Aug/Sept 2022

upscale

CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

The

Bold New Looks

Beauty Issue

20

to Wear NOW THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

Celeb Style Trends to Try

FRESH, COLORFUL, EASY AFTERSUMMER HAIR TIPS

CHLOE BAILEY TARAJI P. HENSON ELLA MAI KEKE PALMER LIZZO + MORE

PLUS

THE BEST LOVE LANGUAGES FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP

EXCLUSIVE

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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MUNI LONG On Fame, Family and How She Currently Feels About the Industry

CONTENTS CONTENTS

FEATURES 30 / ARTISTIC RENAISSANCE Affirmed by her global phenomenon of a hit “Hrs and Hrs” and various new projects, amazingly gifted Muni Long proves that staying true to the beauty of one’s own creative abilities and instinctively charting bold courses in life yields remarkably victorious outcomes.

By Leslie E. Royal

There’s no better place to spot the best hair trends than on culture’s biggest night!

And on the 2022 BET Awards red carpet the stars came to slay. Here, we turn the spotlight on 20 stunning celebrity hairstyles to inspire your next mane moves.

By Jocelyn Amador

IN THE MONEY

44 /

Vice President Kamala Harris’ Harris’ Alma Mata Howard University and Other HBCU’s Get Record 2.7 Billion Dollars in Funding.

By Johnecia L. Mason, DBA, MBA

BIG ENERGY

48 /

Easy After-Summer Hair Refresh Tips..

Tips

By Jocelyn Amador

MYSTIQUE OF THE FETE

53 /

The magnificent spectacle of Carnival is rooted in colonialism, religious conversion, and freedom from slavery.

By Leslie E. Royal

60 /

BEHIND THE MASKS OF OLD SAN JUAN Images of loss, darkness and light inside the old Puerto Rican capital.

By Hal Peat

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GUTTER CREDITS

STAR STYLE TRENDS TO TRY

Cover/TOC: cour tesy of Muni Long

36 /

CONTENTS

UPDATE pener The Black Plight of Invisibility 08 / O

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by Carolyn Walcott

10 / M edia Dele Weds Destiny; Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away

by Leslie E. Royal

12 / N ext One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World by Anita Stokes Thomas

13 / Navigator New York’s Grand Central is buzzing with activities. Start your trip at Westgate Hotel by Kitty Pope

14 / Humanity Former Miss America and

veterinarian DEBBYE TURNER BELL talks about her book and Elly the cat by Anita Stokes Thomas

16 / A utos The Infinity 2023 QX55 makes a dazzling debut by Ibiyi J. Wilson

COLUMNS 22 / M ind, Body & Soul 20 Steps to a Healthier, More Balanced You by Utamu Belle

24 / R elationships Here’s how to identify, disengage from, and move on after your toxic relationship! by Sharon Grant, LPC, CAADC

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25 / H ealth & Wellness 7 Signs Indicating You Should Definitely See a Doctor

by Dr. Monica Williams

26 / Business DAWANNA WILLIAMS is raising the bar in real estate by Utamu Belle

28 / Gospel TITUS SHOWERS creates music to inspire by Utamu Belle

SPOTLIGHT 64 / Style Ashro Beacon Randa Slide; 7 Wines that

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are sure to please you

66 / Spotlight GEFFRI MAYA leads cast of All

American: Homecoming; MELBA MOORE stays true to her passion

ET CETRA 06 / Publisher’s Letter From the desk of BERNARD BRONNER

72 / Last Word upscale Celebrates 33 Years 4

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

ANOTHER MILESTONE Bernard Bronner chats with our very own Digital and News Editor Utamu Belle, who is an awardwinning journalist, former news anchor, and radio host. Quite versatile in her writing, for this issue, she interviewed celebrities Titus Flowers, Geffri Maya, and Melba Moore while simultaneously penning Q & A pieces with Dawanna Williams and Michelle DeShields.

Utamu Belle BB: Can you share some media projects that you are currently working on?

UB: I’m hosting a series of monthly digital webinars as well as working on writing projects.

Bernard Bronner Publisher Ceobernardbronner Bernardbronner Bernardbronner

BB: As digital director for our social media platforms, how do you select posts that are of keen interest to our readers and followers?

UB: There’s so much negativity floating around on social media, so I try to publish posts which will empower, motivate, inform, entertain, and inspire our followers.

BB: Labor Day is coming up, what are your leisure plans?

UB: I would love to visit New York’s Labor Day parade and spend quality time with family.

BB: What do you think is the single most important current event in the world today and why?

UB: One is the significant rise in the cost of living, more so food and gas prices in America and many countries around the world. This negatively impacts the poor and working class.

From the desk of Bernard Bronner 1 The epitome of beauty,

style, and genius, I am pleased to share that our exclusive cover story features Muni Long (pg 30) penned by senior editor Leslie E. Royal.

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2 To God be the glory.

upscale magazine celebrates 33 years of being a beacon of light and inspiration in the African American community.

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3 Jocelyn Amador

fabulously brings Big Energy Hair Refresh Tips (pg 18) and astonishing Red Carpet Celebrity Styles (pg 36) to this year’s beauty issue.

4 The Biden-Harris

administration allocated 2.7 billion dollars in funding for HBCUs, and our editors were more than happy to share the breakdown with you. (pg 44)

5 upscale magazine extends

its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of media executive and Black consumer expert Linda Jefferson in her passing.

Bernard Bronner

Founder / Publisher

P. Nigel Killikelly Leslie E. Royal Michael A. Chester Utamu Belle, Sheryl Nance-Nash Asha Rodney, Dr. Terrence R. Blackman, Michelle Elliott DeShields Senior Writers Jocelyn Amador, E. Monique Johnson, Hal Peat Neva Jones Foster Copy Editor Writers Jacinta Howard, Kitty J. Pope, Editorial Events Manager Dirk “Chigga” Christiani Editorial Coordinators Kadeem N. Killikelly, Bria Vancooten Senior Contributors Sharon Grant LPC, CAADC; Dr. Johnecia L. Mason; Brenda O’Neale; Dr. Monica J.R. Williams-Riley; Anita Stokes Thomas; Carolyn Walcott, Ph.D. Contributors Dr. Kenneth Barnwell, Christian Cook, Antasha Royal Wilson, Ibiyi J. Wilson Correspondents Errol McCollin, K. Nkosi Killikelly VP / Editorial Director Senior Editor Art Director Associate Editors Editors at Large

VP / National Sales and Marketing National Sales and Sponsorships Senior Account Manager National Sales and Promotions National Sales / Health and Wellness East Coast Sales and Promotions West Coast Sales and Promotions National Sponsorship and Events Media Consultant and Advisor Radio Producer / Host / Graphic Design Newsstand Sales Director Publicist Regional Promotions Manager

Millie Y. Harrell Billy E. Dyson Armenious Patterson Jr. Cara Everett Leris Bernard Kiki Kennedy William M. Johnson Terry Allen Bob McNeil Kerry Hines John Blassingame Jonell Whitt Gail Foster/Midwest

CORPORATE/EDITORIAL OFFICE 4200 WENDELL DRIVE, SW ATLANTA, GA 30336 770-988-0015 OFFICE 770-953-0848 FAX

Two and Naturi Lewis shows love for their upscale cover!

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Stay tuned.

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Update GUTTERiStock CREDITS

A PEEK i n t o t h e F RES H a n d TR EN DIN G P E O P L E , P L A C E S and THIN G S

BLACK INVISIBILITY If you’re part of Gen X or Y, Sesame Street would have been a weekday educational staple via the American Public Broadcasting Service. Major characters including Elmo, Ernie, Big Bird and Rosita became endearing to children. In particular, Rosita represented inclusivity given her bilingual characterization and embracing of the Mexican community. Rosita’s recent lack of endearment in response to two black children’s gleeful curiosity at Sesame Park in Pennsylvania illustrated the dichotomy that children experience between entertainment characters and lived realties. Those who witnessed the invisibility of the black bodies became enraged and question whether the scene demonstrated a wider societal issue-exclusion rather than inclusivity. Media characters and messaging must be consistent and intentional in modelling the society we desire to create where all children feel embraced.

—CAROLYN WALCOTT, Ph.D.

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UPDATE

Cashing Out

Win the Wealth Game

by Walking Away Creators of the popular lifestyle blog rich & REGULAR, JULIEN AND KIERSTEN SAUNDERS came up with a strategy to pay off $200,000 in debt in five years as well as leave their corporate careers before the age of 40. In this book published by Penguin Random House, they share how their readers can become financially free without being bound and playing by the rules of corporate America. Among other things, it is designed to show individuals how to prioritize goals in their careers and devise practical strategies for creating more income without the stress that comes along with jobs at companies.

Readers get help with easy-to-understand graphs and charts focusing on The Four Purposes of Income, Ways to Make Your Money, and Rules and “Richuals”. Additionally, followers can view their Eat Better on a Budget series as well as Money on the Table, a reality show with the couple talking finances over dinner.

—L.E.R.

The Seasons of a Woman’s Life MEDIA REVIEWS

DELE WEDS DESTINY A Tome of the Complexities of Motherhood and Friendship Penned by Tomi Obaro Instagram @tomezzzzz

TOMI OBARO, a senior culture editor at BuzzFeed News, has made her debut as a new author with this novel published by Alfred A. Knopf. It chronicles the lives of Nigerian college friends who have, after 30 years, reunited in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, as they gather for the wedding of Funmi’s daughter Destiny. Elegant Zainab, beautiful Funmi, and homely Enitan have a resilient friendship which is on display in this novel about culture and class, mothers and daughters, and love and relationships. Obaro’s essays and cultural criticism pieces have been published in several publications including The Morning News and The Toast.

—Leslie E. Royal 10

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Living in the Overflow of Your Destiny Penned by Dr. D’Ann V. Johnson Instagram @walkwithnewcov

DR. D’ANN V. JOHNSON is the founder and president of Overflow Ministries International, Administrative Resource Consultants, and Psalmist & Scribe Publishing. She is also the executive pastor of New Covenant Christian Ministries. Her latest book of inspiration, published by her company, assists women in learning about the significance of seasons in their lives. Readers understand that each season has its fruit, there is a time of harvest, and that God is ultimately in control of their lives. At the end of each chapter, there are “Season Thoughts” with helpful questions. Additionally, Dr. Johnson has written Keys to a Leader’s Success, What to Do When You’re Going Through, and a devotional guide called Notes from My Bible.

—L.E.R.

Cour tesy of Authors

Penned by Julien and Kiersten Saunders Instagram @richandregular

NEXT

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WORLD TRAVELER Th e Catc h Me If Yo u Can - O ne Woman’s Jour ney t o Ev er y Co u n try i n t he Wo rl d aut hor Jes s ica Nabongo has t r aveled t o every c o u n try aro un d t he globe since she w as a t ot .

BY ANNITA STOKES THOMAS

IT’S SAID, “DIAMONDS are a girl’s best friend”. But for Jessica Nabongo, it’s her passport. Jessica is the first Black woman on record to travel to 195 countries. Her trips were creatively funded with discount deals and loyalty points. The Ugandan American author, photographer, blogger, and globetrotter started traveling with her parents at the young age of four.

With avid travelers as parents who never put limits on her, it’s no wonder she developed a strong sense of adventure and curiosity about the world around her. A fascination with geography, people, places, and cultures, led her to live in her tenth country of Japan.

While there for a year, she taught English, made lasting friends, and learned how to explore as well as appreciate other cultures fully.

Inspired to create her blog, The Catch Me If You Can, she went off on journeys around the world.

Her international trips helped change the narrative around people of color and travel, showing them in a positive light in their homelands and as travelers. In October 2019, mission accomplished, she reached Seychelles, her 195th country. This is a very rare feat as more people have traveled into space than have visited every country on the globe. And, no, she doesn’t have a favorite. She feels they’re all too beautiful to have just one.

She bravely traveled to 89 countries solo. When asked how traveling solo as a woman was, she quickly shared, “I could not have

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done that if people were not welcoming and kind to me.” Her greatest moments were experiencing the good in people along the way. “When you see the goodness in yourself, you’ll see it in others too,” says Jessica.

In 2020, National Geographic reached out with a book offer and the world explorer could only say, “Yes!” Her book, The Catch Me If You Can - One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World, highlights 100 countries she visited. It features personal stories of new friends, cultures that gave her a broader worldview, and tasty cuisines.

The spectacular photos will change how you view many destinations once believed off limits to travel. Her book will inspire you to see the world and humanity differently. Each tale of adventure reveals an important lesson for us all. That is that people around the world are more similar than different. “It was the kindness of strangers that made my journey what it was,” says Jessica.

You can catch Jessica www.thecatchmeifyoucan.com. Follow her @JessicaNabongo.

Annita Stokes Thomas is an Oprah Daily Ambassador, the host of the award-winning radio show Travel with Annita & Friends on WDUN AM 550 & FM 102.9, and a global travel journalist. Visit her website www.travelwithannita.com and follow her @annitaandfriends.

Cour tesy of Jessica Nabongo

UPDATE

UPDATE

NAVIGATOR

NEW YORK, ANYONE?

It ’s st il l t he city of unprecedented entertainment, excitement and adventure!

B Y K I TTY J . POPE

WESTGATE NEW YORK GRAND CENTRAL STATION If you’re looking to do New York City for the first time or again in a special way, start by booking your stay at the newly-renovated Westgate New York Grand Central. Located in Midtown Manhattan, near Grand Central Station, the elegant Hotel with an eastern section overlooking the East River, is steps away from numerous New York landmarks, tourist attractions, and the most scrumptious restaurants. After a $20 million reboot in 2021, the Westgate has preserved some of its history while still keeping its modern day charm and flair of luxury. Accommodations include the double bed guestrooms, and the Luxe King and Queen rooms with state of art designs to suit any fancy. Look no further, as this replenished hotel resort with an extensive list of amenities is an ideal location to experience your choices of all that New York has to offer. (https://www.westgateresorts.com/)

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY Look no further than the elegant lobby level of Westgate New York Grand Central Station Resort Hotel to find the Tudor City Tavern, with a fully stocked bar for your favorite drinks and the Tudor City Marketplace, a vintage spot with on-the-go food items and beverages. For dining pleasures, Tudor City Steakhouse Restaurant is a five minute walk away where you can enjoy a menu that includes the best of local cuisines from around the world. All steaks served here are USDA Prime including the ever-popular, mouth-watering Filet Mignon. (tudorcitysteakhouse.com) In the mood to enjoy a Southern Italian feast?

Then head over to nearby New York’s Times Square to dine at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant for authentic, delectable cuisine. Known for serving hearty portions of favorite Italian dishes that can be shared around the table, this dining experience gives you the feeling of eating at home with family and friends. Located two short blocks from New York’s Time Square in a vintage setting, Carmine’s Italian Restaurant, with its

charm, serenity, and dreamy, romantic vibes will cause you to forget that you are in the middle of the busiest city in the world. (carminesnyc.com) HUDSON RIVER CRUISE Another adventurous outing and a tantalizing dining experience can be found on board the La Barca Cantina, New York City’s first and only floating Mexican restaurant! Sailing multiple times a day on the Hudson River, La Barca Cantina is a moving fiesta with three levels that includes an expansive outdoor top deck with a bar and a bi-level interior space with two bars.

Enjoy Latin pop, salsa and dance hits while indulging in Mexican agave-based cocktails, such as mezcal and tequila that you can pair with corn chips, salsa, onion rings, and jalapeño poppers. While sitting back admiring New York’s skyline, you can choose from the menu offering Chef Tony’s beef, pork and roasted scallions, and Mexican foods like tacos, the Fiesta Platter of finger-foods, and classic dishes with guacamole as well as Mexican-inspired vegetarian dishes. (labarcacantina.com ) upscalemagazine.com

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UPDATE

COURAGEOUS FAITH

P

Fo rm er Mi s s Am e ri ca and vet er inar ian Debbye Turne r Bel l ’s l o ve f or animals is ev er present .

BY ANNITA STOKES THOMAS

PETS BRING JOY, DEVOTION, AND COMFORT to our lives. They’re called our fur babies for a reason. Debbye Turner Bell knew this from a very early age. Her mother was an animal lover who gave Debbye the heartwarming image of their home as the neighborhood Humane Society.

Anytime they found an injured animal, her mom would take them in and care for them with love and compassion. They rescued mainly cats and dogs. However, as a child, she had parakeets, frogs, and turtles. Her mother’s soft heart was passed on to her, giving her a desire to care for and advocate for animals as her life’s work.

Her love of science and affection for animals was perfect for veterinarian science. However, the road to a degree in veterinarian science was academically rigorous and expensive. Debbye knew she would need assistance financially. Luckily someone informed her of Miss America educational scholarships.

There was no stopping her now. Debbye focused on what it took to succeed in pageants, first in her home state of Arkansas and then on to Missouri, where she was crowned Miss America in 1990. Pageantry became a way of funding her education and the road to advancing her studies.

As the first Miss America with an official platform, youth motivation was her choice. She spoke at schools, youth programs, youth conferences, and youth homes, sharing the importance of education, goal setting, determination, and perseverance. Doing this work was her favorite part of being Miss America.

Her busy lifestyle kept her on the road, away from home for several years. Speaking around the U.S. and promoting her book, Courageous Faith: A Lifelong Pursuit of Faith Over Fear, she inspires readers to understand we all have a purpose, and we’re not alone in what we are going through.

As things slowed down during the pandemic, it was the perfect time to say yes to her daughter’s desire for a pet. Their beautiful grey tabby cat, Elly, was added to the family. Having a furry family member of their own would mean being home with time and attention devoted to Elly. And that’s precisely what is happening in the Turner Bell home. Debbye is passing on the love of animals to her daughter. She’s responsible for caring for their fur baby and learning the importance of keeping Elly healthy and happy.

“Pets bring laughter and are in tune with your emotions. They’re waiting for you at home.

Knowing there is another heartbeat there with you makes all the difference,” says Debbye.

To learn more about Bell and to order the book, visit her website debbyeturnerbell.com.

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Cour tesy of Debbye Tur ner Bell

HUMANITY

UPDATE

AUTOS

DAZZLING DEBUT Designed with safety, style, and elegance in mind, the INFINITI 2023 QX55 will excite enthusiasts.

BY IBIYI J. WILSON

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2023 INFINITI QX55 INFINITI IS SYNONYMOUS WITH LUXURY, and the two are inseparably linked. This summer, the alluring INFINITI crossover is taking its place around showrooms throughout North America. It is available in three trim levels or grades which are the LUXE, ESSENTIAL, and SENSORY.

MSRP:

$49,150

Impressive elements include the revolutionary VC-Turbo, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing impressive 268 horsepower and 280-pound feet of torque, Variable Compression Turbocharged engine, and INFINITI Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.

INFINITI aficionados can expect an array of features such as standard leather-appointed seating, 4-way driver power lumbar adjustment, auto-folding heated outside mirrors, Type-C USB port for rear seat passengers, and rear door handles with integrated LED welcome lighting.

Each vehicle boasts dual touch screens for infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay, USB-based Android Auto compatibility software, a Bose Performance Series audio system with 16 speakers, standard 20-inch wheels, rear “digital piano key” taillights at the rear, the trademark human-eye headlights at the front, and a geometric inner mesh grille resembling origami folds.

An exceptional inaugural feature is that it is equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems. The ProPILOT Assist with Intelligent Cruise Control includes Full-Speed Range and Hold with Steering Assist. It can help drivers with acceleration, braking, and steering during single-lane highway driving and stop-and-go traffic. A special amenity includes INFINITI Premium Care, a 3-year integrated maintenance program.

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Cour tesy of Michelle DeShields

Mind, Body & Soul

STATE OF MIND

20 Steps to a Healthier, More Mentally Balanced You

W

BY UTAMU BELLE

With so much talk about health and fitness these days, focusing on maintaining a healthier you has become a top priority for some, while for others it has become sort of a hassle. With fitness experts and gurus around every nook and cranny, it’s hard to figure out what really works for you or what best suits your particular lifestyle.

However, when we think about becoming a healthier version of ourselves, it’s important to focus on both our mental and physical wellbeing – our minds, bodies, and soul. Every aspect is just as important as the other. Recently, there has been lots of talk about mental health and the Black community, more so about the stigma attached to it.

Additionally, lots of attention is being placed on maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.

What’s your definition of healthy? According to the Oxford Dictionary online, healthy is defined as “being in a good physical or mental condition, in good health.” upscale Magazine spoke with counselor, consultant and Mental Health Coach of Consult With Me, Michelle DeShields, who gave us 15 tips to a healthier you. Here, she spoke about all aspects of being healthy to ensure that we maximize our potential to live our best lives.

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“When I think about being healthy, I look at the overall picture that include our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors towards the way we live our lives. Therefore, I like focusing on areas that affect us every day such as our choices in what we feed our bodies and mind, our social circles, our work/life balance, and finances, etc. Whether we realize it or not, these areas also play a critical role in our total health and wellbeing”, DeShields says.

With that being said, here are 15 tips to focus on as you get ready to embark on your journey to becoming a healthier you and another 5 that will help you shift your mindset.

Mental and Physical wellbeing – Your health comes first.

1. Stay hydrated. Make a habit of drinking enough water daily.

2. C hange your diet. Eating unhealthy foods regularly will affect your physical and mental state.

3. D evelop a trusted social circle. Have meaningful connections with friends that you can truly depend on when you need to laugh, cry, or share your innermost thoughts and feelings. Have a few, but true friends.

4. Travel. I believe travel is one of the best investments you can make in your life. Always make time for a getaway.

Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are a requirement for a healthier you.

5. K eep up with annual physical exams and medical appointments. Never get too busy to care about you. Self-care is crucial.

When I think about being healthy, I look at the overall picture that include our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors towards the way we live our lives…whether we realize it or not, these areas also play a critical role in our total health and wellbeing.

Mental Wealth - Choose to live life more abundantly.

6. S et goals. It does not matter how big or small your goals are as long as you are intentional about being better than you were the day before and celebrate your success.

7. P ractice gratitude. Remember that your attitude is closely related to your latitude.

8. Understand your stress. Create a work/life balance, ways to better manage your money, and set aside some “me time”.

9. L et go of lack. Understand there are no limits to what you can and will achieve. evelop a growth mindset. The comeback is always stronger 10. D than the setback.

Mental Energy and Power - Feel more productive and motivated.

11. Know your strengths. We don’t have to be superwoman or always multi-task. Learn to delegate or and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

12. Practice saying NO and feel good about it. It’s a powerful feeling!

13. T ake a day off. Don’t be afraid to take time off. Use a day off for a mental break. Our mental health matters as much as our physical health.

14. U nderstand that it’s okay to not be okay. When you are experiencing low energy moods, try making a list of things you can do to cheer yourself up and choose an activity to do.

15. Surround yourself with good energy. Energy is transferable, so surround yourself with people who make you happy.

Mental Mindset Shift Realize that you can’t make everybody happy. If you try to make everyone happy, everyone will be happy but you.

Set healthy boundaries. Setting boundaries are important because they set the guidelines for how you want to be treated.

Use positive affirmations. Saying daily affirmations to yourself can help to rid you of negative thoughts and feelings.

Reclaim Your Time. People who value time are often healthier and happier.

Be flexible. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.

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Relationships

I CHOOSE ME Here’s how to identify, disengage from, and move on after your toxic relationship

iStock

BY SHARON R. GRANT, LPC, CAADC

H

Have you heard the quote “no man is an island”? How does that relate to relationships? The quote speaks to the idea that we (people) are not entirely self-sufficient. Therefore, we need others for support and companionship. Relationships can be very fulfilling and help us to experience love, joy, safety, acceptance, and connectedness.

However, when our relationships are unhealthy, they can be toxic and unfulfilling. A toxic relationship is best defined as a relationship in which one or both people perpetuate an ongoing negative affect on the mental, psychological, or physical overall wellbeing of the other person.

8 Signs You Could be in a Toxic Relationship 1. Control – Your partner is seeking to have all decision-making power and you have little to no input into the decisions. You are isolated from family and friends. You must see things the way they see them and are not allowed to provide input about money management and finances.

2. Manipulation – Your partner is deliberately saying or doing things to get you to do what is desired. Examples are making empty threats to get compliance. This often involves children, money, sex, or attention.

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3. Abuse – Your partner is physically abusive or emotionally intimidates you. This involves hitting, pushing, or damaging body parts. There is also any sexual behavior that happens without your consent, criticism, humiliation, shaming, isolation, or financial control. Occurring constantly and over time, this leads to a negative view of yourself.

4. Blaming – Your partner does not accept responsibility for wrongdoing. He or she is always right, and you are the problem. The individual is not willing to adjust negative behavior that impacts the relationship dynamics.

5. Lack of trust – Your partner is suspicious of you. Despite upholding the agreed upon guardrails for safety in the relationship, there remains insecurity and distrust.

6. Feeling drained – Your partner leaves you emotionally depleted.

Being in the relationship leads to loss of energy, lack of excitement, and no time for self-care due to meeting the needs of the other person.

7. S elf-centeredness – Your partner is self-seeking. There is no concern or regard for the desires or needs of the other person.

The partner is always taking in the relationship, but not giving. There is no compromise or lack of empathy.

8. I ncompatibility – Your partner is not giving you his or her best.

—Continued on page 71

—Continued from page 24

There is not a willingness to adjust negative behavior that is impacting the relationship dynamics. The bad outweighs the good in the relationship.

In relationships, you want to believe the relationship will work out. This desire sometimes can compromise the wisdom to see the toxic relationship for what it is. Often, there are warning signs early in the relationship that are ignored because you believed things will change. As time passes, you continue to tolerate the inappropriate behavior. Your judgement is impaired, making it difficult to leave.

A critical aspect of any relationship is the ability to engage in self-examination. In this examination, you want to “hold up the mirror” and see yourself in the relationship. Take this selfquery. Important questions to ask yourself are: • What part did I play in the toxicity of this relationship?

• What leads me to stay in the toxic relationship?

• What change do I need to make?

If you or your partner are not both willing to put in the ongoing work to improve the relationship dynamics in order to promote healthiness and not toxicity, the relationship will remain the same – unhealthy!

Ending a toxic relationship can be very difficult. Here are some suggestions that will assist you in disengaging and moving on to the next joyful chapter in your life.

10 Tips to Help You End That Toxic Relationship 1. Set boundaries. Boundaries are healthy and protect us as well as others.

2. S eek help from a professional such as a therapist, coach, or mentor.

3. E ngage in self-care. Do those healthy activities that promote peace, joy, and happiness.

4. Ask for what you need in relationships which is assertive communication.

5. Build a network of supportive, positive people.

6. Affirm yourself.

7. Feed your mind, body, and spirit daily. Watch what you take in. Focus on exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, meditation, prayer, and reading uplifting stories about overcomers. You can also listen to DIY podcasts.

8. Do what you are passionate about. Pursue your dream(s).

9. B uild your emotional intelligence to be able to stick with your decision.

10.Develop a safe exit strategy and implement it.

If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline if you are experiencing any physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse. Call 1.800.799.7233 and visit www.thehotline.org for resources that are readily available to you.

A Personal Development and Marriage Coach, and Certified PrepareEnrich Trainer and Facilitator, Sharon R. Grant, LPC, CAADC is the founder and CEO of Oasis of Serenity Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC. Follow her on Instagram @oasisofserenitycc. Visit her website www.OasisOfSerenity.net.

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Health and Wellness

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION 7 Signs Indicating You Should Definitely See a Doctor

BY DR. MONICA J.R. WILLIAMS-RILEY

You have symptoms of hypertension.

Often, hypertension has no obvious symptoms and that is why it is important to get annual screenings for your blood pressure. If you are experiencing headaches, blurred vision, poor sleep habits, snoring, weight gain, or swelling of your arms and legs, you may have undiagnosed high blood pressure. The long-term effects of uncontrolled blood pressure are what lead to some of these symptoms and the complications of heart attack and stroke.

You have symptoms of thyroid disease.

The thyroid is a very powerful gland that influences multiple systems in our body. An over production of thyroid hormone, or hyperthyroidism, occurs if you are having symptoms of rapid heart rhythm, heat intolerance, mood swings, abnormal eye protrusion, insomnia, or hair loss to name a few. Hypothyroidism, or the reduced production of thyroid hormones, may present with symptoms of fatigue, slow growth in children, brittle nails, and slow heart rate as well as feeling cold.

You have symptoms of asthma.

Asthma can present in many ways. It can be a life-threatening disorder if not properly diagnosed and treated. Asthma can present as shortness of breath, wheezing, and even cough. It is often missed as a diagnosis because it is not always presenting the same way. If you have allergies and/or skin sensitivities, you may be more prone to asthma. A definitive test to diagnose asthma versus COPD is a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).

You have symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetes presents classically as excessive thirst, excessive hunger, urinating frequently and in women, recurrent yeast infections. Often these symptoms become normalized, so they are not reported to health care providers. None the less, a symptom of poor wound healing is a possible sign of elevated blood sugars that should not be ignored. This is caused by an inhibited immune system from the uncontrolled blood sugars.

You have symptoms of heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is defined as health issues that effect the heart and blood vessels. Having symptoms of chest pain, heartburn-like pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased ability to exercise due to fatigue, dizziness, and chest palpitations are warnings that you may be at risk for CVD. Having other chronic medical conditions that are uncontrolled such as diabetes, obesity, unhealthy lifestyle choices, excessive alcohol use, and lack of physical activity also put you at risk for CVD. You have symptoms of severe COVID-19.

COVID -19 has had devastating effects worldwide. Its presentation has varied as the virus continues to mutate. It is important that you get tested with a Rapid Antigen or PCR COVID test if you have symptoms of congestion, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, fever and/or fatigue.

Shortness of breath is a sign that you may need oxygen support.

Seeking out a medical evaluation and testing is crucial.

You have symptoms of a type of cancer.

Cancer is defined as the uncontrolled replication of abnormal cells. This can lead to various symptoms depending on which organs are involved.

There may be skin changes, weight loss, new growths, swelling, mood changes, abnormal bleeding, and sometimes even pain. Having routine preventive screenings is the best way to identify if you have a cancer.

These include colonoscopy, pap smears, mammograms, and prostate screening. Early detection of cancer allows for the best options for treatment.

Dr. Monica J.R. Williams-Riley is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician who specializes in Functional Medicine and Integrative Therapy. She currently owns and operates Deep Rooted Health, LLC. You can visit her website www.deeprootedhealth.org and follow her on Instagram @deep_rooted_health. upscalemagazine.com

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Business

LEADING LADY Dawanna Williams is raising the bar in the Real Estate industry in an innovative way.

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CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRANSITION FROM REPRESENTING MAJOR DEVELOPERS AS A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY TO BECOMING ONE OF THE FEW BLACK, FEMALE DEVELOPERS YOURSELF? My experience as a commercial real estate lawyer has been hugely impactful on my success as a real estate developer. With the privilege of observing deal-making by some of the best in the business, I’ve been skillful in negotiating, deal structuring, and navigating complex legal documentation.

Having worked in the Real Estate industry for over twenty years, Dawanna Williams is one of the few pioneering Black women who continue to shape and pave the way for the future of the business. Founder and Managing Principal of Dabar Development Partners, she was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at Compass – an innovative technology-enabled residential real estate brokerage.

She shared her remarkable journey and future plans with upscale.

YOU’VE ESTABLISHED DABAR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AS A FULLSERVICE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT FIRM. WHEN YOU STARTED, IS THIS WHAT YOU INITIALLY HAD IN MIND? Initially, the development firm started out as a simple idea – to create property developments with services and amenities in my neighborhood similar to what I saw in more upscale communities in New York City. Eventually, the firm’s geography expanded, and we focused on establishing equity throughout communities in large metropolitan cities.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IS A WHITE MALE DOMINATED INDUSTRY. AS A VERY SUCCESSFUL BLACK FEMALE DEVELOPER, WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

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Real estate development is a capital intensive business, so access to capital is the biggest hurdle. That issue is exacerbated if you lack sufficient relationships to locate capital resources.

Often in the lending world, relationships are based upon male camaraderie, which inherently disadvantages me as a Black woman. Even still, my goal is to be the best at what I do. Through faith and consistent networking, I’ve learned and experienced that when one door closes another one opens.

YOU’VE BEEN IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED AND DEVELOPED FROM THE TIME YOU BEGAN? I am elated to see that there are many more people of color and women that are coming along in the profession. I previously served as board chairperson of the New York Real Estate Chamber, which is a group that advocates for increased minority representation in New York real estate commerce. It gives me great joy to see the increased awards of projects to minority developers in recent years.

AS A NATIVE OF ATLANTA, HOW DID SEEING AFRICAN AMERICANS THRIVE IN A PROGRESSIVE CITY SHAPE WHO YOU ARE TODAY? There is no question that growing up in

Cour tesy of Daw an n a Williams

BY UTAMU BELLE

Atlanta and seeing people that looked like me in positions of authority conditioned my mind to place no limits on myself.

Growing up in the City of Atlanta, everyone I saw from the bus driver to my doctor to my mayor was Black. I didn’t know until I attended college how unique the circumstances were that I was raised in.

YOU’VE RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COMPASS, AN INNOVATIVE REAL ESTATE PLATFORM. GIVEN YOUR YEARS OF EXPERTISE, WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM YOUR ROLE? I hope to add value in overseeing Compass’ journey in revolutionizing the real estate sales industry through technology and protecting the interest of shareholders.

Additionally, I believe my years of experience in the real estate ecosystem will be an addition to the board.

THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS CURRENTLY A MAJOR CONCERN ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AS A DEVELOPER, CAN YOU SHARE SOME ACTIONS YOU ARE TAKING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? We develop both market rate and affordable housing. We are deliberate in our efforts to create more equitable and sustainable communities in urban neighborhoods. With respect to affordable housing, our strategy is to ensure that naturally occurring affordable or restrictive affordable housing remains economical long-term, even following capital improvements.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS IT RELATES TO THE FUTURE OF REAL ESTATE OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS? It’s taken 20+ years of goal-setting and perseverance to become an ‘overnight’ success. Our firm has a pipeline of deals that extends out several years. At this point, I am open to what God has for me and continuing to evolve and grow, since His blessings are greater than anything I could have orchestrated or imagined.

ARE YOU WORKING ON ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS? One exciting new project we are working on is 5 World Trade Center, which is the last skyscraper to be added to the World Trade Center campus in New York City. It is a joint venture among Silverstein Properties, Brookfield Properties, Omni New York and our firm, Dabar Development.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING BUSINESSMEN AND BUSINESSWOMEN? My advice is to consider your aspirations to be part of a life marathon. There’s no substitute for hard work. If you continue to persevere, you will reach your goals. Despite the turmoil this country is experiencing, we still live in a country where anything is possible, so take advantage of the open opportunity. I am a testimony that where there is a will there is a way.

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Gospel

SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS Award-winning Gospel Artist Creates Music That Inspires the Heart and Stirs the Soul

BY UTAMU BELLE

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Ever since he stepped on the Gospel music scene as the lead singer for the family band The Showers, Titus Showers has been committed to creating and delivering music that is both uplifting and inspiring. Whether singing at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration or BET’s 2020 Stellar Awards, the messages in his songs are applicable and relatable to life experiences. His inspiration comes from God, his father, and events which are unfolding in the world.

“When I was with my family, God was preparing me for something greater and so was my family. They’re my biggest supporters. So, they motivated me to get ready and prepare for the journey ahead,” he says.

Those who motivated him include his big brother Rev. Bobby Showers Jr., big sister Regina S. Gordon, writers and producers such as Bruce Robinson Jr., Sean Keys, Myron Butler, Tasha Page Lockhart, and musician Deon Kipping.

“I had the God-given sound and tone.

All I was missing was personal messages written by Jesus and I and all those aforementioned people helped me figure it out,” he says.

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“I’m speaking life. I’m speaking to the mountain, claiming my promise. It’s got my name on it. There’s a message in song on the album, that’s guaranteed to bless the listeners. All of them mean so much to me and that’s because I either wrote or co-wrote them all, he shares.

“If I had to pick one from my new album, it’ll be ‘Tomorrow’ because it encourages and reminds us that whatever we may be going through, joy is waiting for us if we hold out until the morning.”

His first solo album, Who? hit at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart in 2019. His 2020 single, “It’s Gonna Be Alright” was also a success, hitting the Billboard and Mediabase Gospel Radio charts. The “Name On It” single soared on Billboard’s Gospel Most Added chart.

Having experienced numerous successive wins since he first stepped on the scene as a solo artist, Showers is extremely proud of his journey. His newly released self-titled album is a great from start to finish, with “Name On It” being the first

He has garnered two Stellar Award nominations, two #1 Gospel albums, a #1 radio single, and five career top 30 songs. On YouTube, Showers has over 1 million views. He believes that as music evolves and so should individuals.

“You don’t have to change your sound nor who you are, but you should adapt to the seasonal changes,” he says.

Showers started a Sports Podcast titled “Listen If You Will!” Follow him @ IamtitusShowers.

Cour tesy of Titus Showers

single. The lyrics to the song produced by Lucius Hoskins and written by Hoskins and Showers is both expressive and elevating.

Cour tesy of Muni Long

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ARTISTIC RENAISSANCE WORDS BY LESLIE E. ROYAL

Affirmed by her global phenomenon of a hit “Hrs and Hrs” and various new projects, amazingly gifted MUNI LONG proves that staying true to the beauty of one’s own creative abilities and instinctively charting bold courses in life yields remarkably victorious outcomes.

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T WAS A BEAUTIFUL AND SUNNY DAY ON SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022, AS CELEBRITIES SPANNING THE SPECTRUM OF MUSIC, FILM, TV, LITERATURE, AND OTHER GENRES STROLLED IN ON THE RED CARPET TO TAKE PART IN THE ANNUAL BET AWARDS. THEY WERE IN STORE FOR ONE OF THE MOST ELECTRIFYING AND SPECTACULAR MOMENTS OF THE EVENING AS MUNI LONG TOOK THE STAGE AT THE MICROSOFT CENTER IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

The magnificent performance commenced with her fabulous glamour nails swaying in the air as she stood on a platform in a gorgeous pink hued dress that appeared to be made of feathers. The ensemble gave way to reveal 12 dancers concealed underneath. Her sultry, soulful, and enticing voice went into her crooning a few lines of “Time Machine” and then serenading the mesmerized audience with her megahit “Hrs and Hrs”. In a stunning bubble dress with thigh high boots, she paid homage to legendary performer Lola Falana as her perfectly synchronized dancers created twirling flowers and abstract designs with the feather fans.

In the now, she’s on top of the world and is a much sought-after superstar Rhythm & Blues recording artist and performer. But just three years back, Muni stood at a creative crossroads in her career. She had a pretty good thing going as a songwriter churning out hits for the likes of Rihanna, Madonna, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige, Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, and Kelly Clarkston. So, there was no reason to rock the boat. But she is an extraordinary vocalist in her own right. She contemplated whether she should continue this comfortably current trajectory or go all in on being the powerhouse songstress she was destined to be.

“I think I had been feeling the urge for a long time. But I was kind of like double minded and conflicted. Like I can still write for other people. It took me a minute to realize. Like you gotta focus.

You can’t be wishy washy with it,” reflected Muni.

“August 2019, I shut it all the way down. It was

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tough because I was still getting the phone calls. It was like, ‘Hey, we want to fly you here. What about a trip to Jamaica?’ I’m like, it’s a test. It’s a test.

Don’t fail.”

She focused all of her energy on her new project.

As a veteran in the business, she noticed a pattern.

If a new artist is consistent, he or she can breakthrough within two years. It only took her a year and a half. So, yes. She passed the test and did so exceptionally well. In 2020, she released a seven-song EP Black Like This. In November 2021, she brilliantly followed it up with Public Displays of Affection featuring “No R & B”, “IMU”, “To Do List”, “Ain’t Easy”, “No Signal”, “Just the Beginning” (Live), “Time Machine”, and “Hrs and Hrs”.

The passionate lyrics and striking melody of the love song “Hrs and Hrs” would set the Internet ablaze with 200 million streams, 1.5 million TikTok creates, 35 million YouTube views, and Top 5 on Apple Music. It would peak at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, was certified platinum #1, and peaked at #1 on Urban & Rhythmic Radio. But what was the inspiration behind it and how did it come to be? Well, she was washing dishes, and like many who do chores, wanted to pass the time.

“I started scrolling through beats on YouTube and I came across this track. Immediately it hit me like I love this sound so much. It was a track called Hours. I just started like it’s called the Mumble Method where you sort of just like make sounds and nothing is coherent. It’s just like melodies and rhythms,” says Muni.

Cour tesy of Muni Long

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TO KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ARE IN IT FOR TOO LONG, IT’S WHEN SOME OF THOSE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS ARE TRIGGERED. YOU HAVE A LOT OF UNHAPPINESS, UNSTABLENESS, TRAUMA, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND YOU TREAT PEOPLE BAD. I DON’T WANT TO DO THAT.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PEACEFUL, HAPPY, YOU KNOW, JOYFUL LIFE. THAT’S WHAT I’M CHOOSING TO DO.

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– Muni Long /

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Courtesy of Muni Long; Stylist: Jason Rembert; Hair: Curtis Phillips; Make up: Denise Camacho

I’VE SEEN ENOUGH OF IT BEHIND THE SCENES AS A WRITER.

After about 20 minutes, she had a verse. She stopped to dry her hands and wrote down the chorus and second verse. In the studio a few days later, she recorded a demo. Whenever she got into her car, she listened to it. The more she listened, the more she liked it. Her friends did too and encouraged her to record it.

“I’m like whatever. Y’all gassing me up. You know, they kept asking me. So, I was like okay. Let me go on and record it for real and I put it on the project. It almost didn’t make it. It was like literally one of the last additions to the project. I think we added it with like four days left. It was like that one and “Time Machine” were the last two videos that I shot for the project. So, it was very much just like stream of consciousness. There was no master plan. It was just me following my instincts,” says Muni.

The Vero Beach, Florida native followed up superbly with her latest EP called Public Displays of Affection Too via SuperGiant and Def Jam Recordings.

Released July 1, 2022, she is a writer on all of the songs – “Another”, “Pain Mix”, “Crack”, “Cartier”, and “Baby Boo” – a collaboration with Saweetie. She also partnered with John Legend on the single “Honey” for his upcoming album.

“I love collaboration. I think co-creation is beautiful. It gives you an opportunity to like step outside of what you normally would be doing or what you are doing in that particular moment and step into someone else’s world,” says Muni.

When she’s not in the studio or performing, Muni likes to read and cook. “I cook a lot. My husband loves it when I cook. It’s like a science experiment. It’s really fun. I don’t relax when I’m cooking because I want it to be right. I’m like, let me make sure every step is correct. I pray a lot when I cook. I’m like okay God, please help me. It’s another form of creativity when I cook,” reveals Muni.

However, she does relax when she does her nails.

She likes to do her own nails – even for awards shows.

Muni spectacularly designed her nails for the 2022 BET Awards. “Yeah. So, I did those. It just helps me just zone out cause it’s a lot going on. You know. When there’s a lot of chaos, I tend to get calm and quiet. So, it helps if I have something to focus on,” she shares.

To decompress and stay grounded, it’s important to just be herself, Priscilla Renea, as she spends quality time with her family and friends. She watches TV and enjoys the simpler things in life like going out and sitting in the sun. It’s just healthier for her to compartmentalize and strike the right work life and personal life balance.

“I’ve seen enough of it behind the scenes as a writer. To know that when you are in it for too long, it’s when some of those negative side effects are triggered. You have a lot of unhappiness, unstableness, trauma, substance abuse, and you treat people bad. I don’t want to do that. I would love to have a peaceful, happy, you know, joyful life. That’s what I’m choosing to do,” affirms Muni.

This beautiful, kindhearted, bright light is exceptional in every way. In addition to songwriting and performing, Muni cofounded SuperGiant Records alongside her husband of seven years, Raysean Hairston. Officially launched in January 2020, it is his brainchild and he brought in partners to come alongside them. New projects on the horizon include a guest appearance on the BET+ show Sacrifice, a new album in the fall, and live performances before her admiring fans.

“Obviously making more music for Muni Long.

We’re on the next project already. I just cut some songs this week for that. I’m going into the TV and film space. There’s so much happening and so many cool opportunities. Especially after the BET performance. So many things. I’m going to be performing towards December. Doing some spot dates and working on a tour for early 2023. Lots on the horizon. Lots of things,” promises this absolutely amazing woman who vows to be true to herself as her authentic music of love catapults her to the top.

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For Taraji P. Henson’s opening show look as host of the 2022 BET Awards, celebrity hairstylist Tym Wallace was inspired by Egyptian Queens Cleopatra and Nefertiti. “To create the perfect bob, I applied the hair using the silicone tip of the Kiss All Mighty Bond Dual Tip Applicator,” he shares. “Then, I flat ironed the hair using Carol’s Daughter Monoi (Repair + Protect) Multi-Styling Milk as a heat protectant, and used Tangle Teezer’s The Ultimate Styler brush to give ultimate shine. Once the hair was perfectly coiffed I then used the Red by Kiss Edge Fixer Glued Hair Wax Stick to keep tresses in place.”

STAR STYLE TRENDS TO TRY

YOUR RED CARPET MOMENT AWAITS

There’s no better place to spot the best hair trends than on culture’s biggest night! And on the 2022 BET Awards red carpet the stars came to slay. Here, we turn the spotlight on 20 stunning celebrity hairstyles to inspire your next mane moves.

W O RDS BY JO C ELYN A M A DOR • PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES FOR BET

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TREND: POWER BOB With its streamlined shape and glossy finish, the Power Bob undoubtedly brings the drama.

Opt for blunt-cut ends paired with a sleek, flat-ironed finish to score this trendy silhouette.

Then, make the look your own with tailored touches like these stars…

CRYSTAL RENEE HAYSLETT is a Sista who personalizes her Power Bob with a low part and just a hint of a flip to frame the face.

LATTO is giving off “Big Energy” in an inky bob detailed with a precise center part and softly curved ends.

ELLA MAI looks “Boo’d Up” with this sharp bob enhanced with dimensional color shimmering with every turn of the head. upscalemagazine.com

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TREND: CROWNING TOPKNOT Bun, topknot…call it what you will just as long it’s worn high and mighty! This regal upsweep gets its queenly swagger from the haute height. Check out how these stylish stars rock the look…

MUNI LONG doesn’t need “Hrs & Hrs” to look this gorgeous.

After all, the singer can pull off any style with ease—including this embellished updo. Here, lengths are arranged and piled atop one another, pinned into place then adorned with a row of sparkling rhinestones.

EVA MARCILLE serves with a stunning, sculpted profile. The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip star flaunts lengths, awash in gold and copper, into a gracefully swirled silhouette positioned atop a twisted mahogany base.

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JANELLE MONÁE brings creative flair to this version of the topknot by intertwining what looks like a faux braid through honey-kissed curls. Leave it to “The Electric Lady” to deliver a truly high-voltage hairstyle.

TREND: BOLD BABY HAIR Fanciful baby hair designs continue to reign. After all, who can resist such a beautiful way to finish off a hairstyle? These stars prove the power of this fan-favorite coif detail…

GOGO MORROW amplifies baby hairs “In The Way” that will surely get noticed. The music artist slicks back a brilliant blue mane to serve as the perfect backdrop for baby hairs shaped into ribbon-like swirls.

ARI FLETCHER styles baby hairs into swirls to echo the texture of lengthy, loose waves. It’s a style the model/influencer/entrepreneur wears flawlessly.

LIZZO never disappoints when she hits the red carpet.

Here, the “About Damn Time” music star flaunts an inspired pairing of finger waves and sculpted curlicues (think stylized “baby hair”). Genius.

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TREND: GOLD PIXIE The popular Pixie gets a glow up when dipped in gold. But the style fun doesn’t end there. Personalize this short cut and color combo and watch heads turn like these stunning stars…

SERAYAH is ready to rule in her version of this on-trend snip. A darker base adds depth to the Kingdom Business beauty’s crop while layered curls are left defined throughout.

MC LYTE has the golden touch. The rap icon proves this point by drenching a curly short cut in shimmering gold. The result: style perfection.

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LETOYA LUCKETT stuns in a head-hugging platinum Pixie detailed with sculpted finger waves. Leave It To LeToya to take both color and style to new levels of chic.

TREND: SKY-HIGH PONYTAIL A go-to coif for 90s beauties, the tall ponytail looks just as fierce in 2022. The modern spin: Keep the ponytail height but play with the texture and details. These chic celebs show us how…

CHLOE BAILEY gives us a gorgeous style “Surprise” by gathering lush locs into a towering ponytail detailed with a highstanding base nestled at the crown.

COCO JONES steps out in a posh ponytail that’s right at home in Bel-Air as well as on the red carpet. The star keeps this version of the style slicked super smooth at the crown.

TREND: ENDLESS LENGTHS No doubt, this trend is a major hair flip moment. Long, luxurious lengths worn super smooth add movement and shine—especially when dipped in a rich, ebony hue. Allow these stars to demonstrate…

KEKE PALMER delivers a new level of style drama with this down-to-there coif. The Nope movie star keeps styling effortless by adding a low part and allowing hair’s extreme lengths to float behind her.

MARSAI MARTIN is simply stunning with her long mane brushed sleek and detailed with a center part. The finishing touch: Hair’s glossy glow makes this Black-ish beauty the epitome of young Hollywood glam.

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TARAJI’S TRESS MOVES For her spotlight turn on the red carpet and as host of the 2022 BET Awards, Taraji P. Henson showed up and showed out with 11 hair changes—each crafted by celebrity hairstylist Tym Wallace. Here, Wallace breaks down the styling details on three of the entertainer’s stunning hair moves from the event.

This style is all the way Morticia Addams and Cher! To create the bone- straight look using Kim Kimble Hair, I took a dime-size amount of Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Leave-In Cream before flat ironing the hair. I then used Tangle Teezer’s The Ultimate Styler to gently brush through the extensions while adding shine. To keep the look sleek, I finished the style with the Red by Kiss Edge Fixer Glued Hair Wax Stick in Coconut and slicked her baby hair in place using Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother.

This look is a tribute to 90s Hip Hop and an ode to the Notorious B.I.G. A platinum blonde look has to be flawless, so I held this style in place with the Kiss All Mighty Bond Dual Tip Applicator. Blonde hair is prone to breakage, so to keep the integrity, I prepped the hair with Carol’s Daughter Monoi (Repair + Protect) Multi-Styling Milk before heat styling.

I can’t finish a style without Tangle Teezer’s The Ultimate Styler brush.

It helps me move through the natural hair and extensions effortlessly, leaving that overall flawless look.

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Taraji’s red carpet look is inspired by timeless beauty with a little bit of Rihanna!

I created a sleek, side swept low ponytail. Using 42-inch lengths of Hair So Fab’s straight texture, I prepped the hair with Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Divine Strength Leave-In Milk and then applied the Red by Kiss Edge Fixer Glued Hair Wax Stick in Coconut and brushed her mane into the smoothest ponytail using Tangle Teezer’s The Ultimate Styler. It is my favorite brush to effortlessly blend extensions while giving hair a shiny finish. To keep Taraji’s hair perfect under the Cali sun, I finished the style with Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother. Lastly, I used Tangle Teezer’s The Ultimate Styler brush to sculpt the baby hair into place.

IN THE MONEY Vice President Kamala Harris’ Alma Mata Howard University and Other HBCU’s Get Record 2.7 Billion Dollars in Funding

Stephan Smith

WO RDS B Y J O H NECIA L. MASON, DBA, MBA

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i In accordance with the Morrill Act of 1890, states were required to set aside land for institutions to be built to educate African American students. The establishment of these land grants were of particular importance in the former confederate states, due to many African American students still being denied entrance to institutions of higher learning.

This was the beginning of the concept of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s), with Cheney University of Pennsylvania being the first. There were many African American clergy members and Caucasian philanthropists who felt the need to provide institutions of higher education for African Americans and they worked to raise funds to build buildings and campuses for this purpose, many of which are still in operation today.

I have had the pleasure of attending two of these institutions of higher education, Morris Brown College and Spelman College. Morris Brown College was the first HBCU in Georgia to be built by African Americans for African Americans and was named for the first consecrated Bishop of the AME church, Bishop Morris Brown. I graduated in the Spelman College Class of 2004. This institution of higher learning was founded

by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet B. Giles for African American women and named after the family of John Rockefeller’s wife. I have a unique HBCU journey because I have attended two very distinct and different schools.

While both are members of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), both schools have very different reputations. Morris Brown College, like many HBCU’s, has struggled to maintain a high endowment, updated buildings, and the latest in technology. Spelman College, on the other hand, has always been financially secure and backed by huge donors, able to provide the latest equipment and technology for their students in their field, and national recognition. The commonality for both schools is they are still not able to compete with their White counterparts due to funding.

March 7, 2022, the Department of Education announced $2.7 billion in funding for the nation’s HBCUs in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. The funding that HBCU’s will receive from the Biden-Harris administration is monumental because it will open so many doors for future generations that will attend these precious gems in the African American community. Since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has implemented three major initiatives to aid in assisting HBCU’s. These initiatives include:

I have a unique HBCU journey because I have attended two very distinct and different schools.

• The American Rescue Plan, which assisted HBCU’s through the many hurdles they, along with their students, faced. This plan provided funds to ensure that campuses were safe, running effectively, and able to meet the needs of their students.

• Debt Relief, that saw to it that the Department of Education discharged $1.6 billion in loans through the HBCU Capital Financing Program. This allowed the institutions to focus on more critical areas such as providing assistance to students, faculty, and staff during the pandemic.

• Grant Funding, the Department of Education granted more than $500 million in funding to HBCU’s to increase fiscal stability.

All of these initiatives are being funded through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, better known as HEERF. According to HEERF guidelines, half of these funds must be used to directly provide financial relief to the students of these institution. Many HBCU’s are using the additional monies to help students continue their educational endeavors through the pandemic, ensuring that students are graduating, and assuring that college stays affordable.

Within the African American community, attending an HBCU is a family tradition, a badge of honor, and a true foundation for obtaining real world lessons, while also still being nurtured by your own. They are rare, unique, and precious...true gems, we must ensure their legacies!

A 2004 cum laude graduate of Spelman College, Dr. Johnecia L. Mason is a Business Professor at Georgia Piedmont Technical College and the co-founder of Rodney’s Gift Inc. Visit her website www.rodneysgift.org.

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Op posite page from the Top: Morris Brown: Cour tesy of MorrisBrown; FAMU: Cour tesy of FAMU; Grambling S t at e: C arlton H amlin

BY THE NUMBERS Alabama Receives Over $334 million for 13 HBCUs Alabama A&M University: $60,120,210 Alabama State University: $42,725,038 Bishop State Community College: $34,271,512 Lawson State Community College: $34,045,562 Tuskegee University: $30,961,457 Shelton State Community College: $29,004,331 H. Councill Trenholm State Community College: $21,002,921 Gadsden State Community College: $18,767,865 Miles College: $18,102,234 Talladega College: $14,112,105 J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College: $11,584,720 Oakwood University: $10,806,960 Stillman College: $9,171,243 Arkansas Receives Nearly $61 million for 4 HBCUs University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: $25,138,852 Shorter College: $13,019,110 Philander Smith College: $11,774,144 Arkansas Baptist College: $10,779,046 California Receives Over $13 million for 1 HBCU Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science: $13,295,109 Delaware Receives Nearly $36 million for 1 HBCU Delaware State University: $35,923,801 District of Columbia (Washington, DC) Receives Over $88 million for 2 HBCUs Howard University: $57,482,588 University of the District of Columbia: $30,918,101 Florida Receives Over $156 million for 4 HBCUs Florida A&M University: $99,274,125 Bethune Cookman University: $33,041,940 Edward Waters College: $13,228,709 Florida Memorial University: $10,641,947 Georgia Receives Over $260 million for 8 HBCUs Morehouse School of Medicine: $56,785,507 Albany State University: $53,287,476 Clark Atlanta University: $47,762,468 Savannah State University: $41,412,308 Fort Valley State University: $26,524,053 Morehouse College: $15,541,496 Spelman College: $13,786,698 Paine College: $5,557,820

Check out the breakdown of the funding to America’s HBCUs by state and territory

Kentucky Receives Over $21 million for 2 HBCUs Kentucky State University: $15,109,665 Simmons College of Kentucky: $6,453,559 Louisiana Receives Over $211 million for 6 HBCUs Southern University and A&M College: $64,130,696 Grambling State University: $48,074,370 Southern University at New Orleans: $36,540,309 Xavier University of Louisiana: $31,406,850 Southern University at Shreveport ‐ Bossier City: $18,289,223 Dillard University: $12,710,006 Maryland Receives Over $153 million for 4 HBCUs Morgan State University: $61,889,348 Bowie State University: $44,408,346 University of Maryland ‐ Eastern Shore: $26,844,541 Coppin State University: $20,440,423 Mississippi Receives Over $237 million for 7 HBCUs Hinds Community College: $87,047,253 Jackson State University: $60,437,863 Alcorn State University: $33,482,855 Mississippi Valley State University: $22,861,645 Coahoma Community College: $19,112,009 Rust College: $8,224,611 Tougaloo College: $7,924,421 Missouri Receives Over $38 million for 2 HBCUs Harris ‐ Stowe State University: $20,222,823 Lincoln University: $18,116,034 North Carolina Receives Over $307 million for 10 HBCUs North Carolina A&T State University: $93,092,139 North Carolina Central University: $62,903,281 Winston‐Salem State University: $42,169,266 Fayetteville State University: $41,559,265 Elizabeth City State University: $15,779,156 Johnson C Smith University: $14,375,251 Livingstone College: $13,710,891 Shaw University: $11,869,547 Saint Augustine’s University: $8,065,614 Bennett College: $4,068,757 Ohio Receives Over $34 million for 2 HBCUs Central State University: $25,880,482 Wilberforce University: $8,123,992

Oklahoma Receives Over $23 million for 1 HBCU Langston University: $23,093,393 Pennsylvania Receives Over $25 million for 2 HBCUs Lincoln University: $18,531,228 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania: $6,928,018 South Carolina Receives Nearly $112 million for 8 HBCUs South Carolina State University: $24,839,400 Benedict College: $22,424,080 Claflin University: $21,574,206 Allen University: $12,760,702 Denmark Technical College: $8,529,645 Morris College: $8,090,968 Clinton College: $7,170,012 Voorhees College: $6,553,949 Tennessee Receives Over $133 million for 6 HBCUs Tennessee State University: $58,594,818 Meharry Medical College: $36,461,963 Lane College: $15,156,158 LeMoyne ‐ Owen College: $10,280,982 Fisk University: $7,506,145 American Baptist College: $5,682,740 Texas Receives Nearly $304 million for 9 HBCUs Texas Southern University: $90,104,029 Prairie View A&M University: $84,101,911 St Philip’s College: $70,663,484 Texas College: $12,378,810 Huston ‐ Tillotson University: $11,360,349 Jarvis Christian College: $10,982,554 Wiley College: $9,934,742 Paul Quinn College: $8,089,525 Southwestern Christian College: $6,085,111 U.S. Virgin Islands Receives Over $12 million for 1 HBCU University of the Virgin Islands: $12,225,340 Virginia Receives Over $141 million for 5 HBCUs Norfolk State University: $52,248,428 Virginia State University: $39,482,142 Hampton University: $31,205,244 Virginia Union University: $11,866,504 Virginia University of Lynchburg: $6,322,150 West Virginia Receives Over $28 million for 2 HBCUs West Virginia State University: $16,998,872 Bluefield State College: $11,074,452

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big energy Easy after-summer hair

refresh tips WORDS BY JOCELYN AMADOR

PHOTOS: AMERICA’S BEAUTY SHOW 2022 COLLECTION BY THE ULTA BEAUTY PRO TEAM. HAIRSTYLES BY MICHELLE O’CONNOR @MICHELLEOCONNORBEAUTY AND @AMERICASBEAUTYSHOW

“After summer it’s vitally important to go into repair mode,” shares Ulta Beauty Pro Team Artist MICHELLE O’CONNOR. “Your hair has been out in the sun, you may have been in the water, it’s a good time to jumpstart a self-care routine.” Here, the award-winning hairstylist delights us with this creative coif collection and drops some wisdom on how to revive and refresh hair for the season ahead.

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PLUSH WAVES

Lush and plush…you could float away among these waves! “Clip-in pieces were added to the hair to create fullness and a waving iron was used to form the loose waves,” reveals Ulta Beauty Pro Team Artist Michelle O’Connor about the coif she created. “[Waves are] a great transitionary style for Fall because you can still celebrate the fullness and nuance of the curl pattern, it’s just looser than your own,” reveals the stylist. “A lot of the hair’s substance was kept intact, meaning you’re not bringing the hair down from a curl to a flat state. In this way you’re not creating heat damage.”

Hair Refresh Tip: Were extensions your go-to summer look? Then it’s time to take them out so as to give hair a rest and allow access for rejuvenating conditioning treatments. Since not all extensions are created equal, O’Connor says when to remove depends on the method used to apply them. In some cases, tape-ins have a shelf life of about 4-6 weeks while sew-in extensions may last 6-8 weeks. “I think we should put extensions in a category similar to makeup: It’s something you put on, experience and love, then take out,” notes the hair pro.

“It should never be where you feel you can’t wear your own hair. It should just be an accessory.” upscalemagazine.com

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TOPKNOT SUPREME Award-winning hairstylist Michelle O’Connor elevates a topknot with a fountain of flowing waves and colorful beads. “Leaving those ends out gives a done-butundone feeling and the beads are an homage to how beads and Black women go hand in hand in terms of jewels in the hair,” shares O’Connor, who also crafts the illusion of sideswept “bangs” with creative bead placement on a braided base. “This model has very long hair. So to create a bang-type look, I stopped the beads where a bang would end but the braid continues on down the length.”

Hair Refresh Tip: A deep conditioning regimen is important for overall healthy hair. “When I reference deep conditioning, there are two components: You either have a moisture or a protein component. Protein is for strength,” says O’Connor. She tells us there are various things that can contribute to strength loss, especially if hair is Natural, including putting hair in tight buns or applying too much heat. Having a protein treatment done periodically is going to help restore hair’s strength and elasticity she advises. “The one thing you automatically have if you have curly or coily hair is you’ll have drier hair. So, you want to focus on moisture,” points out the hair pro about the moisturizing deep conditioning treatments that help replenish and hydrate hair. She shares these treatments move beyond the general conditioner that supports your shampoo in the shower and most often can be found in the form of a hair masque product.

FAB ‘FRO Created as a celebration of Afro-textured hair, this look by stylist Michelle O’Connor is giving off late 70s, early 80s style esthetics. Texture is picked out to full perfection and carved with a deep part and braided sides.

Hair Refresh Tip: For Naturalistas, the cusp between Summer and Autumn might prove to be the perfect time to shape up curls. According to O’Connor, curly/coily hair’s trim schedule is unique, sometimes only requiring a trim 2-3 times a year. “Going into Fall, it’s a great time to get rid of those dead ends and refresh your style,” suggests the hair pro.

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ICONIC PROFILE With a nod to legendary music star Grace Jones, stylist Michelle O’Connor began this look by braiding away hair throughout. This move results in an ideal base for an angled, sculptural hair installation at the crown that any rockstar would applaud.

Hair Refresh Tip: Having a good scalp care routine is one of the best things you can do for your hair—and using a scalp scrub product is a great way to cleanse the scalp. “There are different types of scalp scrubs, including ones made from sugar, or ones containing oats, as well as scrubs which provide some type of lathering,” notes O’Connor. “Look for a scrub [product] that breaks down and doesn’t stay in the hair.

You want to use one that will disintegrate naturally.”

At home, begin the process of scalp exfoliation by wetting hair down. Then use fingertips, or a soft-bristle toothbrush, to gently scrub the scalp with the product between hair partings coaches O’Connor. “Avoid any sort of vigorous scrubbing on top of something that already has exfoliating granules in it,” she cautions.

COLOR PLAY A streak of color makes this flattop silhouette even more of a showstopper. Hair pro Michelle O’Connor’s braided-away base provides streamlined support for the high-standing hairpiece crafted from Afro-textured hair.

Hair Refresh Tip: If coif color is on your wish list for a new-season look, O’Connor says leave it to the pros to handle: “Haircolor has a tendency to dry your hair out and it can also release your curl pattern if you’re DIY-ing [the color] at home…The lighter you go with haircolor, the more opportunity there is for your texture to be loosened.” She reminds us to consider hair color an as an investment. Get it done right then make sure you’re receiving the followup color treatments to support your initial beauty investment. “There are shampoos and conditioners that actually have pigment in them that will help keep your color vibrant and your hair moisturized” points out O’Connor. “When a product is for color-treated hair it’s automatically going to be ultra-hydrating.”

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WO R DS BY LESLIE E. ROYAL

MYSTIQUE OF THE FETE

The magnificent spectacle of Carnival is rooted in colonialism, religious conversion, and freedom from slavery. Three essential elements of the fabulously dramatic celebration are music, dancing, and masquerade. Revelers come from around the globe to take part in island carnivals complete with grooving to electrifying steel drum performances, seeing multicolored peacock or ostrich feathers, wearing intricately designed headdress, and enjoying wild, loud, and edgy behavior. Visit their websites and Instagram pages to get carnival dates in order to behold the splendor of the costumes and performances in varying locales. The fabulous scenes are only matched by the stunning beauty of the picturesque host islands themselves.

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CARNIVAL IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

WWW.VISITTRINIDAD.TT @TRINIDADANDTOBAGOCARNIVAL This carnival is known as the “Greatest Show on Earth” and the “Mother of Carnival” as it is said, from its inception in the 18th century, to have inspired many of the Caribbean carnivals that followed. It is officially celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday annually. Carnival Monday commences with J’ouvert at 4:00 a.m. Partygoers parade through the streets covered in paint, grease, and mud, reveling until sunrise. The masqueraders line the streets later on Monday and all day on Carnival Tuesday. Thousands of masqueraders flood the streets in bold, colorful, fabulous costumes. They dance and dance to the thrilling sounds of soca, steel pan, and calypso music. Over several weeks of Carnival, events include Calypso Tents, “Pan in de Sancoche”, Musical Showdown in de Big Yard, Dimanche Gras, Carnival Comedy, and Calypso Fiesta.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Hyatt Regency or Magdalena Grand Beach Resort

WWW.BAHAMAS.COM @VISITTHEBAHAMAS It’s been said that the Junkanoo Carnival first originated more than 300 hundreds years ago when the slaves celebrated on their few days off work during the year. It is also said to have been named for African tribal chief John Canoe. Whatever the derivation, on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, there is a wondrous celebration. It features live music with accents of West African drum rhythms, American blues, and Caribbean culture in the drums, cowbells, brass horns, and whistles. The attendees, dressed in elaborate costumes that they spend months on end designing, dance in the streets of Downtown Nassau. The groups like the Valley Boys, One Family, The Prodigal Sons, Roots, and Saxons vie for the title of “Best Junkanoo Group”.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Atlantis Paradise Island or The Ocean Club

ANTIGUA CARNIVAL IN ANTIGUA

WWW.VISITANTIGUABARBUDA.COM @ANTIGUAANDBARBUDA Art, culture, music, heritage, and cuisine abound at this spectacular multi-day experience. The celebration features steel bands, calypso, parades, and troupes of masqueraders in multicolored costumes. In a magical way, Antigua fuses traditional and modern culture in a festive carnival of street parties, beauty pageants, talent shows, concerts, food fairs, and competitions. Celebrating emancipation on August 1, 1834, the festivities include the Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competitions of Calypsonians, Jaycees Queen’s Competition, and the Panorama steel band competition. Popular activities include the magnificent Parade of Bands to the Queen of Carnival Pageant, Mr. and Mrs. Teenage Pageant, and Emancipation Watch Night Celebrations.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Hammock Cove Resort & Spa or Sandals Grande 54

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Images cour tesy of countries

JUNKANOO CARNIVAL IN BAHAMAS

ST. LUCIA CARNIVAL IN ST. LUCIA

WWW.STLUCIA.ORG @TRAVELSAINTLUCIA A true celebration of Caribbean culture, history, and creativity, revelers take part in parties, competitions, and fetes such as the Power and Groovy Monarch, Senior and Junior Panoramas, Steel Pan Competitions, and the Inter-Commercial House Calypso Completion. There are dozens of community events and of course a continuous calendar of parties. The energy is in the air as the street parade of live bands, and music featuring DJs blast throughout the day.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Jade Mountain Resort or Marigot Bay Resort

Mas Domnik Carnival, MAS DOMNIK CARNIVAL IN DOMINICA

WWW.DISCOVERDOMINICA.COM @DISCOVERDOMINICA Known as “The Real Mas” because it holds true to past African and French traditions, revelers enjoy a cultural explosion of music, art, dancing, and singing in the streets. Originally founded to celebrate freedom from slavery, carnival attendees masquerade in costumes such as Sense or BwaBwa, dance to Calypso and Bouyon music through the early hours, and groove to drumming by the La Po Kabwit Band. The festivities also include Showdown Mas Camp, Panorama by de Bay, and Carnival Mothers Queen Show.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Secret Bay Resort or Cabrits Resort & Spa

CROP OVER CARNIVAL IN BARBADOS WWW.BARBADOS.ORG @VISITBARBADOS This premier event began more than 300 years ago when the Bajans celebrated the end of sugar cane growing season. It has evolved into a fabulous festival of Barbados heritage, music, dance, culture, food, and art in which visitors, including superstar Rihanna, come to visit. The culturally immersive celebration includes the Grand Kadooment Day, Pic-O-De-Crop Competition, Cohobblopot, Tune-ofthe-Crop, People’s Choice Soca Monarch Competition, Bridgetown Market Street Fair, and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Shades of Barbados or Dover Hotel 56

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Spicemas Carnival, SPICEMAS CARNIVAL IN GRENADA

WWW.PUREGRENADA.COM @PUREGRENADA Celebrating African, French, British, and Caribbean heritage, the carnival is presented by the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. The crowd can witness Grenada’s top calypsonians, power soca and groovy soca artistes compete for coveted titles of Calypso Monarch, Soca Monarch, and Groovy Monarch. Steel bands compete for the Panorama Champion. Other festivities include Carnival Sunday’s Canboulay, Jab-Jabs parading through the streets beating drums, and performances by Fancy and Traditional Mas’ Bands. Participants cover themselves in paint, oil, tar, mud, molasses, or chocolate to prepare for the J’ouvert parade.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Royalton Grenada or Coyaba Beach Resort

Vincy Mas Carnival, VINCY MAS CARNIVAL IN ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

WWW.DISCOVERSVG.COM @STVINCENTANDGRENADINES This summer festival typically begins the last Friday in June. The spectacular celebration is complete with calypso, soca, and steel pan performances.

Tourists dance in the streets as the locales honor their culture, heritage, and tradition. J’Ouvert begins at pre-dawn. Throughout the celebration there is the Miss Saint Vincent Competition, Miss Carnival, Carnival King and Queen Competition, Soca Monarch Competition, and the Junior Pan Fest. A huge crowd pleaser is the Mardi Gras Parade of the Bands.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Mariners Hotel or Sunset Shores Beach Hotel

FETE INTERNATIONAL This trinity of festivals in Brazil, the UK, and Canada collectively bring more than five million visitors to their popular destinations annually. They are the best global carnivals you won’t find on any island and partygoers make plans to revel in these phenomenal experiences well in advance. Visit their websites and Instagram pages to stay “in the know” and get the Carnival dates for this year and 2023.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

WWW.VISITBRASIL.COM @VISITBRAZIL The carnival of all carnivals, more than two million visitors descend on the beautiful city for the world renown festivities. The first carnival began in1723. It now has more than 200 samba schools and is widely considered to be the largest carnival in the world. Highlights are the dazzling Magic Ball, captivating events in the Sambadrome Stadium, fabulous floats, street dancers such as Blocos and Bandas of Rio, and block parties in Copacabana, Leblon, and Centro.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Copacabana Palace or JW Marriott Hotel

Notting Hill Carnival in London, United Kingdom

WWW.NHCARNIVAL.ORG @NOTTINGHILLCARNIVALLDN Presented by the British Afro-Caribbean community, the carnival gets more than two million visitors each year. Revelers enjoy the Soca, Calypso, Jungle, House, Drum & Bass, and Steelpan music while dancing through the streets. Elaborate floats and masqueraders are an integral part of Europe’s largest street festival which takes place each August bank holiday weekend.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: The Gantry London or Dorsett City Hotel

Caribana Carnival in Toronto, Canada

WWW.CARIBANATORONTO.COM @CARIBANA.TORONTO The name Caribana was created by fusing Canada and Caribbean. Over a million people visit Toronto to enjoy musical genres including Steelpan, Soca, Calypso, Dancehall, Reggae, and Chutney. Highlights encompass the Grande Parade, special events such as Daylit, Dayfete, Soca Sensation, and Carnival Frost as well as Mas Bands featuring Allure Carnival, Toronto Revellers, Tribal Carnival, and Fantazia Carnival.

Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Fairmont Royal York or One King West —Continued on page 70

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—Continued from page 58

FETE IN AMERICA You don’t have to leave the United States to get in the spirit of Carnival. Our list of the 10 best Caribbean Carnivals in America gives you entrée into these fantastic festivals. To experience the authentic essence of the music, costumes, pageants, and fierce competitions in one of the regions in which you reside, check out their websites and Instagram pages for the upcoming dates. From the East Coast to the West Coast, let the celebrations begin!

WORDS BY BRENDA O'NEAL

Miami Carnival

www.miamicarnival.org @miabrocarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Mandarin Oriental or Hotel Beaux Arts

New York Carnival

www.wiadcacarnival.org/ @newyorkcarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan or Hyatt Centric Times Square

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival

www.atlantacarnival.org @officialatlantacarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Epicurean Atlanta Autograph Collection or Thompson Buckhead

Orlando Carnival Downtown

www.orlandocarnivaldowntown.com @orlandocarnivaldowntown Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: The Delaney Hotel or Hyatt Regency Orlando

Houston Caribbean Festival

www.Houstoncaribbeanfest.com @houstoncarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: JW Marriott Downtown or The St. Regis Hotel

New Orleans Caribbean Carnival

www.neworleanscaribbeancarnival.com @nolacaribbeancarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: New Orleans Marriott or The Ritz-Carlton

Charlotte Caribbean Carnival

www.charlottecaribbeancarnival.com @charlottecaribbeancarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: The Ballantyne or The Ivey’s Hotel

Baltimore Washington One Carnival

www.baltimorecarnival.com @baltimoreonecarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: Royal Sonesta Harbor Court or Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

Boston Carnival

www.cacab.org @bostoncaribbeancarnival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: The Liberty Hotel or Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel

Las Vegas Caribbean Festival

www.lvcaribfest.com @lvcaribbeanfestival Insider’s Tip on Upscale Accommodations: The Venetian Las Vegas or Wynn Las Vegas Brenda O’Neale is the owner of With This Ring Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Travel Agency. Her website is www.withthisringdwh.com. Follow her @withthisringromancetravel.

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upscalemagazine.com Cour tesy of the Puer to Rico Board of Tourism

BEHIND THE MASKS OF

OLD SAN JUAN Images of loss, darkness and light inside the old Puerto Rican capital

BY HAL PEAT

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T

he masks with their openings stare back at the visitor from behind their showcases here within this gallery of the Museo de Las Americas in Old San Juan. There are no living eyes behind them, but still you may look into them and sense a presence there. Countless stories gaze back – unknown, and largely untold. Here, in this permanent museum collection known as “Our African Heritage Section”, you finally encounter these artifacts of a time and place seen in other dimensions around this original quarter of the Puerto Rican capital.

Later, our guide Victor, from the locally based Higuaca Adventours, describes how the masks also emerge in a present-day moment during the Fiestas de Santiago Apostol (St. James Festival) in the streets here and then notably in the Afro-Borinqueño neighborhood of Loiza, to the east of the old city. With its origins in freed and escaped African slaves, Loiza today has also evolved into a cultural hub for bomba and plena music and dance but remains one of the surviving homes of such masks – in this neighborhood, created from coconut husks carved to fit the shape and size of the wearer behind it. Again, they come out on the local streets and speak to the world during this summer Festival each July.

Victor also points out the significance of those horns attached to masks and where they point – both in the museum display, and within the street display of the present. There is a narrative here too of resilience and identity, stretching from past into the living moment, to absorb and understand.

A living showcase of architecture, squares and residences Beyond the confines of its formal museum world, there are other spaces that present a mask of their own and from which other stories becomes visible around Old San Juan today. The outward grandeur of fortifications, mansions, official residences and the structure of the ancient quarters itself all bear witness to the colonial forces that created them but also to the human hands that built them. It has been claimed this original heart of the capital has more museums than anywhere on earth, and the district itself is an extended museum thanks to the number of buildings that have been declared National Historic Sites.

Taking in some of the key monuments, buildings and historic structures, the interwoven story of Old San Juan begins to emerge as you navigate its wider area. That defining perimeter known as La Muralla - the wall which once surrounded the entire old city and still partly stands - is probably the most imposing early creation of the sixteenth century that follows you along the edges of the ocean here. The wall is some twenty feet thick at points, and similarly dense in structure is the Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, or simply “El Morro”. Together, all these immense walls, towers, barracks, dungeons and secret passages required untold labor 62

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Hal Peat

What these masks and their design still seem to tell across centuries on a fine spring morning in 2022 may also go on echoing in your memory.

This Museo de las Americas sits within the Cuartel de Ballajá, a former military barracks built in the 1850’s, and which now houses an extensive collection of popular and folk art of Latin America subdivided into separate and distinct permanent exhibits. Along the way, another exhibit shines a light on the African story within Puerto Rico. The “Conquest and Colonization” collection includes the artefacts and tools which made possible the establishment of an island colony, and the survival of that colonization through the importation here as elsewhere of a slave population. Here are the tools and devices – both those used in the island agriculture, and those used to ensure that those enslaved humans duly performed the core functions of that agriculture.

- and too many hands to carve and create. Behind their outer grand facade, again you may pause and glimpse those unknown human faces, Transformation and preservation of the old city’s original colonial structures is reflected within this urban landscape through its earliest European residences. One such locally being La Fortaleza, dating from an earlier existence in the sixteenth century to its present identity as the governor’s mansion. In the rivalry and regional conflict between colonial powers – Spanish and British – it was deemed inadequate to guard this Spanish possession and took on a second life instead. Also, closely tied to that earliest colonial period in the person of its first Spanish overlord, Ponce de Leon, is his former official home, now the Museo Casa Blanca - a collection of small buildings, guard posts, and well shaded gardens.

Today, its interiors remain home to the furniture and art of the earlier centuries, while also providing some perspective of the lifestyle of his descendants who lived here for over two centuries. An engaging overview is also on hand in another re-imagined space, at the Museo de San Juan, where an old commercial nineteenth century marketplace has been transformed into this museum collection of local culture, history and geography, an insightful view into the daily and wider life of the city across centuries.

Plaintain to piña colada – legacies in food and drink traditions What the eyes can examine and more fully understand around old San Juan’s historical landscape, so too the palate can savor of the local favored ingredients, dishes, drinks hereabouts and then find a deeper legacy. Within this dimension of the culinary, Old San Juan also bears living witness to a complex heritage – not just in the foods or beverage themselves, but in their preparation and even in the role they still play in contemporary life here. Foods – vegetable, fruit, seafood – all became not just a source of life but also an essential tool of the social and economic systems of colonial society.

Many contemporary comida criolla dishes you come across while dining in Old San Juan date back to African influences, including the well-known mofongo – typically made of deep-fried green plantains mashed inside a mortar and pestle — with garlic, olive oil and, most traditionally, chicharrón (fried pork skin). At lunchtime in the local landmark Barrachina restaurant with our guides, we also come across other foods and beverages that resonate in layers of the past. There is the ever-present rice and beans – the former being a crop that traveled transatlantically with slaves. Also on hand, but perhaps easy to miss for its ties to human history is the exuberant island drink, the piña colada, a hallmark of the restaurant but also with a depth beyond just taste. Its spirit ingredient of rum, after all, became one of the important products of the sugar plantation, refined from the molasses that was in turn cut by slave hands. The beauty of rum in its taste goes on, but when you raise your glass in cheers you may also salute the faces you see again, reflected for another second within that glass.

INSIDE OLD SAN JUAN: MORE RESOURCES

MUSEUMS/FORTS • Museo de las Americas – Calle Norzagaray and Calle del Morro; Tel: 787-724-5052; www.museodelasamericas.com • Museo de San Juan – 150 Calle Norzagaray at Calle MacArthur; Tel:: 787-480-3530 • Museo Casa Blanca – 1 C. de San Sebastián; Tel: 787-725-1454 • Castillo San Felipe del Morro – At San Juan’s harbor entrance; Tel: 787-729-6754; www.nps.gov/saju TOURING AND GUIDES • Higuaca Adventours – local expert guides on the capital’s cultural legacies (www. higuacaadventours.com)

Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian - One of the most anticipated parties in January and the unofficial close of the holiday season, takes over Old San Juan from Wednesday evening until Sunday afternoon along Calle San Sebastian and nearby, with hundreds of artisans and parades. For more info, call the San Juan Tourism office (787-721-0169), or the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (787-722-1709). upscalemagazine.com

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STYLE

A WORK OF ART

The Ashro Beacon Randa Slide features stunning intricate embroidery and sequin embellishments. The comfortable, wide 3 ¾ inch straw-wrapped heel will turn heads for sure.

Priced at $59.79, the multi-mosaic designed shoe can be purchased at www.Ashro.com.

BY LESLIE E. ROYAL

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STYLE

WINE TIME

We’ve selected some of our favorite varietals to complement your scenic picnics, intimate dinners, and romantic getaways. There is a bottle for just about every budget. From a very berry $11 Rosé to a rich and aromatic $200 Cabernet Sauvignon, all are sure to please.

BY ANTASHA ROYAL WILSON

1

Beringer Vineyards 2018 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, SRP $36, Food Pairings: grilled steaks or BBQ dish.

3

Etude 2018 Estate Pinot Noir, SRP $47, Food Pairings: bruschetta or grilled filet

Hess Select 2019 Chardonnay, Monterey County, SRP $12, Food Pairings: grilled salmon or Asianstyle chicken salad

2

4

To Kalon Vineyard 2018 Highest Beauty, SRP $200, Food Pairings: beef or venison

5

Stella Rosa Rosé, SRP $11, Food Pairings: pork or red velvet cake

7 19 Crimes Snoop 2021 Cali Rosé, SRP $13, Food Pairings: fresh bruschetta or summer salad

6

Cakebread Cellars 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, SRP $30, Food Pairings: shellfish or vegetarian dishes

Wander + Ivy Wine Box: This elegant, ready-to-serve carton features two Red Blend, two Cabernet Sauvignon, two Chardonnay, one White, and one Rosé of award-winning wines in unique and elegant, single-serve glass bottles.

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Cour tesy of Gef fri Maya

SPOTLIGHT

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TELEVISION

SCHOOL DAZE

C our tesy of Melba Moore

GEFFRI MAYA LEADS CAST OF CW’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SERIES ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING

BY UTAMU BELLE

Come this fall, Geffri Maya returns to lead the new, highly anticipated CW show All American: Homecoming. The show is the spin-off of the hit series All American where Maya has previously starred as a regular.

Her performance as the character Simone Hicks is incredibly multi-layered, as she emotionally portrays a typical teen with young adult issues against the complex backdrop of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience.

With a large and expanding fan base, Maya stood out as a series favorite, hence her success in securing the upcoming leading role. There’s presently a lot of buzz and excitement surrounding the Season 2 release set for October 10, 2022.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I loved television and movies. I’d watch shows with little kids and just be so enamored at the thought of being where they were— in these worlds. My love for the arts didn’t stop there. I also trained to be a professional dancer which motivated me even more to explore my creativity. Outside of doing school plays, my first real acting debut was on tour for Disney’s Broadway musical The Lion King. I toured in two cities and was later discovered by an agency.

The rest is history,” she recalls.

The series is classified as a young adult sports drama series centered around the characters’ experience at Bringston University in Atlanta, Georgia. This is where Black excellence is a way of life. In the spin-off, Maya’s character leaves her boyfriend Jordan behind in Los Angeles to attend the university where she pursues her dream of becoming a pro tennis player.

Maya tells upscale Magazine that the cast is very excited about another opportunity to make fans happy and fall even more in love with the HBCU experience. She says they can expect an even bumpier ride in the upcoming season.

Interestingly, Maya is a native of South Central, Los Angeles, which she says is one of the best places in the world. She initially started out as a dancer under Debbie Allen’s tutelage at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. She has had other roles in shows such as Private Practice, Everybody Hates Chris, Nasty Habits, East of La Brea, Black-ish, and Snowfall.

“I think it’s rewarding to be a part of projects that stand for something and are a representation of who I am as a Black woman and being overall. I’m hoping, in the near future, to do features. I feel like my career started on television and would love to add some amazing indies to my experience.”

MUSIC

MAGIC TOUCH STAYING TRUE TO HER PASSION FOR MUSIC, MELBA MOORE CONTINUES TO TREAT FANS TO TIMELESS MELODIES.

BY UTAMU BELLE

With countless musical hits under her belt, singer and actress Melba Moore is the gift that keeps on giving. She has recorded several R&B and dance hits throughout the years. They include “You Stepped Into My Life”, “This Is It”, “Love’s Comin’ At Ya”, “Falling”. Her version of “Lift Every Voice & Sing” is considered “the definitive recording”.

Raised in Newark, New Jersey the Harlem native experienced her first musical encounter when she recorded a single for Musicor Records titled “Magic Touch” in 1967.

“After a period of teaching in the public school system, I felt frustrated and decided to pursue entertainment. From there, I did session work alongside Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson in the NYC studios.

I sang background vocals on records that became hits. Then along came ‘Hair’ reflects Moore.

She was introduced to the bright lights of Broadway with her performance in the musical Hair. Moore received a Tony Award for her role as Lutiebelle in the Broadway musical Purlie. Soon after, in the summer of 1972, she co-hosted a weekly variety series with Clifton Davis on CBS. She recently launched a new musical project. With music constantly evolving,

Melba Moore’s songs remains beautifully enduring. “I make sure the music I make can be enjoyed by all”, she says. Her new album, Imagine, featuring her daughter is testimony to this.

“My daughter Charli Huggins is the motivator. Charli has grown up in the industry. She has diverse interests. But one thing that I know for sure is, she has a genuine love and knowledge of music. So, we thought, why don’t we do a project together?” says Moore.

The song “So In Love” is a chart- topping hit which reportedly signaled her return to the airwaves around the globe. The artist was thrilled when the single skyrocketed to #1 on UK Soul Charts and attracted airplay in many countries. “Feels great to be on top!”, she exclaimed.

Melba Moore is among the 2023 Hollywood Walk of Fame Inductees. She says she is very humbled and honored by this achievement. What’s next? Fans can look forward to a European tour this August and show dates in the United States. She will be at Blues Alley in DC on August 12 and 13, singing for the fans! To paraphrase her hit, “Melba is comin’ at ya!”

Follow her on Facebook @MooreMelba and Instagram @Melba1Moore.

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

2022

KING OF THE SOUTH FROM BOYHOOD DREAMS TO GROWN MAN REALITIES, MEGA AUTO SHOW EXECUTIVE CREATOR KYLAN JONES’ PASSION FOR SPECTACULAR CARS CAPTIVATES THE INDUSTRY

BY NEVA JONES FOSTER

As a toddler, Kylan played with and collected toy cars. By the age of five, his interest in automobiles grew and because he was skilled in graphic arts, he drew pictures of them. As a member of the Royal Ambassadors in Boy Scouts, he designed his cars with aerodynamics lines and functions for speed on the competitive racetrack. He received several medals from the Pioneer Derby Race Car Contests.

At 16, he got his first car. He added his own flare with an enhanced stereo system, DVD player, TV, and tinted windows. By 21, Kylan purchased one of his dream cars, a 1995 Chevy Impala, which he restored by adding Kandy paint, Pioneer Stereo system, TV, and 26-inch wheels.

He soon joined the Impala and Capri Car Club and began entering his vehicle into car shows. He brought home trophy after trophy. Kylan has attended over 100 car shows in which he entered his cars or videos of his cars.

He started in business by selling videos of car shows in the Southeast. He later presented a car show himself. Partnering with a friend in 2010, he had his first car show at the Atrium on Memorial Drive with 40 cars featured and more than 200 automobile enthusiasts in attendance. He ventured off into sole proprietorship and created the business name of StreetWhipz Productions, LLC. By this time, the car show venture was in his blood. He loved planning, organizing, attending, and building a network in the car show industry.

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Each year his car show garnered more attention, commanded larger crowds, and exceeded several hundred automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles showcased. The King of the South Mega Car Show now has an elite presence at The Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Car, truck, and bike aficionados come from all around the country. There are several competitions including the Sound Competition, Bass Competition, and Burnout Competition.

He continues to focus on his passion for restoring cars and traveling to car shows. Kylan’s 1971 Chevrolet Impala has been featured on BET HipHop Awards, Fancy Football, and Celebrity Rick Ross’ Auto Show. His vehicles have been in numerous movies and music videos such as Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz and OJ Da Juiceman.

“Traveling and making connections with other people within the car show industry has strengthened my network and has enhanced my skills in planning and organizing car shows,” says Kylan. “My dreams have become a reality. I believe if you do what you love, it’s not work.”

For more information about StreetWhipz Productions LLC and the King of the South Car Show, contact KosMegaShow@aol.com.

Follow him on Instagram @OfficialStreetWhipz.

LAST WORD

A

LIVING HISTORY

upscale Cel eb rates 33 Year s of Iconic Moment s i n Af ri c an A mer ican C ul t ure

BY E. MONIQUE JOHNSON

A LOT HAS CHANGED IN 33 YEARS. Back in 1989, gas was about 91 cents a gallon, the internet wasn’t even a thing, and landlines were in every home. It was also the year that upscale made its debut with Arsenio Hall, the creator of the highly rated, syndicated late-night talk show called The Arsenio Hall Show, on the cover. upscale magazine has represented a fresh voice in publishing. From innovative content featuring the best in Black entertainment and lifestyle to trendsetting hair and beauty profiles, it has brought the best of the world into your homes. As it settles into maturity, like a classic vintage, it only gets better with time. So, cheers to us and 33-plus more!

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