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We’ve Come So Far: A Look Back at USC BSA
5
HOLIDAY
Tis! The Season! Holiday Traditions
from Your Very Own USC Colleagues | 6
FASHION
FIA: Lights, Camera, Fashion! | 9
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OPINION/SOCIAL ISSUES
Social Media Takeover | 10
We Just Want to Party | 3
MUSIC
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships & The Holiday Season:
Cuff or Bluff | 4
POP CULTURE
Chelsea Settles into Reality TV | 18
God-Given JGivens: A Legend in the Making | 14
Honor Flow Productions: Live Loud, Dream Fearless | 16
EDUCATION / HEALTH
Point Forward Day: Magic Johnson
Reaches 20 Years of AIDS Awareness Efforts | 11
EVENTS
Aaron Arnold!s Humble Rise to the Top | 12
An Evening with Amiri Baraka | 13
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ome consider USC a party school, but the USC Black
community could easily protest this conception. For the second
time this school year, LAPD was called in to shut down a
party that never actually started. Being treated as if they were
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beamed lights that came from the helicopters as they were
escorted off the premises. While law enforcement may argue
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remains, why are parties on the row with drugs and alcohol not
treated with the same “safety measures” as Black parties?
In fact, the Row was placed on probation yet again in April
of 2011 “because of recent negative events within the Greek
community” (“The Row placed on probation once again”). There
was even a member of the fraternity Kappa Sigma wrapped
up in a sex scandal that made national headlines. Given these
controversial and damaging incidents, the Row is yet again up
and running. There is clearly a divide in the Greek community
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Greek fraternities and sororities, and the USC Interfraternity Council.
Although the sororities and fraternities are Greek, the councils have
different areas of focus and expectations of its members. It seems
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fraternities or sororities to invest in a house on The Row in order
to receive the same treatment as the Interfraternity Council.
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lack of funding. Even though there are grants out there, most are
exclusive to IFC. For instance, IFC has a Philanthropy Grant
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lanthropy Grant is designed to contribute funds to fraternities
that could use a hand in funding philanthropic events.” But it is
also important to keep in mind that IFC has 23 fraternities and
10 sororities which translates into big funds for the council. If
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on or near The Row, then Black students would have more
incentive to come out and support the parties. The Black
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that does not get shut down by LAPD.
Parties would also be safer if there were not random residents
in the area trying to get in and cause trouble. This also applies for
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outside a party he can’t get into trying to talk to almost every girl
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the guy does not even go to USC or any school. Even though
their presence is not a threat initially, there have been incidents
when a situation escalates and someone ends up hurt. Although
the ideal solution to the LAPD party raids includes a house on
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venues and not the backyard of a house in a residential area.
Black Voices | 3
Relationships
“Cuff or
Bluff”
By LaVasjah Williams
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s the holiday season approaches
and the weather starts to get
nippy, thousands of Americans
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one” or at least the one to keep them
warm through these cold nights.
To many college students and
teenagers, the switch from summer
to fall and fall to winter can
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infamous time where
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we have labeled this time of year
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for love, at least for comfort.
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relationships or short-term love affairs?
If we really label the wintertime as
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when spring or summer comes? Are
these relationships or affairs erased,
ignored or no longer relevant?
Obviously, the answers to these
questions vary depending on the
people involved and the context
of the situation. However, it is
necessary to be mindful of who you
allow in your life no matter what
time of year. It is not productive or
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relationships due to a change in season
no matter how many people are doing
it. The chance of these relationships
leading to love and happiness is just
as close as them leading to heartbreak
and deception. Actually, according to
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and harsh” for married couples; so
what makes this season so special for
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Our need for comfort and affection seems
to increase as the weather gets colder, but
the real question is do you want people
in your life for a season or a reason?
Are you being cuffed or bluffed? You
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Black |Voices
|7
Black Voices
5
Holiday
Tis’ the Season!
There is something different about the holidays. People give more, smile more, and
spend more time together. Tis’ the season! So, we went around campus to see how our
students celebrate this special time of the year.
By Kosiso Ugwueze
Mike Sadler
Senior
International Relations (Global Business)
Favorite Holiday Recipes/Foods: Gotta go with the turkey,
mac and cheese with breaded crumbs, greens, ham. A bit of
everything.
Do you remember how old you were when you found out
Santa Claus doesn’t exist? I think I was about 7 when it became
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Have you ever kissed someone under mistletoe?
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Sasha Smith
Freshman
Fine Arts
Holiday Tradition: Making desserts
Do you remember how old you were when
you found out Santa Claus doesn’t exist? I
think I was around 5 or 6.
Have you ever kissed someone under
mistletoe? Haven’t kissed someone under a
mistletoe but I would like to.
Black Voices | 6
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Favorite Holiday Recipes/Foods: I love dessert. My mom
makes bomb sweet potato pie.
What do you miss about celebrating the holidays when you
were little? I really miss decorating the Christmas tree. We
don’t really do that anymore. When I was little I used to
really look forward to putting up lights and putting my little
decorations on the tree. Now when I go home it’s usually all
set up.
What are your favorite holiday songs?
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Sophomore
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Holiday Tradition:
I usually eat dinner with family, and friends, and relatives
What are your favorite holiday songs?
I don’t really have any. I don’t like Christmas songs really.
Have you ever kissed someone under mistletoe?
(Laughs) Yes I have.
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What do you miss about celebrating
the holidays when you were little?
I really miss making Christmas lists!
Do you remember how old you were
when you found out Santa Claus doesn’t exist?
(Laughs) I found out in 6th grade.
It was painful! They had me for a long time
Have you ever kissed someone under mistletoe?
I want to!
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Holiday Tradition: For Christmas I either spend it with my mom or dad in LA
or go to Texas or Oklahoma to be with family.
What are your favorite holiday songs? I love all the songs. Luther Vandross,
Beyonce, Michael Jackson. They’ve all done Christmas songs at some point.
What do you miss about celebrating the holidays when you were little? I miss
the excitement I used to get about gifts. Now if I don’t get a gift it’s ok but back
then I couldn’t wait to unwrap presents.
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- Jacqueline Jackson
Fashion is everywhere. From what we look to
buy, to what we own, students are in steady conversation
on what this season’s biggest must haves are. However,
for a group of USC students, being able to wear another
designer’s clothes isn’t enough. They made the decision
to become designers themselves and showcase their work
on campus. The USC Fashion Industry Association
(FIA) provided a platform that educates young designers
and provides opportunities for them in the fashion industry. The organization hosted its 8th Annual Fashion Show
on Sunday November 13th, 2011 in McCarthy Quad.
As a new attendee of the show, I expected it to be on the
lawn, and it was but in grand fashion. The fashion show’s
runway was built under a tented area with surrounding
lights, cameras and seating for couture lovers.
The show featured 11 designers, who have
throughout the semester, been involved with USC’s
Fashion Industry Association including: Saivana, Superdry, Romeo & Juliet Couture and Didi Beck Bikini.
Each designer placed their work on USC featured models
in the perfect setting to showcase their creativity like the
brand “I. AM.” Will. I. Am from the Black Eyed Peas
developed the brand to embody not only music but also
art and technology. The fashion line included a strong set
of fall season colored jackets and sweaters that visually
took inspiration from the artist himself.
Fashion
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and the movement to increase social awareness. His line
included jackets, shirts and sweaters all perfect for fall
fashion. Each had the ability to transition from campus life to nightlife and the crowd was thrilled. MAC’s
distinctive logo was captured on the items and many
attendees requested more information on the line to make
purchases. However, for designer Courtney it was the
experience, not just the clothes that took center stage. “I
wasn’t expecting to participate in a fashion show here on
campus,” he said, “This is an excellent opportunity for
me as a designer but also as a member of the Trojan community. I’m not sure how past shows have been but to be
the only Black designer featured this year is an honor and
it says something about where we’re headed as a university and a clothing line.”
The annual Fashion Show is a great opportunity
for designers at USC to gain much needed exposure
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other 10 designers, this event was a great start to a bright
future of runway shows.
Black |Voices
|7
Black Voices
9
Opinion/Social Issues
aASocial
Social Media
Media:
SocialTakeover
Takeover
MediaTakeover
How many minutes a day do you
spend on social media sites?
By: Jacqueline Jackson
F
orget TV, well just Facebook. In the past
few years we’ve witnessed an extreme
shift in how we communicate. According to a recent report young adults ages
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online. The majority of this time spent
on websites like Facebook, Twitter and
Tumblr.
As students at USC we acknowledge
that social networks have transformed
how we communicate. We are able to
connect with members of our university
communities, reach networks across
the world and reunite with friends from
our past. However, even though these
networks have found ways to unite us,
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Face to Face
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most reliable way to speak with someone
and up until the late 90’s it was the
standard way of communicating. This
became replaced with cell phones, which
year after year, developed features that
allowed us to minimize the amount of time
we spent in front of each other. Parents,
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and then slowly texting them even from
the room next door. Communication
wasn’t the same anymore.
Then Myspace, Facebook and Twitter
arrived and our mode of communication
took a drastic shift. We gained the ability
to constantly communicate with the world.
Not only could we friend people we knew
but we also garnered new relationships
with those in distant places. Our level of
comfort transitioned. For many face to face
communication is no longer needed to:
laugh, cry, learn, grow and even fall in love.
Black Voices | 10
Idle Time
Countless minutes and hours are
spent daily for millions across the world
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reasons to waste time. Its contents
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Pages and user submitted pictures
and video that keep many constantly
refreshing the screen to locate what’s
different or search for new friends
and look through the “ Who You May
Know” sections. It somehow developed
into a hobbie and even competition for
people wanting obtain the most friends.
As students, now much of our free time
is spent on these sites as well as the time
we should be using to study, socialize, or
work. Social media is the new outlet for
procrastination.
Bullying
Social media has also provided a
platform for online bullying. The user
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created with people who personify a fake
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empower others. Behind screens, users
type maliciously against many minority
groups and organizations they otherwise
wouldn’t,for fear of consequence. This
outlet is being misused in this way, but
one of the reasons why we simply cannot
obliterate the online world is because it
is one of the quickest ways to stay up to
GDWHRQWKHQHZVVLQFHZHGRQ·WÀQGWKH
time to actually read it anymore, with
trends, gossip, and even with our
favorite artist. This is one of the main
reasons these sites grew so quickly.
Celebrity Use
Recently, top hip hop artist Drake spoke
out on the issue to Source Magazine’s
Kim Osario. “I’m really scared for my
generation, you know.” he said, “The
thing that scares me the most is Tumblr.
I hate what Tumblr has become.” Drake
pointed out that through Tumblr users
RQO\ UHSRVW RWKHU·V ZRUN ZLWK IHZHU
individuals creating original content.
“Instead of kids going out and making
their own moments, they’re just taking
these images and living vicariously
through other people’s moments. It just
kills me.” he said. Even with this fear
Drake himself uses Twitter as a medium
to communicate with fans but sparingly,
while other celebrities, tweet more
frequently.
Boiling Down
It’s really coming down to personal choice.
Social media sites have revolutionized the
communication world and while many are
playing catch up, we are early adopters
of the sites, with increasing knowledge
of how they function and the positive
EHQHÀWV WKDW FDQ DFFRPSDQ\ WKHP
However, as questions of content and
privacy arise, many are calming down what
they say and limiting their use but for most
the damage is done...we’re addicted.
QUICK POLL: Answer these questions…
How often do you text, Facebook or tweet someone instead of calling them?
+DYH\RXPHWXSZLWKSHRSOHRIÁLQHZLWKRXWZRUU\LQJLI\RXVDZ them face-to-face?
How many hours a day do you spend on social media networks?
Point
(GXFDWLRQ+HDOWK
6WXGHQW3URÀOH
Forward
Day
By Samantha Ojo
Twenty years ago this month,
Earvin “Magic” Johnson abruptly
retired from the NBA after testing
positive for the AIDS-causing
KXPDQLPPXQRGHÀFLHQF\YLUXV
(HIV). Upon announcing his
retirement, Johnson proclaimed
that he would go on living well for a
long time – and has done just that.
Magic Johnson
addresses the audience
at his 20th Anniversary
Press Conference on
Nov. 7, 2011.
5)(JVT
Founded in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation
focuses on changing the faces of urban communities.
The organization’s goals include proliferating
minority academic achievement, raising HIV/AIDS
awareness, and promoting an alliance between all
sectors of the community including businesses,
educational institutions, legislative, community and faithbased organizations, and policymakers. The foundation also
provides aid and resources for college students through its
Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program. Named after the late
Taylor Michaels, former COO of Magic Johnson Enterprises,
the program emphasizes the importance of fostering minority
youth in their pursuits of academic amelioration, HIV
awareness, and digital literacy. As a recipient of a Taylor
Michaels scholarship, I have been fortunate enough to reap the
PDQ\EHQHÀWVRIWKLVXQLTXHSURJUDPLQFOXGLQJDWWHQGLQJD
week long leadership conference with scholars of universities
across the nation. In addition to providing support essential
to collegiate success, what makes the program especially
XQLTXHLVLWVHPSKDVLVRQJLYLQJEDFNWRWKHFRPPXQLW\
Magic Johnson
announced his retirement
and diagnosis on
Nov. 7,1991. *55
One of Johnson’s
earliest campaign ads
for AIDS Awareness
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Johnson’s retirement, the foundation kicked off their most
recent philanthropic venture, Point Forward Day. Gaining its
PRQLNHUIURP-RKQVRQ·VXQLTXHFRPELQDWLRQRIWZRSRVLWLRQV
in his sport of basketball, the nationwide event not only
celebrated the foundation’s achievements over the past twenty
years, but continued in the efforts to raise HIV awareness.
Taylor Michaels scholars volunteered at Magic Johnson’s
Community Empowerment Centers (CECs) nationwide, and a
number of scholars organized on campus HIV and STD testing
centers. Scholars at FAMU aided in their school’s “Late Night
Testing” initiative, in which the health center stays open late
and provides free testing.
Johnson’s efforts have forever altered the perception of
HIV and AIDS. By focusing his efforts on the youth, Johnson
aims to put an end to skyrocketing contraction rates. In this
vane, Johnson stated, “Young people don’t want to listen
to any message because they feel they know it all. They
just have to keep drilling it in their heads that HIV is here
and here to stay and you have to do a better job protecting
yourself and your partner. Hopefully that message will get
to them.” Point Forward Day represented a historic day
for the foundation, and served as an excellent example of
raising awareness while giving back to the community.
Black Voices | 11
Feature
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The Chi town native’s story started with print journalism at FAMU; but
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York and his hometown including Ketchum and Edelman. What’s more
impressive? He left it all, including the paycheck, to pursue his dream.
A
lthough Aaron Arnold had the
opportunity to travel and support
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ended up missing his honeymoon
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Black Voices | 12
many inspiring meetings and aimed to
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that they are the next generation of
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at Bad Boy and he realized after
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He gets his motivation from
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his humility: he says that everything
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Events
6WXGHQW3URÀOH
An Evening with
O
Amiri Baraka
n Wednesday, November
16th, one of USC’s esteemed
professors and poets Javon
-RKQVRQ DSSHDUHG RQ WKH ÁRRU RI
the Ronald Tutor Campus Center Ballroom
to introduce a man and fellow poet who has
greatly inspired him, Amiri Baraka. Javon
explained how enthused he had been about
Amiri Baraka’s words over the years ever
since he read the line “If Elvis Presley is
King, who is James Brown, God?” and how
excited he was to introduce Amiri as the
Visions and Voices speaker for the night.
Poet, playwright, and political activist,
Baraka is predominantly known for his
work for both the Black Power and Black
Arts movements. Without him, symbols
VXFK DV WKH NQRWWHG %ODFN 3RZHU ÀVW
and phrases such as “black is beautiful”
would not be so highly integrated into our
community’s colloquialism.
He started his discussion speaking about
African American beginnings, and where
we are in the world today; he shed light on
the fact that we arrived as slaves, and today
there is an African American man leading
our country as president. However, he
also spoke on how although Obama is not
By Jordan Caldwell
IXOÀOOLQJ KLV SURPLVHV ZH VKRXOG UHPDLQ
supporting him because it is better than
what the Republicans have to offer. Before
Baraka started his reading of poetry, he
touched on one last point that empathized
with students: he emphasized how students,
especially those that are as privileged to
attend top institutions such as USC, are
supposed to help their communities.
In this collective effort, we should disregard
race and unite under the identity of the
issue rather than our ethnic backgrounds.
He reminded us of the ideals of Dr. Martin
Luther King and Malcom X: in order to
be successful we need a united front to
get our goals met. This point
successfully resonated with
students and reminded them
that the grades and the degree
are only one part of being a
student, that our keen minds
should be expendable when
it comes to confronting
social issues that pervade
this society. Students that
made it to this Visions and
Voices were very fortunate
to hear the stories and
thoughts from someone as
profound as Amiri Baraka.
%ODFN9RLFHV_
Music
God-Given, JGivens:
A Legend in
the Making
By Courtney Manning
This ’10 Alum from Sin City had a
Greater calling, not of this world.
But for J, it’s not about him, it’s
about Him. I had the pleasure of
interviewing the humble artist
and extremely talented graphic
designer & you now have the
pleasure of reading his compelling
& life-changing story-uncut!
Q: Tell me about your experience growing up in Sin City
JGiv: I was exposed to sex and drugs at a very young age. I mean
that stuffs everywhere but it’s a different monster here, like we had
porn in newspaper stands, there’s gambling everywhere, it’s like
the Disneyland for adults. Of course casinos everywhere too. But
other than that, it was amazing growing up here, it’s a great place
to raise a family especially in the suburbs. There’s not a lot of
crime here not like L.A., I’m actually from L.A. but I say I’m from
here cause you know I went to elementary, junior high and high
school here. But yeah, I’ve been able to maximize my networks
here cause it’s not as big, it’s like small town meets big city.
Q: What led you to Christ? At what point did you realize your
calling—did you have an epiphany?
JGiv: Yeah that exactly. I was raised in church you know a Christian
family, very involved in the church in high school and I went to
all the retreats and stuff; I was more involved with church culture
than with Jesus. You know high school was like the experimental
stage and all, I went to USC, you already know, I was in a frat, I
Black Voices | 14
did it all. And I was comfortable with it like it was just what you
did, it was a part of “American culture.” But God came to me
toward the end of 2009 while I was smokin’ weed, sellin’ it; I was
a resident manager for Lambda I wasn’t in the frat but one night
I was super blacked out in the bathroom and I realized I was just
spiraling downward and I cried out to God, I was like I can’t do
this anymore. So I joined SBG, I knew the Bible but you know
I wasn’t living it. So in 2010 I got involved with the Passion for
Christ movement online ministry and I found out it was in L.A. so
I was like let me just go. And the Word really spoke to me that day,
the Spirit hit me and I was like OMG, I think I’m a fake Christian!
But yeah after that like late 2009, early 2010 I was trying
to stop smoking weed and listening to Lil’Wayne—cuz
listening to Lil’ Wayne makes you wanna smoke weed and
smoking weed makes you wanna listen to Lil’ Wayne. So
the more I read, God started giving me these rhymes, it
wasn’t intended to be raps it was just therapeutic but I let
my friend Warren hear it one day and he was like dude,
you spittin! So he told me to make a mixtape and yeah.
6WXGHQW3URÀOH
Music
Q: What does a typical studio sesh look like to you?
JGiv: You know I used to record in my room-like everybody does
right. So I’ve gone from recording on a mic in a room at Cardinal
Gardens to recording in $50,000 studios just recently you know,
but wherever God leads me really.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from? What would an ideal
collab look like to you?
JGiv: the Bible. I try to stay away from talking about myself and
just talk about Jesus. I write based off of what I read in the Bible,
instead of talking about how I know him, I just talk about Him. I try
to tell people what they don’t know and bring an urban context to it
cause you know this Jesus of the culture does not match the Jesus
of the Bible. We’re all wack and would be going to Hell. I think
people can relate to what I have to say, they’re all going through it
they’re just not saying it. But an ideal collaboration—Kanye West.
Everyone says he’s in Illuminati and all that stuff, but I’m like,
what would you do if he was your brother? Pray for him.
Q: What or who has contributed to your success aside from God?
-*LY 0\ PRP GHÀQLWHO\ KDV EHHQ KXJH VKH·V EHHQ EHKLQG PH
110% like lets me stay at home, works my tables huge. But also
I.C. Jonez and Doc Jones—ironic right?—they let me perform and
ever since then we wrote together and been working on the Saint
City Project doing concerts all over Vegas.
Q: How do you maintain your motivation to stay in the Word?
JGiv: I don’t wanna sound like I’m always in the Word cause I
struggle with it too. I’m in it way more than before but I have to
be busy doing something Godly. It also has to do with your circle,
you have to have boundaries—my album title “Run” is that for
a reason—when I feel like I’m gonna stumble, I just run. But
you constantly have to ask the Holy Spirit to help you because as
humans, we don’t naturally have motivation to stay in the Word.
Q: What advice do you have for young black people trying to make it?
JGiv: Go to college. Like omg if it’s just for a semester, go. Read
more. We’re becoming so indolent, if we could actually appreciate
HGXFDWLRQ , PHDQ MXVW ÀQLVK -XVW JUDGXDWH³JHW WKDW GHJUHH
because as long as you have that degree you’ll be good. Also, make
sure you maximize your network Outside of ‘SC. I was President
of Alpha Phi Alpha, was in engineering, lived in Pardee Tower
instead of Somerville, so I really tried to immerse myself in USC
culture as a whole. Get involved with the Trojan Family—really
Be a Trojan.
www.JGIVENS.com Find JGivens on FB @ JGivens
Twitter @PRAY4JGivens
Black Voices | 15
Music
Honor Flow Productions:
+RQRU )ORZ 3URGXFWLRQV FDQ EHVW EH GHVFULEHG DV IUHH DW OHDVW
WKDWV KRZ , IHOW ZKHQ , OLVWHQHG WR WKHLU ODWHVW DOEXP 9,6,216
)UHH IRUP IUHH YHUVH WKH\ H[SUHVV WKHPVHOYHV IUHHO\ DQG LQLPLWDEO\
Live Loud, Dream Fearless
Courtney Manning
F
ounded and based out of Los
Angeles, the band is made up of 8
guys, 2 of which are ‘SC alumni
and the others from Marymount and
LMU—you might have heard them
on KXSC last month. Old school, hipKRSMD]]\RXQDPHLW³WKH\GHÀQLWHO\
break the boundaries surrounding
contemporary music. These college
IULHQGV KDYH EHHQ RQ D ORXG ÀYH
year journey, living their dreams.
HFP’s owner and Director of
Operations Charles V. Nunley IV
describes the band’s journey as a
shared growth. “What is special about
this band in terms of our journey is
while we were friends before a part
of this collective, we became brothers
through the music. We jokingly call
ourselves the “Band of Brothers”
because that is what it is. We have all
grown together and grown through
this band. That is why this album
is to me, a ‘coming of age’ story.”
Black Voices | 16
Their growth guided them to the
stage. The band’s eclectic feel and
the “out of body” experience they
offer is what landed them headlining
performances at the coveted Roxy,
Key Club, and Whisky A Go-Go
venues in Hollywood. It’s also what
led them to their latest album this
past August: V.I.S.I.O.N.S. (Various
Inspired Stories Insightful on Night
and Sunlight), a culmination of the
EDQG·V YR\DJH HDFK WUDFN UHÁHFWLQJ
HDFK RI WKH PHPEHU·V LQÁXHQFHV³
another aspect of HFP that
contributes to their distinctness.
Nunley says their live shows are the
“bread and butter” of the operation,
but they made sure to bring the same
diverse vibe while recording the
album. “Many industry ‘experts’
have told me to channel in one sound,
identity, and/or image on the band
and sell it. To me, that is the worst
idea for this band because it creates
a
disservice to our capabilities.
We would be selling ourselves
short because to me, that is the
biggest strength of this band; our
eclecticness and versatility gives
us what every real musician wants,
and that is longevity and a career. “
HFP succeeds in its efforts to create
a “human experience” through music,
DQG WKDW·V ZKDW PDNHV WKHLU ÁRZ VR
original. “Making music that people
can feel in their souls and identify
with never goes out of style. That’s
what we mean by creating a ‘human
experience’ through music,” Nunley
says. *Soul Claps & Salutes* to YOU
Honor Flow Productions. You are
inspiration.
Check them out at:
http://HFPuniversity.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/HonorFlowProductions
http://HFPmusic.bandcamp.com
Honor Flow Productions’ debut album,
V.I.S.I.O.N.S, is now available for download at
hfpmusic.bandcamp.com.
Pop Culture
Chelsea Settles
into
RealityTV
By Arlene Washington
C
helsea Settles, MTV’s newest reality
star, navigates through the fashion industry
while battling issues of being overweight
during her prime as she makes her new
home in the city of angels. Although the
show focuses on Chelsea’s plan for weight
loss, viewers are invited to follow the
young woman through her ups and downs
as she fights to not only make over her
figure, but her life in general.
image physically but to also to improve
her emotionally. Viewers are able to watch
Chelsea grow into a woman aspiring to
accomplish her dreams of fashion and most
importantly to love herself for who she truly is.
With its eighth episode airing next Tuesday,
Chelsea opens up to the camera as she
explains her self-esteem issues. After
“settling” in to her new home with new
roommate, Jenna, and receiving a job at
the women’s clothing store Vanity Room,
where she is asked to model in plus-size
clothing, Settles is ready to ditch her lax
DWWLWXGH RI EHFRPLQJ ÀW DQG LV UHDG\ WR
commit to a trainer.
Call it a less glamorous and more downto-earth version of “The Hills” as an
ordinary girl isn’t afraid to expose her
IDXOWVZKHUHVKHVRPHWLPHVÀQGVUHMHFWLRQ
IURPSHRSOHQRWDFFHSWLQJRIKHUÀJXUHDQG
disappointment when it’s time to check the
progress on the scale.
&KHOVHDÀQGVDUHDVRQWRVPLOHDPLGKHU
struggle to settle | Variety.com
Chelsea may weigh in at 324 pounds, but her
quirky and genial personality attracts young
viewers in making her a more beautiful
person despite whether or not she is
shedding the pounds. After episodes have
aired addressing the 23-year-old’s weight
and eating habits, the show has evolved
into more than simply another show
targeting to makeover a young woman’s
Black Voices | 18
Throughout the name calling and whispers
behind her back, she encounters a nightclub on
her own; what stands out the most is Chelsea’s
GHVLUHIRUFRQÀGHQFHRYHUDOORIWKHSRXQGV
she could ever shed. Although she would
love to have the “ideal” body that is socially
DFFHSWDEOHE\WKHZRUOG·VGHÀQLWLRQVKHÀUVW
and foremost would rather have the self-esteem
strength to walk in the skin she is currently in.
The reality star constantly stresses that
although she is working towards becoming
PRUH SK\VLFDOO\ ÀW \RX ´FDQQRW OHW \RXU
weight stop you from living your life.”
The spark of this new show sets it apart from
another True Life or “I Used To Be Fat” series
with constant drops of positivity throughout
every episode and less of a “you either
succeeded or failed your goal” attitude.
Chelsea told MTV that she feels the show
has only displayed her in all tears during
WKHÀUVWFRXSOHRIHSLVRGHVDQGKRSHVIDQV
will be able to see more sides of her before
the season ends. As the cameras continue to
IROORZ KHU WKURXJKRXW KHU PRVW GHÀQLQJ
moments, the current status of the
show promises a fulfilling first season.
“Chelsea Settles” airs on MTV Tuesday
nights at 11/10c.
The show follows Chelsea
through her weight struggles | MTV.com
Black Voices
6WXGHQW3URÀOH
Letter From the Editor
Did you know it was national adoption month? Well it is! As BV EIC, this month is particularly important to me because well, I was adopted and I am so thankful for what God has
given me. Increase awareness about this celebration, encourage adults you know to adopt a
child who deserves a better life, and if you want to help out, contact L.A. County’s DCFS!
Black Voices has made great strides this year after our revamp, and we are so thankful for a
successful fall season! Special thanks to USC BSA, Annenberg & our adviser Jabari Brown
IRUKHOSLQJXVPDNHWKLVKDSSHQ6KRXWRXWVWR&%&6$%$$8SVZLQJ&XOWXUDWL0$&QLÀcent, Cal Poly BSU, and all of our readers! Have a happy holiday season and we hope to see
you reading next Spring!
-Courtney Manning, Editor –in-Chief
Ĥ
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
FROM
BLACK VOICES
Look for our new Column this
Spring: Ask LV!
You will soon be able to submit
anonymous questions to our ask
columnist and see them answered
in the next issue! Stay tuned for
dates!
WANT TO ADVERTISE OR BE
FEATURED IN BV?
Hit us up! We’re always open to
any and all collaborations, in and
outside of ‘SC! Feel free to contact
the EIC at bvoices@usc.edu with a
description or shoot us a message
on Facebook! We look forward to
working with you
@USCBlackVoices
Black |Voices
|7
Black Voices
19