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ISSUE 5

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Table of Contents

Voluptuous V-Day Make Up

The Zeal of ZakiyaSinger: Zakiya Harris

Cranberry Crush V-Day recipes

COVER STORYAfican Artist: Benedict Edet

1

Page 2

Page 4-7

Page 8

Page 9-23

Photos

By:B

ethanieHines

Dancer At Rest, Edet2

3

4

Photos

By:B

ethanieHines

TheZea

l of Z

akiya

5

I first encountered Ms. Harris at Virginia State University where she sat on a panel withActress Tatyana Ali from the hit show Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Actor Lance Gross fromTyler Perry's House of Payne among other notables. What stood out the most about her washer opening statement. Facing a crowd of boisterous college kids armed with a mic, she said inher normal speaking voice not a notch higher (This is not verbatim) "Excuse me". Theycontinued to rumble on. "I will not attempt to speak over you. I am from the old school. I willwait until I full undivided attention." And that she did. Not long after a statement similar to thatevery mouth was shut and every eye was fixated on her. My attention was caught.Zakiyah has a passion for education so much so she left New College of Law to embrace thatpassion through teaching. Previous to her life shift she attended Rutgers University receiving aB.A. in Political Science and History. Fusing her love for education with her love for performingarts she lives her dreams daily.

She is co-founder of Impact Hub Oakland, Grind for the Green, Earthseed Consulting, ChiefEducation Office at Hack The Hood, Director of the Bay Area Hive Learning Network. Othersthat grace her list are Toyota Motors, Inc., the US Department of Agriculture, the USDepartment of State Bureau of Cultural & Educational Affairs and the NAACP NationalConvention. She made history by being the first African-American Regional Director of the SanFrancisco Green Festival, going on to receive the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights FutureLeaders Award and the Tutorpedia Foundation Award for Personalizing Education. On theperforming arts side she is a dancer and a amazing singer with her first solo album currentlyavailable entitled Adventures of A Shapeshifter.

Part of that is honoring the fact that I am a dancer a singer and a performer. And thats partof who I am so I think I got really clear at the end of college after experiencing four majordeaths in my life, my grandparents, my best friend and my very close ex-boyfriend. basicallyyou have to go out there and live your life because it is not promised. that really inspired me tostart publicly sharing my creativity with the world. I have been dancing and singing literallybefore I could walk.

As an struggling artist it can be hard to find support for your dreams and encouragement butluckily Zakiya found inspiration from many sources. "Over the course of my life there beendifferent teachers, mentors that did inspire me but my biggest inspiration hands down is mydaughter she's nine years old and nine years ago when I gave birth to her it was anothermoment of extreme clarity around doing what I love. She is my biggest fan and she's mybiggest inspiration and she's definitely what motivates me."

She's been singing since in elementary school choirs and every summer retreating back toher birth town of Richmond Virginia performing with gospel choirs at local baptist churches.

The first major gig she's recalls was when her elementary choir was booked to perform forNelson Mandela when he was released from prison. While on his global tour.Mr. Mandelastopped at the Oakland Coliseum and her choir had the honor of performing the South AfricanNational Anthem. Being only a few steps from at that time the South African president shestates , "thats a moment I will never forget, watching him walk on stage."

I'm not so much "in" the field but I wanted to bring my gifts to the world and be my authentic self.

6

Photos

By:B

ethanieHines

Even the most seasoned performers mess upduring performances. Zakiya recalls a time whenperforming with a band name Fiya Wata at that timeshe was M.C.ing and she had a Tube Top on. Shewas so immersed in her performance that her topcame down as she says, "a Janet Jackson moment"but thankfully she is such a great performer. Shequickly recovered by closing her jacket and nevermissed a beat. So note to performers everywheredon't fell bad about missing up. A professional keepson no matter what may happen the show must go on!

As you can tell from her bright eye catching photosMs. Harris is a colorfully unique spirit, both in musicand fashion. She explains her style aka swag as"Afro-Eclectic". A alchemist of sorts, she likes to blend"contemporary fashions and music with a very ancienttwist". She goes on, "ancient textile, ancient musicchanneling back to kemet from Africa the birth placeof all civilization." Taking traditional African soundsand mixing them with something hood or trap, fusingtwo different worlds together to create her own worldfull of color, style, edgy elegance and as she puts it,"something unexpected". This earthy goddessembraces her natural hair with lovely flowing locksand enjoys creating some funky hair styles. She alsorefers to her personal style as "ancient future".

"I don't get put in the mood, the mood hits me thenI respond", referring to her state for creating. Fromspending time with love ones to walking, hearing abeat or melody "and I just feel the vibe I really honorthat vibe and try to go with it immediately." Some ofher methods of capturing the vibe as it comes isthrough recoding on her cell phone or by journalingand referring back to refine. I use these methods aswell, if you have a thought, a word, a phrase anythingcapture it right then. With the day to day rigamaroo itis very easy to lose the idea. An Artist (writer, vocalist,ect) lives in the moment of inspiration, once thatmoment is gone its gone forever.

Comparing herself to no one, " people are use toputting people into boxes so you can't reallyunderstand somebody unless you compare them tosomeone else."

7

Being very clear her career is just beginning but 2014 was a year of new heights for Ms.Harris. A social enterprise she help founded in Oakland open their doors. Hack the Hood sheserves as Chief Education Officer, the project was the winners of the Google ImpactChallenge. On a personal note she launched her website www.ZakiyaHarris.com and her firstsolo studio album,

Although Ms. Harris has achieved success in her field she has also experienced somedownfalls. A company she co-founded, Grind for the Green lost all of its funding and she wasleft unemployed for a period of time. She credits her pulling through this trying time from herdaily spiritual rituals which consists of meditation and yoga and a strong support system of "mymother and a close village of family and friends that see me for who I am not what job I have orhow much money is in my bank account." Being able to "hit reset", it opened new doors forher.

Art within itself has changed. Living in the internet age there really "aren't any rulesanymore." Her pointers for newbies is "stay independent, break into the business as you wouldstarting a company meaning… Have a Business Plan, Have a Vision, Have a Goal, Have shortterm Goals, Have long term Goals." She continues with her valuable tactics advising Build ateam, you can not do it alone, know your strengths and surround yourself with others that willbring their strengths to your project it takes a village. People see music before they hearmusic. "Technology is key" a music video is more important then a full album because is theway how people receive music now, build a following staying on social media if you don't eitherhave the time or the desire to push your product on these platforms hire someone or you canbarter your service creating symbiotic relationships.

Her and I share this ideology about "there is an audience out there for you". Manyentertainers are caught in the thought pattern of "Walmart mainstream media approach".Never give up on YOUR art form. The mainstream was not always mainstream, it started outon the outskirts. It was formed by the misunderstood, the underdogs that believed inthemselves and their art to the point that refused to cave into what was then the mainstream.Thats the making of greatness. There many "niche artists" that on a daily basis live they livetheir dream. Studying your competition is a great strategy not so much for their weaknesses orto copy them but to learn what works for them and incorporate these techniques into yourmodule for success.In the same breath do not "overly compare yourself to others" learning various skills ortechniques are like tools you use them but they are not you. You are a hammer, you are whoyou were created to be meaning "you walk your own path and your path is unique to you". "Donot give up. It's the tenacity, its the will to believe you will achieve that will carry you throughmore importantly then your actual talent.

about Ms. Harris is she's from Oakland but was born in Richmond Virginia.Although a very vocal person in the community and performing arts world Zakiya is a keenreader and "hermit". And her middle toe is the same size as her pinky toe. I would've neverthought this because she impeccable balance and grace when she dances, check out herShapeshifter music video if you don't believe me.

You can keep up with all thing Zakiya including music, events, social media…all things at her site

Three unknowns

www.ZakiyaHarris.com.

Adventures of A Shapeshifter.

2 cups of spinach1/2 cup of cubed grilled chicken1 teaspoon of feta cheese1/4 cup of crushed walnuts1/2 cup of dried cranberriesTo really make your salad bleed try this amazing dressing.

1/2 cup of olive oil or grapeseed oil1/2 cup of raspberry wine vinegar1/2 cup of sugar2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano1/4 teaspoon of dried basil1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper

Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

Chocolate MudMug

Bleeding Heart Salad

Cranberry CraveBy: Ashley H.A. Williams

Something sweet for your sweetheart!

-cut a piece of cake to fit into your festive mug-cut that piece into two pieces horizontally-place one half into the bottom of your mug-evenly spread raspberry icing-distribute a handful of cranberries.-Add your top layer, sprinkle some fine sugar,cranberries topped with a drizzle of chocolatesyrup and a dollop of whipped cream.

Sparkling Cranberry Crush2-3 teaspoons of sugar1/2 cup of cranberry juice1/2 cup of peach juice3 1/2 cups of sparkling wine1 cup of crushed iceadd fruit on a stick in each glass

There are a few options here. You can create a cake from scratch, buy a box of cake mixor do like me… bypass the cake mixes, flour, butter, ect and visit the bakery. This lovelytime of the year your local grocery store bakery will have a selection of pre-madedelicious cakes.

Follow these easy steps:

So you want to go out for a romantic evening under the starry night skies and rekindlethat spark that started it all. But then reality hits you. You have kids and there is no oneto watch them. Plus there is a law against leaving them to fid for themselves. Oh yeah,the cost of eating out these days! A entire months worth of groceries gone down the drainon one night. The idea of "dine and dash" comes to mind but a night in jail isn't quitromantic. Aha! Heres one for you, how about preparing a 5 star meal on a dollar menubudget. Read below for details.

Shut up & Eat up!

Look out for our Vegetarian Wellness & Cook Book Summer 2015!8

There's A Candle In Every Soul, Edet

COVER STORY 9

TheHandsThatTell

AStory

Efik Dancer, Edet

Hausa War Dance, Edet

Dance of the Nmphy, Edet

COVER STORY 10

Woman with A Crown of Stars, Clothed with the Sun Moon at Her Feet Edet

COVER STORY 11

New Market Day Edet

FVDS, Edet

COVER STORY 12

Angel, S Kiss, EdetBecoming One, Edet

COVER STORY 13

Culture Diversty 2, Edet

Culture Diversty, Edet

COVER STORY 14

Gwariama Girls 2, Edet

Culture Diversty, 2 Edet

COVER STORY 15

Keeper of the Well, EdetJacobs Ladder, Edet

Mr Benedict Edet is a professional artist from akwa ibom statepractising at abuja, nigeria. He studied fine and applied arts at theuniversity of nigeria, nsukka, between 1985 to 1990 graduating with asecond class upper division and specializing in painting.

Born on the 16th of october, in 1964 at onike, yaba, in lagos, southwest nigeria. He first realized he was an artist when he was just 6years old during his first day at school. He drew on all his note bookseven drew on the note books of other pupil who became so fascinatedby the drawings of comic characters like spiderman, captain America,the avengers, the incredible hulk, fantastic four and so on. He had aninsatiable urge to keep drawing which only grew as he grew into ayoung man.

(Continued page 22)

COVER STORY 16

Fulani Milk Maid, Edet

The Story Teller, Edet

COVER STORY 17

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Edet

African Comedy Night, Edet Gwaria Woman, Edet

COVER STORY 18

Sower Went to Sow, EdetWhen the 6th Seal Was Opened, There Was AGreat Earthquake, the Sun Turned Black and theMoon Became Red, Edet

Railway Supermarke, Edet

COVER STORY 19

The Pigeon, Edet

Chicago Village 500 Meters, Edet

COVER STORY 20

Gwaria Fire Wood Fetchers, Edet

COVER STORY 21

COVER STORY

He recalls to me a time in which his ambition and eagerness got the bestof him. "As a growing artist ambitious to become successful like Picasso,andy Warhol, Salvador dali, and so on, I had accepted commissions inother areas of utility art especially in the area of artistic furniture. Therewas a time I was commissioned by a client to make a victorian bed anddresser which isn't a job no furniture maker can easily do. Only an artistcan do it but it was my first attempt at making victorian furniture so notonly did I spend ten months on the job. I had speculated it would take mefour weeks to deliver, which I greatly undercharged the client and I alsomessed up the job. After that job, I made a decision not to do furnitureany longer but to stick mainly to painting."

He quickly regained his confidence by,

Benedict: "Unique style of art that some people have associated withcubism. But I have never been attracted to the works of the cubists,rather I have drawn influences from the irregular, angular, jagged lines ofobjects with cracked or broken surfaces. Especially cracked bathroomtiles, old rusted roofing sheets, etc. I have incorporated these lines todevelop a style of art that helps to translate my feelings on canvas".Me: And with feeling comes a creative period for anyone that brings forthany form of solid works, words included. So I asked the creative geniushow does he shape his mood to shape his art, whether it be playingmusic, a stiff drink, a long nap, how do you bring your voice to speakthrough your art?

Benedict: "I love to play music, its only music that puts me in the mood topaint. In fact, when music is playing and I’m painting, I could continue topaint endlessly. I love especially contemporary gospel reggae music, itseems to have a lot of message and my paintings have a lot of message.Especially, when artistes like George nooks, Avion Blackman, CarleneDavis, Luciano, Buju Banton, Christafari, Cynthia Chloss, Donna Marie,Imisi, Morgan Heritage, George Banton and so on are playing".

Mr. Benedict briefly tapped on his highlights of his career. "My career asan artist was during the general sani abacha administration. When I wascommissioned to do several portraits of different government.

(Contiued page 24)

"studying the lifestyle of artists like LeonardoDaVinci,Michelangelo, Salvador Dali andAndy Warhol, I discovered that theywere not only painters, but theywere also gifted in otherareas of creativitywhich they perfected in after somany failures.

22

Beauty, the Mirror and the Sun, Edet

COVER STORY 23

COVER STORY

functionaries. I made some portraits for general abacha and Maryam andI made portraits for all the ecowas chiefs that is presidents of all the westAfrican countries as they were called then. I even made a portrait forpope john paul the second when he visited Nigeria in 1998 and afterwhich I made portraits for all the ministers serving in abacha’s cabinet.Though since that time, I’ve always been commissioned by thegovernment to make special portraits for subsequent presidents. Thatwas the connecting factor that led to my popularity as a portrait painter".

Not many. This fact and not to mention his incredible talent made meeven more honored and humbled by his gift of painting me a portrait formy up coming book, "The Age of A Butterfly".

Before wrapping on our interview I had to gather some valuable pointersfor the next generation of scrambling Artists.Benedict: Becoming an artist is easy, you only need to be enthusiasticabout art, and understand that art is not just a profession, it’s a lifestyle,you are basically living your life to share with the world how you feel. Youhave to understand that your art is an extension of your life, because theartist and his works cannot be separated, so to become an artist, startreasoning in terms of shape, form and color, and speak through brush andpaint.Me: Three things to do.Benedict: Be ambitious and aim very high to the heights of excellence,Be different from every other artist, there are no two voices alike, thereare no two fingerprints alike,Be hardworking.Me: Three things not to do.Benedict: Don’t try to be like any other artist, Don’t reproduce the works orstyles of other artists, Don’t give up even when it looks like you can’tmake a living as an artist.Me: Three unknown things about youBenedict: I am planning to set up the biggest, most equipped furniturefactory in Abuja,I am planning to establish a new and permanent site formy gallery, And thirdly, I am planning to set up a color laboratory.

The best way to view more of his exquisite work is by googling him. But,he is mainly on Facebook under Benedict Edet and you will see both hispersonal page and his fan page.

Howmany artists have the chance to paint portraits personallyrequested by presidents of countries and even the Pope?

24

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