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Love Your Hair! Tips & Tricks
Posing Beauty: Event Review
4
6
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Nigerian Independence Fashion Show Review
AIDS Awareness 9 Diva or Devil Poll Results!
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Managing Editor |(VVHQFHMR\(YDQJHOLVWD
Copy Editor | -DFTXHOLQH-DFNVRQ
Marketing / Advertising Director | 'H·5RQ0DUTXHV
Staff
Co-Art Directors |-HVV(YRUD5D\PRQG&RXUWQH\
Photographer | .RVLVR8JZXH]H
Opinion / Social Issues Columnist | .QLD)UDQN
Fashion/Music Columnist | $YLDQFH:DVKLQJWRQ
Events Columnist |-RUGDQ&DOGZHOO
Director of Finance | $UOHQH:DVKLQJWRQ
Health/Education Columnist | 6DPDQWKD2MR
Political Columnist |6KDNLUD.HOOHU
Events
Posing Beauty, Posing Questions
T
he Posing Beauty in African American
Culture exhibition went up in the USC
Fisher Museum of Art on September
7th and will be on display until
December 3rd. The exhibit features
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embodiments of black cultural beauty
that were accumulated by Deborah
Willis from various friends, gallery
directors, curators, family members,
and photographers. She gathered
these images over more
than a ten-year period
as part of a project that
“explores the ways in
which our contemporary
understanding of beauty
has been informed by
photographers and artists
working from 1890 to the
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photographic history of
black beauty. The exhibit
successfully sheds light
on an American story
that has gone unnoticed
until now. Although these
images are portrayals of
African American beauty, it addresses
questions about beauty as a whole such
as “What is beauty? Is it tangible? Does
beauty matter?” and questions with
regard to black beauty like “How is the
notion of beauty idealized and exploited
in the media, in hip-hop culture, in
art?” and “Is black beauty a matter of
conditioning?”. Deborah Willis, Ph.D,
Chair of the Department of Photography
and Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts
Black Voices | 4
at New York University, curated the
exhibition and moderated panel of an
artist, an art museum curator, and a
history professor this past month. On
October 3rd and 4th Dr. Willis gave
students and faculty an inside look
behind her exhibit and the idea of beauty.
An event presented by USC’s Visions
and Voices, the Posing Beauty Posing
Questions event held a panel featuring
artist Carrie Mae Weems, Los Angeles
County Museum of
Art curator Franklin
Sirmans and USC
history
professor
Robin D. G. Kelley.
The conversation was
engaging and began
with Deborah Willis’s
story about a beautiful
runaway slave. The
meat of the discussion
revolved around the
power of photography
to determine what is
beautiful and questions
surrounding why black
photographers are not
considered major players in fine art.
The event ended with a question and
answer session in which the audience
was given the opportunity to engage
with these experts in their field.
Together, the panel and the exhibit
were both successful means to give
African American students a look
at their history that has been kept
from them, and to give the public an
appreciation for black art and beauty.
Ankara Festival:
Backstage at the Fashion Show
Fashion/Music
Kosiso Ugwueze
On Oct. 1, Naija Entertainment and the Nigerian Students Association from UCLA
paid tribute to Nigerian Independence Day with “a night of African glamour.” The
fashion show featured up and coming and established black designers who use authentic
African fabrics and prints, like Funke Eniola’s Studio Alade, Bukky Are’s House of
Versatile Style, Mola Akpata’s Mocolate, Habiba Olayinka of Habiba Jewelries and
Bukola Martins of Touch of Styles. BV had the privilege of covering this epic event that
highlighted Nigeria’s rich culture. We love to see black designers and black models being
implemented in the fashion industry and the increase in the trend is simply moving.
AfricaSC and CaribSC Students Pictured: Eloho Akalamudo
(bottom wearing red), Rebecca Obasi (blue headdress, top middle
green jumper), Roshini Nwoko (top right, alone), Kimberly Chinaza
Okereke and Keziah Ojika (middle right), Gina Jaqua, Kosiso
Ugwueze, Rebecca Matey (bottom left picture, in succession)
Black Voices | 5
c
Fashion/Music
e
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Tips & Tricks
for Every Black
Hair Type
Aviance K. Washington
Versatile and trendsetting, Black hair
has endless style possibilities, but
can easily be weakened if not given
the utmost attention and care. From
heat to coloring, we often put our hair
through constant stress to achieve the
looks we want. Krystle Rowry, cofounder of www.Upswing.Me, helped
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that will keep your locks strong,
healthy and beautiful.
Weaves
´1RSDLQQRJDLQ"1RWZKHQLWFRPHVWRWKHEUDLGLQJSURFHVVµ.U\VWOHFDXtions that painful braids can result in permanent hair loss so let your stylist
know if you feel any discomfort. Make sure to also take extra care of your
natural hair under the weave by keeping your scalp moisturized and clean.
Never go past 3 months of wearing a weave, as this can cause your natural
hair to shed underneath.
Product Recommendations
z Sea Breeze Astringent for Skin & Scalp
z KeraCare Dry & Itchy Scalp Moisturizing
Shampoo and Conditioner
z Paul Mitchell Super Clean Spray
Lala Vasquez
(Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images NortAmerica)
Natural
Natural hair needs extra moisture and gentle care because it can be fragile.
When detangling, use a lot of conditioner (deep condition at least once a
week) and a wide-tooth comb. Krystle advises to stay away from regular
towels! “They create friction, leaving you with the dreaded frizzy halo. Use a
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Product Recommendations
z 0RURFFDQRLOŠ&XUO'HÀQLQJ0RXVVH
z Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk
z Loreal Nature’s Therapy Deep
Conditioning Treatment
Black Voices | 6
Solange Knowles
(RD/Orchon/Retna Digital
Krystle’s Tips for Successful Transitioning
1. Healthy hair starts from within! Healthy hair practices + healthy diet + healthy
lifestyle = Strong hair and stimulated growth. Eat right, exercise, and drink plenty of water to
see great, long-lasting results. Plus, you’ll be doing your body a favor as well!
2. Learn to love! You’ll have to be patient in going natural and know the end result will be
worth the wait. Get excited with every new curl and embrace your new texture. Believe me, I
know from experience how easy it is to get frustrated when your old products and methods no
longer get the job done, but think of it as a learning process. Get to know what’s best for you!
Check out YouTube for support from those who have been there!
3. Resist the heat! It’s important to know heat damage is irreversible and although you
PD\PLVV\RXUVWUDLJKWHUWUHVVHVKHDWZLOOKDYHLWVFRQVHTXHQFHV6RPHZRPHQÀQGWKH\KDYH
WRFXWWKHLUKDLUWRJHWULGRIWKHGDPDJHLW·VFDXVHG,I\RXÀQG\RXUVHOILWFKLQJWRKHDWVW\OH
be sure to use a heat protectant and the lowest setting possible!
4. Moisture is key! Keeping your hair moisturized is the key to stimulating your hair’s
Krystle Rowry
Co-Founder
of Upswing
growth. Deep condition regularly and trim your ends to help your hair grow to its healthiest.
5. Just do it! Some say natural hair = freedom. And if it doesn’t work for you,
hey, you can always go back to what worked for you before. You
were born with it-try giving your natural tresses a chance!
I know I will never turn back!
Locs
7RPRLVWXUL]H\RXUORFNVDQGNHHSWKHPIURPÁDNLQJPDNHVXUHWRRLO\RXU
scalp after each wash. Also try the interlocking method instead of palm-rolling.
“Have you ever twisted a paper clip and saw it break apart? Well that’s the
same stress you’re putting on your hair when you palm-roll and you’ll see that
same kind of breakage,” Krystle warns. Be careful of weakening your strong
locs with damaging techniques!
Product Recommendations
z Jojoba Oil
z Nyraju Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo
z Ylang Ylang Oil
Recommended Stylists
in the
Los Angeles Area
Dr. Kari of Mahogany Hair
Revolution - 490 S San Vicente
Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Specializes in: Natural styles
(Locs, Curls, Braids), scalp and
hair loss treatments
http://www.drkariwilliams.com
SPECIAL OFFER: Free shampoo
and condition (a $20 value) - valid
with any stylist at Mahogany Hair
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Kim Fields
(Bobby Bank/ Wire Image)
Relaxed
“Save your tresses from the stress of relaxer (get it?) by extending the time between touch-ups to at least two months or until you have ! inch of new growth.”
Due to the chemical processing, relaxed hair is prone to breakage and drying
out. Always sleep with a satin pillowcase or wear a satin cap to reduce tangles
and lock in moisture at night. It may seem counterintuitive, but remembering to
trim your ends regularly will help your hair to grow longer by getting rid of the
unhealthy areas.
Product Recommendations
z The Original Moroccanoil® Oil Treatment
z Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo,
Conditioner & Leave-In Conditioner
z African Royale Hot Six Hair Oil
Whitney Gupton of Colbert
Hair Studios - 94 N. Baldwin
Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Specializes in: Brazilian blowouts,
relaxed hair, weaves and extensions. http://www.colberthairstudios.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 20% OFF on your
ÀUVWYLVLW
Hershelle Johns of Divas & Dolls
Hair Salon - 4937 W. Slauson Ave
Ste. B2, Los Angeles, CA 90056
Specializes in: Hair Cuts of all
lengths, hair coloring, relaxed hair,
weaves and extensions
SPECIAL OFFER: Free deep conGLWLRQLQJWUHDWPHQWRQ\RXUÀUVW
YLVLWDYDOXH
PXVWVKRZ\RXU86&6WXGHQW,'FDUGto
redeem, all offers expire 11/01/2012.
Tika Sumpter
(Bossip)
Black Voices | 7
Fashion/Music
Illustration Courtesy of hullubullumushrooms.blogspot.com
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Associated Press
We’re skeptics too...
Black Voices | 8
Associated Press
Marie Clarie
Associated Press
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Better Safe than Sorry
By Samantha Ojo
S
exually
transmitted
diseases (STDs) and
sexually
transmitted
infections (STIs) are
illnesses most
frequently
passed from one person to another
during sexual activity. Encompassing
over 25 different diseases, STDs can
have myriad effects on the body, and
can be spread through vaginal, anal
and oral sex. There are also various
infections, such as scabies, which
are referred to as STDs because they
are most commonly transmitted
sexually, although they can be
passed on in other ways.
Sexually
transmitted
diseases,
which
are
preventable and can
often be effectively
treated when discovered
early, are found at
significantly higher
rates among African
Americans than the rest
of the population. In a
2009 study, researchers
found that African
Americans had twenty
times the reported
gonorrhea rates of
Caucasian Americans, and
nine times the reported rates
of syphilis and Chlamydia.
Devastatingly,
African
Americans also represent the majority
of HIV positive individuals.
Of the 1 million individuals living
with HIV in the United States today,
almost half are black. To date, over
230,000 African Americans have died
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which accounts for almost 40 percent
of total deaths. Yet, as a racial group,
African Americans represent just 13
percent of the US population. The
estimated lifetime risk of becoming
infected with HIV is 1 in 16 for black
males, and 1 in 30 for black females, a
far higher risk than for white males (1
in 104) and white females (1 in 588).
According to the National HIV/AIDS
Strategy, African Americans “comprise
the greatest proportion of HIV/AIDS
cases across many transmission
categories, including among women,
heterosexual men, injection drug users,
and infants.”
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awareness rather than alarm within
the black community.
Although
abstinence remains the only way to
completely eliminate ones chances of
contracting an STD, practicing safe
sex with a low number of partners can
drastically reduce ones chances as well.
The University Park Health Center
provides sensitive medical care for all
health concerns or for general health
maintenance. In addition, the Men’s and
Women’s Clinic provides services for
maintenance of sexual health and STI
screenings including HIV. HIV testing
is available through an appointment
with a clinician at the Health Center,
and also at Out of the Closet thrift
store locations. Within the greater Los
Angeles Area, individuals can get tested
for STIs at a local Planned Parenthood
or other health clinic. Screenings and
tests are quick and painless, and are the
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partner and yourself. It’s better to be safe
than sorry, so get tested!
Black Voices | 9
ic
STDs in the African American Community:
Health
Politics
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Black Voices | 10
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Social Issues
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shion/Music
Student Spotlight
Director, Writer, Theatre Enthusiast
BRANDON
COM B S
Interview by Samantha Ojo
H
is energy seems
to intensify with
every beat of
the drum. As the
Derrick
Nelson
band woos incoming freshmen
during their evening orientation
program, one can’t help but
notice the glow of a drummer’s
smile– or the blonde streak
which highlights his hair. His
name is Brandon Combs, and
he is truly one of a kind.
A dwindling interest in
singing at church led Combs to
turn to the drums. After picking
up interest at the age of nine, he
began to practice several times a
BC
BC
Black Voices | 12
week at church, and at sixteen.
he received his very own drum
set. As a Detroit native, Combs
is now expressing his talents
at the University of Southern
California where he is majoring
in Popular Music.
“I knew that by choosing
USC, I would receive the best
education both musically and
academically,” said Combs.
“The Popular Music major was
very appealing to me, as there
are few programs like it at other
universities.”
This past summer, Combs had
the opportunity of performing
at all seven USC orientation
sessions. He was
also able to perform
with one of his
greatest musical
LQÁXHQFHV%ULDQ
Colbertson.
“Along
with performing at the
Pre-Grammy show in
2010, performing with
Brian is an experience
I’ll never forget,” said
Combs.
“There’s
nothing like being
able to perform
with people you
look up to.”
Article by Arlene Washington
&RPEVLVJUHDWO\LQÁXHQFHGE\
famous musicians including
Chris Coleman, and Dave
Weckl. He also looks up to
mentor Benny Rogers and
most importantly, his family,
as he continues his musical
MRXUQH\´:KHQ , ÀUVW PRYHG
to L.A. from Detroit two years
ago, he [Rogers] introduced my
family to our church here and
we immediately felt at home,”
said Combs, “My family is
also a great support system; my
mom supports all of my musical
endeavors.”
“I would love to play drums
for a big pop artist like Mariah
Carey and join them on a world
tour,” said Combs. “I also want
to end up producing music or
working behind the scenes in
some way.” Combs hopes to
eventually open a music school
for underprivileged youth in
his hometown, using his talents
to give back. “Music means
everything to me. It is a blessing and
a gift that allows me to both tell my
story and communicate with others.”
Student Spotlight
Devon Victoria
Director, Writer, Theatre Enthusiast
Director, Writer, Theatre Enthusiast
By Courtney Manning
D
evon
Victoria
is
motivated by the
inspirational words
of iconic playwright
William
Shakespeare,
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong
to none,” and it is evident that she
lives her life by these very words.
An accomplished and inspiring
black female, Devon Victoria
brings new meaning to the phrase
“super senior.” If she isn’t busy
delivering meals to the homeless
in the local community, interning
at Mosaic in West Hollywood, or
strolling with her fellow sisters of
Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated,
she’s likely heading USC’s Black
Entertainment and Theatrical
Association (BETA). Victoria
has truly taken advantage of all
opportunities afforded to her in her
four years at SC, and has blossomed
into somewhat of a superwoman.
It’s obvious that community
service is one of Victoria’s
priorities, and she is committed
to staying well-rounded. Since
freshman year, she’s dedicated her
free time to service and she currently
teaches pregnancy prevention with
Peer Health Exchange. She’s been
involved with BETA since sophomore
year, and her transition to president
this year has been a great one.
BETA began as a space for African
American students to come together
and embrace their heritage. Open to
all, BETA serves African American
students by providing them with
help toward their professional
development. The association has
invited numerous executives to
come speak, held celebrity panels
and casting workshops, and their
spring panel and annual Diversity
Showcase is in the making.
Victoria says leading BETA is a
challenge because their numbers
are low, but that it is undoubtedly
a rewarding experience. “BETA
has helped me learn what I do
and don’t want from the industry.
, UHDOL]HG ZRUNLQJ ZLWKLQ WKH ÀOP
industry isn’t exactly the dream
job it’s played out to be, and I’ve
realized how African Americans
are represented in this space.”
Upon graduation, Victoria will still
be involved with BETA and serve as
an alumnus on their larger advisory
board. She wants to apply for Teach
for America but worries that she’ll
lose some of her connections in
the industry; eventually, she
hopes to become a talent and
literary m a n a g e r.
Devon is inspired
by Hattie McDaniel,
WKH ÀUVW $IULFDQ
American actress to
win an Oscar. McDaniel played
“Mammy” in Gone with the Wind
and was criticized for taking on
the role, but did what was best
for her career. “McDaniel added
depth to the role and opened
doors never opened before; she
proved that blacks could indeed
hold their own in theatre.”
Victoria is most proud
of
herself
for
increasing
opportunities in BETA. “The
alumni advisory board wasn’t
in place until I’ve suggested
it; I’ve tried to build on what
we’ve already done as an
organization and create even
more opportunities for students.”
I think we’d all agree that Devon
Victoria has done her part in
making a mark at SC.
DV
Black Voices | 13
Opinion/Social Issues
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Black Voices | 14
MACclothes.com
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