Unveiling this masquerade, no need to fool anyone with this charade


Shedding the pain, these are the tears I cry

Trembling inside, of course there are plenty I fear

Never weak, always open to reveal my vulnerable side

Stand corrected, here a lioness resides

Fierce in my delivery, my aggression is my frustration

Finding my voice, muffled and lost someplace in the crowd

Forgive my abrasiveness, as I thug and pull

Brushing my way through

Time has proven to be the enemy

Through many leaps, true faith revealed!

Stripped and exposed

In this authenticity I relish




As women we spend a significant amount of our adult years in search of our true essensce, I am still on my journey. I leave you with a little piece of my freedom as I quiet the outside chatter allowing for the voice inside of me to become more profound and louder....LOUDER!

Once upon a time when I turned Fabulously 30-LIVING by my own rules.

I am feeling exceptionally bold today so please forgive me for what I am about to

say or perhaps I speak for many that are creeping up on the big 30 or have

already arrived. I am closing my eyes and I am going in so here goes!

I have spent most of my adult years spotlighting other people's talents and

while I have met some incredible, talented, and accomplished individuals-it

finally hit home one day while sitting alone on Christmas eve in what was then

an empty apartment. I asked 'where is my life going?' and if I could write my

own story 'how would it start, unfold?'.

I write these words for all you ladies out there that are taking this journey

with me as we search for self, our place in the world, Love, career, financial

independence, and those yearning for that zest to LIVE.

May today be the first day of the rest of our lives because here is the key to

attaining everything that your heart desires, it’s no BIG secret and thank

goodness its no science-whew what a relief! LIVE BY YOUR OWN RULES!

Like many of my closest girlfriends-we are free and creative spirits but society

has often jaded us into believing that our lives all consist of some kind of

blueprint for all to follow. Who are we kidding? I know for sure that I have not

followed that blueprint-I am more than content with that. So here is where I say

the heck with what other people think but instead ask - what makes my heart

sing? What makes my soul open up to my greatest creation yet? Are you still with

me?

I also write this in part with turning these frustrations into mere fascination.

People did warn me about turning 30, they said 'your body will feel things that

you have never thought possible'. I can only find one word to describe the

sensation, in short 'WOW'! I am also a lot more bold and for those that thought

I was honest before, please don't ask me for my opinion unless you really want

to hear the truth. And rejection is the thing of the past, it only fules me to

thrive for more because after all 'what have I got to lose?!'

I am finally over living up to other people's standards, it feels like the

weight of the world has been lifted off my back.

I am writing MY story, HER story, OUR story. Promise me that together we will

rip up these blueprints- make our own rules. Remember you are the TRUTH!

I am back in my apartment but this time not so quiet-the sound of music fills

the air- blaring television and ahh the sweet sound of my girls chasing and

yelling at each other-I love this beautiful disaster!

This is my story, MY RULES!

MAMA Africa: Journey to the Motherland

By: Lucy Coutinho I was once told how fortunate I am to know my roots, to be able to speak the language of my ancestors. I never perceived understanding where my people and I come from to be a privilege because it is all I have ever known. It was a revelation that stunned me that many are in search for the truth about their ancestry. There is so much to be said about African culture and its people. I invite you as we take this excursion together. My roots are heavily planted in Cape Verde, an island country spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Western Africa. I grew up in a household where we often spoke various languages such as English, Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. Cape Verde’s dry, tropical environment and its Portuguese colonization have shaped our cooking traditions, Africans brought knowledge of growing and cooking tropical crops and the Portuguese brought livestock. Our traditional music is a fusion of European, African, and Latin influences, with famous styles such as Morna and Funana. The late and Grammy Award-winning singer, CesariaEvora (The Barefoot Diva) exemplified and expounded the traditional sounds of Morna. The Batuko, an African-influenced dance dates back to slavery, where woman take turns at dancing progressively faster, while others beat the rhythm on rolled up cloth. Rich in its diversity, there is simply no way of knowing or identifying the look of the Cape Verdean People. The African continent has a full spectrum of skin tones and hair textures. For a moment journey back to the Motherland in all of its beauty and cultural richness. Imagine for a moment you can journey to some of the countries of Africa, no one is the same and each exuding its own unique beauty. Our first destination is the capital city of Angola; Luanda, a vibrant tourist area, rapidly becoming a must-see tourist attraction offering a tropical climate, opportunity to experience wildlife, beautiful landscapes, rivers, jungles, and mountain sceneries. Not to mention the taste of the mouth-watering traditional Angolan cuisine with strong Portuguese influence. Venturing away from the South Atlantic Ocean, to the North Atlantic Ocean is Senegal; the capital Dakar is one of West Africa’s most popular destinations, its attractions vibrant and lively city with colorful markets and a great nocturnal scene. There is so much more to be explored such as pretty beaches, lagoons, and rivers. If this is not enough to convince you, this Senegal native may just be able to do just that, “My Motherland is the reflection of the beauty of the Nile River. Welcome peacefully on the green land, the continent of proud men. The scents, smiles, drums and the beauty are the essence of our lives. Unified, as one, success and glory will be at our feet.”Pride continues to echo throughout the continent, we have yet so much more to uncover together. Situated on the Indian Ocean, Kenya is East Africa’s main tourist destination where many travel to see the world’s best Safari. An interesting fact about Kenya is its multi-ethnic population, with neighboring countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia as it reflects its cultural richness. And now let’s journey off to my most recent discovery and a country that I have truly found myself enthralled with, although I have not yet visited Namibia. Drawing visitors from various parts of the world with its alluring beauty, this South African country will be sure to stun you with its cosmopolitan city Windhoek. Adorned with sophisticated hotels and shops, if vibrancy is what you are seeking than you will get just that. With beach and wildlife attraction, the choices are vast; it comes as no surprise why many choose Namibia for their vacation destination. Not wanting to forget the many other countries in Africa such as Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, just to name of few that are all worth the exploration. We may not all find our roots someplace planted in Africa however it’s worthy of vastness and uniqueness in which it’s proudly named the Motherland. As you may be on your own quest, I hope that you are a day closer to your own personal understanding.

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