Dear Pennies & Pens,
le magazine noir aka “The Black Magazine” is the name of the Black History Month issue of de la Pen…All Pen Everything. When brainstorming names for our Black History Month issue, we wanted something that was unique, classy, and chic.
We started searching the internet for inspiration and racking our brains and suddenly, “l’album noir” or “The Black Album”, a line from Jay Z’s 2003 album popped into our heads. So we decided to google how to say the black magazine in French. Realizing that it was like the most fabulous thing ever, we knew we had to move forward with le magazine noir so here it is.
le magazine noir is being published after Black History Month because we wanted to take our time to create a dope issue instead of just being “timely”. We feel like this: “Black people didn’t wait until February to create history so we can celebrate it everyday”. Plus we want everyone to know Black history and culture goes beyond 28 days.
le magazine noir is the definition of All Black Everything because it features Black fashion, art, music, food, and more. This issue contains interviews with some of the best emerging Black artists and entrepreneurs working today. These artists and entrepreneurs put their heart and soul into everything they create. So it’s only fair that we did the same when featuring them.
In this issue, you get to meet Kuul, a Brooklyn based Hip-hop artist who has managed to “Link With Legends” by fusing old school flava with contemporary classic. The kid is seriously nice on the mic and drops wisdom beyond his years in his interview.
Then there’s Samara Houston, a Dallas based Baker/Chef that makes confections that are truly “love at first bite”. Trust me, I know, I cheated on Veganism just to sample Samara’s red velvet cheesecake at the No Tie Dinner and Dessert Party and it was so worth the cheat, lol!
le magazine noir also contains an interview with Jarrod Anderson, a NY based Photographer who refuses to show his work before it’s done. Jarrod says he lives by the line “WWBD”…What Would Beyonce` Do?
Basically, Jarrod keeps all of his projects hush hush so that he can spend time perfecting the final product. Much respect to Jarrod for being different and not following the “behind the scenes” social media trend.
Additionally, le magazine noir has an interview with Spencer Evans, a Houston born, Dallas based Visual Artist who creates pieces that tell his truth based on his own reality and experiences.
Spencer really makes you think about how the Black experience is portrayed in America through his work and in his interview. It’s definitely worth a read.
Lastly, there’s an interview with Michelle Blue and Sasha Matthews, Co-Owners of Bene Scarves. Michelle & Sasha create beautiful silk scarves inspired by West African textiles.
In their interview, Michelle & Sasha offer fantastic yet simple advice to aspiring entrepreneurs telling them to “just start”. They talk about working on your business a little bit at a time until you perfect your craft. It’s so inspiring and motivating. Definitely worth the read.
le magazine noir articles can be read here on de la Pen…All Pen Everything. Additionally, our publisher ISLP will be creating a special digital edition of le magazine noir.
The digital edition will include all these interviews in one place (so you don’t have to click around to read each article), additional interviews, features, profiles, photos, and much more. le magazine noir digital will be sold via Pennies & Pens. Be sure to stay tuned for the release!
And there it is. de la Pen…All Pen Everything. With us, keeping it real never goes wrong.
