Queenie Brown Magazine
Christmas Edition, 2017
SATE,
Paléo Festival Nyon 2017
What the Curl Are We Talking about?
O.K. So, you most likely have seen them - those fabulous DIY videos about creating "Protective Styles" for unprocessed, curly hair - or Natural Hair. I stumbled upon them when I FINALLY decided to HALT the chemical treatment of my hair (after a chemical burn took for EVER to heal, and actually left me a tiny "mole" looking scar). I admit, it (the burn not healing then scarring experience) horrified me - scared me right onto the Natural Hair Journey.
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Never the less, those DIY videos saved my life weeks (now almost two years) into my experience. I discovered them upon realizing, well into my mature years, I had very little idea what to do with my hair! It was appalling (and embarrassing) to realize; especially as I was "natural" long before "natural" was a trend - back in th' day, the 70's, when many of us sported afros (or manfros, as the case may have been). In those days Chemical Hair Treatment was for "special occasions" (or those progressive folks, wealthy enough to afford salon hair care on a regular basis which - as one child of four born to a single mother - I was not).
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Anyway, I was "natural," until I could afford to pay for my own hair care, into my late teens. The truth was, aside for washing and manfros, with the ODD headband style, I did VERY little with my hair - I had ZERO relationship with it. I "styled" my hair, to look like a decent human being, but with little imagination or INTEREST. Fast forward to now, and there are women not only offering pearls of wisdom about washing, moisturizing and maintaining natural curly hair, but who are actually CREATING exciting and unique "looks" few of us thought about back in the day.
Exciting times!
The catch (of course there is), many of these tutorials can be frustrating because MY hair (TOO OFTEN), does not turn out like the instructor's hair; no matter how hard I try!
What up with that???
With further research, it became obvious, my hair was not the only hair refusing to bounce and behave like women in their videos. Further delving dug up rebut videos to disgruntled viewers from instructors, defending their "Blackness!"
Huh?
Now, I can be a bit slow on the uptake, but were these women STILL having that same Oooold struggle ??? Were they really having bad feelings about their curl and arguing about what curl made someone Black?
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But then it dawned on me...
YES! We are having the same old tired argument because ...
The Issue was never resolved.
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Why?
When "an incident" occurs, we become so enraged, resentful, shamed and hurt by it, our FEELINGS become the focus of the crime as opposed to The Issue - what stems BEHIND the problem.
Let's try to END this, Hair Curl and What Constitutes Blackness, argument by getting to the TRUTH behind women of the African Diaspora - and Our Curl.
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Back to YOU
In the Beginning
We know human life, as we exist today, began in Africa. Africa is the Motherland for us all. We evolved and thrived, creating wonderful civilizations that consisted of language creation, impressive farming techniques, science still used today, religious ceremonies as well as craftsmanship. All evidence of an advanced stage of systems and social developments.
Sahara
We also know, the Sahara was a very different land when it was integral to our existence, tens of thousands of years ago. The Sahara then was a lush and green filled land with an abundance of air as well as aquatic life, sustaining us as hunters, fishermen and farmers. As the centuries passed, changing the rich, lush, gardens of the Sahara to the sand dunes of current day, our ancestors traveled to green lands that stretched across the continent to the South, East, North and West; severing from one small group into many, from generation to generation.
Timeline
More and more we are discovering a FULLER history about us as humans. Due to these discoveries, our knowledge and awareness grow regarding the incredible ingenuity, and, in turn, accomplishments of our ancestors. It has been an incredible journey we human's have undertaken. Once this journey is truly realized, that is when WE will evolve into our truly incredible selves.
Queenie Brown
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Special Mention
Queenie Brown Magazine.com champions TODAY'S real woman accomplishing extraordinary things.
From inception, our commitment was a focus on the mature woman as we see so little of her in mainstream media.
After a conversation with this incredible young woman, we decided to do something unique to us...if you ever wondered how exceptional grown ups become exceptional, this young lady is evidence that many of them begin as incredible young people.
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Patricia Kumbakisaka is so very impressive, to list her accomplishments in her tender 28 years would require a full page. So, we decided to highlight this Regional Coordinator at United Nations Association in Canada with a few photos as a picture is worth a thousand words. Suffice it to say, Patricia's confidence, eloquence and all around genuine personality is a perfect example of what parental support - as in parents (and in turn family) being a child's "cheerleader" (her words not ours) - can do.
Young Leaders of Canada Award recipient 2017
Dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 2016
Patricia Kumbakisaka and Mr.Stephan Dion Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Patricia's current goal is to become a diplomat with the United Nations. Given her international background stemming from her country of birth, Romania, Bucharest to the lands of her formative years, Greece then Canada; her multiple degrees; her wish to contribute to society on a global level, and her fluidity between five languages, Patricia's goal is a destiny she has prepared for her entire life.
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As we continue to keep her in sight,
join us in congratulating Patricia on all she has accomplished, so far. Let us also encourage Patricia's enduring quest to serve humanity by making this world a peaceful, inclusive and secure home for us all.
Welcoming committee members and delegates at the Romanian Senate Canada's representative.
Fall / Winter
The Dior show captures the season beautifully, wrapping it up in a splendid bow!
Fall / Winter
The Dior show captures the season beautifully, wrapping it up in a splendid bow!
Queenie Brown
​
Special Mention
Queenie Brown Magazine.com champions TODAY'S real woman accomplishing extraordinary things.
From inception, our commitment was a focus on the mature woman as we see so little of her in mainstream media.
After a conversation with this incredible young woman, we decided to do something unique to us...if you ever wondered how exceptional grown ups become exceptional, this young lady is evidence that many of them begin as incredible young people.
​
Patricia Kumbakisaka is so very impressive, to list her accomplishments in her tender 28 years would require a full page. So, we decided to highlight this Regional Coordinator at United Nations Association in Canada with a few photos as a picture is worth a thousand words. Suffice it to say, Patricia's confidence, eloquence and all around genuine personality is a perfect example of what parental support - as in parents (and in turn family) being a child's "cheerleader" (her words not ours) - can do.
Young Leaders of Canada Award recipient 2017
Dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 2016
Patricia Kumbakisaka and Mr.Stephan Dion Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Patricia's current goal is to become a diplomat with the United Nations. Given her international background stemming from her country of birth, Romania, Bucharest to the lands of her formative years, Greece then Canada; her multiple degrees; her wish to contribute to society on a global level, and her fluidity between five languages, Patricia's goal is a destiny she has prepared for her entire life.
​
As we continue to keep her in sight,
join us in congratulating Patricia on all she has accomplished, so far. Let us also encourage Patricia's enduring quest to serve humanity by making this world a peaceful, inclusive and secure home for us all.
​
You can follow Patricia on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/pattykumba?lang=en
Welcoming committee members and delegates at the Romanian Senate Canada's representative.
ROCK Star Moment!
Loving the howl and groan of this Toronto vocalist songwriter/ warrior goddess. Her sound takes you on a gut wrenching, heart thumping, emotional journey that reverberates throughout your body, leaving you... well... SATE.
We were thrilled to have a quick chat with her, before she jetted off on her France tour.
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QBM: Without using the words "rock" or "funk," how do you identify your sound?
SATE: Dirty, Raunch 'n Roll!
QBM: What secret self would you want folks to know about you?
SATE: I love crafting, and I knit as well.
QBM: What would you go back and say to her young self?
SATE: Fuck what you heard, you're a magic superhero!
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QBM: What do you say to any female?
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SATE: See previous answer.
QBM: If there was one message you could get out what would it be?
SATE: Doing what you truly love, aka your passion, will make you and other people happy. Imagine if we all did what we loved, how intensely joyful the world would be?
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(photos from Rockpalast: Crossroads Festival 2017)
QBM: Where the f@#! did you come from?
SATE: From two stars, one named Salome, the other, Howard... (Yes, she is referring to The Great Salome Bey and iconic businessman, Howard Matthews).
QBM: What does "warrior" mean to you?
SATE: A Warrior is a person that fights live their passion/their dream/happiness, and fights for others to have the same.
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When asked what he thought upon first seeing Sate perform, Manager, David Cox of Clk Creative Works, had this to say:
I’d been following SATE’s career for many years. I can’t pin point the first show, but, from the first time I heard her sing, I got goosebumps and knew she was a force to be reckoned with. She always stood out because of her fierce attitude and personality.
Couldn't have said it better ourselves.
SATE is currently in studio recording the top eight songs (of the twenty she's written). Her new album, titled "The Fool," should be ready for consumption, Spring 2018.
Check her out at: http://stateofsate.com if you
can't wait!
New Year's Eve Cometh
So Wha' chya Gonna Do?
If you are planning a gathering, you already have your appetizers, meal, sweets and drink menu ready. Just a reminder about one very important must do; stay calm! This occasion is supposed to be fun.
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Lucky for you, old fashioned and simple ideas have returned on trend. So, you have zero reason to go bananas!
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Wine is often a great go to (some advise a bottle per guest for that NYE party), but, in keeping with the "simple" theme, ask your guests what they would like - it will make them feel extra special. Cider is still fun with the many new varieties in the liquor stores, and wide are the easy cocktail options - cosmos, anyone?! Just remember a non alcohol drink, as well - you can never go wrong with a handy "create your own" station!
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These ideas also work if you are the invited guest.
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Whatever you do, start the year off right with laughter, surrounded by people you enjoy, whether you are staying in, or heading out, or, have the pleasure of your own company.
What ever you do, make it great - your way.
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Here's to looking at you, Kid!
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