Suite Life SoCal Magazine Fall Issue 2021 by suitelifesocal

Suite Life SoCal

Contents

COVER FEATURE

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Tavis Smiley / KBLA Talk 1580 AM The Future of Black Talk Radio: Unapologetically Progressive

STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOGRAPHER MICHAEL R. MOORE

IN EVERY ISSUE From the Publisher

From the Editor

Contributors

The Suite List

100

featuring Event, Media and Creative Professionals

16 20

28 15 HERITAGE SUITE The Art and Activism of Alison Saar Alison Saar, a creator, and teacher, has made many strides within her career that has influenced and inspired many of her peers. Coming from an artistic, Black family, she is inspired by the Afrikan Diaspora and the world beyond to produce thought-provoking pieces. Immerse deeper into her career as she shares her accounts as an upcoming and now flourishing artist. STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY HYGIEA, 2020, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND L.A. LOUVER | PHOTOS BY IAN BYERS-GAMBER

u16 The New Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opens with a Celebration of Diversity in Cinema

Opening Up SoCal? A look some of Southern California's Cultural and Entertainment Districts A look at five of Southern California's cultural and entertainment districts. How they're planning for the Fall season while negotiating the obstacles set by the Delta Variant? And how they plan on opening up Southern California and welcoming back the public while at the same time protecting them and the whole of Southern California. STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA

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27 TRAVEL & LEISURE Julie Coker: San Diego Tourism Authority New CEO Plans on Making the City a Suite Destination When Julie Coker accepted the new position as CEO and president of the San Diego Tourism Authority, she never imagined that this would happen. "This" being COVID-19.

24 Overton Travel: What’s Your Next Destination? Overton Travel has specialized in making the travel experience blissful for its clients with their recent tenth anniversary. Lori Overton, the owner, has used her desires and experiences as a tourist to rid her clients of any fears and ensure that they have the courage and determination to see the world for themselves.

A look at the pinnacles of Black cinema that will be included in the largest ever film museum, opening in Los Angeles on September 30. View list of inaugural screenings and programs during the fall season.

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STORY BY QUINCI LEGARDYE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES

10th Annual Kids Free San Diego Returns This October

STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF LORI OVERTON

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Inaugural Screenings and Programs at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Toombao: A story of life, love, and passion

Mexican tradition meets Southern California Streets - one photographer’s appreciation for culture and summer refreshments. u22

STORY BY FAITH PETRIE

A look at the story of the creator and promoters behind the Toombao Festival and House Gone Wild International. From kids in New York to teaching the culture of their Afro-Latino roots on the dance floor of the Southern Californian scene.

Travel Tips: Going to Dubai, So What’s the Dress Code? If you are joining Suite Life SoCal for a fabulous trip to Dubai in March 2022 or you are adding it to your bucket list, here are some useful tips for those who wondered what to wear.

STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA

STORY BY BETTY LAMARR

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Suite Life SoCal 41 SUITETALK COVER FEATURE Tavis Smiley / KBLA Talk 1580: The Future of Black Talk Radio Los Angeles' first Black talk radio station. All day, all night. Black news that matters by Black hosts that care. STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL R. MOORE

u44 Tavis Smiley: The Silence, The Surrender, The Station u46 Dominique DiPrima: Making History, Making Noise u50

84 66

Dr. Melina Abdullah: Committed to Building A Better World u52 Don Amiche vs. Everybody: 26 Years in the Making u56 Danny Morrison's Bigger Platform u58 Commentary: The Secret…Intimate Partner Violence How to help uncover domestic violence. STORY BY KANDEE LEWIS

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65 ENTERTAINMENT Bringing into Time and Space, the Black Experience, with Brett Dismuke

He's passionate about providing shows that tell the whole Black story and he's not afraid to tackle the unknown and highlight the hidden. STORY BY AJA A. BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARAYNA EISON

u66 La Faye Baker: “They have no excuse." The groundbreaking Black stuntwoman shares her thoughts on how Hollywood can welcome more Black woman stunt professionals.

83 SUITE ESSENTIALS The Black Table: Los Angeles' Powerhouse of Multi-Million Dollar Black Event Production Curators

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Formed in 2019 from the shared disappointment of overlooking Black businesses, a collective of Los Angeles-based Black event professionals and vendors dedicated to elevating the presence and positioning of Black-owned businesses in the special event and creative industries, The Black Table was born.

Isaac Keys: The Suite Life, After Athletics

STORY BY ASHLEY YANCEY PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BLACK TABLE

Join us as we shine a light on one of the chosen few who has successfully transitioned from Sports to Entertainment.

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STORY BY QUINCI LEGARDYE PHOTOS COURTESY OF LA FAYE BAKER

STORY BY KEN CALVIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY EBONICE ATKINS

u76 Independent Artist Young independent artists used COVID to redefine their craft and focus on their career missions. STORY BY KALAISHA TOTTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEM WEST PHOTOGRAPHY of JAYCE BARON TISHA BRENEE of BILIONAIR CARTER

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William P. Miller WP Miller Special Events u86

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

The Suite List

Tammy Dickerson tbg Events u88

Featuring Event, Media and Creative Professionals u100

Leslie Jones Leslie Marie Events u90

SPOTLIGHT: Black Media Ventures Uplifting Black Voices

Lauren Montgomery Collective Rentals u96 Mena & Shantee Wright Wright Productions u98

Black media companies are curating content for us by us. And they're just getting started. u102

from the publisher

Making Suite Progress Greetings, Suite People! Our Events & Entertainment Issue is dedicated to the perseverance and resiliency of everyone that continues to press forward despite our current circumstances. Yes, we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Yes, we are dealing with the politics of masks and mandates. But this doesn't mean that we stop working towards progress. Progress is after 100 years of the rst idea and over ten years since the planning began, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures nally opens. It's a marvelous space that seems to put great emphasis on inclusivity... and that's progress. Progress is the birth of a new radio station that is 'unapologetically' dedicated to progressively pursuing topics from and for Black perspectives and interests. We are delighted to feature Tavis Smiley and some of his on-air personalities at his new radio station, KBLA Talk 1580 AM. Progress is a television network that is nding its way under the relatively new leadership of Brett Dismuke at ALLBLK and WE tv. Dismuke tells us of the incredible journey at the network, as well as a peek at their Fall lineup.

Sarah R. Harris Publisher-in-Chief

@suitelifesocal

#suitelifesocal

Progress is also the formation of a phenomenally talented and enterprising group called The Black Table consisting of a powerhouse of multi-million dollar Black event production curators. Born out of the need to have more vigorous advocacy for Black businesses and professionals in the events, entertainment, and creative industries; The Black Table is truly a sign off progress. There are many other examples from the additional stories in this issue. We invite you to check them out and look them up. We encourage each of us to engage with each other to help make our community stronger and thrive. Now, that's progress! Stay in touch with us as well. You will begin to see the progress we are making via our website, where our SUITE of services can be found. We are more than a magazine, and we look forward to unveiling more in the weeks and months to come.

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Thank you to all that continue to support us by advertising and subscribing. Thank you, as always, to our fantastic suite team of contributors. I am delighted to say that we are growing with a new sales team managed by Lance Washington. We're on the move! Stay in touch and follow us @suitelifesocal on all social media and sign up for our newsletter at suitelifesocal.com. Stay Suite!

Sarah

from the Editor

Something Suite For Everyone With every issue, there are a wealth of valuable articles to enhance every reader's life. Knowing that from conception to publication, the publisher, writers, staff, and myself give all of ourselves to ensure our contribution makes a difference in our readers' lives keeps me bringing my full self to Suite Life SoCal magazine. This issue, Fall 2021 in particular, stretched me from an emotional standpoint. Entertainment touches me on so many levels, and as the editor, I have the privilege of reading the articles rst. From the stories of the birth of KBLA, The Black Table, the renaming of the ALLBLK television network, and Toombao, the spirit of collaboration and individuals bringing their gifts to the table to make a difference was beautifully captured by our writers. I found strength in each story and conrmation to continue on my own path.

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

When we say that there is something for everyone in Suite Life SoCal magazine, those aren't just pretty words; that statement is a fact. There is life-changing information for every reader, but it's up to each reader to acknowledge the gift in the words on the pages and to apply the truth that sticks in their own life. As you use the pertinent information in this issue, I know you will gain wisdom that enhances your life. As you make your way through each page, may you be strengthened and encouraged on your journey to your best self. Suite Wisdom,

Angela

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@_angelarena

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FALL ISSUE VOLUME 3, NUMBER 4 OCTOBER ! NOVEMBER ! DECEMBER Sarah R. Harris Angela Jackson, ABD, MS CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sarah R. Harris SEO & SOCIAL MEDIA Lela Christine SALES MANAGER Lance Washington SALES ASSOCIATES Maritiza Anderson Royce Simon SUBSCRIPTIONS Jon S. Harris PUBLISHER-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR

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Suite Life SoCal magazine is published quarterly. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Letters to the publisher are welcome. Email submissions to suitelifesocal@gmail.com. © 2021 SuiteLifeMedia

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Artist Alison Saar’s Expression of Activism at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena Rouse, 2012 Wood, bronze, ﬁberglass, antler sheds Courtesy of Alison Saar and L.A. Louver Gallery Photo by Ian Byers-Gamber

PLUS

The New Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opens with a Celebration of Diversity in Cinema

SoCal Cultural Entertainment Districts Opening Up SoCal?

Heritage Suite

Hygiea, 2020 Mixed-media installation Dimensions variable Courtesy of the artist and L.A. Louver Photos by Ian Byers-Gamber

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PASADENA, CA

e Art and Activism of

alison Saar AT THE ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, PASADENA

erpetually destined to enter the world of creation and art, Alison Saar’s successes and accomplishments as a Los Angeles-based artist are the product of her upbringing and her family. With her mother Betye, a painter and assemblage artist, father Richard, art conservator and ceramist, and feminist grandmother, Saar was constantly in an innovative environment, often surrounded by art or producing work of her own. Her steady foundation of strong Black women, lessons of Black culture, and cognizance of the Civil Rights movement empowered her to draw inspiration from these inuences. As a result, natural elements and current events were and continue to be a very inuential component of Saar’s career. She exclaims that several of her external inuences were “drawn from blues lyrics or materials like an old guilt, scrapbook, fabric, hot comb, or something that triggers ideas,” emulating the Black culture she grew up within. With aging, Saar began to discover further inspiration from her children, the news, or personal experiences that aided her creativity. Overall, she has sustained a prosperous career, becoming a sponge to her surroundings when producing such marvelous and intricate pieces. Many of her pieces can evoke feelings and leave impressions that force her peers to think more intuitively about the message and purpose of her creations. Notably, her glass piece Mammy Machine showcased in Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe at Armory Center of the Arts located in Pasadena, California, is an exquisite example of this. Despite the recent political progression of America electing its rst Black president, these stereotypes were (and continue to be) inescapable for Black Americans and those a part of the Afrikan Diaspora. This piece reects the deep, dark history of the consumption of the Black body and highlights the rebirth of the racist rhetoric and dark imagery following Barack Obama’s election. Devastated by such arrogance and hatred, Saar’s creation served to distill racism and allow a greater comprehension of where these beliefs spawned. The notion of “women of color being mammies taking care of your [Whites] children,” as said by Saar, ties into the recycled belittling views that she hopes to educate her viewers on. She aspires for her pieces to be “activated by the viewer,” which holds her peers accountable. She declares, “Unless you’re actively trying to distill those stereotypes, you are somehow still allowing them to happen.” Saar’s presence in the creative world and art demands an understanding of history, peaks interest, generates curiosity, and most importantly, merges the worlds of art and activism. Judging from her responses from peers, she is aware that her work provokes critical thought and conversation, hoping that it would encourage them in one way or another. Though it is “presumptuous of an artist to think that their art can change things,” as Saar

STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL O'CONNOR, COURTESY OF L.A. LOUVER GALLERY

@alison_saar

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Installation photos from Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe at Armory Center for the Arts (2021) Photos by Ian Byers-Gamber. Courtesy of Armory Center for the Arts

Sapphire, 1985 Wood, shards, electric lights, mixed media 28 × 31 × 10 in. (71.1 × 78.7 × 25.4 cm) Collection of Gai Gherardi and Rhonda Saboff Photo by Ian Byers-Gamber

Mammy Machine, 2012 Glass, rubber, found chain, washtub, water 76 × 36 × 24 ½ in. (193 × 91.4 × 62.2 cm) Courtesy of the artist and L.A. Louver Photo by Ian Byers-Gamber

claims, she hopes for her audience to invest and research the context and history behind her work, allowing them to be the change that they desire to seek. In considering the growth and success of Saar’s career as an artist, I assumed that a woman with such talents would have her favorites. Well, I was mistaken. She sees her art as not a collection of favorites but rather milestones. Each piece, dating back to the ’80s, has evolved with Saar and represents specic periods of her life, displaying her growth as a creator. She proceeds to share that with this extensive growth and experience come challenges. “The biggest fear of creators, writers, and artists is if the well runs dry,” and with many years under her belt, “you never know where the next idea is coming from.” However, she persists in reminding herself that “work is not always Armory Center for the Arts 145 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 @armoryarts Website: armoryarts.org

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Inheritance, 2003 Tin, wire, muslin, wood, acrylic 71 × 28 in. (180.3 × 71.1 cm) Collection of H. Allen Evans and Anna Rosicka Photo by Ian Byers-Gamber

exclusively critical,” thus denoting her work does not always have to have a message but can simply be authentically created because she genuinely enjoys what she does. Besides her boundless success as an artist, she has maintained other jobs besides creating art, such as teaching. It is safe to say that Saar is blessed to have a career that she not only loves but has also provided her and her family with fullled lives. As of now, Alison Saar is working on public work, yet there are no upcoming showcases. However, she plans to invest her time and pour it into other young, Black artists that want their work to be seen, stressing the importance of uplifting and supporting others within their respective elds. Yet, with that being said, continue to keep your eyes and ears open for what is to come for Alison Saar because she never disappoints. +

Dates Friday, Jul 16, 2021 Sunday, Dec 12, 2021

Galleries open by appointment Fridays 4:00 to 8:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

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The New Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opens with a Celebration of Diversity in Cinema

STORY BY QUINCI LEGARDYE

ollywood is a town full of motion picture history, where double-decker tours point out historical lm sites on every block. Over a century’s worth of lm history will be preserved and presented under one massive roof starting this fall.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened on September 30, after several months of pandemicinduced delays. The opening has started with a bang, including over three months of inaugural programming and weekly themed lm screenings. Under the helm of the museum’s Chief Artistic and Programming Ofcer Jacqueline Stewart, a prominent lm historian specializing in African American cinema, the museum is designed to give a 360-degree view of moviemaking.

For Black movie buffs, the museum’s extensive collection–which includes original scripts, costumes, and props–will give behind-the-scenes peeks into several iconic Black lms, from Stormy Weather (1943) to Black Panther (2018). The well-rounded museum honors several decades of Black lmmakers, from trailblazers like the 1920s auteur Oscar Micheaux to current award winners like Barry Jenkins. ABOVE: Aerial shot of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. RIGHT: Oscar® statuette presented to Charles Rosher for Cinematography on Sunrise (1927). Oscar® statuette photo by Joshua White, JWPictures | ©Academy Museum Foundation

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LOS ANGELES, CA

Fall Programming Preview Here’s a preview of a few of the ongoing series at the Academy Museum.

The Oscars® Experience Located on the third oor in the East West Bank Gallery, The Oscars® Experience is for anyone who has ever imagined their Academy Award acceptance speech, the Oscars Experience simulates the big moment so visitors can hear their name be announced, receive their virtual award, and give their address on the Dolby Awards stage. Visitors will also receive a video of their award-winning moment to take home as a souvenir. |Gallery of ©Oscar® Oscar statuettes in Stories of Cinema, ©Academy Museum Foundation | Image by WHY Architecture | NOTE: projections and objects pictured are subject to change.

Stories of Cinema The museum’s core collection, Stories of Cinema, explores the different eras of narrative lms, documentaries, and animation that make up the history of Hollywood so far. It shows the behind-thescenes history of movie production and highlights the multiple sub-industries and workers contributing to the nal product. One particular section is devoted to the works and inuences of prolic lmmaker Spike Lee, examining his works, including Do The Right Thing, Crooklyn, and She’s Gotta Have It. Another series of displays are dedicated to props and costumes from sci- lms, where you can see Star Wars robots and Okoye’s costume from Black Panther.

Above: Academy Awards History gallery in Stories of Cinema, ©Academy Museum Foundation/ Image by WHY Architecture NOTE: projections and objects pictured are subject to change.

Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971 This unique exhibition, opening in 2022, will be a rst-ofits-kind exploration of the history of Black cinema. Starting in the 1880s and ending soon after the civil rights movement, the exhibit will highlight the work of Black independent lmmakers, who have been typically underrepresented in lm studies. The lms highlighted include, but are not limited to, Stormy Weather (1943), starring Lena Horne and Cab Calloway, and Carmen Jones (1954), starring Dorothy Dandridge. This retrospective of Black cinema is years in the making, announced in 2018 and organized with the help of curators from the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. To get a broad scope of Black inuence on lmmaking, the exhibition advisory panel includes Stewart, Cinema Studies professors Michael B. Gillespie and Ellen C. Scott, and esteemed directors Charles Burnett and Ava DuVernay. Above: The Nicholas Brothers in a scene from Stormy Weather (1943), Fayard Nicholas, left, and Harold Nicholas, photographic print, gelatin silver. Courtesy Margaret Herrick Library, © Twentieth Century Fox | Poster for The Exile (1931), Directed by Oscar Micheaux. Courtesy Margaret Herrick Library, Edward Mapp Collection

6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles 90036 Sunday-Thursday from 10am to 6pm Friday-Saturday from 10am to 8pm academymuseum.org

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Inaugural Screenings and Programs In July, The Academy Museum announced its schedule of inaugural in-person screenings and public programs, which began on September 30 when the museum opened. During the first three months of the Academy Museum’s opening, the museum will offer the public a robust, dynamic, and diverse slate of over 115 film screenings, discussions, and programs for film lovers of all ages. Here’s a preview of the Black films and filmmakers highlighted. Unless otherwise stated, all listings below take place in the Ted Mann Theater.

Bush Mama

Adwa

Selma

Ashes and Embers

John Lewis: Good Trouble

Daughters of the Dust

Get Out

Body and Soul

OCT 5 | 7:30PM Bush Mama

OCT 21 | 7:30PM Ashes and Embers

OCT 28 | 7:30PM Belly

NOV 8 | 7:30PM Mother of George

Directed by Haile Gerima, as the film begins, we meet Dorothy (Barbara O. Jones), a pregnant mother caught in a web of bureaucracies. Gerima creates a miasma of questioning voices that haunt Dorothy as she makes her way by foot through Los Angeles's sun-bleached streets. 1975. 97 minutes. USA. B&W. English. 16mm. Courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

A Black GI's homecoming is the focus of Gerima's seminal third fiction work. The past and present interweave as Gerima traces the journey of Nay Charles (John Anderson), eight years back from the frontlines in Vietnam, as he drifts through the streets of Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Winner of the FIPRESCI Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, Ashes and Embers has recently been restored by Ava DuVernay's ARRAY Releasing. Director: Haile Gerima. 1982. 120 minutes. USA. Color. English. DCP.

A crime drama directed by Hype Williams, Belly stars Nas and DMX as two gang members who get drawn in too deep and try to escape the only lives they have ever known. Over the years, Belly has developed a cult following that recognizes the film's influence on the visual aesthetics of both Hollywood and hip-hop. 1998. 96 minutes. USA. Color. English. 35mm.

Director Andrew Dosunmu's drama, Mother of George, tells us about a Nigerian couple in Brooklyn trying to conceive a child. 2013. 107 minutes. Nigeria/USA. Color. English, Yoruba. DCP.

OCT 22 | 2PM John Lewis: Good Trouble

Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) discovers that meeting his white girlfriend's parents who “would have voted for Obama a third time” holds more terror than he could have ever imagined in the witty, metaphorical horror film that single-handedly changed Jordan Peele from a popular comedy writerperformer to an A-list genre filmmaker and Oscarwinning screenwriter. Director: Jordan Peele. 2017. 104 minutes. USA. Color. English. DCP.

OCT 10 | 2PM After Winter: Sterling Brown A reverent and fascinating portrait of Harlem Renaissance poet Sterling Brown. Eighty-five years old at the time of this film, Brown reflects on his four decades teaching at Howard University and the impact of such figures as Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, and Duke Ellington. Director: Haile Gerima. 1985. 60 minutes. USA. Color. English. 16mm.

OCT 15 | 2PM ADWA Directed by Haile Gerima, the 1896 Battle of Adwa in which the Ethiopian people defeated the invading Italian forces is the framework for this lyrical portrait of Gerima's homeland and his family. 1999. 96 minutes. USA/Germany/Ethiopia. Color. English, Amharic. 35mm.

OCT 20 | 7:30PM David Geffen Theater Selma Directed by Ava DuVernay, David Oyelowo gives a stirring, authentic performance as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in this powerful historical drama. 2014. 128 minutes. USA. Color. English. DCP

Director Dawn Porter captures the definitive portrait of the civil rights leader and politician who forever changed the landscape of the United States. 2020. 96 minutes. USA. Color. English. DCP.

OCT 24 | 2PM Imperfect Journey Where Adwa looks back at the recent history of Ethiopia and its proud anti-colonial past, Gerima's Imperfect Journey is a look at the country in its postCold War state in the early 1990s. Director: Haile Gerima. 1994. 88 minutes. Ethiopia/USA/Italy. Color. Amharic, English. Digital.

OCT 27 | 7:30PM Daughters of the Dust The film traces the interlocking lives of the Peazant family, who reside off the Georgia coast on an isolated island, as they decide whether to move to the mainland. Dash refuses a linear narrative structure in favor of fusing past, present, and future, and steeps the film in visual poetry. Director: Julie Dash. 1991. 113 minutes. USA. Color. English, Gullah. DCP. Courtesy of Cohen Film Collection.

OCT 31 | 7:30PM David Geffen Theater Get Out (OSCAR FRIGHTS!)

NOV 1 | 3PM Ali Will Smith received his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in director Michael Mann's ambitious biopic of the iconic boxer. The film focuses on Ali's life from 1964 to 1974, covering not only his legendary bouts but also his political activism, his religious conversion, and his relationship with Malcolm X. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki used both film and digital cinematography to give the film a distinctive, wideangle look evoking the photojournalism of the era. Director: Michael Mann. 2001. 157 minutes. USA. Color. English. 35mm.

See a full list of exhibits and programming at academymuseum.org

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NOV 12 | 2PM 72 Hours: A Brooklyn Love Story? with Solace Director Raafi Rivero's feature debut explores two crucial days in one young man's life, as he contemplates not just what he might gain in heading off to university, but what he might lose. 72 Hours: A Brooklyn Love Story? is both a snapshot of one young man's experience and a portrait of a city that, like the film's protagonist, is rapidly changing. The film screens here with Daniel E. Williams's short film Solace about the secrets a young couple keeps as they struggle to get by. 72 Hours: A Brooklyn Love Story? 2016. 78 minutes. USA. Color. English. DCP. Solace 2012. 21 minutes. USA. Color. English. DCP.

Nov 18 | 3PM Nov 26 | 2PM Body and Soul Oscar Micheaux produced and directed over forty race films between 1919 and 1948 movies for Black audiences with Black casts, which sometimes featured Black creative teams and crews. Charismatic Paul Robeson, in his big-screen debut, plays a man of many aliases who poses as a righteous reverend to his Georgia congregation in order to exploit and abuse his flock, particularly the women. 1925. 102 minutes. USA. B&W. Silent. DCP.

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Ted Mann Theater. Photo by Josh White, JWPictures ©Academy Museum Foundation

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | SUMMER 2021

Heritage Suite A scene from Lancaster's The BLVD Cultural District's BooLVD Halloween and Harvest Festival

Opening Up SoCal? A look at some of Southern California's Cultural and Entertainment Districts STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA

The Riverside Arts Walk ig @RiversideArtswalk riversideartswalk.com Lancaster Museum of Art and History ig @hello.rjbenitez ig @moahlancaster lancastermoah.org Leimert Park Village fb @leimertparkvillage2020 leimertparkvillage.org Barrio Logan Cultural District ig @calartscouncil fb @californiaartscouncil tw @CalArtsCouncil caculturaldistricts.org/barrio-logan

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ith fall fast approaching, Southern California's entertainment and cultural districts and the rest of America had their sights on opening up its doors to get back in the swing of things as they look towards being well on their way back to normalcy. Another hopeful aspiration was to have SoCal's long-awaited economic comeback – that many Black and brown small business owners are in desperate need of– well underway. Then, along came a spider—or, in this case, the Delta Variant! Now the dominant strain of the ever-mutating Coronavirus, this variant has given America its fourth ofcial wave. However, the people of SoCal have claried that it will take more than the Coronavirus to stop our vibrant culture or curtail our artistic nature. This fall, Suite Life SoCal has taken a look at ve culturally signicant districts throughout the southland to inquire what they have scheduled for the fall in this second year of the pandemic.

Next, we have The BLVD Cultural Heritage District–Lancaster. We spoke with museum supervisor Robert Benitez. To keep up with the pandemic, he mentioned that they had to go virtual with everything, like everyone else. Benitez described their regular live concert series, held at the Museum of Art History: CEDAR Memorial Hall, that evolved into a virtual event. The BLVD had to roll with the punches. "We couldn't just not work for a year! We had to adapt and keep going. Our mission is to serve our community, pandemic or not," Benitez stated. The BLVD is looking forward to a Halloween event this October. This year, the BLVD Halloween event will be moving to the Lancaster Municipal Stadium to give ofcials greater control over COVID safety measures.

Robert Benitez, Curator at Lancaster Museum of Art & History

We begin with Leimert Park Village—once called the "Black Greenwich Village" by the late director John Singleton. This historic African American neighborhood in Los Angeles was developed in the 1920s and is famous for its festivals. It's going through something of a renaissance after falling on hard times and Leimert Park Plaza closing in 2018 due to homelessness. After successfully relocating the homeless, the area is fully open this year with a glorious Juneteenth celebration, with the help of Leimert Park Rising, an organization born out of the pandemic. Ben Caldwell, resident and owner/operator of The KAOS Network-- an art center and incubator in Leimert Park-- informed us that they’d be going forward with fall events despite the Pandemic. Visit this cultural hub monthly to enjoy art, vendors, and performers at the Leimert Park Art Walk on the last Sunday of every month. In October, visit Leimert Park for the Black Oktober Fest on October 23rd. He does insist all participants wear masks as much as possible when required. Our next stop, The Riverside Arts Walk, is a monthly exhibition celebrating arts and culture in Riverside and the Inland Empire. This festive event takes place every rst Thursday of the month. The Riverside Arts Walk welcomed back in-person exhibits on July 1 of this year. Though with limited capacity, masks will be required in some locations. Coordinated by the Riverside Arts Council and sponsored by the Life Arts Center, visit the Artist Vendor Lot, Lot 44, located on the corner of University Avenue and Lemon Street. Visit over 22 downtown locations, including museums, galleries and studios, presenting an eclectic mix of visual and performing arts. Either before or after, enjoy the many entertainment, dining and shopping experiences that downtown Riverside has to offer.

In Kern Country, we head to Bakerseld's Stamler Park. Mr. Glen Dale of the Department of Parks and Recreation informed us Stramler Park has a full-steamahead schedule for the fall. They have the "Diez y Seis de Septembre" concert event. Which features multiple Latin Artists and, despite the name, takes place on September 18th. On October 2nd is an LGTBQ Pride Festival. October 14th is their "Veterans Stand Down" event for homeless veterans in Bakerseld and Kern County. On October 16th is the Bakerseld American Indian Health Program, and on November 20th, Stramler Park will host The 2nd Annual Tejano Music Festival. Though Mr. Dale stressed, they require mask-wearing at all events and want everyone to adhere to CDC guidelines and some common sense. Many of California's cultural districts have lent a hand to communities in need. It isn't always about entertaining the community sometimes; it’s about giving them what they can't acquire for themselves. For this reason, we leave you with the Barrio Logan Cultural District. The Chicano Park neighborhood--the hub of this vibrant MexicanAmerican community-- was suffering extremely high COVID rates. Like The Chicano Park Steering Committee and The Brown Berets, This community and its organizations came together and held multiple vaccination drives. They are helping to serve the under-served, the least of us. By doing so, they make Barrio Logan safe so all Californians can come and enjoy Chicano Park's 79 beautiful, world-famous murals. So as SoCal opens up and you nd yourself among people again, just remember: be safe and polite, wear a mask, follow all guidelines of the venue you're visiting, remember the Pandemic isn't over, support your community and enjoy.

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

travel & LeiSure

Meet the New CEO of SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY plus FALL 2021

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

TOOMBAO

OVERTON TRAVEL

DUBAI WEARS

A SAN DIEGO AFRO-LATIN STAPLE

WHAT’S YOUR NEXT DESTINATION?

TRAVEL TIPS BY BETTY LAMARR

travel & Leisure

SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY

New CEO

Julie Coker Plans on Making the City a Suite Destination STORY BY FAITH PETRIE PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY

fb @sandiego ig/tw @visitsandiego

sandiego.org

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

onths before the pandemic, Coker accepted the role and anticipated starting in March 2020. As CEO and president, she would help bring travelers, domestic and international, to San Diego, whether that be for leisure or business. That same month, Californians saw COVID-related closures and shutdowns of everything from bars, restaurants to hotels happening all over the state and nationwide. In over 30 years of working in the industry, Coker said that no national crisis had ever compared to the effects of COVID. “I've never seen national, state, or local orders come out and say that hotels had to close their doors or restaurants [had] to close their doors," Coker said. "That usually happens when something's being renovated or sold."

Before transitioning to her new position in San Diego, Coker worked within the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau for over ten years, the last four as president and CEO. Despite anticipating a start date in March, Coker extended her stay in Philadelphia to help lead her team there. Joe Terzi, the previous president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA), also stayed in his position to do the same. In June, the two resumed their initial plans, and Coker stepped into the active role of CEO and president, inheriting something unseen and unknown.

SAN DIEGO, CA In the face of these setbacks, Coker and the SDTA have remained optimistic as COVID-related restrictions lighten and businesses slowly open once again. "I like to be much more glass is half full and optimistic. We're just hoping that we don't backslide, really that's the most important thing right now is that we don't backslide," Coker said. A year into the pandemic, San Diego's hotel occupancy is something Coker is proud to highlight. According to a July 2021 report conducted by Smith Travel Research, San Diego County has the third-highest revenue per available room in the United States. In 2020 however, things were looking less than favorable. Hotels were forced to close, and when they were allowed to reopen, traveling was the last thing on many people's minds. "...Disposable income goes down, so, therefore, folks like you and I aren't able to take trips like we might have before because money and funds are a little tighter," Coker said. Massive job cuts took place worldwide due to COVID-19, and Coker's situation was no different. Pre-COVID, Coker said there were over 200,000 travel-related jobs in San Diego. By May 2020, 70,000 jobs were lost. While in Philadelphia, Coker faced a similar situation. So she decided the best decision she could make would be to be open and honest with her staff. "If I knew something, I shared it with my team as timely as I could," she said. "I answered questions that I knew, but I also acknowledged what I didn't know, but would get back to them as soon as I could."

Although the pandemic has limited Coker's availability to explore San Diego, she still thinks that both adults and kids can enjoy the city, including amusement parks like SeaWorld, outdoor nature spaces, and museums. She also encouraged exploring outside of the normal scope of downtown San Diego and venturing into the nearby neighborhoods and cultures. "Just really soak up the rich diversity of the neighborhoods that really make up San Diego and the culture and not just the San Diego that you think you know but the San Diego that's kind of off the beaten path," Coker said. As the future remains uncertain with the B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of COVID causing surges in COVID-19 cases, Coker and the SDTA aim to continue on an upward path to increase tourism to San Diego. SDTA is focusing on reopening the Mexican-U.S. land border and overall international visitors to boost the tourism economy. In addition, the SDTA is concentrated on expanding the San Diego Convention Center. One thing Coker hopes is evident through the pandemic is the importance of travel. To her, whether that be familial, leisure, or business travel, some things just can't be done via a video call. "I just hope that we take that moving forward and remember the importance of travel and the freedom to travel should always be sacred," Coker said. "We should never take it for granted, and we have to protect it at all costs." Visit sandiego.org for more information on food & drink, attractions, nightlife, sightseeing, neighborhoods, and more. +

Now, with optimistic views of the future, Coker and her team are ready to reintroduce San Diego amid the pandemic. There have been extensive measures to assure that residents and visitors are comfortable during public outings. A San Diego County report noted that over 75% of the city was vaccinated, something Coker encourages to make visitors feel safer. "This is not about a democratic, republican, or independent view; This is about following the science," Coker said. "And the science is showing that those that are vaccinated are doing much better than those that are unvaccinated." According to Coker, hotels and restaurants are taking sanitation "to the next level" to ensure cleanliness for both staff and patrons. Health and safety protocols have been reimagined in San Diego, including rules encouraging mask-wearing and social distancing. To accommodate additional health precautions, outdoor dining has been maximized as well. Coker noted that there's something for everyone in the city, from sporting events at Petco Park to strolls in Balboa Park. Coker said that hotels offer safe spaces for both indoor and outdoor meetings and events for business trips. For example, in June, the 2021 U.S. Open Championship took place in San Diego at the Torrey Pines South Golf Course, Coker said its winner, Jon Rahm, hailed the city's praises. "When he and his wife landed here in San Diego [Rahm said], 'it is their happy place.' And that's still what San Diego has to offer, despite how it is, [the pandemic] is not taking that away," Coker recounted.

“Just really soak up the rich diversity of the neighborhoods that really make up San Diego and the culture and not just the San Diego that you think you know but the San Diego that's kind of off the beaten path." SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

travel & Leisure

10th Annual Kids Free San Diego Returns This October RESOURCE: SANDIEGO.ORG

During the entire month of October, more than 100 San Diego hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums, tours, and transportation companies will offer families the opportunity to unwind in San Diego without having to worry about breaking the bank. “Kids Free San Diego” provides parents an opportunity to save with a variety of unique deals for kids, ranging from complimentary admission at local attractions to free meals at restaurants to welcome amenities and experiences at area hotels and much more. With world-class family attractions, a rich arts and culture scene, fresh, inventive cuisine, and popular activities on land and water, San Diego is consistently rated one of the top family destinations in the United States. In October, after the summer crowds diminish, visitors to San Diego can bask in the region's sunny weather and warm temperatures and enjoy numerous fun-lled fall activities at reduced prices.

Below are highlights of the 10th annual “Kids Free San Diego” month. Big Savings at Big Attractions Home to world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California Resort, San Diego is offering families big savings this October with admission deals at its popular theme parks.

Hotels Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Kids Hotels throughout San Diego, ranging from budget options to luxury escapes, are also offering free meals, special experiences, and welcome gifts for kids this October.

Kids Can Dig in with the Deals at San Diego's Restaurants After spending a fun day around the city, parents can have a taste of San Diego's diverse culinary scene while kids eat free at participating family-friendly restaurants.

Kids Learn and Have a Blast at San Diego's Diverse Arts and Culture Venues Kids have endless options to learn while having fun at more than 20 San Diego museums offering free admission to all kids, ages 12 and under, with each full-priced adult ticket purchase. Below are just a few of San Diego's many kid-friendly museums to discover with this great offer.

Free Unique and Cool Ways for Kids to Explore San Diego During October, kids can explore San Diego through a variety of unique tours and fun activities for free. A complete listing of “Kids Free San Diego” participants and their special offers is available at SanDiego.org/KidsFree. All offers are valid Oct. 1–31, 2021, and age limits and other restrictions vary by venue and activity. Visitors should check for complete offer details and terms at SanDiego.org/KidsFree before visiting any attraction. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org. + 30

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

travel & Leisure

Toombao: A story of life, love, and passion

oombao is one of those words that's hard to pin down. Denitions differ throughout the Afro-Latino world, as does the spelling. One meaning states Toombao or Tumbao is in Afro-Cuban Son music, the lowest pitch conga drum or a basic pattern played on it. Yet another description says it's the rhythm or the baseline. Though in the everyday slang of the Afro-Latino world, it's the swagger one carries, sexiness even, that particular kind of boldness of

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

STORY BY EDDIE TRUJILLO GRIJALVA

attitude and passion in one's stride. If you ask someone in the San Diego Afro-Latin Housemusic dance scene what Toombao is, they'll probably tell you Toombao is a celebration of culture, tradition, art, dance, and music; indeed, it has become that. Thanks to two native New Yorkers and a Mexican DJ from Tijuana, the Toombao African Bazaar has become San Diego's premier Afro-Latin house music party.

SAN DIEGO, CA When I asked what the story was behind the people who have transformed Toombao into a celebration of Afro-Latin culture, Hariel and Lisa Corsair gave me a tale nothing short of amazing. Speaking with the Corsairs was an exhilarating experience. Their passion and exuberance for Toombao and all things associated with Afro-Latin art and culture were as infectious as a Celia Cruz jam. The Corsairs are the husband and wife duo behind House Gone Wild International, the promoters and hosts of the Toombao African Bazaar. Mr. Corsair credits Mrs. Corsair with the idea of House Gone Wild International. They were also quick to give credit to the creator of the Toombao parties, DJ Joel Villagomez of Toombao Music. Villagomez mentioned he'd only been doing the Toombao parties for about a month when he met the Corsairs 9 years ago. "At one of the rst parties, the Corsairs were one of the few who attended. They liked the music and the deejaying style so much they offered to help promote the event with that festive spirit and heart that denes them. We became a family, passionate about bringing our Afro-Latino cultures together," Villagomez recalled. "We were just a couple of house heads," is how Mr. Corsair described himself and his wife when they came to the west coast. They both grew up in Brooklyn, a couple of windows away from each other. Though as often happens, life took them on two separate paths for a while, but as fate may have it, they were reunited after 17 years and just celebrated their 17th anniversary together this past July 27th. Back in New York, they were heavily involved in their community, which didn't change when they came to San Diego. Right away, they set about the business of educating the community about their Afro-Latin heritage. Once you spend time with them, it's evident that educating the masses about African and Latino cultures is very near and dear to their hearts. Mrs. Corsair has a saying: "From the community, for the community." That little mantra is the essence of what they represent. I asked Mrs. Corsair how San Diego has welcomed them and the Toombao African Bazaar. She replied, "San Diego has welcomed us warmly; that's partly because we had a few connections in the music industry... so we had a welcoming committee...". She described their relationship with Jellybean Benitez, a NY area deejay and Producer who worked with Madonna among many others in the music industry-- as basically their deejay guide. He connected them with west coast deejay's who played the music that they loved and presented their AfroLatin heritage, and in that way, they were able to hit the ground running on the SoCal scene. So as Toombao Festivals gain in popularity here in SoCal, spreading the word of traditional Afro-Latino culture, art, dance, and music, with a "house head" twist, of course, House Gone Wild International is spreading their wings, so to speak, embarking on collaborations with similar-minded businesses, such as Roots & Vines Wine. They are also

branching out with the events they put on besides Toombao, like the Sabor Caliente Festival, which exposes the community to and celebrates Hispanic culture during Hispanic heritage month. Their next event will be at the WorldBeat Cultural Center, September 4th, an after-party for the Afro-Futurism event if you happen to be in the San Diego area. Additionally, House Gone Wild International is teaming up with THRIVE Lemon Grove to put on Make a Joyful Noise every 2nd Sunday beginning Sunday, September 12th, 2021, through December 12th, 2021. The event takes place at the Lemon Grove Promenade. So towards the end of our conversation, I had a simple question on my mind. How? How did two transplants from NY come and set SoCal ablaze with the concept of teaching traditional Afro-Latino dancing, art, and culture during a time of such social strife and racial division? Mr. Corsair answered the question perfectly, without me having to ask. He looked at Mrs. Corsair and said: "We have the same heart. You know what I mean? That's why the events work, that's why Toombao works...we have the same passions...we came out here, not for music or money, this is just a passion. When you do it for money, you start trying to nickel and dime everyone. When you do it for free, it's from the heart.”

“

We have the same heart. You know what I mean? That's why the events work, that's why Toombao works…”

So whatever you believe Toombao to mean, whether it's swagger, condence, bold passion, or a mean rhythm on the bass, one thing is clear. ¡Los Corsair's si tienen Toombao! + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

41st Anniversary

Black Women’s Network

marva smith battle-bey Organizing Founder IN MEMORIAM

October 23, 2021 | 9:30AM - 2:00PM Program 10AM - 12:30PM PDT

(323) 964-4003

BlackWomensNetwork.net

GWENDOLYN GOODMAN Conference Chair

travel & Leisure

Overton Travel What’s Your Next Destination?

STORY BY KAMEA TAYLOR PHOTOS COURTESY OF LORI OVERTON | OVERTON TRAVEL

destinations. She says, "Don't believe what you see in the media," emphasizing the importance of going to see it for yourself and taking a leap of faith when it comes to exploring.

irthed from Lori Overton's love of voyage, Overton Travel originated in 2011. This black-owned business aims to make the traveling experiences of its clients smooth and seamless. From the ights to the tours, the company and accompanying travel agents handle all the more dreadful and confusing aspects of traveling, which, as a result, gives "people the condence to travel the world." Overton assures that clients will be "immersed in the culture, the history, the cuisine, and the people of the area," taking a much deeper dive into the beauty of traveling besides the Instagram photos. As the owner, Overton understands the trials and tribulations of traveling and has rst-hand experiences building and establishing such a successful and accommodating business. In greater detail, Overton's "What You Did Last Summer" story consisted of her annual trips to North Carolina to see family. That was until her teacher inquired, "Didn't you write that last year?" With this slight push, she traveled to Orlando, Niagara Falls, Montreal, and various destinations. As a rising high school senior, her most transformative trip to West Africa opened her eyes and mind to the beauty of its beaches and ve-star hotels that was not taught in American classrooms. Such miseducation of West Africa, overwhelmed with "the Ethiopian famine and starved children," sparked her interest to attain even more experience traveling. Following the beginning of her company, she has strived to do the same for her customers, seeking more than just surface-level fulllment while aiming to discredit the false projections of the media of these 36

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Lori Overton has kept her clients engaged with the company, constantly piquing the interest of tourists. By using questionnaires, Overton allows her audience space to go to their desired destinations. Though she often uses her "gut feeling to see what's hot," she also nds value in feedback, which helps with marketing efforts. In doing so, this not only centralizes the desires of her clients but also permits her to accommodate her peers who either want to go to Iceland, Dubai, Paris, or even "younger crowds that want to go to Tulum or Cabo." Overall, such accommodation enables tourists to choose the voyage of their dreams, whether in a group environment or solo vacation. The beauty of it is you can do both! Though Overton accentuated the importance of traveling alone to build a sense of independence and character, she notes that sometimes "maybe your friends aren't ready to go or have other obligations at that time." From this discovery, Overton Travel makes it their primary focus in accomplishing such comfortability with their clients to make solo trips feel less lonely. Whether a private journey or in a group, Overton shares, "You always want someone to miss you at dinner," and Overton Travel will ensure just that! With that being said, I am excited to announce that Suite Life SoCal magazine will be partnering with Overton Travel to an adventure in Dubai in March 2022! Lori Overton shares that she is delighted for her and her customers to enjoy the theatrics of Dubai, as she voices, "Dubai always does it big!" And after conversing with Ms. Overton, it is evident that Suite Life SoCal is in perfect hands. With many more exciting and thrilling trips ahead, Lori Overton and her company will persist in centralizing their clients' experience, comfortability, and convenience. I sincerely encourage readers to take advantage of the privileges of travel, and if you do so, make sure it's with Overton Travel. +

Overton assures that clients will be "immersed in the culture, the history, the cuisine, and the people of the area," taking a much deeper dive into the beauty of traveling besides the Instagram photos.

@overtontravel overtontravel.com

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

travel & Leisure TRAVEL TIPS

Going to Dubai, So What’s the Dress Code?

BY BETTY LAMARR Publisher, Life is a Journey of Escapes

f you’re like me, my rst question on my rst trip to Dubai was, what is the Dubai dress code? That is one of the rst questions that women ask after deciding that the United Arab Emirates is a place of curiosity and adventure. Because we have this fantastic group traveling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I want to keep the excitement but relieve the anxious feeling about the dress code. One of the rst things to consider when traveling to other countries is the culture and customs. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is primarily a Muslim country. We don’t want the label of “ugly American," so it is essential to respect religious and local customs. Dubai is the most liberal of the emirates because it is so international. You can 'dress to impress with your bling and your designer handbags and shoes. While I was there on my last trip, I even saw the kids in their $600 Balenciaga sneakers! More is more in Dubai fashion. Let me get more specic with the guidelines to pack based on the Smart Packing article I wrote ago. You can generally wear the same western attire in Dubai that you wear at home, except mini-skirts, booty shorts, and low-cut blouses. You will hear the word “modest” to describe acceptable dress for women. That generally means shoulders covered, no revealing tops or cleavage. You can also save your workout pants for the gym, not the mall or public areas. In Abu Dhabi, there is a more conservative dress, and more religious customs followed, particularly in religious venues. 38

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Life is a Journey of Escapes is a travel blog written by Betty LaMarr, a corporate refugee for women-over-50 who are accomplished in their careers and are now ready to make themselves a priority. Betty writes to inspire and encourage women to travel as a reward. You can ﬁnd more information and sign-up at: lifeisajourneyescapes.com.

Hotels/Pool Dress Code Getting to the hotel will be your rst stop so let's talk about dress guidelines at most hotels in Dubai. There are lots of tourists at the hotels, and not everyone follows the rules. Wearing knee-length shorts is acceptable for men and women. It is customary to wear a cover-up/caftan style when passing through the lobby to go to the pool. By the way, a towel is not considered appropriate as a cover-up for men or women. It is OK to wear a bikini at the pool; however, you might see other visitors dressed more conservatively based on their religious customs.

Dressing for Restaurants|Nightlife You will see dress codes posted in restaurants for men and women. The terms "smart casual” and “modest” are used in this country to describe acceptable dress for restaurants. That means no ip ops for men, shorts or t-shirts but closed-toe shoes and long pants. Women can wear dresses and sandals and always have a shawl to cover your shoulders and chest. If you are going to go from the beach to a nice restaurant, you should take along a change of clothes. Beachwear and workout clothes are not considered appropriate.

Modest Dress at Malls|Souks Dubai has some of the largest malls in the world. They also have some of the best Souks. These are large traditional markets that sell spices, perfumes, dried fruits, and so much more. Visiting the malls is where you will see folks dressed in fullface make-up and their nest clothes, often underneath their traditional dress called an abaya. You will see women wearing beautiful handbags and shoes. Feel free to bring your designer items; you will t right in. Posted in the malls are dress codes, but you won't know that until you get there. Again, be modest in your dress and respectful of the culture. Midi skirts instead of mini-skirts, shorts just above the knee, and chest cover are preferred. Bring along a lightweight shawl to cover your shoulders and provide comfort in the air-conditioned mall. If you are approached in the mall and asked to cover up, please comply without protest. It means that your dress is disrespectful to the locals and their culture. You could receive a ne for violations.

Mosques|Religious Venues In Mosques and places like Abu Dhabi, women must cover their head, hair, shoulders, and legs. You do not have to cover your face, even though some Gulf Arab women cover their faces for religious reasons. When I went to the mosque in Abu Dhabi, there were abayas (cover) for rent to protect your body and head if your clothing was inappropriate.

Desert Safari The Desert Safari is one of the favorite activities for visitors. You can wear shorts and tank tops, but you might want to wear long pants or a caftan (for ladies) to protect your legs from the sand. When the sun goes down, it can get chilly in the desert so pack a light jacket if you are out when the sun goes down. A caftan dress can also make for a great photo in the desert. Traveling abroad is an excellent opportunity to learn about other cultures and customs. Ultimately it is your choice what you wear, but if you are going to travel to other countries with a conservative culture, you should respect it. Hopefully, this guide will make your trip and your packing enjoyable. Find my Complete Travel Packing Checklist to help you get organized. + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suite

Suite Life SoCal

CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

FALL 2021

talk

KBLA Talk 1580

The Future of Black Talk Radio INTERVIEWS WITH Founder/Visionary

On-air Personalities

Tavis Smiley

Danny Dominique Don Dr. Melina Amiche Morrison Abdullah DiPrima

C O M M E N TA R Y

The Secret…Intimate Partner Violence BY KANDEE LEWIS

Suitetalk

Unapologetically Progressive STORY BY MISCHA DUFFIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL R. MOORE STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADOBE STOCK AND COURTESY OF SMILEY AUDIO MEDIA

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a special announcement. One of broadcast’s most beloved journalists has returned. After three and a half years of hiatus, Tavis Smiley returns as the owner of Los Angeles’ rst Black-owned talk radio station, KBLA Talk 1580 AM.

ccompanied by an all-star cast of exquisitely talented on-air personalities, Smiley and his team’s mission is to unapologetically share purposeful, progressive content that evolves ideals, fact checks lies, and celebrates the lived experiences of Black people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We all have a gift, and for every gift that God gives us, there is a corresponding need. My gift is in my left hand; the need is in my right hand. When our gift and the need connect, that’s living a life of purpose. The conjoining of the gift and the need has often resulted in me being the rst African American to do something,” preaches Smiley. This time KBLA Talk 1580 AM is his something.

>>>> SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suitetalk

TUNE IN TO TAVIS SMILEY Weekdays 9AM-12N KBLA Talk 1580 AM

Instagram: @therealtavissmiley Twitter: @tavissmiley @kbla1580

search: Tavis Smiley kbla1580.com

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

LOS ANGELES, CA

TavisSmiley The Silence, The Surrender, The Station

If you want to know who you “really” are, pay attention to what you do with silence. Pay attention to who you become when the public fanfare ceases, and life feels nothing like it once did. What are you thinking about? What do you want? What feels like the next right thing to do? Contemplate, pray and listen is what entrepreneur, advocate, and long-time journalist, Tavis Smiley, did for the three and a half years we did not hear his voice. Condent that God loved him. Aware that God had his back, this former NPR host, former PBS host, and former resident commentator for the Tom Joyner Morning Show planted himself at the mouth of God to hear what was next. Born in Mississippi and raised in Indiana by a momma, as he affectionately calls her, that “only trusts God,” Smiley anchored himself in that trust. At the same time, being familiar with the rumblings of redirection from his 1991 Los Angeles City Council defeat, Smiley drew from what he knew. “Losing that seat opened up the door for me to start doing radio and TV commentary on every major station here in LA. I then realized that I was using the gift God had given me to try to be a voice for those who were disenfranchised.” To the degree, God had not removed Smiley’s gift and for the reason God had not changed His mind about Smiley using the gift he was given, Smiley was instructed to return. And return, he did; with that voice in tow, to his position of purpose and power. From the silence, he emerged. Not on someone else’s station. Not on someone else’s terms. But on his “own” station and on his “own” terms. The city, the country, yea, even the world was put on notice. All eyes were on him as he stood in the eminent Leimert Park, home of KBLA, on Juneteenth (June 19, 2021) to announce the launch of KBLA Talk 1580 AM—the rst Black-owned talk radio station west of the Mississippi; that Black owner being Tavis Smiley himself. Two days later, on June 21, 2021, all ears were tuned in as he sat down in his studio and went live with his rst guest, award-winning journalist and host of BET News, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill.

“

There are some questions that don’t get asked if we don’t ask. There are some people who don’t get proﬁled if we don’t proﬁle them.”

From then to now, on any given Monday thru Friday at 9 a.m. PDT, you can log onto or tune into KBLA Talk 1580 and hear, “Live from Leimert Park USA you’re listening to Tavis Smiley. I’m just happy to see you and me back in stride again. You’re listening to KBLA Talk 1580.” Not even Smiley, who loves music and has integrated music in one way or another into all of his shows, knew how instrumental apart the 1985 hit, Back In Stride Again by the legendary Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, would play in his life. The bar has always been high, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as his hero and Dr. Cornel West as a mentor and dear friend. A lot has always been at stake. Therefore, being in stride, in lockstep with his audience, has always mattered. And after being away from his audience for over 1,000 days, the importance is underscored anew. For Smiley, the substratum of his journalistic odyssey has been about “Finding a way to share a truth that would not be shared if I did not have the platform I have.” It has been about knowing “There are some questions that don’t get asked if we don’t ask. There are some people who don’t get proled if we don’t prole them.”

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suitetalk Recognizing that owning a radio station is a heavy lift, I asked Smiley, given his extraordinary career, if building his radio talk platform was a natural progression of things or was it something that came to him over the last three years. “PBS was my distributor for 15 years, but I own all of my content from any time or anywhere I went to. Prior to that, I owned the rights to my books and television programming. My friend Prince said, ‘Content is king.’ Prince later said, ‘I need to change my philosophy. Content is king, but distribution is emperor.’ Own your distribution channel. That’s what stuck out in my mind.” I then asked Smiley what intimidated him as he sat with his thoughts about building a radio station. Through a smile, he revealed, “Only that Stevie (meaning his good friend Stevie Wonder who owns KJLH 102.3 FM, which is also in LA) might not be happy with me at rst.” Being a friend indeed, Wonder bestowed upon a relieved Smiley his blessings and well wishes. Well wishes like words matter. And like many who have listened to Smiley for years, I know that he is strategic about the words he uses and about how he uses them. To my point, and to “get his paragraph right,” we often hear him say things like, “I may stumble getting this out but give me a couple of seconds here. I’m trying to make this make sense.” It is his stewardship over what comes out of his mouth that lured me into asking why “Unapologetically Progressive;” what is it he wants KBLA’s 12 million listeners to know when they hear or see these two words? And with the same stewardship I described earlier, he postulated: “When I use the word progressive, key phrase, what I mean by that very simply is you are engaging a work and a witness that you are living a life that will leave a legacy that everything you did was ultimately for generations coming. You want the same thing for everybody else’s child that you want for your child. I am unyielding. I am unbending. I am unbowed about the fact that Black children deserve the same thing every other child deserves. I mean that we will ght for every Black child to have access, and we are unapologetic about that ght.” Alongside Smiley in this ght is a stellar team of diverse on-air talent; many are highlighted in this feature story. Knowing that he derives great joy from building platforms for people who have something to say, i.e., State of the Black

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Union, I wondered about the KBLA line-up, what was important, who had to be included, and why? Like a proud parent speaking about their child, Smiley shared, “I’ve been in the business a long time, so you have to balance empowering people with entertaining them. We had to have a potpourri. For me, it was about getting my ship out of the way so that I could focus on building the business. Dominique is local. I knew from the very beginning that I had to have Dominique, which wasn’t quick or easy. Her show is topic-driven. My show is national. My show is guest-driven. Danny is my Stephen A. Smith in politics. DL was important because he is so bright. He’s born and raised in LA, but his radio station is not in LA. I wanted to change that. Don Amiche is, well, Don Amiche. He’s great. Alonzo was my last hire because morning and afternoon drives are important. You gotta get morning and afternoon drive right. People are on the way home stuck in trafc, and they need calm and soothing. What makes radio work is intimacy and interaction.” With just eight weeks in at the time of our interview, it’s safe to say that Smiley is building as he ies, which made me curious about what we can anticipate relative to future instudio or in-community programming. “Eventually, all of our shows will be live-streamed. Right now, my show is the only show that is a podcast. We’re working on getting all of the shows to be a podcast. We’re building out the weekend programming for more live weekend engagement.” Because I know that experiences become stories and stories become books. I couldn’t end our interview without asking this prolic writer when he’d be blessing us with another literary work. And as if he anticipated my question, he closed with, “Probably not for another year. This rebound, this comeback, is also a part of that narrative. The next book will be the second iteration of my rst memoir, What I Know For Sure. My dear friend, Maya Angelou, suggested to me to write my memoir in parts as she did. She wrote her memoir in ve parts.” Courage. Conviction. Commitment. Character. are the four Cs that govern Smiley’s life. He embodied them all during our hour-long inspiring and heartfelt interview. >>

Suitetalk

TUNE IN TO FIRST THINGS FIRST WITH DOMINIQUE DIPRIMA Weekdays 6AM-9AM KBLA Talk 1580 AM

@diprimaradio

search: First Things First with Dominique DiPrima

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LOS ANGELES, CA

Dominique DiPrima Making History, Making Noise

All hail the Queen. The Queen of LA’s talk radio airways, that is. She hails from the Bay Area by way of New York. She is the daughter of the late Diana DiPrima and the late Amiri Baraka, both poet laureates who left an indelible mark on the world. She is the mother of one son. She has worked with radio giants Steve Harvey and Michael Baisden. She was chosen to introduce Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison. She hosted the morning talk show “The Front Page with Dominique DiPrima” on Stevie Wonder’s KJLH 102.3 FM. And now she is the host and producer of her own morning drive show, “First Things First with Dominique DiPrima” on KBLA Talk 1580, making this ve-time Emmy Award winner the rst African American woman in Los Angeles to host a talk radio show. With a list of accomplishments and honors too vast to cite, some would be surprised to know there was a time when a young DiPrima felt she could never live up to the excellence of her activist parents. But her perception changed when she grew a fondness for the mic at just 13 years old and a love for hip hop. Maturity ushered in appreciation. Appreciation made her feel more prepared, less intimidated. “On one hand, we live with these big shoes, but then we grow up attending rallies, meetings, poet readings—all of these things that encourage education. Family values that have a positive impact.” That positive impact has resulted in more than 40 years of loving engagement with the community—on the ground and across the TV and radio airways. With sixteen years at KJLH, I wanted to know how it felt leaving one Black radio station to work for another. “It was very hard. Stevie Wonder is not just iconic; he is amazing in real life. It was such a great experience for me. But everybody has to leave home sometime.”

“

I want the real backstory. I need to know the details so that I can unpack them in a way to put a healing balm on a sad story and the facts to a good story.”

Intrigued by more responsibility, fascinated by the fact that Smiley is unafraid to be progressive or Black, and interested most of all by making radio history, by the opportunity to insinuate herself into the man’s world of talk radio, DiPrima joyfully signs on weekday mornings from 6 – 9 a.m. to share “breakfast for the brain,” to use her new platform and autonomy to help Black America focus on, “what we want.” What does she want? “I want the real backstory. I need to know the details so that I can unpack them in a way to put a healing balm on a sad story and the facts to a good story.” Aware that the news business can be messy, I asked DiPrima how she keeps the messiness from sticking. “Walking, working out, and meditating keeps me centered.” And in awe of her prodigious career, I ended our interview by asking DiPrima to share one word that describes how it feels to be her right now. Her introspective pause was followed by, “Evolving. I’m denitely far from being done.” >>

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suitetalk

TUNE IN TO BLM’S THIS IS NOT A DRILL Saturdays 8AM-10AM KBLA Talk 1580 AM

@docmellymel

search: Melina Abdullah

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

LOS ANGELES, CA

Dr. Melina Abdullah Committed to Building A Better World Our August morning interview found Dr. Melina Abdullah in Washington, D.C., dropping her daughter off for her sophomore year at the illustrious Howard University; the HBCU that on July 6, 2021, welcomed to its faculty Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for The New York Times, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and awardwinning author and journalist, Ta-Nehisi Coates. A celebrated activist and decorated California State University professor in her own right, a return to Howard University for Abdullah, an alum, was a return to an institution that helped shape her work. As an African American Studies undergrad student, “building a world that everyone can live in” was already in play as she was circumspectly aligning with the calling on her life.

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This alignment made joining the Black Lives Matters movement a no-brainer when she and others became incensed Demand the transformation of our world. by the 2012 killing of seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin and Usher in new systems of public safety. Make sure our communities ﬂourish with the subsequent 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman for love and resources. Fight for justice in Martin’s killing. Becoming an organizing member of BLM was honor of their names.” yet another opportunity for Abdullah to “dig into the work.” Eight years later, as the co-director of Black Lives MatterGrassroots, Abdullah reminds us that the goal of BLM more than ever is to: “Demand the transformation of our world. Usher in new systems of public safety. Make sure our communities ourish with love and resources. Fight for justice in honor of their names.” Names Abdullah intentionally says whole as a way of humanizing the Black people killed by police. It is this commitment to humanizing those who still matter long after their hashtag has lost its viral vibration that compelled Smiley, an ally from day one, to bring the Black Lives Matter’s restorative agenda and Facebook show “This Is Not A Drill” to the KBLA Talk airways on Saturdays from 8 – 10 a.m., widening their reach and giving voice to hurting families’ trauma. >>

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suitetalk

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Suitetalk

TUNE IN TO DON AMICHE VS. EVERYBODY + CRYSTA & KIARA Weekdays 4PM-7PM KBLA Talk 1580 AM

@donamiche

search: Don Amiche

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Don Amiche

LOS ANGELES, CA

vs. Everybody: 26 Years in the Making

If a Black man landing the chance to work for a Black man he admires is considered lucky, well, consider Don Amiche doubly lucky. For him, opportunity knocked twice. But we’re not talking about obscure positions with random Black men. No. We’re talking about life elevating chances. We’re talking about Black men who are beloved staples within the Black community; Black men who were distant role models to Amiche before he entered the radio industry, but now he’s honored to call a friend. The men: music icon Stevie Wonder, owner of the contemporary adult radio station, KJLH 102.3, and broadcast icon Tavis Smiley, owner of the unapologetically progressive Black talk radio station, KBLA. But scratch lucky. Believing that coincidence deserves none of the credit and doing his part helped, Amiche says that “staying patient and staying consistent places whatever God has for you right in your lap.” A 1995 internship at KJLH placed the then 17-year-old Amiche in the radio arena, and his recent show on KBLA increased the stakes. Staying consistent meant state to state gigs, starting with Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1996. From there, it was behind the scenes work, on-air hosting, and becoming an acclaimed voice-over artist with a global client list. Yet none of this hinted at what was to come. “What are the chances Tavis Smiley would start a radio station and call me?”, proclaimed a thankful Amiche while discussing his new opportunity. Don Amiche vs. Everybody plus Crysta and Kiara airs weeknights from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Having worked with LA’s own Tammi Mac for ten years at KJLH, Amiche was primed to share the mic with extraordinary Black women. Of their rst months together, Amiche asserts, “We’re getting into our groove. Going from music radio to talk radio is different. But we’re having fun appreciating different points of view. The conversations we’re getting into are amazing.”

“

What are the chances Tavis Smiley would start a radio station and call me?”

While it is the case that each show on KBLA is different by virtue of the fact that each show carries the energy of its host, Don Amiche vs. Everybody…plus Crysta and Kiara is unique in that it is the one show where there are three different personalities, three different energies and therefore three different perspectives expressed on any given evening—all of which give birth to rants you did not see coming and laughter you very much needed. I recall an evening the three were talking about music, in particular hip hop. What it was? What it is? How it has evolved? In addition to naming artists such as Tupac, Biggie, Jay-Z and others, they played a piece of a song here and a piece of a song there. As they discussed their thoughts about various artists and the artists’ lyrics, I was pleasantly struck by how they went from co-hosts to sounding like little sisters tag teaming their big brother. I then laughed as Amiche jokingly dismissed Crysta and Kiara’s opinions by telling them they were young and didn’t really know their hip hop history. Why did he say that? The ladies were off to the races reminding him that he’s not that much older. Amused, Amiche could not get a word in edgewise. Then, as they often do, the three laughed their way to a news and trafc break. It is this type of playful banter that makes their discussions of more serious topics an easier digest. >>

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suitetalk

TUNE IN TO MIDDAYS WITH DANNY MORRISON Weekdays 12N-2PM KBLA Talk 1580 AM

@dannymoshow LinkedIn: Danny Morrison YouTube: DannyMorrison1039

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Danny Morrison’s

LOS ANGELES, CA

Bigger Platform

When God gets ready to bless you, He doesn’t need you in the room; He just needs you to live so that the person in the room feels condent introducing you to the room. Danny Morrison is the name KBLA’s sales manager, Otis Warren, eventually tendered to Tavis Smiley after sitting in a meeting listening to Smiley describe the characteristics of an on-air radio personality he wanted in his weekday lineup. Flabbergasted, Warren excused himself from the meeting, called Morrison, and said, “They’re talking about you. They have a list of what they want, and it’s you.” Before Smiley knew of him, Morrison was in his hometown of Bakerseld, California, for twenty years calling out racism, ghting for the underrepresented, creating anti-violence videos, touring prisons, spreading his “You Still Matter” message, asking God to use him. Morrison then amended his prayer: “God give me a bigger platform.” Smiley’s call to Morrison was an answered prayer. “I knew immediately this was the answer to my prayer. I was surprised but saw it as conrmation.” Ecstatic, Morrison continued, “I was crying so hard. This is the rst Black owner I have ever worked for in my life.” Curious about how Morrison tows the line of rm yet compassionate, I inquired. And in his own “but that’s just me” way, he didn’t disappoint. “I was raised by a mother who taught us to love ourselves and our people. I’m not perfect. Every single time I turn that mic on, I know I’m representing my family, God, my people. How dare I shut that door to anybody that calls in on my show.” When asked what’s his favorite “Middays with Danny Morrison” show thus far, it took Morrison less than ten seconds to respond with “Oh that’s easy. The church show for sure. The response from that show was amazing. People blew up my socials. It was the rst time the audience got the gist of what I am about. They listened and heard my re and my rants. I spoke on the Black church without being disrespectful and it resonated with so many people.”

“

God give me a bigger platform... Every single time I turn that mic on, I know I’m representing my family, God, my people. How dare I shut that door to anybody that calls in on my show.”

If you’re impatient, you’ll misconstrue his passion for unnecessary loudness, totally missing Morrison’s immense love for his kings and queens. “Middays with Danny Morrison” featuring his well-perfected show staple 7 Series airs 12 – 2 p.m. on KBLA. Tune in to nd out about his staple 7 Series. >>

KBLA - Weapon of Mass Construction One of the things I get a great deal of joy from is shared experiences with others who appreciate God’s kindness as much as I do. Appreciation for God’s kindness was a reverberating theme in each of my conversations with the KBLA Talk 1580 team. From Smiley, to DiPrima, to Morrison, to Amiche, to Abdullah—everyone wielded gratitude like the weapon of mass construction it is. I got the sense that everyone saw the birth of KBLA as something bigger than a moment; something bigger than yet another opportunity to ponticate for pontication’s sake. More than ever facts, truth, justice,

equality, liberation for Black people—are all at stake. And this cadre of extraordinary human beings, led by the one and only Tavis Smiley, are determined to see things get better for our people. From a place of rebellious solidarity, these veterans of the airways are committed to carrying on the work of hope, love and community activism Black people deserve—one honest and thought-provoking broadcast at a time. I invite you to become a part of the KBLA nation by downloading the app or listen LIVE daily at kbla1580.com. + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suitetalk COMMENTARY

The Secret…

Intimate Partner Violence

n August, a friend and community partner, Michelle Avan, was killed! I knew her to be kind,

thoughtful, and brilliant. A mother, grandmother, mentor, and well-respected, prominent, Black Female Bank Executive! People are struggling to understand why and how this could happen, especially to Michelle! It came from left eld, unexpected. Not her! We can't wrap our heads around this senseless violence.

BY KANDEE LEWIS Executive Director, Positive Results Center A Masterful trainer, Lewis is a Certiﬁed Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention Advocate, an expert specializing in Trauma Awareness, Teen Dating Violence, Healthy Relationships, Suicide Awareness & developing youth Peer Advocates and Safety Partners. @prc123

@thepositiveresults

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

I was with her one week before she was murdered. We laughed and talked, thankful to be in each other's company after almost two years, thanks to COVID-19. We scheduled time to meet in September to discuss working with Black girls in our programs, helping them realize and achieve their goals, and live life abundantly. I saw her at an event my company, Positive Results Center (PRC), was supporting. I was asked to speak about our work briey. Ironically, I talked about "The Secret." Every woman has a secret! Some know this secret intimately, and some carry someone else's secret. Fear, shame, blame, and denial keep the secret a secret. The secret is dating, domestic, intimate, or interpersonal violence. No matter what you call it, it's all violence and often ends up deadly. We will use Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) for this conversation, explicitly focusing on Black women. IPV is rooted in power and control! IPV doesn't discriminate on age, ethnicity, gender, professional or nancial status. Black women are tired of being over-criminalized, sexualized, raped, murdered, and plagued by violence, racist systems, and structures, disproportionately impacting our communities. Black women deserve safety and respect. It's impossible to solve the pandemic of systemic racism, oppression, and injustice without input from Black women. We have a right to inclusion with solutions.

Below Lewis provides a nonexhaustive list designed to help people understand what violence is, how it shows up, and what you can do to support someone! The Facts: Ÿ

Every 9 seconds, a woman in the United States is assaulted or beaten.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 20.6 million Black women and girls live in the country, about 7% of the U.S. population.

29.1% of Black females are victimized by IPV (including rape, physical assault, or stalking) and often the predator ISN'T prosecuted (Women of Color Network). Black women experience signiﬁcantly higher rates of psychological abuse--humiliation, insults, name-calling, and coercive control (Institute for Women's Policy Research).

Black females experience IPV 35% higher than white females, 2.5 times higher than women of other races.

Racism, sexism, sizeism, ugliﬁcation, shame, fear, reprisal, past/present trauma, lack of respect and trust make Black women less likely to report abuser or violence.

How You Can Help: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Listen to hear concerns. Ask "How Can I Help"? When they tell you how you can help, do as they request Don't judge their actions or lack of Don't call them stupid, dumb Don't say, "If it were you, you would…" Help them ﬁnd resources Keep their conﬁdence

Read the full article at suitelifesocal.com to learn more information about: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Forms of Violence Reasons We Don't Report Abuse Are You in An Abusive Relationship? Things You Need to Know About Domestic Violence If You're in An Abusive Relationship

For information, to schedule a workshop, volunteer, donate or join our board, please c o n t a c t Po s i t i v e R e s u l t s C e n t e r a t info@prc123.org or (323) 783-9252; or contact a local domestic violence shelter or the Center for Domestic Violence at (800) 799=SAFE (7233). SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

Suite Life SoCal

CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

FALL 2021

suite

A CONVERSATION WITH

Dismuke

GENERAL MANAGER OF ALLBLK & WE TV AT AMC NETWORKS

pluS LA FAYE BAKER

ISAAC KEYS

INDIE ARTISTS

BLACK STUNTWOMAN XTRAORDINAIRE

FINDING SUCCESS AFTER FOOTBALL

BILIONAIR CARTER, TAYLOR STOKES & JAYCE BARON

BLACK MEDIA VENTURES UPLIFTING BLACK VOICES

enteRtainment

Bringing into Time and Space

the

Black Experience

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

STORY BY AJA A. BROWN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARAYNA EISON

s Brett Dismuke, General Manager of ALLBLK and WE tv at AMC Networks, speaks directly to the Black community in this very raw and candid interview, we are met with what sits heavy on his heart. We are reminded, "it is our job to redene for the Black entertainment experience what Black entertainment can be." And the imperative of highlighting not only positive images but also all images--authentic images--in the Black stories we tell. Which he goes on to further express, "this is an intentional conscious effort" being seeded into the content and programs found on the trailblazing ALLBLK streaming platform. As a Chicago native living in Los Angeles who graduated from the University of Southern California, Dismuke has an Olympian track record, spanning over 20 years in the entertainment industry. From Motown, Polygram Distribution, Universal Music and Video Distribution, Hollywood Records, UrbanWorks Entertainment, First Look Studios, and the Black division under Image Entertainment, One Village, Dismuke's very own brand. It is no wonder why Dismuke has consistently been an invaluable, trusted partner, and inuential leader for BET co-founder Robert “Bob” L. Johnson. After buying Image Entertainment and Acorn Media in 2012, Johnson merged the two companies to create RLJ Entertainment. He then brought in Dismuke to serve as the SVP of Acquisitions and Urban Programming for RLJ Entertainment's One Village. In 2014, Dismuke took some time to establish himself on the creative side of the business. He produced lms for various other networks before rejoining forces with Johnson and the RLJ team in January 2019. At which time, Johnson had sold the majority stake in RLJ entertainment to AMC Networks. Dismuke saw the innite possibilities to expand and capitalize on a larger audience with AMC networks now in the picture to provide the nancial backing to grow and scale and the marketing machine needed to have a competitive edge. At its inception, ALLBLK, the streaming video on demand platform—formerly known as UMC (Urban Movie Channel)—was the rst to market streaming service tailored explicitly for Black programming.

"My primary mission is to inform and share as much as I can with our people and our Black creatives... [I want] to leave this place better than I found it."

Q& A

AB: Brett, on behalf of the Suite Life SoCal family, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. It is truly an honor. BD: Aja, thank you so much for reaching out. I feel honored by this interview request. AB: So, tell us, what is ALLBLK? BD: ALLBLK.tv is a streaming service specically catered to the African American experience. We feature stories, movies, docuseries, stage plays, original series, as well as some of your favorite cult classic lms, like Boomerang, Juice, or Love & Basketball. BD: What's interesting is if you look at ALLBLK.tv versus the other services catered to the Black audience, we are the most diverse when it comes to the content offerings in the marketplace. Our focus is not necessarily in one area; our focus is the breadth of our content, giving offerings that all three levels of the family may want to enjoy, including grandmom or dad, the parents, and even some of the late age kids. BD: And we see this in docuseries like Behind Her Faith, which speaks to certain Black women's journeys—the ebbs and ows of their lives and what they've overcome. But at the same time, we're offering stand-up comedy titles like Lil Duval's Living My Best Life. And then, to put the cherry on top, we also have a wide array of original series, like action crime dramas, Double Cross, or nighttime Emmy-nominated soap operas or relationship shows, For the Love of Jason and Stuck with You. As well as traditional sitcoms like Millennials and a weekly talk show with Kendall Kyndall, called Social Society.

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

enteRtainment

Craig Ross Jr.'s Monogamy

Social Society

Lace

PREMIERE DATE: SEP 2

PREMIERE DATE: SEP 7

PREMIERE DATE: NOV 4

AB: Wow, I have some binge-watching to do for sure. I'll be honest, Brett, I had not heard of ALLBLK before preparing for our interview. And in doing my research, ALLBLK used to be called UMC. Why did the name change? BD: Starting off as UMC in 2014, Bob Johnson had a vision of realizing the primarily African American cable viewing community and wanting to transition them into the subscription world, and it hadn't been done yet. BD: Now, when we launched Urban Movie Channel, which UMC stood for, it was a very descriptive name. We wanted the audience to know exactly what we were offering since there were no other services like us. But over a few years, we felt that it was time to go in a new direction. The term "urban" had pretty much run its course. As Black Americans, because everything is cyclical, we have gotten back to calling it what it is. BD: Therefore, getting away from the name "urban" as well as not having the focus just be primarily on movies, we decided to rebrand, and we wanted a new name that really encapsulated the journey, encapsulated what we're all about, and knowing that ALLBLK can be your destination for simply that, Black entertainment. It was a must for us. AB: Why is it essential to have a service platform like ALLBLK? BD: I think historically, we have been at the mercy of other cultures, other people from different backgrounds, greenlighting our stories. BD: When we would look at television, or we would go to the movies—and quite frankly, we would watch the content because that's what was being offered. However, some of us were like, 'how come this type of story isn't being told?' Us having this platform, we don't have to rely on anyone else to share our stories. 68

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

“

"To provide an opportunity for ﬁlmmakers, writers, crew members, as well as talent to really ﬂex their muscle and showcase their talent in an industry that tends to deal with us on a limited basis," says Brett.

”

BD: It is a fact of reality that we have entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and well-known politicians; we also have hustlers and folks on the grimy side and everything in between. BD: We do a good job of not only showcasing that through our scripted programming, but we have quite a few reality shows, as well, in conjunction with our partnership with WE tv. Whether it's Brat Loves Judy and highlighting same-sex love, or it's The TS Madison Experience and talking about transgender women, I could go on and on about different areas of Black life that get overlooked at times, but we're here to share it all. AB: The spectrum of representation is crucial. You want to be entertained but also educated. A difference in perspective can still bring forth unity because there's empathy and a willingness to understand the uniqueness of others and their experiences. BD: Absolutely. Where else can you have a show highlighting dancers who are trying to get out of the strip club, like Beyond the Pole, but then turn right around and turn on Social Society with segments on nancial literacy in the Black community, Black tech companies, and how to maximize on your taxes. We're giving all of that! BD: We have a responsibility to share information with our people. So again, good, bad or ugly, we are at least going to talk about it and show it. You may not like everything. You may love it all. We're not going to be in a position where you can say ALLBLK shied away from any of those topics.

Partners In Rhyme PREMIERE DATE: NOV 18

AB: What are the challenges you have faced in building all-Black content programming and networks? BD: There seems to be a reluctance sometimes to support Black businesses. And that's not just in entertainment. That's across the board. And it's a trust issue. We have to overcome people looking at us and saying, ‘oh, that's just a Black streaming service, it's not worth...ll in the blank.’ And we're here to prove those people wrong and set an example. A business geared towards Black people does not have to be considered bootleg or second-rate. Brett takes a moment to give owers to the Black excellence of Bob Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Master P, who he acknowledges have all helped pave the way in that instance. BD: I do believe the perception is changing, but we're here to drive that home as we continue to grow virally and our audience gets larger. We can make much more of a louder bang about what we are doing. We see the same situation in hip hop music. This doesn't have to be any different. We are here for consumption because we know pop culture is Black culture. BD: Usually, when you go to an outlet, they have anywhere from two to four original series. We have ve to six times that. And I have to shout out Terror Lake Drive because that was our rst thriller series. People said it couldn't be done, so our content is growing as our subscriber base grows. AB: Which is an excellent opening to ask, what can we expect to see from ALLBLK in the Fall and in 2022? BD: Yes indeed. In the Fall of 2021, we have the return of our top-rated series, Craig Ross Jr.'s Monogamy. This will be season 3 of that series, and that show has a cult following like no other. It's amazing. [The] season [premiered] on September 2nd. I challenge you to watch episode 1, look at our social pages and see the fans go crazy.

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enteRtainment BD: We have Covenant, a new show by Kaye Singleton premiering. It's an anthology series that really tackles stories from the Bible. It recreates what those stories would look like in present-day society. The actions, the language, the situations, people will be able to relate to what they're seeing. Then during the after show, you'll see Kaye and some of the cast members have conversations about the inspiration of those episodes.

AB: Brett, last and nal question. What is your personal mission?

BD: We have a legal drama called Lace from Katrina Y. Nelson and Michelle Ebony Hardy that is amazing. It follows Lacey McCullough, and she owns a law rm. Yet, she is not only a lawyer that deals with high-end clientele, but she's also very closely associated with an escort service.

BD: So, one of the things that I do, I don't care if it's a college [or] lm festival, I'm going to sit on as many panels as I possibly can to share all the information that I have. The other thing is when I'm negotiating; if there are terms that the lmmaker, the producer, or the licensor doesn't understand, I'm going to sit down and explain it to them. I'm also going to give them their options. Not only for the exibility they have with doing business with me, but I'm also going to tell them about other companies. And what they can do at other places so that when we as Black people are sitting at the table with these other companies and networks, we know what we're talking about. Ultimately that is going to change the game.

AB: Oooo, y'all are going there. Ok! BD: We're going there. McCullough & Associates, they're no holds barred to what they will do to get their clients off. And you can take that how you want. BD: We also have a great new sitcom called Partners in Rhyme from MC Lyte and Bentley Kyle Evans. It's funny. Last year at ABFF [American Black Film Festival], we started a partnership called "Shoot Your Shot." It was a national casting call for a prominent role on the show, Partners in Rhyme, where we found Precious Way as the co-star of the series with MC Lyte—and Precious is phenomenal. She is a young MC, an artist, and she plays MC Lyte's niece on the show. It's kind of like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air meets Empire. It's a traditional sitcom. We're going to have a ball with that.

BD: To leave this place better than I found it. I take that responsibility very seriously. I am specically talking about how Black and brown people are treated in this business and what we know. For years, companies, agents, managers, lawyers, and studios have taken advantage of people who did not have much information.

BD: And I have to give it up to my Big Brother Master P. He has taught me a lot in this business. When he redened how record labels should approach distribution companies, that's what I'm talking about. We didn't have the knowledge that we could do that. My primary mission is to inform and share as much as I can with our people and our Black creatives. +

In speaking with Brett, we also heard the insider scoop about this year's ALLBLK's "Shoot Your Shot" competition in partnership with ABFF, featuring the extraordinary Coleman Domingo of Fear of the Walking Dead. Coleman is looking for an actor to put in his new series, West Philly Baby, set to begin lming in 2022. BD: We also have a supernatural show called Dead Places that premieres in November. It's about a private investigator from the UK. These are all Black people, by the way. He goes to South Africa to investigate his sister's disappearance. But, he stumbles upon all of these different supernatural cases that are happening. So that's going to be a fun ride. While Brett verbally couldn't share too much about what is coming in 2022, his energy spoke for him as he lit up with excitement for the hot newness coming. In addition to the proudness of returning shows, Social Society with Kendall Kyndall, Marriage Boot Camp, Growing Up Hip-Hop, and a lot of other WE tv show’s that will be back. AB: Where can people nd ALLBLK? BD: There is a direct website at ALLBLK.tv. We can also be found anywhere content is streamed, whether that's Amazon Prime, YouTube, Comcast, and mobile apps on iOS and Android, for $4.99 per month.

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

@watchallblk allblk.tv

LOS ANGELES, CA

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La Faye Baker “They have no excuse." STORY BY QUINCI LEGARDYE PHOTOS COURTESY OF LA FAYE BAKER

uilding a decades-long Hollywood career from scratch is an ongoing hustle. For Black women pursuing traditionally male jobs in entertainment, scaling the gates of the movie business is doubly tricky, with the prejudices of race and gender working against them. Nevertheless, La Faye Baker, the rst African American woman to serve as stunt coordinator for a major motion picture in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999), has made a name for herself as a trailblazer in stunt work, and she's still hustling. Baker grew up as a child gymnast in South Central Los Angeles, a world away from the entertainment industry. However, she discovered the world of stunt work— performing stunts including ghts, falls, and precision driving—through a chance encounter while working as a probation ofcer. Baker quickly took to the exhilarating work. She has been a stunt double for Black actresses throughout her esteemed career, including Angela Bassett, Regina King, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Lynn Whiteld.

Some of the impressive lms on Baker's resume: What's Love Got to Do With It (1993), Independence Day (1996), Set It Off (1996), Good Burger (1997), Training Day (2001), Mission Impossible III (2006), First Sunday (2008), and Green Lantern (2011). Her most recent coordinator jobs were arranging the stunts for the Netix series Family Reunion and the fourth season of Insecure (2020). Today, Baker attributes her success to networking and relationship building, in addition to her dedication to the 72

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craft of stunt work. It's a skill she continues to practice today as she builds her reputation as a stunt coordinator. “To be a stunt person, it takes some time to establish yourself, where you can get to know who you are. Even with me being a stunt coordinator, I'm still trying to get established as a Black female stunt coordinator because the men [who make hiring decisions] always thought a woman can't do the job," Baker tells Suite Life SoCal. "I'm going to do everything the guys do, but for some reason, they always thought a woman can't do a job that a man could do." Hollywood doesn't have an excellent track record of gender inclusion in the stunt industry. For example, a 2017 lm research study found that out of 7,303 movies released between 2000-2016, women made up less than 15% of stunt professionals. There is also an industry practice known as "paint downs," when a white stunt professional would be covered in dark makeup to double a Black or POC actor for an action sequence. Baker believes in the social media era; stunt coordinators should no longer be able to say that they just couldn't nd a Black stunt professional, male or female. "There's double standards in the industry, for sure. I think that [executives] often say they can't nd Black women with a certain craft. If they want to nd a Black [performer], they can reach out to some of the other Black ones; everyone knows somebody. If not, they can reach out to Instagram. They have no excuse at this time to say they can't nd a Black woman for a specialized skill," Baker says.

enteRtainment

“

As a young girl, I didn't have anyone educating or teaching me anything about the industry, and I feel that if I had mentors, I would have done it differently. So it's important that I teach them how to navigate into this business without having any mishaps or any hiccups. It's important to educate these kids and let them know that these jobs exist.

”

The Los Angeles native is now paying it forward and doing her part to introduce more young women to stunt work. Baker founded the Diamond in the Raw Foundation in 2015, where she has nurtured underserved youth and taught them about the lm industry and other opportunities. She also hosted her rst "Skin Champion Stunt Workshop" for local teen girls this summer. At a multi-week program sponsored by Gold Bond and supported by Mary J. Blige, the girls learned about the craft of stunt work and navigating the industry as a Black woman. The participants were also able to get experience being involved in stunts, which included doing wire work, learning ght scenes, and being passengers in stunt driving demonstrations. "Most of the girls were excited about the whole program overall, just being a stuntwoman and experiencing something that they never thought about. [It was] just the excitement of what they have never seen and what is a possibility." 74

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Baker is also amplifying female stunt performers through her recently-launched activewear line, Stuntwoman Xtraordinaire. Baker says that the line is designed to express strength and resilience for all women, no matter their occupation or age. As she takes on new opportunities, stunt work still has her heart, and she wants other young women to enter the industry and navigate it successfully. “As a young girl, I didn't have anyone educating or teaching me anything about the industry, and I feel that if I had mentors, I would have done it differently. So it's important that I teach them how to navigate into this business without having any mishaps or any hiccups. It's important to educate these kids and let them know that these jobs exist." Anyone interested in learning more about Baker can visit lafayebaker.com. For her nonprot organization, Diamond in the Raw, visit diamondintheraw.org. +

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

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Isaac Keys The Suite Life, After Athletics STORY BY KEN CALVIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EBONICE ATKINS

s an athlete, no fear is more signicant than learning to navigate life after the nal whistle as we often spend so much time focused on the game than when it's all over, and it appears your life has ashed by quicker than one could imagine. That's why our team at Suite Life SoCal wanted to take the time to highlight one of the chosen few who will help us learn how he managed to nd success in the world of entertainment right after he hung up his cleats for the very last time. So, ladies and gentlemen, I now introduce you to former NFL linebacker turned actor Isaac Keys. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Keys took the road less traveled towards his path of greatness. As a 195 lb. center on his offensive line at Hazelwood Central High School his senior year, few expected him to accomplish NFL status. Though he wasn't thrilled with his coach's decision, he accepted his role and learned that to be successful in anything; he needed to learn to be coachable and play where the team needed him to play. That very philosophy is what Keys states assisted him with life after athletics more than anything. As his football life continued, Keys eventually walked on at North Alabama, where he played tight end. After a redshirt freshman year where it didn't feel like the college life he dreamed of, Keys transferred to Morehouse College, where he completed his remaining three years as one of the conference's most dominant, outstanding athletes. There, he transitioned to defense and earned his way onto the Minnesota Vikings linebacker core. After leaving Minnesota, he had stints in Green Bay with The Packers, NFL Europe with The Scottish Claymores, Arizona Cardinals, and Edmonton Eskimos.

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

After a multi-year career where Keys learned how to "look good, play good," it was only natural that he used those same attributes to help him with his next transition, a modeling career that began with a feature as Essence magazine's "Eye Candy of the Week." When asked if the change was intimidating, in true competitor fashion, Keys replied that "The Game has a way of building condence that helps one accomplish any goal you set your mind to." That condence helped build momentum that assisted with future opportunities in lm as well. Keys' rst prominent acting appearance came as an opportunity on the Epix network where he had a role on the series Get Shorty, the 2017 comedy-drama where he was featured as the character, Ed. Afterward, he landed a role on the Sony television series The Oath and box ofce hit Jurassic World. The acting realm is a challenging network to crack, but once you're in, "you're in." That's why I wasn't surprised when my frat brother, Thomas, and cousin to Keys, called to tell me that Keys landed a feature role on the upcoming next chapter of Starz network's wildly popular television anthology series, Power, called Power Book IV: The Tommy Egan Story, starring Joseph Sikora. Keys couldn't go into detail about his role but let's just say he's been lming in Chicago nonstop throughout the summer and can't wait to share this opportunity with everyone who has helped him become the man he is today. Noting inuences Samuel Jackson, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman, Keys is right on schedule for his big break. Suite Life SoCal is honored to shine a light on Mr. Keys and wishes him success on his journey. +

@isaackeys

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PHOTOS BY: KEM WEST PHOTOGRAPHY JAYCE BARON, CEO JBARON CREATIVE HOUSE

BilionAir Carter

TISHA BRENEE PHOTOGRAPHY BILIONAIR CARTER

Independent STORY BY KALAISHA TOTTY

The media industry appeals to millions of people around the world. When it comes to music, most artists dream of submitting demos to record labels and signing deals. When it comes to lmmakers, most dream of selling a script or a movie idea to one of the big studios; while that’s the goal of most, others choose the independent route. Suite Life SoCal magazine noticed some of these independent artists used the pandemic as an opportunity to go to the next level. 78

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Meet BilionAir Carter, a childhood entertainer and athlete turned music artist. His younger brother dreamed of making beats, and after playing around making songs, Carter realized he enjoyed it. “One day, I had an epiphany, the Most High brought it to me,” he said. “‘How much money would it take to take care of everyone you love in the world?’ and I came up with a billion. I’m calling myself a billionaire to claim it.” Carter describes himself as a versatile multi-talented individual in his third year of music with the ability to make music which attracts fans that like the music of both Bob Marley and Drake. He plans to use his platform to take care of anyone he’s able to help. His single “Good Good,” along with his video, was released in June 2021. “That was monumental. It was made in less than an hour,” he said. “The whole thing was freestyled. The energy on the song and video was nuts. There’s no cursing on the record.” Carter hopes to connect the new school and old school, much like Taylor Stokes. Carter and Stokes are cousins and come from a lineage of music icons. Their uncle Buster Brown produced several records for artists like Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin and had various lm soundtracks, including The Prince of Egypt and Fighting Temptations.

Taylor Stokes

Artis Stokes’s mother knew she was a star at birth. She began dancing and singing at three years old. “My entire family worked on legendary records, so growing up in this lifestyle polished me for this career,” she said. Stokes auditioned for American Idol at 16 years old. She made it to the fourth round. She felt discouraged but knew she had to push through. Much like Stokes, Jayce Baron knows what it’s like to be “turned down” in the industr y. Baron studied communications with an emphasis on entertainment. He curates art in media, podcasts, documentaries, and just about any way you can communicate. “I’ve been in spaces where I pitched ideas, and it’s white people telling us it won’t work,” he said, “but we have to make it happen ourselves. That’s the appeal of being an independent artist.” Baron describes himself as a compassionate motivator that strives to heal the world. And

Jayce Baron

Using these times of COVID to redeﬁne their craft and focus on their career missions.

he hopes to highlight the beauty and power in all people through his work. His tagline is “the intersection between advocacy and entertainment, striving to make purposeful art.” “There is brilliance in all people regardless of background, especially marginalized people,” he said. “We’re taught we’re a subdivision of humanity. I’m here to remind you that you’re beautiful and talented.” Baron has written for several publications throughout New York and Los Angeles. He worked for ve years hosting a panel for Kiss and Tell about sex and love in the LGBTQ+ community. “People think we are a united community, but we’re very divided,” he said. “I wanted to gather us and create a movement of communication.” There he fell in love with the art behind the camera. Being an independent artist takes hard work and dedication, something Stokes, Baron and Carter know at their core.

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

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Learn more about the artists on their respective Instagram pages:

But while their paths aren’t mainstream, they know it takes a team to manifest their visions. Likewise, it takes a team to support and help execute projects. Baron thinks of Drake’s career as a testament to independent artists making it big. “I think of Issa Rae as well, and with social media, we can elevate to the front of mainstream media,” he said. Stokes, Carter, and Baron had huge projects on the horizon when COVID-19 shut down the world. But Baron was familiar with this change. “I was in college during the recession; I dreamed about the corporate ofce with the ceiling windows,” Baron said. “The world was broke, and that wasn’t realistic. It changed my vision for my craft.” COVID-19 was the rst time every person in the world was impacted. But Stokes, Baron, and Carter took that time to refuel their res. Stokes felt more creative during the pause and took the time to focus entirely on her career. Baron realized being independent requires him to be a 24hour machine. The pandemic gave him time to think about what’s most important in life. Carter believes 2020 was a year of vision. “It was the time to sit down, shut up and focus,” Carter said. “If you didn’t get the vision, hop on board, and we gonna get you right.” Carter is working on his EP and other projects such as sustainable gardening and planning to invest in property in Africa. Stokes is preparing her new single along with a music video and an upcoming country-wide tour. Baron just wrapped his documentary Beyond Ed Buck, assessing the social intersections for Black people and LGBTQ+ and how unprotected the community is. 80

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@bilionair_carter

@taylorstokes

@jaycebaron

“This lm took three years to make,” Baron said. “It’ll make a lot of people uncomfortable, and I’m glad to do that.” He hopes to take a break. For all the independent artists around the world, Baron urged them to stay authentic. “You’re always going to be too this or too that for someone,” he said. “Don’t be discouraged by the ‘noes’ of artistry. Everything that’s meant for you, God will give to you.” Stokes encouraged hopeful independent artists to go against the grain to stand out. Carter inspired artists not to be believers but to be ‘knowers’ and understand that the music industry is more about business than music. “Spend more on marketing than anything,” he said. “You can’t rely on your family; you have to reach your audience.” He was also encouraged not to be worn down by how arduous the journey is. “Even in the trials, sleeping in your car, not eating some nights, the yin and yang has to be the balance; you need the light and the dark,” Carter said. “As soon as you doubt yourself, you’ve lost. My mentor told me to think, ‘God, I know this issue is bigger than me, but it’s not bigger than You, so handle it,’ and to know it’s already handled.” In October, Carter and Stokes will be busy as well. Carter is planning his release party for his rst EP. Stokes is releasing her video for her popular hit, Mango, which was produced by Lou Buster Brown in addition to releasing her new single, Don’t Be Shy. +

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

SESSENTIALS uite Inuence. Engage. Teach. Connect.

The Black Table Founders lead the way as professionals in the special event and creative industries and advocates for Black-owned businesses

FALL 2021

Suite Life CONCIERGE MAGAZINE

SoCal

Suite eSSEntials

THE

BLACK TABLE

Los Angeles' Powerhouse of Multi-Million Dollar Black Event Production Curators STORY BY ASHLEY YANCEY PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BLACK TABLE WRIGHT PRODUCTIONS’ MERGE PHOTOS BY VlexPhotos @vonjackson

ipsey Hussle's mantra was all about recycling the Black dollar, supporting Black businesses, and things like that. That was his message," begins William P. Miller, founder of WP Miller Special Events. "So, it surprised me when I saw that a white, Jewish woman had planned his funeral. How did this happen?"

It couldn't have been because there was a lack of experienced Black funeral planners. An accomplished event planner for well over 30 years that also includes a wealth of experience in the realm of funerals — he planned Lou Rawls' funeral, Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral, and even Prince's (Rogers Nelson) funeral, among others. After writing an Instagram post about the oversight, Miller was contacted by other local planners who shared his disappointment. Then, after organizing an early meeting of other local Black planners, it became clear that many were strangers who didn't know each other. From there, The Black Table was born. As a collective of Los Angeles-based Black event professionals dedicated to elevating the presence and positioning of Black-owned businesses in the special event and creative industries, The Black Table's focus is to leverage our economic and cultural impact by pooling our resources. Their goal is to create a pipeline of wealth through ownership and inuence within the special event, creative, and entrepreneurship communities. Once formulating their mission, they hit the ground running. "When we rst all met, it was just the synergy and the purpose that was there from the very second," says Lauren Montgomery, owner of Collective Rentals, a furniture rental and interior design company. "We all entered the building, and we all came from different backgrounds. We're all very different producers—I'm the only one on the vendor side. At the same time, we have a common goal and purpose. That has been one of the most fullling things that I have done for my community in my life, so it's great."

IG: @theblacktable_ FB: @theblacktablegroup theblacktable.co

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

Despite being formed in 2019, it wasn't until 2020's pandemic that The Black Table began garnering the attention, focus, and signed contracts for its members that they deserve. They have produced several leadership forums, seminars, and special episodes of The Black Table Sauce, where they serve up industry news and hot topics that elevate the Black event professional. "People have become real conscious since last year and the George Floyd incident. I remember when Niecy Nash contacted me about her wedding last year. She's like, 'I want to use all Black vendors.' And guess what? We executed the wedding with all Black vendors," says Miller. "You know we have a Black-owned ballet company. We have Black DJs. We have Black lighting designers. We have Black orists. We have Black rental companies. A lot of people say they don't know that, so it's up to us to raise the awareness."

In the US, according to Data USA, it's estimated that nearly 70% of all event planners and producers are white, while just under 10% are Black. Furthermore, in an industry whose global worth exceeds $1000B (according to Allied Market Research), not even 100 Black names are listed on preferred vendor lists nationally. These statistics are jarring, and it should come as no surprise that this disparity is felt at all levels of the event production process. Mena Wright, a co-founder of Wright Productions, recalls producing an event in Canton, Ohio, for one of the players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite being a sports league that heavily employs Black players, she was the only Black producer in attendance. "Most of the players are Black, and they want their [culture] experience to be shown within their events." She nds this to be indicative of a larger issue at play. "There are so many talented Black event producers in this industry, and there's a lot of excuses, that people 'don't know about us,' but I think even when they do know about us, are they willing to work with us." A common sentiment echoed profusely among the cofounders is "we are stronger united than divided." With an emphasis on collaboration and disdain for competition, everyone rallies to champion and help support the various events and productions they each participate in, whether that be additional resources, a helping hand, or words of encouragement. "Something that I love about The Black Table is that I've been able to meet other qualied Black professionals in this space that I feel comfortable referring clients," says Leslie Jones, owner of Leslie Marie Events. "I can do it condently because I've seen their work and their work ethic, I know who they are, and I can trust them." “I've worked with several of them, including Wright Productions and Collective Rentals, so we've been able to collaborate amongst each other as well," says Tammy Dickerson, owner of TBG Events. "It's been really good, and I'm looking forward to what I know we can still do as The Black Table, not necessarily elevating our companies but elevating other vendors,

suppliers, and producers that are in this space, especially those that are just getting started." As the only member of The Black Table who offers vendor services, Montgomery's offerings are much needed amid a landscape that heavily caters to the production sector of events. "I cannot even tell you the amount of events that the producers who are on The Black Table have come to me with," she gushes. "Even if I didn't have the right look or exact piece that they wanted, the collaboration and the willingness to work through that in order to strengthen our community within the event space is a real life thing… I could give you dollar amounts [of the added revenue I've earned through The Black Table relationships]." With so much heavy lifting on their plates, to help change decades of systemic racism and oppression intended to exclude them, it's vital to remain inspired. Miller can't help but reect on one titan in the event planning world who stands tall above the rest, Bayard Rustin. "I've called him the greatest event planner of all time." A co-organizer of the 1941 March on Washington, Rustin's actions helped ensure the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. An openly gay Black man, he faced aggressive discrimination but persevered despite this. "He didn't have this type of technology [that we have today]. It was just the message, and [the] creative way he pulled people together is what he stood on." William pauses before reiterating, "He's denitely one of my biggest inspirations, the kind that keeps me going." Shantee Wright, a co-founder of Wright Productions, says, "The Black Table is just an amazing platform of event professionals and Black people who support each other and push each other forward. We have some great things in the works for that. Stay on the lookout for The Black Table." The Black Table invites you to engage with them to continue ideating how we all can bridge the gap on racial disparities within the events and production industry. You can follow them on their various social media platforms, which are listed below, or join today as a member by visiting their website, theblacktable.co.

>>>>

SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

Suite eSSEntials

“

I'm a person about vision, and so I always put things into the atmosphere as to what I want to do, and then I watch them happen. And that's how we began working for Michelle—my First Lady Michelle Obama."

IG: @wpmillermoments FB: @william.p.miller1 Twitter: @WPMillermoments wpmillerspecialevents.com

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

LOS ANGELES, CA

WP Miller Special Events

William P. Miller A

s a co-founder of The Black Table, William P. Miller is a name widely known and respected by those in the Los Angeles events community and nationally across the country. In business for more than 30 years, not only does he create events for VIPs, but the guests of these events are most times VIPs in their own right. With dozens of features and appearances in a variety of publications, including Brides Magazine, People, Life & Style, Ebony, Jet, In Style Magazine, and many others, Miller has also appeared on many network television shows, including OWN's Raising Whitley, Entertainment Tonight, Whose Wedding is it Anyway?, and Married Away, as well as on the international French television network program, 100% Mag. While Miller has seen much success in his career, he got his start just like everyone else. "It all started in Chicago, and working with UNCF planning and supporting the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon." Because Miller couldn't afford the ticket, he volunteered his time working the event and would see the beautiful setups and displays. As he moved on and began working with United Airlines in their marketing department, traveling across the country, he began volunteering for any events and opportunities that arose. Finally, when 9/11 happened, he took a leave of absence, and with the skills he'd learned from years of volunteering and producing events for family and friends, WP Miller Special Events was born. Although Miller appreciates creating and curating a multitude of experiences, he admits that at one point, he'd gotten pigeonholed into weddings. "I had always had a passion for doing stationery and announcements, and I think that that existed from my marketing career." After selling his handcrafted stationery at a Malibu farmer's market one fateful day, a customer called asking if he could create her wedding invitations. After spending two weeks painstakingly crafting hundreds of invitations that took 2 hours each to complete, Miller found out the bride-to-be was none other than Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino. From there, demand for his work seemingly grew overnight. "[After that] I had planned a wedding for Sheryl Lee Ralph, and it was a real big celebrity wedding. From there, Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? called." A dreamer at heart, Miller believes in the power of manifestation. "I'm a person about vision, and so I always put things into the atmosphere as to what I want to do, and then I watch them happen. And that's how we began working for Michelle---my First Lady Michelle Obama," he shares, referencing the Women for Obama luncheon held in Los Angeles. "I like all events, and so I love entertaining and curating special experiences. For this upcoming week, we have an intimate dinner for eight, but then next week I leave town to plan a national convention with 1500 attendees," Miller shares. "Last week, we had a judge swearing-in ceremony, and it was great. When I switch it up, it makes me feel like I put my marketing degree to use. We really position ourselves as a one-stopshop for all of your entertainment needs." During COVID, Miller even found himself tapping into the candle market. "A part of my [event] strategy is touching those ve senses of all the guests," he explains. After curating a fragrance for actress Niecy Nash's recent wedding that received an incredible response, he decided it was time to launch a luxury candle company of his own. Since he's started selling Opulent Scented Moments on his website, sales have been through the roof. These are the valuable experiences and lessons that Miller has learned on his journey that he is careful to pass down to the newer event planners he mentors and guides. Forever championing the power of relationship building, Miller emphasizes the value of a solid network and the importance of being thorough. While he can understand how certain technological shortcuts and quick xes can help in a few situations, there's nothing like having a solid conversation. He reects on a heart-to-heart he had with a young planner recently. "When you speak to people and get to see their body language, you get a chance to ask questions." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "It's important to know your market. People tell me all the time, 'You need an online customer portal.' I say, 'Okay, can you imagine First Lady Michelle Obama completing a portal?'" Miller's upcoming events are the Los Angeles Urban League Centennial Celebration and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. National Convention. >>

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We work with really big brands, and it's around operations and logistics where we differentiate as an agency.”

FB: @tbgevents Twitter: @TBakerGrp IG: @tbg_events tbg-events.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA

tbg Events

Tammy Dickerson Initially, Tammy Dickerson didn't set out to become one of Los Angeles' most highly awarded event producers. "I'm a very spiritual person. It's really how I live. It's the light of who I am as an individual, so it was absolutely a leap of faith that I took to leave corporate America and start my own business," she begins. "It's been an amazing blessing [for nearly 30 years]." In 1995, Dickerson was beginning to get her feet wet while working for Coca-Cola, the world's strongest brand across food and non-alcoholic drinks. "I started in project management, and I really just liked and loved the skills that I was using. So I used that to transition into [the] corporate event marketing department and became an event planner for the Coca-Cola company." After just a few short years, Dickerson found herself planning national (and then international) global events, including brand activations and experiences such as the Super Bowl and even the Olympics. After earning her stripes managing events and hospitality for Coca-Cola, Dickerson was more than prepared to strike out on her own. So in 2000, tbg Events was born. "What makes us so unique is that our agency focuses on primarily corporate and entertainment events," she explains. Whether 50 or 5,000 attendees, with budgets ranging from hundreds of thousands to multi-million, Dickerson has an entire staff employed to roll out the red carpet and ensure seamless executions. "We just nished doing an event yesterday for Major League Soccer," she shared. With so many clients under her belt, the savvy curator admits there is one organization she especially looks forward to partnering with. "The Milken Institute Global Conference stands out—they have been our clients for the last 18 years. I landed that business off of a cold call." The 3,500-attendee, four-day affair is a behemoth in terms of logistics and execution, but Dickerson appreciates how it allows her and her team to showcase their "secret sauce." Everything--including registration services, operations and logistics, food and beverage, transportation, hotel accommodations, and event stafng—is managed by tbg Events, and Dickerson wouldn't have it any other way. "We work with really big brands, and it's around operations and logistics where we differentiate as an agency." While there have been many memorable events and special moments over the years, nothing could have prepared Dickerson for the whirlwind that 2020 brought when all in-person events were shut down. The pandemic coincided with tbg Events' 20th anniversary, and Dickerson refused to allow the occasion to go unrecognized. After briey pausing to assess the COVID climate, she and her team invested in new marketing and branding materials before pivoting into virtual events. Surprisingly, Dickerson found the transition to virtual events (an area that many event planners and producers struggled in) a major win for her company. "We have even another portfolio business that we never had before and another solution to offer to clients," Dickerson proudly shared.

2019 (above) and 2018 Milken Institute Global Conference

Coming out of that experience, Dickerson is more optimistic than ever. "This year alone, we have more than 20 events already planned. We're back at it rocking and rolling, really ramping up our staff right now." tbg Events has secured several features and awards (the organization has won three in 2020 alone). Additionally, they have secured countless Fortune 500 companies, politicians, global organizations, celebrities, and business tycoons that Dickerson counts as clients. tbg Events is a LA powerhouse that will be around for years to come. >> UPCOMING OCTOBER EVENTS: Milken Institute Global Conference Los Angeles World Airport – New Development Ground Breaking LA84 Foundation Annual Fundraiser

2021 Major League Soccer Event SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

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The couples or the weddings that we have gotten published are [chosen] simply based on aesthetics. It's not necessarily that something was incredibly grand, but sometimes it's just uniqueness."

IG: @1010wineandevents FB: @1010WineandEvents Twitter: @1010Wine 1010wineandevents.com IG: @lesliemarieevents FB: @LeslieMarieEvents Pinterest: @lesjones1 lesliemarieevents.com

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INGLEWOOD, CA

Leslie Marie Events

Leslie Jones It would be putting it lightly to say business is booming for Leslie Jones, the founder and Lead Planner of Leslie Marie Events, an events company specializing in weddings. Like many other event planners across the country, Jones' business was turned upside down when the world shut down last year. In addition to owning a busy wedding planning company, Jones partnered with her sister to create a new wine bar, 1010 Wine & Events. Inglewood's rst wine bar was slated to open during the pandemic, but amid various delays and setbacks, both Leslie Marie Events and 1010 Wine & Events came to a screeching halt. Forever a creative, Jones pivoted and got to work. "We created an elopement package, which was literally just some of the top vendors in Los Angeles. Florals, photography, ofciant, hair, and makeup were included at a at rate for all of these things that you can do on an elopement for up to ten people." She continued, "That was very helpful for us because it kept us creative, and then it kept some money in our pocket." When it came to 1010 Wine & Events, the pause allowed Jones and her sister to dedicate their undivided attention to the restaurant since a busy wedding season was no longer a distraction. "After a couple of months, we were able to pick back up and get into all of the design aspects and get into construction again and all of those things." By August 2021, 1010 Wine & Events was celebrating its Grand Opening. From a young age, Jones always knew she would be involved in events. While an undergrad at Arizona State University, she prided herself on becoming the go-to person who created community events for numerous clubs and organizations. After graduating, she returned to Los Angeles and began interning for a wedding planner, where she wound up falling in love with the industry. "Two years into interning with her, my sister was getting married. She asked me to plan her wedding, and it ended up being a $150,000 wedding," shared Jones, recounting her rst big break. "It was at the Vivianna in downtown Los Angeles, and it turned out really great." It turned out so well that the event was published! From there, word-of-mouth and referrals began pouring in, more articles were published, and it wasn't long before Jones had a ourishing wedding and event planning career. By 2011 Leslie Marie Events was born.

Scenes from 1010 Wine & Events in Inglewood.

Jones prides herself on creating special moments with a stylish approach that makes her weddings and events stand out from the crowd. "The couples or the weddings that we have gotten published are [chosen] simply based on aesthetics. It's not necessarily that something was incredibly grand, but sometimes it's just uniqueness." She continues, "We did a backyard wedding photoshoot in December of last year, and I just got a notication yesterday that it has been published for the fourth time. It was very simple and low-key... but it just was something that hadn't been done, and people hadn't seen." Moving forward, Jones is excited for all the growth and opportunity that is developing. In addition to supporting her booming new wine bar and event space, she has a growing team of new employees to help keep all of the recent delayed weddings that have been rescheduled. To remain vital and inspired, she remembers her late mother, an incredible nurse and entrepreneur in her own right. "My mom is the guide. I'm always moving and working with her on my mind." >>

UPCOMING EVENTS: Visit 1010 Wine Bar & Events 1010 La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302 SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

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“They had two tents that were brand new, that were set up like an oasis, and I was able to design and produce those two tents with all of our furniture. That is by far my favorite thing that I've ever done.”

IG: @collective_rentals FB: @CollectiveRentals Pinterest: @CollectiveRentals collectiverentals.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA

Collective Rentals

Lauren Montgomery What would you do if, after a serious car accident, some neurological issues and brain scans revealed you had a large brain tumor that could potentially derail your life plans? When confronted with her mortality in 2017, Lauren Montgomery decided the time was now to go after her dreams fearlessly. “I decided that I was never going to work for anyone ever again,” reected Montgomery. Having spent her earlier 20s as an Interior Designer, focused on designing hotels and restaurants, and eventually taking over the rm she was currently employed at, Montgomery decided to pivot. “I knew that my time was 100% valuable and that I needed to gure out a way to survive in this world without working for someone else to make sure that my time was my own.” After spending the next month reecting on her passions for architectural design and interiors while being mindful of the creative and artistic freedom necessary for her to thrive, Montgomery realized that her future career path would mean she would have to build something from scratch. “I had a friend who is an event producer, and I knew that I didn't want to do that because I'm too creative and too artistic to be so rigid,” she shared. “About a year later and many trips overseas and scraping together every penny that I had, I started Collective Rentals design house.” Founded in 2018, Collective Rentals is a furniture rental and interior design company that offers staging, styling, and event design services. With so many rental and staging events under her belt over the years, Montgomery has many career highlights and memorable moments that have been game-changers for her journey. That said, she nds herself especially touched by one event, in particular, The Everyone Tent at Coachella. A safe space for concertgoers, the tent is specially designed with safety in mind. “They had two tents that were brand new, that were set up like an oasis, and I was able to design and produce those two tents with all of our furniture. That is by far my favorite thing that I've ever done,” the designer explained. Stagecoach later used her services for the same purpose and theme. “It was really beautiful, and I get touched when spaces and designs like that help people. And then the fact that it was Coachella and it was just a badass space!” Montgomery prides herself on her ability to transform a client’s inspiration into a perfectly executed space. “Taking on a client who may not have the design background or the actual vision and being able to translate that in a way that absolutely blows their mind is one of my favorite parts,” she said. “We're 100% there for our clients. I will go and put my hair up in a bun and put a t-shirt on, and I will haul [couches] myself if I need to. There’s no ego.” When reecting more on how her journey is impacting her life goals (and with her brain anomaly now under control with no additional medical attention needed), Montgomery is pleased with the progress she’s made. “One of our pillars as a community is that we come together. We celebrate, or we come together, and we mourn, and at the same time, I think there's a deeper aspect to that, which is where my heart is. It's about making sure that the community has the services that they need for mental health and that we are taking care of each other in a way that is lasting because we still have a lot of opposition.” >>

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“[Floyd Mayweather] is by far one of our favorite clients because he 100% trusts us and lets us come up with the ideas and execute.”

IG: @wrightprods_ Twitter: @wrightprods_ YT: @YESPRODSTV wrightprods.com

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LOS ANGELES, CA

Wright Productions

Mena & Shantee Wright What do Floyd Mayweather, Kenya Barris, and the 1500 Or Nothin music collective have in common? They all depend on sisters Mena and Shantee Wright, co-founders of Wright Productions, to produce and execute large-scale, headline-grabbing events. Their high-end production, event design, and brand management rm has evolved into one of the premier experiential marketing agencies in Los Angeles. It wasn’t always this way for the sisters. Back in college, Mena, the eldest, founded a nonprot focused on mentoring young teenage girls. Based in San Diego, fundraising was a big focus for her organization, and she soon realized she needed creative events to help encourage donations. After years of cutting her teeth informally in the nonprot sector, her younger sisters, Iyana and Shantee, joined her efforts. “We started doing small fundraising dinners and things of that nature, and someone invited an NFL player to come to one of our events… he loved it, so then he asked us to do his fashion show,” Mena shared. Forever the entrepreneur, there was no way the sisters were going to turn down the opportunity. “Sure, we had never done a fashion show in our entire life, but we ended up doing the fashion show, and then it just kind of took a life of its own….” By 2011 the sisters formally created Wright Productions and have not looked back. “It’s really just been a blessing to have a company that's been sustained from the beginning until now, and we've had a lot of longevity,” said Shantee. “Of course, you have everyday ups and downs, but overall I believe that Wright Production continues to stand the test of time.” Both sisters agree that a signicant factor contributing to their success is their ability to roll with the punches at only a moment’s notice. “[Floyd Mayweather] is by far one of our favorite clients because he 100% trusts us and lets us come up with the ideas and execute,” gushes Mena when reecting on standout moments of her career, including the last several years producing various Mayweather extravaganzas. Despite only giving them 72 hours one year to create an entire birthday weekend affair, Wright Productions was able to knock it out of the park. “Clients see that, and then we become the go-to girls to get last-minute stuff done.” Shantee chimes in with a laugh, “It's usually a big production from A to Z, with a lot of design, a lot of strategic partnerships, and the budgets are always great!” Speaking of partnerships, both Mena and Shantee recognize that those valuable relationships can decide between success and failure in their world of experiential marketing events and consulting. “People aren't purchasing our event planning skills per se; they’re purchasing our energy. Even during really challenging times, we've found a way to keep that energy within the thread of our company and with our clients,” explains Mena before continuing. “Most of our clients are repeat-we don't do a lot of marketing.” As a thank you to their loyal clients and supporters during the pandemic, Wright Productions pivoted and began installing luxury VIP tents on hospital grounds, stocked with comfortable seating, shade, and food for all rst responders to enjoy.

Scenes from the Merge Awards. Photos by VlexPhotos @vonjackson

Currently, the sisters are partnering with Dr. Holly Carter and BET Casting Director Robi Reed to produce the Merge awards, a faithbased conference, and ceremony in October 2021. They also have been inundated with private events and project requests that have kept them on their toes. To remain anchored during these busy times, both sisters credit family as being their primary inspiration. “We would have started any kind of company and gured things out, so it's just about us working together as a family,” shared Mena. Shantee continued, “We love the dynamic of being sisters and working together… being able to be creative.” + SUITELIFESOCAL.COM | FALL 2021

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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

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

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

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 MEDIA VENTURES \\

Uplifting Black Voices A SUITE LIST SPOTLIGHT STORY BY KALAISHA TOTTY Representation of Black people, culture, and experiences in media and lm has always been important, now more than ever. A wealth of progress has been made, but emerging Black media companies have taken that mission to highlight and uplift Black voices.

ward-winning lmmaker Ava DuVer nay launched Array Now in 2010. Array Now, formerly known as the African American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM), strives to amplify independent lms created by women and people of color across the globe. Array Now has 27 projects in their library, some now available on Netix. Audiences can watch Justine on Netix. The lm chronicles a woman's grieving after death and her battle to get back to herself through relationships. They've Gotta Have Us is a three-part documentary series dissecting the impact of art, activism, and race on Black lm over three generations. The series includes interviews with a handful of Hollywood's most notable voices. Array Now announced its 2021 Liberated Territory Masterclass in July 2021. Led by auteur Haile Gerima, a ercely independent lmmaker and leading member of the lm movement known widely as L.A. Rebellion, the class will be a 5-day intensive narrative storytelling class that covers screenplay, cinematography, and lm directing. Groups, organizations, and institutions can book an Array Now lm for screening on their site. For information on lm titles and current viewings, visit arraynow.com. Silver Tongue Media creates commercials, music videos, and short-form lms. Founder Lexus Macon studied mass media at Clark Atlanta University and found a passion for lm. He began with photography then moved into lm production. After shooting his rst music video, lm became a new love. Silver Tongue has produced commercials in industries from pharmaceuticals to tness. They've also lmed a handful of music videos for internet personality Reggie COUZ. Contact information and portfolio libraries are available at silvertonguela.com. AspireTV is a network created for the culture. Owned by Magic Johnson, AspireTv launched in 2012 to bring stories about today's interests and values. The network features shows, lms, food personalities, shopping directories, and more. 102

FALL 2021 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM

AspireTV recently welcomed a new independent lm called HIStory, a project about African and African American history often overlooked in public school lessons. The lm also highlights challenges students of color experience. Viewers can browse their offers and nd their local cable channels at aspire.tv. Multi-talented icon Pharrell Williams launched I Am Other in 2012. The multimedia company focuses on music, culture, fashion, and the arts. It's described as a "cultural movement dedicated to thinkers, innovators, and outcasts." I Am Other grabbed the public's attention with Awkward Black Girl, starring Issa Rae. I Am Other is also known for producing Nardwuar, a celebrity hip hop artist interview show. Audiences can reach the platform on their Instagram (@i_am_other) and YouTube channels. Carefree Mag dedicates space for Black women around the world to tell their stories and share their experiences. The magazine began on Medium by Anayo Awuzie before moving to its unique platform. Awuzie is a creative marketing consultant with her own agency. Each week the magazine sends one new story by a Black woman on various topics. Readers can subscribe and read articles at carefreemag.com. MadameNoire launched in 2010 motivated to be a lifestyle brand for Black women. The company strives to empower millennial women of color through news, health, fashion, parenting, and a handful of other topics. MadameNoire was launched under The Moguldom Nation by Nubai Ventures Inc. and was later acquired by iOne Digital in 2017. Readers can nd articles at madamenoire.com Revolt, launched in 2013 by Sean "Diddy" Combs, brings an American music-centric network to cable. Revolt recently launched Revolt Black News, including coverage on social justice issues targeting African Americans. Revolt plans to be offered on more television and mobile platforms by the end of this year. Viewers can nd content and more at revolt.tv. +

AA A f ric an A me ri c an B

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Suite Life SoCal Magazine Fall Issue 2021

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