Comcast welcomes two more Multicultural channels to their roster, ‘Afro’ and ‘Cleo TV’ with a celebration at the Newseum in D.C.

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Photos and article by Jovanna Reyes

On Thursday, March 14, Comcast celebrated the new media additions to their cable systems, Afrotainment’s ‘Afro’ channel and TV One’s ‘Cleo TV’. The event held in Washington D.C.’s Newseum was hosted by Comcast, represented by Keisha Boyd, Executive Director of Multicultural Products and featured Urban One founder Cathy Hughes, Urban One President and CEO, Alfred Liggins III, Michelle Rice(General Manager of Cleo TV), Yves Bollanger(CEO/founder of Afrotainment channels) and talents from both channels.

Comcast’s David Cohen, Afro Channel CEO and founder Yves Bollanger, Urban One founder Cathy Hughes, General Manager of Cleo TV Michelle Rice, Keisha Boyd, Comcast Executive Director Multicultural Products and guest.

**Urban One President and CEO, Alfred Liggins III**

**Rahsan Rahsan Lindsay, TV One EVP, Ad Sales & Marketing**

Comcast made a commitment to include ten multicultural channels as part of their 2011 acquisition of NBCUniversal. Those channels include Revolt, El Rey, with Afro and Cleo TV rounding out their fulfillment. Michelle Rice was the lead to bringing Cleo TV to fruition. Her goal was to create a channel that fully engages Black women 24/7. “Cleo will offer content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes.” Yves Bollanger shared the goal of his ‘Afro’ channel. “We are excited to showcase all shades of the Black culture…:”

Here are some of the offerings available on the ‘Afro’ and ‘Cleo TV’:

‘Cleo TV’ http://www.mycleotv.com:

Sister Circle, a live mulitplatform talk show featuring Rashan Ali, Trina Braxton, Syleena Johnson

Tough Love, NYC millenials navigating love in the city.

Lens of Culture with Tai Beauchamp

Just Eats with Chef JJ with host JJ Johnson

Chef JJ Johnson

New Soul Kitchen with Jernard Wells

Chef Wells with Cathy Hughes

Cleo Speaks with April Reign

‘Afro’ http://www.afros.tv:

Katrina Lee
Candice Cruz
Gigi Moorman
Sandy Laborde
Kaya Chihombori
Sisaundra

The Lowdown, a late night show with James Yon

POINT OF VIEW-A talk show for women hosted by Erika Washington, Kaya Chihombori, Sandy Laborde, Candice Cruz and Sisaundra.

KAYA CHIHOMBORI @KAYA_DAILYH

SANDY LABORDE @SANDYLABORDE

HSISAUNDRA @SISAUNDRA

CANDICE CRUZ @CANDICE.TALKS

Style Check-featuring Katrina Lee and CL Freeman

KATRINA LEE @STYLESBYKATRINA

CL FREEMAN @CLTHEBRAND

Information below provided by PR for Cleo TV and Afrotainment.

For more information on CLEO TV, visit CLEO TV’s YouTube Channel and check out exclusive, behind-the-scenes content on www.mycleo.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on CLEO TV’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@mycleotv) using the hashtag #CLEOTV.

About Afrotainment
Afrotainment, a Florida-based company edits, operates and distributes eight networks from its state-of-the-art film and television studios in Orlando and Queens, New York. Afrotainment channels are available in the US and Canada via cable, satellite, fiber-optic and OTT platforms. Visit www.afrotainment.us for more information.

Vydurya Lokesh, Celebrity MUA, Body Positive Influencer and Muse

December 8, 2018December 8, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

I met the amazing and wondrous Vydurya Lokesh at the Priscilla Ono Masterclass in NYC this past summer. I was the oldest woman there and realized quickly I was way out of my league in the course. The silver lining, outside of learning that makeup application is an art, is meeting Vy. Her aura is gentle, kind and she glows. I mean her skin glows! She reminded me of Lupita Nyongo, who also has luminescent skin and happens to be the direct descendant of Eve. I wouldn’t be surprised if Vydurya has DNA from a Goddess of Light. It’s who she is and I hope I captured it in this collection of photos.

One of the evenings after class, I invited her to have dinner and we ended up at Eataly near the World Trade Center, after visiting MAC, of course. At dinner, she went on to tell me about her childhood and the tribulations she experienced at such an early age. I realized that her past made her clueless on her beauty. She was just happy to be alive and be a positive influence to everyone she meets. The entire dinner, I kept thinking what a classic beauty she is and how I would love the opportunity to photograph her. She was shocked and moved when I finally asked her.

Her last night in the states she spent with me in Maryland and we shot until late evening. I am happy to share these with you and hope you can see the light that reflects from Vydurya that I noticed from the moment we met.

As she likes to say, “I am destiny’s child. “, not the singing group, but a child of faith that walks in light.

Please make sure to follow her on Instagram @VyduryaLokesh and Facebook @Artistry by Vydurya Lokesh.

Photos and article by Jovanna Reyes:

Follow Instagram@jovannareyesphotography and @curvysta

Street Style:@ABFF 2018 Miami Beach

June 20, 2018June 20, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

CURVYSTA Emerging Artist:Tamika Patton from the Stellar Awards

April 7, 2018May 15, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

PHOTOS/VIDEO AND ARTICLE BY JOVANNA REYES WWW.JOVANNAREYES.COM

Gospel artist and Philly native, Tamika Patton performed at the Stellar Independent Artist and Quartet Showcase and mesmerized the audience. Her rich, full bodied voice moved everyone as she sang her new single “Lord Fill Me Up”. The winner of Radio One’s ‘Best Inspirational Singer in America 2011’ contest, Ms. Patton has traveled the world sharing her God given talent and spreading the word through her ministry. Her talents can be seen on stages as an actress as well, performing as Mahalia Jackson with Loretta Devine and Don B. Welch productions. She’s also shared the stage with gospel greats CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and many more.

Here is a snippet of video of her performance at the Stellar Awards event.

Follow her:

Instagram@TamikaPattonMusic

Twitter@TamikaPatton

Facebook@TamikaMusic

The Best of The Stellar Awards 2018 Red Carpet

April 1, 2018May 15, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JOVANNA REYES WWW.JOVANNAREYES.COM

FOLLOW CURVYSTA @INSTAGRAM @FACEBOOK @TWITTER

VIDEO SUPPLIED BY THE STELLAR AWARDS 2018

The 33rd annual Stellar Awards, aired on TV One, Friday March 30th at 9Eastern/8Central and will continue to air through May 6th. The esteemed event showcased the top gospel artists and celebrated those that have dedicated their lives and talent to the genre. The red carpet event, held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, included top artists like Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, JJ Hairston, red carpet host NotKarltonBanks and more. The artists were in regal form with printed vibrant suit jackets and brilliant gowns, exemplifying gospel imagery at its finest! The Stellar Awards red carpet is itself an event not to be missed. Visit http://www.stellarawards.com for more information.

TINA AND ERICA CAMPBELL, FORMERLY OF MARY MARY, PERFORMED TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS. THEY’VE CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THEIR PROSPECTIVE SOLO CAREERS.

ERICA CAMBPELL STYLED BY GOO GOO ATKINS WEARING DAUGHTERS OF NONYELUM HAIR BY VEDA NELMS FACE BEAT BY TERRELL MULLINS

LEXI ALLEN, HOST OF THE STELLAR AWARDS PRE-SHOW. STYLED BY J. BOLIN DRESS BY ANR FASHIONS HAIR BY NICOLE YVETTE FACE BEAT BY GEORGE MCKENNEY

JEWELRY :CHOKED BY ERICA K AND N SIDE A DIVAS CLOSET, CLUTCH: SHOP J BOLIN

TINA CAMPBELL STYLED BY GOO GOO ATKINS WEARING DAUGHTERS OF NONYELUM HAIR BY VEDA NELMS FACE BEAT BY JAMESE JORDAN

CHRISTIANEE PORTER OF THE CHRISTI SHOW WEARING KENYA MOLLIE OF PROJECT RUNWAY 16

KEKE WYATT GRACED THE RED CARPET IN A LACE TWO PIECE FLORAL EMBROIDERY AND SANG HER HEART OUT IN A BRIGHT YELLOW ENSEMBLE. HAIR/MUA/STYLED BY ELIJAH COHEN

TASHA PAGE-LOCKHART GRACED THE CARPET WITH AN AMAZING CUSTOM RED BEADED GOWN BY ALGERNON JOHNSON WITH A FACE BEAT TO THE GODS BY DEEDEE KELLY. THE TWO TONE SHORT HAIR STYLE, BY KI EDWARDS, FIT THE ENSEMBLE PERFECTLY. SHE WAS TRULY SERVING ON THE RED CARPET.

LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON WEARING LINDA BEZUIDENHOUT COUTURE STYLED BY KASH HOWARD

LAURIEANNE GIBSON WAS PRETTY IN PINK IN TRINA TURK AND JOINED BY MITCH SOLAREK. CHECK OUT HER NEW SHOW ON LIFETIME TV, BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT.

TASHA COBBS LEONARD (STYLED BY J. BOLIN) WON THE STELLAR AWARD FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTIST OF THE YEAR AND THE ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR. CHECK OUT HER PERFORMANCE BELOW DURING THE STELLAR AWARDS AT THE ORLEANS ARENA IN LAS VEGAS.

TASHA COBBS LEONARD PERFORMANCE OUTFIT BY NICCI HOU; STYLED BY J. BOLIN

ANIKA NONI ROSE WEARING JOVANI FASHIONS, EARRINGS BY RICARDO BASTA

TAMELA MANN PERFORMED AT THE STELLAR AWARDS 2018 AND RECEIVED THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR HER DEDICATION AND GIFTS TO THE GENRE OF GOSPEL MUSIC.

KEYONDRA LOCKETT STYLED BY KIMBERLY LOCKETT

greenleafmusiccoordinator — ANGELA JOLIVETTE, SOUNDTRACK PRODUCER FOR GREENLEAF 2 AND WINNER OF STELLAR AWARD FOR BEST SOUNDTRACK 2018

DEBORAH JOY WINANS, DESIREE ROSS, MERLE DANDRIDGE

GENTLEMEN IN VIBRANT SUITS PREVAILED ON THE STELLAR RED CARPET:

GREENLEAF’S JASON DIRDEN

JASON MCGHEE, GOSPEL ARTIST AND PERFORMER AT THE STELLAR AWARDS

DEREK BLANKS, PHOTOGRAPHER AND STELLAR AWARD WINNER FOR VIDEO OF THE YEAR WITH TINA CAMPBELL

VASHAWN MITCHELL

CANTON JONES, GOSPEL ARTIST AND PERFORMER AT THE STELLAR AWARDS 2018

NOTKARLTONBANKS, COMEDIAN AND INTERNET SENSATION, HOST OF THE STELLAR AWARD RED CARPET

JONATHAN SLOCUMB, HOST OF THE STELLAR INDEPENDENT AND QUARTET AWARDS 2018

THE AMAZING FAMILIES ON THE STELLAR AWARDS 2018 RED CARPET:

TRAVIS GREENE AND FAMILY

THE TANKARDS

BRYAN POPIN AND FAMILY

DEITRICK HADDON AND FAMILY

KIERRA SHEARD AND J. SHEARD

JJ HAIRSTON AND TRINA HAIRSTON

TODD DULANEY AND WIFE

ONE MAN IN A SUIT IS BREATHTAKING, A GROUP CAN CAUSE YOU TO SWOON:

THE HAMILTONES

FOLLOW CURVYSTA @INSTAGRAM @FACEBOOK @TWITTER

Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, KeKe Wyatt and more to perform at the 2018 Gospel Stellar Awards in Vegas

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Article by Jovanna Reyes www.jovannareyes.com Instagram@jovannareyesphotography
Photos supplied by JL Media PR for the Gospel Stellar Awards 2018

This year’s 2018 Gospel Stellar Awards, www.TheStellarAwards.com, produced by Don Jackson, will be hosted by Kirk Franklin at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The show, tickets are available to the public, will air on TV ONE, Friday, March 30th at 9PM ET/8PM CT. Snoop Dogg will perform gospel songs from his new album “Bible of Love”with Tye Tribbett and after six years, sisters Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell will reunite to perform as Mary Mary. Tasha Page Lockhart Cece Winans Keke Wyatt and more talented artists will grace the stage once again. One of the many highlights of the evening will be the Red Carpet coverage by Internet sensation and comedian, Karlton Humes, aka NotKarltonBanks.

Honoree Tamela Mann is this year’s recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the genre of gospel. Mrs. Mann was formerly with Kirk Franklin and the Family before having a successful career in acting. Mrs. Mann can be seen in many Tyler Perry productions and presently stars in “Mann and Wife” with her husband, David Mann.

David and Tamela Mann_preview — TAMELA MANN AND DAVID MANN

JJ Hairston by E GIBSON_preview (1) — JJ HAIRSTON

For more information visit www.StellarAwards.com. Follow the Stellar Awards @thestellars and #stellarawards to stay updated on the three day event.

VIDEO:Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Evans and more celebs grace the “Black Panther” Red Carpet for Save the Children

February 22, 2018February 22, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

‘Welcome to Wakanda’ Black Panther NYFW Presentation for Save the Children

February 19, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Marvel’s Black Panther NYFW Presentation raised monies for Save the Children foundation. Designers created garments that represented their idea of Wakanda attire. Sophie Theallet, Tome, Ikire Jones, Chromat, Cushnie Et Ochs donated their time and efforts to the event.

Article and Video by Jovanna Reyes http://www.jovannareyes.com

Maxwell, Tamron Hall, Susan L. Taylor and Michael Eric Dyson honor the legendary Cicely Tyson, Tarana Burke and Rev. Barber II

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Photos/Videos and article by: Jovanna Reyes www.jovannareyes.com

The Grammys 2018 week ended with a celebration for acclaimed activist and actress, Cicely Tyson and to help raise funds for the National Cares Mentoring Movement. Created by Editor Emeritus of Essence Magazine, Susan L. Taylor, soon after the Katrina storm in 2006, the Cares Movement recruits and trains Black adults to mentor children in need and in crisis. The national organization has grown exponentially in just a few years. Visit www.caresmentoring.org for more information on how to volunteer and donate.

The audience was treated to the gracefulness of beautiful ballerinas from Ms. Tyson’s namesake school, the Cicely Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts located in East Orange, N.J. The gala was hosted by Tamron Hall(journalist) and Michael Eric Dyson(Professor and author) with singer Maxwell serenading the audience.

The gala also honored Tarana Burke(creator of #MeToo movement) and Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, whose speeches were moving and inspired the crowd to extend themselves beyond their comfort zone to make a difference and help those in need.

Many celebrities graced the red carpet and supported the Cares Gala with their presence and donations. Monifah(singer/R&B Divas), Roland Martin(journalist), Judge Mablean, Sunny Hostin(The View), Jussie Smollett(Empire), Debra Lee(BET) and many more.