Curvz Magazine February/March 2013 issue

CONTENTS

6 CoupleJonathan & Lanita Smith

14 Fashion N FitnessBy: Coach Vicky Jackson

16 CoupleDrs. Marlon &Kanesha Waites, Jr

26 The Photography ZoneSharonda SikesPinkk Eye Images

32 CoupleNorris & Tikisha Johnson

CURVZAnthony Big Moe ColemanEditor-in-Chief and C.E.O. KL Young Executive Marketing

Writers Dawnice Harrison Raven Nest

Maria Williams The Listening Lounge

Tanesha Dewberry Pintsizediva

Vicky Jackson Fashion N Fitness Jo Jchell Jones Get Your Style On

6 Curvz February/March 2013

Jonathan & Lanita SmithKL: How did you meet? We met at church

KL: How long have you been married? We have been married for 9 years.

KL: What was your first impression of each other? Johnathan My first impression of my wife was “wow”, she is gorgeous and out of my league. Lanita I first noticed my husband when he was playing the drums at church. I thought he was cute.

KL: Do you have any children? We have three (3) handsome boys. (Ages 6, 3, 7 months)

KL: How do you make valentine day special for each other? We make Valentine’s Day special by making Valentine’s Day everyday.

KL:What are some of your interest? Studying the word, creating music, playing the drums, and having fun family time.

KL: What relationship advice would you give to someone? The relationship advice that we would give is to keep God the head of the marriage and to clearly communicate with your spouse at all times.

KL: One word that would describe your love for one another?Unconditional

KL: What do you want readers to know about you? We want readers to know that we make our marriage a continuous love adventure. Whatever sit-uation we are faced with, we make the conscientious decision to love our way through it.

Photographer by Sharonda Sikes Pinkk Eye ImagesFacebook: Pinkk Eye ImagesPhone: 214-601-3298Email: [email protected]

February/March 2013 Curvz 7

http://www.visualimpressionz.com

February is the month of love, which is represented by Valentine’s Day. This month we will focus on loving ourselves and having the courage to make a difference in our own lives. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”Proverbs 23:7 We must have positive thoughts about our-selves to help take the necessary steps towards having a happy and healthy life. Positive thoughts and feelings about ourself enable us to be successful in our fitness goals.

This month we will focus on losing belly fat. There are three very important components to losing belly fat.

1. Diet, which means making the right food choices.

2. Exercise, which means working out at home or the gym.

3. Rest, which means allowing the body to relax so tha it can recover from the exertion from working out.

Find exercise programs that you like so that you will look forward to working out it three to four times a week. Some great program ideas are: aerobic exercises, strength & conditioning training, flexibility exercises, weight-loss dance based program, cycling programs, yoga and pilates. It’s good to diversify workout programs because each program will work each body part differently, helping you move toward total body fitness. Let’s getting started on our 30 minute workout routine: 5 min of warming up by doing some simple stretches 5 min of jogging in place. To increase the intensity use three to five pound hand weights. 5 min of doing slow and complete squats 5 min of doing forward lunges 5 min of dong bicycle crunch 5 min cool down very slow walk in place

Always remember you are strong, intelligent and beautiful and we are focused on loving ourselves this month. Until next month wink at yourself in the mirror and say “Being Fit is Always in Fashion”.

Fashion N FitnessWhere being fit is always in fashion

By: Coach Vicky Jackson


Drs. Marlon & Kanesha Waites, Jr.

Location: Dallas, TX

Birthdates: Marlon – May 3rd Kanesha – October 26th

Ages: Marlon – 31 yrs. old Kanesha – 32 yrs.old

Photos By: Sharonda Sikes Pinkk Eye Images

Interview by: KL

Cover Couple

Drs. Marlon & Kanesha Waites, Jr.Cover Couple

KL: How did you meet? Kanesha: We met at Prairie View A&M Universi-ty in 1999 our Freshman year at Drew Hall. Our bond and friendship grew as we worked together in study groups.

KL: How long have you been married? We married on June 28, 2008 and we have been married for 4 ½ years.

KL: One word that would describe your love for one another?Marlon: Spontaneous Kanesha: Everlasting

KL: Do you have nicknames for one another?Marlon: BabeKanesha: Ray KL: What was your first impression of Her/Him? Marlon: Intelligent, Courageous, Stunning, Per-fect match for meKanesha: Eclectic, Handsome, a Gentleman, and Hilarious

KL: If you had to pick a song that summed up each other what would that song be?Marlon: Love Is You by Christee Michelle Kanesha: So High, On Cloud 9 by John Legend

KL: What is your idea of a truly romantic eve-ning?Marlon: Home cooked meal, soft jazz and wineKanesha: Waking up to my husband being spon-taneous asking me to spend the day with him at the zoo, holding hands, sharing in conversation and enjoying the present moment

KL: How did you know Kanesha was the one?Marlon: When I saw her in my freshman class-room and look into her eyes, I knew she was my wife. 18 Curvz February/March 2013

KL: How did Marlon Propose?Kanesha: I woke on the morning of my 27th birthday to be showered with gifts and break-fast at our favorite breakfast restaurant “The Pancake House.” I knew it had to be a special day because he took off a half a day of work, which is a forbidden rule for him (laughing out loud). He then took me to our favorite park to relax and talk. Suddenly, he got on one knee with a big Kool-Aid smile and tears flowing down his cheek and asked me to marry him. I couldn’t hear or fathom what he asked after he opened the boxed and the sun began to shine and blind me with the most amazing diamond ring.

KL: If you weren’t in the profession you are, what would be your other dream profession and why?Marlon: An actor because I like to entertain people with my wittiness. Kanesha: What I love about my profession is that I have the ability to reinvent my job criteria year-after-year doing things I love and that I’m passionate about. My dream was never bigger than my reality. I feel honored and blessed to be in my profession. This journey for me has been purpose driven and a blessing unto others.

KL: What was your parents’ relationship like growing up?Marlon: My parents always had each other’s back every step of the way. Kanesha: Mature, Meaningful and Uncondi-tional. Although my parents eventually di-vorced they were very mature and intentional by staying together until I was old enough to understand their decision to divorce. There was meaning behind every teachable moment they instilled in my life as they raised me with integ-rity and virtue. They showed me the true mean-ing of unconditional love as my father drifted from this earth (June 29, 2003). My mother

exemplified in her actions, what true love is, as she cared for my father in his last days until the moment we held hands as a family one last time as he took his last breath here on earth. That very moment was defining, I learned that no matter what life deals your way, Love is everlasting until death do you part. The true message of forgiveness and endless love!

KL: Can you name three qualities that at-tracted you when you met me him/her?Marlon: Her style, poise, and graceKanesha: I was attracted to his kindred spirit, compassion, and respect for meWhat celebrity couple would you say your most influence by? Ourselves, I consider us to be celebrities. What is a celebrity? Merriam Web-ster defines it as the state of being celebrated, meaning you have to do something great that deserves recognition or celebration. The two of us have accomplished great things in our lives educationally, professionally, and spiri-tually through God’s favor. Being recognized and celebrated by Curvz Magazine has allowed us to exude our message of empowerment as an illustration of what can be accomplished by anyone who sets their standards above the rest.

KL: Do you have any children? If no do you plan on having any? No however, in God’s timing.

KL: What are the top five qualities that you hope your children will inherit from both of you? We pray that our children receive God’s pur-pose for their life, humility, integrity, intelli-gence and prosperity.

KL: What is your dream destination to go on vacation and why?Marlon: Hawaii is the place to be at all times! I love it!

Kanesha: I would love to experience a vacation in Fiji in an overwater bungalow

KL: What is your favorite movie Movie to watch together?Marlon: Kill Bill and RootsKanesha: Kill Bill

KL: You’re a busy couple how do you find the time to spend with one another?We make time for one another whether we’re together or apart. We try to never allow a day to go by without kissing one another and saying “I Love you.”

KL: Who has given you the best relationship advice and what was it?Marlon: My dad, “A happy wife makes a happy life.” Kanesha: My grandmother Lillian Myers, “hon-or your husband with love.”

KL: How do you make Valentine’s Day special for each other?Marlon: Make Valentine’s Day everyday of your life with small tokens of appreciation. Kanesha: By celebrating everyday of the year with never-ending love and acts of kindness towards one another.

KL: Okay we need to know what is your big-gest petpive about each other?Marlon: Her cleanliness to the upmost level! Kanesha: My husband’s non-cleanliness. I am very meticulous when it comes to keeping my house emasculate however; it is not a priority nor desire for my husband who continuously leaves trails for me.

KL: What relationship advice would you give to someone?Marlon: Keep God first for an everlasting rela-tionship.


Kanesha: Without God, communication, re-spect and love it is very difficult to survive.

KL: What do you want readers to know about you?Marlon: I love my wife and my life!Kanesha: That I am so blessed to have a hus-band like Marlon. He is the epittimy of love. I would also like to congratulate my husband; he was recently appointed as the principal of the school he started his career in 6 ½ years ago. I believe God has truly anointed our lives for being obedient to his word. To see the both of us accomplish so much in the few years of our life together makes me humble. By 31 years of age, Marlon has accomplished being a stu-dent, teacher, mentor teacher, instructional facilitator, assistant principal, obtaining his masters and doctorate’s degree in educational leadership, becoming an entrepreneur opening up a driving school with his family, and now a principal. By 32 years of age, I, Kanesha have accomplished being a student, working my way up from being a volunteer, substitute to the behavior specialist in my school district within 2 years, obtaining 2 master degrees a doctorate’s degree in clinical psychology, partnering with family to become an entrepreneur of our first driving school, a county, state and national pag-eant queen (Mrs. Glenn Heights Plus America, Mrs. Texas Plus America, and now Mrs. Plus America 2012), to an editorial, fashion, and runway model. As long as we continue to be faithful and obedient to God, we know that The Best Is Yet To Come!

Special thank you’s?To the magazine editor who saw the love and empowerment we shared through a single pic-ture on Facebook without evening meeting us. God Bless You for allowing us this opportunity to share our story in your magazine! To Ms. K.L. Young for the opportunity, encour-

agement and wisdom given from her heart to strengthen and guide others to be successful. To Sharonda Sikes for allowing our personal-ities to shine at our photo-shoot, while using her God given talents to produce empower-ment through pictures. To Nanette Watts for allowing God to see something special in the both of us and encouraging us to show the world our true gifts and talents. Her words breath life into the message she has for us, “You are just one star in the Universe but if you con-tinue to shine brightly, you will always be seen.” To our parents, Estella Davis and Marlon and Gwen Waites, Sr. thank you for the creation of life. Thank you for being a blessing unto lives, for supporting and loving us unconditionally. Everlasting gratefulness, honor and love be-longs to you. To our naysayers remember God is in control! Your specific journey is no acci-dent, God planned everything and everyone. We pray that one day you will see his amazing plan for your life.

Photographer by Sharonda Sikes Pinkk Eye ImagesFacebook: Pinkk Eye ImagesPhone: 214-601-3298Email: [email protected]


The Photography Zone

Sharonda Sikes Pinkk Eye Images

Curvz Mag: How long have you been a photographer?Sharonda: 2 years

Curvz Mag: What inspired you to become a photographer and how did you get started?Sharonda: I have always had a love for capturing moments. The night before my second nephew was to arrive; my sister and brother-in-law’s camera was not working correctly. The next morning to buy to cheap camera and fall in love with my first Canon DLSR. While at the store I could literally picture every shot taken before hand. And since then I have been seeing photography everywhere.

Curvz Mag: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?Sharonda: No

Curvz Mag: What type of camera did you start out using and what are you using now?Sharonda: Canon Power Shoot

Curvz Mag: What does photography mean to you?Sharonda: The better question would be what doesn’t it mean to me. But if I had to sum it up it means tell-ing stories untold, revealing beauty in unlikely places, giving imagination life, sharing special and sacred moments, and downright having fun through a lenses.

Curvz Mag: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW?Sharonda: I cannot remember one… I have so many WOW moments….

Where is your favorite location to work as a photographer and why?Sharonda: I really don’t have a favorite but if I have to say one place it would be the world itself. Every street, park, building, roof top, skyline, bridge, waterfall, train station, graphic wall, tree, construction site, run down house, and playgrounds has a special place in my heart.


Curvz Mag: Who are some of the other photographers out there that you look up too?Sharonda: Wow there are so many; Jesse Patterson, Kauwuane Burton, Alex Hudson, Krystal Hawkins, Ar-brook Haynes (Serious Focus) all of Dallas, Michael Moore of Alabama, and Anthony Tillman of Virginia

Curvz Mag: What are some of the things you would tell a model before she or he comes in for a photo shoots?Sharonda: Relax, practice and study your poses at home, know your good side, drink lots of water, Relax, look in the mirror and do self-affirmation for self-confidence and self-assurance, where great body sup-port, Relax, and have fun

Curvz Mag: What are some of your long and short term goals as a photographer?Sharonda: Long Term Goal – I would like to provide a full service company which would provide hair styl-ist, make-up artist, stylist, and a team of photographers.

Curvz Mag: Any projects you are working on currently?Sharonda: Yes, there are many one in particular one of my very own imaginations coming to life. In honor of my mom who pasted in January 2011 where I will be doing a “Girls Want To Have Fun” shoot. My mom loved to dress up, buy shoes, change her hair, laugh and since she had all girls this shoot will be a tribute to her, all while raising money for Sickle Cell.

Curvz Mag: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into photography?Sharonda: Photography can be a hobby or a career. With both you can have fun. If you choose photogra-phy as a career, know the business and understand the uncertainty of the business. Treat your business as a real business. Don’t compare yourself to other photographers. Find what you’re great at, what you’re good at, and the type of photographer you aspire to be.

Curvz Mag: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you or any shout outs?Sharonda: Of Course! First I have to give all Honor, Praise, and Glory to My God for without Him I AM NOTHING. And I am humbled that he allows me to do what I love.

One thing you have to know about me is I am the best, I mean the best auntie ever. I have 5 nephews that keep me busy and I love every moment of it. As a matter of fact my youngest nephew is my biggest fan as a singer. I love like really love to sing, I may not always be in the key that normal people are use to but I still love to sing.

I have to give a shout out to the best sister ever Lanita. She is the youngest but she acts like my big sister. She is very over protective. If she was not married with children we would be joined at the hip. But I have to let her husband have some time. She supports everything that I do even if she doesn’t understand it. Besides her kids being my biggest fan she’s my even bigger fan. I love you sissy you are a coach, a friend, a manager, a marketer, you keep me in line


Thank you Jonathan my brother-in-law for always hyping me up, like my pictures are the best thing since a slice of bread.

My spiritual leaders Bishop Smith, the first family and Joyce Morgan, Pastor Miki always covering and praying for me.Thanks to Joye Smith for assisting even when I’m in my crazy mode, to Jaylicia my mini me I am so proud of you. Jessica Flowers (my sister) and Brandy Maynard for letting me set up my studio in her home, Katie (KL) Young for believing and supporting me and getting me this gig. You Rock. Sonya, Brandy, Tiffany M., Tammie, Tiffany T. and Rodney, for being the best PEP models ever. And of course my Cedric Rives for giving me my first out of state live concert gigs.

Shamequia Carson, Krystal Smith and Kamica Walker Stephanie Sparks, Tawni Haynes and Cynthia Diggs for always recommending me and allowing me to be a part of the team.

Jesse Patterson, Arbrook Haynes and Krystal Hawkins for critiquing and keeping me well prepared.

Michael Moore for giving me advice from miles away.

Maurice Dixon for always being honest, helping me choose photos, and coaching me.

Brandy Nordgren the best makeup artist ever.

Joseph Hawthrone for great ideas and tough love.All my clients for allowing me to capture their moments …..

Facebook: Pinkk Eye ImagesPhone: 214-601-3298Email: [email protected]


Norris and Tikisha JohnsonLocation: Grand Prairie, TxPhotos By: Sharonda Sikes Pinkk Eye Images


CU

RV

ZM

agaz

ine

Curvz Magazine February/March 2013 issue

Documents

Transcript of Curvz Magazine February/March 2013 issue