Urban Image Magazine's Christmas 2013 Issue by Urban Image Magazine

Inside this Issue Meet Our Staff

Urban Alter

Sexual Expression

So Your Looking For a Good Man

Six Things You Simply Cannot Make A Man Do

Ambition: Fueled and Ready

Ask Emiaj

How To Wash and Deep Condition Micro Braids Without Slippage

I Ain’t Me No More Book Review by E Ahdai

Conversations with BlessedSelling Author E.N.Joy

Deszion’s Star Design

Comedy Corner: Mandela the Freedom Fighter

Smash or Pass? New Year Resolutions: Leaving the Past Behind

Ace and Miss Ruth

Baby Duck

Meet 50/50 Entertainment artist "JEWLI"

Poetic Justice Joint

Dear Readers, Well hello folks! Sorry for such the long wait. My every attempt was to have this issue up and ready for you all on Christmas but my body said different. You see I am recovering from a back surgery and on the very day that I was supposed to be doing a blog talk radio interview I was going back into the hospital for a second surgery due to inquiring an infection. YOOOOOOOOOUUUCH! So yeah lets just say this issue has been quite the challenge. But due to an Awesome God, and a very caring, loving, supporting team and all of you readers. I was abled and encourage to push forward to get this to you today! I will say that it may not be ny best work ever but remember Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been heavily sedated people. LOL. That was a joke people. Well any way enough about me in this issue our Comedy Corner takes a solemn turn to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela. We have Ms. Emiaj AhDai bringing you our cover story with an in-depth conversation with our very own BlessedSelling Author E.N.Joy. We also have feature interviews with Chasin Dreams Ent. C.E.O Brian Vaughan. I this issue we also bring JEWLI. . .50/50 Entertainment artist out of Maryland who is surely a force to be reckoned with in the world's of Hip-Hop and R&B! We have something in this issue for everyone. I hope you enjoy as well as give us your feed back at info@urbanimagemagazine.com. We truly thank you support and hope you have had a blessed holiday season and possibly the best new year yet. UIM is reaching for the stars next year and hopes you will come along for the ride with us. Thanks to you all and God Bless. Sincerely,

Denetra Key President Urban Image Magazine

CONTRIBUTORS

My name is Richarh Aswanu AKA Daddy Rich. I am the CEO and founder here at Urban Image Magazine and GangstatLit. Writing is not a phase in my life, it defines who I am. I’m a man on a mission. I want my freedom! This is why I write! I have been locked down for 8 years but have published 3 books thus far. I have my own style that separates me from other authors. I created Urban Image to serve as a publication you can be proud of. It is our aim to dissolve the negative stereotypes associated with the “Urban Community”. We will inform, educate, entertain and inspire our readers. MEET OUR STAFF

In addition to providing you with thought provoking content, Urban Image Magazine will showcase talents who haven’t had the opportunity to reach mainstream media outlets. Urban Image Magazine was founded as a life changing movement for all that are involved in our mission. We are a stage for those without a platform to have a spotlight. Published to be accessible online, this magazine is designed to serve as a catalyst to success, a place where you can network with likeminded people who are in pursuit of their dreams.

Hello, my name is Denetra “Queen GangstaLit” Key or better known as D Queen. I am the president here at Urban Image. I am a mother of three and also a 15 year nurse by profession. I also am our magazine layout designer… so I hope you enjoy my art. There are some topics that arise in life that strike a cord with me and I will comment on those issues. My articles and blogs are to shed light on issues that are dear to my heart! I apologize in advance if I offend. But my pieces are based on my opinion. Our opinions reflect that we are individual children of God. One promise I can make is that I will report on the topics of my choice in as accurate fashion as I can. I welcome you to leave your comments good or bad in regards to work. I actually appreciate it! Your views give me insight. Thank you for visiting our page. While your here please take the time to browse around and look at our mag. It's gorgeous. I did the layout myself and am quite proud of it! Thanks again and God Bless! 9

EmiajAhdai is from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is our Fashion and Arts Blogger, our Managing Editor and recently promoted to Vice President. She is currently working on her first novel, and is a contributor to LAID: Young Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Experiences with sex in an easy access culture. She brings us a unique look on love and relationships through her Single and

Ready to Mingle blog and her column Ask Emiaj. This little woman wears a lot of hats but she has a big heart. You would never believer that she started out just blogging with us in her spare time. She believes in hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. Look for her name among the stars. MEET OUR STAFF

KIMBERLEY R. JASPER was raised in Jamaica Queens, New York and still describes herself as a true New Yorker through and through despite currently residing in Humble, Texas with her family.

After self-publishing her first

novel, she is now fulfilling her purpose and passion as a writer.

From horror fiction with a MEET OUR STAFF

mystical twist to erotic thrillers, this author can do it all with well-seasoned finesse.

Angela Williams is just now beginning to explore the possibilities opened to her. She is an avid reader who sometimes lets her imagination run wild. A lover of animals she shares living space with two dogs and a cantankerous cat. No stranger to being told what canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be done she tries to empower those around her. She believes that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re never late for your dream, you always arrive right on time. At the present time she is residing in Chesapeake, VA and working on a book of poetry.

Comedian Marc Howard has preformed stand up comedy for over 20 years. Originally started in his home town of Washington DC, and won a big competition in the area Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in his 1st 2 years. He later moved to New York City to test his talents and grow as a comic, he performed at the Apollo, and the variety show Uptown Comedy Club in Harlem as well. A year later Marc took his talents to the Pacific and moved to Los Angeles in 93. Since then he's been a veteran of BET's Comic View, HBO Def Comedy Jam, & Comedy Spot on TVOne. Been seen on Martin, in feature film Tears Of A Clown starring Don DC Curry. Marc has also done voice over work on a the It's Your World that was featured for years on Tom Joyner Morning Show. He has performed across the globe doing comedy clubs, colleges, and theaters. He has performed for our military local and abroad. Areas such as Kosovo, Iraq, and Afganistan. Now he's adding writing to his resume, along with stage plays, and commercial work. MEET OUR STAFF

MEET OUR STAFF

The Urban Altar: “Words Will Never Hurt Me” By: E.N.Joy

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is an old saying and a very untrue saying at that. The Bible also begs to differ by stating in Proverbs 26:22 that “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” So, spite what any of us are willing to admit, words of other people do hurt us. The truer statement should be, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words cut skin deep.”

the written word as well, such as the case with book reviews. Sometimes authors might receive a negative book review or two and try to pretend that it doesn’t faze them, but in all actuality it does. But let me be clear on one thing, typically it’s not the fact that the book review was negative -that the reader/reviewer didn’t care for the bookit’s the way the person worded their opinion of the book.

There has to be a diplomatic way for readers to review a book without It doesn’t just have to be whipping out their Miverbal statements that chael Meyers knife and cut to the bone. It can be cutting the author to 15

pieces. I have reviewed several books in my lifetime, and even with those I didn’t care for, I managed to relay it in such a manner that the author could possibly utilize some of my comments to improve upon their future works. I didn’t belittle the author, or their effort, but I made it very clear that I personally didn’t care for the book and suggested some things the author could have done that might have made a difference in my opinion. This type of constructive criticism can possibly help the author in their future works.

Not every book review is going to be a good book review. Out of onehundred reviews of a book receiving a five star vote by many, surely there is going to be a couple minorities who disagree with the popular opinion. For example, most of us probably think that everybody in the world loves pizza, but there are a handful of folks who can’t stand even the smell of it. With that said, authors should understand that although they believe they’ve written the best book in the world, which they should feel as though they have after investing such great time and effort into completing their manuscript (any author who doesn’t feel this way-that they are giving their readers the best book in the worldshould go back to the

drawing board…but that’s a whole other article), there are still going to be some people who just don’t see what the rest of the world saw in their book. And for those readers who do come across a book they feel doesn’t deem a positive review, they should word the review in such a way as ultimately the author and others reading the review may find it helpful instead of hurtful.

signed to be constructive and give some insight as to what readers may want out of a particular type of literary work. It always seems, though, that there is that one reviewer who wants to stand out among all the other reviewers and more so hurt the author rather than review the book.

Before writing this article I spent several hours surfing the reviews on amazon.com, blackexI wouldn’t be telling the pressions.com, goodtruth if, as an author, I reads.com and bn.com. said that I haven’t read a Not only did I find renegative review about views that basically one of my books that chewed up the book and didn’t make me want to spit it out (in the aure-write the entire book thor’s face), but I even all over again or wish read reviews that insulted that I hadn’t written the the author as a person. book in the first place. Why people do this, I But after a couple of have no idea because it’s days, I got over it. I do not cute. Usually it just appreciate reviews, both shows the rest of the the good and the bad, but world how ignorant ONLY when they are de16

the reviewer is, especially when the reviewer can hardly spell their insults (makes you wonder how they even managed to read the book in the first place). Perhaps the reviewer’s intentions were to get chuckles out of folks reading the reviews, but I just shook my head and prayed that God would remove the mean spirit from them and renew them with virtuous communication. The reviews I find to be most valid and reliable are those posted by book clubs (online and off) with review teams and guidelines in place, such a Raw Sistaz, OOSA, Coast2Coast Readers and Arc Book club. These reviews tend to be more honest and tactful. When sitting down to write the review, the reviewers typically don’t

set out with deliberate intentions to hurt the author’s feelings, but instead take very seriously their task of giving informative feedback about a book, whether they liked it or not. But as with anything in this business; BEWARE! There are those book clubs that tend to show clear favoritism towards authors who frequent their events and online site activities such as chats and postings. These clubs seem to always give their pet authors a decent rating regardless of the quality of their work and are always big upping them on their site postings and newsletters. Doing so will keep the authors live and active on their sites, adding validity to their online presence by enabling them to say that “such and such” author is a member of 17

their online network. Some of these book clubs don’t realize how transparent they are in their favoritism and how even the readers discuss it amongst themselves and with other authors. Yep, that’s right-nothing in this business goes untalked about. So if you are one of those book club reviewers and feel you are too close or biased to a particular author to give a fair review, then do the author who wants a true and helpful review and the readers who are going to base their buying decision upon your review a favor by allowing another member of the review team, or even a third party, to review it…or just don’t review the book at all. Trust me, you are not doing the author justice by giving great book

reviews whether you thoroughly enjoyed the book or not. Ecclesiastes 7:5 states, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” Don’t be a fool-be honest.

Reviewers should take the job of reviewing a book very seriously, maybe so seriously that they, in fact, make it a job. Book clubs, have you ever thought about doing “Professional Readings/ Reviews,” which means you read an author’s book before it ever even goes to the printer and give them a true and honest review of the book? This will allow the author to go back into their manuscript and perhaps enhance it based on your professional review. As authors, we always get our friends, brothers, sisters, coworkers, aunts

and uncles to read the first couple drafts of our books. And as much as we’d like to believe they are giving us an unbiased opinion, they are not. In some instances, they are not nearly as hard on us as they should be.

er for that matter. Think about it all you book club review teams out there. Since you are passionate about reading, turn your passion into a paycheck. God gives each of us gifts, and this might be yours. You are I would love to be able to truly an incredible repay anywhere from $50- source to authors and $100 (plus throw in a free readers. autographed copy of the Reviewers, we love you book upon publication) and we love that you not to have Raw Sistaz, only shell out your ten to Coast2Coast, OOSA or fifteen bucks to support Arc review my work in our work, but we apprecithe early stages, after the ate even more that you final draft or both. I then, in turn, take the mean, don’t get me time to share with us and wrong, I love the fact other readers how you that I get reviews from felt about our work. But them once they’ve read at the same time we ask the published version, you to respect us as not but I can only imagine only authors, but as peohow much better I could ple. have made the book had Lastly, authors I say to I had their review before you, take some of the the book had gone to hurtful reviews with a print-gone to my publish- grain of salt. Try to 18

grasp exactly what it is the reader didn’t like about your work and improve upon it; not paying the junk portion any attention at all. Do not let intentionally nasty and hurtful reviews hinder you from moving forth with your gift of the written word. Man did-

n’t give you your gift and joy to write, so man can’t take it away. After all, your courage, confidence and creativity doesn’t come from the people, it comes from the Lord.

for even sinners have souls. If you have any comments regarding this article or any of my past Urban Altar columns, please feel free to visit my website at This is E.N. Joy sound- www.enjoywrites.com and post them, or email ing off and reminding me at enjoyyou to love each other and not judge each other, writes@aol.com.

SEXUAL EXPRESSIONS By: Deszion Nasir

Him: She doesn't listen to anything I say, but she's always talking. I swear I feel like screaming. The only time I can shut her up is when we're in bed . Her: He says I don't listen . But the only time he talks is when he's complaining about something. I'm not going to sit there and get talked down to all the time . Well, well, well. Looks like we have a classic case of don't-know-when-to-shut -the-hell-up-a-tosis. And it's quite contagious cuz you both have it. Let me ask a general question before I get into particulars: If you're both talking all the time, is anybody doing any listening? Of course not. That was rhetorical. Stop thinking about it. Now, I get why you both want to get your point across. That's human nature. HOWEVER, that's also not produc-

tive. At least, not the way you're going about it. When a couple is angry, nobody is listening. All you're really doing is pausing between yelling, waiting for the other person to shut up so you can get your point across. Thus, a long, pointless conversation is had where feelings are in full swing and nothing is being absorbed but negativity. If you want somebody to listen to ANYTHING you have to say, you have to first and foremost

approach it in the right way: 1) If you have a concern, you have to bring it to the other party in the right spirit. No matter how pissed you are, if you bring it to them with an attitude, they're going to throw one back at you. They're not going to give a flying squirrel poop about what you're saying because they're going to feel attacked. It's about HOW you say it. 2)Whoever initiates the conversation gets to speak first! The end! Let them get their initial concerns out, no matter how much you may not agree with them! Just hold on and let them finish (Kanye' voice). If you interrupt them, they're going to take it as a sign of not only disrespect but a sign that you're not concerned about their feelings. 3) First speaker: don't drag your point out forever. Make your basic points and let the other person respond. Going on and on and on is annoying. They heard you. A debate/ conversation is about stating what's important, letting the other person absorb what's said, then giving their rebuttal. Repeat until some kind of resolution or understanding is reached. Even if you agree to simply disagree. This is how adults speak. A lecture isn't going to do anything but piss people off. 4) If you find that you've had the

same conversation over and over, why are you still doing it? It's not WORKING! The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result. Time to find a different approach. Take responsibility. Why isn't what you've tried working? Is it them or is it you? Is it the both of you? What is it about you that isn't making your partner take you serious? Are there bigger issues at hand? 5) Respect is ALWAYS the key. If there's no respect between you, or one of you feels that it's been lost, you must work on getting that back first or everything else you do is going to be in vain. Period. 6)SEX IS NOT GOING TO FIX YOUR ISSUES! It's a temporary fix. Sex may delay or shut someone up, but once you wipe that explosion away, wash away that lust, those problems do come back. They never went anywhere. Don't fool yourself. Communication is what's lacking here. Get it together or watch it fall apart. And stop being so damn stubborn. Both of you. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=TirLaImX91g <~~~~ check it out...sound like the two of you??? LOL!!!

So Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Looking for a Good Man By: Angela Williams

You say you're looking for a

good job, he has to have his

good man, but would you

own place, he has to have his

recognize him if he stood in

own car and he has to be

front of you? More im-

able to give you "stuff". No-

portantly would he find

where in this description is

you to be a good woman?

how he should treat you and

Some women claim they

make you feel. Some equate

want a good man, but

a good man with material

their words and actions tell

and superficial things. In-

a different story. From the

stead of equating a good

constant negative com-

man as being a man of sub-

ments directed toward

stance.

men to the way they carry

You say you want a good

themselves with a lack of

man, but you make any man

dignity and respect. Now

that comes near you pay for

mind you, not all men are

the mistakes and abuses of

good and not all women

another man. That good

are negative.

man you might be pushing

You say you want a good

away did nothing to you. His

man, but you put specific

only "crime" was showing an

conditions on what a good

interest and trying to get to

man is. He has to be hand-

know you as a person.

some, he has to have a 25

It's not his fault you made a decision to be with someone who didn't respect you or know your worth. That was your decision so don't make him pay for it.

don't need a man. Somewhat confusing. Either you want one or you don't. Either you need one or you don't. You proudly boast that you can take care of you and your own, that's great. You say you want a good man, However, where does a good but how do you carry yourself? man fit into this? If he's not You think it's cool to talk loud, needed or wanted, then he's curse, and call other women going to keep on walking to someone who appreciates bitches and hoes. You run him. around half dressed leaving nothing to the imagination. You say you want a good man, You say you're keeping it real but when you see another and if he can't accept that then woman with a man you tear fuck him. Yet you get upset her down. You dissect everywhen all wants to do is stimu- thing about her. You talk negalate your kitty instead of stimu- tively about her looks, her late your mind. weight, her hair, how she You say you want a good man, walks, how she talks and other but you constantly repeat you petty things. Does putting her down make the obvious less

painful.... she is in a relationship and you aren't. Bitterness and jealousy is not a good look on anyone. You say you want a good man, but have you done the work to become a good woman? You expect him to bring some good to the relationship table, but what are your contributions to the relationship table? Those traits you're looking for in a good man you need to cultivate in yourself. Let go of the negative mindset. Let go of the baggage from past relationships. Let go of the "I am Superwoman and I can save the world on my own" mentality. Let go of the bitterness and jealousy.

vs Trashy

Classy 26

SIX THINGS YOU SIMPLY CANNOT MAKE A MAN DO By: Kimberley Jasper

You can huff and you can puff, but you cannot make him into something he’s not or do something he does not want to do. Maybe you wish he were a little more romantic or helped out around the house. Nagging, yelling, and pouting haven’t gotten you anywhere because you can’t make him change. He may make adjustments to his behavior if he really cares about the relationship, but ultimately, it is just an adjustment and not a change. 28

1. GROW UP If he was immature when you met him, chances are he’s going to stay that way. It goes further than him just being childish; he is actually just being himself. He may eventually outgrow some of his playfulness, but he may never mature to full capacity. Change may occasionally occur, but only through time and life experience, not due to any pressure from you. If he’s too childish for you, you will be waiting a long time for him to grow up. Leave him to his “child’s play” and find a man more suitable for your level of maturity. 29

2. BE ATTENTIVE He’s not ignoring you, he’s just being himself. Totally self-absorbed. If he wasn’t very attentive when the two of you met, not even acrobatics can get him to change. It may be no more than a symptom of relationship ADD or it may be that he is not attentive by nature and there’s not much you can do to change either. He’s not being insensitive, he’s just being himself. A man will change on his own terms, but unless he’s innately attentive, that won’t be a change he’ll make. Likewise, if he’s romantic at heart, he will not likely change into a bad boy at your request.

3. LISTEN TO YOU Constant misunderstandings? Chances are heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just not listening to you. If your man simply wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listen and you have the feeling that he just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand you; that is something that you cannot change on command. His lack of listening skills and/or plain disinterest is not a flaw that can be fixed; it may just be who he is. The more you complain about him not listening, the less he listens. It will always be his decision what change is made and this is the least likely. Let him listen to the sound of you walking out the door.

4. BE AS SUPPORTIVE AS YOUR GIRLFRIENDS Well, let’s start with the fact that he is NOT your girlfriend and I’m sure you don’t want him to be. If that were the case, you would just be in a relationship with your girlfriend. Men are just not capable of using all parts of their brain at the same time so what appears to be disinterest or lack of empathy is just him taking it all in. He will more likely take a moment before responding and you won’t see the “I know girl” look on his face because he doesn’t know. Take this opportunity to gain a different perspective from him, then go hang out with your girlfriends and get that “girl power” pep talk and support you need. 32

5. BE FAITHFUL This is not at all to say that a man cannot be faithful. I am saying that you cannot make him be faithful. If he has cheated in the past and is unfaithful by nature, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take on the challenge of being the woman to make him change his ways. That is a myth. A man can change, but it is solely up to him and he has to really want to. No amount of aerobics or swinging from the chandelier is going to make him faithful when he wants to cheat.

6. MARRY YOU If a man does not want to commit, there is no way you can make him do so. Whether it be fear or just bad timing, you can’t make him move unless he wants to. Like a stubborn old mule that refuses to drink, he would most likely drown. If he’s not ready, no amount of threats or ultimatums will get him ready. A man will make that move in his own time. Make sure that you are not waiting in vain and that both of you remain on the same page. If marriage is not in his plan, but it’s in yours, you might want to find someone that’s ready for marriage 34

Ambition: Fueled and Ready: Interview with Chasin Dreams Ent. C.E.O Brian Vaughan By: E AhDai

I love being able to support anything that makes sense. Chasin Dreams Entertainment does just that; makes sense. The mission of the company is â&#x20AC;&#x153;To discover the unheard talents of individuals and expose them to the world. These individuals will be able to fulfill their goals, and dreams, and become successful.â&#x20AC;? Along with their motto "We Dare to Dream". I will be the first to say that I believe in dreams and dreams do come true. When we all were little we had a dream of being something greater. Some of us wanted to be doctors, lawyers, singers, and even writers. Those of us who wanted them so bad we chased them. It all starts with someone believing in it and giving you that chance to make it happen. Brian Vaughan is the man who wants to give others that chance. As he walks into the room he is so cool with his head phones on. As he unhooks his head phones music enters the room. E. Ahdai: First off, I want to thank you so much for sitting down with me on this cold Michigan afternoon. How do you deal with this cold? B. Vaughan: You bundle up. It is something that you have to get use to and you have to realize that this world is a lot colder than this weather. You also have people embrace you and help you get you use to it. You find good people out here in Michigan who show you different things and who will warm you up through your heart. 36

E. Ahdai: You sound like you are use it, Where are you from?

other side there is a lot of pains and tears.

B. Vaughan: I am from the DMV area. E. Ahdai: What were you listening to DMV stands for D.C, Virginia, and Mar- when you came in?’ yland area not the DMV you get your B. Vaughan: I was listening Ashton mardriver’s license from the DMV tin music. I have aspirations of owning

E. Ahdai: How did you like growing up there?

one and there is a line Drake says “I have reached my pinnacle” I still have more to obtain… 2 chains Black uniB. Vaughan: I loved it. There is no place corn. like home. Now don’t get it twisted it has some pain with it. You have the capi- E. Ahdai: What is the concept behind tal there so you have different people Chasin Dreams Entertainment? visiting. Then you have the people grow B. Vaughan: The concept is to give peoup with. There is a lot of love, but on the ple hope, our purpose and goal is to put 37

people in a position where their talent can be showcased to the world. Whatever dream you have can come become your reality and you can see the fruits of your labor. As long as God is in your heart and you have a strong work ethic we believe you can reach your goals and dreams. E. Ahdai: What sets you all apart from other entertainment companies? B. Vaughan: We are not in completion with anybody. Our goal is to work with every one and anyone who has the passion and drive to move forward. E. Ahdai: What are your thoughts on the industry right now? B. Vaughan: My thoughts about the industry. (He laughs) I find that the industry is too commercial. Commercial as when society says you have to look a certain way, walks a certain way, speak a certain ways. The industry wants you to conform to their plan which has made it their norm. 38

E. Ahdai: What could be different about the industry? B. Vaughan: Who am I to say what could be different, I know what can work to help them. By just being yourself! When you are out here showcasing it is ok to be yourself. Again society is making it difficult for people to be different. You can be different and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to change yourself to be successful. E. Ahdai: This industry is so saturated with the same thing, what do you think it lacking right now? B. Vaughan: It lacks originality, back in the day people were original. Tupac and Biggie were originals, yes they used samples but what they did over them was original. Even, Bootsie Collins is the most original person we know. E. Ahdai: What kind of artist are you looking for?

B. Vaughan: Any and every artist. The good thing about this is that we are not just looking musicians we are giving poets, fashion designers, singers, models and rappers the chance to make their dreams come true. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put a cap on what we are trying to do here.

E. Ahdai: How much creative freedom less… Here in Michigan it is cold, the do you give your artist? homeless are people too and we want to be able give them comfort even when B. Vaughan I know that some many have they have hard time. You can always conformed to what this industry wants find a nice comforter at Ross, Roses, Big them to do. As long as it doesn’t offend lots it doesn’t have to be expensive just anyone they have free reign. And when i needed. say offend anyone i am speaking of racial comments, sexual discrimination, or Back to school drive but we have a twist saying anything against LGBT commu- they have to keep up with technology, nity. there will be a raffle for MacBook and where you can sign up for library cards E. Ahdai: Do you plan on giving back to if they don’t have one, there will be a the community? volunteer list for tutoring sessions and B. Vaughan: Yes indeed we have a lot of more. food drive for kids. “You can’t chase as E. Ahdai When it comes to your work dream if you are hungry” Also we are ethic and dedication to the business, how working towards comforters for homewould you describe yours?

B. Vaughan: In one word I would say workaholic. I am talking late night and early morning and not talking about Marsha Amborius tune of it. I will also say lot of coffee and caffeine pills. I feel like my work is never done so I keep pushing to be where I want to be. You could probably say that I am a little obsessed with work.

mom, everything that she has gone through in life and just having my back that inspire me, she has always told me to go for what I believe in.. So KUDOS to you mom; my parents as a whole have been an inspiration. My grandmother who has also supported me finically and spiritually through everything keeps me humbled.

E. Ahdai: Who does your team consist of?

My Aunts and Uncles if not for them installing this hustler mentality inside of me and actually and sitting there teachB. Vaughan: You have myself, Senior ing me things that mom didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know executive Vice President Yolanda Richhow to teach me and just watching them ardson who is my mom, Public relations provide for their family and still had fun. representative Ashleigh jones. We also It opened up my eyes a lot have a street team; they give out the information and get the word out about My siblings: They are a huge influence Chasin Dreams. in my life. They show me that things can be accomplished. My sister Vanea PresE. Ahdai: When people think about ton graduated law school. Paige Waymer Chasin Dreams Ent, what should be their who is doing above beyond in the medifirst thought? cal field. Jazz Kaleb she has her Masters B. Vaughan: We dare to dream. We have in Education and is teaching the youth of a bunch of people here that want to push the world great things. Rochelle, she is the envelope and change the world. The also working on her Masters in Educaimpressions I want to leave is they will tion. Bruce is band teacher loves music make and they are up next. and teaching music to kids. Kevin is also doing exceptional work in the medical E. Ahdai: Who are your biggest influfield. Lamar; I just enjoy watching him ences? grow and grind.Then I have my friends B. Vaughan: I have to break down into that I view as family. Eli, is always there my personal influences and general in- when I need him regardless of the situafluences. My personal influences are My tion. 41

Marie Franklin-Swann has been a remarkable person and inspires me daily. Just watching her put business ventures for example Joyful Juices. She created this a way for people to be healthier. It is now a very successful business and it still continuing to grow.

biggest; some understand while others don’t’ and the one who don’t you end up losing those friendships E. Ahdai: What can we expect from Chasin Dreams Ent in the next year?

My mentors Michael Oakes Attorney at Law and Edwar Zeineh Attorney at Law; both of them are wonderful attorneys in the Michigan area. They are took me under their wing and showed me there is more to get out of this life; and that not only be a successful businessman but a successful family man as well.

B. Vaughan: Right we are working on doing a showcase cipher which will take place in the DMV area we have linked up the Carter Entertainment company Darnell Carter, he is affiliated with Corey Gunz of YMCB. I was introduced to him by my cousin Jay. What this showcase while consist of works from talented poets, singers and rappers. Everything will be free styled, no previously written work and it will be recorded. The purpose of this will showcase is to show off their talents. The video will be shot by Tanecia Britt once the video ready the video can be viewed on the Facebook page; as well you will find snippets on Instagram; also on YouTube and the website once it is ready.

General: My general influences come from the people who have held me down. My people in Charlotte NC, Orangeburg SC, Philadelphia PA, San Diego CA, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan and Florida.; all of those people have said something positive and had something to say towards this goal. When I think about them it helps me to 2014 we are excited about the website keep on pushing forward after long and we will doing our showcase event nights and early mornings. where we showcase Artist who will have E. Ahdai: To be successful we end up the art available for purchase; poets and sacrificing some much, what have you a fashion show. There is still so much ended up sacrificing? more that will be coming from us. I will say that we are going to claim that 2014 B. Vaughan: Time spent with family and is our year. friends. I would have to say that is the 42

E. Ahdai: I have seen the shirts around showing support, matter of fact thank you so much for mine and some of my bloggers have received theirs as well. Can you tell our readers about the concept of the logo?

going about day five of no sleep. How do you keep your energy up?

B. Vaughan: The logo was created by Amin Sturges of Amin Business Productions; we were actually introduced through a mutual friend. I told him the concept, purpose and goals, and created then he created then dream catcher but when you look closely at it you see the “C” and “D” and star in the middle that is not complete. By working with us you will become that complete star that you want to be. E. Ahdai: Have you all ever thought about adding a publishing brand to the roster? B. Vaughan: Nothing is out of our reach that can’t be accomplished. The funny thing about life is that God will place people in your life that can complement other parts; sort of like the right arm scratching the left one. It just makes sense. When God put people in your circle nothing is beyond reach.

B. Vaughan: Music fuels my heart, listening to various artists such as Drake, 2 Chains, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole and other artist that keep me pumped up. I take the time to remember my family member who are not here walking on earth with us anymore. I wonder what they would be doing if they were here and how they are watching over me. I often wonder if I am making them proud. I think about the little people; my nieces, nephews and god children. They are kids who are watching my every move. I have to move a certain way knowing that they are looking up to me. Even though they are young now and difficult for them you understand now but they will when they are older. I was once told “You have the same hours in a day as Oprah”. I look at it like this if that is the case then sky is the limit for me. E. Ahdai: Do you have a morning ritual or something has to be done every single morning?

B. Vaughan: When I first wake I pray and thank god for being able to see anE. Ahdai: I can tell you are a part of the other day. I play a song that will get me “Team No Sleep” movement. Heck I motivated for my day either Wale believe it was told to me that you are “Ambition”, “Ashton Martin Music”, 43

T.I “Go get it”, and/or Tupac. After I look in the mirror and think about all the struggles, from being in and out of jail to where I am now. Then just get the motivation to strive for harder for my future life and son. E. Ahdai: What is your last thought for our readers?

Someone had to take a chance on me so why not give others the same. Such as Pure Promotions helped me with the promotional shirts without hesitation and we want to do the same thing. We are up next! We dare to dream! We outchea! (He smiles and laughs)

E. Ahdai: I want to thank you so much taking time out of your busy schedule to B. Vaughan: Chasin Dreams Ent when sit down and talk to me. I am sure great you hear our motto “We Dare to Dream things will come from you and your “ just know we are a group of talented company. I look forward to working and original individuals who don’t have with you all in the near feature. to conform to the ways of society. On top of all of that we are very hard work- B. Vaughan: Thank you I appreciate your ing individuals who are out here chasing time as well. their dreams and making them reality. 44

Dear Emiaj,

should I do?

I have been seeing another man for over a year and my boyfriend has suspensions. The other morning he went through my phone and started questioning me about some of the text that he found. I thought they were harmless text but he seemed to read into them. I asked one of my girlfriends to read the text and tell me what she thought. She told I was caught up and needed to come clean. I didn’t see any harm I them, and if it told him the truth about it all it would break his heart. I do love him and don’t want to let go of him. What

“Dazed and Confused” Dear Dazed and Confused, Clearly you are delusional. How can you say you love him but don’t see anything wrong with having and side piece? If that is not an oxymoron in itself I don’t know what it is. At some point you will need to come clean, leave the man alone, or drop the side piece. It starts out with a conversation. Now don’t be mad at your girl because she saw through the lie you told. I am sure if she saw through it 46

how they are cheating on their men. I don’t find it acceptable; no matter who is cheating. Why can’t people just not be in relationships if they are going to cheat, better yet have a conversation with their mate and tell them what is wrong with the situation? I am realest and much rather people keep it real around me.

woman. He has bought her a bigger house than the one we shared. Well not buying, more like renting. Taking care of her kids and neglecting ours. I think I am more frustrated that he is playing house with this woman and not taking care of his responsibilities. I don’t care that he has left me but my kids are still young and don’t underSo tell your boyfriend the truth or let stand. My son is acting out in school the other go. All cheaters get caught at and now has to go through therapy. some time and it doesn’t have to hap- There is so much to this story that I pen on the show “CHEATERS”. Text can’t even tell you all of it. One other messages are only the beginning what thing she is pregnant and they are enif he starts following you when you are gaged. We aren’t even divorced yet. I your late night creep? What will you do think I am on the verge of a break then? That whole trick of that is my down. Please offer me some type of home girl or saving the name as some- advice so that I can keep my sanity. thing different truly doesn’t work for “Just want to stay sane” long. Again tell the truth. Dear “Just want to stay sane”, **I hope it works out for you*** I hate that you have to go through Emiaj this. Some people are just plain despicDear Emiaj, able. My advice to you is pray and keep Please keep this anonymous for those babies always in mind. Shower me, I am writing this on verge of tears. them with all the love that you can and I am not even sure if they are tears of when you feel like you are about to run anger or even sadness. I just know I am out receive their love. Kids are so frustrated with the situation. My soon amazing but they are very perceptive. They know that mommy is not happy to be ex-husband left me for another 47

through something. You continue to put your game face on. You did the right thing about taking your son for some help. He is young and not sure about what is going on and could be feeling like this is because of him. I say that because I know kids who beat their selves up because they think it is their fault their parents are not together any more.

just do girl things. You can go to dinner and a movie. My girlfriends and I when we have moments with the men we have “Sangria Saturday:” What this is we meet at TGI Friday’s and sit and talk even catch up. I am jokester so we have to laugh at something. I know you are not in the mood to laugh but just like in Sexy in the City when Carrie asked when she would laugh again and I look at it like this this could be a Miranda told her when something is blessing in disguise. God maybe getting really funny. Then something funny ready to open some doors for you that happened and she laughed. You too will laugh and smile again. you didn’t even think were there. Sitting about worrying about he is doing with this other woman will drive you crazy. I also this you might need to find a hobby outside of the house. Better yet call the girls and have a girl's night. Don’t talk about the men folk;

I encourage you also to talk to the therapist as well. I am firm believer of some couch time. If you feel like you need to talk someone outside of the circle you are in; reach out to them. I hope it all works out for you. Please

How To Wash and Deep Condition Micro Braids Without

Slippage By: Deszion Nasir

time.

Micro braids or ‘micros’ are the most gorgeous of braids. Resembling free flowing hair they can be worn in a variety of styles from curly, wet and wavy or dead straight. Human hair braids can be curled and straightened with ease and synthetic hair will remain as straight or as curly as when it was bought. Micro braids can be worn safely for 2-3 months at a time as long as the braids around the hairline are redone every 3 weeks or so. This prevents any thinning of the edges associated with wearing braided styles for extended periods of 50

Possibilities are endless with these marvelous little braids but how do you wash them? Any sign of moisture and the braids start slipping out of your hair particularly with human hair braids. Many will avoid washing their braids for weeks on end to avoid the braids falling out but this is detrimental to the health of your hair which requires regular moisture. There is an easy way to avoid the hassle of slipping braids while keeping your hair squeaky clean and conditioned. Here’s how: Braid the micros in sections. About 6 large braids for your head or alternatively just do about 4-5 cornrows going back. The braids or cornrows have to be relatively firm but not tight so they are not tugging on your scalp.

Secure the ends with a hair band. These large braids/cornrows will produce a cute curly set once they are dry. Shampoo thoroughly concentrating on the scalp and massaging in and around the braids. You will feel the braids go softer but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry; they will not slip out as they are confined to the large braid/cornrow. Do not rub the braids too much to avoid frizzes. To deep condition, instead of using a creamy deep conditioner, use a liquid one. Use any liquid conditioner of your choice which you should water down a bit before applying to the hair. Cover with a plastic cap and deep condition as usual.

vinegar rinse which is 1 Rinse the Keep your micro braids part apple cider vinegar to condition4 parts water streamed er from squeaky clean while through the hair which the hair will remove any remainthoroughly ing conditioner residue. avoiding slippage with warm This prevents any product water. Do build up which would not rub the braids, just let the water make it difficult to remove your pressure from the shower head wash braids when the time comes. Lastly the conditioner out gently. You may rinse hair for about a minute in cold then follow on with an apple cider 51

the hair shaft keeping all the moisture in. on your head for about 20 minutes or unAfter towel blotting the braids, apply a til the braids are slightly dry then undo generous amount of leave in conditioner the large braids/cornrows. They will be slightly crinkly. Let your hair fall in the and seal with your favorite light oil or style you will be wearing it then re-wet silicone based heat protection serum. the hair with a spray bottle. The weight You can also leave this step until after of the water will make the strands dry the hair is dry and out of the large straight. Do not manipulate the braids braids/cornrows to condition every when they are wet to avoid any slipping. strand. Air dry or sit under a hooded dryer until If you are planning to wear the braids 100% dry then flat iron ends in large curly either let them air dry or sit under sections to get them super straight (Only a hooded dryer until completely dry then for human hair braids). Avoid the flat undo the large braids/cornrows to release iron coming into contact with your own your curly micros. If you wish to wear hair to protect it. the micros straight, just sit with a towel 52

Tips: 1. Tie a scarf around your head before going under the dryer or air drying to get rid of any frizzes. 2. Do not manipulate the braids when wet or they will slip out. 3. Do not use a creamy conditioner as it will be very difficult to rinse out of the braids and may cause build up. 4. Get the edges plus the partition of your micros redone every 3 weeks to avoid breakage and to keep the style looking fresh. 5. Slick down the little hairs around your front hairline with alcohol free gel for a sleek finish to your style. 53

“I Ain’t Me No More” (Book one of the Always Diva Series) By: Author: E. N. Joy Review by: E. Ahdai

As I sat down to read “I Ain’t Me No More”, I looked at my schedule wondering where I am would find the time to read this book. Finding the time then become very easy. As I sat down to my desk at work I opened the book and just began to read. The story of Helen Lannden was so captivating. I began to get lost in the story and found myself knowing people who are just like Helen. The story is very realistic. The book takes your through the normal things of being a teenager finding his or her way. Helen dealt with the peer pressure of her new found friends going into high school. You all know that pressure. Helen felt as if she was the outcast because she was slightly different. When I say different she was the brown baby to the lighter kids in her family. She finds out that she is not her father’s child from a family

member and it causes her to take different turns. It even touched on how unfair the church can me be when you are trying to find your way. Her story truly spoke to me. There were points where I felt sorry for Helen with the cards she was dealt in life. Throughout the book I rooted for her to find the light at the end of the tunnel. There were points where I wished she had someone she could call friend or best friend at that to lean on. I began to think about my senior year of high school when my best friend found out

that she was pregnant. While other people turned their back on her, I stood beside her and was right that all the way through. She is my best friend and my soul sisters; so why not support her and love her. Having someone on her life helped not make bad choices going forward. I think Helen would have benefited from having a girlfriend to be on her side. The friendships that she seemed to have seemed to be very toxic starting with the first friend she made in high school. The one who set her up with Dub, Dub is the man who changed her life. She decided to take a big step with Dub by having sex. God spoke to her then, yet she didn’t listen. Not listening to God is like not listening to our parents and doing what want to do. There is always a consequence. I was happy when she met Dino. I began to think she was finally on the right track. Again she made choices that weren’t of God. What floored me was deciding to marry Dino; just because she wanted to one up the “baby mama”. Once again she was listening to a toxic friend. As well as I know people who have done this. I was then glad when she found herself letting him go so that he would not miss out on who is supposed to actually be with.

Reading this book made me think about my own life, and how God has touched my life. He is such an amazing piece of my life. Where Helen thought God forgot about her but he never does. He waits on us to come to him, but we just do things in our own time. There are even moments when God slaps us in our face to make us listen to what listen to what he has to say to us. Then we have to be careful on we ask God for. One last thing that we have to be careful of; are you listening to God speak you or your own voice. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read the next two books in the series. Rating this book is a no brainer. I give this book Five Stars!!!!!! I am so thankful for this book. It made me laugh, mad, sad and even cry. That was a happy cry.

Conversations with E. N. Joy By: Emiaj AhDai

BLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy is the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas,” the “Still Divas” three book series and the “Always Divas” three book series, which have been coined “Soap Operas In Print.” Formerly writing secular works under the names Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY, this award winning author has been sharing her literary expertise on conference panels in her home town of Columbus, Ohio and cities across the country as well as instructing literary workshops. Joy writes children’s and young adult titles under the name N. Joy. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost

100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy performs in schools nationwide. Currently, Joy is the acquisition editor for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying. 57

E. Ahdai: Where did you grow up? E.N Joy: I was born, raised and am still planted in Columbus, Ohio. E. Ahdai: What was it like growing up there? E.N. Joy: When people ask me where I'm from and I tell them Ohio, the first thing they say is, "What's in Ohio?" My reply is always the same; "Absolutely nothing, which is why I love it there." There is not always something going on in my city, which could be a major distraction for someone who lives and creates in a cave all day. We don't even have a professional basketball or football team. I suppose The Ohio State University sporting teams are suffice. Go bucks! E. Ahdai: If you could explain your childhood in one statement, what would it be? "Something worth writing about." Which is why I penned my latest book, I Ain't Me No More.

but it wasn’t until I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior did I acknowledge just how much God loves me. Now I live to glorify Him in everything I do, including my writing. So I’m now not only proud to be a Christian, E. Ahdai: I heard you use to write but proud to be a Christian who writes Urban Literature, what made you Christian fiction. In writing in the Chrischange? tian fiction genre, I try very hard to keep I ultimately turned my pen away from writing street lit, erotica and women's lit my mind clear; to make sure I’m in tune with the Holy Spirit when I’m writthat was filled with sexual tension so ing. But I’m going to tell the truth and that I could serve God with my talent. God has always been there keepshame the devil; I’m human, so just like in everyday life, when it comes to my ing, watching over and protecting me, 58

views…and some of them, unlike God, have no mercy. So I try my best to stick to ghostwriting…Holy Ghost writing that is. When I dedicated my life to Christ, a great deal of things changed for me and in me. I couldn’t do some of the things I used to do. I couldn’t say some of the things I used to say and I couldn’t go some of the places I used to go. Well, I soon found that I couldn’t write some of the things I used to write. That’s what prompted the change in the genres I chose to write in. Joylynn M. Jossel the author is retired for good. Are the Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY books still available? Yes, they are. They can still be found and ordered in bookstores and are available in pretty much every online

bookstore. My die-hard fans can even still find Joylynn at www.joylynnjossel.com. That's part of my testimony, my history and foundation as an author. E. Ahdai: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? I have been writing since the days of elementary school journals and rainy day writings. I started out just writing poems, and then graduated to short stories. My first self-published book, Please Tell Me If the Grass Is Greener, was a mixture of poetry and short stories. Well, actually it’s poetic short stories; short stories told in a rhythmic flow. Kind of like a Dr. Seuss book for Grown-ups-LOL. I love La La Land. Growing up, my escape from reality was the La La Land I invented with pen and paper. So, I guess that is truly what drove me to pick up the pen for the first time and begin to take a genuine interest in writing. It was an escape. Some people use drugs, some people use alcohol, some people use sex to escape while other people might use guns. I used a pen and the wonderful English vocabulary. I'd always been a reader, as that was another escape of mine. Ramona the Pest, Nancy Drew and those Little House on the Prairie

books were my favorites. But then one day I got my hands on one of my auntie's grown up books, which was Black Girl Lost by Donald Goines. It was the first book I'd ever read with main characters that looked like me. With characters that walked, talked and thought like people around me. I just remember sneaking the book out at night time and reading it while lying in bed. I was so deeply enthralled that I felt like I became that little girl who was lost. I just remember closing that book upon the final chapter and saying to myself, "One day I'm going to write a book that does that to people." I think I've accomplished that.

Do you have writing ritual? The only ritual I have about writing, is to just plain and simply write! Outside of being the acquisition editor for Urban Christian, I do literary consulting. I'm the mother of four. One of my children is grown and living on his own, but the three that are at home are in high school, one in middle school and one in preschool. I'm a wife as well, so my day is full taking care of family needs and issues, going to PTO meetings, sporting activities, music concerts, parent/teacher conferences and squeezing in date night with the hubby. I don't have time for rituals. I write any and everywhere I can. I

text myself stuff about my stories and leave myself voice mails. Whatever it takes to get that story out, I make it happen. My only ritual is to make sure that I write...something/ anything...every single day.

of my fan base were Christians so I just knew I was going to blow up when I got saved and decided to transition into the Christian fiction genre. But believe it or not, I still get inbox messages and emails with those readers asking me when I'm going to start writing my "other stuff" again so that they can start reading my books again. Needless to say, not all of my readers transitioned with me. They told me that as Christians, they live the life I'm writing about and so sometimes they just want to read and live vicariously through books that don't have a thing to do with God and the church. But then I recall when I was attending church and writing secular books; I couldn't get the Christians in the church to support and buy my book because everybody was screaming they were saved

E. Ahdai: Do you find the church is more judgmental than people outside of the church? When it comes to my writing, I don't find it as such. The finding that does surprise me, though, is the fact that supposedly when most people pick up a book to read it's for escapism...so is that maybe why perhaps not many Christians read Christian fiction versus secular fiction? I'm not talking about all the selfhelp and Prayer of Jebez books. I only ask because as most of you know, I used to write secular books. A great deal 61

and didn't want to read about the world. Hand slapped against forehead shaking my head...I'm so confused...especially when it comes to the Christians who won't listen to secular music but will read a secular book. Go figure!

should have been mad at was myself for wasting time on being mad. My misery fed off company. E. Ahdai: DO you write from life exSo if you came perience? around me and I can honestly say that the main charac- you weren't alter in I Ain't Me No More, Helen's story, ready miserable-give me an hour tops and you'd be is about sixty percent of who I was. right there in the valley Hence the title: I Ain't Me with me. I can say this No More. As I look back now and confess it because on the life of Helen, I catch -you guessed it-I Ain't Me myself cringing, but then No More. Not only that, rejoicing at the same time. but I can confess it beBecause just like Helen, in cause now I don't have a my present situation I choice-it's all out there in might not be where I want this book...no stone unto be in life and in my turned. walk with Christ, but I sure ain't where I used to be, E. Ahdai: You touched on and to God be the glory for so many topics with this that one! If Jesus had not saved me from book. I am not even sure where to my own self, I fear what damage I could startâ&#x20AC;Ś Why did you decide on teenage have done to those around me. In pregnancy and domestic violence? past years I was a prime Teenage pregnancy and domestic vioexample of lence were the two things that shaped how hurt my life and played a detrimental part in people hurt who I became and who I am today. Yes, people. I I'm a survivor of domestic abuse that was mad at started when I was a teenager...but I the world lived to write about it! when all the E. Ahdai: Have you ever experienced while the only person I the cold shoulder from the church? 62

Other than what I mentioned earlier about how difficult it was to get the church to support my work when I used to write secular books, I haven't experienced any type of treatment that I would consider as being given the cold shoulder. As a matter of fact, churches across the map have opened their doors for me to come do speaking and signing events with my Christian fiction titles.

by the Holy Spirit. God used Mr. Weber to pitch the idea to me; sort of plant the seed in my spirit, of which I prayed on and eventually the seed was watered and grew into a phenomenal five book series that I hope will touch readers across the world. My goal and prayer with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Day Divasâ&#x20AC;? series is to put an end to the Church Fiction versus Christian Fiction dilemma and find a divine mediE. Ahdai: What do you expect people um that pleases both God and the readers. When speaking of my book, I Ain't to take away from this series? The New Day Divas series was incited Me No More, in particular, the main by my publisher, New York Times Best- character, Helen, is not only the newest member of the New Day Temple of Faith selling Author Carl Weber, but birthed

Singles Ministry, but she quickly becomes the vixen with all her evil ways and tactics. Helen is not one of those church folk the members love to hate. They just out right hate her! But is there something more to Helen than the hard, nasty exterior she puts up? Lord knows she hasn't been saved all her life, but was she born evil? Why else would someone set out to intentionally inject turmoil into the lives around her? Well, the women at New Day don't know and most don't care. They believe the antidote to this snake's venom is to throw her out the church on her behind. But when Helen decides to let these New Day divas in on her past skeletons, will that change their minds? With the compassion and wisdom of church mother, Mother Doreen, indeed one of my favorite New Day characters, the women just might find that Helen is worth saving. Question is, though; Does Helen want to be saved? Helen is special because she is

flawed to the point where you want to close your eyes and say a prayer for her your own self. That's just how realistic this character and her life situations are. Either you know Helen or, which might be even scarier, you are Helen. More power to you if you were Helen but overcame your own self and ways and aren't you any more (the old you;). While readers are raising eyebrows and shedding tears for some of Helen's choices in life, they are at the same time yearning for her to just get it. Readers will ultimately want Helen to win at this challenge called life, and in doing so, my prayer is that readers will walk away willing and able to meet the real Helens out there exactly where they are.

E. Ahdai: What projects are you working on right now? Next on deck in my divas series is More Than I Can Bear. It will be released May 2014. I'm also working on a young adult series titled "The Soul Sisters." Book one of the series, Operation Get Rid of

Mom's New Boyfriend, has been released in ebook. My children's story, Sabella and the Castle Belonging to the Troll, will be released in ebook December 2013. Olivia Longott, the First Lady of G-Unit and Love and Hip Hop New York reality TV star is working on a book and I've had the pleasure of assisting her.

my readers to make note of that. I want parents to look at their child's homecoming or prom picture and ask themselves "Is that person standing next to my daughter smiling with his arm around her abusing her?" or "Is my smiling son abusing that girl he has his arm around?" And young ladies, your choice to keep company with a guy who will put his hands on you is a matter of life and death. I survived, but not every Her book releases July 2014 and I'm ab- abused woman does. Choose life...choose to leave! solutely proud that I'm one of the first who got to take a peek into her amazing E. Ahdai: What advice would you ofand exciting life. fer other aspiring writers and auE. Ahdai: What advice would you give thors? As an author who has written under many names and many genres, I am ofThe entire theme of the domestic abuse ten asked advice from both aspiring authors and seasoned authors as the main character endures is the fact well. Even as a seasoned author, there is that it started off when she was just a still always so much more to learn and teenager in high school. So I really want to those going through similar situations of your book?

it's always a blessing to be able to engage in the quality of sharing among other authors. With that being said, I'd like to share what I think is the most valuable advice an author could ever receive: "KNOW AND GET YOUR AUDIENCE BEFORE YOU EVEN FINISH THE BOOK!" I know; sounds like hustling backwards, right? Sounds like creating a hype for something that doesn't even exist, right? Sounds like

fraud-a scam, right? WRONG! The most valuable thing an author can ever do is to generate a fan base-have tons of people sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for a book to come out. Think about it; doesn't Hollywood do it all the time when it comes to movies? Doesn't the Lifetime Movie Network have the ladies setting their DVR months in advance for a movie with all those teasing previews they show? Or the huge wres

tling events have men doing pay per view months in advance? Shouldn't the same go for the literary world? I say yes, and that authors should stop selling themselves short by not considering their product to be something so worthy that folks need to mark their calendars for its release...pre order, etc... Hustling backwards is creating a product, filling your warehouse, garage, dining room, etc... with it, and then try-ing to figure out who would want to buy it and how to get them to buy it. The minute a person knows they are going to write that book and they have that title engraved in stone, they should create a cover. Even if it's just a mock cover with a black background and the title is in a large white letters, create a visual to give people. Begin promoting it. Begin teasing people with a synopsis and one liners from the book. Create a website giving the release date. Have no idea when the book will be done? Then just say "Coming Soon." Once there is a concrete release date, begin taking preorders. Please be realistic with that release date. There is nothing worse than having a reader sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for a book to come out, and then the release date comes and goes, especially if they have pre-ordered it. By that time they have moved on to

the next author and no longer trust that the book will ever come out. Every chance the author gets, they should tell people about their forthcoming title. Get all their friends and family to tell people as well. Create a social networking page. Take out ads with literary promotional companies. Get book marks, postcards, etc... Even send book stores information about the forthcoming title. Of course the author needs to do all of this while writing the book, but as I always say (and any author will tell

you), writing the book is the easy part. Selling it is the killer. Writing the book may be a passion, but selling it is a business. I strongly believe if an author generates their audience first (and knows who their audience is...who the book will appeal to), do some marketing and promoting before the book is ever even written, it will make the task of selling the book once it is released that much easier.

That was not the case. I started writing this book five years ago. It was very difficult because my flesh kept rearing its ugly head. My flesh wanted to get out all of its hurt, pain, guilt, shame and 'woe is me' crap; you know, a three hundred page pity party that would hopefully make people feel sorry for me (ooops, I mean feel sorry for Helen). All the while God was trying to pull out a testimony, E. Ahdai: Was it hard writing Helenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not garner sympathy. The flesh versus story? Her story was so emotional. spiritual battle was very draining, but in Did you feel like you had to tap into the end I know beyond a doubt that what something else to get it out? was achieved was a valid, entertaining, Because the book mirrored my life so heart wrenching, moving and real story much (Hence: the mirror on the cover;-) that will become a Divas classic. When one might think it was pretty easy to I started this book five years ago, at the write this book. I mean, after all, it was time, I was so displeased with who I my story. It should have flowed easily. was. The problem was, I didn't want to

admit who I was, which was an angry, hurt and bitter person who had internalized and held onto those things, circumstances and situations that had made me that way. Doing so gave me an excuse to be mad. If I held onto what so and so did to me umpteen years ago, it justified the way I could treat so and so today. You can't quit it if you can't admit it. So I had to take a for real-for real look at myself in the mirror, tell that reflection staring back at me just what I thought about her, and once I turned away from that mirror, make a conscious decision to leave her behind. I declared that I would do

everything in my power to not be that person anymore...because she was disgusting and I hated her. If you go through life hating who you are, displaying love to others (heck, even like for that matter) is next to impossible. I had dealt with so much hurt and pain in my life that it ultimately became my normal. So if you wanted to fit into my normal world, you had to bring the hurt, bring the pain. When I got into church and got saved, I thought I was fixed. I was still broken though. It takes more work than just showing up at church every week and running down to the altar for some69

simple: Helen is not that likeable. As a matter of fact, the last book I wrote, The Sunday Only Christian, the main character in that one wasn't so likeable either. So as God kept giving me these unlikable people as main characters, I got scared. As an author there was a fear that if readers didn't like my main character, then they wouldn't like my book. So during prayer I expressed to God my concerns. His reply: "This book is not for people to like the main character. This book is for people like the main character." E. Ahdai: Dub seemed to find his way while in jail; do you think they could have had second chance to make it right? It's funny you asked this question. In order to do some research for my books and as part of the SWATC Ministry I'm the

founder (Sheltered

of Women

And Their I attended ings, shops panels in

Children Ministry), several meetworkand

which churches, community leaders, survivors and those still with their abusers attended. There was one woman who stood and asked the question, "Do you think abusers can be healed and delivered and stop abusing? I didn't get married to get divorced, but I've only had two days of peace since I got married...the two day honeymoon. Can God change and deliver my husband so that we can stay together?" You want to talk about crickets and hearing a pin drop. So I began to explore that subject matter and then, as the acquisition editor for the Urban Christian imprint, a manuscript titled Born at Dawn landed on my desk and it tackles this very difficult and

not; those two could not have had a second chance to make it right. I know God can do ALL things and deliver all His people. God can change anyone...if they want to change and want to be delivered. But I went with Maya Angelou's theory that when a person shows you who they are...believe them! E. Ahdai: Do you think baby D could have continued the vicious cycle of domestic abuse? He absolutely could have if his mother hadn't been unselfish enough to let him go and go seek God. Baby D got to see something different, so he decided to do different. Not in all cases of children who grow up witnessing domestic abuse, but in Baby D's case, the glory he was later subjected to in life outweighed the sorrow and prevailed.

Do you think if Helen knew her father she would have ended up differently? In all honesty, it would have depended on what type of man her father was. Not just anyone donning the label of 'daddy' or 'father' will do. It takes a certain kind of man with certain qualities and characteristics to influence positively a girl's life...and that's both when she's young and a grown woman. E. Ahdai: Do you have any last words for our readers? The number one entity that I feel has supporter me are-hands down-THE READERS. What I need readers to understand is yes, as an author, a part of me wants to write stories that I myself want to read. But the moment an author begins to make it all about themselves 71

and not the reader is when the author needs to rethink their purpose for doing what they do. Ultimately, when a product is created, it is created to please and satisfy the consumer. Well, if you are a writer, your product is your collection of written words and the reader is your consumer. Readers are my literary heartbeat. When they send me their testimonies and words of encouragement, it keeps my creative blood flowing to the brain. My readers inspire me to challenge myself. Not all readers reach out to me with praises; some with constructive criticism and then there are those who maybe could have been just a tad more diplomatic in their lashing. Whenever I felt as though a certain book might not have reached anyone or that my reach as an author all together just never seemed to stretch far enough, one of my readers would reach out to me and confirm that my writing is not in vain. I don't write for myself and I'm absolutely not one of those authors who you will hear say, "If I could just sell one book and reach one person, then I'm happy; I've done my

job." No ma'am and no sir. I do not put all that I put into my work-sacrifice all that I do-just to sell one book or reach one person. Did Jesus set out to reach just one person? Did Jesus go through all that He did and die on that cross just to save one person? I think you get my point... I live breathe, eat and sleep (well, not much sleep) this literary thing. It’s real. It’s not a hobby. It’s not something I do on the side. It’s my life. I take it serious. It’s my craft, my career, my first love and now it’s my ministry. With that being said, readers need to know that when I put something out for them, I’m truly giving them my all. And if I fall short of their expectations, I’ll do everything I can to try to do a better job next time in order to earn and keep their readership. E. Ahdai: I thank you so much for chatting with me and answering my questions. This has been amazing journey and thank you for allowing me to take the ride with you. I look forward to reading more from you.

Aries 3/21 - 4/19 You could well come across a new idea on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd that really thrills you. You'd never thought of organizing things like that before! But why not get rid of your office space and do all of your work remotely? Say, from a beach on a tropical island? If you don't stumble across this new idea (whatever it is), as the month gets going, be sure to go out there and look for it. Poke around, a little, in the underbrush. Ask your friends what they've been thinking about lately. Peruse the newspa-

pers. Inspiration is there, just waiting to be found! By the 5th, you're getting in touch with your emotions. Don't forget to breathe deeply -- and a lot! If you know what you want, it would be a lot easier to get it on the 11th and 12th. And if you go about it in a winwin way, that will make it even easier! Get ready for an unusually introverted 15th and 16th. Get in some good hotchocolate-and-a-book-on-a-quietevening time! Everything is tip-top on the 24th and 25th. Celebrate with loved ones! Keep it short and sweet on the 30th. 74

Taurus

bubble bath on the 30th. Relax!

4/20 - 5/20

Gemini

If you're having a little trouble making decisions on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd, why not just back off a little? After all, you can postpone these decisions. Seriously, you can. So maybe you should just take a hot bath and stop thinking about whatever it is. Maybe you should add bubbles. Maybe you should light candles. Maybe you should read your favorite new book. See? How great is that? And, once you've totally relaxed and slept on it, you can find that those decisions aren't half as hard as they looked when you were all stressed out the night before. By the 6th and 7th, you'll win a power struggle by reigning in your impulse to be a teensy bit arrogant. Get in some serious time at the gym on the 11th and 12th. What you need now is to have your blood pumping and your lungs rapidly expanding and contracting. Your subconscious is working overtime on the 15th and 16th. Pay close attention to the signals it is sending! Talk it over with friends on the 23rd. You are feeling good and looking awesome on the 26th, 27th and 28th. Take another

5/21 - 6/21 There are days that are just amazing, when it comes to follow through. You are super-focused. You have your eye on the end-goal from the get-go. There is no stopping you. Heck, there's no distracting you! Then there are days, like the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, when, for whatever reason, all attempts to follow through fall through. The printer breaks, the files get temporarily lost, the person you need to talk to isn't accessible until next Tuesday. Rather than get upset about it, take a deep breath and use your unexpected free time to do something fun (or healthy). A few busybodies are sort of annoying on the 8th and 9th. Don't take them too seriously. After all, they are just trying to help! You and a partner start shifting as you take your interaction to a deeper level on the tectonic 15th and 16th. Big changes are in store! By the 23rd, an issue you thought you understood fully has become a little blurry. See if a pair of reading glasses (or a heart-to-heart with a friend you trust) 75

Cancer 6/22 - 7/22 If you are feeling ever so slightly overwhelmed by everything you think you have to do on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, why not just stop thinking so hard about all of it? Do one thing, then do another. Then go for a swim. Then get some sleep. The next day, you can take another step in the direction of getting things done. Then have a healthy lunch. Then do one more thing. Then work out again. And so on: You'll find that if you just take it easy, everything will fall into place. Promise. By the stupendously successful 4th and 5th, the tides have turned and everything is flowing in just the right direction, at just the right pace (not too fast, not too slow). Excellent! Take care not to over-commit your valuable time on the 11th and 12th. (But do take care not to make it sound like your time is too valuable to spend doing the dishes, if you want to maintain a high level of domestic harmony.) Do something wonderful for yourself on the 15th and 16th. Seriously. Every day you do, you will benefit from your serious selfnurturing. Your intuition is your strong

suit on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd. So play it! Host a dinner party on the 26th, 27th or 28th. Watch out for the details on the 30th. Leo 7/23 - 8/22 Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The more ideas you can generate, the better the position you'll be in when it comes to putting on a pretty impressive presentation for the 'ideas people' at the big 'ideas meeting' that's coming right up. You'll be in a fantastically successful place, the fantastically successful 6th and 7th. Go ahead and succeed, fantastically! You and a very special friend could decide you want to be more than friends on the magical 11th and 12th. If you're already in a relationship with your best friend, then you two can reignite the old romantic flame that may have been flickering a little low, of late, what with all your respective obligations and fast paced lives. Flicker! Flicker! Smooch! A little more romance goes a very, very long way on the 15th and 16th. Wow! Don't obsess too much over financial matters on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd. But don't gloss over them, either. Put those papers aside so you can study

them later, and give them the attention they deserve. Your amazing ideas really wow the crowd on the 29th and 30th. How did you get so inventive? Virgo 8/23 - 9/22 The more detail-oriented your approach (to work, to relationships, to that living room paint job) on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, the more positive your results will be. Well, that makes sense, doesn't? After all, if you make sure to read the fine print, listen carefully to what your snuggle bunny is saying, and tape up even those narrow, hard-toreach-corners where the wall meets the ceiling, you'll have a full understanding of the contract, a good grip on where they're coming from and a plumb line of color. Wonderful! (If, however, you skip the details, tune out and are too lazy to do the corners right, you'll have less positive results.) By the very organized 5th and 6th, you are very well organized. And you feel great! Look for excellent developments to make your day even greater on the great 8th, 9th and 10th. Whoo-hoo! You knew that good news was going to come, sometime. And it feels just as

good as you'd hoped. You want to move quickly to Phase Two (or Three or Four or 400) but you might have to slow down on the 15th and 16th. All in good time! Everything changes, as you will notice, on the 23rd. Make the 29th and 30th great days. You can! Libra 9/23 - 10/22 You are just one great-big-cuddlybundle-of-good-energy on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, aren't you? You are emanating great vibes and wallowing in warm hugs. You are generating great ideas and generally helping everybody get along a heck of a lot better. Wonderful! Now you know (if you didn't already) why you are so popular! But don't worry: Your friends love you even when you're down in the dumps or, say, feeling irritated by everything. As you might well be feeling on the 4th or 5th. Have you been for a run or a swim or weights workout lately? It sure looks like it's high time for you to do that! Romance and socializing go hand in hand on the 11th and 12th. So get out there! Socialize with them! Romance them! By the

expressive 15th and 16th, you are ready to communicate deeply. Wonderful. A disruption to your routine is less than thrilling -- or that's what you think -- on the 21st, 22nd or 23rd. That is, until you realize all the possibilities a day's worth of canceled meetings opens up! Make the most of this unexpected gift. Open up to them on the 29th or 30th. The people around you can't wait to hear what you want to share. Scorpio 10/23 - 11/21 You are feeling pretty darn confident, as the month gets going. And well you should be: After all, you know what you're doing, and you're good at it. But before you place all your bets on one number on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd, be sure to double check all those facts. After all, you don't want 'confidence' to turn into 'over-confidence' or, worse, 'outand-out cockiness' while you aren't paying attention. You know? A slight disagreement with your boss could lead you to really rethink a few things on the 6th or 7th. That's not entirely a bad thing. You're feeling pretty fantas-

tic, and things couldn't be going more swimmingly on the super spectacular 13th and 14th. Don't forget to do a couple of your favorite workouts while you're riding this high! You might need to make a few radical changes in the way you conduct your personal life on the 19th and 20th. At least consider making a few minor changes, and see how well it works! You need to get to the gym on the 24th and 25th in order to burn off frustration. Be cautious with your risk-taking on the 29th and 30th. Sagittarius

11/22 - 12/21 You love, love, love to think those big thoughts. You dig digging deep. You can't resist biting off more than you might be able to chew, philosophically speaking. Well, you're going to be fully enjoying yourself on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Go ahead and spend the whole day reveling! And if you can find another amateur philosopher to partner up with, even better. You two can talk over all your ideas together! Your boss might want you to stop philosophizing and get down to brass tacks on the 8th, 78

tic run of happiness and good luck that comes your way on the 15th and 16th, you can hardly believe your excellent good fortune. Fantabulous! Get yourself to the gym on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd to combat a wave of low energy. That's right: Getting your blood pumping is going to automatically raise your spirits. Communicate your feelings as well as you can on the 26th, 27th and 28th. After all, you can't expect your friends to read your mind! You don't necessarily need to follow through right away on that great idea you have on the 29th or 30th. Just have the great idea! Capricorn 12/22 - 1/19 If you feel like you've been carrying way too much baggage around lately and it's starting to make your back hurt, then the 1st, 2nd and 3rd are good days to discard. Who needs those hurt feelings from when you thought your boss slighted you when really they didn't slight you at all? Toss them! Who wants to drag around that old heartbreak inflicted by that person who really wasn't worth all the upset?

Not you! You'll find that lightening your load makes it easier to examine the issues you're still carrying around because you need to on the 4th and 5th. Get the facts straight on the 8th, 9th and 10th, and you'll be in good shape. Dither around with half-baked impressions, though, and you'll find yourself a little behind the 8 ball. You have one amazing insight after another on the super creative 15th and 16th. By the even more amazing 18th and 19th, a lot of these insights have turned into plans, assuming that you stayed disciplined about implementing them. What are you looking for, lovewise? Ask yourself that on the 23rd, and you two could really connect. Talk it out on the 29th and 30th. Aquarius 1/20 - 2/18 You start off the month on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd with one of your favorite things: A super hot romantic connection! Wow! You two really sizzle. But wait -- are you feeling like it's time to finally settle down instead of sizzling and fizzling? Why not give it a shot with this person, if you think you have 79

all, what do you have to lose? By the very creative 6th and 7th, you are generating a lot of heat and light in your professional life. This is wonderful! Grab the bull by the horns. If you're beset by a personal issue you aren't sure how to deal with on the 11th or 12th, look outside your regular support circles for insight. Someone with a whole new perspective can really help you see things in a new way. You absolutely must exercise strict discipline over yourself on the chaotic 17th and 18th. And yes, this does mean you have to go to the gym, even if you don't feel like it. Everything comes up frostkissed and rosy, the wonderfully autumnal 19th and 20th. Your ideas are amazing on the 24th and 25th. Another sizzle gives you a real frisson on the 29th or 30th. What to do with it? Pisces 2/19 - 3/20 There are just some days when you wake up feeling overwhelmed. Or, if you don't wake up that way, you sure are feeling like it's all too much by midafternoon. Don't fret if that's how things are going on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Sometimes that's just how things go! Your best bet is going to be to slow way down. Go to yoga. Go to the sauna. Take a catnap. Go to bed early. Eat well. Refocus your energies on the here and now instead of getting stuck in an endless planning loop obsessing needlessly about the future. Breathe. By the extremely romantic 4th and 5th, you'll be reveling in the sheer sensuality of the here and now. Wow! Listen to your heart (or your gut) but not your head, when it comes to a relationship on the 8th, 9th and 10th. No one can avoid problems popping up at work, now and then. So if something comes up on the 15th or 16th, handle it with class and panache. Then move on. You're in for lots and lots and lots of unadulterated 'wonderful' on the super lovely 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Gear up for the romance coming your way on the 26th, 27th and 28th. That's right: Wash your favorite sweaters in advance, so they are ready to throw on at a moment's notice. Relax and wind down on the 29th and 30th.

A Solemn Spin on Comedy Corner: Mandela the Freedom Fighter By: Marc Howard

I know I'm "the comic" of the mag, and I try to keep all things comedy related, but as I go through my mind to blog on the many various subjects in the comedic world I cannot get my mind past the passing of Nelson Mandela. Now where it relates to comedy is that many of comics have had a joke on Mandela. I literally recall back in the day when I was a new jack comic still less than 2 years in the game and becoming buddies at the time with a younger comic who was in high school at the time named David Chappelle, we were in the back of a local comedy club in our hometown of D.C. I was helping tag a very funny bit he created about Mandela that he used many times. With a Mandela type voice that was, "I want to thank the one person who was there for me throughout my time in prison, the one person who truly loved me, stood behind me....Bubba! That's right I was Bubba's bitch for 27 years!" Ah the minds of a 24 and 17 year old. I recall

Tommy Chun using his Mandela voice reciting a line from the Marvin Gaye classic, "Brudda, brudda, brudda, there are far too many of you dying!" They say imitation is a form of flattery, and for some younger guys who were just getting to relate to who the hell this man was from another country, in Africa albeit, and was in jail for all of our lives to that point we took it and ran with it. Now I never felt that we ever were intentionally disrespecting him, in fact I think we were amazed at how he was imprisoned in a very brutal place, and they way the whites were killing blacks on the street pretty much at will, how in the hell did Mandela live through his long time in prison. I could have seen a guard or guards for that matter beating him to death. I didn't know about the young Madiba who looked bigger stronger, and more imposing than the skinny elderly man who was released from the wrongful imprisonment he withstood for almost

three decades of his life. My parents could only tell me what they knew of him. So we comics used what we had to honor him and keep him relevant. Not saying we all had a meeting and decided that's what we should do, but at the time when his name resurfaced, and my generation of blacks were truly getting the picture of an African nation that was run by whites, and oppressing blacks like we were getting oppressed in America there became a relative issue for us to use. The unique style of dialect and accents from blacks and the Dutch originated whites there were something fresh to copy. It was like imitating Mike Tyson's high pitched, soft, New York style of speech. This man came out of that imprisonment with no bitterness and only forgiveness for his oppressor. He used his greatness to become the 1st black president of South Africa, and he used the culture to unite his country, end apartheid, and bring the world's attention to South Africa with the Rugby and Soccer World Cups. He lived an amazingly long time, to retouch the lives who knew him before his jailing, and my generation who saw his landmark release and

rise to power, and my children's generation who will know who he was, along with living to see the 1st African American president in the USA. Well Nelson Mandela.......Madiba (pronounced Mandeeba) is what the natives called him was laid to rest this month. He lived to be 95. He was a year younger than my dad who passe 11 years ago, and 3 years younger than his sister (my aunt) who's living in New York. They lived to endure a lot in this challenging world. So I honor his legacy by saying I'm proud to have lived in your era. I never met you, but I know who you are. We all on this planet Earth owe you a debt of gratitude. I will teach my kids more about you, and hope they do the same with there kids, you like some others in this world should never be forgotten.

Smash or Pass? New Year Resolutions: Leaving the Past Behind By: Patrice Rivers

It’s that time of year again and resolutions seem to fall from the sky onto long lists of paper naming every single goal and expectation for the upcoming New Year. But what is the point exactly to jot down these things? Do they even get counted on the to-do list or does it stay on paper until the middle of next year? Whether it’s losing weight or finding a better job, keep in mind that prayer along with New Year resolutions takes a little bit more time and effort if you really are sincere about achieving and reaching your goals. But to be honest, what good does writing down everything does? I have learned to pray about what you want God to do for you in the upcoming year. Not only wait until the middle of December to start writing down your list, but to be praying each and every day about it. I just honestly think that resolutions are overrated and shouldn’t be written down be-

cause it becomes a grocery list and by looking at it every day, you begin to stress out about the things that have to get done by a certain amount of time. Just continue to be consistent and take one step at a time if you want to achieve all of your goals. Balance your time out and use it wisely so that everything that you want to happen can go smoothly. Thou Shall Speak It! Writing things down is nice, but speaking it into the atmosphere is even better! It’s like declaring what you want God to do in your life. God hears every

thing, so by telling Him what we want him to do in the upcoming year, it will be a more personal connection on a spiritual level. For example if one of your New Year resolutions is to be married, then this may help. “God, I’m praying that you send me the RIGHT man into my life so that one day I will be married” It doesn’t exactly have to be said like that, but I was just giving a brief example.

make, but just like buying new clothes and getting rid of old ones to make room, you have to leave the past in the past and focus on the future and making new room for new opportunities! Like the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. Learning to get rid of old stress is healthy and the less worried you are, the results at the end of different situations will be positive.

New Year Resolutions, Smash or Pass? Whatever you do, DON’T drag the past It’s good to make them, but make sure into the New Year! you follow through with them and be Hmmm…..for some people this may be a persistent. Speak out loud and allow God to work out blessings for you. Latricky and sticky situation only because dies and Gents, it’s a brand new year we want to resolve all of our issues and coming and 2014 will be filled with prosproblems that we have no control of! perous and interesting opportunities. Sometimes it’s best to just let go and let To get to that point, leave the past in God! I believe I’m a victim of this bethe past and start living for the present cause if I mess something up, I want to and prepare your hearts and mind for fix it, no matter how much tears I shed the future! It’s going to be a bright and or sleep I loose, I want to fix it. Then successful year…I can feel it! sometimes it can be too late and you are holding on to all this hurt and emotional scars when the other person has already begun to move on in their life and you are still stuck and thinking about the situation. When you have done all you can, all you can do is continue to stand and try to start fresh in your life. Therefore resolutions are good to 86

ACE AND MISS RUTH By: Angela Williams

Everyone called them Miss Ruth and Ace. I had the honor of calling them Momma and Da. They had known each other since they were kids in Fayetteville, NC. As Momma told it she knew when she was fourteen that he was the one, but she had to wait over three years before he figures it out for himself. However, Da always said he knew at thirteen when he rode that “dang burn” mule bareback and then tried to stand on its back just to impress her. I loved when they told this story because they would always smile and look at each other with so much love. Looking back I realize they were teaching me about love and romance.

morning ritual. I would sneak to my door and just look and listen. He would be in the bathroom shaving and she would be sitting on the side of the tub. They talked about everything and nothing. Sometimes she would just sit there and watch him shave and smile. Every morning he would say “Baby go back to bed for a little bit and rest.” And every morning she would touch the center of his back and say “Breakfast will be ready by the time you’re dressed.” Most mornings he would pick me up off my floor and put me back in my bed. It just seemed that their daily dose of love in the morning sustained me all day.

They were so cool and mushy at the Both of my parents worked. He same time. He loved that woman and it worked long hours because he wanted showed. One day I caught him looking us to want for nothing. She worked long at my Momma while she was tending hours because she wanted to ease his her little garden. I asked what he was burden. Every morning that my Da looking at and he said “A fine woman!” I worked he was up at 4:30am. My Mom- thought he needed to be committed bema was up with him. This was their cause all I saw was Momma looking a 88

hot mess! She had a scarf tied around here head, an old denim dress and his shoes. The look on his face was pure love. Later in life I asked her why she always wore his shoes to garden. All she said was “When I’m in his shoes I’m always walking with him.” That blew me away.

There are countless stories I could tell about my parents. They were my love and romance coaches. Looking at them I learned how a man and woman treated those they loved. They taught me that when you’re with the one you love romance occurs every day.

BABY DUCK By: Angela Williams

I am a bona fide Daddy’s Girl. However, I am my mother’s daughter. Most called her Miss Ruth, but I had the pleasure and honor of calling her Ma. In my biased opinion she was awesome. She was a country girl from Fayetteville, NC with just a high school education. A diva before the term was popular. Ma was blessed with great fashion sense and a huge heart. She and Da married in their early 20’s moved to New York and had my sister. Life had its ups and downs, but there were more ups than downs. They were ready to start enjoying life. Then I happened along. Ma changed her plans in 91

order to raise me. When I was born my sister was grown, out of the house and about to be married. My Ma and Da were in their late 40’s and ready to have fun and be free spirited “newlyweds” again. That changed the night I was born. They got the call saying there was a baby that needed foster parents for just a short time. So Ruth and Azzie said sure. She always joked that I was hard to see because I blended in with my yellow blanket, but when I opened my eyes she knew I was her baby. So they took me home and she knew that I wouldn’t be going to another family.

I don’t have the proper words to describe how much she meant to me and how thankful I am she decided I was her baby. This woman decided to adopt a baby when she and her husband should have been planning long vacations, fun times and awaiting possible grandchildren. Instead she opted for late night feedings, changing countless diapers and the responsibility of raising a responsible, respectful child. I always thought she made a supreme sacrifice and I am forever grateful.

n’t love me like she loved her real daughter. And I told her it would have been better if I had never been born. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and walked away. For the first time ever my Da was torn between who to comfort. She being a great mother told him to help me. I shut the door in his face. I didn’t acknowledge their pain because I was consumed by mine. That night before bed she said goodnight and I said goodbye.

I cried so much that night determined When I found out I was adopted I be- that I wouldn’t see the sunrise. I recame lost, confused and felt unwanted. member asking God to for forgiveness I started to think that they adopted me and that he just watch over my parents. out of some deep rooted sense of obli- My tears stopped and I had a knife at gation. One day I told her that she did- my wrist. As I was beginning to cut my

self Ma burst into my room. Shocked I dropped the knife and she hugged me. She was crying and I was crying. I wanted to know how she knew to come to me. How did she know I needed her? All she said was that I was her child and she always knew when I needed her. She knew I was hurting and I needed to work things out for myself. She knew when I cried and she knew when I stopped. She said in my quietness she knew something was wrong. Since I was her child she knew when I needed my Ma. That night I realized how big her heart was and how much she loved me. I hear her say these words when I need her, “I didn’t give birth to you, but you’re mine. I know when you’re happy and I know when you hurt. I would move heaven and earth to keep you protected. No matter what you do or say I will always be your Momma and there’s nothing you can do about that. When my Baby Duck needs me I’ll always be there.”

who knew her pay me the grandest compliment when they say I’m just like her. It is an honor when I am compared to a woman who showed others love every day, had the courage to do what needed to be done and was willing to take in a baby and love her like her own. Every day I miss her and every day I try to carry myself in way that honors her. She’s no longer here with me, but this Baby Duck proudly says every “Thank you, Ma. I love you!” I know she hears me and she is smiling.

When I need her she is always there, whether in thought or in a song or a simple message. Those 93

Meet 50/50 Entertainment artist "JEWLI" . . . force to be reckoned with in the world's of Hip-Hop and R&B! By: Nhea Duncan

Urban Image: How do you classify your style of music? JEWLI: I classify my style of music as "The Future Sound of today's Hip Hop." My R&B music is Hip Hop, and my Rap music is Hip Hop, I say that because Im just expressing myself--that's what Hip Hop is I think . . . Self Expression.

"Why Lie, Ft. Cj Poetik G." From there, I made music in my own little studio because I knew I needed to be ready for this life I'm now living.

Urban Image: What do you enjoy most Urban Image: Who are your musical in- about being an artist? fluences? JEWLI: The part I like about being an JEWLI: My musical influences are A artist is I get to be a chemist with my Tribe Called Quest, The Under Achiev- rhymes and my flows and I get to bring ers, JR Writer, Big L, Papoose, and Me . people together with the power of music. It's so cool to see people dance to Urban Image: When did you start your me and my producers' work! musical career? Urban Image: What's the most difficult JEWLI: I started my musical career part about being an artist? when I was in the 9th grade. I got a music video shot for my unofficial song 95

JEWLI: The most difficult part about being an artist is just being who you are. it's not hard, but it's not easy for others to just accept it. You gotta really just do you regardless of the lemons life hands you .

expect from your upcoming release, "My Creation."

JEWLI: My fans can expect originality from me and my producers. They can expect a difference in the art of being by me, and they can expect great music Urban Image: Besides music, are there to live to and turn up to! other industry professions you would Urban Image: What is your main goal like to explore? for 2014? JEWLI: I would like to get into the movie industry and or television. Becoming JEWLI: My main goal for 2014 is to better myself as an artist, accomplish a professional actor would be a great more , be more successful than I've experience and life choice. been and prosper! Urban Image: What artist (s) you would love to collaborate with?

JEWLI: I would love to collaborate with Sevyn Streeter, Danny Brown, and Lil Wayne. Urban Image: What are your favorite songs that are out right now?

JEWLI: Right now, "Connect" by Drake, "It Don't Stop" by Sevyn Streeter, and "Collard Greens" by School Boy Q. Urban Image: Briefly describe what your fans can 96

100

101

102

Brown Sugar.... By: Francis Robinson

My Brown Sugar Is Sweet But Not too Sweet Just Sweet Enough To Satisfy Researchers Say Im the Best of My Brand Golden Dark Sometimes Chocolate Brown My Textures Varies From Time to Time Depending on What Your Needs Are Brown Sugar Sweet Is What They Call Me I Add Flavor To Your Flavor Mouth Watering Topping off Your Treats French Toast Early in the Morning Crumble Me on Top of Your Coffee Cake Or Sweetening the Taste of Your

103

Coffee If That’s How You’ll Have Me Brown Sugar Sweet Is What They Call Me Sprinkle Me on Top of Your Peach Cobbler I’ll Make Your Crust Snap Crackle And Pop Mix Me up in Your Cookie Dough To Make Those Cookies Mouth Watering Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter All of your Desires Yes I’m That Sweetness That’s Good for the Body Brown Sugar Sweet Is What They Call Me....

104

105