The dynamic duo has struck gold again! Benji Pasek and Justin Paul, appropriately known as Pasek and Paul, took home their first Grammy at last week's 60th Annual Grammy Awards. The team has raked up at several notable award ceremonies like the Grammys, Oscars and the Tony awards within the last year. This means that they are on their way to becoming the youngest to reach the entertainer’s holy grail, EGOT.

There are only 12 entertainers who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony Award, or EGOT, for their contributions to showbiz. Pasek and Paul are only an Emmy win away from joining the ranks of stars like Barbara Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg and Harry Belafonte.

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The great continent of Africa has given us so much,., from being the birthplace of modern man and the catalyst which shaped civilization, the “Motherlandhas given so much to the world. The latest gem that Africa has bestowed upon us is hyper-realist painter, Babajide Olatunji. Olatunji’s Tribal Mark Series I-V has become a sought after commodity, especially since the world has begun acquiring African artwork by the droves in recent years.

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To all my ladies in the place with style and grace, here’s a fashion brand that you must have! If it is not in your closet it most definitely should be. Saloni is a London-based fashion label that is making a bold statement with its Bohemian-chic swagger,  making celebrities, like Jessica Alba, and the wife of the British Prime Minister, Samantha Cameron, look fabulous!

Saloni Made its fashion debut in 2011. The brand was birthed from Indian fashion designer, Saloni Lodha. Lodha combined her love of modern fashion with traditional Indian flair, using bold prints, draping silhouettes and bright colors, to create a womenswear line that speaks to class and comfortability. "I always keep in mind my Indian heritage while designing but don’t translate it literally into our clothes. I think the way we as a brand celebrate bold colors and patterns is our way of bringing the spirit of India into the collections,” says Lodha.

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Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs are home to some of the most amazing talents in the world. Visual artist and illustrator, Jurell Cayetano, is just another name to add to the ever-growing list up talented artist in Atlanta.

Hailing from Lithonia, Georgia by way of Brooklyn, New York, Jurell study illustration at The School for Visual Arts in NYC. What has the art industry talking about him now is his post- impressionist portraits. He has taken his love of black culture and drawing skills and has made masterpieces.

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What is a dream? The dictionary defines the five-letter word as a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.

Well, this isn’t the case for Derrick Carter, because he is definitely dreaming with his eyes wide open. The 29-year- old artist and Indianapolis-native has one of the most compelling stories of triumph and faith that I’ve ever heard. After a traumatic accident as a teen, Derrick was left with multiple broken bones all over his body, except for his right hand and arm. Ironically, Derrick is right-handed. This was no accident, everything happens for a reason, and God had a much greater plan for him.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the artist about his journey and his latest opportunity in his hometown. Derrick’s two-dimensional sand artwork, “Dreams,” is currently on display in the Indianapolis International Airport until March 2018. “Dreams” has art critics and viewers amazed at the details and precision Derrick used to capture the essence of fearless African-American leaders and celebrities. Derrick speaks with  confidence in regards to his artistic talents and community involvement.

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Usually a story of triumph and courage is left to the professionals at Disney. One exception is the real-life tale of Marchelle “Tig” Tigner, a black woman who chose to be a survivor instead of a victim of her circumstances. Marchelle is the owner of Trigger Happy Firearm Instruction. She noticed a lack of female representation in the gun community and felt compelled to couple her military background with her passion for women’s self-defense to teach women effective shooting and firearm safety.

After overcoming a sexual assault, Marchelle decided instead of owning a “victim” status she would become a “survivor” and vowed to help one million women be prepared in the face of danger. Based in Savannah, Georgia, Marchelle travels around the country teaching women the fundamentals of firearm safety, shooting and dispelling the myth that women only want pretty and colorful weaponry. 

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