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Lenique Vincent

Fashion & BeautyThe Latest

Modern Blk Girl Turns Three in NYC

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

What started out as a personal investment turned into Tiffany James investing her time into a whole community through her company, Modern Blk Girl (MBG).

After her $10,000 dollar Tesla investment grew past $2 million in 2020, James earned her wings, and began to teach others to fly shortly after. Fashioned to give black women access to the stock market and lessons on trading, Modern Blk Girl has gained over 400,000 members, mainly women of color, who hope to one day follow in James’ footsteps.

On November 20, James, alongside skincare brand Topicals, spirit curator Rémy Martin and more, celebrated three years of MBG with We Rise: A Toast to Women and Financial Literacy.

Held at the exclusive 2045 Studio in NYC, the celebration introduced guests to products from Topicals stashed in the ladies’ room, mani/pedis from Laqlab, 20 different scents courtesy of Mind Games Fragrance and the honoree of the evening; Ms. James.

Hailing from Brooklyn with Caribbean roots, James opened up about her journey during a Q&A. In short, the support from her community and interest in finance fueled MBG. “Knowing how Black women supported me, I had to pour back into them,” James noted.

As for the future, James plans on opening an AI based restaurant in Los Angeles. Be sure to keep up with the CEO and get in on the financial fun @modernblkgirl and/or @tiffanyj.

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EventsFashion & BeautyLifestyle

Novara Celebrates World Kindness Day in NYC

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

Nestled into the candle lit, lower level of Champers Social Club NYC; Novara founder, Reshona Jessamy, hosted an intimate dinner to celebrate World Kindness Day on November 15.

Saved by acts of kindness during her own struggles with depression, and while overcoming a suicide attempt, Jessamy dedicates her skincare line to paying it forward. For this reason, each Novara product is packaged with affirmations.

“We created thousands of unique messages,” the gracious Jessamy noted before dinner commenced. “Those messages are really meant to spread kindness, and to uplift and inspire women.”

“Often times when we think about kindness, we think that it’s just about being nice, but kindness is more than that,” she continued. “It’s uplifting one another, it’s generosity, it’s compassion and it’s self care. So first, I implore you to be kind to yourself.”

Providing consumers with an opportunity to show themselves kindness, Novara, so far, consists of six key products know as the Waterfall Collection. The collection consists of: the soft cream Purifying Cleanser, an Illuminating Serum, their oil free Hydrating Cream; not to be confused with the Ultra Hydrating Cream, a Resurfacing Serum for texture improvement and lastly, the micro-exfoliating Revitalizing Essence treatment. Beyond gaining the benefits of each product, supporting Novara is an act of advocacy for suicide prevention since 20% of profits are donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Linking beauty and mental health as a mother, career woman, wife and entrepreneur, Jessamy continues to walk in her purpose as she uses her platform to show others why it’s important for them to do the same.

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LifestyleThe Latest

Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Foundation Hosts Demo Day 2023

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

From its start in 2020, Black Ambition prioritizes mentorship and aims to empower and fund entrepreneurs of color in order to bridge the wealth gap. Founded by musical legend and Louis Vuitton’s men’s Creative Director, Pharrell Williams, and headed by CEO Felecia Hatcher, the nonprofit foundation fulfills its mission on Demo Day.

A one million dollar pitch competition, Demo Day was held on November 9 at Spring Studios in NYC. Through Demo Day, Black Ambition has awarded around 10 million dollars to small businesses since its inception.

An event that began with 50 competitors ended with 36 finalist pitching their businesses on Demo Day. Finalists went home with prizes ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 and in the end, Antoinette Banks won the million dollar grand prize for creating and heading Experts IEP, an app for parents that optimizes AI to create educational plans for children with learning disabilities.

Evoto

Some of the other prize recipients include Butter’d Bodycare ($50,000), Suds Laundry Services LLC ($75,000), Maïré Rosa’s one stop shop, Ecom Spaces ($250,000) and HBCU Grand Prize Winner, communal e-reading experience, Monocle ($200,000). In addition to funding, the winners also receive something just as important: mentorship.

In a panel discussion held before the prizes were announced, Williams, alongside Warby Parker Co-CEO David Gilboa, stressed to the audience, “Your idea of a building might be cool, but it won’t last if you don’t have the right scaffolding. The right mentorship.” This belief is why recipients were also awarded access to investors, office hours with industry professionals, life coaching and more.

Visit The Black Ambition Prize website to find out more about the nonprofit, and how to get involved next year.

A list of the 36 winners can be found below –
$20,000 General Track Prize Recipients:
BarBella Co., www.barbellaco.com
Bea’s Bayou Skincare, www.beasbayouskincare.com
Hamilton Perkins Collection, www.hamiltonperkins.com
The Jefas, www.thejefas.com
KT Winery Inc., www.momjuicewine.com
$50,000 General Track Prize Recipients:
kweliTV, www.kweli.tv
Clymb, www.clymbup.io
Healthy Oceans Seafood Company (brand: Pescavore), www.pescavoreseafood.com
Boxtown Team, www.boxtownproducts.com
IndiGenius LLC (CDIAL AI), www.cdial.co
Saint Miles, www.saintmiles.co
Cerobrand / Singular Care, www.singular.care
Rektify AI, www.rektify.ai
Redress, www.myredress.com
$75,000 General Track Prize Recipients:
Katapulte, www.katapulte.io
Gently Soap, www.gentlysoap.com
Compensate Community Powered By WorldSafe1st Inc. www.compensatecommunity.com
KIN Apparel, www.kinapparel.com
UnDelay, www.undelayapp.com
Therapeutic Innovations, www.therapeuticinnovations.org
$100,000 General Track Prize Recipients:
MOODEAUX, www.moodeaux.com
The Renatural, www.therenatural.com
Uncle Waithley’s Beverage Company, Inc., www.unclewaithleys.com
$250,000 General Track Prize Recipients:
ECOMSPACES, www.ecomspaces.com
$1,000,000 General Track Prize Recipients:
Expert IEP, www.expertieps.com

$20,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients:
Tendaji, Inc., www.tendajiinc.org/

WENITE Inc, www.weniteinc.com
$25,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients:
Parking Pin, www.parkingpin.io
$50,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients:
DoctorFlow, www.mydoctorflow.com
Scholist App, www.scholistapp.com
Venture for T.H.E.M., www.venture4them.com
Darknore, www.darknore.com
Butter’d Bodycare, www.butterdbodycare.co
$75,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients:
Suds Laundry Services LLC, www.sudslaundryservices.com
$100,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients:
Rejuvenation, www.drinkrejuv.com
$200,000 HBCU Track Prize Recipients:
Monocle, www.readonmonocle.com

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EntertainmentTheater

Mayor Eric Adams and Broadway Stars Celebrate the Grand Opening of Empire Steak House

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

Empire Steak House welcomed Mayor Eric Adams, long time supporters, Fox 5 and more to celebrate the opening of their newest location on October 25th.

Snuggled between Times Square and Rockefeller on West 49th Street, at the Pearl Hotel, the family owned restaurant was filled with a sentimental crowd, many of who supported the Sinanaj brothers since the beginning of their journey; or the part most were able to witness.

A 40 year labor of love, Jack, Russ and Jeff made their way from Montenegro to Brooklyn’s Peter Luger where they were able learn the restaurant business before opening their own: NYC’s Chazz Palminteri Italian Restaurant and Empire Steak House, which also has a location in Tokyo.

Over cocktails and bite size servings of the restaurant’s chops, steaks and skewers New Yorkers celebrated the restaurant alongside Broadway stars, including Purlie Victorious cast members, New York City Hospitality Alliance Executive Director Andrew Rigie, and more. Commemorating Broadway, resilience and good food, Mayor Adams, a plant based eater, came out to support the restaurant for what it symbolizes. “Their story is our story,” the Mayor said in a speech prior to the ribbon cutting.

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EntertainmentEventsLifestyleTheater

ROLL THE BONES Presents Immersive Theater Experience, No.9

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

Giving us all a well needed disconnect from reality, ROLL THE BONES (RTB) theatre company transformed audience members to simpler times with immersive theatre experience, No. 9.

A delightful excuse to bond, No. 9 is designed for pairs who are willing to unplug for an hour to escape into one of three worlds: Asheville, North Carolina in 1986, Redding, Connecticut in 2007 or where we ended up; in 1993 chilling outside of a trailer in Twentynine Palms, California with our host, Lynne. Before the experience began, each pair received a watch preset to go off after an hour; which marked the end of our visit.

It was a starry night in Twentynine Palms on October 13, and friends and partners were kicked back on lawn chairs with a cooler full of beers and powdered sparkling cider. In addition to the dim lighting, sounds of crickets and life like set; Lynne’s nomadic and welcoming spirit ignited an eclectic mix of conversations ranging from constellations, the vibrations crystals and humans share and the emergence of TLC.

Created and directed by RTB Artistic Director, Taylor Myers, and Michael Ryterband, No. 9 is “ a human-centric answer to the loneliness epidemic of the digital age.” The production was accompanied by a seamless shift to the Dead Letter Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge where audience memembers were served chili, pizza, and other comfort foods and cocktails.

Opened to the public on October 14, No. 9 is set to run through early November. Tickets can be purchased on their website.

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EntertainmentEventsFashion & Beauty

“We Dem Kids” Parsons MFA Activation during NYFW

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

The Parsons MFA fashion show, “We Dem Kids,” celebrated art and time in almost all its forms at the historical Brooklyn Museum during NYFW on Sept. 11.

Before deep diving into an exploration of three chapters: “Heritage,” “2113,” and “Generational,” Sean Slaughter set the show off with a spoken word poem that set the tone for the journey ahead.

Designers Anna Roth, Chang Liu, Fabiola Soavelo, Hsiao-Han Kuo, Mel Corchando, Nan Jiang, Natsumi Aoki, Lorena Pipenco, Ren Haixi, Story, Siri, Sunny Ning, Yamil Arbaje, Ying Kong and Yu Gong got to show off their skills during “Heritage” portion of the show which featured pieces that required the designers to use various crafts, techniques, and traditions for  completion.

From appreciating the past, straight to the future; 2113 showcased each designers visions for the year. A chapter dedicated to being experimental, the pieces spanned from whimsical to structured and 3D until the transition to “Generational” where the garments seemed to band together.

Throughly depicting interconnectivity through the mixture of different trends, shapes and textures; the “Generational” chapter was the cherry on top of such a refreshing show where very little was conventional.

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EntertainmentEvents

NYFW The Talks Presents Black Excellence in Fashion: Championing Representation and Entrepreneurship

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

On Sept. 10 Token Black Girl author, Danielle Prescod, sat  with fashion giants and panelists: Costume Designer, Shiona Turini, Stylist & Travel Editior, Alexander Julian and UPS EVP & Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer,  Kevin Warren.

The talk, Black Excellence in Fashion: Championing Representation and Entrepreneurship, gave audience members a closer look at the journeys of these entrepreneurs; who started down an uncertain path and rose to prestige by their own merit and despite obstacles.

While Turini spoke about feeling physically isolated in her home, Bermuda, and her experience as an immigrant; Julian explained the magnitude of networking and building communities after getting too comfortable in his individuality and relying on work ethic alone. Offering a different perspective, Warren highlighted the importance of contributing to the arts and supporting artists of color; the way UPS became an official NYFW sponsor and presented three HBCU alums with $150,000 to execute  NYFW runway event, Big Motion: Featuring HBCU Alumni Designers: Undra Celeste New York, The Brand Label, and Chelsea Gray.

Although the talk served to motivate and inspire, the panelist didn’t shy away from speaking on the issues. “I have been in many spaces, or worked in many publications, where there were black employees and we really still have no voice. We really still have no power,” Turini recalled. “We would fight and watch people be inspired by our culture and inspired by the things we were partaking in but we were not getting appreciated the same.”

As for navigating up the ladder in such circumstances, Warren put it plainly. “Sometimes it’s about overcoming adversity,” the designer and creative entrepreneur explained later in the talk. “Understanding the rules of the role, understanding that performance is really, unfortunately, black life in corporate America.”

Relating to the others, Julian concluded by pointing out something the panel made crystal clear. “Black people care so much about fashion,” he asserted. “This is generational, this is in our blood, this is in our DNA and we are shut out so much from the industry just because we don’t know somebody, just because we haven’t had that open door and that always pains me.”

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EntertainmentMusic

Bronx Artist to Watch: Gudda Babby

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

With household names such as Cardi B, J Lo, French Montana, Swizz Beats and the legendary Notorious B.I.G; it’s safe to say the Bronx, New York is responsible for some of the most influential musical artists. Sharing the same birthplace as Hip-Hop may have greatly shaped the many musical talents that continuously emerge from the “boogie down” Bronx; which is the case of up and coming rapper GuddaBabby who credits the nitty gritty borough for fueling his craft.

Taking influences from Notorious B.I.G, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Drake and more; GuddaBaby released his first studio record “Mhtl” on December 22,2020. Since, the Bronx native locked into the studio to record his latest project, “Life is Beautiful.” The Knocktural was able to conduct an interview via email with GuddaBabby, to get some insight to the story behind the artist.

Q: What’s the story behind your stage name?

A: GuddaBabyy steams from the slang, “Gutter Child.” Growing up I spent a lot of time in the streets, or in slum areas. Growing up in a low economic station I kind of adapted to the lifestyle that came with it. However, as I got older, I started to lean towards the more positive things in life. I could never forget where I Came from . I’ll forever be a GuddaBabyy.

Q: When did you start making music?

A: I started making music around 2015 during high school, however, I never took it as seriously as I do now until around late 2019. Once my first studio recorded track “Mhtl” hit all platforms, I just kind of took off from there .

Q: Tell me about your latest project? How did it come about? What’s the main message behind it?

A: “Life is beautiful,” my first studio project released on March 20, 2023. It was inspired by the events that took place within the three months of me actually focusing on my craft.I took about three months to actually focus, plan and execute the mission no matter what was going on in my life. Three months of dedication opened doors for me I never thought I’d walk into. This project was everything I felt, went through and did within that time span and I just wanted to share it with everyone.

Q: Drill is so popular right now, how do you keep your sound and image unique?

A: With the drill scene taking over mass majority of the industry, I do my best to stay versatile and have unique schemes, punchlines, metaphors, and sounds. As far as my image goes, I like to keep it calm, clean and not too extra.

Q: How do you hope your music will contribute to the NYC music scene?

A: I wouldn’t consider myself a Drill artist, however, I hope my music can contribute to the NYC drill scene to inspire, uplift, motivate and relate to my supporters. I pursue music to let everyone know: no matter who you are, you can do whatever you want. You just have apply the pressure and don’t ever quit!

Supporters can stream Gudda Babby on Apple Music and YouTube! He will also be releasing a single titled, “Don’t Know,” on his birthday July 6.

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EntertainmentThe Latest

The Playwright Behind Syrma: Carolina de Castiglioni

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

When Carolina de Castiglioni penned Syrma, she had no idea it would land her an opportunity to participate in the New York Theatre Festival in June 2020. The contemporary, Greek mythological, tale is Castiglioni’s debut play; though as an actor, she’s no stranger to the theater world. Following a reading of Syrma at the Center for Italian Modern Art on May 20, The Knocktural was able to chat with the NYU alum and hear how Syrma came to be.

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EntertainmentThe LatestTheater

Vineyard Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Gala

by Lenique Vincent
written by Lenique Vincent

Vineyard Theatre celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a red carpeted fundraising gala that honored Tony winning actor, Billy Crudup. Funds raised from the event, held in the Edison Ballroom in NYC on Feb. 13, will support the theatre’s upcoming season; including their Fair Pay Initiative and the “Good Neighbor” ticket program which offers free and affordable theatre tickets to thousands of local theatre goers.

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