LEVEL21 THE LAUNCH EDITORIAL OVERVIEW LEVEL21MAGAZINE is a National Fashion publication with a twist. For years, we have witnessed the unreliable and forever misleading headlines from news sources we have all grown to love. But now it is our time to deliver to you honest, and unbiased cutting edge information on Fashion, Beauty, Community, Spirituality, World news, and Entertainment. We give our readers all the information they need and want-from their perspective,and in their own voice. LEVEL 21 is more than a magazine. Our mission is to save the Media/ Entertainment Industry one issue at a time. Look to us to help enhance and transform lives. The information that LEVEL21 provides is life-changing: WE are empowered, and in the process we are taking back the media and entertainment industry from those who want to degrade, miss-inform and harm others through manipulation of the masses. For all these reasons,LEVEL21 will evolve into an institution that embodies the hopes and aspirations of people everywhere. A MAP OF THE MAGAZINE Features Quarterly, LEVEL21 provides a diverse array of articles that offer an in-depth look at issues of particular importance to the lovers of Fashion, Faith and Community. Our features cover love and family relationships, fashion, beauty, entertainment, personal growth, spiritually, and healthy living as well as investigative journalism covering stories that highlight community issues and news events.
Departments The BEAUTY section offers the latest in hairstyles, hair care, skin care, makeup and fragrances-and provides tips that enhance and simplify the lives of LEVEL21 readers. We want to help women and menfeel as beautiful as they are. The FASHION pages celebrate and support the world of fashion for men andwoman,that are uplifting and less degrading then what current mainstream media has to offer.We report on trends in clothing and accessories, offer news about designers,makeovers,and solutions to style questions. The ENTERTAINMENT section covers the latest and hottest in music, movies, television, theater, dance and art. It includes intimate conversations with notable entertainers and artists. Although we pull from various news sources, we make sure we focus on the news that is most empowering, entertaining, and uplifting for our readers. The COMMUNITY section is a favorite among our readers. This section showcases the latest community news in our Nation.As well as spotlighting local charities and non-profits in the Charlotte and Surrounding as well as the DC,Maryland, VirginiaArea.
CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Majewski~(Marketing)~Sharteira Wilkerson~Journalist/ Event Coordinator)~Intern-Matt Lovett~(Journalist)~Intern-Lacey-Bree Watchford~(Editor)~Desiree Helm(Writer)~Monica Jones(NYC Contributor)~Captured by Kevin( One Five O Studio) Fashion DLUX~Photography-Isil Dohnke~Sergio Apaez Velasco(MUA-DLUX)~Hair(PAC Public Relations-DLUX)3BBM(Model Management)~Todd Young Blood(Photographer-Jacinda)~ Monique Simone(MUA-Jacinda)~ Yolonda Simms~(Hair Stylist-Jacinda)~Tygerian Lace(Wordrobe-Jacinda Shoot)~ Derria Underwood( Stylist-Jacinda)~Candice Rushing(Model Coordinator)~Faith&family Career for Flowers family(DFitz Photography)~Mary Kate & Ashley( Photographer~Inez and Vinoodh)~The House of LeMond(LeMond Modeling)
Tempestt Harris(CEO/Cheif) was born and raised in the Metropolitan area of Charlotte, NC. She graduated from Garinger High School in 2005. She is currently studying Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Charlotte. Her creative mind and talents have led her to fall in love with publication and media. Growing up in an underprivileged neighborhood herself, and suffering from abuse and bullying throughout her childhood helped to motivate her to start The Level-Up Foundation. Her goal is to guide and teach young girls that being self-confident and successful are possible, despite where they come from. Tempestt has a love for Christ and Fashion. These passions help to shape the Level 21 Magazine motto -?Where Faith, Fashion, and Community Collide.? She has an expertise in product launches for business-to-business, consumer and not-for-profit arenas. Tempestt has a proven ability to build strong relationships and achieve results by implementing tactical and strategic sales initiatives based on customer needs analysis. Maresa Scott (VP/Editor)was born and raised in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. She graduated from Suitland High School located in District Heights, MD in 2005. She currently has a Bachelor?s Degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and is currently pursuing a Master?s Degree in Business Management-Entrepreneurship, as well as, a Bachelor?s Degree in Information Technology-Cyber Security. Her artistic mind and business savvy mindset has led her to go into the field of Project Management and Marketing. Coming up in underprivileged neighborhoods and being exposed to the lack of culture, abuse, lack of educational resources and low aspirations has led her to want to create an outlet or program that teaches young girls that they can break the cycle. Being subjected to this type of environment has helped to motivate her to partner-up with Tempestt to pursue a dream where young girls are educated on their possibilities, and told their dreams are within reach. Maresa?s goal is to provide cultural and community awareness, provide educational opportunities, and provide positive mentors to the young girls within the community. Maresa offers an award-winning track record of customer care excellence in high volume environments, and has a talent for mastering technology.
# RI TA
VS.EV H
ave you noticed anything about Charlotte lately? The people here are getting a whole lot trendier. Gone are the days of jeans and Walmart, are here are the days of boutiques and haberdasheries. The once cute little southern town in North Carolina now boast a population of nearly 1 million people, and according to recent report done by the University of North Carolina, more than 2000 of the people moving here a year are from the Big Apple. It?s no wonder the fashion industry in Charlotte is growing. But wait, you didn?t know Charlotte had a fashion industry? You aren?t alone. A recent blog post submitted anonymously to CLT models blog site titled ?What?s Wrong with the Fashion Industry in Charlotte? has everyone around town talking about the state of fashion in the QC. Below, one exert from the blog, reflects just what a lot of individuals in Charlotte feel
W hat They Said... ?Fashion Industry.? WAIT?!?? Charlotte has a FASHION INDUSTRY?!??!? All the time I hear people say ?the Fashion Industry in Charlotte is growing,? but I have to strongly disagree. What I have observed is a bunch of People/ Companies/ Organizations taking advantage of Models, HMUAs, Photographers and Community support to further their own personal financial gain. By definition an industry is defined as the production of goods or services within an economy. The major source of revenue of a group or company is the indicator of its relevant industry. When Level 21 Magazine was first introduced to the Charlotte fashion scene we were surprised and elated to find out just how talented and gifted the models, artist photographers and designers here were. However, underneath the excitement, we were troubled to discover that many people in the area didn?t know there was even a fashion scene and or that the fashion scene here was working hard to help local charities prosper. In fact, the real ?pink elephant? on the runway is that hardly anyone in this growing industry is actually earning any money. By definition, an industry cannot survive in an economy that is not growing. We set out to understand why such a thriving trade was failing despite its popularity. What we uncovered was a disconnected community. At the heart of the division lies an industry separated as either for or against one company in particular ?Charlotte Seen? and its owner Rita Mills.
RI TA
EV
and disgusting. These Models, Volunteers, Hair/Makeup Artists put in so much time and effort to make your shows a success, and you can?t even pay them A DIME!!!! Here?s a thought for all of you so-called Fashion Show Producers & Companies/Organizations that claim to want to bring a bigger Fashion presence to the Charlotte area & make it another East Coast Fashion Capital. Instead of fighting amongst yourselves, burning bridges & disappointing people in the hopes of gross personal financial gain, how about working together & actually doing what you tell people you are trying to do. In the long run, WHEN the Charlotte area does reach that Fashion Capital status, EVERYONE will benefit from it. The anonymous blogger was not alone in their thought process, as some of the readers responding to the blog weighed in with their concerns on social media.
Rita Miles
Then Facebook Said.. LaVonndra Johnson Oh wow! I could go on and on about this post, but simply put, I agree with the article. As for the Charlotte fashion scene . . . . . what fashion scene??? There isn't a fashion scene if we're candidly honest about this topic. There is a social scene in which fashion events are created under the guise of being fashion/runway shows. Daniel Worthington Smith Wow these points are eye openers. Sadly there seems to be unprofessionalism on both sides, including the models, there has been a lot of cases where the actions, drama, and words from "certain people" have left a really bad impression on me. We need to get it together as a whole before its to late. Antoinne Duane Jones From an outsider looking in its amazing how blatant the disregard for fashion professionals has been in a market with such potential. Stop bickering and squash all the feuding. With that being said, I personally wouldn?t EVER work with the Charlotte Seen folks EVER AGAIN!! But to end in a good note. Talent is all around in Charlotte! I have had the opportunity to encounter so many gifted people. Do what I do, travel more. See what the rest of the Southeast has to offer then return to Charlotte and help implement change!! Anna via Twitter: I ask Rita to model in this years show for Charlotte Seen and She said I had to pay a 45.00 fee!! Oh no gone to far!.
Rit a M iles Vs. Everybody Cont inued
Rita: Yes absolutely! I won?t make promises but we have some things in the works. What do you t hink is act ual l y needed t o make Charl ot t e an act ual f ashion Indust ry? Rita: We need to stop the bicker and the fighting and come together. Once again we may not be New York or Paris. But we are Charlotte. We can have our own Fashion Industry
At The End of The Day... Now that the ?Pink Elephant? has left the runway,we wondered what could be done to mend the relationships within the fashion scene in the Queen City to form one united fashion industry that is functional and prosperous for all. What is the Solution? Is it too much to ask for us to come together? As of right now we have Charlotte Seen fashion week, Charlotte International Style Week, NC Fashion Week, Charlotte Lingerie Week. The weeks go on and on. We just don?t have time to mention them all. Wouldn?t you think it would create massive revenue for Charlotte to build one reputable integrated fashion industry were all the individual elements within the whole worked together cohesively to benefit all? Wouldn?t it make since for all 45 (excuse me) 7 fashion weeks to come together for the ultimate CHARLOTTE FASHION week housing all the different runway show productions all in one great week of fashion. The money that could be made would be phenomenal! One Unforgettable fashion week each year. Not only for the fashion scene but for Charlotte period. There is only one CIAA, only one Race week. So it is possible. Maybe it?s a dream. But it doesn?t have to be. If everyone involved in all the hullabaloo, put their pride and past hurt aside, learned to forgive and move forward we could accomplish something great to shift the commerce here in Charlotte. We could give Atlanta a run for its money as the new fashion capital of the South. Proverbs 16:18 says. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. All it takes is that one phone call, that one apology, that one step forward. So everyone could do what they love and get paid at the same time. Now, these are just our thoughts. While it won?t cure world peace, it may help heal a city divided against itself. And while we were unable to cover every single problem the QC faces in rising to the top of the fashion game, we could not cover every single topic in the blog post in just one story. Rather you are on Rita's side or just..well with everyone else , we know you have a lot to say about this and we want to hear it! Follow us on social media and use the hash-tag # ritavseverybody.Tell us your thoughts pertaining to this article. You never know what topic we will choose to confront next! Twitter: level 21 magazine,Fb: Level 21 Magazine, Instagram:@level21mag You can read more of the anonymous blog here: https:/ / cltmodels.wordpress.com/ 2016/ 01/ 24/ whats-wrong-with-the-fashion-industry -in-charlotte/ resources https:/ / ui.uncc.edu/ story/ charlotte-mecklenburg-migration-dashboard By:Tempestt Harris&Desiree Helm
THE ROW was established in 2006 by Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen. Since its launch, the brand has expanded to include a range of ready-to-wear, eyewear, and handbags. THE ROW reflects a sense of relaxed and timeless elegance, focusing on fine fabrics and the perfect fit. In 2012, The Council of Fashion Designers of America named Ashley and Mary-Kate as Womenswear Designers of The Year. Part of THE ROW?s mission is to support high-end fashion manufacturing in the US.Enjoy the Spring 2016 collection.
Even though they both grew up in the same city, they had very different experiences. Neiko came from a huge family and was raised by his mother with the help of his aunts & uncles. His mom?s family was comprised of hard working church folks, while his dad?s family owned a night club. He got to experience his mother?s church world during the day and his father?s social life at night. This unusual upbringing taught him to work hard and play just as hard. Janisse?s immediate family was very small because her parents divorced while she was young. Her mom and her two sisters moved a lot while she was growing up. The constant changed forced her to learn to adapt to new environments and make new friends. As a result, she formed a strong character that was friendly and out-going. ?Tell me about your family growing up? Did they play a big part in your career decisions?? I asked. ?Yep! ALL of them. I'm huge on family. My family is pretty big... So I benefited from having so many cousins, which were more like brothers and sisters. I would say my mom?s side of the family is regular working class people who love to have a good time enjoying time with one another. My dad?s side is most definitely were I get my determination and drive to be all that I can be. Janisse chimed in next. ?My immediate family is pretty small. It was just me, my two sisters and my mom growing up. My agents divorced when I was 11, so we became like a team. We are all big kids at heart and love to laugh, be silly and have fun. My family has always been supportive of whatever career decisions I make. They try to make it out to every show I do and have even danced on stage with me before! From childhood both Janisse and Neiko had early aspirations for a life center stage. ?As a kid I knew I wanted to do something in entertainment. I LOVE music but wasn?t quite sure what I wanted to do. My wife actually tricked me into perusing radio. One day she told me she had a dentist appointment that she wanted me to attend with her. In actuality she had arranged for a shadow opportunity at my favorite radio station that morning. I was so excited. I remember thinking about how many times I had listened to them and now here I was sitting beside them. It was an instant high. He smiled so much while explaining his experience that his joy could be felt in the room. From that moment on, Neiko knew he wanted to be in radio. Since then he has interviewed many celebrities and even traveled to Los Angeles last year to cover the red carpet at the BET awards. Janisse was next in sharing her love of all things dance. ?I knew by 8th grade that I wanted Dance to be a part of my profession I just didn't know how. I would say "maybe I'll be a choreographer, or a professional dancer, or a dance teacher." I didn't know I would do all 3! Janisse received a great opportunity in 2012 to dance and sing background in a show called "This is the 60's". It was a rock concert documentary that toured the US for 2 months. It was by far the best experience I've ever had.? Neiko and Janisse have big plans for their little family. Behind their personal goals of opening a dance studio for Janisse, or having a ?guy? talk show for Neiko, is a larger vision to change the way young African Americans are portrayed in the entertainment industry. Turn on the TV at any given time and you can see countless images of scantily clad women, cheating husbands or bickering couples. The Flower?s hope to change that image by presenting a young couple that is as stylish as they are loving towards each other and their children. Driven by 3 simple priorities; God, Family and Purpose, they are inspired by their children and a purpose to encourage young adults to be themselves, love themselves and reach for their dreams. ?When most people think of Christianity, they envision uptight conservative people that are judgmental and have no idea how to have fun. We want people to think of God differently. Worshipping God is cool. Our goal is to show people what it is like to be a modern believer. By being and real and relevant we want to inspire others to live a life that is centered in Christ? Neiko wants to show young men that it is possible to love God, love your wife and still be considered a modern
THEHOUSE OFLEMOND
"STAY DAPPER MY FRIENDS"
The House of LeMond Men's Boutique is a blast from the past, with all of the Modern appeal and flair. It's a one stop shop for all things dapper. Voted "Best Men's Boutique",The House of LeMond is owned and operated by LeMond Crayton-Hart. In addition to being a trendsetting Entrepreneur, he is also a Veteran, International Model, Celebrity Stylist, Designer, Photographer, Creative Director, Show Producer, and Fashion Consultant with more than 20 years of experience. Having a Love for Vintage Clothing and the details displayed in their presentation, The House of LeMond decided to Design a New line of Men's Custom Suits. These Staple Pieces would have many of the same details that one would see in a high quality vintage suit. These details could be functional sleeve buttons, peaked lapels, banded-backs, quarter custom linings, custom name badges, elbow patches, and buttoned collars. There will be 12 different fabric selections, and 7 styles. There are also custom shirts, shoes, bow ties, pocket-squares, lapel-flowers/ pins/ buttons and belts. Since we are already all about preserving and appreciating the old. It's only natural that the next thing would be to repurpose garments. We are doing just that through our "House Renovation Collection". It's a line of One-of-a-kind Master Tailored Reconstructed Denim Jackets and Vest. These too, are staple pieces that are guaranteed to help you capitalize on your individuality and stand out from the Cookie Cutter Mall Hoppers! Please feel free to learn more about the House of LeMond and Join our journey and mission to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and knowledge to be able to # staydappermyfriends
Tiffany Michael Photography
CandiceThe M odel
SHE DOES M ORE THAN SLAY THE RUNWAY
Recently, Level21 Magazine had the pleasure to interview a very brilliant, and influential person of the Charlotte Fashion Industry, Candice Rushing. Candice is such an intricate and important part of the Fashion Industry for so many reasons. She does more than just modeling, literally. She is also a model coach, mentor, model liaison, spokes model, promoter, an actress, a business woman, a community leader and has an amazing spirit. Candice started her modeling career at the age of fourteen with a well-known beauty school in the Charlotte, NC. She was trained by ?Inspiring Model Company?and International Model Coach, Renee Knorr with My Beauti Network. Modeling has always been a passion of Candice. Nothing in her life was easy, nor was anything handed to her. Candice had to work extremely hard, and diligently to get to where she is. Candice also had battles with something that too many teenagers have been exposed to, bullying. Runway was a way for her to escape the harsh realities of the environment she lived, and was exposed to daily. But overall, all of these milestones in her life helped mold and shape her into the powerful woman she is today.
Tell the readers a little bit about you. Where are you from, your family life and do you have any siblings? I'm just a little country girl from Monroe, NC but I graduated from Lancaster, SC. I have three beautiful children. I have two girls, ages 14 and 11-years old, and one son that just turned five years old. I have an amazing husband, which we are going on 15-years this coming July. I love my family they are the reason I go hard in the industry. I have seven siblings, four sistersand three brothers. I am the 3rd oldest in my family. For those that do not know, what do you currently do in the industry? I assist with the casting and coordination of models, runway coaching and I also model. I love working with new face models, but I do also work with experienced models as well. I try to provide tips and tactics with industry exposure, and placing them in atmosphere?s where they can be discovered and network. I?ve had the opportunity and honor of working with corporations at their luxury events, such as Belk?s in South Park Mall, Haute Exclusive and Fashion D?LUX We know your name to be "Candice The Model" but you do much more. What is drives you? What inspires you to you to go so hard? I am motivated when I think about all the individuals who teased me in school, and those who said I could never be where I am today. I go hard, not only for me, but for my family as well. I can't allow my past to interfere with my future. I know I am in control of my future. I also know God allowed me to be tested, and that allowed me to be the person I am today. I know the feeling of been bullied, being considered an outcast, or feeling alone in this world. I use my testimony to keep me pushing and helping these young ladies find their way in this industry. Everyone use to give me the cold shoulder when I started,so now I help others and want to inspire other independent models through the same struggles.
Tiffany Michael Photography
CandiceThe M odel
Fantasia, Kevin and Guest at the opening
Daneille Trotta ,Amber Freeze
Daneille Trotta ,Amber Freeze
D A N IE L L E T R O T T A TALKSSTYLE A
native of Westchester, N.Y., Danielle Trotta and her family have called Charlotte and Indianapolis home. She attended Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind., where she was part of three consecutive state championships in swimming and diving, and excelled as a springboard diver. Trotta attended four colleges in Indiana, Vermont, Boston and Charlotte.She is a graduate of University of North Carolina-Charlotte with a degree in Mass Communications and currently resides in Charlotte. She has made her way into the Fox Sports family and has narrowed her focus as a broadcaster, she has primarily covered all forms of racing as well as ACC sports while in the Charlotte area. She hosted The ACC Blitz, the ACC Network?s pregame and halftime show, with Coach Tommy Bowden in 2011. In addition, Trotta spent five years with WBTV in Charlotte, where she anchored six live sports shows each weekend, serving as the host of SportsSaturday Night and co-host of Football Friday Night and Point After with D & D. She also has written football columns for Charlotte Weekly and contributes weekly segments on NASCAR and ACC Football on ESPN Radio 730 AM in Charlotte.The versatile broadcaster joined the FOX Sports family in July 2010 as a reporter for NASCAR RACE HUB and progressed into a co-hosting role in 2012. The same year, Trotta was tabbed to host SPEED coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Awards Ceremony from Las Vegas, in addition to her duties co-hosting NASCAR PERFORMANCE with Larry McReynolds, Chad Knaus and Jeff Hammond. In 2015, she ventured into the NFL as a sideline reporter for NFL on FOX. Danielle Trotta returns in 2016 as co-host of NASCAR RACE HUB, FS1?s popular daily NASCAR news and information program, alongside co-host Adam Alexander. Trotta also returns to host Xfinity Raceday on FOX & FS1 from the racetrack each Saturday and joins NASCAR on FOX for the Sprint Cup Series in 2016. Trotta also hosts various NASCAR specials and events throughout the year, and has anchored multiple Supercross and MotoGP races on FS1. Trotta recently exercising her talents during one of the most viewed races in American Motorsports, The Daytona 500 pre race show on FOX February 21st 2016.
Model Spotlight
MR.LELANDSTANFORD Leland Stanford is an Actor, VoiceOver Actor and Model. Born on September 4, 1986 in Charlotte, North Carolina he has always been an entertainer. He spent his early years performing in a variety of plays and musicals. At the age of seven he landed a role on a local television show promoting fitness among children called Aerobocop. Upon Adulthood he joined the United States Navy. While in the Navy he was the Master of Ceremonies for all Command Award Presentations, which consisted of reading the award citations in front of crowds of 500 or more. Five years later after deep meditation and serious life evaluation he honorably discharged from the Navy to pursue his dream of becoming the next African American Oscar Award winning actor. With an amazing drive, bubbly personality and genuine care for others he is destined for greatness. His work ethic exceeds that of his peers and his work speaks for itself. In 2014 alone he secured principal roles in 9 films and landed his first speaking role in the feature film Don?t Save Me.
Nailah Photography
He credits his recent progress to his military service, which instilled: attention to detail, commitment, sacrifice, courage, integrity and perseverance. Undoubtedly, he is a force to be reckoned with. He is an example of sheer determination and raw talent. His passion for entertainment is unmatched, catapulting him to the top in the years to come.
UPNEXT: THEARTISSUE
w w w .Level21M ag.com "Wher e Faith, Fashion, and Community Collide"