THE BOSSY ISSUE I
I Cover III Acknowledgements IV Meet the Contributors
V From the Editor IV Table of Contents
CONTENTS
VI SWAGHER SPRING 2021
01 Business
14 Self-care
04 Spotlight
16 Bossy
06
19
Pressures of the Pandemic Birthed Entrepreneurs Author Anika recalls how many entrepreneurs were birthed during the pandemic.
Author Spotlight: RL Clark
Entertainment
The Best Black Sitcoms That Taught Us About Life Christina lists the best Black sitcoms with life lessons. See if your fav made the list!
09 Bossy
Bossy Woman Brenda Pratt Bossy woman feature, Brenda Pratt dishes on her baby Brenda’s Editorial Services.
11 Spotlight
Attya Guiles SwagHer spotlights CEO of the ATTYYA Limited Co, Attya Guiles.
Simple Self Care for the Five Senses Craftswoman Kim Cross shares simple self-care tips using the five senses.
Bossy Woman Brandi Davis
Entertainment
One Night in Miami is Film Designed to Spark Conversations Tahyira gives her take on the film.
20 MANdatory
MANdatory Awareness: Pastor Dantwan Broady Meet MANdatory Awareness feature Pastor Dantwan Broady
23 Mental Health
Mental Health of Black Officers at Stake The death of Clyde Kerr III sheds light on the mental health of Black officers.
THE BOSSY ISSUE VII
26 Cover Story She’s A Boss: Nicole Waters
30 Fashion
42 Travel
53 Business
32 Health
44 Meet
54 Meet
It’s the earrings for me! Spring style!
Missing Pieces Christina paints a picture of living with MRKH.
34 Meet
Nicole R. Goode The People’s Intellectual
39 Bossy
Rhonda Anita SwagHer chats with Award Winning and 2x International Best Selling Author and domestic violence overcomer Rhonda Anita.
Traveling is Therapy Karlyn compares traveling to therapy.
Life Coach Dr. Carlene Randolph
67 Fitness
Fix my F.U.P.A. Coach Bev shares tips to fix your F.U.P.A.
50 Spotlight
Latosha Donaby SwagHer spotlights medical professional and actress Latosha Donaby.
On Clubhouse Yet? Patrice explores the benefits of Clubhouse for business owners.
We Interrupt Your Programming Meet the SwagHer Correspondents Team
56 Finances
10 Steps to Develop a Money Mindset Level up!
57 News
Jussie Smollett and the MAGA Hat that Never Was Were we too quick to judge Jussie Smollett? New details.
58 Love
Closure is overrated
16 SWAGHER SPRING 2021
Simple Self-Care for the Five Senses By Kim Cross
THE BOSSY ISSUE 17
P
vhysical health…check. Mental Health… check check. Self Care…where do I start. Just as going to the doctor for your annual physical and keeping a therapist on standby are critical to preventing any physical conditions and mental turmoil, it’s just as critical to look inward. Taking stock of what or how we are feeling about ourselves is always tough to do. As a woman, you are everyone’s everything — mom, bus driver, teaching assistant, chef, doctor, therapist, friend, business owner, wife, and a host of other titles that may befall being you. As men, you’re looked to for your ability to provide, guide, grocery and Sam’s club runner, teacher’s aid, dog walker, video game partner, homework coach, along with many many other titles. With all of us, no matter what we have to do or who we have to take care of, we MUST remember to love on ourselves. Yes, we’ve gotten deeply into the swing of being everything for everyone. I am guilty of the same. My determination to help everyone in the confines of my household keep their sanity often leave me with not much left in my own bucket of sanity. Changes had to be made. But where was the time? Forget time. Where was the energy? I decided to take baby steps and start with the easy things I love to do. So first came tea. I love a great cup of tea…Maharaja Chai Oolong, Citrus Lavender, and Mango Black from Teavana are my go-to treats. Easy Day tea from Mountain Rose Herbs is magnificent for calming my mind. Initially, I waited until the kiddos were in bed for the night when the silence was golden. I gradually found myself adding a cup (or two) throughout the day. What was amazing is how easily I could lose myself in my cup and how much I enjoyed it. Then came COVID and the list above came with the extra stress of staying sanitary and healthy. After months of wrecking my brain on how to get just 3 minutes of peace, I remembered my tea. How relaxed I was with a 6oz cup of wonderful. From there I set out to find (or remind myself of ) activities and things that invoked that same feeling but with little time and low to no cost. I figure there are plenty more get-it-in-whereyou-can-fit-it-in kind of folks out there who can relate. I’m so excited to be able to share how I love on each of my senses since different parts of me react differently to care and concern. For example, my feet won’t really appreciate getting rubbed on if I’ve not handled this headache that won’t go away unless I get more sleep. So here goes! I hope you can read these with an open mind. Think on each one and see if there are similar activities you can try to show yourself that you are wonderful, amazing, and well-deserving of some just for you. Sa.Da.Tay
Satisfy Your Tastebuds $ As everyone does from time to time, I get in the dump about things. So much so that I can physically feel when an episode is coming. If you can feel it or are in it, go buy that one thing to eat that makes you happy. For me, it’s Moose Trax ice cream or a Chai Tea Latte with no water, extra cool whip. The key? Focus on the flavor and why it makes you say, “MMMmm!” Touch Yourself Though the lyrics of the song are powerful, I don’t mean like diVinyls’ song, I’m referring to things we do daily. Wash your face or soak your feet. Yes, we normally wash our faces everyday anyway, but this time be purposeful in focusing on how the cleanser glides over your face and how the exfoliator (on exfoliation day) is sloughing off the old to make way for the new. Same thing for your feet…be mindful of how it feels. Close Your Eyes and Listen There are several ways to do this for free that you’d think would cost a fair amount. I’ll start with the no cost options first. In Spring, take your first cup of coffee or tea out on the porch or deck and just listen. If you meditate, skip the drink and meditate outside if you can—with nature. The birds and squirrels are usually making a ton of racket that is SO very relaxing. I also enjoy a sleep story from the Calm app each night. In all candor, I can’t say if the stories are good or bad…I’ve never made it through a whole story in the 361 days since I started listening. There’s a ton of helpful things to listen to there, so I paid for the full version even though the free version is more than enough. What’s That Smell? $
(1 drop) My family as a whole all enjoy Lavender and Cedarwood to ease us to sleep (4 drops and 2 drops, respectively) Did You See That?
“It’s beyond amazing to think about what’s beyond the beauty we see in the stars.”
Like listening, there are free and low-cost ways to relax and let your eyes wander. In mild weather, sit outside on a clear night and stargaze. I’m always in such awe when I do this. It’s beyond amazing to think about what’s beyond the beauty we see in the stars. And I swear, the longer I look the more stars that show up. My prayer is that you find guidance or help in the ways to take care of yourself above. Others I use less often include coloring in an adult coloring book, listening to Classical Music for Studying on my favorite music streaming service, and taking a bath on the day I change the sheets on my bed. It’s so easy to get so tangled in the weeds of living
“With all of us, no matter what we have to do or who we have to take care of, we MUST remember to love on ourselves.” Because I so enjoy essential oils and have an almost weird love of fragrance, I found it necessary to use aromatherapy around the house. Invest in an ultrasonic diffuser and pure essential oils. Aura Cacia has a great kit called Discover Relaxation to get you started; be sure to read the learning guide included if you’re unfamiliar with using essential oil. Diffusing essential oil was so beneficial that everyone’s room now has one. My boys diffuse oils to help them sleep and focus, my husband’s office diffuser keeps him mentally clear when he’s at work, and I diffuse blends dependent on what I need. Here’s an essential oil blend I use to feel inspired: Grapefruit Oil (3 drops) Bergamot Oil (2 drops), Lavender Oil (1 drop), Ylang Ylang Oil
life that we lose sight of those simple things that still make us happy. Feel free to share your routines with me or get diffuser blends for a variety of needs. You can reach me below! Website: www.zhibathandbody.com Email: info@zhibathandbody.com Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest: @ zhibathandbody Facebook: @zhibandb
18 SWAGHER SPRING 2021
BOSSY brand sell cosmetic products, but the staple is that we also donate products to disadvantage teens and women. The brand was designed with versatility in mind to provide affordable and richly pigmented products to the everyday woman, beauty beginner, and expert makeup artists. Christina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Brandi, Brandi? Brandi: Brandi is a strong-willed individual with a pure and giving heart. She wakes up every morning thinking about who needs help and how she can help. Christina: Why did you start The Candy Lady Cosmetics? Brandi: While working as a nurse, and later as a family nurse practitioner, for over 19 years, I noticed that myself and some of my nursing colleagues would just show up for work not as groomed as women from other disciplines. Like many nurses, I worked several jobs and just couldn’t find the time to enhance my “everyday
To me, looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand
BOSSY WOMAN: BRANDI DAVIS By Christina Woodard
B
randi Davis is the founder of The Candy Lady Cosmetics. The Candy Lady Cosmetics is far bigger than a company filled with fun names, colorful palettes, and candy-themed merchandise. Inspiration from the brand comes from roots deep in New Orleans culture and tradition. The Candy Lady was one of the first
entrepreneurs children saw in neighborhoods. From frozen cups, chips, and of course candy, she was an everyday working individual who serviced the community with products that kept them coming back for more. So too, the brand was created to provide striking looks and bold colors that complement every face it touches. Not only does the
look” the way I would have liked. To me, looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand, and it creates a burst of confidence like no other. As a lipgloss lover, I decided that it would only be right to create convenient and affordable cosmetics products suited for everyday women, from beauty beginners to pro-MUA. Christina: What is your favorite thing about makeup? Brandi: Make-up makes everyone an artist! I love the freedom and individuality makeup can bring. It allows the artist to showcase their expressions, emotions, and talents with just a few highlights and a perfectly pigmented palette. Christina: Define beauty in your own words. Brandi: Beauty is YOU. I believe that everyone possesses beauty.
THE BOSSY ISSUE 19
Christina: Who or what inspires you? Brandi: There are numerous people I can name in the beauty industry that inspire me, such as; Cashmere Nicole, Supa Cent, the founders of Mented Cosmetics, and more, but there is always that one person whose inspiration triumphs all and for me, this person is my husband. There was a time where he had it all and lost that and more, but despite all the obstacles in his path, including racial discrimination from corporate America, he showed no self-pity. He persevered through every obstacle, no matter the cost. From accepting odd jobs to pursuing several business opportunities, my husband never stopped pushing me to do more and become an entrepreneur. Knowing his story and seeing the resilient and strong individual that was produced has given me a sense that I can do anything, including to grow this brand.
do this? Brandi: I was considered a disadvantaged teen. I was a teenage mother who hid my pregnancy until the day after I graduated from high school. I then transitioned to college, a teenage single mom who didn’t have extra money to buy anything outside of the necessities that myself and my daughter
natural beauty can build confidence. Christina: Do you have any upcoming events or projects you would like our readers to know about? Brandi: We have some new products coming in the summer and fall of 2021, so everyone, stay tuned!
I want to give products to the teen that may be getting ready for prom or a school dance, the parolee who may have a job interview, or the batter women who just want a chance to enhance their beauty.
Christina: Your company donates products to disadvantage teens and women. Why do you all
needed. I would have loved to have had some cosmetics products to wear to both on and off-campus events. I believe everyone deserves a chance to enhance their natural beauty, whether they can afford it or not. I want to give products to the teen that may be getting ready for prom or a school dance, the parolee who may have a job interview, or the batter women who just want a chance to enhance their beauty. I believe that when enhancing your
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20 SWAGHER SPRING 2021
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THE BOSSY ISSUE 21
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
I
magination. A word that has been rolling around in my head for the past couple of months. The movie was promoted to the masses as if it were a historical event. In reality, it is a stage play converted to the screen curated by the beautiful, talented visionary that is Regina King. The Black female director took ownership of this project under the creative wings of the playwright Kemp Powers. It was Powers who imagined a conversation at the Hampton House hotel in Miami, Florida, between boxer Cassius Clay, singer Sam Cooke, civil rights activist Malcolm X, and football player turned actor Jim Brown. The night imagined is February 24th, 1964. The conversation chronicles each male’s role as it relates to current events. It explores a pivotal point in the civil rights movement and creates an intersection between work and woke. The film stars Aldis Hodge as Brown, Leslie Odom Jr. as Cooke, Eli Goree as Clay, and Kingsley Ben-Adir as X. Within each character, we discover a different expression of the Black American soul, which directly correlates to the collective everyday experiences of the Black American. When we start to discuss disenfranchisement in Black communities, we discuss education, health, access to wealth, and housing. The film explores through open-minded conversations from inside the Black mind. In contrast, we normally hear opinions from folks who do not understand the struggle because they do not reflect the struggle. By any means necessary, his famous line is a passion point that Kingsley brings to almost every line in the script. He even walks in and out of rooms passionately. For a long time, the threat of Black empowerment created groups like the KKK, and he flawlessly carries that weight as if we, the viewers, are transported back to 64′. No fear? X also is very aware of his paranoia and increasing anxiety. It’s as if during the night in Miami, he’s holding onto a secret. The film’s end scenes take us back to reality with a scene showing his home being set on fire while he, his wife, and his children sleep inside. The best comedic relief I’ve seen in ages. Eli Goree from C.W.’s The 100 brings laughability, calmness, and bravado to intense scenes through his portrayal of Cassius Clay, honoring his preNation of Islam first and last name, which he changed to Muhammed Ali. I found this to be
very remarkable. Before he fully commits to the Nation of Islam, the intersection Cassius is facing is sort of a cheerleader for his friend Malcolm. We get to see this real-life transformation of someone who was not religious consider committing their life for a bigger cause. Goree is the character who reminds us that even though we are Black, some White people like us too, and we can agree on that. Malcolm humbly tries to explain to Clay that the use of the camera is one of our greatest tools in the fight for equity for Black Americans. He was onto something there. BLM is the civil rights movement on camera. So when Americans pretend not to see, the history has already been recorded, but I digress. Hodge’s character Jim Brown is the everyday Black American male. He chooses money over ideology because wealth empowerment is the Black American’s only true path to freedom and ownership in America. His counter-argument to X’s outbursts of them not doing it the “right way” is usually about having more money, financially, than X. “You don’t got a job, brother.” Hodge brings realness and strength to his character while honing an air of sensibility, like in the scene where Malcolm breaks down due to anxiety, and he comes to soothe him. “Brother, what is going on?” Mental health is on full display as it is a prominent stigma against Black males in society. Why don’t more men cry publicly? Odom Jr as Sam Cooke is a match made in both singing and acting heavens. I truly believe this role was chosen for him, not just because he has the talent, but he also has, well, the wokeness. Odom Jr’s career stands out on its own, from his Nationwide commercials to
One Night In Miami Is A Film Designed To Spark Hard Conversations, For White People By Tahyira Savanna
holding down the cast of Hamilton. He has the acting skills range, and he’s able to suck you into whatever it is he’s performing. He is the opening scene of the film and the closing scene. Performing classic Cooke hits throughout the film, he explains how the record producer figured out the music industry secrets and used it to his Black advantage. “I bet them white people don’t know a Black man wrote that song, though.” His story reminds us of the Black music legends who got screwed out of royalties because they did not understand the business. His arguments with Kingsley are the script’s anchor, as the two have enough passion to go at it forever. But which way is the right way to fight injustice if they’re all Black? I guess that’s the whole point of the film. The four men challenged each other to be more than just their gifts. We, too, are being challenged to change the way we work as it corresponds to our freedoms as Black people. Are we still on plantations, or will we fight for what is due?
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SHE’S
A
BOSS
THE BOSSY ISSUE 29
She’s A Boss: Nicole Walters By Francheska “Fancy” Felder
U
SA’s She’s the Boss is a wholesome family show starring Nicole Walters, her hubbin Josh, and daughters Ally and Krissy, who she affectionately nicknamed the Tinies along with their manny Eddie. The family was tapped for their own show because of how dynamic their family is. Nicole, Ghanian-American, and Josh, a Jewish lawyer, adopted the girls and their other sister Daya after meeting their birthmother
in front of 10,000 viewers. Since then, Nicole has started her company, Inherit Learning Company, helping business owners and entrepreneurs go from idea to global impact. When asked to describe her swagher, Nicole responds, “I definitely think that a lot of it comes from the strengths I have in in different areas. I don’t pretend to know everything about all the things, but what I do know I carry that with a lot of confidence and a lot of swag. So I understand business and I know the answers for business, and I know how to support people and their businesses. So that’s something that you will see me have a little pep in my step about because I know what I am doing.” On several episodes, Nicole has admitted to thinking with her business brain, which made me wonder if she ever turns her business brain off. “I mean, I try to because business brain definitely doesn’t belong in parenting, but it pops up where it shouldn’t and it gets me into trouble all the time.You’ll see that on the show a lot,” she says with a laugh. It is often these moments that Nicole is referring to when asked what did she like least or most about having her family on tv.
panhandling on Baltimore’s streets. We see the family deal with real-life, lesson learning events, but long before Nicole was on television, she had a viral moment when she quit her job at Fortune 500 Company on Periscope
The Ghanian-American says,” I think the hardest part about is going back and watching moments and saying to yourself, how could I have done that differently? How could that moment have been improaved.” She continued, “You know, and it’s rare; we all make parenting mistakes or errors of growth, but being able to
watch them on replay or repeat, with millions of people, is a different energy.” We had to know a little more about Nicole and Eddie, the family’s manny, because their relationship seems so genuine and funny. “I always joke, don’t bring home guys that you meet at the mall. Right? Because that’s what happened with Eddie. I bumped into him at a store probably three and half years ago now so it’s been some time, like long before the show happened that Eddie’s been in our lives,” Nicole jokes. “He’s like our fourth child!”
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Q&A
DR. CARLENE RANDOLPH By Christina Woodard
C
hristina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Carlene, Carlene? Carlene: Wow! There’s so much to be said in response to that question. Culmination of life events...starting at 24 years of age, I had a traumatic break up leaving me and my two young daughters living homeless in a car with our belongings---till now living my best life at 50. Those highs and lows, the tears and the happiness, gave me a depth and breadth of love, joy and peace creating me today. I am at the core a humbled spirit with lots of love and light. v Christina: Tell our readers about your business, Caism, LLC, and Women Ignite Now, LLC and now When Black Girls Find Joy, Inc. Carlene: Caism started out of 20 years of coaching women seeking a transformation in every aspect of their lives. Assisting them
in moving from chaos to simplistic living through personal and executive coaching services. We will be closing the doors of Caism next year because of plans for other projects. Women Ignite Now (also known as WIN) was created to inspire, educate and empower female entrepreneurs to build businesses that thrive beyond six years and build successful philanthropic activities for the communities they serve. We help them create a business playbook for a ten year period. In January 2021, we opened the doors of When Black Girls Find Joy, Inc. a nonprofit in the DMV. It has always been my goal to help 2,000,000 women globally to achieve their goals, reclaim their lives and improve their leadership skills. We create curated discussions, virtual/public events and so many other benefits through an application process
for membership. Christina: You are a life coach, author, chaplain, business strategist, and more. How did
Women Ignite Now (also known as WIN) was created to inspire, educate and empower female entrepreneurs
you get into all of these different things? How do you manage it all?
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Carlene: I believe we all are multi-purposed and if we are aligned with our calling then we are able to fulfill our mission. I make sure that I do not pick up projects that will not allow me to be great. Those projects and roles that do not align with my skills I say no to immediately. My virtual assistant and a host of others on my team keep me on top of the important things. Christina: Tell us about your radio show, Dropping the Knowledge with Cai Randolph. How did you get started with that? Carlene: Believe it or not the show started out on Blog Talk Radio as a bet between my youngest daughter and I. Back in those days, she was my cohost and we talked about everything and anything from the bedroom to the boardroom. By now means was the show a hit but we had loyal listeners and remained on that platform for about a year. I saw an opportunity to move the show to a radio station out of Atlanta and as God would have it the mountains moved and I travelled between Baltimore and Atlanta to make it happen. We kept the name of the show and of course, my co host got married leaving me to work out a new and improved radio show program. The audience increased in both Atlanta and Kentucky and so did my desire to do other projects. To date I have had a number of other internet based radio shows and TV show pilots. Looking forward to a new opportunity in the Fall of 2021.
years after graduating from Howard University, working for Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Georgetown University Hospital. I woke up one day thinking I could do more in healthcare besides bedside care. I wanted to be amongst those who could affect change in laws and regulations so I sought out positions in the federal government in policy and regulatory affairs. During that time my father was terminally ill and I was not happy with his health insurance coverage...thinking back I learned so much more about public health in underserved communities. I went to nursing school because my dad would not allow me to go beyond four years in college (that he was financially responsible for). I really wanted to be an anesthesiologist. It was that very reason that led to me to pursue an alternate route in healthcare not continuing in the nursing field. To answer the question of entrepreneur-
often we are the breadwinner; we are often the most educated person in the room; we are dope yet we bear the brunt of economic crisis (while holding frontline jobs and running small businesses). My ministry is to empower women of the Black Diaspora to become allies in our own communities and help one another “thrive beyond life’s pain.” Christina: Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur? What did you want to be when you were younger? Carlene: We were taught in Sunday school that God was the Master Entrepreneur and he expected no less of us. I have always wanted to be a business owner. I designed and sold clothing in high school, then art. Later, I became interested in real estate investments and well 13 businesses later I still see a masterpiece in my gifts and talents. I never stop thinking about being a founder. It’s in my DNA.
For so long Black women have been named shamelessly by society (i.e., the angry black woman, thots, and the list goes on).
Christina: You have a new book out, “Total B: An Unapologetic Embrace of Boss-like Femininity.” Tell us about it. What is it about? Where can our readers go to purchase it? Carlene: The book is actually a couple of years old now. It is a self improvement book filled with pearls for the women who seek to live authentically and begin a process of healing to live in joy on the other side. Christina: In your bio, it says you have a bachelor’s in Nursing. Were you ever a full-time nurse? How was that experience? Why did you leave the nursing field to pursue entrepreneurship? Carlene: Yes, I was in the nursing field for 3
ship, well it was never either or for me. I have always had a passion for business ownership even while I was an employee. I believe you cannot be a good leader without being a good follower. My experience as an employee helped me have a greater respect for the role of the visionary leader. I can only hope I translated it well in my businesses. Christina: You have a doctorate in philosophy. Why did you choose to get a doctorate in that field? Carlene: It’s actually a doctorate of philosophy in theology. Folks are always surprised by that and yet by knowing God and defending my faith I feel more equipped to lead the movement of When Blacks Girl Finding Joy. I believe so deeply that when Black Women make the choice to declare joy in their lives it is radical and yet filled with a deep knowing of God and the life He wants for us. My ministry is in this movement. For so long Black women have been named shamelessly by society (i.e., the angry black woman, thots, and the list goes on). What I know is that
Christina: Do you have any upcoming events or projects you would like to share? Carlene: We are having our, JOY OVERFLOW Virtual Summit, May 22nd, 2021 from 9:00 AM through 8:00 PM. Queens get ready to unlock the code for a joy overload. We have speakers with messages from all aspects of life (from the bedroom to the boardroom and everything in between). This virtual experience is like no other. We can’t wait to share it with you. We will also unlock the membership community (by application only) at the close of the event. Connect with Carlene below: Website: https://www.whenblackgirlsfindjoy.com and https://www.womenignitenow. com Instagram: @coachcai1; @whenblackgirlsfindjoy Facebook: @chillinwithcoachcai; @whenblackgirlsfindjoy LinkedIn: Dr. Cai Randolph
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THE BOSSY ISSUE 61
Jussie Smollett and the MAGA Hat That Never Was By Chelli Stanley
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t’s been two years since Jussie Smollett reported that he was attacked by two men who called him a F—-t N—-r, and then told him, “This is MAGA country, N—-r.” The Chicago police immediately became outspoken, giving constant updates to the public, holding press conferences, and going on TV shows, culminating in publicly building what they considered to be an airtight case against Jussie. They indicted him and charged him with 16 felonies for lying to them. You see, Jussie never reported a red hat. He never said anything about a MAGA hat. One of the witnesses, a Sheraton hotel guard who saw the two attackers running from the scene immediately after the attack, also did not report a red hat. In fact, both Jussie and the guard gave the Chicago police (CPD) the exact same description of the man they saw: a White man, 6ft tall, wearing a black face mask. (p39 & 237). Neither Jussie nor the guard saw the second man’s face. The second man purposefully hid his face from the Sheraton guard, which is noted in CPD’s February 1st, 2019 report. (p237) During the interview on ABC, Jussie clearly stated there were no red hats, saying, “I never said that. I didn’t need to add anything like that. They called me a F—-t. They called me a N—-r. I don’t need some MAGA hat as the cherry on top of some racist sundae.” He also told this to CPD directly. On January 30, 2019, the day after the attack, he told Detective Murray, (who, incidentally, has been formally accused of using homophobic slurs against a Black man) that he “never said anything about a MAGA hat.” (p260) But, by that time, the story had already taken on a life of its own, and most people believed that the attackers were wearing MAGA hats. If only CPD had listened to Jussie, then CPD would not have revealed their own misconduct so intricately, so astonishingly, so stunningly, for all the world to see. Because, no one reported a red hat. However, many people throughout the world will remember seeing a photo, which was used as proof that Jussie lied, that there was no hate crime, and that he and the Nigerian-American Osundairo brothers were involved in a preposterous hoax. The detective who says he found the video of these brothers buying a red hat is none other than Detective Richard Hagen, who was sued by Laquan McDonald’s family for covering up a Chicago
police officer murdering the child, after Laquan was two Nigerian brothers buying a red hat. shot 16 times. The City of Chicago paid $5 million Yes, if CPD had only listened to Jussie, who told to settle the lawsuit. them that he never said anything about a MAGA Detective Hagen reports that to find this red hat hat, and if only CPD had read their own initial povideo, he engaged in investigative work that is a lice reports which said nothing about the attackers little difficult to believe. wearing a red hat, then CPD could have avoided a Detective Hagen and his colleague Detective stunning spectacle. Parages report that they searched beauty stores to Because, not only did CPD fabricate evidence, see which ones sold red hats and discovered that they incompetently fabricated the wrong evidence only one did. (p320) They went to this store, and on the world’s stage. Detective Hagen writes that “at the suggestion of They did this, of course, after they hid all the vidDetective Parages, Detective Hagen checked the eo evidence and witnesses that clearly showed there video at around 10 am.” (p347) was at least one White masked man at the attack, What luck for Detectives Hagen and Parages! and after they lied repeatedly to the public, telling With just that much work, they were able to us that they found no videos or witnesses at all. “observe two subjects enter the store and purchase But, CPD never really did listen to Jussie in this several items, which included gloves, face masks, case, after he reluctantly reported the hate crime. and a red hat.” (p347-348) They didn’t listen to Jussie about what the attackers Detective Hagen‘s report focuses intently on the looked like, they didn’t listen to him about what red hat. He writes that various camera angles show the attackers were wearing, and they definitely the brothers with the red hat, including walking didn’t listen to him when he told them about a hate “around the isle with a red baseball cap in hand” crime. and walking “to the counter placing several items Instead, CPD took the story and put their own on counter, including a red hat.” (p348-349) spin on it so that it literally became CPD’s story Detective Hagen says he found the red hat video that the world heard. But, in the end, a simple red on February 16, 2019, when the Osundairo brothMAGA hat will be their undoing. In the end, that ers were at a hotel under CPD’s “24-hour surveilvery MAGA hat will clear Jussie’s name. lance and security” (p355), supposedly to protect In the end, a MAGA hat will reveal to the world the brothers from the media. The brothers were put that CPD brazenly lied to us all, wasted all of our under this “24-hour surveillance and security” after time, and purposefully confused probably a billion being subjected to police misconduct during their people, who have remained confused for two interviews. years. In the end, the MAGA hat that never was The Osundairo brothers were under “24-hour will be the thing that puts CPD under the gaze of surveillance and security” until CPD took them to the world, but this time, everyone will be looking testify at the grand jury on February 20, 2019, the directly at them. very same day the video of them buying a red hat **If you want to read the police reports and check was leaked to the media and broadcast widely, caus- page numbers, see this document: https://www. ing quite a stir. The next day, Jussie was indicted by scribd.com/document/411963195/Jussie-Smollett CPD, who declared that he was nothing but a liar. While CPD may have, in the short term, seemed like A community where Black they built an airtight case Women can talk their stuff! against Jussie, what they actually did was greatly overplay their hand. Because no one reported a red hat. No one reported a MAGA hat. CA ND ACE @B L ACKG IRL S R IG HT. C OM Yet CPD focused their inA safe space for women of color to have open, raw conversations. It is my mission to let women of color know vestigation on finding stores our feelings are true, valid and honorable. that sold red hats, and then Instagram:@blackgirlsright Twitter:@blackgirlsright very easily found a video of
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Candice Rodriguez