Celebrity Guest Editor for FEARLESS
Our first Celebrity Guest Editor for FEARLESS is my longtime friend Miss Meagan Good. I remember when I needed a host for my fashion show in college, I reached out to Meagan Good, I didn’t even know her, but she said she would do it. I was like I don’t have any money for you to host but I can take you to the spa….lol, she said, “ I want to help you,” and almost a decade later we are still friends to this day!
I am so excited about how well the cover is being received. After 5 successful covers we are introducing a series of Celebrity Guest Editors that is exclusive to our Digital Magazine. Meagan’s cover is the first of the series and will be available for download May 1, 2012 at www.fearlessmag.com
Also see the video below on how God answered my prayers and sent Meagan Good and Bre’ly Evans to speak to my FEARLESS GIRLS Club!
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: Southern University: A Home Away From Home
Southern University which is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River is the home to the world’s famous marching band, The Human Juke box, the unsurpassed Dancing Dolls and over 7,000 great students from across the globe. Southern University has also catered to the minds of many well known celebrities and has played a major role in molding of them and produced the individuals you see today. Television personality Randy Jackson, 2006 NBA coach of the Year Avery Jackson, Bob Love Former NBA all-star and second leading scorer in Chicago Bulls history and Lavell Crump also known as David Banner, a well accomplished producer and hip-hop artist.
The concept of Southern University was put forth by P. B. S. Pinchback, T. T. Allain, Henry Demas, and as an institution “for the education of persons of color” at the 1879 Louisiana State Constitutional Convention. In April 1880, the Louisiana General Assembly chartered Southern University, originally located in New Orleans. Southern opened its doors on March 7, 1881 with twelve students. One of the original locations of the early campus was the former Israel Sinai Temple on Calliope Street, between St. Charles and Camp streets in New Orleans. Southern became a land grant school in 1890, and an Agriculture and Mechanical department was established. Because of continued growth and a lack of land for expansion, the university relocated to what was then Scotlandville, along Scott’s Bluff facing the Mississippi River in 1914. It is included as a destination of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.
The institution continued to grow, and in 1974 a special session in the Louisiana Legislature established the Southern University System, with Jesse N. Stone of Shreveport as its president. The Southern University System consists of Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, (SUBR); Southern University, New Orleans (SUNO); Southern University Law Center; Southern University Agricultural Center; and Southern University, Shreveport (SUSLA is a two-year, commuter college). The Southern University Museum of Art at Shreveport is another destination of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.
Recently this historically black college and university have undergone a massive financial hole which is being called a state of emergency. Southern University is on the edge of filing financial exigency declaring a financial emergency allows the administration more leeway to lay off tenured faculty and axe academic programs. Exigency is generally considered a serious blemish that could scare away current and potential employees. There have been plans to halt major negative actions such as closure of the school. The university has cut a number of its faculty and has raised tuition to try and solve the problem. Majors are being cut and merged with other departments and a lot of our traditional events have been cut out or seriously altered. Everyone affiliated with Southern University is deeply affected if this problem isn’t urgently addressed.
I speak not only on behalf of myself but on behalf of all my fellow Jaguar colleagues, alumni and future students. We love our school and there’s nothing like that “ol’ Southern pride.”
We are in great need to any all contributions will help. No amount of help is too little whether its national awareness or a mere dollar Southern University is a school built upon hopes and dreams and will appreciate all your gestures.
Please call to give donations………….. and visit www.subr.edu for more information on Southern University.
By: Shikinley Mitchell (Southern University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: Fab Girl Profile
NAME: LA’TROYA WEBER
AGE: 21
HOMETOWN: BATON ROUGE, LA
MAJOR: MARKETING
OUTFIT INSPIRATION: SIMPLICITY! I LOVE SOLID COLORS THAT I CAN DRESS UP AND DOWN. MORE IS LESS.
By: Shikinley Mitchell (Southern University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: A Protected Dream: A House of Wadjet
Howard University is a cornucopia of young black tastemakers and entrepreneurs all using their time here at “the Mecca” to test and grow their brand amongst peers. Among the many entrepreneurs at Howard is Kara Smith, a junior Fashion Merchandising major out of Houston, Texas. Kara is founder and CEO of jewelry line House of Wadjet. I sat down with her for a Q&A to find out more about the growing line of unique bracelets, which have quickly become a hot must-have on Howard’s campus.
Q: What made you want to start a jewelry line
A: It’s my BIGGEST obsession. You can do so much with it. My jewelry line ranges from $5-$500 because I love timeless pieces, and I want my line to be one that can stay in someone’s collection forever.
Q: What is the inspiration behind the name House of Wadjet?
A: The inspiration behind the name just happened. One day I was thinking about what kinds of jewelry I like, that’s usually anything incorporating the “Eye of Hours” the symbol for protection. With more investigating, I learned that Wadjet was the Goddess of Lower Egypt and, was a protector that warded off evil. The name House of Wadjet rang a bell and I fell in love. I incorporate Wadjet’s eye in most of my designs to give protection to anyone who wears House of Wadjet.
Q: Where do you see House of Wadjet in the future?
A: I see it going global! I want people in Paris to be wearing my line for years to come. I eventually want to incorporate cut stones such as rubies, diamonds, smoky quartz, etc. Eventually I’d like to expand to clothing, shoes and perfumes. Sky’s the limit!
Q: What advice would you give to someone trying to start their own business?
A: I would advise everyone to do their research, know your market, and do what you love and are good at. Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your dream, whether it’s a jewelry line or a lawn mowing service. If you see yourself building a brand and doing it well…GO FOR IT!
House of Wadjet pieces can be purchased at Houseofwadjet.com
Be sure to follow them and Kara @HouseOfWadjet @Callmenighthawk
By: Alyson Williams (Howard University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: It’s Time to Think Like A Man
It’s the movie that everyone’s talking about, sparked from the book everyone’s talking about: Think Like a Man.
Opening in theaters this month, Think Like a Man tells the story of four friends who turn the tables on the women in their lives when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s relationship advice against them.
Co-Produced by Will Packer, Co-Founder and Chairman of Rainforest Films, the film takes key discussions form Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man”.
Packer answered some exclusive questions for FEARLESS, and explained a little bit about how he found this project.
“As a producer, you’re always looking for material,” said Packer.
“There was this book, and I was traveling around. Everywhere I went, I would see people, primarily women reading this book,” Packer continued.
“I wasn’t familiar with it at first, this was before Good Morning America and all the Oprah episodes, and all the big push behind the book,” he added.
“I found out that this was kind of interesting. Steve Harvey was telling the secrets. So at first, I was like what is wrong with him?!” said Packer jokingly.
He added, “I saw that what he had done was sparked a dialogue about relationships and I felt like we hadn’t had a really good relatable romantic comedy that kind of had the perspective that mine had. So I went out, and I went straight to Steve… and talked to him about making the book a movie. I was one of the first ones to go and approach him.”
In the end, Harvey gave Packer the opportunity.
Make sure to check out Packer answering our FEARLESS questions in the video.
For more information on Think Like a Man including behind-the-scenes shots with the star-studded cast, go to www.thinklikeaman-movie.com.
By: Kendra Neal (Florida A&M University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: FAB GIRL PROFILE
Ashley Halman
Florida A&M University
Broadcast Journalism
21
Bartow,FL
I’m conservative with a little spunk. LaLa Vasquez inspires me.
By: Kendra Neal (Florida A&M University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: Natural Hair vs. The Graduation Cap
It’s that time of year again, graduation. You have been running around mailing off announcements, submitting your last assignments, and trying to find that perfect graduation dress. For women with natural hair, there is one more question weighing heavy on the mind, “Will my curly/kinky hair fit under that graduation cap?”
Stephanie Burton, 22, a Summer 2011 graduate, said, “I have really big hair. It grows outward and it won’t fit under a graduation cap, or any hat for that matter.”Burtondidn’t want to straighten her hair for the big day because of the humid weather, and was fearful of heat damage, so she went with a sewn-in weave that resembled her natural curl pattern.
“I wanted to look like myself, when I looked back at my pictures, and ultimately that was the best solution,” saidBurton.
Jamila of College Curlies, a natural hair blog, suggested carrying the cap in hand (as opposed to actually on your head), twisting your hair up, which can be styled many different ways and fit under a cap, and a rod/flexi-rod roller set which will tame even the wildest curls.
Venitia Bernard, 23, a spring 2012 graduate said, “I will be getting my hair flat ironed straight and praying that there is no humidity to make it frizz up. My back up plan is to just rock the curls.” Bernard opted not to get a sewn-in weave because, “I had a sew-in for the first time this year and I absolutely hated it. It looked very pretty, but it just didn’t feel like ‘me’.” Bernard suggests those with shorter hair try a twist out, the method of twisting one’s hair up and undoing it. “It gives you a defined curl pattern and should still fit under your cap,” said Bernard.
“No matter what hairstyle you settle on, it is important to remember your accomplishments and why you have obtained your degree,” said Bernard.
By: Kendra Neal (Florida A&M University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: FAB GIRL PROFILE
Glynn Pogue
Howard University
20-years-old
Hometown- Brooklyn, NY
Major- Pubic Relations
I’d describe my styles as… “disheveled, very New York, and edgy at times”
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: Drake Club Paradise Tour
Never having performed a concert here before, Drake finally stopped by Tallahassee, FL for his “Club Paradise Tour” which featured headliner artists A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar. The concert took place at the Leon County Civic Center, which was filled near capacity with 12,000 fans from the area as well as neighbor cities highly anticipating the Toronto native. However, the majority of the arena was filled with college students from Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College, who showed up and showed lots of love to Drake.
The opening act A$AP Rocky put on a nothing less than phenomenal show, kicking off the night and getting the crowd pumped. Audience members wore A$AP shirts and tied scarves around their hands to show their support for the Harlem native. Him and fellow members of the A$AP mob performed all the fan favorites: “Pretty Flacko”, “Trilla” and “Purple Swag”. The single got the biggest response of all was “Peso”; the entire arena could be heard in unison yelling its lyrics. Next, Kendrick Lamar took the stage and gave a satisfying performance as well.
The star of the show, Drake, put on a stellar performance, with his melodic singing, rapping, interactions with the crowd, and dynamic stage presence. Drake even took the time to address birthday’s giving special birthday shot-outs. He also read aloud posters, and pointed at some of the crowd members asking, “Are y’all a couple?” and pointing out individuals saying, “Girl in the red, I see you!” Drake’s interaction with the crowd turned the audience up even more, sophisticating his overall performance. The energy of the performers along with the crowd was phenomenal. Before the concert students from all over were hyping up and talking about this concert and it lived up to that and much more.
By: Devyni Hightower (Florida State University)
FEARLESS COLLEGIATE: ‘Act of Valor’ Howard University Screening
“Free Movie Screening! Thursday, 7:30! Be There! In just 3 short days hundreds of tickets were given out and Fearless fliers were all around Howard University’s campus, only thing left to do was to wait for students to file into the theater. With money tight and movie tickets at $12 a piece students were pumped with enthusiasm when handed their ticket.
Finally, Thursday night of the screening rolled around and students were strolling into the theater, many using the premiere as a date night, not a bad idea. Prior to the film starting I spoke with movie- goers to introduce FEARless and the event. All were very receptive and appreciative, inquiring more about events alike and the magazine.
Act of Valor appeared to be surprise hit. Though prior to the screening students heard of the films’ release and saw the commercial, but really only knew it to be a standard “war” movie that just used real soldiers, but from post-screening reactions it was much more. “Everything was so surreal, I felt like I knew the soldiers used, and the story line was surprisingly more dynamic than expected,” described Jimmy Cox, a Howard University junior. The same reaction was echoed when talking to others in attendance. The screening went great and when it was over, students left having saw a great movie and a better appreciation for those that serve our country.
B y: Alyson Williams (Howard University)
