m literally already so proud of it. It’s called California, and it’s all about my

journey in California for the past four years. It reminds me of the music I listened to when I first moved to L.A. I could listen to it when I wake up in the morning, and it gives me ambition and motivates me to accomplish my dreams, and to go hard at whatever I’m doing and grind. Literally, makes me be like ‘I could quit my job tomorrow, and fuck the world up.’

You start out doing something like a magazine or a podcast... And at first, you have your family’s support and close friends, like 12 people. And for the whole first year, that could be all that supports you. Then…100 people come out of nowhere, and people start to see you how you see yourself. Now people see me as a singer. It’s no question about it anymore.

I think the sound of it is unlike anything I’ve released thus far. It has a hip-hop-infused sound to it, but also rock at times. It doesn’t come out until [the] top of 2021, and nothing that comes out this year will be on it. I feel like my writing on this project has been the best... A good merge of the projects that I’ve dropped thus far, it will be something that encompasses all of them.

It feels good that I can say I did this sh*t on my own.

And not to take away from anyone who supported or helped me like my team. When I say on my own, I say with the belief in myself because that’s what it started with. Me believing in me. Everything came after. So, my last piece of advice would be you have to believe in it. If you believe in it, you have to want it, and if you believe it’s for you, nothing will stop you from accomplishing it.

M: What would you say has been the most rewarding part of working in your passion?

R: The most self-fulfilling or rewarding part of it has been people seeing what I always saw in myself.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MIC A CONVERSATION WITH ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING MAVEN, MICHELLE JOYCE

by Chloé Francena Adams

“Y

ou need to get your sh*t together.” That’s what Michelle Joyce said to me one day on the phone while I was frustrated with where I was in life. “Girl, I don’t say much, but you’ve got so much going on. It’s time to step into your magic.”

Think of the golden era of hip hop. I’m talking 90s, Bad Boy top of the charts, Puffy Combs, Biggie Smalls, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, and Mary J. Blige. I can almost guarantee you wouldn’t see a thing without the magic touch of Michelle Joyce (also known as MJ), the former marketing director of Bad Boy Records.

there she made her way to Bad Boy Entertainment via a connection with her good friend, Kirk Burrows.

“I just remember my eyes filling with tears because it was my first opportunity that I got to see an office staffed solely with beautiful, young, black people,” said MJ. “I just felt like ‘Wow! This is our moment. I’m going to go really hard because this is one for us, this is one for the culture.’” And she meant that.

There’s no doubt MJ has always had a love for music, born and raised in the Boogie Down Bronx. “There’s always been a very eclectic sound that ran through my house,” said Joyce. “My dad listened to a lot of jazz and soul, and my mom liked rock and country.”

But coming from the birthplace of hip-hop, MJ was no stranger to this genre, either. “People would walk by with boomboxes on their shoulders, and DJ’s would host parking lot parties. And that’s when I fell in love.”

Having got her start at a college radio station, MJ quickly worked her way up with the help of someone who pushed her to do so. “I got my first job at The New Music Seminar,” she said. “Anita Daly was my first mentor. She believed in me, she gave me that first shot. I was really lucky because she really educated me on the process [of marketing]. That’s when I fell in love with the art of marketing: taking something from nothing and growing a brand. I loved all of it.”

From there, she took her talents to a label called East West Records. Under the supervision of Manny Bella and Jodi Williams, she had the opportunity to develop a new division, the College Promotion Department.

There, she partnered with Fred Jackson from Elektra Entertainment to launch the WEA Urban Street & University (WUSUP): a platform created as a tool to promote new and developing artists to colleges and universities nationwide through PR packages, live shows, and more. She then went to Big Beat Records to become the manager of urban marketing. It was

64 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

Original Bad Boy Staff (1994)

“You may not know me by name or know my face,” said MJ. “But, I promise you that you know my work!” As the first director of marketing for Bad Boy Entertainment, she and the female staffed marketing division laid the blueprint for what went on to become the most successful hip-hop record label of all time.

Bad Boy disrupted the market in a way that had never been done before like with the legendary B.I.G. Mack campaign featuring The Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, and Puffy (a.k.a. Diddy).

You may have seen the picture floating around social media on popular hip-hop pages or on Diddy’s personal page. In the ‘90s, this single campaign transformed the scope of ads from magazines and

Bad Boy “B.I.G. Mack” campaign photoshoot

newspapers to CD covers and merchandise. “There was not a single thing that was too ridiculous for us to do,” she said.

There was very little room for mistakes from late nights in the office to long flights across the country to parties and quick turnarounds. “It was the job that I think was the most challenging of my career because Puffy had an expectation that whatever he asked for, we needed to make it happen,” Michelle told me. “He operated with such a high level of black excellence, you had to step up with that same level.” But the blessing in it was that she felt her Bad Boy family was the tightest knit music family she ever had.

MJ’s story doesn’t stop there as she transitioned from working in music to TV production. She still celebrates her first production deal, Women Behind the Mic, a project MJ has been working on for some time with Mary J. Blige who is an executive producer.

“I’m getting to tell the story of women who many don’t know by name but definitely may know by work,” MJ said about her project. “I feel like I contributed in such a significant way to the culture… because the record industry had so many incredible female executives and managers and writers and dope spirits. It was really a girl’s girl industry. We had each other’s backs. As the documentaries and biopics started to come out, I felt that they were not telling a complete story of music because it was not inclusive of the women like myself and so many of my other sisters, that played such a big integral role in launching some of the biggest labels and artists. Our stories weren’t being told. I said to my friend LaJoyce, ‘It’s time for us to tell our story.’”

We hear stories about the hip-hop industry through the media, but listening to her story gives a different perspective on the ones that live behind the scenes.

It’s the stories of the women who made it happen and did more than what was required. The ones who were the first in the office in the morning and the last to leave at night. These are the stories and the legacies of the women who did the damn thing.

So, every time you pick up your headphones and choose a classic song, or every time you see a new campaign in a magazine or commercial, or every time a melody welcomes a new mood... Remember the women (yesterday and today) who got it done.

Remember the ones who made it happen, and that the sound you hear today came from the woman behind the mic.

Life has always been an instructional path for us.

Through the many experiences we may have or the people we come across, we can always learn a lesson that has helped shape us into who we are today. Many of those lessons, for MJ, were inspired by her dad. “He taught me to never give up and to really believe in myself. Because of that, I don’t think there’s anything that I look at as impossible.”

It’s time for us to tell our story.

This article is in remembrance of William David Joyce (March 6, 1934 – April 19, 2020).

May your memory last on and your love be felt through every melody and song.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

65

A SEAT AT MY TABLE LESSONS ON LOSING YOUR MIND

by Imani Sierra

I

remember it so vividly. The year was 2016 and I had just started my freshman year of college. I was conflicted in more ways than one. In a constant tug of war, I was battling between being who my parents wanted me to be and doing the complete opposite to prove a point. I was having my first experience with the lingering of soul ties and not really understanding what was happening. I was questioning my religious upbringing; I was searching for who I was. But aside from all these things, I was living my best life I guess you could say.

Now during my first semester away I was going through phases of doubt, hurt, and confusion, and on September 28 I felt like I was going to explode. I was so overwhelmed by everything and I just wanted to run and I didn’t know where but I had to leave.

I remember getting to my dorm trying to write something, anything but the words just wouldn’t come to me. From there I picked up the first book I saw which happened to be Maya Angelou’s ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, but I couldn’t concentrate as my mind began to run rapidly. I then decided it was time for a long hot shower so hopefully I could sleep; it didn’t work. My next attempt at solace was partaking in some herbal medicine if you will in hopes that just maybe the tears would come but nothing.

After all of this trial and error, I was exhausted but my thoughts wouldn’t let me rest, I felt heavy. Finally, the time had come and I decided to listen to Solange’s album first seeing that it had been a while since Solo put out any projects.

If you’re familiar with her music career you know that Solange has always had a very colorful sound full of jazz notes and funkadelic vibes. As I listened to the first 19 seconds of “Rise” I got a surge of excitement for what was to come. As I experienced this album I was left in awe. This was something I never knew I needed. It was a story of Black people coming into themselves, being themselves, accepting that self, and finding their seats at the table. I was so amazed that I had to run it back and to my surprise, I happened to miss a track in my initial stream and that track was

66 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

“Cranes In The Sky.” This track opened up with a beautiful harmony of a violin and boom-bap beat so I already knew that I would love this song. At 28 seconds she finally begins with the lyrics: I tried to drink it away, I tried to put one in the air, I tried to dance it away, I tried to change it with my hair, I ran my credit card bill up, Thought a new dress would make it better, I tried to work it away But that just made me even sadder I tried to keep myself busy, I ran around circles, Think I made myself dizzy, I slept it away, I sexed it away, I read it away I was shook, I felt exposed. I too had an ‘it.’ A few actually. I had doubts, I had hurt, I had confusion as well as some other things I couldn’t put a word to. I felt like she just described my whole night with no idea who I was. But the craziest part about all of this was even though the song spoke to my circumstances, I still did not grasp the full message of the song until three years later.

I was entering my last semester as a third-year Africana Studies major and I was facing some real adult problems with a side of depression. And like I was so used to, I tried to run. I began my admissions process at a new school and starting to prepare my finances for relocation.

I was working a job I hated, entertaining someone who didn’t deserve half of me out of familiarity while simultaneously grieving the unrequited love of the person I knew was the one. I was drifting from my family and began feeling like just a being with no purpose.

That summer I lived in what felt like a rehabilitation center full of chaos, sprinkles of joy, havoc, therapy.

Photo By: Wendel Moretti from Pexels

I realized my best bet was to feel it all and embrace my good, bad, and ugly because it’s a collection of all that I am.

It was a space that waged war on identity. It was the catalyst of my re-calibrated journey back to self and when the time came to leave that space I remembered: “Cranes In the Sky” playing on my shuffle. In these moments I felt like I finally heard the message.

No matter how much I tried to drink it away, smoke it away, write it away, work it away, sex it away, run it away, ‘it’ would keep coming back. If I continued in this cycle I would be going nowhere fast. It was the summer of 2019 that I realized my best bet was to feel it all and embrace my good, bad, and ugly because it’s a collection of all that I am. And trust and believe I’m still learning how to maneuver my emotions and make the best decision but as the interlude preceding this song says, “The glory is in you.”

QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

by Nzingha Florence

T

he year of 2020 has been full of new music, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Artists literally have nothing else to do but make music and work on their craft. Although this period in time really sucks right now, an up-side is being blessed with so much new music. A lot of artists have been giving the proceeds from their new songs to the relief funds as well, so it’s truly a win for us all. Here’s some of my favorite new songs from this year and when I think is the perfect occasion for you to play them.

YOU’RE WORKING OUT AND TRYING TO GET THE BODY YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED Savage Remix - Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé Play this song when you’re working out and trying to get the body you’ve always wanted. Meg and Beyoncé shook the world with this remix, not only gracing us with a new summer bop, but also donating the proceeds to Beyoncé’s hometown, Houston. Both women are avid supporters of physical health, so play this song when you’re in need of some motivation to get your body right.

THERE’S TROUBLE IN PARADISE WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER No Good (Album: A Muse In Her Feelings) - DVSN Play this song when there’s trouble in paradise with your significant other. This is personally my favorite song on the album, and it’s also the first song on the album. It’s just somber enough to get you in your feelings, but not so sad that it’ll make you cry. The beat and flow of the song honestly makes you want to dance a little bit as well as make-up with your partner.

68 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

YOU’VE JUST GOTTEN OUT OF A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP OR FINALLY COMING TO THE REALIZATION THAT YOU’RE IN ONE Toxic (Album: It Was Good Until It Wasn’t) - Kehlani Play this song when you’ve just gotten out of a toxic relationship or finally coming to the realization that you’re in one. With Ty Dolla $ign vocals in the background, it’s definitely a song that makes you feel some type of way about what you’re currently going through. Kehlani says a lot of relatable things that people go through in toxic relationships, such as hitting that person up because you miss them, even though you both know you need to let the relationship go. Love can definitely feel like a drug sometimes, especially a love that’s toxic.

Photo By: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

YOU’RE FEELING NOSTALGIC Chicago Freestyle (Album: Dark Lane Demo Tapes) Drake feat. Giveon Play this song when you’re feeling nostalgic. The song switches from Giveon’s soft chorus, accompanied by piano playing, to Drake’s rapping over a fastpaced beat. Something about this song that makes you long for a person you haven’t seen in a while.

There’s a feeling of nostalgia and missing someone or something from the past, then suddenly being reminded of the current state of your reality.

YOU FEELING YOURSELF AND REMEMBERING WHO YOU ARE B.S. (Album: Chilombo) - Jhené Aiko feat. (H.E.R.) This is the song you play when you’ve just gotten out of a relationship and you’re “back up on your B.S.” When you finally leave a situation where you knew you were being treated less than you deserve, this is the song you turn on.

YOU FEEL LIKE DANCING Cardigan (Album: Heaven or Hell) - Don Toliver I like to have random dance sessions or dance breaks while I’m working my job or a daunting project. It helps release some of that tension that has been built up from stressing and trying to accomplish what you’d been working on. I love Don Toliver’s voice cause it’s very unique and unlike any other artist I’ve heard before.

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR NEW SONGS FOR A PLAYLIST 12.38 (Album: 3.15.20) - Childish Gambino feat. 21 Savage, Ink, Kadhja Bonet The beloved Donald Glover finally dropped an album for the first time in four years, since “Awaken, My Love!” in 2016. This is a great song for a new age Neosoul/R&B playlist. It’s kind of long, but it’s a great song to play in the background while you’re studying, spending time with your significant other, or working on a creative endeavor.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

69

SEE YOURSELF THERE A CONVERSATION WITH BRUCE MILLER

by Chloé Francena Adams

Y

ouTube Studios in New York City was the location.

I can’t quite remember what time of year it was, but I remember the feeling. I was super nervous because I was heading to an event hosted by the Universal Hip-Hop Museum (coming to the Bronx in 2023). I remember feeling my heart racing and blood running. I was seeing myself surrounded by the people who literally started the culture that changed the world.

The hip-hop pioneers. The creators. The visionaries. I was so grateful to even be in the room that all I could do was sit and take everything in.

I decided to make my way to a back area where a food spread was prepared to calm myself down. I thought to myself, ‘This will help me relax.’ I quickly made my way to review the food options, and just as I picked up my plate, someone said to me, “The food is okay. But you should try the chicken. It’s good.” My immediate and nervously reactive response was, ‘It better be, or we’re fighting!’ (I know, I did the most).

Little did I know that clapback served as my introduction to Bruce Miller, Founder & CEO of Blue Light Media and Executive Producer at Blue Butterfly Productions. He’s also an incredible father, husband, entrepreneur, businessman, songwriter, producer, director, and brother of R&B legend Mary J. Blige. From that moment, it was family at first sight!

Bruce Miller is credited for writing some of the songs that were basically the soundtracks to your life, or your auntie’s and uncle’s life. And maybe even your mama and daddy. He has written a majority of the songs on the No More Drama album by Mary J. Blige and, most famously, the hit single “Family Affair.” But what many people don’t know is that Bruce is the powerhouse behind many other ventures.

Having been in the entertainment industry for over 22 years, Miller has seen and been a part of everything you could possibly think of. I’ve heard stories about how he’s had countless nights working, staying up into the morning on conference calls while balancing life with a wife and three children. I had a chance to chat with Bruce about his most recent projects, experiences, and

70 THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

You have to take a step, believe in yourself, put that energy into the universe and reaffirm that. everything he’s learned thus far. It had been a while since we spoke, but it seems like every time we talk, I learn something new. “I consider myself a serial entrepreneur,” he told me. “…I even owned a bodega!”

Bruce Miller has never let anything hold him back. He’s always explored various opportunities that led him to the success he has today. He has a keen interest and skill in bringing people together to get the work done.

“I take pride in being able to recognize people and recognize their talents and put together teams with the right kind of people,” said Bruce. “I am a business matchmaker! I understand people and understand how to motivate and bring them together.”

Despite all of his accomplishments, he wants more.

“Realistically, I haven’t accomplished [my biggest achievement] yet,” said Bruce. “There’s still more for me to do. There are still more people to help. There’s still more to the story.” There’s a lesson in this. Imagine feeling like your biggest accomplishment wasn’t reached after your #1 hit single reaches millions of people at the start of your career. For many, that would be enough, but it wasn’t for him, and that determined the difference between being good and being great. “I think that this journey that I’m on now will take me to the biggest accomplishment.”

Taking risks, especially with entrepreneurship, is not easy. In the process, you may doubt or overwork yourself, form new partnerships, and learn new things.

“It’s due process,” Miller said. “It’s learning as you go while also reflecting and looking at wins and losses and going back to the drawing board. When I didn’t succeed where I thought I should’ve, there was a lesson. It was being able to take the lessons and apply them to the next area.”

What comes to mind when you think of a legacy?

Maybe fruitful generations, stability, or something like a dynasty, but for Bruce, legacy is a lifestyle. “I had a mentor named Ray Hendrickson,” said Bruce, “and he used to always say ‘Legacy says how many lives have been made better because you lived.’” In other words, everything that you have been called to do in this life is set to impact someone else in the long run.

As a serial entrepreneur, there are many projects Bruce looks forward to. For example, Blue Butterfly Productions has a few TV shows, movies, and major deals, including one with Lionsgate. He’s also working on a film under his own company, Blue Light Media called Shrader House, a new family podcast about building generational wealth, a new family podcast about building generational wealth, and a new project called Women Behind the Mic (see page 64).

“I’m excited for all of my new projects,” he said, “... for Women Behind the Mic because it’s an opportunity to celebrate these women. And shine a light on them and how much they mean to the music industry.”

Bruce has served as the blueprint for a go-getter, especially for black and brown individuals. “We’ve got to change the narrative,” he said. “If we don’t tell our stories, someone else will. If you aren’t stepping out and looking to make a difference or change, we’ll always be stuck.”

Here’s a note to anyone who just needs the right push.

All you need to do is take the step and make it happen.

“See yourself there,” Bruce told me. “See yourself where you want to be, no matter what it is in life. Write it down. Start the process and keep visualizing yourself there as you move forward to making it happen.” In Bruce Miller’s case, he saw a vision and made it a reality. “You have to take a step, believe in yourself, put that energy into the universe and reaffirm that,” he said. Just like many others, because the vision is always real. You just have to see yourself there.

SPRING 2020

THE SQUEEZE

71

STRAIGHT FROM THE BOXHOUND

by Ethan Scarlett

E

very journey has its own story. The name ‘Boxhound’ came about in 2013. A group of friends wanted to show that they were good at what they did, and at that time it was…going after and getting girls. Straight like that. In their own way, they all believed CONFIDENTLY in their abilities to talk to girls and knew how to “spit game.” The name of the group, brought forth ideas of starting their own YouTube channel, making vlogs and short series', selling merchandise, etc. The ideas never fully came into fruition until the year of 2018 when they decided to have a talk show.

They realized that most times when a conversation occurred, long and extensive details of a response brought new perspectives insightful gems, left to be picked up. They also looked at the name ‘Boxhound,’ and began thinking about more meaning to the name and how relatable it could be. The meaning of Boxhound turned into being a “hound,” one who is driven and determined, to go after whatever it is that they want in life. So those who are driven to get that new job, start that new business, “get the bag,” or maybe if it is getting girls; or guys, for the women that like to go after what they want as well.

In March of 2018, about 6-7 of the friends sat around a rocky table, with one of the legs loose, trying not to hit the table and have the mic pick up on the screechy noise. All this while recording on Voice Memos on their Apple iPhone. Following a couple recordings, they invested in a Blue Yeti mic from Best Buy that plugged into the computer, downloaded an audio software and instead of using the unsteady table, they upgraded to a 24-pack of tissue paper; placed on an ottoman. For most of their beginning and humbling recordings, this is how Boxhound Radio was born. But again, every journey has its own story.

It wasn’t long before members from the team suddenly “didn’t have the time” to make the recordings, or “feel like they wanted to talk about something else’’ or “wanted more credit” or just was straight up running away from the responsibility of building something.

72

THE SQUEEZE SPRING 2020

Everybody is all still friends and cool, but real colors showed who was serious about the building of a brand, and not just “talk.” The team shrunk to three and while at one point and although they were upset that things happened the way they did, they built upon what they had, and with who they had.

Fast forward, the three were able to begin recording their podcasts in a professional studio, where the sound was SO much different. They started recording the podcasts through video as well to match a face to the voices. That’s really when the small team started seeing a BRAND that was bigger than themselves.

The Boxhound team has been able to launch into the clothing industry, designing merchandise and some fire apparel. They began blogging and giving their followers a different perspective on some topics (for the ones that like to read, like you’re doing now. Lol) The fellas haven’t taken their foot off the pedal as they continue building the brand. They’ve grown the team, at this point, to seven! But they're still growing, and they feel like the vision is growing and getting even clearer. Currently, they are beginning to transition into video production, with video series' and short films in motion. They are also currently building an app that will be a full space to stay connected to everything Boxhound but more importantly, continue to motivate as many people as possible to go after their dreams and live life to the fullest.

Keep Houndin’ Follow Boxhound on their journey to help others and be apart of the movement.

VA

allthingsboxhound.com

GO AFTER YOUR GOALS

KEEP HOUNDIN’

R E L AT I O N S H I P S | P O P C U LT U R E | L I F E S T Y L E | S U C C E S S TA L K S | M I L L E N N I A L S

SEASON 4 AVAILABLE NOW NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY AT 7PMET

shift the culture. taste the flava.

PYNK Lemonade is a premier marketing, branding, and production agency devoted to assisting creative entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations with exclusive marketing and promotional services.

Digital Marketing Social Media Management Creative Design Branding Event Production Video Production We aim to spread positivity and influential stories that can be both impactful and beneficial to our community while pushing limits beyond boundaries.

GET CONNECTED. Contact us for more information. info@pynklmn.com

PYNKLMN

www.pynklmn.com