‘If there were no record labels

No radios or tvs

No magazines,

No MTV,

No Channel E to see,

Would I even tell my story,

Would I even sing my song,

If nobody sang along…

Would I take the time to write it,

Would I say what’s on my mind,

If nobody sang along….”

Chrisette Michele – “If Nobody Sang Along”

So many times we are obsessed with saying things. Today I pledge to spend more time paying attention to what I say.

What is a voice? If I became famous today and had a million dollars to spend, what would I spend it on? I had a conversation with a really good friend once and our conclusion was that money and wealth aren’t of any use to you when you’re dead, but while you’re alive, wouldn’t it be nice if you could change a life?

I don’t think I was placed on earth to live my life, eat my food, drink my water, sleep my sleep and then just die. I have dreams, hopes and plans. But I think that if God gives, it’s only for me to be able to do a little something more for the next person who can’t do for themselves.

I heard somebody speak about something he was trying to create. He is a self-taught expert at what he does and his idea was to teach someone what he knows so that they could in turn teach someone else, like a chain of knowledge and art and creativity. I thought to myself, what a cool way to give back.

Too many times we concentrate solely on what WE want, what WE need, and forget all the other people out there who can’t even afford to dream, they barely get enough sleep in real time. Then I saw people posting about the new minimum wage law that was passed the other day, it amused me to think that the people shouting the loudest, so to speak, probably come from the very homes where maids get peanuts.

What is a voice? A channel or a route by which messages are sent.  What messages am I sending? What am I really saying? And who is really listening? What good is anything I say if it is meaningless? I’m a firm believer in, “do unto others” and that’s all well and good when I’m doing good things but what about sacrifice? What about putting others first and giving up the selfish things we so often place so much importance on in favour of things that will mean something to the man on the street?

I’m an artist and often I have to create things that involve other people’s input. When I go up on stage the work in the background involves a list of talented people who do their best to make it easier for me to do my best; my hairdresser, my make-up artist, the lovely people who make my dresses, the band that plays behind me, the awesome guy in the booth who controls the lights and the reverb on my microphone, suffice to say I am not a one-woman show but how do I say thank you?

I want to place a little seed of thought in your mind, make you think about everything that’s ever been done for you, what did you ever do for anybody else? If you died today, what legacy would you leave? Not to sound morbid but the thought often crosses my mind. Lately, I strive to become somebody worth remembering, somebody who will leave a song in people’s hearts and lives when I’m gone, someone who used the voice I was given wisely, someone who paid attention to what I said.

Contributor Scarlet is an up and coming Zambian singer but she also has a passion for blogging/writing. Her latest album “Unforgettably Yours” has been quite popular amongst the Zambian crowd. And is available on iTunes – click here

Facebook: Scarlet MwanaOK

This next inspiring and touching story was originally posted on Necole Bitchie – now I literally welled up! Reading about this and how this YouTube vlogger met her idol who not only made her dream come true but surpassed expectation – this is an example of Brandy paying it forward and bringing some up!

Hi Necole! Being as though you are the best black celebrity blogger, I thought that perhaps I’d give it a try and see if you felt my story was news worthy. I’m truly a fan of your blog.

My name is Tatiana Ward. I’m a Philadelphia based professional makeup artist and beauty vlogger on YouTube. This past weekend I had the opportunity of a lifetime when my idol, Brandy Norwood asked me to do her makeup for a show she was having in Philadelphia. What makes this story so extraordinary is that I don’t have an agent. I’ve never done any celebrity makeup before and what was supposed to be a one time encounter turned into a 3 day whirlwind.

I spent the better part of my life being a vocalist. I’ve been signed and unsigned to a record label, in and out of studios and even made it to Hollywood week on American Idol. If you’ve ever been a singer, you know that Brandy is one of the greatest vocalists that our generation has. There isn’t a single talent that doesn’t recognize her as being one of the greats. As a teenager I stood out in the cold to get a signed copy of her “Full Moon” album and I spent countless hours in my room trying to duplicate every riff and run. I wondered if I’d ever be as good as her or have the chance to sing with her.

Five years ago, when I finally determined that music wasn’t going to take me to the places that I wanted to be, I had to decide what I was going to do with my life. I love faces and have always loved makeup. I figured, if I was going to anything other than music with my days, it was going to involve the beauty industry. So, I taught myself how to do makeup.

Five years later, I have a very successful channel on YouTube teaching girls, around the world how to put on makeup from start to finish. Because music is my first love, I often times will do looks that were inspired by my favorite artists. Naturally, when Brandy came out with the “Put It Down” video, I was all over it! She wore the most subtle and beautiful makeup and I was thrilled to duplicate the look and share it with my audience. Much to my surprise, Brandy reached out to me via Twitter saying that she was watching the video and she loved my work. I just about fell OVER! She began following me on both twitter and instagram as well.

A few weeks after our initial correspondence, Brandy came to Philadelphia to do an appearance at a nightclub where she’d be promoting her new album. I have a friend who is very close with her fiancé and he was so kind as to invite me to tag along. I don’t know who your heroes are Necole, but I’m sure that in your line of work, you have met some of them. You can relate to the indescribable feeling of someone you so admire knowing your name, your face, and respecting what it is that you do. That night, in that club, not only did I get to meet Brandy, she made me feel like SHE got to meet ME. Telling me that she loved my work and that she was so happy I was there. I asked her when I could do her makeup. She told me that next time she came to town, she would contact me. I said, “You promise?” and she said she promised. “Brandy, you know almost doesn’t count right?” I said. She replied with the smile of an angel, gave me a hug and was whisked away out the door. I had no doubt in my mind that she would keep her word.

I have a beautiful friend who has features that are very similar to Brandy’s. I began practicing my technique on her and working on the time in which I executed it. I had no idea when the next time would be that Brandy would be in town but my gut told me that I needed to be ready.

A few months later, I was notified that Brandy was coming into Philly for a concert . This was my chance. I began putting out feelers to my friend who is close with Ryan, Brandy’s fiancé but I heard nothing back. So two days before the show, I took matters into my own hands. I have 80,000 subscribers on my youtube channel. I made a video asking that they all hit up Brandy on her instagram and ask her to make my dreams come true. They did. In droves I watched people who I’d never met before go in so hard for me and my dreams. On her photos and my photos I kept seeing people mentioning me asking that she make my dreams come true. More than a few times I was brought to tears at the amount of love that my viewers had for me. I knew that there was no way Brandy hadn’t seen it.

A day went by and I didn’t hear anything. I started to wonder if it was going to happen at all. I started to wonder if I was good enough. I went to bed on Wednesday night and I prayed that God wake me up to something wonderful. He did☺ At 8:30 in the morning. I woke up and scrolled instagram like I always do. My hand to God, within minuets of my opening my eyes and looking at my phone, a notification came through, “Will you do my makeup for my show on Friday?”. I SCREAMED!!!!!!! I ran into my roommate’s bedroom and posted a picture of our faces as we read that small sentence she sent for the hundredth time. Brandy then tweeted me and said that she’d be honored to have me do her face and that she would be in touch. The local news caught wind of the story and asked if they could film she and I after I finished her makeup. It was all like a dream.

Friday came and I was notified on where I was to meet Brandy and what time to be there. When I got to her hotel, it was her best friend that greeted me. I was so very nervous. Shay acts as Brandy’s assistant but above anything, she is her friend. She greeted me warmly and told me to make myself comfortable in her hotel room. She took a phone call and told whoever was on the phone that she couldn’t really talk at the moment, “but when I call you back, we’ll pray on it. I think we need to pray on it”. I had no idea who she was talking to, but at that moment, my heart was put to rest and my nerves were eased. I was in good hands.

I set up my makeup and waited for Brandy while Shay and I talked and I increasingly felt more and more welcome. In no time at all, there was a knock at the door. Shay went to open the door and there was Brandy. No makeup, hair wrapped in a scarf that was tied in a cute little knot. She was wearing a sweat suite and holding her phone because she was clearly video taping it. “OMG! Its BeatFaceHoney!!!!”. She came and hugged me and told me that she was so glad that all of this happened and that I was here to do her makeup. So there we were. It was just the three of us. No bodyguards. No management. Not even her fiancé came with her.

I asked her what kind of makeup she wanted and she told me that she trusted me. She trusted that I would do an amazing job because my instagram and videos let her know that I do makeup exactly as she liked it to be done. We talked about so many things. Her skin was so beautiful and big brown eyes were full of a genuine kind of joy and her energy was that of a girl who was truly happy in her heart to be living a life that she loves. I was made to feel as though I belonged, I was welcome, and I was appreciated. About an hour later, I finished. She looked in the mirror and turned to me, “Do you know how talented you are? Do you know how many people I’ve met in Hollywood that can’t do what you’ve just done? You’ve made me look like ME. I still look like ME.” All I wanted to do was not embarrass myself and not let her down and not let the beautiful people who pushed so hard to get me in that hotel room down. I’d succeeded. 80,000 pounds just lifted off of my shoulders. “Will you come to the show and do touch up’s for me?” My heart STOPPED. I knew I’d go to the show but never thought Id be backstage! Let alone in her dressing room!

 

I sat on the side of the stage and watched my idol own every inch of it. She tossed her hair. She swayed her hips. She hit her cues but most importantly she SANG!!!!!!!!! Never once sounding winded and never once loosing the momentum. She announced to the crowed, “I’d like to thank my makeup artist “BeatFaceHoney”. I couldn’t believe my ears!! 

The next day, I cleaned my house and prepared to go to work that night. Recapping the story with my best friend, we listened to brandy’s music like we always do. I turned to her and said, “Twee, please call your mother and ask her to pray that Brandy calls me to do her makeup again”. I then walked downstairs and checked my phone. There was a text from Shay, “Brandy would like to know if you could do her makeup for dinner tonight? Also, she has a show in York PA on Sunday that we’d like for you to do her makeup for as well”. I sat down and I cried. Is this really happening? Just a week ago, my car broke down, so I walked a busy highway to catch the bus because I couldn’t afford to miss work and now, I’m doing my idol’s makeup for the second night in a row? Needless to say, I accepted☺

Being a makeup artist, or a stylist, or a hairstylist to a celebrity, means that you are aiding them in transforming into the best version of themselves that they can be. There is a LOT of trust involved in that. You see them as they are naturally. Before the makeup is on and before the hair is done. You see them flawed and that is a vulnerable place to be when you are in an industry that pushes so hard for perfection. In the process of the transformation from flawed to “Perfect” you are in hotel rooms and dressing rooms where you overhear conversations between managers, friends, family and spouses. You hear opinions, plans and ideas that are meant only for select ears. For whatever reason, Brandy trusted me with her privacy. I shared the most intimate moments with she and her very small and close entourage. Neither my talents nor my character came with a recommendation from any one of her celebrity friends. I have no idea why she trusted me, but she did and the thought of that so often brought me to tears and still does. I would never in a million years betray that trust. Not for anything or anyone.

When I was nearing being done her makeup on the second night, Brandy asked me, “What are you doing tonight?”. I told her that because I had to be back at the hotel early in the morning to go to York with her, I’d probably just go home. “Well, if you want to come to dinner with us you can!”. I don’t know about you, but if your idol asks you to dinner, YOU GO.

We went to a popular and pricey restaurant in Philadelphia called Buddakan. Being as though her fiancé is from Philadelphia, we met up with friends and family of his. There were about 15 people. All of them dressed nicely and all of them attractive and well put together. Because I was asked to get to the hotel in a rush that day, I just threw on sneakers, tights, and a hoodie. I didn’t fit in. Thank God for Shay. “Relax” she told me. “You belong here with us. Don’t worry about what you’re wearing. We don’t care, so neither should you”. I had so many thoughts going through my head that day that I forgot how much money I DIDN’T have. I’m a struggling artist and don’t make a whole lot of money. I was embarrassed and whispered to Shay, “I only have $9.00 on me”. She then smiled and said, “You did a phenomenal job on Brandy’s makeup. She’s happy to have you here and you deserve to be here. She’s more than happy to pay for your meal”. I was relieved and grateful, but still a little unsettled and embarrassed. I don’t go anywhere expecting for anyone to pay for anything. If I had it my way, I would have bought THEM dinner.

They sat us down at our table. Shay sat between Brandy and I. Brandy reached over to me and said, “Are you okay?”. I told her I was fine. She then told me that she was thinking about how I must be feeling. To be on this whirlwind with her must be blowing my mind! “You’ll get used to this Tatiana. Don’t worry”. “I think you need a shot to relax”. She called over the waitress and told her that I needed a shot. The waitress asked what I wanted. “Absolute” I said, to which Shay replied, “Absolute-ly not! Get her top shelf”. The rest of the evening was filled with laughter and conversations that friends have about children and relationships. There was no talk about how two seats down from me, was one of the greatest vocalists that my generation has claim. No, at that table she was Ryan’s fiancé, Sy’rai’s mother, Shay’s best friend and Ray J’s sister. Nothing fancy. Just your average girl.

We got back to the hotel and all of my makeup was still in Shay’s room. As I packed up my things, Shay excused herself and went up to Brandy and Ryan’s room. When she came back down, I was ready to go. On my way out the door she handed me money. She said, “Brandy wanted to wait to give this to you because you are still coming with us tomorrow. We figured that if you only had $9.00 on you, how were you going to get a cab ride home?”. They were right. My best friend was waiting at the house to pay for what was sure to be a $20.00 cab ride. I had called her and told her that I had no idea how I was going to get home, so she made arrangements to be there. As Shay handed me the money, I told her that in no way was I taking it! Brandy wants to pay ME for making MY dreams come true??? No way! It just doesn’t feel right! I’m used to being broke! What’s another day? Shay insisted saying “ You better take this money Tatiana! I’m her best friend but she still pays me too! When you do a job, you get paid for it and YOU did a wonderful job and she’s so happy to be able to give this to you”. I wont say how much I was given but I will say that for the month of March, my idol, Brandy Noorwood paid most of my rent. THAT blows my mind!

When I arrived at the hotel then next morning. We gathered in the lobby and piled into a white van. Me, Brandy, Ryan, Shay, two beautiful dancers, and the sound guy. I learned very quickly that no music would be played and we would sit in silence till we got to the venue two hours later. Brandy doesn’t like to listen to music before a show. This didn’t bother me in the least. There is something to be said for being able to sit in silence with someone. It shows your comfortably with that person. We had several moments like this. In the three days that I was with her.

We arrived at the venue in York. It was huge. Four thousand seats where placed so perfectly on the ground that I was sure a machine had to have lined them all up. I didn’t realize that it was sound check we were doing. Brandy and her dancers took to the stage. She kicked off her shoes, the music started playing and in her socks, with her hair wrapped up in a scarf, she reminded me of why she is a TRUE super star. She didn’t need an audience, or her hair or makeup done. BRANDY CAN SING. She sang Full Moon, Almost Doesn’t Count, Sittin On Top Of The World. The soundtrack to my life was being sang to only me. This was my favorite moment.

Back at the hotel, I snacked on the food services that were provided. Brandy came into the room offering me half of her sandwich that she was eating. I declined but was reminded again of why she is something so special. I know that this experience has spoiled me. I know that so many artists wouldn’t offer their staff nothing but the check with which they owe them. Not Brandy. I began to do her makeup when she stopped me and said, “Do you know how special you are?” She grabbed my hand and said, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that you work with my friends, and become the biggest and best makeup artist you can be. I have to work on getting you a passport and some luggage because I’m taking you with me where ever I go”.

Through out the three days that I was with Brandy, she often would just stare at me and not say a word. I believe that she was searching my heart. I also believe that she knew how much of a blessing she was in my life and was in awe of my experience just as much as I was. My grandmother taught me the importance of giving someone the respect of looking them in the eye when you speak with them. This shows them both that you care about what they are saying and also that you are expecting them to do the same. When Brandy would gaze at me though, I found it so hard to look her in the eye because if I did, I would cry. I felt the same way about Shay. These two women had been so good to me. I was on the verge of tears almost every minuet of every day that I spent with them. When your idol tells you that she’s gonna take you wherever she goes, all you can do is cry tears of gratitude. Finally, someone sees my worth and it’s not just someone. It’s BRANDY.

The ride home was much different then the ride to York. I was in the very last row with Tymothe. Shay and the dancers were in the middle and Brandy and Ryan where in the front. We played music for the whole two hour ride home. It was 90’s R&B. I fell asleep and one point and woke up to Soul 4 Real’s “candy rain”. Everyone was singing. I joined in. Brandy looked back and said, “welcome back Honey!”.

We got back to the hotel and Brandy got out and went into the hotel. We never said goodbye, but I was okay with that because my heart told me it wasn’t the last time I’d see her. In a way I was relieved because I didn’t want to cry in front of her. My friend and I were pulling up to our local watering hole when I got a phone call. “Brandy Norwood” my phone read. I answered and Brandy said, “Hi Honey! Im so sorry I didn’t say goodbye. We were rushing to get to Ryan’s mother for dinner. I’m so glad that I met you and I cant wait to see you again. You’re amazing.” I started to cry and told her that I was so grateful to her for everything. I told her I had a shot of Jack Daniels so I was emotional. She laughed and told me again how much of an amazing job I did. We hung up the phone and I sobbed. My best friend sitting next to me told me that all of the struggles I’d gone through have prepared me for this blessing.

I’m telling my story because I hope it inspires. A week ago, my roommate and I literally put our change together so we could buy canned soup to eat. I much relate to the movie “Almost Famous” which happens to be one of my favorite movies. Its about a boy who gets swept up in a whirlwind with his favorite band after Rolling Stone magazine hires him to write a story about them. My story is very much the same. I was exposed to a lifestyle that I always wanted to live. I was given an opportunity of a lifetime at the hands of a woman who I idolize. The meat and potatoes of this story is that dreams really do come true. They might not always happen the way you think they will or in the time that you think they will, but if you push forward and prepare yourself for your opportunity, it WILL present itself. I was ready. I would joke with my friends and tell them that I answer all bill collectors phone calls and say “Brandy? Is that you? Are you finally calling to get your makeup done by me?”. It really happened! She really did call. With the help of social media, my dreams have become a reality and I know in my heart that this is only the beginning.

Source: NecoleBitchie

Read more: Necole Bitchie.com: [Inspiring Story] Brandy Makes A Make Up Artist’s Dream Come True http://necolebitchie.com/2013/03/05/inspiring-story-brandy-makes-a-make-up-artist-dream-come-true/#ixzz2MmAQwLlR

If my iTunes could complain, it would have filed an injunction or restraining order over me abusing that ‘repeat’ tab. I love the challenges where I get to share some of ‘me’  and this time I get to share my current obsession with you Chaud readers. My life, your entertainment.

1. Mirrors – Justin Timberlake 

Cause I don’t wanna lose you now, I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me,The vacancy that sat in my heart is a space that now you hold. Show me how to fight for now and I’ll tell you baby, it was easy comin’ back into you once I figured it out you were right here all along

 I love Mirrors and then the tag-at-your-heartstrings video dedicated to his grandparents please dear folks give me a moment to tip my invisible white hat over to Justin Randall Timberlake. Justin  is now 32 years old aka a grown man who rocks his suit and tie. JT is giving us songs that are equally grown and I for one am not complaining. The 20/20 Experience is just that – an experience – a grown experience. Justin’s album is great! I’m loving it, there are songs to dance to, songs to freak to and songs to chill to! Justin I feel like getting my Beyonce on and writing you a letter sir just to thank you for this greatness in 2013. Thank you for saving R&B! (okay that last line is a tad bit groupie-ish but Mr Timberlake is doing something musical to me right now until King Bey drops her album)

2. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat Pharrell & TI

Robin Thicke! Sir! Robin Thicke he makes me wanna uh uh.Usher. A dear friend of mine asked me who would I pick Justin or Robin (to play Scrabble with of course). Conundrum. Robin Thicke’s personality has actually caught my attention thanks to Kevin Hart’s reality tv-spoof Real Husbands of Hollywood. It actually is hilarious as it pokes fun at all reality shows and as Robin is in there, you can tell he is a funny guy too! Anyway, he’s dropped this video and you know why I picked Robin over JT!

3. Those Who Wait – Daley

So I’m waiting, cause I know I’m gonna be next in line, to claim my prize, and be all that I wanna be. I work so hard to earn my place and good things come to those who wait

I was ÜBER late on Daley, had I paid any mind when my dearest friend @MsKkj told me about Daley I wouldn’t be so late.  I randomly came across ‘Alone Together’  and from that moment  like Cynthia from Real Housewives of Atlanta jumped on that mechanical bull, I jumped on the Daley fan wagon. Yes I spent £7.99 on the Alone Together album – technically it was because Those Who Wait is only sold as part of the album, but I regret it not.

4. The Apprentice – All Stars

Omorosa, Dennis Rodman, Latoya Jackson’s voice, Lil Jon…this just provides me with so much entertainment.

5. Rubicon Mango Juice

Dear Mr Rubicon, thank you very much for this drink as it the best juice ever made. I love mangoes and this juice, ah Mr Rubicon just hits that thirst spot *coughs* (no pun intended) and I most sincerely from the bottom of my thirsty little heart would like to thank you  and if the universe is listening, please send me a carton of this juice. Thank you, yours sincerely Rubicon Mango juice aficionado. 

6. Melanie Fiona – Started From the Bottom Cover

Melanie Fiona’s cover of fellow Canadian Drake’s Started from the bottom is just great – I am already obsessed with that song, the Chaud podcast crew love it and so I won’t even knock Melanie for this! She did a great job and with her great voice too. You know me then you know I love me some Miss Hallim’s music and you also know that I love me some Aubrey!  Aubrey is my boy with his all emotional self, sitting in the dark talmabout Marvin’s room and falling for the same type.Strippers! Canadians have talent though – The Weeknd, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Jully Black (if you do not have these on your playlists then well no words).Digression.  Great cover and makes me play both versions on repeat!

Rider : I know typical lists are like 5 or 10 BUT I am a Virgo – one thing I hate is odd numbers and so I could not stop at 5 I just had to make it 6. Odd numbers just make me uneasy and uncomfortable. There you have it, I even shared a personal nugget. My life your entertainment.

The 4 part Drama Created and Executive Produced by Claudius Peters, Written and Directed by Daniel Rusteau is a dark look at what people may be willing to do when they feel they have no options left.  Aiden ( James Wardell) Michael ( Claudius Peters) and Samuel (Rowan Clift) are 3 friends who make the audacious decision to steal bodies and then sell them on the black market. The trio manage to convince a 4^th man Corey ( Daniel Ahmadi) and the what follows decision has been made will leave them all asking “If life has now price. What about Death”.

The independently financed piece creates a tone and energy that differs greatly from the current web series community set in London. Claudius and Daniel have decided to go for a slower paced, Intense atmosphere with sharp dialogue that should leave the audience entertained.

The cast is a real mix of working Actors who between them have worked extensively In Theatre (RSC, Arcola Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Soho Theatre) And Television

The release of the teaser will be the culmination of a project that started in September, was filmed throughout December with a view to release on a fortnightly basis shortly.

Ultimately the show should be a welcome addition to the ever growing Web Drama landscape.

Social Butterflies

Youtube – RedemptionsEndDrama

Twitter – @RedemptionsEnd

Facebook:  Redemptions End 

Today I’m going to try snatch a few wigs, low key though because this is a professional platform where I want to exhibit at least a modicum of home training. You might say that I’m being shady, “subbing” people or I’m not being “real”. Listen. I’ve been a blogger for 5 + years and in that glorious time I’ve been witness to a lot of internet thuggery and instances where keeping it real has gone horribly wrong. I can confidently, hand on my heart say that the bougie coward in me is definitely not about that life. Let me sub you through a blog post so you know it’s real.

There are things people have done this week that have mildly infuriated my soul and have me rearranging my seating chart to place long time members in the second row and bring some of y’all to the front. Here are some of the things my grown woman status is not allowing me to accept. If you think I’m talking about you, ah welll…if the shoe fits, tie a double loop, lace them up tight and walk it out!

1. Men, feelings and communication

Look, I was mostly brought up around men. You know the kind, the ones who would rather grunt a sentence than speak using their vowels, adjectives and verbs. My brother is a special lovable breed of male that doesn’t go into touchy feely chats so growing up I learned that the less communicated the better. HOWEVER, gentlemen when you decide that you have feelings for a female and you actively pursue or engage that female in discourse that would make her think you give a damn, you sign yourself up to doing more than grunting at her or having her try to decipher your actions. You are not a mime. You are not Charlie Chaplin reincarnated. You have to use your words. You have to communicate or as they say in ebonics…conversate. I’m not expecting an Obama type spiel. I’m not sitting on the edge of my Nando’s seat waiting for you to deliver a soliloquy about your feelings while we share a half chicken and large peri peri chips. Nah. I’m asking you to clue me in when your feelings or lack thereof change. I like you. I don’t like you. I love you. I don’t love you. I’m mad at you. Whatever! Just tell me! Find Waldo and get a clue because I’m all out of nagging, sign language, telepathy, sending smoke signals and TRYING to have a one sided conversation.

2. Talkers, not doers.

I feel slightly hypocritical putting this down, but who gon check me boo? My reasoning is that I don’t do this often and when I do, I’m damn ashamed of myself. My friend told me about this great idea that she wanted to do and she wanted to get some friends involved. She reached out to a few people who STAY talking about what they are doing, want to do or about to do. Guess the result? Silence. The type that quickly pops up when a doer with a plan meets a talker with just a dream, a social media account, an audience to sell a dream to and a little too much time. Harsh? Maybe but oh so true. I didn’t get it. Great opportunity, great idea, minimal execution required on the participants account yet not even a shady reply email that could say, “If you love it, I like it but I just don’t see it for me and my brand. Thanks for the offer. xoxo”. Cute and shady. I resolved that I would be more responsive to opportunities like these if they were passed on to me and rebuke the procrastination that lives inside me. And if I didn’t want the chance, well that shady email reply is in my drafts, ready to send at a moment’s notice.

3. Free us from your “Him”

“He makes me happy”. “He gets me”. Can you @ him though? I love love, I really do. There is something glorious about seeing my friends ensconced with their main boo and radiating nothing but rainbows, unicorns and cherub babies.  Let me catch that joy through osmosis or forward me the email chain that blessed your life. However boys and girls, it has become clear to me that some of you use “Him” or “He” never referring to said person or @ing them because you switch dudes up like underwear. Nothing wrong with the switching up but what has my knickers in a proverbial twist is this dream you are trying to sell via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube that your boo thang is more special than the last until he is no longer the boo thang. Then we see tweets about how you don’t need a man, quotes about independence and this → #NP Adele – Someone Like You. ((Hugs)) may your next “Him” work out!

Last but not least…

4. B.I.C aka Blue Ivy Carter hate

You’re mad at how Beyonce does her child’s hair? You think B.I.C is too big? You think B.I.C isn’t cute. It maybe because my uterus and ovaries are in “Give us a tenant” mode but I’m not here for baby slander. Of any kind. Listen. Below is a Gif to encompass  my feelings.

Piece by Chaud Contributor @MsKkj you can catch her Twitter where she throws more shade than a Mac Counter!

Sometimes you get disappointed by love, knocked back to zero, sometimes the best thing is to take some time out to heal you and those scars. Then after some self evaluation, you realise you know you, you love you more and you are healed, and are Better and are ready! This album is for us all; the lovers,  those in ‘lubbits‘, those who are saying to Cupid ‘wassup’, those who love love, those once disappointed by love or what they thought was love but are ready and hopeful, the ones ready for love, ready for Better, a better love, a better joy, a better journey. This album is for us all because in everything we do in love as in life we strive for BETTER!

Today 11th June 2013, is that day that we (read that as the Royal we if you may) have been waiting for! Chrisette Michele’s album BETTER is HERE!!! I managed to get my hands on this album prior to today (LEGALLY), I have the Deluxe version (of course, true Chrisette supporters do it BIG, I’m tempted to lace it up with ‘big’ innuendos but I’m going to stick to the task at hand). Ever listen to music and wonder at what point did Chrisette enter your heart, mind and soul, understand you at that moment and then pen this song ever so aptly just for you and your feelings? Well that is what you will get from this body of work. There is a reason I call it a BODY OF WORK! That is because all 16 songs (20 on the Deluxe) are GREAT.

Chrisette’s former albums (I Am, Epiphany) had songs about the pain of love, being hurt by love, getting over those who hurt, the fear of being hurt et al. Better focuses more on love!  Chrisette in a recent interview with NPR has openly spoken about how she is happy  ’I’m in the best space, emotionally and physically, that I’ve ever been. I took some time away from any type of media where I just felt like I would have to explain myself and took some time to not explain myself to anybody except myself. I got along with God a little bit. I meditated some. And I juiced. I went on a sixty day juice feast.’ Listening to the album you can definitely hear that growth and that healing and how she is definitely better and I think if we all have embarked on that journey at some point, we can relate.

If you remembered late last year for her birthday Chrisette gifted us with a mixtape, Audrey Hepburn, Rich Hipster, Charades, Can the Cool Be Loved (and Love in the Afternoon on the Deluxe) all make it on to Better as well. Before you all ask WHY? Just remember that the mixtape was a gift and therefore it only would make sense to also include the most popular songs from that on to her album.

Be in Love, Love Won’t Leave Me Out, Better, 10 foot stilettos* are just those ready-for-love-esque anthems that  will have you waving your hands in the air as you sing along or the songs you play before you go forth and conquer in the dating world! Ma’fact play it before you leave the house on that first date.

You Mean So Much To Me, A Couple of Forevers are the ones for the lovers, the songs to play at your wedding and just have you smiling as you think about your  new booski who’s just treating you right and making you feel in lubbits.

Supa is a woman telling her man that she’s not perfect, she has her flaws, and she does not always have that ‘S’ on her chest all the time. Get Through The Night, I’m Still Fly* are the other great gems on this album. The full track listing is below:

1.       “Be In Love”
2.       “A Couple Of Forevers”
3.       “Let Me Win”
4.       “Rich Hipster” ft. Wale
5.       “Love Won’t Leave Me Out”
6.       “Interlude (In My Head Better)”
7.       “Better”
8.       “Snow”
9.       “Visual Love”
10.   “Charades” ft. 2 Chainz
11.   “Interlude (In My Heart Convo With Boyfriend)”
12.   “You Mean That Much To Me”
13.   “Supa”
14.   “Interlude (In My Bed Sleeping Alone)”
15.   “Get Through The Night”
16.   “Can The Cool Be Loved” ft. Bilal & Dunson

*Deluxe edition bonus tracks:

17. “Teen Foot Stilettos”
18. “Interlude (Perch Yo Girlz Phone Convo)”
19. “I’m Still Fly”
20. “Love in the Afternoon” ft. Nello Luchi

I highly recommend you all to purchase Better on iTunes  and be Better! You will dance, sing along and be happy!

Photo Credits: TeenDiaries.net

1. Please tell us a bit about who Monique is and how this journey all started?

I am just someone who wants to create stuff. Thats what I tell people when they ask me what I do. I create stuff. I spent a long time working with crews in my television production days, working with directors and producers, producing content I was not passionate about. I am now in a place where I have ideas and feel confident enough with myself to start creating content I want. I enjoy telling stories and I find it fulfilling to do that through film, recreating scenarios from experiences of my own. renacting situations and scenerios I might come up with. So just trying to make that happen really, through Trim and thr many other ideas I have spilling out of my notebooks!

2. What was the decision to create a web series and how long did it all take from fruition to now?

I  didn’t set out to create a web series at first. I wanted to tell stories about the the type of men I know, friends, family. I remember thinking about this back in about 2010. I know some really interesting people who do such interesting things I wanted to see those type of characters on screen. I could never think of the best way to do it so I kinda let it sit on the back burner. I remember going into a barber shop with someone, sat in there for about 30 minutes and was highly entertained. I found the conversations hilarious and the banter between them so entertaining I thought this should be on TV. Sitting in that shop and hearing them talk to each other about aspects of their lives made me think, what is each person’s story? That brought me back to my original thought from 2010 and I thought bingo, I have my story! Next step, how do I get this made. It was through a conversation with friend and producer/director Anthony Abuah where the idea was ressurected and developed, he loved the concept wanted to get involved and the rest is history. So the total span from conception to ‘still in completion’ I’d say 3 and half years.

3. Tell us about any funny stories or surprising moments during your research of a show based in a barbershop?

Funny stories, one of my friends barber has a time management issue. He is always busy and will always try a fit everyone in but instead of just being honest and saying, I’m booked up, he will tell everyone to come back at a specfic time. So for example he will tell everyone to come back at 5. When they all come back he is still busy and the cycle continues. That made me giggle.

4. What are some of the challenges (if any) that you’ve faced and lessons learnt working in the filming industry considering this is a predominantly male industry?

I have ALWAYS wanted to tell stories and create things for people to see, bring to life the people I meet, the experiences I go through and to share with others who may appreciate it. But the biggest challenge is fear. Its easy to think of an idea, its easy to put it to paper, it gets tougher when you have to speak it out for the first them, then the challenge is making it real, then fear kicks it when you have to share it with the world. Putting it up in front of an audience to be judged. Fear can stop me from doing so much, it has stopped me from doing a great deal and a lot of what I am doing now I wanted to do 5 years ago but fear held me back. I just had to battle with it and force myself to put myself out there and do what I have ALWAYS wanted to do.

Lessons learnt trust you’re instinct, there is no defined right or wrong. If it feels right to you go with it. I have only begin to realise the importance of that now.

I don’t really notice the industry being predominently male only because it has never really affected me, working in televison majority of the directors and producers were male but I never really noticed it.

 5. In doing work in this industry how do you ensure you do not grow jaded and make sure you maintain a sense of wonder and loving what you do?

Oh I do, I would be lying if I said I didn’t. Some days I wake up and like I just want routine in my life. Standard job where I know what to expect each day, something that won’t take me on an emotional journey every 5 minutes. But when I consider it, things around me happen. A moment with friends makes me think, ‘this would make great TV’ or I will sit on a train and look around at all the people and wonder ‘all these people live different lives it would be interesting to following their story when they get off’ and it just puts me back on track. I guess my everyday life is a reminder that film is a reflection of our lives, creating film isn’t rocket science its telling a story and pulling

6. The UK web series scene is definitely on the up – we know Trims is your first show but should we expect more from you?

I think I have caught the creating bug lol. There are a few things in development as we speak, which I am really excited about.  So hopefully Trim is not the last thing you will see from me, as soon as they are complete you’ll be the first to know.

7.     What makes Monique tick and inspires you and your work?

Rudeness. I switch off when that is directed at me, which is not often thankfully. In terms of inspires my work, the people in my life, the people around me, strangers, life really. There is a story in everything around us and their are unique ways of telling those stories, thats what I’m trying to do.

8.     What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of becoming a creative creator like yourself?

Don’t over think things. If you have an idea to create something, whatever it is start. Even if it’s just writing the idea down. What can put you off from starting is looking at how you are going to achieve the final project, the final film, the final book. Take each step at a time, and once each step is complete you’ll end up with final thing piece. That’s how I got Trim to this stage. If I thought about the end and how was I going to do it I would never have got started!

9.    *Tell us your favourite producers and favourite movies?

lizabeth Meriwether, Lena Denham and Shona Rhimes are three screenwriter/producers I absolutely love. I feel that they made a decision to create and develop stories they felt passionate about and with the right teams made their shows a success

Movies, these are my all time favourites but I love them. Wall Street because of the story development and character development. The Do-Deca-Pentathlon because of its simplicity, 500 Days of Summer because of its style and story telling technique.

10. Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.

Fun facts.
I lived in New York for a year
I can play piano by ear
I have a fear of goats (random I know)

Editor’s Blurb: From the first episode of Trim we can definitely tell it can only get better and it’s great to see another UK web series show doing great! Make sure to subscribe to the channel as the next episode will be dropping soon! Great work Monique!

Social Butterfly:

1. Please tell us a bit information about yourself?

My name is Jamie Broadnax.  I’m 33 years old and live in Virginia Beach, VA and have a cute beagle mix named Brandy.  In my spare time I enjoy live tweeting TV shows, reading, and writing.  I have an addiction to television that is beyond normal and fantasize constantly of being booed up with Jon B.  Well…maybe not constantly.

I started Black Girl Nerds for selfish reasons to be honest.  One morning at 2am I was curious to see if there were any blogs or websites about nerdy black girls.  I wanted to seek a place of solace for women of my ilk so I Googled “Black Girl Nerds”.  In the world’s
largest search engine I could not find an afterthought for the term. So it was that very day I decided to open up a new Blogger account and create Black Girl Nerds.

The mission of Black Girl Nerds is a place of solidarity among women of color to embrace and feel comfortable with their nerdiness.  I also include in my “Mission Statement” that this site is not exclusively for black women, I simply named it BGN because of the lack information and sites on the web about nerdy black women. Black women, non-black
women, and even men are just as much a part of the BGN family.

I’ve had this discussion and even did a podcast on episode 2 of BGN called “Fake Nerds”.  I think in some circles, there are people are capitalizing off of the acceptance of nerds in the mainstream and utilize it in the fashion industry by wearing coke bottle sized
glasses, suspenders, or outrageous nerd hipster wear.  To be honest, it doesn’t bother me.  However, I would hope that once the nerd trends die down and become passe that we are not judged, criticized, and ridiculed because of who and what we are.  Nerds should always feel accepted no matter what circles they choose to be a part of.

Yes! I’ve gotten a couple of calls from production companies who are interested in doing a reality TV show about Blerds (Black Nerds).  I’m kind of over the reality TV formula that usually exploits for the sake of entertainment, but I have faith that blerdiness will be represented more in TV/Film.  Shonda Rhimes follows the BGN Twitter account, and I
don’t have the courage yet to DM her and say, “Hey Shonda I have an idea for a TV show…can I pitch it to you?”

respective communities.  Peer pressure still exists, but most people are more expressive about their idiosyncratic personalities and quirky behaviors and its truly a beautiful thing.

I’ve directed two short films

I love singing Karaoke

I love writing screenplays (when the time allows)

Editor’s Blurb: If you’re not already following BlackGirlNerds on Twitter please do so NOW!! 

PhotoCredit: Google Images and Jamie

Wouldn’t it be great to watch a show on Black&Sexy TV, hear of the successful developers in Kenya and feel like ‘I helped with that?’ being part of a movement, being part of leaving imprints in the sands of time(yes I just quoted a Beyonce song )Crowdfunding has opened the gateway to us funding projects we love, we believe in, entertain us and also help those who need it. It’s usually from donating however much your pocket allows – no amount is never too little. At Chaud, we are true supporters and believers in the crowdfunding generation and here are projects we advice you to support with a bit of change!

1. Black&Sexy TV

This is Independent TV.

We are creating TV for ourselves.

We are simply creating what we want to see.

Be part of the movement. We can’t do it alone. Here’s a collection plate. Pass it on.

We’ve been working non-stop for a year and a half, bringing you a total so far of 5 shows that reflect us as a people:

Roomieloverfriends

The Couple

The Number

That Guy

Hello Cupid

We love you all!  We live for the comments and all of the feedback! But resources have run out and we need to hire the help we need to keep the multiple series going!

Now it’s time to pass the collection plate so we can keep this good thing going!

Stand up and represent your favorite show-

• Grab the music you love with our new BLACK&SEXY MUSIC BOX which contains the digital download SOUNDTRACK of popular Black&Sexy Music as heard on the series!

• Get the Season 1 download  of your favorite show!

• Or get the entire Black&Sexy Volume!

• Web series creators, grab a 1 on 1 (1) HOUR phone consultation with the creator and founder of your choice!

• Become part of our cast!  Become a producer!

If you are watching, you are already a part of the team – let’s make it official!

EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTES WILL SEE THE NEW EPISODES BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE!

Become a part of the BLACK&SEXY Family. Thank you for all the support! We cannot do it without you.

CLICK HERE TO FUND: BLACK&SEXY COLLECTION PLATE

2. Non-Profit Developer School in Nairobi

A Dev School in Nairobi!

My name is Martha Chumo, though I make noise online as “Njeri Chelimo”. I’m a 19 year old developer from Nairobi, Kenya. About two months ago, I ran this campaign on Indiegogo requesting people to help me attend Hacker School in New York. I was really excited that I got into Hacker School, and got the funds to go and become a better programmer…but unfortunately, I am not attending Hacker School because I am not eligible for a US tourist visa.

Help women get ahead in Tech!

Nairobi Developer School will paricularly address the great gender inbalance in the technology by encouranging women to participate in the program, and offer financial support to those who need it. We will invite women and other minority groups in tech to apply and the program allows them to thrive. Please reach out to us in the links below to help us achieve this!

We all deserve a chance to be better programmers!

I’m ineligible to go to New York for Hacker School, but I am not ineligible to learn and become a better programmer! So I am starting a Dev School in Nairobi to give myself and numerous young East Africans a chance to learn, improve their programming skills, and build awesome technology for Africa. I am really excited about this because I still get to “become a better programmer” this summer while teaching and helping others also.

The Impact – Help create more success stories!

You can watch Shiko’s Story here. There are so many young Kenyans with degrees who are misplaced in the job market or simply cannot find decent jobs. There are even more young potential entrepreneurs willing to learn and/or improve their skills. Through the Nairobi Dev School, these young people will get a chance to improve their skills or learn new skills while building job-creating technology. In our plans most will end up employing themselves while creating employment for others.

CLICK HERE TO FUND: Nairobi Dev School

3. Black Girls CODE – Summer of CODE 2013 – The Remix

We are Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit organization whose mission has transformed into a global movement to give women of color the tools to become inventors, leaders and creators of their own future in the world’s technology economy.  We are onto something big.

Since last year’s Summer of CODE 2012, Black Girls CODE has received requests from over 80 cities around the world asking us to bring our workshop to their town. Summer of Code 2013 – The Remix is the first step in responding to this demand!

This is necessary, world-changing stuff!

“Girls, especially women of color, are summarily bypassed as far as being accepted as creative, and capable change agents in the tech industry. Black Girls Code was founded to redefine this dominant narrative, to make a radical and fundamental and lasting change in the technology industry.” – Kimberly Bryant at Personal Democracy Forum 2013

Over the next decade the U.S. economy will create 120,000 jobs that require computer science degrees, but American colleges will only produce 40,000 graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, that means we only have about 30% of graduates to fill these type of jobs. And although women currently make up 57% of undergraduate degrees, only 18% of women graduate with a computer science degree. For women of color these numbers are significantly lower. Black women make up 3% of students graduating with a computer science degree, Latinas and Native American make less than 1%

Do the math – we need to step up to train the next generation workforce. We need to prepare underrepresented populations to fill those positions, create technologies that serve their communities and lead us into a future that serves everyone. We can’t afford as a nation to let a generation of students be left behind by the wave of innovation. If we want to succeed as a nation, we NEED your help to secure the future of these bright young minds. The world needs Black Girls who CODE!

We teach girls of color computer science, game design, engineering, robotics, and mobile application design. We’re prioritizing girls of color because they’re the people furthest behind and most in need. In other words, they represent massive potential.

Join Us & Invest in the future!

Donate, Share & Get 5 Friends to do the same

• Tweet this campaign to your followers

• Post and share this on Facebook

• Email to your friends

• Shout it out to your neighbors

• Host a small gathering in your community to raise funds for Summer of Code 2013 – The Remix!

• Ask your company if they would support you in this cause through a Donor Match program. Contact future@blackgirlscode.com for more information. Subject Line “Donor Match.”

CLICK HERE TO FUND THEM: Summer of Code 2013

Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you got on to YouTube and it all started? 

Phew, well I was born and raised in bonny Glesga (Scotland ;p) My dad is from Nigeria and my mum is full ginger haired and freckle faced Scottish lady. I moved to London to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Because I’ve been in the entertainment industry for quite a few years I had so many ladies asking for advice on how they could get started in modeling, fashion, presenting etc. So really there was a gap for fusing business tips along with doing things like lookbooks, event coverage etc. It first started from me working with Mr X in photography and video, which lead to a partnership between us. Then that lead to my website www.mo-am.com. Finally there was everything in one place dealing with issue us women of colour deal with and are entertained by. Then I moved on and took it to a video format with Mr X doing all the video and editing and me dealing on the front end with tutorials and lookbooks etc

You wear many hats as a YouTube vlogger, graphic designer, television presenter, model etc more – how do you balance it all?I ask myself the same thing lol I believe the main thing is, even though I do a lot of things, everything works in conjunction with the other, its complimentary. I have a video series called girl in a multi tasking world explaining all the things I do and how I manage to make it work, have client work and how others can follow suit. You have to have many skills in this day and age but all things must be done to a good level. Each thing was done after I was good enough to move on to the next skill, its been years in the making, so don’t be fooled. Never try to do everything in one go or you wont really make good progress. Scheduling your work is also very important. I’m very blessed to work with Mr X who has taught me so much from a business prospect, how to prioritise, keep on top of work and keep developing my skills, so that’s another huge advantage of having such a  partnership. So many want to do everything by themselves, but there’s so much value in partnerships.

You shared a video on natural hair and the biblical reference – that sparked much debate in the comments section. How do you handle the YouTube ‘critics’ and negative comments and do they sometimes ever get to you? 

I was really happy with how much this video topic touched people. It was great to see people discuss The Most High so openly. Many people have very strong opinions when it comes to The Bible. My thing is if you have something constructive to say then I’m all ears and will check it out for myself and make my conclusion. So many people I have met actually thanked me and said how it opened their eyes and never knew there was anything like that in the bible and led them to ask even more questions. Critics, you will always have those, no matter what you do, you cant please everyone. I always try to look objectively and see if they have a point in what they are saying, but many especially on social networks are nameless and faceless and there is a culture of being spiteful just for the sake of it with no real constructive comments, I let that go over my head. Why focus on the hate when there is far more positive comments and people looking for genuine help and knowledge, not to mention the people who say thanks the videos really help them and that’s what its all about at the end of the day

Let’s talk hair for a minute – how long have you been natural and what sparked it all?
Well its been just over 2 years now, it sounds crazy for me to say that because its gone by soooo quickly. Im so happy that I actually did it, but I must stress that anyone who is going to go natural, you will know within yourself you are ready because you really have to be. It requires patience and re-educating yourself on how to deal with afro hair. Its completely different, but much more versatile and enjoyable in my opinion. I got really bored of bad hair experience, damaged hair through relaxing, weaving, colouring experiments gone wrong…gurl you name it its happened to my hair haha. I just wanted healthy hair and something within me was telling me its time to go back to my natural God given hair. I have never had  long afro hair at any point in my life so I was taking a leap. I prepared by looking at all the natural hair community videos on how to get started and pics of what is possible with natural hair and took the leap! From there I also decided to document my journey so others could learn and share what they new about afro hair, I now have a great community on my channel and website.

There’s a debate as what is ‘good hair’ what is your take on it all?
That answer is really unique to each individual. But from my view point I would say healthy hair should be the basis of what we all strive for, it can be as long as it wants to be, but if its unhealthy or frazzled then to me its no good, trust me Ive been there! Having a cut or style that’s complimentary to your face shape and helps you express your sense of style is what makes hair stand out on a person. Another thing I have learned as well is having knowledge about how your hair works and what products and styles will help you and what things are damaging. This is something so often over looked until were faced with a hair dilemma and have to start over. A little knowledge to what works for you will serve you well ladies, there is not one size fits all when it comes to hair, that’s the beauty, so find what’s right for you.

During your time on YouTube what valuable lessons have you learnt? What are the challenges of being a YouTube vlogger that you think most people watching videos do not appreciate?
There is defiantly a whole lot of work and planning that goes into making quality content consistently, that’s why I always tell people only do it if you can be committed to it for the long run, because it takes time to get results. Ive learned that as well as me giving advice, there are so many people who leave comments that also have helped me with topics that I talk about, because I’m also learning about things, so I think by taking time to answer questions as well as asking questions has helped build a great community valuable to both sides. Also I would advise if your investing a lot of time on doing videos, you should also be able to make do without youtube or still have it as an asset to what you do, Ive seen people destroyed by an account be shut down, so make sure your putting time into yourself and your business as well as the youtube platform.

What advice would you give some-one who is thinking to start sharing their videos on YouTube?
I would say make sure you are doing it because you genuinely want to help and give others tips, not just get cheap hits, or hope people will send you products lol. There is a lot of work that goes into doing a channel to a good standard, so make sure your offering quality. Come with your own unique format, speak clearly and be engaging with your viewers. Be consistent with putting out new content. It takes time to make in impact but just keep doing it, people will eventually find you and subscribe, yeeah.  You should also subscribe to Mr X channel, I say this because people always ask me how I do my filming but MR X is the one who does all the filming and editing work. He has so many great tips on how you can get started within the industry and technical side. His website is http://www.bro.mo-am.com

You have done very well to keep your private life, private and stick to the ethos of Mo-am Network – how have you done that because sometimes reading the comments I see people asking and requesting more from you and Mr X?
lol I think its great when people want to know more about you because it means they are invested in what you are doing, they almost see you as a friend and its only natural they begin to become more curious. So many vloggers show their partners because that’s what they share online, their private life. I’ve always been about showing my career stuff, because it’s the biggest part of what I do and so many people are looking for advice on how they can do the things I do. Showing more of my private life is something I’m not opposed to, in fact I now have a mo-am plus channel which is exclusive content only available on my website mo-am.com, where I’m doing a bit more intimate videos I film myself, so that’s your chance to see a more private side. 

What can we expect in the future from yourself and Mo-am Network?
Well I’m super excited as I have so many new video series coming, like a cooking show which I talked about doing for a while now so that’s in the pipeline, more advanced hair styling videos, more personal videos but that will be exclusive to my mo-am.com website, I will be teaming up with more brands and doing collaborative projects so there is plenty to keep everyone occupied. I’m also studying more on becoming more knowledgeable on my natural hair growth. So I hope you guys keep enjoying the journey. Thanks to you and your magazine for all the positive stories, congrats on your 1 Year milestone. Also thanks to everyone who supports The MO-AM Network. Whatever you’re doing in life, keep The Most High and Christ first and amazing things will happen mwah x

Social Butterfly

YouTube Channel: youtube/moamnetwork                                                                Twitter:@moamnetwork                                                                                                                  Blog: www.mo-am.com                                                                                                             Facebook: facebook/MOAM-Network                                                                                    masters.mo-am.com                                                                                                                         bro.mo-am.com

PhotoCredits: Peeks – Moam Network

Written and produced by Waiki Harnais, Unveiling Maeva tells the story of two best friends, Maeva and Alan, who grew up together and became very close over the years until one fateful night, when Maeva’s feelings unexpectedly come to light. What happens as a result is the beginning of something quite beautiful.

The film explores the theme of hidden (and somewhat forbidden) love, and everything that surrounds it – the frustrations, the passion, the secrets… through the use of a profound yet relateable prose piece. And with a clever narrative combined with Olan’s stunning Cardy visuals, it poses questions the viewers may ask themselves such as “If you love someone, should you tell them?”

Cinematography / directed by: Olan Collardy

Cast:

Maeva: Yana Penrose

Alan: Kingsley Amadi

Chaud Review: As you already know I am a fan (stan status really) of Waiki’s work, having been drawn in by Nyachan. With Unveiling Maeva, Waiki does not disappoint again. It is clean, entertaining and draws you in so much so you want more. Reminiscent of the time when they made great black movies – this short film would fit very well on that catalogue next to Love and Basketball, The Best Man and others of that ilk. Great job to Waiki and Olan!

Social Butterfly

@OlanCollardy

@WaikiHarnais

www.cardyfilms.com

www.WHFilms.co.uk

I had the pleasure of being invited to the House of Peroni at it’s temporary residence 41 Portland Place, London the evening before it’s official opening to the public.

The event was great, there was copious supply of Peroni beer (only right), cocktails, art and a great mix of art, fashion and film creatives were in attendance (also charming Italian men for that Italian culture  ).

So what is the House of Peroni? Well, the premium lager brand Peroni Nastro Azzuro launched  The House of Peroni - a project which aims to celebrate the “new wave of visionaries defining contemporary Italian culture.” Creatives from the fields of design, art, fashion, photography, film, music, food and drink will all be brought together both online and at two London residences to create design concepts, interactive workshops, and dining experiences.

To lead the project, Peroni Nastro Azzurro has appointed a Creative Council from across the creative arts. They will contribute to The House of Peroni with new work or as part of the programme of experiences and workshops. The council includes fashion designer Carlo Brandelli, Michelin star chefs Manuel & Christian Costardi, drinks innovator and mixologist Gerry Calebrese, product designer and member of the Alessi family, Giovanni Alessi Anghini, architect Andrea Morgante, who is credited with co-designing the Ferrari museum, and the critically acclaimed design duo Forma Fantasma.

We highly recommend that you take a look at the daily schedule of events from 3rd – 31st July, and visit The House of Peroni online for daily updates. Any creative in London during this time SHOULD visit the House!

We also hear that the House of Peroni will return later on in the year, and we look forward to seeing you all there!

Photo Credits: MC Saatchi PR

After a successful opening season which has accumulated over 400,000 views, 6 LA Web Series Festival 2013 Awards and major coverage in The Guardian, The Voice, The Grio(NBC News) & G4 (NBC Universal) to name a few; ‘Brothers With No Game – The Web Series’ announces its official return for Season 2 on August 12

Set in London, Brothers With No Game follows the social and romantic lives of four friends: Theo, Dorian, Junior and Marcus. Facing a ‘quarter—life crisis’, the 20-somethings come to terms with the responsibilities and dilemmas that revolve around work, family, friendships and most notably, women. Their distinctive personalities and ever-changing love lives are paralleled by a strong friendship and one evident, common trait: They have no game.

Since    the    launch  of  the  series    in  June  2012,    viewers  have  seen  the  lives  of  Marcus  (David    Avery  -­‐    The  Inbetweeners  Movie,  The  Dumping Ground),  Theo    (Jay  Marsh  -­‐The    Rat  Pack  Live),    Dorian  (Zephryn  Taitte -­The  Jungle  Book:    Birmingham  Stage  Company) Junior(Isaac  Sosanya  -­  Around  the  House)  unfold    in  the  most    hilarious,  cringe-­‐worthy    and    downright  emotional  ways.  Now    with  the  cliff-­‐ hanger  centred    on    the  love  triangle  between    Junior,  his  past  love  Vanessa(Nemide May The  Last  Resort)  and  new  girl  Remy  (Ashley  Bannerman  –  Casualty,  Law  and    Order  UK);  a    thin  line between    love  and    friendship  via  Dorian  and  Lisa,  (Natalie  Duvall  -­‐    Who’s  Afraid  of  Virginia  Wade?)    and  unanswered  questions  surrounding  Simone  (Dani  Moseley  –  Gates,  Doctors),  Brothers  With    No    Game  is  on  course  to  make  even  more  waves  with  season  2.    There  are  new  characters  also  added    to  mix  to  create  new  stories.  There are new characters also added to mix to create new stories.

Brothers With No Game – The Web Series is the conception of collective ‘Brothers With No Game‘ . The series is the creation of the four young men (JC, The Yak, Don Kwelu & Maverick) responsible for the trendsetting blogsite of the same name. Nominated  for  seven LA-based Weblog Awards in their first year of being online and receiving nearly a million unique visits to date, this collective of writers have made readers from both sides of the Atlantic and around the world laugh out loud with their hilarious take on life’s dilemmas. Their popularity has resulted in written features for Pride Magazine and Black Hair Magazine and an event media partnership with Paul Carrick Brunson - a top US relationship expert with a show on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network

For further information on the series, contact ishawebber@gmail.com

Check out the series on www.youtube.com/brotherswithnogame

Twitter: @TheBWNG #BrothersWithNoGame #BWNG

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brotherswithnogame

Website: www.brotherswithnogame.com

Photo Credit: Brothers With No Game

1.4 MILLION* BRITS ARE HOARDING FOODS OVER 10 YEARS OLD

• …and almost seven million confess they NEVER clear out their kitchen cupboards
• 15% admit they serve meals to guests made from out-of-date ingredients
• Research prompts the launch of ‘End Marmite Neglect’, a campaign to raise awareness of Brits’ kitchen cupboard crimes

It’s time for a kitchen cupboard clean-out. House-proud Brits are left red-faced when it comes to the state of their kitchen larder. Research, commissioned by Marmite, reveals 57% of the nation is stock-piling food that’s over a year old, and sometimes as old as 10 years.

One in 10 admit they only clean out their kitchen cupboards every five years or longer – so it’s no wonder 78% of the nation finds ingredients well past their best-before date.

Most shockingly, these old products aren’t thrown out, instead they’re served up to unsuspecting guests. 15% of Brits regularly use out-of-date ingredients in meals served to friends and family. Those in the Midlands are the most culpable as they dish up the equivalent of over 5,000** questionable meals during their lifetime.

The most looked after cupboards in the UK, cleared out every fortnight, can be found in:

1. Belfast (14%)
2. Birmingham (13%)
3. London (12%)

The kitchen units that have never been cleared out are found in:

1. York (13%)

1=   Bristol (13%)

3.    Leicester (12%)

Joanne O’Riada, Marmite spokesperson, comments: “This research highlights the need for people to pay more attention to the upkeep of their cupboards. 78% admit they forget what food products they have, which can lead to repeat purchases, overcrowding and the neglect of some genuinely lovely items, like our own. This has prompted us to take action with ‘End Marmite Neglect’, a campaign to end this cupboard cruelty and spread the love to all Marmite jars, especially those forgotten at the back of kitchen cupboards.”

Celebrity fans are expected to back the End Marmite Neglect campaign, which launches today. Already, ‘Made in Chelsea’ star Louise Thompson was spotted wearing the official campaign t-shirt in London.

The public can also spread their support by donating a social status or nominating friends who can give Marmite a loving home via www.endmarmiteneglect.com.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #MarmiteNeglect.

PhotoCredit: GlamourMagazine.co.uk/ Google Images/ EndMarmiteNeglect.com

The third culture kid is a term that was first coined by sociologist Ruth Hill Useem to describe children who immigrate to another country with parents from a different culture. Since the children spend the majority of their developmental years outside of the culture their parents grew up in, they assimilate both their parent’s culture and the culture they are growing up in forming a “third culture” of their own.

This balancing act can seem nearly impossible if the cultures you are trying to blend seem to oppose each other. As a Zimbabwean born young person living in the UK I have tried to juggle the two cultures with profound difficulty. The parenting style in the UK is a lot more relaxed than that of an African household. I always felt growing up that my friends were able to get away with so much more than I could ever imagine. One such incident happened when I was in the first year of my GCSE’s and I had failed to complete my homework because the book I had was missing the page I needed. I was given an afterschool detention (I was the last of my friends to receive one) and proceeded to have a panic attack about breaking the news to my parents. I must have seemed incredibly dramatic to my friends but it really was the worst thing I could do in my household and although I was too old for a lashing I wasn’t too old for a good tongue lashing and after all isn’t that really the worst punishment parent’s can hand out?

It is a juggling act that can only work if the parents and children find a common ground. Parents have to be understanding of the society in which they are raising their children and provide a little leeway while children must respect their parent’s culture and rules.

I also found that it is of great importance to find friends that understand of your parent’s culture whether they are TCK’s as well or just mature enough not undermine or judge your parent’s rules. Because this can be the most difficult part to juggle for a TCK, being able to hang out and do the things your friends are doing while still respecting your parents culture. This can include the way you dress, boyfriends and school.

The positives to being  a TCK is the ability to understand other cultures with ease meaning that moving to another country isn’t something that would scare me personally. In fact I embrace it with great excitement. However as a TCK the feeling of belonging to a certain society and its culture doesn’t come easy. Even though I have spent the majority of my life in the UK I find I don’t quite fit in having adopted my parent’s culture as well. Although the idea of ever moving back to my passport country is a daunting one. I would definitely find it very difficult to adjust to the culture and some of the restraints it would have on me. So maybe the scourge of the third culture kid is to never really feel as if they belong to any one culture but to instead float between cultures with effortless comfort. Which I suppose isn’t too bad after all.

Editor’s Note: Unbeknowest to us BuzzFeed did a post on being a Third Culture Kid and of course we relate (My accent changes SWIFTLY..have surprised many a people!) and all TCKs will do too: Check it out below

At the start of this year, if you had to ask me what I would envision my life would be like by August, I would never have guessed that I would be in Zambia, running my own social media management company.  Maybe I’m a pessimist but I didn’t see myself being content with my decision to pack up my life in Australia and permanently relocate to my country of birth. In fact even after I had made the decision to create a new life in my motherland, I still had plan a, b, c, d and e; you know just in case nothing worked out the way I hoped it would.

To say I’m content with my new life seems like such an understatement.  I’ve looked back on the last three months (which have really felt like three years) and I’ve asked myself what, if anything I would change and I always come up blank. That’s not to say, that things have all been rosy. I’ve had to make tough decisions that have affected my personal and professional life. I’ve come out on the other side a little bit bruised and scarred but it’s nothing prayer, a few drinks, love from my family and possibly a ridiculously over priced gift to myself can’t fix.  It’s life. Shit happens.

What has me surprised is how my resilience factor went up by a few notches. I think the old me would have spiralled into a crying fit and near depressive state based on some of the experiences of the last three months. The new me, the increasingly confident Lusaka girl, is a little more hardened and a lot more nonchalant about some of the things that dare come my way.

I say dare, because waking up in Lusaka every day requires you to be ready to put your game face on and deal with whatever the dawn shall bring. You dare a street kid to try and snatch your purse from you, he’ll learn that you are not above throwing off Nine West heels, hiking up your Karen Millen dress and breaking into a Marion Jones type sprint whilst yelling “stop thief”; just to get your contents back.  You dare your cousin’s car to stop in the middle of Lusaka lunchtime traffic on a scorcher of a day. You won’t have time to be dainty and bougie as Lusaka’s temperamental and impatient drivers honk their horns and ridicule you. You’ll make a plan. You’ll push said car to the side of the road with your cousin and maybe the help of some good Samaritans, and then haggle with a taxi driver who also moonlights as a mechanic to assist you fix your car in time to make a meeting across town.

I’ll be the first to admit that from time to time, my “Melbourne tendencies “do tend to come  out in all their bougie glory. Take the day I was utterly perplexed by my internet service provider and my electricity provider at the same time.  I ranted for a good hour about the “uselessness” of Zambian services. Mind you, the lights and internet service were back in two hours.  You may laugh but I was quickly put in my place by a friend who reminded me that in her area she was still waiting for electricity to come back on. That was Thursday, her electricity went on Tuesday. I’ll take two hours over two days, thanks!

So Chaud, readers I’m back.  I’m in a new place, making new friends, running a new business and also trying to work out my personal life.

Social Butterfly

Twitter: @mskkj

Website: www.mukukamayuka.com

Image Credit: GoogleImages

I’m quite embarrassed as to my initial nonchalance when it came to reading “Ghana Must Go”, but I’m going to blame Twitter and general mass media for this. Why, I hear you ask. Well because the ill-timed debut of this awesome book coincided with that of the over publicised and highly anticipated “Americanah” of the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie realm.

Taiye Selasi honestly drew the short straw when it came to the release date of her debut novel, but I believe she ultimately had the last laugh…one of those whooping, belly laughs that gets everyone going even though they have no idea why. Without getting into the semantics of which-books-better-than-which debate, let me just state for the record that “Ghana Must Go” may have initially been the underdog of the two debutante novels poised to make their grand entrance into the literary world, but in my humble opinion, was the book that walked away with the crown…bouquet…and more than half the audience.

So yes, I’m ashamed to admit that the only reason I came to read this book this year was because it was the selected book choice for my monthly book-club session. I actually groaned out loud and may have rolled an eyeball or two when I saw that it had been selected. The phrase ‘how predictable’ may have even crossed my mind. However, like the devoted book-club member that I am I hunkered down and gave it my undivided attention.

“Ghana Must Go” is a tale that tackles so many topics; the obvious story-line revolves around the theme of abandonment. Selasi does an amazing job of providing varying insight into each of the five characters ‘left behind’ so to speak. Her delicate and detailed sensitivity into how each member of the Sai family handles the oh-so sudden departure of Kweku Sai so differently will resonate with any reader who’s ever found themselves in the unfortunate position of coping with the fall-out from betrayal and desertion. Selasi beautifully captures the varied nature of human coping mechanisms in the face of defeat and despair – keep your Kleenex on-hand.

The other themes that are beautifully laced into this narrative are those of identity – trying to reconcile one’s self with the land of thy heritage, sibling dynamics – the waves of intimacy and distance that are inescapable amongst all siblings, survival – the adaptation of self in a bid to overcome the worst of circumstances, expectation –  the raging battle between doing what is expected versus personal aspirations and grief – coping with the disappointment and confusion that comes with the end of a chapter in one’s life.

Although it gets off to a pretty slow start, this book will demand your attention and call upon the full spectrum of your emotions. Whether you find yourself bemused at the description of the 70 year old gardener in possession of an impressive six-pack (yes, of the ab variety), enraged at the treatment of the twins, empathetic at the ‘crisis of self’ being experienced by sweet Sadie or angry at the cowardice exhibited by Kweku – this is not a book that can be read passively.

Your laughter will come out in cackles, you will you find yourself berating some of the characters out loud (to the irritation of your neighbours and loved ones) and you will most definitely cry – whether it is tears of the polite variety or those of the heaving shoulder action category instead.

So if you haven’t already done so, get your hands on a copy of Taiye Selasi’s ridiculously impressive inaugural novel “Ghana Must Go” and prepare to give it a standing ‘literary’ ovation.

Editor’s Comment: This year it is hard to mention Ghana Must Go and not mention Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie which also came out this year. The two books though totally different in subject matter and way of writing are pitched against each other. Twist my arm to choose and I will forever say Ghana Must Go – yes it was very slow to start with, but somehow I still literally shed tears reading it – books that cause me to cry are forever etched in my memory and marked as ‘Great Books’. Americanah on the other hand BORED me! However, this about Ghana Must Go – please let us know what you thought about Ghana Must Go.

We also have a #ChaudBookClub on Twitter – all Twitter based and we have just finised reading We Need New Names – so follow us on twitter to know our thoughts. Got any books you would like us reading? Then once more follow us or use the hashtag #ChaudBookClub and we will check it out!

You can purchase : Ghana Must Go here

Review was done by dear friend of Chaud blogger and co-Founder of Diasporan Darlings @VimfromZim

Image Credit: Google Images

One of the great perks of my role as Chaud Editor is to spend time copius amounts of time on YouTube - now why do I consider it a perk? I get to watch TED Talks and be greatly inspired and motivated. As this issue is our African issue – I picked up TED videos that spoke to me as a Child of Africa.

1. Danger of the Single Story by Chimamanda Adichie

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding. This TED Talk is from 4 years ago and still ingrained in my memory and also what I reverted back to in our working on this ‘New Africa’ issue. There are still so many stereotypes as to what Africa is and what Africans are. However as content creators our role is demystify that single story and share the many more stories of the New Africa!

2. Deprogramming the Colonized mind: Panashe Chigumadzi

Panashe Chigumadzi makes the case that stereotypes can be frustratingly hard to shake off, sometimes even for the very people they victimise. Africans especially, suffer from a 300 year old negative colonial narrative that has shaped not only how the world sees them, but in many ways also how they see themselves. In the hands of the colonial masters, the media has been a powerful and highly effective tool in this development. With technology and social media the landscape has changed. Increasingly, power is now more evenly distributed. Africans need to use that power to repair the damage and redefine what it means to be Black African. Africans need to deprogramme their colonized minds with good, compelling programming.
Panashe Chigumadzi is a young storyteller from Zimbabwe on a mission to ”redefine and reaffirm the African identity”. Inspired by untold African stories and agitated by African narratives that veer into “poverty porn”, her literary and other works move the conversation forward. Panashe organises African Film Club and has produced the documentary ‘Africa’s Upstarts’. In her day job she reports for CNBC Africa. This TEDTalk is fresh in my mind – it came at a time I needed it. As Chaud grows and branches into new territory, rest assured I will work to create content that is great, compelling and highlights Africa in a way that NEEDS to be told!

3. Telling The African Story – Komla Dumor

Komla Dumor is one of the most recognised faces voices at the British Broadcasting Corporation. Between 2009 and 2012 Komla was the anchor of the groundbreaking Africa Business Report on BBC World News. This program (a first for the BBC) took Komla to close to 20 African countries covering hundreds of thousands of miles interviewing the continents top entrepreneurs, politicians and policy makers. In addition to the European mornings Komla is the face and main anchor for the first BBC’s programme dedicated daily African news and current affairs show; Focus on Africa.

4. Whispers of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom consist of three guys and two girls who combine poetry, song and spoken word to talk about things that matter. I loved how these young people shared their story – very inspiring to share with the young Africans growing up today.