Suite Life SoCal Winter 2022 Issue - Suite Innovations and a Legacy Celebration

C O N C I E R G E

M A G A Z I N E

Suite Life SoCal WINTER 2022

Suite Innovations and a Legacy Celebration

ISSUE

Earl “Skip” Cooper II Talks 50 Years of service at the

Black Business Association

1500 or

Nothin’

co-founders

A Celebration of 30 Years at the

Larrance “Rance” Dopson James Fauntleroy II

Pan African Film & Arts Festival

Innovators changing the music industry through creating unprecedented opportunities

Athletes In Action show a spirit of giving back at the 2022

Super Bowl Breakfast

Master Muralist

Maxx Moses

JAN/FEB/MAR 2022 $7.95 US

james Breedlove

Amber Meshack

Kaylee Harris & Sherlonda Hamilton

Filling the Divide at the Bridge Builders Foundation

Talks Innovations in Business at LAX

Innovative Minds Think Alike: Finding Value in Mobility for Sustaining Their Businesses

SuiteTalk with

Sarah Harris PUBLISHER, SUITE LIFE SOCAL

FOLLOW US & STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS AT SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

@SUITELIFESOCAL

PRESENTED BY

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

Special Guests Shanté Davis FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

UNLOCK WEALTH$HARE, LLC

FEB 4 | 12P PST

Wealth$hare: Unlocking Financial Freedom Davis talks about her innovative technology platform that serves to bridge the borrowing gap through member-to-member collaborative financing loan model.

Kevin Dillard FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

THE AMERICAN DREAM GRANT PROGRAM

FEB 11 | 12P PST

Homeownership: Achieving the Dream Dillard talks of insights into funding assistance to first-time, low-to-moderate income home buyers so they can achieve the dream of homeownership with an affordable monthly mortgage payment.

Andre Farr PRESIDENT & CEO

ANDRE FARR INTERNATIONAL, LLC

FEB 18 | 12P PST

Black Excellence & Living Your Best Life Farr talks marriage to his new bride, Jay Brown-Farr, and the importance of celebrating Black Excellence and living your best life. Join us as we will also discuss some of his current projects and goals for 2022.

Earl “Skip” Cooper II PRESIDENT EMERITUS & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

FEB 25 | 12P PST

Celebrating a Life of Service & and Lasting Legacy Cooper talks retirement from the Black Business Association, and his amazing nearly 50 years journey of living his “Special Purpose” to empower Black businesses.

*Dates and times may be subject to change.

Contents

CONTENTS

49

COVER FEATURE

Larrance “Rance” Dopson and James Fauntleroy Co-Founders of 1500 or Nothin’ and the 1500 Sound Academy

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STORY BY ASHLEY YANCEY PHOTOGRAPHER KAI BYRD PHOTO ASSISTANT CINDY CASTRO

16

20 28

24

34 32

38

15 HERITAGE SUITE

23 SUITECAUSES

Super Bowl Breakfast 2022: How Giving Back Has Built A Community of Faith

Maxx Moses: Leaving your Mark A deep dive into the world of master muralist Maxx Moses, known as Pose2 in the street art scene. How he has innovated and contributed to the Arts while becoming a worldwide Master Muralist. A look at his beginnings and inspirations on the streets of New York. With the tale of how this master artist ended up in Southern California and a look at some of his historic murals of the past with a glimpse of what he has going on in the present.

The Bridge Builders Foundation's Way of Ensuring Black Youth Win

Faith. Family. Football. For Athletes in Action (AIA) - the global sports ministry that created the NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast - the pillars on which the event was built.

STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTESY OF MAXX MOSES

u16 A Tuskegee Airman Story: An Interview with Director Julian Wilson of “Kings of Freedom” Kings of Freedom: Join us as we highlight some fantastic work by Director Julian Wilson of Silver Titan Productions as he takes us on a Suite journey through his experience producing projects for The Tuskegee Airman with his Film "Kings of Freedom.

For more than 20 years, Bridge Builders Foundation has been committed to loving on and lifting up Black youth in Los Angeles. The organization's president, James Breedlove, talks to us about why this work is so important to him and how he and the distinguished board are determined to keep building bridges that ensure Black youth win in life.

STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOS BY COURTESY OF BRIDGE BUILDERS FOUNDATION

u24 LA84 Foundation: A driving force for Youth Sports organizations of Los Angeles LA84 Foundation: There’s nothing ‘suiter’ than seeing grassroots community service work done by one of the most amazing organizations of its kind at LA84 Foundation. Take a look at some of the life-changing work led by CEO Renata Simril and her staff.

STORY BY KEN CALVIN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JULIAN WILSON

STORY BY KEN CALVIN

u20

u28

IN EVERY ISSUE From the Publisher

8

From the Editor

10

Contributors

12

The Suite List

88

STORY BY LISA J. BAXTER PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATHLETES IN ACTION

u32 Yolande Beckles: Woman on a Mission A look at the story of Yolande Beckles, a U.K.-born educationalist, and co-founder and executive director of two nonprofit groups dedicated to educating the Black and Brown communities of Los Angeles. The Knowledge Shop, a STEM enrichment center, and the National Association of African American Parents and Youth or NAAAPY. STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE KNOWLEDGE SHOP

u34 The Ordinary Extraordinary Innovative Spirit of Dr. James Rodriguez, MSW President and CEO of Fathers and Families Coalition of America teaches professionals about the power of love and service at their 23rd international hybrid conference.

STORY BY ANGELA JACKSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF FATHERS & FAMILIES COALITION OF AMERICA

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A resource guide featuring Event, Media, Marketing and Creative Professionals SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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CONTENTS

66

74

42 46

82} 78 41 LIFE & STYLE

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival is Celebrating its 30th Year

Kaylee Harris Delivers Skincare Your Way, At Your Door

Ayuko Babu and Danny Glover still fearlessly working to break down barriers for people of color in the international film industry.

Bringing innovation to her business, Kaylee Harris excitedly rolls out her mobile business with a commitment to grow within her profession. As an esthetician, her services will continue to benefit the skincare journeys of communities of color.

u60

STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF VIS JOLIE

u42 The Shutdown Come Up of Sherlonda Hamilton The mother of invention called necessity paid all of us a visit in 2020 when COVID-19 barreled into our lives, requiring more of us than we knew we had. For one of LA's seasoned beauticians, Sherlonda Hamilton, the shutdown of her brick-and-mortar salon gave birth to a mobile hair salon she never saw coming.

STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRETTY LADY MOBILE SALON

u46

49 ENTERTAINMENT COVER FEATURE The Ultimate Masterclass: A Conversation with the 1500 Sound Academy's Co-Founders Larrance "Rance" Dopson, founder and CEO of 1500 or Nothin', along with famed producer, singer, and songwriter James Fauntleroy, teamed up in 2019 to help steer their dynamic organization into unchartered territory, co-founding the acclaimed 1500 Sound Academy. In an industry long acknowledged as cutthroat and full of unsavory characters, 1500 or Nothin' stands out in a class all their own as they write the new rules for success.

STORY BY ASHLEY YANCEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAI BYRD

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84

STORY BY SHIRLEY HAWKINS

63 SUITEBIZ SPECIAL FEATURE Earl "Skip" Cooper II Talks 50 Years of the BBA The Black Business Association has been on the frontline supporting Black entrepreneurs for 50 years. As it prepares for a new president, the current and outgoing president reflects on how the BBA started, where it is, and where he believes it is headed.

STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY XAVIER HARRIS

u66 Amber Meshack: Directing Innovation that Changes Lives Amber Meshack, Director of the Business, Jobs, & Social Responsibility (BJSR) Division at the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), ensures hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured back into the community of small businesses, suppliers, and local workers.

STORY BY AJA A. BROWN PHOTOS: LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS (LAWA)

u74 Wealth$hare App Changing Lives Through Education & Opportunity Shanté Davis is one of many accomplishments and has a heart of gold when it comes to serving communities in need. By overcoming hurdles to bring her project to life, the birth of the Wealth$hare App not only grants families and small businesses to get off their feet, but expands the financial intelligence of its members.

STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNLOCK WEALTH$HARE, LLC

u78

William C. Knox: All Saints Lending A look at the life and education of William (Bill) C. Knox. Owner, President of All Saints Lending. A story of Knox's career and how he decided to go his way after 30 years in the real estate business.

STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALL SAINTS LENDING

u82 Dimitrios Jones, owner of The North Star Market: A Guiding Light in the Community Dimitrios Jones opens up first known store filled with products made and sold by African Americans in Southern California STORY BY SHIRLEY HAWKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY XAVIER HARRIS

u84

from the publisher

A Legacy of Suite Innovation Welcome to a Suite New Year and our 2022 Winter Issue!

In this issue, we celebrate the Suite Innovations inspired from ideas that people allowed to manifest in their lives and to share with the world.

As a person who thrives on creativity, I marvel at seeing what we are capable of in addition to having my mind blown when I think about how it's only a miniscule fraction of what our Almighty Creator can do and has done for us.

It was a thrill to meet the co-founders of 1500 or Nothin', who also created the 1500 Sound Academy, Larrance “Rance” Dopson and James Fauntleroy, II and to have them grace our cover for this issue. As prominent creators and producers in the music industry, you will nd them to be ver y down to earth with giving back and youth empowerment at the forefront of their minds. Set in the heart of Inglewood's industrial district, you will nd their expansive facilities where they provide the state-of-the-art equipment, training, teaching and mentoring for their students to thrive --- serving as a quintessential example of inspiring innovation.

With the start of a new year, many people also nd it to be a good time to make a change. Suite Life SoCal is honored to have the pleasure of presenting a special feature that celebrates the tenure of Mr. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II as the longtime head of the Black Business Association (BBA) headquartered here in Los Angeles. With the close of 2021, he decided to retire as president and CEO and open up the opportunity for a new era to be ushered in for the next phase of the organization.

I am grateful to say that I was elected to be the next leader of the BBA and as the new Interim President.

Having worked with Mr. Cooper for more than two decades and embracing the same passion for seeing Black and minority-owned businesses ourish, it is my honor to be entrusted with helping to shape the next chapter of the BBA to realize its full potential and engaging with a new generation of business owners. Garnering the support of the Board and a host of business/community leaders lls me with an immense amount of gratitude and an appreciation for the relationships that I have built over the years.

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WINTER 2022 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Sarah R. Harris Publisher-in-Chief

@suitelifesocal

#suitelifesocal

As you know, we are going through some challenging, but also, exciting times for some amazing opportunities and it' up to each of us to decide if we want to be watchers or innovators. There is still much to be done in this world and we all can make a difference. We hope you enjoy this issue and that it inspires you.

Stay in touch and follow us @suitelifesocal on all social media and sign up for our newsletter at suitelifesocal.com.

Stay Suite!

Sarah

The Black Business Association announces the Retirement of its longtime President & CEO,

Earl “Skip” Cooper, II and welcomes the new Interim President

Sarah R. Harris A tribute presentation honoring “Skip” will be announced soon.

Stay tuned for details. Follow us at: @BlackBusinessAssociation @black_business_association

BBALA.org

Est. 1970

A New Year. A New BBA.

from the Editor

Sustainability Through Innovation The innovative spirit is led by need. Even in the animal kingdom, this rings true. As a person moved by necessity, I found this issue extremely important to our community. There are many sayings on innovation.

Among my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou is "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. " It takes creativity to innovate. You must recognize a need, see the solution, embrace the process, and go for it. The people in this magazine all know that to innovate, you must be willing to fail. They have failed like all of us, but they have learned to fail forward. To use mistakes as a stepping stone is a common thread among all innovators.

The article "Living His Special Purpose" highlights the journey of Earl "Skip" Cooper II, a California hero. In this article, one can feel the passion and persistence one man had to guide a team and build a legacy for the Black Business Association. Our cover story on 1500 or Nothin' will encourage and inspire people of all ages.

When you want to hear a story about starting from the bottom to arriving at the top, this is the article to read.

But more than their climb to the top, Larrance Dopson and James Fauntleroy are determined to assist others in climbing to the top as well. That is innovation and inspiration tightly woven together.

While editing the articles in this issue, I became further inspired to complete the creative endeavors I am working on nishing in 2022. May you be inspired by people like Yolande Beckles, founder of the National Association of African American Parents & Youth (NAAAPY); Renata Simril, president of L A84 Foundation; and world-renowned artist Maxx Moses.

Suite reading,

Angela 10

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Angela Jackson, ABD, MS Managing Editor @ajgrateful2be authorangelarena.com

@_angelarena

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African American Board Leadership Institute All Saints Lending Black Beauty and Wellness Foundation Bridge Builders Foundation Coach Wendy and Forgiving For Living, Inc. C.O.R.E.-Kingdom Day Parade Fathers and Families Coalition of America FCI-LA FEP Consultants Kolor Society LA Business Printing Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness Plush Vodka Recycling Black Dollars Smiley Audio Media / KBLA Talk 1580 AM Splendid Affairs, Inc. The American Dream Grant Program The Center by Lendistry Unlock Wealth$hare, LLC We Luvv Rare Grooves Vince Bacon Construction VIS Jolie

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Earl “Skip” Cooper, II and the Black Business Association Larrance Dopson and James Fauntleroy / 1500 or Nothin’ Monique Bacon

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Heritage

A Tuskegee Airman Story AN INTERVIEW WITH

Director Julian Wilson

MASTER MURALIST

Suite

PLUS

WINTER 2022

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

Maxx Moses

Heritage Suite

Maxx Moses Leaving your Mark

STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MAXX MOSES

@maxxmoses777

I

nnovative. Maxx Moses, a.k.a. Pose2, just might be the physical embodiment of this word. He's taken the art/crime of grafti and literally painted a name for himself on trains, walls, and buildings worldwide. After he had perfected his name, he went to work on his style. With its futuristic grit and otherworldliness, he perfected that too, so the Maxx Moses style itself has become the new Pose2, or in other words, his new signature. His style and skill have garnered him recognition and allowed him to work as a commissioned artist worldwide, from Moscow to Botswana. More importantly, it's enabled him to teach children about art and hopefully inspire the world's next master muralist.

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Our rst conversation was in early November on a dreary afternoon, though as soon as Moses' voice lled the room, it was instantly lit. We spoke on various topics but the man's soul ares when discussing art. I mentioned one of his quotes: “Art starts just from a person wanting to leave their mark.” He smiled in response. This quote of his immediately conjured, in my mind, thoughts of the ancient beginnings of art and places like Cueva de las Manos in Argentina, a cave full of ancient stenciled outlines of thousands of mostly left hands left by people 10,000 years ago, who Moses said, “Just wanted to leave their mark on the world– 'I was here!'”

So, we discussed how a Bronx-born, Yonkers-raised,

SAN DIEGO, CA

SUNY Brockport graduate who ended up traveling the globe painting murals; had his home studio, The Grafti Gardens, in San Diego. He explained: “I came to California for an exhibition in LA...we did the second variation of it in ‘06 in [San Diego], so I came here to do that…though, during the exhibition, I got a chance to meet all the locals...who seemed very supportive. I mentioned we wanted to paint this wall outside, everyone got together, chipped in money and supplies...they got permission for the wall...all within twelve hours...so I was like, 'Man, this is a real supportive community.' So I was living in Philly...doing this event there all about art, grafti, B-boys, DJs, the whole get down...and I was like ‘yo, I want to bring this event to San Diego.’ So I moved to SD with the intention of just putting together that event, temporarily, for like three months. Though after the event...which was a success, I went back to Philly, and I was like ‘ooh, I think I'm gonna live on the West Coast.’” He said it with this coolly, sly grin on his face as he nished telling the tale of how he landed in SoCal. Moses credits his mother with planting the seed in him that, “Every human is an artist.” So I asked where he got that one-ofa-kind Maxx Moses style. He answered: “Grafti. Taking risks, avoiding third rails with thousands of volts of electricity running through them, sneaking into train yards, because that's where the trains were. My style comes from writing my name (Pose2) over and over again.” To Moses, the New York subway was magical with all of the colors, the names, the hoods, the hundreds of examples of human expression. Their urban canvases: trains, dumpsters, and walls told the tale of their artistic movement of the '70s and '80s and grabbed their attention.

So naturally, I asked: When did you discover you had this gift and possessed the power to reach not just a person through your art but a group of people or a community? He took his time and answered with his patented thoughtfulness: “I didn't realize that I had power, personally. I realized that art itself had power.” He describes this moment of epiphany while admiring a piece of art on a train car done by Lee Quiñonez, one of the Godfathers and

“

Art starts just from a person wanting to leave their mark.”

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

17

Heritage Suite

originators of street art. Moses said, “It was a whole train-car mural, and he [Quiñonez] was saying: 'This is the energy from my soul.' and I realized that this man was expressing what he was feeling deeply through this illegal art form, and it was like he was telling me, 'This is Power!' and I heard that loud and clear.”

Moses has murals worldwide; he's exhibited work in Amsterdam, Dubai, Paris, and Osaka, to name a few. He has murals in Chicano Park and all over San Diego. In Zimbabwe, he painted a mural called “Zenzele” with his NY street-style lettering; this mural sums up the man best, for “Zenzele” means “To do for self ” in the language of the Ndebele Tribes.

The perfect phrase for a self-made man.

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Moses has a current project in Baltimore, Maryland called “The Good Life,” a mural 250 ft. long and 20 ft. high.

He is working in collaboration with artists Leon Rainbow and Aliesha Decoy. His last international project was in Botswana and is called “Le Sedi,” which means light and was even given the name “Le Sedi” by the indigenous Botswanan artists Moses worked with.

For anyone looking to connect with Moses for art or educational workshops or mural commissions, he has websites at: posetwo.com and saywordsofpower.com, also an Instagram @maxxmoses777. His studio is located in San Diego and is called the Grafti Gardens Studio at 6785 Imperial Avenue. +

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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Heritage Suite

Suite Innovation with Director Julian Wilson of “Kings of Freedom” A Tuskegee Airman Story STORY BY KEN CALVIN PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIAN WILSON

O

n my journey as a sports media journalist and commentator, I've always loved learning more about the

people I share the journey with, especially those who spend most of their time behind the camera, as they usually never want any attention at all. In this issue, celebrating legacies as well as “Suite Innovations,” I'd like to introduce you to Director Julian Wilson. To do that appropriately, I need to explain his innovative spirit.

Born in Inglewood, he learned early to chart a path that would be hard to follow as his love for his community instilled the values of giving back while helping build a passion for education, arts, and athletics. He started his collegiate experience at Fresno State University, desiring to be a police ofcer.

While at Fresno State, their football team went 11-0-1 and became one of the only undefeated teams in school history. Though football was the traditional route for many who come from his background, his true vision was to make sure he graduated from college. The goal of becoming a law enforcement ofcer would eventually come true after accepting his rst assignment with the Bakerseld Police Department.

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BAKERSFIELD, CA Unfortunately, the life of a police ofcer wasn't what he thought it would be, and an art degree would pay off big as he transitioned to life as a runner and production assistant behind the scenes in his old stomping grounds of Los Angeles.

He eventually would strike off on his own to start Silver Titan Productions, and his mission of giving back would take on a whole new meaning.

Years later, Mr. Wilson would nd himself on an assignment at Indiana University covering the worldrenowned Jacob School of Music and the founder of the Latin American Music Center–a prestigious accomplishment for any lover of the ne arts.

But it was during a break while walking through a local mall where he would encounter a gentleman wearing a hat boasting of multiple wars where his journey for giving back to heroes began.

A story called “An American Hero” is what he would produce and direct for that man that started a series of projects which led to one of his most prized missions and now counting down the days to the premiere of “Kings of Freedom: A Tuskegee Airman Story,” which will debut at Florida A&M University in spring of 2022.

When asked where the title originated, Julian stated that he “always looked at the Tuskegee Airman as a story of royalty” as they were indoctrinated to be an example of change for the world. The members of the 332nd ghter group did their part in doing precisely that, escorting American bombers as they ew over Italy in P-47 and P-51 ghter jets during WWII with 19-year-old Colonel George Hardy, who was a lieutenant at the time and part of the

99th ghter squadron. During his escorts, he was part of 21 combat missions and didn't lose a single bomber.

Now 97, Colonel Hardy spent countless hours sharing his stories of triumph with Mr. Wilson. Through those moments, Julian acknowledged the need to make sure that their life and contributions to our livelihood never go unnoticed as he uses his platform to educate while shining a light on some of our forgotten heroes. In addition to Colonel Hardy's service in WWII, he ew 45 combat missions in the Korean war and over 70 in Vietnam. In Julian's own words, “any human being that has own over 136 combat missions and is still alive to tell the tale deserves all the attention, praise, and glory that they can get, and this is what true royalty looks like.”

Who would I be, to disagree? Now imagine learning about all this coming to fruition during a football broadcasting timeout as this is exactly how I learned of just one of the many great things Wilson has ready to present to the world. I'll always be amazed to learn how some of the humblest people contribute to the social makeup of our society while making sure to recognize those who have been forgotten.

To use your platform to highlight the accomplishments of others is a great sacrice. To keep legacies alive of those who sacriced more than you could ever imagine is God-like. To be part of a story that has inspired millions and saved lives over several continents, all while people assumed you weren't capable of contributing, is the icing on the cake.

To Mr. Julian Wilson, Colonel George Hardy, and the Tuskegee Airman, we here at Suite Life SoCal are honored to share your path and salute you and the Kings of Freedom for all you've done and continue to do to inspire innovation! +

“

I always looked at the Tuskegee Airman as a story of royalty.”

You can reach Mr. Wilson at silvertitanproductions@gmail.com SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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SCauses uite

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

WINTER 2022

Cultivating Innovation THROUGH GOOD WORKS

Bridge Builders Foundation ENSURING BLACK YOUTH WIN PLUS Renata Simril leads

Athletes In Action

Yolande Beckles

LA84 Foundation, A driving force for Youth Sports organizations of Los Angeles

showcases the charity side of football at the 2022 Super Bowl Breakfast

is a “Woman on a Mission” as director of the National Association of African American Parents and Youth

Fathers and Families Coalition of America using education to improve social services

SECTION COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIDGE BUILDERS FOUNDATION

SuiteCauses

The Bridge Builders Foundation's Way ENSURING BLACK YOUTH WIN STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIDGE BUILDERS FOUNDATION

B

efore he even knew what the word mentoring meant, James Breedlove was intrigued by the concept. The oldest of his parent’s three sons, a young Breedlove, grew up in Califor nia surrounded by great men—starting with his father.

With an inclination toward greatness, Breedlove initially watched the inuential, alpha men in his community from a distance. Before long, that inclination took him from observer to sponge and from sponge to mentee. "I was the beneciary of so many men's investment in me," he offers.

Driven by such investments and a desire to impress those he admired, Breedlove turned to books to acquire knowledge that became his power. At seventeen, Breedlove's vision for his life started to take shape. He moved out of his parent’s home, enrolled in Cal State Long Beach, became active on campus, and created a janitorial business under the advisement of one of his mentors. It was ongoing mentorship coupled with the success of the janitorial business that led to Breedlove developing a better understanding of business and money.

By age nineteen and "never too shy to ask what to do and how to do it," Breedlove worked at the California Youth Authorities, Parole Division, on the rehabilitation side, where he later moved up the ranks to become an administrator.

By twenty-four, he owned a real estate brokerage through which he purchased properties and opened residential adult care homes to serve mentally ill. Later, Breedlove converted the residential homes back to rentals turning more of his attention to community volunteer work with Zeta Rho Foundation through his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi (Zeta Rho Chapter).

At fty, when Breedlove retired with thirty years of service in corrections and rehabilitation, he fully immersed himself into Zeta Rho Foundation, going from volunteer to full-time staff.

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“

I was the beneficiary of so many men's investment in me.”

With a vision to build bridges from dreams to reality for the youth they served, Zeta Rho Foundation was renamed Bridge Builders Foundation (BBF). Later, the organization broadened its scope from scholarships and a summer camp to year-round mentoring and STEM programming. And to fulll their mission "to remove the barriers of race, poverty, ignorance, and despair through mentoring, educational support, health care awareness, and community uplift," the distinguished board and leadership team of BBF quickly realized—more was required.

Programmatically more, is adding a high school component to the middle and elementar y school components. Infrastructurally more, is an expanded and gender diversied board of individuals with targeted skills, hiring a new full-time program coordinator and searching for a full-time executive director. Relationally more, is deepening existing relationships with current partners, leveraging new partnerships, and mobilizing prominent men to create opportunities for the youth. More, is nancially more than robust funding from philanthropic entities that recognize BBF's work value.

LOS ANGELES, CA

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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SuiteCauses

Value from Breedlove's perspective is also captured in BBF's students' success stories. "We are most proud of the young people who come back and say we made a difference.

There was Caylan, who went on to be a Rhode Scholar. He said the rst time somebody put a book in his hand was at our program. His brother Chase came back to speak at our scholarship event. One of our young men is at Tuskegee in his third year. He says anytime he runs into challenges and needs a second opinion, we are always there for him."

What does Bridge Builders Foundation really do? They love on and lift up Black youth. How do they do it? By inundating youth with positive relationships, relevant programs, and resources designed to change the trajectory of their lives. So, whether it's the recently launched Youth Ambassador Program where they pay their high school students to mentor their elementary students giving high schoolers good work experience, or the newly added Black suicide component where psychologists Dr. Josette Banks and Dr. Cheryl Grills talk with youth about stigmas and warning signs, or the program for young ladies led by Principal Dr. Tosha Bunn-Bell and other female leaders, the goal is to build as many bridges to success as possible.

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In January 2022, one of the most innovative bridges yet takes place with BBF's new STEAM Program launch. This Saturday academy will run from January thru June on the Cal State Dominguez Hills campus. As explained by Breedlove, "One weekend they have classroom instruction and hands-on experiments—the next week, eld instructions. Because we added a high school component to the elementary and middle school component, we are now able to create a pipeline via the high school component following them all the way through high school to give more extensive supports."

I asked Breedlove, as president of one of Los Angeles' most transformative community-based organizations, what he wants Black boys and girls to know as they move through life. His answer: "That the sky is the limit. There are going to be challenges beyond your control, but you can calibrate around them."

You can follow Bridge Builders Foundation on their website at bridgebuildersla.org, on Facebook at Bridge Builders Foundation LA, and on LinkedIn at Bridge Builders Foundation Los Angeles. +

bridge builders foundation p r e s e n t s

dr. ernest e. just science program

Saturday Science Academy

2022

pr g ram

classroom site:

California State University at Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) 1000 E Victoria St. Carson, CA 90747

MONTH 1 CLASS Jan 15 Physics Field Trip: JAN 22 MONTH 2 CLASS feb 19 Human Anatomy Field Trip: FEB 26 MONTH 3 CLASS mar 19 Aerospace Field Trip: MAR 26 MONTH 4 CLASS apr 16 Transportation Field Trip: APR 23

MONTH 5 CLASS may 21 Elec. Engr/robotics Field Trip: MAY 28 MONTH 6 CLASS Jun 18 Computer Science Field Trip: JUN 25 MONTH 7 CLASS Jul 2022 Architecture Camp Field Trip: TBA all class sessions are:

9am – 3pm

This is a FREE STEAM Program for Elementary (Gr 4-5), Middle (Gr 6-8) & High School Students of Color

Includes: FREE lunch, snacks, supplies and materials. register online (preferred) at

SSA STEAM APPLICATION or download at bridgebuildersla.org or email at bridgebld@bridgebuildersla.org

SuiteCauses

LA84 Foundation A Driving Force for Youth Sports Organizations of Los Angeles STORY BY KEN CALVIN

A

nyone who knows me knows that if you are talking about giving back to our youth, you have my undivided attention. Imagine my excitement when nding out I get to cover one of the most inuential organizations in the world.

In addition to the Super Bowl Legacy Program, LA84 has also partnered with The Alliance, a collaboration between 11 professional sports organizations that include the Chargers and the Rams. The Alliance came together in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the global protest that followed.

LA84 Foundation is a nationally recognized platform supporting youth sports programs and public education.

Their primary goal is to advocate for the critical role that sports participation plays in youth development.

When hearing Simril speak at SoFi Stadium in March about their journey, I immediately got goose bumps as I am living proof that with a bit of support, the sport a kid chooses to play can turn into a lifetime of accomplishments with the proper foundation. I'm not sure if it was her background as an army military policeman or just the natural passion that exists in someone who has spent a lifetime serving the community, but I felt like I could accomplish anything after hearing Simril speak.

Starting in 1985, after being created with a share of the 1984 Olympic Games surplus, LA84 Foundation set the tone as a grant-making and educational foundation, supporting hundreds of nonprot youth sports organizations throughout Southern California. Since their inception, they've changed countless lives annually by offering training for coaches, hosting conferences, and maintaining an extensive Olympic and sports library for all their participants.

Led by Debra Duncan (Board Chair) and Renata Simril (President & CEO), LA84 Foundation has established some incredible partnerships and programs over the years. One of the most intriguing is the Play Equity Movement. Established in 2014, the Play Equity Movement is centered around the basis of social justice, making sure that all children have fair access to sports regardless of race, gender, zip code, or socioeconomic status. In Simril's words, “The lack of equal access for all kids to play is a crisis hiding in plain sight.”

I know this story well as a former youth sports player who couldn't even afford a pair of shoes to play my rst year in junior high; which is one reasons why my UNIFY organization started our “Kids in Cleats” campaign a few years ago.

However, LA84 Foundation has taken this same philosophy to plateaus few could imagine. Their partnership with the LA Super Bowl LVI Host Committee and the “Champions Live Here” legacy program highlights 56 of Los Angeles' heroic organizations that do so much without ever receiving the proper recognition for their contributions.

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“

The lack of equal access for all kids to play is a crisis hiding in plain sight.”

I've been around some fantastic leaders but let's take a quick look at some of the amazing work Mrs. Simril has accomplished for the City of Los Angeles. Simril has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Publisher of the Los Angeles Times, overseeing staff operations and special projects. She spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers as Senior Vice President of External Affairs, where she was responsible for restoring the Dodgers brand and Dodgers Foundation.

She was also Deputy Mayor of Economic Development and Housing for the Hahn Administration, where she worked to expand rental and affordable housing in Los Angeles. Still, one of the most impressive titles of all may have been her time spent as Development Deputy to Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas. She worked to help rebuild communities in South Los Angeles after the riots in 1992.

LOS ANGELES, CA

@la84.org @la84foundation

We often wonder how organizations like the LA84 Foundation get their start. When you have the right people in the right places, great things tend to happen. I can say wholeheartedly that Play Equity Movement is a great thing.

Without organizations like these and people like Simril, so many lives go unnoticed without an equal opportunity to prove their worth to a world that needs as much change as it can get.

Daily, we are reminded that we are a society that needs an occasional reality check. LA84 Foundation has taken it upon themselves and the greater Los Angeles community to ensure that reality checks are not the only kind of checks making their way to inner cities to instill change. It takes dedication, commitment, and sacrice to do so. I'm honored to highlight some of the unsung heroes who have spent decades making dreams come true for thousands of youth who remind me so much of myself.

With the help of the Super Bowl LVI Legacy program, the “Champions Live Here” program, the Los Angeles Sports and

Entertainment Commission, the LA84 Foundation, and the Play Equity Fund, expect great things to come in the near future. Special thanks to Ricky Zeller and Yolanda Gillette for assisting us with learning more about all the great work they do alongside CEO Renata Simril and the rest of their incredible staff at the LA84 Foundation.

To know that there are like-minded people with a passion for changing lives gives me the strength and energy to do all I can to follow in their footsteps. We are grateful to share the LA84 Foundation story with the world, as you have indeed shown us what innovation looks like by continuing to make sure that the “have nots” gain a little bit of ground on those who have it all. We cannot wait to see you all featured at halftime of Super Bowl LVI at the jewel of Inglewood, SoFi Stadium. Your devotion to the city of Los Angeles and the youth of Southern California will be remembered and praised for decades to come, and great things tend to happen when, and if, you ever need Suite Life SoCal, we are one phone call away. + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATHLETES IN ACTION. Pictured above from left to right at the 2020 Breakfast: James Brown (CBS Sports) doing the interview with past Bart Starr Award winners: Anthony Muñoz, Peyton Manning, Calais Campbell, and Steve Largent

2022

Super Bowl Breakfast How Giving Back Has Built A Community of Faith STORY BY LISA J. BAXTER

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SPEAKERS

LOS ANGELES, CA

Frank Reich, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts

S

ince its inception in 1988, the Super Bowl Breakfast has been the cornerstone of Super Bowl weekend and will kick off on

Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. It's one of those rare moments where athletes, coaches, fans, and the local business community come together to be inspired and celebrate the men in the league who’ve given back in unique ways. “For those that may not have tickets to the game, the breakfast is a great way to be up close and personal with the NFL stars that you see on TV every week,” reveals Terry Bortz, Director, Special Projects, Super Bowl Breakfast.

For two hours, over 1,400 attendees get to be entertained, watch highlights on the big screen, hear stories of hope from featured speakers and bear witness to the pièce de resistance—the presentation of the AIA® Bart Starr Award.

Bortz, who has directed the event for the past 30 years, understands why some may perceive it as one that rivals the game itself. “People tell stories at the Super Bowl Breakfast that they don’t tell anywhere else. It’s also a great opportunity for our local host city sponsors to make an impact in their business community. I’ve had people write to me and say that the Breakfast was the best part of the weekend. When you have someone like Tony Dungy or Benjamin Watson stand up and share their faith, that’s powerful; and they do it in such an engaging way that even if you don’t agree with the message, it gives you something to think about.”

With many fun and faith-based elements that comprise the program, the prestigious award presentation drives the purpose of the event. Named in honor of the late NFL Hall of Famer, the AIA® Bart Starr Award is one of two awards (the other is the Pro Bowl), where nominees are voted on by their peers. Starr came up with the criteria for the award himself and was adamant that the nominees not only exhibited outstanding character, integrity, and leadership on and off

Anthony Muñoz, Cincinnati Bengals, 1980-1992, Pro Football Hall of Fame

the eld, but that they were committed to giving back for the long haul.

Each team can nominate a player based on the number of years in the league, amount of community service, and a personal recommendation from someone who knows them.

As in years past, the 2022 nominees: Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Chris Harris Jr., Cam Heyward, Micah Hyde, Cooper Kupp, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, and Raheem Mostert, exemplif y Starr’s criteria and we congratulate Russell Wilson as the 2022 awardee.

You’ll nd that most of these players “…are really humble people. They don’t necessarily want the recognition.

They want to do the community service and give back in private, but they know that they are making an impact by being present and making public what they do,” Bortz maintains.

This year, attendees can also expect powerful keynote speeches from Frank Reich, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Muñoz, Cincinnati Bengals, 1980-1992, Pro Football Hall of Fame. Reich and his wife Linda recently started a new organization, called kNot Today, that provides services for sexually abused, exploited, and trafcked children. Muñoz has been committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of youth across the Tri-State through the Anthony Muñoz Foundation (AMF). Both are men of faith and are not shy about using their platform to spark conversations about life, family, and football that help to build community.

The Super Bowl Breakfast has always been rooted in faith, oneness, growth, and hope. Once you look beyond the glamorous facade that being in a room lled with NFL royalty can bring, the results can be, as Bortz puts it, “life-changing.”

And that sounds like a formula for success. + For tickets, visit superbowlbreakfast.com or call 800-416-9472.

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Woman on a

Mission STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN PARENTS AND YOUTH

Y

olande Beckles is a self-described “Woman on a mission.” This London, England-born educationalist came to California under the auspices of making documentary lms about educating children as she had before in London, which had earned her both adulation and controversy. While on this journey, she realized she couldn't go forward with her documentary as planned. Something was wrong at home.

She noticed her children were having problems navigating the public educational system in America. So she decided to see for herself and came face to face with the reality that the education system isn’t catered toward children of the African or Latin diasporas here in America.

So she decided to take action. In 2015 she created The Knowledge Shop in Los Angeles. Which, in her own words, “Comes from the need to ensure that Black and brown children, who are failing and have been failing for years in the public school system, had a place that they could come to—where someone truly believes in their talent and potential. And where we can help them and their parents continue the journey. From the womb through preschool, elementary, middle and high school, until they’ve nally entered the university.”

The Knowledge Shop, co-founded by Beckles, located at 2723 W 54th St. in LA, is a STEM enrichment center that serves the underprivileged students and parents of the LA Unied School District by offering an assortment of after-school programs along with Saturday science labs, coding boot camps, Spanish classes for African American children, and music lessons. The truly innovative part of the program is their philosophy of also teaching the parent.

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LOS ANGELES, CA

They offer parenting classes, ESL for adults, teachers’ conferences, and seminars. Even family events throughout the year. The existence and survival of a program like this begs the question: Why have we expected the well-being of our children and their educations to ourish while in the hands of entities like the LA Unied School District and other school districts across the country when it isn’t really their problem?

This idea of education beginning in the home isn’t new, but it has been refreshed anew in the American psyche after the past two years of pandemic and racial strife in this country and this world. In my recent conversation with Beckles, she stated: “After the pandemic and the BLM and social justice movements of the past two years, it was clear.

When it comes to African American, Black African, Caribbean, or anyone from the African diaspora, no one is really focused on us or our children...so that’s why we’re launching the National Association of African American Parents and Youth or NAAAPY. We’re doing all of the build-up work now for our January 2022 launch.”

Even before the 2020 shutdowns, Black and brown parents already needed an organization like NAAAPY, but no organization could represent their community’s unique needs. Then the results of the pandemic and a lost school year made this crystal clear and pushed the needs of this forgotten community and its children to the forefront. The pandemic didn’t create the problem but exacerbated it, and The Knowledge Shop was there to provide some relief during those days of distance learning for both children and parents. The need was dire, and Beckles had long advocated for a national program that focuses on the entire Black diaspora.

It’s no surprise, but the entire country needs these programs. As Beckles deftly pointed out in our conversation. “This isn't just an LA issue; it's a national issue...It's a well-known problem; the underachievement of Black and brown students. It’s been going on since Brown vs. Board of Education. If you’re a Black or brown parent, you can’t just drop your child off at the front gate then pick them up in the twelfth grade with a diploma...I’m afraid the system isn’t geared to do that with your child, particularly if they are Black [or brown]. You must know how to parent...how to manage and navigate the system...but if your there supporting them, loving them...when you’re a focused parent, and you know what your [Black or brown] children need, they will achieve, they will make it.”

“

This isn't just an LA issue; it's a national issue...It's a well-known problem; the underachievement of Black and brown students...If you’re a Black or brown parent, you can’t just drop your child off at the front gate then pick them up in the twelfth grade with a diploma.”

Educating parents to get their children through America’s convoluted school system is exactly what Beckles hopes to achieve with NAAAPY. While helping Black parents is a priority, she also stressed that she wanted to provide some relief to both Black and brown families from the trauma of the pandemic. It cannot be denied, the pandemic affected all children, though it cannot be overstated just how much more it impacted the children of lower-income families.

If you are a parent who would like to receive the services of The Knowledge Shop or NAAAPY, Beckles can be contacted by email at NAAAPY2022@gmail.com or The Knowledge shop at theknowledgeshopla.com. +

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

AA A f ric an A me ri c an B

LI B oa r d L ea d e r s hip I ns t it u t e

®

DO YOU KNOW

THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE?

They do!

The African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI) is the foremost educational organization of board governance for leaders to have an impact in the communities that they serve.

AABLI was established in 2011 to develop a pipeline of qualified African American candidates for membership on governing boards and is the only organization in the country created to exclusively train and assist with the placement of African Americans on all types of governing boards and commissions.

AABLI offers:

§ § § §

A rigorous board governance certificate program, Board placement assistance, Transformative growth, aligning talented leaders with dynamic organizations, and Access to its community of talented professionals and distinguished alumni network

Learn how to use your voice - visit aabli.org today!

SuiteCauses

The Ordinary Extraordinary Innovative Spirit of

Dr. James Rodriguez, MSW President and CEO of Fathers & Families Coalition of America STORY BY ANGELA JACKSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FATHERS & FAMILIES COALITION OF AMERICA

I

nnovation is the practice of developing and introducing new ideas, concepts, and things. Dr. James Rodriguez, MSW, should be recognized as an innovative leader of the last quarter of a century in light of this truth. Within the rst ve minutes of speaking with Rodriguez, it was evident that the spirit of innovation runs through the veins of this passionate leader. Rodriguez is the Chief Executive Ofcer and President of the national organization, Fathers and Families Coalition of America (FFCA).

FFCA was founded in 1996 and created out of a need for proper resources to support fathers and families to raise healthy, well-rounded children. Rodriguez took an opportunity to develop his local vision of supporting fathers and families into a national and now global experience for families and professionals who work with families. Today, FFCA has a worldwide audience and an international coalition that gathers annually to network, educate, and provide services to professionals and families.

Rodriguez's love for supporting families comes from his own broken family. According to Rodriguez, he is the product of the "projects" and the child welfare system because his

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father could not properly care for him without the support of the state. Rodriguez's father would later leave when he was six years old, leaving his mother and grandmother to raise him.

So how did Rodriguez's initial story of pain and lack lead to his creating and developing the FFCA? According to Rodriguez, "Sometimes you have to go through adversity or trauma to go to transformation, but when you get through that, you have to go through transcendence."

Rodriguez explains that when you transcend, you have the most signicant impact on others.

Rodriguez's military experience as an Army combat medic specializing in trauma-related injuries and his position as a substance abuse counselor in the Air Force helped shape him. Service as a counselor led him to volunteer to assist young Black and Brown fathers who were "gang bangers" while serving in the Air Force. His volunteer experience opened the door to a research opportunity at Arizona State University. That experience would catalyst for Rodriguez's further transformation and transcendence into one of the leading voices for fathers and families.

LOS ANGELES, CA

Rodriguez began working with Head Start after leaving active duty. He was asked to be the lead group therapist even though he did not have his master's degree. As a single father working full time, with no extended family to support him, Rodriguez's life qualied him to speak on behalf of the people he served.

While servicing families, Rodriguez saw a need for transportation services and decided to write a program and apply for a 6 million dollar grant. The grant would connect people living in poverty in rural Arizona to the metropolitan areas in Phoenix and Tucson. Despite the doubters, Rodriguez applied and received the grant. At 31 years of age, he oversaw a 6 million dollar program that changed many underrepresented families' lives. The seeds for FFCA had been sewn.

Twenty-three years into the organization, FFCA has four main components: professional development, networking (building relationships), being the "Champion of Champions" for healthy families and children, and creating synergy around all people to advocate for social justice. These components are found in all of their programs, aligning with the agency's mantra: "nding a cause bigger than self."

Rodriguez's cause has led him to reach out to those who can help him reach underrepresented people in need and the professionals who seek to help them. His work has led local politicians like Holly Mitchell, Karen Bass, and Maxine Waters to provide support. In appreciation for her service, Holly Mitchell received the 2019 FFCA Honorable John S, Martinez National Leadership Award.

This year's annual conference, the 23rd Annual Fathers and Families International Conference, will be a hybrid conference held virtually and in Los Angeles, California, from March 8 -11, 2022. The theme, “Love The Last Word,” is close to Rodriguez's heart. After experiencing loss all around him, and not enough afrmation of love from those who had to leave too soon, Rodriguez realized that love needed to be emphasized in the 2022 conference.

The conference will host more than 50 workshops, specialty training programs, networking opportunities, podcasts, and a must-attend closing gala. Whether you participate in person or online, this is the one conference you don't want to miss. Join Rodriguez and the FFCA network and lead with love so that love will be the last word.

Visit fathersandfamiliescoalition.org to register today. +

FB @FFCofA IG #fathersandfamiliescoalitionofamerica TW @FatherhoodConf fathersandfamiliescoalition.org

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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Life & Style

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

WINTER 2022

Beauty at your Door

InnovationS IN SERVICING BEAUTY F E AT U R I N G PICTURED

Kaylee Harris

Sherlonda Hamilton

delivers custom facials and more with mobility and comfort

on her shutdown come up with Pretty Lady Rollin’ Mobile Hair Salon

Life & Style | BEAUTY

Skincare Your Way: At Your Door STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF VIS JOLIE

H

ave you ever wanted to enhance your skincare routine but didn't know where to start? Are you unsure how to determine which products, facial procedures, or treatment programs t your skin? Then Kaylee Harris, owner of Vis Jolie (Live Pretty), is the woman to see! As one who “went through puberty at a very early age,” Harris understands the insecurities and frustrations that often accompany acne and frequent breakouts. With the rst-hand experience of such battles and vulnerabilities, her career path as an esthetician permits her to assist her audience, who are primarily composed of individuals lost and misguided in their skincare journeys.

Being a mobile esthetician, especially during a pandemic, proves to be beyond difcult. Apart from the unknown variables when pursuing a mobile business within a client's home, Harris asked herself, “How can I be mobile while being comfortable?” To guarantee the safety of her clients, herself and ensure exceptional service, she created a mobile oasis where clients can receive skin consultations, customized skin treatment, and the opportunity to dive deeper into self-care.

Moreover, Harris explains her experience in starting her own business, sharing that she hasn't had much difculty since taking that leap of faith. Understanding her passion for skincare as a teenager, Harris began her career as an esthetician in the doctor's ofce and learned more in her gynecologist’s ofce. Her desire and experience allowed for a

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“

Clients do not typically know what they need... all facials are custom.”

@visjolie visjolie.com

Vis Jolie Goes Mobile Ribbon Cutting

January 23, 2022 | 12pm-5pm 802 Magnolia Ave, Corona, CA 92879

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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Life & Style | BEAUTY

BEFORE

smooth transition into her career. Using her lessons on how to “treat the external and internal” will enable her to grow her business quicker than most and naturally surrounds her with clients and patients that “are already condent in [her].” Yet, despite this, Harris is prepared and willing to dream bigger and think larger about the future of her skincare business as she also explains her distant goals to having an ofce where she can hire those that align with her vision.

For some who have never seen an esthetician, the process requires a lot of studying, patience, and time.

Habitually, as Kaylee Harris shares, “Clients do not typically know what they need,” hence why “all facials are custom.” Custom service promises that each client will get the most out of their experience and ensures that these services are productive and effective. Some common issues as an esthetician come with skincare trends, as many often become inuenced by celebrities and social gures. She says, “Celebrities haven't gone to school and don't know the skin,” as such products that they are promoting “...work for their skin, but maybe not the next person.” These skincare companies and over-the-counter products often lack the more active, pure, and potent ingredients that change the skin without damaging or harming it. And because the skin is constantly changing with the weather, especially with the “bipolar” weather in California, these skin issues and transformations should be treated with an esthetician such as herself.

Within communities of color, many, if not all, struggle to nd products made for them, let alone ones that allow them to see active change. With the help of Harris, her

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AFTER skincare journey as a Black woman, and her extensive studies in the holistic therapy and skin mapping of the BIPOC community, she is well aware of the relationship between certain parts of the face and its connection to the organs of the body. Due to the dietary history and the oppressive history of communities of color, it is common for the skin to be affected by what one eats, how one feels, and the surroundings. This reiterates the concept of the internal and external being of her clients as she asserts, “I just want to make sure that my people are denitely treated well, and I do dedicate time to learn about our skin.” From hyperpigmentation, larger pores, and oily skin, she naturally hopes to “educate and bring effective, clinically proven results that help to change the skin.”

Apart from her inclusive skincare business and new mobile bus service, Harris has plenty of opportunities for clients and potential patients to get access to her assistance. For her New Year special, you get one free if you buy three treatments! There are also plenty more chances to access her services, so be on the lookout! Kaylee Harris shows herself to be an extraordinary esthetician and persists in educating herself to be of better aid to her clients. Do not underestimate the expertise of Ms. Harris, and if I were you, I would book her as of yesterday! +

Life & Style | BEAUTY

IG @prettyladyhairsalon

Sherlonda Hamilton STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRETTY LADY ROLLIN’ MOBILE HAIR SALON

I

t was 380 BC when Greek writer and philosopher Plato wrote in his work, The Republic, "our need will be the real creator." Over time, Plato's words would be rephrased and Americanized to the familiar declaration, "Necessity is the mother of invention." This declaration took on new meaning in 2020 when COVID-19 mercilessly bullied its way into our lives and forced us to reimage and invent ways to do what we once did with effortless ease.

You remember how necessity stretched us within our homes, turning kitchens into classrooms, living rooms into ofces, and garages into gyms. Outside of our homes was yet another place necessity shook things up, and for hairstylist Sherlonda Hamilton, the shakeup turned out to be an unexpected come up.

She'd been doing hair at the family-owned Pretty Lady Salon for twenty-six years in the 4500 block of Wellington, south of Crenshaw. For Hamilton and the other stylists,

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"Health of hair was the priority." This was intuitively Hamilton's focus as a sixteen-year-old doing hair on her grandmother's front porch and was later reinforced at the start of her professional career as a Pacic Beauty School student under the leadership of the school's founder, Mr. Cedric Goines.

As thorough as the late Mr. Goines was in the cosmetology space, he did not know how to teach what to do when a global pandemic comes and shuts everything down. Absent a guide, Hamilton did what we all did initially, she kept her eyes glued to the TV in shock as shutdowns and restrictions were announced. Trying to go along, she thought, "I need to buckle down and ride it out." With weeks and months adding up, she tried to take comfort in her grandfather's "hold steady" mantra. But at the three-month mark, Hamilton decided things were taking too long, and with all due respect to her grandfather, holding steady had run its course.

“

One week and I decided, 'This might have to be permanent.’”

Her rst plan, work out of the salon ever so discretely, one client at a time. Her second plan, mask up and go to the client's home. Neither method felt quite right, which led Hamilton to ask herself who was not impacted by the shutdowns. The answer: trucks—food trucks, more specically. "They [food trucks] were still able to drive to a location and serve people. Then there was a mobile, stationary barber truck on Manchester. Me and my father started doing research. It took three and a half months to nd a truck and get a team to put everything together. I started the foundation myself using YouTube and Pinterest."

With a commitment to just do something every day, ve months after necessity's push in December 2020, Hamilton had a fully loaded mobile salon with all the bells and whistles.

Before you applaud, she would have me tell you that this was no easy task. From being turned down for fteen Paycheck

@prettyladyhairsalon Protection Program (PPP) loans to having to get knee surgery, seeing her savings shrink, and not always nding the supplies needed when she needed them, Hamilton had reasons to be discouraged. But with supportive clients who loved the idea of a mobile salon, a father who cheered her on, a son who nished the ooring when her knee was out of commission, a neighbor who put the framing around the walls of the truck, a daughter who helped with the design/layout, and intensifying exhilaration about seeing herself do something she'd never done, the thought never crossed her mind to turn back.

Beautiful with love in every detail, nothing about the mobile salon suggests a layperson constructed it. By the time I sat down with Hamilton in the heart of downtown Culver City, the truck had been well broken in, and the experience was exceeding all expectations. "One week and I decided, 'This might have to be permanent,'" she gleefully reminisces. She's gone from seeing clients solely at her salon in Los Angeles before the pandemic to serving clients in Chino Hills, Hawthorne, Monrovia, Lakewood, Long Beach, Paramount, Granada Hills, Fullerton, and Temecula because of the pandemic.

No overhead, growing prot, a more exible schedule, being outside, attracting new clients merely from driving around, and interest from other beauticians, has Hamilton, with her heights set on building two more mobile hair salon trucks to lease out. She's had to hire an assistant to manage appointments for her growing clientele. And she's basking in the doctor's report of lower blood pressure since removing some of the day-to-day stressors of running a brick-andmortar salon. All of this because Hamilton dared to lean in when COVID-19 threatened her ability to keep empowering women. + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Expansion Innovation AND

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IN MUSIC & FILM

CO-FOUNDERS OF

1500 SOUND ACADEMY

Dopson Fauntleroy pluS PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

F O R Y O U R C O N S I D E R AT I O N

53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards ENTERTAINMENT PODCAST

enteRtainment

THE ULTIMATE MASTERCLASS A CONVERSATION WITH THE

1500 Sound Academy's Co-Founders STORY BY ASHLEY YANCEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAI BYRD 52

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Larrance “Rance” Dopson's climb to the top might best be described as the quintessential “pulling yourself up by the bootstraps” cliché. As the founder and CEO of 1500 or Nothin', a trailblazing musician collective full of the top record producers, songwriters, musicians, and music videographers, including none other than famed producer, singer, and songwriter James Fauntleroy, II, Dopson has helped steer this dynamic organization as they write the new rules for success. In an industry long acknowledged as cutthroat and full of unsavory characters, 1500 or Nothin' stands out in a class all their own.

“If I were to explain 1500, we're like the X-Men when it comes to entertainment and music,” says Dopson. “It's a conglomerate of talented people that grew up together from church that learned a lot of the rules together, and as we got a little older, we learned to break some of those rules.” Fauntleroy remembers the early days of the collective's church band origins at none other than West Angeles COGIC, one of the largest Black churches in Los Angeles. “I sang publicly for the rst time when I was 15 years old, and when I saw the reaction from the people, I decided that singing was my life. After that, I went to church and got a lot out of it.”

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enteRtainment After visiting a few area churches in Los Angeles County, it wasn't long before Fauntleroy found himself at a West Angeles music event where he met Dopson and the rest of the 1500 crew. During these early days, they had become known as the premier traveling church band, playing at area revivals and church events all over LA. “Larrance asked me to sing background for this [Bobby Valentino, 'Slow Down'] gig, and it turned out to be the rst 1500 gig ever.” With ve members who desperately needed money, Dopson told Valentino, “You've got to give us $300 each since we're a ve-piece band. $1500 or nothing.” From this initial handshake deal, 1500 or Nothin' was born.

Since that 2005 gig, the band has gone on to work with just about everyone in the industry. Recognized for his incredible voice and exemplary songwriting skills, Fauntleroy individually found success quickly. “That rst [Bobby Valentino] song was in 2005, and I had a hit song [on Chris Brown's album] two years later. I became the rst person in the group to have that level of success.” A heavily awarded musician and director in his own right, Dopson started off playing for Snoop Dogg. “That changed my whole life. I did seven world tours with him.” In the years since, 1500, collectively has collaborated with everybody who's anybody in music: Kendrick Lamar, The Game, Puff, Jay-Z, Roddy Ricch, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Lucky Daye, Saweetie, Ella Mae, Rihanna, Nipsey Hussle, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé are just a fraction of the artists that have worked closely with the band. “We're on TV shows now,” shares Dopson. “We just did a Calvin Klein show three days ago.”

“

Now, I want everyone to know to understand their inner selves. When you crack that code, that's when you can really do anything and nd happiness every day. I'm living proof of God's work.”

For those in the know, 1500 or Nothin' is the go-to resource to take your music to the next level. With dozens of awards under their belts, including 20+ Grammys, they live up to the hype. “We're an acquired taste when you want to work with us. It comes with swag and experience because everybody has their own character on stage,” explains Dopson. “We've been doing this so long we know how to create the right energy with the crowd.” Never one to hoard all the resources and happy to share great opportunities, by 2018, Dopson and Fauntleroy had identied the next step in 1500's steady progression: partnering to create the 1500 Sound Academy.

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Headquartered in Inglewood, California, in the same area the band started nearly 20 years earlier, the 1500 Sound Academy is a music education institution that strives to produce passionate sound creators through mentorship, positive mindsets, and professional development. This stateof-the-art music school offers a six-month commitment of comprehensive courses in music production, mixing, songwriting, musicianship, business management, entrepreneurship, and Artist Branding to aspiring professionals. “It's a 35,000 square foot facility, the X-Men School for the best creatives in the world. It's for people that know how to shift culture and believe in themselves,” says Dopson.

Ninety percent of the instructors are celebrities and people who work in the industry daily. With tuition priced at just over $12,000, and scholarships available via Facebook, YouTube, Physio, and Fender, among others, this academy costs a mere fraction of both the time and money a traditional, four-year institution demands, with a much higher rate of success. The Academy has plans to offer free tuition to all its students within the coming months. “I'm really focusing on as many ways, programs, collaborators, and companies as possible to generate opportunities for anybody that's willing to learn and be exposed,” says Fauntleroy.

When designing the course offerings, Fauntleroy pulled on his own experiences to help craft something truly unique.

“I had an ofce at a marketing agency for years where I was studying how they put together their presentation decks and stuff,” shares Fauntleroy. “I had always been interested in web design and design in general, but I was really learning the Adobe Creative Suite, coding, and all these other things that I personally thought were supplemental to the important work we're doing. At that time, I hadn't met another person like me that wanted to take the time to learn all this other software and information to get their ideas across.”

The rst of its kind, what makes the 1500 Sound Academy stand out is its holistic approach to the entire music entertainment machine. “We're teaching coding, JavaScript, HTML, C++ while working on an Acting, TV, and Film Academy–we're doing a bunch of workshops for that. We're also doing a bunch of venture capitalist workshops where we've got billionaires and millionaires teaching nancial models such as how to build trust from investors and how to get your evaluations up, and just so many other things,” Dopson gushes. “It's really like Life School.” There's just one belief that Dopson needs his 1500 Sound Academy students to have to be successful in their program. “You've got to be crazy enough to believe in yourself. That's when we will let you in.”

Many students enter the school with one goal in mind before changing their minds after becoming exposed to a world of opportunities they didn't know existed. “Some people go, wanting to be a superstar and turn out to be a coding expert or a music supervisor… the whole point of the

“You've got to be crazy enough to believe in yourself.

That's when we will let you in.”

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enteRtainment school is to teach you how to be unemployable, that the only thing someone can do is license your thoughts,” Dopson shares.

“To get to that point, you have to learn the rules and break the rules, understand human behavior, and understand so many other things. While [much of this] has nothing to do with music, you still have to be a bad motherf*er in music,” he says with a laugh. Fauntleroy adds, “Things always look like they just happen, but it really was years of intense study of all this different software to communicate [this Academy] idea.”

Both are thrilled at the success the Music Academy has seen thus far. Multiple facilities are popping up across the country, and the growth is pacing at record speed. Currently, the duo is focused on completing Phase 2 of construction at their Inglewood headquarters. “That's where it's going to be like Silicon Valley. We will have the entertainment business, the NFL, and the NBA all in one building. We will call those students Cultural Coders,” says Dopson. Fauntleroy has yet to see their recipe duplicated. “I haven't seen anybody else today, including my colleagues, who can really design software and have a conversation with me about what's inside. That's what's innovative about what we are doing.”

The goal is to make the industry more accessible to those coming in, and Fauntleroy is proud of the impact they're making.

“The Academy is my number one priority and passion because everyone that's in the music business has had such a rough road, so I really am passionate about making it easier for someone else. I want to make it easier for everybody that's considered marginalized, but specically, people of color and women because of the stuff I've seen…” he shares as his voice cryptically trails off. With roughly 100 students who have graduated from the program in just over two years, Dopson's proudest moment is always graduation day. “They give their testimonials of how it changed their life... three of our students were homeless while they were going to our school and we didn't even know...hearing their stories and seeing where they are now is truly the best feeling.”

The local reception to the 1500 Sound Academy has been nothing short of exceptional. Inglewood has gone so far as to give 1500 a holiday! “We have our ofcial 1500 Day on January 15. The mayor comes out, and we have a big celebration,” explains Dopson. Mayor James Butts selected January 15th to commemorate the famous band, a quiet nod to MLK Jr's day of birth. “We have the whole hood come, from tech people to venture capitalists to just people from our community to gangsters... everybody. This is the one time we celebrate unity and change for the better.” This year, 1500 is planning a massive celebration on Friday, January 14th, at The Novo downtown.

“Everybody we've worked with is going to be there. It's going to be like a Summer Jam!” When it comes to the upcoming 2022 Superbowl festivities that Los Angeles will be hosting this winter, Dopson advises, “Keep an eye out on our Instagram!”

In the meantime, when Fauntleroy and Dopson are looking to take a break from their busy Academy and recording schedules, they look no further than their own backyards, since

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“I haven't seen anybody else today, including my colleagues, who can really design software and have a conversation with me about what's inside.

That's what's innovative about what we are doing.”

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enteRtainment

@1500Sound @1500SoundAcademy

1500soundacademy.com both are LA natives. “I love My Two Cents, so good!” exclaims Fauntleroy. “I love Leimert Park too, everything in there.” He pauses. “I used to go to Project Blowed when I was rapping all the time, rap in the streets, in the middle of the night…” referencing his past love and skills as a battle rapper in his teens and early 20s.

“I won every battle I ever had except one.” Dopson concurs. “I actually met James freestyle battling someone, and he was so good!

I bet somebody that James would win, and I won my money.” He laughs, “And get this–I hadn't actually 'met' James yet.” When it comes to eating out, Dopson loves the crowd's favorite Roscoe's as well as a newcomer on the block. “Hilltop, that's the new spot. And shoutout to Market Street–I just like being around all the new Black businesses.”

When it comes to long-term goals and the legacy the Academy co-founders want to leave behind, both Dopson and Fauntleroy prioritize uplifting the community over everything else. “I really want people to learn the value of service. You know, everything that's valuable in our world is its value to the person that's experiencing it, so that could be love, it could be art… whatever it is, the value of it is what it does for someone else,” Fauntleroy begins.

“Everybody wants to be serviced, but not of service. I've learned that the more you give, the more you get.” Fauntleroy nishes, “Another thing I wish everybody would get into is the value of learning because my whole life, from zero [dollars] to millions to zero, has all been because of learning.”

For Dopson, he's realized his initial bar wasn't set high enough in the beginning. He's now raising that to something higher. “My goal was to have 100 millionaires within the next two years, and I think it's gonna happen because we're doing very well helping people.” Dopson continues, “Now, I want everyone to know to understand their inner selves. When you crack that code, that's when you can really do anything and nd happiness every day. I'm living proof of God's work.” +

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The Pan African Film + Arts Festival Celebrates 30 Years of Culture February 8-21, 2022 | Los Angeles & Worldwide

STORY BY SHIRLEY HAWKINS

When it comes to innovators, Pan African Film + Arts Festival (PAFF) executive director Ayuko Babu has fearlessly worked to break down barriers for people of color in the international lm world for nearly 30 years.

B @paffnow paff.org

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abu, who co-founded PAFF along with actor Danny Glover and actress Ja'Net DuBois in 1992, became keenly aware that global independent lms featuring people of color lacked an international audience. He felt that the lms, which featured brilliant actors and directors–many of whom had won awards in their own countries–needed to be shown to a broader audience and that a larger platform needed to be established for people of color to tell their stories on the big screen.

“We got tired of looking at all the white images on the screen that were coming at us 24 hours a day,” Babu said frankly. “We wanted to see

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our story and see what was on our minds, not what was on white folks' minds and what they were interested in.”

“We wanted to bring our story in front of a wider audience and put it on the big screen and show what Black folks in Mexico were talking about and what Black folks in Brazil were thinking and what was on the minds of the Nigerians and what folks in New York were talking about.”

PAFF is one of the most prominent Black lm festivals in the United States and a greatly attended Black Histor y Month cultural celebration in the nation.

Many of the lms showcase Africans from throughout the continent of Africa and America including cinema submitted from South Africa, Jamaica, Canada, Soweto, and Nigeria.

Each February in Los Angeles, the Pan African Film + Arts Festival showcases a spectacular array of lms, shorts, and documentaries from around the world.

Once again, this year, festival co-founder and awardwinning actor and activist Danny Glover will serve as the celebrity ambassador for the festival and will help promote and spread goodwill about the 2022 lineup to audiences during its two-week run.

The festival, which will be celebrating its 30th year of celebrating culture, will feature an array of international lms to include feature-length lms, short documentaries, narrative feature lms, narrative short lms, and web series.

Babu said the Artfest held at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza is continuing. “This is our 30th anniversary, so we want people to come out and enjoy the 100 arts and crafts people and the ne artists we showcase every year. We want people to enjoy themselves and have a good time.”

Babu enthusiastically explained the festival attracts thousands of attendees who come to see lms from the diaspora and from around the world. “We try to pass knowledge on in an enlightening and entertaining way and spread insight and energy to our attendees who enjoy the festival every year.”

Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, the festival will be screened virtually this year. Still, Babu said the virtual screenings would allow the festival to gain an even wider worldwide audience as submissions are pouring in from countries such as Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, and New Zealand.

“Yes, the lm festival is going to be virtual,” said Babu. “If the COVID virus is under control, then we will have both inperson as well as virtual screenings this year.”

Babu directs viewers to access the PAFF website at www.paff.org to view the list of upcoming lms for 2022. “All a

viewer has to do is look for the directions on how to view the virtual lms,” he said. Should in-person screenings take place, audiences will be able to view them at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD across from the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

PAFF screens more than 200 new lms each year, which range from million-dollar blockbusters to emerging lmmakers and directors, many of whom will be screening their lms in front of a worldwide audience for the rst time.

PAFF also is designated as an ofcial qualifying lm festival for narrative, live-action, and animated short lms for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

As of press time, the organization was still pouring through over 1,500 submissions to determine which lms and documentaries would be featured this year.

“We are still debating which will be our opening movie and which will be our closing movie,” said Babu. “The committee working with the festival has seen some fantastic movies.”

“

We wanted to see our story and see what was on our minds, not what was on white folks' minds and what they were interested in.

”

Asked if COVID has affected the staging of the festival this year, Babu said, “Yes, technically it's difcult, and it requires one team to run the theater and one team to run the virtual. It is very expensive.”

“But we as Black people have a history of going past all of that. We got past slavery, we got past colonization, we got past mother nature, and we still keep going. We call on our ancestors to guide us past all of the obstacles facing us. That is the proud tradition we come from.” + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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Living His “Special Purpose” EARL “SKIP” COOPER, II TALKS 50 YEARS OF THE BBA STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE | FEATURE PHOTOS BY XAVIER HARRIS LEGACY PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION & EARL “SKIP” COOPER II

If you have not met Earl "Skip" Cooper, II, you are missing out on quite a treat. His smile makes you smile. His laugh makes you laugh. His storytelling is mesmerizing. His love for Black folk and Black businesses runs as deep as Lake Tanganyika (Africa's deepest body of water). He is the quintessential Black leader who adorns himself in African garb not because it looks nice but because he appreciates the energy of his ancestors and ethnic pride.

I opened our conversation by asking Mr. Cooper, who has served as President/CEO of the Black Business Association for more than forty years, about his move from Oakland to Los Angeles. Following his signature surge of laughter, he tells me that he moved to Los Angeles on Saturday, August 20, 1972. Intrigued by him remembering the exact date and the exact day of the week, I probed more.

"How is it that you remember the exact day so well?"

"Because it was one of the most signicant days for Black folks in LA." "How so?"

"It was the same day over 100,000 people lled the Los Angeles Coliseum to see Isaac Hayes at the Watts Summer Festival," he says.

If one didn't know any better, one would think Cooper's main fascination with the day was Issac Hayes, but in reality, it was a celebration of African American pride popularly known as Wattstax or Black-Woodstock.

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“

A main focus for the BBA must be helping African Americans to become stronger and

“

more unified.”

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SuiteBiz | TRIBUTE For Cooper, learning about or being in proximity to the best in Black America excited him since the 1950s when he was a ten-year-old boy with a newspaper route that placed him eye-to-eye with Black royalty. Although he was too young at the time to know the full power of Black greatness, because he was what our grandmothers call "an old soul," he could sense something.

One of his distinguished paper route customers was Don Barksdale, an African American businessman in Oakland. Cooper recalls, "He was nice to me. He would sometimes give me a tip. And for Christmas, he would give me an envelope with ve dollars in it. He was one of the rst African Americans to play in the NBA. He had a nightclub and radio station."

Another distinguished customer of Cooper's was J.C. Patterson, who was one of the top real estate brokers at the time. Also on Cooper's paper route was the historic Ebony Hotel, the hotel Black performers like Cab Calloway lodged in when they were in Oakland before the Civil Rights Movement.

Something else that swelled Cooper with Black pride was the JET Magazine which he began reading around the same time he was delivering newspapers. To this day, Cooper still has the rst copy of JET Magazine with Sugar Ray Robinson's wife wearing a mink coat on the front cover.

The signicance of these inuential Black gures, historic landmarks, and glowing print images is found in one word: exposure. We often hear it said that exposure is everything. For young people to know the extent of their potential, they need to see what they can be in those who look like them. Well, having grown up in West Oakland where 90 percent of the projects where located in the 40s and 50s, Cooper never had to look far to see who he could be. And although his community was considered "the hood," respect and dignity were instilled without prejudice.

By the time Cooper showed up as a young man on USC's campus in the early 70s—being one of the rst persons in the nation to earn an AA degree in African American Studies from Merritt College in 1968— to participate in their entrepreneurship and master's degree pilot program, there were two things he already knew: One; he knew who he was. Two, he knew he was "going to do his thing" in business.

With the awareness that LA had its fair share of Black entrepreneurs, Cooper almost immediately connected with what was called the Black Businessmen's Association of Los Angeles; an organization founded in 1970 by Clarence Lofton, Alan Bennett, Robert Collins, and John LeDay following a minority business program led by UCLA's rst African American Vice Chancellor, C. Z. Wilson in 1969. As Cooper recalls, "The majority in attendance at the program were African American. They had a talking session with the attendees, and out of that came the need for a Black Business Association. He [Wilson] assigned one of his staff members to help structure the men's association. They didn't want to be under the Black Business Chamber. We wanted to be independent. We had some outstanding African American entrepreneurs."

The Black Businessmen's Association of Los Angeles, later renamed Black Business Association (BBA), represented those outstanding entrepreneurs. From the start, there were approximately forty Blackowned businesses that BBA advocated to expand contract procurement opportunities with the public and private sectors and identifying nancial resources for the growth and development of Black businesses.

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Recognized as one of the most knowledgeable individuals in small business in the mid-1970s, Cooper became entrenched in LA's bustling business scene. From the BBA, he joined forces with other African American men and women who would collectively meet with Assemblyman Willie Brown to encourage him to create an African American business program for California. As the chair of a key committee, Brown couldn't make the program African American, but he did make the program for small businesses. This legislation impacted small businesses all over California. Also, the BBA worked very close with Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke, the rst African American woman elected to Congress for the State of California.

As one of the nation's leading Black business entities, it was encumbered upon the BBA to know the local and national landscape. As a prominent voice and decision-making body, the BBA knew that the weight of this responsibility meant deepening their involvement from a social, economic, and political perspective.

Hence, whether it was the rst issue of the women's magazine, Essence, being published in May of 1970; or the rst issue of Black Enterprise being published three months later; or Thomas “Tom” Bradley being elected as the rst Black mayor of Los Angeles in May of 1973; or Mervyn Dymally being elected as the rst Black lieutenant governor of California in 1974; or Maxine Waters being elected to the California State Assembly in 1976 with Comer Cottrell, Sr., the founder and CEO of ProLine Corp.–the largest Black business in LA–as her nance chair, the BBA was front and center. In fact, the BBA was very instrumental in the success of Waters' grassroots campaign.

As reported by the Census Bureau, Los Angeles had the west coast's largest Black population during this same time period. Blackowned businesses continued to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the economy, showing a rapid growth in the number of businesses and total sales r e ceipts. Los Angeles was home to some of the most prominent corporate institutions in the nation. Some of these business institutions were collaborative partners of the BBA to educate Black businesses about loans, nancing, and how to achieve economic solvency. Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison, and Northrop Grumman also came alongside the BBA as collaborative partners and have remained steadfast in their support.

With a mission to "ensure that African American and other diverse business owners benet from advocacy efforts to impact, improve and implement policy that improves access to contracting and procurement opportunities with the public and private sector, in addition to providing access to nancial resources," the BBA has also forged alliances with political bodies and political ofcials who have helped the organization push forth its agenda to support Black businesses form and grow.

To this end, in 1976, Cooper and other leaders spearheaded the rst trade missions to Washington, DC, where ve members of the BBA were dispatched to deal with logistics and to meet with Parren Mitchell, one of the members of the congressional small business committee. It is said that Mitchell SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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was overjoyed that a Black organization nally came back to the committee. Cooper reects with much enthusiasm about this hallmark moment for BBA, "We had the political support to put together the trade mission. We had meetings at the White House and with major agency decision makers. We did our receptions with the CBC [Congressional Black Caucus] at the Capitol." He continued, "Parren became close with the BBA. Later he became chair of the Congress Small Business Committee and the BBA." Like the founders of the BBA, the founders of the CBC had a deep sense of commitment to assist African Americans who were coming out of and still faced racial discrimination. Each partnership the BBA entered into was done with this reality in mind. Each program was developed to arm African Americans with the tools they needed to rise above overt and covert discrimination. Every celebration was to remind African Americans of their worthiness and collective strength.

As the organization evolved through the years, annual, seasonal, and themed award ceremonies such as the Black Business Day Luncheon in the late 80s also proclaimed as Black Business Day in Los Angeles (City and County), the Annual Awards Dinner in recognition of Black History Month in February, the 2020 Virtual Veterans Procurement & Business Conference, the 2021 Virtual Salute to Black Music: The Business Behind the Music in June of this year, and the Feed Our Community program to support Black restaurants in providing free hot meals to those experiencing food insecurity, have been opportunities for celebrating what Black entrepreneurs have done and are doing.

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Again, well versed in the implications of systemic racism, the BBA has also hosted workshops, trainings, and panel discussions over the years to help Black business owners bear the burden of bias and discrimination fatigue. In 2020, when Geoge Floyd's senseless murder prompted unprecedented giving towards racial reckoning causes to the tune of $50 billion in promises from corporate America, BBA sounded the alarm for Black businesses to not get their hopes up high where corporate America's promised were concerned. It was for these reasons that these dollars, to some extent, amounted to nothing more than "guilt money," and the money wasn't in the bank yet, the message was "let's keep our eyes on the prize."

What's the prize? From Cooper's standpoint, the prize is ownership. "I would like to see African American business owners own our brands and property. The United States is a capitalistic society, and our key essence of power is land and property. And so, we have to be in the business of acquiring properties whether industrial, residential, or commercial."

Cooper's additional point of concern as the curtain closes on his tenure is the notion that "no job in America is sacred."

"Businesses that don't pivot, run the risk of becoming extinct.

Think about Blockbusters. Think about Montgomery Wards and Circuit City." He elaborates further, "Think industrial industry — in the late 80s, the pager industry was booming. Then cell phones came and killed that. The cell phone started with charging by the minute. Then it went to plans. The banking industry went from doing banking in-person to doing business through a mobile app."

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SuiteBiz | TRIBUTE

To Cooper's point, just as the fty-year-old organization acclimated itself to creative ways of continuing to engage its constituency following the COVID-induced pivot, they are preparing for yet another. This time at the helm as their President/CEO passes the baton on to board-appointed Interim President Sarah Harris.

Harris, who currently serves as publisher of Suite Life SoCal magazine, has worked closely with the BBA and Cooper for more than twenty years. And as Harris prepares to take center stage on January 1, 2022, she does so with Cooper's blessing and enthusiastic support.

In this transition, Cooper leaves us with three things to 72

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consider: one, we still face systemic racism, and its impact on Black businesses; two, "A main focus for the BBA must be helping African Americans to become stronger and more unied;" and three, because the future of the world is the youth, we have to help young entrepreneurs grow strong businesses with our guidance.

We thank Earl "Skip" Cooper, II for more than four decades of seless service and look forward to the BBA's next chapter under the leadership of Sarah Harris.

Follow the Black Business Association on Twitter @bbalaorg, Instagram @black_business_association, and their website at bbala.org. +

SuiteBiz | COMMERCE

Amber Meshack Directing Innovation that Changes Lives STORY BY AJA A. BROWN PHOTO COURTESY OF LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS

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Today's most prominent organizations relentlessly focus on innovation as one of their top strategic priorities. To remain relevant and top of mind in an increasingly demanding society, companies typically approach innovation by evolving their technology, engineering, processes, or testing the biggest, newest, and brightest ideas. Yet there's usually one critical centerpiece that is either missed altogether or simply an afterthought — the people.

Innovation is about nding the right people around you; it's not about the shiniest ideas. It's about fostering the right conditions and creating a safe environment for people who are so passionate about what they do; they don't see obstacles; they see possibilities and opportunities.

Passionate people who genuinely believe they can make a difference in the lives of others are what drive tremendous change and leave a lasting impact.

PHOTO OF THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORT BY MARKUS MAINKA | STOCK.ADOBE.COM

One such passionate person is Amber Meshack, Director of the Business, Jobs, & Social Responsibility (BJSR) Division at the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). According to Meshack, "If you build buildings and you transform the skyline, the airport, but you don't transform people's lives and provide opportunities to small businesses within the community, then you haven't really lived up to the potential of the program."

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LAWA established BJSR in 2018 to advance social responsibility and maximize access to business and career opportunities at LAWA. Through BJSR, LAWA seeks to create a perfect environment to foster innovation.

As Director of the BJSR Division, Ms. Meshack is responsible for the workforce and business opportunity programs, including ensuring delivery of inclusivity commitments for the $14B LAWA capital program, overseeing LAWA'S First Source Hiring Program, managing the small contractor development and bonding assistance program, and developing strategic partnerships for business and workforce development.

Before taking on the role of BJSR Director, Ms. Meshack worked on the LAX Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). As BJSR Director, she managed executive operations and procurements for projects like the City's largest ever public-private-partnership project and the $4.9B Automated People Mover, the largest contract ever entered into by the City of Los Angeles. As part of that effort, Ms. Meshack was responsible for developing the local hire, workforce, and small, local, and disadvantaged business contracting requirements.

Prior to coming to LAX, Ms. Meshack helped establish the City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Council system. She was an organizer with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, "the living wage coalition," helping to establish local livable wages.

"Small and local businesses are the lifeblood of our LAWA program; it is what most people see when coming to the airport right now," says Meshack. The running joke between Amber and her team is that they are more like a construction site that just happens to have planes coming in and out.

What is undoubtedly the most extensive modernization program of an airport that LAX has ever done, the crown jewel of their groundbreaking innovations is their $5.5 billion landside access modernization program (LAMP), set to be completed by 2023. An automated train will nally connect LAX to the regional metros system. A long-overdue solution to a recurring pain point caused by LA trafc will forever change and drive a positive sentiment for the daily LAX traveler's experience.

When diving in deeper with Meshack to unpack other exciting, innovative projects on the horizon, she shared details surrounding the consolidated rental car center at LAX that customers will have direct access to in one central location. Conveniently, the train station will be right there on top of the rental car center, where you can drop off your car, get on the train and go straight to your terminal.

Terminals are also being modernized simultaneously, as the city council has recently approved to proceed with the next stages of planning and development for the aireld and terminal modernization project. Modernization will be another estimated $5-$6 billion program, focused on

expansion by adding a new concourse with a new terminal and a massive roadway of improvements.

The innovation strategy at LAWA is driven by listening to their guests, diverse small businesses, suppliers, internal employees, and data insights that allow them to iterate constantly, test, and evolve. Despite all of those extraordinary projects, there are still two programs Meshack is the proudest of, LAX Academy and Hire LAX. "We've had this intensive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and this is by design from the current and previous CEO. We knew that billion-dollar programs of this magnitude typically only come along once in a lifetime, and proudly we are 50 to 60% of the way through the program and have already exceeded our business utilization goals for small and local businesses. We're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars going directly to these small and local businesses," says Meshack.

These impressive numbers are living proof that one of the newest programs of LAWA, LAX Academy, focused on helping small contractors become successful, is already precisely doing that. LAWA continues to show that there's no innovation without the people. Hire LAX ensures LAWA construction projects are committed to building with a minimum of 30% local workers.

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SuiteBiz | COMMERCE Ms. Meshack passionately describes the focus of the Hire LAX apprenticeship readiness program to be solely on the local community and on creating pathways for people who may have been locked out or had barriers to careers, which make up about 40% of people.

economic barriers such as local workers' ability to pay for boots, tools, transportation, anger management classes, or anything to succeed in the workforce. Its model partners such as Leaders Up make it possible for LAWA to bring these opportunities to the community.

"This (Hire LAX) is also inclusive of program graduates who had previous justice system involvement, and this program is helping to break down those barriers and provide access into good-paying union construction jobs." Meshack shared.

Meshack and the rest of the BJSR division have given a deeper and more empowering meaning to what innovation can look like beyond the latest technology advancements.

Instead, they are showing the world what innovation can unlock when you put the community that makes up the people, the small and local businesses, and place them at the heart of everything you do to shape and build the future of tomorrow. It must be diverse, equitable, inclusive, or there's nothing innovative about it at all. +

The Hire LAX apprenticeship readiness program has been recognized as a national model for reasons such as the primary training given to the apprentices through their partnership with Southwest College and building construction trade unions. LAWA can also provide wraparound supportive services, with grant aid provided by the County of Los Angeles. The assistance helps overcome

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

Join us online at suitelifesocal.com to view our magazine online, for additional content, and have an opportunity to add your voice to the conversation.

Visit us today and Follow us @suitelifesocal

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To learn more about LAWA and the BJSR division of programs, please visit www.lawa.org.

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SuiteBiz | FINANCE

Wealth$hare APP Changing Lives Through Education & Opportunity STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR

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ince the age of fteen, Shanté Davis has always gravitated towards “roles of helping others,” commonly pursuing careers in sales and customer relations. After seeking her postsecondary education in Business Administration and Management from Georgia State University, she gained extensive experience working for various Fortune 500 companies, such as Grand Hyatt, CocaCola, and Chick-Fil-A. Her intense passion to be involved in the community and support others was tremendously impacted by working for these corporations yet succeeding the fteen years of climbing up the corporate ladder, Davis desired to “Have more freedom and strived to think outside the box of her roles.” In 2019, she became an Atlanta-based Real Estate Agent, thus becoming her most lucrative year in her career span due to the multitude of families migrating to new homes during the pandemic. The excitement of her new success did not last long as her loved ones were also facing extreme nancial hardships at the same time. Davis knew she had to extend herself beyond her current career to mend the wealth gap, nancial divide, and absence of nancial literacy that directly attacked people all across the world.

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As a result, Shanté Davis completely pivoted her career path and hired a team of technology and app developers, lawyers, and business consultants to curate the Wealth$hare App in April of 2020. The app works as a form of collecting and rotating savings amongst the members of the app, consequently becoming a more reliable and stable system that provides solutions for individuals and families in need. With over 6.5 million dollars revolved since its April 2021 launch and absolutely “no banks involved, no investors, [and] the funds come purely from the members coming together to recycle funds together,” the Wealth$hare App is designed to relieve many of the hurdles of traditional lending processes, like credit checks and high interest loans, that often prevent such funds from being accessible.

In addition, Davis's vision encompasses much more than the just economic exchanges that were “scouring the internet at the time,” but also comprised her desire to increase nancial literacy amongst those communities. She continues to share her anecdote of the lack of education concerning nancial literacy, stating “Unfortunately, we…” as in nonwhite communities, “...were not taught those things

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SuiteBiz | FINANCE throughout our educational careers.” Yet with Wealth$hare Educates, she grants her members the interactive tools and opportunities to gain a comprehension of various topics from stocks to investing! Davis prides herself on her and her team's ability to have different speakers come to expand the palettes of her members concerning nancial matters, as she states boldly, “If there is something that I don't know, I am going to make sure I have someone who does.”

Though Shanté Davis has had much success since the launch of her app, such a process isn't as easy as it sounds. As a brand new app, there was no one to imitate nor was there a step-by-step guide to aid in the research and constant work to achieve such a “problematic” concept. And by “problematic,” I mean it did not adhere to the reconstruction and centralization of the capital and economic gain that many within the business could not defer from. The American version of the sou-sou (also spelled Susu) consisted of unsafe and unmanageable exchanges of money that would eventually leave individuals empty-handed and others wealthy. Overall, these processes required an exponential amount of money and were deemed as “gifts” that were expected to be returned. Once understanding the lack of sustainability of this method, one can comprehend that these community-based saving practices are habitually “not selsh [nor are they] greedy.” This then explains the pushback and resistance Davis and her team endured when proposing a more secure version of the American Susu. She expresses, “They had stuck with the easy way even though they knew it was unsustainable and somewhat questionable but I just wanted people to see that there is a right way to do this.”

Considering that she discovered she was pregnant around the same time her ideas were coming into fruition, such a concern of balancing being a mother of three (two boys 80

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and a girl as of October 2021) has arisen. Yet, with such a great team to support her, her vision for the app did not blur nor fade. Davis also voices that she has faced intersectional challenges as a Black woman, commonly hearing statements such as, “You should have a man lead” along with the common microaggressions in the workspace. When also considering that her entire staff is composed of Black women, such opinions can often provoke insecurities and hesitation in taking on such an innovative business. But despite these experiences, Davis has shown that she was (and persists) to carve out spaces for other Black women within these corporate spaces.

Aside from these misfortunes, Davis proves herself to be proud of the strides that she has made since launching the app and the impact that it has made on families and small businesses giving them that “cushion they need,” as she describes it. I believe the greater lesson from this dialogue is that every company has its start, none of which are perfect. Apple, Amazon, and Google did not become what it is now in a matter of days.

Overall, Davis's goal is to continue to grow and develop the Wealth$hare App, as she states, “We are learning as we are building.”

She continues to share her desires to nancially assist as many families as she can by sharing wealth amongst themselves and encouraging potential members to support a Black-owned business run by women. The public just has to be open and “willing to learn the facts, make sure you understand what you're getting into, and make sure it is for you!” This is only the rst product, but once they are off the ground even more plans will come to life! The sky is truly the limit for Mrs. Shanté Davis and the Wealth$hare App! + To apply for your 0% interest loan, go to: app.unlockwealthshare.com and use reference code: SHAB-3130

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SuiteBiz | REAL ESTATE

William C. Knox 82

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All Saints Lending “A gift that keeps on giving."

STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALL SAINTS LENDING

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urchasing or renancing a home is one of the most important, complicated, and horrifying things we do in life. When doing so, you require capable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy allies to guide you through this complex process. William C. Knox ts this description. A graduate of St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, who's held a Real Estate Sales License since 1989, a Broker's License since 2006, and a National Mortgage Licensing Systems Certication since 2010, and is Owner of All Saints Lending since 2018. It's safe to say Knox is an authority in the eld of real estate mortgage lending.

In college, he played NCAA basketball. He had a stint as a professional in Argentina and Mexico. Afterward, he said he wanted a career that made him "Feel as free as I did playing basketball." Knox also wanted to help everyone he could, especially people of color. He was drawn to the eld of real estate because it was "interesting and complex,” though he held a desire to help in his heart. Knox knew he too wanted to help as many families as he could to acquire the dream of homeownership but also wanted to show black and brown people that homeownership wasn't just a dream or a privilege of the white. Homeownership is for anybody.

The eld of real estate mortgage lending allowed Knox to live an incredible life. It has granted him the same freedoms basketball gave him, "to remain an independent contractor with unlimited earning potential." While speaking with Knox, I felt he was about something much more profound when he mentioned his mission to "help people of color acquire the dream, to give young people opportunity; other than working a 9-5." It was then I realized he wanted to share his gifts. The industry has allowed him to help countless families of color acquire the dream of homeownership. His true mission is to help young people achieve the gift that keeps on giving by teaching the younger generation to make money off their assets and their own money.

So passionate was Knox about helping people realize their dream of becoming homeowners and educating people about the mortgage lending world, he opened All Saints Lending in 2018. He built a company that helps those looking to purchase or renance homes by guiding them through the process and creating a loan program for each customer's unique needs.

After a few minutes of speaking with Knox, I realized his knowledge of the mortgage lending business is impressively extensive. He mentioned: "Part of my mission is to teach and train." Each of Knox's customers benets from the seless sharing of over 30 years of experience of helping people learn how to earn for themselves. Whether it's the rst-time home buyer using Knox's knowledge to make that all-important rst decision or even the existing homeowner using Knox's guidance to improve their portfolio or re-nance, it is as Knox puts it, an opportunity to "maximize their dollar and earn an actual return on their investment."

So what can I say of Mr. Knox? If I were buying or renancing my house, he's who I'd want advising me. His Calm, cool, collected demeanor, along with his wealth of knowledge of this complex industry, inspires faith in his clients. His knowledge, expertise, and experience of programs like the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), along with both conventional and private entities, have served his many clients well.

William Knox is someone to consult in 2022. He's looking to elevate All Saints Lending and make it more visible to the folks out there who think the dream of homeownership isn't attainable. In his own words on 2022: "I just want to educate people that there's an opportunity to own a piece of the pie!

Give them access to the gift that keeps on giving; I want them to be able to make money on their own money.”

If looking to contact William C. Knox email him at allsaintsloans@gmail.com or call him at 818-330-3919 in his Woodland Hills ofce. + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | WINTER 2022

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SuiteBiz | RETAIL

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THE

NORTH STAR MARKET A Guiding Light in the Community

STORY BY SHIRLEY HAWKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY XAVIER HARRIS

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rom the moment one spies, the golden wings spread majestically across the exterior walls of The North Star Market, a visitor instantly knows that this is no ordinary store.

In fact, The North Star Market is truly unique–the Gardena, California-based store is a Black-owned proprietorship that only specializes in buying and selling Black-owned products.

Owner Dimitrios Jones, 38, said his desire and vision to launch the market was born out of seeing an urgent need.

A former community organizer who once worked in the underserved communities of Watts, Compton, West Manchester, and West Athens in Los Angeles, Jones began to notice that there was a lack of quality foods in the neighborhoods that he worked in and that the areas were commonly referred to as “food deserts.”

“I said, 'We are in the two thousand and twenties now, and how come there is nothing that reects us and our culture that was made by us in the stores? I realized that we didn't have Black-owned stores of our own like other ethnic groups, and that became the inspiration for the North Star Market,” said Jones, who opened The store in October 2020.

“We found out that a lot of entrepreneurs opened their stores during the pandemic. I just found one of the rst Blackowned bread companies in Houston, Texas, called Nation's Bread. I use Instagram and Google to nd Black vendors, and vendors contact me through Facebook and Instagram. And I use a lot of prayer,” Jones chuckled.

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“So far, we have 80 vendors and 200 individual items in the store that are Black produced,” said Jones.

“A lot of people are shocked when they rst walk into our store,” Jones said. “There's a whole wall of historical gures we call the inspirational wall that is covered with photos of Marcus Garvey, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman,” said Jones, who feels it's important to show Black pride.

“Sometimes you're battling the stereotypes,” he said.

“Someone will come in and say, 'You have a great attitude, the store is fully stocked, and the item is not expensive.' They're surprised that the items in our store are of such high quality.”

Referring to some of the products in the store, he said, “We carry Jamaican Black Gold castor oil from Jamaica that has different health benets and can be used on your hair, and you can ingest it as well,” he said.

“We have Bead Oil, which is hand-made soap. We also have Black-owned cocoa butter, conditioner, and shampoo as well as hair oil and hair moisturizer and Black-owned cookies, cakes, and cheesecakes.”

The store carries Black-produced light bulbs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, pajamas, and the Chick Chef brand, which manufactures pasta, rice, and grits.

He also stocks products from a Black-owned egg company, a pickle company, a salad company, the Eleven86 Water company, Exotic Pop, a Black-owned soda company, and drinks from Kraft'D Lemonade.

“Fran's Signature Ice Cream carries 30 different avors of ice cream, including peach cobbler, banana pudding, and strawberry. It's homemade ice cream that has completely natural ingredients,” he said.

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He added that other products include Golden Krust Caribbean Bread and Rap Snacks, a Black-owned potato chip company.

Jones said that many Black vendors nd it difcult to get their products stocked onto the shelves of mainstream stores.

“There's a lot of red tape,” he pointed out. “But some of our vendors have been picked up by Target, Trader Joe's, Ralphs, and Food 4 Less.”

Jones offers the North Star $29.99 monthly subscription box as a special bonus to his customers. “Every month, you'll have a box delivered to your doorstep that will include some amazing Black-owned business products,” he added.

Jones said expansion plans for his business are already in the works. “We are building a kitchen where we'll be offering soul food or comfort foods that will relate to everyone in the diaspora, and I want to utilize the front part of the store as a community space where we can host community meetings and talk about issues that affect us,” Jones added.

As for the name North Star Market, Jones said the inspiration derived from two historical gures, abolitionist Harriet Tubman and orator, writer and statesman Frederick Douglass.

“Harriet Tubman used the North Star as a guiding light to get our people to freedom from South to North,” said Jones. “And the rst Black-owned newspaper was created by Frederick Douglass and was called the North Star. So in homage to these two historical gures, I named my business the North Star Market.” + Store Location: 16410 S. Vermont Avenue in Gardena, California Store Hours: 12-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays

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Suite eSSEntials

Webex Meetings The

Suite List

by Cisco

An Industry Listing Guide featuring Event, Media, PR and Creative Resources Watch this space for updates or view our online directory at suitelifesocal.com.

For more information, email us at suitelifesocal@gmail.com.

CALENDARS & EBLASTS Black Book LA Makiah Green info@blkbkla.com blkbkla.com FB/TW: BlackBookLA IG: blackbookla_ Black Cultural Events blackculturalevents.com info@blackculturalevents.com FB: BlackCulturalEvents TW: BlkCulturalEvnt LI: black-cultural-events Fusicology fusicology.com FB/TW/IG: fusicology SuiteEvents Sarah Harris events@suiteevents.com suiteevents.com The Loop 411 Gayle Corn theloop411blog@gmail.com theloop411.com FB/TW/IG: theloop411

Heartsung, Inc. Lura Daniels-Ball (213) 400-3489 luraball@gmail.com www.heartsung.com FB: lura.ball Mack Enterprises Unlimited Arnetta Mack (323) 789-6224 mackenterprises1@aol.com mackenterprises.net FB: mackenterprises Personal Services Plus Wendy Gladney (951) 313-4732 wendy.gladney@gmail.com IG: wendygladney / seasonofgreatness wendygladney.com Wade & Associates Margo Wade LaDrew (310) 674-6700 margo.wadeassociates@gmail.com FB: margo.ladrew

DÉCOR

DJ Jiji Sweet jijisweet@gmail.com @djJijiSweet jijisweet.com Good Boy Entertainment Kerry Neal (310) 946-2321 kerryeneal@gmail.com goodboyentertainment.com

EVENT PRODUCTION Fun-PR Events Service Tiffany Bradshaw, MBA (866) 219-8558 Tiffany@Bradshaw&Co.com Fun-pr.com Minor Details Productions Terrina Scott terrina@minordetailsproductions.com

minordetailsproductions.com FB: minordetailsproductions IG: mdpevents | TW: MinorDProds Splendid Affairs Sabra Diogioes-Waddy (818) 605-7405 sabra@splendidaffairsinc.com splendidaffairsinc.com FB: splendidaffairsinc

M&G Catering Micheal Chatman (909) 320-0341

Dazzle & Design, LLC Linda Patterson (310) 774-6537 linda@dazzleanddesign.com dazzleanddesigndecor.com

CONSULTANTS

Djs

The Baker Group Tammy Dickerson tammy@tbakergroup.com tbakergroup.com FB/TW/IG: tbakergrp

A Personnel Touch Faye Geyen fayer49@yahoo.com FB: fgeyen LI: in/apersonneltouch

DJ Higher Lvl Jon Harris (951) 347-6242 djhigherlvl.mgmt@gmail.com djhigherlvl.com @djhigherlvl

The Todd Group Todd Hawkins todd@thetoddgroup.net thetoddgroup.net FB: thetoddgroupla TW: thetoddgroup

CATERING

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WP Miller Special Events William P. Miller wpmiller@wpmillerspecialevents.com

wpmillerspecialevents.com FB: WP MIller Special Events IG/TW: wpmillermoments Wright Productions Mena and Shantee Wright wrightprods.com IG: @wrightprods_ Twitter: @wrightprods_ Wynning Touch Event Design DeShawn Wynn, CMP-HC Chief Meeting Architect deshawn.wynn@wynningtouch.com wynningtouch.com 323.691.2005

EVENT RENTALS Collective Rentals Design House Lauren Montgomery 24414 S Main St #208 Carson, CA 90745 (323) 553-0641 collectiverentals.com FB: collectiverentals IG: collective_rentals

EVENT SPACE 1010 Wine & Events 1010 La Brea Ave Inglewood 90302 1010wineandevents.com IG/FB: @1010wineandevents Twitter: @1010Wine Bella Luxe Loft 6081 Center Drive #102, 90045 (323) 423-6446 bellaluxeloft.com TW: loft_luxe / IG: bellaluxeloftla

RESOURCE DIRECTORY GRAPHIC DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHERS

René Cross-Washington Art Director/Creative Consultant (323) 292-8302 rcwgrafx@aol.com reneella.smugmug.com/Art/ReneCross-Washington-Graphics

11:ONE VISUALS Kristina Dixon (310) 855-2032 11onevisuals@gmail.com 11onevisuals.com FB/TW/IG: 11onevisuals

ATTAIN Design and Marketing Communications Kelcey Newman Creative Director (805) 822-9392 kelcey@attaindmc.com FB: kelcey.newman

Foxx Media Group Photography by Foxx Ian Foxx ifoxx@sbcglobal.net foxxmedia.smugmug.com FB: FoxxPhotography

JAGs Design Studio James Green (951) 251-4852 Info@jagsdesignstudio.com jagsdesignstudio.com Kaleidoscope Consulting Group Bonique Edwards Website Development | Graphic Design | Social Media (310) 500-2222d kconsultinggroup.com FB: kaleidoscopeconsulting IG: kaleidoscoperocks LI: kaleidoscope-consulting-group Mack Enterprises Unlimited Arnetta Mack (323) 789-6224 mackenterprises1@aol.com mackenterprises.net FB: mackenterprises

Joshua Berrymon jberrymon1012@gmail.com IG: @coolin_caughtit Kai Byrd Photography Kai Byrd kaibyrd@gmail.com kaibyrdphotography.com FB: Kai.Byrd | IG: kaibyrd_ Malcolm Ali Photography Malcolm Ali malcolmali@aol.com FB: malcolm.ali.98 Monica Root Photography Monica Belandres Root monicaroot.photography MRM Studios Michael R. Moore iammoore.com @michaelrmoore616

Sabra Marie Photography Sabra Marie (909) 215-2104 photos@sabramarie.com sabramariephotography.com @sabramarie

FD Parker & Associates Farrah Parker (310) 350-1984 fparker@fdparker.com fdparker.com FB: Farrah-Parker | IG: fdparkerpr TW: LeavUrImge2FDP

PRINTER

KRPR MEDIA FIRM KimiRhochelle Porter (909) 543-2978 kimirhochellepr@gmail.com krprmedia.com kimirhochelle.com FB: kimirhochellepr TW: kimirhochelle | krprmedia | urbanlyfestyles

L.A. Business Printing Eric Johnson 6840 La Cienega Blvd Inglewood, CA 90302 (310) 649-5855 eric@labusinessprinting.com

PUBLICISTS/PR/ MARKETING CB Communications Cheryl Brownlee (916) 806-3384 cbcommunications@ymail.com cbcommunications.net CW&Company, Public Relations Counsel Clarence R. Williams Owner (323) 979-4355 crwsm9@aol.com facebook.com/clarence.r.williams ESP Public Relations Edna Sims, Owner 310-770-8117 esppr@mac.com espr.net

Platinum Star PR Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA m.lemelle@att.net (213) 276-7827 platinumstarpr.com FB: marie.lemelle IG: platinumstarpr TW: platinumstar Reinvent Communications Vincent Jones reinventcomm.com IG: reinventcomm The Society Nineteen Group Lela Christine lela@societynineteengroup.com societynineteengroup.com FB/IG: societynineteengroup

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Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation