You know that craving of sweet treats that tends to creep up after every study session? Wouldn’t it be just absolutely amazing if you knew how to whip up a savory bite and make everything right in your world again? Well, the dynamic Chef Simone could save the world with her delicious baking goodies which includes her famous Snicker Brownies!

Hailing from Florida, Simone Bridges is a popular Kid Chef +  the owner of Goddess Food Factory located in Jacksonville. Her addictive pastries have received raving reviews by celebrity chefs, radio hosts, athletes, and tons of food lovers all over the nation! Simone has been featured on Steve Harvey’s talk show where she shared her recipe for success and the two of them emerged in laughter as she showed him how to make her famous Snicker Brownies.

Her love for baking is not the only passion this dynamic young lady is conquering! As a student at Darnel-Cookman School of the Medical Arts her love of Science and Mathematics has also coined her the nickname of the STEMchef. She incorporates the academic concept of STEM into her baking, especially when teaching her popular cooking classes for kids. Due to an overwhelming number of requests for her recipes and her love for STEM, she created ExS.T.R.E.A.M. Baking Subscription Boxes. They are monthly subscription boxes in which she infuse baking and cooking with Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

As a motivational speaker, Simone has spoken to audiences of all ages about kitchen safety, her appreciation for food, good moral character, marketing, branding, financial budgeting, and entrepreneurship.

She is also the host of Teal Talk with Kids + has participated in major food festivals including Food and Wine Noir in Atlanta, Georgia, “50 Women in Philly are Cooking” in Philadelphia, and won for having the Best Display amongst all of the chefs at the Taste of Black in Jacksonville, making her the youngest contestant to ever win in the seven years of the competition.  This Pastry Princess has stated that her vision is to inspire young kids around the world. Her goal is to share her love of baking and cooking with everyone and to own a chain of bakeries and restaurants.

Since we have your taste buds jumping, let’s get to know Chef Simone a little better! 

Baking is such a beautiful expression of your passions, personal style, + interests in life! How did you begin whipping up tasty treats?

That’s a long story, but I started by baking with my grandma, Phyllis Williams-Harris when I was 3 years old. She’s a baker and she would always let me lick the spoons when she baked cakes. Later, I started helping her bake by measuring ingredients and stirring the batter. When I was five, my parents bought me an Easy Bake oven for Christmas and then I baked treats for my cousins. I was added my own special ingredients to their mixes to make the dishes my own. With more baking sessions taught by my grandma, my skills increased. At age 11, I told my parents that I wanted my own bakery for Christmas. Voila! Now, I have my own store, called Goddess Food Factory. I sell all kinds of desserts and educational baking kits. We sell chef merchandise too, like aprons, chef hats, t-shirts, mittens, and more.

Oftentimes girls don’t get the spotlight they deserve when it comes to STEM. How were you able to pour your love of science + math in creating recipes for your ExS.T.R.E.A.M. Baking Subscription Boxes?

Creating recipes is very easy because I’ve been baking at a really early age. Over time, kids would always ask me for my recipes, so I decided to create baking kits for them to enjoy at home. As a youth advocate for STEM, I knew that I couldn’t have just a plain old baking kit. So, I combined both of my passions (baking and science) together and voila, ExS.T.R.E.A.M. Baking subscription boxes was born. As the popularity of by subscription boxes grew, I knew I had to do more to push STEM.

Being a kid, I know what kids like and how they like to learn. So. I created a hands-on, interactive program called EXS.T.R.E.A.M. Baking, which has standards based lessons that are taught using culinary concepts. I travel to organizations nationally and conduct workshops to facilitate the program. All of the students are always actively engaged and they have so much fun. STEM evolved to STEAM due to the importance of the Arts. Plus, we all know that Reading is fundamental and it’s the foundation of everything. Therefore, I wanted to ensure my program included reading. More importantly, STEM/STEAM/STREAM are the jobs of the future since the rapid advancement of technology in every field. Kids of today must be ready for the world of tomorrow and that’s why I’m an advocate for S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

As a student it can be tough to fit cooking in your sched! What are two easy dishes students can make on-the-go?

I’m a person who can eat breakfast anytime of the day. So, one dish can be an omelet. It’s full of protein and can be easily made with eggs, any type of meat, chopped tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, salt and pepper. Another quick and easy dish is one of my favorite light snacks. It’s a stuffed apple. You take a whole apple, tear off the stem, and core out the middle of the apple, but not all the way through. Then, you stuff it with your choice of toppings. I normally use caramel, pecans, and whipped cream. Bon Appetit. It’s so delicious!

Being young and having responsibilities can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

One thing that would surprise people about me is that I talk to myself in the mirror in third person. LOL It’s inspirational though. I also write myself positive messages and place them in a jar. Whenever I have a bad moment and need recharging, I take out one of my messages and it cheers me up. My sister calls me crazy, but it makes me feel good. I love positivity and I’ve found that my uplifting pep talks to myself helps me to have a great day.

We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

Empowerment happens when you share your gift, your wisdom and your stories with others. It’s like teaching them how to bake a cake. You have to explain which ingredients to use and the quantity, give step by step baking directions, and teach them baking hacks that will equip them with mastering a delicious cake. Then, you watch them bake more cakes while giving advice and praise. The next thing you know, they feel empowered enough to bake cakes on their own and teach others how to do it too.

What advice would you give girls who want to follow their dreams and passions but are nervous or intimidated?

My advice to other girls who want to make their dreams come true or start a business is simple – Start today. Start now. Get into action, Do the work, and NEVER GIVE UP. It will not be easy, but it will be rewarding. No one told me to start selling my treats. My grandma has always baked cakes and sold them. I saw her making money from the baked items, so I started making cookies and charging a quarter (age 6 or 7). When my parents found out, I didn’t get in trouble. They just told me that I wasn’t charging enough and to charge at least fifty cents. They helped me to create a price list and helped me call family members to get orders. I didn’t realize it at the time that I had a small business. I was making a lot of money (to me at the time) from selling cookies and I was having fun.

Now, I sell cookies for two dollars each because I understand the cost and work that goes into baking. I’m also a motivational speaker, so I encourage other kids by telling them how I overcame obstacles. There is a solution to every problem. The key is to only focus on the solution. I would also advise for parents to truly support their kids dreams and help them out. I would not be where I am today without my parents, my support team, and my community.

Time for faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?

Favorite Celebrity: Beyonce’
Favorite Artist: Whitney Austin
Favorite Food: Snicker Brownies of course
Favorite Movie: Black Panther

Check out more of Chef Simone here! 

Goddess Food Factory

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Chef Simone Bridges
Goddess Food Factory
9951 Atlantic Boulevard, Suite 402
Jacksonville, Florida 32225

Going off to college to be around unfamiliar faces can be nerve racking. Doing it as an introvert can seem impossible. But don’t fret because even the most introverted person can make a friend with these 3 tips below!

(Giphy.com)

Love For The Clubs! Joining clubs is the easiest way to make new friends during your first semester on campus. You’ll be spending a good amount of time around people with the same interests as you while working together to achieve a common goal

Extra Study Sessions! When there is a huge exam coming up, professors will usually have the teaching assistant lead an extra study session. Go! Even if you feel confident about all the material, a quick review never hurts. Plus, you’ll get a chance to mingle in a smaller setting with other people from your major.

Come + Talk To Me! – If you’re still super nervous, it’s okay. Let people come to you first. Quick tip: Wear something eye-catching like a dope pair of sneakers so people will be inclined to approach you and strike up a conversation about them!

So don’t fret; you’re not the only one!

–Tia B. , Content Editor

Scroll through the style diary of D.C. college blogger, Maya Fleming:

Style is showing who you are with out having to speak! Name your top 3 trends you’re feeling this season?
I’m not really into trends (and I can’t really keep up). With that being said, I love comfortable style, so I’ve really been feeling athleisure trends. Matching sweat sets (cropped crewnecks are my favorite) and sneakers are two trends that I can’t get enough of. I’m also really excited about nostalgic fashion and how everyone is into 80’s and 90’s brands and logos. It gives me a reason to go thrift hunting!

If you had 30 seconds to grab your 3 favorite style pieces, what would they be?
If I only had 30 seconds, I would most definitely grab my Levi’s denim jacket, my favorite black ankle booties, and my camel beret.

Style inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate fashion icon + why?
My style changes with my mood, so I definitely have more than one icon. Right now, one of my icons is Monica Brown because I love how she manages to stay on top of trends and hot brands without overdoing it and losing herself. Zendaya is also a huge inspiration because I love how laid-back her at-home style is while her red carpet style is all about ground breaking styles and amazing silhouettes. Her chocolate August Getty dress at the MTV awards was EVERYTHING!

Getting ready in the morning can be fun but stressful if you’re in a time crunch, what’s your go-to look if you’re in a rush?
When I’m in a time crunch, I almost always gravitate towards a striped top (I have way too many), a pair of dark jeans, booties, and my denim jacket. It’s a classic look that works for most settings.

What’s your number 1 rule when it comes to style?
My number one style rule is to stay true to yourself. If you aren’t feeling a look or trend, it will show, and the look will still bomb no matter how amazing the pieces are. Be comfortable in what you’re wearing, and let yourself shine through. Style is meant to be a means of expression, so tell us who you are!

Check out more of Maya’s dope style here!

Maya Fleming

YouTube

Instagram

It’s time to re-energize and start shifting your focus! Moving forward is an important part of growth. But sometimes we hinder our own growth and don’t realize how detrimental it can be. Here are three ways you’re sabotaging yourself from being the best you can be:

(Giphy.com)

Hit The Brakes On The Negative Thoughts- This is probably the most common issue people have. It’s so easy to think “It’s never going to happen” rather than “Just because it didn’t happen today, doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying”. Positivity is like karma. When you put it in the atmosphere, it will come back around to you.

Skip The Comfort Highway- It’s okay to be comfortable but don’t let comfort allow you to forget about your goals. The ease of being in a daily routine can make the thought of something new seem inconvenient.

Override Fear-If an opportunity presents itself and the fear of failing kept you from going for it, you’ve already lost. Despite how people seem to be living their best lives on social media, they’ve had failures too. Everyone does, however, often times you grow from them.

Yeah, you got it!

(Giphy.com)

Scroll through the beauty diary of college blogger, Arion Hewitt!

What city do you live in?
I am from Kansas City.

Beauty is all about being comfortable in your own skin + having fun! What are 2 beauty trends you’re loving this year?
2018 has been a year full of new and super exciting trends! The first beauty trend that I’m absolutely loving is the all inclusive foundation lines that are coming out. It’s very important that big makeup companies help women and men of all skin colors feel beautiful and I love that a lot of them are including lighter and darker shades. The second trend that I am really into is the new lip tints! Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE a cute lip color.

If you had only 15 seconds to grab 3 beauty products, what would they be?
If I had 15 seconds to grab 3 makeup products, I’d grab my eyebrow pomade, concealer, and my lip favorite pink gloss of course!

Beauty inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate beauty icon + why?
I absolutely love Aaliyah Jay. She is my inspiration and I hope to be just like her one day.

Getting ready for class can be fun but stressful if you’re in a time crunch, what’s one beauty must-have that lives in your bag?
I ALWAYS keep lip gloss with me no matter what. It’s either a shimmery one or one with a pink tint.

What’s your number 1 beauty rule?
My #1 beauty rule is “Your face, your rules!” Your makeup is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. Express yourself however YOU want & stay fabulous :)!

Follow MORE of Arion’s beauty tips here!

Instagram: @iam_aelaine

Summer is in full swing + so are those part-time checks from your summer gig! Don’t fret; we’ll cover our eyes on how you’ve already spent your money on clothes, beauty goodies and concert tickets for the first half of the summer. Well, for the rest of the month we’re going to give you 3 reasons why saving your money is “not your enemy” in your life!

(Giphy.com)

Clouds Are Rolling In!– Have you heard the saying “save for a rainy day” in life? Well, with all this global warming happening you never know when a storm will pop up. Okay, so maybe not a real life tornado but a shift in your money flow. An extra book for your college course? Your basketball uniform? I mean it’s always good to have a little cushion.

Hands Out Syndrome– So your parents love you and your homegirls have your back but let’s be honest they are not your personal ATM. Always asking for someone to spot you or cover you can be a bit draining and can even break up friendships. Keep a stash and play it safe.

Shrug That Feeling– It’s as simple as that feeling. We all know that feeling. That feeling of finding a quarter is an upgrade to our empty accounts. It’s cool to look fly but when you have an empty account can take away from your fab life.

So get to stacking!

(Giphy.com)

It’s time to pull up on Intern Ave. and meet our dope summer interns for C.O.R.E Mag! Let’s meet the crew!

Name: Delyn Saffa

What’s your dream job & why?
My dream job is either an FBI or a CSI. I chose these because when I first watched “Law and Order” and “criminal minds”, I fell in love with what they do and wanted to be like them when I grow up, that’s where it all started.

What are your fave hobbies?
Hobbies that I enjoy is Basketball, doing my hair/other peoples hair, watching “law and order, and going new places.

Who’s your biggest celeb crush?
My biggest crush is Christian Casey Combs ( P-Diddy son )

What’s your fave song to jam out to right now?
My favorite song is “Way to fly”- A Boogie

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
If I could change the world one thing it would be stereotype and labeling.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment to me means being a positive leader that encourages others

What are your plans after high school?
After high school, I am going to move to Hawaii and go to a criminal justice school for 4 and cosmetology for 3 years.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?
Yes, I have helped my friends whenever they need something that I can provide or help with they get it.

Who is your role model?
My role model is my mother, I say this because she is strong and independent.

Name: A’yanna Rouse

Age: 14

City: Brooklyn

What is your dream job and why?
My dream job is coder because I like working with computers.

Who is your biggest crush?
My biggest crush is Jin from BTS.

What’s your fave song to jam out to right now?
My fave song to to jam out is Everybody Mad by O.T Genasis.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
If I change one thing about the world, I would change how people treat each other.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means to me is to inspire and to have confidence.

What are your plans after high school?
I plan to go to college.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?
I helped my classmates with their final projects for the end of the year.

(Giphy.com)

The thought of starting your college career can bring excitement, but it can also bring tons of anxiety. However you’re feeling, just know this: College is a great learning experience and teaches the importance of independence. You’ll meet lifelong friends PLUS earn a degree. It’s a win win! Now, if you’re still feeling some type of way, here are a few ways to calm your nerves.

(Giphy.com)

Roomie Connect- Normally you find out who your roommate is before you leave for school. Message them on social media and introduce yourself. Exchange phone numbers! They are the first friend you’ll make on campus and they’re probably just as nervous as you.

College Rundown- Preview events give you a chance to see the school without the bustle of all the students. You’ll get a feel for all the clubs, organizations, and sports teams that you can be apart of too.

Chat With A Grad-No one will be able to give you more in-depth and honest advice about your college than someone who already went there. They’ve been through it already and have a lot of valuable knowledge to pass down, like where the best spots to eat on campus are or what classes are easy A’s.

An there ya go!

(Giphy.com)

Tia B., Content Editor

(Photo credit: Vania Stoyanova)

Keeping up with grades, navigating your way through a harsh social scene, parents constantly applying pressure for perfection…when does it ever stop? As a student, the pressures of life can quickly build-up and invite a “you against the world” mentality.

We have all been there–typed out a text message asking for emotional or physical support, only to delete it before sending. Teen entrepreneurs Hannah and Charlie Lucas are redefining the power of mental health while creating a fresh platform with their new app notOK™. Recently winning the NAMI Young Leader Award (National Alliance in Mental Illness), the fearless siblings are snatching away any shame that’s accompanied with asking for help. 

(Photo credit: Vania Stoyanova)

Just last year Hannah was fainting so much that she missed 70% of the school year due to a rare disease called POTS. While she was there she constantly got bullied and even threatened (by a fellow student) that she would be taken advantage of the next time she passed out in school. Being scared was a permanent state of mind. After becoming severely depressed and even attempting suicide, Hannah’s little brother Charlie stepped in to help her change things. The two searched for apps that helped teens in their time of distress. They didn’t find any so they created their own- the notOK app.

In just a few months after launch, these inspirational tech siblings have been gaining massive attention with over 49k downloads in just 3 months. They are working with Thrive NYC to implement a program in NYC schools next year and even scored their first investor.

To use notOK™, simply open the app, tap the red button and a text message will be sent to up to 5 pre-selected contacts that reads: “Hey, I’m not OK. Please call me, text me, or come find me,” along with a link to your current GPS location. Whether you’re a teen or an adult suffering from loneliness, anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal thoughts, or anything else, immediate help is only the tap of a button away.You no longer have to suffer alone. Help is closer than you think!

Let’s get to know Hannah + Charlie a little better…

(Photo credit: Vania Stoyanova)

The notOK app is beyond brilliant and is blazing the way for teens to tap into mental health. Why was it important to create a platform that not only allowed both of you to overcome personal struggles but other teens as well?
It’s important to create a platform that allows people to have open discussions about the difficult topics. In having these difficult conversations, it suddenly makes it OK to be notOK. And it gives people the opportunity to answer some of the less talked about questions.

Hannah, due to having POTS caused you to miss 70% of the school year which led to bullying. How were you able to shift your energy from a negative situation into a positive solution?
To be honest, I don’t think I would’ve been able to shift my perspective if it weren’t for the help of a therapist. When I first started going to therapy, I’m not going to lie, I was obnoxiously sarcastic. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. When I started working on notOK I finally saw hope again. At that point I started to take my therapist seriously because something clicked inside and I realized that she was there to help me not harm me.

Charlie, seeing your older sister having to overcome obstacles could have caused you to feel a bit helpless. What motivated you to use your strengths + talents to be there for her?
Well helplessness was a key factor in getting me to this breaking point, where I couldn’t do anything anymore so when Hannah gave me her idea I leaped at the chance to help her.

Unfortunately, a lot of time teen mental health or stress isn’t taken as serious as it should be. It is labeled as “growing pains” or even being “dramatic”. How does the notOK app make it clear of the pressures teens deal with on a daily basis?
notOK is designed to destigmatize mental health. In doing so, all alerts should be received as urgent. The trusted contacts should keep in mind that even though it seems small, to the user, it could be life altering. Being notOK means something different for each individual person.

Mental health can be looked as a “weakness” when it comes to teens of color, how can we shift that stereotype and push diversity in this area?
In order to shift that stereotype, you have to start thinking of mental health as physical health. You have yearly check-ups for your physical but just ignore your mental health. When you really think about it mental health is just the chemicals in your body that make you feel or think a certain way. Thinking about it this way often helps people be more understanding towards those struggling with their mental health.

Actress Jenifer Lewis and Hannah Lucas

Being young, juggling responsibilities while walking towards your dreams can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
Personally, I love to exercise. Whenever I feel a bit overwhelmed I just hop on my bike and ride around for a while. This is a great way to release all of the tension in my body and also keep in shape.

We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
Empowerment to me means having a hope for the future and having the power to achieve that future.
Empowerment means the hope of rights and equality for everyone, Empowerment means the hope of peace to me, Empowerment is the feeling of when the nation gets together to stop the injustices that happen within it.

Photo credit: Vania Stoyanova

Time for faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?

Celeb Crush:
Hannah: Trevor Jackson without a question!!!

Artist:
Charlie:Brendan Urie, Ben Platt, Pitbull, and Last but definitely not least,*drumroll* BEYONCE.
Hannah: My top 3 are Queen Bey (of course), Drake (obviously), and Kendrick Lamar (without a question)

Food: Cheese Curds, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Creme’ Brulee, Cheese, All And Every Type

Movie:
Charlie: Greatest Showman
Hannah: Black Panther hands down!!!

Stay in the loop with Hannah + Lucas here

NotOK app

Instagram

Twitter

School’s out and it’s time to start making plans for the summer. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you look good doing it. Check out these stylish trends that will be poppin’ all summer long:

(Giphy.com)

• Off The Shoulder Top: These tops are super cute for the summer when you and your friends are hanging around enjoying some summer mocktails or if you and bae decide to kick it for a date.
• Futuristic Sunglasses: This season, everyone is rocking sunglasses that have a year 3000 look to them. This includes defined shapes and bold colors. It’s a fun look that adds personality to a simple outfit.
• Athleisure: The athleisure look is one isn’t going out of style anytime soon. Being cute and fashionable while also being comfy is a major key. Try a matching tracksuit with a cute pair of sneakers that pop.

(Giphy.com)

-Tia B., Content Editor