An Introduction to Block Head

About two months ago, after I finished creating the entire line up for the magazine, I couldn't help but to feel like something was missing. This magazine is for the offbeat and fly creative, and the sections are pretty straight forward; Style, Hair Etc., Sound, Life, Hood, Body, Art +History...It seemed to me like these sections together would amount to a well rounded book, that touched on every aspect that was important in a young adults life. Then I thought..something still seemed to be missing..Then I thought about how other magazines end their book...some have horoscope, some have words of wisdom, some have throw back tributes and others have a fashion or trend page..well of course since everyone is doing this...none of these will work for N3 Magazine.

I knew that I wanted to close the book in a special way..I wanted to end with something that the readers was "great" enough to sum up all the amazing content that would be prior to it. All of a sudden, I figured it out..it was like a light went off in my head..and I knew what I was missing. At that very moment my idea of Block Head was born. Block Head is the main character in a comic strip that will run on the closing page of N3 Magazine. The Block Head comic strip will address famously debated societal issues, stereo types and norms. Additionally, it will offer solutions to these issues, and introduce a more "free" alternative way of thinking. Block Head is a non-age, non-race, and non-gendered being that accidentally lands/arrives on our planet. Block Head is foreign to this planet, and there for is not bogged down by the some of the weight that we have been forced to carry and except as humans.

A comic strip is historically the perfect way to get "heavy" information and opinions out to the public. Its like saying not so nice things, but doing it with a smile. Animation is comforting to young and old, and is the perfect place to either hide or expose a message, it just all depends on what the messenger has to say. I guess the old saying is really true..say along with me now.. A picture is worth a thousand words!!!

Please feel free to leave a comment with some issues that you would like to see the Block Head Comic Strip address...remember, think global issues, societal issues, religious issues, racial issues, etc..aka "the sticky stuff"

"How does it feel to follow your dreams?" she asked...

So I had an interesting FB IM conversation last night. I was on FB, checking messages, updating my status, all the usual stuff, when I decided to check the side panel to see who was online. Immediately I was so happy to see that one of my girlfriends, a fly and very talented PR Director at FILA, was online. With her busy schedule this is very rare. So I decided to start the IM convo..it went a little something like this:

"Hey Lady!" I typed and hit the enter key. "Hey Gwen!"She replied. "How are you? How has your summer been?" "Good I answered, the start of the magazine is gaining much interest, and speaking of it, I'm still waiting for your email so I can send you the press release!" She typed back quickly exclaiming, "I'm sorry hun! I have been so busy, doing it asap right now, I am so proud of you for doing this, starting your on magazine, how does it feel?" I thought about this question, and got chills over my whole body.."I feel lifted," I typed, "I know that lifted is a strange word to use, but I feel free and in sync with what I should be doing right now. Some days I wake up with panic, and anxiety, thinking "What did I do? I already told so many people, so now I have to go through with this" and then I am immediately calm, because I know that I have my family, an awesome idea, seven years in the magazine publishing world, and the support of so many people who believe in me" "Wow" she said. "It is nice to hear an honest answer. When you ask most people how it feels to start something or do something big, they just say it feels "great" or "amazing," they never speak of the down side or the scary side." "Well," I started.."It's not an easy thing to follow your gut, leave what you know, and try something different. Most people who do so are so busy trying not to acknowledge the fears that they have, because they want to keep moving forward, and they know that moving forward in fear really means that your moving backward from success. So it's just easier to say that everything is going well, even when you may feel nervous that it won't."

When I decided to start a magazine, I new the reasons for which I made the decision. For the past seven years of my life, after graduation from Howard, moving from my home and family in MD, and coming to New York where I didn't know anyone, I always felt like it all was amounting to something. That feeling I had was right. The issue is, when we normally get these feelings, or "gut reactions" or the "little voice" that we hear inside of us, we ignore it. We go against ourselves. The world and society has made it this way. So this innate feeling that we get is unfamiliar, and through out history, the unfamiliar is what we neglect, what we run away from and what we destroy.

Its time for all of us to get familiar with our "gut instincts." Like all the sayings go:

"Pressure makes a diamond"

"No pain no gain"

"The early bird gets the worm"

"Only the strong survive"

"No guts no glory"

You know them, you've heard them..so there you go. What I have learned so far is that when you become the maker of the map, the direction is easier to follow....

Passing The Torch...

After a very relaxing Monday at the office (aka my sofa..lol) It feels so good no longer have the anxiety about getting up, getting dressed, cramming myself onto the Q or B trains and beginning my journey to Rockefeller Center for work. I spent the first half of my day doing some research for my web designer, another part running errands, and the evening making spaghetti while waiting for the BF to get home from work. I was in my own little Bravo TV world, watching the Rachel Zoe show, and I couldn't help but to sigh as she laid across her bed after a long day of work (there is work with styling..TRUST) with her hubby wearing an ever so chic white terry cloth bath robe..This is what I need!!! I thought...to feel pampered after a long day..and to fall into my own "spa like" robe and slippers. My brain kicked in, as I broke to the closet to finally open a press gift that I got almost 2 years ago! A lush white bathrobe with matching slippers! Wow! My wishes turned to reality almost instantly. This made me remember all of the cool press gifts that Fashion/Accessories Editors get..the cool shoes, show invites, concert invites, dinners, bags, jewelry etc...I suddenly began to panic. I left ESSENCE Magazine..I left that fab editor lifestyle..which means I also left behind loads of free goodies :( But then panic turned to pure joy as I remembered that I am starting my own magazine, and even more exciting than editor gifts, will be the Chief Editor gifts!!!!! So I am gladly passing the fashion/accessories/beauty editor torch to my future editors of N3 Magazine...cheers to you, whomever you will be..gifts galore await you!

xx

N³ Magazine: Hard work helps...Smart work pays off..

N³ Magazine: Hard work helps...Smart work pays off..: "This past week was a very special one for me. I realized that after seven years in the fashion publishing industry, everything that I have d..."

Hard work helps...Smart work pays off..

This past week was a very special one for me. I realized that after seven years in the fashion publishing industry, everything that I have done, all the great people that I have worked for and met all believe and support me. Being a girl from the small town of MD, PG County to be exact, I always had big dreams of moving to NYC and being in the fashion industry. There were many times when it all seemed to hard, the people seemed to mean..and my life was all about work. All through life we are taught to work hard...in school, in our personal lives and of course in the job world. But what about working smart?
My very first boss that hired me at Essence Magazine, Ms. Pamela Macklin, used to always say "Don't work hard G, work smart." At that time, I may not have realized it..but I understood and followed this mantra, and it led me to be the powerful person I am today. What is the difference between working hard and working smart you may ask? Well here is the breakdown for me:

Working hard- just hearing the word often causes a gut reaction fill with anxiety and panic. We assume the worst, imaging our selves as manual laborers with sweat rolling off of our brow and stained uniforms showing the days many difficult tasks forced upon us by our bosses and employers. You may go over looked, under paid and never acknowledged for the work that you do, but you do it anyway. Often you even take on the work of others, which only tires you out, makes you angry and bitter. Remember, this is what "working hard" means to me..

Working smart- who doesn't want to feel like they are smart? No matter what your degrees, your accomplishments or experience..everyone wants this word to be associated with them. Working smart means having a good attitude, standing up for what you believe in, and having your own process to get things done in an accurate and admirable manner. When you work smart, you never feel used, because you know your boundaries...you know what you will take, what is fair, and what you deserve. When you work smart your head is clear. You focus on getting the job done, you have a "can do" and if necessary "team spirit" attitude that people can only respect, remember and ultimately repeat.


Because of so many years that I spent working smart..I now have some amazing industry titans (cant name names lol) that believe in me. When I sent them the email about N3 Magazine, telling them that I left Essence to start it, they responded. They remembered me as positive and strong person, who ALWAYS got the job done, and done well, that was fair to everyone and had a good attitude. Working smart pays off..and it was totally worth the wait!!!!!!!

Gwen

N³ Magazine: ABDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

N³ Magazine: ABDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: "Just got finished watching the season finale of The Next Great Artist on Bravo..WOW..ABDI won!!! I watched the whole season as he faced red..."

ABDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got finished watching the season finale of The Next Great Artist on Bravo..WOW..ABDI won!!! I watched the whole season as he faced redicule, harsh critiques all with a humble attitude and infectious spirit. In the end, his work did all the speaking. At 23 years old, he has accomplished what most spend a lifetime wanting to. He is confirmation that now is the time for N3 Magazine. A new renaissance has begun, and ART will be the vehicle through which we come together and grow. Im so amped...hopefully I can sleep. I plan to inbox him directly tomorrow and propose that we colab together, introduce him to N3 Magazine and see if he would be interested...will keep you posted...until then... KEEP IT CUBED

Support System

Wow. I have been so humbled by the out pouring of support that I am receiving in regards to me starting N3 Magazine. I have been in this industry for so long, and being a decent person certainly has paid off. Although magazines seem to not be doing so well these days, having so many people interested in being a part of this makes me think the contrary. Professionals from all across the publishing industry are giving me kudos for realizing my dream, and actually DOING instead of talking...it's time for us all to shake the nerves, find our support system, and make our dreams come true..

N³ Magazine: N³ Magazine Mission Statement

N³ Magazine: N³ Magazine Mission Statement: "The success of N³ Magazine lies in its ability to celebrate and inspire today’s creative youth. N³ signifies “N” to the third power or “N” c..."

N³ Magazine Mission Statement

The success of N³ Magazine lies in its ability to celebrate and inspire today’s creative youth. N³ signifies “N” to the third power or “N” cubed, and serves as an abbreviated acronym for the words Now, New and Next. N³ is a platform for young talent to showcase their skills across the country, and around the globe. It is the vehicle through which they can dream far beyond societal limitations they may have unknowingly set for themselves, and realize that the sky really is the only limit. Thus, N³ is ALL ABOUT THEM. Our readers will be the editors, the subject and ultimately the “celebrity.” In each issue, with the guidance of experienced industry professionals, readers of the magazine will have the opportunity to become contributors by participating in the creation and production of each issue in their respective area of interest; i.e. make-up artists, stylists, photographers, editors, writers, reporters, graphic artists, etc. With the opportunity to contribute to a global publication, receive recognition, and have a tangible representation of their work, they will realize that they are powerful beyond belief. It is through art that they will celebrate themselves and each other, and be empowered to love, protect and take the lead in improving the world around them.

A True Release

FINALLY! After 3 weeks of putting the starting stages on the over all idea of my magazine, having a logo created, registering my business, and sending out the first official release to my Street Team members..I CAN BREATHE! It feels so good to be at this point, and have the support of so many so soon. I look forward to making the dreams of so many come true. This is what I was born to do.

Its OFFICIAL!!!!

N3 Magazine is an official business! I registered it through legalzoom.com this morning, and trade marked my logo. I feel INVINCIBLE!!! I just have to wait for the paper work, and a few other things, but I finally did it. Must celebrate tonight!!!!

A real dream wont let you sleep...

Every since I have decided to start N3 Magazine, it seems as though I have tunnel vision. It's the only thing on my mind during the day, and all through the night. So much so that I am averaging 3-4 hours a sleep per night! Not normal for me at all. its almost like I live in the dream, and have made it reality..the real world is where I rest and prepare to go back there. Inception???? All my life, my dad has taught me to believe in my gut. I think we underestimate how strong our gut really is. It is the core of who we are, and has only our best interests at in mind. When you are on fire about something that you love, your passion over takes you and the world around you starts to change. Everything has s vague since of deja vu, almost like you have been there before. Its as if the world is created as you go along...everything seems to relate directly to you in a strange but familiar way. Is the dream spilling over? Am I now able to make my world as I wish? No matter what..even after all of this, I still choose to "live" the dream, its where I rule, and can power myself up to make real life be whatever I want it to be...

"Making The Magazine"

So for all of you who don't know, I am the former Accessories Editor at ESSENCE Magazine. After seven years of working in the fashion department there,three as the Fashion Assistant and the last four as an editor, I left to start my own magazine. I always knew that this is what I wanted to do, I just had to overcome the fears I had of doing it. For years I had so many people (celebrities included) who complimented me on my style, my creativity and my positive attitude. It was not until a month ago, when I reached out to a contact of mine in the search of my next editor position, that I realized what my true destiny was. This young lady kindly responded to me with many emails of people for me to send my resume too, but ended her email by saying "Gwen, I hope these emails help you in your search, but I really think you should have your own magazine." I was so touched, so moved,and so in awe of what I realized. Could it be that someone else for the 50th time saw something in me that I did not yet see in myself? Could it be that my dream to have a magazine of my own was really in my future? Well I am here to tell you that it is. And i accept it. N3 (pronounced N cubed) Magazine is the magazine that will celebrate and inspire today's fly, fearless and creative youth. It is a magazine that is all about them, made for them, and created by them. A recipe for success...I believe. So as I take a deep breath and take steps forward, I will embrace the butterflies that flutter in my stomach each day, and ride them high into the clouds. Hold on tight yall, it's going to be an AWESOME RIDE!!!!
xxx
GC