Anniversary issue Feb/Mar 2017

T HE
ANNIVERSARY
ISSUE
| ISSUE no 6

Adele, winner of Album Of The
Year,Best Pop Vocal Album for
'25' and Song Of The Year.
Record Of The Year and Best
Pop Solo Performance for
'Hello,' poses in the press
room during The 59th
GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES
Center.
Givenchy
Red Carpet
Dress
Adele looked to Riccardo
Tisci and Givenchy for this
look!

Claudette Ortiz
Life After City High
Page 29
Photographer: Antoinne Jones
Creative Director: Michael Lopez
Stylist: Jerry Thompson
Designer: Five 13 Studio
Hair: Terrence Davidson
Hair Asst. Sweetstyles by Kai &
Tamora Patrice
Nail Tech: Redd Flythe
Location: ATL GA Weldon Bond
Studios Jewelry: The Vintage Bar

CONTENT
29
49
CLAUDET TE ORTIZ
Life After City High
INSPIRATION
With Latise M. Howie
36
Contributors
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: Laurence Logan (The.TZ.Studio)
Photographer/Video: Emmanuel Toussaint
(Toussaint Studios)
Writers: Tasha McClarrin~(Writer/Contributor)~Davita
Collins~Writer)~Administrative Assistant: Maranda Moore
Creative Director: Michael Lopez-Bond
Public Relations: Pac PR
Tempestt Harris: CEO
Maresa Scott: COO/Editor Chief
37
42.
8

The Anniver sar y
A NOTE FROM THE CEO
Tempestt Harris
Issue
It seems like we were introducing our end of year kids issue just a few
weeks ago, but now spring is at our door! In my family? as I?m sure is
the case in yours? the season is a time for sports, spring break and
beaches. But for me it is all about the FASHION! I enjoy the vibrant
colors, loose sundresses, skin, and bare feet. Whether you fashionistas
enjoy layering your favorite winter/fall trends or are just ready to break
out for spring, this issue will give you the tools you need to step out in
style.
This Issue is our Anniversary issue. This is our official 2 year
anniversary as LEVEL21 MAGAZINE. We are so excited about the growth
and the amazing new partners and associates we have come to meet
and love. I hope that you all continue to challenge us and support us as
we step into new and exciting heights! The Goal is GREATER and we will
get there together!
XOXO, Tempestt Harris
M aresa Scott- NOTE FROM THE
COO/ Editor & Chief
Now that the holidays have come to a slower pace, we can begin to focus and prepare
ourselves for better weather, additional outdoor activities and even more luminous
colors! I am sure that most people will agree with the fact that spring is a time for
transition. Not only is it a transition in the weather, but it is also a time for a transition
in style. I am super excited to be putting away my warm neutral wardrobe colors and
stepping out in bright vibrant colors this Spring! Who cannot be excited about the fresh
air, cherry blossoms, day parties and barbeques?! I know I am fully prepared for this
Spring Fashion Issue, and we hope that through this editorial we help you to transition
in style too.
This issue is a very special edition for the Level21 Team. We have made several
modifications, we have come into contact with various partners, and have vastly grown
as a company. We have been working on this publication for roughly 7 years, but we
are enthusiastic to be celebrating our 2nd Year Anniversary of becoming Level21
Magazine! I hope that our readers have grown to love and appreciate the dedication
and time we put into providing you with current, trendy and accurate communications.
Our hope is that you all continue to grow with us, continue to challenge us and
continue to soar with us to new avenues that we may have never envisioned reaching!
This issue is for you! We hope that you enjoy reading it.
Sincerely,M aresa Scott

Al anl ux st udios
&
The Fashion
Mobst er

Alan Lux Studios is a creative,
unique and bold studio that
focuses on sports,
commercial and portrait
photography. We take great
pride in delivering a personal
approach to your
photography needs.

8
Meet The Inventor
Of The Smart Pillow
Shelton McCoy
A
fter a hard day?s work, you
pull up to your driveway, anxiously
pressing the garage door remote
control so you can dash into the
house to begin the first night of a
long weekend. Once inside, you
have managed to eat, take a hot,
steaming shower and you are ready
to hit your high-thread count cotton
sheets. Because your alert mind
prevents you from immediately
falling asleep, you decide to lay
down to relax with some soothing
music. Imagine if these wonderful
sounds echoing about your room
were actually coming from your
pillow? Is that even possible? Yes it
is, thanks to the brilliant mind of
Shelton McCoy, Founder and
Inventor of The SmartPillo Company
LLC.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Where are you from ?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn,
NY. I am the middle child of five. I
am the left handed middle child,
which is why I think that ventured
out into extreme things to get
attention; the middle child is the
?invisible child?.
You have a background as an
art ist . Tell us a bit about t hat ?
I entered the music industry, and
the first time going for it, I became a
platinum recording Hip Hop artist
with a group called Divine Sounds.
?What People Do for Money?, is a
record that is still being played
today.
So you collaborat ed on a song
w it h Not orious BIG, can you
elaborat e on t his? How did t his
affect your m usic career?
I paid and requested reference
vocals from the Notorious B.I.G., on
a song I wrote called ?Macks N?nor
Dons?, which eventually became
part of the soundtrack to his biopic.
But, I never received credit, nor
funds for, even to this day. His
mother insisted that it was his song,
but I have proof that the song
belonged to me. After his untimely
death, I lost my taste for the
industry and left the music scene.
Then, I packed my things, and
moved to L.A. without knowing
anyone.
Event ually, w hat led t o your
career in celebrit y securit y?
Six months after moving to L.A., I
was hanging out with some guys,
and I just bumped into a really cool
guy, who approached me, handing
me a business card. Because of my
size, he said I should join the
security team for American Idol, and
I worked there for three years. Next,
I toured with Carrie (Underwood) for
two-and-a-half years. The year I
joined American Idol, was the same
year she won, and because she
remembered me during the
competition, she asked me to join
her on tour as head of security. I
traveled all over with Carrie, and
met all kinds of high-end people, so
that is when I began submitting
patents because of my exposure to
the world, and my mind was just
running crazy and I realized I had an
invention.
You m ent ioned t hat you had
subm it t ed pat ent s before. Were
t hey prot ot ypes of t he Pillo?
I had a prior invention before the
SmartPillo. It was a dual-screen net
book, which was before there ever
was a tablet, kindle, or an iPad. It
was insane, I still have it. Because I
was ahead of my time, I was told
that people wouldn?t want to give up
their books, because they like the
feel of paper. Now, look at
everybody; they are on their tablets.
I lived in L.A. for eleven years, and
after I had that experience, I moved
to Fargo, North Dakota, just for a
year. I was put into a technology
incubator at NDSU (North Dakota
State University). I met some cool
people in North Dakota who
believed I had more to offer than
working security. I told them that I
do have some great ideas, and that I
am working on this patent, which
was the net book at the time. So, I
took my earnings from working with
Carrie and started The SmartPillo
Company.
What concerns did you have t hat
led t o your invent ion? What
personal healt h issues did you
have t hat cont ribut ed t o t he
Sm art Pillo?s creat ion?
As a protector and someone who is
protective by nature, I saw my
daughter, who was fifteen at the
time, stick her iPhone inside of her
head wrap so she would be hands
free. Prior to that, I saw a segment
on CNN about cell phone radiation,
and I even got a tumor on my ear
due to cell phone radiation. This is
why I don?t put a cell phone to my
ear anymore. I knew that it was
dangerous so I told my daughter to
stop putting the phone to her ear.

That night, I went to bed and as
clear as day, had a vision for a
Bluetooth Pillo, through which she
could talk to her friends, and even
listen to music. I put it all on the
line. I took my patent and went to
China alone. I even shared my idea
with my barber, Damian Johnson,
Owner of No Grease Barber Shop.
Barbers are also great therapists, so
I told him, and he is one of the first
people to tell me that it was a great
idea. That gave me the fuel to
pursue my dream. Three months
later, I had a working prototype for
the Pillo. If you ever want to pursue
something, write it down, so you can
see it everyday. So I sketched what I
wanted it to look like on paper, and I
looked at that paper everyday. The
paper now is talking to me. It is
indicating that ?Shelton, you need
speakers, because it is enabled by
Bluetooth technology.? I am now
looking at the paper for further
inspiration, and it says ?it is a Pillo,
now you need foam to hold the
speakers.? So I had to cut the foam
so all the components could fit
perfectly. Now, I needed a
seamstress to put the cover
together. And that is how I
accomplished this by the paper
telling me what to do. And here we
are, five years later, that The
SmartPillo Company has now
turned into Kushion, the world?s first
Bluetooth Pillo.
Did you know it w ould go t his
far?
No I didn?t know my invention
would go this far, but I knew I had
something. Everyone I met and let
test the Pillo were in awe. I would let
them connect their phone to the
Pillo and they would be so
impressed with it. But, I didn't know
I would ever partner up with a
business tycoon! I called it a divine
connection, that I had nothing to do
with. Here I came from a group
called Divine Sound, and now here it
is I am having a divine connection
with a mogul like Michael Fux
(pronounced Fewks), who is the
inventor of the memory foam
pillow. I could have never
orchestrated this myself. I do not
even have an engineering
background. Sealy Corporation also
has a headquarters in Charlotte so
we met there. And, the CEO of Sealy
was even impressed with how I met
Michael Fux, asking ?how did you two
guys meet?? The Pillo is so amazing
and ahead of its time. So, if anyone
asks who the inventor of the Kushion
is, I can say, ?Shelton McCoy is the
inventor if the Kushion Pillo?.
We saw you on Good Morning
Am erica, feat uring som e
celebrit ies t est ing t he pillow s.
What w as t heir feedback on t he
product ? How did you land a
license agreem ent w it h
dist ribut ion com pany Com fort
Revolut ion?
I was on Good Morning America,
during Cyber Monday, where I
received great feedback from many
celebrities, who thought the idea was
dope. The bodyguard for Randy
Jackson (American Idol Judge) wanted
me to show Randy the Pillo, because
he thought Randy may want to
partner with me. So, he sent me to
meet Randy, who was at the race
track at Concord Mills in Concord, NC.
So I had in my mind that I would
partner with Randy Jackson, as I grab
my Pillo and head over to meet with
him. Twenty minutes later, I get a
phone call from Randy, who tells me
that everyone headed back to the Ritz
Carlton! I told him, ?I am twenty
minutes away, I will meet you guys
tomorrow.? And Randy said ?No, no,
no, we want to meet with you now?,
so I decided to head over to the hotel
after all since I haven?t seen him in
awhile. So, once I got there, I walked
up to Randy, who was in the lobby.
and he said ?Dude what are you
doing in Charlotte, Man? What
woman brought you to Charlotte? We
missed you man, everyone would
love to talk to you and meet with you
about the Pillo?. I laughed and said
?No, I am here because I started a
new company, called The SmartPillo
Company?. As he was checking out
my Pillo, I got a tap on the shoulder
from behind. I turned around to see
David, the nephew of Michael Fux,
who asked me about the pillow
because he thought the Pillo was
awesome. So I began pitching the
Pillo to David, who was intrigued by it.
So, now he wanted to show his Uncle
the pillow, and asked me if I had
some time. So, what I thought was
supposed to be a meeting with Randy
Jackson was really God setting up a
meeting with Michael Fux, a
successful owner of a pillow
company! So Michael Fux and his
team came down after receiving a call
from David to meet me. After
pitching to Michael, he said ?This is
the future guys, pay attention. The
betting industry never changes.
Putting this type of technology into
the industry is looking into the future.
This young man is onto something. If
you stick with me, you are going to
make a lot of money?. I told him I
didn?t know who he was, but I told
him I would Google him once I got
home, and I did! Fux is also a
world-famous car collector, which he
purchased with earnings from his
successful pillow empire. If you go on
Instagram, his name is spelled
Michael F-U-X, and you will see his car
collection. It is the sickest car
collection ever. And that is whom I
am partnered with.

What is t he next st ep for t he Pillo?
If someone asked me, ?what else do
you have going on?? I can show them
these other great products I have. I
have a bunch of deals in the works
now. NFL Kushion Pillos are coming
soon, as I have a licensing agreement
with the National Football League to
patent them for its individual teams. I
also am working on another Kushion
called the ?S1 Kushion?, (for now) that
you can speak commands into. There
are some smaller, more lightweight
Kushions that I am also coming out
invent ions and pat ent s? How m ust
one rem ain fait hful w hen it
appears t hat t hings aren?t
m at erializing yet ?
It is going to sound simple. Just do it.
If you envision it, and believe it, you
cannot see it on your own; it is
coming from another place, deep
down inside of you. God is saying,
this is what I have for you. Don?t let
your fear, because God did not give
us the spirit of fear, distract you and
keep you from seeing your next step.
If you let fear dictate, fear will rob you
Bird Man-Hip Hop
Mogal
piano. Because those two pianos are
connected. God will connect you with
someone who is praying to invest in
your gift. That is how these marriages
work. It has all been vision, and God
has aligned me with the right people
to help me on the journey of fulfilling
my dream. These investors
understand that they are not
investing in my Pillo, they are
investing in Shelton McCoy! This has all
been a vision of people, tapping me
on the shoulder and asking me about
my invention. Also, be open to
receiving those blessings from God
when they come, and they will come
Waka Flocka
-Hiphop Artist
are some smaller, more lightweight
Kushions that I am also coming out
with. What is great is that it only takes
three weeks to produce the Pillows.
What else are you w orking on?
I am putting up an eco-friendly
community with Darryl Williams,
President and CEO of Neighboring
Concepts, called Shelton Beach,
which will be the world?s first
eco-community. It has seven-acres, a
salt-water swimming pool, imported
white sand, and we are building
thirty, 1-2 bedroom, bungalow-like
homes surrounding it. It will give the
appearance of being in a place like
Bora Bora. The First Lady of Congo
also wants me to travel there to
invest in my eco-community, and I am
not sure what will happen next. My
end game is to become an investor. I
have to be a blessing to others
because none of this happened
based on my credentials. I also want
to hit the circuit and talk to our youth,
and share my story.
What advice w ould you give t o
ot her business ow ners regarding
of the gift God gave you. Step out on
faith. God will put those
opportunities in place for you. There
is power in the unseen and
unknown. If this is a pure vision that
comes to you, you know it is from
The Most High. You will have
concerns but keep working at it
everyday, and God is going to put
those people you need in front of
you. You will go see a Randy Jackson,
who you think will be the face of
your business, and you will get a tap
on the back from behind, someone I
did not see, and God will have the
right person in place to assist you on
your journey. Anything coming from
lust, saying ?look at me, see what I
drive?, materialistic thoughts are not
of God. He will introduce you to
someone; I call that person a
crossroad. Everything has a
crossroad. For every left there is a
right; everything has an opposite.
There is someone out there looking
for something you can offer. For
example, if you put two pianos in the
room--- one all the way to the left
and the other to the right--and play a
chord on one, then walk to the other,
that same note will resonate on that
in ways that you won?t expect them.
Where do w e find The Sm art Pillo
or Kushion?
Customers can go on my websites,
www.kushion.com, and
www.sheltonmccoy.com.
For the readers, I have something for
you; if you use my exclusive
promotional code F1MCCOY, you will
receive a $100 discount off of your
order!
Shelton McCoy?s dreams of having
safe yet convenient technology has
now become our reality. He is a
shining example that faith, along with
hard work and dedication will align us
with divine opportunities to see our
own ideas to fruition. Also, when that
passion involves serving others, it is
a guarantee that success will surely
follow close behind. As technology
advances forward, it is vital that we
have someone like Shelton, who
invents products that keep the health,
safety, and comfort of the human
race in mind. Take that discount code
and ?Get a Pillo that could do both."

The Curvy Girl
Four
Ways to Fierce
1.
Make Sure You
Know The Fit Of
Each Retailer.
Not every plus size brand will fit the
same (just like straight sizes). While
some brands DO have fit issues,
knowing which brands are more
junior cut, missy cut, or true to size
is critical. This will help you
navigate through the designers,
retailers and boutiques!
Pull Tears(Create A Pinterest
Board) Of Your Personal Style
I am currently obsessed with Carine
Roitfeld. Like, I love that she has an
edgy signature style. She slays the midi
pencil skirt paired with daring blouses
and killer heels. While I won?t copy her
look head to toe, I remain inspired by it
and am finding how this rocks out for
me. I even have a Pinterest board of
other?s whose looks have me thinking!
4.
2.
Get Playful InColor
SpringHighFashion
Oooohhh I am sooo here for the
intensity of color for spring. I am
looking forward to rich blues,
blinding yellows, juicy oranges.
AND bold and bright prints of all
scales!
3.
AnEye For Detail
One way to add a bit more tude or interest
to your look? The details and finishes of
your look- whether it be the belt, jewels, or
even the buttons on your jacket. Think the
clutch, the shoe, and the glasses you rock.
They are JUST as important to your overall
look!

Tala Raassi grew up in suburban
Washington, D.C. and then in Iran.
She knows both cultures? but
wasn?t ready for what happened to
her one night in 1998.
By: MIRANDA FRUM
I met Tala Raassi at a nightclub in
West Hollywood. She was a friend of
a friend. At the same table sat
Marilyn Manson. The alcohol was
seemingly unlimited. The club?s strict
no smoking policy rapidly began to
be ignored as party goers clustered
around the open windows as the
night wore on.
Within moments of meeting this
charming, bubbly woman I learned
that she had served time in an
Iranian prison. Intrigued, I asked
why. Her story is an inspiring
one? and one that many young
Iranians might find to be a common
phenomenon.
Tala Raassi was born in Silver Spring,
Maryland. At the age of 2 her family
decided to move back to Tehran.
American culture was always
something she enjoyed. ?I would
watch illegal satellite TV? watching
[shows like] Baywatch and 90210. I
wanted to copy [their style].?
The inevitable conflict of living in a
state-run religious atmosphere and
life within a less than religious family
created an identity complex. ?I grew
up in a post revolution-Iran,? she
told me. ?There were so many
restrictions imposed. We grew up
with families who had [under the
Shah] drunk alcohol and partied.
Then, I also grew up in a society
where I had to cover myself head to
toe.?
Growing up, Raassi had heard many
stories of arrests. But like all
strong-headed young people before
her she believed herself immune. It
could never happen to me.
In Amer ica, She
Designs Swimwear .
In Ir an, She Got 40
Lashes f or Being at
a Par t y.
One fateful evening this mantra was
challenged. Raassi was attending a
small co-ed party (very illegal in the
Tehran of 1998). There were no
drugs or alcohol, but there was
American music (?illegal music?) and
illegal male-female intermingling. An
ex-boyfriend of the girl who
organized the party called the
notorious Basij? the ruthless
military police? when he discovered
he wasn?t invited. The Basij raided
the party and began to make
arrests. Raassi attempted to outrun
the religious police guards, but she
stopped when they managed to
catch up to her and threatened to
shoot her.
?I never thought we would get
lashes,? she confided to The Daily
Beast. ?Normally, if you apologize,
they will let you go. We were
convinced we would never go to jail.
In the car on our way [to jail], we
weren?t taking it seriously. We were
sort of laughing. I was convinced
there was no way they would keep
us there. Someone would pay for
our release, and then we would
leave.?
The group was taken to Vozara
Prison, where they were sentenced
to 40 lashes for the girls, 50 lashes
for the boys, and would spend the
next five days. Rats, cockroaches,
shared toilets. Drug dealers, thieves,
prostitutes. Tala?s voice becomes an
octave more emotional when she
describes seeing a woman in her
wedding dress. Her wedding had
been busted for being coed. The
woman spent the remainder of her
wedding night in jail.
Raassi?s group was kept in a small
holding area in a narrow hallway in
between the trash and the
bathrooms. At the end of the
hallway was a locked cell door with a
small window? which they later
discovered to be the torture room.
?We would hear screams coming out
of there all day. During the call to
prayer, which happens five times a
day, the guards would line us up.
They would tell us we were about to
be lashed and then make us sit
down and wait. Then nothing would
happen. It was mental torture. You
had no idea what was going on. At
night time you would hear the
sounds of women getting raped.
Sometimes they were raped with
glass Coca Cola bottles.?
At the end of Raassi?s jail time (five
days), a guard approached her
group. Her name was called. She
was then transported to another
detention center. Raassi was

ushered into a room where items
from previous arrests were on
display? evidence of indecency. A
judge lectured Raassi?s group about
how they had misbehaved, how they
had broken the law.
?I realized my parents were never
strict with me to suppress my
individuality and expression,? she
said. ?They were strict with me to
protect me from being in the
situation I found myself in? arrested
and lashed.? Outside of the
courtroom, Raassi?s family waited.
One by one, her friends were called
forward to receive their punishment.
?You see your friends leave the
room with bloody backs, and you
hear your friends shouting out in
pain. Next thing I know,? she said,
?I?m in the room myself.? Her family
had to wait outside? and listen to
her screams.
?It?s not like getting punched or hit,?
she said. ?It burns. For me, it was
personally, so insulting and
disrespectful. The mental part was
just as bad as the physical agony.? A
woman covered head to toe in a
black chador waited for Raassi in a
room with two beds. Raassi and her
friend were strapped into the two
beds. A leather rod with a braided
whip was dipped into a bucket of
water, which was then inflicted on
their backs. ?There are different
types of lashings,? she said. ?I
learned this in court. And in our case
we were allowed to keep our clothes
on. In some cases, they make you
take off your clothes.?
Fashion was always a solace to
Raassi. Despite the strict laws
regarding chadors, she told me of
how women of Tehran always had
great clothes on underneath, the
care and time women put to their
hair and cosmetics. Despite the
restrictions, women really do what
they can to express themselves
through their own personal style.
And because one could be stopped
and arrested at any moment for
being ?indecent? it takes the young
women?s expression of style to a
completely new level.
?Being a fashion designer is like
being a drug dealer [in Tehran],? she
said, ?Everything is word of mouth.?
But fortunately now, she has
returned to the United States, where
she has her own design label. She
has designed bikinis for the Miss
Universe competition. She has
written a book. The ordeal hasn?t
embittered her. She?s bubbly, she?s
fun and she?s fearless. I asked her
about the restrictive dress laws in
Tehran and if it creates an internal
conflict regarding her own
swimwear line.
Raassi paused thoughtfully, and
then responded, ?Freedom is not
about the amount of clothing you
put on or take off, but about having
the choice to do either. The last time
I went to a beach in France, I saw
women who wore hijabs, covered
from head to toe, walking on the
same beaches as women in their
European-cut bikinis. Their freedom
of choice empowered me. I found a
new respect for women who chose
to cover themselves in accordance
with their religious beliefs. I also
respected those who fearlessly wore
bikinis. All of these women had
made a choice about how they
wanted to present themselves.?
?[I?ve navigated] two different
worlds. From Iran to the fashion
industry in America (as a swimsuit
designer). To overcome the obvious
differences was hard for me. I?ve
fallen before. It was interesting to
put it all in writing and get some
form of closure.? Raassi?s book,
Fashion is Freedom, was published in
September. She said: ?As someone
who came to this country not
speaking a word of English, to have
a book published in English is a big
deal for me.? She laughed proudly.
Source: The Daily Beast

www.cntraveller.com
Cipriana (left) wears
suede trench coat, Tod?s.
Gold cosmic earrings,
Coco?s Liberty. Gold hoop
necklace, Pichulik.
Flower-pattern
sunglasses, Matthew
Williamson for Linda
Farrow. TK wears
patterned coat, Miu Miu.
Gold choker,Etro. Metal
and stone choker,Marni .
Leopard-print
sunglasses, House of
Holland. Chain earrings,
Arme de L?Amour.

Make-up, Sophie
Haig. Models,
Cipriana
Quann and TK
Quann. Fashion
coordinator, Vicki
Wright. The Parker
Hotel Palm Springs,
California
www.cntraveller.com

Claudette Ortiz
Behind T he Scene
Atlanta Shoot
BEHIND
T HE
COVER
Get the look. Specializing in
Celebrity Hair Terrence Davidson
and his team venture to give
Claudette Volume and waves with
this Spring time TOP PONY
FIRST
BEAUT Y
T he Anniversary Issue
Get T he Look!!
BEHINID THE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
ALEXIS MARIE
ITS ALL ABOUT
BRIGHT COLORS
THIS SPRING.
GET HER LOOK
FOR LESS!
Kissed
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Claudette's Nails
Shimmering pink
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Make your
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Editorial Photographer: Antoinne Jones-Atlanta G.A
Based
Creative Director: Michael Lopez, Stylist: Jerry
Thompson,Designer: Five 13 Studio
Jewelry: The Vintage Bar- Based in Charlotte NC
M AKEU P BY @ST YL ESO SI CKK
H AI R BY @D AREALT ERREN CED AVI D SO N
NAI L S BY @NAI L ZBYREDD

Photography by: The.TZ.Studio

MEET
LEVEL 21'S
NEW
CREATIVE
DIRECTOR
By: Davita Collins
Innovative, Fashionable, & Inspiring
A
Michael
Lopez-Bond
s with most publications, Level 21 Magazine is
forever evolving. While the brand expands, there are
many aspects of the business that shift to accommodate
operations, marketing and merchandising needs. In
addition to Internet, social media, and their upcoming
talk show Level 21 TV, it is vital that our branding
stays consistent throughout each media channel.
Recently, I sat down to talk with Michael Lopez, Level
21 Magazine?s newly minted Creative Director, who
will be the driving force behind the Level 21 vision.
You can?t just say you want to be a
designer, you have to be a designer.
21

MEET MICHAEL
Where are you f rom originally?
I am originally from Brooklyn, NY, but I was
raised in historic Coney Island. People do not
know this, but I was initially born in Denver,
Colorado. I moved from Denver to Brooklyn
when I was two years old, so I do not really
remember much about Denver. I pretty much
stayed in Coney Island up until high school.
What made you decide to get into the
Fashion Industry?
Tell us a bit about your background in
Fashion.
It was a series of events that lead up to my
decision to go into Fashion. Initially in high
school, my friends and I would airbrush, cut,
and sew clothes because we wanted to create
our own style. I really was focused on
branding and marketing, and making sure
that the business was legitimate. I appreciate
how my friends pushed me in that direction;
how they said ?we really need to have our
own logo, our own style, and our own target
audience.?I was more interested in the
business aspect of things, not so much the
artistry.
I eventually grew a passion for Fashion. But
at the time, my designs were more urban.
Then, I began to hang around some friends
who were into high fashion. I traveled
around, and then moved to Tennessee. There
I met some photographers and models, which
have been on the high fashion scene as seen in
Vogue or W magazines. And it opened my
eyes, and revealed to me that this is attainable,
especially coming from an ethnic background.
So, we began putting together mood boards
to get this collection done.
Initially when I wanted to be a fashion
designer, I was thinking ?cut, sew and
painting?clothing. Until one day I just woke
up and asked myself, what does the
community have? The community did not
have a ?preppy?line, a high-end line that is
not Ralph Lauren, or Polo. Everyone that I
knew locally made custom dresses, or if it
were anything else the focus wasn?t on the
brand. It was about creating whatever ?off the
wall?garment that looked good. I wanted to
create a brand where people recognized my
logo, my editorials, my images and still
associate them with high fashion. I?d still
produce images that could go inside of a
Vogue, WWD, or W type of magazine.
I met with a friend, and he stated, ?you can?t
just say you want to be a designer, you have to
be a designer.?Then, he introduced me to a
room full of amazing fashion people. And he
said, ?When you go into this room, you will
say you are a designer from now on, because
whatever you tell them, they will believe what
you say. Now that they believe you, you have
to back it up.? He went on to say ?you have to
to do your research, and find your features. I
will help you do that?And that is how my
business started.
I was super nervous, but I went in there and
said that ?I am a fashion designer, and I am
launching my first collection soon?. The rest
is history. There are things in my life that
happened that I feel strengthened my
emotional passion for fashion. To make a
long story short, I had a friend who was a
major fashion designer, who motivated me to
launch World of Cashmir. He passed away.
Right after his passing, his sister and I got
together and worked on the collection.
We decided what we were going to do, and
what the collection was going to look like.
And I haven?t slowed down since, and that
has not even been an option to me.
What challenges did you encounter along
your journey, and how did you overcome?
I have encountered insecurity, since I did not
have the educational background, nor the
financial backing that other brands had.
Despite this I felt blessed to have the amount
of support from people from the beginning.
There are people I haven?t spoken to in about
a year or so that I could instantly call and we
can continue where we left off: making
business decisions and closing deals, because
we never lost communication. I traveled a
lot! It was a gift and a curse. It was a gift,
because I was able to reach out and network
with so many cultural people. I was able to go
back and forth to New York, go back to
Tennessee and to Atlanta doing so many
different things. But it hindered me because I
did not have the foundation to say that
someone knew me for an extended period of
time.
Every time I went to a different city, I would
see what I call ?fashion juggernauts?, people
who are in charge or have built their brand up
in a specific area. I feel as though those
platforms are not meant to allow others
succeed past a certain level. They want to see
people succeed, as long as they are not
surpassing them. I have a business to build a
platform for others, and I have ambitions to
grow my following in so many areas and so
many different cities. But I saw this as a
struggle because I did not have the money to
pay people what they wanted to get paid. See,
I was used to getting paid a certain amount as
a designer, but then I moved to the South
where that?s not the norm. It was a huge
struggle dealing with different cultures and
different people, while being true to myself,
my brand and elevating as a designer, before
opening doors to everything else I do in the
Fashion Industry.
How did you come up with the name World
of Cashmir, and tell us what is its
signif icance?
It is so much that goes into that name.
Initially, the name of the brand was Cashmir,
not World of Cashmir. I went into my closet
thinking, what do I want my brand name to
be? What will be my niche? And as I was
going through my father?s closet, whom I was
visiting with at the time, I noticed he had
these vintage cashmere ?Cosby?sweaters. I
thought that they were so cool, and that I had
to borrow some of these sweaters. So, I was
able to wear these sweaters, and my father
was wearing them years before I was born!
The quality was still good, and if you were to
go out and buy cashmere sweaters today, you
would pay hundreds, sometimes-even
thousands of dollars for them!
So I realized that the quality never changed,
and it was an expensive, timeless brand.
Actually, I asked myself what did I want my
brand to represent? And it was everything
that sweater represented. It was timeless, it
would not lose its value over time, and it was
detailed. And so I named my brand Cashmir.
It was first an urban collection, based off the
concept that ?it?s merely cash so go ahead and
spend it?.
As I grew, transitioned, and hung around
different types of people with different
audiences, I changed the brand name to
Cashmir. ?MIR?is derived from the Kashmir
goat reference in the Bible. So, it has a biblical
meaning to the name. As I dug deeper into
the meaning of ?MIR?the Russians were the
first to attempt to land on the moon, and the
name of their rocket ship was The Mir!
Although they never made it, I believe they
were the first to strive to attain greater at that
time. That is what I strive to do as a creative. I
also used MIR, because in Russian it means
?peace?. That is the Cashmir brand. I take
several different elements, and several
different art pieces and put them all together
under one brand. So MIR is a concept that I
am creating with Level 21 Magazine that will
also appear in other publications as well.
Who would you consider a muse f or your
designs?
I don?t have one particular muse, because I get
inspiration from so many different places. I
feel as though where ever I travel, I get
inspiration from people interacting in their
own habitat. There is a collection that I am
currently working on, that brings me to Soho,
NY. I just go to Soho and just watch people. I
had an important meeting at the Soho House,
which I was early for, so I literally watched
people my age come out of business meetings
going back and forth. I just imagined them
wearing my own designs, in that setting and
what destination they would be going to.
I may see someone who may say, ?OMG I

Every time I went to a different city, I would see
what I call ?fashion juggernauts?, people who
are in charge or have built their brand up in a
specific area. I feel as though those platforms are
not meant to allow others succeed past a certain
level. They want to see people succeed, as long
as they are not surpassing them.
entrepreneurs. Another project I am working
on is called Emerge, which is a model talent
agency that is developmental. This agency
was put in place to prevent models from
going through the unnecessary challenges
that other models have gone through. Some
don't understand the marketing aspect of the
industry. So, it will be more for consultation
purposes. I have partnered with
The.TZ.Studio , They have a passion for
young models.
love your look.?But I would not do too much
to deviate from their personal style. So if I
work with a model, I will style them based on
what I have seen them wear already. I am the
type of person who may not have consistent
contact with a model for about a year, but
then call them one day and say ?I came up
with a collection that fits you. Let?s work.?
You mentioned that you dressed clients. Can
you tell us more about that?Any celebrity
clients?
I have been blessed with the opportunity to
style people, but not as a stylist. People would
approach me as a designer to style or create
pieces for someone, not knowing the
difference between a designer and stylist. For
example, I have been asked to create custom
pieces for different artists and celebrities for
their events. It has been great, because it
shifted me in the direction I wanted to go. I
had the opportunity to design a piece for a
collection for Sevyn Streeter when she signed
her record deal, and promoted her first single
with Chris Brown. I had an amazing piece
that I had the opportunity to design for Bruno
Mars. I love his image, and music so I
designed a Hawaii-inspired piece. I also
designed a piece for Elle Varner. I love her
music. I was asked as Creative Director to
come on set for certain projects and I am
excited to say that those pieces I made were
their brand and style, as well as, mines.
How exciting it is to be the new Creative
Director f or Level21Magazine!?How do you
f eel about that?Can you tell us what you have
accomplished so f ar in your new role?
I am ecstatic. I was really familiar with the
magazine prior to this. I never thought about
the opportunity until it was presented to me. I
met Tempestt, the CEO of Level 21
Magazine, and we just ended up clicking in a
meeting that we were both in for a client that
I had. We really impressed each other with
our talents, and I am really excited to be
onboard. She gives me a lot of freedom and
does not try to put me in a box, which I love
about her. The whole team is amazing, and I
am honored to have a team who supports me
and admires my work. I hope that I have
accomplished putting things in perspective.
One thing I can say is that I am proud of my
brand and everything that I have
accomplished, so I could be a reference point
for the magazine. I will focus on structure
building and I look forward to accomplishing
more.
What do you hope to accomplish with the
Level 21Brand?
I want to take Level 21 to another level, even
taking it to Level 22! I want to be able to
break down barriers in the fashion and
entertainment industry. So, with my
background I would like to streamline that,
on the PR level. Recently we worked with
Claudette Ortiz (formerly of the group City
High and R&B Divas LA). In the future, I
would like to help with choosing the right
photos, but selecting those that the magazine
normally wouldn?t so Level 21 could be
exposed to a different market.
What should we look out f or this year?What
f uture projects are you working on?
Right now, the main thing is getting back to
myself. I think last year, I took an entire year
off my brand to help others, so I want to get
back to my brand. I?d like to help other brands
on a case-by-case basis. I want to create
packages that are reasonable to
We have a booking agent now, who is
amazing and experienced. I am also very
excited to get into more collection pieces. I
am currently working on a collection using
Black Diamond. So the theme is going to be
anniversary pieces that will be black diamond.
I am also working on a purse and wallet
(accessories) collection, as well as, more
Cashmir Designs. Those are the main things
that have my primary attention right now.
How do people contact you?
I have a website, www.worldofcashmir.com.
Also I am very personable. So for any major
affairs, I can be contacted on Instagram
@worldofcashmir FB: World of Cashmir. I
am also a fan of video chatting. If someone
wanted to reach me I would not mind
exchanging numbers and video chatting, or if
I am in the same city meeting with them.
Sometimes when people try to reach me on
the website, they have to go through several
channels of communication with my team. I
have a huge team based out of several
different cities, so they help me to filter out
what needs to be prioritized. Michael Lopez
is quite accomplished! Having the vision and
dedication, he was able to take a mere idea
and catapult it into a successful career in
Fashion. Taking personal tragedy and other
life lessons and utilizing them as tools to
guide him on his journey to
entrepreneurship, Lopez has been able to
launch several other businesses, and therefore
able to penetrate many aspects of the
industry. Lopez is both a style and
entrepreneurial chameleon. With his
extensive background with PR and branding,
we are confident that he can catapult the
Level 21 brand even further into the
stratosphere.
Welcome to the Level21 Family!

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Photographer: Antoinne Jones
Creative Director: Michael Lopez
Stylist: Jerry Thompson
Designer: Five 13 Studio
Hair: Terrence Davidson
Hair Asst. Sweetstyles by Kai &
Tamora Patrice
Nail Tech: Redd Flythe
Location: ATL GA Weldon Bond
Studios Jewelry: The Vintage Bar
29

By Desiree Helm
CLAUDETTE ORTIZ
Looking over the reel of Claudette
Ortiz, it?s easy to understand why she is
making her mark on the entertainment
industry. With her bright smile and
incredible talents, she maneuvers the world
between songstress and actress with ease.
Riding the peaks and valleys of the road of
life, to arrive at a destination of joy and
peace with her life and career. From her
early years as a teen pop star with the Hit
Group City High and their Grammy
nominated song ?What Would You Do?, to
her current roles on TV, the road to
becoming the star Claudette Ortiz has
Life After City High
Strength.Triumph.Healing.
?I was unf ortunate enough to have a f ew
abusive times in my lif e. When I was going
through the abuse I was young and really didn?t
understand at the time the impact it would later
have on my lif e. Looking back now I think
surviving made me stronger. It has helped me
become a better mother, and a better f riend. As a
woman you have to continue on with your lif e.
You have to f ind a way to move on. I could not
have made it without the love and support of my
f amily and f riends, without prayer or without
God. I have put that part of my lif e behind me.
Abuse can break down your spirit, your
conf idence and your worth. You lose your sense of
value. I lost my sense of value. I had to learn to love
myself again. If you know anyone that is dealing
with abuse you have to let them know they don?t
have to accept it. They don?t have to stay in that
situation. Let them know what they are worth. I
realize now just how strong you have to be to
survive and want to let others know they can make
it to.?
Having dealt with the pain of abuse,
Claudette made a crucial decision to put the
past behind her. She has truly healed and is
strutting forward in her life with plans to
embrace the stage.
the screen today. Level21 sat down with
Claudette Ortiz to learn how she turned tragedy
into triumph while redefining her own version
of fame. Looking at photos of Claudette, it?s
hard to imagine that this beautiful and confident
woman was once a victim of domestic violence
and grappled with insecurity. But underneath
the dark black curls and smooth brown skin is
the heart of woman that has learned to love and
experience hope again. In a voice that was as
equally soft as it was resilient, Claudette went
on to describe hard to talk about seasons in her
life.
Your past relationship with a former group
member made headlines steaming from
abuse. How have you dealt with that?
"I LOSTMYSENSEOF
VALUE"

What was it like coming back into
the spotlight?
When I was touring with City High, we
were f amous but I still had a sense of
privacy. I could walk into the grocery store
and shop without people really recognizing
me. We had f ans, but our f aces weren?t
plastered everywhere. We could leave a show
and then go on with our lives. The internet
and reality TV have changed that. People
recognize your f ace and that makes it hard
sometimes. You have to always be on point
where ever you go. I enjoy it, and I am not
complaining, but f ame is just dif f erent now
f or me.
Speaking of Reality TV, do you
regret your decision to do reality TV?
No, I don?t regret it all. Being on R&B
Divas was dif f erent than anything I thought
it would be. I was surprised to f ind it was
very structured. I was worried about
having my lif e and my kids?lives exposed,
but it was all very organized. (smiling she
adds) We actually had a schedule. It was a
blessing over all. It was so amazing to work
with a group of talented women that I had
admired. I didn?t really know the cast bef ore
I joined the show and it was a great
experience to get to know them. The show
opened some great doors f or me.
Since returning to the industry you
have also had the chance to work with
Tyler Perry. What was it like?
I learned a lot while working with him. His
team is very prof essional. He has really
taught me how to be on point. (laughing she
goes on) You can?t be a minute late. He really
cares about his employees and his team does a
great job of casting. They are not just talented
people, but good hearted people. In all the
hundreds of people that work f or him, I
haven?t met one person that I didn?t like. There
are always good people around. I?ve been
f ortunate enough to work with them on plays,
as well as, f ilm. Tyler makes sure his people
are treated well so we can f ocus on the work at
hand.
On and off the screen, Claudette is a true
hustler. After her divorce from Ryan
Toby, a member of her former group City
High, Claudette faced rough times as a
single mom. Despite her previous fame,
the divorce caused her to shift into a
season of financial struggles; including
dealing with foreclosure and being unable
to provide for her kids. She ultimately
found herself, like so many single moms,
applying for social services. Down, but
determined not to stay there, she began
taking on new opportunities to get by.
Claudette taught herself to be a chef and
became a certified personal trainer. Taking
care of her family was her top priority. She
has always been willing to do whatever it
took to provide for them. Her family is her
place of peace and joy, and you can hear
the cheer in her voice as the conversation
deflects to her family and personal life.
How did you get into cooking?
I got into cooking because I enjoy cooking
f or those I care about; to see the joy on their
f aces. I have given some thought to having a
cooking show. Maybe one day in the f uture. I
just love to be busy. I could never just sit
around. Being a single mom, you are the one
that your kids depend on to provide f or them. I
guess my f ervor comes f rom wanting to make
sure my children have everything they need.
My oldest is 12, and I also have an 11and
8-year-old. They are my world, and I would do
anything to make sure they have everything
they need. (Happily, she adds) and a f ew
things they want too!

STRENGTH
HEALING
TRIUMPH
Is it hard to balance being a
single mother in the
entertainment industry?
I couldn?t do it without my
support system. It would be almost
impossible without the help of my
f riends and f amily. You have to
have people you can trust.
Do your kids want to follow
in your footsteps?
I think because they grew up
around it, they know a lot more than
other kids might. They are aware of
what I do and understand how it?s
done. They each have their own
gif ts and talents. They are still so
young. What I really want f or them
is to be what God naturally has f or
them.
With her career reaching new
heights, Claudette is happy
about the journey life has taken
her on. She has grown wiser
and more mature with each new
opportunity. Although her
career is blooming, Claudette
has managed to remain
grounded. She doesn?t take
anything for granted and refuses
to let fame come at the cost of
her family.
Yes, I make all my decisions based
on what?s best f or them. It has to be
that way, they just simply come
f irst.
And what about marriage, do
you see a future Mr. Ortiz in
your family?
Despite what others might say, I
really enjoyed being married. There
is a misconception that my last
relationship was crazy and dif f icult
and it wasn?t. Don?t believe what you
read online. Our relationship ended,
but it was good and we are still good
f riends. I would love to get married
again. What I won?t do is get
divorced again.
Claudette is extremely selective
when it comes to choosing the
next man she will share her life
with. With good reason. The
pain of the past is something she
never plans on repeating.
I would love a hardworking man.
One that is both spiritual and
passionate. He must be also be
compassionate and love kids. Most
importantly he will value f riendship
rather than control. A man should be
a man, but he should also be good
with me pursuing my dreams. He
won?t mind my schedule or my
occasional need to build things. He
DRESS DESIGNER MONIQUEA RENEE
will be a balance to me.
The conversation continues,
and soon we find ourselves
talking about Claudette?s first
love, music.
Are you working on an
album now?
I am always working on music.
Music is in my heart. It is natural to
me. I am always creating something.
I was never looking to be a superstar
in music. If that happens, if God
wills it f or me, then I will take it. For
me, it has always been about my love
f or music. I am in a season of lif e
now where I can make music because
I enjoy it, and that?s nice. I will
always release things f or my f ans. I
don?t have a set date on the album,
but it?s coming.
What advice would you give to
young girls dreaming of music
careers?
If I was talking to young girls
coming up, I would tell them to
watch their money. Learn to invest
it, or get with people you can trust to
help you manage it. I would also tell
them to build a brand to create
longevity f or themselves. Music

Photographer: Antoinne Jones
Creative Director: Michael Lopez
Stylist: Jerry Thompson
Designer: Moniquea Renee
Hair: Terrence Davidson
Hair Asst. Sweetstyles by Kai &
Tamora Patrice
Nail Tech: Redd Flythe
Location: ATL GA Weldon Bond
Studios Jewelry: The Vintage Bar
Shoes: Blended Bartique

changes, and beauty f ades, but a brand, an
image.. that?s something you can build a lif e
on. I would tell them to have the heart to give
back. It?s key to your success. My mother
instilled in me that everyone deserves respect
and should be treated with love no matter
what their station in lif e. You never know
who or what people will become. You can?t use
your popularity as an excuse to treat others
bad. I know what it?s like to need help. I have
been in seasons when I had to rely on f riends
and f amily to help me get by. I don?t want
anyone else to experience what I f elt. Staying
humble is important to me. In f act, I see any
f ame I have as a tool. I am building a
f oundation. Giving back is what it?s all about.
My goal is to use my f ame as a vehicle to bless
others. I want to leave this world better than I
f ound it.
At only 35, Claudette has ridden many
waves as she has navigated her way
through the seas of the entertainment
industry. Steadfast in her commitment to
never return to her season of lack,
Claudette makes wise decisions with her
finances and her brand. Enthusiastic with
hope, and the new prospects before her,
Claudette is redefining her career. From
fame to surviving abuse, the heartache of
divorce, and the hardships of poverty,
Claudette has overcome all odds and has
risen back to the heights of success. She
has redefined what fame means for her
life and is pushing away the boundaries
that once lay before her. Claudette has
come full circle and is owning every
moment of it.

2017
New Yor k
Fashion Week Runway
Recap
Nicholas K - Runway - February 2017 - New York Fashion
Week: The Shows
A model walks the runway at the Nicholas K show during,
New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight
Clarkson Sq on February 9, 2017 in New York City.
36
In This Album: Christopher Kunz

Kylie Jenner and Sofia Richie attend the Jeremy Scott
collection during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at
Gallery 1, Skylight Clarkson Sq on February 10, 2017 in New
York City.
Model Gigi
Hadid walks
the runway
for the
Jeremy
Scott
collection
during, New
York
Fashion
week
Jeremy Scott
Jeremy Scott has always been a
firecracker? unafraid to flaunt the
most outlandish collections as the
creative director of Moschino and
his own eponymous line. But when
he took his finale walk down the
fur runway after showcasing his
fall 2017 collection, the fire in his
eyes was one ready to fight.

NEW YORK
Fashion Week Runway
Recap # YOUTH
Photography by: Miranda Rivers
Date: Feb. 10, 2017

Show Designers
Alora Safari
Angora Boutique
Belle Threads
D?Lora Moda
Elizabeth Cordelia
Jackie Tejada
Jacquie Barbavian
Janay Deann Designs
Janelle Funari
KK Swimwear
Krissy King
Lil Jewel?s Boutique
Little Royals
Mara Skye
Pink Lemonade
Sabrina Marie
Talisha White
The Porcelain Teacup
TWT Design Wear
Young Socialites

www.alicemccall.com

?L ove?
I s
Cr eati ve
T ar r i ce L ove
Ph
otogr ap h er
I
By: Anitra Scott
t was a chilly day in New York as
snow added a hint of white to the
limbs of leafless trees, cars, and those
passing by. We sat down with Mr.
Tarrice Love in his New York
apartment to discuss his many works
of art through photography. As I
watched in preparation for his daily
blog, I was able to see many works of
photographed art as his décor. This
Memphis, Tennessee native has so
much talent that we can?t wait to see
released.
In the field of photography, an artist
has a spectacular way of ?freeze
framing? the actuality of a moment in
time. Mr. Love has obtained many
snap shots of images that most dare
to capture. Tarrice Love?s collection
includes: Fashion, Portrait, Still Life,
Black and White; just to name a few. I
enjoyed all of his artistry, which
includes his works of art in nude
photography. Mr. Love has captured
many intriguing photos, in my opinion.
His talent behind the lens attracts
many.
How did you get started in
photography?
Initially I was a fashion designer. I
studied fashion at the University of
Memphis in the 90?s. Surrounded by
beautiful African American women in
my hometown as a kid, I wanted to
show the fashion world what they
were missing. I never understood why
the women I saw every day were
missing in the industry. I mean, you
couldn?t tell my mother that she was
not beautiful. My granny and all her
sisters were beautiful, and were not
being represented. I noticed that if you
don?t look like someone who came
from an island or straight from Africa,
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then you just weren?t in the industry.
How long have you been a
photographer?
In 2001 I decided to become a
photographer.
What challenges do you feel you had
to overcome in the industry to be as
successful as you are?
I came to New York in 2006 and the
challenge I faced was being southern
in New York. I had to overcome the
fact that I was from the south,
Memphis. Most people in the industry
from the New York area had a
preference to work with those from
the northern states.
There is a lot of black and white
photography and nude art. What is it
about this type of photography that
intrigues your eye?
I like to make people see themselves
in a different way. Whether it is in
fashion or as a body photographer, I
capture many types of photography. I
am not limited to black and white or
nude. I still define myself as a fashion
photographer, and a Fine Arts
photographer. I will photograph any
image.
You shoot a lot of Celebrities and
Actors. Who was one of your favorites
to shoot and why?
I like to work with new talent such as
actors and actresses, singers, dancers,
who are starting out in the industry. I
like to see them develop and grow in
the industry. I just recently shot Black
Bird star, Julian Walker who is in this
season of Being Mary Jane. Also, I have
photographed Anthony Barrell, a
choreographer who has
choreographed for Beyonce, Rhianna,
and Kate Perry. I have worked with a
lot of dancers lately.
What new projects do you have
coming up?
I am working on my book right now,
trying to get my collection of images
together and it?s a book of my
creations and my works of art, my
compilation.
What advice would you give to
upcoming photographers that want to
be in the industry at a higher level?
I would suggest always taking courses
that can help build on to your talent.
Actually taking one class can change
the way your work will look forever.
How do people get in contact with you for
photography?
Email: love.photographer@gmail.com
Instagram: @bytarricelove
Blog: www.loveismyrealname.blogspot.com
Remain on the lookout for
photographs captured by Mr. Tarrice
Love. Remember a picture is truly
worth a thousand words.

T ar r i ce L ove Ph otogr ap h y

T ar r i ce L ove Ph otogr ap h y

T ar r i ce L ove Ph otogr ap h y

T ar r i ce L ove Ph otogr ap h y

T ar r i ce L ove Ph otogr ap h y

T ar r i ce L ove Ph otogr ap h y

"You have to
recognize the bigger
picture, the purpose
of your travels is to
build the Kingdom
of God"
Inspiration:With Latise M. Howie
When Your life I s A Novel
L
istening to Latise speak, it is clear that
she was purposed to be a writer. From the
moment her voice resonated through the
phone line, there was something about its
confidently smooth tone that felt both
familiar and comforting. Her words seemed
to flow with ease, and with each story she
imparted, seemed carefully selected to
engage the mind as they painted a vivid
picture of Latise?s life. Like her books, each
word and phrase is precisely placed to
invite you into a world she is delighted to
share with you.
Born and raised in North Carolina, author
Latisse Howie is a writer to her core.
Penning ink to paper comes as naturally to
her as breathing. It sort of oozes from her
and is apparent in everything she does. At
45, Latise is loving herself, her life and is a
poised and self-assured. It?s hard to
imagine she didn?t always feel that way.
Although her hometown was mostly black,
Latise went to a predominately white high
school. She was into cheerleading and
being on the student council. As a teen, she
struggled with self-identity. Her peers from
home thought she behaved too white, and
her white class members didn?t see her as
?really? black, but still managed to treat her
differently. She didn?t feel as if she had a
place in either world and grappled with
fitting in. Life began to look up for Latise
when she made the decision to attend
North Carolina Central University, a
Historically Black College.
Latise explains:
By: Desiree Helm
?There is nothing like a Central experience, or
really an HBCU experience. North Carolina
Central is always going to be extraordinarily
special to me because that is where I came

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into my own. It was the best experience I
could have embarked upon. I learned so
much about Latise Howie, who I really was.
That?s where I fell in love with myself, and
with writing. It became part of who I am?
Latise wrote her first book right out of
college, but she never published it. She
never really felt like it was ready. She didn?t
think that she had lived enough, or had
enough wisdom to put something out.
Over the next few years, Latise endured
two really poor relationships. At the time,
the circumstances appeared unbearable.
However, looking back, Latise is grateful for
the experiences.
Joyfully Latise expounds:
?I thank God for the experiences now. Nothing
is coincidental. Those things were supposed
to happen. I learned a lot through the
process. When I was writing the first book in
the series, Elevator Silence, I realized that I
was meant to write from my experiences.
What I went through was meant to be a
teaching tool for others. I originally began
writing a book on celibacy. I had made a
decision to be celibate and wanted to write a
book to help others deal with the situation. I
began to feel like my book was more
condemning than helpful. When I made the
decision to start writing about my
experiences, I didn?t want it to sound preachy.
I wasn?t sure what to do. One night I went to
bed and was awakened with thoughts of
different characters. I tried to go back to
sleep, but I couldn?t. It was as if the characters
wouldn?t let me sleep. I had to write their
stories out. It was like that all the time. Once I
was at a conference, but instead of paying
attention to the keynote speaker I was writing
the ending to my novel. It didn?t matter where
I was, or what I was doing. I had to write.
Sometimes I would wake up at 1, start writing
and would still be writing when the kids got
up at 5am.
I believe God, or the Holy Spirit, was
helping me write.
I was getting idea after idea. I know my book
was anointed and spirit driven. I could write
about things I had never experienced, like
drug addiction, but from a firsthand point of
view. It was amazing. I have been able to
reach people with my books and impact their
lives.
All 3 novels together are called
the Chronicles Trilogy. The books
are: Elevator Silence, The
Chronicles Side Track, and The
Chronicles Highways
I ntersections and Exits.
Giving birth to a vision often comes with
labor pains. Although Latise knew that she
was purposed to write the books, the
process of birthing her novels came with
its?s share of struggle and strife. As a
self-publisher, she was confronted with
many obstacles. Writing the books was
never a burden. It was the easy part. Words
always came easy to her. It was finding the
time to write, financing the books on her
own dime, and finding ways to market her
books that obstructed her process.
However, somehow God always seemed to
provide provisions just when she needed it
most. (She knew he had her back) Other
ordeals, like editing and marketing were
challenging too, but she kept pressing
because she knew there was purpose in
her trial.
The depth of Latise?s voice changes as she
describes how she made it through the
hard times
When God gives you a purpose and vision, he
will also give you the provision to make them
happen. Sometimes the thoughts of others
can also get in your way. The fear of what
others will say and the fear of failure can be
overwhelming if you let it.
Knowingly she admits that when she began
writing the books she was sort of moseying
along. She was working as a property
manager and had saved up close to
$40,000 to buy a house. Then one day, out
of the blue, Latise was unexpectantly let go
from a position she had gotten to

comfortable in. Instead of getting
discouraged and giving up, Latise realized
in that moment that God was releasing her
to finish the books. She pushed on and
used the money she was saving for her
house to instead publish her book and pay
for the marketing campaign.
I didn?t know what was going to happen, but
God knew. My favorite quote is ?Faith removes
all limitations?by Napoleon Hill. Every time I
felt doubt I knew it was fear based. I had to
conquer fear to move forward. My children
became my reason why. My book wasn?t just
for me, it was for them. When I remembered
that, everything else was easy. I could close
my eyes and see the books on my coffee table
even though they weren?t really there yet. I
willed them into being, spoke them into
existence. I would see them in the
supernatural with my spirit eye. I knew that if
I kept at it, they would manifest into reality. If
we speak it we can have it.
Since the release of her books, Latise is
moving full steam ahead with life. She has
been fortunate enough to see her books in
the hands of major celebrities that helped
to spark the initial popularity of the series.
However, it has been the sustenance of the
content in the books, and its?realistic
portrayal of life that has kept people
reading them. Her books have become so
well loved that she is now working on
converting her books to a stage play.
Latise has won the Gospel Image Award for
Best Inspirational Author, and Author of
the Year from the Queen City Awards.
In addition to writing, Latise is also using
her talent for words to speak to other
women. It can be hard to balance working
on your goals with being a mother. It was
something that she herself was challenged
with when she first stepped out on her
own. Latise knows that success would not
have been possible without the help of
family and friends encouraging and
supporting her along the way. She desires
to pay things forward by inspiring and
empowering other women. She is working
with a group to produce a Women?s
Empowerment Forum. She desires to use
this platform to equip other women to be
successful and along the journey of life.
?I named my last book ?Highways,
Intersections and Exits?because life is
journey. Every step, and every person you
meet are part of your highway. Your
interactions with other people are the
intersections along the road. Going through
life you realize that not every situation was
meant to last and not every person was
meant to stay. Those are your exits. Life itself
is the journey. You have to recognize the
bigger picture, the purpose of your travels is
to build the Kingdom of God. Everything I do
is to help others succeed in order to Glorify
God.
"Don?t let anything stop you
from winning. Not your family,
your life, your fear, your age, or
your education. Nothing can stop
you from doing the thing you
were designed to do. "
Latise believes that although writing and
speaking comes naturally for her, it comes
with great responsibility. She has been
gifted the ability to capture an audience.
Whether it?s her warm inviting voice, or her
passionately told stories, people are drawn
to her presence and will listen to her
words. The gift of words is her superpower.
But like any superpower, it can be used for
good or evil. She understands the
importance and power within her words
and is determined to use them to the best
of her ability as a positive force in the lives
of others. She is unfaltering in her decision
to live life to the fullest, and intends to
leave a legacy of change and
transformation to all she encounters.
For more information on Latise Howie, or
an autographed copy of her books you can
visit her website www.latisemhowie.com.

Koko Nanga
Design Label Koko Nanga's most recent collection was entitled
Mwaleni- which is an African term in the "Bakweri" Culture in
Cameroon, Africa. The term means "Warrior".
The shoot model represents the characters in the Art of War. (See
Below)
Photographers include Karli Evans @KarliEvansPhoto, Model Leah
Wright @MsLeahWright, MUA Carine Eyoum-Czubba and
@NinaFly23 for this powerful presentation.
Styled by @MagnoliaEmporium (A curated home decor and design
service boutique based in Charlotte, NC.)
Koko Nanga's collections and shop items can be seen on the website
at www.kokonanga.com.
Maryanne Enanga Mokoko ( The designer behind the brand) is
based in Charlotte, North Carolina. She can also be contacted for
custom or ready to wear looks.
Instagram/Twitter @KokoNanga.
If you find this exciting, look forward to greater things from KN in
2017!

Lisa Bennett
Charlotte, NC is distinctive for a
plethora of reasons, from the famous
Queen Charlotte,whom the city is named
after, to becoming the mecca of the
NASCAR Dynasty. The jewel that
remains seemingly hidden is the nightlife
here. Like other major cities, Charlotte has
her own bevy of eateries, sports bars and
nightclubs where the locals and visitors
alike tend to frequent. But none have a
presence like those at The Music Factory,
home of upscale nightlife venue Label. I
had the pleasure recently to talk with Lisa
Bennett, Owner and Founder, about what
makes Label cut from a different cloth from
the rest of clubs on the scene, her future
plans, and more.
Tell us w ho you are, w here you are from ,
and w hat inspired you t o st art your
business?
Oh, it is an odd, roundabout story; I am
originally from the New England area,
specifically Connecticut. I attended
University of Connecticut (UCONN), where I
received my degree in Mechanical
Engineering. I was in the industry for 22
years, having owned a design and
manufacturing business, which I dissolved
in 2011. Later, I met my boyfriend and
business partner, Robert, while attending
for Ballroom and Latin dance classes at
which he was the instructor. He had an
appreciation for music and loved being on
the dance scene. So, then we decided to
join forces to open Label, in October 2012,
which has a dual concept: both a club, and
a separate venue where special events are
held.
By Davita Collins
Do you have a specific t arget m arket ?
How do you advert ise?
Label typically attracts people at least
25-years old and older. We advertise via
social media and local radio. We also have
a street team, called Label 4.0 who is also
responsible for marketing.
Do you have any fam ily m em bers or
children involved w it h your business?
Yes, my son, who is involved with the
marketing aspect of the business.
How did you creat e t he nam e Label?
It took us 5 months to create the name,
and prior to the name Label, we had 3
other possible names. But, the concept of
label came from ?designer labels?, as in the
upscale clothing brands people like to
associate themselves with. So when people
think of Label, they think of exclusivity and
luxury.
What m akes Label different from ot her
clubs?
We have 32 VIP tables, which is more than
typical clubs. Our customer service is #1,
so we treat all of our guests like VIP. Also,
we have been able to attract A-list
celebrities and entertainers, such as David
Guetta, Future, Drake, Calvin Harris, Tiesto
& Hardwell, Trey Songz, and Young Dolph.
They customarily request our services
whenever they are in town.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What ?s next for Label? How do you
int end on helping art ist s in t he
neighboring areas w ho are challenged
The WOMANbehind
Charlotte?s LABEL
w it h finding places t o perform ?
I envision Label showcasing more talent,
and expanding laterally to offer more
services, such as ?LABEL PRESENTS?, a
concert series where there would be a
platform for popular, as well as local artists
to perform. So I definitely sympathize with
a need for more places where Charlotte?s
talent can showcase their music. Also, we
plan to open a second club in Dallas, Texas.
Is it t ough being a w om an in a
m ale-dom inat ed indust ry? What advice
w ould you give t o ot her business
ow ners as far as how t o keep doors
open w it h all t he com pet it ion?
Although it is a challenging industry, aside
from being male-dominated, I don?t see it
as being tough because I am a woman.
Many of my employees are women, and
while there is a lot of labor we have fun
along the way. When you are passionate
about something and you are doing what
you love, it does not feel like work. My
advice to other business owners is to put
your customer first. Customer service is
the key to loyal clients, and continued
business.
Cent ral Int ercollegiat e At hlet ic
Associat ion?s (CIAA) t ournam ent is
around t he corner. Do you have anyone
special locked in so far?
Although I cannot disclose which
performers we will feature, I can guarantee
you it will be big!
How do people get in t ouch w it h you?
For inquiries, em ail info@labelcharlot t e.com , or go
t o t he w ebsit e w w w.labelcharlot t e.com and click on
t he ?cont act ? t ab, fill out t he form w it h your
quest ions and cont act inform at ion t hen click
?subm it ?.
Label is undeniably a nightclub here to
stay. We look forward to its long-term
success! The verity of events, celebrities,
and DJs there weekly, we knew all along it
was a woman running the show! Hats off to
you Lisa, and your awesome partner in
greatness, Robert!
Be sure to follow Label on social media!
Twitter: @LABELCharlotte Instagram:

NOW YOU CAN STRUT
YOUR STRUT EVERYDAY
European Wax Center Launches Strut 365? , a New Collection of Skincare,
Bath & Body, and Brow Care Products
D
avid Coba, CEO and co-founder of European
Wax Center (EWC), the leader in the lifestyle
beauty and waxing services categories, announced
today the launch of Strut 365? , three collections
of products designed to extend the EWC
experience into your home. EWC?s mantra is
Walk In, Strut Out? and now you can feel that
way every day.
While many brands claim they know waxing, and
others claim they know beauty products, only
European Wax Center understands both. Strut
365 gives EWC guests the opportunity to really
get gorgeous, every day, through their new
collections; Strut Smoothly? , Strut Lavishly? ,
and Strut Boldly? . Whether you are searching
for something to maintain gorgeous skin
in-between waxes, something to seduce your
senses while bringing out your skin?s natural
radiance or something to achieve daily
Browfection? with, there is something in it for
everyone, every day, in every collection. We have
got you covered; lavishly, boldly, and smoothly!
?After years of intensive research and
development, I?m beyond excited to see our vision
for a beauty line come to fruition,?says Coba. ?We
have leveraged our team's expertise in
scientifically formulated skincare products with
efficacious ingredients to design a comprehensive
line of products that will enhance the services
offered in our centers and inspire confidence and
gorgeous skin. It will allow our guests to bring
European Wax Center with them wherever they
go.?
Each Strut 365 product is formulated with its own
key ingredient complex to produce results that
will leave skin looking renewed and refreshed. 27
luxurious products, all free of harmful parabens
and mineral oil, make up the complete portfolio
of Strut 365. Products are enriched with
ingredients to keep skin nourished, retain
moisture and protect your skin.
The EXCLUSIVE Comfort Blend? , featured in
eight products, is designed to help replenish the
skin's natural moisture barrier. Infused with the
highest grade roman chamomile, aloe vera,
vitamin E, english cucumber and mediterranean
sea kelp, this complex calms, nourishes and
restores to reveal your most beautiful skin. Get
ready to walk in, and strut out of the bathroom as
you enjoy the confidence that luxuriously smooth
skin can provide.
EWC?s hair growth inhibitor (Narcissus Tazetta
Bulb Extract), featured in four products, helps
visibly slow hair regrowth between waxes and
promotes hair to grow finer and softer than
before. The bulb of this flowering plant has been
shown to significantly reduce the length of the
hair shaft while inducing the hair into the catagen
stage of the hair cycle at which time the hair stops
growing and gets ready to shed. In other words,
Strut 365 continues to work for your skin
in-between waxes to ensure visibly smooth and
hair-free skin.

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