SS23 | A Street Wear Experience - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

On April 7th, 2023 from 5:00PM-9:00PM, The Vatofied Experience will be collaborating with the Designers of Marcellus Brand, Platinum Boy Gang Clothing, Views Clothing, and The Set Apart Ones [Yahad Kadash] to offer a dynamic show that presents Black Men in fashion, a more than trendy display on Urban wear, and the ever morphing nuances of modern fashion culture.

Media Sponsorship Provided by: Hyfin, “Connecting The Culture”.

Jungle Gems and REFRESH Presents: Blac Market MKE

Jungle Gems and REFRESH Presents: Blac Market MKE

Celebrating Black entrepreneurship and artistry through community vending events is and will always be one of the best ways to support Black business. As Black History Month came to a close, Jungle Gems and RefreshMKE in collaboration with No Studios, curated a pop-up shop dedicated to highlighting Black-owned businesses in Milwaukee. Featuring about 20 unique vendors, food, drinks and music, this event was the best part of Black History Month for me. 

Starting off with Funk2Fashion by Kyndal J, this Milwaukee-based fashion brand is truly one of a kind. Her “Black Barista, Black Coffee, Black Errthang” bags stole the show and her inviting energy gives you an even bigger reason to support. Alongside bags, she also hand makes earrings, coffee cups and has an entire collection of bags that go great with your morning cortado. 

Emmanuel’s Mix is a Black-mother and son owned snack brand that I like to call “black trail mix”. Chex Mix, pretzels, and nuts mixed in a sweet but spicy glaze….it’s a HIT! Ms. Jacqulyn Turner created this sweet snack as a gift to her son Emmanuel and a treat for him to share with his friends. Now, it’s turned into a house-favorite snack that just recently became available in Pop’s Marketplace and on DOORDASH! Go Ms. Turner and Emmanuel! 

As I walked through the maze of vendors, I was halted by Niche Book Bar LLC. Now, if you don't know, in 2019 Niche Book Bar was actually a mobile business. Cetonia Weston-Roy, founder of the bookstore, used to hand deliver books on her bicycle in the summertime. Fast forward, she’s now opening her first storefront on MLK! Roy promotes Black literature through distribution of books by Black authors and artists, and these are the perfect books to read and share with your friends and families.

Khemistry Cosmetics is a Black owned non-profit organization that specializes in beauty. Jakayla Bridges has her hands in many pots, but her FOOT must’ve gone into that lip gloss because let me tell you!! First off, it’s made with essential oils so it’s not super sticky but it’s very long lasting.It smells AMAZING, and she has so many different scents. I purchased one myself and I haven’t been able to put it down. She also sells handmade jewelry and collects formal wear to provide free styling services for highschoolers. 

Last but not least, Art by Nile Nandi Lloyd. Nile creates hand painted pieces of Black art that captivate every passing eye. From small hand-crafted paintings to large canvas paintings, her attention to detail and creativity is admirable. These paintings were easily my favorite purchase of the night. 

We know Black History Month should be every month. And we also know that Black businesses don’t get anywhere near as much support as they should from our peers. But these are things that can be changed simply by understanding the value of Black art and the importance of Black creativity. We need representation in every form and I love these pop-up shops because that’s what you get, a little bit of everything; clothes, music, food, paintings, jewelry, networking opportunities, etc. Pop-up at your next pop up shop and support your locals!



/PEAZY, Media and Productions Coordinator for CW








SPONSORS WANTED | Are you ready for the SS23 Fashion Experience?

Did somebody say SS23???

That's right! 


On Behalf of CopyWrite Magazine & Vatofied Experience, we’d like to invite you to join us as a sponsor for our upcoming fashion experience, SS23 [Street Smartz 2023], a streetwear showcase focusing on Black Men in Fashion and creative collaboration.

Last year's experience [SS22] was the catalyst for major movement in Milwaukee's fashion scene. The collaboration, homage to Urban aesthetic, and cultural ornamentation still has attendees talking!

Check out the recap video here:

Do we need you to keep reading? Yes. Will it be worth your while? Absolutely! 


If you click the button below you will find information on how your contribution as a sponsor may impact this amazing event, plus the perks that come with this form of engagement. 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Your support is vital to the continuous cultivation of community and the legacy that follows.

Love & All Things Urban,

Lexi S. Brunson
Editor-in-Chief /CW
via
Vato Vergara
Creative Director /CW

SnapShot Press Release: HOOPS [adorning Culture through performative social commentary]

SnapShot Press Release:  HOOPS [adorning Culture through performative social commentary]

Saturday's [March 11th, 2023] world premier or HOOPS, by Eliana Pipes with original music by B~Free based on The HOOPS Project by Nicole Acosta, was an opus of social commentary that other narratives of Culture have never really grappled with. . . well, at least until now. Its unapologetic portrayal of Hoop earrings as an legacy adornment spoke to the range of existence that is tied to these magical objects that hang from one's earlobe like an extension of their souls. 

Read More

AUDACIOUS GATHERING | INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EVENT!

In addition to providing space for hanging out and drinking good tea, Not Your Mama's Tea is about the flourishing of women. The goal has always been to connect women, inspire women and equip women to grow personally and professionally.

Audacious Gatherings is the latest event designed to equip women to be audacious and glow up their lives and do it drinking a great cup of tea!

Join us for International Women's Day on March 8th! We are celebrating women of color as well as encouraging them to have the Audacity to take up space

Eternal Bloom Unveils its SS23 Collection, Celebrating the Intersection of Past and Future

Eternal Bloom, the innovative boutique fashion brand known for its luxury streetwear, announces the release of its SS23 collection, showcasing timeless designs with modern styling and luxurious fabrics. The brand, founded by Michael Tayo in 2022, is dedicated to creating unique and practical pieces with a focus on history and the future.

The SS23 collection from Eternal Bloom is a must-have for anyone looking to make a statement with their fashion choices. The collection includes:

  • Sunglasses: Bold and modern takes on classic styles, featuring unique shapes and premium materials.

  • Puffer jacket: Perfect for staying warm in colder months while still looking stylish.

  • Long sleeve rugby polo: A versatile piece that can be dressed up or down.

  • Short sleeve polo: Perfect for a casual look.

  • Zip-up polo: Offers a more relaxed and comfortable look.

Each item in the collection is designed to complement the others, creating a cohesive and stylish look. The collection is also made with sustainability in mind, reflecting Eternal Bloom's commitment to combating the effects of climate change through eco-friendly practices.

"Our SS23 collection is a celebration of the intersection of past and future," said Michael Tayo, Founder of Eternal Bloom. "Each piece is designed to embody stories of the past and offer a glimpse into what's ahead, all while being made with a focus on quality and sustainability."

Eternal Bloom is a boutique fashion brand with close ties to London, Lagos, and Chicago. The brand reflects a world of history, cultures, and creativity, and is dedicated to making a difference through sustainable practices and eco-friendly contributions. With each season collection, Eternal Bloom continues to push the boundaries of traditional fashion, offering unique and timeless pieces that are both practical and stylish.


The content in this post has been paid for & provided by Michael Tayo 

CopyWrite Magazine has applied for a KIVA Loan! | Help us raise these coins!

& This could be a Dream Deferred [But YOU could be the change].

Once upon a college project, in one of the most segregated cities in the country, where creativity blooms, even in the darkest shadows, a flicker of a dream was born. We have told this story several times. You know the one where we discovered a void in the market, where the media disregards the people who need it most, mis-representing our vitality, and undermining our existence. We knew the systems we were up against and yet we still had the audacity to dream for more. More equity in the media, more respect for creative industry, more entrepreneurship for Black & Brown people, more women in positions of leadership, more collaboration with local businesses, and more joy in being unapologetically Urban. 

It’s a good story but often we forget to share the struggle of this dream.

From the start CopyWrite has been a self funded organization, knowing historically how difficult it has been for the Black & Brown community to access capital [we are them & they are us]. We have been told we “look” like money all while using the “eat what you kill” method to maintain. We earned every dollar [there was no line of credit], we paid it forward [because each one should always teach one], we worked for free [& we gained our freedom from work]. But we have to be realistic. We NEED more.  

So we applied for a KIVA loan [a crowd funding source that allows individuals to contribute to big leading amounts with the guarantee to get their money back. Because it’s a LOAN babbbbbby!]

As our communal impact expands, partnerships increase and there are more stories to tell, we need the equipment to expand our creative horizon. With a loan like this, we will be able to serve more of our community with visual assets and the technology to produce anything that we can pretty much imagine media wise. Computers, cameras, and sound booths give us the competitive edge our corporate counterparts have [because “that's what money do”]. We want what we do to always be quality, and this loan ensures our quality will last for years to come.

Who will help us help the community? Who will stand with us and do MORE?

This message is a personal request for a favor. Now if you know me well enough, you know it's hard for me to ask for help [& if it wasn’t for my team I wouldn’t even ask]. But when that help is so I can continue to support others, then "I ain't too proud to beg" LOL. 

Your contribution matters. It says that you are an advocate for change. It says that you believe in the power of a dream that has been served by action. It says that community deserves better. It says that we can all do more.  If you have $25.00 [or more] to spare for a while, please consider tapping that link. I am hoping you will be willing to pour into the /CW Fam so that we can continue to #SupportTheLocal, advocate for change in the creative industries, and continue to connect people to Cultural and Human experiences that builds authentic community, collaborative sustainability, and narrative shifting. 

This is [& always will be] bigger than us.

Love & All Things Urban,

Lexi S. Brunson | Owner/ Active Editor-in-Chief /CW