Trustworthy Magazine, November 2020, Vol 9 by Trustworthy Magazine

Trustworthy Magazine

Niehla Ollie

“We are all trying to find our place and purpose in this world and that’s a huge feat!”

Amjed Osman

His Journey to the Greenroom

Influencing the next generation

With Miss Gardena USA

Nov 2020

Trustworthy Magazine

Our Goal is to inspire & to be inspired. We know that everyone has a story; we want to know yours

Founder & Editor Amina Touray

Trustworthymagazine.com For comments, submissions & Inquiries pleses contact; info@trustworthymagazine.com

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On the cover: Niehla Ollie Photographer: Amina Touray Makeup by: Niehla O Styling by: Janel Styles Page design: Moses Dalton

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Photo: David Bartus

Photo: Kaique Rocha

Trust

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Contents 8 18

Amjed Osman

22 26 38 46

Amina Touray

56 62 70 80 Vol 9

Journey to the Greenroom

Janel Laws

Janel Styles

Sedona

Jeffrey Segal

Mystic Journey

Jhaza Amari

Influencing the next generation

Niehla Ollie

Makeup, Hummus & Life Lessons

Tale For Esther

Fashion Editorial

Eric Banford

Fly Away

Justi Embree

Conversations

Shelly Xu

From Facebook to Fashion Week

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Letter From The Editor We are living in a time where hope is essential for survival, and where every smile we receive from a stranger has a much bigger impact than we will ever know. If you watch the news daily, chances are that you are filled with emotions that are flooding your cup. So I’ve asked myself as an editor - what can I do to help not just my readers, but myself to feel more at ease. To me it’s been important to say a prayer, to laugh, to give to the ones that are not expecting, and to be a little extra generous. I’ve asked many people how they feel about the future, and they have shared their answers and their wisdom, which you will find among our articles in this issue. While I may not be able to change the world, I may be able to make one person view things from a more optimistic perspective...maybe even myself. That is my hope. So cheers to less than two months of 2020! We hope this issue will fill your heart.

Amina Touray

Nov 2020

Photo: Aadil

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Amjed & The Greenroom

Written by Mia Nicole Photography by Amina Touray

t has been said that “A sacrifice isn’t sacrificed unless it is a sacrifice.” When Awad & Maha Osman left their home in Saudi Arabia with its rich, diverse culture, and traveled almost seven thousand miles to the second most populated city in the Midwest, Columbus, Ohio – they made the ultimate sacrifice; they were determined to give their three sons a different life. And as their middle son Amjed watched his hard-working parents do what they had to do to support their family - Mr. & Mrs. Osman, unknowingly planted seeds of selflessness in their son, causing him to become the altruistic man that he is today. Amjed Osman aka “Jed” is a very busy young man. He is the Executive Producer and Head of Ops for the show Inside the Green Room with Danny Green – hosted by NBA Star Danny Green, from the Los Angeles Lakers, a videographer, photographer, speaker, writer, and content creator. As a storyteller, you can hear the pride in Jed’s voice as he shares his family’s journey to America with their life savings of only four thousand dollars. “My parents were two folks living in Sudan, in North East Africa and both of them were working class individuals just doing what they can to try to make it,” Jed says. “My mom and dad had both only made it to high school. My mom had some certifications in English, but neither one of them really studied English extensively. My dad was working for an insurance company in Sudan when he ended up meeting my mother to backfill his position and he ended up falling in love with her. They moved to Saudi Arabia, where my brothers and I were born. For ten years straight, my dad had been applying for the U.S. Diversity Visa, they call it, “The Lottery” and that gives you access to a green card, a permanent resident card which allows you to come to the United States. When he finally

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applied in my mom’s name – her name was the lucky one and she ended up being selected to bring her family to the United States. We moved to the U.S. nine days before September 11th.” Amjed said that when they arrived, “It was an extreme culture shock. We ended up living in Columbus, Ohio, which as you can imagine is very different from Sudan, where everybody looks Black versus Saudi Arabia which is very diverse I would even say, versus coming to the Midwest and being in Ohio.” With no one in the family able to speak English, they learned it in a very unconventional way. “We are Muslim, but we found a church that had English lessons on Sunday. My mom and dad both had 4 or 5 jobs between the two of them, so they were super busy trying to put food on the table and get by. We were living with another family when we first got here. So the goal was to get out of their apartment and get into our own. There were about 10 of us living in a 2.5 bedroom apartment.” With his parents working as hard as they did, they were on their way to building their own American dream. One very important aspect of that American dream was making sure that their children had an education. The first in his family to go to college, Jed planned to study mechanical engineering. “I was focused on STEM education. I had a pretty extensive upbringing in high school where I was learning about science, technology, engineering, and math. I was traveling across the coun10

try, competing in competitions and going to middle schools, elementary schools, and high schools, teaching students about engineering; how to build robots, and get the students excited about those careers.” After applying and getting accepted to eight different universities across the country, Jed chose Ohio State. He had the privilege of being a part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which gave him access to $500,000 of education as well as resources like mentorship and guidance to be successful. “That was the key to my ability to have freedom in school and focus on the things I cared about, instead of spending time working and trying to make ends meet so I could get through schooling,” Jed said. Instead of becoming a mechanical engineer, Jed decided to study finance. And after graduating from college – he was the first in his family to have done so; Jed started working with some of the largest tech firms in the world on Wall Street. And he was also the first in his family to work in Corporate America. However, Jed began to “dabble in the creative space” because of his father. “He loved technology and he loved a camera and things like that,” Jed said. “So I picked up a lot of his cameras and started to shoot using them. His camera wasn’t anything complicated because we didn’t have a lot of money, so they were just good enough so I could use them to capture content. I taught myself everything I needed to learn on experience, YouTube, and reading articles.” Jed also

“There were about 10 of us living in a 2.5 bedroom apartment”

began shooting with other creative’s, learning from them. While Jed gained a plethora of skills including writing and shooting videos, it was his innovative thinking and skills that allowed him to evolve within the creative world. Life took an unexpected yet exciting turn when Jed had the pleasure of meeting Danny Green of the Los Angeles Lakers through a mutual friend. “One of my friends, Harrison Sanford, who I met while I was still at Ohio State through a mutual friend, grew up in a neighboring area with Danny; they have a mutual friend, so the two of them were friends growing up. Harrison and I quickly became friends and would hang out and learned that we both were hoping to make an impact on the world. As he went on to become a successful journalist, he end-

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“We really do everything we can to try to use our platform to tackle the most important issues”

ed up getting laid off. Eventually, he got in touch with me with this idea to put together a private podcast with a guy named Danny. I asked about the point of the show, which was that we were basically giving Danny an opportunity to develop some of his interest in working in sports and entertainment after his career. And then from there, we were able to put our heads together and put our ideas together. Right before we launched the pilot show, Danny got traded alongside Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs in a pretty shocking trade, to Toronto. So we decided instead of launching the pilot that we would launch episode 1 - episode 1 went viral and we never looked back from there.” Jed’s brilliance led him to become an executive producer - which means finding good ideas and getting them funded. “I help people bring ideas to life,” Jed says. “That is kind of my area of expertise. But, I also run the business side for Inside the Green 12

asked him to put together a video to talk about being an agent of change. “I talked about creating a community, making a difference on your own, as well as following your passion but also creating something when you don’t see that an opportunity exists. I feel very lucky to have Jed remembers one of the the platform and the knowmost important episodes how to be able to do what I they have done recently, was do.” with CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers. “We were Amjed Osman, for his age, he talking about what it means is only twenty-six years old, to defund the police, how to has done it all. And he owes it make an impact in the world all to his parents. He says, “My today, and still maintain and parents’ sacrifice to leave live your own life,” Jed ex- behind their families remains plains. “How to go out and one of the key motivating make a difference later on factors in my life. My parents in November outside of just gave up everything to come voting but speaking up for to the United States. I loved issues that matter like vot- the fact that they sacrificed er suppression. We really do everything for me and my everything we can to try to brothers and we appreciate use our platform to tackle the them for it. I feel truly gratemost important issues; us ful that I have folks in my life doing that is something that that were willing to do whatis directly in line with what ever they could to make sure I care about personally.” A that my brothers and I had kindhearted and giving per- the best life possible. I feel son, Jed loves working and really humbled that now I get inspiring the youth. “I mentor to live a much better life than younger people in different I ever had because they took ways. One way is the stu- that risk. I aspire to give them dents who get in touch with the life that they deserve for me who are looking to pivot what they have done for me. I in their career or looking to also see it’s a responsibility of get into a new career. The my own to show my commusecond way is through writ- nity back home in Sudan that ing and telling my own story. anything is possible.” The third way is through empowering by using the plat- Everyone around the world form that we have created needs to remember the with Danny and Harrison to name, Amjed Osman. There tackle issues that are import- were many people in his life ant.” Whether it’s through Ju- who also have sacrificed nior Achievement or his high their time and energy to help school, volunteering is Jed’s Jed become who he is today. way of giving back and he Friends and family mean a welcomes it. Recently, his lot to Jed. He says, “I feel like high school STEM teacher I am truly grateful to have Room with Danny Green and for my own media ventures. And because of those opportunities, I get to have my hands in a bunch of different places and learn about different avenues. People ‘hire me’ to do a lot of different things.”

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some really amazing women who have invested in my life and my experience outside of my mother. Like Dr. Brown who was my advisor for the STEM Club that I was a part of in high school. She allowed me to be in a position of leadership within the STEM Club so I could build those skills and impact other folks and worked tirelessly to make sure I and my other teammates had access to the resources that we needed to go to college. And my neighbor Esther and my Godmother Jeannie who were there for me and both of those two women were White and stepped up to help support my family and me.” While Jed can and has done it all, one thing that he cannot do is become the President of the United States. “I wanted to be the first Black President until I learned you had to be born in America,” he laughs. He might not be able to become the leader of the free world, but he definitely is a leader to those that admire and know him. Whether he is producing a sports show, shooting a video, or giving a speech, Amjed Osman is a force to be reckoned with and he continues to make his parents, who sacrificed everything for him, proud because he came to America and truly made a difference.

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Photo: Emre Can

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Janel Styles

Written & photographed by Amina Touray Makeup by Niehla O Wardrobe @Pr_Solo Designer Sophia Nubes

For the past six years, Jamaica-born Janel Laws have been styling a broad clientele of people, everything from celebrities to writers and people that need a fashion boost for date nights and events.

t the age of 17, Janel moved to Los Angeles with her sister to begin a new life. It was a dream coming true for Janel. Fashion was something she had fallen in love with at an early age. After moving to The U.S, she honed her skills at the Fashion Institute at Los Angeles Trade Tech. - “My first love was to pursue a career as a high fashion model, but I was always drawn to styling,” Janel says. Trustworthy Magazine: So what inspired you to become a stylist? Janel Laws: Growing up In Jamaican as a young girl I admired people! They are so fashionable, they always dress up even if they’re in the house, or going to the store to grab groceries. It inspired me! The culture is inspiring - people always show liveliness and love for each other. Jamaica is a poor country but people always find a way to show happiness. It’s always non stop partying, we always link up with each other to just have fun. I’ve always admired the people and girls my age showing off their own style and

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I love to make women feel powerful “

fashion. They will make their own clothing with a simple sewing machine. We would buy the material and make the latest fashion. I remember my mom always got mad at me because I liked to be the one in the group that looked the best, wearing the latest trend. So I always asked for money to buy material to make clothes. I was a big lover of color, so my fashion always stood out. I feel like you can get inspired by anything really! My kids inspire me...especially my six years old daughter. She fights with me every single day about fashion, and I find it so amazing to see how she understands that at such a young age. But I love it! She’s learning from her mama! TM: What do you love the most about styling other people? JL: My job as a fashion stylist is to give each client what they need, to create the best vision for my client, and make them feel comfortable and confident in what they wear. I love the fact that each client has a different body type and skin tone, so I know what will work for them. Throughout the years of styling, I’ve learned so much and experienced so many different aspects of fashion. This to me is so powerful and it brings out my happiness and peace. I’m inspired every day with each client and my experience through my journey. No one is perfect but I can say I am a perfectionist when it comes to my work. I always go above and beyond for my clients. I work hard to make sure that each client can express themselves and dress in ways that not only compliment their body shape and skin tone but more importantly their

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“

Getting the opportunity to come to America was a dream come true.”

personality and lifestyle. One of the greatest feelings is seeing my client step out looking fabulous. I love to make women feel powerful and just look fabulous. That’s the best feeling for me!

JL: It’s hard to choose because it all depends on the season and trends. I like to focus on quality pieces! And I also like styles that catch my eyes and attention right away! Different styles come on different occasions. I love me a piece of vintage clothing. Vintage clothing is all about the old, classy looks. I’m someone who likes to stay ahead of upcoming trends. What I enjoy most is a combination of elegant and trendy, because as a stylist you have to always refresh your wardrobe. I am currently into a few designers that inspired me, such as; Balmain and Kenneth Ize!

TM: Describe the process you go through when you style someone ?

TM: What have you learned throughout your career?

JL: I think you should have a good team, that way we can have the right approach to ideas. I find it very important to have some knowledge of your client’s needs. I research my client, just to get ideas of style and personality. I start by communicating through email or a phone call, and also a quick meeting to find out what services my client needs. In the process of meeting my client, we would go through a mood board to identify how many looks and styles we’re going with. It’s always important to keep the goal in mind for each client. After discussing ideas with clients I set up appointments with showrooms to pull clothes that work best for my clients. Keep in mind each showroom carries different brands, so it’s important to go to a showroom that best fit your client. Again each client has a different body shape and skin tone so it’s very important to pay attention to details during pulling.

JL: Wow, I love this question! I have come a long way from no experience to being a professional. I can proudly say I know my job. I paid my dues, and I’ve learned so much through my journey, but there is always room to grow. My journey as a stylist has been rough. It’s not as easy as it looks, and I’m still not where I would like to be. I worked very hard to get to where I am today. I started from the bottom. When I started I had zero experience. I knew no one and knew nothing about the inside business. I was very shy but hard working. I get discouraged at times, but never give up. During my years in college, I interned at showrooms where I got to meet experienced stylists! I’ve always believed in dedication, so I would constantly ask questions until I got a chance to assist a stylist, to shoot on set for an editorial shoot. I was juggling with school & interning with different stylists, and at the same time taking care of my kids, building my portfolio, and graduating from Los Angeles Trade Tech to get the knowledge and background about the business. Growing up, having a rough childhood, and coming from a poor country, and getting the opportunity to come to America was a dream come true but I know that my philosophy is to do what is right, which is to first get an education. So I went to pursue a fashion merchandis-

TM: Who is your typical client? JL: All my clients are different and I love that about them. Each person gives me different vibes and experiences. I’ve worked with clients from all walks of life including musicians, actresses, actor producers, models, young adults, and influencers. 18

TM: What’s your favorite style and why?

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For more info, visit Superpowercoaching.org

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I have learned to never give up and to not take no for an answer.”

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Photo: Victor Freitas=

ing, to get the knowledge and also backup for my future and my kids. I wanted to have a degree for a backup and then really get deep into my fashion. After a certain time of development, I graduated from college and started to reach out to photographers to test shoot. I’ve learned so much until I feel comfortable enough to start working to build myself. I have learned to never give up and to not take no for an answer. Keep thriving until better days come. I’m a very strong individual who’s dedicated and passionate about my work. I prayed every single day to God to open up a door for me and place me in the right hands with the right people to establish my career! I have always wanted to become the best at what I do. I feel very privileged with the people I work with and have the opportunity to be my own brand and represent myself! I will leave you with this good saying I’ve learned in a class - “there is really no right or wrong when it comes to fashion and individual style”. My job as a stylist is so much fun. The passion I have will never change. I live for it. That will never change. One Love People! Blessed until we meet again!

Magical Sedona

Written by Amina Touray

hat is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Sedona? To me, it is the red rocks and vortex. I had been wanting to go for many years, but it had never felt more needed than the time that we left, a few months ago. Sedona was a healing trip and a time to sit back, reflect, hike, and enjoy long breakfasts at Creekside Coffee & Bakery, with the phone on flight mode. How often do you detox from technology? That is something that I had to ask myself. Being an 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child from Sweden, I did not grow up with a cell phone. I was always out, running barefoot on the grass, diving into lakes to pick up rocks at the bottom, and picking berries in the woods. My background is the foundation of my belief in taking a break now and then and ground yourself in nature. Sedona is a breathtaking, beautiful city. Everywhere that I looked reminded me of something out of a postcard or a photo taken out from National Geographic. And there I was, in the middle of it all! One of my missions was to understand what a vortex is since that is what Sedona is known for. People in the small city were friendly and helpful,

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with an optimistic outlook on life. We asked different locals about what a vortex is. We got answers such as - “it’s a center of energy”, and - “it has something to do with magnetism”. I felt warm energy and at peace while being there. We visited the petroglyphs by the Honanki Heritage Site. And I must say, there is something so profound about visiting an ancient sight like that and imagining yourself way back to a time so far away from today’s reality. We watched the sunset in the mountains and stargazed at night. It was certainly a trip I hope to do again in the future. When I think of Sedona now, I think of magic and about the people there. It’s something with their positive manners that truly captured my heart. Maybe their energies are transmitted from the red rocks….

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Photo: Pixabay

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Jeffrey Segal Written & photographed by Amina Touray

hen you step into Mystic Journey’s bookstore and crystal gallery on Main Street in Santa Monica, California, you enter a world where energies from hundreds of crystal stones vibrate harmoniously along with the rhythm of your soul. Walking along the different shelves with crystals is a therapy session itself. On the walls, you will find photos of the store owner and founder Jeffrey Segal, who’s traveled around the world to find the most amazing stones. - “Our mission statement for the gallery is about putting large stones into people’s homes and public places so that they can experience the energy.” Jeffrey says, as we look around and are enchanted by the beauty that we’re surrounded by. Jeffrey had a completely different career before deciding to follow a path that consisted of his lifelong passion for crystal stones, books, and travels. It was a serious illness that eventually led him to open his crystal gallery, yoga studio, and bookstore - I spent

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really started to shape my life and my value systems, and let me know there are other things beyond just the physical.â&#x20AC;?

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my whole life in school and then I became a lawyer. I worked at the same firm for almost 30 years, and for 20 of those years, I really didn’t like it. In fact, I would go as far as to say I hated it. I hated it so much that I made myself sick. I got cancer. It was cancer that finally drove me out of the law. Well, another way to put it is that it finally woke me up! Another interesting way to put it is that first I had surgery and they thought they had it, and I went back. But then there was a test and they discovered that something was still wrong. He states. But it wasn’t until the second time that Jeffrey was tested for cancer that he knew that he had to do something different in order for things to change. - It actually took me two wacks to realize that I needed to do something. When it came around the second time, they said - “you need chemo” and I said “no”. I didn’t want to do the chemo. So I went through a different approach to healing, where I put together a team of healers. I had a bodyworker, an acupuncturist, an energy worker who used crystals, and some crystal healing. It was a whole team of people who guided me through. They had found an abnormality in my lymph node, and that’s when they told me that I needed chemo. My best friend is a doctor. He’s not an oncologist, but an internist, and he was really against it. So we made a deal, and he’s like - “well you try your fufu crystal stuff for 90 days, and we’ll test again and then I will see it”. So I did that, and I tested again in 90 days, in which the abnormality had shrunk 50%. So I asked if I could get another 90 days, and he said okay. At the end of the next 90 days, the abnormality was gone. I’ve had nothing since then, and that was 20 years ago. Jeffrey says. The holistic approach that he decided to take on, to cure himself of cancer, rooted in his past spiritual encountering. - It’s part of how this Mystic journey, in general, came about. He says as he ex-

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plains further details about his spiritual journey. - I had been on what you might call a spiritual path since the mid-’80s, and by that, I mean that I was presented with some esoteric training by an order, and it really started to shape my life and my value systems, and let me know there are other things beyond just the physical. I had some experiences already with some of what you would call metaphysical things. So that was already set into me. Then on top of that, as soon as that came up, it was just like an innate response. - “No, I don’t want to do chemo, that’s not right for me”. So it was really for one of those moments of following my intuition. In my view, there are no coincidences. After making a phone call to a friend of his, things started to go to fruition. - So I called this woman who was a very close friend of mine at the time and explained what was going on and I wanted to do this, and she was like - “as a matter of fact, I was just introduced to this energy worker yesterday”. So I contacted her, and she became one of the workers on my team, and who I’ve actually stayed in contact with since then. It was all synchronistic and an alignment. As I went through the process the second time, I was like - “ okay, I need to leave the law”. There was actually a time before... and the reason I say that I gave myself cancer was because I remember roughly a year before, I was in my condo, lying on the floor, and I remember saying to myself - “if I don’t get out of law soon, I’ll be sick”, and sure enough - boom! After determining that I’m really going to get out, it was a matter of what do I do now? And I think so many people if they’re presented with “I can do anything in my life. What am I going to do?”, it’s not the easiest question to answer. It’s not like I won the lotto. I mean in the end, I won the health lotto. But in terms of continuing to live in the lifestyle, I wanted all these things, and to be happy, I had to figure out what I wanted to do. I was willing to change my lifestyle to some degree but it wasn’t the driving force. I just had to figure out what Trustworthy Magazine

I wanted to do, and ultimately it came down to what am I passionate about? What is my passion? And that takes me back to that it was my spiritual path. Jeffrey takes me on a trip down his memory lane and asks how long I’ve lived in LA. - For nine years, I respond. Jeffrey adds - There used to be a bookstore that was very famous called Bodhi Tree bookstore. Bodhi Tree had been in LA since the 70s or maybe earlier. It became very famous through Shirley MacLaine. It was in a different part of the city. Bodhi Tree closed in 2012, after 40 years. He continues - My other passion is traveling, so I was deciding between being a travel agent or opening the bookstore. Those were my two passions: my spiritual path and my travel. I decided that being a traveling agent is hard to create a full livable income on. So I decided to do the bookstore. I stayed in law over security issues. I had golden handcuffs. I opened in October of ‘08, the moment of the crash. So it was about taking risks. I didn’t even give any thought to if this is not the right time. This presented itself, it was happening and in the end, it was a good thing because October of ‘08 and in ‘09 was a time of need for everybody. It was a really challenging time like we’re in now. I was never willing to take risks. I stayed, and was unwilling to take risks. Starting the bookstore and stepping out of law was the first time that I really took a risk. Sometimes we have to go through hardships to grow and realize our true calls in life. Some struggles and failures are a blessing in disguise, and things fall apart so that everything else can align. That was the case for Jeffrey. - For me, some of the greatest things in my life have come out of my greatest challenges, whether it’s cancer, leading to the bookstore. When I finished law school, I failed the bar exam which is not a great experience, but I had been given a card for the spiritual organization while I was in law school, and I had put it away and I pulled it out after I failed the bar exam. Like I need some help, and that changed my whole life! So I’m so blessed to have failed the bar exam because otherwise I never would have called that organization. To me challenges are opportunities. People can take it as - “I can’t overcome it or I’m a 30

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victim”, or you can face it, however, it’s how you respond to the challenges that shape one’s life. Stones were something that Jeffrey was drawn to from an early age, which explains the majestic crystals that you can find in his store in Santa Monica. - I don’t know how much you’re into astrology, but I’m a triple Capricorn, which is very earthy, and my law career was all about pollution in the ground - more earth! So undoubtedly, I have some affinity for the earth and the stones. We put some crystals in the bookstore when we first opened, and it evolved organically both from my own interest and our clientele’s interest. We always hear about the energy of crystals, and when I ask Jeffrey how they were used in his treatment, he explains how his body responded to the crystals, which is pretty fascinating! - My energy worker used a crystal wand. But being a triple Capricorn, I’m not the most sensitive person to energetic things, because the earth is very dense. But when she used this wand on me, she was making my body vibrate. Her, the universe, and with the use of the crystal. My spiritual path began when I was 13 years old and I was with a friend. We used an ouija board. We would each have one finger on it and this thing would zip around sentences or paragraphs. I mean it would even tell us jokes… To some people, that may have been a scary experience, but to Jeffrey, it was an encounter that changed his life and led him onto a path, which eventually saved him. - So this is getting a little further out...we set up some things where I agreed to let it be in my body and go places with it. I was comfortable with that, we even saw it once...I feel as I’ve lived a blessed life. We all have our challenges, but I’ve really lived a blessed life. The experience with the ouija board was the start of my spiritual path. I didn’t consciously seek it out. This was in junior high school in Brentwood. My friend was in town for one year, so we did this for a limited period, and then really after that, I didn’t have much spiritual experience for many many years. Even today, sometimes I can watch TV shows if

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there is life after death. Well, I’ve had this experience that it’s easy for me to want to say I don’t know. How do you know if there’s life after death? I went from being around a bunch of lawyers to living with psychics at my bookstore that talks to angels and dead people. Crystal healing, or energy work as it’s also called, impacts everyone differently. Everything must align. While some crystals will work on one person, it may not work on another. It’s all part of a journey. - I don’t want someone to walk in here who has cancer and have them say - “tell me the answer, how do I do this without traditional Western medicine”, because somebody can do exactly what I did and it has no effect. Everything needs to be syncretistic for it to work. It needs to be a combination of the patient, the healer, and the crystals that are used, the mentality... all of this stuff has to come together. I believe that some people are psychic and they can tune into certain things and whether it’s connected with the past or connect to the future or connect with some energy that’s passed on, they’re able to do it, but everything has to be in alignment for it to be accurate. So I believe that different crystals can be used for different things. But how they impact the individual in any given moment will vary depending on all of the circumstances. He says. A lot of the crystal stones that you can find inside Mystic Journey’s bookstore have been handpicked by Jeffrey himself. He’s traveled around the world and been part of the process of mining. There is a joy in his eyes, as he passionately speaks about the different stones. - Amethyst and Citrine are almost exclusively from South America, and either Brazil and Uruguay. Those are where almost all of it comes from. The clearer white quartz tends to be more

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all over the world. You can find some in Arkansas. They have some really fine mines there. You can find it from Africa and there are plenty in Brazil as well. So it’s more dispersed. There are other stones such as Labradorite, which is a stone that I just love to death! It has an interior glow to it as you walk by. I’ll show you some pieces. We walk around the gallery, and Jeffery shows me a Labradorite whose beauty fascinates me - It’s from Madagascar! He says, as I continue to admire the precious stone. My curiosity grows for what Labradorite is good for, and Jeffrey explains it pretty simply - Labradorite can help you with your psychic and magical abilities. Things that are on a different, non-physical level. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to start going around the world to the places where these come from and work with the people who mine, and the people who get them in the workshops to create them. Building and maintaining relationships with people that are in the mining industry has been essential for Jeffrey’s travels around the world, as he’s brought back stones to California. - This goes back to my senior partner at my Law Firm who said everything in businesses is about personal relationships. Jeffrey explains. He continues The biggest gem show in the world is in Tucson, Arizona. People from all over the world come down, and it’s there for two weeks all over the city. The Tucson gem show has like 40 convention centers. They’re all over the city and I go every year. I’ve developed personal relationships because I’m very loyal, so I’m not going to shift who I buy from for a buck. I’ll pay a little more to develop the relationship. Eventually, I’ll get some great deals anyway, but it’s allowed me to meet these people and then they’ll take me around. They bring me to their home. I’ve spent Mother’s Day and other holidays with people. It’s really about developing that personal touch! Trustworthy Magazine

While we’re living in a time of change, there is nothing we need more now than hope and faith. Mystic Journey is not just a bookstore and gallery, but a community, where people unite and come to water their spirituality. Jeffrey remains encouraged about the future. - I think things are in transition. Mystic Journey has been around for over a decade now, and it’s well known and it’s going to continue to grow, thrive, evolve, and help people. It would certainly be lovely to do more and expand and have other locations, but we’ll see how that unfolds. And we finish our conversation with one question that I’ve been asking a lot of people, which is to describe with one word how they feel about the future. Jeffrey’s response is positive and simple - Optimistic! He says, with a smile. To learn more, visit: www.mysticjourneyla.com/

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GROW

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Influencing THE

Next Generation With Miss Gardena USA

Interview and photography by Amina Touray

Written by Tina Bergqvist

odel and founder of the non-profit organization Afit Models Dance Movement, Jhaza Amari, has a mission! That mission is to get her voice heard, as well as making an impact on the next generation. Through her organization she encourages children and adults to make their voices heard and to express themselves artistically. Trustworthy Magazine: You’re the founder of the non-profit organization Afit Models. What inspired you to start it and what is your mission? Jhaza Amari: I’m the CEO of Afit Models Dance Movement. The organization is a mentor organization for boys, girls, and adults where we have a focus on anti-bullying, sexual assault, and other things that are big issues of today. I’m a child care provider, so I’m always surrounded by kids, families, foster care children that are being abused. I watch a wide range of children. My purpose and my mission are to allow the kids to be expressive and know that they have a voice as well. I’m currently a student as well. I’ll be getting my associate’s degree in dance education. A fit model is a person used by a fashion designer or clothing manufacturer to check the fit, drape, and visual presentation of the garment.They act as a live mannequin. There are girls that are 5’6-5’7 ft tall, for example, Victoria’s Secret Kate Moss, she was a fit model before she became a runway model, and she’s 5’7 ft. So the stigma on the height is that you need to be 5’10 or 5’11 ft tall. Now me personally, I have a long torso and long legs and if I put on heels, I can create the illusion. But just by barefoot, I’m 5 7. The reason I created Afit Models, is because if you look at the girls that are on the runway today, they’re not so healthy, they’re malnourished… TM: I love that and I love how you’re including anyone that has the heart for it. And you focus on art. What kind of art? JA: Yes, I play a little bit of piano, I’ve had music lessons, I also hire instructors.

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We focus on music, modeling, runway posing, we run over different styles in modeling such as commercial, high fashion, acting, dance. My degree is in dance, so a lot of times they focus on the stem program like bio, science or whatever that is, but what really makes me happy is art. I’ve worked for dance companies, 24 Hour Fitness, other fitness companies. And I’m on the journey to completing my associates degree in dance education. My goal is to apply it to my 501c3 non-profit organization, Afit Models Dance Movement. So donations are going towards clothes, and the soap that the girls can actually model. When they get on the runway, they have something to model, they have a creative space TM: How has this year been for you? A lot of things have happened to all of us, but have you come up with any positive insights? JA: The positive insights that I’ve come across during Covid are really getting grounded and allow me to take the time to sit down as a student, CEO, dancer, and model. Sometimes we just get caught in the go-go-go with all of these different jobs and career choices. We don’t really sit still. So being able to sit still and be with myself often, I’m able to allow my creative juices to flow more. I’m able to focus on my business, I’m able to focus on my schoolwork and a lot of self care. I bought myself a facial steamer and it’s so amazing! I use it once a week. I go into 40

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my bathroom, put a face mask on, take it off and just have the steamer on for about ten minutes, and then I’m ready for bed (laughs). TM: That actually leads me to another question - Spiritually and for self care. What do you do for yourself to keep motivated, to stay strong?

Being able to sit still and be with myself often, I’m able to allow my creative juices to flow more.”

JA: Well, I was raised by a very loving mother, and stepfather. What is awesome is that I had a grandmother who prayed like crazy! We grew up in an apostolic church. I’ve always been a church girl. However, as I’ve grown older, I became really inclusive. One of the things with Afit if you break down the acronyms A is for “assertive”, F is for “feminine”, I is for “inclusive” and T is for “technique”. So that’s what Afit stands for. I’ve been really inclusive and just in general with a lot of things that I do, I feel like that has helped me along the way with my products. I sell natural products like black soap, but I use that as my skin regimen. TM: Oh, you’re selling that? Where? JA: I have a wholesale distributor, and I always buy a lot of black soap, African clothes, African bags, etc. TM: Where can I get it? JA: On my website www.afitmodels.com. The models that I have, they model that stuff. I try to give them something to actively model clothes, soap, bags. TM: That is awesome! So currently you’re preparing to compete as Miss California, USA. How does that feel and what are you most excited about? JA: Oh, that’s a really good question! Well competing at the Miss California USA competition, will be my second time. It’s funny because in my modeling career I was never a competition pageant girl. The difference between pageantry versus modeling is pageantry is more about the model. Fashion models are more about the clothes, jewelry and what you’re selling. So with pageantry, I’m really excited to bring you closer to who I am, focus on the world topics, to things that are going on in the community, and in the world today. We also focus on bio questions. So it’s more about a soul searching thing and on the way to progress. That’s what I’m really excited for, just the whole process and how things are coming together. Without a crown I know who I am and my biggest competition is myself.

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TM: You mentioned that this is your second time in a pageant. So I’m curious since this is your second time and because of Covid, a lot of things are online now. So from your experience, how is it different this second time from the first time?

the constructs set by society have the power to weigh us down, if we let it.

JA: It’s different not only because it is online, but now the company is bought by a new owner. So it changed the pageant system from when I competed in 2016 versus 2020. We are arriving in a limo this time around, in addition to staying in a hotel. Everything is virtual now such as meetings, participant activities, and more. Although there is change, I am able to adapt and still have fun.

TM: Whether you win this or not, it’s still a very big deal just to be part of this. So I’m curious, what impact do you hope to make on the younger generation? JA: I hope to make an impact with body image. I think that our generation is something that is important because we lack a lot not only 101 communication, we’re always on our phones and looking down when we’re walking. How we see, feel, and think about ourselves is important because the constructs set by society have the power to weigh us down, if we let it. So body image is definitely something that I’m going to be targeting with this younger generation, and it’s really through my business, it’s through being relatable. When I go into the pageant, I’m not wearing a wig or fake long nails. I’m going in with my ‘fro. I go in with my talent. I’m a girl who grew up in church, so my spiritually is one of the things that’s going to keep me grounded. Knowing that I am my biggest competition from how I competed in 2016 vs now. That’s really what I’m going in with, and that’s the impact that I plan to make on this generation. TM: How do you feel when you think about the future? JA: You have to be intentional about where you are going so that you are not stuck. My mother had me at a young age, so when I was born she said that I was talking. As I got older, I began to discover my voice. I feel like the future involves using our voices and going back into ancestry. In general, being black limits opportunities, especially being a black woman. It is time to reclaim our time. We didn’t have rights to vote or work, so just as a whole coming together as a community, I feel like the generation is to use our voice and follow our intuition. Follow @Supermodeljhaza to stay up to date

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NIEHLA Makeup Hummus &

Life Lessons

Written & photographed by Amina Touray Photo assistant Moses Dalton Makeup by Niehla O Styled by Janel Styles

Our cover star Niehla Ollie talks about trends, food, and the things she’s learned at 45.

recently came across a quote that read - “Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark”. With this year being tough and challenging for so many people around the world, it’s important to hold onto the people that feed your soul. Niehla Ollie is not just a phenomenal celebrity makeup artist and entrepreneur with her hummus brand, but she is just that light that shines so bright into people’s hearts. Maybe that is the secret to why she’s been so successful for all these years. Many of us have reflected and reevaluated our lives, so I was curious to sit down with my good old friend and hear about what she has come to terms with at the age of 45. Trustworthy Magazine: You’ve had a career as a makeup artist for over 20 years, how has that journey been for you? Niehla Ollie: It’s been a wonderful journey. It has taught me a lot about myself and taught me a lot about people because as a makeup artist, you have to be a people person. You have to be able to read your client, figure out what their needs are, and to be able to meet their needs. You have to know when to be quiet because sometimes they’re not in the mood to talk. Sometimes they’re going through things. You have to care, it’s not just a job, it is something special. TM: What has kept you in the industry and what is it that you’re so passionate about? NO: It’s the relationships that I’ve built with my clients. When I see them again, finding out what’s happening next with them is exciting. I’m inspired by their journeys and the things that are happening in their lives. Or being able to be a support system for them if they need that.

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Because people do go through things and as a makeup artist, especially when you have a repeat clientele, you get to a place where you know them pretty well. You know a lot about what’s going on in their families, some of their trials and tribulations or even things that they’re hoping will happen. So you’re able to encourage them and are inspired by their stories. It becomes a very personal situation. That sounds amazing, almost as an extended family. So do you have a signature style for your makeup? NO: My style is classic glamour. I always want it to be impactful, but I don’t want it to be transformational. I don’t want them to look like another person. To me, that reads that you didn’t look good enough the way you were. I want to enhance, not disguise. TM: With that said, how do you feel about contouring? Is that something you do or avoid? NO: I do it very softly because there’s a place for all of that. But I think the problem comes in when you become a “makeup plastic surgeon.” These people are real people and you want them to be recognizable. TM: You must have seen so many trends throughout the years that have come and gone. Is there any look or a product that you feel is timeless? NO: I always feel like healthy, glowing skin is timeless! I really don’t like the cake-face look that was so popular a little while ago. It was so heavy and powdery! It doesn’t look anywhere near natural. You can achieve a beautiful look, without piling tons and tons of makeup on a person. It’s a waste of money as a makeup artist for your kit. Also, if your clients are learning how to do their own makeup and they’re piling on products on their skin, they’re going to have some problems. It’s going to encourage breakouts and things like that. A lot of people don’t have the best skincare regimen, so you just have to be very careful with what you expose your clients to. And educate them when you’re working with them. You’re not doing their makeup every day, so teach them little tips and tricks. The reality is, no matter what you teach them how to do, they’re still not a makeup artist, and they’re always going to need you.

NO: My dream person would be Michelle Obama. She is such a classy woman. She’s such a gracious woman. She has amazing 48

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TM: You’ve done makeup on a lot of celebrities. Do you have a dream person, it doesn’t have to be a celebrity, that you would like to do makeup on?

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style and she is a classic beauty. I just think to be in her presence, honestly, because she doesn’t need much. Being in her presence would inspire greatness in me. There are certain people whose presence you would want to sit in, like Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey. It’s really about making that connection. Even if you connect with a person like Michelle or Oprah for an hour of your life, your life will change! I just hope that I would be able to add something amazing to them because I know being in their presence would bring something amazing to me.

Nobody is going to take care of you, you have to take care of yourself.”

TM: I know you would Niehla! You are a light when you walk into a room, so anyone getting their makeup done by you should feel honored. I want to switch topics, and transition into food, which is another thing that you’re very passionate about. You recently became a vegan. I’m curious about what inspired you to stop consuming animal products? NO: I will say this - I consider myself a pesco-vegan because occasionally I will have fish or shrimp, but I do not eat land animals and I do not consume dairy products. The reason that I decided to transition is that this lifestyle is something that I had thought about. Some of my closest friends are vegan. But the thing that made me decide to do it is when Covid came onto the scene. I knew that dairy promotes mucus in the body and inflammation. Then I started watching documentaries like What the Health, Forks over Knives, and other documentaries, just to learn more. I learned that meat products are cancer-causing, and they cause diabetes. A lot of people think that sugar and starch cause diabetes, but no, it’s a meat issue. Watching What the Health was so eye-opening. We don’t live in a society that wants to protect us from illnesses. Their biggest concern is their money. So we have to be responsible for protecting ourselves. The way that we have to do that is by our diet, watching what we consume. Nobody is going to take care of you, you have to take care of yourself. TM: You have your hummus brand, Homegirl’s Hummus. What’s so distinct about your hummus? NO: Well, I call it gourmet hummus. It doesn’t taste like any hummus that I’ve ever tasted. I am very proud of my brand and the flavors that I have been able to develop. It’s been well received by people that usually don’t like hummus. It’s an alternative, it’s not just about dipping in the product, but you can use it to cook and you can use it on the sandwiches as a spread instead of mayo. It’s a vegan product, it’s gluten-free, it’s protein-based. You can use it in so many ways! TM: That leads me to my next question because last year you organized an event where you were showing people, including myself, different

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food combinations. What are some unique foods that you have combined with your hummus? And do you have a favorite dish? NO: Yes, I enjoyed it when I made my pasta salad. It’s like a cold pasta salad with hummus and different vegetables. I call it a summer pasta salad because it’s not hot, it’s cold. You can take it out to different events. Now we’re in Covid so there’s not a lot of concerts and things going on. But let’s say you’re going to a drive-in movie and you want really good food. Here’s a great way to pack up something that’s not a sandwich per se, but you pack up some really tasty, easy on the go, and create that for yourself and whoever you’re with. You can also put grilled fish or chicken on it. It’s a really nice alternative. Where can people get your hummus? NO: My hummus company is on hiatus because I’m taking care of some administrative and transitional things. But I will be back running and defi-

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nitely, we’re going to get into shipping. We are going to get into some stores. I want people to be able to go to their favorite neighborhood health food store and grab it. It’s more of a boutique brand, so I’m not going to say a major grocery chain. Maybe one day, who knows. But to me, it’s a boutique brand, and that is what I would like to keep it as. It’s very special and you can’t find it everywhere.

You have to figure out how you’re going to leave a mark on this planet

TM: Well, keep us posted, please! Let’s transition from food to turning 45! What are some life lessons that you have learned that you want to share with our readers? NO: The older you get, the more you realize that the world is your oyster. But it’s not all about you. I think that we are all trying to find our place and purpose in this world and that’s a huge feat. You can be significant and affect change. You can be selfless AND impactful. You have to figure out how you’re going to leave a mark on this planet, and how you are going to leave it better than you found it. TM: Is there anything that you worried about in your early 20s and 30s that you feel at ease with now? NO: I think we were all worried about what people thought, at some point in life. Then you get to a point in your life where you could care less about other people and their opinions about things that don’t even matter. Sometimes you’re so worried about your parents and disappointing them and what they think, and all of that, but it’s like they had to make their way in the world and figure it out for themselves as well. So it’s really just about making mistakes and still, land on your feet! TM: What does purpose mean to you? Have you found yours? NO: I think that you can serve multiple purposes at different times in your life. Just like some people are like, - ”oh, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. I always knew I wanted to do this, I always knew I wanted to do that”, and then there are some people who are just like -” this year I want to be a psychiatrist. In 20 years maybe I want to be a firefighter”. To some people that is like wanting to have it all. And the reality and the blessing is, you CAN have it all, you just can’t have it all at the same time. It takes time for you to grow and to build a skill set to make yourself a valuable commodity. You don’t want to just do something just to be doing it. You want to do something and be good at it, right? You have to give yourself time to cultivate your skillset and be really good at it and make that contribution!

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Photo: Marina Hinic

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Tale For Esther

Taleforesther.com Designer: Kristine Amarillo Photographer: Amina Touray Model in white: Beatriz Herman Model in black: Amanda Benham

Nov 2020

Photo: Eberhard Grossgasteiger

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Photo: Eberhard Grossgasteiger

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Photo: Eberhard Grossgasteiger

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Fly Away

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ERIC BANFORD Written & photographed by Amina Touray

We had the opportunity to meet and chat with recent pilot graduate Eric Banford, to talk about his favorite places in the world, how he views current events, how it’s affecting him, and how he feels about the future.

Trustworthy Magazine: Current events are forcing everybody in different directions. Everybody’s different, so those directions are different. You are a pilot! How do you view and deal with the current situation? Eric Banford: With the current events I just take it day by day. I don’t know where I’m going to end up at. As a pilot, I have the opportunity to travel the world, work internationally, and domestically. My options are open. My whole world is open, open to trying new things, moving new places. There are multiple fields in aviation, so I don’t feel limited in such a confined career field. I’m excited to find out what’s coming next. I don’t know what’s coming next. It’s like you get on a plane. Life is my plane. I don’t know where it’ll take me, just take me to a good spot. In this field there is always a good spot, always somewhere to go, something to do, meet great people. The most important thing to me is to create memories along the way. I’m excited to see what’s next, but I don’t look too hard at what’s coming next. TM: Do you have a dream destination to travel to? EB: I would like to explore more of Australia. I think it’s one of my favorite places. Their culture is similar to ours but different. So I want to experience more of it. I want to meet more people! TM: One of the things that I enjoy when traveling is food. Out of the places that you’ve traveled to, do you have a favorite food place?

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EB: My favorite place is so far in China. You’d have the Peking duck. It’s just different flavors of food. I went to Japan, and the food there was amazing! Anywhere I go to, I have this thing in my mind - I want to try authentic food. Whatever they have over there, it might be exotic, may not be, but I’m trying it. That’s a story for itself right there (Eric laughs). TM: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years from now? EB: In the next 10 years I see myself settled in California, or maybe somewhere else in The States and working, still traveling. TM: One of the things we’ve been trying to do in our interviews is getting an insight into how people not only are thinking about what they’re going through during the current events, but how people are dealing with it mentally, emotionally, and physically. Like, how do they stay strong and hopeful? So with that said, have you changed up your habits anything this year? EB: I feel like I’ve grown up a lot more. Going through what I’ve gone through at the school and in the world, it’s been an eyeopener. With any new experience that I encounter that I feel is rough, shapes me later on down the road. You learn as you go. I would say you first take the test and you learn the lesson. For the most part, the way you look at life, it’s all attitude. If you have a positive attitude, then you can expect something more of a positive outcome. If you have a negative attitude, then you’re keeping yourself mentally confined. I’m doing my best to be positive. You got good days and you got bad days, you’re entitled to both. TM: You’ve basically said that you have a belief about the power of optimistic thinking. It’s a little deeper than just optimism. You believe that there’s a reason to be optimistic, so I want to explore that a little more. Why should we be optimistic, just because good things happen or is 66

there some bigger reason? EB: You never know where your motivation will come from, so you got to find it from within. Whatever is going on you gotta find peace within yourself. You can’t worry about things that you can’t change. Things happen, life happens. You get knocked down, but it’s about how you come up. So you deal with it! TM: Where do you attribute that from? Is that something that you picked up along the way or something that you were groomed to? EB: I am accustomed to it. It’s something I was taught, and have tried to embrace it in me. My dad talked to me about being motivated and optimistic. At times I was down. I was negative about things but that definitely didn’t help, it got me nowhere. The only place that got me somewhere is just working hard. You can still work hard and not be successful. You can still work hard and have bad things happen. My dad used to say you’re entitled to bad days, just like you’re entitled to good days. We all got different situations. You might as well make the best of it. If you have an option why choose to be sad, why choose to be down when you can be happy. I’m not saying every day or when something bad happens that you gotta start laughing and cracking jokes and a smile on your face, but just be blessed, be grateful. All you gotta do is look around, some people don’t have it as you do. You take life as it comes at you. TM: Imagine that everybody came to you for the answer to racial relations in our country. And you were the guy to come up with an answer! What would you say to the world? EB: It’s a bad time, it’s a rough time, it really is! Both sides are butting heads, you know what I mean? You’re dealing with social injustice. You’re dealing with something that can’t be physical-

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ly fought, it’s a mental game. You know how they say if you can’t beat it, join it? You gotta play their game to make a difference. So you gotta play it smart. We need more culture in the hierarchy, the system of everything. You can get into those positions. You can’t change the way people think but you can somehow change the way things are. If you have the position to do so and get in and make a difference. It’s all about changing things from within. It’s like a battlefield, and you have all these soldiers coming out of this hut. So one by one, you’re taking each person off. Why not attack the hut in the first place? You got to attack things from within. As far as all this violence that is going on, it’s not doing anything about raising awareness. Everyone’s aware, some people aren’t aware. Change it from within, step up to a position. In my position in aviation, I’m a part of this program called OBAP - Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. I want to give back to people

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who didn’t have an opportunity. I spent most of the years of my life thinking - “How am I going to make it? How am I going to go about doing this or that?”. I want to give you some of the same opportunities. I want to walk down the street and have someone say - “Oh look at that plane”, or “I want to do this...” - “Well, here you go, kid. Here’s my card, here’s my contact, use me. Let me help you”. TM: What words of wisdom, or advice could you give to anyone wanting to get into your industry? EB: You don’t have to be a genius regardless of all the stuff that you hear. It’s okay to struggle in school. Get exposed, hang out at the airport. See people posted cards at different airports. If you’re of age, go get a job. Go refuel planes, go wash planes. You get to know people. It’s not something you just look at and wish that it will happen. If it’s a dream then chase it.

You can’t change the way people think but you can somehow change the way things are.” Vol 9

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Photo: Artem Beliaitim

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Conversations

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

My journey has been one of having to hustle, get out there, reinvent myselfâ&#x20AC;?

Nov 2020

Justi

Embree

Interview by Amina Touray & Moses Dalton Photography by Amina Touray

he best conversations that I’ve had in life have been during the most unpredictable times. Like, with the clerk behind the deli section at the grocery store, with a neighbor that is walking in the same direction as me, or in this case, after a photoshoot with hairstylist and entrepreneur Justi Embree, inside of her car, together with my second interviewer and writer Moses, during a hot summer night, with the AC on full blast, while trying to protect ourselves from getting mosquito bites. The original questions that I had about her craft as a hairstylist, had suddenly led to a deeper conversation about life. Everything from getting a degree in Psychology, to being a single mother, her views on the current events and the changes she thinks should be done to move forward. When you live in Los Angeles, it seems rare to meet people that are actual natives to this city, but now and then you may run into a few. This is Justi Embree’s story... - I’m a Los Angeles native. Justi says. - I was raised by my great-grandmother, my grandfather, and my father. We all lived in the same house. That was as a child. My great-grandmother died when I was about five years old. Things started to shift, and everybody kind of moved and did their own thing. I grew up, not necessarily privileged, but with hard-working people. My great aunt who helped raise me was a domestic worker. My father was a school teacher. I never was left home alone or anything like that. I had three meals a day. I was very well taken care of as a child.

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Trustworthy Magazine

Nov 2020

Are you the only child? I was not the only child. I have four other brothers and sisters, but my mother didn't raise me. She did some...but I mainly lived with the other side of my family. By the time that I was in my early 30s, my father, or pretty much that whole family had passed away. I have a son, and he was about 8 years old, but I pretty much had no family. I want to say that my journey has been one of having to hustle, get out there, reinvent myself. I'm a very firm believer in manifesting your life. That I have some control and power over the things that happen in my life. I started that way young. I started out pursuing the things that I wanted to pursue. I became a hairstylist. I sort of started as a child...but by the time I was 18-19, I sort of knew what I wanted to do. I went to college for a little while, then I left college and I went to cosmetology school. I finished cosmetology school even though my family didn't want me to do that. They had other plans. I don't know what they were but it involved getting degrees. I didn't do that then, but later on in life, I did go back and get my degree and that was because I wanted it. I got a degree in Psychology, which is completely unrelated. I was doing hair, I was a single mom, but I wanted to finish that. It was important because no one in my family had ever graduated from college. So I was the first generation of that. How do you feel about that? Because that is pretty much the common thread of our culture... I think it's a shame! I think that the fact that this country was built upon the backs of the laborers, which was the black man or woman and child. That we were not afforded the rights as human beings to be able to just have simple things like education based on the fact that we had to work so hard just to survive in the world, to meet the basic necessities of life. Who's thinking about going to school when you have to worry about if you have to eat or not, or if you’re going to have shelter? It takes many generations to even get to

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Oftentimes, we cut ourselves short by not Keaping faith. “

a point where literacy was even an issue because nobody cared. They were just out there trying to eat. My father went to some college, and I did see him do that. But even still, that was not even instilled in me to get a degree. As we continue conversing, Justi talks about the years she was driving for the MTA; A good and popular job because of the pension and benefits. But driving the bus was not her passion. Years before, Justi had started doing photo shoots for magazines, where she styled hair. - I had met a makeup artist, he kind of took me under his wing. He said that he needed a stylist. And actually, I thought they wanted me to pay to be in the magazine Justi laughs. He was like - “we're going to shoot at Annie Leibovitz Studio or something”, and I was like “oh my God!” you know. And he said, - “no we're going to pay you.” So I was like “wow, this is exciting”. So I met that makeup artist and I went that day. Justi brings up her faith in God and talks about how she’s used her psychology degree to help herself connect with herself on a deeper level, and how she’s used it against her fears. - Oftentimes, we cut ourselves short by not leaping faith. I quit that job. I was still doing hair at the time while working with the MTA, and I had these tear sheets because I'd been working previously with a photographer. I started doing spec tests - you know going out shootTrustworthy Magazine

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When I get to that place, then I’ve reached my higher self.”

ing with photographers, like yourself, and in a team of us. We would get together and I got more photos that way, and one of my friends said “you know, your book is ready”. But Justi did not feel ready. We continue conversing about how we as artists never feel ready and how we are our own worst critics. - I believe that you must always grow. Grow or go! There's always a greater experience to have as an artist. There is always someplace to evolve to and that's what we want. We want to become our best and it doesn't matter how good I get. It's always someplace else, it's something else to learn, it's another level to reach right. Often our times with us, I feel like that level is sort of unattainable because we keep reaching for more but the things that we start to focus on are very petty. Is it the case that we are actually the artists of our own lives? We all know that as artists, when we turn on our creativity, that it could go on forever. Is there an analogy there maybe? Do you think we take the same attitude when it comes to creating our life that we do our art? - Some people, but some people are comfortable with their lives. Some people want to retire, some people live for the day that they cannot do anything. You have got an A student, you’ve got a B student, and you’ve got a C student. Some C students are totally comfortable with being C students, and they often say that those are more well-rounded 74

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I have my private studio, and that’s really in response to Covid”

people. I think it's all a matter of perspective and how you see yourself. I always knew that I wanted to evolve into my higher self. I know that I'm not totally my higher self. We ask Justi what her highest self means to her. - I think it is a place where I become most self-accepting of myself fully. Meaning the good and the bad of me. That I don't judge myself. When I get to that place, then I've reached my higher self. While it’s a historical time that we're living in, it’s also been a time of reflection and re-learning. Many of us have re-evaluated what’s important to us. - Just before Covid started, I was operating at whatever functioning level I was functioning. There was never even thoughts about whether or not I was stressed. I was just going through life, going to the grocery store, going to work, booking appointments. Then Covid came. And the first initial response for me was to get into action. I had clients the week that the salon shut down. Many people lost their jobs during Covid. The uncertainty about the future scared Justi, but she didn’t let that discourage her. - The next day, I called my assistant and asked her to meet me at the salon. I packed up the things I thought I would need to finish out my working week, and I went home. I went to the beauty supply, and I bought everything I needed to work comfortably, and I worked at home for that week. But then that was done, and everyone started being really fearful. So I sat, and I watched Netflix, I ate a lot of candy and desserts. Which probably a lot of people can relate to, along with the “bathroom tissue syndrome” that seemed to circulate the world. - I wasn't fearful about catching Covid. I thought a lot of people were rude. When I talked to my roommate about this, I'd say these people were like that already. They just got an opportunity and excuse to

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behave this way. But to be quite honest, I enjoyed sheltering. Sheltering in for me was a time to rest because when you work for yourself, it's always something you got to be doing because you got to keep generating income. It was the first time in my life ever that I just had to sit down and couldn't go anywhere. But Covid also allowed Justi to view her business from a new perspective. - I had to sit down, I had to do inventory on how I run my business. There were some things where I had fallen short and how I run my business, handling my business, not the creative side. As a creative being, oftentimes we shy away from the business, even though we run a business we shy away from the business. As it’s getting darker outside by the seconds, our conversation with Justi continues onto the different business aspect reflections, and changes of diets we’ve had during the whole lockdown, to creating better habits and self-realizations. We continue to talk about the protests and changes that we’d like to see. - I think that the first things that I would like to see change are the things that we actually can change, and see tangible evidence of change, and that is the way that black men, women, and children are handled at the level of law enforcement. I believe that that is a realistic change that can be made. They've changed laws at the drop of a hat, you know with the chokehold, and outlawing those things. There's something to be said for levels of escalation. I think police officers should be held to a standard that should no longer be tolerated. I believe that those procedures need to be standardized across states, federally regulated. That is a hard thing to get done, but absolutely that needs to happen so that it's a protocol from state to state with a set of consequences where people don't adhere to them. I believe that could be the biggest game-changer for us, whereas people you can feel that something actually came of the protesting. Everything else is so abstract. Earlier in the day while shooting, during our chat, Justi mentioned how it’s been hard finding black hair products in the same space, which is another change she wishes to see. - I just started going to this beauty supply to buy this, and this other beauty supply to buy that because they didn't have everything in one beauty supply. If I was a white stylist, I only had to go to one place and they would have had everything because they designed it for them! I don't know that I'm angry about that, that was just my way 76

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of life. If I get hired to work on a magazine shoot, and I show up, and the art director is white, and everybody's white, and then I'm there. Then I have to behave in a way that's inauthentic on that job, to not appear threatening or not to appear Black. I have to speak a certain way. You don't do it intentionally, but you do it! And those of us who are better at assimilating in those settings are more successful. The ones that aren't are probably sitting in prison somewhere. The ones that weren’t able to be like -“yes officer” when being pulled over - he's in prison because he was like -“why do you need my driver's license? I wasn't doing anything”. That person is somewhere sitting in a jail cell. We learn how to live like that and it's a certain amount of suppressing of who you are as a human being, and when the next thing happened when George Floyd's neck was kneeled on, for eight minutes. We said that's enough! This is in plain view! While Justi is expressing the changes she wishes to see, and opens up about her experiences and views, she feels optimistic about her future as a business owner. - I've just started a website where I sell my wigs and custom pieces. It’s geared towards healthy hair care solutions. I believe that we should wear our hair any way that we want to but particularly as women of color. We have to take care of our hair too. We do a lot of things that can cause a lot of damage and can lead to hair loss. So I try to get a healthy medium between healthy hair care and also wearing popular styles and things that you like. Primarily that's what I focus on. I have my private studio, and that's really in response to Covid. Public safety is important to me, my safety is important to me, and I feel like I want to have a place where I can be ensured that I'm the one caring for it, and people are safe. I think that's the way that the world is moving right now. We're moving towards having to do a lot of self-care. And self-care is always good for business. We end our conversation with a question that I’ve asked many people this year. I ask Justi to give me her thoughts on the future. - I want to say promising. I feel like there's always light at the end of the tunnel. One of my favorite poets is Marianne Williamson. She has a poem called “Our greatest fear”, and she says in that poem that when we allow our light to shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. We have to continue to let our light shine, not to be dimmed by the evils of the world, or the negative emotions, or sensationalism, propaganda, but to continue to let that light shine within yourself so you can be a beacon for the next one. Learn more about Justi Embree here: https://www.embreetheory.com

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Photo: Luis Quintero

Believe in Magic

Nov 2020

Photo: Tatiana Syrikova

Photo: Taryn Elliot

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Trustworthy Magazine

SHELLY XU

FROM FACEBOOK TO FASHION WEEK BRINGS ZERO WASTE FASHION FRONT AND CENTER Written by Mia Nicole

Nov 2020

Photo: Jonin Oliver

n the world of fashion - Paris, Milan, London and New York are known as “The Big 4” when it comes to fashion weeks. Although there are many others in various places, these are considered the largest in the world. For an emerging designer like Shelly Xu to possibly have the opportunity to present her new collection alongside iconic brands such as Dior, Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs – just to name a few, would be a dream come true. So who is Shelly Xu and what exactly is Zero Waste Fashion? I had the opportunity to sit down with her and learn about Shelly and her fashion line, Shelly Xu Designs/Zero Waste Fashion Mia Nicole: What did you want to be when you were young? Shelly Xu: Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. I didn’t know what medium, but I knew I just wanted to be an artist in some way. I loved the idea of being expressive. When I was a kid, I moved around a lot. I went to over 10 different schools growing up and before I was a teenager, we lived in China, Japan, and Kentucky - which was so random - all around the world. But I constantly had to learn new languages but I feel like art was the one thing that was so universal. I realized that art was one channel that was so universal and it was one of those things that help people feel something in such a direct way. I love that quote from Maya Angelou about “people will never forget how you make them feel.” Drawing was my go to express myself because it was so simple. Anywhere you went, as long as you had a pencil or even a rock on the floor, you could start drawing. That was why drawing was my main channel growing up. As I got older, fashion became one of my favorite channels because it is so personal and intimate. I remember one of the first experiences that I had with fashion design was my very first day of college. I met these two girls that I had never seen before. We were total strangers and I was telling them how I love art and liked to improvise. They said to me, - “oh

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I loved the idea of being expressive. When I was a kid

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MN: What inspired you to become a designer? Can you see yourself competing on a fashion show like Project Runway or Making the Cut? SX: I always joke about how they stress about the time on those shows, they always stress about the time pressure to make something and I think, I actually make things every day or every other just because I am such a busy student that I have to do it then. So maybe I am trained for shows like this. I never really wanted to be a fashion designer for real for a very long time. I felt the world doesn’t need another fashion designer because there are so many already and why do people need yet another type of clothing line when we have so many varieties of clothing. But I think what really shifted my mindset was my fifteen year old sister. I know for her generation – what’s top of mind for them is saving the planet. They are really worried about climate change; it is so real for them. And because I studied sustainable development at Columbia University, I was privileged to have the experience in sustainability, as well as experience in creating garments since I have been doing it for ten year as a self taught fashion designer. Because I worked at Facebook/Instagram, which I left in September 2019, I know some of the best engineers who are so talented and I know that sustainable fashion or sustainability is going to be this interdisciplinary problem

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... no matter how sustainable something is, if it doesn’t look great no one is going to wear it.”

Nov 2020

Photo: Daniel Huang

you should do something for us.” I saw some newspaper lying around campus and I took it and made dresses on them. They were so excited – I still have photos from them being a model and getting these dresses that were like high fashion and couture. We went from being strangers to us running around campus and posing and doing crazy couture poses and getting our pictures taken all night. We became really close friends. And I just loved how good design and good art can just transform people from shy strangers who barely know each other to good friends.

solving. And I felt that I was just situated almost perfectly in a way that I either had those skills or I knew people who we could solve this problem together. MN: Have you ever worked with any designers before? SX: While in college, I interned at Prada as well as over a dozen fashion brands. I would say that I have always either been inspired by other designers – even though I have never directly worked on a line with a designer before which is something that I would love to do. All of this has inspired me to get involved with zero waste fashion. MN: Okay, so tell us, what is Zero Waste Fashion?

Photo: James Cheong

“Because I studied sustainable development at Columbia University, I was privileged to have the experience in sustainability.”

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SX: The original idea of zero waste fashion comes from not wasting fabric in the design process which is a very old idea which started thousands of years ago; the kimono is an example of zero waste design. Basically they cut in straight edges and they design with the flow of the fabric and then there is no fabric that gets wasted. Whereas today, the vast majority of the designs are basically when you cut a circle into a rectangle so 10% or 30% of the fabric is wasted. Zero waste fashion is this idea of designing clothing differently so that it is not wasting fabric. Taking it to another level, thinking about how you design it differently from the first cut you make, it is actually engineered to also be super minimal and much easier for people to actually make it. I think I am probably the first designer that designs with engineers and we design it together. From the first design we create we are like, ‘okay let’s make 100 of these, how can we actually save that time and make it minimal? How do we actually design it so that when we put it through machines and automate it, there is no waste when you automate it as well. It’s a whole process. Another unique aspect of zero waste fashion is how do you actually make the design better with zero waste as a creative constraint? At the end of the day, no matter

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how sustainable something is, if it doesn’t look great no one is going to wear it. As a sustainable fashion designer this is something you have to think about. MN: You are in grad school at Harvard University and Shelly Xu Designs was the first fashion brand selected as a finalist for the Harvard Presidential Innovation Challenge. What exactly is that? SX: It is a once a year competition that is across all of the Harvard Schools – as long as one of the members on your team is affiliated in some way – undergrad, medical school, law school, design school or business school, then you can be a part of this competition. It brings together innovators across all of Harvard to tackle some of the biggest problems that the world is facing. So it is probably the largest innovation challenge in Harvard. We are the first fashion brand to have won as a finalist. It’s pretty exciting because you are competing against AI companies and companies that do like blotching and all of these terms that when you are from the tech world or you are an investor it sounds really sexy. So being a fashion brand is different and I was really happy that we were selected this year. MN: Where would you like to see your designs featured? SX: I want my designs on every person’s body – that’s where I want my designs to be featured. I feel like I consider it a success if my clothes become someone’s favorite thing that they go to in their closet to wear all the time. It would be really cool to have my clothes featured in a museum, but I really think the clothing is not actually a design unless someone actually wears it and expresses themselves in it. When I was still at Instagram, I did this project for a woman who was plus size and she was telling me that how as a plus size woman, sustainable fashion is so hard because plus size clothing already tends to be expensive because they use more fabric and then when it’s sustainable it is another premium on top of the already expensive clothes. So I made a zero waste design on her with a very small budget. That is something that I have always cared about – how do you create clothing that is like second nature for people and they don’t have to feel like it is a compromise but they just feel like, why wouldn’t I wear this because it is so much better. This

Nov 2020

was my side project there. But Facebook has been really supportive of me. They have this global conference every year, one of the largest conferences where thousands of people across Facebook and I were asked to display my designs at one of the conferences. So they are really supportive more than any other company I have been in. MN: Is New York Fashion Week in your future plans? SX: I was supposed to do it this September. Because of the pandemic it’s going to be very hard, it’s probably going to be done virtually this year, but I definitely do want to do it next September. Production companies were reaching out to me and basically working with me for NYFW and other fashion shows, like Milan, Paris, London as well as fashion weeks that I didn’t know existed like Bali which was pretty cool. If I wanted to put on a fashion show I wanted it to be zero waste and working with a production company, you have no control. I have a sponsor who has a zero waste factory in LA and I partnered with them so that I can have that creative control. MN: What separates your designs from current designers? SX: I think zero waste designs of course. But I think the other thing is that I really believe that this brand brings inclusivity to a whole new level. You know every other brand today says they are inclusive. But what I think is so different with us is that, every design we create we think about - what would the engineers think about this? Can we actually fit this same design on eight different body types? All of these things from the very first design we make. Everything we do is open sourced. Like I want these zero waste designs on Instagram – I want them sharable so that people can also create their own zero waste designs. I really think to make fashion sustainable it takes more than just myself and my team, it takes so many people and if we can make it open sources and more people can be part of the conversation it will be so much better. To designers, patterns feel like intellectual property and they usually don’t share stuff like that and for me, I believe in sharing. To learn more about Shelly Xu Designs/Zero Waste Fashion – follow her on Instagram at @shellyxudesign

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Trustworthy Magazine

Nov 2020

Photo: Simon Matzinger

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Trustworthy Magazine

Nov 2020

Photo: Aaron Burden

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Trustworthy Magazine