Kids Issue Dec,2016 Jan 2017 Brooke Hummel Double Cover

&

CONTENT
14M eet
Ent r epr eneur
Aubr ee D ean
cont r ibut or s
Anitra Scott- Operations Manager/ Stephanie
Majewski~(Marketing)~Shartiera
Wilkerson~(Journalist/Event Coordinator)~Marage
Blakeney (Journalist)~Shannon
Rawley~(Co-Editor)~Desiree Helm~(Writer)~Monica
Jones~(NYC Contributor) Jerry Thompson~(Executive
Assistant)
Cover Art: Ty Statz
Photographer(NYC) JAM Photographey
Photographer: Isil Dohnke Photography
Photographer: Todd Youngblood
Photographer: Laurence Logan (The.TZ.Studio)
Photographer/Video: Emmanuel Toussaint
(Toussaint Studios)
Writers: Tasha McClarrin~(Writer/Contributor)~DaVita
Collins~(Children's Contributor/Writer)~Anitra
Scott~(Writer/Contributor)
Administrative Assistant: Maranda Moore
Creative Director: Kenya Redd (Red Angel Media)
Public Relations: Pac PR
Contributor: BNR Records
Tempestt Harris: CEO
Maresa Scott: COO/Editor Chief
Contents
48Living w it h H IV
f r om m y f at her
12Viral Babies
The M cClur e Tw ins

33
50
28
64

A Note From the Editor s:
Season?s Greet ings!
As w e ent er int o t he holiday season, for our publicat ion's second year in a row
w e celebrat e our fut ure w it h a kids fashion edit ion. Alt hough som e of us m ay
have experienced a challenging year in 2016, our next generat ion exem plifies
t he charact erist ics of inspirat ion and det erm inat ion. This m agazine issue is a
rem inder t hat all hope is not lost .
In t his issue, young art ist s, ent repreneurs, act ors and m odels afford us w it h an
opport unit y t o discover t heir personalit ies, inspirat ions, and aspirat ions. Also,
w e w ill divulge int o t he int ricacies associat ed w it h t he new generat ion of
celebrit ies such as Willow Sm it h, Jaden Sm it h, and Brooke Hum m el. We w ill get
a glance int o w hat life m ay look like for our yout h 20 years from t oday.
If t his is your first t im e picking up a Level21 issue, please underst and t hat w e
st and on our com m it m ent t o posit ivit y! It is our int ent ion and vision t o inspire
our readers w it h uplift ing st ories and creat ive t hem es t hat w ill keep you
w ant ing m ore! We desire t hat you enjoy t his issue as m uch as w e enjoyed
put t ing it t oget her. Our philosophy and expect at ion echoes Sophia Loren?s
sent im ent t hat st at es, ?There is a fount ain of yout h: it is your m ind, your
t alent s, t he creat ivit y you bring t o your life and t he lives of people you love.
When you learn t o t ap t his source, you w ill t ruly have defeat ed age?.
We sincerely w ish everyone a prosperous and safe holiday season.
Best w ishes,
Tem pest t Harris, CEO
Maresa Scot t , COO/ Edit or & Chief

CAROUSEL & BAZAAR
Carousel & Bazaar debut girls collect ion. Set
design, st yling and phot ography ? Curat ed.
Carousel & Bazaar is a nam e you w ill soon be
hearing a lot m ore of . The insanely
sophist icat ed and dist inct ive t ailoring, cut s,
accessories and use of pop color w ill have
m ot hers of lit t le girls (and t hose of lit t le
boys alike) dream ing of out fit t ing delight ful
lit t le girls in t his debut collect ion. The
fashion forw ard collect ion and dist inct ive
cam paign im agery (t ruly it s perfect ion) w ill
no doubt quickly garner Carousel & Bazaar a
cult -like follow ing.
Carousel & Bazaar debut girls collection. Set design, styling and photography ? Curated by

DanielleMiller
Danielle Miller is a multi-talented 9-year old
who has a passion for writing her own music, dancing
and singing. She also likes to play Minecraft, and make
YouTube videos. Danielle enjoys drawing, playing
basketball and spending time with her family. Her
present goals are to make good grades and to land a big
model/actress gig. Her goals for the future are to
become a teacher or a singer or even both! Danielle
aims to make an impact in the world by helping others,
while fulfilling her dream to climb Mount Everest
screaming 'I did it' once she reaches the summit!
Photography:Todd Youngblood
MUA: Monique Stevens

Photographer: Jami Davis
MUA: Ashli Danielle

Nor th West
r ocks Balmain
as she heads
out for her
baller ina class.

Love Is The
Ult imat e
Bond
M any people use glue as an adhesive agent to mend
broken objects. However, there is not a stronger ?epoxy? to
reconstruct families than love. This is the ultimate bond that
can strengthen any family ties. According to
www.stepfamily.org, ?majority of families have shifted from
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consetetur sadipscing elitr.
the original biologically bonded mother, father and child.
We are now a nation in which the majority of families are
divorced. Most go on to remarry or form living together
relationships.? Therefore, many households consist of
blended or modern families that include stepchildren
and/or adopted kids to complete their unique living
arrangements. In fact, some couples have adopted children
as an alternative to provide a loving home to orphans or
foster youths. American Adoption revealed that, ?21 percent
of private adoptions are transracial? and ?88 percent of
adoptive parents describe themselves as a ?happy? couple,
while 83 percent of non-adoptive parents describe
themselves as a ?happy? couple." I had the pleasure of
speaking with two unique blended families to receive their
insights on how they are making their modern families
work.
Steve and Kristen Groover are a Caucasian couple who have
been married for 22 years. They have an adopted daughter
from Vietnam named Chloe. She is a precocious nine year
Lorem old who ipsum loves dolor karate sit amet consetetur and Star sadipscing Wars. The elitr. Groovers describe
a modern/blended family as ?members coming together
from different and non-traditional walks of life to form and
maintain a parent/child structure and relationship.? The
Lorem biggest ipsum trait dolor that sit amet is required consetetur for sadipscing their family elitr. to be successful
is dedication. It is ?the notion that this is your family now
and you want what?s best for everyone in your family.?
However, the Groovers have had their share of obstacles.
The Groovers stated, that they had to overcome the
?adoption process and cost, questions and opinions from
others outside the family, learning and performing the
personal grooming needs for a child of a different racial
background.? However, the greatest benefit they have
received is that they ?have a wonderful, fun family and an
interesting story to tell of how it all came together.?
Maria and Timothy Tullo are both Italian who have been
married for nearly 25 years. They have two adopted
children, Anthony Min Soo and Joseph Antonio. Their sons
are aged 17 and 13, respectively. Their oldest son is Korean
and their youngest son is of African American and Eastern
Indian heritage. ?Our definition of a modern/blended family
is a family of multi racial/cultures that co-exist together and
integrate their beliefs and cultures as well as learn about
each culture.? To ensure that their family is successful, the
Tullos realized that they ?must be open minded and
understanding of each other differences as well as
acceptance of the differences.? Similar to the Groovers, the
Tullos have also encountered their share of challenges.
Some of the obstacles they had to overcome ?are the looks
we receive socially, the questions that strangers may ask, or
at times the judgements received from a few of our family
members.? However, their greatest joy and ?benefit is
learning about the different cultures and actually
participating in those cultures as a family. Our oldest son is
Korean and we enjoyed learning and celebrating his first
birthday in the Korean Culture. Our youngest is African
American and Eastern Indian, we also celebrated his first
birthday in a multi cultural fashion and we enjoy teaching
them both about their/each other's?culture.?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, ?You don't choose
your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.?
The Groovers wish to offer the following advice to blended
families, ?There will be hardships large and small but make
up your mind that this is the path you?re taking through life
and you will find ways to make it work for you and everyone
in your blended family.? In addition the Tullos stated,
?always keep an open mind and don't be afraid to share
your story. I would tell them that you are unique and
blessed to be exposed to such diversity and to be a true
melting pot of love, culture, knowledge and open hearts!!!?
Elmer?s glue cannot fix everything. However, love can
definitely bond unique blended families.
By: Marage Blakeney

By: Marage Blakeney
But ..I Wanna Gr ow t oo!
ami and Justin McClure are the
proud parents of three year old
identical twins, Ava and Alexis. The
mirror image sisters are taking over
the Internet and social media
networks. They are viral sensations
whose adorable memes such as, ?I
wanna grow?, have been recognized
by Good Morning America, Inside
Edition, and celebrities. As a matter of
fact, multi-platinum hip hop artist
Nas, gave them a shout out on his
Instagram page as did actor and R&B
artist Tyrese. Recently, I had the
opportunity to receive some winning
lessons from Ami and Justin regarding
their outlook on life and their
energetic twins.
Ami and Justin met in New York City,
by happenstance. Justin noticed Ami?s
beauty and her ?big booty?. However,
Ami was being harassed by another
gentleman because of her physical
attributes. Justin observing the
situation quickly sprung into the
?protective knight in shining amour?.
He quickly whispered to Ami an exit
strategy to escape her harasser. He
instructed Ami to walk together really
fast to a safe distance. This one
heroic and ingenious act of kindness
eventually led to Justin marrying his
beautiful maiden on July 12, 2015.
?It is har d to say what
is in their futur e
because our daughter s
ar e only thr ee year s
old?.
In 2013, Ami who is a successful
financial accountant/controller
became very ill. For almost nine
weeks, she would battle bouts of
vomiting. Upon going to her
physician, Justin and Ami were
shocked with the ultrasound
prognosis. They discovered that they
were having not one, but two bundles
of joy. Although Ami was relieved to
have an answer to her mystery
illness, Justin and she quickly had to
make adjustments to accommodate
their new family arrangement.
Ami and Justin decided to name their
daughters Ava and Alexis, because
their mother?s name began with the
letter ?A?. As a joint effort, Justin
generated their girls middle names.
Their father knew that he wanted to
use the letter ?Z? and ?V? for their
middle names. Therefore, Justin
chose the ?Zaina? (which is translated
as beauty and grace) for Ava?s
extended name. Alexis?middle name
is ?Valora? which is the Latin term for

ave and courageous. As West
Orange, New Jersey residents, the
McClure?s are very well adjusted and
creative. The active identical twins,
Ava and Alexis, love to do anything
that involves ?wild ruckus? such as
running and riding their bikes. Justin,
who is a photographer, loves
capturing the memories of their
adorable family. Therefore, the
McClure?s?created a personal blog to
secure their precious moments. Very
early in Ava?s and Alexis?growth
development, Justin and Ami realized
that their children were very
humorous with strong opinions.
Therefore, Ami and Justin wanted to
share their family's experiences with
the world through their own YouTube
channel to bring a little bit of joy to
the world. The videos of the twin?s
responses are not rehearsed. Their
parents wanted the girls to discover
the world for themselves and develop
their own intellectual answers
through a series of conversational
questions. Their parents desire that
the twins devise their own opinions,
instead of Ami and Justin forcing their
own opinions on them .
Although the McClure?s have received
98% of positive reception, they have
not been exempt from various
challenges. Ami and Justin are an
interracial couple. Ami was born in
Nigeria and Justin is from an Irish
heritage. However, some opponents
feel that Justin and Ami are exploiting
their young children. Even some
Internet trolls have tried to negatively
target their family based on their
race. Despite the few haters and
distractions, the McClure?s have not
been compensated for their viral
success. Their YouTube channel views
have been the only form of monetary
compensations thus far. They focus
on spreading a positive message to
the world because the world is often
filled with so much hate. Love and
happiness conquers all.
Although other people may notice
Justin?s racial difference, Ami does not
really care and they do not bring up
the racial topic in their daily
conversation, unless Justin makes
?corny comments or jokes?. Eventually
when Ava and Alexis become older,
their parents?will have discussions
with their girls about their biracial
heritage and how critical it is to be
psychologically progressive and
realize that this world is filled with
culturally diverse individuals. Ava and
Alexis are unwittingly unaware of
their viral success. In fact, they are
unaware of their social media
celebrity presence. Oftentimes many
people desire to take pictures with
the twins on routine excursions.
Therefore, their parents explain to
their daughters that many people
love their Internet pictures and
consider them as sweet and
adorable. Even though the twins are
experiencing this publicity, Ami and
Justin are determined to keep a
normalized life for Ava and Alexis.
They want to set them up for success
whether the girls do choose to have a
career in show business or not.
Although, the McClure?s cannot
divulge any offers from television or
online channels, they are grateful for
the opportunities. Justin stated that
they are happy for their YouTube
channel because some TV shows
receive fewer viewers than the social
media site. However, they are open to
new offers that afford good content
and maintain the value of their family
dynamics. In Justin?s words, ?What will
happen, will happen?. As for now, Ami
stated that, ?It is hard to say what is in
their future because our daughters
are only three years old?. However,
for Justin and Ami the ultimate goal is
setting Ava and Alexis up for success
because they are successful. Ami and
Justin are focusing on laying a strong
foundation for the twins and
providing them with the choices that
are the most optimal fit for their
daughters. The McClure?s twins are
making a double impact on social
media and the world. Ava and Alexis
are continuing to allow their own little
light to shine, despite any
distractions. If you want to witness
what happens when wonder twin
powers activate, please subscribe to
the McClure Twins YouTube channel.
They will definitely encourage you to
want to grow, too!

attend the Junior National Conference. I really wanted to go, but knew I
would need to raise money to pay for it. I had made mason jar salads for
my parents before and thought it would be a great idea to sell salads to
raise money for the trip. My salads were so good that people asked me to
continue making them after the Fund-raiser was over.
Tell us about your business.
Aubree: We make healthy salads for people to eat on the go. Even though
people are busy, you should still be able to eat healthy.
Do you like having a business?
Aubree: I like it, but sometimes it?s pretty hard. Some days I have to get up
early before school to make salads and I don't really like that. But I keep
going because I know it takes hard work to make your dreams come true.
Meet Aubree Dean
By: Desiree Helm
Wise beyond her years, 11-year-old North Carolina native Aubree Dean has
accomplished something most adults have only dreamed of.
Like most girls her age, Aubree is into fashion, pop music and reading the
latest teen book. She loves watching her favorite shows on Disney, and
hanging out with her friends on the weekends. To most people, Aubree may
seem like the typical preteen girl. However, behind the smiles and ponytails
beats the heart of a true business owner. At only 11 years old, Aubree Dean
is the founder and owner of Aubree Salads on The Go.
Level 21 took some time to learn more about Aubree and her business. You
could hear the excitement in her voice as Aubree was eager to share her
world with our readers.
Not many kids can say they own their own business. What made you want
to start one?
Aubree: Last spring my school was going on a trip to Washington, DC to
It must be hard to be a good student and keep up with your business. How
do you manage it all?
Aubree: My parents really help me. I tell everyone that you have to have the
right people supporting you. We make over 80 salads a week and we have 3
varieties that we sell. We even deliver them on Mondays. That takes a lot. My parents
help me keep up with everything. I could not do it without them.
So out of curiosity, what does a girl your age do with all the money you earn?
Aubree: 10% of everything we make gets donated to the Alzheimers Association. My
grandmother has Alzheimers and I want to help them find a cure. My mom lets me
shop with some of it, but most of it goes towards my college fund.
How do you motivate yourself and others when things get hard?
Aubree: I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I tell myself that all the
time. I tell other people that too. I love God and he gives us the power to do anything.
And with that profound statement, we learned that Aubree is walking in her purpose
and set on success. Besides dreaming of one day being an Olympic Gold swim star,
Aubree plans to expand her business so she can help more people have healthy lunch
options. She really wants to make a difference in the lives of others. She is part of the
next generation of entrepreneurs, leading the way for others kids to become
empowered too. You can tell by the glee and giggles in her voice that she truly enjoys
being an entrepreneur and is happy with all that is happening in her life.
For more information about Aubree Dean or to order a salad you can visit her website at
www.aubreesaladsonthego.com

Clara Bow by Ma Belle Mademoiselle, stripe
jacket by La Miniatura, sweatshirt by Eva & Oli,
floral skirt by Wolf, shimmer dress by Rita,
blouse by Pale Cloud, tassel boots by Anais
Model: Laneya Grace

Kennedy Floyd
Kennedy Floyd is an artistic 6 year
old! She enjoys reading, has a singing
talent and also is classically trained in
ballet. Kennedy makes sure she is camera
ready! She's quite photogenic and
absolutely loves being in front on the
camera; whether it's smiling for a picture
or playing a role, she is more than willing
and able to complete the job! Kennedy
also gives back to her community. She is a
proud member of the Girl Scouts
Organization and has the pleasure of
representing DeAbreu Agency. Kennedy
has future goals of being an actress and
psychologist!
Photography: Todd Youngblood
MUA: Monique Stevens

"Lor em sit
ipsum dolor sit
amet at ver o
eos et."
-Quote Author
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consetetur sadipscing elitr.

Article Title
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur
sadipscing elitr, sed diam

Swimming wit h
t he Shar k s
M
adison Star, 12, and Mallory Iyana, 10, are
entrepreneurs who are making a huge splash in the
beauty industry. They are the visionaries and creators of
a tween (ages 5-12) body spray and lotion product line
entitled, ?Angels and Tomboys?. The product line is a
natural handmade ?paraben free, patent pending, vegan
friendly formula that contains several great vitamins to
preserve young skin. With their mother?s, Vera,
assistance the girls took a chance to swim with the
sharks (thankfully not the ones that live in the ocean).
Madison and Mallory took their idea and products to
pitch it the investors of Shark Tank. As a fun fact, their
?mom named the company Angels and Tomboys as a
reflection of our unique and complex personalities and
interests.The girls love to say "We're just like every girl in
the world because ALL girls are created equally different.
Plus, we can all agree that every Angel has a bit of
Tomboy in her.? Recently, I had the pleasure with
speaking their mother and the miniature entrepreneurs.
Where are you from and how did you get st art ed?
We are from Memphis, Tennessee. Our product line was
started because our mother?s perfumes from Victoria
Secret were too grown. We wanted scents and lotions
that younger kids could enjoy and feel good about
themselves.
How did you com e up w it h t he idea for your product ?
After being bored senseless with our body care products,
we had this cool idea to make everyday products that
girls use fun. We came up with fun names, characters
and unique fragrances for these products and pitched
the idea to our mom. She loved it and the rest is history
in the making.
What w as your experience like on ?Shark Tank??
It was very exciting and hard work. We initially thought
that we were going to land Lori Greiner as our investor
because she is all about girl power. Although she did not
invest in our line, she provided us with great feedback
and tips to help our business grow. We come to the show
with our excitement and confidence. We knew we were
coming home with a shark, and it paid off. Actually, we
landed two sharks, Mark Cuban and Daymond John who
believed in our business.
"Ever y A ng el has a bit of
Tomboy in her "

"As a
par ent, we
must make
huge
sacr ifices
and
commitments
for our
childr en."
What w as it like t o also be on
" The Real Day t im e"?
They were very nice and playful.
Everyone loved the product line. In
fact, Adrienne Bailon (one of the talk
show?s co-hosts) uses our products
everyday.
Are t here any ot her t elevision
appearances in st ore for you?
We will be appearing on the The Ellen
DeGeneres Show and Steve Harvey
Show. Also, the cast of ?The Real?
asked that we return for a follow-up
appearance.
Where do you see yourselves in
10 years?
In 10 years, we see ourselves with a
global and world-wide business and
operation. We would like to have
entire personal hygiene stores around
the world.
How do your classm at es feel
about your success and w hat
advice w ould you give t o ot her
child ent repreneurs?
Our classmates are amazed.
Whenever, we would bring a bottle of
lotion to school it would be gone the
next day. They really love our body
sprays and lotions. Our advice to
other young entrepreneurs is to go for
it and don?t worry about anything
else. Just do it.
Madison?s and Mallory?s biggest
supporter and cheerleader is their
mother, Vaira Iyadunni. She
understood the importance of
allowing her children the
opportunity to create, grow, and
discover their gifts and talents. Vera
has encouraged her girls to make
an impact on the world through
their product line and philanthropy.
Each year the girls have a theme
birthday party where shoes,
clothing, and other items are
donated to those less fortunate. I
was very interested in speaking
with her about cultivating these
young geniuses.
What m ade you feel your girls
w ere able t o st art a product line?
My girls exhibited a great deal of
responsibility. They understood the
commitment. Although it was going to
be a lot of work for me as a parent, I
knew that my girls were dedicated
and loyal. They also knew how critical
is it to prioritize because they were
involved in extracurricular activities
prior to creating the product line.
How do you feel w hen you see
t hem follow ing t heir dream s?
I am very proud of them. As a parent,
it is my duty to ensure that Madison
and Mallory do not get discouraged.
Timing is everything. As long as we
stay encouraged and have faith, it will
all work out for the good.
Are t here any w arnings or advice
for ot her parent s, about t he
indust ry for parent s w it h kids
m aking st rides in t he indust ry?
As a parent, we must make huge
sacrifices and commitments for our
children. They must establish a strong
relationship with children and
remember to remain your kids?
mother and friend. You must also
keep a personal watch as a coach
and mentor to ensure that negative
people, places, and things do not
destroy your children?s dreams. I

"We Knew we wer e
coming home with a
Shar k, and it paid off."
believe that you must stay prayed up and be a
?bulldog?to protect your children.
Viara, Madison, and Mallory have had their
work cut out for them. Since their
appearance on Shark Tank, they have been
slammed with email orders and other
publicity engagements. In fact, the Angels
and Tomboys limited edition body lotions
and sprays were placed in the swag bags for
the American Music Awards (AMAs)
attendees. The following AMA limited
editions fragrances will be available for
purchase on their website: Lemonade,
Purple Rain, and Rockin?Blueberry. These
scents are special tributes to Beyonce,
Prince, and Elvis. There is also another 2016
holiday fragrance available entitled,?Candy
Crush? as a special dedication to their
grandmother. Madison and Mallory swam
with the sharks and returned as more than
conquerors. They are all about the business!
For more details on Angels and Tomboys or
to place an order, please visit
www.angelsandtomboys.com
-Quote Author

each one,t each one
t he boys t o men f oundat ion
By: Anitra Scott
A Step in the Right Dir ection
There are so many negative views
for males, specifically for minority
youth here in the United States.
Each of us must think of a way to
step up, and lend a helping hand
and assist our youth. But, what can
one person do to make a difference?
In many cases, one person can make
a world of difference in the mind of
a child in need of guidance.
Christopher Fowler, who founded
the Boys to Men Foundation in 2009
of Charlotte, North Carolina, has
dedicated over two decades of his
time to our youth. I asked what he
had in mind when he formed such a
profound organization. ?I wanted to
create a mentor group that would
make young men more productive.
There are many mentor groups that
have sports like basketball and
football. I have coached basketball
and worked with young men as a
coach. But I want to prepare the
young men I work with for the
future. I want them to understand
the proper ways to maintain once
they start a job and even obtain a
job. Playing a sport is not the only
answer for some. Everyone is not as
successful in sports. We provide
mentoring, tutoring, conflict
management along with home and
school visits. We work hard to help
our mentees develop leadership
skills as well as self respect.? The
odds can be against many youth in
communities with very little
leadership. It is unfortunate that some
adolescent males reach elementary,
middle and most certainly high school
and become a ?statistic?. However,
BTM (Boys to Men Foundation) have
partnered with the juvenile justice
system to assist boys ages 7-17 beat
the odds and become productive
young men. It?s never an easy task to
raise children which is why many refer
to, ?It takes a village?, the proverb that
leverages the cultural context that it
takes an entire community to raise a
child. In this aspect a child has the
best opportunity to become a prolific
adult if the entire community takes an
active role in the rearing of the child.
This quote from the Igbo and Yuroba
Nigerian proverb conveys the belief of
many organizations dedicated to
young adults, specifically the Boys to
Men Foundation. But what if ?the
village? turns a deaf ear, or could care
less? What can be done then? Perhaps
this issue contributes to the constant
overcrowding of jails and high crimes.
If we see a problem and recognize the
one thing that makes a difference,
then perhaps we can stop the trend.
We certainly need to devote more of
our time to our young people which
may help in more ways than one. It?s
ironic as I think back, the need for
mentoring for most males hold true. I
watched my brother as he developed
into manhood. As I recall the crowd
my brother started out with in
comparison to the crowd he ended up
with, I am thankful. Certainly for the
swim coach and Taekwondo coaches
and all mentors in his ?circle? provided
a better route for him. This allowed
my brother, to this day, to be a great
husband, father and an ?upstanding?
citizen. Our parents taught him well,
yet it took others to remind and

einforce. It is definitely important to
have as many positive influences as
possible. A circle of ?positives? without a
doubt warded off the ?negatives?. Thus
far since 2009, the Boys to Men
Foundation has provided assistance to
over 400 young men, with hundreds of
volunteer mentors lending a helping
hand. Many of the mentees in the
organization have graduated high
school, attended colleges and even
provided assistance to other
adolescents who also experienced
negative encounters. This is definitely ?A
step in the right direction?, as noted to
be the signature quote for the Boys to
Men Foundation. I asked Mr. Fowler
what programs the organization
provides for young men? ?We have
many groups in our organization that
help young people such as the ?Young
Men Society?, we work with at risk kids
on all grade levels. ?Conversation with a
Young Brother?, which engages youth
involved in juvenile justice system.
?Turn Around?, works with students
who are consistently suspended and
?Entrepreneurs?, which provides
students with financial and business
knowledge. These groups have helped
many of the young men score better
grades, complete community service
hours, and contributed to a higher rate
of completion for the programs we
provide?. I was curious to know what is
in the works with the community, and if
there were businesses who have
partnered with the organization to
assist with the ?Entrepreneurs? aspect
of the foundation. ?We have recently
completed a partnership with Hendrick
Automotive in Charlotte. There are
three dealerships in one at this location:
Audi, Mercedes Benz and BMW. Our
mentees have the opportunity to
?shadow? staff and work alongside
them in various areas. Our youth
worked 10-30 hours a week this past
summer. They have become skilled
workers. Hendricks Automotive will

offer a range of apprenticeships. There will
be an opportunity for the students to gain
employment once they began the process
to become skilled workers.? I was really
excited to hear such a prestigious company
provided the opportunity to assist the
young men who are mentees of the BTW.
Just knowing the history of, Hendrick
automotive, the nation?s largest privately
held dealership group which originated in
the south, most would agree this is a perfect
start for these young men. This automotive
group is truly appropriate especially when
the Hendrick?s retail profit billions of dollars
in sales alone with additional millions in
service and maintenance. The automotive
group originates from one young man, Rick
Hendrick, who started his journey in 1976 at
the age of 26 years old. This is truly a
motivating location for apprenticeship for
young men. I spoke with one of the
salesmen Jonothon Moody who had the
opportunity to work with a mentee. ?It was
great working with the young men. They are
intuitive. We instill all positive aspects on
reaching their goals. We discussed college
and different avenues. Reminding them to
work hard and the need to be professional
and having the proper attitude which must
match professional attire, they are great to
work with?. Mr. Fowler agreed. ?Yes, the staff
at the dealership was thrilled to work with
our young men. They were very impressed
with our group, so much that they asked us
to continue throughout the school year?.
This is awesome for the mentees. They have
a chance to work at all three dealerships at
Hendrick BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz. So
you know they will play the ?that?s my car?
game. The game some of us played in our
youth as we were passengers in our parents?
cars or sitting on the front porch. Those
were the days. So, give us some insight on
the man behind this great foundation
please. ?Well, I was in need of assistance in
my adolescent years, so I felt the need to
help others. I became educated on the need
to help others, and received my Education
Degree from Medgar Evers College where I
started the Black and Latino Initiative
Program. I?ve been an elementary school
teacher for the past 24 years. I have
counseled teens at the YMCA, was part of
the Big Brother program for 5 years, in
addition to participating in the PAL program.
I am currently a teacher in Mecklenburg
County here in Charlotte and was given the
pleasure of being nominated for the Kelly
and Michael Live 2015 Teacher of the Year."
I was the 2015-2016 Highland Renaissance
Our Young Men: If we teach
them well, then per haps,
they can lead the Way!
Teacher of the Year. But, I want to recognize
that our organization has helped so many
young men. We have a mentee of the year,
Seth Buford. The Mayors Mentoring Alliance
and United Way in 2016 acknowledged him
and our organization for having a mentor of
the year, Jevon Patterson. We were recognized
for Best Mentor Practice, Best Educational
Program, and People?s Choice Award?. Well,
there you have it. My thoughts are in the
words of Whitney Houston, ?I believe the
children are our future, teach them well and
let them lead the way?. Thanks for being a
much needed support for our male youth
Mr. Christopher Fowler, and the mentors of
Boys to Men Foundation: Arthur Middleton,
Javar Christian, Fred Phelan, James Brown,
Shawn Carrington, Jevon Patterson, and
Kenton Waring. For more information,
donations, or to become a mentor please
visit their web site at
www.BoysToMenFoundation.com.

Angelina
&
Elizabeth

Photography: Isil Dohnke
MUA: Sergio Apaez Velasco
Angelina P. Anglero
Angelina P. Anglero is a gutsy 7-year old!
She is skillful at Tae Kwon Do, which
requires a lot of patience and discipline to
master. Angelina?s favorite subject is
reading, and while she is not concentrating
on her studies, she enjoys dancing. She is
socially aware and has already begun giving
back to her community. Angelina would like
a career in a few fields. When she becomes
an adult, she dreams of being an astronaut,
computer programmer and architect!
Elizabet h ?Rosie? Anglero
Elizabeth Anglero is a 6-year-old humanitarian who loves animals! She also goes by the
name ?Rosie?. Rosie?s favorite subject is math, and she takes pleasure in singing. In her
spare time, she visits the local shelter to help feed the homeless, what a kind deed! Like
her sister, Angelina, Rosie is also a Tae Kwon Do student. Having plenty to be passionate
about, she is quite the fashionista. When she grows up, Rosie aspires to become a
veterinarian.

Paris Johnson
A Rising St ar By: Anitra Scott
Yes, the ?picture? was quite clear in a
dance studio located in the ?Queen City? of
Charlotte, North Carolina. Paris Johnson is
the 11 year old sensation born and raised
in a small town of North Carolina. She is
one of the newest young divas entering the
music business, in which she is very busy
paving her way in the industry. Paris
Johnson is certainly a ?force? all on her own.
We caught up with Paris and a few of her
dancers, Inchantis Stroud, Sienna Duys,
and Mylie Stone, practicing for her latest
video. Jeremy McConaughey, the
choreographer, was pleased with this team
of young ladies. The song titled, ?Dance
Until You Drop?, is Paris?current project
with producer, J. Stylz. The young ladies
were hard at work under the bright lights.
Perfection was an understatement.
Precision was quite evident, as the singing
and dance team moved about on the solid
wood floor dressed in their stylish dance
gear. There was nothing short of excellence
as I watched each young lady perform with
Paris. The execution of the coolest ?hip
hop? moves was in play. There was no
sweat for these ladies as they ?wowed? me.
Practice does make perfect. Dancing is such
a transmittable art so much that others like
me seem to want to join in and learn the
steps, the choreography. There is
something about dancing. It is a release of
happiness. I was amazed at the level of
talent Paris has. So, I asked which famous
artists inspired her. ?One of my favorite
artists is Rihanna. I like her because her
voice is so unique. My favorite song is
?Work?. I like her fast ?up-beat island style?.
I also like the dances and moves of
Beyonce?, her choreography is amazing.
The artists I grew to enjoy through my
parents are Mary J. Blige, and James Brown.
I like fast music. I actually performed ?Just
Fine? by Mary J. Blige at the Apollo a couple
years ago?. When did your parents discover
your talent, and where was your first
performance? ?When I was younger we
were outside decorating around Christmas,
and I was singing a song that I made up. My
mom listened to me and was surprised at
my voice. She said, ?You can sing? I did not
know you could sing like that?. Then she
called my dad over to listen. After they
started practicing with a voice trainer. I
have been singing since I was about three
years old. I am 11 now, so I have been
singing for eight years. I started singing in
church. Then as I enhanced, I started
singing at concerts and competitions and
other places?. Many of us mimic the songs
and dances of artists both past and
present. However, we forget that there is a
lot of sweat and tears behind the scenes
we don?t see. Artists in fact experience
quite a bit as they perfect their talent. It is
not always easy for performers. There is a
high volume of travel and performances
required to be accepted in the industry. It
can sometimes be quite a task for most
artists. For this reason, I have that much
more respect for these artist no matter the
age. I asked Paris what she would say to
any performer starting in the music
industry. ?I would say never give up even if
it gets hard. The more you try the easier it
will get, over time. I say work hard because
performing as an artist takes a lot of work. I
have been doing this for eight years and it
has not always been easy. My dad says
always give 110% because even if you slack
off by 10%, your outcome will be at 100%.
He tells me that everyday?. The maturity
level of these young ladies was astounding.
Paris informed me of her need to keep a
great relationship with her dance team and
how they support each other during
performances. They all certainly have a
great support system and know the need to
keep those who support them closest. The
support of family and friends is very
important. I asked Paris if she had a best
friend. With no hesitation she stated her
best friend Khaliya, was like the ultimate

"J u J u on
fan, supports her and is always eager to
see the next video and or photo shoot. The
dance team working with Paris is simply
amazing. The feel of happiness filled the
room. I could tell this was nothing short of
fun for each young lady. Talent, aptitude
and more flair is inevitable for this group.
These young ladies have participated in
numerous dance competitions, acting,
dancing and much more. They have set
high standards for themselves. Each of
them certainly possesses a high quality of
skill level. I could see why they were chosen
to work with Paris. There is so much talent
in this unit. Inchantis Stroud, age 12,
started dancing at age nine. She was
chosen and recruited by J. Stylz himself.
She enjoys the dancing choreography of
Michael Jackson and Beyonce. Her ultimate
goal is to complete as many live
performances as possible. She is no
stranger to the dance floor. Sienna Duys,
age 11, has been dancing for several years,
since age two. The Carolina Panthers have
been graced with her dancing skills. She
says ?Always try your best?. She has
competed in numerous dance
competitions. Mylie Stone, age nine, has
been dancing since age two. She enjoys
t hat b eat !"
A yeee
"
"
You yo daddy
son
performances by Taylor Swift and JoJo Siwa,
another young performer. She is scheduled
to participate in quite a few up and coming
dance competitions. She is also an actress.
These young ladies are certainly no
strangers to hard work. As they follow the
guidance of Jeremy McConaughey, who has
been a choreographer for over a decade.
Indeed the young ladies have what it takes
to be a successful performer with Paris
Johnson. Jeremy, Paris?s choreographer,
stated: ?The dance team actually pushes
me. I learn from them as they set examples
as they are not afraid to be themselves.
They exude a specific amount of talent and
energy. It?s a collaborative effort and a
great learning experience as I work with
these young performers?. Paris Johnson is
indeed one of the newest, bright stars that
we will see pretty soon. J. Stylz and Jeremy
have so much planned for her future. We
are certainly looking forward to the
completion of all up and coming projects
scheduled for Paris. We are definitely
applauding you Paris and your dance team,
and can?t wait to see more of you as you
blossom into stardom!

Mother Daughter
Spotlight
Beyonce' And Blue
Ivy r ocking flor als
in Par is. They had
fun in flir ty Gucci !

Photo: Courtesy of Voque

WILLOW& JADENSMITH
Here to Stay...
t this year's Met Gala Ball in May,
André Leon Talley welcomed Willow
and Jaden Smith to the red carpet
introducing the siblings to the world,
as the "future of fashion". However,
they are known for more than their
fashion sense. Willow and Jaden have
seemingly fused performance, art,
design, and fashion into one masterful
work of ingenuity.
As very innovative and creative young
individuals, they have often challenged
social norms and perceived
boundaries. Subsequently, Willow and
Jaden frequently muddle the lines of
gender and its associated practices.
ATherefore, their actions and decisions
may leave some people perplexed
and questioning the state of the
future. According to the duo will the
future make us all -Dare we say it...
"ONE??
This is a legitimate and valid question
considering the fact that Jaden opted
to wear a dress on several occasions.
This is a direct correlation to the fact
that several Hollywood parents have
decided to allow their children appear
in public in gender neutral clothing.
Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and
Brad Pit felt that their kids should
choose their gender. This belief has
prompted many individuals to the
ponder over the question, does

clothing decisions really impact the DNA makeup of a boy or girl.
In fact Lindsey Wixson once said that, ?I dress myself, not to
impress, but for comfort and for style?. Therefore, many people
view fashion as ?fluid? and an expression of one?s style and
comfort.
However, some opponents may argue that it?s a form of social
engineering. James Delingpole published an article confirming
this very point. In the his article he stated that, ?No matter how
hard you try to bring your kids up in a gender-neutral way ?
even if you refuse point blank to dress them in stereotypical
blue or pink romper suits ? those XX and XY chromosomes will
win out in the end. Give a girl a doll and she will cuddle it and
nurture it. Give a boy a doll and he will either torture and
dismember it or use it as a hand grenade. Is this really such a
bad thing? Well, you could argue that if more were done to
check boys?destructive instincts we might have less war and if
more were done to discourage girls?child-rearing tendencies we
might have more women in the workplace and a narrower
gender pay gap. Or you might find as I do something rather
sinister and Brave-New-World-ish in this attempt at social
engineering. What if there is a sound biological reason for the
way men and women are programmed to think and behave in
different ways? What indeed if the future of our species
depends on it? To a degree I think it does.?
Many new age psychologists will argue that most children do
not know what they want to be and that society forces it upon
them with its pinks and blues. However, Jaden and his dad did
not see eye to eye on his son's desire to wear a skirt. Will Smith
stated to BBC Radio regarding his son?s clothing choices, ?OK.
You cannot wear a skirt. He (Jaden) said to me, ?Dad, it?s fine. It?s
going to be so hot all the kids will be wearing it.?I said, ?No, the
kids are not going to do it because their parents will have sense
enough to not let them do it.?But he?s confident in who he is and
who he wants to be.?
Besides Jaden's clear direction on youth fashion, more
importantly, he cares deeply about the environment.
Jaden And The Environm ent
Jaden?s biggest focus is on the world?s water supply. Many
people may have seen Jaden Smith photographed several times
this year holding bottles of water up to his ear, for no ?apparent?
reason. However, some people simply just shrugged it off
because they have acknowledged the fact that Jaden walks to
the beat of his own drum. Jaden?s stated to New York Magazine
that he was a part of a viral marketing campaign for
environmentally friendly water bottle company, ?Just Water?.
Smith says, "People in Atlanta rap music videos put money to
their ear. I just put it to my ear because I love rap music, but I

Her Philosophy
According to Willow, beauty doesn?t exist.
Beauty is a contrived notion created by
humans.
wanna put out a different message.?
"Lor em sit
ipsum dolor sit
amet at ver o
eos et."
Jaden helped launch the company. His
innovative idea was sparked after a surfing
trip, in which he noticed large amounts of
plastic pollution. Offering an eco-friendly
packaging alternative (sold for a reasonable
99 cents a bottle) Just Water avoids plastic
pollution and other harmful bi-products of
petroleum-based plastics (including CO2
emissions). His father, Will Smith, is also a
huge supporter, explaining ?primarily we
want to do something that is good for the
world, that starts to move in a direction,
even if it?s just consciousness ? even if it?s
just people start paying attention. I feel
totally connected to water," Jaden Smith
added. "I love water. I feel like it?s one of the
most spiritual and interesting elements on
Earth. If you freeze anything on Earth, it will
get smaller, but water expands when you
freeze it. It?s the only thing that expands
when you freeze it! It?s literally the only
thing. Even in some trees, water will flow up
the bark of the tree and go against gravity.
Water does so many things that are just
unnatural and not normal."
Jaden?s sister, Willow, is known as one of
today's out of this world fashionistas. She
first burst onto the musical scene as an
artist who enjoyed ?whipping her hair back
and forth,?. In addition, she normalized
consciousness to an entire generation of
her followers. She stated to ?Interview
Magazine?that, ?I know so many kids who
literally are, like, Instagram-famous. They
have done nothing but post pictures on
Instagram. And they have followings,?
Willow said. ?And then there?s people, like
me and Jaden, who want to utilize social
media to elevate the consciousness of
those people who feel like all they want
from social media is to be famous.?
Willow has stated that, ?Life can feel like a
divine collaboration. Imagination can save
you from the harsh realities of the world,
and that can help some of the time. But it?s
more productive to create or seek out
experiences that help you accept the duality
of life. I try my hardest to create situations
that make me want to celebrate existence
as a whole, instead of suppression, or
blinding yourself to negativity.
?Fantasy?and ?reality?are the same. To break
the barrier and walk between the worlds of
the reality that we know and the world of
thought and imagination, the only thing you
will ever need the capacity to see beyond
the limitations you have placed on yourself.
To move with courage beyond the blind
spot. There is no ?how.? You just do it and
never go backward.?
Although, we may never reach Willow's
evolving level of consciousness, we do love
the direction that fashion has taken her.
The Chanel Campaign
Willow Smith is the star in Chanel?s latest
FW16 campaign. Accordingly, as the face of
the label?s new eyewear delivery (the shoot
was manned by icon Karl Lagerfeld) the
campaign showcases Willow in a series of
black and white photos, of course donning
Chanel?s FW16 eyewear styles. Following in
the footsteps of Cara Delevingne, (who was
featured in last season?s campaign) the
16-year-old has gracefully embodied the
brand's direction for a new generation. In
fact the Chanel?s house applauded her by
saying, ?a multifaceted artist,
writer-composer-singer -Quote and actress, Author Willow
Smith is the embodiment of her
generation?s spirit.? Although Willow Smith
has been wearing Chanel for a number of
years, her relationship became official in
March when, after attending its

Autumn/Winter 2016 (AW16) ready to wear
show; she became one of its ambassadors.
The Fut ure
Via the ?Interview Magazine?, Pharell
Williams, ask them who their biggest
influences were and they replied:
WILLOW: My parents. Growing up, all I saw
was my parents trying to be the best people
they could be, and people coming to them
for wisdom, coming to them for guidance,
and them not putting themselves on a
pedestal, but literally being face-to-face
with these people and saying, "I'm no better
than you, but the fact that you're coming to
me to reach some sort of enlightenment or
to shine a light on something, that makes
me feel love and gratitude for you." They
always give back what people give to them.
And sometimes they keep giving and giving
and giving. And some people don't feel like
they need to give anything back because it's
like, "Oh, if you're famous, you can just keep
giving, and it doesn't matter." It's not just
about money. It's not just about giving
people gifts or whatever. What my parents
have given to me is not anything that has to
do with money or success or anything that
society says people should be focusing
on? it's something spiritual that only
certain people can grasp and accept. And
that's how I act and move in the world
today.
that kids don't cry, like, "Why do I have to
go to school?" Instead, kids are like, "Yeah!
I'm so glad to go to school! I'm a better
person than I was yesterday, and I can help
people."
In the meantime, Jaden plans to go to
college, and told GQ: ?I want to set up office
at MIT just so I can learn and bring in new
technologies into the world.?He explained:
?Me and Willow are scientists, so everything
for us is a scientific test upon humanity.
And luckily we?re put in a position where we
can affect large groups of human beings at
one time.?And that?s what I really
encourage kids to do, is learn the things
that you want to learn, because then not
only will school become fun, but it will make
your dreams come true.?Jaden insisted that
he?s no wild child, but wants to be known as
?one of the craziest?people of all time.
Wonder where these two will be in 10
years? Jaden simply replied with ?gone,?
while Willow went on to say that she would
be ?in the mountains somewhere in a tent
cooking a squirrel.?Only time will tell. Just
keep watching this dynamic duo. All we can
say is the future of kids fashion according to
Jaden and Willow should be very
interesting!
Written by: Jona Kirby and Jonathan Sawyer
Source: GQ, Interview Magazine, Blazz, highsnobiety.com
JADEN: I 100 percent agree with Willow on
that one. My parents are definitely my
biggest role models. And that's where me
and Willow both pull all of our inspiration
from to change the world. It all comes from
a concept of affecting the world in a
positive way and leaving it better than it
was than when we came. I feel like that
enters into all types of different areas
because there are so many different outlets
that life has to offer for us. That goes into
technology, into music. That goes into
science, into spirituality, into education.
Where me and Willow come from, a lot of it
is trying to make society more efficient, so

?A multifaceted artist,
writer-composer-singer
and actress, Willow Smith
is the embodiment of her
generation?s spirit,?
-Chanel

Cel ebr it y Chef
Zac Kar a

Young, driven, and innovative
master chef, Zac Kara, is only
beginning his career at the age of
fourteen, and is well on his way to
creating a monumental career. As a
teen celebrity chef, Kara has begun
developing his career and making
connections with some of the food
industry's best and most talented
cooks.
His love for cooking began when he
was only 11 years old. ?My mom
started to teach me and at first I only
made scrambled eggs,? said Kara,
when asked about the first dish he
learned to make. Although his mom
is one of the main people who
helped him fall in love with food, he
lives in a family full of cooks and
bakers who mold him into a better
chef.
Zac had only been cooking for only a
year and a half when he went to an
open call for "MasterChef" with
hundreds of other kids in Phoenix.
Zac told the Orlando Sentinal in an
article that the show "Master Chef "
truly inspired him stating ?MasterChef
Junior" inspired me, and I fell in love
with being in the kitchen, I was kind of
nervous to be on TV. My sister and
mom encouraged me," he added.
Kara watched cooking shows to learn
his craft, he also began taking online
culinary school to master his
techniques.
Zac is a teenager with many different
talents. Other than cooking, he has a
passion for playing tennis and has been
involved with the sport since he was
By: Shannon Rawley
Cooking wit h ZaC Kar a
pur suing goal s whil e gr owing up
four years old. Cooking is a passion
that came along surprisingly and
evolved into an enjoyable skill.
Although Zac has a newfound love for
cooking, he hopes to pursue a future
career in both playing tennis and being
a chef. When asked if he could give any
advice to young people pursuing a
dream, Zac expressed the importance
of diligence and consistency. He talked
about how following your dreams is
truly what helps you accomplish them.
If you never take the initiative to pursue
your own goals, how else will you
accomplish them?
As of now, Zac has plans to do much
bigger and better things. You can follow
his journey to achieving his dreams
through social media @Zac_Kara. Like
many other people his age, Zac uses
social media as a way to connect with
his fans and share his story of success.
Get ready to see more of Zac Kara in
the future, because he?s just getting
started.

Model:Im yiah Whit e
Designer:Triple St it ch Diva
MUA: Carly Wolert
Phot ography: JAM

M ia Dalt on
Mia Dalton is an ambitious 5-year-old with a very bright
future. She is also quite the entertainer! Unlike most people more
than twice her age, Mia can sing and dance! She also enjoys
traveling the world. She has her sights set on one of the most
honorable careers one can ever have, while most would never hold
this title. Those who have held this position are a very special
group of people. If you haven't guessed, Mia wants to hold office
as Leader of the Free World, most popularly known as President of
the United States.
Photography: Laurence Logan
The.TZ.Studio
MUA: Monique Stevens

M ek h i Z ah ir L eon- P h ar r
Mekhi Zahir Leon-Pharr is an adventurous 9-year-old
who has a variety of interests. His curiosity for life?s offerings
is not limited to one specific field of study. Also, his artistic
side is reflected in his delight for dancing. His favorite subject
is math, which will be quite the advantage since he aspires to
be an architect. He even has a culinary interest that he would
like to express as a world class chef! Mekhi has a backup plan;
in case those careers do not pan out, he would like to become
a model.
Photography: Todd Youngblood
MUA: Monique Stevens

K assand r a
M und h enk
Kassandra Mundhenk (who also goes by ?Kassie?) is a
remarkable and caring 14-year old, who enjoys walking by
the lake near her home, while, as she quotes, ?picking up
litter to save the planet?. She has changed the perceptions
of many about those who have special needs, as Kassie
lives with Down syndrome. She describes herself as ?just
like everyone else, but with a dash of magical?. Her favorite
subjects are science and reading. In her spare time, Kassie
enjoys riding her pony named Prince, wearing her favorite
mermaid tail so she can spin like a mermaid! When she
grows up, Kassie aspires to be a model and actress.

E laina
Br aver man
Elaina Braverman is a
well-accomplished at 13 years old,
with an impressive acting resume!
Elaina?s career began when she
started participating in pageants,
then it evolved into acting. She has
starred in a Samsung commercial,
and blockbuster hits such as
Orange is the New Black, Blind Spot,
Before Mars, and Spiderman!
Elaina?s favorite subject is math.
Also, when she is not on the movie
set, she enjoys modeling, playing
basketball, and volunteering at
?Pets 4 Luv? Animal Shelter. When
she grows up, in addition to
modeling and acting, Elaina desires
to launch her own pet sitting
business.
JAM PHOTOGRAPHY

" My Dad INJECTED me with HIV
over Child Support Payments"
Brryan Jackson
Brryan Jackson?s story began when he was only
11 months old and his father, who had worked in the
medical field, insidiously injected him with
HIV-tainted blood.
By: Annetta K.Daily Mail
Five years later his mother unaware of his father's
heinous actions, doctors diagnosed Bryyan with
full-blown AIDS.
Jackson arrived at the Missouri Department of
Corrections to tell Bryan Stewart just how
drastically he had changed his son's life. And he
wanted to make sure Stewart, who is serving a life
sentence for the horrific crime, would be denied
parole.
Jackson?s father was fighting over child support
payments with his son?s mother, who had left him
earlier that year after he became physically and
emotionally abusive. Stewart had become a different
person from the man Jackson's mother had fallen in
love with when they were both training as medics at
a Missouri military facility. When Jackson's mother
found out she was pregnant in 1991, Stewart was
'really excited'. But everything changed when he
returned from Operation Desert Storm in Saudi
Arabia, Jackson told the BBC. Stewart tried to kill his
son so that he wouldn't have to keep paying child
support, Jackson said. Suddenly Stewart was
claiming that Jackson wasn't his child and demanded
a DNA test. That's when the abuse began. Jackson's
mother left Stewart, but the brutal fights continued.
Jackson said his father would tell her: 'Your child's
not going to live beyond the age of five'. Contact
between Stewart and Jackson's mother ceased, but
when the boy was hospitalized with an asthma
attack his father found the perfect opportunity to
strike. Investigators later discovered Stewart had
been stealing samples of infected blood from the
laboratory he worked at and was storing them at his
home. He had even joked with coworkers about
infecting someone with one of the viruses, saying
'they'd never even know what hit them'. When
Stewart visited Jackson on the day he was scheduled
to be discharged from the hospital, his mother was
surprised. 'He wasn't a very active father, so
everyone thought it was strange when he showed
up,' Jackson said. Stewart asked Jackson's mother to
grab him a drink from the cafeteria. When he was
finally alone with his son, Stewart injected the boy
with the infected blood. Jackson, who had just been
nursed back to health, immediately began to
deteriorate. 'My vital signs were all out of whack
because it wasn't just HIV blood he had injected me
with, it was incompatible with mine,' he said. Jackson
was sent home after his vital signs were restored,
but his health continued to worsen. Believing they
had done everything possible, physicians offered no
hope to my family and expected him to die within 5
months after coding twice. Due to complications
from the medication from the disease Bryyan also
lost 70% of his hearing. Miraculously, he defied the
odds and lived on to represent a story of courage,
perseverance, forgiveness, and faith. Since the age of

13, Brryan used his story to impact lives world-wide
from speaking at Congressional briefings in
Washington D.C. to high schools, colleges, juvenile
centers, and youth organizations across the nation.
?I see my vast
experiences as an
avenue to encourage
others at every event?.
Winner of a TeenNick Halo Award, He was also
featured as one of People Magazine's "Heroes
Among Us" and ABC World News/Diane Sawyer's
"Person of the Week."
Brryan has since gone on to speak internationally to
Haiti, Ecuador, England, Kenya, and Canada.
?Facing incredible health and social challenges,
my his life has been a continual battle, yet I strive
to be a catalyst for offering relatable, accurate
conversations along with humor to educate the
world on HIV and mental health, inspire others to
overcome adversity and empower them to make a
difference in their lives and the lives of others. I
want every audience to realize that no struggle is
too big for hope to conquer and forgiveness
changes lives, we just have to shift the
perspective and make a choice -Victim? Or
VICTORY!?

Getting to know the effervescent
Brooke Hummel, it's not hard to
understand why this emerging pop star
is causing a buzz in the entertainment
industry. Armed with her music and her
faith, Brooke is poised to win the battle
against cyber bullying.
Not just another pretty young face, there
is a serious story behind the message
and music of 17 year Brooke Hummel.
Her sparkly voice, contagious laughter
and positive attitude are a delight to all
she encounters. It was a pleasure to
discover just why Brooke is poised to
change the way that people think of
young women in the pop industry.
Music has been a staple in Brooke's life
for as long as she can remember. From
an early age, Brooke learned to love
music and began singing in her church
choir at age 10. Residing now in Tampa,
Florida, Brooke grew up in a loving home
with her parents and siblings. It was
there that her parents taught her to love
and respect others, be proud of who she
was, and to always reach for her dreams.
These were concepts that were ingrained
in everything she did. However, when
she entered high school her freshman
year she encountered an attitude that
was contrary to everything she had ever
been taught.
A SONGSTRESS ON A
MISSION
The once chipper voice that brightened
the interview, now turned somber as
Brooke recalls what life was like for her
during her early teen years.
"Coming into freshman year I was really
nervous. I was in the spotlight because
I did music and so I stood out from
everyone around me. I wasn?t like the
other kids at school. My parents had
always taught me that being different
was good. But instead, the other kids
treated me like the red headed step
child because I was different. Nobody
wanted anything to do with me"
It was hard to maintain her joy in this
kind of environment. People were
constantly trying to break her down.
By: Desiree Helm
HUMMEL
Cyber bullying became a real issue in
Brooke's life.
" People can really change the way you
think, they try to really emotionally
break you down. They were telling me
things like you're not good, your dreams
won't come true, even to kill myself. It
was hard. I went home and had my
cries, and turned to my mom. It was a
long recovery road."
From this hard season in her life, a
mission and vision was born in Brooke's
heart. While she was struggling with
being bullied, and the depression she
suffered as a result, Brooke had a hard
time finding resources for teens her age.
There wasn't much out there to help her
deal with the things she was undergoing.
When she began to get better, she was
led to create a space where teens could
come together and share their
experiences to help each other heal. She
also realized that she wanted to use her
gift of song to help others overcome and
to get people talking about the real
dangers and consequences of bullying.
Soon "Stop Block Tell" was born, a site
for teens by teens, along with BNR
records to bring awareness to the plight
of cyber bullying. Brooke would go on to
become the face of their anti-cyber
bullying movement.

"I want everyone that is being bullied
to know they are not alone. I want them
to know they are loved, they are strong
and that they are worthy of whatever
dream they have. Until I went through
it, I had no idea how bad bullying really
was. I am not happy that I was bullied,
but I know that I can use my experience
to not just help others but hopefully
prevent others from being bullied in the
first place."
Determined not to dwell on the pains of
the past, the enthusiasm in Brooke's
voice returns as the conversation shifts
to her life now and her new EP. In
addition to touring, writing and
"
Gaining over 2 million plays on
Soundcloud in over a month, Brooke's
music is receiving great feedback from
her fans and music bloggers around the
country. With over 124k Twitter followers
and 13k followers on Instagram, it's hard
for Brooke's talent to go unnoticed. The
new EP is the story of Brooke's life. More
specifically it's lyrics tell the tale of the
summer of youth. All the songs reflect
either something that has happened in
her summer of "16" or things she felt in
that moment. Whether it's an upbeat
dance track or emotional ballad Brooke's
EP has something for everyone; old,
young and in between.
With her rising fame, Brooke has
managed to stay grounded by staying
true to her faith and being appreciative
for the blessings she has received with
her music.
My family and my team are good for
keeping me in check. I expect them to
hold me accountable, to be the best I
can be every day. Whether good or bad,
whether I am feeling sad or happy I
want to keep things real. I want to
always be real with my music. I want
people to always see the real me so
they can relate to my music. I love my
music and what I am doing. Recently I
was at a youth event for the ?Stop Block
Tell? campaign. We were visiting a
school when I was asked to perform my
song Cruel. I looked out at my audience
and noticed some girls singing along. I
could not believe that they knew the
words to my song. I felt like I was
making an impact. That was when I
realized that this was what I should be
doing with the rest of my life. I want
every teen, especially young girls, to
know how valuable they are. I want
them to know that they can fight
insecurity and that they don?t have to
believe the things that every other
involved in her church and even makes
time to teach yoga on the beach. It is
clear that Brooke has turned a corner.
Her new EP "The Brook Hummel EP" is a
large source of the joy that has returned
to her life. The featured new single
"Cruel" was written by Brooke along with
writer/producer D-Major to bring
awareness to the emotional problems
many teens face as a result of bullying
and people are beginning to take notice.
It's emotional lyrics and poignant video
add to the strength of her voice and the
message she wants relayed to the world;
that everyone deserves to be loved and
that no one deserves to be bullied.
I want ever yone t hat is
being bul l ied t o know t hey
ar e not al one.
"
people say about them. I want to use
my music to help others learn to love
themselves.?
Loving the road life, Brooke is always on
the go. She is currently on tour with the
?Stop Block Tell? campaign and you can
find Brooke either speaking at a youth
event or volunteering in the community.
Still finding time to do what she loves
best, work on her music. She is currently
in the process of recording covers and
has taken on writing all the songs for her
next album. Wise beyond her years and
equipped with a heart to serve, Brooke is
proving that the next generation of
musicians are determined to make a
positive impact on the world.
For more information on Brooke Hummel
you can follow her on Twitter @BrookeBNR
or on Instagram @BNRBrookeHummel.
Keep up with Brooke!
Cruel music video- bit.ly/CruelMV
Cruisin music video- bit.ly/BrookeCruisin

"I want every teen,
especially young girls,
to know how valuable
they are."-Brooke
Hummel

ToussaintStudios@gmail.com Phone: 980- 833- 7863
www.ToussaintStudios.com

Twin sensations Kensyen and Kasyen
Reed-Williams are 8-year olds who model for The
Princess Kingdom Clothing (TPK) line, founded by
Shanara White. They enjoy traveling with their TPK
sisters for different events, which allows them to
wear pretty tutus and fly sneakers. They also enjoy
reading, riding their bikes, playing dolls, and playing
Roblox! Their mother makes sure they give back to
community by volunteering at a local nursing home
to visit the elderly. Kensyen and Kasyen really want to
be famous and make lots of money!!! They plan to
achieve this by having their very own TV sitcom. They
really dream of being guests on the Ellen DeGeneres
show because they are big fans of her show!

&
Kensyen
Kasyen!!
Photography: Laurence
Logan The.TZ.Studio
MUA: Monique Stevens
Designer: The Princess
Kingdom- Shanae White

Photography: Laurence Logan
The.TZ.Studio
MUA: Monique Stevens

Maryann Hatfield
Maryann is a high-powered 3 year old, who loves Treasure Troll Dolls. She
attends the prestigious St Francis de Salles School. In her spare time,
Maryann enjoys modeling and dancing, and gymnastics and soccer are her
favorite sports. She won a ?look-a-like? contest on NBC show First Look,
during Oscar Week in January, where she played the role of Ashley Roberts!
That was when her desire to grow up and be on television began. Maryann
also aspires to be a model.
JAM PHOTOGRAPHY

St udent Gr eat ness
About
that life!
By: Marage Blakeney
Many young student athletes face
various challenges that their other
classmates may not endure. In addition
to keeping up with their academic
classes, they must learn time
management, perseverance,
commitment, and dedication at an early
age. In fact a blog listed on
www.psychologytoday.com suggest that
opponents ?believe that sport
participation decreases grades because
young athletes are over burdened with
practices and games. As a result, they
don?t have time to focus on
schoolwork.? However,
www.aspenprojectplay.org reveals that,
"high school athletes are more likely
than non-athletes to attend college and
get degrees; team captains, MVPs (Most
Valuable Player) achieve in school at
even higher rates (US Dept. of
Education, 2005). The benefits extend
to the workplace. A survey of 400
female corporate executives found 94%
played a sport and that 61% say that
has contributed to their career
success." Haywood Hale Brown, once
said that, "Sports do not build character
they reveal it." Recently, I had the
pleasure of meeting four young
individuals whose characters?reveal
that they are beating the odds of being
honor students and excelling in sports.
Aamaiya Ijames is nine years old and is
a fourth grader at Kannapolis Charter
Academy. She is a cheerleader, member
of the drill team, and runs the 400/200
meter dash for the Salisbury Speedsters
(an Amateur Athletic Union 'AAU' track
team). Following her mother's passion
for track competitions, Aamaiya is
determined to beat her opponents and
get better at the 400 meter dash. In
fact, she has set personal goals to
monitor her progress. She has
completed the 200 meter race in less
than 30 seconds. The A/B honor roll
student is able to maintain her
academic high scores by prioritizing.
She completes her class and homework
first and then focuses on her sport
practices and run in her spare time. By
being a young student-athlete, Aamaiya
has learned to never give up and if you
try you can succeed. It is also important
to remember that if you believe in it,
you can do it. Aamaiya receives a lot of
inspiration from Olympian, Allyson
Felix, who is making a name for herself
in the track and field sport industry.
Ricky Horton is a 15 year old basketball
shooting guard position and a
linebacker football player exualted
athlete at Zebulon B. Vance High
School. Similar to Aamaiya's story, Ricky
is following in his father's footsteps. His
father played basketball, football, and
baseball in his younger years.
Therefore, sports has been a vital part
of Ricky's social and physical
development. He has been playing
football and basketball all of his life,
since 5 years old. Ricky had to learn to
overcome the challenge of keeping his

grades up. Fortunately, he has utilize
the assistance of tutors and learning
the importance of finishing all of his
school work first before sport practices
and games. His dedication has paid off.
Ricky was selected as his school's Junior
Army Team for football and named the
basketball MVP for his middle school.
He even received several AAU
basketball championship medals. At a
young age, Ricky has a new
appreciation of professional ethics that
include hard work, commitment, and to
remember that he does not have the
luxury of slacking off for frivolous
reasons. Ricky intentionally studies the
techniques of Kevin Durant. Ricky
believes that Durant is very underrated
and some people do not see his
ultimate potential. Ricky desires to
attend Duke University and major in
engineering and math.
Zaeontae ?Zay?Robinson is a 15 year old
basketball and track star at Myers Park
High School. Zay is a shooting guard on
his basketball team and runs the 800
meters race for his track team. His
athletic family lineage that includes his
mother, uncles, and cousins have
played various sports such as track/field
and basketball. One of Zay?s biggest
challenges is having time to complete
his homework, while maintaining a 3.5
grade point average (GPA), However,
Zay has received two MVP honors in
middle school for track and basketball.
Zay also has learned the importance of
creating a realistic schedule that
encompasses study time, homework,
and practice. School must come first in
his entire routine. The role of being a
student athlete has taught him the
importance of never giving up and
always having a positive attitude. Zay
really admires James Harding because
he plays the same position that he does
at school and he is a great scorer. Zay
plans on attending Ohio State
University to receive his college degree.
Carson Wynn is a 17 year old
defensive/center back respected soccer
player at York Comprehensive High
School. Carson wanted to play soccer
because he felt like it was a fun sport
and his siblings were former student
athletes. As a senior honor student with
a 3.6 GPA, Carson has had his own
share of personal challenges. He had to
navigate techniques that would afford
him the opportunity to leverage more
soccer playing time on the field and
balance his time for school and sports.
Carson was able to overcome these
obstacles by doing his homework first
and going to class early to complete his
school assignments. His team was
awarded the 5th place on the statewide
soccer championship. He was also
selected to play on an academy (similar
to a national collegiate level) team.
Carson attests that sport participation
has helped him to be humble, become
a responsible leader, accountable, and
helped identify what he did wrong and
how to fix it. Carson gains valuable
insights and position techniques from
Vincent Kompany (Belgium soccer
player for Manchester City). Carson
stated that Kompany is the best soccer
player in the world. Once Carson
graduates this year, he plans to attend
Southeastern University.
All of these exceptional young
student-athletes believe that academics
should come first. Education is
instrumental in their definition of
becoming an overall successful leader
and athlete. They have defied the odds
and negative/derogatory connotation of
the phase ?dumb jocks?. In fact the
young rising superstars have the
following advice to other youth who
may be considering participating in
sports:
"Keep your grades up and keep striving
for your goals in life because dreams do
come true. Believe in yourself and know
that you can do it." (Aamaiya)
"Don?t let anyone tell you what you can
or cannot do. Stay positive and
surround yourself with the right
people." (Ricky)
"Always put school first. Without good
grades, you cannot play sports. Create a
schedule to help with time
management." (Zay)
"Always trust the process. Never give
up. Trust God and yourself in
everything. Be accountable for your
actions and your destiny." (Carson)
With the guidance of their families,
communities, teachers, and coaches,
many student athletes are very
proficient in dealing with the hustle and
flow of life. They understand
responsibility, the importance of team
dynamics, creative thought process and
accountability. The Child Trends report
entitled ?Participation in School
Athletics? reveal that ?participation in
athletics has a positive association with
academic achievement. Studies have
shown that high school athletes have
higher grades than non-athletes, lower
absentee levels, a significantly smaller
percentage of discipline referrals, lower
percentages of dropouts, and higher
graduation rates.? As Billie Jean King
once stated, ?Champions keep playing
until they get it right?. That is the true
meaning of being about that life and
become winners both on and off the
field!

Th e Tale of 2 K ings..
Zyon Hailey is an act ive 9 year- old w ho enjoys
sport s. His favorit es are foot ball and basket ball.
Zyon even has m oves for t he dance floor! Not only
does he dance but he also loves fashion, alw ays
m aking sure he is st ylish w hile off t he court .
When he grow s up he aspires t o be a professional
foot ball player. As a back up plan, he'd like t o join
t he S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tact ics), w hich
is an elit e unit in law enforcem ent .
Nasir Hailey is a 3 year-old w ho loves
hanging and being around his big brot her
Zyon! Nasir adores his older brot her and
looks up t o him for inspirat ion. So, it w ould
only be nat ural for him t o also enjoy t he
sam e hobbies Zyon does! So, Nasir also
plays foot ball and basket ball, and w ant s t o
play professionally w hen he grow s up, or
join law enforcem ent . When he's not
playing eit her sport , he likes show casing
his dance m oves. Nasir 's m ot her describes
him as "energet ic, and probably one of t he
sm art est , and coolest t oddlers she's ever
know n."

Z yon & N asir
Photography: Todd Youngblood
MUA: Monique Stevens

Photography:T odd Youngblood
MUA: Monique Stevens

Photography: Laurence Logan
The.TZ.Studio
MUA: Monique Stevens
Phillips
Chase Phillips is an amazing 6
year old who already has a special interest
in the world of Information Technology!! In
his spare time he makes YouTube videos
and he conquers his favorite video game
Minecraft. This game can be quite complex
and one must utilize his or her
problem-solving skills in order to advance
each level. Chase is also quite tech savvy,
such a feat considering how quickly our
technology evolves! He is already
gravitating towards engineering, which is a
very challenging field. Chase is highly
advanced for his age, having a keen
interest computer coding!

S
iennaDuys
is an earnest 11-year old who has
taken a keen interest in the Arts. She adores
dancing, acting and singing! Sienna is
currently a backup dancer for Paris Johnson,
a singer who is also featured in this issue!
Whenever she is not practicing any of her
crafts, she enjoys writing. Her favorite sport
is swimming, which is one of the most
strenuous exercises ever! Sienna has her
sights set to dance professionally or
become an actress when she grows up.

Photography: Isil Dohnke
MUA: Sergio Apaez Velasco

Khy 'lee
A nt hony Romeo
Khy?lee Ant hony Rom eo is a 4-year-old
go-getter! He is thrilled to be attending kindergarten
next year to further his education. Whenever he isn?t
learning, Khy?lee enjoys spending his time outdoors.
His hobbies include playing basketball, football,
walking and playing in the park. Khy?lee has a
solution for many of the world?s issues and would
like to do whatever he can to solve them. When
Khy?lee grows up, he aspires to be a superhero.

Milan D. Powel
Milan D. Pow ell is a
multi-passionate 6-year-old who balances
a variety of interests! She relishes reading,
acting, and modeling! Milan has also
tapped into her athletic side and plays
soccer! One of her favorite hobbies is to
collect race cars. Milan aspires to become
a model and actress. She also plans to take
her love for animals to a new level by
furthering her education to become a
Veterinarian. IG:@Milan_Drew
Photography :Laurence Logan
The.TZ.Studio
MUA: Monique Stevens

Sebast ian Sant ang elo
Sebastian is very cultured at 8
years old! Advanced Math is his favorite
subject, so much so, that he is rewarded
with extra math problems once he
completes his other homework! During
his free time, Sebastian reads graphic
novels, playing with Legos, Minecraft and
hockey, and enjoys learning about sharks
and spiders. He sings alongside his sister,
Sienna, in the National Children?s Choir
where they also participate in the
Children?s ministries at church. Sebastian
has also performed in Sound of Music
Junior. When he grows up, Sebastian
would like to be an inventor!
JAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Sienna is a graceful 9 year old! She does not have
a favorite subject in school, because she enjoys them
all equally! Not only does she like going to see musical
theater, but she also performs! She is quite talented,
having singing roles in Annie Junior and Sound of
Music Junior. Also, Sienna enjoys a variety of sports,
such as swimming, basketball, hockey and
roller-skating. In her spare time, she plays piano,
guitar, and the saxophone. When she grows up, she
aspires to be a Broadway star, performing on stages
across the globe.
dui. Curabitur at augue vitae turpis placerat vehicula
in vitae est. Integer hendrerit sapien finibus finibus
luctus. Aenean at finibus purus, at aliquet mauris.
Sienna Sant ang elo
JAM PHOTOGRAPHY