Leslie Odom Jr. | Family Issue 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE 

Growing up, the weekend after Thanksgiving was always a busy one. Christmas is my mother’s 

favorite holiday and putting up the Christmas tree was her favorite part. As the houses got 

bigger, the more trees we got but it was always the same process. I was in charge of digging the 

ornaments out of the garage or basement, my sister untangled the lights, my father brought in 

the tree and my mother started to strategize on how she wanted the tree to look. Till this day, 

that tree continues to go up after Thanksgiving. It is a memory, it is my family, it is TRADI- 

TION. In this issue, we talk about family. From Black fathers who are inspiring their children 

to be confident to a story about brothers learning to accept and understand their sibling who 

is Trans. This Family issue will motivate you, remind you to love, and inspire you to keep those 

traditions. 

Eric K. Thomas 

Editor-in-Chief 

2 / THE THE QUINTESSENTIAL GENTLEMAN WWW.THEQGENTLEMAN.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PG. 4 WHEN THE GAME OF FASHION IS A FATHER-SON SPORT 

PG. 6 KELVIN HARRISON JR. IS MAKING “WAVES” IN 

HOLLYWOOD 

PG. 8 7 THINGS BLACK AND BROWN MEN SHOULD TAKE AWAY 

FROM “WAVES” 

PG. 10 TOP FIVE MOVIES CELEBRATING FATHERHOOD 

PG. 12 LESLIE ODOM JR.’S ADVICE TO AMERICA ON 

SUPPORTING “HARRIET” 

PG. 16 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 

PG. 18 THE MEN OF ISSA RAE’S NEW YOUTUBE WEB SERIES 

“KING ESTER” SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING 

TRANS WOMAN 

PG. 20 BLACK INK CREW COMPTON’S LEMEIR MITCHELL ON 

FATHERHOOD AND HIS NEW VEGAN VENTURE 

PG. 24 HOLIDAY DRINK RECEIPE WITH BELVERDERE 

PG. 26 6 FAMILY FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS 

PG. 30 6 TAKEAWAYS FROM QUEEN & SLIM 

PG. 33 FOX SPORTSCASTER MIKE HILL USES “OPEN MIKE” TO 

SPEAK HIS TRUTH 

PG. 36 A SEASON OF GIVING 

PG. 37 DADDY DRESSED ME 

PG. 40 FORMER SUPERBOWL CHAMPION KAYVON WEBSTER 

IS USING HIS IMAGINATION TO MOBILIZE THE YOUTH 

PG. 43 THE LARGEST BLACK-OWNED BANK TEAMS UP WITH 

BME COMMUNITY TO CLOSE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP 

pg.12 

LESLIE ODOM JR. 

OUR STAFF 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ERIC K. THOMAS 

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS DANE YOUNG 

FASHION EDITOR AARON CAMPBELL 

BRAND AMBASSADOR QUE JACKSON 

WRITERS BRIAN ANTHONY, MONIQUE HOWARD, 

DONALD COLEMAN 

COPY EDITOR GABBY CORRICA 

MAGAZINE GRAPHIC DESIGNER ELIZABETH AFERI 

FAMILY 2019 / 3

GAME OF FASHION 

WHEN THE 

IS A FATHER-SON SPORT 

BY: AARON CAMPBELL 


WHEN ONE THINKS OF PASSING DOWN THE FASHION GENE, MEN, AND SPE- 

CIFICALLY BLACK MEN, MAY NOT BE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO COME TO MIND. 

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SEVERAL FAMOUS BLACK FATHERS AND SONS THAT 

HAVE MADE FASHION A MAJOR PART OF THEIR PERSONAL BRANDS, AND IN 

SOME CASES A SERIOUS SOURCE OF INCOME. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW 

OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FATHERS AND SONS IN TODAY’S FASHION SCENE. 

P. DIDDY, JUSTIN AND CHRISTIAN COMBS 

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has been a fixture on the fashion scene 

since he started Bad Boy Entertainment in the early 90s. In 

fact, one could say that fashion has been just as important to 

the evolution of P. Diddy’s career as music. He was one of the 

first rappers to intertwine high fashion into every aspect of his 

brand. He also started his own clothing line, Sean John, in 1998. 

So it probably comes as no surprise that two of his sons, Justin 

(25) and Christian (21) have followed in their father’s footsteps, 

making fashion a key part of their growing careers. Justin, 

whose mother stylist Misa Hylton-Brim helped curate many of 

the looks for Bad Boy artists, is a staple at New York Fashion 

Week. He and his brothers have been named by Forbes as one 

of the black youths leading the new black renaissance in fashion. 

Meanwhile Christian doesn’t just attend fashion shows, 

he walks them, serving as a runway and campaign model for 

brands like Dolce and Gabbana and Philipp Plein. 

DAPPER DAN AND JELANI DAY 

Daniel Day, widely referred to as Dapper Dan, and his son 

Jelani Day may not be as well known as P. Diddy’s family, but 

their impact on the fashion world is no less great. A Harlem 

New York native, Dapper Dan got his start as a clothier in the 

1970s and opened his own boutique on 125th street in 1982. He 

quickly became known for his bold use of logos copied from 

top luxury brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. With the 

rise of both hip hop culture and the crack epidemic, Dapper 

Dan saw his clientele skyrocket, dressing both entertainers and 

kingpins eager to embrace the height of 1980s excess. Eventually, 

luxury houses caught on to the fact that celebrities were 

wearing knock-off versions of their monograms incorporated 

into outfits created by Dan and sued him, eventually putting 

him out of business. Ironically, it would be one of those same 

brands, Gucci, and its newly appointed creative director, Alessandro 

Michele, whose copies of Dan’s original designs would 

help bring his name back into the headlines. Dapper Dan’s son, 

Jelani Day, who serves as his brand manager, along with a social 

media outcry demanding Gucci acknowledge Dapper Dan’s 

work, have been instrumental in his resurgence in recent years. 

He and Jelani have since fostered a new professional relationship 

with Gucci, creating an off-shoot menswear line for the 

Italian house. The duo, in partnership with Gucci, also openedv 

an atelier, Dapper Dan of Harlem, in 2018. 

KANYE AND SAINT WEST 

One of the more controversial names in fashion, or anywhere 

for that matter, is undoubtedly the former Louis Vuitton Don 

himself, Mr. Kanye West. When Kanye came from behind the 

scenes and released his first album The College Dropout in 

2004, he was lauded not only for his musical genius but also 

for his unique style aesthetic. At a time when most rappers 

still embraced the oversized tall-tee look, West was decked 

in bright-color Ralph Lauren polos and designer backpacks. 

Through the years, his star power and style have evolved, leading 

him to create his own (highly popular and often criticized) 

apparel and shoe lines. His sneaker collaboration with Adidas 

has produced some of the most sought after silhouettes in the 

sneaker business. He and his four young children have already 

begun to have their own influence on the fashion industry. Oldest 

son Saint, at a mere three years old, is a style star in his own 

right. He, along with older sister North, have been featured in 

fashion magazines and have even inspired their parents to create 

a clothing line for kids. 

WILL AND JADEN SMITH 

Will Smith has made a name for himself as a rapper, actor and 

Instagram obsession. While you may not automatically associate 

him with fashion, he has served as a major influence of 

Black men’s style since the start of his career in the late 1980s. 

His 90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, helped showcase 

his edgy and sometimes quirky fashion sense and propelled 

him into leading movie roles that increased his stardom. While 

papa Smith has since adopted a more classic Hollywood look, 

his youngest son Jaden has carried on his dad’s more unconventional 

style legacy. Jaden is known for his out-of-the-box fashions 

and is a staple at major industry events such as the Met 

Gala, where he once carried his freshly cut-off dreadlocks as 

an accessory. Jaden has also starred in numerous campaigns for 

luxury fashion houses. In fact, arguably his most talked about 

fashion moment was when he starred in Louis Vuitton’s 2016 

womenswear campaign, wearing a series of skirts from the collection. 

As the younger of this Smith duo is only 20, it’s safe 

to say that probably won’t be his last time rocking the fashion 

boat. 


KELVIN HARRISON JR. 

IS MAKING “WAVES” IN HOLLYWOOD 

BY: QUE JACKSON 


Kelvin Harrison Jr, America’s rising star has continued 

to build his reputation in the film industry as a force to 

be reckoned with. From his role as Luce Edgar in the 

film, Luce starring Octavia Spencer, to his role as Teddy Green 

in the Epix drama, Godfather of Harlem starring Forrest Whitaker, 

Kelvin continues to play characters that ignite great conversations. 

His latest role as Tyler Williams in the romance drama, 

Waves alongside Sterling K. Brown, was no different. 

Waves hit theaters and became an immediate topic of 

discussion within many families. Kelvin has toured the country 

and spoke on panels regarding the extremely emotional film, 

which follows the ups and downs of an African-American family. 

His hopes are that the movie continues to open up a dialogue 

between families, especially fathers and sons who often have the 

most misunderstood relationships. He admits that when it has 

come to the relationship with his own father, there were communication 

barriers. After making the film, Kelvin understood 

that he couldn’t judge his father due to the fact that his father 

didn’t know how to love or communicate in the same way he 

did. Kelvin says, “I feel empowered to make that step. I want 

families to open up and communicate. I want them to have a dialogue 

with each other so that they can heal together. We don’t 

have to exist in these past pains and traumas.” 

When speaking about his current success, Kelvin says, 

“It is so humbling and I just feel so full inside. I actually sat down 

and reflected on everything. I have all my scripts and when I 

was cleaning up my apartment, I saw some of them and I just 

started to cry because I was so grateful that I got this opportunity. 

I could have never imagined what I would have been doing 

growing up in New Orleans. I’m from a family of musicians and 

I went to school for marketing. I never thought I was going to 

get the chance to move to LA or New York. It feels like I have so 

much purpose and I never knew what God had in store for me 

and my life. It’s so much bigger than I could have ever expected 

and I’m thankful that I mean something to people. I value myself 

more and it just inspired me to want to share that with other 

people. There are many of us that add value to this world and 

you would never know that until you allow yourself to go on 

that journey. I’m just over the moon.” 

In 2020, Kelvin takes a different approach and shows 

his comedic side of acting. He is currently wrapping up a new 

film called The Photograph, a romantic comedy where plays an 

intern alongside Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield, Will Packer, 

Courtney B. Vance and more. Harrison will also be starring in 

the music-centric comedy Covers, where he plays Traci Ellis 

Ross’s love interest. Rounding out the films to anticipate from 

Kelvin, he will also be starring in the crime drama film The Trial 

of The Chicago 7. In it, he plays Fred Hampton the man who 

took over the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party in 

1968. The movie is based on the story of the Chicago Seven, a 

group of seven defendants charged by the federal government 

with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to anti-Vietnam 

War and countercultural protests that took place in 

Chicago on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. 

With so many memorable roles under his belt and so 

many roles left to play, Kelvin Harrison Jr. is truly an actor deserving 

of all the love he is receiving from the industry and his 

supporters. Kelvin is a true Quintessential Gentleman. 


7THINGS BLACK AND 

BROWN MEN SHOULD 

TAKE AWAY FROM 

“WAVES” 

BY: KELVIN HARRISON JR. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

1. Vulnerability isn’t a trap or a flaw. 

2. 

You can be imperfect and complicated and 

troubled at any time and that’s okay. 

3. Our parents are so wise, they love us so much 

and we should be able to recognize that even 

when they don’t know how to show that. 

4. The women in our lives are Queens and they 

are so powerful. I love Taylor Russell in this 

movie because she shows that in such an eloquent 

and subtle way. 

We should learn to listen to our black women 

more and embrace them. 

We’re all so smart. I think that we possess 

emotional intelligence that we may not even 

understand yet. 

Trust our instincts because whatever we’re 

feeling in our gut is probably right. 


YOUR 

SKIN 

TELLS A 

STORY 


- BY MONIQUE HOWARD - 

Life lessons, memorable stories, and captivating characters are vital features that can earn a movie a place 

among the classics. Good movies impact the audiences’ thinking and resonate with them on an emotional 

level. These movies share uplifting life lessons about overcoming adversity, self-realization and finding one’s 

place in the world. The strong male characters offer an exemplary reflection of what it means to be a man and father 

from many diverse perspectives. Each movie offers an inspiring story that encourages and empowers the audience. 

The unforgettable performances and heartfelt moments are just a few reasons why these movies should be on your 

watch list. 


THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS 

The Pursuit of Happyness tells the incredible true story of Chris Garner, a struggling 

single father who overcomes homelessness and becomes a multi-millionaire 

investor. The lead roles are skillfully played by Will Smith and his son, Jaden. 

The movie instills the importance of showing children they can achieve their 

dreams no matter the circumstances. 

DADDY’S LITTLE GIRLS 

In Daddy’s Little Girls, Idris Elba plays Monty, a hardworking, single father who 

fights to regain custody of his three daughters. This movie provides a beautifully 

rendered example of the lengths a parent will go for the sake of children. 

BLOOD DIAMOND 

In the gritty action flick Blood Diamond, a mercenary, and a fisherman embark on 

the perilous journey to recover a rare diamond that will alter their fates. Djimon 

Hounsou co-stars as the fisherman Solomon Vandy, a father who makes the ultimate 

sacrifice by giving his life to ensure his son’s safety. The movie presents a 

heart-wrenching example of self-sacrificing love in its purest form. 

THE BUTLER 

The historical drama The Butler is loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, who 

served as a butler in the White House for 34 years. In the film, his story is reimagined 

with character Cecil Gaines, played by Forest Whitaker. His story unfolds 

in a time of political unrest and war as he serves as a butler in the White House 

during eight presidencies. The movie wonderfully showcases an unconditional 

love of family that is strong enough to withstand life’s adversities. 

THE GREAT DEBATERS 

The Great Debaters features Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson, a professor 

and father figure of sorts at Marshall, Texas’s Wiley College in 1935. He encourages 

and challenges his students to achieve greatness as the school’s first debate 

team. The movie illustrates the importance of mentorship and inspiring young 

minds to flourish. 

Through the characters’ hardships and triumphs, viewers can both relate 

to and learn from their mistakes and successes. Love is the driving force that 

compels each man to go against the odds for children. 


LESLIE ODOM JR.’S 

ADVICE TO AMERICA ON SUPPORTING “HARRIET” 

BY: DANE YOUNG 

Photo Credits: Jimmy Fontaine 

Harriet Tubman is undoubtedly an unsung hero. 

She’s one of the few Black public figures that we 

learn about in our history books. Her story will 

forever be an imprint in the soils of this nation 

that we praise as the land of the free. However, I believe we are 

devaluing the impact of our ancestors’ prowess and their activism 

when we refuse to support films like, Harriet, which provide 

us with more insight into our history. Although the film grossed 

over $23 Million in sales so far and is considered as an Oscar 

frontrunner, many have voiced their reasons for the lack of support 

of the film. 

Actor Leslie Odom Jr. brilliantly portrayed abolitionist 

William Still in Harriet. He assisted her with the rescue of over 

70 slaves throughout her epic pilgrimage on the Underground 

Railroad and was also credited as the father of the movement. 

When asked about the importance and validity of this film, Leslie 

had this to share, “I can understand the fatigue that people 

may have towards slave movies, but I don’t share it. There are all 

these stories being told about certain times in history because it’s 

fascinating, and there are so many advantages for sharing them. 

Slavery was a holocaust, and we are still feeling the repercussion 

and pain from it. We are still unpacking the systematic damages 

and trying to heal as a people, as a country, and a society. Slavery 

was a big sin that we are reckoning with. We are trying to coex- 


ist in a society where our beginnings were subdued to chains and 

shackles. I never get tired of seeing these films. America needs to 

stay on the metaphorical couch to tackle the pain that slavery has 

caused and to pinpoint exactly what it is. There is room for films 

like Django, 12 Years a Slave, and there is room for Harriet. We may 

not be able to stomach them all but America needs to stay on this 

psychiatrist’s couch. I understand that people are tired of seeing 

slave films told a certain way. However, in Harriet, you pick up on 

slave narratives, the ingenuity, the brilliance, and the courage it 

took for every single one of them to escape. And each party has a 

significant role and story that should be told.” 

Like some, I too had my apprehensions toward seeing 

another slavery themed movie and wasn’t afraid to share my concerns 

with Leslie. I began by stating my appreciation as a journalist 

to have been selected to screen the film in advance and 

informing him of my observation of the lack of diversity in the 

screening room, adding that I was one of three Black faces in attendance. 

This prompted me to ask Mr. Odom as a participant 

and lead actor on this project to explain who the film was indeed 

intended for. “Not to shirk the responsibility of answering this,” 

said Odom. “I had to get used to this medium [referring to the 

film industry] coming from theater. This is a filmmaker–medium. 

It’s more about the director and editor. They are hugely important. 

For example, some directors are making films that speak to 



them and their personal passions, and there are directors hired 

to execute the studio’s vision. I’ve learned that actors are low on 

the totem pole. So I can’t truly answer who the film is intended 

for. What I do know is that it was made with really skillful and 

loving hands by Kasi Lemmons with good intentions. Producer 

Debra Martin and actress Cynthia Erivo wanted to give Harriet 

a hero and an action treatment. To give her a movie they thought 

was befitting. There has been a lack and deficiency when it comes 

to our stories being told. This may not be the Harriet movie that 

everyone wants it to be, but I’m excited that it’s a start and I don’t 

think this will be the last.” 

Regardless of if you’re a fan of the narrative depicted in 

this version of Harriet, we as Black and Brown people need to rally 

behind this film as a community. It’s our voice crafted by our 

hands to commemorate our journey. In the words of Lena Waithe, 

“to be Black is beautiful, but it’s also traumatizing.” This Harriet 

film has sparked healthy dialogue to be exchanged among all races 

and is a work of art that will transcend generations. It’s a responsibility 

of our own to be resilient in supporting projects that will 

continue to bring awareness to the legacies of those whose backs 

we stand on. We have to be like Leslie’s character William and 

quickly denounce any doubt that we all may have. There’s a bigger 

message in our testimony that will keep America on that metaphorical 

couch until all wounds are healed. 


1 

HOLIDAY 

Gift Guide 

2 

1. THE BEVEL TRIMMER 

The Bevel Trimmer runs quieter, cooler and now has double 

the battery power over previous generations (it now holds up 

to 8 hours per charge and keeps that power for 180 days.) Combining 

innovations in design, power and cleanliness, the Bevel 

Trimmer is a world-class device for both barbershop and home 

grooming needs (use alongside the Bevel Shave System for consistently 

smoother, clearer skin and fresher, sharper lines. 

WEBSITE: GETBEVEL.COM/TRIMMER 

PRICE: $199.95 

2. MVST SELECT LUGGAGE 

Help the QG in your life travel easier with a premium suitcase/ 

travel bag from MVST select. This suitcase is made of 100% 

polycarbonate, which is used in bulletproof glass and the visor 

of an astronaut’s helmet because it is exceptionally resilient and 

strong. 

WEBSITE: MVSTSELECT.COM 

PRICE: $225 

4 

3. LAETLY 

Laetly is a New York-based brand of bold, fun knit scarves that 

are universal, easy-to-gift, and the fun “exclamation point” to 

your winter outfit. These make great pieces that are perfect for 

men, including happy color-blocked styles and sophisticated 

greys and muted tones. 

WEBSITE: LAETLY.COM 

PRICE: STARTING AT $60 

4.SOOTHERAPY HEALING BATH SALTS 

Men take baths too! Soothe not only have candles but they also 

have healing bath salts. The 3-pack of Sootherapy Healing Bath 

Salts contains all-natural, non-GMO, tropical ingredients such 

as exotic Moloka’i & ‘Alaea salts, taro, noni, ginger, raw cane sugar, 

organic coconut oil and coconut milk. They smell incredible, 

and leave skin feeling soft, hydrated and nourished! 

WEBSITE: SOOTHE.COM 

PRICE: $30 

3 

5 

5. PAPERCLIP 

Paperclip makes sustainable changing bags for the modern parent, 

made using recycled materials. This is the gift that every 

gentleman didn’t know they needed. With a built-in changing 

station that unfolds in second, this bag eliminates the need to 

worry about the lack of changing stations in public restrooms 

and is totally gender neutral - it also converts quickly from backpack 

to messenger bag. It’s a great gift for that ‘cool dad’ - the 

modern, traveling parent’s best friend. 

WEBSITE: NORDSTROM 

PRICE: STARTING AT $140 


8 

10 

6 

6. WP-STANDARD LEATHER TRAVEL TOTE 

The ultimate travel companion. With contrast stitching, rolled handles, 

a detachable strap, and Riri zipper, the airport crowd will be 

wowed with every adventure. 

WEBSITE: WPSTANDARD.COM 

PRICE: $419 

7 

7. POLO BLACK EDT HOLIDAY EDITION 

Following its debut in the 1980s, Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear has become 

an unmistakable icon for the brand, which will now star in the 

brand’s first-ever limited-edition holiday fragrance bottle collection. 

The bottle collection will feature the brand’s classic Polo fragrances 

adorned with custom Polo Bear designs inspired by each scent. 

WEBSITE: RALPHLAUREN.COM 

PRICE: $105 

8. G-SHOCK SKELETON SERIES 

Part of the latest Clear Skeleton Series, which launched this April, the 

new watches are colorful additions to the DW5600 series. Arriving 

in the popular candy color trends with their striking appeal including 

a one-tone chromatic color casing and band in transparent jelly style, 

these new models express a futuristic take on nostalgia. The reverse 

LCD with matching color tint showcases a minimalistic design that 

matches the classic original G-SHOCK. 

WEBSITE: GSHOCK.COM 

PRICE: $110 

9. ASHLEY NORTH - NOIR SANTAL CANDLE 

Men like candles too. Noir Santal is Ashely North’s one of signature 

scents. This candle has luxe notes of black currant, rose and sandalwood 

to create a truly warm and inviting feeling. 

WEBSITE: SHOPANSTYLE.COM/ 

PRICE: $52 

9 

10. MY DRINK BOMB 

The Original Drink Bomb are artisan handcrafted cocktail drink 

mixers made with natural ingredients, organic herbs and 24K gold. 

Simply add to your favorite alcohol of your choice, sparkling soda or 

water. A new and fun twist to drinking cocktails. 

WEBSITE: MYDRINKBOMB.COM 

PRICE: $12.50 


KING ESTER 

THE MEN OF ISSA RAE’S NEW YOUTUBE WEB SERIES 

SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING A TRANS WOMAN 

By: Dane Young 


SOME PEOPLE YEARN FOR SECURITY. 

It’s a simple yet complex need that is essential to the way 

one navigates through the world. Security alleviates the 

anxieties that come with fear. It creates a force field that 

is meant to protect one’s well-being. Although, protection 

is a fundamental right not often shared or offered to 

specific groups of people due to systems of oppression 

and the lack of knowledge. In the Dui Jarrod-produced 

web series, King Ester, we are introduced to characters 

who are fighting for a sense of belonging. They are 

learning to accept their personal truths while living in a 

community that ostracizes them. 

The series is centered around leading lady Ester, who is 

trans. She is a self-aware woman with dreams of leaving 

her mark on the world and is undoubtedly a force to be 

LIKE MANY OF US, ESTER 

FACES OBSTACLES THAT 

ARE HOLDING HER BACK 

FROM ACHIEVING HER FULL 

POTENTIAL. AS CLICHÉ AS 

IT SOUNDS, THINGS LIKE 

LOVE, SUPPORT AND CON- 

FORMITY ARE DESIRED BUT 

THE LACK THEREOF COULD 

CREATE AN EXHAUSTING 

SEARCH FOR FULFILLMENT. 

reckoned with. 

As confident 

and brass as she 

may be, the realization 

that the 

world doesn’t revolve 

around her 

seems minute 

and is not of her 

concern. “I crafted 

Ester with 

the notion of her 

being fully aware 

of who she is as a 

person, and the 

world around 

her needed to 

make a shift towards 

change. 

I strategically 

placed this character 

in a family specifically with a brother who should 

have the most reasons to love her, but doesn’t understand 

the concept of being trans and is slow to accept who she 

is. As a writer, this was extremely difficult to come up with 

but I felt the importance of sharing the dynamics between 

the two,” said Jarrod. 

it sounds, things like love, support and conformity are 

desired but the lack thereof could create an exhausting 

search for fulfillment. LJ Scott, who plays Damien, becomes 

Ester’s confidant and safety net as she tries to escape 

being objectified for survival. According to Scott, 

“My character Damien is Ester’s safe place. Everything 

Ester ever wanted or had expectations for Damion has. 

However, he himself is dealing with the acceptance of his 

own sexuality, which is something that Ester has already 

accomplished and what Damien admires about her.” 

A home is deemed one’s secure space, a place that should 

be free of judgment. Whether it’s a mother, brother, or 

friend, our hope is to have a home that serves as a safe 

space to express our full selves without being looked 

down upon. As King, Ester’s brother played by Martin 

Bradford, witnesses her transformation firsthand, he is 

slow to accept, confused and not sure how to support 

her due to the provincial mindsets of outside influences 

and personal beliefs. But he innately knows that he 

has a responsibility to protect his sister. “I play King, and 

he represents that black man who is trying but may not 

have the proper education or the words to interact with 

someone who is considered trans. Our society wasn’t designed 

for us to enter into those types of conversations 

smoothly. As we have evolved, so should the lessons surrounding 

gender and sex, which is why this project is so 

important. King has done damage but he’s trying to heal 

and grow from his mistakes,” said Bradford. 

The King Ester series is a coming of age story that speaks 

to the realities of today. It’s relatable and forces the audience 

to look at the importance of identity through familiar 

lenses. The show can now be viewed on Youtube 

as a part of the Issa Rae Presents channel. We owe it to 

ourselves to ignite the conversations of how we can protect 

all women. “Many of us take our human rights for 

granted. People within the LGBTQ community aren’t 

receiving their allowed human rights by default. Everyone 

wants to be accepted; none of us should hold dominion 

over someone’s pure existence and humanity. It 

should be so easy, but for whatever reason people make 

it so hard,” Bradford explains. 

Like many of us, Ester faces obstacles that are holding 

her back from achieving her full potential. As cliché as 


Black Ink Crew Compton’s 

Lemeir Mitchell 

on Fatherhood and His New Vegan Venture 

BY: D.LEWIS COLE 


Mitchell is most known for displaying 

his talent as a tattoo artist on VH1’s Black 

Ink Crew Compton. As his fans know, he is 

a new business owner, and most importantly 

a new father to a beautiful baby girl. 

Happy Ice, Mitchell’s new business, sells an ice cream alternative. 

His treat is a vegan, water ice mix made without 

egg, dairy, or nut products. The result is a colorful concoction 

designed to bring happiness to any situation. 

Read on to learn more about how he balances his art, business, 

and fatherhood. 

How did you get your start in the tattoo 

business? 

I got my start in the tattoo business by just going for it. I 

am a self-taught tattooist. I came from a rough neighborhood 

in Philadelphia, and I got in trouble multiple times in 

my younger years. I wanted out of that life. One day while 

walking home, a friend came up to me to sell all his tattoo 

equipment for $50. With my last $50 I made from cleaning 

family members’ houses, I bought the equipment. I 

got home, cleaned the equipment, and called a friend over. 

That night I tattooed a Famous Stripe and Stars-themed 

half sleeve on him. From that moment on, I studied my 

craft diligently by watching YouTube videos and drawing 

consistently until I became great. It’s been a fun journey. 

What motivated you to start Happy Ice? 

What motivated me to start Happy Ice was my desire to 

making it for myself to eat. When I moved to LA, my initial 

goal wasn’t to open Happy Ice, but I just couldn’t get 

this type of product here. I grew up on this type of product 

since I was a kid. So I went from wanting to be a consumer 

to becoming an owner and introducing Los Angeles to my 

childhood dessert. When starting the company, my artist 

ways took over. I saw so many opportunities to make the 

experience unforgettable. I created a recipe distinct to me 

and branding that caught everyone’s attention. This became 

my new tattoo canvas. 

What led you to implement a storefront for 

Happy Ice? 

We wanted our own commissary kitchen instead of sharing. 

Commissary kitchens cost the same amount as storefronts. 

Our idea became a possibility when the previous 

tenants of the building where we parked our truck were 

moving out. My wife was inside the truck the moment 

they were moving out. She called me instantly to tell me 

the “happy” news. This seemed to be a God-sent opportunity 

and we jumped right on it. So, we now have a storefront 

opening in the exact location we’ve already established 

for Happy Ice. 

Congrats on the new baby. How do you 

balance the responsibilities of being a new 

father and a business owner? 

When we first found out my wife was pregnant, we were 

excited and nervous because we had a lot going on, and it 

did not seem like the best time. Now that our child is here, 

the timing couldn’t be better. Having my daughter made 

me a better businessman Lemeir instantly. Fatherhood 

has pushed me in the direction of creating a structure for 

my company and trusting it. Before this, I had my hands 

in everything and never had time. Now, I’ve structured 

the company, and I have more time than ever before. I’ve 

been finding the balance more and I have my daughter to 

thank for that push. 

What moment from your childhood would 

you say shapes the father you are and plan 

to be? 

Growing up with my Uncle Joey has shaped the father I 

am today. My dad was sentenced to life in prison when I 

was 11 years old. From that moment, I was out of control 

and my mom could not handle me. She made a hard, but 

great decision to let my Uncle Joey take custody of me. He 

gave me all the tools I needed to survive in this world. He 

raised me and always reminded me of the quote, “Do unto 

others as you want done unto you.” I still got into trouble 

a little during this time, but when I stepped out into the 

real world by myself, all the things he instilled in my mind 

started presenting themselves. Instantly, I realized how 

many valuable lessons he taught me. From there I held on 

tight to his voice as I started my journey into the world 

and became the Lemeir Mitchell everyone knows today. 

Keep up with Lemeir, his family, and Happy Ice by 

tuning in to Black Ink Compton on VH1 Wednesday 

evenings at 10/9c. If you’re ever in LA, make 

sure you stop by Happy Ice. 




HOLIDAY DRINKS WITH 

RYE CARRE 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1oz Belvedere Vodka 

• .5oz Hot Water 

• 1oz French Fortified Wine 

• 1oz Fresh Lemon Juice 

• .5oz Honey 

• Cinnamon Stick, Orange Wedge, Clove, 

Nutmeg 

DIRECTIONS: 

Stir all ingredients over cubed ice in mixing 

glass and strain into a chilled rocks 

glass over a large ice cube. 

BELVEDERE 

CHAMPAGNE 

PUNCH 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 oz Belvedere Vodka 

• .75 oz Pineapple Juice 

• .75 oz Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut 

• .5 oz Averna 

• .25 oz Vanilla Simple Syrup (1:1 vanilla 

extract to simple syrup) 

DIRECTIONS: 

Add all ingredients, except Moët & Chandon 

Imperial Brut, to a shaker with ice. 

Shake and strain into a glass mug, add ice 

and top with Moët & Chandon Imperial 

Brut. Garnish with a dusting of fresh nutmeg. 

GARNISH: Fresh Nutmeg 


BELVEDERE 

toddy 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1oz Belvedere Vodka 

• 1.5oz Hot Water 

• oz French Fortified Wine 

• 1oz Fresh Lemon Juice 

• .5oz Honey 

• Cinnamon Stick, Orange Wedge, Clove, 

Nutmeg 

DIRECTIONS: 

Add hot water to heat glass mug, then 

honey to melt. Add remaining liquid ingredients. 

BELVEDERE 

Cider punch 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 10 oz Belvedere Vodka 

• 14 oz Cloudy Apple Cider 

• 3 oz Allspice Syrup 

• 4 oz Lemon juice 

• 4 Lemon wheels 

• 4 Orange wheels 

• 5 Cinnamon sticks 

DIRECTIONS: 

Combine all ingredients in a large punch 

bowl with ice and serve immediately. 

Serves 6-8. 

GARNISH: Nutmeg, Cinnamon Stick, 

Orange Wedge, Clove 


6FAMILY FRIENDLY 

Destinations 

D 


aytona 

across from the famed Daytona International Speedway. 

THE DAYTONA 

DAYTONA BEACH, FL 

Book it to sunny Daytona Beach for a family-friendly 

getaway the kids are going to love. The DAYTONA is a 

brand new Autograph Collection hotel located directly 

The property takes full advantage of its prime location 

with a racing-inspired design that evokes the energy of 

the Speedway. Families can begin the morning with some 

fun in the sun, by relaxing at the property’s outdoor pool 

with private cabanas. After, head downstairs to the ONE 

DAYTONA retail and entertainment district where you’ll 

have access to more than 50 retail and restaurant outlets 

like Cobb Luxury Movie Theatre and Game Time, an 

indoor gaming complex boasting arcade games for the 

kiddos. While you’re in the iconic destination known for 

racing, parents can jet over to the Speedway and book 

the junior ride-along experience, the ultimate adrenaline 

rush of a lifetime - where kids have the opportunity to 

ride shotgun in a real NASCAR race car. 

For more information or to book your stay, visit thedaytona. 

com 

Jupiter 

JUPITER BEACH RESORT 

Resor 

JUPITER BEACH, FL 

Families can get into the swing of easy, breezy beach life 

at Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, the area’s only oceanfront 

hotel, located on a pristine stretch of golden Atlantic 

coastline. Perched on a sand dune overlooking the turquoise 

ocean, the resort is the ultimate family vacation 

destination with activities for everyone. From complimentary 

bicycle rentals to kayaking nearby in Dubois 

Park, there’s always something the whole family can enjoy 

together. After a day spent outdoors, the whole family 

can unwind at the resort’s Opal spa, where adults can 

indulge in restorative ocean-inspired treatments while 

the kiddos enjoy ‘La Petite’ mani/pedis. 

For more information or to book, visit jupiterbeachresort. 

com. 


Colony 

COLONY CLUB 

Club 

BARBADOS 

Though Colony Club in Barbados takes on a more 

adult-centric wellness identity (in-room yoga mats, onsite 

organic garden), kids are welcomed at the west coast 

property with mini bathrobes, a plush turtle to snuggle 

with and a plate of milk & cookies at bedtime. While the 

sun’s up, the AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers a stand-up 

paddleboard and turtle swim so youngsters play amongst 

the native hawksbills at a local turtle hangout. For a 

hands-on fishing experience, the Bait to Plate excursion 

takes the family out to sea to hook their dinner and watch 

the head chef prepare the day’s catch once they’re back 

on land. Kids can also up their game at Colony Club’s tennis 

clinics taught by a professional coach or jump in for a 

game of beach cricket with a former West Indies cricketer. 

For more information or to book, visit eleganthotels. 

com/colony-club. 

For more information or to book, visit eleganthotels.com/colony-club. 

South 

MARRIOTT STANTON SOUTH 

Beach 

BEACH 

MIAMI 

While the Magic City is known for its stunning beaches 

and vibrant nightlife, the city is teeming with culture, history, 

and endless family-friendly activities. Grab the fam 

and cruise the streets of Wynwood by buggie, make your 

way to downtown Miami to experience the Phillip and 

Patricia Frost Museum of Science, or catch the night time 

festival of lights at Luminosa at Jungle Island. After a day 

of fun, retreat to Marriott Stanton South Beach. Located 

in the South of Fifth district of Miami Beach, a quieter 

and more sophisticated area that is notably less crowded, 

this relaxed, beach chic resort features a sandpit on the 

beach with toys for the kids, spacious rooms and suites 

with ocean and city skyline views, two pools overlooking 

the ocean, a chic sun deck, and two restaurants including 

Azabu Miami Beach and Mexican restaurant Lolo’s Surf 

Cantina. 

For more information or to book, visit marriottstantonsouthbeach.com. 


Cancun 

MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT 

CANCUN 

Getting ready to reveal its brand new lobby and Polynesian 

restaurant, Marriott Cancun Resort is a family-friendly 

retreat in the heart of Cancun. Located just 15 

minutes from the airport (so no long car rides with overly 

excited kids screaming, “Are we there yet?”), this kid-approved 

escape is the best place for families seeking a little 

warm-weather this winter. The Family Fun at Marriott 

Cancun package puts the little ones in charge of their 

Cancun vacay and includes everything...well, except boredom. 

Families will snag ocean-facing connecting rooms 

and free breakfast. Kids ages 4-12 also have daily access 

to the Kid’s Club, which features activities like Spanish 

lessons, piñata making, sushi rolling, sandcastle building 

and arts and crafts. With a $100 spa credit, parents can 

beeline to the 30,000 square foot spa at sister property 

JW Marriott Cancun for some parent/kiddie R&R. Little 

ones can be pampered with treatments like “Mayan Princess 

For A Day” or the “Ice Cream Pedicure.” 

For more information or to book, visit marriottcancunresort. 

com. 

Turks + Caic 

WYMARA RESORT & SPA 

TURKS + CAICOS 

Recently debuting its ultra-luxurious, private, oceanfront 

villas, Wymara Resort and Villas welcomes families 

to one of the most lavish resorts in the Caribbean. 

With indoor and outdoor living areas, a full kitchen and 

its own private waterfront pool flanked by an over-thewater 

swim platform with direct ocean access, these picturesque 

five-bedroom villas (enough rooms that mom/ 

dad, the kiddos and grandma/grandpa can all have their 

own room!) are the epitome of Caribbean living. It’s only 

right that on an island revered for its powdery white sand 

and turquoise waters, families can enjoy complimentary 

kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and Hobie Cat sailing 

along Grace Bay Beach. If that weren’t enough, the gang 

can up the ante with a snorkeling and conch cruise to the 

island’s barrier reef, the third-largest in the world. 

For more information or to book, visit wymararesortandvillas.com. 


HERE ARE SIX TAKEAWAYS FROM 

BY: BRIAN ANTHONY 


While Queen & Slim embodies everything from 

provocativeness, stunning cinematography, injustices, 

and the visibility of oppression, it is 

not to be confused as love on the run or Bonnie 

and Clyde. The film exhibits systematic racism with an impactful 

ending that’s historic, honest, and heartbreaking on many levels. 

It’s a tale of one’s escape from the hell of America with gripping 

and jaw-dropping moments. Here are six things I took away from 

Queen & Slim. 

ONE THING CHANGES EVERYTHING: 

It’s not long before you realize how one mishap has the ability to 

alter the trajectory of one’s life. That’s exactly what happened 

to Queen and Slim. An unfortunate incident, which they knew 

wouldn’t be viewed as an accident, forces them to embark on a 

journey neither one of them wanted but understood they had to 

because there will never be any real justice. 

OVEREXPOSURE OF TODAY’S YOUTH: 

We are no longer living in an analog world, it’s digital. On their 

journey, Queen and Slim’s paths cross with a young boy who’s become 

overly invested and intrigued by their story. Perhaps it had 

something to do with the dashcam footage going viral. The film 

exposes us to how today’s youth are overly exposed to things that 

our parents were once able to shield us from. It showcases how 

much of an influence the world outside of the four walls we live 

in impacts our children, and there’s not much we can do about it. 

Hatred vs Heroism: Some are going to love what you do and some 

are going to hate what you do. Queen and Slim soon found out 

how people truly felt about what they’ve done. They were met 

with a jarring approval and disapproval, but the sense of community, 

pride, and solidarity seemed to act as a shield and hope for 

the pair. The film’s underlining theme told the story of how blacks 

are often perceived by the public without explanation. 

hopes the one who comes to their aid would be someone black. 

Queen quickly replies by saying, “that isn’t always a good thing.” 

They’ve encountered their fair share of eye rolls and betrayal from 

blacks on their journey and found refuge in the Shephard’s modern 

day “underground railroad.” In the end, it came down to every 

man for themselves verses a crab in the barrel mentality. 

BLACK LOVE: 

To believe this all started from a Tinder date. This unforgettable 

first date became a six-day love story. It doesn’t read any more 

beautiful than two strangers becoming bonded by an unexpected 

incident. Who knew a believer and non-believer could become 

each other’s belief system? On this road trip to freedom, they unveil 

scars and healed them all while finding balance in one another. 

They decided to enjoy the experience regardless of the outcome, 

although it was a first and only date that was destined to be 

doomed before it ended. It remarkably examined the experience 

and exchange that resides in a new relationship that many don’t 

want to survive. 

UNDERSTANDING: 

One thing in particular this film did to combat against present-day 

racism was beg for more understanding rather sympathy. Instead 

of trying to coerce the audience to see the plight and struggle of 

blacks, it urged for understanding of the plight. It spoke on the 

multi-levels of racism; how black lives really matter and are perceived. 

By examining black radicalism and black suffering, the 

creators perfectly painted the picture that blacks aren’t just deer 

tangled in branches that need freeing. 

Queen & Slim is non-violent and hones in on the pain, strife, complexity, 

and unapologetic-ness of blackness. It didn’t reinforce 

any black stereotypes, but more so mirrored the truth that lies in 

blackness. All Queen and Slim ever did were be black, while journeying 

to their destination, which ultimately became their legacy. 

SKIN FOLK AIN’T ALWAYS 

KINFOLK: 

They like to say, “it be your own people,” and that truth wasn’t farfetched. 

Earlier in the film, when they’re hitchhiking for help, Slim 



FOX SPORTSCASTER 

Photo Credits: Erick Robinson 

MIKE HILL 

USES “OPEN MIKE” TO SPEAK HIS TRUTH 

BY: QUE JACKSON 

Photo Credits: Erick Robinson 

Mike Hill is one of sports’ most 

noticeable infotainers. Since 

the 1990s, Mike has created a 

name for himself by informing and entertaining 

people in the world of sports 

through his journalism. He is now opening 

up and allowing the world to understand 

the man behind the personality. In 

his new book, Open Mike, he shares his 

many triumphs and disappointments. 

Mike is no longer afraid to dig deep in 

order to share his truth with the hope of 

encouraging someone to embrace theirs. 

Mike Hill is a devoted father of two young 

ladies and a man who has overcome a lot 

of loss and is not afraid to admit that he 

is a work in progress but every day he is 

striving to be a better man. 


Mike’s journey into entertainment started the day 

he was discharged from the military and received 

a call 2 hours after with the offer of his first job in 

sportscasting. He always knew that his passion was in sports 

and that he wanted to inform sports lovers all around the world. 

This passion led him to spend time on platforms both local and 

national in Fresno, California, Nashville, Dallas, New York and 

more. As his career was on the rise, on 9/11, a day that many of us 

will never forget, became a turning point in his life. The network 

ran out of money and he lost his job in New York. After 6 months, 

he then moved to Dallas where he eventually lost his job. He admits 

that this was one of the worst yet most eye-opening experiences 

of his professional life. During those times everything in 

his life came into question and he slipped into a deep depression. 

“How could a man who rose to the top so fast lose everything just 

as fast?” “What will I do next?” “Is anyone ever going to hire me 

again?” “Is life even worth living?” These are things that he admits 

to thinking during the year and a half that he couldn’t find work. 

Even after extended unemployment and being saved from making 

a decision that would ruin the rest of his career, he heard a 

voice saying, “I have something better for you.” He kept working 

hard and soon after was offered a position at ESPN, eventually 

spending 9 years at the network. In 2013, Los Angeles became his 

new home and the beginning of what he feels has been the best 

years of his life both personally and professionally. 

Dealing with the challenges of life, Mike eventually got 

to the place where he understood counseling was necessary if 

he wanted to be free and truly be happy. He understood that 

throughout his journey he was hurt, but there were people that 

he hurt as well. He shares a lot of this in his book and hopes that 

by opening up and being transparent that our community will 

seek counseling for the traumas that affect the lives they lead. He 

advises that we seek professional resources available and don’t 

try to fix ourselves. It doesn’t make you stronger to hold it in, it 

makes you weaker. Writing the book was cathartic for him. “If it 

wasn’t for this book, I don’t believe I would be where I am right 

now in my career or personally. I wouldn’t have been able to let 

go of my past and receive the blessings that I have,” says Mike. 

“The things you do as a man doesn’t make you a man,” is 

a quote that comes from Mike. He understood that to be a man, 

there were plenty of things he needed to overcome, put aside and 

admit. Admitting that he hurt his daughters was one. Admitting 

that when in relationships, he didn’t treat people as well as he 

should have was another. Mike worked daily to become the better 

version of himself. He got the help he needed to become the 

best person and father he could be. Becoming a role model to 

not only his daughters but to every man of color who felt as if 

they couldn’t overcome who they thought they were. In 2014, he 

began writing the book that would take over 5 years to complete, 

as the story of his life was developing. He put the book to the side 

for a few years, but one day his life felt so heavy and he believed 

that if he didn’t write how he felt, he was going to die. “The more 

I wrote, the lighter I felt. I had to get everything off of my chest. 

I felt everything in my life had turned around and I could see 

things more clearly. I still have a long way to go. I have nothing 

to hide and I have no problem putting it out there and exposing 

myself,” said Mike. “We all have errors, we all have flaws, but it’s 

not until you are willing to accept them and learn from your mistakes 

that you can move forward.” During the process, he came 

to understand why things in his life were the way they were. He 

learned more about himself in terms of the way he was and why 

he did the things he did. He was able to pinpoint his challenges 

and eventually change the negatives into positives. 

Realizing that he was ready for love, he went on Steve 

Harvey’s talk show dating segment where he met model, mogul 

and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey. The two began 

a long-distance romance that would eventually lead to Mike 

proposing. During their courtship, Mike opened up to Cynthia 

about his truths while sharing that he was writing a book about 

his life and experiences. Allowing her to see his truths on paper 

ultimately brought them closer together. Despite being apart of 

the social scene, they felt as if they didn’t have to put on facades 

with one another. 

“I don’t have any shame. It’s my life and I can’t hide from 

it. This book shares the image of who I was. This is what I’ve 

gone through and this is what people in society go through. I 

want people to know if I can grow through it, you can certainly 

do it too,” he says. 

Mike is currently working with the new Fox Soul 

streaming platform available online or via the app. The platform 

spotlights what’s impacting African-American and multi-ethnic 

communities, speaking on such things as colorism, Afrofuturism, 

relationships and so much more. The Mike and Donny Show is 

a 2-hour show co-hosted by Mike and Donny Harrell, which airs 

weekdays. His goal is to inspire his people to strive for that greatness 

that lives inside of them. 

When asked what Mike wanted his legacy to be, he 

answered, “He was a good father, a great husband, and a great 

friend. He wanted to change the world. He wanted to impact society 

and bring everybody together. I lived to make people happy 

and make them smile. I did my best to do it the right way. When 

people think of me, I want them to smile.” 

Mike Hill is a man who is the epitome of someone who 

uses his life to inspire others. His story of truth, transparency and 

transformation is one that everyone can learn from. Mike has 

partnered with his beautiful fiancée Cynthia Bailey to develop, 

host and produce a dating show to help other singles find love 

called The Hookup. It’s not your average dating show, as it infuses 

reality with a game show. You can also check out his new 

show The Mike and Donny Show on Fox Soul. His new book 

Open Mike will be out the first quarter of 2020. 

Stay Connected with Mike via Instagram @ItsMikeHill 


Photo Credit: Omar Piechurski 


- BY MONIQUE HOWARD - 

Whether it’s the simple act of holding the door for a senior citizen 

or helping a stranger who’s down and out, daily compassion transcends 

the holiday joviality that inspires giving. It’s one of the most 

beautiful aspects of human nature. Smile more and lend a helping 

hand whenever you can. These actions can inspire what all people 

seek in life– happiness. 

Volunteering at homeless shelters, participating in food and 

toy drives are some of the best ways to usher in the holiday spirit 

by providing hope and letting those in need know that they are not 

alone or forgotten. 

As the family gathers around the dinner table to enjoy a holiday 

meal, they will have the satisfaction of knowing someone else 

is doing the same because they helped make it happen. A holiday 

tradition will become an everyday practice that will last a lifetime. In 

life, the season of giving never ends, and one of the greatest traditions 

to pass on to the next generation is the joy of helping others. 


BY: AARON CAMPBELL 

While scrolling through Instagram, a page appears featuring a vibrant Black girl, posing 

in typical kid settings (the park, the beach, her neighborhood) wearing eye-catching 

clothing. One outfit features a matching dress and turban made from a bold print 

covered in colorful fish. Another features a hot pink feathered jacket with the words 

“Daddy’s Girl” sewn on the back. The page is full of striking children’s fashion in bold 

patterns, prints and colors, all modeled with style by this same little girl. 


WHILE THERE ARE SEVERAL 

CHILDREN’S FASHION AND 

MODELING PAGES ON SO- 

CIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, 

THE “DADDY DRESSED ME 

BY MG” PAGE HAS A TWIST. 

The person responsible for designing and sewing the clothes 

featured happens to be the little girl’s father. Michael Gardner 

has cultivated and nourished his relationship with his daughter 

in a rather unique way, using their love of fashion and sewing. 

Michael’s intention to use his talents to lean into his daughter’s 

interests has proven to be successful, subsequently evolving into 

an amazing wardrobe for her, a website and blog for him, and an 

unbreakable bond between the two of them. We had the opportunity 

to interview Micahel to learn more about “Daddy Dressed 

Me by MG.” 

What was your first introduction to fashion? 

I have always had an appreciation for fashion and the opportunity 

we have to express ourselves through what we wear. Growing up, 

I remember observing the women in my family dressing in various 

styles, colors, prints, accessories and creative hairstyles and 

that inspires me today. 

How did sewing in particular turn into a way for you to 

bond with your daughter? 

One of my main goals as a father was to ensure my daughter loved 

herself and felt confident in the way she looked and her abilities. I 

was in search of a new way to utilize my creativity while learning 

how to be a father, and sewing became the outlet I used to conquer 

both goals. I began sewing clothing for Ava, and she would 

model all the pieces. This experience has helped us be able to 

communicate, encourage and support each other; we are both so 

proud of what we can accomplish together. 

What was the process you went through deciding to 

start this business? 

As I began to learn how to share, I would share what I created 

on social media platforms. I was encouraged to start accepting 

orders to make custom clothing and I opened an Etsy shop a few 

years ago. After doing this, I realized I could not commit the time 

to make that business a success, and I shifted my focus to solely 

sewing for my daughter. I began to blog about it and created 

my website. Currently, I only post to Instagram, and I plan to relaunch 

our blog in the next few months. 

How does your daughter play a role in your design process? 

Ava is fully involved in shopping for fabrics, creating ideas, choosing 

accessories and does a great job bringing the clothes to life 

in photos. She is present throughout the entire process from me 

“ONE OF MY MAIN 

GOALS AS A FATHER 

WAS TO ENSURE MY 

DAUGHTER LOVED 

HERSELF AND FELT 

CONFIDENT IN THE 

WAY SHE LOOKED 

AND HER ABILITIES.” 

cutting the fabric to putting the finishing touches on everything 

I create. We sometimes disagree on the details; short or maxi 

length, sleeves or no sleeves or what accessories look best, but 

we come to a resolution, which is usually Ava getting her way. She 

also gives her opinion on the locations to take her pictures. We 

are a team and really enjoy collaborating with each other. 


How has your daughter influenced your personal style? 

My daughter has helped me step out of my comfort zone. I value 

her opinion, and she is honest in telling me what looks good and 

what does not. In teaching her to be confident, I became more 

confident in myself. I feel encouraged to wear whatever I like and 

feel great within myself. I wear more bold colors, mix prints and 

pay more attention to how my clothes fit. Creating custom outfits 

for her often puts a spotlight on me as well, so I’ve learned to 

make sure I’m well-dressed. 

Do you have plans to expand into other fashion areas? 

I enjoy creating accessories as well. I’ve created earrings, a few 

handbags and I’ll be creating a pair of sandals very soon. I also do 

my daughter’s hair and nails. I have become a one-stop shop for 

all of Ava’s beauty and fashion needs. 

What advice would you give to fathers struggling to find 

ways to connect to their daughters (or sons)? 

Find what your child is interested in and engage in those activities 

with them. Being present and encouraging them along the 

way makes a huge difference. Open the lines of communication 

to learn what they’re curious about and spend time helping them 

find their passion. One of the reasons I chose sewing was because 

I noticed Ava’s interest in fashion. She would compliment people’s 

clothing, always noticed nice shoes and was infatuated with 

all things sparkly and that had glitter. Get to know your child and 

observe what they’re attracted to, and you’ll be able to build a 

bond. 

Make sure to follow their Instagram @DaddyDressed- 

MeByMG 



FORMER SUPERBOWL CHAMPION 

Kayvon Webster 

IS USING HIS IMAGINATION TO MOBILIZE THE YOUTH 

INTERVIEW BY: MANNY ADEYEYE | WRITTEN BY: DANE YOUNG 

SUPER BOWL 50 CHAMPION, KAYVON 

WEBSTER HAS A WAY WITH WORDS. He is 

using his star power and vernacular to invigorate at-risk youth, 

which gives them just a little more hope to make better life decisions, 

to affirm who they are, and their willingness to succeed. 

Kayvon’s creativity and passion to inspire has lead to the creation 

of The Adventures of Kim and Kay, an animation series devoted 

to providing real-life tips and encouragement on how to set goals 

and seeing them materialize. Education, family, and love nurtured 

this New Orleans Saints cornerback into the multifaceted 

success story he is today. In this interview, Kayvon shared more 

insights into the animated series, his other social initiatives, and 

family upbringing. 

Describe the community you grew up in? 

I grew up in Opa-locka, Florida. It was a rough area. In my neighborhood, 

there were a lot of great nonprofessional players that 

inspired me to keep playing. Unfortunately, a lot of them that 

I grew up watching didn’t have a chance to make it out themselves. 

They were faced with life’s realities that ultimately the 

streets and gang life were their best option for survival. They really 

didn’t have anybody to motivate them. We didn’t really have 

too many role models to look up to. Mike McKenzie was probably 

one of the few neighborhood success stories that I knew of. 

He offered football camps in our area and so did Brett Perriman. 

They kind of inspired me to look at the NFL and football as a 

way out. I went to Carol City High School where pro-athletes 

Santana Moss and Mike McKenzie attended. Those guys were 

like role models for us. I was grateful to have them as examples 

just to know that your upbringing does determine your destiny. 

This helped me to accomplish my dream. 

When did you realize you had to make something 

of yourself and rise above the stigma of 

the community? 

Living in Miami we grew up pretty faster than in other places. 

Around 14 I knew that I desired more than what was offered 

there. While in the ninth grade, I came to the conclusion that I 

had to figure it out. If I’m going to do something with my life, it’s 

going to be up to me and nobody else. Nobody else is going to 

push you as hard as you will push yourself. My pops never played 

football. My birth pops wasn’t really around. My mom was always 

at work to provide for us. She came to the games that she could. 

I had a good support system. But when it came to the things that 

I needed, I knew I was going to have to count on me. At an early 

age, I told my mom that she didn’t have to worry about me. I was 

going to figure it out. 

Tell us about the Adventures of Kim and Kay. 

It actually came from my idea I had a long time ago. Growing up 

I used to watch a show called Bruno the Kid. Bruce Willis had 

his own cartoon. It’s an old cartoon. I don’t know many people 

that watched it but it is something I watched. I always wanted 

to be someone who was innovative. Nobody in my family really 

had anything for me to go off of as a guideline on how to navigate 

through life. Sports gave me a platform for experiencing all 

these different things. Cartoons can be a means for inspiration 

for kids like how Bruno the Kid motivated me. I have a friend 

named Jason Canela that I went to high school with. He is an 

actor on Young and Restless. During the time of my injury, I 

reached out to him and told him I wanted to get into the film 

world and let’s do a cartoon. He linked me up with a few people 

and they brought the vision to life. Now we are just waiting for it 

to continue to unfold. 

What ways do you think athletes should use 

their platforms? 

I think anybody who has a platform should use it as a tool to inspire 

the youth. It’s not just about us, it’s about us uplifting everybody 

else. Giving back is doing God’s work. We are helping them 

have more of a positive mindset. We have to be selfless when it 

comes to that because not everybody is fortunate. I would tell 

another athlete to pay it forward. 

Talk to us about the Kayvon Webster’s Gamechangers 

Foundation. 

We do a lot of work with underprivileged kids that don’t have 

opportunities that other kids may have. I just had a couple of 

workshops where I took a bunch of kids to Microsoft to learn 

gaming and coding. Introducing them to the tech world. This is 

just one example of the things we do. But our hope is to teach 

and inform them of other opportunities. That you don’t need to 

play football or any sport in order to succeed. Giving them the 

confidence of knowing that they can succeed at whatever they 

put their minds to. 

To learn more about Kayvon’s projects and how you can support 

visit K-webb.com. 



THE LARGEST BLACK-OWNED BANK TEAMS UP WITH 

BMe COMMUNITY 

- TO CLOSE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP - 

BY: ERIC K. THOMAS 

The Banker is a film that tells the story of one of the first Black banks in America in 

the 1950-60s. Over fifty years later, OneUnited Bank is the largest Black-owned bank 

in America and recently they announced BankBlack X, a nationwide plan to close the 

racial wealth gap. The goal of BankBlack X is to galvanize the community to share the 

truth about Black people and money and make financial literacy a core value of the Black 

community. One of the partners of this campaign is BMe Community. We had the opportunity 

to speak with their CEO/Co-founder Trabian Shorters to learn more about the 

non-profit, their partnership with OneUnited Bank and how they make black men aware 

of their excellence! 

WHAT IS BME COMMUNITY AND WHY WAS IT 

CREATED? 

We’re a network of black leaders who have committed ourselves 

to making society better for black people. We work in non-profit 

land, finance and government. We created BMe Community 

when I was vice president of the John S. and James L. Knight 

Foundation, which is a National Foundation headquartered in 

Miami. 

HOW DID THE PARTNERSHIP WITH ONEUNIT- 

ED BANK COME ABOUT? 

OneUnited is the largest Black-owned bank in the country. The 

nonprofit came about independent of OneUnited Bank and 

within a couple of years, we overlapped and realized that our 

work around building stronger black communities and their 

work around building black wealth and also strong black communities 

totally overlapped. It was very simple for us to make 

the decision to deposit with OneUnited. Unlike Wells Fargo or 

Bank of America or any of these other banks, the majority of 

OneUnited’s lending is to us and for us, whereas those other 

banks you might get 1% of their loan portfolio having anything to 

do with us and they often look upon us as fee generators, not as 

people whose prosperity they’re trying to grow. But OneUnited 

in contrast, of course, looks at growing black wealth and closing 

the loan gap so it made perfect sense for us to deposit with them. 

WHAT DOES THAT PARTNERSHIP LOOK LIKE? 

We partnered with them about three years ago because 


TRABIAN SHORTERS 

CEO/FOUNDER BME COMMUNITY 

OneUnited’s commitment 

to investing in and developing 

the black community 

matched our interest 

in building a more caring 

and prosperous black 

community, which is our 

nonprofit’s goal. We run 

fellowships and executive 

retreats for black leaders. 

We fund black men who 

are committed to making a 

difference in their various 

walks of life and we make 

grants. As part of our partnership 

with OneUnited we 

put a million dollars on deposit 

and we observed within a year they had turned our million-dollar 

deposits into two and a half million dollars’ worth 

of low to moderate worth of property loans and low to moderate-income 

black communities. 

From our perspective OneUnited is a social impact 

bank, they’re an excellent bank because merely depositing with 

them gives us the ability to fight asset poverty for free. We retain 

full access to all of our funds but because we had our funds on 

deposit, they were able to leverage them and lend to our community 

so we just think that’s the best of all possible worlds. 

HOW IS BME INVOLVED WITH THE BANK- 

BLACK X CAMPAIGN? 

What OneUnited calls the X Factor is this new generation of 

leaders who are activating to grow black wealth and black 

prosperity. I think it’s brilliant and beautiful that we have a national 

institution that is committed to this new type of black 

consciousness where we own and control our finances and we 

literally have a card as a symbol and a bank as a resource that 

believes in us and helps us to believe in ourselves. 

YOU WORK WITH A LOT OF MEN OF COLOR 

WITH FUNDING PROJECTS AND THEIR BUSI- 

NESSES. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES 

AND HARDSHIPS THAT MEN OF COLOR ARE 

FACING? 

What’s fascinating about our people is that we are characterized 

and defined entirely by hardships, by challenges, setbacks 

and failures. What BMe focuses on is how we have been assets 

to this country. And by the way, black people have always been 

assets since before this country had a name. We’re literally on 

America’s books as assets, that’s how we arrived here. We are 

literally the only population that has always been an asset to 

the nation and built the wealth of this nation. We continue to 

build wealth in this nation. We are the most likely to serve in the 

military. We’re the most likely to be actively engaged with our 

children. 

Black women are the most likely to actually start businesses 

in this country. And by the way, we use and get these statistics 

from the US Army on black enlistment from the Center 

for Disease Control and Prevention on black men and their engagement 

with their children being number one in the country. 

Black women starting businesses comes from the Department 

of Commerce. We don’t have to go to some radical source to 

find this data. Our case is black folks are literally always an asset 

to this country and we continue to be assets for this country. 

We rather be defined by our assets. We’d rather be defined by 

our aspirations. We’d rather be defined by our contributions and 

OneUnited understands that. 

A LOT OF TIMES, WE AS BLACK BUSINESSMEN 

DON’T KNOW HOW TO EFFICIENTLY USE OUR 

MONEY. OUTSIDE OF FUNDING, HOW ELSE 

DO YOU HELP MEN OF COLOR SPECIFICALLY 

GROW PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY? 

One of the main things we do is help black men and women be 

aware of all the different ways that their contributing and making 

a difference and also aware of how so many other things 

that we do and we take as normal are actually extraordinary. 

According to Maryland’s Small Business Administration, black 

men who start businesses are far more likely to have some sort 

of give back or social impact built into their business plan. The 

idea of hiring from the community. The idea of giving support 

to local programs, sports or youth programs. We do that very 

commonly and we don’t necessarily even recognize that is actually 

uncommon. Most businesses do not do that. We do that as 

a sense of being part of the community. We help black folks to 

become more aware of what they’re already doing. 

The second thing we do is network with these outstanding 

black men and women who have committed their lives 

to making things better for themselves and for others. We pull 

them into a network. We literally give them an index of each 

other. We give them an online platform that they can use to 

meet, connect and work with each other on projects. We have a 

training curriculum that teaches them the philosophical roots of 

cultural difference. It teaches them how to write op-eds and be 

influential in the media space. It teaches them how to influence, 

how to organize campaigns and how to do fundraising. We give 

them personal to social financial literacy. 

WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO FROM THE 

NONPROFIT OR WHAT ELSE CAN WE LOOK 

FORWARD IN THE FUTURE? 

OneUnited recognizes that BMe Community totally believes 

in its mission of black uplifting. We have a very complementary 

relationship that’s all about building not only the integrity and 

respect for our people but the wealth and opportunity for our 

people as well. So, heading into 2020 we’re going to partner 

with them on this BankBlack X campaign and we’re also doing 

a campaign we call “Black L.O.V.E”. The letters in Black Love 

stand for; L is for love us, O own ours, V is vote black and E is to 

Excel. So, we believe that if we do these four things, Love, Own, 

Vote and Excel then our communities will prosper. 



Stay up to date with all of the latest from 

The Quintessential Gentleman by following us online at: 

THEQGENTLEMAN.COM

Leslie Odom Jr. | Family Issue 2019

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