Meet Joshua Martin | Senior Video Editor

Joshua Martin | LEAD MEDIA JOURNALIST

Joshua Martin is a published author, photographer and business owner JWM Productions, LLC who has a genuine passion for content creation. He is from Jackson, Mississippi and currently holds the position of Engagement Editor for The Jackson Advocate, which is the oldest Black Owned newspaper in the state. Joshua has nearly a decade of media experience ranging from radio personality, podcast host, and television producer. He also has an expansive interview catalog ranging from political figures, hip hop acts such as Dear Silas I Ain’t Stressin’ Today and 5th Child, Martial Arts Master Jeremy Gordon and more!!

IG: @_Jmartin601

Twitter: @_jusjoshinya

Facebook: Josh Martin

Meet Adonis Armstrong | Co-Founder & President of 247 Live Culture

Adonis Armstrong, Co-Founder & President of 247 Live Culture

Adonis Armstrong | Co-Founder & President

email adonis@247liveculture.com

Adonis Armstrong is a 30x award winning filmmaker from Jackson, MS. He is a former football star where he graduated from East Carolina University.  Adonis spent some time in the summer with the Cleveland Browns in camp ’14. After being cut by the Browns he signed a deal with the Sioux Falls Storm in the Indoor Football League in ’15 which led him to winning his first Championship.  After the Championship Adonis shifted his career and begin to be a Football Coach, before his creative side blossomed him into the filmmaker he is today.

In 2015, he started coaching at his former high school Clinton High School. Where he coached current NFL star Cam Akers, and other top players in the ‘16 class such as Jacobi Heard and LaMarquez Thomas. After one season at Clinton Arrows, Adonis accepted a position as the Defensive Back coach at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. for two seasons.

Adonis has always had a passion for entertainment and being a creator.  He jumped in the entertainment business in ‘18 where he did background roles to learn the business of the industry. Adonis has some commercial work with Gatorade, Coldwell Banker, Disney Plus, and more. Adonis stars in films and new media such as “The Interns”, “I Had To”, “Blue”, and “Other Friends”. He also help produce films as well “Skandalouz”, “Deadly Thoughts”, and “Coke Boys” where he received awards for Best Drama, Best Short Film,  Best Debut Filmmaker and Best Production.  

Adonis has played a key role in organizing and participating in public speaking engagements, where he’s shared his insights with leaders across business, politics, and entertainment. Partnering with the political organization OFA CA for Kamala, he helped launch events for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in both Beverly Hills and Leimert Park. In 2024, he founded the Future Leaders of America Forum, an event designed to ignite meaningful conversations around social change within our communities. That same year, Adonis was invited to speak on a panel for the documentary Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics.

IG: @_adonis._

Twitter: @__adonis___

Meet Cory Utsey | Contributing Writer

Cory Utsey | Contributing Writer

Cory Utsey (she/her) is a writer and blogger studying journalism at Howard University. With interests in social justice, entertainment, and intersectionality, her aim is to facilitate diversity and equity through her writing. She hopes to empower Black audiences, as well as any marginalized group that is misrepresented and underrepresented.

Twitter & IG: @coryalexann

Meet Jamila Gomez | Contributing Writer

Jamila Gomez - Contributing Writer

Residing in the Metro Atlanta area, Jamila earned her Bachelors in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services for Southern New Hampshire University in 2019. She serves as a crisis counselor, combining her passion for mental health and personal development and her love for verbal expression. Jamila has been able to use her personal journey with self-acceptance, stemming from her struggles with Spina Bifida, in her work to guide people who may be struggling with the same things or similar. She is also a podcaster, whose show aims to assist people going into the week with a new mindset.

Twitter: amomentwithmila

IG: justamomentwithmila

Meet Alexis Oatman | Contributing Writer

Alexis Oatman | COntributing Writer

Alexis Oatman, (iamlex) is a Ohio-based freelance journalist and general assignment reporter who specializes in current events, pop culture, music, and entertainment. Her work has been featured in publications such as Paper Magazine, REVOLT, Essence, the Grio, Blavity News, ZORA, and others.

Meet Tomiwa Moro | Contributing Writer

Tomiwa Moro | Contributing Writer

Tomiwa is a music curator and writer. He is passionate about music, culture, and lifestyle as it affects Africans and Black people around the world. He has worked as a producer, music publicist and brand strategist. For him, the ultimate goal is to use his media platforms to drive conversations around exceptional talents and important topics.

Twitter: @tomiwagg | Instagram: @tomissway

Meet Jordan King | Contributing Writer

Jordan King | Contributing Writer

Jordan L. King is a graduate of North Carolina A&T SU in Greensboro [Economics w/ Poli Sci Concentration]. Born in Washington DC and raised primarily in Greensboro, North Carolina and Prince George’s Co. Maryland, Jordan’s passions for both storytelling and languages were developed over many years of both numerous life and family experiences. His primary areas currently include study and graduate work within Agricultural Studies; as well as personal work in Digital Content Curation, with a focus on writing overall lifestyle pieces for young adults and Black Arts/Culture.

Twitter: @Kusinijay
IG: @J.lkay

Meet Kwana Adams | Contributing Writer

Kwana Adams - COntributing Writer

Kwana Adams is a 26 year old black woman from Providence, Rhode Island. Most people can’t find Rhode Island on the map but she’s determined to change that. She is currently studying communication with a concentration in media communication with a minor in digital media production at Rhode Island College. She is a firm believer in second chances, and believes it’s never too late to start your life over. She loves to create and dreams of becoming a script writer and actress in the future.

Twitter: @kingkwana

IG: king_kwana

Meet Prince Hakeem | Contributing Writer

Prince Hakeem | COntributing Writer

Hailing from Southern California, Prince Hakeem is a proud son of Nigeian immigrants who gave him his shot to be all that he could be. A music and movie nerd who's best work shines through op-eds and social commentary, this writer is here to bring an unique and introspective view on the culture. Hakeem is also a lover of broadcasting and podcasting as well. He has the ability to relate and connect with listeners, making them apart of the conversation. He hopes to become a world renowned writer, actor and producer real soon, so don't take your eyes off him for one second.

Twitter: zumundasfinest

IG: zumundasfinest

Meet Kathleen Santos | Contributing Writer

Kathleen Santos | COntributing Writer

A Bay Area native, Kathleen was born and raised in Oakland, California. She has a broad business background having worked in various industries and currently working as a Consultant within the healthcare industry. She makes room for her creative side and has worked as a contributing writer for print and digital publication Amare Magazine. While she considers herself a student of life in general, Kathleen is particularly interested in human connection, interpersonal dynamics and areas of personal development - spiritual, mind, and body. 

Twitter: @myka8e

Meet Sydni Hatley | Contributing Writer

Meet Sydni Hatley | Contributing Writer

Sydni Hatley was born and raised on the southside of Chicago and is currenty a Junior at Hampton University, where she majors in Liberal Studies and minors in Theater Arts. She is passionate about the arts, natural beauty, connecting with people. Sydni has performed her whole life, working with artists like Chance the Rapper, Jamila Woods, and the family of John Legend. These experiences have inspired her future goals of becoming a Creative Director for live shows and performances. 

Instagram: @_onlyviolet_

Meet Raki Jordan | Contributing Writer

Raki Jordan - Contributing Writer

Raki Jordan is a poet, writer, artist, and activist, based in New York City. Follow on IG @raki.jordan

Meet Baigen Seawell | Contributing Writer

Meet Baigen SeawelL | Contributing Writer

Baigen Seawell is an Atlanta native and graduate of West Virginia State University with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcast. While at WVSU, Baigen became the first female sportscaster for the program and has continued her craft after graduation. She is currently working with Life University in Marietta, GA in Sports Information where she calls sporting events and creates video segments for the athletic programs. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is active in serving the community outside of her craft.

Instagram & Twitter : @preciouscolor 

Business IG: @reporterbai

Meet Tialena Evans | Contributing Writer

Tialena Evans | Contributing Writer

I am a Multimedia Journalism student at the Illustrious North Carolina A&T State University. Originally from the real 919, Raleigh, N.C. I am currently in the works of producing my own blog, “The HBCU Playbook”, which will be centered around N.C. A&T Athletics. This blog showcases my personal takes on all things sports in Aggieland. Following this passion of mine, come along with me and my journey as I aspire to become a sports television personality in the future! 

twitter & IG- tialenaxo

Meet Natasha Marsh | Contributing Writer

Natasha Marsh | Contributing Writer

Natasha is a 28 year old Fashion Editor from California. She holds a masters in Fashion Business Management from London and held previous titles at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Harper's Bazaar and The Wall Street Journal. She specializes in fashion, fitness, natural hair, and wellness. Natasha now resides in New York City where she spends her free time eating, dancing, and people watching. You can follow her on Instagram via @_natashamarsh

Meet Tasha Hough | Contributing Writer

Tasha Hough | COntributing Writer

Tasha is a 29-year-old woman finding more of herself daily. Having a new found love of self, I live my life embracing all the things that make me different and loving/accepting everything I made myself believe were flaws. I love to use my voice to make an impact on lives, as well as serve my purpose. Now, I'm just ready for everyone to "hear" me out and be able to move someone along the way. I hope you all enjoy my contributions. Follow me on Instagram lorde_chaos or Twitter @lorde__T

Meet Yan’ece Washington | Contributing Writer

Yan’ece Washington | Contributing Writer

Yan’ece Washington is currently a student attending Texas Southern University and her field of study is Political Science intro to Entertainment / Contract Law! Her goal is to help lead her generation and race of people into a new mind set and way of thinking. She finds that connecting with young people on a common level that is easy to understand and obtain, is the way our generation will transform and evolve into something our world has yet to see.

Meet Lauryn Bass | Contributing Writer

Lauryn Bass | Contributing Writer

My name is Lauryn Bass but I go by Laurie Bee. I am a Junior Broadcast Journalism major, Psychology minor of the Scripps Howard school of Journalism and Communications in Hampton University, from Atlanta, Ga! 

Some of my interests include singing, modeling, baking, painting, writing, thrifting, and hanging out with friends! I love to create positive things and be around others while doing so. I enjoy uplifting others and encouraging them to always believe in who they are inside. 

I was recently crowned Miss Juneteenth Queen 2020 in Atlanta and can’t wait to build my platform: The Importance of Health & Wellness through Body Positivity and Self-Care. To aid in my goal, I created my podcast “Sugar-Honey-Iced-Tea with Laurie Bee”. (@apodcastwithlauriebee on instagram) 

I hope that you all enjoy learning and growing into the best versions of yourself as you read my articles! 

Instagram: @laurieedeebee

Twitter: @lauriexoxo14

Meet Emily-Ann Brown | Contributing Writer

Emily-Ann Brown | Contributing Writer

Emily is a 29 year natural hair blogger born and raised in Toronto, Canada, with a Caribbean background. She studied Dental Assisting level 1 and Office Administration and holds a Health Information Management diploma. Emily began her natural hair journey in January 2015 and started her own personal blog in March 2017. You can follow her on twitter at @EmilyB2M

Meet Mike Jones | Contributing Writer

Mike Jones | Contributing Writer

Mike Jones is from Nashville, Tennessee. Educator, photographer, and poet, and lover of all things black.