Urban Tymes Aug 2016 2nd Cover PR Queens of Charlotte!

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Urban Tymes Magazine is the publication that celebrates the diversity and talent that surrounds us daily from a positive perspective. Featuring the best of the best via the arts,entertainment, luxury, lifestyle of professionals and more.

Reaching various consumers across the country and overseas, our editorial content, promotion, and brand extensions communicate this ideal to the masses.

For interviews, advertising or additional questions or comments: magazine@urbantmedia.com or urbantymes@hotmail.com

iss m u o y Did th’s n o m t las issue?

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1015350 https://issuu.com/urbantymes/docs

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Charlotte’s PR Queens share an insight to what makes them unique and incredible in the industry!!!

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COVER

STORY

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Contents Essentials p10 From the Mind of a Concerned Father p14 Life & Health Summertime Grilling Safety

Urbanity p40 Teresa B. Howell p44 E.N. Joy p59 Da Real Immortal

p58

p64 Food & Wine Tyme: Summer Recipes U.S & Internationally Loved!

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114 Editor Carey Digsby

Contributing Writers: CWspeaks Kisha Green

Photo Credits

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Kisha Green Julio_AKA_ J JDS Certified

Promotions UT Street Team

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When I started on August issue of Urban Tymes, I wanted to do something different to really recognize someone. Little did I know that someone else also had the same idea….

Gotta thank these ladies for their vision and energy to recognize the PR realm. Not only do they hold down the QC as home, but it is their launch pad to other cities and other parts of the industry. These “PR Queens” do so much for their clientele, and also maintain family lives and the professionalism that is much needed today.

During the shoot, the networking that occurred was of course a necessity, but the “sisterhood” that was created spoke volumes. As one of them stated “No cattiness, just strict professionalism, networking and relationships developing.”

Yes, I take my hats off to them, and humbled that they allowed Urban Tymes to feature them this month.

Enjoy fam!

Carey

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From the

Mind of a Concerned

Father Anonymous

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How to stop this madness to save our children and especially our Sons.

with attainable goals and vision beyond your current generation.

we conducted a FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) Thursday night, a vision came to me of A-E-I-O-U. Of all the letters of the English language, the minority letters are powerful to help all of the other letters function. Therefore, throw in sometimes the letter Y. We have several Failures in our Society.

Let's list and evaluate all over time. Meanwhile, a short term option may be A-E-I-O-U.

O. Owe no man Nothing. Economic Empowerment. Let go of the Brands that you use to try to impress others. We cannot spend time fixing our community problems and connecting with our ancestory and roots if we are spending time working for someone else and working to pay bills that do not uplift our next generations.

I. Interpret. Seek to Understand and Explain and PROCESS in your mind ALL of the Answer: There is #1 solution in 2016. This scenarios of the cause and effect before you has been a 400 year problem and recognize take action. This is truly the NC A&T it may take generations to fix. Break Yourself Engineering + JHU MBA & Corporate but Brace Yourself to Comply to a Higher America Training/experience/road Calling than what you see today. No matter trips/battles/thought process Line of Thought. who is the president of the USA. This is not 1.

Know who you are going to get fixed in our generation. Why: If 2.

Know your competition there was FB in 1862, 1866, 1900, 1918, 1942, 1955 (Emmitt Till & the start of the 3.

Leadership Vietnam War) and 1963, the media would be 4. guerilla marketing to build your reporting the same thing as we see today but economics there is now 24/7 media to discuss the mat5.

Plan of implementation of proter. gressive and productive initiates and But.....There needs to be a brain storming execution session of where do we start. In engineering

A - Arm yourselves. This first thought will be controversial but it has to be in plan because of the second amendment. Congress spent ALL DAY Thursday talking about international terrorist and emails but many neglected to have a care about the two shootings of Black Americans and protest by many diverse Americans happening at the same moment that they want to grill someone about emails and an email server.

E. Educate Yourself of the critical factors of (1) your heritage & roots before slavery, (2) how your current state and decisions will effect you moving forward if you don't WAKEUP!!, (3) understand how Economic work and how they will forever rule the world. Currency is gold, land, and liquid assets. Not tennis shoes, weave, cars and clothes. (3).

Education on how to build a success plan

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U. UNITY. It takes a village.... Interview others in 2016 to know what this know means. and sometimes "Y" Change begins with Y. Start with the Man/Woman in the mirror. Ask yourself. Do you vote at every election? How are you holding your politicians accountable?

How are you holding all of your community leaders and yourself accountable to do the right thing for our Youth to be PROPERLY EDUCATED to spiritually, mentally, economically and socially make the RIGHT DECISIONS to Protect our FREEDOMS as AMERICANS. Do you have a budget that you maintain that keeps you out of debt?

Have you planned for your children's children or do you live for the moment. If America had a healthy food crisis, what can you do to fix this issue?

Stay Tuned‌.

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Life & Health

ESSENTIALS

Summer is a great time to get out, celebrate and get together with friends and family. The summer months (May through August) are peak months for burn injuries related to grilling.

in a garage, breezeway, or carport.

Also remember to use your grill away from deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging trees.

• Never leave your grill unattended. Keep children and pets away from your grilling area at all times.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), each year there are approximately 8,800 home fires in the United States related to grilling. Here are some simple safety rules to consider while you are operating grills.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions that accompany the grill.

General grill safety

• Do not wear a loose apron or loose clothing while grilling. Always wear shoes. Use long-handled grilling tools to give plenty of clearance from heat and flames.

• Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Do not use grills

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• Be careful when grilling food with a high fat content. This type of food can produce high flames.

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, but not attached or on your grill.

GRILLING Propane grills

Charcoal grills

• Keep cigarettes, matches, and other open flames away from a leaking grill.

• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children.

• When transporting LP gas containers, always transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk.

• Do not attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person.

• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the trays below the grill. Also remember to check any hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks.

• Move gas hoses away from hot surfaces.

• Always clean a gas grill thoroughly after each use.

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• Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is colorless and odorless and can lead to toxic levels in closed environments. This makes it especially important that you never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoors, even in well ventilated spaces.

• Do not store freshly used charcoal indoors.

• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

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ESSENTIALS :BUSINESS

Amazing, Intelligent , Beautiful Bosses of Industry!

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Red look Styled by: Tye Bailey The Sheek Chic Boutique MUA: Silvio Suarez

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Shakeema Guess Bouyer is the founder of The Queen's English PR. Known as “Keema” to her family, friends and colleagues, she is a native of Columbia, South Carolina where she attended Richland District One Public Schools. After graduating from W.J. Keenan High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from The College of Charleston in 2000.

If you had asked her 30 years ago what she wanted to be when she grew up, her response would have been a talk show host and later changed to an investigative reporter. She aspired to match the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Dianne Sawyer and Barbara Walters. She would spend hours as a child playing “talk show” with her stuffed animals and dolls.

While in college she created an audition reel but it was an internship at a local PR and Marketing Firm that opened her eyes to the world of Public Relations.

She was tasked with handling a campaign for Christmas in July, a nonprofit that completed home renovations for the elderly in the small town of Hollywood, SC. It was then that she met her love for being behind the scenes and connecting the dots for those that mattered – the cient and the community.

After graduation she moved to Charlotte, NC and like many graduates, accepted a job not related to her field. In 2007, her pastor asked her to write a press release for a community event. Not having previously discussed her background, he was not aware that she had formal training in this area and soon enlisted her services to be the PR Point of Contact for future community events for the church. Through this, what some would call an “unlikely” appointment, for the next four to five years she would continue to develop her writing style, media list and contacts.

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Out of the need for something more in her professional development and the growing love for what she does, The Queen's English PR was launched in September 2012.

The agency specializes in branding and public relations for Beauty and Lifestyle Brands and Nonprofit Organizations. In a short time, the agency has reached to the Midwest and West Coast and has a current client base in North & South Carolina and Georgia.

Keema says that if she could look back 30 years and see her eight-year-old self, playing talk show with stuffed animals, she would tell her “Little girl, your life is going to be nothing like you imagine it to be!” As she continues to make her mark in the industry she is excited about what lies ahead. She is the host of a monthly segment, “Let’s Talk PR” on This Needs to be Said Radio that launched in July. She is also a member of the Power Circle of the Glambitious I Am network and is one of the hosts for the monthly Power Calls. Her plans to grow her business include quarterly webinars, an ebook and the launch of her Life of a Publicist apparel.

When she is not managing her client needs, Keema is a wife, mother and full time employee of the wireless industry. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and shopping.

Words of Wisdom: Life has a way of coming full circle.

When it does you have to be ready and willing to close the loop. http://www.queensenglishpr.com/ Social Media: FB - QnsEngPR Twitter, IG, Perisope - @queensenglishpr

productions is her first love.

She has produced her own The Mcclarrin Group is small show with guest that include town girl with big dreams and local small business owners one day decided to pursue and big names such a local them. Tasha was raised in a venue owner and Real House little country town called Wives of Atlanta star Peter Waynesville, NC buried deep Thomas. Most recently The in the Blue Ridge Mountains neighboring the Cherokee Indi- Mac Group VLOG was credenan Reservation and the city of tialed to big name events such Asheville. She dibble and dab- as Cam Newton’s Kick it With Cam on June 10th and The bled in entrepreneurship throughout her young adult life Hillary Clinton Campaign stop but didn’t truly find her way un- accompanied by President til after being promoting with in Obama in Charlotte on July her company. Performing at a 5th. Her media outlet is clearly on the rise and building an arhigh levels, Tasha was a senal of credentials marksman at creativity, organization and meeting A little over 2 years later The goals. She was quickly abMcclarrin Group is a thriving sorbed by the Go to Market well-known company with past Team (Internal Marketing and and current clients located in Branding Team) within the Charlotte, NC, Birmingham, Al, Northeast Area of her organiAtlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC, zation. As a natural well-spoGreensboro, NC, and Philadelken talent it was easy for her to phia, PA. The Mcclarrin Group motivate the masses and get has worked with a diverse clipeople to perform at high levent base. From record labels, els. As a consultant she was print magazines, luxury car able to determine needs or be boutiques, barbershops, chefs, instructed the needs and creevent companies, upscale ate a strategy of implementabars, non-profits, clothing lines, tion to meet and or exceed the clothing boutiques and even goals. After over 12 years of elected officials. Some of her corporate Tasha created a well-known past and current plan for herself and stepped clients include names such as out on faith and folDLAW Events (Derrick Lawlowed her dreams in April of son, Chef Leondrus Wright 2014.

(7th District Fine Dining Restaurant Executive Chef), Othaz The Mcclarrin Group is a Records (Waleed Coyote/Dj consulting and PR agency.

Luke Nasty), Velvet Enterprise The Mcclarrin Group prides itself on strategy, solution, de- (Sean Spencer), Kool Kutz veloping a customized strategy Barbershop ( Rhonda Mapp Retired-WNBA), Level Up and solution to meet their cliFoundation (Tempestt Harris), ent’s goals. Their innovative NC State Senator Joyce Wadcreativity and technology dell and RPM Motorspots of keeps them on them on the competitive edge. The Mcclar- Atlanta Luxury Car Dealership rin Group has media outlet The (Carlo Wilkes).

Mac Group VLOG & ProducWhat’s Next for The Mcclarrin tions that is just one way she Group? The goal is for her utilizes her creativity to be inbrand to be an internationally novative. Videography and film known brand. The Mcclarrin

Tasha Mcclarrin, the CEO of

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Group’s short term goals are to infiltrate Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Long term goals consist of being in places like Cuba, Jamaica and the Caribbean within the next 12 months. The Mcclarrin Group hosted their first annual brunch last year at Sports One Bar and Lounge. She is in the works of planning her 2nd annual company sponsored brunch. Last year the theme was Working Women’s Brunch. The brunch was a private invite only event with small business owners, company leaders and working women in attendance. AXA (Financial Advisors), The Nichols Company (Commercial Real Estate), Truscott Rossman (Michigan PR), Tracey Hewitt (District Court Judge Candidate), Harold Cogdell attorney at law, City Council Lawanna Mayfield's surrogate and NC Senator Joyce Waddell were some of the attendees. The attendees’ networked, received freebies such free head shots, bios and gift bags. This year look for it to be bigger and better.

For more information on her company please go to www.themcclarringroup.com and or follow her media outlets on IG @themacgroup and @themacgroupvlog and subscribe to The Mac Group VLOG & Productions on Youtube!

Warmest Regards, Tasha Mcclarrin The Mcclarrin Group-CEO

Themcclarringroup@gmail. com

"Teamwork makes the Dream Work" “The race is not given to the swiftest nor strongest, but to he who endureth to the end�

hair/makeup/style Sherika Staton

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Hair and Make-up @StylistsUnlimited Style Team Damesha Portis-Hair Corinthian Phillips- Make-up Hair Extensions provided by www.PrimandProper7.com Clothes provided by www.ShapesBoutiqe.com (red dress)

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Dana Sidberry is a Charlotte, N.C. native www.MotivationMarketingFirm.com For hailing from the West Side of town graduating from Myers Park High School with a Bachelors of Business Degree at Strayer University. Mrs. Sidberry comes from a family of entrepreneurs and was always taught to be loyal, humble, treat people right, to help others and the value of hard work, ownership and determination.

bookings, please email MotivationMktg@gmail.com FaceBook Fan Page: Motivation Marketing Firm Twitter: @Motivationmktg #Motivateyourbuzz Instagram: @MotivationMktg

Mrs. Sidberry is the passionate owner of Motivation Marketing Firm specializing in entertainment, beauty & business marketing and public relations in an array of industries. Motivation Marketing is a boutique firm offering services in Public Relations, Social Media Marketing, Advertising, Marketing Event Planning and more. Motivation Marketing has represented and worked closely with many companies such as Coca Cola, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Wells Fargo, Charlotte Sports Commission, Charlotte NC FashionWeek, Urban Tymes Magazine, Sheen Magazine, Radio One, Bronner Bros, Beasley Media Group, Truliant Federal Credit Union, CBS Radio and national events such as the Democratic National Convention, CIAA, National Poetry Slam and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Weekend just to name a few. Motivation Marketing has worked with celebrities such as Michael Vick, Slick Rick and Dana Dane; and has planned and implemented countless events from fashion, business, model calls, and more.

Words of Wisdom:

Learn to operate in a spirit of humbleness and gratefulness for the process.

Things don’t happen overnight, some people don’t understand that you have to allow things to happen in its own divine order. When things start happening for you both professionally and or personally, never be too big to take a moment to say thanks and to respect the path on the way. There is a higher power and higher being that orders our steps before we even learn to walk. So, we have to respect that process and the time that is ordained within it. Just because you have decided to start a business, pursue a goal, change a bad habit, etc. doesn’t mean that things will just be different. Action is required in order to see tangible things happen.

Don’t worry about the next person’s journey especially if it seems that they are progressing faster than you. You never know what is TRULY happening on the other side. As the old saying goes, “All that glitters ain’t gold.” As learned in the life story of the Tortoise Mrs. Sidberry has a love for life, family, friends, and laughter. Many people look and Hare; Slow and steady wins the race! We all are in that marathon just tryto her for advice, expertise and has ing to win our own respective race to the often been called a “Social Media Guru”, “Marketing Maven” and “Mrs. Mar- finish line. Continue to work hard and seek the necessary motivation from withketing”. Dana has a passion for helping in to build your brand, business, personal others succeed, especially passionate and goal oriented individuals. self, family, etc. in a spirit of unapologetic excellence. Respect.

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Makeup: Silvio Suarez Hair: Keke Stylz Clothing: IMERGE PR

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Welch West VA native Tanganykia Davis has over the years proven to be more than just a publicist and media strategist.

Studying and receiving her degree in Marketing at Bluefield State College, the seasoned publicist has shown over the years the ease and fluidity to work across multiple areas of entertainment within two Nationally recognized firms: Tsunami Group and her own organization I’MERGE PR. In the early beginnings in the industry, Tangi’ was a contracted PR with Arnold Taylor Record Pool. As she birthed her company I’MERGE, her clientele included the Prince of R&B Calvin Richardson, veteran actor and movie director Cuba Gooding Sr, comedienne Kashuna Little, model Cross Thompson, Artist Roman Hill, Celebrity Dame and author Janine A Morris. She took on an active management role with Tsunami Group Inc, owed an operated by PR guru CJ Robinson all the while continuing to run I'MERGE PR and teaming up with consulting firms such as S. Riley and Associates.

She has been constantly recognized for her abilities to assess her client's needs, troubleshooting on a campaign, bringing fresh ideas to the table and providing a personalized “hands on” approach with all projects from their inception to the end. Tangi has worked with clients such as Trina, Jody Breeze, various radio personalities, and sports figures such as Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh Steelers),

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Natasha Hastings (Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field), and a host of others.

While wearing multiple hats within the entertainment industry, she is also a mother of three beautiful children, for whom she has introduced to a brief side of the entertainment realm. Her time with her family consists of various practice times between sports, dance, theater, and church of course. There is no sacrifice too great for her children, and becoming well rounded, productive individuals in life is a must!

Now one may ask how does she handle managing multiple firms, working with various celebrities and entertainers, and full time involvement with her family? Her unyielding faith! This has kept her grounded and focused in all she do.

Recent projects include supporting Life Coach and Minister Jametta Chandler Moore as she chronicles 365 days of life changing events and goals, the Atlanta Black Family Expo, an upcoming reality TV show, new Jazz/Blues restaurant BluNotes, select events with Def Jam and working with the nonprofit organization Inspire The Fire.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tangany ika.davis Words of Wisdom: Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear

her Mic Check QC editorials. Mic Check QC featured artists such a way of life for PR Newbie, Telas Elenora Fagan, Shocky Shay, isha Wheeler; she embraces Mr. 704, American Idol Anoop the mystery behind keeping her Desai and many more. Her pop“selves” separate at times and ular writing style soon earned her even likes to view the task as that the title of Editor in early 2012 of a superhero. Telisha, the and many more writing opportuniCorporate American by day, and ties at Elevate. Teka soon found Teka Rose, the Writer, Author, herself covering major press reLover of Hip Hop by night. leases for Charlotte busiAlthough the two roles share its nesses, Charlotte Hornets player main character, they hardly ever interviews, Mid- Atlantic Music meet in the middle, which some- Conferences, NoDa Summertime proves trying when it comes Fests, record label release to introductions. events, restaurant debuts and promotional events throughout Born in Omaha, Nebraska, the Queen City. While covering Telisha moved to Charlotte at an the Annual Queen City Music early age and has officially been Awards, Telisha “Teka Rose” met dubbed a Charlottean by the her point of contact Tangyanika locals. A graduate of Garinger “Tangi” Davis and they instantly High School, Telisha briefly hit it off; Telisha soon found herattended Johnson C. Smith self working under the tutelage of University before relocating to Tangyanika Davis Florida. After a series of moves in working at I’Merge PR. and out of the Queen City, Telisha came back to Charlotte Since teaming up with I’Merge in and decided to finally settle in.

December 2012; Telisha had to Now, a wife and mother of two adjust quickly to the faster, higher sons, Telisha wears many hats to paced, demand in the world of balance her busy lifestyle. public relations. She discovered Working full time at one of the top Tangi’s reach extended far and commercial real estate beyond Charlotte’s scene and companies, Telisha spends early I’Merge PR was more of a nationmornings, lunches and late nights al brand with a clientele base that writing, jumping on conference included not only emerging artcalls and planning her next steps ists, but also corporate agencies once she “punches out”. and artists known world wide which was initially intimidating to A lover of many music genres, Teka Rose. Current clients inTelisha has always had an affinity clude National Recording Artist for hip hop; and sought out every Calvin Richardson, Radio Perpossible venue in and around sonality and Author Terri Avery, Charlotte for some of the best Life Coach and Minister Jametta sounds. A writer at heart, Telisha Chandler Moore, Author Barbara decided that was the best way to Archer, Big Mike of the group share with others her passion for Day 26, Celebrity Blogger and good music. She began freelance host Celebrity Dame, Hip Hop writing and teamed up with Artists Mason Parker, Facenville, Charlotte’s own Elevate Lifestyle Darren Blakeney and Kairo. They Magazine in late 2010 and the also work closely with the nonTeka Rose pseudonym was born. profit organization Inspire The As Teka Rose, Telisha used her Fire. Not one to shy away from a new found forum to combine her challenge, Telisha threw her inhilove of music with writing and bitions aside and soon became covered interviews for musicians more versed in writing and workat the local and national level with ing with multiple clients at a time

Navigating duality has become

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and often found herself burning the midnight oil to accomplish goals, such as how to write an artist one sheet for Multi Platinum Recording Artists MA$E. Now the Senior Writer and Publicist for I’Merge PR; writing artist biographies and press releases has become second nature to Telisha and clients love how she turns their accomplishments into a story.

Somewhere in between the magazine and demanding PR assignments Telisha managed to write a book. “Love Handles” was released October 2013 and discusses how we tend to put on weight once involved in a relationship. With zero time to promote her first published book, “Love Handles” has maintained rave reviews world wide and is currently available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and retailers nationwide. “Love Handles” has been printed in several languages and to even Telisha’s surprise has reached as far as South Africa. Telisha is currently working on the follow up to “Love Handles”, preparing to release “Love Handles: The Journey”, which will follow its Author as she takes on the journey towards incorporating a consistent regimen and maintaining a healthier lifestyle for her and her family.

Although she remains sleepless in Charlotte most nights, Telisha “Teka Rose” proudly dons her many hats effortlessly. Immersed in diversity daily, no two days are ever the same for multimonikered mama. She always “puts Jesus first”, as her own mama always told her to, her family comes next and hip hop music and writing are a strong and present third in her life. A Bad mother lover filled with wit, charm and plenty of petty playfulness, Telisha “Teka Rose” Wheeler stands on a foundation of Love, Laughter & Music.

Words of Wisdom: No matter how busy you may be, take time for yourself! Your life depends on it.

Breathe, its good for you.

Laugh as often as possible, then laugh some more.

Prayer & Meditation‌.it works.

Pay close attention to your Dreams, they tell you so much.

No matter how small the step taken towards your goals, you’re still moving forward.

I LOVE love

Makeup: Silvio Suarez Hair: Matisa Jenkins at Ma'Glam Stylist: Teka Rose

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Hair by Lavetrice Raley Makeup up: Poise Perfection Wardrobe Sylist: Tracy Wiliams

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“Those who create their own opportunities versus following others will always come out on top." Narria Rice.

ication and selflessness which helps distinguish her from the rest.

Furthermore, Narria passion can't be overemphasized and This isn't just another quote her outstanding performance rather it served as a worth reckoning with. She motivational quote for Narria.

She is a multi-talented individual started her company "Visionary with professional experience in Creative Group" to help different people bring their vision and Public Relations and Events dreams to reality, among are planning. She is known for her various clients includes; Prettydistinctive, innovative and n-Ink owned by Dutchess creative style towards being of Lattimore from VH1 hit show help to others to achieve their Black Ink Crew, Kidz Place of dreams, this led her to pursue her degree along the field where Charlotte a 5 star daycare and she can use her knowledge for Real Talk with Felice. The company’s dedication and the benefit of others. Narria received her bachelor's degree success placed them in the right place to help various people to from the University of North meet their ultimate goals. In Carolina at Greensboro addition, Narria greatest majoring in Marketing, that achievement was figuring out a provides her with firsthand formula that would make her theoretical knowledge. dreams and passion comes to fruition. Her ability to create More so, during her unique and lasting opportunities undergraduate studies, she for her clients remains the interned at VIBE Magazine, biggest difference between Betsey Johnson's Corporate Visionary Creative Group and Office and Tribble Creative their competitors.

Group. Not only was she provided with world-class training, but she was able to put Her company details can be found on their website to use all of her theoretical www.narriarice.com while they knowledge, has she gained can be reach via Facebookpractical knowledge of the real Visionary Creative Group, and world experience and over the Instagram- @ years of working at various visionary_creative_group. levels, she has developed herself to become elite. Narria is known for her unique skills, ded-

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Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Matisa Jenkins at Ma'Glam Keke Stylz Bowties on the Fly

Tye Bailey - The Sheek Chic Boutique

Big Ken- Kreative Kutz

MUA: Silvio Suarez

Renee D

The Dooby Shop School of Cosmetology

Diageo Brands

@StylistsUnlimited Style Team

Cake Making Sisters

Damesha Portis-Hair

Heavenly Scent Candles

Corinthian Phillips- Make-up

Flonotes

Moni B Cosmetics

www.Flototes.com FB Fan Page: Flototes

www.PrimandProper7.com www.ShapesBoutiqe.com

Isabel Vernard www.Isabelvernard.com @isabelvernard

Lavetrice Raley-Hair Stylist Poise Perfection Tracy Williams -Wardrobe Sylist

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Queen's Sweets www.queensweets.net @Queensweetsnc

Special Thanks to Our Photographer

J_ AKA_ Julio

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Your StyleGame

“L”VATED

3010 Monroe Rd Charlotte NC 28205 www.thehouseoflemond.bigcartel.com

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WWW.ELIAHSOUL.COM

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URBANITY

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By cwspeaks Yes. These three ladies are definitely unique and they remind me of many of my friends. You have the comical one, the serious one, and the holier than thou. They made such a good team.

It is impressive that your work has been so received. Even to be in major book stores and in a college. What do you think of that?

I am still shocked. It is so surreal. I never thought the book would get this much attention the first month.

Your latest endeavor, Walking in Victory International, LLC. Please share with our readers the work behind this publishing company.

I had tried to work with many self publishing companies with individuals that Your journals were a very part of barely had experience in writing. Since I your, what prompted you to release your have an extensive business background to writings to the world? go along with the writing skill and knowlI was encouraged by a family mem- edge, I realized I could go forth doing it ber after a the death of my grandmother. myself and helping others to publish their It became therapeutic in coping withe work of art. the loss.

What will Teresa B Howell do next for Amazing...tell us, how have you been the readers? able to meld your faith in God, work as Definitely got to get that part 2 out an educator, and creativity into your asap.

The readers are begging for more works? and I have to deliver soon.

Yes of course. It is Gods power Thank you so much for allowing Urban that gives me the strength to do all of Tymes the opportunity to learn so much these difficult task at one time. more about the writer behind “hat Church Your book, That Church Life, paints Life” a vivid picture of the three ladies, all Thank you for the interview. from different backgrounds, and each facing their challenges.

When reading about author Teresa B. Howell, her credentials are impressive. She has two Masters Degrees in education and leadership, a recipient of numerous awards and accolades in her profession, and she shows a true dedication to not only her profession, but a desire and love to mentor the youth of today. Being born and raised in church, it gave this author a unique perspective of “church life” and helped fuel her creative abilities in writing, which led to her first novel in 2015: That Church Life.

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URBANITY

Kisha Green’s

Literary Treasures

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couldn’t go some of the places I used to go.

ENJ: When it comes to reading, I do not have Well, I soon found that I couldn’t write some of the things I used to write. That’s what prompta favorite genre. Once a book calls my name and draws me in, it’s a wrap! When it comes to ed the change in the genres I chose to write in.

Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY the authors are writing . . . now that’s a different story. retired for good. Are the Joylynn M. Jossel and When I first started writing I wrote poetry, JOY books still available? Yes, they are. They women’s fiction, and can still be found and orerotica under the name dered in bookstores and are Joylynn M. Jossel. I in pretty much every online wrote street lit under the book store. My die-hard name JOY. I now write fans can even still find JoyChristian fiction under lynn and JOY books at the name E. N. Joy (The www.joylynnjossel.com.

‘E’ stands for Everybody That's part of my testimony, and the ‘N’ stands for my history, and foundation Needs), and I write as an author. But readers children’s and middle who want to know what grade books under the flows through my spirit toname N. Joy. I’ve day can find me at dabbled in some romanwww.enjoywrites.com. tic short stories and I’m KG: How many books do having an absolute ball you read a month? with those, but I must ENJ: As an author, my say that my favorite number one form of studying the craft is genre to write is Christian fiction. I absolutely love how God uses me to deliver messages to reading. Having been the acquisitions editor for Urban Christian, which is also the imprint I His people. Keep in mind, the message is always for the messenger first, so I get double- write for, I read one to two novels a week in the Christian fiction genre, so of course those blessed! tend to be the types of books I gravitate to In writing in the Christian fiction genre, I try very hard to keep my mind clear; to make sure more. I love an escape just as much as the next person, but I love it even better when the I’m in tune with the Holy Spirit when I’m escape is into a message God has waiting for writing. But I’m going to tell the truth and me. shame the devil; I’m human, so just like in KG: What is your favorite genre? Why?

“As authors, we must read the works of our peers to see and learn how it's done.”

Although I’m no longer the acquisitions editor for Urban Christian, my life, career, and hobby still involves the written word. I’m a freelance editor, agent, ghostwriter, author and literary consultant. In short, I still get paid to read! But even if I didn't get paid, I'd still read, read, and read some more. But it is nice to get a paycheck for something you would do for free. Isn't that what some call their passion?

When I dedicated my life to Christ, a great deal Not only do I love to read for leisure and of things changed for me and in me. I couldn’t because it's part of my job, but it's my form of study. As authors, we must read the works of do some of the things I used to do. I couldn’t our peers to see and learn how it's done. say some of the things I used to say, and I everyday life, when it comes to my writing, I do sometimes allow my flesh to rise up and do its own thing. I have written things that I thought the reader might want to read without consulting the true author. Do I get convicted for it? Yes, via readers’ emails and reviews.

And some of them, unlike God, have no mercy.

So I try my best to stick to ghostwriting, Holy Ghost writing that is.

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KG: When did you decide to write professionally?

ENJ: I have been writing since the days of elementary school journals and rainy day writings. I started out writing poems and then graduated to short stories. Both reading and writing became my escape. Remember when your teacher would ask you to write about the trips you and your family went on during summer or spring break? I’d sit there looking at my teacher and saying in my head, Woman, my momma and daddy are both strung out on heroine. They may have been taking a trip (a mental drug trip), but I didn’t go anywhere. Figuring that wasn’t going to get me an A+ on my journal writing assignment, I’d make something up.

those books, I had the funds to move on to my next project, which was a hardback book of poetry titled World on my Shoulders.

Finally feeling as though I was longwinded enough to put out a full-length novel, I wrote The Root of All Evil. While selling copies of my novel from the trunk of my car, I was also shopping it to major publishing houses. I remember when I got my first rejection letter. I wasn’t discouraged. I just kept on selling those books. Funny thing is though, that I ultimately created such a buzz for my novel that the same publisher who gave me my first rejection letter ended up offering me my first book deal.

KG: What is one word to best describe your writing style?

In my journal I’d travel to Fort Lauderdale like all the white teenagers did in the black and white beach movies I’d watched. The journal entries would sound so believable that I thought I’d really gone to some of those places. The imagery and description I used was so impressive that my teachers would always choose me to stand up in front of the class and read my journal out loud. The kids would be mesmerized by my words. That’s when I saw the power that I had in my pen. It would be years later, though, that I would decide I wanted to write for a living. That was only after my then boyfriend, now husband, kept pressuring me and encouraging me to at least give it a try by publishing my first book.

ENJ: Dramataining. Yes, I made that word up; that’s the power of the pen. I write drama filled entertaining novels. Now if my work was a style of music, I’d have to say it would be a mixture of gospel jazz with the Fresh PrinceWill Smith kind of hip hop vibe. Like Will Smith back in his days of rapping, I give readers an entertaining real life message without all the hardcore keepin’ it real cussing and explicitly. I add a little humor as well to break up the monotony of some of the issues that may get dramatically heavy, all while there is this gentle message from God playing softly in the background; not necessarily words, but just a feeling that is ignited in the reader.

I self-published my first book, Please Tell Me if the Grass is Greener, in 1998 on 8.5 x 11 paper with a spiral plastic comb for binding. I took the money I made from those sales and actually got the book printed in trade paperback, only I couldn’t afford four color processes at the time, so my cover was black and white. After selling all the black and white copies, I was able to afford to get the book printed in color. After selling the majority of

KG: Describe your writing life.

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ENJ: After ten years of working as acquisitions editor for Urban Christian, the imprint was dissolved. That enabled me to really dive more into my own writings as well as into my freelance editing and other literary projects. etc.).

About twelve years ago I’d branched off into the business of literary consulting where I provide one-on-one consultations and literary services such as ghostwriting, editing, professional read-thrus, write-behinds and more. In the last couple years I upgraded my literary consulting services to literary concierge services. The difference is that with my literary consulting services I guide, instruct and provide the necessary resources for writers/authors to achieve their desired goals. With my literary concierge service, my clients who don’t want to do the legwork pay me to do it for them (get barcodes, ISBNs, cover designs, press kits, editing, printing quotes, typesetting, and you name it. So outside of being a wife and mother, my life consists of writing and everything literary.

My actual writing life is random and all over the place. I don’t have a particular writing schedule, I just write. On the other hand, I do have my favorite times I prefer to write, which is when the house is empty or everyone in it is sleep. That’s usually in the wee hours of the morning or in the middle of the night. Don’t get me wrong, if need be, I can write anytime my characters begin to speak to me no matter where I am (airport, grocery store, in the middle of watching a television showI’ve tried a million times to force myself to write at a particular time/hour, but life happens and it never works out as planned.

I envy writers like Brenda Jackson, who is the master of time management, and Nora Roberts who says that she gets up in the morning, writes for eight hours and then takes a break and lives life with her family.

That is my dream writing life right there!

I am glad to say that when I do sit my butt down and write, I’m not easily distracted by whatever may be going on around me. But Lord have mercy, let there be clutter and

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disorder and I totally lose focus. I do not do my best writing in unkempt environments (Thank God for rewrites and editors). The clutter or disorder doesn’t even have to be within my view, like on my desk for example. If I know there is clutter somewhere around me, I can’t easily focus or concentrate. If I walked past a sink full of dishes an hour ago and know they are still sitting in the sink, I can’t sit down and write without thinking about those dirty dishes. The same goes for if there is a load of laundry that needs to be put away or lint on the carpet that needs to be swept. I can’t function properly until things are complete, decent and in order. My atmosphere must represent what’s going on in my mind. I can’t operate under clutter…physically, literally, or in the mind. Clutter clogs up my creative flow. I can write a novel with my kids arguing, fussing, and fighting in the background . . . as long as their rooms are clean (smile).

KG: How have you handled an unhappy reader regarding a book you wrote?

ENJ: When the first book in my “New Day Divas” series released (She Who Finds a Husband), I had a whole lot of unhappy readers. Somehow the book was printed and sent to book stores with missing pages.

The last page in the very first chapter had somehow been omitted. The first chapter!!!

The chapter that is supposed to reel a reader in hook, line and sinker. Really?

I rarely re-read my books once they’ve come off the printer. That’s because no matter how many re-writes I do or how many times I go back and forth with my content, copy and proof editors, I can always find something I want to change. I spare myself the loss of power by choosing not to read my book once it’s been printed.

For some reason, though, when UPS dropped my case of author copies of She Who Finds a Husband on my doorstep, the first thing I did was flip through it. Every page my eyes landed on was missing something (a chapter, a page, a paragraph, a period). I found typos and punctuation errors galore. It was as if someone had accidentally sent my first draft (with missing parts) to the printer.

The wind was knocked out of me. I felt as if all of my internal organs had exited my body and was in a messy pile at my feet.

What arrived on my doorstep that day were free author copies, so I could only imagine how all the readers who had invested their money felt when they went to read their books and found such a catastrophe within the pages. Mind you that at the time I was also the acquisitions editor for Urban Christian. So of course you had those reviewers who decided to pour salt in the wound by pointing that out in their review, not even knowing (or caring) about the details and facts surrounding the mishap.

Needless to say, I was swarmed with bad reviews and emails from disappointed readers. I reached out to as many as I could with my deepest apologies, offering them a corrected version of the book once they were off the printer. Let me just say that my readers are some forgiving folks.

Almost all of them, in spite of the errors, read the jacked up book and was able to still grasp the message and be moved by the story. I’m glad to say that the good reviews now outweigh all the bad; and I accomplished such without offending or pissing off my readers.

My readers are my literary heartbeat.

Becoming a published author meant that I was no longer the boss of me. Readers are now the boss of me. My advice to other authors is, “Don’t argue with the readers on social media or shoot them a nasty response for a review they left that

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you might not agree with. That’s called insubordination, and the last thing you want is for a reader to fire you . . . and tell everyone else not to hire you.”

KG: What are your thoughts on the e-book craze? Do you think paperbacks are becoming extinct?

ENJ: We had vinyl, we had eight track tapes, we had cassettes, and we had CD’s; all of which have become, or are now becoming extinct, due to modern technology, which is the ability to download. Need I say more?

When I signed my last book deal I made sure I kept my eBook rights. It doesn’t make sense for an author to sell their eBook rights; not with all the distribution channels available (smashwords, allromance.com, draft2digital, barnesandnoble, amazon, ingram, bookbaby, and more). It doesn’t make cents for an author to sell their eBook rights. I made the mistake of not keeping my audio rights as well, because audio books are becoming more and more popular. For each of my older titles in which the audio rights reverted back to me from the publisher, I immediately released in audio format. Before we know it, folks are going to be on video doing table reads of an entire book!

KG: What do you think about e-books priced $2.99 and below? Is this a reflection of the authors’ worth?

ENJ: I put out a 99 cent eBook titled Behind Every Good Woman. It was originally a short story I’d written almost ten years ago to be a part of a multiple author anthology that was released by a major publishing house. I’d practically milked that cow dry. I’d made a nice hunk of money off it, so when the copyrights reverted back to me, I rewrote the story, had it edited again, then threw it up on eBook format just to make sure I hadn’t left any money on the table; even if it was just 99 cents.

I co-wrote a book with Nikita Lynette Nichols titled She’s No Angel. Originally Nikita and I put the book out in three parts in eBook only format.

Some readers slammed us in our reviews for doing that. Even though the three parts have now been combined and will come out in print, that’s not the issue most readers gave us flack about. They were upset that the first part (She's No Angel) had an introductory cost of 99 cents.

It was right around 25,000 words. Part 2 (Angel on the Front Pew) was 35,000 words and had an introductory cost of $1.99 the first few months then went up to $2.99. Part 3 (California Angel) was $3.99, as it was novella size (around 45,000 words). Put that word count together and you have a full-length novel for only $8 bucks.

Believe it or not, readers complained about the price going up with each part; mind you the word/page count went up as well, which means

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our editors' pricing went up because they charge per page.

Readers, I love you; you are the boss of me, but if you want a cheap book practically free of charge, it won't happen from this duo. We hire professional editors to make sure we are giving you the cleanest read possible, not to mention the time and effort we put into penning the story.

There was no trickery involved when putting out the series. We used the Penny Dreadful, formula. For those who aren't familiar with the term, penny dreadful is a pejorative term used to refer to cheap popular serial literature produced during the nineteenth century in the United Kingdom. Back then, some people couldn't afford the cost of a full-length novel, which was around 12 cents, so it was sold in parts for a penny.

I know sometimes my money be funny, my change be strange, and my month be longer than my money, so I thought that would be a good way for readers to be able to get the book without having to break the bank all at once. Honestly, that was our true intention. So I hope all those who ripped us a new one on the reviews now have a better understanding of why some authors publish their series the way they do and price them the way they do.

KG: How important is pricing?

ENJ: The pricing of a printed book or eBook depends on whether the author wants to eat or not. Is the goal of putting the book out there to make money off the sale of the book, or make just enough money to cover the cost?

There are authors out there whose interest is primarily to share the message in the book and not profit. I had a client who paid me for my literary concierge services to publish a book of which she turned around and donated to prisons, churches, and shelters. Simply put, her book was priced at zero dollars.

For authors whose books is their business/livelihood, when pricing their printed books they have to keep in mind that there is a middleman or two who may get a piece of the pie. For example, an author with a distributor should list their printed books at a 55% off retail discount to the distributor and make their books returnable (that’s an unspoken rule if they want bookstores to order their books from the distributor). Without these two parameters, bookstores will more than likely not order the author’s books. The retail price of a book is split three ways between the author, the bookseller, and the distributor (the distributor is the middleman that gets the author’s book to the bookseller. The bookseller, in turn, gets the book into the hands of the reader. The author gets 45% of the retail cost (because they’ve given it to the distributor at a 55% discount), while the distributor and bookseller split the 55% between the two of them.

Keep in mind that sometimes the bookseller offers the reader a discount (sale) off the retail price. All of these things must be taken into

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consideration when pricing a printed book.

Keep in mind that even if a printed book is priced at $14.95, when doing direct consumer sells (selling the books out of the trunk of your car) the author can sell it for the full $14.95 or discount their customer however they see fit.

When doing direct consumer sells or book events, authors with traditional publishers typically have to sell copies of their books at full retail cost because they had to purchase copies of their own book from their publisher.

The pricing of an eBook all depends on the author’s purpose for putting out the book. Like I mentioned before, there is a method to the madness of an individual's choice in what they price their eBook at, or at least there should be. Yes, I put an older short story out for 99 cents, but my latest full-length novel, One Sunday at a Time, is priced at $9.99. I don’t follow pricing trends any more than I follow writing trends. I do what works for me and my readers (and my bottom business dollar). So I say to authors when pricing their books, “Know your audience and what they are willing and not willing to pay. At the same time, be fair as to what you are giving your readers, quantity and quality wise.”

KG: What advice would you give an aspiring author?

ENJ: If you want to get into the business of writing, there is one thing you must do first.

I’m sure the majority of people will think the first thing they have to do is write, but that’s not the correct answer. The first thing you have to do is read. That is the number one way an author studies the written word, which is by first and foremost reading the written word. There are writers and then there are authors. Writers just write; plain and simple.

Authors take their writing to the next level.

They study and hone in on the actual art and craft of writing.

When I first decided that I wanted to go from just being a writer to being a published author, I lived, breathed, ate and slept (well, not much sleep) this literary thing. It’s real for me. It’s not a hobby. It’s not something I do on the

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The GVS Non-profit

The GVS Academy was created by the vision of Pensacola, Florida native Michael D. Snell, an active member of the United States Armed Forces; he has been on a mission to provide transitioning opportunities and advancement opportunities to young en ages 8-16 that may not necessarily have access to means to do so. GVS also operates as a non-profit to help eradicate such boundaries and help young men that are caught in vicious circles on their feet.

The GVS Academy is a fashionable platform that runs on a cycled program to help transform young men with the assets, clothing and skill supplements to help counter the social decline that they might find themselves trapped in.

Gentleman vs. Swag Academy is developed to

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reach young men of all races, cultures and economic backgrounds.

HOW CAN YOU HELP AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ACADEMY? By helping GVS by purchases on VIP membership, annual purchases, and book sales, there is a 10% direct contribution donated to the GvS Academy. published book(s) on dressing up, and styling yourself to stand out below

To learn more and become a part of this amazing organization, visit: https://www.gvsclothiers.com/

http://www.tattedcroc.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TattedCroc

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Da Real

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hapel Hill native Kiea Cooks involvement in the arts is her life blood…and speaking to her you can tell that she lives it 24/7..365. During our interview, I learned that she was an artist, heavily sought for her Duct Tape art…(one of which that caught my eye was the Prince piece.) She also was working on a web series "CHECKMATE “ with talented videographer Jake Mrozowski, and of course writing. Needless to say, we were happy to get the opportunity to talk to Da Real Immortal about her music and the history behind it!

Question, who is Da Real Immortal?

Oh wow, that’s a loaded question......

The real immortal is, well I got the name when I think I was maybe 15-16 years old.

I was going by the name Chi-Nice when I was very young. I was trying to work on a verse, and I looked through the dictionary to find a word that I could actually put in my verse. I came across the word immortal, and it just fit….. someone who is everlasting. And I kinda feel like who I am, and the kind of music I do, my music will be everlasting once I’ve transcended into another universe, you get what I’m saying? My name, my music, will still forever live on!

Da Real Immortal is just someone who is very humble and very driven when it comes to my music and how I feel. I try to be as relatable as I can when it comes to the different topics I speak about. But it’s very different, and it’s all everlasting Well that leads into the next question, define the sound of Da Real Immortal I don’t like to categorize my sound. I don’t like labels when it comes to my sound. My sound is just what it is….immortal. When you hear an Immortal sound, you gonna get high energy, you gonna get pain with different songs. You gonna feel love and heartbreak, you know it’s just whatever I feel. Its going to be a lot of different sounds, from Jazz to Funk, have R&B, Soul, together and you just get this crazy amazing sound. It’s a lot of genres fused

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together and you get this dope sound from me!

Recently you stepped out on stage at 106 and Park…hundreds in the audience, millions watching on TV, what was your first thoughts?

I was very nervous. I thought to myself….this is national TV and everyone is going to see me, I cannot mess this up!

I wanted to represent for my city, my state, but I can’t mess this up. Of course you couldn’t tell, because I’m always nervous before I get on stage, but nobody can really tell because I bring so much excitement, so much energy when I perform.

In five years... The Real Immortal will be...

Ultimately, I’ll be recognized on many levels. Five years, I’ll be on a major tour, seeing the growth of my fan base, I feel like the web series will be doing well. My Duct Tape paintings that I do, that will always consistently be out there and people will still want to buy them. I feel like at the end of the day I will get recognition for who I really am and the things that I’ve done over the past 12 years. I’m not searching or looking for the substantial amount of fame, because it’s something that I love to do. If it happens, cool beans, I’m all good with that, but at the end of the day, I’m for just being comfortable. If I can just tour, and travel, share my music, my creativity with the world….that will make me extremely happy.

To follow this multi-talented artist, visit: https://www.facebook.com/dareal.immortal https://www.reverbnation.com/darealimmor tal Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEd3ht V62vI

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Homemade King Hawaiian Rolls & Loaf

Ingredients •6 cups all-purpose flour, plus an additional 1/2 cup flour, divided •3 eggs •2 cups pineapple juice, room temperature •3/4 cup sugar •1 teaspoon vanilla •2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes yeast •1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter, melted

Instructions 1. In a small bowl, beat your 3 eggs. Add the 2 cups pineapple juice, sugar, vanilla, and melted butter.

2. Measure 3 cups of the flour into a large bowl. Stir in your egg mixture until well-combined. Sprinkle in the yeast packets, one at a time, mixing well.

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3. Add the remaining 3 cups of flour and mix well. If it becomes too difficult to stir with a wooden spoon, just use your hands! Make sure all of the flour is well incorporated—the dough should be tacky to the touch but not overly sticky. If it appears too wet, sprinkle in a bit of extra flour, just a tablespoon or so at a time.

Cover your bowl with a clean kitchen towel and set it in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.

4. Remove your dough from the bowl and knead in an additional ½ cup of flour, making sure the flour was well incorporated. Form the dough into rolls, and/or loaf. Place in buttered pans. Cover and place in warm place to rise for an additional hour, or until the dough doubles in size.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush tops with melted butter, and serve warm

When I worked in a restaurant called Lydia’s Wine Market and Deli, we would serve fresh fruit salad as a side dish during our lunch services. This is not your ordinary fruit salad, and is ideal for a healthy breakfast or accompaniment during a brunch gathering!

Ingredients: ½ cup dried cranberries Two kiwi, peeled and sliced into slices 1 lb of strawberries washed and cut into fourths 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into smaller wedges 2 plums, sliced into smaller wedges 2 tablespoons of apricot jam 2 tablespoons of triple sec 1 lime Mix all fruit together except lime in a large bowl. Slice lime in half, squeeze juice out of lime into a small bowl, and then add apricot jam and triple sec. sit to side.

Remove fruit from both halves of lime, add to large bowl of fruit mixture. Then add small bowl of lime juice, apricot and triple sec to fruit mixture. Mix up thoroughly to insure fruit is covered. Cover and let set in frig for 20 min.

Usually I will add the zest of the lime to the fruit salad, or if you really want to be daring, chop some fresh mint (1 or 2 leaves) to the salad and let sit.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

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