Tru Issue 21

20 Lam

Ruck

Talented, Ins and oh so VE

CONTENTS FEATURE

5 -Tru-Blast Danmani Nkosi

mman ker

spiring ERY sexy!

28

Good Comedy Has NO COLOR Ric, KJ and Will Blur the lines

34

Tru Magazine Looking forward to talking with 30 Rock Star Actor “ Grizz” Chapman

Straight from the Hip:

Advice by JC Gardner Hello Tru Readers!

Hope you are walking in the greatness that the Creator made you to be.

No matter what your circumstances in life, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

You may have to carry a flashlight with spare batteries and a walking stick to beat off the naysayers – you might even cry a few tears; but you will get there with faith, courage and perseverance.

None of us are perfect!

We all have situations and circumstances that try our patience, take us through fire and brimstone and back around the bend again. Then there are those times when we are flying high on top of the world, and that is when you reflect on the bad times so you can celebrate and appreciate the good!

If life has got you down and you don’t know where to turn or you just need a different, objective opinion, hit me up. Send in your questions about love, life, relationships, and work life. Whatever it is, you’re not in it alone.

We can tackle it together!

By day, JC Gardner is a manager at an international nonprofit. Her writing credits include a novel, Sinful Liaisons, published

by Aberdeen Bay Publishing in 2011, two published short stories, ghost writing/coaching, and numerous articles for various publications. Visit her at www.booksbyjcg.com.

ON-BLAST

Damani Nkosi is a voice that rings with distinction and supreme clarity, valiantly shattering stereotypes with each metaphor. With the literal translation of his name serving as the title of his forthcoming debut, Inglewood, California artist Damani Nkosi is poised to assume this very role with his long-awaited album Thoughtful King. Featuring a supporting cast such as Motown recording artist BJ The Chicago Kid, Grammy nominated R&B vocalist Musiq, Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton, Grammy winning producer Warryn Campbell, and Grammy winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper, Thoughtful King boldly raises the lyrical standard while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of contemporary hip-hop’s sonic palate.

After departing ways with Sony Urban in 2007 Damani began to travel abroad. Visits to China, Brazil, and various European countries served to further expand his horizons and helped him to gain perspective on his life and career. As part of a natural creative progression he began to notice, his travels began to influence the music he was making. Damani Nkosi had begun a metamorphosis of sorts. He had grown discontent with his previous subject matter and was eager to explore the full breadth of his artistry as a lyricist. But balancing what the label demanded with what he was compelled to create eventually became a daily struggle.

“While I was doing songs like ‘Black Man Stereo-

type,’ Sony execs would come into the studio and tell me they needed something more like what was on the radio at the time. So I eventually gave in to it.”

The contiguous string of jaunts to Berlin, Paris, New York, Switzerland, and Prague that followed helped the Inglewood emcee decompress and see the world through a new set of eyes. Upon his return to the US, he began writing material influenced by his recent travels. The restoration of passion and affirmed purpose that these profound life-changing experiences facilitated is the sheer essence of Thoughtful King.

Executive produced by Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Luther Vandross, Brandy) the album takes listeners on a journey through the soul of a man on a mission to make his mark on hip-hop by speaking truth to power. From the opening track “The Origin,” featuring his own father explaining the literal translation of his name it is clear that Thoughtful King is a work of distinction. The album flaunts a muted live instrumentation aesthetic melded with break beats and guest vocalists, resulting in an expansive jazzy affair with an undeniable hip-hop edge.

Assisted by Musiq and Robert Glasper, the album’s first single “Now That’s Love” is a head nodding ode to how an intangible emotion has such a dynamic effect on life. Helmed by Grammy nominated producer Jairus Mozee, the soulful banger “Rich (featuring BJ The Chicago Kid)” reaffirms that – contrary to popular thought - money indeed does not make the man. “A Man” finds Young Money recording artist PJ Morton singing the hook while “Ethiopia,” featuring vocalist Sid Sriram, is a stripped down jazzy affair detailing the stunning beauty and remarkable presence of

an Ethiopian woman Damani Nkosi unexpectedly found himself captivated and enraptured by. One of the album’s most honest tracks, “Through Me (featuring Major)” finds Damani Nkosi purging his ego with the realization that the life changing favors he has facilitated for others is made possible by the divine spirit – not himself.

A consistent and engaging effort from beginning to end, Thoughtful King is evidence of an artist embracing growth and fearlessly following a natural progression. A sonic document of a man evolving and coming into himself in a world and an industry of demands, preconceived notions, and expectations.

Damani Nkosi’s journey has led him around the world and back again. And the knowledge he has gleaned along the way fortifies Thoughtful King with an air of truth and honesty that is virtually unparalleled in contemporary hip-hop.

Long before his unique lyrical gift attracted the attention of some of the industry’s most recognized and respected figures (Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg), Damani Nkosi honed his craft as an Inglewood hip-hop hopeful under the influence of groundbreaking artists like NWA, Ice Cube, and LL Cool J. For good measure, his father cultivated a profound understanding of the black experience for him early on. From reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X in the third grade to attending an afrocentric charter school, Damani Nkosi was receiving an integral foundation at the hands of his father.

Damani Nkosi began vigorously networking and collaborating on the Los Angeles underground hip-hop scene. By 2000, his tactic proved successful when iconic hip-hop producer Dr. Dre invited Damani Nkosi to collaborate on various projects for his then nascent Aftermath Records imprint. The following year, he released the track “Move” featuring Pusha T and Malice of hip-hop duo Clipse. The song became a staple at Los Angeles hip-hop radio mixshows, including the influential 92.3 FM - The Beat.

After the 2002 release of his mixtape The Street Album he garnered the attention of Grammy winning producer Swizz Beatz who recognized Damani Nkosi’s potential as a break out artist shortly after, forging a relationship with the burgeoning emcee during this period. After stints with Sony Urban and Doggystyle Records, he broke off to pursue music

independently.

For More Information Contact: Helio PR/ (310) 645-4246 or info@heliopr. com

CHECK OUT NEW MUSIC AND MIXES AT

wwwsoundcloud.com/protegee_djdime

STRAIGHT FROM THE UK

StOp sToP BY: khalid ahmed

H

aving photographed over 200 bands since starting live music photography, I have enjoyed watching some bands, listening to some bands and photographing other bandsput them altogether and I give you StOp sToP… Hailing from Barcelona, hard rocking StOp sToP will take you back in time- where men weren’t afraid to wear makeup and Lycra and had huge afro type hairJacob- bassist, vocals and joker like looks with make up- is so energetic on stage giving his all with wild leaps and bounds- enough to make you dizzy, Vega the lead guitarist with powerful riffshis guitar screaming like you’d only hear behind closed doors and the booming and bashing of the drums by Danny Stix.

This group will, within 5 minutes of them going on stage have the audience screaming, singing and cheering to what I can describe as a blistering performance, fantastic stage presence and believe me- you’ll never get enough of them…. They’ve got passion and that hunger to be big….

StOp sToP are gonna be massive……

More info : www.stopstoptheband.com

Evangelist Earlina Gilford-Weaver:Sprea

G

rowing up in the (valley) of Youngstown Ohio

and being the middle child of three, one boy and two girls, Earlina shares a little of her story, of the real life of trails & tribulations of a woman who at the tender age of eight endured sexual and mental abuse by the men in her family.

These were men that her grandmother and mother entrusted with her, and also by the system, that she was awarded into. Earlina Gilford- Weaver spent her childhood in and out of 23 foster homes where she learned the wrong type of lifestyle.

In order for her to realize what her true calling was,she would be burdened even further, to deal with more turmoil in her life.

As she grew up to be a young woman Earlina made a promise to herself to never let her children suffer the same ordeals which she had been forced to endure throughout her childhood. She was determined to break that generational curse.

Through it all she remembered the things that her grandmother and her adopted mother, would say like “stay motivated, ambitious and strong no matter what deck life deals you” Earlina graduated from South High School in 1976 and gave birth to her first born bundle of joy, a baby girl and things were finally looking up for Earlina. Suppressing her past and moving forward she married her high school sweetheart shortly after giving birth to 2 healthy boys, only one year apart. The marriage did not last , but Earlina went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree as a Registered Nurse from Weber State University in Utah in 1989. Suddenly a change would come that would have a tremendous impact on her life.

Earlina overcame many obstacles over the years including some serious health problems. And sure enough, by her faith and the Lords blessings she overcame them all. In 1999 she started a ministry that the Lord planted in her heart . The Angel W/Extra Blessings Outreach Ministry was birthed and this is where she devoted much of her time, by helping others.

Angel’s w/Extra Blessings challenged the community to rebuild unity, one neighborhood at a time and with a women/children ministry,she would begin a journey like no other. Earlina was excited about what God was doing through her and for her.

In 2005 she met Richard A. Weaver and the two were married in 2008.

Earlina believes that she was chosen and anointed , to carry out the mission that Jesus died for.

In 2009 she received her Christian Counseling certificate, and in 2010 she received a Cambridge ‘Who’s Who ‘ Achievement Recognition

In 2010 Earlina was allowed to break from her comfort zone of just leading her ministry and led to develop a drama club within the ministry to perform stage plays.

Called the “Shekinah Glory Drama Outreach Ministry “ it’s mission it to help broken families, and allow them to come alive on stage in performing life events, finding healing and deliverance in the mist of it.

Earlina will make sure that you know who God almighty is and how much he cares for each and everyone. Having experienced firsthand growing up as a troubled teen destined to fail Earlina will continue to tell her life stories in stage plays, movies, teaching and motivational speaking engagements.

The mother of 3, grandmother of 5, spiritual mom, and Godmother of 3 became an Ordained Minister/Evangelist/

ading The Love Of The Lord!

By: Michelle Magee

motivational speaker, and inspiration to all whose path she may cross. She also loves leading a prison ministry and enjoy b eing a Christian Counselor for Ohio Benefit Bank, an organization which helps the low-income families.

Through her powerful testimony there is life after death.

She says that she understands more and more that she is one of God’s Chosen Vessels, to spread the word about his deliverance everywhere the Lord sends her.

For more information on Earlina, her work and her mission please contact; www.bullzeyeent.com

Tru. Inspiration

Enjoying Life Movement “V

Vibrational Energy

ibrational energy” is all around us; everything that we know is in movement and is emitting a sound carried on a frequency. This vibration or frequency carries energy, energy that can be felt, energy that can affect us and others around us.

When we listen to our favorite music it is transmitted through a frequency that with the sound it produces can literally change the mood of any individual at any given time. Romantic music has a way of exciting the senses as it relates to passion and pleasure, just as dance music evokes people to stand up and move their bodies in rhythm of the sound they are hearing.

Yes Music is carried on a wave of a frequency that causes a “vibrational” sound that can be detected and enjoyed and is a powerful tool in relation to healing, of the mind and body and when understood can be used to create and evoke the types of mindsets and atmospheres you desire. Yes you can control your climate so to speak.

The earth, space, even our bodies emit a frequency that can be measured and seen with the right technology. Early religious traditions ascribed to the idea that the Spirit of the Divine hovered or “vibrated” over the face of the earth before creation itself. They ascribe to the idea that God spoke and the Spirit of God was set in motion to create.

Everything around us is in a state of constant movement,including those things which seem visibly solid to us are actually at a sub atomic level in constant movement.We have heard people say about people, places or situations that they feel a bad vibe coming from something or someone. You know what I am talking about?

It’s when that uneasy feeling comes upon you about someone or something and it can even manifest itself physically in our bodies in the form of pain or some type of sickness. So, when you feel yourself being checked and feeling uneasy about something; back off and take the time to assess what you are feeling and hearing. This will help you to develop the ability to trust your discernment and instincts for what is right for you.

Just as there are negative vibrations there is positive, life-giving energy as well. This concept as we know it is more widely known as the “Law of attraction”.The Law of Attraction says

that “like attracts like”. The basic tenet of the “Law of Attraction” is that everything is energy. There is energy and vibrations in our emotions and feelings. Any thought you have when combined with emotion, vibrates out from you to the universe and affects what you attract back into your life. However, keeping our thoughts on love and gratitude all day can be a challenge.

The good news is that there are different types of therapies we can apply ourselves and see immediate results. Today I just want to discuss one of them; music, is and has been one of the most powerful tools for me personally. Music is a culmination of different instruments coming together to make one sound in the same key, having a specific intent in communicating a message. Love songs evoke the emotion of love; sensual songs release intimacy and the erotic and meditative music evokes the ability to empty oneself of all negativity and to re-center ourselves when needed. It’s like being thirsty and going to get yourself a cold drink of water. You feel refreshed, even as it’s going down.

The right music does the same thing for us!

Try this; (1) Find a quiet place and put on some music that is specifically for mediation. If you don’t have any check out Pandora.com. There, you can type in and create your own station for mediation and the best part is- it’s free! I use head phones to shut everything and everyone else out, no distractions.

(2) Take yourself through a series of deep breaths. In through your nose and out through your mouth, envision with each breath you take that you are inhaling life and peace and every good thing you need.On the exhale, envision yourself blowing out all the negative issues of your life;worry, stress fear or whatever might fit the bill.

(3) See yourself centered, healed, peaceful and whole and so shall you be.

Believe my friends, get your frequency tuned to the right station and don’t let anyone touch that dial.

Incorporate music and meditation into your daily life and watch with anticipation what great things are coming your way. Remember what we emit we attract.

We have only scratched the surface for now, but apply these simple truths and carry the frequency that will attract what you desire.

George Aja Jr. Author -Speaker-Leader emerging63@yahoo.com

Falling in Love with Child Sexual Abuse Programming – What!!??

By:Pamela Pine, PhD, MPH

I am sitting, currently, in a very nice hotel in Am-

man, Jordan, focused, for just the moment, on the fact that the in-hotel sushi restaurant that I just ate at has a bunch of those multi-colored, largely-gold-orange-black-white Japanese fish – koi, they’re called – swimming around in a tank much too small for the number of fish in the bowl. I am concerned about the fish. They look frantic. It’s sometimes not easy to live this way, worried about whether all the creatures around me are OK, and knowing many are not.

By trade and training, I am an international health and development specialist, working around the globe, with specialties in communication and, for the past 14 years, child sexual abuse, or CSA. I’ve worked internationally for decades and love the work that addresses the public health needs of people in different places, and learning about the cultural difference, languages, different tastes and smells of what the world is able to offer. But it is about child sexual abuse that I’ve chosen to write my first in a series of articles for this magazine – a subject that many would rather not hear about (do read on – it’ll be ok!).

I am the founder and the CEO of Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse, an international organization based in the U.S. with a mission to expose and stop child sexual abuse and help survivors heal worldwide. For over a decade, Stop the Silence has been bringing very creative and community-oriented programming that has raised awareness, and educated and trained audiences on what CSA is, how it impacts child victims and adult survivors, how to recognize it, what to do if they suspect it, etc.

Child sexual abuse affects far more people than

people still generally recognize. The figures that are most quoted are more than one out of four girls and about one or more of six boys will be sexually abused by the time they are 18 years old in the U.S. The figures are similar in Europe and are better or worse in other areas of the world, but the issue constitutes an absolute pandemic often with dire consequences for its victims and survivors.

Next time, I’ll tell you more about the current “Big C”, one of the most critical public health issues of our time. But, rather than end on a sad note, let me just introduce you preliminarily now to our organization’s incredible, wonderful, inspired and inspiring programming that is raising awareness, educating, and helping train populations and service providers, and currently running in the U.S., Europe, and, in partnership with others, in Africa. It’s why and how I fell in love with CSA programming.

In the U.S., our Art as Advocacy University-Community Program is taking off by providing an initial “hook” to the community with the film, To Kill A Kelpie, brilliantly written and conceived of as a play by Matthew McVarish, who is our European Ambassador (the play has been performed in the UK and went on tour in the U.S. and ultimately went to off-Broadway). It was made into a film by his brother Ed Smith. Both Matty and Ed are incredibly creative, brave and wonderful survivors of CSA. We then wrap a community awareness, education and training program around it. In Europe, we have the Road to Change Project, which is a 10,000 mile walk, and media outreach and policy change project conducted by Matthew (whew, this guy doesn’t give up!) and brought to every European Union country in the EU – 29 countries, 32 capital cities from May 2013 to February 2015.

Check us out and support the movement – and we’ll tell you more soon: www.stopthesilence.org.

In the Kitchen w

‘Original King of Wings’ Take Out Chicken w/Fried Rice​an 3 PART RECIPE

OKOW FRIED RICE

3 cups cooked white rice (day old or leftover rice works best!)

3 TBSP. sesame oil 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (thawed) 1 small onion, chopped handful of bean sprouts 2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. OKOW Seasoning 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

with Sharon Fox

nd Crab Rangoon

INTRODUCE

THE CHICKEN 1/4 cup vegetable oil 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1-2 tsp. OKOW Seasoning 1 cup cornstarch 2 large eggs, beaten Sauce: 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (if you like more heat use hot sauce, like Frank’s brand) 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon water 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes sliced scallions for garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into bitesized pieces and season with Original King of Wings.

In separate bowls, place cornstarch in one and slightly beaten eggs in the other. Dip chicken into cornstarch then coat in egg mixture. To make it easier, you can put the cornstarch in a gallon sized zip lock bag and shake the chicken to coat.

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned. Place the chicken in a 9 x 13 greased baking dish.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, buffalo sauce, apple cider vinegar, water, salt and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken and bake for 1 hour.

I stirred the chicken every 15 minutes so that it coated them in the sauce.

Garnish with sliced scallions!

On medium high heat, heat the oil in a large skillet or wok.

Add the peas/carrots mix, onion, bean sprouts, OKOW Seasoning, and garlic. Stir fry until tender.

Lower the heat to medium low and push the mixture off to one side, then pour your eggs on the other side of skillet and stir fry until scrambled. Now add the rice and soy sauce and blend all together well.

Stir fry until thoroughly heated!

CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE

OKOW CRAB RANGOON Filling: 16 ounces light cream cheese, softened 1 can crab meat, drained and crumbled 2 green onions, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce 1 tsp. OKOW Seasoning 1 package Wonton skins Vegetable spray In medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients; mix until well blended.

Place 1 teaspoon filling in center of each wonton skin. Moisten edges with water; fold like little pouches, pinching to seal.

Lightly spray baking sheet with vegetable coating. Arrange rangoon on sheet and lightly spray to coat each one, this allows them to be crispy.

Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. **If you don’t want to bake them, you can always deep fry them in hot oil.

*​Order Original King of Wings seasoning here: http://truentmagazine. com/now-on-sale-theoriginal-king-of-wingskings-taste-seasoning/

Serve hot with your favorite sweet and sour sauce or mustard sauce.

THANK YOU SHARON FOR YOUR LOVING SUPPORT

From Tru Entertainment Magazine & The Original King of Wings

Dinner for Two... let Original King of Wings take that shrimp and steak to the next level!!

TA’S O S E MINN 1 # ING N O S SEA

1 (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (Use only 1/2 this amount if you don’t want it too hot!!)

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup milk 1 tsp. Original King of Wings seasoning 3 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined chopped parsley or chives for garnish NOTE: You may want to start with HALF the chipotle peppers and add a little at a time. They can be very spicy!)

Puree chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a blender until smooth. Add cream cheese, Original King of Wings seasoning, and milk to the pureed pepper mixture; blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings to taste. I like to add a little garlic.

Pour the sauce mixture into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add shrimp and cook until pink and no longer opaque in the center, about 2 minutes.

Serve over steak, pasta, rice, or anything!

Garnish with parsley or chopped chives.

“My soul is so tortured, My sides disabled...

Once Upon A Time”

By Sunny Girl

I thought I knew what it was all about , now even sleep is a

memory as my min ​d runs a thousand miles an hour .

My hearts burden ​i​s being sober . Conscious is to be executed.

Conscience beauty hardcore night.

Blessed with love zoo became soon ex Owed did many the concept for minds .

Priorities are new , goodness grows joys simplicity .

Where dozens of lies​t​ o the one I love most I cry degrees molten.

Burned afraid ever graced with chance not , talents tantalized most righteous of houses repented , sin no more. ​ ithering sleek , lying ready wait to pounce global prey of W most righteous societies chosen way .

Mediums scrimmaged sin to win .So used to scheming , wasted one feeds​,​marching band strikes bleeding beats B​iting rhythms ,​ drums ringing ​,​ trumpets chorus cords swelled F​rayed illusions choreographed flags in timely expands escape another property of Pop life.

Once again finding normality ​i​n ​a​biding insanity’s survival ​.

A​bsurd unmentionable admissions ​,​ suppression’s psyche if of their own darkens so petty ,old traces of manifested tall enough are originated spinning that’s playback Inside souls toured beings lived longest revised Oracle namaste ,. ..

Serenity’s Peace . Coalition art Foundation ---ONELOVE-- righteously singing Praise. Love God. Grandness Lures Light Jesus...Believe.

So Shall it be.

All artistic submissions ​are paid for by their sponsor.

To submit your poetry or short story for publication consideration contact us at​;www.truentmagazine.com

LTalented, amm In L

amman Rucker is an artist, educator, activist and entrepreneur. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up in Washington, DC. Lamman and also spent part of his formative years in Okinawa, Japan. He is the handsome star of the popularly syndicated hit sitcom “Meet the Browns” as ‘Dr. Will Brown’ and he is also affectionately referred to by many as the sexy ‘Sheriff Troy’ of the box-office smash Tyler Perry films

R ucker nspiring and oh so VERY sexy!

man

By Lydia King

“Why Did I Get Married?” and its sequel, “Why Did I Get Married Too?” He’s been a regular in the daytime dramas “As the World Turns” , “All My Children” ,and was also featured in the Emmy-award television movie mini-series “The Temptations” as ‘Jimmy Ruffin.’

Lamman is a proud graduate of the illustrious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Lamman and was an original member of the groundbreaking youth company - the Washington Area Improvisational Teen Theatre (W.A.I.T.T.). He has since become a skilled, talented and sought-after teacher, coach, mentor and youth advocate - acquiring a Masters of Science in Education. It is no accident that Lamman would then go on to star in BET’s award-winning HIV/AIDS film “Let’s Talk.”

A very accomplished actor on stage and in film he’s even co-produced the adorable inspirational film, “The Greatest Song”, in which he also starred. The Greatest Song has been a top seller for its distributor since its release back in 2009.

Two new projects, romantic-comedies “First Impression” and “Where’s The Love” are scheduled for release in late 2014 and are projected to perform equally, as well.

Lamman’s other theatrical accomplishments include a NFAA Presidential Scholarship in the Arts nomination, Drama & Musical Theatre training at Carnegie-Mellon University, a full scholarship to the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Co-Chair of the National Black Theatre Festival, and having romantic/dramatic leads in several hit regional theatre, Off-Broadway plays and musicals among other accolades.

He’s a passionate activist and spokesperson for several non-profit organizations and community action initiatives including ;Tied To Greatness, Art Creates Life, Green For All, Good Ground-Good Life, A.H.E.A.D. Inc., Inner City Industry, BET’s Rap-It-Up campaign, the Black AIDS Institute, The Magic Johnson Foundation and other grass-roots organizations across the country. His initiatives are leading the way in uplifting communities, empowering young people, saving our environment and encouraging prevention, education and testing initiatives for HIV/AIDS. In 2011, Lamman introduced his highly anticipated all-natural bath & body signature product line ‘forplai by Lamman Rucker.’ ‘forplai’ is a new all-natural bath & body care line for women, men and couples that encourages a daily connection between the mind, body and spirit. The paraben-free, vegan-friendly and color-free line features four distinct scents that each showcase an exfoliating body scrub, moisturizing body butter and a conditioning body mist. The mantra is ‘Purity of spirit. Passion for life. Peace of mind and Power within.’

The Interview Tru: Hi Lamman, it’s so great to meet you. We’re a huge fan of yours over at Tru. Let’s begin with what age you were when you first decided to get into acting and what inspired you to make the decision?

Lamman: I made the decision by the time I was in high school when I chose to go to an audition for the Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts, in D.C. That was where I grew up. But, I was also inspired to make that decision by my parents. Both of my parents are artists and they’ve always been highly involved in the community, in dance, theatre, music and so forth.

So I’ve been exposed to a lot throughout my life.

I remember my parents sharing the information with me as I was getting ready to go into high school.

They said “there is this school that might be something that would be good for you. You’d be good at it. Maybe you’d get interested in it and these are the requirements, this is what you’ve got to do to get in.

These are the disciplines, the areas of interest”. So I chose to pursue theatre, I auditioned, and got in.

That’s pretty much where I guess the real kind of momentum, so to speak, of my training and everything began. I’d been involved with theatre and the arts throughout my childhood so there are a number of other memories that I have as a kid on stage. Or doing different things whether it’s in school, band, or- whatever it is. Luckily I was encouraged and I’ve had a lot of different opportunities throughout my life.

“ I think it’s important for us to create our own opportunities”

Tru: Do you feel that there is a sufficient abundance of quality acting rules for actors and actresses of color in the industry today, and if not, what will it takes to change that in your opinion?

Lamman: I think it changes you know? I think it’s important for us to create our own opportunities so if we just wait around for others to create opportunities for us then naturally, you know, they are going to be

fewer spaces for us to fit in. What most people do is tell stories that include themselves and people like themselves. However our whole world is becoming more diverse today. If anybody in any culture, race, you know, or nationality is telling their story to a large degree at some point it’s going to include somebody that doesn’t look like them. So then the trick becomes, if we’re in someone else’s story, how are we in it? So again, that goes back to us having not only the courage but also having the training and the skill to tell our own stories. We’ve got to support each other. We’ve got to put our skills and our time and our brains and our talent and our money behind one another so that we can create our own vehicles you know?

We’ve got to share our legacy and even change and counter some of the negative im-

Lamman

Rucker

ages that are out there. I would say that even though we’re going to tell our own stories and we’re going to put ourselves in it we also have to remember that, again, our world is diverse, so our world doesn’t include only us, and IF we’re going to do films that aren’t just going to be looked at as just another ‘little black film’ then we also need to make sure that we include others in our stories so that our stories are also understood as being not only valuable to us, but of value to others. We need to show that we are loving and cooperative and accepting as others just like we want people to be loving and cooperative and accepting of us.

You’ve got to remember people are still going to look to see if that story or “stories” like it are worthy investments, and if we can demonstrate that they are, more work is created, more work is supported, more quality work is found and developed and so forth and so on. We’ve got to make sure that we’ve got skilled people in front of the camera, behind the camera, in the corporate offices, you know, all of that.

Tru: And speaking of doing this good work and telling these great stories, which have been your favorite films to see this year? What roles do you think you could’ve just absolutely smashed had you played the character?

Lamman: You know what… there are a couple of films that I unfortunately didn’t get the opportunity to see, and I’m trying to think of anything in particular that if I would’ve had a chance to really “be” that particular thing, sink my teeth into that, you know, what would it have been? And, honestly nothing specifically comes to mind.

I try not to covet things that belong to other people and I honestly can’t think of anything right off the top of my head that I was just blown away by- per

For Product Information visit www.forplai.com

se’; but I will say that naturally there were a couple of stories told that I did think were done well.

Again, you know, I look for a lot of subtle things.

I mean not just from the way something is scripted, I look at things kind of from the director’s perspective sometimes. So I’m looking at; shots, I’m looking at lighting, I’m looking at angles, and I’m looking at the times where not much is being said- you know? There’s a lot being said, even when nothing is being said. I noticed some things about Lamman Rucker from I’m Through with White Girls (2007) with. Anthony Montgomery, and Ryan Alosio the film, “Fruitville Station” that I really liked. I’ve also known about him as an actor for a long time told. and I suppose it was enjoyable to just kind of see I am somebody who also wants to have a little bit of him maturing and then to see that story also. fun, some action-fun stuff, things like that. I am like Unfortunately it hit a little close to home. I kind of I wanted to be “Thor”, and “Iron Man”, “The Hulk” equated —that brother’s lifestyle and his predicand all kinds of stuff last year like ‘that could have ament, his circumstances (if you will) to some of been me’! You know what I mean? I won’t be able to the young brothers that I know who were at a very run down every story, every script, and there are even similar place in their lives that they’re trying to figsome characters that weren’t even necessarily major ure out how to get it right. Particularly when there characters but that particular character, that part of is that added pressure of not only “Break some of your the story was still interesting. So supporting themselves, but trying to I find different people, different bad habits. Having a stories, and different characters to take care of other people they love.

It’s not just about how do you do vision for something be interesting. I never really think right in order to support them but too much about taking somebodies better for yourself and also how do you do right in order to place. I think it would have been do right by them. Treat this woman trying to get out of yourcool to be in the “Mandela” club, the way, this young woman is supbut that doesn’t mean that I have to old habits” posed to be treated. Break some of be ‘Mandela’ to be part of the story. your bad habits. Having a vision for something better for yourself and trying to get out Tru: Tell us about your upcoming projects, First of your old habits. I thought that the movie was Impression, and Where’s the Love? We heard they interestingly done, but naturally that character are scheduled to release in late 2014. What are those is younger than me so I don’t think I would have about? actually played it myself , but I do believe and do know that there are other men in their late 20’s, Lamman: Yeah “First Impression” I am not sure what 30’s, early 40’s that are also in a similar place. the status of the project is to be honest with you, but So yeah if I had an opportunity to play that same it is a romantic comedy about online dating and the role, as a slightly more mature age range, then I challenges that some people have when it comes to definitely feel like I could have brought some qualifinding Mr. or Mrs. Right. It’s also about the creative ty layers to it as well. ways that we go about trying to make a connection When you start dealing with the way the system (so to speak) with someone. Sometimes even once works and the way that law enforcement treats you make that connection the challenge is really bepeople in general (in particular our young men of ing honest about who you are, what you are, what you color) that story hit home in a whole other kind can do, and what you want. And also being honest of way. What also comes to mind is “Twelve Years about how you really feel about somebody and what a Slave”. I thought it was shot really beautifully in you are willing to do in order to make that work. a lot of very different ways. There are some really Look for Part II in Next months Issue of TRU. nice moments, and even the way that story was

Good Comedy has NO color! Ric, KJay and Will…Blur the lines

Ric McCloud is a name that might fall into the category of someone with an absurd diversity of talent; an intellectual superhero even.

He’s found success in the fields of; Information Technology, Entertainment and Law( as a Criminal Defense Attorney), Computer Forensics Expert, System Administrator, Network Engineer, Project Manager, Martial Artist, Graphic Artist, Professional Stand-up Comedian, Comedy Club Owner, Comedy Agent, Actor, Director, Writer, Producer, Film Editor and even Stuntman.

Imagine talking with an old friend who knows how to make you laugh so hard you can hardly breathe. According to all who know him THAT is who Ric McCloud is. Every subject is a

potential target, including himself.

With his kinetic energy he bounces from topic to topic in rapid-fire fashion just as he bounces around the stage, an event comparable to throwing a super-ball full speed into a small room. However, he is not afraid to just go with the flow if that’s what the audience wants.

Ric has even been known to improvise entire shows!

For over 23 years he has performed thousands of shows across the country performing at world famous venues such as the IMPROV, COMEDY STORE, the ICE HOUSE, as well as the COMEDY GALLERY and STANFORD’S COMEDY HOUSE and he’s worked with comedic legends like; Tommy Chong, Louie Anderson, Mitch Hedberg, Emmy

winner Jeff Cesario, Eddie Griffin, Andrew “Dice” Clay He’ll keep you on your toes but you’ll be laughing every step of the way. Fans tell us that Ric’s laughter-inducing comedy show once induced a pregnant woman into labor! So…why did he open a small comedy club in an obscure suburb in the outskirts of Minneapolis, Minnesota, largely populated by white families in order to book black comedians?

Let’s find out, but before we do, allow us to introduce two of Ric’s favorite funny friends, both black comedians and both frequently booked at his club.

Ace comedian KJay aka (Kelechi Jaavaid) could walk into an empty room and have a good time jump off. The veteran has crafted

a singular, laid back style that turns a stand-up stage into his living room, the audience into his guests and the evening into a funfest of topical humor. His sketch comedy is wry, bone-dry. No wonder the man’s star is on the rise! Simply put, he’s hilarious, honest with his craft and the kinda comedian I’d pay to see any and every time.

Performing his hilarious performance piece “It’s Hard Being Tall“ at the Minnesota Fringe Festival to enthusiastic crowds has won him critical acclaim so he was asked to return to the Festival and followed up with “It’s Hard Being Tall-Black Man Changing Hats” there and at Patrick’s Cabaret. Next he was on to clubs like; Minnesota’s Comedy Gallery, Acme Comedy Company and Minnehaha Comedy Club, eventually releasing “Scholar To Comedy” DVD and The “Art of Life” (CD) and in theatre “The House Keepers Dirt”/Playwrights Center, Bendover…” / Brave New Workshop.

K Jay is also no stranger to the road. Appearing at the 3rd Annual Detroit Comedy Festival hosted by Lewis Black, World Series Comedy Tour in Las Ve-

KJay

BIG WILL gas. Laughing Skulls Comedy Festival in Denver and Trial By Laughter Festival in Indianapolis. Now he’s back on the road again and hitting gigs nationwide as well as developing a feature film “Black Cats and Black Cookies” with Movie Freak Productions. But one of his favorite stops is always Ric’s Comedy Cabaret in Arden Hills .

The newbie in the group, born in Chicago, Illinois a natural at making you just ‘laugh’ is Will Sawyer. The tall slender drink of water is warmly referred to by his fans as; “Big Will”.

He started his comedy career at the Artists’ Quarters in St. Paul, Minnesota and quickly became guest host for open mic night. From there he started performing all over the Twin Cities, and also ended up headlining at Ric’s Comedy Cabaret in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

He’s headlined at other small clubs like; Willy’s Bar and Grill in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Rondo Days celebration, in St. Paul, MN, and for the Sterling Club, in St. Paul, Minnesota but there is no doubt in our

minds that BIG WILL is well on his way.

A versatile comedian Will has even hosted the televised “National African American Parent Involvement Day” at Jackson Elementary School. He’s a family man and a storyteller, and his comedy leans toward stories of his own family life. A true pro he’s able to tone it down for the early crowd and then ramp it up for the late night crowd. This guy speaks to everyone.

You are not likely to be offended, but he may make you blush with his edgy topics and no one in the crowd is leaving without some type of participation.

Truth be told all of these guys are awesome, funny heartwarming comedians who can switch from “family fun” comedy to “hurry up and put the kids to bed” comedy in no time flat.

We happened to end up at Ric’s for a Valentines weekend extravaganza and the trio did not disappoint.

The location was suburban so the crowd was largely populated by a white crowd. But this crowd didn’t seem to see color on that stage at all.

What they saw and laughed at was comedic genius in its purest form.

You best believ that the comedians in this little cozy club room in a suburb outside of downtown Minneapolis brought the entire house down. Fans ate great food, drank tasty drinks and laughed their heads off to the hilarious, sometimes raunchy jokes of these great guys. Who would have thought one could find Los Angeles strip worthy comics in that little town? We did!

The guys were funny, no doubt about it, but the one question that kept baffling our Reporter was “why in the heck does Ric McCloud want to book black comics in a largely white suburban neighborhood in the Twin Cites”, so, we asked him!

RIC

The Interview Tru: So Ric, what made you want to book comedians of ‘color’ in a neighborhood that is predominately occupied by whites?

Ric: An aspect of booking that “some” clubs often focus on is if a particular comedian will play well to the clubs core audience.

Sometimes the evaluations of a clubs core audience are based on race, age, gender, etc. I have heard comedians being told they were too old for a club, too “Def Jam” or “urban”, that there are too many females in a show, etc. I completely disagree with that notion. For me, funny is funny, and crosses all socio-economic and political boundaries. I didn’t set out to prove that we can have an “all-female” show, have black comedians all month long, or have any other types of shows because I already knew that it didn’t matter.

They either connect with the audience or they don’t. A club can

comedians like KJ. He was the best person in my mind for booking the club and bringing exposure to new talent or existing talent that had been overlooked for various reasons by the other comedy clubs. Although his first career will always be as a headlining comedian, KJ’s role as the first black booking agent in the Midwest is something that has turned out to be way more significant than we originally thought. We now know what we thought all along, that funny is funny and all that talk about comedians appealing to a club’s “core audience” is bulls*#t. So I am happy that we did something different, proved people wrong, and hired comedians the other clubs won’t take. There is have any group of comedians together, a better way to book comediand as long as those comedians are ans and we are doing it. There funny and connect, regardless of who are not a lot of comedians who the audience is, those comedians will work harder than Will and KJ make that audience laugh until they at their craft and have the skill can’t breathe. to improvise an entire 45 minTru: Do you think that there is racial ute set like they can. When I bias in the world of comedy? am not on stage I am part of the audience and I love it when Ric: Racial diversity starts, and Ric: Unfortunately, yes I do think they say something unexpected ends with a comedy club’s bookthere is racial bias in comedy, aland suddenly I am out of breath ing agent. As a comedian, the though I have no idea how much of first thing that gets noticed is that because my stomach hurts from it is intentional. A lot of comedy is there are no black booking agents all the laughter. It’s not easy for “who you know”, social networking, someone to do that to a jaded for the dedicated comedy clubs so the unfortunate result is that people in the Midwest. Even though I old comic like me, but Will and just keep hiring their friends over and thought I could be a fair booking KJ make it look easy. over again, regardless of how funny I believe the next evolution of agent, with my career as a dethat comedian is. So if a person such comedy is what I call “Instant fense attorney I did not have the as a booking agent has poor network- time nor the inclination to book Comedy”. Will and KJ are at ing skills and does not have a lot of ra- my own comedy club. Being a the forefront of that movement. cial diversity in their friendships with booking agent is a time-intensive Most comedians spend years comedians, then the consequence is endeavor, watching hours of com- honing their craft and their jokes that people of different races won’t get edy, going to open mics, meeting but do not practice improvisaa lot of those booking opportunities. tional skills to really connect and evaluating comedians. It’s a Tru: How do you intend to overcome with the audience. They do lot of hard work. No one I know the racial barrier with your club? the same act over and over and works harder at his craft and has over, and audiences pick up on a strong social network of fellow

that. Even today most comedians agree that they should either write 10% of new material per year, or if they work really hard, to write a new act every two years. I got bored with that model and decided to challenge myself every single show, to write a lot more, and teach myself to improvise entire shows if possible. Well, it is possible.

Will, KJ, and myself all have that capability and element of surprise, and it makes it a lot more fun to work with them. There really is nothing like being in “The Zone” with an audience and going into completely uncharted territory and coming out at the end of the show with an entirely new set, and the audiences can hardly believe it happened. They ask “how did you study us to write those jokes?” and they don’t believe us when we say we just came up with it on the spot, but they have no choice but to believe us because there was no other possible explanation...

If your lookin to have a great time laughing at these guys connect with them at Ric McCloud’s Comedy Cabaret, and at;www.kjaythecomedian.com and willie.sawyerii@facebook.com And if you’re in the Twin Cities area be sure to check out; Ric McCloud’s Comedy Cabaret located inside of Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern, at 4703 Hwy 10, Arden Hills, Minnesota…

If you need a good laugh, you’ll be so glad you did!

FASHION Tru. Spotlight on: AP Designs

Ashley P Designs is a Limited Liability Fashion Company featuring clothing lines and apparel for women interested in modern modesty wear. AP for Women is the premiere clothing line for Ashley P Designs, which features modern modesty wear and accessories. The apparel consists of covering the body such as arms, legs, and cleavage, while maintaining a contemporary style.

Ashley Pecolia made her mark during New York Fashion Week September 8, 2012, showcasing her spring 2013 collection. And she’s been kickin’ butt

and takin names every since!

Ashley has been in 20+ publications including this exclusion interview with Tru. Entertainment Magazine and has been nominated “Emerging Designer of the year 2013 Fashion Awards”, MD. Her goal is to create clothing that is affordable, luxurious, and comfortable for the typical everyday modern modest women. The label caters to everyone, not just religious. All welcomed, none rejected.

In her words; “As a little girl I always wanted to design clothing. In November 2010 I changed my lifestyle to modesty so my previous designs, didn’t reflect the ideals of my new lifestyle. I was told that it is extremely difficult to shop for clothing for a modest woman. I wanted to see exactly how hard it was for a modest woman to shop for clothes that were appropriate to our lifestyle. I went into a department store and walked out with nothing. Though stores were changing seasons, from winter to spring lines, I couldn’t find clothes that covered or fit me properly. Instantly I decided to start my own fashion company, one that caters to the needs of the modest woman”.

Ashley’s MOD LUX 2013 (insert pics and caption)

Mod Lux is a contemporary clothing line providing ready to wear luxury and comfortable colorful designs for the everyday women. The collection offers handmade clothing items that can be worn at work, evening and casual every day wear. Altogether the collection will consist of 10 outfits. Mod Lux Collection made its debut in New York Fashion Week September 12th, 2013.

There are 7 million Muslims in the United States with a 6% growth rate, versus a 0.9% for the total US population. The Muslim population is the same as the Hispanic population was 25 years ago, and if the number maintain at this rate, our target will double by 2016 says the cutting edge designer.

66% American Muslims earn over $50,000 per year, while 26% earn over $100,000.

92% of the American Muslim community can easily afford the reasonable prices of AP apparel into their budgets, which makes it a very attractive buy for many reasons.

The interview: Tru: Is it difficult to be a designer who designs clothing that “covers” you when in the world of fashion typically the clothing is designed to do just the opposite?

AP: Honestly, it isn’t difficult because it is such a unique concept. We present the brand message in a way it appeals to everyone.

Tru: How do you feel your work is received

by the general population?

AP: I feel that people appreciate what we are trying to do. It falls right into women empowerment, informing young women how you can still look classy or even sexy covered.

Tru: What can we expect from you over the span of say, the next five years?

AP: We are looking to get our clothing into department stores and boutiques. We definitely would like to expand to the west coast as far as fashion shows and getting into stores there.

We’re a TRU believer in ap fashion and we most definitely applaud her talent and Ashley for being a creative designer who clearly thinks outside the box. Big up’s to you ap!

For more info on ap fashion designs go to: www.apforwomen.com

​Tru. Come up! ​A

ctor “Grizz” Chapman is ​ coming to Tru. Magazine with an EXCLUSIVE behind the scenes interview and private tour of his new comic store in the Bronx, The Lair.

Known and loved​for his recurring role on the NBC series 30 Rock ​we’re here to tell you, this ​7’0 ​foot​t​ all ​​gentle giant is packed with tons of talent, and plenty more surprises!

This summer Grizz gives us the low down on all of his upcoming television and film projects, his work as a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation ,​​​and more. You’ll want to keep it locked on Tru. Entertainment Magazine...where the TRU stars SHINE!

Photographer: D’lo Slaughter, FaithFocusFlash

Grizz Chapman

Book Review

M

y name is Earnie and my name is Delilah. We are brother and sister and we have witnessed abuse on a level that no child should ever have to witness. The beatings our mom suffered will forever be etched in our minds.

It started when I was around 8-years-old and my sister was about 4. We lived with my mother and her live-in boyfriend who was a truck driver. He was a big man and he always wore steel-toe boots. I guess these were required for his job. I will always remember those boots and the times he would beat my mom on a daily basis.

I can remember the times that my sister and I would sit in the living room watching TV after getting home from school. My mom would often come running out of her room with blood all over her face and swollen eyes. Sometimes, I could recall her running through the hallway screaming and pleading for her boyfriend to stop.

The one memory that will remain with me and Delilah is the last beating my mom would receive from her boyfriend. She came home that night after she had been out drinking. I don’t know if that is what caused this beating or if there ever had to be a reason. My mom was falling down as she entered the house. My sister’s recollection is that he began beating her when she entered the yard that night and he drug her up the stairs to continue his onslaught against her. When and where it started

doesn’t really matter, but the way this beating ended is what impacted me and my sister forever.

He was wearing steel-toe boots, so he must have just recently come home from work. As my mom entered the house, I remember the sound as his hand made contact with her face. To this day, Delilah can remember every sound that came with the beatings, from the times he pounded our mom in the face to the times he would hurl her body into a wall. She is still haunted by them even today. On this day, we watched as he kicked my mom over and over while she lay on the floor. While he kicked she never moved.

He didn’t stop despite the fact that her body appeared to be lifeless on the floor.

My sister and I went to bed that night, but mom never got up from the floor. When we got up the next morning, I didn’t see her there. For a moment, I thought that she was okay. If that were so, why didn’t she come to check on us as she had done every morning? So, I went to check on her. I walked into the room and I saw her motionless body on the bed. As I got closer, I could see a foamy red substance coming out of her nose and mouth. At that moment, I realized that my mom was gone.

I rushed in to tell my sister that mom was dead. I don’t remember crying. I just remember thinking that I was responsible for me and my sister now. I had to be a man and there was no time to allow my emotions to take over. My sister ran to my mom as if she was going to help her in some way so she could come back to us. She left the room and ran back with a tissue in her hand. She wiped my mom’s nose and mouth as if this would be enough to erase the previous events that changed our lives forever.

I don’t remember much about the events that happened after we discovered my mom’s lifeless body. My sister and I went to live with our foster parents who were the same people who took care of us during the years that my mom lived with her killer. They knew what was going on and they were our support during those times. It wasn’t easy losing our mom, but going to live with people who we knew what our lives were like made the transition as easy as it could be.

Earnie and I are adults now and for him the memories from my mother’s death don’t seem to be as prevalent in his life as they are in mine. He works diligently at his church trying to make a difference in people’s lives. He has been married for 13 years and he and his wife have two beautiful kids. The statistics show that Earnie’s chances of being an abuser are more likely because of what we witnessed with our mom. I can truly say that statistics are not the fate of every one who has been through what we have experienced.

Earnie is a loving husband and he has never hit his wife. After my mother’s death, he became my role model. He took great care of me and I looked up to him then much as I do now.

For me, life has been good. I think I am still affected by the abuse my mom suffered, which can be witnessed in the lack of success that I have with my relationships. I am extremely critical about anyone that I meet. I analyze the individual from head to toe. I even make mental notes of the size of their hands and feet. I guess I do this and make a comparison to my mom’s boyfriend. I often visualize his hands and feet as he used them when assaulting my mom. Loud sounds are also a problem for me because they often take

cont.on page 48

TRU. TRENDING

GADGETS

By,Fiona Russell

F

orget silver, platinum and gold, forget diamond rings and coach purses. The day is of the gadget accessory is coming, and the takeover is inevitable. Consider the Smartphone trend that has swept the nation. How many fashionistas have you seen without an iPhone5, a Nexus, or an HTC One close to hand? Smartphones have long since earned a solid position as a fashion accessory, but they’re only the tip of the gadget iceberg that is soon to collide with the fashion industry.

Let’s take a look at what’s coming in the world of gadget accessories, what’s already here, and how to rock it all to the max.

Smart Watches: Smart watches sync with your smartphone or tablet to enable hands-free email, text and calling. Some even offer web navigation and app installation. Most of them aren’t very pretty to look at—yet, but as demand increases expect to see everyone from Tiffany & Co. to Gucci branding through smart watch accessories.

You may even be able to use your smart watch to turn on your coffee maker within the next decade.

Phablets: Large phone/small tablet = phablet. Expect to see these handy little portable worlds steadily phasing out traditional smartphones. As phablets gain in popularity, their size will make phablet purses a must-have.

Smart Clothing: What if your clothing could work as a battery charger, a Wi-Fi conductor, a television signal? It may seem overly futuristic, but the technology is in the works.

Smart Jewelry: Smart jewelry is the next evolution of the smart watch. Touchscreen rings, bracelets, and pendants may soon be able to function as hands-free mobile devices. Let’s take a moment to pity the legions of high school teachers still attempting to outlaw texting from their classrooms when smart jewelry becomes available.

So sit tight and keep your gadgets upgraded—or at the least make sure that your phone case matches your outfit. The day of the gadget is here, and its place in the fashion world is as inevitable as the common cold. Good luck, and happy gadgeting!

​Phablets: Phablets (a combination of a phone & tablet) have burst onto the scene in the last year or two. Devices that once were mocked for their oversized screens have now become desirable and powerful mobile tools

Clothing:

“SCOTTeVEST designs functional and fashionable clothing that’s so innovative that it’s worn by the Secret Service. SeVs have up to 42 hidden pockets and a patent-pending Personal Area Network (PAN).

The PAN allows you to carry and use your electronic devices such as cell phones, PDAs and MP3 players without the mess of dangling wires.”

Smart Watch:

The same source that spoke to the WSJ has also reported that the new Google Watch will come running a version of Android (perhaps the same version that’s on Glass?), whilst

​

the software will be focused around Google Now.

Sesame Ring

​ ver missed the train because E you can’t find your transit card? Well, that’s something the makers of the Sesame Ring must have experienced numerous times,​ ​ sparking the creation of this smart piece of​​ jewelry. In Massachusetts, you need your Charlie Card to get on the train, but just like any card, it is easy to misplace​ ​ or get lost in your black hole of a bag. Thus the need for something useful and​​wearable — the Sesame Ring.

Tru. Entreprenuer

Sasha BrockneR CEO Helio Public Relations

T

he beautiful, talented and brilliant CEO of Helio Public Relations (HPR) runs a boutique PR firm that has garnered a formidable industry buzz . Sasha Brockner, has developed her company to become a “force” to be reckoned with- all its own !

She comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. Her mother ran a small business and support groups for mothers with new babies in Berkeley , CA. Her grandfather owned a flower business in Providence , and the young spirited Sasha felt that it would be disrespectful to that legacy, not to branch out on her own.

With a background that includes credentials like; working for the House of Blues, LaFace Records, BMG Publishing and MTV Network News to working with stars like; Cee Lo, Ciara, Katt Williams, Debbie Allen Dance,Gerald Levert and Drumma Boy, and with 80 % of her clients a result of referrals, Ms. Brockner surely doesn’t come to play around, she comes to WORK! In less than a decade, HPR has catapulted its unconventional brand of exposing a diverse spectrum of clientele to mainstream, alternative and urban media outlets to the center of the entertainment industry. Helio’s star-studded roster of talented musicians, painters, choreographers, jewelry makers, fashion designers, thespians, producers, graphic designers and spoken word artists, has swiftly gained significant strides in the industry, and that is a clear reflection of the innovative and holistic guidance of HPR. HPR is the brand, the very source of power, which fuels extraordinary narratives , compelling writers, editors, talent producers and critics, to connect with and expose groundbreaking talent through influential mediums such as Television, Print, Radio and Internet.

Independent, confident and free of stifling mainstream media influence, HPR is free to infuse each campaign with the individual visions of their clients, avoiding the generic press releases that saturate the market with mediocrity on the regular.

Whether they are securing feature stories for their artists in high profile magazines, including them within advertisement campaigns, booking appearances on highly rated television shows, or keeping high volume internet sites updated on their activities, Helio Public Relations is continuously implementing cutting-edge strategies to expose unique talent to the world. They assemble some of the most talented writers, photographers, and stylists to emphasize their client’s work, while maintaining laser sharp focus on providing exceptional service. This focused devotion has led to HPR’s clients being featured in the most prominent magazines in America across a diverse spectrum of genres – including Vogue Paris, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Glamour, Details, GQ, In Style, Rolling Stone, VIBE, The Source, XXL and Tru. Entertainment Magazine.

Helio played a pivotal role in the 2008 Stop The Violence Campaign, spearheaded by Hip-Hop icon KRS-One . They’ve worked alongside client Goapele and Wildlife Works, a non-profit organization based in Kenya, just to name a few.

Helio Public Relations’ primary goal remains to harness the media in an attempt to tell stories of substance and truth. M ost importantly, they go about their business with boundless love and respect for the artistic craft of their clients.

Tru. spotlights Helio this month, in honor of the Tru. spirit of Entrepreneurship and excellence.

I

wrote a poem for each of us to share but for all of us to remember: Our thirst for knowledge has led us down the path less traveled And it has been our conqueror for more than two years’ time But we cannot overlook the appreciation we have for such Knowledge Because it has led us to each other.

For better or for worse; This marriage between our heart and mind.

It’s a miracle As Mary and Joseph would declare it.

Although our heads have fallen and our eyes stain wet and red Near the end our hands will wave triumphantly And a subtle expression of content

TRU. TEEN TRU ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

The Evolution of Slavery in Am A

By: Tru. Teen Columnist, Christian Moses (Age 19, California)

n economy plummeting into an abyss of debt, buried beneath a mountain of foreign loans, this is the trajectory of which the United States may be heading. Since its foundation, the United States of America has always competed with other foreign powerhouses for dominance. In this respect, the United States has not been unwilling to use shady business practices or morally gray areas of the law to reach this goal. Because of economic shifts and the depletion of our local natural resources, we have turned from a producing nation to a consumer nation.

Relying on foreign countries such as China and Thailand to manufacture goods for our country has increased our debt exponentially, to around 17.071 trillion dollars. We as a nation are fast approaching the point where the country may no longer be capable of sustaining itself economically. Foreign dependence in our economy has become greatest threat to our nation in the 21st century. It’s because of this looming threat that our nation has decided to look to its forefathers for the solution to its woes. In order to remedy the situation the U.S is reopening a dark chapter of our nation’s great tapestry, the title of its chapter: let’s bring back slavery.

Despite the economic boon that slavery offered it was destined to become an outdated and highly frowned upon source of income for the United States. Theoretically it is possible that the end of the slave trade was simply the natural progression necessary, for future innovations in the cheap labor market. Since the end of the slave trade and the creation of newer technology, the U.S has struggled to maintain its place in the world. As a nation that prides itself on freedom and treats all of its citizens as equal, the government has become obligated to provide certain rights to its citizens, such as minimum wage. These “rights” can make it difficult to compete with foreign markets that do not provide these same basic rights to its citizens. Many U.S based companies have been known to choose to have their products made in other countries than sell those products in the U.S to increase their profit margins. Until the

N

“WISDOM”

By: Tru. Teen Columnist, Ka’myia Gunn (Age 17, Virginia)

To Mona’s pleasing, will light our faces Even if for one moment.

Our dignity has always resided in our work But we have a mind as noble as a King For now we can think.

Therefore we’ll be, forever wealthy.

A knowledgeable person is both intelligent and internationally minded but understands that one’s reason can become misguided by “inattentional blindness” - a cognitive bias derived from a simplistic mental framework within the brain in which information is interpreted by pattern recognition and schemas (Dombrowski, Rotenberg and Bick). My only advice is to break tradition and remain open-minded; relativism is not a weakness but one must understand what is right. Value everything and recognize that “Wisest is she who knows [he]/she does not know” (Gaarder 69) Dombrowski, Eileen, Lena Rotenberg and Mimi Bick. Theory of Knowledge.

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.

Gaarder, Jostein. Sophie’s World. London: Phoenix, 2012. Print.

merica

U.S found a way to compete effectively with the cheap labor available in other countries by providing some of our own. In the U.S, prison labor is quickly becoming a new niche within the global economic world by being cheap, reliable, and close in proximity to the consumers. The same strategies employed by the rich company owners described in Robert Reich’s Why the Rich are Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer are quickly becoming applicable in our own nation.

Putting inmates to work is hardly a new concept within the United States; the practice was started soon after the end of actual slavery in the 19th slaves in the south were thrown in jail, often on false charges, and then forced to work as prison labor. In essence, they traded one set of shackles for another. Jaron Brown an advocate of civil rights describes it best with his chilling depiction of the infamous Louisiana Angola Prison’s transformation from a plantation to a correctional facility. Prison labor has expanded to include not just former slaves but also everyday American citizens and illegal immigrants, thousands of which are held in Houston Processing Center, a private prison owned by the Corrections Corporation of America .

The private prisons industry is now being seen as a lucrative avenue of business and has begun to expand at a rapid rate.

Seemingly out of nowhere in the 21st between 2002 and 2010 the number of privatized prisons increased by a staggering 37% . Large masses of inmates who had been housed in federal prisons were now being transferred to private prisons.

As the rest of the U.S recovered from the recession, the Correctional Corporation of America (CCA) a private prison company, saw its profits soar, earning around 1.7 billion dollars in 2011. This astronomical growth lead many to question what was the unforeseen shadow behind the rebirth and rapid expansion of the private prison labor industry was it simply corporate greed, or something far more alarming?

The high rate of incarceration has always been a pin needle in the backs of American government. Having to pay for a massive amount of inmates (who more often than not were in jail for nonviolent crimes) was wasting precious tax dollars and straining the federal budget. Statistics show that the U.S has the highest rate of incarceration in the world at around 25 percent despite containing only 5 percent of the world’s population. As tax payers, we are required to feed those millions of inmates who are locked up, marinating until their eventual release, or death. This placed a heavy burden on tax payers, until economist and innovative business men found a way to profit off of prisoners. The solution was simple: since they’re forced to be in prison anyway why not make them work? Like the slavery of old from an economic standpoint it’s ingenious: low pay, no sick days, and severe punishment for disobedience equals huge profit margins.

The introduction of cheap labor to prisons has been key significant to the success of prison industry enabling it to draw on a wealth of employment for its inmates, so much that in many cases prison labor has out competed neighboring businesses. Using cheap prison labor is especially prevalent in private prisons where the pay can range anywhere between 17-50 cents per hour. It’s no coincidence that the number of private prisons is on the rise. Big companies such as AT&T invest millions into this new lucrative business that now has stock on Wall Street. Many companies that used to use 3rd new source of cheap labor.

Often local businesses are unable to compete with the big companies profits, for instance a factory in Texas fired 150 of its workers and transferred their work over to the privately owned Lockhart prison. This is believed to be only the tip of the iceberg as the prison industry steadily continues to envelope other areas of production such as furniture and computer hardware.

strenuous forcing the U.S to take more drastic and perhaps morally ambiguous decisions. The U.S government and the corporations who influence the government, now see that in order to compete with foreign markets, we must become like foreign markets.

As Machiavelli explains in the Circle of Governments in a democratic nation where everyone is equal, we all are doomed to repeat history and descend into anarchy. The U.S One of the main culprits responsible for the expansion in the has allowed big business to run its policies and therefore has begun its backward slide into aristocracy and eventually oligarchy. As prison labor industry is the American Legislative Exchange children of fortune we have forgotten the Council (ALEC). This organization has for years petitioned for longer and more rigid sentences for inmates past and are therefore doomed to repeat it. and supported the creation of the federal Prisoner Industry Enhancement Certification Program, also known as PIE.

It is no coincidence that the increase in the number of I believe the true factor behind the unquenchable beast that private prisoners coincides with an increase to incarceris the prison labor industry is America’s reliance on cheap ations and serving time. The U.S is struggling to keep labor. Exploiting and reforming a flaw in afloat our government, such as the high incarceration rate is allow- with a lead chain around its neck named debt within the ing the U.S to become an economically producing powergrowing maelstrom that is China. house reminiscent of the former days of the slave trade.

The world is as Thomas Friedman describes it, is flat and “The playing field is being world countries to create their goods now use U.S prison labor as there leveled”. Competition within our now globalized world has become more

The U.S owes about 8% of its 46% in foreign debt, or around 1.2 trillion dollars to China. So as a nation, our leaders have decided “if we can’t beat them, join them”, by emulating in prisons China’s strict labor policies placed upon its citizens.

As a nation we are already seeing the first signs of Jared Diamond’s Collapse. Fighting over limited resources and the repetition of unsavory business practices, such as the pseudo slavery of private prison laborers are becoming more common. The use of U.S citizens as cheap labor may be only the beginning of what our country is willing to do to stay on top and compete in this rapidly shrinking world.

Tru Art

D

Lo Slaughter/Photographer

Model: Abigail Hilgendorf.

Faith Focus Flash Living in the shoes of an Entrepreneur, D’Angelo”Dlo” Slaughter, CEO and Founder of FaithFocusFlash is a proud representative and ambassador for the dreamers of the world and more specifically, for his family and community.

Originally from the Northside of Minneapolis, Minnesota and now a new proud resident of Brooklyn, New York this daring artist is inspired by New York’s infamous anthem; “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere ”.

New York City for “Dlo” is in his words “his imagination’s playground”, and he’s definitely on a mission to see how far in life he can make it as an individual and as an artist.

He feels that true ambition and positive energy is usually felt before witnessed. Therefore, his business; FaithFocusFlash is more than a photography outlet. It’s motivation and inspiration. It’s a visual for like-minded individuals.

It’s a barrier-breaker, and it’s good vibes and comfort.

Which, is why this young

Fan Photographer at Yankee Stadium, Head Photographer at TTAG Magazine and Freelance Photographer at Tru. Entertainment Magazine

entrepreneur/artist works so well with all types of clients and crowds.

Keep your eyes open because “Dlo” and FaithFocusFlash are just getting started! So far, he has accomplished more than he could have ever imagined.

Follow “Dlo” on Instagram & Twitter: @Creativeweirdo

For info or bookings send email inquiry to: FaithFocusFlash.net

cont from page 35

Reflection of Healing and Hope

me back to the days that I heard my mom being tossed against the walls of our home. I am not totally where I need to be, but I have trusted God and he has made the difference and I lead my life as best I can. I recently came to the conclusion that counseling may be necessary for me so that I can truly put the past into perspective.

I’m very protective of my daughter. I make it a point to talk with her about everything, especially the guys that she dates. I don’t ever want her to end up in a toxic relationship like my mom. I cringe when I hear stories about young girls who suffer abuse at the hands of their boyfriends. I wish someone would tell these kids that fighting does not show love. When someone hits you, there should be no correlation between that and love. Abuse kills the inner spirit of the victim and the children who witness it.

I teach my daughter that a man should respect you at all times. If he disrespects you and screams at you, be cautious of him. In order to have a healthy relationship, you have to be able to communicate with one another without the fear of him lashing out at you in the event you don’t share his views. I also encourage her to talk to her friends and let them know. I do all that I can to make people aware of how detrimental abuse is.

When I look back on those years when we had our mom with us, I remember thinking that God did not like us, but I know that he did because he protected us. I am thankful that her boyfriend never abused us.

People always want to know what happened to the man who killed our mother. He only served three years in jail for taking our mom’s life. He was released and soon after he was released, he beat another woman so badly she was placed in intensive care at the hospital. I don’t remember much about the day after we realized that my mother was gone. I do remember the police officer who came to the scene. I saw him a few years later and, much to my surprise, he remembered me. I took the opportunity to talk with him. I asked him why my mother’s killer only served three years. His response did nothing to ease my anxiety about the matter. He told me that her killer told the authorities he was so drunk the he was not aware of what he was doing. The police officer told me I could reopen the case. My brother and I decided against it because of the pain we would have to relive.

I know that my sister still suffers. I wish I could take her suffering away. I too still suffer from the abuse that I witnessed. I receive periodic counseling from my pastor. He often reassures me that the fate my mom suffered and the pain that my sister continues to deal with are not my fault. Before I came to the church and began to minister to others, I used clubs and alcohol to deal with my pain. Just because I turned to the church, didn’t mean that my suffering was over. The problem would just be manifested in other ways, which I deal with and work on with the counseling I receive from my pastor.

The one thing that my sister and I would like for people to know is that there are warning signs. Signs that let you know that you should stop the relationship before it goes on too long. If the person that you are with is extremely aggressive and is quick tempered, you should be very concerned. The verbal abuse, the grabbing, pushing and shoving are not expressions of love. It always starts out simple, but as time goes on it gets worse and worse. At this point, you should seek help before it progresses to a level

of full-blown abuse.

Mandrell’s Reflection of Earnie and Delilah’s Story When children are exposed to domestic abuse, they never forget the experience. Imagine being an 8-year-old child and feeling helpless, vengeful, and suicidal. Imagine the continuous violent scenes of your mother being beaten daily.

When children or adults are violated or witness abuse, they never forget the traumatic experience. Every intricate detail is burned in their mind forever. This situation is the creation of an issue that will fester over the coming years. Currently, there are many people today who suppress their feelings. Many years of suppression will, in most cases, result in suicide and or violent aggressive attitudes toward life or family members.

Part 2 will be in next months issue

For people who may be interested in purchasing the book, here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Heating-Stories-Storm-ebook/dp/B0032AMA3U

Divorce!

The impact on teenagers and children By: Tru. Teen Columnist, Zeina Adel (Age 15, Egypt)

Parents, please, divorce is not only nerve wrecking to you nor stressing. It also damages you and your children so bear in mind that you are not the only one affected by it and consider the impact that it will leave on your children.

The level of upset and possible depression can vary based upon how the divorce took place and what were the reasons. Moreover, the age of the child is a main factor as well as the support they have. A child or a teenager will feel the sense of loss and will fear to be left alone. Some tend to become isolated and suffer depression; others might feel rejected or insecure. Cases like these require full attention and cooperation from both parents.

Some of these cases are generated from actions taken by parents themselves who like to unfairly use their child as a weapon to avenge on the other parent or to criticize and minimize the importance of the existence of the other parent. This will not only generate a problem between you and your child but it will also

make your child feel the need to choose sides, which,will affect their own relationship with the other parent.

As for the teenagers, do not take your parents’ divorce as an excuse to becoming a violent or commit a crime. It is no excuse for you to take drugs or just ignore your life. It is not okay for you to commit suicide, your parents have ruined their lives it does not mean that you have to ruin yours. Your parents have divorced this does not mean that the world is ending or your life will turn out to be like your parents.

Do not give up on getting married and do not spend your life alone just because you are afraid that the same thing will happen to you.

Live your own life not your parents.