By Sandra Varner, special for shades Magazine

Innocence lost, maturity found and the bonds of sisterhood prevail in the heart wrenching drama, “For Colored Girls,” the film adaptation of author Ntozake Shange’s multiple award-winning stage play, now in theaters.

One of the film’s stars, Tessa Thompson, recently spoke about preparing for her role in “Colored Girls” and the message it may send.

Read more …

By Senay Özdemir, special to shades Magazine

Recently, I tweeted Sadie Stein’s article about women restoring their virginity. To me, this topic is not new, since as an editor of a woman’s magazine we have been dealing with it for a couple of years already. I get outraged about this topic each and every time it comes up.

Why would a woman be judged by this itsy-bitsy mini-tiny thing in her body for all her life? What’s important is that you and your partner/husband shouldn’t care. Unfortunately, according to many, many tribes  and religions, women are just not supposed to enjoy their body … or their life.

Read more in the November full issue of shades …

Many of us have a motto that we live by or a saying that has greatly influenced the course of our life.

This is especially true for 48-year- old Areva Martin, whose candid, yet critical outlook on life has not only lead to her success as one of Los Angeles’ premier lawyers, authors and TV personalities, but also has inspired others to adopt the spirit of resiliency and advocacy that has made her one of today’s most respected agents of change.

Read more in the November full issue of shades …

By Princess McDowell, shades magazine

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy – CTE – is caused by repetitive brain trauma through both recognized concussions and smaller, sub-concussive blows. The repeated hits create a buildup of tau proteins, which kill nerve cells. Symptoms include dementia, depression and lack of impulse control.

Following reports that several professional athletes were found to have the illness after death, CTE has gained national attention recently. And in recent months, younger athletes are being diagnosed with having CTE – causing some parents to wonder how this may affect their children.

Read more …

Eve Lynne, creator of Ella B. Jenkins

It’s been a long journey for Oakland, California-based artist Eve Lynne. But thanks in part to a spunky, bright-eyed African-American child named Ella B. Jenkins, she is finally at a place in life where things are coming together.

Lynne created the charming 7-year- old Ella character with chocolate skin tone and Afro puffs not just to be cute, but to have her serve as a positive role model for African-American youth whom she says lack figures they can directly relate to in popular culture.

“[Ella] is not interested in hair weaves or perms,” said Lynne. “She’s comfortable with who she is and I think that’s the message – be comfortable with who you are and what you were given.”

With her recently launched Ella B. Jenkins website, people are not only buying the Ella line of products, but they also want to know more about the artist behind it all. Ella may seem like just a character to the outside world, but she’s been an instrumental force that’s opened doors of opportunity for Lynne, while helping her heal from an illness she has dealt with most of her adult life.

The illness Lynne has is agoraphobia – an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of being outdoors especially in crowded areas or busy public spaces. Agoraphobics are afraid of having a panic attack in such places and often avoid going to areas that they perceive to be unsafe or far from help. Some find themselves unable to leave home for long periods of time or even stay housebound for years.

While she has struggled to get back on track, she said she hopes sharing her story will encourage others with anxiety disorders like agoraphobia to seek help and shed light on this illness that she says is still very misunderstood and often goes undiagnosed.

Read more …

“Lolita Enriquez-Guevarra investigates and reports the people she meets, the places she visits and the trends she witnesses.”

The extended tagline on Guevarra’s blog – LEGwork – says it best. What it doesn’t convey is that (currently) all the stories on her blog are stories in and around Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, where she currently resides.

Read more …

By Thai Anh Nguyen, New America Media

Read more …

From the shades Magazine staff

During the month of October, Kathy Cano-Murillo has celebrated the upcoming Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) holiday with a diverse collection of cultural and unique DIY crafts.

And not to dismiss the ghoulish holiday of Halloween, Cano-Murillo also offers a diverse mix of fun projects that will entertain young and old.

Read more …

(Editor’s note: The following is the second of a two-part story that examines the high number of abortions among Asian-American women and why several women use their right to choose, often a result of cultural upbringings.)

Read Part 2 here.
Read Part 1 (Oct. 20) here.