Light Over Nyumbabi Village, Kenya

“Finding hope for a lost generation”
By: Lucy Coutinho


The sound of clapping, joy and African rhythm crammed the air at BloomBars Indie Film Night in Washington DC (Columbia Heights Metro) on Tuesday, March 22nd. Lights dimmed, the chants from the crowd continued as Delali Dagadu of DC Dance Collective displayed her West African dance routine. The crowd remained in awe anticipating what would be more to come.
The lights came back up and shined over every face in the crowd, adding not only a harmonious look but a feel of unity. The show opened up with the breathtakingly beautiful host, April Jones of The April Jones Show. Finally the introduction everyone had been waiting for, the film screening of Nyumbani Village by DC filmmaker Nihal Dhillon.
The documentary on Nyumbani Village, directed and produced by Dhillon, shines the light on a 1,000 acre self-sustaining community in rural Kenya. The land was given by Kenya government providing hope for the 1.3 million Kenyan children who have been orphaned due to the AIDS pandemic. Bridging the gap in generation, the village provides a family-like setting for orphaned children under the care of grandparents, and counselors/volunteers. The project began as just a vision in 2004 recruiting orphans from slums, today serves as a model of sustainable support for communities affected by the AIDS crisis.
Nyumbani meaning ‘home’ in Swahili was where Nihal Dhillon was able to find just that where she spent two weeks in 2010 in light of this project. For the duration of her journey, nothing else mattered and that she was able to focus on making a difference in the lives of others. With no electricity and relying on solar power, she still described it as the most amazing time where she could ‘shine light in the darkest places’. "Looking back I realize, this project was the sum of all the experiences I explored in the past now coming together to make a difference in the world. Film making has been my way to use my creativity to bring awareness to hidden issues, engender change, and by doing so also encourage others to follow their dreams," assures Dhillon.
The lights are back on at BloomBars, more clapping followed after taking the journey inside the life of Nyambani Village. The emotions thickened, clapping radiated the small space and the burning questions were soon to commence. Now, for question and answer session with Nihal Dhillon; the crowd was curious, elated, and proud of the information presented to them. “The documentary itself was very informative. It allowed me to see how small my struggle here in America is in comparison to other parts of the world. It ignited a drive in me to keep on fighting,” expressed a guest.
The evening ended as a line formed, many wanted to be introduced to the inspiration behind this project; smiles were exchanged followed by warm embraces.

Policy Restaurant and Lounge

Yellow lights spill from the entrance onto 14th St. NW, just blocks from the U St. Corridor.

Since it’s opening in March 2009, Policy’s unique walls adorned in graffiti, and elegant chandeliers create the perfect blend of an urban scene intertwined with sophistication.

As a multi-faceted venue, eclectic hipsters come here to dine, wine, and party the night away. This trendy new spot has since lured the curiosity of patrons that aren’t afraid to flirt with experimentation. “Policy is a great place to pop in if you are out and about on Tuesdays. They’ve got a great DJ and beautiful people,” says a local club goer.

The inviting and sexy entrance allures the crowd to an assorted menu selection that includes mouth-watering roasted lamb sliders, roasted all natural chicken, and hanger steak. These decadents are all prepared by Executive Chef, Brian Murphy, who brings his global influences to the heart of Washington, DC. For those who are bold enough, take a trip on the wild side with their cocktail signature drinks: “truthini” (a green tea and lemon grass martini), “libertini” (mango capirinha), and “lovetini” (chocolate vodka and cinnamon lollipop). If that’s not enough to fuel the inquisitive mind, there’s much more to be discovered beyond the ground level. Upstairs, you’ll find upbeat tempos and an à la mode crowd guarantying an inviting and memorable stay.

Mitch Mathis and Dt Nation has been the mastermind behind Tuesday night at Policy with a promotional repertoire that travels as far back to 2006 and passion since age seventeen. The vibrant, yet sublimed ambiance, mirrors the crowd that Mitch mostly caters to, which is multiplicity. “I want to bridge the gap with an urban crowd and international flare,” he says. “We are located in a diverse place, so we want to make sure that we keep Tuesday nights just as diverse.” Mitch is also known for organizing other well-established parties throughout DC, which includes Shadow Room on Thursdays and The Park on Fridays, bringing the glitz and glamour into the nightlife.

Policy blends cultures of all corners of the world. Beyond the entrance, assorted sounds and decked out walls greet everyone that comes through the door, opening up a new world for a romantic dinner, drinks with friends, and pulsating fun!

The Perfect Shot

Hailing from Tokyo, Yuki Matsumura packed both her hunger and passion to discover the world. Find out why this professional model left everything she knew in order to discover her true potential.


by Lucy Coutinho Jan. 10


SHY: When did you first discover your passion for modeling?
Yuki:I was always very interested in this industry, but I was way too shy to admit it. I was nineteen when my agent back then found me on a street in Tokyo, and soon after I went to America to study abroad at UCSD. People in America often asked me to take pictures with them. It was totally weird but it was also fun to know that I might have a shot at modeling. So I decided to sign with my Japanese agency after I went back to Japan.

SHY: What type of modeling do you do?

Yuki: I do mostly print; commercial work. Because of my skin, I get a lot of beauty work too. I’ve also done some runway as well as hand modeling.

SHY: Where can people see your work?

Yuki: Most recently I have worked on campaigns for Reebok and Apple. I was the poor murdered girl, “Sachi Nakamura”, on Bones and have done a Nip/Tuck promo. I have been in many magazines such as Viet Beauty, On Makeup, Super Street Bike, Rangefinder, C-heads, etc- Many more to come!

SHY: What would you want others to know about “Yuki”, behind the pretty pictures?

Yuki: I am a regular girl with normal thoughts who finds herself a little bit more comfortable than others when she is in front of camera. I’m friendly, always on time, and love animals more than anything.

SHY: What do you do to stay ahead of the competition? What is your vision for your future in modeling?


Cover: Stephen Akers
Yuki: I spent many years, attending castings and open-calls, with many talented models standing next to me. Rejections have been always there with me and sometimes I feel lost in this crazy competitive world. Thankfully, I learned that without failure, you will never be able to succeed. So I took my chances, attempt to seize opportunities and take on new challenges and adventures whenever they have presented themselves to me. I learned a lot about myself; about what drives me, and motivates me. I discovered the passions that would allow me to figure out what I would want to do with my future. Basically what would make me happy and content with my own life.

SHY: Where do you draw your inspirations?

Yuki: I’m inspired easily! Meeting new people, traveling, or even just watching the parades at Disneyland is what inspires me. Audrey Hepburn’s new fashion trends at my favorite stores like Forever21, all the useful youtube posts are just a few examples of things that can unexpectedly inspire my tastes and career road-map. That which inspires me challenges me to do something new in my life, make a new hobby, or give me new reasons for why I am standing right here today.

SHY: What would you say would make you feel the most accomplished in your career?

Yuki: I’ve always thought this answer would have been something like, ‘when I saw a picture of myself on a huge billboard in NYC’ or “the first time I booked a global print job”, but when I look back now, I think my answer is that I decided to book a flight to America all by myself to see the world. The first time I decided to leave my family, all my friends, and everything I grown up with in my little town in Japan. I learned there is something you never get if you stay in the same place, hanging out with the same people, doing exactly the same things in your life and never change. I went to America to study English, but honestly what I learned the most was not the language; it was all the potential possibilities for me.

SHY: What are some of your other interests and or talents?

Yuki: When I have free time, I enjoy painting. The world gets quiet when I start to paint, and I need that silence to take a break from my busy schedule. My paintings are usually for personal reasons, but I’m thinking about getting an agent and selling them next year. I also enjoy snowboarding every winter, shopping, cooking curry, and visiting pet shops to meet new-guinea pigs.

SHY: How has the transition been like moving to San Diego from Tokyo?

Yuki: It was very hard. I spoke no English back then, so I had to start it from my ABCs. I’ve never studied anything that hard in my life. I was lucky enough to make many great friends here, but I have never gotten used to not having my best friends from Japan around me. Even though this was my decision to come here with no friends and family, I do sometimes get lost and feel absolutely homesick. It’s been rough and challenging but I found a way to make it work because modeling is my passion and I’ve never loved any “job” like I love modeling!

DMV’s Top Model Mpenzi does it all for Love

“One can hide away from the world inside the walls of your comfort zone where nothing challenges you, or you can make use of every second of your precious time to explore all that life has to offer.
by Lucy Coutinho Jan. 10
Endless worries of what could have been, clouds the minds of many, but one can take the steps to successfully prepare themselves for anything that comes along”, says Mpenzi.

It has been a zealous journey for super model Elizabeth Mpenzi. A native of Kenya, her passion for modeling coupled with resilience has carried her thus far. There have been many road blocks along the way, but this was a sacrifice she has been more than willing to take. “I had to convince my family that this is what I wanted to be. It has been difficult, but every challenge makes you a better person,” she assures.

Mpenzi began to flirt with the idea of becoming a model since the age of nineteen but had never really taken it seriously until one day she woke up and it hit her! At that moment she decided that she was going to “do this” and has been actively modeling since 2008. She has traveled to various fashion shows in cities throughout the United States including Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles for editorial work. Mpenzi currently lives with her family in Baltimore, Maryland where she splits her time between traveling to New York City for model calls.


Photo: Drexina Nelson
Most of Mpenzi’s knowledge has been acquired from networking with various photographers, makeup artists, and hairdressers. Enthusiastic about her future, this African beauty has embraced versatility and demonstrates no fear. “I love trying many different aspects of modeling. It’s an obsession,” she says proudly. “I thrive in competing, as there is an energy and fire. It’s through competition that we learn-I enjoy what I do!”

Finding the right agency and representation requires a lot of work and is often very challenging. However, Mpenzi has a growing portfolio that consists of commercials, editorials, high fashion and runway work, highlighting the diligence of her dedication. She has been published in various magazines: People’s Magazine, Hype Hair, and Ultimate Weaves & Hair. She has also been the face of hair companies like Bronner Bros (Feb 2009- Aug 2009), Outré (Aug 2009) as well as product companies like Porselene Facial care 2008 and U (ooh) Skin products.?

With her sight set on her goal and desire to take her talent to the next level, Mpenzi will stop at nothing until she reaches the very top. “My goal is to become a mega-super model. I will not take anything less than that. I want to do this for life,” she says. “I want to be known internationally and build my name, so coming back here will be easy to get work.”

Beyond her pretty face and the burning desire to strive to be the best at what she does, resides compassion to give back to a place where she proudly calls home.“God gave everyone an inner and outer beauty. God gave me this beauty and I want to give it back. I want to help kids in Africa, and be an ambassador for them-I love to help!” She explains of her goal to build orphanages around Africa, giving children hope to live, and a future in which their dreams can come to life.

“I believe every day is an opportunity to raise your life to a higher level by giving the best that you have. Whatever it is you desire, think it, be it, support it and you will enjoy it in great abundance.” –Elizabeth Mpenzi

The Sum of Candida Rose

In a candid interview with “Candida Rose” Hemsley she describes, in her own words her debut album entitled “KabuMerikana: The Sum of Me”. “It defines who I’m and what I feel. All the little pieces of who I’m and that is Cape Verdean as well as an American,” says Candida Rose. The 45-year-old mother, wife, and grandmother wanted the album to be a marriage of her two worlds which has helped to define the person that she is today. “I decided that it couldn’t be one or the other, it just wouldn’t be fair. I wanted the CD to be rooted in the Cape Verdean culture, although I was born here,” she continues.

The title of the album captures just what represents “Candida Rose”; Cape Verdean/American woman. When asked where the catch phrase originated from, with a delicate smile she gave much credit to her producer “Kalu” Monteiro who helped her to brainstorm a name that would encapsulate the essence of her worlds. “I want to bring those two worlds together through the music. I also wanted to make sure that whoever was listening to this CD would understand it,” explains the vocalist. Uniquely so, Rose provides her listeners with a translation within some of the songs in both English and Krioulo.

The album has been a long awaited phenomenon but certainly serves to prove that everything happens within its own timing. “I have always wanted to put together a CD since the mid 80’s but the time finally felt right,” she says. The 10 track CD was recorded from July of 2005 to December of 2005 at Notera Studios in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The album finally hit the market on May 30, 2006. Her debut CD is an eclectic mix of her Cape Verdean musical roots and her American influences of jazz/blues and gospel/spiritual. Beautifully combined, she introduces to the world a fresh perspective and compilation of both World and Jazz music in which she defines as “KabuJazz”.

Born, raised and currently residing in New Bedford, Massachusetts the female vocalist remained true to her roots. Her late father George Antonio Baptista had always been a significant part of her life and in helping to keep the Cape Verdean Culture alive. “My father was everything to me; he died thirteen years ago but it still feels like yesterday,” says Rose. Just an infant when her mother Gertrude Santos Baptista died and she was left to be raised by her grandmother and later by her father and stepmother Ecilda Lobo who arrived to the States speaking no English. In an attempt to communicate with her stepmother, Candida learned to speak Krioulo early on in her childhood.

When she moved to Boston, Massachusetts in her early adulthood, she lost the connection with her Cape Verdean Culture along with her speech. “I lost a lot of my connection being away from the Cape Verdean community,” she explains. There was a twenty year span in her adulthood with her being away from the Cape Verdean Community. But she would soon return to where it all began; New Bedford.

It would not be just to describe “Candida Rose” without first introducing the profound impact that the church has had both personally and musically. “I wanted to build a relationship with God and trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing with my music,” she says. She joined the Church in 1995 where she would then be introduced to gospel music. Without really knowing much about the fundamentals of gospel, she began to learn more through research and teaching of the youth choir.

Conflicted between her love of being a Jazz performer and a woman of God, she began her quest for answers. “I have always been able to touch people with my singing, I wanted to still be able to do that,” she says. She sought direction from her pastor at the time and he gave her his blessing to do what she felt was right in her heart; that was to continue to perform. “You don’t have to be in church to touch somebody, to minister to somebody,” she says. The very first thing said to “Candida Rose” after speaking with her pastor was ‘God bless you’ during one of her performances. This not only served as a sign for her to continue to perform but an inspiration for her to further her education.

In May 2005 “Candida Rose” Hemsley graduated magna cum lade with a bachelor’s degree in African-American/World Music Studies from UMass Dartmouth. “What brought my wanting to reconnect was really going back to school to study African-American World Music,” says Rose. During her studies however, she began to question why there weren’t any focus on Cape Verdean music. “I started doing that same kind of research about Cape Verdean music that I did about Jazz,” she reveals. The passion for her discovery would soon escalate with her researching deeper and discovering the great Cape Verdean/American Jazz musician, Horace Silver. Fascinated by the way he incorporated the Cape Verdean Culture into Jazz music; Rose too would combine these two worlds through her own diverse style.

The vision of this new released album is to share with the world what it truly means to be “KabuMerikana”. “I can honestly say that with this CD, each song means something,” she says. “I sing what I feel that is why every song on the CD has a meaning. I try to convey that feeling through my voice.”

With each track you are bound to find a little of everything. She has dedicated her heart and soul to this project and now comes the time to share it with the world. In the songs entitled ‘Afro Blue’ and ‘That’s All (E So)’, sings an American Jazz standard. In ‘Sodade (Missing You)’ and ‘Amor di Mai (A Mother’s Love)’, sings Cape Verdean standard. “The song ‘Sodade’ for me has become a reverse, it’s a sodade for a country that I have never even seen, never even been to.” To sum it all up, “Candida Rose” demonstrates with this album her song writing, composing, and arranging skills in songs: ‘Kabu Verdi Un Dia (Cape Verde, One Day)’, ‘Karta pa Nha Pai (Letter to my Father)’, and ‘Too Late to turn Back Now’.

When Rose described “Karta pa Nha Pai” and its meaning, we both stood in silence, her soul opened up and I understood it all. “Now he will always be alive for eternity. His spirit will always know that and people will know what he is to me.” Little words were needed to explain a daughter’s undying love for her father. Although he is not here to hear her words to him, she hopes that through her music he may be able to.

“This last song really brings the CD together, it’s about me but in a greater scheme of things, it’s about who my people are and that is a mix of everything.” Delivered through spoken word the song, ‘Sum Of Me (Un Poku di Tude-A Little of All)’ was a poem given to Rose by her professor and renowned poet, Everett Hoagland. This poem is what inspired the project to take the direction in sharing the richness of her culture.

The making of the album has been a family affair and a unity of artistic talents. “Candida Rose” wholeheartedly gives many praises to her husband Leon Hemsley taking the photos for the cover page and doing the design. Her stepdaughter Gina designed the logo for her production company ‘Golden Rose Music’. While also blessed with artistic abilities, daughter Marissa Terryce sings background vocals.

This album will touch the young and the old as it speaks to the heart and the soul. “I truly try to sing from my heart and my soul,” she concludes. There is calmness about her person as well as her voice that sends you to a place deep within yourself; I was at that place while in her presence.

FEMALE BEAT

DJ Cila never feels confined to her booth at Lava Gina, New York City’s premier world music lounge, where her groovy spin has reinforced the reputation of the city that never sleeps by always rocking her crowd into a frenzy. “I play world music. If I have it, I am going to share it with my friends when they come into my house wherever I am spinning I want to make them feel comfortable,” assures the barefooted DJ, who never hesitates to kick off her shoes to join the crowd on the dance floor.

With world beats at her finger tips, she provides a blend of cultures--catering a mix repertoire to a crowd, which includes friends and people who have traveled from afar to see her gifted fingers dash over the turntables night after night. With heavy influences deriving from Hip-Hop, R & B, House, Funk, Samba, Haitian Kompa, Salsa, and Zouk genres, DJ Cila consistently takes her audience on a cultural journey. “I play what other DJs will not. I play what’s on your CD player. I bring all cultures together by playing music from different parts of the world,” says this native of Praia, Cape Verde, who proudly flaunts a barefoot image (Pé na tchon), which she says started in the nineties when she promoted Boston’s nightclub Piteku. “Some friends and I would get barefoot and dance. I then adopted the word and made it a part of me so to speak,” she further explains.

DJ Cila’s quest at Lava Gina began after a close friend introduced her to the owners. The interest was instantly reciprocated. She has since made it her permanent spot, as she travels from Boston to New York City every other Friday of the month, packed with her world tunes. “She is very popular, very outgoing, and has a great personality. She has a really good chemistry with everyone here and it's really good to have her,” says Chris Pollok, co-owner of Lava Gina World, which opened its doors in 2000.

Before becoming the toast of Lava Gina, she was an aspiring house music DJ whose love for turntables got the attention of a Boston’s club promoter. “He came out with this crazy idea of giving me a floor, since he saw that I had turntables at home and was also a club promoter at the time. He tried to convince me that I should come to the club and play music for my friends. Have it be a big old party,” she explains, referring to Evans aka DJ EE2EE4 of Club Virtigo. The idea seemed foreign to DJ Cila at the time, but one that would quickly allow her an entrance into Boston’s night scene, soon becoming permanent at the club while getting the invitation to spin at countless Ethiopian concerts throughout Massachusetts--an opportune time to learn about other cultures and also introduce her Capeverdean culture. “I have played at Ethiopian concerts where I’ve thrown on Capeverdean music where Ethiopians were gigging,” says DJ Cila, who has made guest appearances at Club Plato, Club Pure, Ultra Lounge, Club Brazil, Villa Victoria in Massachusetts and Sounds of Brazil (S.O.B.s) in New York City.

Being one of the few Capeverdean female DJs, she hopes to change the perception of this male-dominated business as she is often mistaken for a male disk jockey. Says DJ Cila: “The advantage is that I am a woman and the disadvantage is that I am a woman. Yes, it sounds funny but it’s the way it is. Truthfully, at first I don’t mind, I love seeing the reaction on people’s faces. Of course, I then start to think about ‘how can people be so closed minded’. Maybe they need to come out of their box and experience other things.”

As far back as “Cila” can remember music has always been part of her life and that’s why she is so keenly interested in music production. “I always wanted to make my own music. I would think ‘how can I loop this part of the song and maybe mix it with this other song.’ These were the ideas that I had in my head,” she explains. Though, she was a bit hesitant to communicate this passion to someone else, fearing that being a female could prevent her from becoming an engineer or a producer. She eventually she fulfilled her dream by attaining a degree in Recording Arts from Full Sail College in Florida. With a childhood dream still very much alive, DJ Cila does aspire to be amongst the female music producers in the near future.