September 2016
Spectacular Magazine
2017 WOMEN OF THE YEAR SEMI-FINALISTS
FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE! FOUR AREA COACHES & THEIR PROGRAMS
SPECTACULAR
MAGAZINE
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LAQUAN PANKEY TIA SCALES Spectacular Magazine enlightens, empowers and entertains with news, features, columns, commentaries and calendars. Spectacular Magazine is published monthly and distributed free in Durham, Wake, Orange, Granville, Vance and Person counties. DEADLINE FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS IS THE 25TH OF EACH MONTH. CONTACT US: info@spectacularmag.com or by mail: P.O. Box 361 Durham, NC 27702 919.680.0465
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IN THIS ISSUE Vol. II, Issue IX
Ballin’ Out Commentary Cover Story Community Health Editorial Entertainment FEATURES Coach Tim Chavous Coach Adrian jones Coach Jerry Mack Coach Scottie Montgomery Fall TV Shows To Watch Shaw Alum Celeste Beatty Women of Year Semi-Finalists The Media Effect From The Publisher’s Desk Health & Beauty Lifestyles News Briefs Out & About Samantha’s Infinite Solutions Sports
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EDITORIAL
From The Publisher’s Desk...
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Phyllis Coley Phyllis Coley CEO/Publisher
pcoley@spectacularmag.com
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OUT & ABOUT
THE DURHAM COMMITTEE ON THE AFFAIRS OF BLACK PEOPLE FOUNDERS’ DAY BANQUET DURHAM, NC - The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People (DCABP), Inc. held its 81st Founders’ Day Banquet on Saturday, August 27 at the Durham Convention Center. Roland Martin, author, journalist, and host of TV One’s daily news show “NewsOne Now,” was the keynote speaker. Radio One’s Brian Dawson and Karen Clark were the hosts for the evening. Two Durham stalwarts in the fight for racial justice and equality were honored: Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, a legend of Durham grassroots community work, and the Honorable Charles Becton, the former Chancellor of North Carolina Central University and former North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge. (Photos: Greg Coats)
Annie Clement accept award for late husband longtime Durham City Councilman Howard Clement
Hosts Radio One’s Brian Dawson & Karen Clark
Keynote Speaker Roland Martin
Congressman G. K. Butterfield
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SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
40TH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
DURHAM, NC – On Saturday Sept. 17th, Shepard Memorial Lodge #840 & Star of Hope Chapter #659 Order of Eastern Star held their 40th Annual Awards Banquet at the Grand Lodge Building in downtown Durham. NC Democratic Leader Larry Hall served as keynote speaker. (Photos: Greg Coats)
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COMMENTARY TRUMP’S GOT GAME By Dr. Ada Fisher In my 50 plus years of voting, I have never seen a politician take it to the Black Community and tell us what we needed to hear rather than what they think will get them our votes. The most honest political statement made to the black community, was made by Donald J. Trump in asking “What in the hell have you got to lose?”
disproportionately affects minority communities. His 1986 prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor has also been given to Rosa Parks and Muhammed Ali which supports his belief that we can build on diversity which we understand and support. Before he decided to run for President of the USA, his real estate controversial stances were seen as the cost of doing business not racism. In their day, reportedly Sammy Davis Jr. and Bill Cosby had properties in New York which they wouldn’t rent to blacks but no one called them racists.
Though the harsh edges did burn, the reality is that too many black communities are represented by Democrats who haven’t moved the dial on poverty rates, crime, jobs, educational success, entitlement increases or other parameters which would point to a healthy economic environment and an increase in self-sufficiency. Where are our black businesses?
The most racist, sexist and ethnically biased candidate is actually Hilary Clinton and her husband-in-chief, Bill Clinton. During her presidential campaign against Barack Obama the coated racism was evident and apparent for anyone with good hearing and visual support. She stated repeatedly her then only mantra being Obama didn’t have the experience and inferred connections to be President of the USA.
The many attempts to paint Trump as racist just lacks credibility. Trump has worked to include blacks into corporate America as witnessed by his upper management staff of African Americans and women. He has been an opponent of the Transpacific Partnership and other trade deals which ship jobs out of this nation and
Obama stated Hillary wasn’t qualified to be president of the USA. I take them both at their words on that. Their major rag against Trump is that he has no experience which belies their pimping of government provided resources to politically make their Obama/Clinton way.
Blacks who dare entertain the notion of Bill Clinton being the first Black President aren’t hearing an insult when it is made, for this presupposed that whites know best what blacks should believe and be. That the Clintons were the architect of the three strikes you’re jailed legislation which imprisoned over 100,000 men of color, many of whom hadn’t committed violent offenses, speaks volumes about how they view us. This kind of effort is contributory to the violence against black men internally and externally. This fear of black men is a precursor to the belief that Black lives don’t matter and was compounded by her referring to young African Americans as “Super predators” who “need to be brought to heel.” Why is this is no different from Hillary’s accusation of xenophobia against immigrants by Republican? The sexism of Hillary in not fighting against human trafficking in nations we are to do business with or putting Bill out to pasture for his repeated sexual indiscretions says she is an enabler. Turning ones head the other way when young women in Africa are captured by warring tribes and used as slaves as well as sexual pawns is a travesty, but Hillary Clinton didn’t take a forceful stand for these black women. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice…says we’ll be the fools
OP-ED SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
if we buy it. When Pence enters a black barbershop for a haircut without telling them who he is or what he is about, it speaks volumes to Republicans willingness to go where many have never gone before. When Trump enters a Black church in Detroit without the trappings of inside connections so often provided to Democratic candidates, it is both political and speaking to his willingness to make a difference. When Trump sits at the table with Union Leaders and explains how our trade deals have undermined their jobs as well as our national security, he may finally be on the heels of waking up America. The vested interest from the media, to the lobbyist, to entrenched politicians are fighting Trump eye, tooth and nail. These adversaries know that a Trump Presidency will disrupt both their easy money flow and access to power based simply on money. For Republicans standing with Trump/ Pence, it is about National Security and the economy. If this makes us deplorable, count me in. Dr. Ada M. Fisher is a physician, retired Fortune 500 Company Medical Director, licensed teacher in secondary education—Mathematics and Science, former School Board Member, as well as the NC Republican National Committee Woman. Contact her at P. O. Box 777; Salisbury,
Spectacular Magazine accepts opinion articles on any topic, not only policy, politics or government. If it’s opinionated and you believe our readers will find it worth reading, please submit it. Submissions of any length will be considered but the more concise the better chance it will be selected for print. All submissions must be original, and exclusive to Spectacular Magazine. We will not consider articles that have already been published, in any form, in print or online. Submissions may be sent in either of these ways: By e-mail to: opinion@spectacularmag.com Or by mail to: Spectacular Magazine Opinion Page P.O. Box 361 Durham, NC 27702 Submission must include your full name, address and phone number.
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WHY CLINTON STILL TRUMPS TRUMP WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN By Michelle Laws Growing up in a low-income, all-black neighborhood in a predominantly affluent, white, Southern college town, card games like Spades (and for the adults Bid Whiz or poker) were fun ways to spend our free time. My aunt Janice and I were good partners in Spades, although she was, by far, the best player I have ever witnessed play the game, along with my mother and grandmother, who actually preferred Bid Whiz. (My mother to this day travels throughout the Southeast playing in tournaments.) In each of these games the keys to winning are sizing up your opponent, assessing your hand and the odds of winning, and using your wit and skill to turn a relatively bad hand into a
winning hand. When assessing what Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton would bring to the table as POTUS in terms of improving the future for American women, children, and families, Clinton by far has the better hand.
women’s intelligence and a mockery of our lived experiences when men put forth either a woman they have literally or figuratively been in bed with (or in Ivanka’s case procreated) and tell the public “see, I like women.” Of course you like THOSE women and will look out for their best interest, but what about all the other women? You know, the women that Trump doesn’t think are attractive, or who are disabled, or who are immigrants (with the exception of course of two of his three wives) or who are mothers who work outside of the home (again with the exception of course, those who are working to protect Trump’s legacy and great fortune).
I find it both amusing and offensive when I hear Trump or his surrogates boast that Trump has a proven record of opening doors for women in the male-dominated business world, using as his star witness or example his daughter Ivanka. For most people outside of Trump’s twilight zone, investing in one’s child or promoting your daughter is not noteworthy nor is it a noble act. After all, generational transference of wealth and opportunities to get wealth is one Despite all of her flaws and the of the major ways in which wealth is charges that, as a wife Hillary Clinton accumulated and hoarded. was “nasty” to the women who were allegedly (and in some cases The fact that Trump’s children, one of verifiably) having “sexual relations” whom happens to be a woman, are at with her husband, I as a married, the top helping to lead and protect working, African-American woman his empire is NOT evidence of Trump born and reared in the South am still having a glowing track record of going to take my chances with her promoting women’s equality. hand. In fact it is an insult to most working
Clinton’s record – standing up to
protect poor and sick children by advancing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (a health safety net for children today), dedicating her life’s work to fighting for the poor and against injustice, recognizing as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., did that injustice in any form anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and in every guise – shows where her moral compass is set. For the record, I admire Ivanka Trump as a powerful and obviously brilliant public relations expert and business woman. She is an asset to her father’s campaign. But she isn’t running (and truthfully perhaps if she were I might have a harder time making my decision in November). But since Trump’s only good card isn’t on the ballot my choice is clear. Women can and will win with Hillary Clinton. Michelle Laws is the former executive director of the N.C. State Conference of the NAACP and a longtime women and human rights activist from Chapel Hill. N. D. B. Connolly is an assistant professor of history at Johns Hopkins University and the author of “A World More Concrete: Real Estate and the Remaking of Jim Crow South Florida.”
DECISION TIME By Brad Thompson, Sr. Over the next two months we will be bombarded by electronic messages delivered by social media or television that tell how bad Trump or Clinton is and why a selection of one or the other will lead to the destruction of America. While I have a preference for one of the candidates, the truth is neither candidate is perfect. The bombastic Trump has a record of speaking without thinking. He has consistently said things that are shocking and easily cast him as a person who is very insensitive. From his questioning of Obama’s citizenship, to his questioning the courage of prisoners of war, his
plan to banish Mexicans and build a wall, his distrust of judges who are not “American”, his professing not knowing David Duke, his inspiration for his followers to attack those who disagree, his relying upon trash media to form his views – all of these situations have created a political campaign unlike one we have seen before. It is perplexing that many voters consistently support a person who was born to wealth and who is a billionaire as a person who can represent the aspirations of the “average” American. Maybe there are things more important than experience but except for being a businessman who has made a lot of money (sometimes exploiting others and the law) the Donald doesn’t seem to have it. Hillary, on the other hand, has quite a record of governmental accomplishment. Her services as First Lady, US Senator from NY, and Secretary of State have been stellar.
She is not responsible for the “sins” of Bill - governing is about doing the right thing for the people of America, even if the person is flawed. Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush and even Barack Obama are not perfect people.
make it better through inclusion and fairness for all. It is often said that this election is the most important one in American history. It may be true that the most important election is the next one. The 4-H club has a motto “to make the best better”. That seems a fitting direction for the country.
That being said, it is troubling that the email controversy lingers. It can also be said that granting access to donors and capitalizing on prominence for big pay days lead to questions about integrity that continue to dog her record of achievement. It seems that Hillary has some ‘splaining to do.
As we seek in the next few weeks to make a decision on which candidate is best to cast our vote for, I hope we will consider the candidate that can make us a better country. Brad Thompson is the former President of BTA Public and Governmental Relations, a small consulting firm located in Raleigh, North Carolina. He can be reached at bttsr@aol.com.
It is up to us to sort this out and choose who is best for everybody in this country. Does “making America great again” ring true for you? Or, do you believe we are on course for improvement as we continue the policies of Obama? Can America be made better by retuning to principles of yesteryear or must we continue to
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COVER STORY
FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE! Four Area Coaches & Their Programs
Y
ou hear the roar of the crowd wash over your ears…you feel the bass of the drums beating in your heart…you smell the freshly cut grass and the popcorn popping. That could only mean one thing; football season is here!
Ever since I was young, I have always been attending football games on a consistent basis. My older cousins played and they inspired me to take the field as well. I was not lucky enough to sustain a football career, but that was primarily due to my focus on my success with lacrosse. Last year, I was blessed to become the head lacrosse coach of Sanderson High School men’s lacrosse team. It is going in to my fourth year coaching at Sanderson, and for the past several seasons, I have been looking to several local coaches for guidance. While lacrosse may be my favorite sport, football has always had a special place in my heart (my Dad was quarterback at Durham High School back in the day). No matter how many times you hit a guy, sportsmanship and gamesmanship is put on display because there are lessons to be taught. Two lessons that I learned were that football is just a game and life is bigger than just that moment. From the outside looking in, you might just see the violence and describe the game as barbaric, but you have to realize that those guys are humans and that they feel emotions too. There are often times where I see football players shaking hands or embracing each other after one has usually made a good hit on the other, and that’s the beauty of the sport. There were coaches that really impacted my life growing up. Football taught me discipline, compassion for the next man, and to be my brother’s keeper. Let’s take a look at my four local coaches and learn a little bit more about them and their respective programs.
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EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
SCOTTIE MONTGOMERY but they go together. He was just a very organized person and very detailed inside of his organization. That would be the one thing I would say Coach has been very helpful with for me. We always worked on the schedule and we are always on an itinerary, every day. It is not like we have a day where we don’t plan to get work done and actually get that work done. So that’s what I have learned from him.
LD: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome so far as a new head coach? SM: The first thing you realize as a head coach is that you finally don’t coach a position and that you get lonely. When I end the team meetings and everybody gets up and goes in to their position rooms, I get really lonely because I miss getting to coach the quarterbacks and having your own room. Now, I guess the building is my room now so that would be the one thing that I have had to overcome.
Lawrence Davis (LD): What is one major thing you have learned from Coach Cutcliffe that has helped you in
your first months as a head coach? Scottie Montgomery (SM): Detail and organization…you say one thing
offense, he understands the offense, and he is doing a much better job of understanding his personnel. He has been a lot more polished, the more and more practice he gets, the more polished he is becoming. LD: Conditioning and discipline are always key points for any team, why will it be important to your Pirates? SM: Physical conditioning precedes anything else; a man that is tired will become a coward a lot quicker. Fatigue will make a coward out of us all. So as far as conditioning, we have to be able to play in the first, second, third, and fourth quarter and then like we’ve done in past places I have coached, three and four overtimes are sometimes needed to win. Conditioning in the fourth quarter will be among the top of my list this year. Usually, we like to say conditioning and discipline together like one and two. Talking about discipline, discipline is a way of life. It does not start or stop when you enter or exit the building. Your discipline has to be on point and discipline helps us coach and teach winning as a value, rather than trying to just walk on a football field and win a game. So with discipline, that will always be a key point for us and will be very important moving forward. LD: On defense, how do you replace leaders like CB Josh Hawkins, LB Montese Overton, and LB Zeke Biggers (NFL) on the field? SM: I love those guys, man! Whenever they are in town, I get a chance to watch them work. So the way we plan on replacing them is just by committee. I think we have some great talent but young talent, so I am hesitant to give them too much praise at this point in time. They have to suit up, go to war, and battle like guys like Josh, Montese, and Zeke. They have not done that yet but we just have to go do that. We believe we have the talent at our outside linebacker position, at the [inside] linebacker position, and in our secondary to do just that. We have been blessed with our recruiting to be able to put a couple of guys out there that people may not necessarily know about right now. We plan on trying to do it by committee. Those have been three hard guys to replace and I would love for them to hear me say thank you so much for all that they have done and given to the program.
LD: How is your quarterback competition coming along? Is Phil Nelson a clear favorite? SM: I have to say [Nelson] was pretty good when the first day of practice started. So for us to say he’s getting better, he’s this, or he is getting the ball out in 2.65 seconds, or whatever, he was already a good football player when we got him. He has progressed in the S. MONTGOMERY CONTINUES ON PAGE 12
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S. MONTGOMERY CONTINUES
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LD: How important is special teams in a football game? How important is it that you have very key guys (Gregory - P, Plowman - K, and Johnson – KR) coming back to make an impact on special teams? SM: Well I can tell you how important special teams are in a game. It is the only one play in football that can be an entire series. You can take one play and it can change an entire game, one play. People will tell me that you can do it several ways, but you tell me of a play that averages 45 yards per play and I will say wow, that’s what a punt could do as well. I will also say that it is important to us here at East Carolina. We spend one practice of about an hour and a half to go over every single situation that may occur on special teams. A lot of people do not do that, but how in the world can you be prepared for every situation if you do not give it the same amount of time as you give to your offense and defense? So it is a very important part of the game. Field position is something that people will talk about a lot, but it is much more than just field position. It is great to have Davis [Plowman] back; it is always good going to a team where their specialists are coming back. You are not worrying or wondering things. We have had competitions but those guys have earned their roles and we are happy to have them back to make an impact on special teams. We are not guessing on what they are going to do because they have had time spent in the stadium. I just want for those guys [punter Worth Gregory & kicker Davis Plowman] whenever they hit a stadium, no matter which stadium, that we get the same product every time; that’s excellent work always. It is like ordering a number one meal. Everywhere in the country, you can go and order a number one meal and you will know what that is, that is how I would like to be with my specialist. LD: What has been the most rewarding moment in your coaching career? SM: Wow, there has been a lot. The biggest, most rewarding moment is when a kid I coached graduates, has kids and/or is married, and he comes back and we get a chance to sit in my house or in my office and they are sitting there, bouncing their two yearold on his lap, and the wife is sitting beside them, that they are God-fearing men, they have done things the right way during their career and they are trying to raise a child. They will say something to their child that I have said to them, that had been passed to me, that a coach said to me to help my life. That HAS to be the most rewarding moment in my coaching career, by far.
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Durham Assets and Opportunity Network: Lunch & Learn Sessions A program of Durham Regional Financial Center, a North Carolina Lead Agency
October 18, 2016
John White
Vice President , Public Policy Durham Chamber of Commerce John is the full-time lobbyists for the Chamber and its members, overseeing legislative matters at the local, state and federal levels of government. To help keep Chamber members informed, he staffs two Chamber committees: the Local, State and Federal Government Committee along with the Transportation Committee. John also works very closely with community nonprofits, Durham City and County, as well as representatives from local universities and college.
December 13, 2016
Andrea Harris
Senior Fellow, The Institute Andrea Harris is co-founder of the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development. She has lead a movement to promote and grow small businesses, especially those owned by women and racial/ethnic minorities as a means of building the asset base in limited resource communities. Her leadership has resulted in major public policies and private sector initiatives to grow and expand accept to market opportunities, capital, and executive education, training, and managerial support. Over the past three years alone, financial transactions for minority businesses alone exceeded $100 million making North Carolina a leader in the south.
The Durham Assets & Opportunity Network is a movement-oriented group of advocates, practitioners, policymakers and other working to expand the reach and deepen the impact of asset-based strategies. Network members are on the frontlines of advocacy, coalition building and service delivery. For more information contact www.drfcenter.org or call 919-688-3381.
Lunch & Learn Sessions are held from 11:30 am-12:30pm, includes light lunch, guest speaker/presentation and networking opportunity. M & F Corporate Center 2634 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd. Auditorium (lower level) Sponsored by:
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
NCCU HEAD COACH
JERRY MACK senior season. He wants to leave a legacy at North Carolina Central University, to be one of the best quarterbacks to ever walk through those doors. So he is doing a lot of great things from a studying and preparation standpoint that will probably make him successful this year. LD: It seems like there has been a trend of wide receivers that go from the bottom to the top of the depth chart by the end of the season, mostly because of injuries, who might be that diamond in the rough this year and why? JM: We have a host of guys that are really performing well. We have guys like LaVontis Smith; he is doing an excellent job of performing. David Miller is another young man that a lot of people will hear about. Quentin Atkinson is a young man that got hurt last year, but he is back and is healthy, so we are looking forward to those three guys mainly playing at a high level every week. Lawrence Davis (LD): Two straight seasons sharing the MEAC Championship, how do you plan on being the sole holder of the title at the end of the season? Jerry Mack (JM): As a team, we plan on taking it one day at a time. We constantly talk to the guys about how it was last year and the year before. We have to control what we can control and go one game at a time. So we are constantly working every day as a team, trying to improve from game to game and to work out the mistake that
we may have. LD: What intangible ability of Malcolm Bell helps him to be successful for your program? JM: I think Malcolm has become more of a student of the game in the past few years, especially this year going in to his senior season. He has been in the system for two years, with this being his third, and he is understanding exactly what are the expectations from the coaches, and also from his self as well. I think he wants to have a great
LD: How difficult has it been to replace CJ Moore? JM: It has been extremely difficult and I do not believe that you can ever replace a guy like CJ as far as his leadership ability and what he brought to the team as far as the intangibles. From a player standpoint, he has done so many great things for our program on and off of the field that we are constantly looking for a young man like him in our recruiting process. But we have some guys coming in like
the Alden McClellon’s of the world. Davanta Reynolds is another young man that plays safety for us. They are going to be good players in the MEAC conference for years to come. LD: How important is special teams to this program? JM: Extremely! In the last couple of years, the reason why we have been able to have success is because our special teams play has been consistent and played well. Rather that is generating points off of turnovers or changing the momentum of the game, our special teams is always something we have taken pride in. We have some really good returners, we will have Mike Jones back this year. Also we have Lavontis Smith, who had a good year, he was a preseason all-conference selection as a [kickoff] return guy. We got some guys who we feel if we can put it in their hands, they can do damage in the return game. LD: Last year, you went 1-3 to begin the season. What do you think the changing point of the season was? JM: I think after we played after the FIU game, we got hurt. We came back to a bye week and then we had Bethune-Cookman at home. We lost a heartbreaking game that game, but I think the guys really rallied together. They wanted to be successful and knew there were some people that could step up after some key guys were injured. So I think that was huge for us last year as far as rallying around the injuries. LD: How does your non-conference games help build confidence to go on a run in conference play? JM: I think the speed of the game is more than anything. I think with our guys, sometimes through fall ball and the spring, you do not understand how fast the game might flow when you get in a real-life situation. I think playing the Duke’s and the Western Michigan’s of the world allows us to see how fast the tempo is and how was we will need to be in order to have any success or to win football games. LD: If you had to pick up an instrument and join the Sound Machine, what would you play and why? JM: I would probably say the drums. I love the bass and I like to hear the drums when they are coming to the stadium.
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ST. AUGUSTINE’S UNIVERSITY
TIM CHAVOUS
Saint Augustine’s University has removed the interim tag and officially named Tim Chavous as head football coach on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. Chavous coached the Falcons for eight games on an interim basis in the 2015 season. He guided the Falcons to their only victory of the season, a 31-24 win over crosstown rival Shaw University on Nov. 7, 2015. “After his performance as an interim coach during the season, and his relationship with the student-athletes, the committee thought it would be in the best interest of the institution to extend his contract,” Falcons’ Athletic Director George Williams said. Chavous has been with the football program for four seasons, including three full seasons as running backs coach. Under his guidance, standout tailback Roderick Davenport II became the University’s career rushing leader in the modern era this past season, gaining 2,809 yards. Chavous has been the team’s academic coordinator since he arrived at Saint Augustine’s University in 2012. The Falcons have thrived in the classroom under Chavous, winning three consecutive awards for having the highest grade point average among all CIAA football teams. “I would like to thank Coach Williams and President [Everett B.] Ward,” Chavous said. “My goal is to put a competitive team on the field which also excels academically.” Before coming to Saint Augustine’s University, Chavous was an assistant offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Saint Paul’s College from 2005 to 2011. While at Saint Paul’s, Chavous was head baseball coach, admissions recruiter and director of student activities. During his tenure at Saint Paul’s, Chavous coached one All-CIAA rookie player and one 1,000-yard rusher. Chavous was running backs coach at Virginia State from 2003 to 2004. He was a coach and camp coordinator at Virginia during the summers of 2002 to 2004. Chavous was a standout college running back at BethuneCookman where he was a member of the 2001 MEAC championship team. He played two years at Pasadena (Calif.) City College for two years before transferring to Bethune-Cookman. Chavous graduated from Bethune-Cookman with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and recreation in 2002. He earned a master’s degree in education and physical education in 2012 at his alma mater. In high school, Chavous was a four-year starter at running back and linebacker at Lakewood (Fla.) High School. He was all-county at linebacker. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Chavous is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Baseball Coaches Association. He is the proud father of two children, Jaylen and Chela Chavous.
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SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
SHAW UNIVERSITY
ADRIAN JONES
Lawrence Davis (LD): What was the first thing you did after becoming the Head Coach? Adrian Jones (AJ): I started figuring out what players we needed to recruit. The ability to recruit good players is essential to the success of a football program. Thinking about my recruiting strategy on Day 1 was important because I was hired so late in the football year. We were going to have to play catch-up, and I needed to get out there on the recruiting trail. LD: What are some obstacles that a new coach has to handle? AJ: When you come in as a new head coach with a new staff, you have to make sure that you get the team to buy-in to your philosophy. You have to do what you can to get everyone on the same page so that you may move forward as a unit. Also, oftentimes, as we all know, a coach is let go when the program doesn’t win games. If this is the case, and you’re coming into a situation where the players have lost morale because they haven’t been winning games, you have to be intentional about changing the culture and the mindsets of the players to a winning culture and a winning mindset. LD: Defensively, you are losing a tremendous amount of production with your LB’s. Who is looking like the next person who is set to control the middle of the field? AJ: Keelan Jones is a guy that saw a lot of playing time last year so he is one of the guys that we are depending on to do great things. Andrew Cash will also be a guy that we depend on to step it up this year. We also have two freshmen: Sandonte Fuller and Devon Hunt that have shown some greatness early in camp and we expect them to do great things for our program. With help from my Defensive Coordinator and LB Coach, we will make sure that these guys are prepared mentally and physically come game day. LD: What does Bruce Parker Jr. mean to this team? AJ: Bruce means a lot to this football team. He is a lock down corner who can match up with anyone in this league. He has great ball instincts and loves making plays on the ball. He is our starting punt returner, also. Bruce is a great leader on and off the field. He is a remarkable young man. He does so many great things on the field and he is always trying to make the guys coming up behind him better so that when he graduates and is out the door, the next man will be ready to take his place. LD: With Shambry gone, who is battling for the starting quarterback role? AJ: We brought in Timothy Abbott, who is a freshman from Coolidge High School in DC, Darren Downing from Louisburg College, and Carlos Quintero, who is, a JUCO (Jr. College) transfer. Those three guys have been battling for the starting position. As of right now, Timothy Abbott is our starter with Darren Downing close behind him. I feel very confident about the QB position and I expect great things from all three of these guys. LD: Will there be any schematic changes offensively? AJ: We will be a very balanced football team. Shaw football wants to be able to run the ball and throw ball consistently. LD: Who is your favorite superhero? Why? AJ: I am going to go with Superman as my favorite. Superman is the man of steel. He can fly, has x ray vision and has super human strengths. That’s exactly what you need on the football field. You need steel-like focus and determination, the ability to fly to the ball, the ability to see everything happening on the field, and super strength. Every coach wants a Superman, or two, or three, on their team.
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FEATURES
2017
TWENTY-NINE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN EIGHT CATEGORIES WILL BE HONORED OCT. 30TH DURHAM, NC - With a mission to enlighten and empower, Spectacular Magazine will recognize and honor the achievements of African American women with the Spectacular Magazine 2017 Woman of the Year Awards. Twenty-seven African American women in seven categories were selected by the Woman of the Year Selection Committee (Committee) as Semi-Finalists for Spectacular Magazine Woman of the Year Awards. Nine of those women will receive
the title at the Spectacular Magazine Woman of the Year Awards Gala on October 30th held at the Sheraton Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC. (Due to the large number of nominations two awards will be presented in the Community Service and Education category.) The Lifetime Achievement Awardees are Mrs. Eva Clayton, and Mrs. Mildred Council. Nominations were accepted in seven categories along with recommendations for the recipient
of the Lifetime Achievement award. The Spectacular Magazine WOY Awards Gala Committee, based on criteria, selected the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients and narrowed the nominations down to three (3) semi-finalists in each category. Voting open Monday Sept. 26th and will close at midnight Sunday Oct. 9th. Voting is available at www.spectacularmag.com Call 919-680-0465 or visit www. spectacularmag.com for ticket information.
2016
MEET THE SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE 2017 WOMEN OF THE YEAR SEMI-FINALISTS… WOY CONTINUES ON PAGE 18
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WOY CONTINUES
CATEGORY ARTS & CULTURE ANDREA LAWSON
CICELY MITCHELL
KOREN UNDERDUE
Music, Dance & Community Engagement Director, NC Arts Council (Raleigh)
CEO, Art of Cool Project (Durham)
Founder/Chairman, Christ Saves Hearts Foundation, Inc (Raleight)
REV. RACHEL GREEN
PAMELA HESTER
Pastor, Sanctuary of Christ Holy (Durham)
Associate Scientist, Biogen (Durham)
VANDA WILSONWORMACK
DR. C. NICOLE SWINER
THELMA WHITE
Founder/CEO, ePastorsNetwork. com (Durham)
Author/Publisher/ Consultant, Swiner Publishing Company (Durham)
CATEGORY COMMUNITY SERVICE LATICIA NICOLE BEATTY Founder, Speak Life Motivation (Durham)
Community Organizer (Durham)
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WOY CONTINUES
CATEGORY BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GENEVIA GEE FULBRIGHT President/ Chief Operating Officer, Fulbright & Fulbright CPA, PA. (Durham)
VERNESSA HOFFMAN
SARA STEPHENS
Founder, Joey’s Jump Around (Louisburg)
CEO, Hillsborough/ Orange County Chamber of Commerce (Hillsborough)
CATEGORY CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS GLORIA DE LOS SANTOS Director, Action NC and Stand With Women (Durham)
DR. KAMALA UZZELLJONES
DR. ANDREA WOODSONSMITH
President/CEO, SOLAY Counseling & Research Center, P.C. (Durham)
Associate Professor, North Carolina Central University (Morrisville)
CATEGORY EMERGING LEADER MICAH BARBEE
AMESHIA COOPER
JOYE SPEIGHT
Pediatric Nurse, Duke University Medical Center (Durham)
Assistant District Attorney, Office of the Durham County District Attorney – Juvenile Division (Durham)
CEO, Virtue Event Planning (Durham)
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WOY CONTINUES
CATEGORY EDUCATION KILEY BROWN
SHEBA LOWE BROWN
Principal, EflandCheeks Elementary School, Orange County Schools (Efland)
President/CEO, A+ Test Prep & Academic Services (Durham)
DR. MONIQUE HOLSEYHYMAN
DR. LINDA MASON
DEE DOVE Instructor, Jordan Driving School/Wake County Schools (Raleigh)
DR. DEBRA SAUNDERSWHITE
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Warren County Schools (Warrenton)
Chancellor, North Carolina Central University (Durham)
DR. BAHBY BANKS
ANITA DANIELS
DELORIS YOUNG
CEO, Bahby Banks Innovation Group & Pillar Consulting (Durham)
President/CEO, Actualities Limited (Durham)
CEO, Jareh Healthcare, Inc. (Durham)
Curriculum Coordinator/Assistant Professor - Division of Education and Social Work , Shaw University (Raleigh); Adjunct Professor, NCCU Department of Social Work (Durham) (Durham)
CATEGORY HEALTH
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SHAW UNIVERSITY ALUMNA CELESTE BEATTY BREWS BEER, BREAKS BARRIERS
Beatty It’s like making soup. That’s how Shaw University Class of ’84 alumna Celeste Beatty describes the essence of the recipe and sentiment of the craft beer she began brewing at home 17 years ago. These days, two stars of Beatty’s Harlem Brewing Company, Sugar Hill Golden Ale and Harlem Renaissance, stand label-to-label with big-merchandise spirits sold at WalMart. Harlem Brewing Company’s Sugar Hill Golden Ale harkens the era of uptown Harlem during Prohibition, when a special beer could be found in Speakeasies - and in the hands of music’s great artists. Beatty’s Harlem Renaissance brew is wheat-based cider with barley, coriander, cumin, a West African spice and orange peel. “Those are the things I love cooking with,” Beatty said. “It’s like making my grandmother’s homemade soup. You use the same pot,” said Beatty, the product of a “family of cooks” known to showcase signature dishes, and experiment cooking with beer and wine. Beatty compares the water-and barley-based wort, the body of the beer, to the water-based broth of homemade soups waiting for lentils or tomatoes. “There is a lot of similarity; putting those ingredients into the pot and adding signature flavors,” Beatty said. “And in the darkness of science and nature, they are converted to alcohol through fermentation. “It’s a really exciting experience for anyone who likes cooking and loves being creative with things. Craft beer
offers a lot of creativity; more layers of flavor,” she said. Credit the universal appeal of craft beers, at least in part, also to changes in foreign policy making it most reasonable to produce goods closer to where consumers buy. Beatty’s six-packs cost anywhere from $10-$12. The Wal-Mart deal could boost the company’s sales as much as 20 percent. Beatty started Harlem Brewing Company in 2001 and it currently is headquartered in Harlem. She runs the company with her son and business partner, Khouri Beatty. She’s also working through challenges of scarce space and high real estate costs to open a brewery in Harlem, home to a robust brewing history dating back to 1905. A campaign is underway for Harlem Brewing to land its chosen spot, and it’s led by Harlem native and Beatty family friend, actor Antonio “Huggy Bear” Fargas. Beatty, who grows her own hops for Harlem Brewing, also is working on a cookbook of recipes borrowed from family files, and her own. Think beerbattered fish, and sweet and savory sauces infused with beer or wine. The brewing experience aligns with Beatty’s International Relations degree from Shaw, and her interests and work in international relations,
conflict mediation and cross-cultural understanding. “Instead of bringing people to the mediation table, we bring them to the bar,” said Beatty, applauding Shaw President Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy’s EPIC mandate that champions entrepreneurship. “As we’ve seen the business grow, we’ve also seen, interestingly enough, it can be a great unifier; to have a conversation about what’s going on over good beer,” Beatty said. As an African-American woman, Beatty is a rare breed in the beer brewing industry. But the Harlem Brewing Company brand carries nuances of brewing history steeped in the story of the African Diaspora people Beatty discovered through research and travel. “Africa has a rich and interesting culture around how beer evolved in the United States and around the world,” she said. “It’s exciting to see we do actually have a very rich brewing history in Africa and America.” On a recent visit to Shaw, Beatty talked to Shaw’s Director of Alumni Relations, Valentino Bryant, about ways to “reconnect with Shaw and share my experience, and invite students and alumni to be a part of what we’re doing,” Beatty said. “I’d be pleased,” she added, to expand to Shaw “The Art of Brewing: From Africa to
America,” a class on brewing Beatty will teach this fall at City College of Harlem. Already, Beatty shares her story and life’s passion to celebrate and preserve memories of family, community, institutions and culture. She has hosted a tasting, for instance, in Idlewild, Michigan, which boasts the first black resort; and Sugar Hill Golden Ale, Beatty’s signature brew, remains on the menu at Sylvia’s, the legendary soul food restaurant where Sugar Hill made its Harlem debut. When Beatty thinks of even wider distribution and impact, she also has the example of Madame C.J. Walker in mind. “I’d like to expand the footprint of Harlem Brewing Company beyond brewing beer to create opportunities for people who want to tap into this industry,” she said, describing her vision as an “advocacy company.” “It gives us an opportunity to go into markets we haven’t previously been able to go,” Beatty said. “The brand has been an interesting way to become aligned with many of these communities, the Harlems of the world.” (www.shawu.edu; Reprint permission granted)
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NEWS BRIEFS
BENNETT PRESIDENT RESIGNS AUG. 15; INTERIM PRESIDENT NAMED GREENSBORO, NC (www. hbcudigest.com) Three months ago, Bennett College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall was on a roll. Alumnae of the 143-year-old institution had just given more than Hall $700,000 in support of scholarships and capacity building at the school, and the college was six months removed from announcing a new partnership with Wells Fargo Advisors to train women for the financial sector. On August 15th, she stepped down as president after three years at the helm of an institution with $29 million of economic impact to the State of North Carolina, and generations of social and professional impact on thousands of women around the world. She says she’s leaving to pursue opportunities. Industrial wisdom tells the observer that probably, she’s being forced to resign. The reasons aren’t secret — Bennett’s double burden as a historically black college for women has been heavy to carry in the swirling changes in higher education. Black women, one of the nation’s fastest-growing ethnic groups in terms of educational access, have the largest cross-section of college choice, scholarship opportunities, and statistical probability of completing college on time and getting a job. Cruelly and bluntly, they no longer need Bennett College to stand in the gap for their professional development. On August 15th, Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins was selected by the Board of Trustees as the Interim President of Bennett Dawkins College. Prior to her selection, Dr. Dawkins served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bennett College. Since December 2015, her leadership in this role has impacted students,
faculty and staff. During the past eight months as Provost, Dr. Dawkins provided the leadership for the recruitment of new personnel, launched a leadership institute, restarted academic and living learning communities, increased professional development opportunities for faculty and staff and jump-started distance education courses. Dr. Dawkins and faculty are promoting the theme, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” across the campus this semester to heighten the awareness of students, faculty and staff. Prior to her arrival at Bennett College, she served as the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cheyney University. She was also the Acting President of Cheyney. Under Dawkins’ leadership at Cheyney, she revised institutional academic policies and practices, overhauled financial aid and admissions, and signed new/ updated articulation agreements with University of the Sciences of Philadelphia, LaSalle University and the Community College of Philadelphia. Before Cheyney University, Dr. Dawkins served as provost, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, professor, the associate provost, vice president for Academic Affairs, and director for the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Academic Technology at Dillard University. Prior to that, Dr. Dawkins worked at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) for 28 years serving as the chief academic/administrative officer/dean of the College of Professional Studies, former interim vice president for Academic Affairs, and chair and professor of Physical Education. Dr. Dawkins has been involved in strategic planning at the cabinet, college, and department levels for more than 26 years, with emphasis on academic program improvement and development, instructional technology, faculty development, design and implementation of institutional and program assessment systems, policy revision and development, managing enrollment and improving retention, and fiscal development through grant-writing and oversight of grant management. She has proposed and received grants at both JCSU, Dillard,
and Bennett from private and federal sources totaling more than 28 million dollars. Dr. Dawkins received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, M.A. from The University of Michigan, and B.S from Johnson C. Smith University. She is married to Bobby G. Dawkins, Ph.D., who recently retired as a
Senior Polymer and Fiber Associate in Research and Development from PBI Performance Products, Inc. They have two adult daughters: Malia Dawkins, M.A., who is an Actress, a Writer/ Producer and an Account Manager for the NCompass International, and Demi Dawkins, M.D., who is in a Neurosurgery Residency at the University of Wisconsin.
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SOCIAL SECURITY AND INSPECTOR GENERAL PARTNER WITH STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA TO DEDICATE ANTI-FRAUD UNIT North Carolina Bureau of Investigation dedicated the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Unit in Raleigh. As part of the nationwide CDI Program, the Raleigh Unit identifies and prevents Social Security disability fraud throughout the State of North Carolina.
Cooperative Effort among Federal, State Agencies to Prevent Disability Fraud
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RALEIGH, NC - The Social Security Administration, its Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the
The CDI program is one of Social Security’s most successful anti-fraud initiatives, contributing to the integrity of Federal disability programs. CDI Units bring together personnel from Social Security, its OIG, State Disability Determination Services (DDS), and local law enforcement agencies to analyze and investigate suspicious or questionable Social Security disability
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claims, to help resolve questions of potential fraud before benefits are ever paid. CDI Unit efforts help disability examiners make informed decisions, ensure payment accuracy, and generate significant taxpayer savings, for both Federal and State programs. The CDI program currently consists of 37 units covering 32 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Social Security and the OIG plan to establish an additional unit in 2016 as part of an ongoing agency effort to root out disability fraud and preserve benefits for those who truly deserve them. Social Security and its OIG jointly established the CDI program in 1997. Since the program was established, CDI efforts have contributed to $3.5 billion in projected savings to Social Security programs, and $2.4 billion in projected savings to related non-Social Security programs. For more information on the CDI program, please visit website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ antifraudfacts/. Members of the public should report suspected disability fraud to the Social Security Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
NCCU ALUMNI NAMED TO NATIONAL HALL OF FAME Two North Carolina Central University (NCCU) alumni have been named inductees to the 2016 National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield and Rev. William Barber are among 10 honorees chosen for their achievements and support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The induction ceremony will take place in Atlanta on Sept. 23rd. BUTTERFIELD Butterfield, a long time advocate for affordable health care, education and voter rights serves as North Carolina’s
1st District Representative. He was elected to serve in the role after a special election in 2004. Prior to his election, Butterfield was selected as North Carolina resident superior court judge where he presided over civil and criminal court for 46 counties of North Carolina. He was later appointed by the governor to serve two years on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Butterfield obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from NCCU and also a law degree from the School of Law. After earning his law degree, Butterfield began his law practice, in which he is best known for advocating voting rights that resulted in the election of black officials throughout eastern North Carolina. Currently, Butterfield serves as chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus and chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus. He also serves as a member of the subcommittees of Communications and Technology, and Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. Barber, a voting rights activist, currently serves as president of the North Carolina chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He also serves as DR. BARBER chair of the NAACP’S Legislative Political Action Committee of organization’s national board.
Barber is credited with establishing the multi-racial, multi-generational movement Moral Monday. His accomplishments also consist of literary works including his book entitled, “Preaching Through Unexpected Pain.” Previously, he served as executive director of North Carolina’s Human Relations Commission. Barber has also served as an adjunct instructor at North Carolina Wesleyan, North Carolina Central University and Duke University. Barber has served as pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, North Carolina for over 20 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina Central University and a master’s of divinity degree from Duke University. He also holds a doctorate in public policy and pastoral care from Drew University.
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DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONER HOWERTON APPOINTED TO SEVERAL NATIONAL COMMITTEES DURHAM, NC – Durham County Commissioner Brenda Howerton has been appointed to the National Association of Counties (NACo) leadership team. The appointment Howerton was made recently by NACo President Bryan Desloge. According to Desloge, “Committee membership at the national level is a serious commitment and responsibility, and can include testifying before congressional committees.” As a member of the Healthy Counties Initiative Advisory Board, International Economic Development Task Force, Large Urban County Caucus and the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee, Commissioner Howerton will be tasked with advancing counties’ federal policy priorities at a variety of events and meetings. According to the NACo webpage, the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee is responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential, commercial, and industrial development, and building and housing codes. Additionally, the Large Urban County Caucus is the premier forum for urban county leaders and is the voice for America’s metropolitan counties before Congress and the Administration. For more information, please visit the main website for the National Association of Counties which can be found at: http://www.naco.org.
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BUSINESS
BLACK ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES HISTORIC FIRST AFRICAN PRIDE SNEAKER IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA Atlanta-based entrepreneur, Tariq Edmondson, generates a worldwide buzz with his custom-designed sneakers ATLANTA, GA (www.blacknews.com) — The sneaker industry has gone thru many evolutions over the past 30 years. From the emergence of global brands like Nike, Jordan, Adidas and Converse to high-end designer sneakers from Gucci, Armani to Polo, now the newest development in the sneaker business is the custom sneaker designed for organizations, schools, entertainers and celebrities. Sneakerscustom.com, based in metro Atlanta, is the new trendsetter. Owned by entrepreneur Tariq Edmondson, Sneakerscustom.com is a new, innovative way to generate income for schools, organizations or anyone with aspirations of making their own sneaker brand. The first product launched is a beautiful black canvas sneaker with red & green trim that’s an instant eye-catcher. Inspired by the design of the Converse Chuck Taylor, the Red, Black & Green sneaker is quickly becoming a favorite for conscious African-Americans in the USA, Caribbean and even the United Kingdom. “My inspiration came about a year and a half ago, I saw all of the other big sneaker companies, and thought
sneaker line. The Harambee Leadership Academy based out Columbus, Ohio made the Red, Black and Green sneakers the official sneakers for their school. Practicing the principles of Ujima, which means “cooperative economics” Sneakercustom.com will empower anyone who has the aspiration of being an entrepreneur. “We’re helping to empower organizations in the community with our sneakers, which in turn generates income and pride back to the community,” says Tariq. “I’ve had calls from all over; Malaysia, Brooklyn, Dallas, Florida, Washington, Detroit, Chicago, even California. Plus, the website has received requests from Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, France, and Jamaica,” Tariq explains. Tariq Edmonson, founder of SneakersCustom.com, poses with his custom-designed African sneakers (Submitted Photo) that a sneaker product featuring the red, black and green would make an impact,” Tariq explains. The company has created an innovative distribution pipeline by selling direct to wholesalers and consumers via the website. The Sneakerscustom.com wholesale program features a low-cost system for other entrepreneurs to get involved in a fast growing business.
The wholesale program offers 50 custom sneakers for $1,000. Each sneaker retails for $40, which allows the wholesaler to make a profit of $20 per pair. The potential for emerging niche markets to have their own custom sneaker is unlimited. Within a few months, all types of organizations have made requests to create their own
The first sneakers were officially released in late 2015 and are available globally thru the website and from authorized wholesalers. “This is the new way to reach niche consumers, I’ve been collecting sneakers for over 20 years and like the Red, Black and Green sneakers with the Africa logo on the side… I plan to join the team and become a wholesaler,” says Brian Lassiter, entrepreneur and sneaker collector. To order wholesale, visit www. sneakerscustom.com/products/rbgs.
SMOKEY ROBINSON AND WIFE LAUNCH NEW SKINCARE LINE CALLED SKINPHONIC The song “My Girl” recorded by The Temptations was a number one hit in 1965. It was written by Smokey Robinson who followed with several solo hits of his own, including “Cruisin”, “Being With You” and “Just to See Her.” So, what’s Smokey up to these days? Well, the successful singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive and his wife, Frances, have started a new skincare company called Skinphonic featuring products made for people with pigmented skin.
Smokey & Wife Frances
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Named after his hit songs Smokey, who is 76 years old, and his wife Frances have created two lines of skincare products, appropriately named after his hit songs “My Girl” for women and “Get Ready” for men. Both
sun damaged skin, and improve skin elasticity. The Skinphonic team included board-certified dermatologists and took 2.5 years to research and test. Helping African Americans stay young Smokey and Frances wanted to create skincare products for people of color because most skincare products are created for use by everyone but are tested on only Caucasian skin. products help with cleaning, hydration, and nighttime treatment of skin. Their natural ingredients include tea tree oil, avocado oil, cucumber extract, mushroom extract, bilberry fruit extract, and vitamin A.
Looking at Smokey, you would never guess he has been in the music business for over 50 years. Even Essence Magazine recently commented on Robinson’s ageless appearance. Could be he’s on to something...
The products are advertised to clean pores, reduce wrinkles, heal
For more details and/or to order the Skinphonic products online, visit www.skinphonic.com
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES NEW BLACK-OWNED RIDE APP FOR BOTH PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS Nationwide — Michael DeWalt has announced the launch of the new black-owned ‘RideBe a Passenger’ app which allows users to book all kinds of rides through their mobile screens, and the ‘RideBe a Driver’ app which allows drivers to book pickups for passengers. The app will save the hassle of waiting for a passenger by enabling the driver to book a pickup instantly through their mobile. The app has been launched on Google Play and Apple Store for free to book a safe, reliable ride anywhere and anytime.
Michael Dewalt, founder of Ride App
Michael decided to create Ride App to provide an alternative option to Uber and Lyft for the Black community. “Uber and Lyft have extra hidden fees
and I wanted to provide something affordable for lower income people. Also, there is an opportunity for Blacks to make cash as a driver as well,” says Michael. RideApp allows the user to book a quick ride for shopping, work or night out in the city. The user can book cheap and affordable ride without any hassles in just a few clicks. The app allows the user to make bookings for immediate pickups and in less than 20 seconds, the user can book a car anywhere and anytime. The user can also see an estimated fare along with realtime information of the driver and the car assigned to them. They can make the payment through cash or register their credit card for an instant and convenient payment option. A realtime GPS tracking system also allows the user to view the realtime location of the car and the destination. The drivers can use the app to book, pick up, and drive off services for travelers. All the ride drivers are trained well with a thorough background check to ensure a smooth and safe ride experience. Using an accurate GPS tracking system, the
drivers can reach the clients without any hassles and focus on providing the best service to the clients. The app also allows the user to book luxury cars in all cities 24 hours a day, along with excellent customer support. Launched in May 2016, RideApp has so far received great reviews from users, along with a 5-star rating on Google Play. “Best service ever! The goto source for rides. Taxi is so outdated of a term. Replaced by RIDE!” said one user on Google Play. The app features bookings for both standard and SUV vehicles. While booking for a ride, the user will be able to see the capacity of the vehicle which will help them decide better. The app also invites drivers to join the emerging network of booking a ride, and provides them great opportunities to earn money. The Ride app takes away the worry of finding a ride by enabling the user to book a ride easily. Both ‘RideBe a Passenger’ and ‘RideBe a Driver’ are available on Google Play and Apple Store. For more details, visit www.rideappp.com
YOUNG FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR MAKES “BUYING BLACK” EASIER OFFICIAL BLACK WALL STREET MOBILE APP LAUNCHED NEW YORK, NY (BlackNews. com) -- Brooklyn, NY-based entrepreneur Mandy Bowman found it frustrating that only 2 percent of the Black community’s $1.1 trillion buying power was being spent with Black businesses. So in 2014 the 26-year-old did something about it. She created a web-based platform what has been tapped as the “Black yelp,” and it has been getting more and more popular.
Mandy Bowman, founder of the Official Black Wall Street app
Official Black Wall Street features more than 1,900 listings by Black-owned businesses and is currently crowdfunding to create an Official Black Wall Street app. Since its inception, Official Black Wall Street has grown to over 110K engaged followers across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Bowman believes this is the next step to reaching economic empowerment and combating many of the injustices that occur in our community. Once fully funded, the new app will give users the ability to find local black-owned businesses on the go with full listings, advanced Google maps, ratings, reviews, directions, and special offers to further incentivize users to buy Black. Users will also be able to receive news, learn about events, and visit forums to help exchange resources and business tips. The Kickstarter campaign hopes to raise $30,000 for app development. “This is something I really believe in and I know it will have a major financial impact on our community. After all of the tragic events that have affected us lately, from Philando Castile to Alton Sterling, it is extremely important for us to protest with our money,” Bowman said. “We’ve learned through history that policies are changed when bottom lines are impacted. The Official Black Wall Street app will undoubtedly take this movement to another level.”
Reach Your Target Market... Advertise in Spectaclular Magazine call 919.680.0465
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Get ready for the experience of a lifetime. Mark your calendar for a fun-filled week of activities and events, featuring the football game against Savannah State University. Get your tickets early! SUNDAY, OCT.9
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
FRIDAY, OCT. 14
GOSPEL CONCERT
MISTER AND MISS NCCU
HOMECOMING
CORONATION AND BALL
TASHA COBBS
7 P.M. A.E STUDENT UNION FRIDAY, OCT. 14
DEON KIPPING & HOST MARCUS D. WILEY 4:30 P.M. MCDOUGALD-MCLENDON ARENA TICKET REQUIRED
CONCERT
ENTERTAINMENT
EDDIE LEVERT
SATURDAY, OCT. 15
THE ULTIMATE
HOMECOMING PARADE 9 A.M. FAYETTEVILLE STREET
— FOOTBALL GAME
NCCU — vs —
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY
FOUNDER’S DAY CONVOCATION
— AND —
AND SOCIETY OF GOLDEN EAGLES INDUCTION
2 P.M. O’KELLY-RIDDICK STADIUM TICKET REQUIRED
SPECIAL GUESTS
SATURDAY, OCT. 15
MIDNIGHT STAR
STUDENT ACTIVITIES BOARD
DOORS OPEN AT 8:00 P.M. SHERATON IMPERIAL HOTEL TICKET REQUIRED
CONCERT
9 A.M. MCDOUGALD-MCLENDON ARENA
HOMECOMING F E AT U R I N G
YO GOTTI
TY DOLLA $IGN AND MIGOS 8 P.M. // DURHAM CONVENTION CENTER // TICKET REQUIRED
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS AND TICKET INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.NCCU.EDU/HOMECOMING // WWW.NCCUHOMECOMING.COM 30
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
SAMANTHA’S INFINITE SOLUTIONS HAIR DETOX: IT’S ALL ABOUT BEN… BENTONITE, BENZOATE, BENZENE
Recently I addressed the hair detox service on C’ameleon Salon’s service menu. Hair detoxing involves negatively charged Sodium Bentonite Clay rapidly removing positively charged toxins from the hair shaft. Naturalistas that read the article and those with whom I discussed hair detoxing were extremely concerned. They interpreted Sodium Bentonite to be the preservative Sodium Benzoate. Sodium Benzoate is produced when Benzoic Acid (naturally found in fruits and spices) joins Sodium Hydroxide. Sodium Benzoate appears to be safe. However, when Sodium Benzoate meets citric acid or Vitamin C, they form Benzene (a chemical associated with blood cancers such as leukemia). Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. Citric acid keeps shampoos and conditioners pH balance at 5.5 (this ensures that the cuticle is closed, lays flat, and appears shiny and healthy). Vitamin C has excellent astringent and clarifying properties; the probability of all 3 of these ingredients existing in a shampoo, conditioner or topical agent is high.
TWIST SET
BLOW OUT
Yes…even in natural and professional salon products!
SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS WITH SODIUM BENZOATE
However there are some DIY (do-it-yourself) hair remedies that are definitely carcinogenic free to the hair and scalp. Here is one example: • Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water; • Let the mixture sit on the hair and scalp for five minutes; • Rinse thoroughly then apply raw honey for conditioning; • After rinsing the raw honey, use Samantha’s Shea Elixir for styling (roller set, twist set, or blow out). To learn more about Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Vitamin C and how they affect the hair product you use contact me at Samhuntley10@ hotmail.com or call 919-599-6525/919-361-6928
SAMANTHA’S SHEA ELIXIR
Mention this column and receive a 15% discount on salon services or products.
C’ameleon Infinite Salon Solution
1920 East Hwy 54, Suite #220 Durham, NC 27713 Phone: (919) 599-6525 Mention this column and receive a 15% discount on any hair service. Walk-ins welcome.
Samantha Huntley
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HEALTH TIP SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SICKLE CELL MONTH tom is pain; others include anemia, risk of bacterial infection, and major organ damage. All babies born since the 1990’s in North Carolina and most states are tested at birth. Those with the disease are treated with prophylactic penicillin to prevent early life threatening infection. Many don’t know the result and they need to know as they enter their childbearing years. What is Sickle Cell Trait? Sickle cell trait is not a disease and the individual with trait is generally healthy but is at risk to pass trait or disease to their children. If two people with the sickle cell trait have children, they have a 50% chance of having a child with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy.
Know Your Status - Be Sickle Smart! The commemoration of Sickle Cell Month is an annual effort promoted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. The local chapter is Bridges Pointe Sickle Cell, Inc. Program initiatives are: a) education of patients and professionals, b) raising awareness of those at risk and c) advocacy and support for patients and programs to improve the quality of life and promote the search for a cure of sickle cell disease. What is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle Cell disease is an inherited blood disorder which affects red blood cells and currently has no universal cure. The red blood cells may change shape, blocking blood flow to tissues and the blockage causes eventual damage to tissue. The disease is a major health problem which can lead to life threatening complications. The first and most frequent symp-
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What is Your Sickle Status? If you have not been tested, free testing is available through your local health department. The test is a simple finger prick. Follow up testing of a positive result should also include genetic counseling from a qualified counselor. This is available and FREE in every North Carolina county through the Sickle Cell Syndrome program.
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH
Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States. However, research consistently shows that certain racial and ethnic communities are disproportionately affected. Sharply higher rates of overweight and obesity have occurred among African-American, Latino, American Indian and Alaskan Native children and adolescents. Although the Center for Disease Control recently reported a 40% decrease in the obesity rate of children ages 2 to 5 years old, children of minority communities have not yet shown as much of a decrease in obesity rates.
Sickle Cell Month Commemoration will be held September 24, 2016 To Learn more, volunteer, and support this cause, contact: DURHAM Chapter of SCDAA Bridges Pointe, Inc. 800 N Mangum Street, suite 103, Durham NC 27701; 919 680 3059 or 919 450 5683 To be tested, contact: Durham County Health Department; 919 560-7600 For medical care: Duke University Sickle Cell Center; 919-684 6464 To learn about services around the state, contact: The N. C. Sickle Cell Syndrome Program; 919 707 5700 or 1-866-627-2355
Dr. Matthew Brothers, pediatric cardiologist at Novant Health Pediatric Cardiology in Charlotte, NC says, “The success of our communities is dependent on the health of our children. Childhood obesity is one of the biggest preventable threats to our future.” North Carolina has the 23rd highest childhood obesity rate in the United States. Currently 31.4% of youth in North Carolina are overweight. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults.
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
What are the Consequences of Childhood Obesity? • Increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. • Increased risk of “prediabetes,” a condition that is associated with a high risk of developing diabetes. • Greater risk for bone/joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor selfesteem. • Higher likelihood to be obese as adults, which is associated with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and osteoarthritis. A Look at the Epidemic at a Glance • The food industry spends $1.6 billion marketing its products to children and adolescents, disproportionately to children of minorities • 35% of American children are overweight or obese • On an average visit to a fast-food restaurant, teens ordered 8001,100 calories in a single meal -half of their recommended daily caloric intake • Children ages 8 to 18 spend about 7.5 hours per day using TV/ computer/video games compared to 12 minutes engaged in vigorous physical activity • Increases in television viewing are associated with increased calorie intake among youth. How to Prevent Childhood Obesity Remember the ABC’s: Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, such as juices, soda, and treats. Don’t deprive children of occasional treats, however. This can make them more likely to overeat. Be active! Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week, and every day if possible. Create a family culture that supports a healthy lifestyle. Choose healthful foods and participate in physical activity. This Month’s Health Tip is a message from Community Health Coalition, Inc. and is written in partnership with Bridges Pointe Sickle Cell, Inc., and The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Durham and Vicinity.
SPORTS
BALLIN’ OUT
By Lawrence “King Law” Davis
SPORTS NEWS BRIEFS NEW RIBBON BOARDS INSTALLED AT KENAN STADIUM CHAPEL HILL, NC - Fans coming to Kenan Stadium this season for the Tar Heels’ home games will immediately recognize a sparkling new addition to the facade of the venerable facility. New video ribbon boards were installed in the offseason and now span the entire length of each sideline (506 feet) and across the front face of the Blue Zone. These boards will provide fans with more in-game information, enhance the atmosphere in Kenan Stadium, generate increased revenue through sponsorship sales and offer closed captioning for the hearing impaired. A smaller ribbon board had been in place since 2007, but was no longer completely functional. “This will be a tremendous enhancement for our Carolina fan experience,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director Rick Steinbacher. “Visitors to Kenan Stadium will be treated to state-of-the art video displays that provide a wealth of information, including stats and out-oftown scores.”
THE LAW OF SPORTS PODCAST
Would you like to get more information about your favorite local and national teams? As a lifelong sports enthusiast and Spectacular Magazine Sports Writer, I will deliver knowledge, information, and insight about what is going on with your favorite local teams around North Carolina with my new podcast series, The Law of Sports. Join me as I help bridge the gap between the fans and their favorite local programs. I will also bring in local and national guests to give their takes on issues affecting our community currently. The Law of Sports is powered by Spectacular Magazine. Download The Law of Sports at www.spectacularmag.com; interact with your host on Twitter and Instagram @ lawdavis13.
In order to install these video boards, UNC had to remove the graphics that were in place to commemorate bowl appearances and honored jerseys. Carolina will display the honored jerseys graphically on the new LED boards several times throughout the game. The athletic department will work over the next year to find a permanent display in the stadium that would be visible throughout the year. (www.goheels.com) TAVIUS WALKER NAMED NCCU DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY SPORTS CONTINUES ON PAGE 34
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SPORTS CONTINUES
■ he earned the position as Assistant Head Coach of the men’s and women’s track & field/cross country program.
DURHAM, NC – Tavius “T.J.” Walker, an alumnus and former All-American sprinter at North Carolina Central University with 13 years of coaching experience, is the new Director of Men’s and Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country at NCCU, the Department of Athletics announced August 24th. As a coach who specializes in sprints, hurdles and relays with a strong recruiting background, Walker boasts 13 years of coaching experience, including 11 seasons at NCCU. During his 11-year coaching tenure at NCCU, Walker has worked with studentathletes that earned 11 NCAA Division II All-America awards, including two All-American relay teams, and 41 all-conference honors, including eight all-conference relay squads, with one winning a conference championship. Among the three NCAA Division I East Region qualifiers under his tutelage, he also recruited and coached a Lady Eagle sprinter who ranked fourth in the nation in the 200-meter dash in 2013.
In late February of this year, Walker was named interim head coach prior to the start of the outdoor track & field season. Under his direction, the student-athletes achieved inspiring results. The men’s and women’s teams combined for seven event victories in the first meet of the season, tallied the most top-10 finishes at the Raleigh Relays since 2012 and earned five medals at the MEAC Championships, where the NCCU men celebrated their best finish at the conference outdoor championship since rejoining the MEAC in the 2011-12 season. The men’s 4x100m relay team recorded the school’s fastest time in eight years to place fifth in the College Finals of the prestigious Penn Relays, the women’s 4x100m relay squad broke a High Point University meet record with the fastest time in eight years, and both of the 4x100m relay teams captured bronze
medals at the MEAC Championships for their best conference finishes since returning to the league. After excelling as a multi-sport athlete at Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, track & field became his sport of choice in college. As a sprinter at NCCU, he amassed such honors
Lawrence “King Law” Davis III
King Law
Lawrence “King Law” Davis is a Business Administration major and Asst. Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Sanderson High School in Raleigh. He can be reached at lawdavis@spectacularmag.com
A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Walker started his coaching career in 2003 at NCCU, returning to his alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach from 2003-05. After two successful seasons at NCCU, Walker left to become the Head Track & Field Coach for both boy’s and girl’s programs at Needham B. Broughton High School, his alma mater located in Raleigh, North Carolina. While there, he coached a program that had athletes who broke three school records, numerous state qualifiers and one state champion. He also led the Broughton Caps to one of its more successful seasons in recent years. Walker returned to the NCCU coaching staff in 2007 as a full-time assistant coach with both men’s and women’s teams, aiding in the transition from Division II to Division I competition. The following year,
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as becoming a four-time All-CIAA performer from 1996-1999, a CIAA champion in 1998, an All-American in 1999 and ranked fourth in NCAA Division II Track & Field in the 200m dash. Walker received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from NCCU in 1999.
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
LIFESTYLES
THE MEDIA EFFECT: ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR DURHAM COUNTY YOUTH AGES 14-18
DURHAM, NC - Are you interested in a career in the media, graphic design, music, video, print, TV, broadcasting, directing, producing, acting, social media…? Are you interested in promoting discussion and dialogue about the perils of alcohol use and other activities? Do you want to develop problem solving skills? Are you interested in creating a substance abuse campaign for print, radio and TV/Cable to help others? Triangle Cultural Awareness Foundation, in conjunction with Spectacular Magazine, is sponsoring a fall 2016 program to educate our adolescents on the effects the media has on alcohol and substance abuse. This program is FREE for youth ages 14-18 and is in collaboration with NCCU’s Mass Communications Department, WNCU 90.7 and area professionals of the Triangle Association of Black Journalists. Program participants will produce public service announcements for broadcast television/cable, radio
and print. The new technologies - the Internet, social networking sites, and even cell phones - offer new and problematic opportunities for adolescent drug exposure. A variety of Web sites sell tobacco products and few of them have effective age-verification procedures. One national survey of more than 1000 youths 14 to 20 years of age revealed that 2% reported having purchased alcohol online, and 12% reported having a friend who did so. Teenagers also see considerable alcohol and drug content in online videos and on social networking sites, on which one study revealed that 40% of profiles referenced substance abuse. The Program kicks off with a breakfast on Saturday, October 1st from 8:30 am – 10:30 am in the NCCU Student Union. Youth and their parents/guardians are invited to attend. The Program will meet each Tuesday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm from October 11th through December 13th in the NCCU Farrison-Newton
Communications Department. There will be a Closing Program with PSA Presentations on January 10, 2017. Guest speakers/facilitators include members of the Triangle Association of Black Journalists: Anthony Wilson/ Tisha Powell, ABC-11; Thomasi McDonald, News & Observer reporter and graduate of NCCU; Stefan Chase, CBS News Carolina; Kimberly Pierce Cartwright, WNCU News Reporter; Pam Saulsby, veteran broadcast professional; Phyllis Coley, Publisher Spectacular Magazine; Dr. Charmaine McKissick-Melton, professor at NCCU; and Inspirational Speaker and Youth Consultant George Galbreath. Dianne Pledger will serve as Project Director of the program. The goal of the Program is to educate and enlighten adolescents on the effects of media exposure on alcohol and substance abuse. Objectives are:
(1) To provide opportunities for participants to engage in structured discussions and dialogues about the perils of alcohol use and other activities; (2) Adolescents will share and discuss examples of negative exposure to media/social media, music and how that impact self-esteem, self-confidence and behavior; (3) Guest speakers will be invited to hear and answer questions adolescents might have; (4) Opportunities for youth to use role play or interactive dialogue in decisionmaking activities about alcohol and substance use; (5) Opportunity for adolescent to develop problem solving skills in order to help them discern pros and cons of certain behaviors; and (6) Creation of a substance abuse campaign for print, radio and TV by students based on their observations and creativity. For registration and more information contact: 919.672.3429 or visit www.spectacularmag.com
RENOWNED ARTIST ROBERT DILWORTH TO EXHIBIT AT THE HAYTI HERITAGE CENTER Durham, NC. - The Durham Jazz Renaissance Foundation in collaboration with St Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center and partially funded by the NC Humanities Council, will host the works of renowned artist Robert Dilworth in the Lydia Moore Merrick
Gallery September 30 – November 28, 2016. The exhibit entitled “Memories of Inhabited Places” will open to the public with a reception, music by Master Trax, and a gallery talk by Mr. Dilworth on Friday, September 30, 2016 from 6pm – 8 pm. The public is invited to attend, hear from the artist
about his work, including his interest in “sewing circles”, and interact.
as an artist, Bob is also a Professor of Art in Painting, Drawing, and Design in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Rhode Island and Director of the URI Main Art Gallery. His large-scale, mixed media paintings reflect both his technical expertise and
Nationally recognized and exhibited, Robert Dilworth has won awards, grants and fellowships too numerous to mention in a career spanning 40 years. Working full-time ROBERT DILWORTH CONTINUES ON PAGE 36
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his interest in experimental processes. “The physical process of painting – its vitality – is integral to my work, says Bob. My work has transitioned from emotionally charged abstract imagery painted on non-traditional surfaces to figurative paintings on canvas with mixed-media. My work gives visual expression to my experiences growing up in the South in a large family rich in lively personas. The work explores in a unique manner memory, myths, folktales and spiritual beliefs.”
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“My current work evolves from a twoyear + exploration developing surfaces incorporating mixed media including stencils, stitching, fabric, glue which are integral to the painting. This work in progress moves my contemporary paintings into a new phase of creativity. I am interested in metaphorically depicting life-size figures in various emotional and psychological states and invite the viewer to contemplate its meaning.” About the Durham Jazz Renaissance Foundation: A 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate, refine and further encourage the understanding and appreciation
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
of the heritage, culture and origin of Jazz through art, music, supportive education and entertainment. Our primary goal is to award one-time scholarships and a year-to-year renewable scholarship to students in the name of local community members and historical figures who have made significant contributions to the arts and arts education For more information, contact Beverly McLaughlin at 919-493-5129 or via email info@ djrfo.org
ENTERTAINMENT
7 FALL TV SHOWS YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING (blackamericaweb.com) TV is enjoying somewhat of a Golden Age. While the Oscars remains #sowhite in most of its prestigious offerings, there is a great swatch of diversity across TV including several shows where Black characters are either the main focus of the show or are the lead of an ensemble cast. In some of the shows white characters occupy the peripheral spot in the cast that Blacks are used to playing. As it is with anything in Hollywood, this change is mostly about money. With the multitude of devices to watch on, content creators have to constantly feed the demand and they finally recognized that yes, Black folks, just like white ones, like to see themselves and characters that they can relate to. This fall there are some promising new shows, some of which have already premiered, others still to come that look like the ones to watch (network airing show in parenthesis). Here’s a look.
Queen Sugar (OWN)
Atlanta (FX)
Who: Created by Ava DuVernay from the book of the same title, DuVernay took some artistic license and made changes to create a story about three siblings who inherit a farm when their father dies.
Who: Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino wrote and stars in this quirky comedy
When: Wednesdays at 10 p.m., OWN Why: It’s a beautifully rendered and beautifully shot family drama about a Southern Black family that is rarely seen on television.
Why: Although it’s about a struggling millennial and his aspiring rap star cousin, it panders to none of the stereotypes that would usually be a part of that kind of show. If you like your comedy nuanced and offbeat, Atlanta is the show for you.
Breakout Star: Kofi Siriboe, who plays the youngest sibling, the evocatively named Ralph Angel.
Breakout Star: The entire cast, but there’s a buzz around slacker friend Darius, played perfectly by Keith Stanfield.
When: Tuesdays at 10 p.m., FX
Shots Fired (FOX) Who: Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Bythewood, the husband and wife creative team who’ve brought you Love and Basketball, Beyond The Lights and Notorious. When: Watch local listings – the ten-episode season is not scheduled to air until spring. Why: A dramatic look at police shootings with a twist – the policeman in question is Black, the victim is white. Sanaa Lathan and Stephen James play the investigator and the prosecutor who get the racially charged case. L-R: Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James in SHOTS FIRED premiering midseason on FOX.
Breakout Star: Stephan James from Selma and Race seems poised to take advantage of his starring role. ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUES ON PAGE 38
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Secrets and Lies (ABC) Who: The same team that started it off with an American take on an Australian TV series of the same name. Although that didn’t work for The Slap, also adapted for U.S. television from Australia, the first season of Secrets and Lies starring Ryan Phillippe and the returning Juliette Lewis, was an entertaining surprise. When: Sundays at 9 p.m. ABC (premiering September 25) Why: It’s an old school whodunit type of show without the pressure of a full 22 episode season. Last season, Ryan Phillippe was a suspected child killer, this time, Michael Ealy is the prime suspect in the killing of his wife. Breakout Star: Well, Michael Ealy is always great to watch, but Juliette Lewis has stolen this show as the seriously dedicated detective Andrea Cornell
Insecure (HBO) Who: Issa Rae, star and creator of the popular YouTube series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. When: HBO (starts October 9th) Why: Issa Rae got on HBO’s radar because of ABG’s strong millennial following and that it showed Black women differently than the usual TV tropes of angry, dysfunctional or overtly glamorous. Rae’s self-deprecating humor and focus on the small moments that define us won her fans online and that should continue on HBO. Breakout Star: Rae’s already broken out.
LUKE CAGE (NETFLIX) Who: One of Marvel Comics’ Black superheroes has already been introduced via the Netflix show Jessica Jones. When: Premieres on Netflix on September 30th. Why: The Luke Cage character was more interesting than the lead on Jessica Jones (as much as I like the actress Krysten Ritter who played her, she was miscast in the role) and his ability to heal despite any attempts to hurt him is a pretty cool superpower. Breakout Star: Mike Colter, known to fans of The Good Wife as Lamond Bishop, should find his career in overdrive after starring in this.
PITCH (FOX)
L-R: Dan Lauria, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Kylie Bunbury in PITCH coming soon to FOX.
Who: The creatives that brought you Crazy Stupid Love and the hilarious TV Land show Younger. When: 9 p.m. Thursdays, Fox (begins September 22) Why: A Black woman starring in a sports drama? When have we seen that before? Maybe the creators were thinking about all the exposure that girl pitcher Mo’ne Davis received after playing in the Little League World Series. The premise isn’t necessarily all that realistic but it’s a fun one to explore. Breakout Star: New actress Kylie Bunbury should be the one to watch.
ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUES ON PAGE 39
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SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE |September 2016 | www.spectacularmag.com
‘BARRY,’ FILM ABOUT OBAMA’S COLLEGE YEARS IS SLATED FOR NETFLIX DEBUT
Another movie about President Obama, but this time it’s about his young days as a college student.
Devon Terrell As his time in office comes closer to an end, the rush to create and release films about President Obama’s life is emerging faster than ever. A few weeks ago saw the debut of the John Legend produced film Southside With You, which focused on Barack and Michelle’s first date. Now there is a new film on the horizon that is solely about President Obama’s early years as a college student, and Netflix has slated its debut. Simply titled Barry, the film showcases how President Obama navigates life as a young student who inevitably goes on to make history by obtaining the most powerful job in the free world. Via www.theroot.com: Earlier this summer, “Southside With You,” a movie about the president’s courtship of the first lady, was released and received amazing reviews. And now “Barry,” a film that’s been making the rounds at various film festivals, is heading to Netflix. “Barry” stars a newcomer, actor Devon Terrell, as a young Barack Obama and is set in the early 1980s. It follows a 20-year-old Obama after he transfers to Columbia University and deals with questions of race, culture and identity. The film is directed by Vikram Gandhi and also stars Jason Mitchell of “Straight Outta Compton” and Ellar Coltrane of “Boyhood,” as well as Ashley Judd, Avi Nash and Jenna Elfman. Although Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the film, it should definitely be on your radar to keep a look out for when it drops. While we are all heartbroken that he is leaving office, it’s lovely to see President Obama’s life getting recognition so soon!
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