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2023 ENTERTAINMENT EDITION
Experience Magic: Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour Comes To Atlanta
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eyoncé, the legendary entertainer, continually pushes the boundaries of her artistry, delighting audiences with her powerful vocals, mesmerizing performances, and innovative musical style. With the groundbreaking “Renaissance World Tour,” fans are in for a unique and exciting experience that merges her unparalleled talent with the infectious beats of house music.
The Renaissance World Tour showcases Beyoncé’s commitment to experimentation, blending her signature R&B and pop sound with the energetic rhythms of house music. By embracing this genre, Beyoncé creates an immersive, high-energy experience that encourages emotional connection and movement. As a trailblazer in both music and cultural representation, Beyoncé consistently uses her platform to highlight important social issues. This tour serves as a platform to explore themes of unity, self-expression, and the power of music to bring people together. Blue Ivy’s presence at the Renaissance World Tour sends a message of empowerment and representation. She gives a glimpse of the impact she’ll have on shaping the future of entertainment. With her parents’ combined talents, it’s no surprise that she exhibits an innate understanding of rhythm, melody, and performance. Blue Ivy Carter, a cultural icon and the daughter of music powerhouses Beyoncé and Jay-Z, has been making waves since birth, capturing the world’s attention with her undeniable charisma and charm. At a young age, Blue Ivy made her musical debut with features on her mother’s tracks, showcasing her adorable vocals and hinting at her potential to follow in her parent’s footsteps. She made her tour debut with her mother dancing to the songs “My Power” and “Black Parade.” Known for her visually stunning and meticulously choreographed performances, Beyoncé raises the bar even higher during the RWT. The synergy between her dynamic stage presence and the euphoric sounds of house music promises to create an unforgettable sensory experience. From intricate lighting designs to captivating visuals, the concert is a feast for the eyes and ears alike. Behind every unforgettable concert, there’s an ensemble of immensely talented individuals who contribute their skills to bring the music to life. The Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour is no exception. While the spotlight often shines on Beyoncé herself, it’s essential to recognize the dedicated dancers and exceptional band members who play a pivotal role in creating the electrifying performances that fans around the world eagerly anticipate. Some of the talent includes pregnant trumpeter Crystal Torres, Director of Choreography (Fatima Robinson), Vocal Director (Tiffany Ryan), Les Twins (Larry Bourgeois & Laurent Bourgeois), and so many more.
Beyoncé is celebrated not only for her musical prowess but also for her commitment to social justice and philanthropy. She has harnessed her influence to make a significant impact on various charitable initiatives. While in Atlanta, BeyGood, the public charity foundation founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, gave 12 small Atlanta business owners $10k grants at The Black Parade Route Small Business Impact Luncheon. Attendees were also graced with the presence of the world-renowned actor, producer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur Tyler Perry. The Black Parade Route will be making its next stop in Houston. This tour is a major cultural event that will redefine the concert experience. It’s clear that Beyoncé’s artistry knows no bounds, and the Renaissance Tour will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the music industry. Visit www.beyonce.com for information regarding her tour, music, and to pre-order her new perfume.
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ENTERTAINMENT
CONTENTS
EMPOWER ATLANTA
21 “Hijack” is a tense thriller that follows the journey of a hijacked plane
08 Da’Vinchi
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18
Experience Magic: Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour Comes To Atlanta
Rodney Bullard and the 2023 Beloved Benefit Concert
8 - 13 Da’Vinchi
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21 Hijack Series
23 Teardrops on the Dance Floor
Are Your Goals a Must-Have Or Nice To Have?
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16
Everyone Has a Story What’s Yours?
The USPS Honors Rep John Lewis with a Forever Stamp
26
17
Fearless Fund Third Annual Fearless VC Summit
Cannes Lions Honors Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker Spike Lee
27 What Is Fednow Service?
20 MJ National Tour
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28 Rolling Loud Miami 2023
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45
Maybelline New York Brings Virtual Makeup Looks to the Workplace Through Microsoft Teams
Joshua Raiford
32 - 33 Neiman Marcus Opens Exclusive Schiaparelli Boutique In Beverly Hills
34 Gimme Beauty With Jen Reed
36 REVOLT World
37
46 The 66th Annual Grammy Awards
47 Alvin Garrett
48 National Foundation For Credit Counseling
53
The Come Up Unites Music Lovers Through Live Audio
Remarkable Estates Hits The Market In SoughtAfter Community In Milton, GA
Hollywood Houselift With Jeff Lewis
Your Future Is Now Scholarship Recipients
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44
James Dubose
61 Barbados Food & Rum Festival
62 Visiting Dominica
57 Chad Dillion
They Cloned Tyrone Now Playing on Netflix
Holland America Line Leads Alaska Cruising
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42
37
60
52
38 - 40
Rob Hardy
Sky’s The Limit: First Four Seasons Private Jet Itineraries For 2025
Global Citizen Festival
Renting Vs Owning What’s Best For Me?
Affirmative Action
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50 - 51
Monique Chenault
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TOURISM & HOSPITALITY
BEAUTY & FASHION
2023 ENTERTAINMENT EDITION
61 Barbados Food & Rum Festival
EMPOWER ATLANTA Hello Everyone! We are honored to have Da’Vinchi, also known as Abraham D. Juste, featured on our cover. He is a Haitian-American actor on BMF, one of the hit shows on STARZ, produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Da’Vinchi also starred in All American, Grown-ish, The Boys, and The Way Back with Ben Affleck. He recently starred in Real Love, produced by Mary J. Blige, and premiered on Lifetime. Da’Vinchi is a Renaissance man who I see doing even more great things. Be on the lookout for this actor, rapper, spoken word artist, stand-up comedian, and mental health advocate. He is truly one of a kind! The U.S. Postal Service recently honored Representative John Lewis with The Forever Stamp. It was well deserved. He was a part of many pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement and is considered an American hero who is truly missed by all. Towanna Hogue
Cannes Lions honored legendary filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and producer award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee with the festival’s first Creative Maker of the Year Award. My favorite movies he produced and are my all-time favorites are School Daze, Do the Right Thing, and Malcolm X . Spike Lee also worked with Michael Jordan on the Jordan Brand TV commercials and marketing campaigns.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
John Legend will perform this year at the Beloved Benefit Concert that will be held on August 24th at the Georgia World Congress Center. This event will celebrate and support the success of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who hold key positions that are instrumental in helping to make a positive change in the local communities of Atlanta. Make sure you watch the Apple TV+ new thriller series Hijack , starring and executive produced by Idris Elba. Check out the Netflix movie starring Jamie Foxx, Damn…They Cloned Tyrone. Jamie Fox and Teyonah Parris are truly hilarious in the film. It is a must-see. The Equalizer 3 will be released on September 1st. Equalizer 1 and 2 were a hit, so I look forward to seeing Denzel do a phenomenal job in Equalizer 3. Also, in October, the four-time TonyAward® winning new musical, MJ, will premiere at the Fox Theatre, Atlanta. It is centered around the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. Rolling Loud Miami 2023 brought in dozens of artists who performed over a three-day event. The lineup included A$AP Rocky, Offset, Cardi B, Moneybagg Yo, Bryson Tiller, Turnstile, Latto, Don Toliver, and more. Founders Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif promise to do it even bigger in 2024. Neiman Marcus opened an exclusive Schiaparelli Boutique in Beverly Hills. If you do not know the designer, Beyoncé appeared in custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture at the 2021 Grammy Awards and recently when she performed on stage during her Renaissance World Tour concert in Chicago. Her concert in Atlanta was amazing! She had a diverse group of band members and dancers that assisted in bringing down the house! It was a concert like no other. We will continue to inform, inspire, and make a difference in every edition of Empower Atlanta Magazine. We appreciate each of our readers and advertisers for continuously supporting and believing in our mission. Yours truly,
PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Towanna Hogue
Scott Tyler
MANAGING EDITOR Jada Alexis
ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE
MUSIC EDITOR
Alexis Harder John Buchanan
Jerome Hogue, II DESIGN EDITOR Saheed Adio
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Davaul Carter Jennifer Watson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS 1023 Media Olivia Bowdoin Scrill Davis Cam Kirk Studios Getty Images Matthew Murphy Rolling Loud Erik Tanner
Empower Atlanta Magazine (ISSN 2693-339X) is published quarterly, with four issues per year by T.H. Publishing. Principal office address: 1201 West Peachtree Street., N.W., Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30309. Mailing address: P.O. Box 362, Conyers, GA 30012. Main number: 1 (833) LOVEATL. Copyright © 2023 by Towanna Hogue. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The one-year domestic print subscription rate is $79.96 plus shipping for each edition. The single edition rate is $19.99 plus shipping. The subscription rate for the digital edition is $8.86. The single rate is $1.99.
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EMPOWER ATLANTA
DA’VINCHI:
Photo credit: Scrill Davis
The Rising Star Empowering Youth and Captivating Hollywood
The Spring 2023 Runway Collection| COACH. Burgundy Leather Jacket.
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2023 ENTERTAINMENT EDITION
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a’Vinchi is on his way to becoming a household name. The extraordinary Haitian-American actor has taken Hollywood by storm with his magnetic charm and undeniable talent. In just five years of acting, Da’Vinchi has proven himself to not only be a force for good but a phenomenal actor. He is best known for his role as Terry Flenory in the hit TV show “BMF” on Starz. The actor is also known for his roles in Mary J. Blige’s Real Love, All American, and Grown-ish. Da’Vinchi’s journey to success started on the streets of NYC, where he honed his artistic skills as a spoken word artist and rapper. His natural flair for performance led him to explore acting, and he soon discovered his passion for the craft. Under the guidance of his mentor, Marc John Jeffries, Da’Vinchi polished his acting skills and opened doors to exciting opportunities in the entertainment industry. Below is our conversation. Jada Alexis: You first started out as a spoken word artist and a rapper. What inspired you to tap into that? Da’Vinchi: I’ve just always had a love for music. Everyone around me was doing music. I grew up playing instruments. I was always infatuated with lyrics and the sounds of music, so I was like, yo, I could really do this. So, I just started doing it. Jada Alexis: So, even with spoken word, was it the same feeling for that too? Da’Vinchi: Yeah, it’s just poetry. When people call it spoken word, it sounds like something completely different from music. It’s just music. Music just has a beat behind it. Jada Alexis: So, you did that while you were in college? Da’Vinchi: Yes, I’ve been writing since I was about 12, so I’ve always been writing. Jada Alexis: What about your first role? Did you get that after you graduated? Da’Vinchi: Yeah, so I got a two-year degree in criminal justice, and I moved back up north with my mom, and then I started husting and making music, taking it more seriously, and then I started training for acting. About three years after graduating is when I broke my first role, which was in Marvel’s Jessica Jones.
Givenchy Leather Varsity Embroided Jacket. White. Arched Cargo Bermuda Shorts in Wool. Cloud Grey. Show Low Rainboot in Rubber with Used Effect in White. Long Sleeves Open Balaclava Top.
Photo credit: Scrill Davis
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EMPOWER ATLANTA
VISITING DOMINICA
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ominica was voted the No. 1 island Caribbean destination in its 2023 World’s Best Award. Dominica receives this recognition for the second year in a row, reinforcing the destination’s exceptional allure as a unique vacation experience and captivating tourism product. “We are honored that Dominica has once again been named the top destination in the region by such a well-respected travel brand and its readers,” said Hon. Denise Charles, Dominica’s Minister of Tourism. “This is a true testament to the one-of-a-kind experiences and natural beauty Dominica has to offer, as well as the warm hospitality of our hotels, tour operators, and people. We hope that this accolade will continue to put Dominica on the radar screens of travelers who are seeking an authentic Caribbean experience that is centered on nature.” Over the past year, Dominica has seen impressive growth in tourism numbers as a result of recent interest in off-the-beatenpath destinations that focus on nature, sustainability, and wellness, as well as the launch of the first direct flight from the U.S. on American Airlines and additional access points throughout the Caribbean. Since gaining attention in last year’s World’s Best Awards, Dominica has solidified its position on the global map as a must-visit destination. With its lush landscapes, commitment to sustainability and eco-tourism, and a wide array of distinctive activities such as whale watching, canyoning, hiking, and diving, Dominica is a haven for nature enthusiasts. The island provides a diverse range of
accommodation options tailored to meet various preferences, from eco-friendly establishments to sustainable luxury. Secret Bay, recognized as the No. 1 resort in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2023, is a prime example of the exceptional offerings available in Dominica. “Dominica is grateful to have stakeholders like Secret Bay, who align with our mission to provide one-of-a-kind experiences for our guests while keeping our sustainable promise,” said Hon. Charles. “It is amazing to not only receive recognition as the best island in the Caribbean but to be home to Secret Bay, Travel + Leisure’s top resort in the Caribbean. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to our shores and continuing to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” Secret Bay, Dominica’s all-villa, six-star Relais & Châteaux rainforest resort, features a limited collection of freestanding, secluded, and sustainably crafted villas, along with wellness facilities, recreational amenities, locally sourced and sustainable culinary offerings, a wealth of transformational experiences and unmatched personalized service. To celebrate the Travel + Leisure recognition, Dominica and Secret Bay are running an Instagram giveaway to offer followers a chance to win an exclusive trip to Dominica, including airfare and a 3-night stay at Secret Bay. Follow @DiscoverDominica and @SecretBay for details on how to enter. Each year, Travel + Leisure recognizes the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, spas and more around the globe, based on the results of the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2023 readers’ survey. Readers rated islands based on the following characteristics: natural attractions/beaches, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people/friendliness and value.
The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards is known as an essential, trusted source for inspiration and guidance as travelers make plans to set out on trips around the globe. The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2023 list can be found at https://www. travelandleisure.com/worlds-best.