If I had to choose one word to describe Black History, it would be “triumphant.” The story of Black people is a story of Black excellence, Black Pride, and Black Love. Despite America’s racist roots and systems, Black people have overcome and continue to persevere. Every issue of Suite Life SoCal magazine chronicles this truth.
On my journey as a sports media journalist and commentator, I've always loved learning more about the people I share the journey with, especially those who spend most of their time behind the camera, as they usually never want any attention at all. In this issue, celebrating legacies as well as “Suite Innovations,” I'd like to introduce you to Director Julian Wilson. To do that appropriately, I need to explain his innovative spirit.
Fruit carts are available on many street corners in Southern California. There's nothing more refreshing than cold, sweet, fresh fruit, especially during the summer months.
I'm not sure if you're aware, but it's the South Bay who has the highest concentration of Samoans outside of the mainland,” says Lakei Tuiasosopo (”Lake” for short), a half-Samoan professional who resides there. At only 27 years old, his pride for the culture is unwavering. “We are strong. We didn't allow the United States to fully take over as other islands have.”
Innovative. Maxx Moses, a.k.a. Pose2, just might be the physical embodiment of this word. He's taken the art/crime of graffiti and literally painted a name for himself on trains, walls, and buildings worldwide. After he had perfected his name, he went to work on his style. With its futuristic grit and otherworldliness, he perfected that too, so the Maxx Moses style itself has become the new Pose2, or in other words, his new signature. His style and skill have garnered him recognition and allowed him to work as a commissioned artist worldwide, from Moscow to Botswana. More importantly, it's enabled him to teach children about art and hopefully inspire the world's next master muralist.
It’s interesting how we can celebrate historical events and not really know what we are celebrating. If you ask any American about The Battle of Puebla not too many would know how to respond. Even in the Mexican-American community the response wouldn’t be much better.
What was scheduled as a one-hour interview ended up being a two-hour and forty-five-minute soul-stirring history lesson that will be with me always? Every wall was eloquently outfitted in pieces of art from artists around the world. Every word was passionately spoken. And every moment was a refreshing reminder that Black people are indefinably brilliant and unambiguously fascinating.
Black Americans have been shunned from relishing the California dream of beach vacations since the Jim Crow era but, imagine if such luxurious places like Bruce's Beach were left to their rightful owners?
Having watched Jewel’s Catch One documentary on Netflix in preparation for my conversation with the icon and LGBTQ activist, Jewel Thais-Williams, I was prepared to meet a woman with a larger than life personality. But when I walked through the doors of the Village Health Foundation, I met a meek, firmly planted soul, whose presence was so calming it made me want to just sit in silence with her.
How to resolve AdBlock issue?