PYNK Lemonade The Squeeze | Volume 2

volume 02

A NAME

nbdy

CAN FORGET

tips on how to rock your resume , a bts look into complexcon + making movement a movement

a message from the

Welcome to the second issue of The Squeeze! We can’t begin to thank you all for supporting our first issue with over 1000+ reads within the first 45 days of release! Honestly speaking, we’re still on cloud nine from the many celebrations since our first issue launched. As a result, we were so eager to share even more stories of some of the amazing individuals we’ve been able to connect with.

The message of the PYNK Lemonade brand is simple: Taste the flava. Shift the culture. We hope to accomplish this by creating captivating content and telling the stories of young millennial individuals who are making a mark on the culture in their own unique way. It is our hope that through our efforts, we are able to help someone reach their dreams by supporting them in their journeys.

Thank you for continuing to support the PYNK Lemonade vision. We hope you enjoy this issue and most importantly, we hope that these stories are able to inspire you in your lives and future endeavors.

Keep

it

Sweet!

Chloé Francena Adams + Chanah McKenzie PYNK Lemonade Co-Founders

a note from the

As the weather begins to cool and the season changes, we draw closer to the end of the year, and the beginning of a new one! Traditionally, we save our resolutions until after the New Year begins.

However, with less than 3 months until 2020, why not start reflecting and replanning now.

In this issue of The Squeeze we didn’t focus on a theme, but provided diverse content that can start your resolution process. Whether it’s your health, career, spiritual journey or overall motivation, this issue will give you the advice and resources to start your 2020 plan.

Along with keeping you motivated, we are also keeping you informed on the culture and young trend setters coming up and making their name and work known. Every day there are more and more people shifting culture and becoming living testimonies for what we want to accomplish. Our job is to document as many stories as we can, and constantly remind you it’s obtainable.

With that, I encourage you to take that personal time now to reflect on you, your life, your goals and your happiness. I hope you find something in this issue that adds to your reflection and revamping, so that when January hits, you’ll already be walking in the newest best version of yourself.

Enjoy!

Ramona Roberts

October 2019 | Volume Two 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 Khrystina Blanks Charles Jones Cynthia Vasquez Karima McKenzie Nzingha Florence Matthew Butler

Copyright ®2019 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, subscription queries and orders to info@pynklmn.com.

LIFESTYLE BRAND

@BASKETBALLSOCIETY_

TABLE OF

STEADY

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rock your resume

10 WE DON’T NEED ANY NEW ‘NEW’ SH*T 12 HIGH-END HUSTLER 15 BRAND NEW YOU 17 THE POWER OF LINKEDIN 18 THE PERFECT RECIPE 20 THE ORIGINAL RECKLESS GENTLEMAN

LIVIN’ YOUR 26 THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST 30 HEALTH & WELLNESS 32 SELF-CARE: THE REAL JOURNEY 34 THE POWER OF PRAYER

27

the art of balance

38 A NAME

nbdy

CAN FORGET

MUSIC 44 THE BEAT DON’T STOP 46 THE RISE OF QUEENDOM

BIG BAG 58

movement turned into a movement

50 5 FINANCIAL TIPS FOR GEN Z 52 KNOW MONEY, NO PROBLEM 55 QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

WE ARE THE 60 BEHIND THE LENS AT COMPLEXCON 67 GHETTO UNTIL TRENDING

steady

we don't need any new 'new' sh*t

BY CYNTHIA VASQUEZ We are living in a world where instant gratification and efficiency rule supreme. Especially in the realm of fashion, consumerism is at an all-time high. Whether it’s the latest pair of Balenciaga sneakers, new styles from Zara, or the latest trends released by any other popular fashion brands, many companies have turned to a new solution to keep up with the demand of fast-fashion.

“We’re working on this new concept called the world doesn’t need any new ‘new’ sh*t,” says Kwaku Agyemang, one of the co-founders of the fashion brand known as the BrownMill Company. Unlike most modern-day apparel brands, the company’s main focus is on creating its apparel through upcycled fabrics and clothing. “That’s the foundation of how we want to move on. We want to have a message that sets us apart from any other brand.”

Fashion currently presents a limited amount of environmentally-conscious clothing lines. They are the companies that do not receive nearly as much publicity and promotion as mega-chains like Forever 21, H&M, and online boutique stores like Missguided or SHEIN. However, that does not mean they remain completely in the shadows or are not making any impact through their creative work.

Cue in BrownMill, a company that focuses on eco-friendly clothing manufacturing and production. Founded in 2009 by three young men from

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Piscataway, New Jersey, they found a side hustle that proved successful when they were only in middle school.

“I joined my freshman year of high school,” explains Kwaku. “Then they included me as a founder. We started making bow ties out of my cofounder’s mom’s old dresses, old t-shirts, and different things. We never had money to buy new fabric. As we started to spend, we realized there’s not really a reason to buy new fabric. People have so [many] old clothes they don’t use, and that’s just as good to use as fabric.” Walking what they talked, they turned the lemons they already possessed into a local Black business.

Their overall style gives off an urban-minimalist ambiance mixed with a vintage essence. They make clothing that people hailing from urban areas will naturally gravitate toward, still adding their own subtle yet signature appearance that has the clothes look as if it were a rare find.

The brand now extends beyond their hometown as well. In recent years, the team has received considerable recognition along the East Coast.

Throughout the past couple of years, they’ve hosted a plethora of pop-up shops throughout the DMV (the Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia area) and at universities such as Morgan State University and Howard University to name a couple. They’ve also made appearances at fashion shows hosted by other universities like Princeton,

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and were featured in Yale University’s Collective Liberation publication.

Yet, when you take a closer look at the messages they communicate through their clothing and marketing, they are not only focused on manufacturing a global fashion trademark. The fashion brand wants to foster a lifestyle and creative hub that connects with the people of their community. Eventually, they hope to extend the messages they’ve told the urban community on an international level. Their main goal is to connect people through their creative ventures.

“We’re just trying to be role models in our society.

We’re trying to make a cleaner world for people.

We care about the urban community, and cultivating your craft, or your genius,” Kwaku explains.

In recent years, they’ve partnered with local non-profits such as the Hyacinth Aids Foundation in New Brunswick, NJ, as well their own community-development project, the BrownMill Pick-Up Games series. Throughout the summer the company hosted a series of basketball games for kids in Piscataway every Sunday. After starting it as a fun initiative to engage with youth and mentor them through sports, it turned into a weekly activity and actual game.

donate denim products to the company, and BrownMill’s team will then reinvent the fabrics into high-fashion pieces.

BrownMill is a company that was started from nothing more than an idea. It stemmed from a place that did not seem like the most ideal foundation, but when is a situation ever ideal? Through being innovative, artistic, and pragmatic with their funds four young men were capable of creating an ecologically-conducive business venture. One that experiences a greater return and only generates profit.

The common belief is that to make it in fashion, you must have the money to start the project. This is arguably the case for all start-ups, but through thinking outside-of-the-box Kwaku and his team made it work. They’re setting a new precedent for fashion and the Black community. One that shows social responsibility and engagement can coincide with making money.

Instagram: @brownmillcompany

“We were like, ‘Why don’t we turn this into an actual game?’ We created the jerseys [and] shirts for it,” Kwaku says about their unplanned but great turnout. “For the rest of the summer, we would rent out the park, bring out speakers, play some music, bring out chairs. We’d get donations from different companies in Piscataway, things like water and food for the kids, and we’d just have basketball games.” The town’s mayor eventually became involved and revamped the basketball courts by replacing all the rims and nets.

“Just being socially-aware, and up-to-date on the different things going on in our communities. It’s really going to set us apart from different brands.”

In terms of fashion-related projects, they plan to host another chain of pop-up shows. Their specific destinations include Brooklyn, Washington D.C., and either Los Angeles or San Francisco. Financial support from company executives affiliated with Goldman Sachs is also in the works.

They aim to reduce textile waste by a drastic amount through working specifically with jeans and denim. As textile waste is the second-largest water pollutant, they have decided to work alongside fast-fashion companies such as Levi’s and Forever 21. Each participating company will

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11

high-end hustler

BY CHARLES JONES

12

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E

ntrepreneurship has been on the rise in our generation for the past couple of years.

Whether it be offering a service or selling a product, new start-up businesses have been popping up everywhere. Our parents have always told us that you have to go to school to get a good 9 to 5 job that will pay your bills so that you can live comfortably. That was their idea of success. It’s so crazy that over the years the definition of what it means to be successful has changed. Today we can probably all agree that success is being able to have complete ownership of what you do and to be able to consistently execute despite the many tribulations that you may face along the way.

The self-employed lifestyle has become a more attractive alternative to the 9 to 5 corporate life.

With the cost of education rising and people waking up to the realities of being trapped in student loan debt, this gave rise to the current entrepreneur trend. It isn’t easy to start your own company and run your business from the ground up. If you don’t have the necessary startup capital in the beginning, it could be even harder for you to launch your own business. But sometimes you just need to hold on to a dream and vision to get to where you’re going. In the case of Nazir Hampton’s story, his drive, ambition and early planning is what helped him to do just that.

In following the legacy of his grandfather, Nazir knew one day he would own his own company. His grandfather owned a clothing store named Blackmen’s Boutique as well other businesses in Trenton throughout the 1970s. His popularity and success in the community were stitched into Nazir’s DNA so it was destined for him to do the same.

What originally started as a t-shirt line called HIxND (pronounced High End) quickly expanded into a boutique of luxury fashion merchandise.

Although he made it all look flawless, Nazir endured struggles many face trying to run a business. After a public shooting in Trenton, the community and store took a hit. As a reult, business slowed and Nazir made an executive decision to close down his store to save profits. This decision helped him avoid rock bottom and allowed him to save enough capital to open a new location in Atlanta and months later a new Trention store with rennovations.

Consistency, focus and having a plan are the main ingredients for executing any dream to ensure its success in reality.

High End continues to thrive online, in Atlanta and Trenton with the brand looking to eventually expand to other cities in the future. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy but it’s worth every minute if you’re doing what you love to do. Stay focused in your lane and don’t compare your value to that of others. People will pay for your product or service if they believe in you. In the words of Nazir, “If you are presented an opportunity, take the chance because you never know if it’ll go good or go bad.

Support small businesses if you have the option to because you are supporting someone else’s dream.”

If ever in New Jersey or Atlanta you must stop by and check out The House of High End. Instagram: @thehouseofhighend

Nazir always had an entrepreneurial hustle, going after a business degree at Rutgers University. When he couldn’t attend school anymore because of the rising costs and lack of financial aid, he started saving his money working a fulltime job. After expressing to his grandfather the urge to leave his job, the opportunity to open his own store presented itself. It can be scary thinking about the “what if’s” but he took the risk, and opened up his first store in Trenton with only a few stacks and a dream. Nazir knew what had to be done and executed it all on his own. Many days and hours were spent as he prepared his very first opening. When the store was launched, it was a success and shortly after he launched his business online.

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13

more than a brand

merch available now allthingsboxhound.com #keephoundin

brand new you BRANDING TIPS FROM THE CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER OF PYNK LEMONADE, CHLOE ADAMS

I

wouldn’t be me if I didn’t provide you with some tips to help add some zest and flava to your brand. In my opinion, marketing is really just another way to connect people to a greater good. I consider it my own way of sharing the impactful stories of myself or the individuals around me. And if you want to successfully market yourself, I’d suggest you start at square 1: Your brand!

For those who know me, let’s just say I fall in the category of P2P. That’s people to people!

Being in the P2P business requires some level of understanding when it comes to my personal brand and how I connect to others. How do I do that, you ask? Don’t worry. I got you. Here are some tips to help push out your messaging and become a BRAND new you!

1 2

SOCIAL MEDIA IS YOUR FRIEND The good thing about the social world is that you have the opportunity to connect with individuals worldwide!

Yes...worldwide. Use your platform to show everyone what you can do!

KNOW YOUR “WHY” It’s a simple answer to a (sometimes complex) answer, “Why am I doing this? What’s my purpose?”

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3 4 5

UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE I can’t stress this ENOUGH! Your audience will be your biggest support group. But, question: does it make sense to be selling a jackhammer to teachers? I don’t think so! Know what and WHO you’re selling to.

IT’S ABOUT YOUR IMPACT If what you’re doing doesn’t have a greater purpose that can change the scope of the culture and the people in this world, then you may want to reconsider the path you’re taking.

REMEMBER: YOU ARE THE BRAND At the end of the day, your life and who you are is the best brand out there. Be uniquely YOU! Embrace your flaws, embrace your ideas and embrace your power!

-Stay Sweet

15

The linkedin

of

BY CHARLES JONES

T

he job market has changed so much over the years. A lot of things that our parents considered important or necessary aren’t necessarily relevant today. Nowadays, most people don’t walk into an establishment to request an application in person. If you do happen to pull this prehistoric stunt, you’ll likely be directed to apply on the company website. We live in a digital world where you either get with the times or risk getting lost in the sauce. Point-blank, period.

Even the way we go about seeking a job or researching a company is changing, but what’s trending is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professional social networking platform for businesses and professionals. In other words, it is Instagram or Facebook for the professional world. LinkedIn has been around since 2003, but no one really cared for it then as social media was just starting to take off. At that time, the site was plagued with Baby Boomers and Generation Xers.

Since the popularization of social networks such as Facebook and Instagram, LinkedIn had no choice but to evolve, or else become extinct like many other social networks that have come and gone (for various reasons). Now more millennial-friendly and inclusive, it is a social network that you would want to be on if you have career goals of any kind. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, a member of corporate America, contractor, freelancer, real estate agent, retail professional or someone who is just looking for their next gig, LinkedIn is the space for you.

People often say you are only as powerful as the people you know, and oftentimes it is true. Sometimes your education and skills won’t necessarily get you in the room to interview with who you need to. But it can be the people you know that help you get your next opportunity--LinkedIn is infamous for that. Of course, connect with people you know but also connect with people you don’t know, people who work in the same industry or

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different industries that you admire. Follow these rules and you’ll start your LinkedIn profile off right so that it will work for you.

LinkedIn is like your virtual resume. People can see where you worked, what skills you have, the things you’ve accomplished, recommendations and endorsements from colleagues, projects you’ve worked on and more! It’s the easiest and best way to get yourself noticed and to network with other skill savvy professionals. If you’re looking for a job you want to be on LinkedIn. According to Jobvite, 77 percent of recruiters are on LinkedIn. It is the social media platform of choice when it comes to recruiting across any industry. What better way to showcase your skills, talents, and personality than in a live format.

Simply being on any social network won’t produce you any results if you’re looking to get noticed.

Being active on LinkedIn is a huge part of how it will work for you. LinkedIn has 303 million active users per month, 40 percent of which use it use daily (DataReportal). Also, 38 percent of LinkedIn users are 25 to 34 years old which means 87 million millennials account for the largest age demographic of the site. I’d want to be in that lucky number if I were you.

Back in the summer of 2018, I was recruited by my CEO to join my brand. I was amazed that I stood out and impressed the CEO with my skills but also because I was highly active with the positive content that I was posting. About 90 million senior-level influencers and 63 million decision-makers use LinkedIn. This is one of the reasons why I love LinkedIn so much. You can look up senior-level executives that work in a company and reach out to them. And befriending people of organizations that you aspire to work for is the best back door into the company. Why wait in line by submitting your applications through job portals where your application or resume could get lost in an endless black hole? According to a LinkedIn study, 85 percent of all jobs are filled through networking and direct references.

If you’re serious about your craft or career, it’s never too late to be an active LinkedIn user. Us millennials are taking over and quickly rising to leadership roles. Our generation will comprise the next leaders of America. Our influence on culture and society is becoming prevalent in everything we do. If you want to be with the in-crowd of success, recognize the power and impact that LinkedIn has.

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The Perfect Recipe

BY CHLOÉ ADAMS

F

ood is the way to anyone’s heart. There are moments in life where a good meal is just the thing you need to keep you going. Think about it. Holiday meals with family, dinner dates with your significant other and a girls’ night out with pizza and of course, wine! Food has been the center-point of some of our greatest and longest-lasting memories.

I have to admit, from the ambiance of the venue to the first sweet or savory bite of food, I’ve always loved a good dining experience. I had the chance to speak with someone who takes food experiences to the top level, or should I say— the penthouse.

Mikal Frater is the Executive Chef of Penthouse Eats, a professional food service that provides meal prep, catering, private dinners and cooking classes. You name it, she’s got it! Mikal is the chef extraordinaire who takes your ordinary food experience and creates unforgettable flavors. How refreshing is it to see a 20-something-year-old bring us luxury lifestyle meals on a 20-something budget. I mean, the range. We have no choice but to stan.

For those of you looking to get your grub on and let your taste buds finally be great rather than making a quick stop down the street to your closest drive-thru, pay close attention.

Mikal started her cooking career off like most of

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us; getting ready to leave the house for college.

“Growing up, I was always in the kitchen with my parents,” said Mikal. “My parents gave me the basics. But when I was getting ready to leave for college, my dad said, ‘You know, we aren’t going to be here when you leave. You may want to start getting ready to make your own meals.’”

I can say, that was my dad too. Except, I didn’t listen. I didn’t try and learn the basics. I just assumed the food would be there. Imagine my surprise when my freshman-15 turned into the freshman-25 because I was eating out a little too often.

I knew there was something I had to do. For most of us, this is a pivotal moment as we begin to take our first steps into adulthood. What are we supposed to eat? How are we supposed to make this?

Mikal had the answers. “In undergrad, my childhood best friend and I would [have] Friendsgiving and Sunday dinners,” she said. “I would take pics of the food and send it to my parents.” But that wasn’t it for her. “Senior year I lived on my own.

Since I was bored, I would cook and invite people over. Being in Baltimore county, it was so easy to venture and explore the foodie spots in the city.

The year after I graduated I was like “let me hone in on this.”

Pulling inspiration from the foodie influencers like Emril and the Kitchenista, Mikal has definitely tapped into her inner master chef. She’s created five-star meals from our basic day-to-day foods.

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It's Wine Clock -O -

Which type of wine do you prefer? Here are Mikal’s suggestions for when you’re wining and dining. a. Top Red: Brand – Josh, Cabernet Sauvignon “I love a good cab sav.” b. Top White: Brand – Cupcake. Riesling “It’s fun to me,” she said, “I enjoy it. The minute I feel like I’m not enjoying it anymore, it’s not for me anymore. For now, it’s super fun and I love it.”

Here’s the thing about food. Food is one of the most consistent ways to bring people together.

It’s cultural. It’s ever-changing. And in the words of Mikal, “Food is a universal language.” So, why not treat it as such? Much like the name of her company, Penthouse Eats, every experience you have with food should feel luxurious. It should feel five-star wherever you are.

Like Mikal, it’s all about exploration. “I’ll go somewhere like a restaurant and try something. If I really like it I’ll say to myself ‘Ooo I think I can make this at home.’ And it’ll turn into a little personal challenge for me.” All it takes is a pan and an idea to make your perfect dish. The key ingredients are patience and curiosity. Start in the kitchen and let your ideas come to life with the food you eat.

That, my friends, is the perfect recipe. *Chef Kiss* Instagram: @penthouseeats

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the original reckless gentleman

BY ADRINECE BEARD

U

sually, the word ‘reckless’ doesn’t speak to lady-like or gentleman behavior, but Anthony Hasan, Jr. says it describes him best as the bold, carefree 24-year-old he is. In his opinion, why pick one when you can be both. What started as his signature hashtag (#RecklessGentleman) on Twitter and Instagram became part of a fashion brand based in Atlanta, but the vision doesn’t stop there.

“I used to model and Reckless Gentleman was like my modeling name or brand,” Hasan explains, “and then one day I wanted to expand it and thought of the clothing brand.” Reckless Gentleman & Lady (RG&L) Clothing is a brand to not only wear but to become he explains, “having your reckless ways but at the end of the day, you never lose who you are [in] knowing that you’re still a gentleman or lady.” He continues describing his idea of a reckless gentleman or lady as someone who speaks their mind without being disrespectful but straightforward. “It doesn’t have to be words, but it can be actions as well. For example, open the car door for your lady and smack her on the a*s,” he teases.

When asked to give celebrities who fit these descriptions he ponders a while before naming Odell Beckham, Chris Brown and later, Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union. “[Beckham] comes off as a bad guy but still has good intentions,” he explains, and “when Dwayne plays he’s real aggressive or reckless, but of course, he’s a gentleman.”

first goal in making roughly $1,000 from sales. But he didn’t always see himself as an entrepreneur.

“That’s the crazy thing about it,” he says. “Catch me three years ago, I was trying to get into the entertainment industry; acting and modeling; fashion shows here and there. I was in school too.”

I assumed he was a sales and marketing major, but he says he once thought about becoming a family and marriage counselor inspired by his single-parent upbringing. “I’m still in school right now actually. I take online classes at Atlanta Metropolitan State College,” he mentions.

Not only is he a student and entrepreneur, but he is a full-time behavior specialist for Atlanta Public Schools. “I have moments where I hype myself up just because of doing that and being in school along with owning my business. Like I’m doing the damn thing, but I’m always trying to do better,” he gloats, priding himself on work that motivates youth, especially young, black boys.

“They’re in need of something; love; attention. My approach is to find out what they need. I don’t raise my voice. I talk to them. But to keep it real, along with being a [high-school football] coach too, it’s exhausting,” he vents. “The part I struggle the most [with] every day is evenly distributing my energy to each thing; because when work drains you one day, it’s truly hard to keep going and give that same energy to my business, coaching or school.”

His friends, and family, know exactly how he feels supporting him in the days before his website launched when he sold the tees by word-ofmouth or out his car. Actually, his mom still logos the shirts herself using a heat press machine. “I had trouble finding someone who would make them. She picked up the trade. She studied the craft,” he says. “I do everything else when it comes to designs and sales and marketing.”

Hasan says the one thing that keeps him going is knowing that his future is worth it as he’s always thinking of ways to expand his business. One day, he plans to add hoodies and hats to the RG&L shirt collection, a full team, open a store and possibly, turn the name Reckless Gentleman into a nonprofit program. “My brand taught me patience. I don’t want to rush it,” he says. “I’m not really worried about the competition. I’m worried about how I can grow my brand beyond ATL.”

RG&L Clothing officially launched in April 2019 to include the website; by July, he had reached his

Website: rglclothing.com Instagram: @rglclothingbrand

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rock your resume

BY CHLOÉ ADAMS

N

o, a picture of your dog CANNOT go on your resume.

Yes, people. You read that correctly. No, a photograph of you and your pet is not necessarily the best fit for a professional resume. Instagram, maybe. But for a resume, I’d give that a hard “No!” You’d be surprised by the kinds of resumes 23-year-old Brandon Mitchell reviews every day.

From photos of pets to loud bright shapes and colors, Brandon has seen it all. Nevertheless, we are lucky to have him and his team of 5-stars get you started with your career and help rock your resume.

Brandon Mitchell, Founder, and CEO of BrandResumes, had a chance to talk to us about how he got started in the resume building business and how he doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon.

At 23 Brandon—the visionary—created an empire for himself through his resume writing company receiving revenue of over $70,000 in just four months (he started in May 2019 by the way).

You all know how this goes. A student in college scrambling to find an internship or job in their preferred field, no money in their bank account for food, and balancing job applications and finals.

We all know the stress level. Well Brandon, a triple major (or should we say, triple THREAT) decided to do something about it. “I started when I was a junior in college, when I was coming up and I was thinking about internships. I came from an underrepresented school. I started thinking about ways in which I could differentiate myself from other people. So, I started researching ways to market myself. I learned how to write a resume on my own and I guess I got really good at it because I was getting interviews at top companies like Wells Fargo, Bank of America and even Facebook. And I was like ‘Whoa.’ Something I’m doing is right.”

It turns out whatever he was doing was definite-

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ly right. “So, I said ‘let me start writing resumes for my friends.’ And I started doing them for free and they started getting interviews and things like that as well,” he said.

BrandResumes is a professional resume writing and career advancement service for entry-level, mid-level and executive professionals. Brandon and his team work to help professionals land careers and full-time employment within different industries like, business, information technology, marketing, legal, human resources, and healthcare.

“A lot of people don’t know this but back in the day, it was called Resumes.co. I wanted to do a bunch of services, but it failed. It was a really great lesson because I learned how to start something up from scratch. I failed the first time but it was trial and error.”

What Brandon is doing now is what most people consider an example of perseverance. His story is a lesson about how you fail and what you do with it rather than letting failure overcome you. It’s amazing to know that you have the power to make your own decisions in your life and career. Brandon explained his feelings as he begins to take his steps as a self-employed entrepreneur. “The first thing that comes to my mind is freedom. Feeling like you are fully capable to remove yourself from the game. For me, it’s a very exciting time of my life. It’s almost like seeing everything become full circle. It’s a story of believing in yourself and never giving up.” It’s about strategy. In Brandon’s case, his key areas of strategy and success in his business focused on processes, industries, and partnerships.

BrandResumes allows individuals the opportunity to be placed in the positions that they would normally not have access to. “People need it,” he said. “This is something [that] is really never taught, quite honestly. There are no courses about resumes or marketing yourself. You spend all this time in college learning all of these new things.

When do you learn how to market yourself?”

Good question. When do you learn how to market yourself? As young minority professionals, oftentimes it is difficult to find the ways and words to express yourself as a qualified individual with the skills and talents necessary to fill positions.

We work endlessly applying to jobs, working on side projects and connecting with individuals just to try and get a foot in the door. “A resume is a marketing document at its core,” said Brandon. “It should sell you to what you’re looking for.”

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With tons of experience and research under his belt, Brandon has exceeded expectations of many of his clients. Most people think of resume writers as middle-aged individuals, sitting in a gray office space and tons of papers around them. It’s Brandon’s goal to change that. He intends to bring 21st-century technology to his industry and make it easier for resume writers to do their jobs as well as connect to a more diverse crowd.

BrandResumes is the future. With a team of people with ambitious dreams and large opportunities, Brandon sees BrandResumes expanding internationally to something more than just resume building, but technology as well.

“We are just getting started! If you look at these institutions, the representation of young minorities is minimal. We need more representation. By teaching people how to sell themselves and how to look good on paper, to provide a service that is going to help provide people opportunities to land positions they want, I’m able to touch people.”

The opportunities are endless as long as you believe so yourself. In the words of Will Smith, “Fail often. Fail Forward.” For as long as you continue to fail, you will continue to grow. In Brandon’s case, failure was the key to rocking his resume.

Instagram: @officialbrandresumes

Brandon’s starter tips when applying for positions Tailor your resume to the job title you’re looking for Submit your app as a word doc and not PDF (PDF are great to email, but when uploading on a company site, Word is best.)

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livin' your

the does not exist

BY CHLOÉ ADAMS

S

eth Godin, a marketing extraordinaire, once spoke to an audience and asked them to do one thing. He said, “Raise your hand as high as you can.” As expected, the audience raised their hands. “Okay. Now, raise your hand even higher.” Again, the audience responded raising their hands even higher. Immediately following, Seth asked the group one question: If you were asked to raise your hands as high as you can, when asked to raise it higher, shouldn’t your arm have not been able to go any higher?

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When my business partner, Chanah, and I sat down and came up with the concept of PYNK Lemonade, we had no idea what we thought it would be.

We didn’t know if we would have a team, what the messaging would be, let alone what we thought we could accomplish. The only thing we knew was that we wanted to do something that did not limit us. We wanted to have something that allowed us the opportunity to explore new ideas and create impactful content. We wanted a safe space that we considered a home for our work and for our crafts. We had both been in a space where we felt like we were undervalued, belittled and kept closed off. We felt used, our ideas had been stolen and we had been told “no” time and time again; until one day, we decided that we weren’t going to be told “no” anymore.

Limitations have been the very thing that has kept us from creating the opportunities that we want to create and reaching the people that we want to reach. Think about it. How many times have you said you wanted to do something in your life, but didn’t do it because you limit yourself to reasons like the lack of resources, lack of experience, lack of funds or lack of support.

Maybe it’s time that we challenge our limits. Maybe it’s time we stop placing boundaries. Maybe it’s time that we push toward understanding that the impossible is very possible and that the only thing keeping us from it is ourselves. For too long we’ve been told what we can’t do rather than what we can, to the point that we start to believe it. If there’s one thing that I believe, it’s that your words and your thoughts have the power to be manifested into something real. It’s time to change our thinking. It’s time to shift our perspectives on what we believe we are capable of.

Someone told me one day that your greatest power lies between your two ears. Meaning that your imagination and what you can create is one of the greatest gifts God has given you. To be able to understand your power and understand the influence of your mind and to take control over your situation defies the ideas of limitation and fear that keeps us from doing and achieving the very things that we were called to do.

Embrace your power. Embrace your mission.

Keep in mind that you are called to do something life-changing. You are called to reach others in a way that only you can. That is your superpower.

Once you begin to believe that and know it as your own, you’ll soon come to realize the limit, in fact, does not exist.

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the art of balance S ince we were young we were taught to follow our dreams. From every Disney movie to every teacher, the thing that makes us most happy and driven is what we were pushed to aspire towards. Yet somewhere between college and early adulthood, everything switched. The idea of being “realistic” with our goals became common advice, and passion and dreams were described as childish and unwise to invest in.

Rather than settling for this perspective, the millennial generation normalized the concept of doing it all. Today, so many people balance a full-

BY RAMONA ROBERTS

time job that offers security and a side hustle that fulfills a passion–but we don’t always balance the two. I talked to BET producer and painter Tiffany Nicole, to get her perspective on the art of balance and the struggle we face in choosing between our happiness and our safety net.

“I’ve always been interested in art,” she said when explaining her love for the expression. “Pretty much my whole life, even when I was a young kid in art class, art has always been something that I gravitated towards. So it’s definitely something that I’ve been passionate about for a long time.”

Surprisingly, Tiffany didn’t start her painting ca-

reer until fairly recent and describes it as more of an accident.

“I kind of went to sleep and had this weird dream.

[I] woke up, sketched it out and then I decided to just paint what I had dreamt and then the painting actually turned out really good. So I’m like ‘Oh wait, Hold up! We might of just did something right here!’ And then from there I was just showing people, and the feedback I was getting was just incredible. So I’m like ‘Wow. Dag I can paint.’ From there I just kept doing it, and it evolved into this little side hustle I have going on.”

But before artistry was a priority, the creative invested years in building her production career working at MTV, NFL Films, ESPN and currently BET. Tiffany is an advocate for taking jobs that serve towards your ultimate goal. “If it’s not your dream job, at least take a job where it’s a purpose and it’s going to get you closer to your dream job.” However, her stance was tested when she was faced with the crossroads many of us face in our early 20s.

“When I was right out of college I wasn’t getting job offers right away. But of course I was spraying my resume all over the internet and at that time I was just applying to any ole job ... I was working at Victoria’s Secret, so I had the opportunity to advance myself and work towards becoming a manager which I don’t know, would’ve probably pay me like thirty or forty thousand a year. And I was considering it, but I also at the same time had an offer for an internship with the NFL. At the time, they paid minimum-wage which was seven dollars and fifty cents.”

A lot of times, chasing our true desires when it comes to our careers means sacraficing a pay cut. She continued to discuss the feedback she received from friends when they learned of her options. “Most people were like ‘Oh you bugging, that’s $40,000 a year right out of college.’” It was something that a college student would’ve jumped at. But I decided to go with the internship that had a very clear ending instead of that fulltime job. And that internship eventually led me to ESPN which eventually led me to BET which eventually led me to what I’m doing now. So I look back and I’m happy I took the internship with less pay.” With her currently balancing both this position and her artistry, she goes into detail about how she manages both and the sacrifices that have to be made.

“We don’t realize it but we spend way more time at home than we think we do. A lot of times I

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just decided you know what, instead of going to brunch, imma stay in and paint. Or like instead of coming home and watching TV, I’m gonna work on this painting...You do have the time you’re just not using it the way you should be using it. So its been a combination of like a little bit of discipline along with like me being really fortunate and having a job with a lot of flexibility.”

With balancing in our careers, we often settle for the job that pays the bills, and the side hustle that offers fulfillment. How often do we hold that fulltime job up to the standard of also fulfilling us?

Tiffany believes that anything you invest your time in (especially the majority of your energy) should make you happy in some way.

“I know that this is a little controversial, but this is how I live my life. I am a big advocate for, if you’re at a job and you don’t like it, just leave...quit. I’ve done that, plenty of times ... I am a big advocate for if it’s not serving you, and it’s not serving your spirit and you don’t feel fulfilled, then leave. Like there’s always going to be another job ... leave, GO!” This concept is easier said than done. Yet, Tiffany remains firm in her opinion and further explains why it’s the best perception.

“A lot of people could and would disagree with that philosophy. So here’s what I have to say to the people who are like ‘Oh she’s buggin, I’m not just gonna up and quit my job.’ Okay that’s fine, if you don’t want to do it then come up with a plan and figure out how much it is that you actually need to pay your bills. Then figure how much it is you’re getting from your job and how much of a pay cut you would take if you were to go and do something else that was fulfilling to you, not necessarily paying the same amount. See what the difference is and then, see ‘what would I have to do to make up that amount of money to get my bills paid?’... where there’s a will there’s a way.”

She emphasizes this for people who are young and have the flexibility to survive the leap of faith.

“It’s the sacrifices you make earlier in your career that put you in that comfortable spot later in your career. Because if you don’t do that now, then you gonna end up 40, 50-years-old working at a job for 25 years that you hate. But now, instead of being young and being able to pivot, you have a kid, you have a mortgage, you got bills you gotta pay, you got obligations. So you just can’t up and quit your job like how you could when you were 20-something years old.”

Tiffany chooses to invest where she finds joy, and while building a career of producing and creating

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a career of painting, she shows there is no limit to how many passions you can have. Who said you can only have one!? As we grow and develop into different stages of who we are, wouldn’t our interest and passions develop as well. There’s more than just one thing we’re great at and that makes us happy, it’s just a matter of finding it.

“I just started to get into acting and improv. So that is something else I am starting to explore along with the art and producing like I do a lot of on-air stuff. Like I’ve hosted red carpets, I’ve done a lot of things when it comes to on-camera talent.

So I’m just at the point where I’m doing anything and everything that I’m interested in and whatever pops off first that’s what ima run with.”

This creative clearly is a multi-tasking pro and has developed jewels of wisdom on the journey of following her happiness and balancing her career.

However, your balance is subjective to you. It’s easy to get lost on the way and feel confused of your end goal. Find time to dive into where you want to be, what makes you happy, and if that is or is not where you’re currently investing most of your time. From there, illustrate your story and take the leap.

Instagram: @tiffycrazycool

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come back into my body. The body truly speaks, if we would only take the time to listen.

is wealth

BY KARIMA McKENZIE

T

oday, there are so many conflicting views on what it means to be healthy. So many diets to choose from, so many opinions from doctors, nutritionists and others who think they know best about what to eat and what to avoid. The truth is you have to find out what works best for YOU! What works for this person, may not work for that person.

I started my vegan journey almost two years ago because I was tired of feeling sick and not one doctor could tell me what was wrong with me. So I went cold turkey and learned a lot through trial and error. For 90 days, I consumed raw vegan foods only. A week leading up to going cold turkey, I binged all of my favorite foods. Deep down, I knew it would be my last time eating burgers, mac & cheese, yams, pasta, shrimp, chicken; you name it, I ate it.

At the conclusion of my first 90 days, it was truly the best I ever felt in a long time. There was only one problem, I was about 95 lbs. soaking wet. So I went back to eating cooked vegan food, and over the past two years diversified my eating patterns.

I’ve done intermittent fasting, 50 days liquid only, 14-day water fasting, and another raw food only stretch. In between all of those attempts, I would eat cooked vegan food. During this time, I was able to study my body and learn what works best for me and what does not. I can literally feel the difference in my body when I am eating cooked vegan meals versus when I am eating raw foods. I can feel the tightness, energy depletion, mucus and sickness

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So what am I saying? Find a lifestyle that works best for you and stick to it. Test it, and then watch how your body responds. Based on my experiences, I can only advocate for a vegan lifestyle. But in a day and time where veganism is becoming popular or the next thing to do, it is important to understand that there are levels to it. Essentially, you can go from a standard American diet to a vegan diet and still be unhealthy if you are still consuming many sugars, starches, and processed foods. Meaning if your vegan meals are always potatoes, pasta, rice, grains, impossible or beyond meat burgers, beans, and soy you are still harming your body. These foods are not optimal because they were never originally designed for man to eat.

We must unlearn what we’ve been taught! If the Aboriginal man did not cook food, then what did he or she eat? We ate directly from the land, primarily fruits and herbs. While some may disagree, the truth of the matter is, raw fruits and vegetables remain King and Queen. For those considering a vegan lifestyle or living it, we must learn to apply the 80/20 rule in our lifestyles; consuming 80% raw vegan food and 20% cooked vegan food. When food is cooked, it removes the water content and nutrients from the foods, both of which are needed by our cells in order to heal your body. I’ve tested this theory on my own body and it’s a proven fact.

I challenge myself daily in this area and now I want to challenge you!

Forget the fad, forget the ego and judgment of saying “I’m vegan.” The real question is: Are you healthy? And that’s with any diet you choose. You don’t need a doctor or bloodwork to tell you this.

Pay attention to your body, it is already speaking to you with every ailment that you have. Right now, take a few moments to close your eyes and sift your body. Are you experiencing any dis-ease, pain, or discomfort? Listen. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS! Find resources and support for the lifestyle you want, and dive in! It’ll be the best decision you ever made for yourself.

I can guarantee that if you begin to listen to your body and make practical lifestyle changes, you WILL see a difference. You will begin to reach optimal health, which will translate into optimal wealth. This is my prayer and hope for you on your healing journey. Let’s touch and agree!

Instagram: @taatsolutions

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IT’S TIME TO

PAY ATTENTION FEBRUARY 2020

KHRISTILAURENADAMS.COM

self-care: the real journey

BY NZINGHA FLORENCE

JOURNALING I’ve kept a journal or diary of some sort my entire life. I find that emptying all my thoughts into a secret place where nobody can judge me is therapeutic. It helps me cope with a lot of those feelings I’m too ashamed to admit or don’t know how to express out loud. I try to write as often as I can to maintain a certain level of peace. It’s nice to know that I always have an outlet at my disposal where I can let everything go.

SAYING NO If you’re a people pleaser, a yes-man, or somebody who just has a hard time rejecting people, this self-care tactic is for you. Practice saying no more regularly! If your friends ask you to go out when you’d rather just stay in the house and spend the day with yourself, say no. It doesn’t mean you’re being rude or disrespectful either, you’re just being protective of your space, time, and energy.

M

y dear roses,

I want to talk to you about actions of self-care that aren’t as romanticized in the media. We’ve all seen those cliché Twitter and Instagram posts of people doing face masks, getting their nails done, taking themselves out on dates or for retail therapy, etc. Now, I’m not saying these things aren’t valid forms of self-care. I’ve done a lot of them myself, to be honest. However, people nowadays, especially my age, tend to romanticize everything on social media. I’m here to tell you about the self-care tactics that aren’t so pretty, the ones that might make you feel a little uncomfortable in the moment but will benefit you in the long run.

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FINDING A THERAPIST Some people believe therapy is only for people who are mentally insane and think if they get a therapist, they must be crazy, but that’s not true at all. The first time my mom suggested I talk to a therapist about my anxiety, I was completely against it. After maturing and realizing that therapy is just a way to share your feelings with someone who doesn’t have any preconceptions about you or your past, I found the idea of talking to a therapist comforting. If you’re going through something you feel stuck in or like you can’t get past, consider booking an appointment. It changed my life for the better.

EMBRACE YOUR PASSIONS DAILY What are your passions and how can you implement them into your daily life? Spend at least 30 minutes to an hour of every day doing something you love. For me, it’s reading, writing, stretching, working out, finding and listening to new music. If you’re a busy person, taking a small fraction of the day for yourself can make a huge difference. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in everything you have to do, to the point where

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you rarely have time for yourself. Taking time out for yourself can have a positive impact on your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

ADDRESSING NEGATIVE FEELINGS Nothing good ever comes from bottling up your emotions or putting them on the back burner. I realized that’s how negativity builds up leading you to reach your breaking point or snapping. Whether it’s anger, jealousy, betrayal, disappointment, anxiety, or sadness, address the source and cause of those feelings. Sitting with these feelings isn’t healthy for you as well as the people around you.

When you release that tension, you overcome barriers you never thought you could.

BEING HONEST WITH YOURSELF You know that feeling you get when you know you probably shouldn’t be going to see that person, but you go anyway? Yeah, that’s your intuition talking to you. Stop ignoring it. Oftentimes it’s hard to acknowledge that push and pull between what the mind knows and what the heart wants.

Self-care is also about being honest with yourself and knowing what boundaries you shouldn’t cross.

Allowing Yourself to Get Upset, Angry, or Sad It’s okay to cry! It’s okay to want to scream into your pillow or punch a wall (don’t do that though lol). Let yourself experience those emotions if they are triggered, but don’t get too stuck in them. Experience the pain, then move past it. As much as it may feel like it’s going to last forever, it’s not. It’s only temporary. You will feel so much better once you’ve gotten all those emotions out of your system.

MEDITATION Meditating is scientifically known to reduce stress, control anxiety, enhance self-awareness, improve sleep, and decrease blood pressure. I recommend using the free Headspace app, which walks you through how to meditate if you’re unsure about where to start.

and Meredith. Another scientific fact is that when you’re active, your body releases endorphins which boosts your self-esteem and reduces stress.

It’s like you’re giving yourself a natural dose of morphine by simply running, working out, or dancing.

SOLITUDE My last and final point is probably the hardest form of self-care, as well as the least talked about.

Solitude is something I didn’t understand until recently, like within the last few months. Being in solitude means being comfortable with time alone.

It is one of the most powerful forms of self-care because it forces you to love yourself so much you’re okay with spending a large amount of time by yourself. You don’t require other people to fill a void or make you feel like you’re good enough.

Your primary source of happiness is yourself, nobody else.

My favorite book is by Chidera Eggerue, The Slumflower. I’ve read it three times and am about to read it for a fourth because that’s how good it is. She discusses why solitude is so important and how time alone is never time wasted. Take advantage of being in that space, it’s rare in our lifetime we get quality time to solely focus on ourselves and our growth.

I hope that you take these self-care tactics and use them in your own life. Some of them probably don’t seem like something you’d do, others you may already be doing. However, it never hurts to try something new. Share this with anybody you think would benefit from these tactics as well.

Much love, Z Instagram: @queenzingha

I’m currently taking a Yoga class at Spelman College where meditation is heavily emphasized for the wellbeing of our bodies and souls. The idea of balance will ultimately be achieved the more you practice meditating. Whether it’s in the morning, before you go to bed, or even during your break at work, the more you mentally engage with your body, the higher your self-awareness level will be.

BEING ACTIVE Okay, so this may sound weird ... but when I’m in a bad mood or having a down day, I always have a dance party of one. If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan like me, you know I got this idea from Christina

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the of prayer

BY RAMONA ROBERTS

P

rayer.

What does it look like? How does it work?

Where do you start? What is its purpose?

These are the many questions that have come up when discussing the concept of prayer. Although many associate this tradition as a religious practice, prayer is a universal concept for any and everyone.

Your prayer can be anything from asking for what you need, to thanking and praising for what you have. It’s where you access your peace because anytime you tap into that divine power, you embrace what it represents. We can all make the attempt to pray and connect, but if it “works” is based completely on your chosen perception.

I’ve learned that prayer very heavily involves the process of giving in and trusting in the power you pray to. How we think and what we believe can and cannot happen, matters and plays a huge part.

Regardless of my many prayers that have been answered, I still find myself needing reassurance or some type of security that lets me know my prayers will be activated. It’s funny when you think about it. We put our trust in all types of things and people so easily, but when it comes to trusting this power, we are so hesitant and doubtful. We say we believe in what or who we believe in, yet refuse to just “let go and let God.” We hold on to the stress and worry, and keep that same attitude as if we’ve already been disappointed. Prayer is the most powerful when we allow it to be and walk away from it as if it’s already been manifested.

I say all of this to say, that there is real power in prayer. In connecting to that divine power we are unleashing our true identities and best versions of ourselves. Allow prayer to be your peace and sanctum, and live with the confidence in knowing it’s power.

Pray. Trust. Believe. Live.

I grew up in church and had two parents who embedded prayer into me at an early age. Yet, it was summers and trips with my grandma that really brought prayer into my daily routine. Every night, no matter how late it was and no matter how she felt, she would have us get on our knees, fold our hands onto the bed, close our eyes, and pray. Of course when I was younger it was just a routine, but when I became older, prayer became something necessary in my everyday life.

Prayer is the most subjective experience you can think of. There are so many examples of how it “should be done” but prayer ideally, is your time to talk to that higher power and build your own relationship. No one can tell you what that looks like. Sometimes it’s in a peaceful, private atmosphere, and sometimes it’s in public chaos.

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WHERE DANCE MEETS MAGIC.

DANCE AND MUSIC CLASSES FOR AGES 2-ADULT NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ NEWARK, NJ INSPIRAARTS.COM

music

A NAME

nbdy CAN FORGET

BY CHLOÉ ADAMS

N

obody’s perfect. We can all attest to that.

But there’s something about having the power to work your hardest and reach your goals that keeps people striving for perfection. At age 25, singer/songwriter, NBDY, is doing just that. Striving to be the best person he can be. A story of proving people wrong and focusing solely on who you are and what you can do, NBDY has dedicated his career as an artist that lets his craft do all of the talking and his name tell the story.

So tell us a little about yourself.

Me? I’m just pretty chill you know? I was born in Newark, raised in Orange and Irvington [New Jersey]. I moved around a lot as a kid... I’ve always been surrounded by music. Because I moved around a lot as a kid, I never really had too many opportunities to make long-lasting friends. But you know, my family, we’re pretty close and music has always been something that has been around my family and everything.

So basically, you’ve been around music since birth?

Yeah. But I was a really shy kid, though. My family, they all got really big personalities and me, I’m kinda just like the cool chill, one. I sit in the back and I be chillin’. When it was time for them to put the spotlight on me, I used to just hide.

Aw, did you really?

Yeah, I never really liked too much attention as a kid. I really just liked to be left alone when I was younger. ‘Cause everyone did singing. And I just didn’t wanna be bad at it. Everyone else was so good so I used to just be like ‘Nahhh, I can’t sing.’

It was just weird.

best vocals or anything, but you know, I was just determined to just get involved in as many things as I can to better myself.

What would you say your music style is? Or what has it grown to be?

I consider myself a songwriter before any genre defines me. My father was an R&B musician and Jazz is deep[ly] rooted in my bloodline too. You know, I’ve always been attached to [the] soul and I think that’s what really attaches people to my music. Whether I’m singing a song that has pop appeal or a song that has more of an indie appeal or whatever, I always bring that same soul to it.

You know with my sound, I’m very versatile.

Being a songwriter and around Jazz growing up, you must have a bunch of musical inspirations.

Usher is a big influence to me. I grew up on him.

I knew every Usher song just about. John Mayer.

He’s a really good songwriter. He’s one of my favorites. Also, my great grandfather was an underground jazz musician. He trained my aunt and my grandfather. My aunt has worked with a lot of jazz musicians back in the day. And she’s actually a really huge influence for me. Actually, when I decided I wanted to sing, I started studying her. I was studying Ella Fitzgerald and Lance Armstrong. A lot of the Jazz greats. Those are some of my strongest influences.

You can really tell from your music that you are deeply rooted in this. And it’s a beautiful thing to know that you’re continuing that legacy in your songs. A lot of people tend to stray away.

Well, I tried to, but it didn’t work. *laughs* Seriously though, it’s just who I am. It’s in me.

But in reality, you could clearly sing because we see what you’re doing now! So, when did you realize that So, with a name like NBDY, we know no one will you actually wanted to sing? forget you. How did you come up with the name?

To be honest, I never really thought I would be doing what I’m doing now. I always knew I would probably be doing something in music, but not this.

I remember I stayed home one day and I skipped school and I was watching MTV Jams and I saw a marathon of Chris Brown videos. And I remember watching his choreography and everything and I’m lying in my bed like ‘Yo what am I doing?! I could do that!’ That was like when I was 12 or 13; when I decided I wanted to do this. I want to be a singer. I didn’t think that I had the best chops or

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When I decided to be an artist I was just thinking about the ways that would really be something that would stick in people’s heads, you know?

When people ask me who I am I’m gonna be like ‘I’m NBDY.’ And people would respond and be like, “Nah, you’re not nobody.” *laughs* But that’s how I wanted it. I wanted it to be a double entendre.

There’s multiple layers to the name. But it comes from just being a loner as a kid. Like I said, I was very shy. I didn’t get to do the things that all of the

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other kids did, and I never really had close-close friends. So, I just always stuck to music. So as I started the journey to music, there were always people telling me that I can’t do this (and can’t do that) and I just had to show them. I’d rather be a NBDY than sit here and try and gain your approval. I’ll be NBDY sitting in a room and just press play and let my work just speak for itself. I try and empower everybody who feels insecure in any kind of way when it comes to their passion or whatever they want to do. And we can all consider ourselves to be nobodies because we’ve all felt like a nobody at some point, right?

The moment you signed with Arista, what did it feel like? Some of the GREATS came from this label itself like Aretha, Whitney, Usher And with their relaunch, what does it feel like to stand with people we consider “legends” and how does that keep you motivated?

Especially because now you’re in that legend pool.

How does that feel?

At first, I was like ‘I don’t deserve this.’ But you know, looking at everything that I’ve done in the past, I used the be the type of person who never really celebrated my accomplishments.

When this happened, I was like ‘All this time we’ve been working and working and working toward something and we finally got one step toward

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what we’ve been trying to do for so long.’ It’s just a blessing. I feel very thankful. There’s such a strong black culture within the Arista legacy. I’m kind of the beginning of the new era with continuing the black legacy under Arista. That also shook me too, because I was thinking ‘I got some big a** shoes to fill.’ But after a while, I remembered that they love you for who you are and you just gotta keep being yourself.

Take us through creating the album, Admissions.

What was your creation process like? How did you come up with your entire scope of work?

This is the first time I’ve put together a full body of work as a solo artist. It was very daunting.

It was intimidating at first because you really don’t even know where to start. You’re creating something from nothing, basically. I quit my job last year, I was doing the indie thing for about a year before I signed, and I was like ‘I just want to write.’ So, I made a promise to try and live in the moment as possible. That was a process and a struggle in itself. I experienced a lot of things in the relationship I was in at the time. And I pulled a lot of my inspiration from that relationship and also my previous relationships. I felt like, ‘If imma do this, I need to open up in a way that I’ve never opened up before.’ It was a huge self-learning and growing process. And healing process as well. I like to say that I like to make music that people

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can heal to—aside from getting nasty, too— *laughs*. I like to be in the moment as possible, but when Admissions came, my title single, it was based off my first relationship with a girl I thought I was in love with for the first time. And it didn’t do the way that I expected. As soon as I heard that beat, I was like ‘this is it. This is the track that I’ve been waiting to hear so I could finally get out what I’ve been waiting to get out for so long.’ That stuff, it sticks with you for a long time. Especially when it’s your first love. For the sake of my art and redemption for myself, it was something I just needed to do. It took a little soul searching but we got there.

It’s September 4, 2024 (5 years from today) – where are you now? What have you just accomplished? How have you made your mark on the culture?

I should be on tour. But if I’m not on tour, I’ll definitely be chilling in my pool somewhere probably in my mansion. Five years from now imma be thirty. I got my little ten-year plan that I’m working on now and I have five years left for that. So, we on track. I expect to be on tour, making more music, venturing off into other things outside of music and just building an empire. Just being established and solidified around that time.

I’ll be good. I’ll definitely be good.

Of course, we had a chance to catch you at your album release show in NYC. The vibes were amazing, the venue was amazing, your show was phenomenal.

It was just a really good night. What was it like putting that show together?

I didn’t expect it to be the turnout that it ended up being. I just love performing and being on stage.

And whoever comes to see me, I just appreciate. I just appreciate everybody that’s all. But everyone doesn’t know, getting ready for it was pretty rough because I had a drummer that pulled out literally two days before the show. So, we had to find a-whole-nother drummer and teach him the entire set. It was wild. But everything came together beautifully. The drummer that came in last minute, he just, he was a blessing to all of us.

We rocked it out. We did. We did that sh*t.

What is it like, having the power to take control of your craft and producing music that you want to produce, music that you feel is authentic and can touch people? What’s it like understanding that power?

I didn’t realize it was a thing in the beginning. But now that I realize it, it feels more empowering. It empowers me more in my decision making. I’m starting to believe more in myself rather than second guessing. I get to control the energy of whatever it is that I’m bringing. That’s one thing that I’ve always wanted to have in this industry: Creative freedom. The ability to still be myself and just make music that I love. I don’t think there’s anything more empowering than that. When it comes to your creativity, that creative freedom is everything.

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NBDY’s story exemplifies dedication. His hustle makes you have no doubt he will be a successful musician all while continuing the legacy of undefined R&B. He’s definitely not one to miss.

Besides, he’s got a name that nobody can forget.

Instagram: @nbdy_

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Check out our music playlists!

Curated monthly to give you the best vibes for your day-to-day life. #DontSleep PYNK Lemonade Music Playlists available ONLY on Spotify.

The beat don't stop

BY CHLOÉ ADAMS

A

producer can hear music in everything.

Many of them can pull inspiration from anywhere. A doorbell ring, the typing sounds from a computer keyboard, the sound of flipping through papers all to be matched with the harmonic sounds of a violin, trumpet or drum. All of these sounds can be pulled together to create the very melodies you hear accompanied by some of your favorite artists.

You’ve heard of the greats. Those like Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Kanye West, the Neptunes and so many more. These are the creators. The ones that heard the music before it was even thought of. The ones that felt the sound before anyone could even understand.

Many people today have studied their methods and worked to create their own. One of which is 20-year-old Jeremiah Adams, who goes by the stage name D2Jay. D2Jay has loved music since he was a kid. From the moment he got his very first DJ set to the first time he stepped into the studio at Savannah College of Art and Design, he has worked endlessly to create sounds and rhythms that not only make for the perfect song but also touch the people that hear them.

What got you started in music?

D2Jay: It started when I was nine-years-old. I

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remember coming home from school one day and seeing a keyboard on my dad’s desk. I remember asking him, ‘What’s going on here?’ And he actually had Reason (a digital audio software for editing music and audio) pulled up. My dad showed me the basics like loading samples, how to use the keyboard, how to use the instruments.

And I loved it! I found myself coming home every day after school and hogging my dad’s desk and being there for hours making music and it’s been an ongoing thing ever since.

So your dad had a big hand in getting you started?

D2Jay: Yeah, a big contributor. But not only that, I used to always be surrounded by music. My mom was huge on music, I had an iPod that had all of these oldies and good classics in my library and I would always play around and listen to them or be in the car when my parents. Then, I got my first DJ mixer when I was younger as well. Ever since I’ve been working and it’s been a great experience.

What projects have you worked on that really solidified your love for producing? What project made you say “This is it. I love this.”?

D2Jay: I never really had any intention of working with an artist when I first started out. At first, it was just something I did on my free time. But

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my freshman year of high school, I was working with this artist called Mello B. I remember playing my beats and Mello heard one of the songs I was playing and he started freestyling. I remember recording it on the spot and after the fact, I went home and was mixing and mastering and ended up turning it into a song. That was my first introduction to working with an artist. Within the first few weeks, it got 20K plays on SoundCloud. It was different because I never had my music heard like that before. Ever since then, I wanted to do more and found myself exploring and networking.

So that was what got it started.

D2Jay: Well … when I moved to South Carolina, sophomore year of HS, I started to do my own studio. I started working with South Carolina artists, Kiyon and Ahmad Pharaoh. We collaborated almost every day. We would link up after school and he would bring five or six other people with him and we would have the cyphers, and I would be making beats. I feel like that was the real turning point because I developed my studio from that. I wanted to build up my studio and improve my work to the point that I could engineer artists and make a living from it.

How many hours on average do you spend in the studio?

D2Jay: I would be in the studio every day for at least six hours and then spend the rest of my day either making more beats or mixing and mastering.

Being a producer, it’s not just the recording aspect, it’s everything else. Mixing and mastering alone can take me a day to do several songs. It would be to a point where I would be locked in my room making music. Sometimes I have to stop myself.

I’ve been up until five or six in the morning. It got intense.

Who are your favorite producers out right now?

D2Jay: Okay so, Timbaland is a legend. The way he puts together his sound is really dope. JetsonMade, who is actually from South Carolina. He produced for DaBaby and Migos and a lot of the

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songs you know today. I would say my top would be Timbaland, Metro Boomin’, JetsonMade, and Pharrell. But there are so many other influential people that have had such an influence on me. It’s hard to make a list.

Would you want to work with any of these producers?

D2Jay: I’d love to. Mainly because they are successful and they have their own sound. And they’re successful because they’ve established their own sound. You hear a lot of upcoming producers trying to replicate these people and something I find myself doing is trying to stand out. The reason why these people are so successful is because they didn’t replicate, they made their own sound.

Any new projects coming up?

D2Jay: Of course. Over the summer I have been working on my sister’s (Jada Beatz) EP. We’ve been working on it for about three months. She had about nine songs that we’ve done and we just finished recording, all produced by me. Right now, I’m mixing and mastering them. She has put a lot of work into these songs and I’m super excited for that. That work is a great example of her creative diversity.

What do you hope to do in the future with your music?

D2Jay: My goal is to move to Atlanta and branch out in terms of doing music and film. I want to promote positivity. I want to create stuff that is positive. I don’t want my name to be associated with anything negative. I want us to have a good time. I want to be able to provide music that people can vibe out to, listen to and just enjoy it.

If I continue to surround myself around the right people who are dedicated, positive and happy, then it’ll happen.

It’ll definitely happen.

Instagram: @d2jayproductions

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the rise of W

hat do you think of when you hear the term “afrobeat?” I think of pride, culture, movement, tradition and pure blackness. However, I wasn’t always well versed in this musical genre. It wasn’t until I was introduced to the Queendom Empire, that I was able to appreciate an entirely different style of music and dance.

Boy, Bisa Kdei, Davido, Tiwa Savage and WizKid. They’ve also been featured on J Balvin’s ‘Vibras’ Tour, Kizz Daniel’s Tour, and festivals such as Made in America, Afrobeat Fest, TidalXBrooklyn and more. The group has even hit the fashion industry, performing at New York Fashion Week. This consistency led them to become international sensations.

Queendom is a Nigerian, all-female dance trio composed of Alice Nkanga, Uchechukwu Osuagwu (aka Uche) and Chinna Njoku. These three queens formed this group in early 2015 on the campus of St. John’s University. Emerging from an already established dance crew, they made a name for themselves by promoting local parties and performing for local artists. It is very liberating to see a group of young women contribute to a movement that would later shift the way afrobeats are digested amongst the masses.

As a Black-American working in entertainment, there has been a shift in what audiences consume in the world of dance and music. Afrobeat has recently gained the proper recognition being played on the radio, at parties all over America and featured in movies. I believe that we are in a transitional period in entertainment. Authentic storytelling, in whatever form or medium, is popular. We want to see ourselves on screen and in advertisements.

After a year of grindin’, the dance trio was booking performances with larger artists, such as Burna

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Queendom falls in line with this amazing shift because they have embodied what it means to be an authentic group of creatives. “There are certain

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queendom

BY KHRYSTINA BLANKS

things that everyone fills in different pieces, you can only bring what you can bring,” Alice of Queendom explains. “We all fill in things that you didn’t know needed to be filled in. As a solo act, everything is on you. It’s bigger than just creating a dance and showing up,… we don’t just show up, we like to bring a vibe. Why would you not want three full packages?”

Afrobeat is currently becoming mainstream and with it being well received by most, there have been mixed responses from the African community. Uche of the Queendom movement talked about her personal opinions with the new wave of mainstream love. “I love/hate it. I’ve been a lover of afrobeat since middle school, my uncle always had the bootleg afrobeat mixtapes.

I’ve seen its potential. My fear is that it becomes too mainstream and we lose our authenticity.”

Uche continues, “I love it because who wouldn’t want something they love to get international recognition? At least once a day, I hear a car drive by my room, playing afrobeat. That’s crazy because two years ago, it wasn’t like that.” In many

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ways, black culture has been more appropriated than appreciated. However, Queendom remains true to themselves and is unapologetic in their medium of artistic expression.

Queendom has opened so many doors for dancers who want to continue to expand the movement. I recently attended their last dance class and was amazed at how many muscles I had to use! I had such a great time embracing another world that I’ve grown to appreciate. After the class, Chinna of the empire stated, “I feel like we’re on the right path and we’re really doing what God wants us to do sharing our talent our time with like-minded queens.”

Queendom is a staple in African culture and they will continue to create beautiful works of art through music and dance. Stay tuned to see what they have in store for years to come. After reading this, when you think of afrobeat, you should think of the Queendom Empire.

Instagram: @queendom.empire

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big bag

five financial tips for gen z G

eneration Z is at the end of our world’s current “age spectrum.” This means that we are the last generation that comes after all of our fellow cohorts like Baby Boomers, Generation X, and our older Millennial brothers and sisters. We are the ones who, according to everyone else, just took our first few breaths only a few moments ago. With major life events separating us from our older counterparts, we’re still perceived as having a lot to learn. Yet, if you’re like me and have already hit the ground and are on your way toward independence, you may start feeling as if you’ve taken your first few steps already.

BY CYNTHIA VASQUEZ

Over my past few years of college, I realized that certain responsibilities came a little fast, especially in the realm of my finances. It was once as simple as saving more than you spend, but then bills came. It started off with taking out my student loans, university textbook prices, car insurance payments (followed by many parking tickets ugh!), security deposits, and eventually rent along with utilities placed themselves into the picture.

Independence is great, but it definitely comes with a price along with a few additional fees, because sometimes it really seems like life will just say, “Eh, why not?” However, here are a few financial tips that I was lucky enough to learn.

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1 2 3

USE THE ACORNS APP This app is really a lifesaver acting as a digital squirrel jar. The app works by taking out anywhere between $5, $10, $15, or even $20-recurring payments according to the app’s settings. You also have the option of how frequently it withdraws money from your bank account.

HAVE TWO SEPARATE CHECKING ACCOUNTS One of my checking accounts are meant for short-term and personal expenses (beauty, entertainment, Walmart runs, and any other costs), while the other holds all of the money I will put toward my student loans and other bills (utilities, rent, money meant for student loan debt, groceries).

Being transparent, I have both of my checking accounts at the same bank, which I personally feel is a no-no. Since I’m still young, I’ll make the mistake of transferring money around. That’s a big hindrance, and it can put you behind in actually using your money wisely.

Another great tip I’ve recently learned about is creating three separate savings accounts, each of which either holds the funds meant for emergency situations, short-term goals that will take less than 12 months to achieve, and long-term goals that will take longer than 12 months to achieve.

DON’T GIVE IN TO PAYMENT/ FINANCING PLANS According to anyone who is in a financially stable place, you’re better off accumulating wealth and making wiser decisions once you don’t have to worry about recurring payments. You have to rememer that a company may be selling you with the promise of low-monthly costs associated with your financing plan, they’re not going to mention all of the hidden costs that may be associated with it.

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4 5

MEAL PREP SAVES LIVES (AND YOUR BANK ACCOUNT) The largest mistake I made my first year living off-campus was spending a significant amount of money on takeout food. It was rare that I made enough time to cook an entire week’s worth of food, and I allowed this habit to continue for a while. (Awhile meaning too long!) Eventually, I learned to create either a weekly or monthly grocery budget, all depending on how frantic my schedule would be throughout any specific period of time.

CREATE AN ACCURATE BUDGET Your budget should reflect all of your expenses, whether it includes everything that represents a “want” or a “need.” Being in college, there are a lot of things that I want. But slowly (and surely) I began to feel the repercussions of acting frivolously when it came to useless purchases. It’s nice to self-indulge when you can actually afford it, and creating a budget that stops you from the type of spending that feels great at the moment but hurts, later on, is a helpful strategy. Having that budget written down and re-visiting that financial plan as frequently as you feel necessary is also important.

After more experiences of being completely broke to me eventually growing a savings account I was happy with, I learned that a lot more goes into managing our money than we might think.

Hopefully, this small financial spiel sounds like good advice for anyone becoming an adult, too.

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know money, no problem

BY CHLOÉ ADAMS

L

et’s get one thing straight. Money is NOT the root of all evil. At least, that’s what Steven Hughes believes! “If you think that money is evil, are you going to want to keep it around? Are you going to make a lot of it or put a lot of ‘evil’ in your house or in your pocket or in your bank account? What I truly believe is that the lack of money is the route of all evil. When you don’t have money, you’ll be willing to do things out of character to get it. Money is energy. It does whatever you ask it to do.”

Let’s be honest. Money isn’t always a fun conversation unless you’re making it. But Steven Hughes, a millennial money expert from Columbia, SC has developed his own money methods that tell us otherwise.

As a first-generation Jamaican American, Steven knew he had to do something about his financial situation. Growing up with eight (sometimes ten) people sleeping in the same bed, Steven didn’t always know what the best practices were in terms of handling his funds. In fact, in college, he found himself in a money mess with repossessions, evictions, maxed-out credit cards, and overdraft fees to the point where the bank closed his account and did not want him to bank with them anymore.

But, that didn’t stop him.

Steven decided that he wanted to turn his financial life around and started by reading books and taking necessary actions to change the things about him. He realized that there were people

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around him making the same mistakes he was making and were either trying to fix them or avoid the mistakes at all costs. That’s when it hit him – It was time for a change.

Steven is the founder of Know Money®, a nonprofit organization that teaches college students how to think, talk and interact with money more positively. With live workshops and video content, college students can learn the dos and don’ts of money management in a relevant and creative way. “Three months before college students get to campus, they have to ask to go to the bathroom,” he said. “But when they get to campus, they can sign for a ten-thousand-dollar loan and put themselves into debt that can be insurmountable.”

That’s the truth. College can be the start of a long journey down a financial hole. For most, it’s almost impossible to get out of due to the lack of resources available to assist individuals with their finances. “I didn’t go to school for finances or anything like that. I actually went for human resources and dropped out,” said Steven. “But when I started Know Money®, I didn’t have any formal training.

I just wanted more people to understand money that wasn’t too stuffy.”

The story wasn’t over for Steven after he dropped out. His story was actually just beginning. He is currently in a certificate program studying financial psychology and behavioral finance. He even became a certified financial education instructor.

“I tell these stories because people can relate to

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what I’ve been through in the past,” Steven said. “I didn’t go to school for money, but with all the mistakes I’ve made and the things I’ve learned, for me to have the opportunity to apply these mistakes in a way that I can educate more people, it just feels like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

A lot of times, especially in the African American community, there aren’t many spaces or resources for individuals to learn more about money and finance. As a black man, Steven is changing that narrative. “Being a black man in the personal finance world makes me feel like I’m helping others start on this path,” he said. “I feel like people can connect the dots and be more accepting because I look like them, I sound like them and I’m talking about things that are happening in their households. I want us to understand money.”

Our generation needs to understand the power money actually has. There is more opportunity with money now than any other generation before us. “Just thinking about the slow start we had to build our economic freedom in this country, even though we built this country on our backs, it’s imperative that we can understand how to provide economic justice for ourselves and give people the tools in our community to build their own wealth.”

Understanding money is really about understanding perspective. It’s not necessarily about the steps you’re taking, but switching your thought process to reflect what you ultimately want to do.

“I wanted to be a business owner as a kid, but I never thought that I could make a billion dollars like I think now. If I never thought it, then I could never do it. I want to make sure that we know this is possible.”

We have a long journey, as a community, when it comes to issues like economic development. And Steven Hughes is an example of someone who has taken his life’s journey and turned it into lessons that inspire, grow and motivate individuals on their own life paths. It starts with us. Taking the steps to understand financial freedom and economic growth will ultimately help you in the long run. From counting the coins in our piggy banks to investing in our first companies, it can all be obtained. And if there’s one thing we can all take away from Steven, it’s when you know money, there’s no problem.

Instagram: @knowmoneysteve

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steven’s tips For millennials that just want to travel, save for an apartment or simply have enough money to go out with friends: a. Set Your Financial Goal and be specific b. Separate Your Money (Have a savings account, a bills account and a “F it fund!”) c. Automate the money to hit your goal by using one of these apps:

- Digit

- Qapital

- RiZe d. Read! Steve suggests:

- "Rich Dad Poor Dad"

- "I’ll teach you to be Rich"

- "Richest Man in Babylon" 53

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I

f there’s one thing I learned from my dad, it’s to not be eager to spend my coins. Although looking back, $5 for skating and dinner still seems wild. However, my dad was consistent on his stance of not overspending. No surprise I inherited similar traits as I began to have my own money to spend. I wouldn’t say I was cheap, but I just didn’t understand spending money on high priced things when there was a cheaper version.

We all have fallen victim to the “quick scheme” of shopping. You know, instead of paying for something we would have to save for or wait to purchase, we go with the cheapest version to get what we want faster and more conveniently. Now, I’m not saying cheaper purchases always equal low quality, but I’ve come to understand quality matters.

So many times I’ve purchased anything from clothes and shoes to the gas I put in my car, with an attitude of not wanting to spend money. As a result, I purchased gas that would run out quicker, clothing and shoes that would just not last, and overall purchases that didn’t have the best quality and perform like I needed them to. I end up having to duplicate these low-costing purchases and ultimately spend more money.

over quantity

BY RAMONA ROBERTS

A lot of times, it’s not that we don’t have the money, because we know when it comes to food we are ready to drop all the funds. We will literally spend our last on that expensive meal we love and do it with a smile. Just like with everything in our life, we have to prioritize. To invest in higher quality purchases, we may have to sacrifice other things in our budget.

I’m not saying we need to spend outside of our means or focus on big trending brands, but quality should matter. By making a habit of investing in better quality purchases, we can not only save money, but we get better performance and sometimes longer use from those purchases.

It’s higher quality for a reason.

Remember, there are low-costing brands with good quality and high-costing brands with poor quality. It’s a factor of us putting thought into our purchases and more care into what we’re spending our money on. Do research, read and watch reviews, see what the products are made of, and find out if it’s worth your money. Everything you spend your money on should be thought out because ideally, it’s an investment.

My point? If you have it, treat yourself to purchases that match your worth. Quality always wins over quantity.

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we are the

movement turned into a movement

BY CYNTHIA VASQUEZ

“Y

ou can leave me anywhere. I’ll find my way back,” That’s one of the first ways ballet dancer Sanford Placide, describes as the uniqueness of who he is. This Haitian born performer has showcased this innate ability while developing his career as a professional ballet dancer, and activist for Haitian arts and culture. He took some time to tell me about who he is, how he got here, and what he’s fighting for.

He enters the small French café in Jersey City, where our interview takes place. He’s dressed in a white button-down shirt that slightly exposes his collarbone with a pair of fitted, ripped jeans and red-bottom moccasins. Others stare with brief interest or curiosity as he moves with swiftness and poise. His free-spirited, light-hearted nature is an open invitation for people to continue visuallypiecing him together. It was that same spirit of inquiry that drew me to him.

“My dad was always like, ‘You have to be proud of where you come from.’ Because, at the end of the day, that’s the one place you can always talk about,” Sanford explains in between sips of his coffee. “My first experiences are down on that island. So, I don’t know anywhere else better than that island. I think that has helped me in my career because then people have a better idea of who I am.”

Growing up, his parents required him and his siblings to be skilled in at least one art form. R

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ealizing he wasn’t the best pianist, he gravitated to dance, finding a love for ballet that opened a plethora of doors, opportunities, and relationships to a new life he learned to appreciate away from home.

Our waiter returns, placing another coffee in front of him. A couple of seconds go by, and Sanford inhales as he collects his thoughts before giving a detailed account of his life before receiving

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asylum to move to Miami, Florida.

“We owned auto parts, we owned food stores, we owned clothing stores. If you go to Gonaives, you cannot say our name to [anyone] and not know who we are. That also puts you in danger in a country like that, and that’s how I’m here,” he explains. “Things happen to your family. I mean, my childhood was great, but a lot of things happened.

Obviously, that’s why I’m here. If everything was paradise, why would you want to leave paradise 24/7? But, yeah.”

As a teenager, he and his two brothers were sent to live in the U.S. while his parents stayed in Haiti to manage their businesses and send money to care for them. He described the experience as being blindfolded and asked to find a tennis ball in a rice field. With little guidance and constant feelings of separation anxiety, he was coming to terms with a new life in a country where the people and culture were foreign. And the language barrier didn’t make it any easier.

Sanford laughs as he recalls the English he learned in Haiti to be “quite terrible.” “For example, you would say, ‘Cynthia’s car; and then [I would] say, ‘The car of Cynthia.’ Very proper in books but imagine with the worst accent you can ever imagine.”

Many of his African American classmates picked on him because of his thick accent. Coming from an area of Haiti where French is taught in schools, many of the Haitian-American kids thought he was acting superior by speaking to them in French rather than Creole. He was also bullied physically.

However, he did not break. Instead, he adapted to American culture without losing his core but most importantly, he kept dancing.

Dance in this sense was more than just a hobby for Sanford; it was a blessing in disguise. He could escape all of the unexpected changes in his life and finally express himself without words. It kept him focused and goal-oriented and exposed him to an entirely new world.

He starts to smile as he begins to talk about his summer in Russia. “Last summer, I was like, ‘Wow, I’m a Haitian dancer who was getting paid to get on a plane to go dance in Russia.’ It was like I need[ed] to start feeling proud of myself,” he admits. “There are so many things that could have happened. I’m proud of what I’ve done so far. Though it’s very early, I’m still in my 20s and I still have [more] places to go, I have very big ambitions and huge goals.”

He traveled around the United States studying at prestigious institutes like the American Ballet Theatre School, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Ballet Hispánico to name a few. As dance became a full-time career, he became a nomad performing on stages in Germany, Russia, South America, and even the Caribbean. After graduating from the French Academie of Ballet in Manhattan, he began his first professional dance career at North Carolina Dance Theatre 2.

He opens his Instagram to show me a series of solo shots from photoshoots. His body lines are sharp and clean and his physique has me jealous. I look at him and ask what’s his favorite part about being a dancer to which he ironically responds, “Being fit.”

Although he has not returned to Haiti, he is integrating Haitian culture into ballet’s classical repertoire and opening doors for others who look like him. In 2018, he founded UNI, a nonprofit whose name can be read as U-N-I or seen as the first three letters for “union.” It aims to unite the arts serving as a creative hub for the richness and diversity of his roots.

The collective received the honor of being endorsed by the Haitian Consulate in New York City back in May 2018. Since then they have held two UNI events for and authenticated by the Consulate, pushing the celebration of Hatian visual and performing artist.

I’ve never seen a show being done like that,” Sanford says while describing Sans Souci, the name of UNI’s second event in May 2019. “This year’s [past] theme was royalty because we have royalty. The name was Sans Souci, the name of the first palace in Haiti ever to house a black king and queen in the [new] world.” He choreographed the dance pieces and intentionally incorporated traditional Haitian folk music. The event received a considerable amount of appraisal and recognition

by Caribbean-led publications, including the Haitian Times.

As we come to the close of our interview, you can see the joy on his face reflecting back on his life and ballet career. Sanford is single handedly helping black people see themselves as powerful and unlimited so they can ignore ceilings limiting their reach. Even though he does not say it directly, it becomes clear Sanford wants to set the precedent that if a migrant forced out of his country can do it, then anyone who looks like him can, too.

Instagram: @placidesanford

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behind the lens: complexcon

P

hotography has been a passion project of mine for the past three years. It started off as a hobby, where I simply wanted to capture memorable moments but over time it grew into something I wanted to excel in.

Anytime I push the shutter to take a photo, I am hoping to catch a memorable moment in time.

July 21st and 22nd was no different. This was my first official concert I had the opportunity to shoot. I wanted to make sure I walked away from this experience with great pictures.

I was working at Complexcon Chicago and had some time in between video shoots to watch the performances. I took this as an opportunity to work on getting some photos of artists in their element. Once my team cut from the video shoot, I grabbed my camera and ran to the concert stage.

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Saweetie was performing as I was running to the stage. I had to get through all the fans as she rocked the crowd. Now, as a photographer, you have to dial in the settings of the camera to get proper exposure and color balance. The lights kept changing so I had to be quick to adjust the settings and get the right shot. Since I was not in the front of the crowd, I put on the long lens (70mm-200mm) and started snapping away.

Saweetie was running from one side of the stage to the other, engaging with the crowd. I followed her through my lens as she performed. It was like we were dancing together, her on stage and me behind the lens. Saweetie went through song after song and I accumulated lots of photos.

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Next to take the main stage was Rick Ross. Being that he is one of my favorite artists, I wanted to make sure to add him in my photo collection.

He had a huge crowd as well, so maneuvering through the crowd was way harder than Saweetie.

Ross doesn’t dance so it gave me some time to focus on framing him in multiple ways.

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Trying to find the proper angle and framing can take some time with performers. You don’t really know what they are going to do on stage so you have to try to get your shot as quickly as possible.

I positioned myself in multiple angles to try to capture Ross as best as I could. Close-ups, action shots and all that’s in between. I walked from one side of the stage to the other. I continued to snap until the card was full.

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There are a lot of factors that goes into creating a great photo. From this concert, I learned to be extremely quick on my feet to position myself in a good spot. I brushed up on framing the talent in different ways. I’ve also got to practice switching settings with the changing lights on the concert stage. I am a confident shooter, but I am always learning from each shoot I am on.

I have hundreds of great photos in my collection from this event. These are some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them as I do.

Instagram: @rabbitvision

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T

hrough examples, there are many ways to define cultural appropriation. I like the Cambridge Dictionary’s definition: the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture. But I love, love, love the way it is worded by Black Vogue CEO Nareasha Willis, “Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable.”

You’ve probably heard or seen this statement before-after fashion enthusiast Melody Trend went viral for wearing it on a hoodie at Paris Fashion Week 2018. Anyway, the statement still proves true as black culture is always up for debate or at stake for being misappropriated. From the way we entertain to the way we fashion ourselves, someone is always trying to market us, better than us.

A perfect example is when Sarah M. Lindenberg broke the Internet with her NiteCap; a $98 silk bonnet she supposedly thought of after a dermatologist suggested she sleep with her hair pulled back to improve the condition of her skin.

Interestingly, she named the black color NiteCap “The Cleopatra”; after a black Egyptian queen who’s portrayed by White actress Elizabeth Taylor in a 1963 biopic, but that’s another story.

until trending

BY ADRINECE BEARD

Let Forbes Magazine tell it, her NiteCap is among the “Best the World of Wellness Has to Offer,” but women like myself and TEDx speaker Krystle Hickman aren’t buying it. “Sarah, I think it’s great that you have a business idea but, selling a product at about a 100 percent markup that has been used by black people for decades isn’t innovative. This is nothing but appropriation,” Krystle responded.

pouring rain? Then you know just why Hairbrella was long overdue … but so was NiteCap company’s Instagram post. “We stand with those who are hurt, and we respect and hear their voices. We’re committed to honouring the historical significance of hair wrapping and this will now be part of our approach,” @nitcapco wrote, but honestly, it’s too late when they’ve already lost our respect.

I mean what’s next, wearing them out in public too; but to be fair, I can understand how a White woman like Sarah could be so naïve. It is mostly black women or women of color I see shopping for silk, satin or whatever nightcap they can find at the beauty supply store. And no, not the stores where ethnic beauty products are limited to a single aisle. I mean the ones that are stereotypically owned by Asian-Americans who may not offer refunds, exchanges or friendly assistance to their patrons but cater to the oh-so-many hairstyles we cultured women work hard to maintain.

That’s what frustrates popular makeup artists like Chelsie Worthy who broke her silence about other MUAs who watch her “traptorials” and go viral from her ideas without giving her credit. Then, are only “sorry” because they got caught. “Long story short,” she tweeted, “If you are an aspiring Beauty influencer, especially if you’re black, don’t be fooled. We are not as accepted as they make us out to be.”

It seems to me that Sarah could take a few notes from Tracey Pickett, the female entrepreneur who designed the world’s first satin-lined rainhat. Not only is it trendy and innovative, but it’s an Amazon #1 bestseller priced at 30 bucks, or so. Ever wore a plastic bag on your head to walk out in the

THE SQUEEZE

Sis is right. And although imitation is still the highest form of flattery, it’s important that we continue this era of “supporting black businesses” and trademarking our ideas and call them out every time they try to label our contributions to society “ghetto” until they are trending.

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