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Be Happy. Be well. be you.

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editor’s note

A converstation with Tank and the Bangas Member Norman Spence

usic is defined as sounds—instrumental, vocal, or both—combined to produce harmony and expression of emotion. It is a vehicle that can calm or stimulate the mind and connect people across cultures and generations.

Norman Spence, from Tank and the Bangas, sat down with us recently to discuss his musical journey and his insight on this thing called life. Mr. Spence’s profession is most things music. He writes songs, plays instruments, and dabbles in arrangements. He believes his gift was divine and not of his choosing. It has been an unavoidable passion since he was a child. This is evident in how Tank and the Bangas came to be.

“Do whatever you’re doing like you’re doing it for God.”

In the book of I Samuel, David played a harp, which caused an evil spirit to depart from Saul and it is recorded that music is a mechanism for praising and worshiping God. Music has been used as a form of storytelling through every genre known to man and B Magazine is honored to highlight a soul who uses his God-given talent to bring the world the gift of music.

Norman was playing for another artist who was being featured at an open mic called “Liberation Lounge,” which was held at “Blackstar Books and Cafe.” The house band was a two-piece (guitar and bass) called “The Black Star Bangas.” He kept going back every week after that. They eventually formed a group called “The Liberated Soul Collective,” which included Tank and a few other artists. Overtime, the group split and it was changed to “Tank and the Blackstar Bangas.” Subsequently, two more members left the group, and the name was shortened and became an LLC in 2012.

Tank and the Bangas is a renown music group from New Orleans that produces an eclectic sound categorized as funk, soul, hip hop, rock, and spoken word. They won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest and they were nominated for a Grammy in 2020 and again in 2023. They’ve preformed for live audiences worldwide—sharing their unique sound and style.

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“I mostly value my relationship with God. It’s the most important connection I’ve ever experienced. He’s the power source behind all things love and life.”

orman views being an international music star as an honor. Knowing music he helped create touches people globally is a privilege. He considers it to be God’s work. Music has an impact on every

one who chooses to listen. He is humbled, grateful, and honored to have the opportunity to share and utilize his gift. The music industry provides a platform to do what he loves and inspire others. On the flip side, Norman believes it is run by “evil and corrupt minds that profit off the effects of the poison we’re seemingly force fed over the radio and television”—especially the black and brown communities.

Although he enjoys the life he has, he admits to having a few regrets. “I started trying to pursue piano and bass late. I wish I started sooner. Marriage without careful consideration is another regret. I could go on with a few more, but ‘I won’t complain,’” Norman shared. He mostly values his relationship with God. He sees it as the most important connection he’s ever

experienced. To him, God is the power source behind all things life and love—and I’m inclined to agree. Knowing what he knows now, he’d want to tell his younger self to “Chase God, get your money up, and be kind to yourself.”

He has advice for aspiring artists/musicians, too: “Do whatever you’re doing like you’re doing it for God,” “You can’t fall off the floor so stay humble. God can raise your floor to be everyone else’s ceiling,” Know that God can use anyone and your skill isn’t the determining factor,” and ‘You’ll never be a better musician than you are as a person’ - Greg Phillinganes via Quincy Jones.”

Norman is most influenced by his father, Courtney Spence. He described his dad’s presence as “tried and proven true” all of his life. In retrospect of what he has achieved and what the future holds, Norman wants his legacy to be: “Norman loved Jesus, loved his family and everyone else.”

Pictured above: Norman Spence

Pictured above: Tank and the Bangas

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Self-Care Products

1. MegRhythm Good-Night Steam Patch

Here at B Magazine, we strive to promote self-love in all forms. In this edition of the mag, we decided to highlight five products that support self-care that are under $10 on Amazon.

Carving out time to show ourselves love is vital to our overall health and wellness journey. We must treat ourselves well in order to be our best in every area of our lives.

Check out our five self-care product picks and consider adding them to your regimen for wellness.

This little lavender wonder calms, lifts away stress, and soothes tension for a good night sleep It is available on Amazon for:

2. iHave Bath Bombs

These moisturizing creations full of citric acid are great for basking in the tub to helps loosen damaged layers of skin and makes it soft and supple to the touch. You can snag some from Amazon for:

3. Tree Hut Vitamin C Shea Sugar Scrub

This hydrating and exfoliating scrub is a good source for nourishing essential body care to help scrub away the day. It is also essential for glowing skin. Tree Hut products are available at several retailers, and you can get it at Amazon for:

4. Buddha Teas Organic Lavendar Tea

This aromatic tea helps melt away stress. It contains components that help relax the body and mind. It can also help promote regular and healthy sleep. Consider grabbing a box from Amazon for:

5. Bio-Oil

This gem can be used from head to toe to hydrate split ends and cuticles, treat acne scars and dark spots, and moisturize the face and body. It can also be used for uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. You can get it from Amazon for:

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Follow Me As I Follow Christ

A moment with Public Figure Lindsey “Shay” Atkinson

by Towanda Bryant

After an encounter with God and proclaiming salvation in 2019, Instagram Public Figure, Lindsey “Shay” Atkinson committed her entire life and her social media channels to declaring the name of Jesus to everyone with an ear to hear God’s word.

The self-identified social butterfly is grateful for her outgoing nature, which undoubtedly plays a role in her ability to reach the masses. Shay feels compelled to share the miracles and answered prayers she receives with her followers on social media. She does this for the people living in doubt who may question if Jesus is real or if He is listening to them and their prayers. Based on the feedback and comments that she receives from those videos assures

her that God is indeed working through them and using her as a voice to reach the lost.

In one of her daily "pep talks,” Shay noticed there were only two or three seconds left to record, so she ended the segment with the phrase: “Eyes up, Christ first.” She admits that it just came out of her mouth—a message that is about keeping our eyes focused on Christ, especially when things get hard. After that, thousands of people who viewed the video began using the statement as a hashtag with their comment. Once it went viral, Shay made it her logo and the catchphrase or slogan she uses at the conclusion of all her videos.

Experiencing life without real regrets is another example of how Shay

Jesus. Her grandfather passed away a couple days later, which was enough time for her to process what she saw. At his funeral when it was her turn to participate in the eulogy, she proclaimed the name of Jesus to everyone in attendance and bore witness to what she saw a few days earlier. The death of her grandfather is the hardest loss she has experienced thus far, but in his passing, Christ used him to draw her. She sees herself as the sheep who was lost, but was found by the Shepard who left the 99 to save her.

It is apparent that she values her relationships and friendships. She admits she doesn’t always show it because of how busy her schedule is, but her family and friends mean the most to her. Having people to lean on when life throws punches is something she believes should be

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highly valued. God created us to be social beings and to not live alone. He is intentional in all that He does, including who He places in our lives—parents too.

Shay is appreciative for the woman God chose to be her mother. To her, she is the most influential person in her life and the absolute best mom anyone could ever pray to raise them. She taught her love and kindness from birth and how to treat others with respect even if it isn’t reciprocated.

Shay sees her mother as loving, optimistic, and encouraging while she reminds those she encounters they are loved by God.

it is Shay’s desire to emulate her mom when she becomes a mother one day. She is inspired by how she raised her and her sibling, and now, her nephew. Shay is forever grateful for her mom and the love she shares.

Shay wants to be known and remembered as someone who led people to Christ, no matter what season or valley she was in. She wants everyone to know she stood on a firm foundation from 2019 until her death with an unwavering faith, and even while watching the world burn around her, she never took her eyes off of Christ.

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b.b.’s Closet

by Towanda Bryant

Hello, everybody! I’m back with some new items to share from B.B.’s Closet. In this edition of the mag, we’re hightling some statement pieces that have the potential to add a little spark to a workday that can easily transition to Happy Hour or dinner after work.

Since I live in the DMV I snagged this coat by Terra to help me stylishly brave the chilly winds. The material is soft and the color is vibrant. The details of the stitched crane add a nice pop that makes a statement on its own. It is also size inclusive. It is available on Amazon in sizes XX-Small to 5X for $129.52 to $159.90 in Enamel Blue or Black.

What Would B.B. Wear

My love for shoes is evident to all who know me. So it isn’t surprising that I was captivated by Camper Twins multicolored leather loafers for women. They are comfortable, fun, and a great staple for work. Camper shoes are available at Nordstrom and Camper.com. for $161 to $230.

I stumbled upon SOPHILIA CO. on social media, too. I was drawn to thier bold colors and designs. I consider them to be a great vehicle for adding some pizzaz to an every day look. These “handmade ear art” can be purchased online at SOPHILIACO.com. The “Bold & Funky” styles are priced from $36 to $62.

Last but not least are the Circus by Sam Edelman Bailey platforms in Ginger Spice Multi. These shoes are colorful and fun that add a pop to many pieces in my wardrobe. They definitely make a statement in any environment. They are priced from $42.28 to $76 on Amazon.

An advertisement for Dia & Co. popped up on my news feed and I decided to scroll through it. I spotted these beauties by GSTQ and I copped them for $248. They are a flattering addition to my work wardrobe that can easily transition to dinner with friends or date night. They are available in sizes 10 to 22 and if you’re concerned about the cost, there is a try before you buy option!

today I will...

Take up space

I won’t be afraid to boldly be who God made me to be. I will take my rightful place at the table. I will ask questions. I will share my thoughts. I will do what feels right to me despite the naysayers. I will live my life and follow my dreams while I take up space.

b magazine / winter 2024

“Give me my f lowers while I yet live so that I can see the beauty that they bring.” - “Give Me My Flowers” by Reverend James Cleveland

Welcome to the B Magazine “Flower Shop” where we highlight special people for being who they are. Here at “the Shop,” we celebrate those we care for and love while they can experience it.

In this edition of B Magazine, we’re giving flowers to Juan T. Bryant:

am I my brother’s keeper?

by Towanda Bryant

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:17-18 KJV

In the book of Genesis, the fourth chapter and the ninth verse, God asked Cain a direct and simple question. God inquired about the whereabouts of Cain’s brother Abel. However, Cain’s response was not as clear and concise as it could—or even should—have been, mainly because of whom he was speaking to. He responded by asking a rhetorical question—”Am I my brother’s keeper”? Considering why God questioned where Abel was, I think it is fair to say Cain didn’t feel he was responsible for Abel’s wellbeing—and even moreso since he killed him.

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Those who know me well are fully aware of the concern and love I have for my brother. My mindset is the complete opposite of Cain’s—I see myself as my brother’s keeper. When we were children I stood up to any bully or threat regardless of their age or size in defense of my sibling. Truth be told, I will fight for my brother even in adulthood. He was my first friend and third superhero—after our mom and dad.

As we’ve gotten older, my brother has acted more as the rescuer than I have. I recall the numerous times I called him because my first car, which was used with a whole lot of miles on it, cut off. He would simply ask, “Where are you?” and come to my aid. I also discintly remember hearing my brother’s voice over the phone the day I delivered my first son, Xavier—who died moments after his birth. My then husband called to inform him

of the situation. From two states away, all my brother said was, “I’m on my way.” My brother is a man who gives of himself without question. He provides unconditional and unwavering love.

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He gives his all in his service to our country. His faithfulness to his family is applaudable and his commitment to discipleship for Christ is worthy of emulation.

Juan, I appreciate all that you do and more importantly, for who you are. I love you and I thank God He chose you to be my big brother.

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The Journey from

Pinterest to the Plate: Copycat Turkey O’Toole

Back in 2020, during our isolation days, I spent a lot of time on social media, specially, Pinterest. While I scrolled through the platform, I found and pinned several recipes I intended to try. In full transparency, since the pandemic hit, I’ve made four recipes out of 123. In my defense, I have pinned more since 2020, but my “I did that!” list is still short. So, I decided to start making the dishes that caught my eye. I started with a simple recipe, which also happens to be a sandwich from a restaurant that isn’t around any more—Bennigan’s Turkey O’Toole. This former menu item was my number two “go to” after the Monte Cristo, which is on deck for me to try next, but today is all about the Copycat Turkey O’Toole. I recall enjoying the combination of the grilled turkey, melted Swiss cheese, sweet honey mustard, and the warm toasted pretzel roll.

Although I found a recipe on Pinterest, I made a few changes:

Ingredients:

FourSeam Soft Pretzel buns

Oscar Mayer Oven roasted Deli Turkey

Honey Mustard

Swiss Cheese

Pam Cooking Spray

Instructions:

1. Heat medium sized pan and evenly coat with Pam cooking spray
2. Sautee ripped slices of deli turkey for two to three minutes
3. Lightly butter sliced pretzel roll and heat in pan for one minute
4. Top the turkey with a slice of Swiss cheese
5. Remove the bun from the pan and add honey mustard to both sides
6. Once the cheese is melted, remove the turkey and cheese from the pan and place it on the bun. Slice and enjoy!

Milk Tea & Crumpets

I am a huge fan of tea. I enjoy sipping hot tea with milk and honey to relax. I also enjoy freshly brewed iced tea with lemon and sometimes with peach flavoring, so it shouldn’t be surprising that I was interested in trying the Milk Tea recipe I stumbled upon on Pinterest. I tweaked this recipe as well. It calls for Earl Grey tea, but I had black tea in the cabinet. Additionally, I used whole milk instead of oat milk, and I used white sugar in place of brown sugar syrup.

Ingredients:

16 Lipton black tea bags

2 cups of whole milk

Ice tray

storage container with lid

Sugar/sweetner

1. Brew eight bags of black tea
   
2. Fill ice cube tray with cooled brewed tea; let freeze
3. Pour two cups of whole milk into storage container; place eight bags of tea into container and seal with lid; let brew in refrigerator overnight
4. Sweeten milk tea to taste; add black tea ice cubes and enjoy!
   

I served this refreshing drink with toasted crumpets and honey butter as an afternoon treat!

Making Waves in BelleZette Swim

by Towanda Bryant

The idea to take the plunge into the fashion world derived from an intro class Ms. Whitfield took during her senior year in college. Doing so caused her to catch a bit of a creative bug. It inspired her to incorporate new pieces she made into her wardrobe and “remix”—as she calls it— her existing clothing. When she planned to attend an event or go on vacation, she’s always envisioned what she wanted to wear and then she’d try to find what she imagined.

It usually wasn’t a problem, but in 2013 while she was preparing for a trip to Mexico, she couldn’t find anything she visualized for the beach. She started jotting down ideas, and from there she started sketching. She began thinking about the women in her family—their personalities, their insecurities— and started designing with them in mind. She was inspired by mothers whose bodies had changed after pregnancy or with age and didn’t feel as confident in their skin. Others were young college students and some were women in the workforce. They all have big personalities

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that could potentially get smothered by the titles they wear, so she wanted to include the fun, classy, sexy, daring, adventurous, and sometimes modest sides, too.

After graduating from college, Jazmyne worked as a paralegal, but she didn’t know what her next steps would be. She contemplated going back to school to earn a law degree or her masters. She did a lot of soul searching, praying, and sketching as an outlet during that time of her life. She accumulated a lot of sketches during the process and began to imagine the “what ifs” of it all.

She attended different networking events, and met men and women of color in different fields. They were

“I want the Belles to feel confident in their skin. Swimwear is like wearing your underwear out in public. I want them to embrace every part of themselves, feel sexy, carefree, and just light.”

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lawyers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and business owners. Those encounters enabled her to see that for herself and she wondered if that was part of the answer to her prayers. She realized she hadn’t decided what she wanted to do regarding her education, but she knew she had a gift she could build off of.

Now that she’s recognized the possibilities surrounding her, she is trying to enjoy every part of the journey. She’s proud of herself for stepping out on faith. She admits that sometimes starting is the hardest part and no matter where this takes her, it has shown her that your dream can be your reality.

Now Jazmyne is doing just that with the creation of Belle Zette Swim. She admits that when it was officially time to launch, everything hadn’t come together the way she wanted it to. We were a year in with the pandemic and she was so hesitant at the time, but she took the leap because she knew if she kept delaying it she’d never launch her business. She saved the money for four years and she realized it was time to execute.

Belle Zette was created because she wanted something to pass on to the younger generation of her family. After graduating from college, she wished she had a

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family business to go back to because she believes the formula that was sold to her while she was growing up did not work. She wants her legacy to speak through her nieces, nephews, and future children. Prayerfully, it will exemplify resilience, hard work, kindness, and faith.

Jazmyne wants Belle Zette to expand globally. She also wants to build a headquarters one day. She doesn’t intend to run it forever, but she wants it to remain in her family. She’s hopeful that the children in her family will find an interest in fashion. As a matter of fact, she already sees she’s piqued the interest of some of them.

Although she is excited about where she is now and for what the future holds, in retrospect, she has identified a few things she would have done differently. She sees the importance and impact of investing money, research, and strategy into marketing. She believes sometimes in business, we can be so focused on the product—which is important— that we underutilize the proper tools to highlight our amazing product—there should be a healthy balance.

Jazmyne has a huge interest in the fashion industry, but it comes with a few challenges. In her opinion, inflation is the biggest obstacle, which is currently present in every

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industry. Fabric and materials are costly. Designers have to decide whether or not to raise prices to protect thier bottom-line or potentially experience some loss in order to keep consumers’ interest. With customers dealing with higher pricing in other facets of their lives, they're starting to cut back on unnecessary costs, and that may include your product or finding cheaper options. All in all, Jazmyne knows there will be opportunities for growth personally and professionally and she’s ready to face them. This is evident based on what she’d share with her younger self if she could:

“You can make your dreams a reality; mistakes are just lessons as long as you keep your morals and values; people pleasing can stunt your progress in life, so make sure you stay true to what you really see for your life; and it’s okay to not know or change your mind.”

Visit www.bellezette.com

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hey, IT is finished