prominence magazine holiday 2011
DESCRIPTION
Our Holiday 2011 issue features the talented, seventh season, American Idol contestant, Syesha Mercado as our cover girl. Gifted beyond measure, Syesha shares with us how living her dreams was the only option in remaining true to herself. We also sit down with Hollywood’s next leading man, Collins Pennie for a firsthand look at his career and how he’s making his name and talent known. If you want to release the guilt of indulgence this holiday season, don’t worry we show you how to let go of it and win. For those holiday parties coming up, dressing prominent is the only way to go and we give the ladies and gents a few inspiring ideas. Our holiday issue would not be complete if we did not pay tribute to the late Heavy D; a man who was inspired and inspired many. This and so much more!TRANSCRIPT
Carlos Watson
It’s more than a way of living; it’s a state of mind.
HOLIDAY 2011 USA $4.99 CANADA $5.99
PROMINENCE
SYESHA
LIVING HER DREAM
HEAVY D
MERCADO
THE MAN THE LEGACY OUR TRIBUTE
COLLINS
THE NEXT LEADING MAN
HOW TO HAVE A GUILT FREE HOLIDAY SEASON AND WIN
PENNIE
The Perfect Timepiece
Happy Holidays
3 l HOLIDAY 2011 I www.prominencemagazine.com
H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 1 : : N O . 4 : : P R O M I N E N C E M A G A Z I N E . C O M
FEATURES
22 HEAVY D
A Hip Hop Legend who paved the way and
left a mark on our society will forever be
remembered as a man who loved music
and sharing his voice with the world.
48 COLLINS PENNIE
Hollywood’s next leading man is on the rise
and his name is Collins Pennie . He is one
to watch out for as he prepares to take over
the big and small screen
51 GUILT-FREE HOLIDAYS
Want to make this Christmas holiday as
guilt-free as possible? We share with you
tips for releasing the stress and having fun.
53 SYESHA MERCADO
Beauty, brains, talent, and a giving heart are
just a few words to describe singer and
actress, Syesha Mercado. She’s bold
enough to live her dreams and she’s taking
us along for the ride.
9 YOUR VOICE
11 EDITOR’S LETTER
13 CONTRIBUTORS
18 PROMINENTLY KNOWN
19 WHAT’S RELEVANT
21 THE GREAT ESCAPE
PROMINENCE
IN EVERY ISSUE
Knowthis.tv
ON THE COVER Syehsa Mercado, third finalist on the seventh season of American Idol, photographed
by Angela Talley in Los Angeles.
CONTENTS
25 ON STAGE
Ashley Everett is one of the most
talented dancers in the industry
today. At twenty-three year old is
only just beginning.
28 BOOKS
The Immortal Life of Henrietta
Lacks, a women who’s
unknowingly helped shaped
medical history. Scandalicious, a
debut novel, is sure to leave you
edge with the turn of every page.
Ever wondered what books have
helped influenced your favorite
celebrities? We list a few that have
made a difference in the lives of
those we love to watch.
29 MUSIC
Lalah Hathaway gives us what
we’ve been missing.
31 HOLIDAY ATTIRE
Holiday attire that will turn heads
and gain attention.
THE 411
HE/SHE
48 THE NBA LOCKOUT
The NBA Lockout proved players
have rights and want them exercised.
What will this mean for the future of
the NBA.
51 SO…WHAT THE LOVE COLUMN
Coach Steph helps answers your
relationship questions and provide
answers to your most common
questions.
60 PERSPETIVE
Open your mind, heart, and spirit to the
guidance that awaits.
61 SPOTLIGHT
Malcom X stood up for what he
believed in and helped shaped our
country as we know it.
RELATIONSHIPS
WORK & WEALTH
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VOLUME 2 :: NUMBER 4
SPORTS
37 UNDERSTANDING STRESS
With the holidays in full force,we help
you identify the sings so that you may
take a step back and relax.
40 AVOIDING HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN
Knowing what to do to avoid overeating during the holiday, can help you shed and prevent those unwanted pounds.
43 FINDING YOUR PASSION
Unsure of what it is you are supposed to be doing with your life? Discover five ways to find your passion and happiness.
45 TURNING PASSION INTO PROFIT
Kantis Simmons turns his affliction of being born with extra fingers in to a powerful series by using the 7.25 method to help school aged children reach their full potential.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
25 48
31
60
HIT YOUR TARGET
PROMINENCE MAGAZINE
THE LITERARY SPIRIT
PROMINENCE
Zora Neale Hurston
FOUNDER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Glenys C. Colclough
INTERN
Shirlanna Little
FASHION EDITOR Afyia Winford
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Shannon Edwards
SPORTS EDITOR Gyasmine George
RELATIONSHIPS EDITOR
Stephanie McKenzie
PHOTOGRAPHY Damien Jackson
PUBLICITY
Keyia Stanton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bonita Days
Ashlee Stephens Larry Lyons
PUBLISHER
Evolve Media, a subsidiary of Glenys Clarice Inc. PROMINENCE Magazine is published bi-monthly by Evolve Media. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in any kind of retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher.
PROMINENCE It’s more than a way of living; it’s a state of mind.
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Y O U R V O I C E
I enjoyed reading your Fall issue with makeup artist, Karen Dupiche
on the cover. I frequently watch The View and had no idea she was
the behind the beautiful faces on stage.
Carol Mays
New York, NY
I like seeing a positive publication making it their business to
represent the African American voice in a powerful way. You have
my support.
Richard Williams
New York, NY
Happy Holidays Prominence Magazine! Looking forward to what
the New Year has in store for you.
Tiffany Brown
Charlotte, NC
Our Year - 2011
Spring 2011
Summer 2011
Fall 2011
PROMINENCE a : readily noticeable : CONSPICUOUS b : widely and popularly known : LEADING
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E D I T O R ’ S L E T T E R
Living Fabulous
iving fabulous could mean a number of things to
you, but ultimately it requires making a choice and
having the right attitude about your life and where L you would like to see it.
Making the choice to place yourself as a priority, positions
you in the direction of allowing yourself to explore whom
you are and what you truly desire for your life.
The worst thing you can do is talk yourself into believing
you are not worthy of living the life of your dreams and
not put forth the work required to make them happen. Our
feature on singer and actor, Syesha Mercado is proof of
what can happen if only you believe.
Ask yourself, who are you not to allow yourself the
experience of living fabulous? Do not rob yourself of
being a top priority, because within is a beautiful person
with so much to share with the world, and to keep that
from occurring, you are not only shortchanging yourself,
but God.
As we approach the end of 2011, I hope it was a glorious
ride for you. Throughout the ups and downs of this year,
I’m sure we have all grown to become better people and
are proud of our growth. I can only pray that your days
and nights are filled with peace and joy and your heart is
filled with love. Let’s celebrate the end of this year as we
anticipate what’s next.
Happy Holidays! See you in 2012.
Glenys
Glenys
Follow me on Twitter! @glenysclarice
“There is one quality which one
must possess to win, and that is
definiteness of purpose, the
knowledge of what one wants, and
a burning desire to possess it.”
-Napoleon Hill
BOHEMIAN
SPIRIT JEWLERY
www.bohemianspiritjewelry.com
Christmas is a season for
kindling the fire for
hospitality in the hall, the
genial flame of charity in
the heart.
-Washington Irving
PROMINENCE TV
A NEW WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES
PROMINENCE Is Style & Class
Nedari Photography “Life…one image at a time.”
www.nedariphoto.photoshelter.com
www.prominencemagazine.com l HOLIDAY 2011 I 18
Debbie Allen is a woman full of fascination,
commitment, and dedication. Taking the
world by storm in her breakout role, as Lydia
Grant, on the widely popular 1980’s film and
television series, Fame, Allen has carved a
niche for herself in television and dance
history.
Born January 16, 1950 in Houston, Texas, to
an orthodontist father and poet mother, Allen,
the youngest of three, stepped on to the scene
with her Broadway debut in the chorus of
Purlie. She would then move on to appear in
the musical Raisin and Westside Story which
earned her a Tony Award nomination and
Drama Desk Award.
With dancing and acting being a huge part of
her life, she decided to shift her career into a
different direction. She took a seat in the
Director’s chair with the popular Cosby
Show spinoff, A Different World. The ratings
were remarkable until it came to an end in
1993, after which she moved on to direct The
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Parkers, The
Jamie Foxx Show, That’s So Raven, All of Us,
Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends, and
Grey’s Anatomy to name a few.
Always striving for a better tomorrow, she
shares her positive gift of light with those less
fortunate. Her biggest achievement her
Debbie Allen School of Dance located in Los
Angeles, California. It opens the door for
students ranging in age from four to 18, no
matter their financial status to learn all facets
of dance.
A strong woman who turned her
circumstances growing up into blessings, a
loving mother of two and an adored wife,
Debbie Allen has become a role model and
an inspiration to many proving that what you
desire can be achieved. -SL
Debbie Allen
W H A T ’ S R E L E V A N T What We’re Talking About
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The green leafy cabbage known as kale, has taken over and has become
a favorite on the plates of many health conscious individuals. High in
beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and calcium,
kale is also rich in anti-cancer properties. With various ways to prepare
and serve the tasty vegetable, steaming or stir frying will help keep the
nutrients intact.
KALE
The NBA lockout has many fans and players sitting
on edge as hopes of an NBA season are wearing thin
after the league called for the cancellation of games
through November 30th
. But is there hope? NBA
Commissioner, David Stern states there is nothing
left to negotiate and that he expects the players not
to like every aspect of the revised proposal. If all is
well in the land of basketball, we just may see our
favorite teams suit up and take to the hardwood
floors for a shortened NBA season beginning
December 25th
.
As one of the most recognizable faces
in one of the most talked about trials
of 2011, Conrad Murray’s fate was
placed in the hands of jurors who after
a six week trial found the cardiologist
guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
His unethical behavior in
administrating a surgical anesthetic in
which Michael Jackson called “milk”,
not only ended the King of Pop’s life,
but Murray’s medical career.
Since its inception, Occupy Wall Street
has created a movement that is gaining
the attention it deserves from around
the country, as the 99% take a stand
against the greed and corruption of the
1%, proving that real people create real
change from the bottom up and that we
do not need Wall Street or politicians
to build a better society.
CONRAD MURRAY
NBA LOCKOUT
OCCUPY WALL STREET
HERMAN CAIN
Herman Cain, the presidential
hopeful, is in the midst of a media
firestorm with alleged claims that
he sexually harassed former
employees. Will he overcome or
be condemned?
ishka designs “ef f ic ient ly beaut ifu l”
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