Urban Image Magazine

Photo credit: Narratograpy by APJ

LIGHT. DARKNESS. NO MATTER WHAT, KEEP GOING. 2

urbanimagemagazine.com / June 2015

Photo Credit: Kia Michette

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ell, UIM Family, I finally made it home! I’m free from the confines of the prison walls, and arrived just in time to witness my daughters attend prom and graduate high school. Then just like that, I was struck by the pressures of fatherhood, and learning to adapt to their vastly different personalities, their sassiness. Boy, are they sassy!

This is our first Father’s Day issue, but in truth, I don’t feel like much of a father. Disconnected is a better description. My lifestyle before prison created wounds for my children, and strained our bond. Tens years of incarceration has magnified the rift, the hurt.

My only son is walking down the same road I traveled twenty-three years ago -- I know where it leads. Out of love, and fear of losing him to the penitentiary, I disciplined him. That was a month ago, I haven’t seen him since...

Stay focused. That’s all I keep telling myself. I have to get the ground beneath my feet. No distractions. I don’t have time to be arguing, dealing with emotions, and family issues. At the end of the day, I’m no good to anyone if I don’t have myself together. But, my children need me…

This issue is in honor of Fatherhood. It’s meant to celebrate the fathers out there who are raising our children and leading them down the right path, and to encourage the rest of us who are struggling.

I still can’t believe I’m home. I got out seven years early due to good behavior, my achievements with Urban Image Magazine, and teaching career development training with William Phillips and Joseph Zurzolo at the prison. I don’t know exactly where I ‘m headed, but my journey will be chronicled, sometimes indirectly, through the pages of Urban Image Magazine and social media. I am looking to the future, not the past. What’s behind me is behind me.

I meet with my case manager twice a week, and in this morning’s meeting, I was asked by his intern if I have a “plan B, you know, in case you don’t make it?” I looked at her: “I have to make it; I don’t have a choice.”

Most people don’t understand the sense of desperation or the urgency that has infected my bloodstream. To even entertain the thought of “what if I don’t make it” stalls progress and invites failure. I am not making room for either of those outcomes. Neither should you.

Peace and Love, Richarh Aswanu June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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Photo credit: Cari Miller

The Watkins fellas, from left to right: Royale, Ross, and Royce

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Contents

UIM COVER STORY (Audio) Royale Watkins: Sorta. Kinda. Funny. Always. Family, pg. 44 UIM FEATURES: Klymaxx: Still Making Them Pause, pg.16 Jay Evans and Young Jay: The Dynamic Duo, pg. 46 Author Victoria Christopher Murray, Standing Her Ground, pg. 50 (Audio)

Photo credit: Cari Miller June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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Volume I, Issue #1 JUNE 2015 FOUNDER & CEO richarh l. Aswanu CFO damika Smith President denetra Key _____________________ SENIOR WRITERS richarh Aswanu emiaj Ahdai deszion amni Nasir larrod Evans p.j. Fleming kimberley Jasper

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Pieces of Our History with David Brim-El III We know and love black history and basketball, which began with Earl Lloyd, the first black player in league history made his debut in 1950. He opened the door for what was to come... Thank you Lloyd (Pictured below) Oscar Robertson, before Lebron, it was the “O�. The Big O was what he was called. He was Mister Triple Double.

Oscar is the reason the NBA put there stats in the book, a true player in the game.

Julius Erving;the doctor, before Michael Jordan, it was the Doc. He was the ambassador of the plan dunk and he brought a new age, what was called floating.

Many players got parts of their game from the Doc, aka Dr. J, true old school. (Pictured right)

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c a i ed

! d e raz

m

by P. J. Fleming

What it do, Urban Image Readers. This month, I’m going to veer off my usual subjects to share a recent conversation I had with someone. We discussed privacy. This particular individual was complaining that the “LAW” is violating Americans’ Constitutional Rights by using technology to listen in on phones calls, to access everything in one’s personal life, and then inform you about your life before a word is uttered.

While this individual was speaking, there was nothing I really could say that would quiet this person so I could carry on with my day. UIM readers, you know someone like that, right? They always have something to say about everything, pointing the finger, and when you have a logical answer, it sparks an argument or results in them ranting about something else that has nothing to do with the conversation at hand.

Although I remained quiet throughout the entire ordeal, I couldn’t help to think about all the Social Media outlets available now. The complaining individual is also an avid user various high profile Social Media sites. In actuality, the “LAW” does not have to hack into anything, all they have to do is monitor the Social Media sites and gain all the information they need into most Americans lives.

Now, there’s something I never really understood, and probably never will, and I really don’t want to. It never really resonated with me how people get on sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapshot, and Mocospace, and put all their intimate, private, personal information on these sites.

While my ear was getting talked off, I just shook my head. My “ranter” is one who blasts his private life all over these sites.

At any given moment you can get on practically any of these sites and learn the life, upbringing, and future plans of many of its users. Posts like: “Got my student loan today... #Getting Money.” Really?! Or “Had the bubbles, damaged the plumbing...#Bad Chinese.” Maybe it’s because I’m a very private person, but I just don’t get why people post every little thing about their daily activities on these sites. I don’t like people drawing too close, believing what they “think” they know. That’s when misunderstandings happen.

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Heard something called Tweeting-beefing on Twitter. What the hell is that?

I saw on the news the other day how a mother posted a video on Facebook that went viral, putting her young daughter on blast. The young girl’s mother stumbled across her daughter’s secret page on Facebook. The girl was lying about her age, pretending to be twenty and she was actually only fourteen. Not only was she lying about her age but she was posting provocative pictures that were every pedophile’s dream. Not good, especially with all the sexual abuse cases popping up all across America.

So many are Social Media Crazed and taking it to the extreme.

It’s hard for parents in today’s society to teach a child proper values. Society teaches a child the extremes of beauty with body alterations, the deceptive benefits of lying to get ahead, having to put on a certain persona to fit in. The emphasis is on following trends instead of creating them, and walking their own funky path to who and what they are.

Social Media is the outlet, well, ground zero for such misinformation.

Before I go I want to say this, it’s pointless to complain about privacy, whether it’s the government, or a child complaining about a parent snooping in their room and one post all information needed for the world to see. The world is not getting better; it’s actually getting increasingly more dangerous. When one posts all their life on these sites, they make themselves a target and place a GPS system on their back.

Now, criminals have all the information they need to target you: they know exactly where you’re located, everything you’re doing, what time you’ll get there and when you’ll return.

Think about it!!!!

June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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THE CHRONICLES OF EPIPHANY

JONES, VOLUME II brings Epiphany back better than ever.

Tragedy strikes again and fate leads Epiphany down a path where love turns to hate and old loves become new again. Never missing a beat, Epiphany revives her career and comes off her involuntary hiatus with a vengeance. Struggling to juggle motherhood, career, and her love life, Epiphany drifts from one phase to another without an anchor. Indulge yourself as you follow her on her intensely erotic journey through love, money, sex and secrets as she tumbles from one toe-­‐curling experience to the next. Grab a glass of wine and get ready for round two of this steamy tale of carnal obsession in, The Chronicles of Epiphany Jones, Volume II!

HOT NEW RELEASE FROM AUTHOR KIMBERLEY R. JASPER THE CHRONICLES OF EPIPHANY JONES, VOLUME II Purchase Link: https://mkt.com/krjasperwrites.

“Kimberley Jasper writes in a poetic way and every sentence came across like a song…” ~ Keisha Green

“This book is fun, touching, encouraging, sexy and strong! Epiphany will have you go through every emotion and back again! Look out for this Author, she is sure to be the next big thing!”

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~ Desiree Gautier

State of Hip-Hop: Where’s The Defibrillator?

Nurse: Doctor? Doctor?! Can we get some help in here?! We have a patient that’s slipping in and out of consciousness.

Doctor: Which room?

Nurse: Room 1973.

Doctor: You Mean-Nurse: Yes, Hip-Hop.

Someone, anyone, please pass the defibrillator to the good doctor, Hip-hop has been going into cardiac

arrest the past few years. Hip-Hop has undergone several life-threatening events such as a stroke that resulted in low oxygen levels that caused low vocabulary which dumbed down its words, and even suffered through an identity crisis where it’s worn clothes tight enough to restrict circulation to vital organs. Between extreme sweating from popping mollies, being a stoner, and the time it tragically went through the spell of only being able to repeat Versace and Hannah Montana continuously, Hip-Hop has fallen onto some hard times. All just to live this here lifestyle.

To quote the legendary King of the South T.I.P., “Man these niggas is all hype, not even rapping on real mics, they just get high and say whatever the fuck they feel like.” No truer words have ever been eloquently spoken to describe some of the new “hip-hop artists” that have debuted over the past 4 years. It is hurtful, nauseating, and at times downright unbearable to turn on the radio these days because you get flooded with counterproductive sentiments of life or “rappers” who lacks the ability to rap about a decent topic. The days of making thought-provoking music and storytelling over stellar productions have given way to elementary school rhymes on beats that a middle school student could compose at lunchtime. However, there could be a lifeline.

Aha! *Coming To America barbershop scene-style*, there may be light at the end of this tunnel. Remember, I said Hip-Hop was slipping in and out of consciousness, but the cord HAS NOT been pulled, IT ISN’T DEAD. The heartbeat continues due to legends that emerged during the late 90’s - early 2000s and the possible legends in the making that emerged at the end of the recent decade. Those aforementioned legends would be artists such as T.I., Jeezy, Common, Kanye West, and Jay-Z still floating around. I understand they’re in the latter part of their careers, but just like that seasoned veteran athlete in his 11th season that isn’t as explosive as he was in his prime, they still have the ability to rise to the occasion and take over the game whenever needed or desires to. These gentlemen came in, donned the white coat, and administered CPR to HipHop at times when it was out of breath and needed a boost. Whether it was through impeccable lyricism, ultimate swag, soulful beats, or insightful commentary on first-hand events in the trap, these legends put on the lab coats and have kept hip-hop healthy and nursed. Eventually, their lab coats will be retired and are nearing the time to put them on the hook for good, henceforth why Hip-Hop’s heartbeats per minute are decreasing. Jay-Z is already transitioning to this phase of his life with him decreasing in studio time and increasing his time to establish new business ventures seemingly on a daily basis, but remember, he’s not a businessman, HE’S A BUSINESS MAN (sorry I couldn’t help myself).

As I look around, I do notice that there are three lab coats missing. One has the initials of K.L., another with the initials of J.C., and the third just has a cursive W with an MMG patch on the side. So my question to the public is this: who’s the good doctor, or doctors, that will rescue Hip-Hop from its impending doom and guides it into the future??? Only time will tell….and Hip-Hop doesn’t have much left.

--Tyrone Welch

June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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x x a m y l K

Still Making Us PAUSE

by Richarh Aswanu

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1979. Cheryl Cooley. Sexxy. Hot. Influential.

2015. Still sexxy. Still hot! Still Influencing…

Klymaxx set the tone Wfor girl power, and established the attitude that girls rule the world,

before Beyonce’ was even a twinkle in her father’s eye. In honor of Black Music Month, UIM is celebrating Cheryl’s staying power in a business filled with one-hit wonders. Our conversation ran the gamut: career highs, lows, breakups, maintaining longevity, and the funk that runs through her veins...

UIM: Hey Cheryl, how you doin’?

CHERYL: I’m great.

UIM: Over 30 years in the music business -- more than great. A lot of people can’t say that they have been around that long.

To what do you attribute your longvity?

CHERYL: Oh man, I really have to give all credit to the fans and all of my supporters. You know they’ve really kept me going, kept the music alive. That’s really who deserves the credit. I am honored that I can continue to play the music 30 years and still be supported. I am very thankful for that.

UIM: That is a blessing. What influenced you to pick up a guitar in the first place?

CHERYL: Well, it’s interesting. I always had a toy guitar growing up; every other Christmas I would get a new toy guitar.

CHERYL: My sister was married to a jazz musician by the name of Hubert Laws, and during one of their visits to my parents’ house, I had my toy guitar out, showing her husband that I could play guitar, too. And all of a sudden my sister jumped up and said, “Hey, let’s get Cheryl some guitar lessons.” So my parents got me private guitar lessons and I’ve just kept the music up since then. I studied in school. I got my college degree in commercial music, and from there I always knew I wanted to be a performer. I’d see other performers on TV and I just felt deep in my soul that that was what I wanted to do.

UIM: Now, I heard you say that you have a college degree in music. What university did you get your degree from?

CHERYL: I got a commercial degree from Los Angeles City College.

UIM: That’s cool. Do you think having a degree has played a part in your longevity in the music business?

CHERYL: Oh, my gosh, yes, I do! It’s interesting because when I walked into the first Klymaxx rehearsal, there wasn’t a great amount of musicianship but the energy was great. That allowed me to use the musical knowledge I had to arrange and write a lot of the music that the band was able to develop. After that there was interest from a record company.

UIM: The original Klymaxx was credited for being the first all girls group. Is that correct?

CHERYL: Well, yeah as far R&B and funk music. Of course, there were other all-female rock bands, but even as of today, we are still the only all-female R&B band to chart on Billboard.

UIM: Do you feel you’ve paved the way for some of the music today?

CHERYL: Oh sure alot of time people have given us credit for that. I’m honored in having that type of credit allowed to me. I feel like Klymaxx and its image and music definitely made an impact on a lot of music, a lot of careers.

UIM: I was just listening to some of your older stuff, The Men All Pause and Meeting in the Ladies Room and it seems like even back in the 80s, Klymaxx was setting the tone for girl power, and sexiness, and women taking charge. You know what I mean?

CHERYL: Oh yeah, our lyrics were always geared towards being a positive image for women... a positive, period.

UIM: Yeah, and I can see the parallel between the girl groups of today, and what you guys set down then. Now, at the height of original group’s run, there was a split. Do you care to tell us what happened?

CHERYL: A lot of times a group, any group, any band, can enter a music career or a creative career and not everyone has the same agenda, which is unfortunate. They do not always have the same objective to continue the longevity of the unit, which is unfortunate, and was the case with Klymaxx. Not everyone had the same agenda to pursue longevity with the band. There were those who wanted their own solo career, and, unfortunately, that was at the detriment of the whole.

UIM: Could you share with us some of the hurdles you faced when you tried to put the original group back together?

CHERYL: It was a running joke that I have had the same phone number since they’ve known me. So one day I got a phone call from our old manager asking me to put the group back together to do some old school concerts. So I reached out to all the girls after we had had a break for almost a whole 10-year period. I asked them if they wanted to get back together and do some old school tours and stuff like that and some said yeah at first, then I started getting excuses like “I’m too old”, “I’m too fat”, “I’ve got too many kids” and “Nobody wants to see a whole bunch of old women up on stage.” The girls decided that they didn’t think that it was a risk that the wanted to take. But I continued on, hoping that they would change their minds and decide that they wanted to do it. So as I started getting bookings and started working, when they saw that I was able to do it without them, as opposed to them calling me and asking about doing it together, they chose to take a more negative route and accuse me of stealing the name. Legally, we all own the right to the name.

It wasn’t my intention to take anything from the band, I just wanted to continue the legacy of Klymaxx.

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We all equally own the name. I don’t know what the future holds, if they’ll want to do it again or not.

UIM: Let’s talk about what you’ve got going on now. You’ve got a new crew. I see you guys are hitting the road. Tell me something about that.

CHERYL: Yeah, I have been truly blessed to have a group of women who believe in their legacy and the music of Klymaxx and I have continued on, going out there performing for the fans and doing some concert tours and stuff. We actually just got a new management company -- NEC management out of Texas, and we have a new record deal with MPRE Sony Records. We just released a new single called ‘My Way this Time’, and we’re getting ready to do a world tour with groups like The Manhattans, The Floaters, Lenny Williams, The Deele, and a new independent artist Christian Delaney.

UIM: So you guys are about to hit the road with The Deele. I remember they said, “I met my baby at the bang-bang, shoot ‘em up movies.” I remember that song.

CHERYL: Yeah, it’s interesting because The Deele were all on the same record label. It’s going to be great!

UIM: So, what’s the Klymaxx sound today? I know the sound from back in the day was the slap bass with the synthesizers... that funk sound.

CHERYL: Definitely we are funkateers at heart so we are definitely going to keep the high energy music and keeping a positive message in the music. I invite your readers to definitely stay tuned to Klymaxx.com and we are going to definitely keep that positive funk driving sound going.

June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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The Men’s Room

‘Round the Way Girl

SolFuzion

What Women Wish Men Knew About Them…

Welcome back for another edition of ‘ROUND THE WAY GIRL. Every month I get with a sexy lady from our social media pages and ask her a bunch of inappropriate questions that I couldn’t ask during a normal interview.

It’s all in good fun, y’all.

This month I had the opportunity to chat with Author Alycia Morris’ chocolate ass.

Hometown: Waco, Texas Star Sign: Capricorn Pet Peeve: People who can’t be on time Favorite Drink: Crown and Coke Social Media Info: Facebook: Author Alycia Morris Instagram: @author_alycia_morris Twitter: @GOATLILI

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RICHARH: Hey cutie pie, what’s up wit’ ya?

ALYCIA: Nothin’, just chillin’, restin’ my feet. Got my feet propped up; it was a long day at work.

RICHARH: So, after a long hard day’s work, would you enjoy a foot rub?

ALYCIA: Yes, and I got some pretty feet.

RICHARH: Mmm-Hmm. So, what do you do for work?

ALYCIA: I work in accessories at Forever 21.

RICHARH: (Laughs) Umm, are you into accessories?

ALYCIA: Umm, no.

RICHARH: If you were a wild animal, which one best describes the way you get down in the bedroom?

ALYCIA: A lioness. I like to sneak in and go for the kill.

RICHARH: So what’s your favorite body part.

ALYCIA: On me, or on a man.

RICHARH: On your body?

ALYCIA: Oh, most definitely my legs. My legs demand attention, whether I have on jeans or a skirt. They’re perfectly toned.

RICHARH: Since you brought it up, what’s your favorite body part on a man?

ALYCIA: His arms,; a man’s arms gotta be buff. I like mine meaty.

RICHARH: What’s the dumbest shit a man has ever said while tryin’ to get with you?

ALYCIA: Tryin’ to take me home the same day we met.

RICHARH: What’s your favorite position?

ALYCIA: I like to be on top; I gotta be on top of the world, honey.

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RICHARH: Where is your favorite placed to be kissed?

ALYCIA: My neck.

RICHARH: What book would you give to a man you wanted to fall in love with?

ALYCIA: I’d have to say, ‘Lovers and Friends’

by Eric Jerome Dickey. Yeah, any man I’d be with, most definitely has to read that.

RICHARH: Okay, and what book would you give to a man you never wanted to see again?

ALYCIA: ‘50 Shades of Gray’, and tell him to use his hand. Bye! RICHARH: So, why are you single?

ALYCIA: I’ve been hurt, and I had to learn to be happy single. So, when I do find the one, he can make me happier than I already am.

RICHARH: And what are you looking for in a man?

ALYCIA: A man who’s not afraid to love, great conversation, works out, and willing to open up and not hold back.

RICHARH: Well that’s what’s up. I really enjoyed the interview. Thank you for participating in the men’s room.

ALYCIA: Thanks, hun, for the opportunity.

June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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5846 west Madison Chicago il 60644 (773) 964-5320 June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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SolFuzion Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken breast 1 bag of flour tortilla shells 2oz Green Chiles 2 oz Pablano peppers 1 pack Enchilada Seasoning 6 oz Sour Cream 4oz Chicken Broth (from base) 2 tsp Cumin Taco seasoning Picante Sauce 2 tsp Garlic Powder 2 tsp Onion Powder Salt & pepper Mozzarella Colby Chives 2 oz Lime Juice

Directions: Sauce In a medium pot, add the Enchilada sauce, lime juice, ½ packenchilada seasoning, chicken broth and sour cream. Cook on low heat until warm.

Sauce: Enchilada Sauce 1/2 pack of Enchilada seasoning 2oz sour cream 1.5 oz Lime juice 4 oz Chicken Broth 2 tsp cumin

In a baking pan, coat with cooking spray then add a smallamount of the sauce to the pan to cover the bottom. Place each stuffed tortillain the pan side by side until pan is full. Cover entire pan with the warm Enchiladasauce and remaining cheese and chives.

Season the chicken breast with olive oil, garlic powder, onionpowder, taco seasoning, salt and pepper. Grill on high heat until chicken iscooked 70% (about 145 degrees).

Remove chicken and cool and shred.

Mix shredded chicken with ½ pack of Enchilada seasoning, 4oz sour cream, green Chiles, Pablano peppers, mozzarella, and Colby.

Place agenerous portion of the chicken mixture inside each of the flour tortillashells.

Place in 350 degree oven for 30 minute.

Enjoy!

June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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What Women Wish Men Knew About Them…

URBAN IMAGE FACEBOOK POLL:

Just curious ladies, is there anything that you wish men knew about women in general?

IRIS CELESTE: “We are really quite simple. A hug, a phone call, a candlelight dinner goes a long way.”

• URBAN IMAGE: Anything else ladies, I see a few of you have liked the status, thoughts please?

• IRIS CELESTE: “No matter what, always tell the truth. One lie revealed and everything is questioned.”

• AUTHOR SANDRA WIDNER BURCH: “I agree with Iris!!”

• TANGELA LOVINGLIFE DEBRO: “Just remember, a lady loves to be cherished. And after u get her dont stop doing what u did to get her. Example late night calls, dates, texts, etc.”

• APOLLONIA O’HARA: “Well, Urban Image, I hope this is not off topic, but I wish that a lot of men could carry the amount of worries that a lot of us women have for at least a day or so. If he could just trade places for a day I know it would make an enormous and huge difference.”

• DREA DELGADO: “When we say no. We mean it.”

• MARISA READUS: “Consistency is very important!! It shows us the words that you can’t say. We understand that a man has a harder time expressing his feelings unlike us women. Consistency throughout the relationship speaks volumes!!”

• DIANE FUNSTON: “To really listen to us. Not jump in and interrupt or try to fix it. Let us vent like we let them vent.”

• URBAN IMAGE: Hey ladies thanks! Be on the lookout for our new Father’s Day issue, you might see yourself in it...

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DESZION’S STAR DESIGN

ARIES While the month may begin looking like every other month this year, within the first week everything will change, with the full potential that has always been here finally able to be realized.

TAURUS Your biggest danger this month is failing to appreciate the significance and importance of Venus’ position in your communication sector in the early days of the month. Returning once a year to focus on giving your heart a voice and with a particular focus on ensuring the communication lines are open on the relationship front, Venus’ position in your communication sector is one of the biggest boosts your relationships can get. That will be evident while Venus is here, noticing how much easier it is to speak from the heart and keep the communication lines open, but what changes is just how important this will become.

GEMINI After a fairly bumpy few months, with wave after wave of personal and/or relationship tensions hitting and finding it impossible to sweep relationship issues under the carpet or to stop those already swept there from re emerging, the early days of the month are likely to suggest that this month it’s a case of more of the same. As the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all returned to your sign this year, putting the spotlight on your own needs, for the first time in 28 years they all ran into oppositions with Saturn in your relationship sector, making it impossible to put anything in the ‘too hard’ basket or to sweep things under the carpet. Open up and communicate!

CANCER With Pluto in retrograde motion in your relationship sector and Saturn retrograding back into your romantic sector, while this creates an even balance between romantic and relationship matters, on both fronts the focus is on the past, the rear view mirror and on the second chances this will open the door to. Venus knows all this which is why, in the early days of the month she’ll be fuelling romantic and relationship desires and expectations that seem more like pipedreams, yet come from a place that knows what you don’t. Something else will happen when Saturn retrogrades back into your romantic sector AND the Fun Police will also show up!

LEO Since Venus, planet of love returned to a nostalgic part of your chart early last month a sense of romantic nostalgia has hung in the air and as you move into the new month that’s still the case. Until leaving, Venus is taking your heart on a nostalgic trip down love’s memory lane, at the same time that Saturn’s retrograde phase in your romantic sector has the door open to the past and your eye on the rear view mirror. While Venus’ nostalgic trip down love’s memory lane is best enjoyed wearing your rose colored glasses, Saturn is demanding that you keep it real, with a nice balance between the two.

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DESZION’S STAR DESIGN

LIBRA You’ll move into the month with some high expectations with Venus, in her final days in a competitive part of your chart, setting the bar high on both the romantic and relationship fronts. Yet for once this isn’t a case of pipedreams or unrealistic expectations, with the love gods aware of not only how well positioned both romantic and relationship forces are, but how much support they have. The biggest danger, while Venus is still in this competitive part of your chart, is turning either love or your relationships into a competition or being tempted to over manage things. This is all about setting goals and high expectations on both the romantic and relationship fronts, without over thinking the ‘when, where and how’. In fact, it’s once Venus returns to a social and serendipitous part of your chart that a hands off approach will be required, for that’s when not only the love gods and luck come together, but the laws of attraction and synchronicity as well. It’s fate that will be working to put you in the right place at the right time, with some serendipitous developments likely on both the romantic and relationship fronts.

SCORPIO The Sun’s departure from your relationship sector last month brought all the planetary activity here for the year to a close, but not before not only a parade of planets moved through but a New Moon gave you a chance to commit to your relationships, the future and the journey ahead. While the love gods have now shifted all their focus onto matters of the heart and all things romantic and it will stay that way for the rest of the year, this has left you with a clear sense of what you want from your relationships and what they need from you. Key to keeping your relationships on track and making recent months count is remembering that it’s all about the journey, while working to keep the communication lines open.

SAGITTARIUS Saturn has been in your sign since Christmas Eve and until the planets began returning to your relationship sector this is unlikely to have been a problem. Saturn has returned to help you take your power back and it wasn’t until your relationships started demanding more of your attention that a series of personal and/or relationship tensions began to play out. While the last of the planetary oppositions played out last month, a Full Moon will see the relationship gods give things one last push, getting everything out in the open. While this may create some more personal and/or relationship tension this is not only the last wakeup call you and your relationships will get, it comes at a time when you now have a clear sense of what you want from your relationships and what they need from you and a chance to give your relationships, the past and unsaid words a voice.

CAPRICORN You’ll be forced to take care of any relationship housekeeping; the real work will come next month, when you and your relationships will be held to a higher account. Until then and especially in the early days of the month you can afford to have your head in the sand for until Venus, planet of love leaves your relationship sector, it’s all about establishing what you want from your relationships, with what they need from you in return coming later.

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DESZION’S STAR DESIGN

AQUARIUS It’s been a long time since your excuses have been challenged in the way that they have been over recent months. With Venus, planet of love having already moved through your romantic sector, but not before fuelling your romantic desires and expectations, you’ll know what you want from love, with the means this month to walk the talk.

PISCES Things are likely to not only get busier on the work front but a lot more opportune, with responsibility for maintaining a balance between work and play all yours. The Moon’s visit to your romantic sector from will give the spirit of romance a kick start, making sure things don’t go off the boil before you get to make your move.

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#teamnaturals Father’s Day Edition

By:Deszion

Daddies, we know there are a lot of you out there being real men and taking care of your babies. And sometimes part of that is trying to tame those wild tresses peeking out from under your daughter’s pretty little face. Sometimes it seems like an impossible task. The hair seems to just pop those elastic bands like the hulk vs. wet spaghetti, doesn’t it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iQ1cAWON2s

Here are a few quick tips and tricks for you guys to get her looking cute, out the door and maintained. These tips are good for natural or processed tresses. ·

No matter what type of hair she has, she needs moisture. Get a cheap-o spray bottle from family dollar. Fill it with water, some olive oil and a little conditioner. Shake it right before styling. Mist (MIST! DO NOT SATURATE) her hair, especially the ends. Work it in. Should take you maybe a minute or so. You can also mist whenever her hair looks dry. You can do the same on your son’s hair.

·

Once it’s moisturized, you can just add some olive oil to the hair. It works for most hair types. Start with about a dime size amount and add to ends, work up to roots.

·

If the hair still feels dry, use a cream by Bodyworks by Eden or Shea Moisture. They are all natural products and don’t put any nasty chemicals you can’t pronounce on your girl’s hair. These are inexpensive and can be found at most Wal-Marts, Targets, Beauty Supply Stores, etc.

·

If you’re going to use a brush, make sure it’s real boar’s hair. NEVER use a plastic, stiff brush. You’ll rip her hair right out. And never style it dry.

·

Use a wide toothed comb to part. NEVER USE THOSE LITTLE COMBS. OUCH! If you’re finding it too difficult to part her hair, it needs more moisture and detangling using a wide-toothed comb. Eden Bodyworks makes a great detangler (it’s a leave in conditioner, but it detangles instantly). Remember, ALWAYS WORK FROM THE ROOTS UP. June 2015 / urbanimagemagazine.com

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· · When parting, try to part with your fingers first, then go back with a comb and make a cleaner part. It’s much easier, I promise. · Use covered Elastics or ballies, bow-bows, etc., not those little black rubber bands. They pull hair out and are a pain in the butt to get out for you AND her. · If you DO use them, don’t even waste time trying to take them out. Slide a rat tail comb (the kind with the long skinny end) between the band and her hair and snip it off carefully. · PONYTAILS ARE JUST FINE. Twists are easy and simple. · Can’t get a barrette to stay on her hair? Wrap the end of the hair around the barrette. · Buy a kid’s sized satin bonnet from the store. They’re typically less than $3. A satin pillow case is a tad bit more expensive, but an alternative option if the bonnet thing is a bust. Either option will keep your hard work in place for several days. · Don’t forget that plastic cap for bath time!!! A set of several is a couple of dollars. · If your child is antsy, a book, tablet, cartoon, etc, usually distracts them instantly. Watch how fast a fussy girl forgets when Rainbow Dash or Rarity is on screen (My Little Pony reference). · Take a pic, be proud of yourself, and have fun!

Just for fun, check out some creative ways some dads have found to style their daughters’ hair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoR-_dQGdvU

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CELEBRITY FATHER’S DAY

By: Deszion In honor of Father’s day, let’s take a look at some well known celebrities doing with their biggest fans: their kids.

BARACK OBAMA WITH MALIA AND SASHA

KANYE WEST AND NORTH

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CELEBRITY FATHER’S DAY

OMARION AND MEGAA

STEPHEN CURRY AND RILEY

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LENNY KRAVITZ AND ZOE

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BABY GIRL IS NOT A VIRGIN: Sexual Guidance for your Daughter

Fathers, let’s face reality ...

4% of adult Americans die virgins.1 Statistically speaking, how does this apply to your daughter? There’s a 96% chance that she will not remain a viWrgin. Yet this steamy topic is frequently avoided by men with girls.

Thinking of your daughter’s welfare, what male guidance did she receive on the subject of sex?

1: according to Softpedia.com Home Training My father taught me many things. But sex wasn’t one of them.

Train up a girl in the way she should go: and when she is old, she will not depart from it. - Ps. 22:6 (KJV adaptation) Through his teachings, I know how to crack an egg, identity engine parts, load a revolver, and operate a tractor. There are so many life lessons he shared through the years. But that doesn’t apply to the most intimate area of my existence.

Sex. I’m the feminine reincarnation of my dad with my mom’s eyes. As a child, he made me feel cherished. I took pride in saying I was a daddy’s girl.

By adulthood, my free spirit challenged his perimeters and our attachment began to dissipate.

My father has been disconnecting from me since puberty. As a teen, the wedge began to grow between us. He viewed me cautiously once I was impregnable. I don’t think he could handle my evolution into womanhood. This gap only widened as I continued to mature. It is a little shocking for a man to learn his daughter is sexually active. This occurrence receives my empathy.

There’s an odd, slightly nauseating feeling that comes with the thought of his baby girl having sex.

But why must this feeling last for a lifetime?

At some point, fatherly protectiveness should have kick in. His desire to prepare me for the world should have outweighed his emotions.

During my early adolescence, I didn’t have a male I could go to for advice. My scope was limited to a female viewpoint. I wasn’t totally prepared for male encounters. Now, I can see how some of my young heartaches could have been avoided if only I was better advised.

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Different for the Boys There’s a comradery that comes with the ability to stand up and urinate. How unique is the bond between father and son. Communication is usually more open as new found sexual information is sometimes shared.

But what about the little girls? Generally, treatment is totally different.

My dad once called me to share my brother’s latest antics. He was dating 3 women at the same time. As my father told me additional details like their occupations, net worth, and locations, I was stunned by his amusement. Mentally, I pondered his reaction if the situation was different.

What if I would have shared the same scenario, juggling 3 guys, covering my tracks with false alibis?

Better yet, what if I was one of the women being played? Would the situation be less entertaining and more discerning? How has my father prepared me to avoid being a pun for players?

From childhood, I’ve always felt like men educate the boys sexually and leave the girls ignorant as sheep.

Sex Education Substitutes Fortunately, I had a grandfather who defied this pattern. He kissed me on both cheeks and treated me like a princess. He also accepted when I became sexually active.

Humorously, he would advise me on birth control, share sexual jokes, and inquire about oddities he’d recently discovered. Messages of guidance were laced through his conversation.

For example: I physically matured early so he verbally armed me with a response for unwanted encounters. He told me to tell flirting mature males that “my granddaddy said I already got an old man to kiss on and I don’t need your money”. It worked every time. Even in his absence, I felt his protection.

As I matured, my grandfather allowed our dialogue to expand. He’d share stories of his youth and his manipulative ways. I was schooled by his tales of mischievous behavior to charm women. His humanness was laid before me and it allowed me to open as well. He was a wonderful support that I could readily utilize.

I also found a candidness with other older gentlemen friends. They have been my resources. We speak freely about sexual matters without hesitation. I can ask them whatever my mind conjures up.

Receiving frank responses and clear direction.

But now I wonder if this truthfulness was also offered to their daughters. Is it easier advising an un-

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A Façade for Father The age of my acting debut is unknown. I’ve been holding up a mask for my dad so long I can’t recall its installation. Since I can remember, my behavior and manners were expected to be pristine. Conversations about sex were limited and not initiated by me.

I, like most females, was placed upon a pedestal to be admired when I should have been steered in the right direction. Too frequently, women are entering the world of love, sex, and lust illequipped for battle. Many are armed with little sexual instruction from dads. This lack of insight leaves them vulnerable.

If you have discussions with your daughter about her sexual health, I commend you. Most girls/ women are forbidden to speak of their sex lives in front of their fathers. If the father desires to raise a well-rounded women, allow her to be authentic. Completely genuine. Men must stop constructing walls where there should be roadwork when speaking with their daughters.

Fathers, open the lines of communication with your daughters on all life subjects. For girls, your messages can help her avoid heartbreaking potholes ahead. For women, the opportunity to live transparent before our fathers is priceless. Besides, we are never too old to learn.

It is never too late or too early to expand your scope and educate your daughter sexually.

Curv Brown © 2015 Curv Cummentary / Sugar Sweet Love®

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s n i k t a w e l a y mily. a f o . s y r alwa . y n n u f . da

in sorta. k

by Richarh Aswanu

Photo credit: Cari Miller

From left to right: Grandbaby, April K. Watkins, Royce Watkins, Ross Watkins, Royale Watkins

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Photo Credit: Cari Miller

It’s exceedingly difficult to find a balance between “life” and your dreams. Ask anybody who’s fighting that battle,

including me. But comedian/actor/producer/director Royale Watkins, with more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, has found that sweet spot, in the midst of marriage, fatherhood, life and the pursuit of a lasting career.

Adversity, nor the fickleness of Hollywood could deter him; he persevered and has emerged stronger, and of even greater service to his family, and humanity at large.

Everybody has a story, and this brother is sharing his with us; one post, one joke, one video at a time.

Honest, raw, and it’s Sorta. Kinda. Funny. Take a listen to part 1, and catch us next month for part 2.

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:

duo c i nam y d f o d n e kin m s n w a a ne the ev

by Richarh Aswanu

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Big Jay is making noise on the Canadian music scene with his smooth R&B sound. His popularity is growing as he

travels to different parts of the U.S. Not just a recording artist, he’s an all around entrepreneur wearing several hats. His music is tight, his hustle -- relentless. But as we prepared our Father’s Day issue, you know what caught my attention?

He’s grooming his son every step of the way. Young Jay is a 12 year old M.C. laying down some hot age appropriate tracks under his father’s guidance. Big Jay drops jewels in his son’s ear in preparation of his future, and I found that very inspiring as I pursue my dreams and attempt to lay the foundation for the future of my children as well. After a month or so of emails back and forth, finally, I was able to catch up with father and son after a studio session and find out what they’re up to. In honor of Faher’s Day, I like to introduce the Urban Image Family to Jay Evans and Young Jay. UIM: What’s goin’ down Big Jay JAY EVANS: Nothin much man just gettin ready to hit the studio and get to work.

That’s what’s up! I see you got Young Jay with you. What’s happening Young Jay? You alright Bruh?

YOUNG JAY: Yeah UIM: That’s good. Yeah man it’s a beautiful thing y’all got goin on man. I dig it and that’s why I wanted you in this issue. You’re a father and you got the whole family thang goin on. So, tell me a little bit about how you got started in music.

JAY EVANS: My Mom was pretty much the inspiration for me doing music. ‘Cause she used to always bring me to the studio. She taught me how to write music. She caught me actually singing. I was the shy one but after that she helped me to work with my music and all of that.

UIM: How long you been grindin in the music industry, trying to make it happen?

JAY EVANS: ‘Bout fourteen years.

UIM: I saw that you were going to the Black Canadian music awards.

JAY EVANS: Yeah I got nominated. So that was cool. It was a cool vibe all the way around.

UIM: That’s what’s up man and man I gotta give you your props. I’ve listened to some of your tracks, man. You’re soundin’ good, for real.

JAY EVANS: Thank,s man, I really appreciate that. I’m just workin just trying to get a body of work ready and pretty much I’m going to start releasing work from the artists on the label as well as myself, all in one shot.

UIM: So you’re doin the independent thing right now?

JAY EVANS: Yeah I’m just grindin.

UIM: I definitely respect the grind. Young Jay how did you get off into music?

YOUNG JAY: Being in the studio with my dad and watching him.

UIM: So you caught on by sitting at the studio with your pops in the control room watchin him get down?

YOUNG JAY: Yeah.

UIM: Does your Dad help you out with your music a lot?

YOUNG JAY: Yeah he DJs and puts the beats down for me to rap over and teaches me how to sing.

UIM: Big J, what does it mean to you for you to be getting down and passing your gifts and talents and your skills to your son?

JAY EVANS: It means a whole lot because I believe in the younger generation learning from us. Not just my son but other kids come to the studio to try to learn, instead of being out in the streets, doing whatever. You know how that goes. This is another avenue for them to try something new and explore the gifts that they may have. So that’s how I go about it. I’m all for the youth, that’s my biggest thing.

UIM: So what other things do you do for the youth to try to reach out them?

JAY EVANS: Well basically, I speak to the youth with Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Sometimes I go to different schools and I speak to the kids based on what they want to do in life. Because music is also a form of education. You gotta learn tracks, you gotta learn bars. Even if they decide that, “Oh I don’t want to do music,” I still like to share my story to try to get them to go in a positive direction instead of the direction I came from. I’m also involved in the Love project with Gary Lee. We are all about the youth in that program: it’s music, the arts and all that stuff. Then I have my record label, Keep 6 Records. Through that, I like to build up the young people so they understand the business. I try to make sure that I can somehow help them get them to where they want to go. On a positive note, instead of how it goes in the industry with this, that, and the other. I try to approach it at their age level. If my son is eleven, he is singing eleven year old music.

UIM: What else are you trying to pass down to Young Jay besides the music?

JAY EVANS: Basically I have other businesses so I’m trying to teach him more about business but also pass it down to the whole family. I have a business called “Buildasong.com.” That’s for the wedding industry. We have so many businesses that are in the works right now, just to have a back up. Know what I mean?

UIM: Young Jay, you like following your dad around a lot?

YOUNG JAY: Yeah UIM: What do you learn from your dad?

YOUNG JAY: Making beats, singing.

UIM: What do you use to make beats on?

YOUNG JAY: Korg Triton UIM: So how old are you Young Jay? YOUNG JAY: I just turned 12.

UIM: How long you been rappin?

YOUNG JAY: A year or so.

UIM: What’s your favorite song that you’ve recorded?

YOUNG JAY: Young Love UIM: I heard it too, and I liked it. You’ve got a lot of potential. You keep hanging in there with your dad and working with you dad. You’re gonna be alright.

YOUNG JAY: Thanks. The next single coming out is Eye Candy featuring my cousin Kyle.

UIM: So Big J, what’s in front of you? What are we gonna see from you?

JAY EVANS: I’m ‘bout to come out with a single called Bounce featuring King Tiger from New York and then we’ll probably release a track that I did with another group called All I Ever Wanted. That’s with a group called Double Up. That’s their next single about to drop and I’m also featured on that as well. I’m featured on a lot of songs, even in Jamaica on reggae. I’m working with another Reggae artist named Rankin who is a phenomenal artist. I’m trying to put out single for each genre. It’s a whole diverse album getting ready to drop. You are gonna hear some turn up, R&B, a little bit of pop, mixed with a little bit of the West Indian and Caribbean styles as well.

UIM: Seems like you’ve got some diversity to you. What’s your back ground?

JAY EVANS: I am Guianese, from the Caribbean. So that’s why I am able to flip styles in different ways. My mom always raised us to be universal. We listen to everything.

UIM: I thank you for your time, but before we go, could you tell everyone where to find you and your music?

JAY EVANS: You can find my music on Reverbnation at /JEvans, on Facebook at Jay EvansOfficial and Youtube. You can type in Jay Evans music. You find us also at Keep 6 Records on Facebook.

UIM: Where can find your music Young Jay? YOUNG JAY: Reverbnation/youngJay03, Facebook.com/YoungJay and Keep 6 Records on facebook as well.

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Victoria Christopher Murray Still Standing A conversation with Richarh Aswanu

I recently sat down with Author Victoria Christopher Murray to discuss her book STAND YOUR GROUND: A Novel.

Shortly after our conversation, Dylann Storm Roof walked into a church, sat down in a pew, interacted with the church members for approximately an hour, then stood up and said, “I am here to shoot black people.”

Stand your ground. What does this mean to you? What does it mean to us, as a people?

There is so much going on in the world. The police are killing us. We are killing us. Ordinary citizens are killing us.

And it appears to be permissible under the law.

STAND YOUR GROUND is more than a book. It’s movie. It’s a documentary. It chronicles what is happening across America today. It’s real. As I told Victoria, everybody, irrespective of race, politics and belief systems needs to read this book. Please take a listen to part I of our conversation, and check back next month for the conclusion.

STAND YOUR GROUND: A Novel, available June 30, but pre-order your copy today.

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