renegades final fight

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CONTEN TS

Features

Fashion

Creative Writing

Student Spotlight

Music & Culture

Social ActivismMaking HistoryBe The Change You Want To SeeBeyond Brutality

BLN

NOMAS

Sports Professionals of Color

Black Artist League

UPGRADE

Saved by the B.E.L. Real Message Behind the Music Top House Party Flyers Drake ReviewAbandoned Artistry Travel Noire

Cuse What’s Good Black Card: Terms & Conditions

Am I A Woman?Sunset28 Days WindYesterday

Behind Design: Alanne StroyAyida Solé DesignsMenswear

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Renegade

STAFF LIST Editors-in-Chief

Editors

Feauture Editors

Marketing Director

Social Media Directors

Photo Editor

Creative Directors

Fashion Director

Earica ParrishElen Pease

Fatima BanguraTaylyn Washington-Harmon

Caroline Colvin Jasmine TaylorPhelicia Ball

Khairi Reynolds

Kennedy LaNierFanta Cherif

Aaliyah LambertElena Whittle

Brittany Belo

Felicia VasquezNoahamin Taye

Copy Editor

Jean Degraphe

Illustrator

Taylor Hicks

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Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Posse Scholar ALANNE STROY has found a new home here at Syracuse University. In her second year at SU, the fashion design major acts

as Project Grind’s creative director, serves as a mentor for the organization, juggles vast amounts of school work, all on top of designing for the Ms. Black and Gold pageant. Inspired by music, fitness, and essentially all the world around her has to offer, Alanne constantly brings an ATL flare to her designs and whatever she puts her mind to.

BB: How did you get into fashion design?AS: My grandmother sewed most of her clothes so she inspired me to want to learn how. My mom wanted to be a fashion designer as well. I started to change my wardrobe and cut up my clothes by the age of 5.

BB: Who are some your major influences? AS: My grandmother and my cousin who passed away are the biggest influences in my life because they were the two people I was closest with and losing them taught me how to be strong. They are truly my motivation every day.

BB: What fun projects are you working on?AS: I am currently designing for the Ms. Black and Gold pageant. I am currently Creative Director and Head of the Fundraiser Committee of Project G.R.I.N.D. and working on creating my own website.

Behind The Design

Q&A

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By Brittany BeloPhotos by Brittany BeloModel: Ciara Bethel, Alanne Stroy

BB: How has being from Atlanta shaped you as

a designer (both in your designs and in your

personal perspective)?

AS: Considering that I was born and raised in

Atlanta, my city is a part of my identity. I have

lived in almost all areas of Atlanta which is why

I’m so versatile and used to change. Atlanta

taught me how to love the people and not

judge from where they come from because

Atlanta is a melting pot. Most of the music

nowadays comes from Atlanta, so when I

go through the creative process, I try to vibe

out and listen to music that makes me feel at

home.

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Ayida SoléDesigns

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Mo

de

ls: Ashia

Aub

ourg

, Ke

nlee

Presum

e, a

nd Julie

Elliston

Introducing AYIDA SOLÉ, a Haitian-American fashion design sophomore from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On Solé’s 9th birthday, her mother didn’t give her dolls or an Easy Bake oven. She gave her a sewing machine. Her mother, who

was an aspiring fashion designer, and her father, who was an artist– drummer, painter, actor–exposed her to various platforms of art early on. Recognizing her growing fascination with fashion, her mother enabled her by buying the sewing machine. Solé was initially disappointed. However, the gift made sense for someone who consistently dressed herself and took pride in the way she dressed from an early age. Her mother knew this disappointment would dissipate and Solé’s now calls that sewing machine the best gift she ever received. The rest was history. At age 14 is when, she says, she “really started making clothes.” Although Solé came to Syracuse to learn about fashion, she prefers to not be rooted anywhere:

by Dylan Lowther

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pho

tos

by

Britt

any

Be

lo

she visits different cities to expand herself artistically and to increase her knowledge of the industry. She spent two weeks in September interning for Essie—a makeup company responsible for doing models’ nails and makeup in several shows—during New York Fashion Week. This experience taught her how much work goes toward making or breaking a fashion show. Solé’s reflected on the anal, never-ending prep process.“You spend like four hours prepping for a ten minute show. Then, it goes by with the blink of an eye, then the next season comes.” She learned things about the industry only New York Fashion Week could teach. “Experiential learning is so crucial… Because we are so sheltered here on campus,” Solé said. The work was long, and tedious— often getting home at 2 a.m., and being expected to be clean, ready, and motivated at 7 a.m. the next day. The culminating event for her came at the Alexander Wang show. Here, she found herself in the crowd amongst entertainment and fashion icons like Kanye West, the Wang family, and many others. Being among so many influential, confident

people of color in the fashion industry gave Solé a glimpse of the role she envisions for

herself. She feels there is an added

responsibility that comes with being

a Black woman in this field—and

specifically, a Caribbean woman.

Under-representation, marginalization,

and misrepresentation of Black and

Caribbean people are all aspects

of the fashion industry she seeks to

combat artistically. She intends to use this platform to raise awareness about issues unrelated to fashion—namely sickle-cell anemia—a disease that affects one in 12 Black people according to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Solé’s confident, wandering spirit has her mapping out her career years into the future, but this temporal world has her trapped in Syracuse. So, for now, she will be working in the warehouse, searching for inspiration, and designing.

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CLASSIC

From being called thugs, aggressors,

and criminals, a new method is needed in communicating more positive images of black males in the professional realm. Something as simple and stylish as a suit and tie can serve as protection for black men against these negative stigmas.

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MAN

Renegade

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Depending on the working environment,

something as simple as a pair of khakis

and a nice collar shirt will do the trick.

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Wintertime is among us, and so it wouldn’t hurt to trade in that

business blazer for a nice, warm sweater. Anthony strides in style,

making boss moves and looks good while doing it!

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As a sophomore African-American Studies and Citizen and Civic Engagement major, Asile Kismet Patin has gained an array

of new skills that classify her as a one-woman entrepreneur for her new business, Upgrade Hair and Body Butter. Growing up in the Vine City area of Atlanta, GA, Patin struggled with her acne and was often bullied by her classmates. Products such as Jergens or Nivea just never worked for her. Patin described seeing “these beautiful women with beautiful clear skin” and desired that beautiful black glow. However, Patin always had a knack for concocting different products. Patin began mixing shea butter, coconut oil, and scents such as lavender and grapefruit. This eventually led her to create her signature hair and body butter. Patin says that the product has a great constancy to it, which makes the product attractive to its customers. “A little bit goes a long way unlike other products that eventually wear off,” says Patin. Patin also found inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement. “I am a strong advocate for the Black Lives Matter, but Twitter and Instagram hash tags can only go so far,” said Patin. “We need to put our money where our mouths are, since hashtags on social media websites can’t do that.” Therefore, she worked to start a business where African-Americans could come and support this ideal. Today, Patin’s Upgrade Hair and Body Butter is thriving more than ever. Natasha Walker, one of her most loyal customers, said, “I love the lavender. When I put it on, it makes me feel relaxed and happy.” Patin had no previous experience in business and entrepreneurship and currently, she works

alone as she sees her own vision the clearest. However, she recognizes that as the business grows she will have to be more comfortable with dealing with a team atmosphere. Since she is running the business on her own, Patin says that she is her hardest critic. She wants everything to be perfect for the customer to ensure that they return for future products. When constructing her overall brand identity, she wanted it to be simple and a true representative of herself. Patin is known for her afro and for her love for Beyoncé. The name ‘Upgrade’ derived from Beyonce’s song “Upgrade U,” and the logo includes an illustration of Patin with her signature afro, as well as an outline of her other body features. After testing her own product this past summer on her hair and skin, Patin said she saw immediate results. Today, her skin is clear and her hair has seen tremendous growth because of her product. Most importantly, her confidence

has grown because of her clear skin. Similarly

to Asile, Jessica Banks, a new customer,

testified, “It gives my skin a nice healthy

glow.”

In producing the product, Patin says

she pictured her “cute little metal

jar atop people’s dresser’s next to

their Shea Moisture products.” Her

customer base started with her

friends and her marketing strategy

Sophomore entrepreneur creates beauty products to help you upgrade your life

Upgrade Your Life

By: Brielle Brown

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proved to be concise and thoughtful. “I

think people make the mistake of sending

out things too early and then people

forget,” said Patin. “So, for my product I just

wanted an ambush of flyers all at once.”

She instructed her friends to post flyers

at the same on Instagram and Twitter to

generate word of mouth. Patin’s business

continues to grow within in the Syracuse

and back at home in Atlanta. Her mom has

been her biggest supporter throughout her

journey and Patin is tremendously grateful

for her support.

“My mom is my best friend. It feels good to have

a team at home in Atlanta and to be

recognized for something I worked so hard

for,” said Patin. As for the future of Upgrade,

look out for new scents from Asile during

the holiday season so you can, to quote

Patin, “Upgrade Your Life!”

For more inquires check out her

Instagram @UpgradeByAsile or email

[email protected].

Upgrade Your Life

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It’s October 21, and the clock just struck 9:37 p.m. I should be studying for tomorrow’s sociology midterm, but this

has been weighing heavily on my heart for the last 24 hours. I recently analyzed a combination of specific films, articles, and personal experiences, and I have found myself to be very overwhelmed. I am not sure if it is due to how I was raised, or the fact that I am very observant, but I have always done what was best for me, and did not ever really feel pressured to do anything-even if it was popular. If it is not right with my spirit, I am simply not doing it. With this being said, I did not fit in while growing up, and I actually used to think that something was wrong with me because I was different from the majority of my peers. As I became more and more secure with myself, I cared less about what other people thought of me.While this all occurred in my high school career, I find myself facing these same issues, as I dissect society and appreciate the lived experiences of women, especially. As a budding documentarian who intends on minoring in Women and Gender Studies and Sociology, I am acutely aware of the portrayals of women in media. Why Is it that strong-willed women are illustrated as being heartless and unemotional, or anything undesirable, but women who rely on men are loving, fun, and cool? Why can’t you be a well rounded woman who is strong minded? Why is it that you have to be seen as less than a woman for doing what you want?

This article was partly inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s speech that she presented subsequent to being honored at the 2015 Girls Write Now Awards. She basically discussed that women should not aspire to be likable, but should aim to be comfortable with living in their truth. Obviously, you should not

be rude and disregard people, because that is mean-spirited and uncalled-for, but being well liked should not be a priority. As women, we are subliminally taught that we have to deal with any and every situation or person that comes our way no matter how unhealthy it is for us.I am a pretty happy individual, but I am fatigued when facing the reality that although I am comfortable with myself, my womanhood will always be defined in relation to men. We are socialized to believe that a woman has to marry, have children, or have a romantic relationship with a man in every

stage of her life to be considered a woman. I do plan on marrying and having children, but women who do not want that for their lives should not be made to feel inferior.One of the main reasons why I chose to major in Television-Radio-and Film is because I need to use the platform that I have to tell the stories of women through our

point of view, not through the male gaze. I truly do

have high hopes that women will become more and

more appreciated, especially since the world would

be unable to function without us. With the prominence

of social media, television, etc. I expect for there to be a substantial amount of progress in the near future.

By Bianca Hayes,previously published in Huff Post College

Am I a Woman?

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There's not to many times where and sit to watch you set...

I feel like I want to chase the sun,

Until the horizon reminds me that I've lost the game of hide and go seek.

Until the clouds laugh because only they get the privilege of taking the last peek.

I give credit to God, the artist who made this work of art.

Each day the sky replaces its spacious gallery with His newest inspiration.

Only made for the enjoyment of its viewers .

The world's renowned artist, who has work spread throughout the nations.

The one who carved mountains out of rock in countries like Spain, one of many.

The only things that moved were the planes in the sky and my heart.

I was touched by the beauty that I got to experience all the way at the end from start.

As the cloud, the canvas, and colors stood cold cradling my worries to sleep....

On this late Miami night watching the sunset with God on the street.

I give credit to Him because He provided the free ticket of time to enjoy.

A moment of awe for the sunset deployed.

My heart can't help but thank the artist once more,

because I was left breathless once, now, and forevermore.

GLORY

SunsetBy: Hope C. Wilcox

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Somebody,

Please.What is 28 days of recognitionTo a people like me?A burned cross in a yardStanding guard for hatred,To a steeple like me?And although it must be recognizedBy the powers that be,

Please.WhatIs 28 days of recognitionto a peopleLike me?I done been:1. talked about2. spit upon3. my plate was broken when the dinner is gone4. lynched at will5. Emmett Till6. Medals taken in Olympic fields7. Denied my vote8. Knife slide my throatIt’s a cold world out there and they’ll hide my coat. Yet,still. A people like me put up a fightA strong fight,black fightBlack fightersA 28 dayall nighterwon’t suffice They killing us every day now….Anchors sensationalize just toStay downYou either make groundOr get laid down. There’s nothing we can do enoughNo truth to tell true enoughWe can’t tuck in our shirt-straight-vernacular-tailored-suitEnough.

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28 Days

Please don’t be confused because confusion is romanticBothering-ring on our telephonesWith Twitter and other antics.It’s easy to be distractedabout how far we’ve made itwhen we assign28 days for us to celebrate it.We need a glorious kind of emotionAn infinity type of reactionA whole of our attention- not ourattentionsplit

in rations Somebody-

Please.Make time for the difficultyOf our historyA time to ensure that the childrenAre listeningA time for assessmentAnd time for reviewBut make time cause somebody died to make time for you(said) Make Time Cause Somebody Died to Make Time for YouChin in the airFist upBlack, pride for you

Make time somebody…

Please.

by Marius Antunn Jackson

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Wind Song by Cherokee Hubbert

A wisp of wind

caressing my skin

whispering into my ear with a rhythmic song

Along with the wind

I dance

Around and around

I spin

never stopping

blocking out all noise

except for my wind song

A wisp of wind

caressing my skin


Along with the wind

my hair swirls

brushing against my neck

sending me into chills

A wisp of wind

caressing my skin


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By Cherokee Hubbert

Yesterday I found my voice.It was lost inside of me-buried so deep inside I needed aflashlight just to see. Yesterday I found my self-esteemtrapped inside a web of hurtstitched from years of never feelinggood enoughAlways striving for perfection whenmy happiness was tied into all my imperfections. Yesterday I learned to love myself.I found the self love that I stripped from myself.The love that I turned my back to and left to rotin in the sweltering sun.The love that I can feel even when no one else is around. Yesterday I found out who I am.I discovered more than what was simply skin deep.I reached into the depths of my soul and pulled out the personhidden in the shadows waiting for sustena nce. I am no longer locked away in my o wn prison.I unchained myself and let my true character outfor the world to see.Yesterday I found out who I am andthere is no going back.

Yesterday

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I generally feel Abroad has been amazing and should be mandatory for every student. I also feel being a young man of Jamaican descent coming from a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn has altered my experience. Because of the rich melanin levels in my skin, many people assume I am a British person of Nigerian descent. In fact, it isn’t until I open my mouth to speak that Londoners are aware of how different I am. There were many instances where I was lost in the city of London and asked around for directions, but was answered with the clutch of a purse and scurrying of footsteps. I only ever get a verbal response when my accent is heard, and its usually along the lines of “Are you American?,” followed by directions to my destination. Besides these awkward instances, overall London has been a very diverse and interesting place to

live. I’ve been exposed to foreign aspects of culture.

Kahlil Johnathon LashleyLondon, England

SU students share their study abroad experiences

Interviewed by: Nada Sherdy

Travel Noire

My favorite moments of studying abroad in

Madrid came when I met people from all over

the world exploring and traveling. Meeting so

many different people from countries in Africa

and Latin America who live in Madrid and

speak between four and six languages showed

me that that this world is so much bigger than

I ever thought, but also a lot smaller than I

imagined. I also learned that we, Americans

are nice people. We smile a lot, so they say.

Da

nie

lle R

ee

d: M

ad

rid, Sp

ain

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Being in Hong Kong for the semester has

felt like I’ve been moving in slow motion

and fast forward all at the same time. It’s

definitely a time I will never forget and an

experience I’ll share with my family forever.

My absolute favorite moment was climbing

the Great Wall of China in Beijing. Nothing

compares to its beauty. For anyone

considering going abroad, please go. No

matter where you go, you won’t regret it!

Kadijah Watkins: Hong Kong, China

Paris was my favorite, just as I knew

it would be: the elegance, the food,

the fashion, the nightlife! It was 9 pm,

the sun had completely set and we

were sitting under The Eiffel Tower.

Both our phones were dead and

we couldn’t take pictures, so all I

have to remember that moment is

the picture in my head. I sat directly

under The Eiffel Tower and watched it

light up; sparkling and flickering lights

everywhere and in that moment it was

almost magical, unreal. The tower itself

is more intricate and complicated than

I ever imagined – no keychain will ever

compare. I went back two weeks later.

Natasha Amadi: London, England

50 C hoi ce

Rene gade’sHow do you

cope with

stress?

the best thing for me to do is look up.

it always helps me to remember that

all this stress is for a reason. Keeping

my head in the clouds is what keeps

the stress and distractions to a

minimum. - Brittany Belo, Fashion

Director

I immerse myself into the digital

worlds of my favorite YouTubers. Also,

remember that grades don’t define

you. Grades, like many others things,

are socially constructed. Your success

lies in your own hands.- Fatima Bangura, Features Editor

I love R&B music so when I’m stressed, I

listen to old school R&B and sing along

super loud.

- Daisia Glover, Assistant Front-of-Book Editor

As long as I have my Drake,

Future, Bryson Tiller, N.W.A, and

90’s Hip Hop Pandora station

working with my room door

locked, my stress goes down

and my creativity go up.

- Felicia Vasquez,

Co-Creative Director

I let go and let God.- Noahamin Taye, Co-Creative Director

51C hoi ce

Rene gade’sI don’t. Similar to my bank account

and blackboard, I let it fester until it

becomes too much to overlook.

- Kennedy La Nier, Director

of Social Media

I go out with my friends and have a good time.- Fanta Cherif, Director of Social Media

To cope with stress, I like long walks on the beach accompanied with a tall glass of wine.

- Jean Degraphe, Copy Editor/ Fiscal Agent

When I’m stressed, I just take a

moment to c h i l l and listen to

some upbeat music.

- Caroline Colvin, Front of

Book Editor

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@RenegademagSU

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