Mecca Alim is a Bronx-based artist whose current body of work concentrates on characters in a world free from every form of bigotry and discrimination that impact the societies we live in. She has exhibited her art in galleries and establishments such as The Holy Apostles Gallery in Chelsea, Patria NJ in New Jersey, Backstreet Gallery in New Rochelle, Greenpoint Gallery in Brooklyn, The Harlem School of The Arts, and more. Mecca graduated summa cum laude from The College of Westchester before transferring to The College of New Rochelle, where she presented the solo thesis exhibition. She is experienced with traditional media such as drawing and painting, and with digital media and computer programs. Mecca currently is a teaching artist at the Harlem School of the Arts. Her artworks are composed of characters personally created. They are all placed in a multicultural universe where “body-shaming,” racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of bigotry do not exist. These works are a response to the social issues that continue to plague the world that we live in. Mecca categorizes herself as a cartoonist who delves into a world of fantasy; her personal form of escapism. While she realizes that we may never reach a utopia in which people will respect others regardless of their race, gender, or physical shape, Mecca can at least express these ideals through her work.
So we had to share this extraordinary men's Easter outfit with you all. The first to guess how many different color schemes will win the outfit, plus the Man-dals to the right...Hahaha
She goes by the sobriquet Nadira Norjahan, which is defined as a rare light of the world. Nadira is a singer, songwriter and poet presenting her brand of music to those willing to listen. Soul, jazz, blues and inspirational music are the main genres for this powered high-energy soprano vocalist. Songwriting and poetry is where Nadira brings the story of real life experiences to the forefront, so that music and poetry lovers can’t help but relate to the pains, the joys and really feeling her message. Nadira, a native of West Philly, knew from an early age that she wanted to be a singer. She sang in various choirs, took part in talent events (church, high school and local) and performed her poetry, developing her skills, stage presence and vocal delivery over several years. Her influences – Whitney Houston, Jill Scott, India Arie and Stevie Wonder. Nadira is energetic and does dynamic performances whenever she takes the stage. Her recent performances and appearances include Tobago Jazz Fest 2016, The Queen [World Cafe Live in Wilmington], Richard Raw Week - Summer of 2016, Smooches Magazine Launch, taking the stage at the 3rd Annual Liberty Music Fest, Unclaimed Bands, Power 99 Showcase at First District Plaza, Lady B’s Basement Party Radio (Poetry Edition), and Lyrically Fit Philly.
Todd Jones aka the Donutologist is no stranger to the donut
world. With over 40 years experience in the donut business, the Donutologist is
well known for his tasty mini donut treats all over the world. His Sweet Dreams catering company and Cuzins
Duzins bakery has provided delicious mini gourmet donuts for high profile
clients such as Google, Twitter and the Hard Rock Cafe.
Continuing the journey, The Donutologist has made his way to
Atlanta, GA pursing the dream of building a billion dollar global company. His
Partner and Sales Manager, Easy Glazed of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts will
continue to run operations in NYC as The Donutologist begins to sweep the south
by storm.
Mike Troy Smith is born in Brooklyn, New York. Mike is by
far one of the most versatile comedians, not to mention a worldwide
entertainer. Mike has performed stand-up comedy in England, Alaska, Germany,
Japan, Italy, and is the only American comedian that hosts a European Comedy
Tour “Da Bounce Comedy Tour” in Holland. He also hosts a Caribbean tour in
Freeport, Bahamas. Mike has recently performed in Haiti for “Stand Up in
Haiti”. In the States, he’s been seen on two seasons of the “Dave Chappelle
Show”, “The Dave Attel Show”, and the “Jon Stewart Show”. He also appeared on
NBC’s “Showtime at the Apollo”, HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam”, MTV’s “Snaps”, VH1’s
‘Hard Rock Live”, and Fox’s “Uptown Comedy Club”. Mike’s television appearances
also include Bounce TV’s “Off the Chain”, recurring roles on ABC’s “One Life to
Live” and NBC’s “Law and Order”. He has done several commercials, including
Lugz Urban Gear, Sprite, Heineken, McDonalds and Burger King. Mike has shared
the comedy stage with Russell Peters, Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan,
Sinbad, Wanda Sykes and the late great George Carlin.
This global comedian is known to have audiences bent over in
laughter from cruise lines to New York City’s “Caroline’s on Broadway”. Mike’s
comedic versatility works everywhere, from the pulpit to international opera
houses. Just wait until you hear his unique perspective on women after growing
up surrounded by 7 females. Mike has also opened for several R&B and Rock
performers.
A graduate of Shaw University in Raleigh North Carolina,
Mike is a humble comedian and his greatest passion and joy is making people
laugh. However, his most important audience is his family.
Imagine this: You’ve known - deep down in the very core of
your being - that you were going to be a singer since you were two years old.
Coming from a long line of musicians, it made perfect sense. You started
writing original piano compositions when you were only 11. So it also made
sense that you majored in music at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and
then Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. From classical flute, voice and piano
to jazz: you worked hard to hone your craft and develop a multifaceted sound.
Life was going exactly as planned. Until it didn’t.
Now imagine this: One day you’re voice is completely gone!
All of the studying, practicing, learning - how does this make sense in a life
dedicated to music? Was it all for nothing? That’s what singer B~Free faced in
the fall of 2013 when pneumonia and a throat infection left her unable to speak
- let alone sing - for three months. Vocal cord surgery followed, leaving the
musician fearing she would never sing again. After a traumatic year when she
couldn’t sing a single note, she became more determined than ever to share her
musical gifts. The year-long struggle transformed B~Free as both an artist and
an individual.
Now she’s back with the anticipated release of her sophomore
album “Ode 2 A Luv Affair,” largely featuring production and performance by the
artist herself. “No More,” the leading single and video from the project,
portrays B~Free as a vibrant young woman escaping the bonds of an abusive
relationship. The dark nature of domestic abuse is transmuted into a
declaration of freedom and hope through B-Free’s heartfelt lyrics and powerful
vocals. With the nostalgic presence of R&B/Soul, the richness of her
training and purity of her voice, B-Free’s multiple talents as a Singer-Songwriter-Producer-Musician
are bound to make a mark on the music industry. Armed with a B.A. in Music
Performance and a Masters degree in Music Education, her main purpose is to
share her gift with the world. She's performed in a number of venues throughout
the country, including Summerfest, the Kennedy Center, The Double Door, and The
Shrine. B~Free has also shared stages with artists such as Slum Village, Dwele,
BJ The Chicago Kid, and Talib Kweli. In her hometown of Milwaukee, B~Free is
lead vocalist of the popular group Foreign Goods and collaborates often with
lyricist-producer Klassik, bringing her commitment to music into her own
community.
The year 2012 marked the release of her first independent
project "Open Mic, Open Heart,” an eight track studio album compiled of
original material composed, produced and performed by B~Free. The project
garnered rave reviews from notable blogs and media figures in the U.S. and
Europe, including ThisIsRnB.com, Grown Folks Music, Urban Informer, The
Conscious Tip, Supastar Magazine (Netherlands) and Fake Shore Drive. Infused
with traces of past and present generations of Soul, Hip Hop and R&B,
B-Free’s musical expressions are honest and passionate representations of all
of the capabilities the songstress embodies.
