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A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Gary Chambers Jr.
I
remember when I was a few years younger and life seemed so uncomplicated. I went to events with my friends and we had a good time. We were kids; we may have gotten into some minor mischief, but we ended our nights by returning home to our parents and going to school to talk about it on Monday. On Friday March 28th some kids in our community went out to do the same thing my friends and I did over and over as teenagers, have a good time. The difference is that four of those children didn’t get the opportunity to come home that night, and three of them never will. Kendal Dorsey, 15, Marcell Franklin, 15, and Diontrey Claiborne, 18, were all shot and killed that night. Javaughn Simmons, 19, was injured but survived. The lives of these young people and their families were altered that night from a senseless act of violence. What adds to the pain of the story is that the shooter was only 16-years-old. I imagine we will not soon forget the incident that occurred that night. The reality is that just years ago that could have been you, out with friends, at a high school birthday party. Your parents could have gotten that phone call. Or if you are a parent, place yourself in these parents’ shoes. We must ask ourselves how did we get here and how do we plot a new course? I don’t have all the answers, I may not have any of the answers actually, but I do have ideas. Thoughts that don’t put the blame on anyone in particular, but calls each of us to do a better job in impacting our community. We know that education is a part of the greater problem that often affects the young people who make decisions that negatively impact a community like this event did. Poverty, Education, Violence...I could go on but we know our issues. So what are we going to do about it? I have just one simple suggestion… Serve. Serve the community in ways that impact the lives of young people continuously. The problem with our response to moments like this is that we get pumped up and do something and then a few weeks later we go back to life as normal
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until the next tragedy happens. That’s no good. We have to become a community that is about serving the community. I see many of us go out and support walks for different causes and I think that is wonderful. I think it impacts the lives of many and we need to continue to do those things, but we also must do the community service that doesn’t give us T-shirts and gift bags. With this thought in mind The Rouge Collection is going to take the lead and start a continuous campaign called “Serve 4 More”. In honor of the 4 victims, we are asking that each month you join the efforts of others and serve the communities we live in. Let’s clean up some neighborhoods the old fashioned way with a trash bag and gloves. Let’s volunteer at the boys and girls club tutoring some young people. Let’s go into the worst parts of Baton Rouge and show these young people that we care. The problems that plague our community can be fixed, we can impact this city. Police can’t do it alone, parents can’t do it alone, it takes a village to raise a child. We are asking for 2,000 people to commit to serve 4 hours a month in ways that may not get a lot of news coverage, but will make a change in the long run. Children need to know that someone is supporting them. These kids need to know that after it’s all said and done that someone is invested in them and their community. Baton Rouge isn’t black, it isn’t white, or brown, it’s RED. We all bleed Rouge so let’s fix our city and honor the 4 lives that were changed forever that Friday night. For more information on how you can connect with Serve 4 More email us at serve4more@therougecollection.net.
Publisher
The Rouge Collection • www.therougecollection.com • 5
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHEIF Gary Chambers
TABLE OF
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Stephen Johnson
CONTE
DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Brandi Cann EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tamara Williams EXECUTIVE EDITOR Thelisia Davis ART DIRECTOR Brittany Brown SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Brett Holt/Clifford Holden HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR Camille Johnese FASHION EDITOR Elle Marie BEAUTY DIRECTOR Laticia King HAIR SYLIST Meosha Jacobs CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shaquille Cossé Jalen Greenhouse Reginald Jackson Shuntel Jenkins Ronaldo Hardy Quinton Paul Willie Washington Ashney Williams
4
EDITOR’S DESK Publisher’s Note
FEATURE Monstaa on the Loose: Tyesha “Tiny” Collins of Monstaa Couture shares her story and her craft Curtis J. Morton: Owner of Third and James Clothing Co.
SPOTLIGHT Anthony Ryan Auld: Baton Rouge’s fashion superstar Beacon Light:Beacon Light Baptist Church of Baton Rouge
STYLE Most Stylish Girl Q&A: Kimberleigh Rochelle Rattle Fashion Guide 103: Color Blocking Style Quiz: What’s your style personality?
ENTERTAINMENT Art Imitates Hip-Hop: Hip-hop culture in 90’s Movies
EMAIL US info@therougecollection.net FOLLOW US twitter.com/therougecollection instagram.com/therougecollection
HEALTH April is Autism Awareness Month: A mother’s account of raising a child with autism
THE ROUGE COLLECTION
BUSINESS
11017 Perkins Rd. Suite C.
Style Etiquette: Entrepreneurial woman’s style
The Rouge Collection LLC. is owned and operated by B. Cann, G. Chambers and S. Johnson
guide
SNEAKERHEAD Interview with Tyree Dillihay:
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ENT
SPORTS Anthony Davis: The New Orleans Pelican star player Man Behind the Stars: Interview with the man building champion boxers at Rising Stars of Baton Rouge
BACK PAGE Is it a Hustle or Career?
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Community Spotlight: Beacon Light Baptist Church of Baton Rouge
P
astor Eric and First Lady Iris Williams are the proud leaders of Beacon Light of Baton Rouge. A thriving ministry located in the heart of north Baton Rouge, Pastor Williams has been the pastor/teacher at Beacon Light since 2007. Pastor Williams stepped away from a successful job in corporate America to assume the leadership role as pastor of Beacon Light, which at the time had a membership of 37 people.In the early days of pastoring he took time to develop deep relationships with the 37 people who attended his weekly services. Pastor Williams says, “I wanted to know who they were and what their life was like, so I asked could I come visit them at work to see what they did.” As unorthodox as this may sound it built a relationship with those members and 7 years later each of those people still attend Beacon Light which has since grown to over 2000 members. Pastor Williams and his wife believe that the gospel is to be preached in a simple way where it relates to the lives of those attending
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weekly services. In talking with Pastor Williams you will find that he has a deep love for his family and his church family. This father of four spends a great deal of time impacting the life of his own family first which he believes helps him to be more effective touching the hearts of his church family. When asked what he thinks the secret to the ministry growing so rapidly over the past 7 years he said;“it’s not a secret, just love God’s people and they can sense when the love is sincere.” He also attests much of their success to be connected to the community through different outreaches that directly impact the lives of people. Beacon Light has many ministry components that Pastor and Lady Williams regularly attend with the parishioners. Beacon Light is a big deal with humble leadership, that desires to impact the lives of people with thelove of Christ, effective preaching, and connection to the community. Beacon Light Baptist Church of Baton Rouge |7513 Prescott Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70812 | (225) 358-907
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STYLE ETIQUETTE FOR THE MODERN DAY ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMAN
A
BY BRITTANY HARRIS
t t i r e . Appearance. Brand. Believe it or not those three words are all related. No matter your role, employee or employer, you represent a brand. For my female “BOSSES” you must understand, that at ALL times you are your brand. With this being fact, let’s discuss the Power of Appearance. Your overall appearance is the first thing anyone will notice about you. Before you can pitch your product or service, before they can recognize your talents and intellect, individuals will form a perception of you based solely off of your appearance. Perception of your level of relevance, professionalism, and ability is centered on your appearance. Recently while working a press conference, a guy approached me and said, “I have been watching you, and based off how well you are dressed, I know you must be someone important.” Now although that sentenced was followed by requesting a favor, I believe that 60% of what he said was influenced by my appearance, with the other 40% being a flattery tactic to persuade me to give him his credentials and itinerary prematurely. First impressions are lasting impressions, so it is important that they are not only memorable, but also positive. First impressions are not just limited to in person interactions, but also include
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viral impressions. Social media is a gift and a curse. It can be one of your most effective resources but can be a deal breaker. Separating business and personal pages does not necessarily protect your brand as the lines between the two can be blurred. It takes a short amount of time for a regrettable post to turn into a screen capture that can circulate forever. Now that you understand the importance of appearance to your brand, here are few style etiquette tips to help assist you along your journey. Pumps vs. Stilettos Stilettos are prohibited from the work place unless you are an exotic dancer! You want to keep the heel under 4 inches and wear either a closed toe or peep toe. Be Prepared at All Times Although you may be working for yourself, remember you want to be prepared for when opportunity comes knocking at your door, literally and figuratively. Never wear pajamas, a headscarf, daisy dukes, or go bra less into the office just because you are not expecting someone. If the opportunity presents itself you want to be prepared. You may get an unexpected office visit or a last minute meeting to close the account you’ve been working on for months. The key is to always be prepped and ready. Industry Energy Dress for your industry. Each industry culture demands a
different wardrobe. It is up to you to learn and understand the industry culture in which you work. Working with nonprofits would require business casual/professional attire. Suits are appropriate when meeting with clients or representing the business. Business casual attire is a comfortable option for in-office duties. Someone working in the entertainment industry may be afforded more freedom in their wardrobe. For example, on set she could wear jeans, blazer (I am an advocate of blazers. I believe they communicate professional no matter the setting), and tennis shoes or flats. Being in the office would require business casual attire, and a conservative professional look when in meetings. The Gemini Effect (where work ends and happy hour begins) I am a big fan of layers! If you are the type of individual who looks forward to winding down at a happy hour, then layering is your best friend. Adding pieces like blazers or cardigans can easily make an after five dress into a work appropriate ensemble. Demanding Respect With Your Attire When dealing with men and even some women you have to be extra careful with how much skin you show. Though men may admire your physical appearance, being too liberal will jeopardize the interaction you may have. You must always strive to communicate respect for yourself and your client through your appearance. Nothing is wrong with accentuating the curves you were born with but remember to always be tasteful and professional, because you do NOT want your appearance to hinder you from making money! Cleavage, exposed
midriffs and visible panty or panty lines are never acceptable. All Industry Standards • Clean Clothes You should never wear clothes that are dirty or have an odor. If you spilled a little coffee on a blazer you wore recently do not wear it again until you get the coffee stain removed, no matter the size or visibility of the stain. You would be surprised the things people notice. • Hygiene Check Ladies make sure your nails are clean and are not too long (length of nails, I believe can change based on the industry, but I prefer my own nails to be of natural length). Avoid chipped polish. We all have experienced a nail chip or two, but before you meet with clients make sure your nails are manicured. Tip: Keep your current nail polish in your purse to touch up unexpected polish chips. Keep mints to avoid coffee breathe. Do not chew gum while meeting with clients. Keep a spare deodorant in your office, car, or purse. Sometimes we are in a high demand industry that keeps us moving, make sure you body odor doesn’t become a speaking point. • No Heavy Makeup Natural makeup that is not very heavy is best. You do not want to distract your potential client with a heavily painted face. • Piercings and Tattoos We live in a society where most of us have either body piercings or body art, but I advise to keep those covered unless you are in an industry where they are accepted. In closing, make sure your appearance doesn’t hinder your success or tarnish your brand, and remember people will interact with you based on how they perceive you. Image is Key.
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“
We always loved fashion and we decided to step out and start a boutique. We took a trip to New York to gain some knowledge and make some
connections and we came back
and invested in starting Salt and Peppa. VIEW FULL INTERVIEW ONLINE
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MOST STYLISH GIRL
Kimberleigh Rochelle Rattle | Baton Rouge, Louisiana Describe your style in 5 words: Free, Chic, Urban, Mature and Classic. Fashion Inspiration: Myself, because what I wear is determined by my mood and whatever type of vibe I feel at that time. Must Have: Gold accessories (chains, earrings, watches, bracelets, head pieces, rings & glasses) Worst Fashion Memory: A God awful white skirt with ruffles & mesh on the sides. Favorite Piece of Clothing: A comfortable maxi skirt Go to item: My bags (Clutches & Totes) Most splurge-worthy item: SHOES!
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I love to make a woman feel like a woman. When she gets out of the chair at my salon she knows that she’s ready to hit the town. She knows that heads will turn and that brings me joy.” - CoCo Styles
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I’ve done hair since I was young, it’s what I love to do, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being able to impact the way a person feels by simply doing something I love to do is worth it.” - Keisha Divah
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On Cue Makeup is a business I started 8 years ago, it’s a company that enhances women’s beauty from the inside out. It helps women to feel like a star!” - Christina Price
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I think we get stereotyped a lot as being mean or stuck up, but most of us are really cool and it’s not like that.” Christine Louise VIEW FULL INTERVIEW ONLINE
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K
Kids Style BY ELLE MARIE
id styles for the season are bright, playful with an eye toward colors, prints and denim. Almost like wearable art. It is thus ideal that you select your child’s clothes from a variety of colors in order to give him or her pleasant personality. For instance, you should note that different shades of blue or pink definitely are a favorite choice with girls. And with the little boys adding denim with a colored piece of clothing give them a stylish look on top of having that comfort to play and enjoy themselves. Kids fashion is currently on the rise as much as adult fashion is at this time. There is a huge market for kid styles in all age groups. Known stores consist of Gap kids, Old Navy, Oshkosh and Children Place. For those who desire designer labels for their kids there is Polo, True Religion and Burberry, just to name a few. As shown, both kids are paired with denim, some color and/or some type of print. They are showing style,
charisma, playfulness and comfort. In few years time, your kid will flourish into a lovely young man or woman. Therefore, it is important that you enjoy with him or her these initial years before that time is over for mom and dad to pick out clothing for him or her even though nowadays some kids have so much personality to where they are deciding what they want to wear for the day. Some people may think that trend and style are just secondary factors for your baby, and thus should not be given the first thought, but go for the best, yet comfortable outfits so that you will always put a smile in his or her face. Most kids may not care and/or may not know who or what they are wearing, but all kids want to feel pretty or handsome and most importantly comfortable in what they have on.
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likely purchase? A. Flats B. Platform pumps C. Sneakers D. Gladiator sandals E. Pointy toe stilettos
STYLE PERSONALITY QUIZ
9. Pick a color A. Nude B. Red C. White D. Rust E. Black
BY ASHNEY WILLIAMS AND ELLE MARIE
1. For a Saturday out with friends, you could be seen wearing; A. Basic skinny jean, cute flats, a basic tee, and slim gold hoop earrings B. A midi dress, bold accessories, and platform heels C. A hoodie, relaxed jeans or sweatpants, sneakers D. Distressed jeans, loose tunic, eclectic jewelry, with wedges E. Trouser style jeans, stud earrings, a nice blouse, with skinny-heeled stilettos 2. How would you describe the way you shop? A. I like to buy a few nice multi-functional pieces each season B. I buy all designer clothing C. I hate shopping D. I can buy clothes from anywhere from thrift shop to boutiques E. I would rather buy suit pants, nice blouse or wrap dress. 3. Who would be your style icon? A. Jessica Alba B. Sarah Jessica Parker C. Teyana Taylor D. Solange E. Audrey Hepburn 4. Which store or brand would you prefer? A. H &M B. Cache C. Footlocker D. Free People or Urban
Outfitters E. White House Black Market 5. What would most likely be your reaction to sweatpants? A. “They aren’t great, but not horrible either.” B. “Only wearing them if I’m around the house” C. “I have them in every color, style, length, and team” D. “I can make them work, maybe with a tunic and scarf” E. “If, and only if I am exercising” 6. How would you feel about D. I. Y. (i.e., do-it-yourself, which is to take clothing and make your own changes to it) A. I have no desire to “fix what isn’t broken”. B. Only if I can make it stand out. C. Only if it involves changes that will match my tennis. D. It makes my eyes light up! It allows me to show off my creativity. E. Maybe to alter a seam or add embellishments here and there. 7. What would most likely be your accessory of choice? A. Small gold hoops B. A statement necklace C. A snapback D. Head chain E. Stud earrings
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8. What shoe would you most
10. What type of event would most likely match you style? A. Happy Hour B. Gala Event C. All Star Sneaker Summit D. Outdoor Festivals E. A Board Meeting 11. Which overall fashion category best describes you? A. Casual, laid back, toned down B. Feminine, dazzling, bold C. Baggy, relaxed, comfortable D. Long, flowy, eccentric E. Tailored, classy, proportionate Mostly A’s “Simple, No-fuss” You are a person who flourishes much better when things are kept simple. You like a clear cut path from A to Z. “Lagniappe” would be antonymous to your style and personality.
Mostly B’s “Glam- Chic” You are a
person who likes the finer things in life. You like to be noticed and admired. You are feminine, and would consider yourself as a starlet.
Mostly C’s “Sporty” You are someone
who lives in sneakers. You would most likely be at a basketball (or football) game, than a fashion show. You most likely are or were an athlete.
Mostly
someone
who
D’s
“Bohemian”
despises
the
You
are
conventional,
and gravitates toward the eccentric. You are someone who can make sense of the “weird”, and are usually misunderstood.
Mostly E’s “A Sophisticate” You are
someone who identifies with elegance. In a crowd, you would most likely be spotted as the person with beautiful poise and posture. You are also a business minded individual.
Evenly dispersed answer choices
“Undefined” You are an individual who cannot be pigeonholed into one category. You identify with all styles, in one way or another. You are most likely to be a “jack of all trades”, and have a variety of interests.
O
riginally from West Palm Beach, Wykia LondonGilmore is the owner of Rhythm Boutique located at 7740 Florida Blvd. A graduate of Southern University with a degree in sociology, Gilmore was almost pushed into the business of fashion by friends. She started off selling accessories and styling friends, which turned into friends spreading the word, then it grew to the level where she knew it was something special. Gilmore has been the owner of her own store front in one place or another for the past 14 years. Shopping at Rhythm Boutique is the total experience. Any woman can step into the store with nothing and walk out with a full look, from clothing, to accessories, shoes, and even shape wear. Carrying sizes extra small to a 3x, they can take care of the needs of women of all shapes and sizes. We asked Mrs. Gilmore what advice would she give to young people interested in the business of style and she said, “It’s simple, start small. I think the reason many businesses don’t make it is because people spend so much time attempting to be what they see another business be. Never bite off more than you can chew, it only slows down your business.” When Gilmore started her business she catered it to people who worked late and didn’t have the opportunity to make it in to the malls. She would deliver so that customers got what they needed without a lot of trouble. In finding out about Rhythm Boutique we thought they more than deserved a spotlight because of the longevity of their business but also the experience the shoppers receive. Any business owner who starts off delivering products to customers knows a thing or two about service. Stop by 7740 Florida Blvd andsee what Rhythm has to offer.
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Anthony Davis BY JALEN GREENHOUSE
T
he emergence of the rising Crescent City superstar in Anthony Davis should come as a shock to no one. Anthony Davis has seen his numbers match some of the NBA’s top forwards in the game currently at only his 2nd year in the NBA. Just last year, New Orleans’ basketball team, the then New Orleans Hornets, announced they would be changing their name to the New Orleans Pelicans; the announcement has brought about new life to the franchise. The entire organization needed a new face to their team, a breath of fresh air, and something to bring the fans back to the arena. The face of that team now looks to be second year forward out of Kentucky, Anthony Davis. Davis knows a lot about winning, in his only season at the University of Kentucky he was able to win a NCAA championship and also won the Naismith player of the year in just his freshmen year in college, which is an accomplishment not many athletes can say they have reached. As a matter of fact, the only other freshman to have won the Naismith player of the year award in their freshmen year was Kevin Durant back in 2007. Davis reminds people of Kevin Durant because they have similar body builds. Both Davis and Durant have tremendous height, abnormal wingspans, and are very skinny especially for their height. In just his second year, Davis is receiving tremendous praise and it is well deserved. This year, in his team’s arena Davis played in his first All Star game. Davis’ number were more than deserving for him to receive a spot in the All Star game. Davis averages 20.6 points per game, up 4 points from his last years total, averages 10.2 rebounds per game up 1 rebound from last year’s numbers, and around 3 blocks per game which is up 1 from his last year’s numbers. The Pelicans have recently tried to build around Davis, with the addition of Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, and also bringing back Eric Gordon, but injuries have been the tale of that story. Nonetheless, Davis is making it known to the basketball world that he will be a star in the NBA for a very long time. What is it that makes Davis so good at the forward position? It is many things that present a defensive imbalance when the opposition goes against Davis, but the main thing is his mid range game. At 6 feet 10 inches, his long arms allow him to get off a lot of shots off on defenders, the good thing about this is that Anthony Davis, who shoots around 53% will more than likely knock the shot down. Davis is so skilled for his position, he can create his own shot and also he is a master of the pick and roll offense! Another asset that makes Anthony Davis special is his defensive presence. Even when Anthony Davis is not blocking shots he is changing shots or affecting the offense’s game to benefits his team. Davis is the prototype of what you want your star power forward to look like. He has a mid range game of a latter Kevin Garnett, he can rebound like a center, he can post up, and he can block shots, what more can you ask for in a player just made 21 years old? Davis is a pure talent and he is a player you can build your entire franchise around, which the Pelicans are now doing. Davis is making a valid case that even as a second year player he can play with the big boys. Anthony Davis numbers reflect everything you want at that forward position and his play says the exact same, averaging a double double
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with 20 points and 10.5 rebounds. There aren’t a lot of players who are outplaying him in his position this year. The New Orleans Pelicans will only go as far as Anthony Davis takes them. Davis is a special player. If you watch any Pelicans game you notice how much his defense really affects the energy of the game and the way the team plays. I think in about 3 to 5 years we will be talking about Anthony Davis as one of the best forwards in the game at that time period, he is just that type of player. Anthony Davis should definitely be considered when you mention top 5 forwards. Besides Kevin Love, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Blake Griffin, nobody is giving Davis a run for his money. Davis should be mentioned when you mention those names because not only of his numbers but his play says the same. Davis is a force to be reckoned with and he does not get the credit he deserves simply because the Pelicans are rarely mentioned on national TV. More people should keep track of them because Anthony Davis is definitely a PROBLEM!
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Aut
April is Autism A
T
BY CAMILLE JOHNESE
Khatim Diagne
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he Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills, and usually appears in the first 3 years of life. Autism now affects 1 in every 88 children, a 10-fold increase from 40 years ago, according to statistics from the U.S Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). Studies also show that autism affects boys four to five times more than girls. An estimated 1 out of 54 boys and 1 out of 252 girls is diagnosed with autism in the United States. By way of comparison, more children are diagnosed with autism each year than juvenile diabetes, AIDS, and cancer, combined. This year for Autism Awareness Month, The Rouge Collection wanted to bring you something a little different. Each year I cover the basics: the definition of autism and some statistics. Since I have no close, personal experience with autism, that’s all I’ve ever been able to provide. After giving it some thought, I decided to reach out to a friend of mine who has an autistic son in order to get an inside perspective. I think that it is important for people to understand exactly what families go through when dealing with autism. Living with someone who has autism is a world of its own. For a single parent household, it can be even more challenging.
tism
Awareness Month Sonjachardé Mixon is a 28-year-old, Child and Family Therapist for children with mental health, behavioral and emotional challenges, and single mom to 5-year-old Khatim Diagne. When Khatim was 3, doctors told his mother that he was on the autism spectrum. After her world was turned upside down, Sonja stopped, put things into perspective, and remembered what’s most important: providing Khatim with the best life possible. Sonja gracefully accepted my invitation to tell her story in her own words. I was
“
A mother knows. But confirmation of my suspicions was an immense and almost unbearable fate that I wasn’t ready to bear. There were many indicators that my baby was different.
moved by her courage and determination, and I hope you are as well. Blessing in Disguise: Our Journey with Autism By: Sonjachardé Mixon Ever had your life cave in on you? When I was told my son, Khatim Diagne, was on the Autistic Spectrum my world stopped. I knew that Khatim was different. Khatim didn’t talk in complete sentences until about four years old. I taught him sign language for fear that he’d never formulate sentences. He had (and still has) violent tantrums where he’d throw things, break things, fall onto the floor, bang his head, smack himself, and scream. Once when he was two, he almost took our 42-inch television and slammed it on the floor. He would get incredible Hulk strength out of nowhere.
For as long as I can remember, Khatim refused to eat anything that wasn’t part of his “white diet” (e.g. pancakes, bread, fries, plain pasta, milk, yogurt, cheese, strawberries, occasional chicken). He won’t eat anything green (not even oregano in pizza sauce, he says it smells, looks and tastes like “grass”) and is particular about brands (e.g. only drinks Silk chocolate soy milk in individual containers with the straws and Annie’s Organics mac and cheese). He is picky about food texture and color. Sometimes he doesn’t hear me when I talk even if I’m right in front of him. He has challenges with eye contact. This is getting better because I drill it into his head several times a day by saying, “Where are Mami’s eyes? Look at Mami’s eyes.” Another indicator was something doctors call “obsessions.” He focuses in on certain themes or objects for about six months at a time. First it was clocks and watches. No matter what someone said to him he responded, “What time is it? Do you know how to read a clock? Where is your watch?” He has more watches than the Rolex store and about three clocks in his bedroom. Next it was trains, he has over 100 trains. His current obsession is televisions, iPhones and computers. Every conversation we have relates back to when he can have time on one of those electronic items. He also has a sixth sense. He can sense when I’m sad, when I’ve been crying or when I’m angry, sometimes before I even understand why I felt that way myself. He feels his emotions more intensely than others, which is why it’s so hard for him to calm down during or after a tantrum. My initial fear was that I’m not strong enough to handle this. I
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won’t be a good enough mother. I’m going to ruin his life. It’s just too much to handle on my own. I was already caring for my elder special needs uncle. Why would God do this to me? Why would God give me, a single mother, a child on the Autistic Spectrum? What if I debilitated him? What if, when he’s 15 and much bigger than me he gets violent and tries to throw me across the room? What if people bully him? What if the world judges him? What if no man ever wants to marry or be with me? What if he never feels comfortable in his own skin? What if he has to live in my house forever? What if he never learns to manage his emotions? What if he blames me when he becomes old enough to fully understand? After a few days of sadness, I realized I had to put my big girl draws on and suck it up. This was not about me, and quite frankly, my feelings didn’t matter at all. This was about Khatim. The reality was that God did give me a son that has Autism. It was my job now to be the best mother I could possibly be. I reminded myself that from the moment I learned I was pregnant with Khatim, I promised him and God that I would do every single thing in my power to help him be happy and successful. This was no different.
Raising a child with Autism has made me a better mother, a better woman, and a stronger person. The highs are amazingly high and the lows are devastatingly low. I’ve learned to pick my battles and let unimportant things slide. It’s not worth it to force him to eat certain foods if it will cause a 35 minute tantrum where he takes every piece of clothing out of his closet and dresser and throws them all over his bedroom. I’ve learned to not care
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what anyone thinks. Countless people gawking at you in WalMart because your son is screaming and banging his head will do that to you, I guess. I’ve learned not to talk to my friends with typically developing kids about my challenges with Khatim. Their advice is usually irrelevant. This has been hard for me, because as a single parent, I need an outlet. Sometimes it’s just too much to bear. I’ve tried Autism support groups but they are usually filled with middle age, married, White women who don’t work. I feel like they don’t know my life and they don’t get me. However my friends don’t get it either and they never will. They offer advice like, “he needs discipline,” “he’s no different that other kids,” “he seems fine to me,” “you need to be consistent.” Funny thing is, I probably have a more structured and disciplined household than most parents, but what do I know? I’m still working on finding an appropriate outlet. When it comes down to it, I’m just a typical mother with a not so typical son. I’m trying to teach my son coping skills to thrive in a world that may never accept him for who he is. A world that forces conformity down his throat. A world that will try to convince him that different is bad and fitting in is good. But he can never fit in. He will always be different. Because of this, I further encourage him to be different. Be your funny, sarcastic, loving, shorttempered, emotional, affectionate, stubborn, creative, inspiring, helpful self. Do what makes you happy. Why would God give me a child on the Autistic Spectrum? Because, despite the challenges, it is an amazingly beautiful blessing.
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From the Fashion Editor’s Desk BY ELLE MARIE
s an up and coming stylist and writer, I’m passionate towards my craft and ideas. I love working with my clients and using my creativity and excellent eye for detail in bringing their visions to life.
I became quite creative with fashion at a young age. I became more and more intrigued by how people dressed and how I can help enhance their look. I wanted to bring to reality the stretches of my imagination that saw fashion in a more far-reaching outlook. Even though I’ve always read fashion magazines, I never thought being a fashion editor was something I would be doing in the area of fashion. It has helped me to get out thoughts and ideas on my honest opinions on style and trends. I helped to complete this STYLE issue and amazing it was;
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working with designers, completing and coordinating the photo shoots, meeting all the gorgeous models as well as writing down my thoughts for you to read. We also introduce our Ruby of the month winners in this issue. Each month local ladies compete to be featured in our magazine as Ruby of the month. These ladies featured won the competition for various months in 2013 as we prepared to go to print. Our Ruby of the year for 2013 was Aviance Mars, she gained over 50 thousand votes to grace the cover of our very first Style Issue. Congrats to all the ladies and best of luck to all future Ruby of the Month contestants. My hope is that this issue inspires you. I hope it takes you places you haven’t been before, teaches you about a few designers in Baton Rouge, opens you to new tips and makes you feel good about fashion. Enjoy! xo ElleMarie
MONSTAA ON THE LOOSE BY ELLE MARIE
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yesha Collins (born June 30 1990) better known as Tiny, is one of Louisiana’s top designers. She is best known for her exposed zippers on her profound, yet creative designs. Tiny has been involved in a host of fashion shows, but two of the top shows she participated in here in Louisiana was Baton Rouge Fashion Week as well as Refined Style Fashion Show.
Originally attending Louisiana State University for a degree in business, Tiny stated that she knew the fashion industry was where she wanted to be. “It was my passion, hobby and talent,” she says with conviction. Tiny decided to change her major to fashion design with a minor in business. While attending LSU, Tiny started her own line named Monstaa Couture. When asked what inspired her to get into fashion design, Tiny stated “Fashion and creativity was always inspired by my mother and older sisters. My twin sister and I was always influenced to dress up and have fun.” Tiny’s philosophy about the art of fashion is to be bold, be brave and wear it. She feels that one should find what looks best on them. “Find yourself, your curves and rock it.” Her enjoyment in designing clothes is when she can be creative and bold with designs. She states “When you can do it and not be afraid of what others may think, that’s the best designs. It’s like a whole new high when I can design something I know it will be great on top of having a satisfied customer” When asked, what is the most challenging part when designing for others Tiny said, “Not everyone knows what looks best so it’s hard to convince them to get something that will complement their shape. I just try to be upfront, honest and professional about other suggestions, doing my best to satisfy my client.” Tiny said her most influential designer was herself, being that she sees fashion as a whole, she is her biggest critic and always wants to get better at her craft. Out of all the know designers today, tiny stated she would love to work with project runway season designer, Michael Costello. She feels he is the best. Tiny feel as though her work reflecting her personal fashion taste and style goes with on how creative she can be with her clients or when she is designing ideas for herself. She stated, “I love structure and details. It helps bring out my love for simple yet super sexy, fitted vintage but always classy style”. Tiny has made numbers of designs for men and women in Baton Rouge. Her design concept is innovated, fresh and new. She was voted among her peers as “Baton Rouge’s Top Designer.” From working with her during the photo shoot and designs she made for me, her professionalism and steadfast eagerness to get the job done was of utmost importance. In my opinion, Monstaa Couture will become a household name to look out for in this competitive fashion industry. We had an incredible time capturing her work and we hope you enjoy every shot. To contact Tyesha “Tiny” Collins email her at monstaacouture@yahoo.com
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CURTIS J. MORTON BY LATICIA KING
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s we e continue to watch the young fashion and design industry grow in Baton Rouge, be on the lookout for one of the city’s hottest young designers, Curtis J. Morton. Emerging as one of the tops in his field, this Opelousas, La native is definitely on the rise. With initial dreams of being a dentist, Curtis’ fashion forward father sparked his interest in design and inspired him to begin creating his own work. Influenced by modern trends, classic looks, and designers like Alexander McQueen, Morton is an artist that has never been interested in “over saturating” the market. Curtis believes a certain level of exclusivity should always remain when creating art. “It’s more important to me to create four timeless, effortless pieces, rather than twenty garments that hold zero value,” says the young designer. Known for his flowing fabrics and draped designs, Curtis is well versed in the language of women’s fashion. With a line of pieces ranging from denim jackets to silk gowns, his designs have beenfeatured in countless fashion shows and runways throughout the city. At only 24 years of age, this young designer has already made a name for himself in Baton Rouge. The Third and James Clothing Co. owner aspires to continue to grow and become not only a local brand but a national as well as international staple in the fashion industry. Be on the lookout for Curtis J., one of Baton Rouge’s next rising stars! Follow him @CurtJay3 Curtis3James@gmail.com
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Fashion Guide 103:
The Color Blocking Trend
BY ELLE MARIE
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olor block fashion is one of the hottest trends for any season. It combines the use of two or more blocks of color in an ensemble. This could be for a top, bottom, tunic, a dress and even a handbag or shoes. Simply it means, creating an outfit by putting areas or blocks of solid color next to each other. It can include monotone, bright colors, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors. Clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories can all feature color block designs or can make up different blocks of color to be put together for a color block outfit. Here are a few tips to help you with color blocking: • Don’t be shy to experiment. Any color combination is fantastic if you can pull it off properly. Blue, green and orange sounds mad but will look very great together. If you feel as though it is a bit much, add a break up subtle color such as gray, white and/ or neutral to tone it down but still give the color blocking affect. • Do not combine more than three to four colors. It’s not that it doesn’t look nice, but it will look very all over the place. In addition, more colors will keep cutting your body shape here and there making it a not so beautiful sight.
• Choose what you want to color block and keep the rest of your look simple. For example, if you opt for a color blocked bag, go easy on the clothes and shoes. • Never combine two color blocked items. This is the worst thing to do to this trend. As stated above no more than three solid colors combine together to give you that fun, stylish color block look. • Color blocking can also go for men as well. Men with perceptive fashion eyes will appreciate the color blocking trend. Men should avoid shimmer colors, however if you would like to take a fashion risk with colors to block yellow, green, blue and some shades of pink can be an ideal colors for choice. Your accessories must compliment your look. From your ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, belts, socks etc…Just avoid creating a “matchy matchy” effect. In all essence in color blocking keep neon with neon and pastels with pastels. Do not add floral and prints. This can make your look to busy and obsolete for the color blocking trend. Use neutral color jewelry/accessories (i.e black, white, gray or nude sometimes brown or beige) to avoid overkill. If this is new to you, use the color block wheel to guide you to the color blocking
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BR’s Fashion Superstar: Anthony Auld
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BY ELLE MARIE
nthony Ryan Auld, 28-year-old, native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana has exceeded great things during his fashion journey. He credits his Southern roots and education at LSU for giving him the foundation to not only design but to run a business. One of his starting accomplishments was competing in Season 9 of the Lifetime reality fashion design competition Project Runway. After not winning, Auld competed in Project Runway All-stars season 2 and won. Auld designs were innovative, creative and fashion forward, which lead him to victory. Auld has designed dresses for Olympian Lolo Jones, Cosmopolitan editor Joanna Coles and Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin. Auld is in New York City a few times each month, but he has made Baton Rouge his home, working out of a downtown studio he admits is currently too messy for visitors. Auld stated “I want my work to be wearable for regular people rather than just getting seen on the red carpet.” Auld considers a great pair of high heels and a killer clutch a fashion must for women. For men, he thinks it’s a great printed bow or skinny tie and a dark pair of skinny or straight-legged jeans. I, being a lover of mixing prints, believe
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that his design strengths is doing just that as well as making the right fabric choice. Back in January all the way through the end of March, Auld put together “The Art of Fashion” exhibit featuring over 30 garments as well as sketches and photographs of the design process from inspiration to finished look. This exciting exhibition was organized by LASM debuting his much-anticipated Fall 2014 collection. Under the label Anthony Ryan, Auld creates innovative fashions to inspire the modern woman with clean lines, definitive shapes, and bold fabric selections. During his thank you speech, Auld told his fans that in 2008 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and endured chemotherapy treatment until 2009. Auld stated that he has overcome cancer twice and he is now cancer free and ready to continue to prosper in his career. Auld stated that he likes Baton Rouge. Many of his friends and family are here. Instead of fleeing to New York or Los Angeles after becoming a TV star, he is excited about his decision to build a flourishing career from the same place it began.
CLOSET the
INTERVIEW W/ TYREE DILLY BY REGINALD JACKSON
WHY ARE SHOES AN INTEREST OF YOURS? WHAT MADE YOU START COLLECTING? When I was looking for a new muse of expression and I was going over all my loves and passions and sneakers was one of them, I ran across some sneaker blogs. I noticed that at the time there wasn’t anybody doing what I was doing with sneakers and combining it with cartoons. So that’s how I essentially created my own lane in the community and SN’EADS was born. I started collecting when Michael Jordan was still playing. Spike Lee and Michael Jordan got me on shoes. From there, the fascination has always been how sneakers complete or destroy an outfit.
you. My definition is a person who has an obsessive affinity for sneakers, to the point where sneakers dominate your mind and spending habits. In my opinion there is no way an adult, given adult responsibilities, could let sneakers dominate their mind when there are bigger things to focus on. The adults that do obsessively collect and accept their “condition” call themselves “hoarders”, and rightfully so. Because after a certain point, that’s essentially what you’re doing, is hoarding.
ALL TIME FAVORITE SNEAKER? Black/Cement Air Jordan 3 WHERE DID THE “SNEADS” IDEA COME FROM?
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO A SHOE? Simply how it is going to work with my current dress code. It was a time where loud colors were in vogue. For me that time is passed. Right now I’m in the simple, clean silhouettes. Patterns I’m very picky with. I much prefer luxe materials ... But it’s all about outfits. SNEAKERHEAD: SUBCULTURE OR STEREOTYPE? Too difficult a question for me. I mainly just look at it as a label. And to be honest to me it’s an immature label. YOU ONCE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW “ADULTS CAN’T BE SNEAKERHEADS.” WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY?
Like I said earlier just being an artist and looking for new muse. I got tired of doing stuff for other people and I just wanted a project that was just for me. I thought about all the things that I love: basketball, sneakers, and hip-hop, art and cartoons and combined them all in one and that’s how it came to be. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT A SHOWCASE FOR YOUR DRAWINGS? Yes. Hopefully I can finally get an exhibit going this year. Have a couple of galleries approach me about doing a show but I haven’t been ready because of the projects that I do commercially. But 2014 is definitely the year for me to do an exhibit.
First you have to define what the term “sneakerhead” means to
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Life Imitates Art, Art Imitates Hip Hop BY SHAQUILLE COSSÉ
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t was a cold winter night, January 10th, the year was 1992 in New Orleans, LA. The streets were filled with young men sporting flat top haircuts, vibrant colored clothing, gold jewelry and the latest basketball sneakers. Hip-hop culture was at its purest and most authentic state. And there I laid, you could count the strands of hair on my newborn head, my gear included an onesie declaring that I was indeed a boy, and the only jewelry I had was the bracelet displaying my awkwardly spelled government name. The world around me was reaping the benefits that the booming 90’s cinema was having on Hip Hop’s culture & I was born right at the height of it all. Movies like Juice, Menace II Society, Boyz N The Hood, and House Party took the
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90’s by storm, changing the way people dressed, spoke, lived, danced, rapped, and the way others viewed the black culture. I recently watched Menace II Society, the Hughes brothers’ raw, gritty, uncensored depiction of South Central Los Angeles in the 90’s, with the commentary (yes I’m that much of a movie buff) and I learned so much about the production of such an icon film, which made me love it even more. One of the things that I learned was that most of the extras, and small supporting roles were actual members of the neighborhoods that the film was being shot in. It’s things like that, that made Menace II Society such an authentic piece of art. On the flip side it posed an
“
Y’all smoked my cousin Harold, now I’m in the Camaro, Love & Happiness playing, me and my dog, with the double barrel.
also wanted a flattop after the first time I saw Juice. I also wanted to skip school and play at the arcade, but see the way my Mom was setup.
extremely negative connotation against young black males, especially because the film was so impactful. A lot of young black males took on characters from the movie and it escalated violence in certain areas. I don’t think the Hughes brothers wrote the film with those ill intentions, but I’m sure they weren’t ignorant to the fact either. Nonetheless, Menace II Society will always be looked at as a necessity in hiphop culture, and it’s still a vital piece of African-American culture even today. In 1992, one year before Menace II Society was released, John Dickerson directed a film about four friends in Harlem, New York called Juice. The cast was led by Omar Epps who played an aspiring DJ named GQ who was actually really nice on the 1’s and 2’s. Now I don’t know about anybody else, but I surely wanted to be a DJ after I saw Juice for the first time. I
Also in the film was, already famous rapper, Tupac Shakur. His presence ensure that there was no denying the impact this film was going to have on hip-hop culture. The storyline was brilliant, the dialogue was completely different from that of a Menace II Society, which showed the contrast between the East & West Coast, just like there was a contrast between the East & West Coast in the rap game. Another way this directly impacted the rap industry was the fact that having Tupac in Juice made it almost imperative for other films to have a rapper in their production. The Hughes brothers spoke about the fact that there had to be rappers in Menace II Society. The decision was influenced by Juice. New Jack City was different for me. I didn’t understand anything about drugs for the first dozen times I watched it, but once I learned what actually was going on I appreciated the movie even more. I’ve always thought that cinematically New Jack City was classic. In terms of content, and the impact that content had on hip-hop culture, it’s beyond classic. To this day, if a rapper is making any form of drug reference, it has to be directly correlated to Niño Brown, one of the main antagonists played by Wesley Snipes. Not that I’m glorifying the distribution of illegal drugs, but I am a major hip-hop fan, and I know that drugs and hip-hop are nearly synonymous. As a fan of hip-hop, I feel like I owe some kind of allegiance to New Jack City. That film created so much material for artist to reference to even in
modern hip-hop and it was created early in the 90’s. Niño Brown is an honorary member of hip-hop community. There are definitely some honorable mention movies that have had impacts on hip-hop. Boyz N The Hood was also monumental for the West Coast, and the entire hip-hop culture, but I don’t feel like it was as raw as Menace II Society. Boyz N The Hood scratched the surface, and Menace II Society recreated the surface, made its own surface. The House Party series was also influential in terms of the look of hip-hop. Flat Tops, the vibrant colored clothing, dancing in hip-hop! Kid N Play became household names, and the House Party movies spring boarded a lot of careers, even outside of hip-hop. From the countless references in rappers songs, to all the 90’s fashions coming full circle, those iconic 90’s films are still having an impact today. O Dog, Kain, Wax, Bishop, GQ, Niño Brown, Doughboy, characters like those still live on today, characters like those are still apart of hip-hop today. “Y’all smoked my cousin Harold, now I’m in the Camaro, Love & Happiness playing, me and my dog, with the double barrel,” every time I hear that part I picture the scene from Menace II Society when O Dog is trying to hype Kain up to get back at the guys who killed his cousin Harold. Fabolous used that on his Soul Tape 3 mixtape, released Dec. 2013. When artist like Fab still uses scenes from those movies to align a song entitled, “The Get Back” you realize how genius cinema can be when associated with hip-hop. The impact still lives, it may never die.
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The Man Behind the Rising Stars of Baton Rouge
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leader is needed in every progressive situation of life. That goes from politics all the way down to family. Structure is always needed and what better way to institute it than by example. It’s always easy to tell someone something but being living proof of what you are teaching registers more than just words. I have been blessed to come into contact with someone who is a living example of what he teaches to young men in the city of Baton Rouge. Walking into the Baton Rouge Sports Academy, I notice the young kids shooting basketball and everyone turns around and notices that I’m not there to shoot ball with them. A gentleman approaches me and introduces himself and asks how he could help me. My reply was “I’m here to see Tic”. I immediately felt comfort due to the look and body language I was given following my statement. I followed him down a hall through a weight room hearing the sound of a jump rope and loud punches against a training bag. As I entered the boxing area of the facility, I see young fighters doing warm up exercises
BY QUINTON PAUL
and taking instructions from their teacher Christopher “Ticaboom” Johnson also know as Tic. Although he stands short in stature, his knowledge and passion for boxing elevates him to the height of a giant. He is considered the go-to guy in Baton Rouge when it comes to finding good talent and nurturing that talent into a top fighter. I was given an opportunity to talk with him and find out what drives him to be who he is to the youth and the Baton Rouge community. Quinton Paul: I want to thank you for the opportunity to sit down with you and be welcomed to the Baton Rouge Boxing community. Christopher “Ticaboom” Johnson: No problem it’s a pleasure to have you come and be apart of what we do.
QP: My first question is, what got you involved in boxing? Tic: My teammate, Sean Lee, got me into boxing. He died in 1990. Before we became friends I used to see him shadow box and jog down the street. I was a bad kid who always would fight. One day I saw him come home with a trophy. I asked him
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where he got it from and he told me to follow him and he would show me. Later on the afternoon I saw a guy come get him and I asked could I come. He told me to get my parent’s permission first. I asked my mom she said yes so I went to the gym and the rest was history. QP: What keeps you going and inspired to work with the young fighters like you do? Tic: The desire and the fire that I see in kids keeps me going. I was supposed to be a world champion but certain circumstances caused me to cut my career short so through them I can somewhat fulfill my dream and help them become the best they can be. QP: With boxing there are pros and cons. Can you give me an example of something negative that boxing can create? Tic: Sometimes a person can become a little to cocky and big headed. You think you can just bully a person around and that’s not the right thing to do. That can lead you in a horrible direction. QP: Can you tell me about a few fighters that you have trained in the past and
those that you are currently training? Tic: Right now I’m working with Emmanuel Augustus. We were teammates and we trained and fought together in the past. He went on to professional ranks and did some great things in boxing. He is preparing to make a return to the ring and I’m currently working with him. I’m also training most of the professional boxers in Baton Rouge. I’m also working with the top amateur fighter in Louisiana, John Williams and a kid named Deshaun Blount who will be one of Baton Rouge’s Rising Stars. There is also Manjaro Hills and a list that can go on and on. QP: So you have a large stable of talent? Tic: Yes it’s a lot of talent here. QP: How do you consider boxing different today from what it was when you fought? Tic: Boxing today is different with the styles. Today it’s more of a thinking game than just fighting. Today it’s like chess. You don’t have to be the hardest hitter or the fastest puncher. You have to be a good thinker. The person who thinks the best can have a better chance at winning. QP: In the attempt to raise awareness of the sport of boxing in the city, you and your organization, Baton Rouge Rising Stars, set up the Mardi Gras Rumble. Tell me how the event came to life? Tic: I was going to these boxing events and saw how they were put together.
I saw how they were putting matches together and people started asking when we were going to do an event. I can pick two good fighters and put together a solid match. I also want to be a promoter one day. I looked at the calendar and saw nothing going on that weekend and since it was during Mardi Gras I called it the Mardi Gras Rumble. QP: Since you have accomplished a great Mardi Gras Rumble, what can the fans and supporters expect from you next? Tic: I’m looking at June to put something else together. I want the events to get better every time. I want the next one to be better than the last one every time. More exciting fights and more people in the arena even if I have to fly people in to show Baton Rouge the young talent. QP: In a city mostly dominated by football and basketball, do you think boxing can garner the same attention as those high profile sports in the city? Tic: Yes I do because boxing is a one man thing. Football and basketball is a team effort. In boxing you determine your outcome. I think that can push an athlete to go farther than a team can go as far as effort. That’s my plan. I want to get people back excited about boxing in the city. QP: Can you name me your top 5 boxers? Tic: It’s too many to just name 5. I’m going to name Sugar Ray Robertson,
Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Haggler, Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr. As far as amateur I have to say Deshun Blount, John Williams, Henry Allen, Caleb Jones, Matthew Butler and Manjro Hills. QP: With the influence you have on these young men, if you could give one solid piece of advice to a young man who is coming into this sport what would it be? Tic: Believe in yourself. No matter who doesn’t believe in you, it’s a must that you believe in yourself. Always think you are the better man. Approach every fight like you are the quickest and fastest. Always believe in yourself. It was truly an honor to sit down with such a positive influence in the Baton Rouge community. I learned that Mr. Johnson is the figure that these youth identify with. He was in their shoes in his younger days. That’s why they relate and draw to him so well. He actually prefers the kids who people give up on or don’t want to help. He takes pride in helping them become great people and boxers. Any parents interested in getting your son involved in this sport should go to the Baton Rouge Sports Academy and do just as I did, “Ask for Tic.” One day when you look up you will get to enjoy the view of the Baton Rouge Rising Stars.
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RUBY OF THE MONTH JANUARY
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lake A. is a beautiful, self driven gazelle with a head of red hair and a huge hear to match. She was born in the lovely town of Lafayette, La. Better known as Hub City. Blake now calls Lafayette’s sister city Baton Rouge home and adores the intrigue and culture of the city. Blake is 23 years old and aspires to become a successful model and mentor to young women. She is an avid believer that all women have the power to be wonderful mothers, sisters, friends with proper encouragement. Blake appreciates the simpler thingsin life and enjoys shopping, spending time with friends and family and reciting the words to ANY movieshe’s watched over once, despite the fact that it drives her loved ones crazy!
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RUBY OF THE MONTH FEBRUARY
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lair Arceneaux is a 19 year old native of Lafayette, LA. She is a very young and independent young lady. Everything she does she tries work her hardest at doing it, she enjoys playing softball and dancing. She plans to join the Air Force and become a nurse. If I could say one thing to each person in the world it would be learn how to be TRUE to yourself, when truth comes, hear it no matter how much it hurts, because sometimes it will hurt when you don’t believe what was said was true. But that’s how you often know it was true, if it hurts!
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RUBY OF THE MONTH MARCH
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ancheia Milton is a 22 year old resident of Baton Rouge Louisiana. Her future plans are becoming a model and studying fashion. Rancheia enjoys taking pictures, exploring the world, learning new things about clothing, hanging out and enjoying life. She has always dreamed of becoming a model. She defines herself a beautiful young lady,outgoing, energetic, fun and a cool girl. If I had a chance to say something to everybody, I would say, respect can go a long way in this world! It’s so much going on and if everybody would come together the place we call home would be a better society. Knowledge is the greatest thing you can ever possess. Life is what you make of it! Dream big and make your dreams a reality!
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RUBY OF THE MONTH APRIL
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essica Jones is a 22 year old native of Baton Rouge, LA. She graduated from Vanguard College of Cosmetology and is currently working as an assistant at Tryst Girls Studio. Jessica is an upcoming stylist who enjoys being a great mother to her wonderful daughter, caring for others, shopping , modeling and working hard. She defines herself as a goal oriented person who believes in setting her mind on what she wants and making her dreams come true through hard work and dedication. If she could say one thing to each person in the world it would be to “Keep God first and remember, every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
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Is It a Hustle or a Career?
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BY DR. SHARON H. FRANKLIN
t the tender age of four, I knew I wanted to be a cosmetologist. I remember one time my father dyed my mother’s hair from black to red. I thought, “Wow. That’s magic.” I wanted to perform that very same magic. Here I am today, fifty years later, with the same passion and more. I hold a Bachelor’s degree, two Master’s degrees, and a Doctoral degree in the field of Cosmetology and I am a licensed barber/ stylist in Louisiana and Virginia. This career has opened many doors for me and given me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. My work has taken me from my home in South Baton Rouge, LA to major metropolitan areas such as Washington, D. C., Atlanta, GA, and San Antonio, TX. I’ve been blessed to teach continuing education courses in cosmetology to students all over the country including international students from Japan, Canada, and the Bahamas. I’ve had the pleasure of servicing a range of people from White House affiliates to millionaires to my neighbors and quite possibly you. Though the life of a cosmetologist seems easy and glamorous there is a major problem that licensed professional need to consider. Somewhere along the path of cosmetology, this great industry that has made billions of dollars, those that have no dignity or integrity have been allowed to “pimp” the Hair Care Industry using cosmetology students who already pay between $10,000$20,000 in tuition to accumulate funds for beauty schools by allowing them to “practice” their skills for little to no charge in the classroom without teaching proper skills and/or techniques. To add, there are businesses on every other street corner, selling subpar products to up and coming cosmetologists and patrons, completely ignoring professionalism. Then there are those who allow unlicensed or untrained individuals to work in salons, daring to call themselves mentors, movers & shakers, and innovators. These individuals go out without having read or studied the chemistry, business, and theoretical aspects of cosmetology. All of this completely jeopardizes the integrity and shortchanges the future of students who have been blessed with the gift of artistry. It saddens me that some of my fellow practitioners who maintain salons are more concerned with making money rather than with participating in continuing education courses. Many have not invested in the salon, gotten insurance, or given back to their
respective communities. Some have attended none or one class, seminar, or conference in the field of cosmetology since the completion of school. How much can one love his/ her craft if one does not invest in its development? As cosmetologists, we must open our eyes to what is going on and re-establish the pride we once had by educating ourselves; enrolling in programs, studying under professors who will proficiently instruct on the techniques, chemistry, and business of this craft, professors who are genuinely concerned about the professional development of their students. Let us purchase products from professional wholesalers and companies who can assure us of quality and keep us educated on new products and/or changes in the market. We should be aware of cosmetology organizations and groups such as the Louisiana State Beauty and Barber Association, the National Beauty Culturist League, Theta Nu Sigma Sorority (cosmetologists sorority) and Sigma Nu Theta Fraternity (cosmetologists fraternity). Let’s challenge all stylists and barbers in the city to get together and attend beauty and barbering school. We must encourage them to take care of business and always remain professional. Cosmetologists and barbers must learn to be supportive of others in the industry and to leave envy and jealousy at the door. Seasoned cosmetologists may band together to establish true mentorship programs. We must recognize our pioneers like Mercedes Lockett and Donna Gant and remember renowned shops like Salt and Pepper Unique Perfections. As professional cosmetologists, we should not encourage what I call “kitchen-ticians.” A kitchen-tician is an individual who receives clients within their homes and who are not properly licensed or educated in the field of cosmetology. Kitchen-ticians should be in a stable, learning environment and we as professionals should be able to encourage them to come to grips with the reality and find a school that will provide them a sound education so that they may be legitimate businesspeople. Please be advised that continuing education is the key to success. Keep dignity, integrity, and pride in the great industry of Cosmetology. Truth be told: It’s not a hustle, It’s a career
The back-page column is about free expression and giving a voice to those who would often be silenced. The thoughts and views on the back-page column are that of it’s author who we believe has a first amendment right to share those views. These views are not necessarily our views but in America every voice deserves an opportunity to be heard. - The Rouge Collection
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