Rodney J. Simpson Partner/Co-Editor-in-Chief Twitter: akshunceo Instagram: akshunceo simpson@fametheexperience.com
William M Floyd Partner/Co-Editor-in-Chief Twitter: kingpopdesign Instagram: kingpopdesign Floyd@fametheexperience.com
Fame The Experience January 2014 Pullout Cover Graphics by William M Floyd Cover Photography by Devonchee Designer: Devonchee
Staff Executive Editor
Taronda Gibbons
Photographer
Writer
Etta East
Photographer
Writer
Choo Jones
Photographer
Justin W. Robinson
Writer
Tracey Suggs
Photographer
John Bills
Photograper/Videorgrapher
Derek Hightower Robert Deem
Travis Christian
Production Artist Jerome Robinson
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IAWAKETOCREATE.COM
LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS
TO MAN KIND
each other’s shoes when you encounter one other. Think before you react, stop reacting and thinking later because by then it’s to late. If for no other reason than this, do it because the future of the human race depends on it. – 2014 is the past, now we live for the future. Let’s not forget about all of things good or bad that happened in the past, but lets leave it there. Challenge yourself as a human being to treat the other man or woman not as a color, but as another brother or sister in the human race. We must find a way to end this new violence begets violence trend that is sweeping through our country as it has in other countries for centuries. If we want our world as we know it to continue to grow and progress, we must do this fast. We must stop promoting and marketing classless behavior and contributing to its existence. We must teach the people that hate is not the way to live. We must educate our people young and old on how to respond when being questioned by an officer of the law. We must teach our officers of the law how to treat our people with more understanding and compassion also. We must teach our young men how to treat young ladies like ladies again and our young ladies how to act like young ladies again and to demand to be treated as such. We must stop judging each other by deciding another person is a threat or criminal just because of the clothes they wear but instead go by the content of their hearts. And when I use the word WE it’s not to single out any particular race or religion, I am speaking of the human race as a whole. We must love each other as our creator loved us so much to create us. If we don’t do these things, the trend of hate will spiral out control and condemn the future generations to a life that we can’t imagine - a life with no laws or government at all. People will be running around living like animals and monsters. Now you may think this is impossible, but art imitates life in every sense. Movies like “12 Monkeys”, “Mad Max” and “Escape from New York”, even though they are fiction, their content and creation contains a lot of truth. So I challenge you all to love each other more this year, it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, civilian, police officer, politician, coach, player, student, teacher, etc., and every year to come. Find a way to put yourself in
Rodney Akshun Simpson In today’s current landscape many things have changed, but several things have remained the same. Many movements have started to surface throughout the globe and one thing has held its form: social awareness has been thrown in discussions, forcing us to make decisions to answer questions about our past and present existence. Visuals such as Keith Haring’s Universal People, Basquiat’s crown, and Warhol’s photography showcased back then what we are now currently digesting on daily basis. Our communities reflect our fashion, music, and our culture. The journey of creating commerce, life with many X’s and O’s, some focus on love, many focus on capital gain. Social platforms become more apparent throughout all aspects of life. Your background affects society’s views on your interactions with those who think they know you, but don’t look like you. Issues of race and creed are currently at the forefront of today’s society and the truth of one’s very existence is challenged. What is your purpose? Who are we as a whole? To surround yourself with visuals and sounds that trigger the same results of the past causes nostalgic thoughts, either blocking or simulating your imagination. I would like to encourage you all to try to stimulate your mind differently. If you typically create using the same process, take the same way home or simply brush you hair with your right hand, try something different. Most things are never what they appear to be. Break down your thoughts and explore the world in it entirety. Exercise your mind without color. Think instead of shades. Challenge yourself to not work from just black to white or vice versa, white to black, but to all the shades in between. William Floyd
The
Remarkable JOHNNY GILL From New Edition to the GAME CHANGER of the R & B World We Look ‘Behind Closed Doors’ into the Life of This Music Legend.
By Etta East There are some voices that are timeless so when you hear them your toes begin to curl, your smile becomes vibrant, and your heart begins to flutter. With a bold bravado and a soul jerking, smooth sound, and sultry essence, ASCAP Award Winning, GRAMMY Award Nominated, and Multi Platinum selling artist Johnny Gill has measured up to the true definition of R&B music in the past three decades and years to come. Stamping his unmatched sound in music history with such solo hits as “Rub Me The Right Way”, “My, My, My”, and the heart-wrenching love
ballad “Half Crazy”, Gill paved the way for boy bands of this generation with veteran group LSG (Johnny Gill, Keith Sweat, and the late great Gerald Levert), and the epitome of New Edition in the last line-up replacing Bobby Brown in the 80’s with the super hit “Can You Stand The Rain”. He has more than earned a title as a one of the creative forces in R&B and he is far from finished. Over the years, Gill has constantly been producing hits. He has been featured in over 80 film and television appearances such as the 2006 Tyler Perry movie, “Madea’s Family Reunion”, where he can be remembered performing the song “You For Me” in the wedding scene towards the end.
Gill’s fourth solo album, Game Changer, released on Tuesday, December 9th through his label J Skillz Records, features 12 tracks with the album title song written and produced by R&B crooner and innovator Kenneth “BabyFace” Edmonds, who has worked with Gill on prior signature projects and the leading single “Behind Closed Doors”, which features a video directed by Matt Alonzo. The video stars Nicole Murphy (“Hollywood Exes”), The ex-wife of Gill’s best friend over the years, comedian, and actor Eddie Murphy and also stars as leading lady, actress Nadine Velazquez (“The Real Husbands Of Hollywood”, “Major Crimes”, and “Flight”) with Gill stuck somewhere in this sexy love triangle. Johnny Gill said, “It’s a blessing and I am so grateful that everyone, the people who have had a chance to listen to the song, the reaction has been overwhelming and that’s a great sign of things to come. The album itself is just beyond solid and when I say solid I mean just great music that’s all I did. I know that people hear that stuff all the time when you’re trying to sell your record, but this is by far just amazing. Just listen to it. You don’t even have to buy it right away. Have someone that you know play it for you. Just listen and you’ll hear it. I kept true to what my roots are and that is R&B. R&B music is still at its best.” He has recently toured again on the All Six Tour this past summer with New Edition and original member Bobby Brown, even featuring a song on Game Changer titled “This One’s For Me and You” with the group, a first song from the group together in years. In prior years he branched off to form Heads Of State with group members Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant. “It’s crazy, but it’s fun, everything has been going so great. We’ve been having a wonderful, WONDERFUL time so I’m just taking in 31 years [in the industry] and it still feels so fun and so great. We’re all grateful and we’re blessed,” said Gill of his recent tour with New Edition. “Bobby has been good. He’s really been working hard. He gets winded and misses a few steps here and there, but he’s hanging in there and meeting up with the challenges that we’ve given him and every other task at hand.” Towards the fall of this year, Johnny Gill took to Jamaica to perform in the massive island concert series, Fun In The Sun, which consisted of several pioneering acts of 80s and 90s music such as Peabo Bryson, Regina Bell, and his past LSG group member Keith Sweat. With old school music being a popular in international cultures, many fans were elated to see him perform. “I love Johnny Gill! It was a good time! Especially to want to hear him sing my favorite songs. ‘Half Crazy’ tears down the place when it plays,” said
Jamaican native, Patria Brown who attended the concert. Although his album was released on the same day as rapper J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which under minor promotion or lead singles has received rave reviews, Gill has much respect and understanding for up and coming artists and the new era of R&B music with artists such as Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and the newly hip hop style R&B artists like August Alsina, which he shines a light on as ‘just old school music with new school emphasis.’ Gill fights to stay organic to his roots while recognizing modern music. “You just have to keep doing what you do and be you. That is the beauty of music. Music is a form of art so it is not a definite that people will receive it the same or like it. There will be people who like it and there will be others that don’t,” said Gill. “It is a form of art and should always be respected. The artists are expressing themselves whether I agree or disagree, that’s them expressing who they are and I’ve learned to respect that and that’s what we have to do in music and with art.” With endless hits, music group phenomenons, a unique sound, perfect steps, and a signature style that only he can pull off, Johnny Gill has stayed prevalent over the years. Though he has experienced financial missteps, been the target of malicious rumors, and has fallen under the radar due to an influx of talent over the past decades, he has always worked to hold his own and stay true to the artist that he is. He emulates the raw nature of the R&B music that we all know too well, especially our mothers. “I have to stay true to who Johnny Gill is. R&B music is still here and alive. It’s not given the level of respect that it deserves but you know what, we as artists will continue to keep fighting and continue to keep doing what we are suppose to do to continue to carry that legacy and continue to carry the banner for that because that is where all rhythm and blues starts from, has started from, and all other genres of music have come to be from...true soul and R&B, that rhythm and blues. I’m just going to continue to do what I do, to stay in my lane, and continue to do what I do best,” said Gill. He has not only evolved within the music game, he has been a lead in its process. That’s why Johnny Gill is a Game Changer and he will continue to give us that “Perfect Combination” of rhythm and blues that we love. Gill said, “It is what it is and I will continue to keep doing what I am doing!”
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
PHOTO: BY DEREK HIGHTOWER STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
The
Devonchee DESIGN Code \
The Future of Fashion Depicted Through Abstract Henna Tattoos & Stylized Holographic Clothing Chips in Year 2044.
By Etta East With technology enhancing and providing numerous platforms for indie and mainstream designers alike, luxury designer and stylist Devonchee has embarked on a mission to take fashion to a whole new height that goes beyond your typical fabric and sewing machine. His idea not only revolutionizes fashion, but it gives way to a new practical strategy that may help to prevent shoplifting and lighten the load on your closet rack. Devonchee hopes to reshape fashion and take advantage of technology’s support. Behold the holographic clothing chip in year 2044. “I am forecasting the shape of fashion in 2044. I have been in the fashion industry for 25 years and I have watched the industry go through different levels and transformations. What we are looking
forward to in the future is that there will become a time when we will no longer be using fabrics and silhouettes. [Fashion] will basically just be holograms,” said Devonchee. “There will be chips that you will have to buy to actually wear holographic clothing on your body. So at that age you will be looking at no fabrics. You will go to the store to buy your dress, get the chip, put it in, and the clothes will automatically appear on [your body]. That is what I predict for the future of fashion and what is being depicted in this shoot today.” A student of the Parsons School Of Design in New York, and a 25 year fashion industry veteran, Devonchee has seen everything in the fashion industry. Early on in his career he went on to study couture fashion and design intelligence in Paris where he has worked the last 15 to 20 years back and forth to the U.S. in the fashion industry. PHOTO: BY DEREK HIGHTOWER STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
PHOTO: BY DEREK HIGHTOWER STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
During his career, he has delved in event planning, fashion styling, creative directing, designing, and sculpting of his muse into the designers’ creation.
the global retail industry over $128 Billion coming from $744 Billion in sales in 24 countries and from 222 retailers in 2013.
Hailing from the country of Jamaica and venturing off to Europe for influence and education, Devonchee gained a new found respect and appreciation for the art and began to explore all that fashion had to provide in a city made for fashion enthusiasts and lovers - Paris.
Devonchee shares that Fashion & Merchandising will be a whole new industry including decreased levels of shoplifting, increased security, and tracking of purchased and unpurchased items on the chip. The only question would be how would that adhere to customer privacy if these transactions were tracked? Chips have been used to track animals, machines, and most recently humans as of 2014 where the first human, a Swedish woman, received a microchip implant in her hand to get access to her office. However we have yet to discover chips used for clothing.
“It [Paris, France] is one of my favorite cities in the world. It was the place that I made my break and some great people invested in me. I’ve touched a little of Milan, Amsterdam, now I’m in Atlanta. It’s unbelievable! This shoot and everything along with the launch of the Oscar De La Renta Memorial, the launch of my website, F.A.M.E. [The Experience] Magazine...just Wow!” During his shoot with F.A.M.E., Devonchee used sheer wrappings, henna, sheer ropes, and bold and shiny make-up to depict his overall vision of fashion in 2044, which he is looking to take to Australia sometime next year. “All of this work that we are doing tonight and all that we are talking about. it’s my next move. I will be going on the other side of the world to Port Douglas, Australia to present this work. That is the battle ground for the wealthy so I will see what happens there.” Fashion in year 2044 will not only be convenient and technology driven, it will be secure and beneficial to stores, authorities, and individuals looking to protect their beloved items from theft and to be able to track them and have them returned. According to the latest Global Theft Barometer The Shrink, between shoplifting, employee theft, administrative errors, and supplier fraud, these cost
Devonchee hopes to gain the respect and legacy of one of his fashion inspirations, the late great Oscar De La Renta. “Oscar De La Renta did 60 or 70 years. I’m in my 25th year and it has been an amazing ride and an amazing experience. The exposure has been amazing,” said Devonchee. “Moving in to the futuristic age, I just want to say RIP to Oscar De La Renta one of the shapers and creatives of this industry that has inspired me during the duration of his life. I just want to show the world what 2044 has to offer.” With the recent economic crisis and racial tension, Devonchee warns up-and-coming designers and stylists to be cautious and prepared for the inevitable, especially the African American fashion community. “We’re a dime a dozen. [Sponsors] and money in America are not that available, sales commissions are at an all time low, and According to the latest Global Theft Barometer The Shrink, between shoplifting, employee theft, administrative errors, and
supplier fraud, these cost the global retail industry over $128 Billion coming from $744 Billion in sales in 24 countries and from 222 retailers in 2013. Devonchee shares that Fashion & Merchandising will be a whole new industry including decreased levels of shoplifting, increased security, and tracking of purchased and unpurchased items on the chip. The only question would be how would that adhere to customer privacy if these transactions were tracked? Chips have been used to track animals, machines, and most recently humans as of 2014 where the first human, a Swedish woman, received a microchip implant in her hand to get access to her office. However we have yet to discover chips used for clothing. Devonchee hopes to gain the respect and legacy of one of his fashion inspirations, the late great Oscar De La Renta.
[the prejudice], and give love. [Prejudice and race] is not an excuse. You must give love to reciprocate it so that whoever comes along your path doesn’t have a choice but to embrace your creativity and embrace what you have to give to humanity,” said Devonchee. Devonchee also touched on how technology is driving fashion and other careers in a whole new direction from social media marketing to push your brand to such start up companies like GoFundMe and KickStarter to help fund your projects. This influx causes more and more people to draw towards a certain career to gain success, credibility, and more money. Devonchee’s advice to young fashion enthusiasts and designers who are trying to break into the industry is to “Be true to what you do and love your lane. If you love what you do, do not worry about the money because the money will come.”
“Oscar De La Renta did 60 or 70 years. I’m in my 25th year and it has been an amazing ride and an amazing experience. The exposure has been amazing,” said Devonchee. “Moving in to the futuristic age, I just want to say RIP to Oscar De La Renta one of the shapers and creatives of this industry that has inspired me during the duration of his life. I just want to show the world what 2044 has to offer.”
Devonchee said, “After 25 years, I am waking up doing what I love and want to do but I am not saying that there are no obstacles along the way. I had to divert my attention away because in the heart of the design world there is a reality and sometimes the industry just doesn’t feed you. It’s such a dog eat dog world. When you create your possibility and put it out into the universe, stay in your lane, and be true to the game...life shows up.”
With the recent economic crisis and racial tension, Devonchee warns up-and-coming designers and stylists to be cautious and prepared for the inevitable, especially the African American fashion community.
Devonchee is a pioneer and an innovator in the fashion industry. He not only has used his struggles and upbringing to fuel him, but he shows that no matter your background, the obstacles in your way, or the present status of your career, that there is always room for growth and the world still has room for creativity. Fashion is moving forward in a new technical light. From ‘the worlds first ever flying dress’, a high tech hover craft named Volantis, produced by Lady Gaga, engineers, and London based design agency Studio XO in 2013 to the holographic fashion chip to be produced by Devonchee by 2044, research and technology prove positively beneficial and there are no boundaries to the lengths of creativity. Devonchee leaves no room for failure and lives life by a motto that a veteran could teach a newbie. He encourages young artists to “Just dream...just dream!” “Heart, sex, and spirituality is my personal motto. My motto for life is only that the fittest will survive and when I say the fittest of the fittest will survive I mean just to keep at what you are doing. Because when you allow your dreams to die, life becomes less about living. Dream until you die, and do what you do until they cover your body with dirt and that is a wrap!” Devonchee on IG,TW,FB devonchee@gmail.com
“We’re a dime a dozen. [Sponsors] and money in America are not that available, sales commissions are at an all time low, and it just really is a struggling time for artists right now,” said Devonchee. “There are a lot of great cities around the world like Australia that are really booming for the industry with a great economy and an influx of creative people that are gravitating there. They have an attitude and people always ask me about going to Australia as a Black Designer because they are so prejudice but where in the world are they not prejudice towards black people?” He sheds light on a topic that runs deeper than the media or even fashion. It is in our own communities, in our own homes and in our own mental way of living. “What we need to understand as black people is that our black is a reality and all that comes with it in this industry is a reality but you have to conquer
PHOTO: BY DEREK HIGHTOWER STYLED AND DESIGNED BY DEVONCHEE
CALL OR EMAIL US NOW FOR A FREE 15 MIN DESIGN AND MARKETING PROMOTIONAL CONSULTATION 404. 585. 8182 OR INFO@ROYALFLUSHSTUDIOS.COM
HEART Universal Music Artist
HAYS
Taps Into Her Native Roots & Gives Us Tribal POP
By: Etta East Let your feathers spread in the club as you jam out to Famous Fontana/Universal Music Group artist Heart Hays’ new genre of tribally hip, bubble gum teen, yet culturally empowering music called Tribal POP. As a Texan grown native and a Los Angeles grinding artist, Hays has a passion for music that leads her to not only sing, but to be a songwriter. She debuted her song “Straight for the Heart”
PHOTOS BY TRAVIS CHRISTIAN
and a video, which received over 400,000 views on YOUTUBE about a year ago, which caught the attention of commercial agency GODiy Music who soon picked it up. This video has also been featured on MTV.COM and has gone viral worldwide. She has also collaborated on a cover with singer Trevor Page on the hit duet ballad “Say Something” by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera to much success from fans on the internet. Hays has worked on her latest club anthem “Native In The Club”, which encourages us to be in our natural element and to enjoy yourself when you are out living life and in love. It also takes on Native American heritage with sacred chanting in the hook of the song performed by Grammy finalist & Native American Music Award Winner Jimmy Lee Young. “I can’t do the chanting since I am not 100 percent Native American, so I just sing ‘Native’ during that part and sing out the rest of the song,” explained Hays. Because Hays is half Native American and half German, Native American laws restrict her from performing the chant. However, much respect to her heritage, she blows you away with her vocals throughout the duration of the
song. This past fall, Hays embarked on a Southwest and Southeast tour promoting her single “Native In The Club” from California to Florida even stopping in Atlanta in October and performing at such famous digs as Apache Café, which is the starting point and perfect platform for up and coming artists of all genres in the city. She has worked on songs such as “Straight For the Heart” and will be working on her latest album with award winning producers Bud’da, who has worked with famous acts such as Ice Cube, Snoop Dog, and Aaliyah and Grammy winning sound engineer “Segal” who has worked with everyone including Eminem, Britney Spears, Green Day, and even rap mogul Jay-Z. Hays is more than her name “Heart” because she has a lot of it. To benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy and the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, she got the opportunity to work with Grammy winner Charlie Paakkari and with several Irvine Young Concert artists in a live recording with the symphony at Capital Records. She has also performed for Safe Passage’s 14th Annual Gala supporting domestic violence survivors. For
all of her philanthropy work through music, Hays received a certificate of recognition for “Outstanding Community Service” from Senator Joel Anderson of California. She has been an opening act for the legendary Temptations at the Beverly Hills Hotel and has performed for her Native American community at the Pechanga Pow-Wow to celebrate Native American culture, which is a first for a pop artist. Hays recently penned song “Got Your Back” is produced by multi platinum and Billboard award winning producer Andrew Lane. Lane has worked with such acts as popular 2000’s boy band, The Backstreet Boys and sexy 90’s R&B crooner Keith Sweat. He is also well known for his work on popular Disney movie soundtracks like “High School Musical”.
CASSANDRA
POWELL
On Being Unconventional, Her REVOLUTION in Modern Theatre, Educating the Youth, & Why BLOOD WATER is Her Most Compelling Work Yet! By: Etta East
Wearing many hats can cause chaos, but playwright Cassandra Powell does it with ease and finesse - enough to make everybody in town rock five hats or more. See this Renaissance woman is not only a playwright, she is an actress, director and the head of the theatre company backing her productions. Being an African American woman in the industry can be tough, but Powell defies the typical stereotypes. Powell pens amazing timepieces that many can relate and learn from. Her first play is the sultry, distressing yet upbeat Storyville Blues, which had its latest premiere this summer at the Midtown International Theatre Festival in
New York. Her second play is the deep-rooted and heart wrenching Blood Water, which she premiered May 25th at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Atlanta. And the soon to come to life Indigo, from looking at Powell’s prior pieces, will be sure to please. Her work is culture binding, strong and universal. Her pieces are verbal and can be felt so exact that it draws you into that time and the characters’ life. In this interview, Powell, an Alabama native and Atlanta bred artist, shares her passion, history, future artistic plans, and she breaks down how to make it in this industry. She also shares how enriching her culture is key, and the sacrifice that it takes in believing in your own self-
worth. Bravo Ms. Powell or shall I say BRAVA! check out more of the conversation by visiting fametheexperience.com
Ten Things You Should Know if the Police Stops You By Choo Jones 1. Carry your identification on you! If an officer stops you and you have no identification it raises a red flag and creates suspicion. 2. Keep calm no matter how you are approached! Be respectful and compliant. Unfortunately there are some police officers expecting you to be combative and become violent because it gives them a reason to arrest you. Maintain a respectful disposition and no matter how the conversation goes with the officer, be compliant. During a stop is not the time
to fight your case. You can do that later in court. No matter what the officer may say to you, try your best to remain calm. The officer is still in authority and if it comes down to you vs the police, the police will always have the upper hand. 3. Don’t say, “I know my rights!” Saying this may cause the officer to become defensive. 4. If you see that the officer is going to be hostile, ask to make a call to your parents or to a lawyer! If you don’t feel comfort-
able asking and can safely record the conversation do so. If you are unable to record, dial 911 as a means to have the incident recorded. 5. Memorize the officer’s name and shield number, so that a formal complaint can be made against that officer for harassment or false arrest after the stop is over. 6. Anything you say or do may be used against you in the court of law, even if said in casual conversation. Don’t wait until you’re about to get arrested to start adhering to this. Have this in your mind from the start of your conversation with the police. The only questions you HAVE to answer are name and address. When asked other questions, always provide a concise and direct response. Do not offer any extra details or deviate from the answer. Phrases like “I don’t know” or “I wasn’t aware” are always good to avoid self-incrimination. 7. Do not touch an officer and do not run. Running is suspicious and touching an officer makes you a threat. 8. You do not have to consent to a search of your person, vehicle or your home. Officers ARE NOT allowed to search your person without your consent. They are only supposed to do a pat down or a frisk for the safety of the officer and other citizens who may be nearby. The only way an officer can search your car is if they have a search warrant or if there is Probable Cause. Probable cause means police must have some facts or evidence to believe you’re involved in criminal activity. Items in plain view may give police probable cause needed for a search. 9. You have the right to ask why you are being stopped AND to ask if you are free to go. The officer must have a reason for stopping you. If they say you are not free to go, you can ask if you are under arrest. If you are told you are under arrest, you can say you have nothing further to say until you speak to your attorney. 10. Before making any written or oral statement to the police, make sure you have an attorney present.
KNOWING your rights, KNOWING what draws negative attention to yourself, KNOWING what can or can’t cause an officer to arrest you, and KNOWING what can be done to protect yourself are all essential for our survival. Everyone should be educated about the system and their rights. Knowledge is power! We have to learn to use our minds instead of using ignorance & violence to fight back against the system. “There are but two powers in the world, the sword and the mind. In the long run the sword is always beaten by the mind.” - Napoleon Bonaparte Notes from NYPD Officer, Officer X* & Former NYPD Officer, Retired New York City Corrections Officer, Officer Q* and the Davis Boazman Law Firm