Black & Magazine|May 2018

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Table of contents 06 How Locals Are Keeping Soul Food Traditions Alive on the West

44 Incorporating African Art into Your Home Design

10 The San Diego Open Mic Scene is Like No Other

48 How to Get Big Romance with Lil’ Finance

15 FINALLY! An Airfordable Way to Travel 23 Literary Speaking 27 Along for the Ride with Kiddie Commute

50 Why Is He Afraid of Her Menstrual Cycle?

53 Spiritually Speaking: You Are Not Forgotten 55 Barbershop Creates Fresh Fades & Vibrations

31 Family Values: Don’t Forget About What’s Important

58 LK Boutik: The Epitome of Elegance

34 Are You Living Your Life in Balance?

63 Does Black Really Not Crack?

37 Jordan Jackson: The Body Architect

66 Young Black & Educators: Meet San Diego’s Next Generation of Great Teachers

41 Young Black & Yogi: Teal Grenney’s Yoga Journey

71 Spotlight on San Diego’s Rising Playwright: Tamera Hill 75 From the Streets to the Suites 83 The Story’s in the Roots 86 Staycation: Hotel Republic - The Autograph Collection

EDITOR & Chief Chida Rebecca PUBLISHER Rebecca & Co.

CREATIVE DIRECTION & DESIGN JainKaran.com

CONTRIBUTORS Chida Rebecca Ra Henderson Nikki Legros-Gillespie Dr. Carolle Jean-Murrat Terri Schlichenmeyer Dawn Renae Oree Wrekless Watson

© 2018 black & magazine Published by Rebecca & Co. SEND Letters to the editor TO : publisher@blackandmagazine.com www.blackandmagazine.com Instagram: @blackandmagazine Twitter: @blackandmag Facebook: @blackandmagazine

Features Photography Brandon S. Johnson

Publisher’s Letter

Dear King, Dear Queen: It is with great pleasure that I introduce this labor of love to you.

I’ve loved telling stories for as long as I can remember. For almost a decade I functioned as Managing Editor and Co-Publisher of San Diego’s oldest and largest Black newspaper.

I’ve had to report the joys and the pains of our community – both nationally and locally. Even though I published a newspaper, the magazine style of reporting has always drawn me. I wanted to create a product that told our stories on a myriad of levels, and bring attention to the 22 to 44 year old demographic here in San Diego. Stories of our skin, our hair, our clothing, our businesses, our relationship, our lives!

Our generation of Millennials and Gen Xers are vibrant, informed, opinionated, compassionate, concerned and dedicated. Unfortunately that’s not always reflected in various media outlets. I had simply had enough. And even though our demographic of Blacks locally is small, it doesn’t mean that our presence here lacks significance.

I always say ‘If you can survive in San Diego, you can make it anywhere!’ I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels that way. Well if you’re young, Black and surviving here, then we want to hear about it! Black & is your digital magazine. It’s your voice! We want to hear from you. Please be sure to visit us on social media @blackandmagazine on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. This is the start of something great, and you’re a part of it. Be sure to email us at publisher@ blackandmagazine.com, comment on our posts and most importantly, ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ what we do.

Remember that #youreourcontent.

I’m looking forward to serving you!

Chida Rebecca Publisher

How locals are keeping

Soul Food traditions alive on the West‌.

And when they aren’t in the kitchen where they go

Black & Social

Black & Social

ot only is San Diego America’s Finest City, but it is also home to some extremely great food. From Mexican to Italian, to Asian cuisine, there are literally hundreds of selections to choose from. But if you have southern roots, from time to time, you tend to long for hearty plates of collard greens, cornbread, ribs, or smothered pork chops, fried chicken, and a slew of desserts to top off the meal.

We took to social media to ask some locals what they do to keep southern cooking traditions alive in their lives. Do they simply cook certain meals often or do they whip out the lavish recipes on special occasions?

Instagram follower @author_nikkig shared “Both. Some are kept in rotation and some are served on special occasions.”

Another IG follower, @deandresvoice said “Generally the same spread for holidays!

Turkey, ham, roast, even fish, greens, mac n’ cheese, yams, dressing. We eat a lot of seasoning in my Louisiana originated family so there is often steamed crab and or gumbo and such. You won’t go hungry and definitely can’t say there wasn’t enough that you liked!”. Murjani McTier shares “Here are the keys to the Soul Food Kingdom: Swanson’s Chicken broth over water – preferably time, all the time. Smoked turkey legs and wings for greens, and black-eyed peas…bake the turkey on low first to get all dye out…soak your black-eyed peas in the refrigerator, cornbread only from scratch – no jiffy, butter and milk (instead of water and oil).” FB follower Justin Justafew Black says simply “EVERYTHING from scratch, no box nor cans. Including cornbread…”.

While San Diego has had its fair share of Soul Food restaurants that have come and gone, a faithful few remain.Here are some of them: In the city of Oceanside is Felix’s BBQ with Soul, which serves up ‘hearty plates of ribs and other barbecue fare in a light-filled, airy room with plenty of seating.’ Their address is 3613 Ocean Ranch Blvd, 92056, ph: (760) 439-7072. You can order food for delivery, through the following site www.doordash. com. Visit www.felixbbq.com. Their hours are 11AM to 9PM

Suckerfree Southern Plate & Bar is unapologetically Southern in their food, drinks and attitude. At this venue you’ll find all of the Louisiana classics like po’boys, gumbo, biscuits & gravy, beignets, so much more. Newly opened, Suckerfree is located 751 Fourth Avenue, San Diego 92101 in the heart of the Gaslamp. Their hours are M Sun 10AM to 10PM

Visit their site at https://www.facebook.com/ eatsuckafree/ or call them at (619) 892-7744 SuckerFree chicken and waffles

Louisiana Fried Chicken

is a fast-food chain that specializes in “Louisiana-style fried chicken in addition to southern sides.” Their address is 2850 National Avenue, 92113, ph: (619) 2330670. You can order food for delivery, through the following site: www.doordash. com. Visit www.louoisianfriedchickensd. com. Their hours are 10AM to 9PM

Bonnie Jean’s Soul Food Café

Black & Social

is a charming restaurant, reminiscent of a comfy southern home. A “warm causal joint known for its big portions of fried chicken and fish, plus hearty breakfasts.” They’re located at 1964 54th Street, 92105, ph: (619) 262-8854. You can order food through the following sites for delivery: www.eat24.com, www.eatstreet.com, www. seamless.com, www.grubhub.com. Their website is www.bonniejeanssd.com . Their hours are 11:30AM to 7PM.

Bourre’ Southern Bistro

is a casual space with brick walls and white tablecloths, serving “Creole-Californian fusion fare”.

Reservation are available through www.opentable. com. You can check out their menu at www.places. singleplatform.com and visit their website at www. bourresouthernbistro.com . Their address is 6523 University Avenue, 92115. They’re open from 5PM to 9PM

Proud Mary’s Southern Bar & Grill is “a Southern-style spot in the Ramada with Cajun food and drinks, plus regular live blues and jazz.” Their address is 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, 92111, ph: (858) 278-0800 ext. 229.

You can order food for delivery, through the following site: www.doordash.com. Their website is www.proudmaryssd.com.

Visit site for their hours.

Bud’s Louisiana Café

is a restaurant located in Kearny Mesa that specializes in “authentic Creole and Cajun food with dishes like seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, crawfish etouffee, fried catfish and lots of great ‘po boy’ sandwiches.” Reservations are available through their website, www.budscafe. com . Their address is 4320 Viewridge Avenue, Ste. A, San Diego 92123, ph: (858) 5732837. Delivery is not available.

They’re open from 7AM to 2:30PM M-F, and W-Sat 7AM to 9PM.

Bankhead Mississippi Style Cooking

is cozy spot located in Spring Valley that specializes in Southern, comfort Mississippi style cooking. From fried snapper, to mac-n-cheese, fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens and peach cobbler, they’ve touch the hearts of many with these dishes, reminiscent of home.

They unfortunately do not offer reservations, or delivery options, but their take-out is pretty popular. Their website is www.bankmississippicooking.com. Their address is 8300 Paradise Valley Road, Spring Valley, 91977, ph: (619) 773-7269. Their hours are 12PM to 6:30PM on M, 11AM to 8PM T-Th, 11AM to 8:30PM F-Sat, 11AM to 5PM Sun.

Cane Patch Kitchen

located in the famous Liberty Station Public Market, this food spot “specializes in creole soul food. They serve an array of southern favorites like southern fried chicken, po’boy sandwiches, salads, gumbo , jambalaya and New Orleans.”

There are no reservations required for this location, but delivery and takeout are options. Their website is www. canepatchkitchen.com. Their address is 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego 92106. They’re open from 11AM to 7PM M-Th, 11AM-8PM F, 8AM to 8PM Sat, and 8AM to 7PM Sun.

If we missed one of your favorite soul food spots, please shoot us an email to publisher@blackandmagazine.com

Black & Social

Black & Social

The San Diego Open Mic Scene is

like None Other Ra Henderson Photography: Brandon S. Johnson

San Diego Poetry Slam: Every Second Monday, Queen Bee’s Art and Culture Center (3925 Ohio St, San Diego, California) Quickly becoming the largest poetry slam in the nation, the San Diego Poetry Slam consistently draws close to 300 attendees each month to witness some of the best poets the city has to offer. Five random judges in the audience score poets on their work, sending winners to national competitions as representatives of San Diego.

“I enjoy and make it a point to go to the SD Poetry Slam because many of San Diego's best spoken word artists share their gifts on the Mic,” said Anya Hall.

“I love how diverse and supportive the community (audience and performers) are. There is such a welcoming vibe.”

Black & Social

S

an Diego is in the midst of a spoken word poetry renaissance. Comparable to many of the jewels this city has to offer, the poetry scene captivates audiences just like a sunset, baptizes them like a waves on a beach, and grounds their’ souls like the rolling mountains. The venues that create the space for this renaissance are just as unique.

Black & Social

Lyrical Exchange: Every Tuesday Night 8-11pm, Queen Bee’s Art and Culture Center (3925 Ohio St, San Diego, California) Priding itself on being the most diverse weekly open mic in San Diego, Lyrical Exchange features music, comedy, and every other form of entertainment you can think of. However, the event is strongly rooted in spoken word poetry. The high energy crowd, accepting atmosphere and sense of family reverberating through the night give the open mic its identity.

“I go to Lyrical Exchange because you’re guaranteed an opportunity to perform your art, no matter what art form it may be, in front of a great, responsive and high energy crowd,” said comedian Joe Robby. “The host does a great job of keeping the energy up and gives every artist the feeling of performing in front of a stadium full of people. Comedy open mics are mostly at noisy bars but Lyrical Exchange has a luxury theatrical seating arrangement putting the attention in the room on the entertainer.”

Black & Social

Neo Soul Tuesdays: Every Tuesday Night 9:30pm, ATOMIC (762 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA) Grown, sexy and poetic are words that have been used to describe Neo Soul Tuesdays. Nestled in the heart of the Gaslamp District, Onyx Room channels the energy from ‘Love Jones’ to create a lounge environment featuring poetry, music and comedy that leave spirits lifted inside the audience and in their glasses as well.

“I keep coming back to Neo Soul Tuesdays because it’s just authentic,” said Asante Sefa-Boakye. “Everything from the main room where the DJ is playing the best new age Neo Soul & R&B music, to the open mic stage with arguably some of the best musicians in San Diego playing in the back. It’s definitely been influential in my growth as an artist because of how high of a standard there is for poetic, vocal, & instrumental entertainment. Everyone that has graced that stage knows they need to come correct with their best material, and more often than not, they always do.”

Spoken Sanctuary: Every First Wednesday, 8-10:30, Trilogy Sanctuary (7650 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA) It doesn’t seem fair to blend a rooftop view, picturesque sunsets, vegetarian/vegan cuisine and top notch poetry in one night, but that’s exactly what Trilogy Sanctuary provides. The restaurant hosts, Spoken Sanctuary, a monthly poetry event that brings the soul of spoken word to La Jolla.

“I go to Spoken Sanctuary because as a student at UC San Diego, we don’t have open mic venues close to campus,” said UCSD graduate Kyler Nathan. “Spoken Sanctuary provides me with the ability to be surrounded by talented artists from the poetry community without having to worry about the means to get there without being too financially taxing. All of this plus the fact that it is on a rooftop with a beautiful view and great food at Trilogy Sanctuary, it is a no brainer.”

Black & Social

Hookahs and Poets: Every Third Wednesday, 8-11pm, 3 Kings Hookah Lounge (7059 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA) Blending the worlds of hookah and poetry together creates a fun evening of literary talent, heavy 808’s and the aroma of flavored smoke. Known for its high energy parties and wide array of hookah options, 3 Kings Hookah Lounge wouldn’t seem like the first place for a poetry night, but the nuance makes the evening that more unique.

“Hookah and poets is a fantastic place where local poets can express their words freely,” said Rebecca Nunez. “I enjoy the variety of the poetry. There is a DJ who does cool sound effects throughout the night and when I performed, the audience made me feel very comfortable with sharing my work. I feel the positive vibe every time I attend the hookah lounge.”

Black Xpression: Every Friday Night 8-11pm, La Bodega Art Gallery (2196 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA) Rounding out the week of poetry events in San Diego, Black Xpression is the perfect mixture of youthful energy, artistic talent and blackness. Centered on the principles of free expression, community, cooperative economics, and activism, this weekly event is more than an open mic, it’s a movement.

“I go because of the beauty that fills the room,” says Cheryl ‘Songbird’ Key, a regular performer at Black Xpression. “Beautiful faces, great energies and spirits.

The power that manifests when poets/singers/artists express their souls. It’s absolutely breathtaking for me.

It’s not a cookie cutter event, it has surprises. The love shown to all who take the step to the Mic is special as well.”

FINALLY! Travel!

An Airfordable Way to

By Staff Writer

Black & Social

Black & Social

How many times have you gazed off into the sunset wishing you could pack up and go! Go anywhere, just to experience life a little differently. If you live in San Diego, one of our major financial hindrances is the cost of living.

But if you’re paying high rent, a mortgage, car note, high utility bills, whatever it is, you shouldn’t have to suffer the thought of not being able to travel. Well after the many prayers that have been released into the heavens to experience the vastness of this great earth, an answer has been given… in the form of Airfordable.

Airfordable is a website that allows you to:

1

SUBMIT YOUR TICKET: Find a flight from your favorite travel site, take and upload a screenshot of your flight details.

2

LOCK IN WITH A DEPOSIT: Secure your ticket with a deposit, and pay the rest in installments before your departure date.

3

Black & Social

RECEIVE E-TICKET: Receive your e-ticket after your last payment. Pack light! Yes! It’s all true! Airfordable is flexible and guaranteed. With these three simple steps you have the luxury of not paying the full cost upfront for your ticket, by breaking your payments into installments. You are absolutely guaranteed to receive your e-ticket when you last payment is submitted.

The website is built with bank-level security and encryption, ensuring that sensitive data is safe. Check them out today and get ta’ traveling!! www.airfordable.com

Black & Social

O

ur favorite thing about Airfordable is that it is a Black-owned company!

Launched by co-founders Craig Henry II, Ama Marfo, and Emmanuel Buah, the idea was one that came out of the desire to want to get home on school breaks as a college student. In an interview with Essence magazine, Marfo who was a student at Drexel University when the idea was born shared “I’m originally from Ghana, and wanted to go back home during the school breaks, but couldn’t afford the $1500 flight up front. I had a job but no credit history, which meant it was difficult to get a credit card with a credit line of more than $300. Because of this I stayed in the dorms every single break, alone, and missed my family.” As bad as this was, Marfo says she wasn’t the only one with this problem. “Two thirds of Millenials do not own a credit card, over 100 million worldwide are living paycheck to paycheck. [In 2015] 33% of Americans couldn’t afford to buy a plane ticket all up front.” Fast forward to today, the problem of affordable plane travel has been solved and ready for all to enjoy at “Air”fordable prices.

“Adiós de México

“

Destination Anywhere:

By - Staff Writer

Black & Social

S

an Diego, America’s Finest City, neighbors some great cities, states and even a country – Mexico. With tourist favorites such as Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, many travel to Mexico to experience its rich culture and take it beauty. If you haven’t ventured to these places and find that you want to go, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX - also referred to as the Tijuana Cross-border Terminal and the Puerta de las Californias), is there to make your traveling experience affordable and memorable. The CBX is the world’s first true binational airport passenger terminal, connecting people to the Tijuana International Airport, in Tijuana, Baja California.

Opened in 2015, this pedestrian bridge spans the United States – Mexico border.

Once you’ve secured your destination, be it in Mexico, or another part of the world, you arrive at the terminal, clear Mexican immigration and customs and catch your flight to your final frontier.

While still fairly new, many locals have had the pleasure of using the CBX for flights into Mexico. We took to Facebook to ask if some San Diegans had ever taken the flight out of TJ.

These were their responses were:

Stephen Pierce:

“It was all good. Your car is safe, and it’s really easy to use.”

Black & Social

Black & Social

Rahshan Hayes: “Yes I did. Flights out of TJ are cheap to Mexico. It’s a domestic flight vs.

International in San Diego. I took a red eye at like 11:30PM ($209) so I got to Cancun in the morning, which is what I wanted. I had a 4 hour layover in Mexico City. Take the CBX Border Crossing ($30 round trip to cross back and forth) right into the airport. Take an Uber, park at the CBX ($15 a day) or get a ride there.”

Daod El Chaleco Bakr: “Volaris has direct flights from TJ. I took my 13 year old a few years back.”

Vivian Moreno: “Yes, it’s the best way to fly. Saves you time and its safe.”

Amelia Simon:

“Positives – Super cheap flights, clean and safe, easy parking, the TJ airport is right across the indoor walking bridge, TJ has Rubio’s, Burger King and Carl’s Jr., Mexico has sooo many places to visit! Negatives – Volaris was incredibly late both ways. Volaris ground crew made all their announcements almost in Spanish so I had to but other passengers to translate.”

Black & Social

Bev Sunflower Dove: “Yes we do it all the time, to Cabo as well. It’s cheaper, just like a regular airline, but take the CBX. It’s worth it to pay to cross right to the airport.”

Mhia Malcolm: “It’s a very nice and organized airport. Just don’t use the interjet schedule. Volaris is a good airline and Aeromexico’s prices are good.”

Terrance James: “Yes… long but easy.”

Dante Lee: “ Yes, I’ve flown out of Tijuana’s airport many times with no problems at all…but most people working at the airport don’t speak English, so you will definitely have to speak Spanish.”

Sybila Elisah: “Yes our family got our flight from Tijuana to Cancun. We had to pay a visa fee of $25 at the Tijuana Airport. We had a layover in Mexico City. We flew Aeromexico. On our return we had a 6 hour layover in Mexico City from Cancun. We got a chance to explore Mexico City! It was one of the best trips that our family took!”

Black & Living

“An American Marriage: A Novel”

by Tayari Jones

c.2018, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill $26.95 / higher in Canada 308 pages

H

Black & Living

e did it on

one knee.

One knee, with a nervous grin on his face and a velvet box in his shaking hands, asking you the Question of a Lifetime. You’d talked about this day but it was still a surprise and now you have planning to do, just the two of you. Or, as in “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones, three…

The last time Roy Othaniel Hamilton enjoyed a truly happy evening was about a year-and-a-half after he married his wife, Celestial, the only woman (after his Mama) that he ever really loved. It’s true that they’d been arguing that night – they argued and made up, argued and made up a lot then – but things were going well.

They’d even talked about having a baby on that last happy evening before the police broke down the door of their room at Piney Woods Motel and arrested Roy for a rape he didn’t commit.

His life was supposed to be with Celestial. He believed that all along.

They’d met in college: his buddy, Andre, was her best friend and Dre introduced them but Roy and Celestial didn’t click until years later. They met again, dated, and the rest was, well, not exactly smooth. He cheated on her a time or two. She’d freeze him out when she caught him, but she knew she was his woman.

Celestial also knew the man she married, and Roy wasn’t capable of raping some woman six years older than his own mother. But a jury wouldn’t believe her, wouldn’t believe him, would only believe an old woman who pointed a finger … and there you go: Roy’s sentence was twelve years in a Louisiana penitentiary.

And, oh, they wrote letters, but they were apart longer than they weren’t and eventually, Celestial wanted to – needed to – move on. She found somebody else, somebody who was her future and her past, but she was still Roy’s wife.

And when Roy got out of prison seven years early, he hoped to remind her of that fact.

There’s a reason that Oprah picked “An American Marriage” as one of her books. Yes, this novel is that good.

Really, though, author Tayari Jones tells a simple story of boy-meets-girl-marries-her. It’s a fairy tale, modernized; a romance with a twist: Roy idealizes his marriage, while Celestial is a realist. He’s your basic Nice Guy. She’s been raised to take care of herself and speak her mind. His memories differ quite a bit from hers, and seeing both sides through their eyes makes their story better. Add a situation that hints at the unimaginable, and some additional, sometimes irritating, characters with influence and you’ve got a book filled with a tale that’ll keep you dry-mouthed, page-turning, and right on the edge of hollering.

This is a novel that unabashedly plays with your senses of right and not-quite-right. It also plays with your emotions, if you’ve ever been in love – so have a handful of tissues nearby. “An American Marriage” could bring you to your knees.

Black & Living

“Terrorist:

“

When They Call You a A Black Lives Matter Memoir

by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & asha bandele, with a foreword

by Angela Davis c.2017, St. Martin’s Press

$24.99 / $32.50 Canada

257 pages

You can’t look any longer.

Whatever it is, it’s just too painful, too scary, so you hide your eyes and pretend that nothing’s happening. You can’t look any longer, so you don’t… but after awhile, you notice it again.

That’s when you realize that you saw all along. That’s when, as in the new book “When They Call You a Terrorist”

by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & asha bandele, you realize that you never really could look away.

Growing up as the third child in a family of four, Patrisse Khan-Cullors lived with her mother and siblings in a “multiracial” neighborhood near Sherman Oaks, California. The two places were “less than a mile” apart but, due to social, financial, and racial divides, they were separated by oceans, in Khan-Cullors’ mind.

Despite that her mother worked all day and into the night, Khan-Cullors was reared in a loving atmosphere.

The man who raised her wasn’t always around, but she adored him; after she learned, at age 12, that he wasn’t her biological father, her birth-father and his family became present on a regular basis. Absent an adult, KhanCullors’ eldest brother acted as “man” of the house. This all complicated her young life, but she enjoyed this expanded, supportive family.

Black & Living

Khan-Cullors says that she was 12 years old, the first time she was arrested. By then, she’d witnessed her brothers being questioned by police for just hanging out with friends. She started truly noticing her surroundings.

Not long afterward, her father was imprisoned on drug charges, and she lost touch with much of his

family. Then her older brother was imprisoned for attempted burglary and was diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and Khan-Cullors came to understand that she was Queer. She began to earnestly question things in her life.

At 16, she became an “organizer’ and an activist. She doubled down on it after her brother was arrested and called a “terrorist” for yelling at a woman. She was driven to act when, following the death of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of George Zimmerman, she sent out a message to her friends. #BlackLivesMatter.

“I write,” she says, “I hope it impacts more than we can ever imagine.”

And, of course, it did, and it will. Once you’re finished with “When They Call You a Terrorist,” you’ll want to stand up, too.

You’ll want to stand, even though author Patrisse Khan-Cullors (with asha bandele) doesn’t tell stories here that haven’t already been told before.

Indeed, many authors have shared similar tales of poverty, affluent white friends, outrage, prison, and sadness.

The shelves are full of such books – but this one is different because KhanCullors gives her story an urgent hearme-now outrage. That “done playing” feeling is what readers may come away with – a feeling that underscores Khan-Cullors’ activism.

And that’s what this book is about: it’s a rallying cry wrapped in a memoir tied in a call to legal action of whatever sort. And so, if you’re ready, “When They Call You a Terrorist” is worth a longer look.

Black & Informed

Shan Cureton CEO of Kiddie Commute

Kiddie Along for the Ride with

Commute

1 How long has Kiddie Commute been around?

Kiddie Commute has been in the making for two years, however we got incorporated in December 2016. We officially launched and picked up our first student in February 2017.

Black & Informed

What was your inspiration for starting the company?

2

I came up with the idea out of my own need.

I am a busy working mother. At the time, I worked and went to school full time. My youngest son was in Kindergarten, I had another son in middle school, and a daughter in high school. It was challenging picking up my youngest son from class in the middle of the day when I had to work or be in class. I didn’t have family readily available to help me with my school pick-ups.

Adding to that stress, my oldest two were taking Lyft.

I was a nervous wreck as I watched the ticker on the app pick up my most precious assets, and drop them off at home. I couldn’t focus because let’s face it, they were strangers. I had no peace of mind and assurance that the driver was safe. I did some research online and found out that legally they can’t transport minors alone. Some drivers would anyway and some would cancel the ride when they found out it was a child they were picking up. I searched online for a company that could solve my problem, there wasn’t a local one, and that’s when the light bulb went on. Kiddie Commute was born

3 4

What’s your background? (educational, professional) I started my educational journey at Southwestern Community College.

I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life which resulted in a quite a few major changes. I ended up with three Associates of Arts (A.A) degrees in, Liberal Arts, Behavioral Sciences, and Communication. I transferred to San Diego State after numerous stop and starts at the community college to major in Communication. I earned my Bachelor of Arts Communication in May 2016. I am now on my last year before earning my Master’s Degree in Communication from SDSU. Professionally, I have over 25 years of sales and customer service experience.

I have worked in collections, student loans, credit card processing, health insurance, and recently mortgage insurance. Additionally, I have always been an entrepreneur. Some ventures I have explored, include, network marketing, online webstore, custom jewelry business, and ran a small daycare. Looking back all of these jobs and ventures I have been a part of were stepping stones that give me the courage to look at any challenge I face with Kiddie Commute as just that a challenge, meant to pause you but not meant to stop you.

What has been the most challenging with this particular type of business?

One of the most challenging aspects of this business has been trying to stay in my lane figuratively.

With this service being such a necessity, I receive a lot of inquiries across the county. However, since we are pre-investment we have to keep our marketing efforts minimal to avoid not being able to service customers when they come. We are currently seeking investment to begin our mobile application development. Once that happens, we will become more attractive to existing rideshare drivers and mothers who like the ease of having an app at their fingertips.

5

How does it feel being a Black woman (and the minority in demographics) in this industry, locally?

It honestly doesn’t feel any different from when I say I have a Bachelor’s degree or obtaining my Master’s degree. There is an element of surprise that falls on peoples face at first, followed by, “Oh, you’re the owner?!”

I actually appreciate the reactions I receive.

I use it as fuel to ensure that I succeed and become an Angel Investor or Venture Capitalist that invests in other Black owned businesses. Only by multiplying our Black owned businesses can we begin to minimize that shock.

On the other hand, it’s difficult trying to raise capital or to obtain loans for operations. I’m not sure if the weight of this challenge rests more on being a minority or being a woman trying to break into the tech industry, which is monopolized by men.

6

Is this your first entrepreneurial venture?

It isn’t my first venture; however, it is the largest one I have taken on to date.

Black & Informed

8

7 What has been the most rewarding part of this experience thus far for you?

Being a mentor to the kids. Over the summer we transported for some underserved youth, taking a program to gain work skills. We became listening ears for the youth who were dealing with real world issues of displacement, finances, high school graduation, and college admissions. They looked forward to us picking them up so they could provide us with a recap of what happened the days prior. This is what it is all about. We aren’t just providing transportation, we are providing comfortability, safety, and peace of mind for parents and the youth we transport.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

We are looking to bring on drivers that are dedicated to keeping our youth safe. Please email careers@kiddiecommute.net to request an interview. We are also in our seed round of investment. Anyone interested can view our profile on AngelList https://angel.co/kiddiecommute.

Black & Living

Don’t Forget About What’s Important

By Chida Rebecca

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With so much going on in our lives it’s easy to get caught up in our personal struggles, such as the bills that we owe, the projects due for work, the repairs on the car, and even the concerns of extended family and friends that you can forget about the needs of your children. I’m a firm believer that children are a reminder to us parents to slow down, stop and smell the roses. As a single parent of two, I’ve had to learn to just shut everything and everyone out when I’m with my boys. Besides, if you don’t have the luxury of homeschooling your children, your time with them is extremely short. It’s kind of like you as well as the children; go to work every day, for 6 to 8 hours. You come home, eat dinner, spend a little time chatting, do homework, and it’s off to bed.

My theory is that children are only children for a short amount of time, and adults forever! These formative years can’t be given back. What types of seeds are you sowing into your children? What will they remember the most from the time you spend with them? Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell have a book out called “The Five Love Languages of Children”. In this book, you can closely identify with what resonates with your son or daughter as it relates to their love language. A love language is simply a way you let someone know you love them, through: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service.

In 2009, my mother passed from cancer. I remember flying back into San Diego that evening of her passing, and upon arriving at my parents’ home, making a beeline for their bedroom. Every time I would come home, and go into their room, I would smell her perfume.

While walking around the room I realized she’d never step foot in there again. I walked over to the bed, to find her purse, just sitting there.

Usually, when a woman puts her purse down, she’s not too far away from it, at least my mother was never too far from hers. But this time she was – she was really far from it. While staring at her purse and unopened mail with her name on it, I understood that everything I thought was important, i.e. the mail, the purse, the paperwork, couldn’t hold a flame to how important her life was. All those items were still there and she was gone. What I was left with were memories. Thankfully I had thousands of them to carry me through that dark time.

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Today, I encourage you to reevaluate what’s important, and who it’s important to. Get an outing on the books. Here are some cool things you can do:

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Limousine Ride: Get dressed up, rent a limousine and take your kid(s) to a restaurant. I can reassure you that your son or daughter will never forget the experience.

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Designate a Family Holiday: I once read in a publication that a woman’s mother had posted a note on the fridge that read “5 Days until WAHD,” and spent the other 4 days posting similar notes, counting down to day one. What she didn’t know was that it was a countdown to “We Appreciate Holly Day!” She recalled how overjoyed she was to have her very own special holiday, filled with the things she loved, and a list of notable things she had accomplished at school and home.

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Staycation: Pack a bag for you and your children, and check-in to a hotel in downtown San Diego. It can be a monthly or bi-monthly tradition. After all, we do live in America’s Finest City!

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DIY into DIO: Turn a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ into a ‘Do-It-Ourselves’. The Home Depot offers great classes for kids, giving instructions on how to do cool projects around the home. For example, for the holiday season, they offer classes on how to build Christmas tree ornaments, and how to build a Gingerbread House. Visit www.homedepot.com to find a class near you and their various offerings.

Picnic Hopping: It is a known fact that San Diego has, hands down, practically the best weather around! With beaches and dozens of parks to choose from, make a pit-stop with the kids at various parks and special locations either monthly or bi-weekly, and dine out – literally! It’ll be a great way to get familiar with our city, and to create memories around town that they’ll never forget.

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Journaling: Writing for many is extremely therapeutic. On one occasion, I purchased journals for my sons, and asked them to write notes to me about their day and things that they were feeling. A few times a week, they would make entries in their journals and leave them on the table for me to retrieve after they’d gone to bed. I would then read their notes, and write my responses on the following pages. It was a fun way for us to communicate – giving them time to sort through their thoughts, while allowing them to work on their writing skills for school.

If you have great ideas you’d like to submit, email us at publisher@blackandmagazine.com

Are You Living Your Life in Balance?

Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, MD Black & Living

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As a physician and healer who has worked with patients from the poorest women of Haiti to the wealthiest of Southern California, I’ve found that there are four key components of health, which together determine the overall well-being and quality of your life: mental, physical, spiritual, and financial aspects. Just like a fourlegged table, if just one is off kilter, the table will wobble, or topple over.

Our Mental Health Our mental health is directly related to relationships between ourselves and our intimate partners, children, other relatives, friends, career, and community. It’s a given that relationships are full of ups and downs and that a certain amount of stress is inevitable. High blood pressure, gastrointestinal upsets, headaches, depression, irregular bleeding, chronic muscle tension, weakening of the immune system and heart disease have all been linked to stress.

People who don’t know how to control stress positively often use alternatives like drinking, smoking, drug abuse or overwork that temporarily mask the pain, but will eventually cause more physical problems and even more stress. An intuitive professional may be a good source to help you identify, cope with, or eliminate stressful sources.

Women typically take care of everyone else before taking care of themselves. We need to learn to value ourselves as much as we value the lives of others, and carve out time to devote to our well-being and how to deal with stress mindfully. Women need to learn to say “no” when overwhelmed and respect their own needs.

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Our Physical Health

Many preventable illnesses are related to stress and our lifestyle choices. Many things are within your control: Learning how to destress, eating a healthy diet, adhering to a regular exercise routine, abstaining from smoking, using alcohol in moderation, managing our weight, etc. Remember, prevention is the best medicine.

Our Spiritual Health

Our spiritual health does play a crucial part in our overall well-being. Spiritual awareness can effect a transformation in our whole being. As it did for me, many of our beliefs about the meaning of our life can shift dramatically. These shifts can lead to being more compassionate and tolerant with ourselves, and find a deeper meaning in the challenges we face, instead of seeing them as arbitrary and meaningless. We may feel less like a victim of a symptom or disease. Instead, we may come to regard our condition as an opportunity to grow and take better charge of our life.

To me, admitting we have a soul and then taking care of it means spiritual health. How do we take care of it? Find whatever we call a higher power and lay our ego at its feet.

Doing this will free our soul to have faith and trust in something larger than ourselves.

Being grateful for everything that happens to us, negative and positive because these experiences are your teachers. This planet is a huge schoolroom -- anything that happens can be transformed into something positive by your spiritual beliefs, thoughts, and deeds.

Having strong spiritual beliefs, as well as practicing forgiveness, giving from your heart, and having a connection with nature will lighten your stress, your sorrows, your heart, and keep you healthier.

Our Financial Health

I have discovered in over more than three decades of dealing with men and women that many physical complaints can be traced to personal financial stresses. Feeling out of control of our finances can make us feel out of control of our whole life.

Unfortunately, women who are stressed sometimes spend money as a temporary salve to other stresses and get into more debt, creating more, even more, health problems.

Setting long-term financial goals and finding ways to get out of debt and start saving is a solid way to ease overall stress in your life.

Feeling in control of your finances is mpowering.

Just making a budget and planning how to take charge of our financial health can be a major factor in reducing a major stress factor.

In this column, I will cover the tools that my patients and I have applied over the years to create that balance.

Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, MD is a medical intuitive, a spiritual healer, and a board-certified gynecologist, and primary care specialist by training. She offers telephone second opinions and intuitive consultations. She helps those seeking answers to quickly discover the root cause of their dis-ease, how to bring it to consciousness, and how to deal with it.

Visit www.drcarolle.com.

Jordan Jackson the Body Architect Black & Living

Black & Living

Jordan Jackson Jackson has been running his business for a year and a half, but has been training for eight years. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he was employed at various gyms, where he was the top trainer, bringing the gyms lots of business. When asked if it was difficult to break away and become self employed as a trainer, Jackson shared “It was a little nerve-wracking when [you realize] you’re not going to have people bringing you clients, but I knew it was something I could do. I’m very effective.”

Affectionately known as “Jordan Body Architect,” Jordan Jackson has been an architect of the body for approximately eight years. A graduate of Cal Baptist University with a degree in Kinesiology, Jackson played basketball there, where he tore his ACL. As a result of the injury, he rehabilitated himself, got stronger – came back and worked with the basketball team assisting in strength and conditioning and fell in love with it. “Just seeing that people have the ability to get stronger, faster and recover – that’s where the passion started.”

But a seed was planted even before college. While in high school, Jackson’s grandmother was in a nursing home, where his mother was employed.

There, he spent a lot of time with the physical therapists observing the condition people were in, and hoping one day to prevent those conditions in others.

Though many individuals are surfacing as personal trainers – sometimes making the art of training look seemingly easy, Jackson stresses that there’s a lot more involved than giving your client orders.

“I wake up really early, around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., getting my work out in early, so nothing gets in the way of that. Then I usually start training [between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.] until mid-morning, and then again around 6 p.m.” When it comes to the types of clients he has, Jackson says he’s good at training all types of people, but he has a niche for athletic performance which leads his clientele to be lots of athletes, wanting to improve their skills. But athletes aren’t his only focus. Jackson’s oldest client is 83 years old, in addition to a 75 year old client, followed by stay-at-home moms and everyone in between. Most of his clients are centered in Solana Beach and the Del Mar area.

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s an African American entrepreneur working in these areas of San Diego, Jackson says that he understands in some instances he’s going to be the only Black face a lot of people will see the entire day. In being the only one, he says “I’m helping to paint a picture of us past what they see on TV and in music.” For him it’s not added pressure to do so because it’s been his life. “I went to one of the worst schools in the Chicago area, and was recruited to one of the most prestigious, affluent schools, where I was the only one.” Some days he says it’s draining, but he feels that God has him there for a reason.

While his focus is north of the 8, Jackson says he plans to do more in the Southeastern community. “I’m planning and saving for that

right now,” but unfortunately in communities of color, there, at times, tends to be more convincing that we should be into health and fitness. In affluent White communities, the response tends to be “Why wouldn’t you?” A lot of this thinking can be attributed towards socioeconomics. Access to healthier foods – all the time, personal trainers or even gym memberships can be costly. Even though he’s saving to make big moves, Jackson did spend a large part of his time last year in the Barrio Logan area influencing kids to make healthier choices in eating and fitness.

The most rewarding part for Jackson with his business, is seeing the end result accompanied by a “thank you”. While there are rewards, the challenges are planning for “bigger”. “Right now I’m planning for what’s going to retire me. I’m from Lemon Grove, so I’m thinking about how I’m going to get me back over there,” which includes hiring more people and stabilizing the business.

For individuals looking to get into the fitness industry, Jackson says

“Just really be about it!”

He says he’s seen a lot of trainers lie to people and be fake, causing people to lose their confidence about getting in shape. “Just be genuine about being healthy.”

His warning for those looking to get in shape is not to start too extreme. “[Most people] think it’s a black and white change but it’s subtle,” he says, like cutting a few things out of your diet. “People start too big and they change everything. But start small,” allowing yourself to see the progress in the small changes. “For our community, we don’t think [fitness] is important until something bad happens.” To avoid having high blood pressure, diabetes, and other life threatening ailments, Jackson says just consider the change. “I believe in people…I believe they can do it!” To learn more about Jordan’s business and even get some training booked, visit him online at www. jordanbodyarchitect.com

Black & Living

To jumpstart your workout routines, Jordan recommends these three core moves for beginners:

1. ELBOW PLANK:

• Best/safest overall core exercise • Many benefits • Helps with lower back pain • Improves balance, posture and shoulder stability

2. BAND BICEP CURLS:

• Very simple movement for someone starting from a sedentary lifestyle • Won’t really disrupt heart rate, due to smaller muscle usage, there is a lower energy expenditure • Sculpts the front of arms

3. BODYWEIGHT SQUATS: • Best overall workout for legs • Increase strength and power • Definition in legs and but • Improve mobility in hips and ankles • Great for overall posture and balance

Black & Living

Young, Black and a Yogi: Teal Grenney’s Yoga Journey

Black & Living

By R a Hen d erson

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hen I first started taking yoga classes, I was often the only Black person in the studio. And while the practice of yoga is a very personal one encouraging introspection and focus on breathing, I couldn’t help but imagine what a class would be like with more people who looked like me.

Thankfully, there are young, innovative and Black yoga instructors like Teal Grenney creating space for this type of experience in San Diego. Teal is

currently offering one on one sessions, weekly pop up classes at local studios, and is also constructing a unique 2 hour experience where students learn the history of yoga poses and participate in a 90 minute class to a popular hip-hop or R&B album.

“When I learned about yoga, I learned the history first so each posture has a story to go along with it,” said Teal. “I want to modernize it and make it really relatable to Black culture.”

Teal’s personal yoga journey began when she was in a stressful position in her life and looking for an outlet to escape a toxic situation.

Black & Living

Thailand, she was entranced by the sights, scents and sounds of a different country so far away from everything she was familiar with. Any homesickness was cured from diving into her training and Teal returned home with a renewed focus and dedication towards the craft. Equipped with the knowledge and proper protections to begin teaching in a professional capacity, Teal believes she can stand out as a young, Black instructor.

“My home environment wasn’t nurturing for me. I ended up going morning, noon and night. Spending all of my time there. I was meeting women who were having a positive effect on me. I’m changing my physicality, making me stronger, more flexible, and more confident.

I could see the results of how I was thinking about myself mentally.”

“I’m relatable, I’m the teacher that’s at the level of some of these beginners so I feel like you’re going to come to my class and not feel intimidated. I’m not trying to be some acrobat, I’m trying to show you if you take 90 minutes of the day taking time for your breath and being in your body, and then I promise you will step back out into the world feeling better.”

Visit Teal’s website, tealideal.com, for more information on class schedules, locations and prices.

“Man woman or child, everyone deserves 90 minutes a day for themselves. If you choose to do it with me on your mat, even better.”

Teal’s instructors began to take notice of her dedication to the craft and offered her spots in their certification classes regularly. However, she decided to go in a different direction with her training and began saving money to receive her teaching credential overseas in Thailand instead.

“I wasn’t going to have a culturally void experience when I got knowledge and where the stories come from. I was having a cultural experience while learning yoga.”

Teal raised money for the trip from crowd funding and hosting yoga classes in local parks. Upon arriving in

Black & Living

Black & Living

Incorporating

African

art in your home design

By - Dawn R. Oree

Today is the day! You close on your new home! You've signed on the dotted line, and you have your keys.

Your new place is a blank slate and you're itching to make your new space ooze your uniqueness through and through! Maybe this morning you woke up in the same drab, dull and let's face it, boring space that you’ve wanted to give a makeover for a long time. You've never really loved the colors, the accents, or the furniture you've been living with. It's time to kick it up a notch and add your sense of style to make this space your own.

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Whether you're the new homeowner, or the homeowner who wants to spruce up their environment, it's time to press your fingerprint into your own space. We know you've waited for the perfect moment to do this. You've done your homework. You've spent hundreds of hours in magazines, window shopping and you've binged way too many hours on HGTV. You've been looking for inspiration everywhere because today is the day!

You want the style and sophistication of thousands of years of history, heritage and culture only Africa can bring! With this massive continent as your magnificent inspiration, we know your space will become transformed, telling the story of your ancestors while bringing beauty and legacy to your home.

We have five suggestions that will help you along your way.

Think Abstract!

Just because it’s African inspired doesn’t mean that you have to have masks, drums, and statues everywhere. We say think with a twist! How? Well… deconstruct the idea of Africa and splash it all around! Consider the idea of this bedroom http://pin.it/8jVOp3w as an option for bringing beautiful elements of the motherland into your home, with hints, references, and bold statement pieces! The colors and textures in the room shift our thoughts to living in an African hut while giving a broad, sophisticated nod to Pharaohs and Queens of times past.

Prints! Prints!

We LOVE prints because prints have great power and charge the atmosphere with high energy! Check out this chair http://pin.it/IoudGQz. See how powerful an beautiful a print can be? Imagine that in your space. Prints bring boldness to any space they’re in, and lay the foundation of an amazing color pallet! We do love prints!

Check out the way prints liven up this space while grounding it; pulling every texture into balance http://pin.it/SiikqBp

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Take it To The Wall!

We were ecstatic to see the beauty of an African sunset in a full sized removable wall decal. It simply took our breath away as we were translated from our couch to the beauty of the Safari at dusk! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJL5BK5?psc=1. We found the idea of the wall decals’ functionality and the variety of decals available to be highly desirable because the decals can be applied on the walls where you live now, and also to your next space. We also suggest wall art, large hanging pieces that shift your focus to the faces of Africa like this one http://pin.it/gXsF7RF or this one http://pin.it/ fau-yTQ. Wall art can be the focal point that centers your soul. You may also want to add depth and texture while creating interesting patterns with baskets like this http://pin.it/I7kDOHo! We LOVE how the baskets make the wall have color, texture and balance.

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Go All In! We know there are those of us who prefer the subtle hints of Africa in our space; but there are also those who LOVE all things Africa and want to dive deep into making their home a place where the soul feels the beat of the drum circle when you walk on the grounds. We say do it!

Tribal hues, masks, drums, prints, skins, statues, and beaded wall art combine to make the atmosphere dance to the rhythm of times which link us to our history and guide us to our destiny. Bring Africa in and let it infuse your senses like it does here http://pin. it/gcEtW8B .

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Accentuate Your Positive Vibe!

Don’t forget your accessories! Pillows, Baskets, Gourds, Drums, and other accessories are essential for your African inspired home! Think about where they should be placed and how you’d like to interact with them http:// pin.it/t1-c8NW.

We know what you’re about to ask! Where can I get African furniture, finishes, and accessories in San Diego? Well we’ve done some of the leg work for you!

Authentic African art, furniture and accessories is available at the following locations in and around San Diego County.

Africa And Beyond Art Gallery http://africaandbeyond. com/index.html Folk Art International http://folkartintl.com San Diego Rustic Furniture (Sources furniture world wide)http://sandiegorustic.com World Market (several locations)

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Dawn R . O r e e

Of course there are also vendors at the Farmer’s Markets that sell African art as well. We know that wherever you source your African inspiration, your space will reflect your heart and soul!

Black & Living

Big Romance, Lil’ Finance

By Ra Henderson

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hen I was younger, some of the first dates I ever went on were to the movies. I’d insist my parents drop me off around the corner of the theatre to avoid the embarrassment of my date seeing me without my own means of transportation (which was a hilarious thought because I was only in middle school). I put so much thought into the movie we would see and even came up with interesting questions beforehand to ask after the movie was over.

As I grew older, however, I started to realize how expensive this whole dating thing was. As much as my imagination would run wild with ideas on how to impress the woman I was crushing on at the time, my wallet would protest more often than not.

San Diego native and activist Armand King is breaking the mold from his regular commentary on social justice to produce a book on creative and affordable date ideas entitled: ‘Big Romance, Lil Finance’. The book details each experience with pricing and romantic ways to present the date to your significant other utilizing illustrations and some humor as well.

“The book shows good things you can do with your lover from cover to cover,” said King. “We want a real creative night. We have live artwork, speed dating, a fashion show, giveaways, and live bands doing a jam session. We want a cool, creative atmosphere for people to come enjoy themselves for the night.”

King came up for the idea while he was was dating a girl he really wanted to impress but was short on funds. He wrote the book in 2010 to expand on his ideas to show people can have romance and love without breaking the bank.

“Sometimes we get hung up on that and forget we have this brain on our shoulders. I came up with little packages and nice things I could do. It’s the little things and using my imagination that helps. She loved it and it keeps the love alive.”

One example King illustrates in the book is utilizing deals and promotions restaurants with international cuisine use in newspapers and magazines. Then craft ‘passport like’ invitations for your significant other and have them choose which country they’d like to experience for dinner that evening. The presentation of the options is what King believes will make them smile and take the idea to the next level.

With everything happening in the world today, King believes a book like this is timely to ensure healthy relationships and add fuel to a different fire burning within us all.

“Love is everything. Add love to any problem and you have the solution.” Visit bigromancelilfinance.com to learn more about the book and to place order

Black & Living

Black & Living

Why is He afraid of Her Menstrual Cycle?

By Wrekless Watson

t’s baffling that in 2017 men are still fearful when it comes to being sexual with a woman when she is menstruating.

Why is this and how is this?

When I asked several women, how they felt about having sex while on their menstrual cycle, the general synopsis was that they are most “sexually excited” during various points of their flow, although some did say they believed other women were grossed out by their cycle.

During the first day or two of a woman’s menstrual cycle (because of physical discomfort), I found that most women are very open to experiencing a sexual encounter.

This led me to dive more so into the questions of whether it was women who were uncomfortable and less desirous of being sexual when they were on their “period”? Or was it actually men who were uncomfortable, and in that, made women feel uncomfortable for wanting to be sexual while menstruating?

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Points that surfaced were that messy menstrual bleeding and odor were some of the things that some men found unattractive and troubling; however, I found that there were generally three “types” of guys when it came to being intimate with a woman while she was on her cycle:

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The, “nothing to do with a woman when she is on her period” type.

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The, “if I don’t know she’s on it” or “she’d have to take a shower first” type.

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And the, “I really don’t care, I want her regardless” type.

The men who were most adamant about never being intimate with a woman while she was on her menstrual cycle were the most intriguing to me. They were intriguing because I didn’t walk away from them feeling their answers were completely their particular truth. When asked the question, “If you met your dream girl (i.e. Beyonce, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Meagan Good-Franklin, Rihanna etc.) and she wanted to be intimate with you on the very night you two met, however she said the words “I’m on my period”, would you be completely opposed to being intimate with her?” This question was not answered with the “no way” as vehemently as they’d initially answered my other question. Also, the third type of men were also fractioned in their response when it was asked if they felt comfortable having oral sex with their partner while she was on her cycle.

If you are a male reading this article, imagine for a moment that, for 7 to 10 days you are not your regular self because your testosterone levels are fluctuating, that you feel emotional for reasons you can’t explain, and that your left testicle is annoyingly twinged.

Through this, as opposed to being more emotionally and intimately present for you, your partner makes you feel as though there is something offensive about you.

How would you feel?

Studies done by the Masters and Johnson Institute found that “for many women sexual desire and orgasm are most intense in the premenstrual, menstrual, and postmenstrual periods when the estrogen and progesterone levels drop to their low ebb” (Kaplan, 1974). It is also known that endorphins released during sex soothe nerve impulses that cause menstrual cramps, migraines or joint pain. Not all women are completely open to being intimate the entire time they are on their menstrual cycle. Although most said they weren’t opposed to being intimate and some were interested in trying it for their first time. Others had different feelings about the idea saying, “sometimes you feel fat and unattractive and it’s hard to have sex if you don’t feel sexy” and “not if I’m bloated”.

Paul Joannides, in the book Guide to Getting It On suggests these tips if you are considering being intimate during a period to make things more fun.

• Having sex in the shower.

• He can use a male condom or she can use the female condom.

• Use Instead. This over-the-counter alternative to tampons that fits over your cervix in the same way as a diaphragm. The people who make it say it’s great for intercourse during you period. Note: Another produced called the Diva Cup is similar to Instead and it works well for oral sex. But it is not recommended for intercourse because it is bell-shaped and is worn low near the vaginal opening.

• If intercourse or oral sex during a woman’s period isn’t for you, there are definitely alternatives, as mentioned above.

Wrekless Watson

• This conversation of being intimate while a menstrual cycle exists is one that has existed even since biblical days, and more than likely beyond. Hopefully, after this article’s reading, more personal and introspective thoughts will be given to why it is such a taboo thing and shied away from. After all, it’s just a period.

Black & Living

Black & Living

You Are Not

Forgotten

had an encounter with one of my son’s who wanted a certain type of birthday party. Due to various circumstances I was unable to give him this particular party on the day of his birthday – or the weekend of this birthday, for that matter. Little did he know, I had a better alternative up my sleeve. I hadn’t planned on filling him in on all the minute details, but opted to simply plug away at executing the plan, and surprising him.

One day in the car, while talking with his big brother about his birthday parties, past, my youngest son glanced at me through the rearview mirror and said “ Mom, what about my party?” His eyes almost filled with tears.

If he had only known that I had something great in store for him, he wouldn’t have been sad. Have you ever felt forgotten? You see, for years, I had been praying and believing (and still am praying and believing) for God to do various things in my life, finances, business and family, but it seemed nothing was happening. After the conversation with my son, it was like God said to me “In the same way he has no idea what you have in store for him, you have no idea what I have in store for you.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 says “But it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the

things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” As sons and daughters of God, and believers in Christ, we have a covenant with him.

Sometimes in waiting for the manifestation of a prayer we tend to feel forgotten. My son definitely felt as if I had forgotten about his request because HE wasn’t aware of the plans or how things were progressing. As a child under the age of 10, it never dawned on me to sit with him and discuss budgets, various locations costs and the details of the party. He knows that I have the gist of what he wants, but because he hadn’t physically seen any progress, he felt forgotten and that nothing was happening. I’ve come to realize in my life, there will be days and months that go by, causing us to feel like things in our lives have come to a standstill. Just like the party I was planning for my son, the omnipotent and omniscient God that we serve is working out the details for something great to occur in your life.

Continue to envision yourself at the lebration – at that destined placing you’ve been reaming of. As Joyce Meyer once said, continue to lock yourself up in the prison of hope, knowing that God has his best planned for you.

Black & Living

Barbershop Creates Fresh Barbershop Fades Creates Fresh Fades and and Vibrations Vibrations Black & Haute

By Ra Henderson

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ntering the doors of Freshly Faded barbershop is like crossing the threshold to another dimension.

Sure the exposed brick and accented earth tones seem familiar, however there is an energy surrounding this tonsorial treasure that stimulates your sixth sense. Derrick Banks, 30, took great care in creating a space where patrons not only receive a premiere barbering experience, but also leave with an elevated spirit and selfawareness.

Son of the 4th District

Banks hails from Southeast San Diego, an origin he embraces with pride. Entering the barbering profession at 20 years of age, the region would prove to be a fertile starting point for his growth as a young professional.

Black & Haute

“I chose to stick with barbering because it allowed me to express myself creatively,” said Banks. “It also afforded me the opportunity to be an entrepreneur in a certain respect so I would be solely responsible for my chair, what I wore to work and what I talked about.”

Banks spent a majority of his formative years at Imperial Barbershop where he honed his skills and took a deeper look into spirituality in order to connect with his higher self.

“As I grew as a person I wanted to know what my ancestors did before they were enslaved.

I focused on those forms of spirituality,” said Banks. “It allowed me to see the common correlation between all religions. I feel like I can tap into that vibration and express it every day through the things that I do.”

This expression extended to his cutting style and chairside manner. Banks has the unique ability to improve his client’s outward appearance as well as their inward tranquility.

“Cutting hair is more than just a haircut, it’s an experience. Especially for black people. A lot of us don’t go to the psychologist or the doctor so I take it upon myself to be those things in a certain respect,” said Banks. “I can’t heal you like a doctor can heal you but I can see the subtle changes in your energy as I’m talking to you and manipulate those things in a way that work to your advantage.”

The Manifestation of Freshly Faded

The mind is a powerful tool for creation.

Banks put this spiritual concept to the test when he set out to bring Freshly Faded into existence.

“It started as an idea. I just had an idea in my head where I could express my view of the world and my creativity and express that with a tribe of people that felt the same way,” said Banks.

Relying on the internet and independent study to arm himself with knowledge on how to start his own business, Banks eventually found the perfect location for his brainchild to come to life. Nestled in the corner of El Cajon Blvd. and Utah Street, Freshly Faded opened its doors to the public in 2013.

At the core of the shop, Banks’ spiritual awareness fuels every detail from the artwork on the walls, the music emanating through the airwaves and the incense flowing into the nostrils of his clients.

“I believe every human being walks around at a certain frequency and the environment that they walk into can make them vibrate at a higher rate or a lower rate,” said Banks. “It’s important that when people walk in here they vibrate at a higher rate.”

Banks also incorporates the use of technology to set his shop apart from others. Online scheduling allows his clients to get in and out of the shop on time, and his blog on the Freshly Faded website allows Banks to spread the themes of individual style, positivity and awareness to the world.

Looking Ahead In the future, Banks plans to transform Freshly Faded into a franchise with multiple locations and possibly create a barber college and business incubator to teach self-governance in the business world.

“Now that I did it, I can show other people around me how to do it and we can manifest anything that we want to manifest,” said Banks.

At the close of our interview, Banks left a special message to black women as a sign of solidarity and support: “Hold yourself in high regard and high esteem, there is a certain magical quality about you that no one else possesses in this world.

You are the key to helping our dyer situation.”

Visit freshlfaded.com to schedule an appointment and learn more about the unique perspective of Derrick Banks.

Black & Haute

LK Boutik: The Epitome of

Elegance

By Ra Henderson Black & Haute

The moment I walked into LK Fashion Design’s storefront on El Cajon Blvd, my eyes were greeted with a kaleidoscope of colors. African prints are some of the most distinct fabrics on the planet.

There is something regal about their exuberance. They invoke a sense of pride and curiosity at the same time. For the first 27 years of my life I had no idea what my African origins were. If you asked me where I was from, North Carolina was the only answer I’d ever known. As I greet Lili Klu, owner and head stylist at LK Fashion Design, she hugs me with a familiarity that feels like a ‘welcome home’. Lili is sure that her clothing will inspire that same feeling within anyone who’s lucky enough to add them to their collection.

Black & Haute

Lili began to hone her sewing skills in Togo, West Africa. She began studying the trade after struggling with some of her high school courses.

In Africa, if you fail a test, you have to do the entire year again. Lili decided she wanted to learn a trade instead of repeating the year. She eventually received her father’s blessing after enlisting her aunt to help with the heated battle.

Lili immediately displayed a talent for sewing.

She learned the trade and passed her exams after only one year when the course called for three. The young seamstress opened her first store in Togo after receiving her certificate. She and her husband, who was in the Navy, moved to San Diego in 2000. Lili eventually opened her own shop here as well, excited to bring the culture overseas.

“The Dashiki is a traditional print.” Lili said. “Kings wore them and do traditional ceremonies in them.

Now, thank God everyone knows at least the print. We have something to show that we’re from Africa.”

After moving to the Middle East for a while with her husband due to his Naval responsibly, the family returned to San Diego and Lili reopened her store at the El Cajon location where it is today. She built her clientele by going to parties, Black History Month celebrations and churches wearing her custom clothing. People began to take notice and reached out to her for their own personalized clothing and accessories. Depending on the style, Lili can complete a piece in 30 minutes to an hour. More complicated pieces can take two or three hours. Her passion for the craft is what keeps her going.

Black & Haute

“I love myself. When you love yourself, what makes you happy is what you do. Fashion is what makes me happy. Look good everyday, no matter what’s going on. If you don’t like what you’re doing then you can’t sew. It takes a lot of patience.”

Lili receives her fabric from Togo, creating an authentic feel that many consumers are looking for.

Unfortunately, many African prints sold in larger outlets are outsourced from Asia and have little to no connection to Africa. This new demand for African prints is a welcomed sight to Lili for reasons outside of the financial benefits.

She recalls a time when relations between African Americans and African Immigrants in the city wasn’t the best.

“Before it wasn’t good, but now, I can testify that it’s much better. People want to know where they come from, wear their culture’s clothes and see how it feels.”

This statement prompts me to share my story of African ancestral discovery with Lili. I informed her that a few years back, my family did our African ancestry via a DNA test and found out Ethiopia was our country of origin. She responded with a knowing smile and assured me she could tell.

Black & Haute

“I can tell where people are from by looking at them,” Lili informed me. “Some people look exactly how where they’re from. But it doesn’t make you feel good to know you’re from Africa and not having clothes that represent it.”

With the exciting opportunities on the horizon, people in the San Diego area with this desire will not have a problem finding her clothes.

Lili’s confidence is backed up by her skill and sincere desire to connect her customers to their roots. She’s even opening a sewing academy to teach others how to sew their own clothes. That’s been Lili’s intent all along.

Visit her store at 5285 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego 92105, or online at www.lkfashiondesign. com or call 619-218-9686. Don’t be surprised if you’re propelled on a journey towards selfdiscovery and ancestral connection.

Lili Klu - Owner of LK Boutik

By Nikki Legros-Gillespie

Black & Haute

Does Black Really NOT Crack?

Black don’t crack” is a phrase often used in the African American community referring to the aging or lack thereof of our skin. But does Black really not crack?

I mean, look at Angela Bassett who is almost 60, but looks 35, or Sanaa Lathan and Nia Long who are both in their mid 40’s, but could totally pass for late 20’s, early 30’s. Oh! But let me not forget the men: Idris Elba 45, Blair Underwood 53, and I can’t forget our light skinned brotha Michael Ealy 44. Yes ladies, our men age very well! (Enough drooling over the aforementioned beautiful men).

The short answer is no. There are a lot of scientific reasons as to why ‘Black don’t crack’, but let me give you the tea on how you too can keep your beautiful skin looking flawless.

The core components in our skin that keep most of us looking young and fresh are melanin and collagen.. Melanin is a dark color or pigment that is found in our skin, hair, and the iris of our eyes, to name a few. It is also our natural protectant against ultraviolet (UV) light, but please don’t get it twisted, we still need sunscreen because cancer does not discriminate.

Collagen is protein found in your skin and is what keeps our skin with as little wrinkles and fine lines as possible. Collagen is also what keeps the elasticity in our skin, however, it begins to reduce the older we get. So how can we produce more collagen or hold onto what we have?

It’s definitely not by Botox injections or fancy creams and potions. The one thing that the celebrities mentioned above have in common is the way that they take care of their bodies. From the inside out, with lifestyle changes and exercise.

Black & Haute

Incorporating certain foods into your diet will help with the production of collagen, keeping your skin flawless for as long as possible.

Here are my top 7 foods and vitamins that will help the production of collagen:

Garlic

Garlic is very high in sulfur which has amino acids and vitamins to produce collagen. Garlic also has lipoic acid and taurine that will aid in rebuilding the collagen fibers that have been damaged.

Vitamin C

You can get Vitamin C from leafy greens such as kale, broccoli, spinach, arugula and collard greens to name a few, but you can also increase your collagen by taking a food based Vitamin C supplement.

Check out your local health food store to grab your Vitamin C.

Eggs

More specifically egg whites, they are a natural protein and filled with amino acids. That makes them essential for collagen production. For all my Vegans and Vegetarian friends you can get a similar amount of protein from nuts particularly peanuts. They have a fair amount of lysine which can also be found in egg whites and yep, you guessed it, lysine aids in the production of collagen.

Fish

Nikki Legros-Gille spie

Fish that is loaded with Omega 3 like tuna and salmon. Also taking a daily supplement of fish oil liquid or fish oil pills will also assist in keeping your skin firm and plump.

Vegans and vegetarians try cashews or almonds. They have a healthy source of fatty acids.

Avocado

Avocado oil is deeply hydrating and highly compatible with the natural oils in your skin.

Avocado is rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids as well.

Avocado oil can be used topically or you can add slices of avocados to your salad, over pasta, or in your eggs for that extra boost. Avocado oil is a personal friend of mine. There are so many benefits in using this amazing oil.

Berries

Blackberries, raspberries and blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and iron. They help repair damaged collagen and prevent more damage to your collagen.

White Tea

According to research conducted by Kingston University, white tea supports structure. White tea prevents the activities of the enzymes which break down elastin and collagen which contribute to the fine lines and wrinkles that accompany ageing.

Just as much as you take care of your body, your hair and your clothes, take care of your skin. As I always say, be good to it and it will be good to you. Our skin is special, it is beautiful and flawless.

So ladies and gents let’s keep it that way!

Questions on skin care, contact us at publisher@ blackandmagazine.com.

Black & Informed

Young, Black and Educators: Meet San Diego’s Next Generation of Great Teachers

by Ra Henderson

Photography by Brandon S. Johnson

E ducators have always been pillars within the African American community. Historically, it’s been a position of esteem, pride and importance as they prepared students to bridge the privilege gap with fewer resources.

Today, however, some of the prestige has

diminished from the teaching position. This is reflected in lower salaries and fewer Black students pursuing careers in education.

Despite this new trend, four San Diego based educators are bringing some of the flair, swagger and greater purpose back to being a teacher. Young, Black, and innovating in the classroom, Earl Walls Jr, Ronald Clark, Channing Moreland and Angela Beckwith are representatives of the new wave of Black Excellence in education.

Black & Informed

Earl Walls Jr., 24 ~ O’Farrell Charter School/High Tech High A product of a family of educators, Walls developed a knack for teaching from watching his father, Earl Sr. along with his own teachers growing up.

“I would take notice of the things I wish my teachers would do differently, and becoming a teacher would be an opportunity to mold that experience differently for younger generations,” said Walls.

After he graduated from San Diego State University, Walls entered the Teach for America program and is currently receiving his preliminary teaching credential. A unique aspect Walls brings to the classroom is his wardrobe. He often wears dashiki’s and chains with African symbols to promote individuality and knowledge of self for his 6th graders.

“I think that there is an authenticity to myself I have to model and display for my students. It’s a part of who I am, but I think it’s important for them to see someone that looks like them not have to compromise identity to be in that space. I don’t know how many dashikis they would see if it wasn’t mine. I love turning those into teachable moments.”

In the fall, Walls will take his talents to High Tech High in Point Loma. While the demographics of his students will be changing, his approach to making the classroom a fun place will not change.

Channing Moreland, 30 ~ Lincoln High School

M

oreland began her journey in education after graduating with a degree in Speech Pathology from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. After realizing the master’s program she was interested in wasn’t going to be accredited, she returned home to San Diego and began substitute teaching.

“I work in Southeast San Diego so I get to work with kids that look like me and that have similar backgrounds to mine. I love being able to guide people that I know are coming through similar backgrounds of people I saw struggle throughout my life. It motivates me and keeps me going.”

While education wasn’t her initial career path, working within the community at Lincoln High School has unearthed a new passion for Moreland. She now takes pride in being an example for her students on what they can achieve.

Black & Informed

“We need to see a reflection of ourselves in people who are successful. We know what white success looks like, but we don’t necessarily see Black success. Our children need to see Black faces in the classroom so they can relate and empathize with them.”

Ronald Preston Clark, 31 ~ Gompers Preparatory Academy graduate of Hampton University in Virginia, teaching was only on Clark’s radar as a way to give back a long career in Journalism.

However, the winds of life shifted his course towards education early. Clark is now in his second year teaching in his own classroom at Gompers. A former open mic host, Clark brings his entertaining and engaging energy to his class.

“Being able to wake up and work with the youth every day, you’re never bored,” said Clark. “You know they’re going to bring something new to the table every day and no matter what’s going on with me personally, I know when I come into that classroom the kids are going to be there for me and allow me to not think about anything else. It’s the greatest elixir to forget about your troubles and enjoy yourself.

There’s nothing like teenagers.”

Along with teaching 11th grade American literature, Clark started the Young Brother Book Club. Every other Saturday, he meets with 6-8 Black males on campus and engages in discussion on books from a list of Black authors he assembled.

Black & Informed

“My bookcase is full of writers like Ralph Elision, Tony Morrison, James Baldwin, and Richard Wright. I try my best to give them an opportunity to look at, study and understand Black history.

I work at a school that is 88% Latino, but I’m also introducing them to a lot of new concepts. I have them reading the new Jim Crow, The Color Purple, and Native Sun. They’re enjoying that as well. But that 12% that’s Black on campus, I didn’t want them to get lost in the shuffle.”

Clark is currently working on his certification to teach English abroad.

Angela Beckwith, 32 ~ Boys and Girls Heads Start in National City

W

ith a degree in Child Development from SDSU and a Masters in Criminal Justice, Beckwith has always been an advocate for young children. Representing foster youth in court, she began teaching for an organization called Boys and Girls Heads Start in National City which supports school readiness for young children from low income families.

“I fell in love with this field because I felt like I could make a difference,” said Beckwith.

“In pre-school, children are 3 times more likely to be suspended more than k-12 grade combined. African American kids only make up 19% of preschools population but they are suspended 50 times more than the average child.”

Beckwith’s experience with the justice system has made her all too familiar with the school to juvenile system pipeline and low achievement.

It is her belief that influencing the lives of students at an early age can prevent this travesty from occurring much longer.

“I love to teach them about themselves so they can have a sense of self. They’re so young but this is the time to teach them how to deal with emotions and things that may not go their way so when they’re adults they can cope.”

Black & Informed

Spotlight on San Diego’s Rising Playwright: Tamera Hill Tamera Hill

By Black & Staff Writer

Interview: Tamera Hill B&: What got you started in writing plays?

My first pregnancy, I had a miscarriage.

Losing my son was devastating. However, it opened up a place in me emotionally, and creatively that had been dormant for a very long time. I forgot the little girl who wrote, and made up stories that included multiple characters. She would act them all out. They would all have names. That’s how the little girl survived horrific moments. Moments she wanted to forget. But through the pain, and abuse something great blossomed within her.

Who knew it would take being hurt again to bring those gifts to fruition? God did. I often think had I not needed an escape, would I ever have developed the gifts that I know possess. In all things, good or bad, God gets the glory.

B&: How did you feel after successfully completing your first show Afraid and excited. I didn’t know what to do next. I was like, “Okay, it worked. I actually pulled it off. Now what?” (Laughing out loud) I’ve learned over the course of my ten year journey that it’s always a “Now what?” We are always evolving, and God is always stretching us to do more.

B&: What are some of the challenges and successes that come along with doing shows in your hometown?

I love San Diego… Has been my home for over twenty years now. But it is very hard to get the support needed. I don’t want to go to LA and become my greatest success. I want to do it here in my city. Recently I’ve partnered with some amazing people that share the same struggles. Together we’re stronger.

However, I’ve been very blessed to have a strong loyal fan base here in San Diego. The challenges are still promising because a lot of people know my work, but there’s a lot who still haven’t been introduced… AND THAT IS EXCITING!

B&: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write because you love it. Write from the heart; because if it’s from the heart, it will reach the hearts of the people.

B&: What’s your vision for San Diego’s theatre community?

I would like to see us work together and collaborate on ideas. Mr. Robinson and the Lincoln Arts Advisory Council is doing an excellent job in bringing like minds together to work towards a common goal and that’s introducing the Arts to our youth. I am honored to be apart of it. My vision for film is to shoot more films in my hometown. I would love to see that become the norm for San Diego as it is in LA, and ATL. I believe my business partners and I can achieve that. We will achieve that.

Interview: Tamera Hill

B&: Tell us about your upcoming projects?

I’m excited about so many wonderful things to come. My first screenplay was purchased by a LA producer for my stage play, I Never Heard My Father Speak; starring, David Banner, Robin Givens, Romeo, Karruche Tran, Brian White, Karen Acrombie (War Room), Kandi Burris (ATL Housewives), and Dorian Wilson. Quite a line up!

It’s supposed to be released in the fall of last year, but has been pushed to the spring of this year.

I recently shot a film called, “SOLO,” in San Diego.

I casted some very talented local actors here in San Diego. Stay tuned for that… Premiere is in March in San Diego and Los Angeles. Also, producing a Netflix Comedy Special for the one and only Lester Barrie, which taped March 17, 2018. I just sold another film that’s a holiday comedy. More details on that once I know. That’s the thing… Once you sell a script sometimes you don’t when they will film it or release it… That’s a whole new conversation (Laughs out Loud).

Also my pride and joy project for this year is a play called Chocolate Stories. For the first time I have invited three talented writers to join me on this project. It’s a collection of mini plays and monologues intertwined with some incredible music… That debuts April 7, 2018. We are also working on a television drama as well. So as you can see, I stay busy and I stay focused.

Interview: Tamera Hill B&: How do they differ from what you’ve done in the past?

Growth in my skill sets. All my projects are purpose driven. With each project I ask myself the questions, “Am I pleasing God, and more importantly am I fulfilling purpose?” In the beginning of my career, not so much… I was still trying to figure me out. Now I’m only focused on what God wants, and how what I do can be blessing to the human race. Ya dig?

(Laughter)

B&: How can aspiring actors and actresses reach you? www.tamerahillproductions.com I have a link for casting.

Chida, thank you so much for bringing Black & Digital Magazine to the community. To be highlighted in your first issue means the world to us. I’m going to frame it and put it on my wall in my office. (laughter) Real talk! Can’t wait to see what you bring to the world.

From

the Streets to

the Suites

By Chida Rebecca

For decades, this country has witnessed the open attempt to deteriorate the image of Black men, be it by economic disenfranchisement or social injustice, our Black men have been placed on a fast track to being labeled as everything from criminals to crackheads. These sensationalized categorization have lead to the mass incarceration of Black men and the deterioration of the Black family. But in spite of the odds presented in the form of drugs, gangs, imprisonment, or lack of educational and economic opportunities, there are plenty of Black men who have been burned by the flames of oppression, but have risen out of the ashes to conquer another day. In San Diego, several young kings have taken lemons in their lives and made sweet glasses of lemonade, turning bitter situations into fruitful ventures.

Conrad L. Powell

Southeast San Diego - Age 39 “Growing up around gangs and living in Southeast, I was caught up in that whole vibe and atmosphere,”Conrad Powell recalls. Even though he was employed and was a student in school, Powell says he still found himself caught up in gang activity because of his surroundings. Unfortunately a lifestyle of gang banging sent him to jail a few times, but as he got older, he decided that that wasn’t a path the wanted to stay on. “One day I was talking to a family member who said I should look into real estate.”

Powell looked into it and realized some of the college background he had would allow him to get into the profession without a lot of extra coursework. “I took a real estate course, got my license, started that business and I’ve been doing ever since.” For the last 4 years he’s been running his company and successful at it. Powell says having his own real estate business is definitely a transition, but a good one. “It’s a true hustle, but I’m enjoying it.” Powell said if he could talk to his 16 year old self he would say “Have some experiences but don’t always look at life as if you have to go through certain experiences, versus listening to someone and taking their advice.” You can reach Powell at www.CLPowellRealty.com, or (619)718-0198, or email: mr.powell09@ gmail.com

Dr. Samuel D. James

Southeast San Diego - Age 36 Dr. James grew up in Southeast San Diego in a home that sometimes yielded less than favorable conditions, and had plenty of opportunity to lose focus on his goals. “A good number of cats I grew up with were taking the direction of gang banging, drugs or pimping in some aspect. Even though those were my dudes, I knew that the only way for me to get out of this environment was to have a vision and a focus for myself that was greater than what was going on around me.” James said he always knew he was going to be a physician. He realized in spite of his environment he had to maintain some sense of personal identity. “I decided that it was going to be ok to be a cool dude that was apart of the neighborhood, but was always about studying and doing my homework, as well as excelling outside of the classroom.” After he left high school, James attended Morehouse College, and on to medical school at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN graduating with honors. His residency and fellowship training took place at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Pathology. Today he is a highly sought after Pathology Specialist with more than 10 years of diverse experiences.

Dory Laramore

East San Diego/City Heights - Age 49 Back in the 80s, Laramore was a young man heavily involved in the dope game. At 19 he received a federal indictment, causing him to serve nine years in prison. While incarcerated, he used his time to learn business and accounting so that he would have a plan for his life upon his release. When he got out, he started Gutter World Records, in which he released five projects on that label, but Laramore’s aspirations didn’t stop with the music industry. “I started venturing into real estate,” which lead him to own three properties, two of which are rentals. For the last 15 years, Laramore has owned and operated D & D Tax Professionals, an income tax business, and recently started a clothing line called Hustle & Grind Clothing. When asked about what turned his life around he shared “When you’re in the dope game, you almost become an entrepreneur. You learn how to manage your money. You buy for this much and self for this much. So I always had it in me to be an entrepreneur.” Even though Laramore was a teenager when indicted, he didn’t forget the things he had learned while in the streets. “Those two years of balling didn’t equate to the nine years gone.” The knowledge and hustle he learned on the streets is something he kept with him. Laramore says he had been rapping since the 7th grade, but missed the opportunity to pursue it further due to being incarcerated. “When I got out I just started thinking of other things I could do aside from having a record label, and that’s when I started the income tax business, and investing in real estate.” Just when you thought that was it, Laramore is an author. “I wrote a book called Get Your Finances Right: The Foundation for Success. The book is basically for us, and it is written in terms that we can understand.” When asked what advice he’d share with younger folks, Laramore replied “You have to get around someone that’s inspiring you to change, and start thinking in a positive way.”

Cornelius Jackson

Southeast San Diego - Age 37 Cornelius grew up in Southeast San Diego studying Taekwondo under the tutelage of Master De La Rosa and then Grandmaster Wynn. Though the martial arts kept Jackson out of trouble for a bit, he managed to find his way into pimping. “I was on the professional side of it. That’s where I got a dose of starting my own business. I actually had my own escort service in the Yellow Pages,” he recalls. Though he was able to get the necessary licenses to make his business legitimate, Jackson couldn’t see himself doing that long term. He wanted better for his life. In addition to running an escort service, Jackson also had experience working for others, and knew he didn’t want to work for someone the rest of his life. Later he sought to get into the correctional field, but after a night of celebrating, ended up getting a DUI. This impacted his pursuit and lead to depression. In spite of the odds, he kept seeking better opportunities for himself and chasing his dream of being a real estate agent. Three years later he secured his license, and in 2011 landed a job at a federal prison as a correctional officer. But entrepreneurship wanted all of his attention. After seven years as a correctional officer, Jackson quit his job and dove completely into his business. “For the last three years, I’ve sold 25 houses a year, I have my own brokerage firm in Orange County with 8 agents under me, and did $24 million in production last year.” Jackson’s advice to people is “If your goal is crystal clear, then go for it. Don’t let anyone stop you.” You can reach Jackson at CLJ Realty Group at www.cljrealty.com or call him at (949) 299-1969.

At 17, most young people are finishing up high school and preparing for the next phase in their lives. But at 17, D’Andre Brooks had a different type of “next phase” to prepare for, which was serving 10 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Prior to incarceration, Brooks says he was in and out of juvenile hall, foster care and group homes. “I had no sense of direction in my life,”he recalls, but being in prison changed it. “It changed my life.” For Brooks, incarceration gave him another chance at life. “While I was in there, people gave me literature, and things like books on philosophy, so that I could be equipped for the world.”

Instead of using the time to focus on being angry at the injustice committed against him, Brooks stayed positive and allowed those around him sowing seeds of greatness into him to be apart of his journey. “I knew I could get out and win. It was all God’s doing. He had his hands on me.”

Brooks says that while inside he realized that there were people in there smart enough to run the whole country but had no opportunity to get out. “A guy I met kept me pushing. He had been in there since 1986 - he was about 47 years old. He said he wanted me to win so he could win vicariously through me. He didn’t want anything from me, just for me to win.” With that winner’s mentality, Brooks served his time and was released in 2013. He enrolled at San Diego City College where he just received his Associates in Sociology, and will be finishing his studies at San Diego State University. In addition to finishing his education, Brooks is the proud business owner of Spotless Cleaning Company, a business he and his queen formed in 2016. “She said she was tired of working for people, so I supported her in what she wanted to do.” With that, they set out to learn all the could about entrepreneurship.” Today, they have a full year under their belt of running a business. Brooks says “The hardest part was taking a leap of faith and opening ourselves up to possibilities.” You can reach Brooks for cleaning services at (619) 343-0417 and on Facebook: @ SpotlessCleaningCoSD

Aaron Harvey was born and raised in Southeast San Diego in a two-parent household, the youngest of five, and says they were surrounded by a little bit of everything. Though life for Harvey hasn’t been a crystal stair, home life offered him a great foundation to the future he had envisioned for himself. Growing up he often heard of his peers and those he knew reference how hard it was to find employment due to felony convictions they had obtained.

“My cousin came home from prison. He did seven years in the penitentiary. But while he was in he got his license to be a master electrician. When he got out, he rewired my grandmother’s entire house but couldn’t get a job.” From this experience alone, Harvey realized he wanted to do something significant

to impact the lives of those around him.

Particularly those that were disenfranchised and needed a second chance. “I needed to put myself in a position to be able to create jobs for people coming home from prison,” so Harvey decided to venture into real estate. “I figured if I could buy some property, then I would be able to create jobs such as masonry, carpentry, [electric work], landscaping … all these tools can be taught, and they’re taught in prison as well.” But on his quest to creating a better future for himself and others, his plans were thwarted. “In 2014 I was arrested for conspiracy to commit 9 attempted murders.”

Thanks to being documented as a gang member, along with a gang conspiracy law, Harvey and 33 other young men from Southeast San Diego were arrested, with the District Attorney attempting to charge them with these crimes. Eight months later, the case against Harvey was dismissed. In that short time, the trajectory of his whole life shifted. “That [experience] offset my path from real estate to fighting for criminal justice reform.”

In looking to fulfill his desire to advocate against this injustice, Harvey started to associate himself with a local community organization called ‘Pillars for the Community’. “We established our own organization, Justice for SD33,” who started attacking gang conspiracy laws, gang documentation and police harassment in his community. This also led Harvey on a fight to eradicate a statewide database called CalGang - which is a state funded criminal intelligence system that targets members and criminal associates of criminal street gangs. “Pursuant to Assembly Bill 90, the Fair and Accurate Gang Database Act of 2017 will be temporarily disabled effective January 1, 2018. All user accounts will be deactivated until the database is certified by the California Attorney General’s Office,” said the website.

To round out his efforts, Harvey enrolled at San Diego City College to further his education and is looking to obtain a degree in Political Science, with the next stop being UC Berkeley. For the young people coming up behind him, Harvey advises them to “stay in school long enough and you’ll figure out what you want to do.”

Armand King hails from Spring Valley.If he is seen around town, he’s usually seen as a ‘beamin’ burst of energy running on a fast track of positivity.

Even though his life’s walk includes mentoring and entrepreneurship, his journey didn’t always start off that way.

For three years, King spent time behind bars on charges of conspiracy organized crime. Extraditions and stays at nine different facilities between here and Florida, gave King first hand knowledge on what life behind bars entailed on many levels. But shortly before his return home, King learned that his best friend Richard Wilson had been killed senselessly by four kids on a shooting spree, and who had shot 12 other people. “I cared more about Richard than I did my family,” he says. This tragedy was the most major life shocker to King. “He was the only one, that throughout my time in jail,actually took care of

me and was there for me. He was the one I wanted to come home to and pick up off the ground and just thank him tremendously. But when I found out he was dead that put a hole in my brain and my life. It put my life on another course.”

When King finally came home, he went into the restaurant business with a friend and mentor. Unfortunately those doors closed, and it led King back to the street life. “I kinda kept going back into the street life. I never fully let go of it, cause that’s how I knew to get money,” he recalls.

“Whether it was any form of pimping here and there, or selling weed, I still was involved in it.” As time passed, King grew weary of the trends life was serving him. “It was never really my nature, but just what I did to get money.” The ups and downs, the losses...he had had enough. “I was 30 years old and working at McDonald’s, it felt like that was the lowest I could go.”

He stayed out the street life and decided to turn things around. These days, King refers to himself as a serial entrepreneur.

“I love ideas that come into my head. I’m an idea man! I love seeing them come to life.” In addition to founding Paving Great Futures, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the community through personal economic development, King is also an author, with one printed work for sale, and two other titles in the works. “I just developed an app, Weeplez, which is a social media platform for food service industry employees, and available on Apple phones.” In addition to the app, his nonprofit owns and operates Flippers Fish and Chicken/Champion Catering.

When he’s not dabbling in food, he has an animation company that also produces apparel. King is often public speaking, and serves as a survivor advocate in the area of sex trafficking, as well as a gang expert. Check out King’s nonprofit at www. pavinggreatfutures.org

The

Story’s in the

ROOTS “It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.” - Winston Churchill.

By Staff Writer

“I thought maybe I had a problem,” Chida Rebecca recalls. From a young age, she would collect magazines and save them for months, even years at a time. “It was something about the glossy pages and the pictures captured in them. I was in love.” Growing up in a family that publishes San Diego’s oldest and largest African American newspaper, Chida wanted to stray away from the family business altogether but couldn’t quite shake the publishing bug that she had been bitten by.

I

In 2017 Chida decided to officially let the world know that she was launching ‘Black &’ Magazine. “It was scary. Scary to step out and do something new and different, especially without a fall back plan. But when I made the first social media post announcing that the magazine was coming, I knew there was no turning back.” For years she says she wondered what her purpose was in life. She discovered that she had been great at many things, but never really felt quite settled on what she felt her main calling would be. Even though the announcement of the magazine came in 2017, the brainstorming started back in 2014. “After giving in to this nagging in my spirit to do something with a magazine, some friends sat down to help me unleash these thoughts in my mind.”

The next 4 years, Chida had to sift through what the final vision of her dream looked like. “I think a lot of the times when God drops an ‘end plan’ in our spirits, we believe it’s supposed to come to us totally packaged,” she said, “and I’ve learned that’s not always the case.” As with any plan, Chida says that you must become a student of your craft. “You have to educate, educate AND EDUCATE. I didn’t know what direction I was going in, but I had to learn not to be closed minded to new ideas that were introduced to me to help me get to my end goal.” When the total plan came into view, Chida felt a resolve in a heart, a peace about the direction she was going in. “At the end of the day, I’m a person that loves sharing information and telling great stories.

Those two things are at the core of what I’ve envisioned for ‘Black &’. A lot of the times, those things we are seeking are right in front of us, they’re in our roots.” Just as in real live plants, Chida believes that if you don’t nurture the seeds that have been dropped in you to propel you towards your destiny, that those seed dreams could die. “Guard your heart, guard your dreams, and nurture them daily. Soon you’ll see something beautiful starting to grow right before your very eyes. Take the journey a day at a time, and maximize every opportunity you get.” Here are some things I do daily to push me towards making my dreams a reality:

Pray and ask God what His plan is for your life.

I’m constantly in prayer asking God to align my thoughts for my life with His plans for my life.

Read the Bible I find so much inspiration in the Bible. There is always an answer for me in a verse or book that I may read in the Bible. Sometimes it’s for that day, sometimes it’s not.

But I’m making positive deposits.

Journal/note take The best ideas hit me at the most inopportune times. I’ve made it a habit not to trust anything entirely to memory and to write it down.

Study the industry that houses that ‘thing’ that you’re thinking about venturing into I’ve found that in most cases, someone has tried to do what you’re doing, or they’ve done something connected to what it is you’re wanting to do. Sometimes you may find an answer to your question in learning about someone else’s failure.

Ask questions They say the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. If you position yourself as a student instead of a know-it-all, you’d be surprised at how much valuable information you can walk away with.

Be patient No explanation needed. Just do it!

Hotel Republic -The Autograph Collection

“Every hotel in the Autograph Collection is hand picked for a reason. All are bound not by their similarities, but by certain distinctions: qualities that elevate them above the average or conventional. What differentiates the Collection is that every hotel has its own unique and special story.

The diverse styles of the figures reflect the design and character of each property, symbolizing the ethos that sets the Autograph Collection apart – hotels, stories, people and even numerical designations that are exactly like nothing else.”

-Courtesy of the little book in the hotel room Known as America’s Finest City, and the 8th largest city in the country, San Diego draws more than 35 million visitors annually, and is deemed as a top U.S. travel destination. But when you’re a native, it’s easy to forget just how fabulous our city is. After a long week, I was looking forward to simply unwinding at the newly remodeled Hotel Republic San Diego - Autograph Collection, which sits nestled on the corner of ‘B’ and State Streets, in the heart of Downtown San Diego.

As I pulled up to the hotel property, I found that there was a small wait for valet. I didn’t mind the wait, but I was pleased to see the valet attendant meet me half way down the sidewalk to retrieve my vehicle so that I could be about my evening. Hotel Republic is quaint, but yields bold and big designs. Upon entering the lobby, my eyes were drawn to the various elements of design. From the ceiling to the tables to the floor, each piece used to accent the hotel’s lobby was placed in just the right spot, inviting you in for closer observation. After a brief wait and quick check-in, the extremely friendly and attentive staff, sent me on my way with my room key.

I should note that the security key card feature brought me a lot of comfort. In order to get to your room, your key card must be used to access your floor, in the elevator. This is always a nice feature to have.

The details didn’t stop in the lobby. My room offered a clean, crisp contemporary simplicity. The most appreciated touch was the bay window – a cozy seating area, just right for the writer and daydreamer in me.I literally could’ve fallen asleep there. The cushion definitely was comfortable enough,ushering me into a view of a bustling downtown, just right outside my window. I was pleased to see that my room wasn’t overpowered with wall hangings or touristy brochures – besides San Diego literally speaks for itself. Just walk outside!

fter settling into my room, I realized I was overdue for dinner, so I made my way back to the bar which is merged with the hotel’s lobby. You can eat in their restaurant (which is behind the bar), the bar or open seating with tables just in front the bar. Since there was a special employee appreciation celebration taking place in the restaurant, I opted to sit at the bar, where the bartender patiently took my order, and was very attentive.

The food was extremely delicious and fulfilling. I indulged in some roasted cauliflower, seared salmon, and a slice of chocolate cake - with a glass of water and Moscato. I was extremely full and happy, which contributed greatly to the wonderful sleep I got that night.

The next morning, after a revitalizing sleep, I awakened to a quiet hotel that was slightly abuzz with visiting conference goers from out of town. After a short walk through the property, I made my way to the rear of the hotel, where I was pleased to find a nice eating area called the Patio Marketplace,definitely a spot I will visit again for breakfast even if I’m not staying at the hotel. My stomach was in the mood for something hearty and satisfying. I opted for the banana pancakes with a cup of tea. True to form, I was unable to finish the food, but it was easy on my stomach and the sizable portion was extremely delicious. The waitress even commented on how great the food looked and smelled.

The seating in this cafe, of sorts, was very comfortable. I sat near the window, enjoying the natural light, the decor and faint indie pop sounds in the background. While the Patio Marketplace had a soft style of its own similar to that of the actual hotel, I loved the fact that it literally felt like I was in a completely different place. The upbeat music, great food, tea, and inviting atmosphere were definitely what I needed to perk up and get my day going.

Though my weekday stay was short, I highly recommend Hotel Republic as a nice getaway. Check out the video tour on our social media pages, Instagram and Facebook: @blackandmagazine.

If you aren’t able to enjoy the property for a full 24 hours, here are a few activities they have going there that you may be able to drop in for:

Sip & Study Series: Happy Hour has never been so educational! Join Hotel Republic for a four-event “Sip & Study” series at Patio Marketplace at Hotel Republic on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Meet the experts behind your favorite drinks – coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails – and learn insider information how these libations are made and mixed.

Plus try samples, learn about food and drink pairings, and get tips for how to best enjoy each beverage. This event is free.

Yappy Hour: Grab your best friend and Hotel Republic for Yappy Hour every Thursday at Patio Marketplace!

Hosted by Wildside Unlimited.

Complimentary Yoga: In the mood to get your blood circulating on a Saturday morning? Join others at the Hotel Republic for Complimentary Yoga at Topside, hosted by Yoga Loft.

CLICK HERE FOR HOTEL EVENT DETAILS

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