+ Luxury Hotel Architect, BILL BENSLEY, Opens His House to Epicc Magazine!
COVERTITLE 1
TITLECOVER2
A verum quam vel et ulpa vwelectn relhe loiunis dolen im ustrum veagnim usupisels mtaqui aut ipsaeri loremspacd ma volorp
Iqui a verum quam vel et ulpa vwelectn relhe loiunis dolen im ustrum veagnim usupisels mtaqui aut ipsaeri loremspace.
DREAMWEEK IS ONE OF THE MOST
FORWARD-LOOKING & ICONIC DEVELOPMENTS IN SAN ANTONIO IN THE LAST DECADE. RON NIRENBERG
MAYOR - CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
WWW.DREAMWEEK.ORG
T
he annual DreamWeek Summit is returning to San Antonio for its Tenth consecutive year on January 13th, 2022 through January 31, 2021, with a lineup of over 200 events. The summit, which is designed to inspire dialogue, cultivate unique ideas, and celebrate community civil and civic engagements events, will focus on the theme “Our Future”. In a world of increasingly global connectivity, there is a need for many illuminating activities that are designed to inspire dialogue, cultivate unique ideas, and advance the voice of tolerance, equality, & diversity for prosperous & peaceful tomorrow. DreamWeek2021 will kick off on January 14th, 2022 with the Annual Opening Ceremony as we celebrate with the retelling of 10 years of our story, remarks from founder Shokare Nakpodia and a recital by San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson. DWSA2022 highlights will include the DreamHour Speaker Series on January 15, 16 and January 22, 23 highlighting leaders within the local community, sharing their experiences and their hopes for creating a better tomorrow, the Dream Panel Series January 17-20 & 24-27 which brings together speakers with the goal to further conversations related to important topics that impact our community, the DreamWeek Awards Luncheon on Friday, January 21st, 2022, honoring organizations and individuals in San Antonio who are cultivating dreams and ideas for our common good. And will conclude the summit with the Inaugural DreamVoice Mayor’s Ball, Saturday, January 29th, 2022, a gala featuring the city’s top-performing artists and entertainers selected by the DreamVoice team. The 2022 summit lineup includes events from a growing roster of partner organizations. New partners include the Texas Biomed, Uniting America Outreach, Female Executives of Texas, NOMA of Central Texas, Arab America Community network, Ethical Network, The Arc of San Antonio, Family Life International Ministries, UT Health San Antonio, South Texas Blood & Tissue, San Antonio Sound Garden, Child Advocates San Antonio, San Antonio Association of Black Journalists and Communication Professionals. DreamVoice, LLC, presenters of DreamWeek, comprises a collection of community advocates from all walks of life. The singular commitment is to promote an environment in which issues facing our global community are addressed in a civic and civil manner while empowering those who seek the understanding and education required for peaceful coexistence.
6
T H E LI G H T M G Z
“Keep moving forward and never, ever give up!”
Denette Buenrostro-Ramirez Epicc Magazine Founder & Publisher
EP IC C MAGA ZINE
A
fter nearly two years in pandemic mode, this year has already started out great for me. I have been asked to be a DreamVoice speaker for DreamWeek! I am honored to speak on Saturday, January 15 at the Tobin Center. I will be sharing my story of how to rise from the ashes like a Phoenix. With everything I have gone through these last five years in business I will have a lot to share about not giving up: Keep moving forward and never, ever give up! In recognition of DreamWeek, this magazine issue is dedicated to all the dreamers, the doers and shakers! Thank you to Shokare Nakpodia, DreamWeek Founder who is profiled this month and DreamVoices Program Manager Lilly Guindy for allowing me to be a part of such an important program for our community. As the Publisher of Epicc Magazine,
I also want to thank our Editor-inChief Waldinei “Wally” Lafaiete and Contributing Editor Katharine K. McMillan for their constant love and support of Epicc Magazine and its mission to empower. Epicc Magazine would also not be possible without the support of family and friends. My husband Edward deserves thanks for believing I can do anything and my sons Sammy and Zachary also deserve thanks for their constant support of their mama in all I do! And last, but never least, many thanks to my best friend Shalay Peterson for being my bestie through this cartoon we call life! Be kind, stand up for yourself, and most of all be Epicc in all you do! Besos, Denette Buenrostro-Ramirez Founder & Publisher
7
BECOME AN INSI DER. TexasFashionIndustry.Org
12
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Epicc Magazine is back and we have great editorials to share with you!
It’s been quite a while since our last edition of Epicc Magazine. We had several plans for the magazine and we were also planning cover release parties but the pandemic got in our way. The good news now is that I have recently met with Denette Buenrostro, the Publisher, and she is determined to continue publishing this inspiring magazine! In this issue you will find lots of information on important events happening in San Antonio this month because of Dreamweek. I had the privilege of photographing Shokare Nakpodia for this issue. DreamWeek is his brainchild. Please install the Issuu app in your iPad if you have a tablet. It will enhance your reading experience and the app is free. Also, let me know if you know someone who has an inspiring story to be featured in our next edition. My email is waldinei@hotmail.com Waldinei (Wally) Lafaiete Editor-in-Chief
Keep shining! Wally Lafaiete
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Denette Buenrostro-Ramirez EDITOR -IN-CHIEF Waldinei (Wally) Lafaiete waldinei@hotmail.com EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS Katharine McMillan Dave Strahan Laura Curtis Violeta Burja Uchenna Umeh, MD Damien Vatel Lisa Astorga Shalay Peterson Ian Peterson Lillian Guindy Elisangela Lafaiete Natalia Bailey
13
Custom tailored clothing in San Antonio, Texas. By appointment only. 210.920.1347 limatusbespoke.com
EP ICC P EOP L E
16
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
“Lilly has started her own private business, working as a business coach & influencer, and published the first Arab American Magazine in San Antonio.”
L illy G ui n dy
E
gyptian born and raised, Lilly is currently known throughout the San Antonio area for her role in DreamVoice/DreamWeek as the Program Manager, the President of the Lilly Agency with a passion for positively, culturally, and economically impacting the city and neighboring counties through ongoing efforts to increase the exchange of ideas and resources. She also serves as a board member in the Global Chamber San Antonio and the San Antonio Council of International Visitors (SACIV).
During her short time in San Antonio, Lilly has started her own private business, working as a business coach and influencer, and published the first Arab American Magazine in San Antonio. Following her passion, Lilly co-curated MENA San Antonio, Middle Eastern and North African annual Women’s Excellence Celebration supported by the first lady of San Antonio. Lilly believes that business stories matter and are inspirational. Lilly has participated in a few speaking
engagements with the Global Chamber, SACIV, and the Middle Eastern events. During a recent 2-year stint in Oklahoma, Lilly served as a Key Mentor for a military unit, planned/coordinated operations as the Manager of the Air Force Base recreational community center, and volunteered to teach Arabic as a second language to Military Active Duty Members. While a member of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, Lilly had over eight years’ experience with the State Department as the Cultural Affairs Advisor managing citizen diplomacy programs through media, cultural & educational exchange and Public Affairs in consultation with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Finally, Lilly is a proud dog parent of two German shepherds, A’ntar & Lila and she enjoys a long walk at the Riverwalk where she can breathe nature and be filled with peace.
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
17
18
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
Lilly Guindy and the Dreamweek team.
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
19
22
E PIC C M AG A ZI N E
EP IC C MAGA ZINE
23
“We all deser ve to feel the peace and joy that is ever in our hearts. When we slow down and create stillness in our body, mind, and soul, we realize our gift (our responsibility) to be of service in this life and to do so with gratitude.” Adam Tutor
www.theboardcouple.com Phone: 210-573-2100 2218 N. Zarzamora San Antonio, TX, 78201
28
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
IBOX said YES immediately. I was truly humbled, amazed and thankful that he had come in. God definitely BEAT is an authentic Boxing works mysterious and at for the correct moment. I immediately met with the PD group led by Gym in that providesways training Founders Dianne Johnson, RN and Raul Garza who started the Punch Out Parkinson’s Program 3 all levels from beginner to pro for years ago at the Rendazzo Gym led by a Local Longtime Boxing Coach Leo Zuniga, who also now has every typeAnd of man, woman and Parkinsons. invited all to the group to Box Beat as another location addition to the Program.
child. Members of Box Beat receive the same training, perform Dianne, a movement disorder nursethe worked and did research on PD for almost 24 years. While attending a Parkinson’s Congress in Scotland she saw a patient with very little mobility hit a heavy bag same drills, and undergo the same and the smiledevelopment on his face of accomplishment brought tears to her eyes. A few years later after reading technique as profesmore on the benefits of boxing she decided to go to Indiana and become a certified instructor for Rock sional boxers. Steady Boxing. Unfortunately, due to cost and the need to have to charge patients it was a no go.
Our mission is the to empower Thinking outside box and fortodays a way to make this program happen she reached out to Raul Garza and youthuptowith learn theOut art Parkinson’s of professiocame Punch Program. They started at Randazzo gym and recently at Box Beat. nal fighting, while supporting an-
Patients in this program with Bradykinesia, ti-bullying efforts in young adults. stooped posture and tremor after a few weeks improve their walking speed and posture.
Female owned and operated Box is supporting andhow em-they come in to the gym walking slowly and leave with more IBeat have gym personally seen it myself powering We women to be whobreakdown you movement. have had people during are, and find your inner strength.
class because they so hate this disease and then leave with a smile. I can’t put into words how their faces light up when theythe box.most It is AMAZING! Boxing is rated difficult
sport by ESPN.COM. With a team
Box Beat and I want to help Dianne and Raul take this Program to another level. I, along with my of professional trainers, you will de Oca have joined the board and The Punch Out Parkinson’s BFF Janet Montagne and Luis Montes train likebecame a professional fighter. Aside from donating gym space and time our Box Beat family is Program a 501c in November. We helping have the best the thank Adrian “AD” Rodriguez for donating his time to teach also with thetrainers training. for I especially and help toughest us spread the wordWe for take future hopeful funding. Our long term goal is to extend our program world’s sport. statewide and provide help to less in San Antonio and all over Texas. pride in getting our membersfortunate in
the best shape possible!
www.myboxbeat.com
4553 N. Loop 1604 W. Ste 1209 San Antonio, TX - 78249 (210) 414 7222
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
29
30
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
www.brasaousa.com
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
31
NEW CLASS OPPORTUNITY
YO G A FO R ST RE SS + A NXI E TY WITH SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY IN OUR LIVES, NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO LEARN TOOLS TO CALM DOWN YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM Beginner yoga class with an introduction to meditation. We work on balance, strength and flexibility while toning the vagus nerve activating our rest and digest nervous system.
HOW CAN YOGA HELP ME? The Vagus Nerve Emotion, stress, inflammation, heart rate, blood pressure, vocal expression, digestion, brain-heart communication, adaptivity, epilepsy. What do these things all have in common? The vagus nerve. It allows for communication between the brain, inner body, emotions, and world. The vagus nerve takes its name from Latin—it means wandering, like vagabond. It is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves. Most of the cranial nerves (there are twelve), stimulate or direct only one or two particular functions; for example, the first cranial nerve controls our sense of smell, the second our sense of sight. The vagus, however, which is the tenth cranial nerve, extends from the brain stem down into the trachea, larynx, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas, and intestines. Among its many, many functions, the vagus stimulates the voluntary muscles that effect speech and expression (which is why Darwin called it the nerve of emotion); it’s associated with digestion and relaxation of the GI tract; it slows the heart rate and reduces inflammation. It is the oldest branch of our parasympathetic nervous system, and carries within it imprints of hundreds of thousands of years of the evolutionary imperative that we all have within us to feel safe, connected, and loved. - Eddie Stern Join Maria Jose "MJ" Escobar, E-RYT 500 and Chopra Center Meditation Coach for yoga and meditation classes Visit www.meztliliving.com for more details @mj.themindfulmama
CONT
210-34
HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES BE CALM AND CENTERED DURING THIS UNCERTAIN AND STRESSFUL TIME
meztliliv
TACT
47-1192
ving.com
MINDFULNESS CONSULTING FOR YOUR BUSINESS
HOW CAN MINDFULNESS HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES?
Mindfuln
reduces empl reduces unwa increases pro works as a po boosts creativ
WEEKLY YOGA Yoga works on obtaining a
OUR PACKAGES
and flexibility in the physic (asanas) in Hatha Yoga are
improve the body’s physica
the mind in preparation for $100/hour
WEEKLY MEDITA
Meditation is a journey from
is a purification process tha
management, sleep pattern
different meditation techni
incorporate into your life an $100/hour
ness
loyee stress and mitigates the risk of burnout anted turnover oductivity and engagement owerful tool for recruiting top talent vity and innovation
YOGA + MEDITATION
balance between strength
cal body. The postures practiced not only to
al health but also to clear
r meditation.
ATION
m activity into silence. It
at will help with stress
ns and aging. Learn
iquesthat you can
nd routine.
Complete your physical practice with a guided meditation covering the different energy centers in the body. Find presence with your body as you flow and stretch followed by connection to your energetic and casual body. $130/1.5 hours
MINDFULNESS BUILDING WORKSHOPS/RETREATS Three day workshop or retreat (location dependent) aimed at disconnecting from external distractions to go inward and develop a soul connection. Includes Ayurvedic meals. $ Price dependent on location.
72
E PIC C M AG A ZI N E
(AKADR. LULU | THE MOMATRICIAN)
EP IC C MAGA ZINE
73
210.630.5110 IVYGROUPREMODELS.COM
‘’Award Winning Website Development’’
We Deliver Trusted Digital Strategies, Powered By People Who Care.
Web & App Development
Mobile Application Development
Search Engine Optimization
drydenlabs.com / 210.900.2671 / hello@drydenlabs.com 110 Broadway St., Suite 65, San Antonion, TX 78248
76
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
EP IC C MAGA ZINE
Lisa Marie Sharp & The Switch
www.lisamariesharp.com Performing a wide variety of music for all your special events
77
, “Making the Love You Want” is Johnson’s guide for readers who are willing to put in the work and genuinely level up in their lives from the inside out, through the practice of self-love. The book details Johnson’s personal journey and courageous truths and provides readers with the tools to find out how to springboard their lives and reflect on and rewrite the stories that have been holding them back. Some key points readers will find throughout the book: how to stop looking for external validation and focus on the internal journey, how to unchain yourself from limitations other place on you, how to cast off the limitations you place on yourself, how to dig deep on who you are and use your experiences as a mirror, how to show up more courageously on your path to success/freedom, and how to develop, cultivate, and integrate self-love into all areas of your life. Both paperback and Kindle versions of the book are now available for purchase on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Love-Want-Mike-Johnson/dp/1735400106/ ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZBHZO6GHJ8A8&keywords=making+the+love+you+want&qid=1642197905&sprefix=making+the+love+you+want%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
COVE R STORY
80
DreamWeek San Antonio’s founder shares his vision for change.
SHO K ARE N A KP O DI A WRITTEN BY: KATHERINE MCMILLAN, PhD - PHOTOS BY: WALLY LAFAIETE & SARAH LYONS
D
reamWeek founder Shokare Nakpodia carries on community-wide conversations inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. Since launching in 2012, DreamWeek provides a platform for spreading tolerance, equality, and diversity through panel discussions, film, performance, and art events. This year’s summit will comprise 18 days of symposiums, panel discussions, mixers and more focusing on the theme “Our Future”. The Nigerian-born, British-educated Shokare—called Sho by all—markets transformative ideas as easily as he creates
branding for clients’ of his firm, The Mighty Group. Sho shares his vision for a more civil and civic society in a year hit hard by COVID with Epicc Magazine’s Katharine Kaye McMillan. EPICC: By all accounts 2021 has been a transformative year, how do you see DreamWeek 2022 responding to all this change? 2021 has been obviously transformative and a time for reflection for many people. During DreamWeek, we encourage people to spend time listening to their inner voice
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
81
The Nigerian-born, British-educated Shokare called Sho by all.
“DreamWeek is one of the most forward-looking and iconic developments in San Antonio in the last decade.” – Ron Nirenberg, Mayor – City of San Antonio.
84
E PIC C M AG A ZI N E
and reflecting on their place is in society and their unique contribution in life. People have discovered their own voices, and we will be hearing those different voices in 2022. People have had spiritual and life changing insights into their dreams and dreams for community during this past year. We hope 2022 shapes up as a wonderful birthing of ideas. EPICC: DreamWeek 2022 events keep growing, and which ones would you say are must-see? The Dream Panel Series on January 17-20 & 24-27 which brings together speakers with the goal to further conversations related to important topics that impact our community. We can dream about future collectively, and shift the focus from fighting each other or arguing about the past. DreamWeek is the most prominent community-curated event in the country. Since its inception, DreamWeek has presented over 1300+ events in partnership, 130,000+ attendees, and over 400 local leading organizations, small businesses and nonprofits. We are on our tenth year. We want DreamWeek to be destination for people around the country and world to come to resolve conflict, make New Year’s resolutions, and keep them. EPICC: Why does Mayor Nirenberg call DreamWeek “one of the most forwardlooking and iconic developments in this city in the last decade?” Mayor Ron was one of the few people
who understood what I was trying to do. DreamWeek is a way to force dialogue between parties in conflict and means to use that dialogue as a tool for determining our future. He became a champion early on. Mayor Ron tells me that DreamWeek should be the first item that shows up in a Google search. DreamWeek is our own way of crafting what the future will be - it could be a blue print for the rest of the nation on how to live more peacefully and harmoniously together. In a world of increasingly global connectivity, there is a need for many illuminating activities that are designed to inspire dialogue, cultivate unique ideas, and advance the voice of tolerance, equality, diversity for a prosperous and peaceful tomorrow. What will tomorrow look like? We can’t imagine that the future will just fall into place. Our participation in society is what fuels activities that shape tomorrow. We have to be more conscious. Visit www.DreamWeek.org to view all DreamWeek San Antonio 2022 events. #DWSA
EP IC C MAGA ZINE
85
Since its inception, DreamWeek has presented over 1300+ events in partnership, 130,000+ attendees, & over 400 local leading organizations, small businesses and nonprofits.
88
E PICC M AG A ZI N E
EP IC C MAGA ZIN E
89
What more can we do to realize the dream of Dr. King? The dream of Dr. King—his legacy—is his ability to reach out across the table and share his voice. Lots of things happened in courts, but Dr. King made things happen by reaching across the table. That is what inspires DreamWeek. If we don’t allow new voices to come out, how we will find the MLK’s of today? I think we are all looking for MLKs of tomorrow. We have to find our divinity within and stop labeling in broad strokes. We are all so unique and different—it will be like counting stars in the night—a brilliant experience. Shokare Nakpodia
A fashion show during Dreamweek. This year marks a big milestone as DreamWeek approaches its 10th anniversary.
DREAM
WEEK
10TH
2022
ANNIVERSARY
J A N U A R Y
1 3 - 3 0
OUR FUTURE