28.07.2019 Views

BlacktionMagIssue1

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

AUTHOR BEAUTY IN<br />

BEAST MODE<br />

OF ATLANTA’S BLACK-<br />

OWNED HIDDEN GEMS<br />

FASHION FILM MUSIC ART BOOKS FOOD TRAVEL EVENTS


Be Seen – Get Published!<br />

Are you a creative?<br />

Artist<br />

Blogger<br />

Fashion Designer<br />

Photographer<br />

Writer<br />

Model/Actress<br />

Become a contributor to<br />

Blacktion Magazine! Email<br />

your credentials to<br />

blacktionmag@gmail.com<br />

Subject line: Contributor.


1<br />

Editor’s Letter<br />

Blacktion Bookshelf<br />

Letters to the<br />

Editor/Contributors<br />

BEAUTY: iCandy by<br />

Mo<br />

Blacktion Runway<br />

Blacktion Playlist<br />

Atlanta’s Black-Owned<br />

Hidden Gems<br />

AUTHOR: Quintessa<br />

Turner<br />

Author Event: What’s On<br />

Your Table?<br />

Understanding Book<br />

Editors<br />

EXCLUSIVE: Briana Cole WIP<br />

Blacktion Children<br />

Blacktion Backyard<br />

Blacktion Kitchen:<br />

Chicken & Shrimp<br />

Alfredo Spaghetti<br />

MODEL: Ashley Evans


2<br />

Welcome to the first issue of Blacktion, our new<br />

supplement designed especially to showcase<br />

black creative entrepreneurs. Ever since I<br />

became a nationally-published author, I’ve<br />

received many questions about my journey,<br />

creative process, as well as requests for tips and<br />

techniques to help upcoming authors. I wish<br />

there had been someone to answer those<br />

questions for me in the beginning and, I must<br />

admit, I’m still learning as I go. But I love sharing<br />

my experiences in hopes that others are inspired<br />

and able to accomplish their goals. Not only that,<br />

as a growing brand, I love working with others<br />

who are growing as well. But not just authors.<br />

ALL creatives! If you’re passionate and actively<br />

on your hustle, I’m behind you 100%! Thus, the<br />

idea for this magazine was born. Why not create<br />

a platform for all of us like-minded individuals?<br />

Like FUBU, I wanted something “for us, by us.” So<br />

you will recognize a number of creatives in the<br />

following pages. My hope for Blacktion is to be<br />

entertaining, informative and most importantly,<br />

motivating. We are all in this together. Here’s to<br />

slaying our goals. We got this! XOXOXO<br />

Enjoy,<br />

Briana Cole, Editor<br />

To provide an online platform to support and create awareness for the next<br />

generation of black creatives, indie-artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses.<br />

FOLLOW US ON<br />

facebook.com/blacktionmag @blacktionmag @blacktionmag


Click the video to watch a book review from Robert’s Reading Room!<br />

3


4<br />

LETTERS TO<br />

We would love to hear what you have to say!<br />

LOVE US?<br />

HATE US?<br />

WE WANT TO<br />

KNOW!<br />

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO BLACKTIONMAG@GMAIL.COM<br />

Our magazine will feature letters from readers so we encourage you to<br />

send us your thoughts, comments, questions, and suggestions. We will<br />

select as many letters as we can to feature right here in Blacktion.<br />

CHINA WHITE<br />

Blacktion Kitchen<br />

ROBERT WHITE<br />

Blacktion Bookshelf<br />

JYMYAKA BRADEN<br />

Blacktion Backyard<br />

GEORGE GANT<br />

Blacktion Backyard<br />

Aspiring chef and<br />

bestselling<br />

author located in<br />

Bainbridge, GA.<br />

Avid reader, literary<br />

influencer, and book<br />

reviewer located in<br />

Atlanta, GA.<br />

Editor, writer,<br />

reviewer, designer<br />

and promoter.<br />

Award-winning<br />

cartoonist and<br />

creator of<br />

webcomics.<br />

China White<br />

Robert Reading<br />

Room & Reviews<br />

thebookMD<br />

Geogantart<br />

@china.white_<br />

@Robert_reading<br />

_room<br />

@thebookmd<br />

@geogantart


FIRST 6 ISSUES<br />

FOR ONLY<br />

$1<br />

PER ISSUE<br />

Subscribe to Blacktion Magazine using our easy auto renewal payment service and you’ll<br />

never miss out on your dose of news, tips, happenings and highlights in the black creative<br />

industries, as you’ll be automatically renewed every seventh issue.<br />

• 6 ISSUES FOR $6<br />

• JUST $1.99 FOR EACH ISSUE THEREAFTER<br />

• NO BIG UPFRONT PAYMENT REQUIRED<br />

• FREE DELIVERY RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL<br />

• NEVER MISS AN ISSUE<br />

Blacktionmag.com/subscriptions and use PROMO code: PREM12 at checkout.<br />

Limited and exclusive offer. Only valid for annual subscription package.


8<br />

Everything is sweeter with a little icandy!<br />

Icandybymo_ @icandybymo_ icandybymo@gmail.com<br />

Mo’s Must-Haves<br />

Hi, my name is Monique. I am the owner of iCandyByMo, serving<br />

you with all your beauty needs. I am a self-taught make up artist<br />

based in the South Metro Atlanta area. Make up enhancement<br />

has been my passion since 2016 and counting, and I am still<br />

perfecting my craft. I love applying make up and I love the way it<br />

makes my customers feel! So if you're ever in the area and need<br />

an affordable yet bomb beat, contact me!<br />

Every girl needs a little glow in their lives. My fave highlighter palette is<br />

Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun Dipped Glow kit. You can find this product in<br />

Ulta or Sephora.<br />

Brows are essential! I keep my brows poppin' with my NYX Professional<br />

Makeup Sculpt & Highlight Brow Contour in the shade "Expresso." This<br />

product is found in most drug stores or beauty supply stores.<br />

A good lippie is sooo important and although MAC is one of my<br />

personal fave brands, there is nothing wrong with a good dollar store<br />

lippie. My go-to is L.A. COLORS Matte Liquid color. They are awesome<br />

and long lasting! Go cop these at Family Dollar!<br />

No look is complete without bomb lashes. Of course, there are<br />

thousands of great lashes but if you're looking for affordable yet stylish<br />

and comfortable, Ardell Double Up falsies are amazing! You can find<br />

them basically any and everywhere, Walmart, beauty supply stores, Ulta<br />

and the list goes on!<br />

There are so many eyeshadow palettes out it can be really<br />

overwhelming. A few of my fave go-to palettes are BH Cosmetics Zodiac<br />

palette with a variety of shimmers and mattes. Another fave is The<br />

Crayon Case's Box of Crayons palette, which is a great palette for<br />

beginners. My absolute favorite palettes at this moment are the Juvia's<br />

Place "Zulu" and "Afrique" palettes. The shades are soooo beautiful.<br />

Each of the palettes mentioned are very pigmented and the prices are<br />

affordable as well.


9<br />

Sweet Auburn Seafood<br />

171 Auburn Ave N.E.<br />

Atlanta, GA 30303<br />

(678) 974.5019<br />

Southern-style seafood mains and<br />

small plates, plus cocktails and live<br />

music.<br />

Our Fave: Shrimp and Grits<br />

BQE Restaurant & Lounge<br />

262 Edgewood Ave N.E.<br />

Atlanta, GA 30303<br />

(404) 996-6159<br />

Trendy eatery dishing up Southern<br />

comfort food & NY-themed cocktails.<br />

Our Fave: Red Velvet Chicken/ Waffle<br />

Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar<br />

1371 Clairmont Rd<br />

Decatur, GA 30033<br />

(404) 963.7871<br />

Classic American Southern food &<br />

brunch with modern, industrial<br />

interiors and lively bar.<br />

Our Fave: Grandma’s Oxtail<br />

Showcase Food Gallery<br />

3183 Main St.<br />

East Point, GA 30344<br />

(404) 600-4067<br />

Eclectic dining experience with a<br />

Caribbean flare.<br />

Our Fave: Champagne Salmon<br />

Milk and Honey<br />

5495 Cascade Rd, Suite 100<br />

Atlanta, GA 30331<br />

(404) 968-9266<br />

Contemporary venue with a cheery<br />

vibe featuring all-day brunch and<br />

Southern specialties.<br />

Our fave: Seafood Burger


10<br />

AUTHOR BEAUTY IN BEAST MODE


What were some of your aspirations<br />

growing up? My greatest aspiration growing up<br />

was to be my own boss, helping families feed<br />

their families, and I can say I’m living the<br />

dream!<br />

11<br />

Did you always want to be an author?<br />

Absolutely not, lol. I became an author by<br />

accident. I was going through a rough time in<br />

my marriage and the only way to release the<br />

frustration was to write.<br />

Where do you draw your inspiration from?<br />

Reading. As I read the books from Nikki Turner,<br />

Sista Souljah, Shannon Holmes, Omar Tyree,<br />

Teri Woods, just to name a few. I felt like damn,<br />

some of my life is inside these pages. I know I<br />

can write a great story just like them. Those<br />

books had me on the edge of my seat, turning<br />

everything out. I knew then I wanted my stories<br />

to have readers just like that.<br />

What is your writing style? I love writing<br />

urban fiction, hood, nasty, fiction, lol. I love<br />

having readers wondering what’s next and<br />

also leaving a lesson inside the pages.<br />

Tell us about your latest novel? My next<br />

release coming late August, early September<br />

will be based on true facts. The novel is<br />

called Dealing with Infidelity, Broken But Not<br />

Dead. This book released so many demons<br />

and so much pain that I bottled up inside. I<br />

recommend it to everyone thinking about<br />

getting married, young and in relationships,<br />

men who are married, or anyone who has<br />

ever had to deal with adultery.<br />

What sets you apart from other authors?<br />

I put a little of me in all my books and I stay<br />

in my own lane.


12<br />

What is the most challenging aspect of the<br />

creative process? The most challenging thing<br />

about being an author is sometimes experiencing<br />

writer’s block– when all your ideas and your brain<br />

just freezes. This may cause your release to be<br />

delayed and it can take a small period of time or<br />

long period of time. It’s good to always find the<br />

right environment to write in. This helps a lot!<br />

What is your writing process? From<br />

starting a novel to publication, take us<br />

on your journey. I love to start out<br />

brainstorming. In this process, I write<br />

down all the thoughts that come to my<br />

mind concerning the book that I would<br />

like to create. I don’t worry about<br />

order or spelling or anything in this<br />

stage. Then I complete my outline.<br />

What is the most fulfilling aspect<br />

during the creative process? Bringing<br />

the characters to life. Some I fall in love<br />

with, some I can’t stand. The<br />

characters are everything! Once you<br />

become a writer, it’s crazy how your<br />

mind works.<br />

Why do Black women need a voice in today’s<br />

literature? Black women need a voice in today’s<br />

literature because there was once a time when our<br />

voices were not able to be heard. When the<br />

opportunity presents itself, we have to bring it. The<br />

black woman has experienced things you wouldn’t<br />

even imagine. We have a gift that can’t be taken.<br />

In addition to being an author, what are some<br />

of your other talents? I own a Home Care Agency<br />

called Cherishing Lives Home Care Agency,<br />

Becoming a Home Care Boss teaching individuals<br />

how to open their own home care agency using<br />

our Million Dollar Blue Print. I am a business coach,<br />

I own a few properties, and I am in the process of<br />

opening a nonprofit organization with a few people<br />

in the city for the youth. I also have a fitness<br />

company about to launch with my husband called<br />

Refocused Fitness.<br />

Author Quintessa Turner @ms_fargo www.quintessaturner.com


DO YOU HAVE A BOOK, WEBSITE, PODCAST,<br />

PUBLICATION, OR BUSINESS YOU’D LIKE TO PROMOTE?!<br />

YOUR AD<br />

HERE<br />

YOUR AD<br />

HERE<br />

YOUR AD<br />

HERE<br />

IF INTERESTED, PLEASE EMAIL US AT:<br />

BLACKTIONMAG@GMAIL.COM


14<br />

Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Spaghetti<br />

by Chef China White<br />

Ingredients:<br />

- 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced<br />

- 1 lb shrimp, frozen<br />

- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder,<br />

onion powder<br />

- 2 cups heavy cream OR half-in-half<br />

- 4 tablespoons butter<br />

- 1 lb spaghetti noodles<br />

- 2 cups parmesan cheese<br />

Cook Time: Approximately 20 minutes<br />

1) Season chicken on both sides with your seasonings.<br />

2) Get a skillet and put it on medium high heat. Add your 4 tbsp of butter to the<br />

skillet.<br />

3) When the butter melts, add chicken and let cook about 3 - 4 minutes on each<br />

side or whenever it’s cooked all the way through. NOTE: Don’t grill the<br />

chicken unless you want grilled chicken alfredo which will throw off the<br />

original flavor but still a delicious substitute.<br />

4) Before taking chicken out of the pan, add some water in a pot and bring to a<br />

boil. Add noodles.<br />

5) Take chicken out the pan and put it to the side to begin alfredo sauce. Using<br />

that same skillet, add one cup of cream and bring skillet to medium heat.<br />

6) Let simmer for about 3 minutes then add Parmesan cheese. Mix well and add<br />

other cup of cream. Let simmer.<br />

7) Chop chicken in squares then add to skillet.<br />

8) Cook shrimp by itself in separate skillet with butter and freshly chopped<br />

garlic (optional).<br />

9) Drain noodles and add to alfredo sauce with chicken. NOTE: If the sauce is<br />

too thick, simply add more cream and salt and pepper to taste, but not too<br />

much because we kept all the flavors for the chicken in the skillet.<br />

10) When the shrimp is done add it to the mix.<br />

11) Give everything a simple stir then add some parsley and paprika for color<br />

(optional).<br />

12) ENJOY!


15


16<br />

Dynamic Duo: Mother and Daughter<br />

Publish Children’s Book Together<br />

Jasmine and her six-year-old daughter, Raziya, began<br />

their journey publishing their children’s book when<br />

Raziya expressed her love for writing and wanting to<br />

write books like her mother. The story came to life<br />

when Raziya wanted characters related to her life and<br />

her mother wanted to tackle real life issues going on<br />

in schools today. Together, they created a seven-yearold<br />

girl, a black superhero, who saves her friends from<br />

making bad choices in school. With this plot, the book<br />

came to life as the mother and daughter duo created<br />

their first book called Raziya Saves The Day, No More<br />

Bullies. Their journey has just began but this series has<br />

hit Amazon, iBooks, Google Play, etc. Teaming up with<br />

local anti-bullying campaigns these ladies have<br />

apparel and more to come!<br />

Jasmine Ciera @raziyasavesthe Jasmineciera13@gmail.com


Sep 26, 2019 – Sep 29, 2019<br />

Filmmaker Friday<br />

Martinis & Movies<br />

Red, White, and New Film<br />

Black Tie Gala-Awards Night<br />

Music in Film<br />

Brunch with a Filmmaker<br />

A Writer’s Wine Tasting<br />

Actor’s Bootcamp<br />

Light Refreshments included<br />

Tickets- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-film-festivalatlanta-tickets-59649965653


18<br />

What were some of your aspirations growing up? Did you always want to be<br />

a model? When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a singer. I used to love<br />

to sing but I quickly grew out of that. So, no I haven't always wanted to be a<br />

model. I did know that I always wanted to be in the spotlight. I wanted to be<br />

known for something.<br />

Who are your biggest influences? My mom is my biggest influence. If I can<br />

only be half of the mother to my future children as she was to me and my<br />

brother, my children would have some astonishing lives.<br />

“Have patience because ‘no’<br />

means that there is a better<br />

‘yes’ right behind it.”<br />

How have you developed your career? Hard work,<br />

determination, and humility. This industry is about<br />

relationships and word gets around fast. So, I treat<br />

everyone with respect. You never know who you will<br />

come across again.<br />

How do you seek out opportunities? I have always<br />

searched for my own jobs, even when I had an agent. I<br />

look on casting sites and just word of mouth.


19<br />

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your<br />

career as a model? The most challenging?<br />

Seeing the final product after a shoot. The<br />

most challenging is doing a shoot and the ad<br />

never comes out or the clients choosing not to<br />

use your photos.<br />

Tell us about a funny/interesting thing that<br />

has happened during your modeling career. I<br />

had a photographer come into my job to take<br />

photos of me. I had her hide her camera until<br />

we were in the lab where we could lock the<br />

door. The photos came out so dope!<br />

Where can we see some of your work? My<br />

Instagram @ashleysevans or go into beauty<br />

supply stores on the hair color aisle.<br />

In addition to being a model, what are some<br />

of your other talents? Acting is my other<br />

passion.<br />

Any new projects we can expect from you in<br />

the near future? I am focusing on acting now.<br />

So continue to watch TV and I’ll appear on<br />

some of your favorite TV shows and movies!<br />

What is your favorite quote or words of<br />

encouragement for those reading and<br />

aspiring to be like you? Proverbs 18:21 "Death<br />

and life are in the power of the tongue, and<br />

those that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."


20<br />

Facebook.com/ccxiidesigns<br />

@ccxiidesigns<br />

“This is me. I design,<br />

I create, I want you<br />

to wear it!”<br />

-Tiffany Tolbert<br />

CCXII Designs<br />

Founder/Designer<br />

TEN – “Power (Taking Back)”<br />

Inspiration Vibes ft. MoneyMike – “Bless My<br />

Haters”<br />

Karis – “Playa”<br />

SkinnyC ft. Ace King – “REAL Life Likes”


21<br />

So you've booked your author event! You're excited, you're nervous... and dare you admit,<br />

lost as hell. Because now you're utterly clueless about what else to bring to set up your<br />

table. You don't want it too empty, and you don't want it cluttered either. It took me a few<br />

events to get comfortable<br />

with staging my table but<br />

now I look forward to the<br />

task. The table pictured<br />

here is my usual set up.<br />

First, I pick a good color<br />

scheme that goes with my<br />

brand. As you see, my colors<br />

are typically pinks and<br />

purples with some<br />

splashes of other colors<br />

to compliment. With that<br />

color scheme in mind, I decorate. Even if an event supplies a tablecloth, I bring my own<br />

because I like to coordinate. Of course, I bring books and bookstands which can be<br />

purchased at Walmart, Target, or even Dollar Tree. On my table you'll also find my<br />

marketing materials (i.e. business cards, bookmarks, etc.) and a guest book to collect<br />

email addresses for my mailing list (usually my pen is in my color scheme as well because,<br />

why not? Lol). Aside from the essentials, I also bring a little extra decor because it makes<br />

the table more visually appealing, such as flowers in vases (fake ones so I can transport<br />

and reuse again), confetti (if allowed) and candy in dishes (color-coordinated as well). I<br />

also recommend some kind of display such as a retractable banner, or table banner/poster<br />

if that's more cost efficient for you. I purchased a collapsible wagon from Walmart for easy<br />

transporting of all my vendor items, and I am good to go!<br />

TIP: Don't make my mistake. When I first purchased my banner, I used my book cover. Well<br />

with my next few published books, that banner quickly became outdated. Plus it wasn't<br />

visually neutral enough to use at my speaking events. Since then, I've had a new one<br />

created with my picture and social media handles. It is versatile and definitely has more<br />

longevity because I don't have any book covers shown. So as my catalog grows and I<br />

continue to pursue other ventures, I can use this same banner again and again.<br />

Good luck!<br />

Briana Cole


22<br />

Work-In-Progress<br />

©2017<br />

Prologue<br />

Damn, what is taking so long?<br />

Regina shifted impatiently as the muffled instrumentals of Kenny G’s<br />

“The Wedding Song” played in the sanctuary of the church. She knew as<br />

soon as the door swung open, she would need to get back into character.<br />

Pretend the plastic smile was genuine, pretend the satin and tulle of the<br />

elaborate wedding gown didn’t itch like hell, and pretend she actually<br />

planned on spending the rest of her life with the man at the end of the aisle<br />

instead of just the next few days. But it was these times, standing alone in<br />

the lobby, she could savor that brief moment of inhibition and actually<br />

relax.<br />

Her stomach flipped and Regina closed her eyes and took a deep<br />

breath. It wasn’t nerves. Hell she had done this six times already. Different<br />

venue, different dress, different crowd, and always a different husband. She<br />

knew her marriage vows like the Pledge of Allegiance and she had feigned<br />

her happiness well enough that sometimes she questioned her own<br />

sincerity. But unbeknownst to them, she was as fictitious as an Aesop Fable.<br />

Not just the acrylic nails and extensive Brazilian weave perched under her<br />

veil. Not the contacts or the makeup contouring that sharpened her<br />

cheekbones and widened the doe-eyes that Barlow Washington absolutely<br />

adored. No, it was her. All of her. Just a month ago, Regina Hamilton didn’t<br />

even exist. And in a few more days, she wouldn’t anymore. And that is<br />

probably why she felt uneasy. It was the getting in and out of the marriages<br />

that still made her nervous. That small possibility of ‘what if?’<br />

The doors opened and the familiar chords of the song wafted into the<br />

lobby to greet her. Re-focused on the task, Regina tightened her grip on the<br />

bouquet arrangement in her hand. There was the smile, there was the<br />

blinding light as people snapped pictures, and there was her poor smiling<br />

husband Barlow, handsome and statuesque as he waited for her by the<br />

altar. And there was her cue to get back into character.


23<br />

Chapter One<br />

Kennedy Montgomery pretended to do her homework but couldn’t<br />

help but keep a questioning eye on her mother. At fourteen she definitely<br />

didn’t know everything, but judging by the cigarette that bounced between<br />

her mother’s trembling lips and the pacing that was sure to leave a hole in<br />

the dingy carpet, there was definite cause for concern.<br />

Her mother’s eyes looked sunken in, almost hollow, and the disheveled<br />

housecoat was a huge contrast to all the fancy new clothes adorning her<br />

closet. Her new boy toy Lewis had definitely been keeping her in nice<br />

threads and their refrigerator stocked so much so that Kennedy didn’t<br />

remember the last time she had had to go to the store and pull out the<br />

embarrassing EBT card. They were good. Great actually. Lewis had even<br />

spoiled her with some new clothes and shoes of her own so she was no<br />

longer the laughing stock of high school. It felt nice. For once in all of their<br />

years of struggling, living paycheck to paycheck and sometimes going<br />

without dinner altogether while her mom struggled to keep the raggedy<br />

Section 8 apartment over their head, for once they were good. So why then,<br />

was her mother looking so damn stressed that she was taking huge drags of<br />

Newport after Newport like oxygen?<br />

“Ken,” Vernita turned to her daughter finally, her red-rimmed eyes<br />

already brimming with tears. “Baby, we need to talk.”<br />

Obediently, Kennedy pushed the math homework to the side and<br />

readjusted herself in the dining room chair. “Is something wrong?” she<br />

asked, her questioning stare magnified through the oval-framed eyeglasses.<br />

Vernita exhaled and let out a shaky stream of smoke between them. She<br />

ripped her eyes away from her daughter’s. As if she couldn’t bear to look at<br />

the shy innocence, or the subsequent result of the ultimatum she was about<br />

to enforce. She kept her distance across the room and let the silent tension<br />

hang thick like the fog of cigarette smoke permeating between them.<br />

Finally, she found her voice again.<br />

“You know I love you right?” she started, shutting her eyes as the<br />

words left her lips. God, she needed her daughter to know it was all out of<br />

love.<br />

“Mommy, I love you too.”


24<br />

“But you know I love you right? And I would do anything for you? To<br />

make sure you’re taken care of. To make sure you have everything you could<br />

ever need and want?”<br />

“Of course.”<br />

Vernita sighed. “Before Lewis, we were in such a terrible place. You<br />

remember that? Do you remember how that felt?”<br />

Kennedy shuddered. She would never forget being teased for her Goodwill<br />

attire, or the hunger pains that clinched her stomach so tight she couldn’t<br />

sleep at night.<br />

Or even her mother’s shallow cries late at night when she thought<br />

Kennedy was already sleep. It hadn’t been drugs, or anything that had put<br />

them in such a broken environment. It had just been life. A series of bad<br />

luck as a single parent that Vernita could never quite dig them out of. Until<br />

Lewis.<br />

“I never want you to go through that again,” Vernita almost<br />

whispered. “Never want us to go through that again.”<br />

“Me neither Mama,” Kennedy said when her mother paused. She<br />

didn’t know if her mother was asking for a response or strength with the<br />

pause in her words.<br />

“I need you to do me a favor,” Vernita said, still not able to meet her<br />

daughter’s gaze. “A big favor. But it would change our lives forever if you did<br />

it. Can you do that for me?”<br />

“What is it?”<br />

“First, promise me you’ll do it,” Vernita reiterated a little more<br />

forceful. “I need your promise.” As customary between them, she held out<br />

her pinky in Kennedy’s direction and waited for her daughter to reciprocate.<br />

The silent bond was completely unspoken but once they locked pinkies,<br />

both knew that the gesture sealed the deal between them. All they had ever<br />

had was each other.<br />

Fear had Kennedy hesitating for a brief moment. Brief. But trust<br />

propelled her feet across the room before obediently hooking her pinky<br />

around her mother’s. “I promise,” she said, eyeing their joined fingers.<br />

“What do I have to do?”<br />

She almost didn’t hear the words as she watched her mother’s lips<br />

move.


Knew she couldn’t have heard what she thought she heard. It was as if the<br />

lingering cigarette smoke had created some kind of buffer that muffled the<br />

noise. Kennedy remained expressionless.<br />

“I need you to marry Lewis,” Vernita repeated. “This weekend.”<br />

There it was again. The punch of the demand had left her breathless<br />

and Kennedy snatched her hand back from her mother’s, instantly breaking<br />

the connection. “No,” she said, flatly.<br />

“But you promised.” Vernita said, as if that was justification enough.<br />

“Mama, I’m fourteen. Why would I marry Lewis? Your boyfriend?<br />

Your forty-seven-year-old boyfriend? Why would you ask me to do that?”<br />

Weakly, Vernita sank to her knees. “Sweetie, I’m sorry,” she said, now<br />

letting the tears spill over and run down her flushed cheeks. “He loves you,<br />

Baby. I tried to make him love me but he loves you. He wants to be with you<br />

or, he’ll leave. He will take everything he’s ever given us and we will never<br />

hear from him again. Don’t you see, we can’t lose him. I can’t lose him.”<br />

“Lose him or his money?” Kennedy didn’t realize she had spat the<br />

words out, hadn’t even seen her mother stand to her feet. But she instantly<br />

felt the slap sting her face and had pained tears sprouting from her lids.<br />

Vernita had never hit her. Never.<br />

“I’m not going to argue with you about this,” Vernita said, swallowing<br />

the defeat and struggling to gather her strength. The words were more<br />

forceful, even if she seemed to be choking them out. “You will marry Lewis<br />

this weekend. I will sign for you to be his wife and you will love that man<br />

with everything in you. Whatever he wants you to do, you will do. You will<br />

make him happy, do you hear me? And we can have our happily ever after.”<br />

“But,” Kennedy shook her head, her eyes pleading for understanding. “I<br />

don’t want to. Please don’t make me Mama.”<br />

“You don’t have a choice,” Vernita said again. “Either marry him or…<br />

you can leave.” With that last statement, she turned and padded from the<br />

room, bringing the cigarette back to her lips.<br />

Kennedy waited for her mother to return. Part of her was thinking<br />

this was some sick joke and if she stood right there, waiting, Vernita would<br />

return laughing at the crazy ass request. But long after night crept through<br />

25


26<br />

the sheets on the windows, Kennedy stood frozen and stunned. Alone. She<br />

couldn’t leave. The nine dollars and fifty-two cents she had in a Ziploc bag<br />

tucked under her pillow wouldn’t even get her to the next block. Her mother<br />

was right. She didn’t have a choice.<br />

Subscribe to the next issue for more!<br />

Enjoyed this Briana Cole exclusive? Check out her Unconditional<br />

series available NOW everywhere books are sold!


27<br />

Step in the backyard to relax, unwind, and be inspired.<br />

Consider the greatest<br />

challenge you’ve overcome in<br />

life and write a “love letter” to<br />

help a perfect stranger<br />

overcome that same challenge:<br />

an entrepreneur who is<br />

struggling with her first<br />

business, a man who has lost<br />

his job, or a child being bullied<br />

at school. Write a love letter<br />

about a challenge you faced,<br />

and you will touch hearts, lift<br />

spirits, and<br />

show the<br />

world that<br />

no one is<br />

alone.<br />

I tried to put you in a poem,<br />

But the lines weren’t enough to hold you.<br />

I thought these phrases were so beautiful<br />

Until they stood next to you<br />

I pulled out my pencil to illustrate my point,<br />

But it quickly dulled listing your attributes.<br />

I cleared my throat to sing a tune,<br />

The melodies melt next to you.<br />

by Jymyaka Braden<br />

Your eyes ignite a flicker<br />

That sets my soul ablaze.<br />

Maybe my feet could dance the praise?<br />

Not hardly, no rhythm beats quite like your heart.<br />

Even your silence sings my harmony.<br />

Killing me softly, quietly.<br />

And artistically.<br />

“If you don’t build your own dream, someone else will hire you to help build theirs.”<br />

- Tony Gaskins Jr.


Enterprises<br />

bossmagnetenterprises@gmail.com

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!