Summer is here! Yes, time to get officially excited! Ok, so even though your days and nights are surrounded by warm weather and fun times, don’t forget about your health! Take advantage of the days where you do not have to stand in the cafe line at school. This does no mean gobble down every fast food place you see either. Check out how simple choices can change your entire of day of how you feel and act! Trust me, you’ll thank us later!
Check out a couple healthy snack to keep your mind sharp for….dun dun dun summer school! You may be surprised of what’s number 1
As the days are getting hotter and hotter, your hair is getting more in the way of your fun! Your summer should be stress free and enjoyable, the last thing you want to worry about your are your strands. So instead of getting frustrated, check out these easy hairstyles that will have you summer ready!
Talented, Beautiful & Hilarious are all the words that describe the ultra funny comedienne, Aarona Browning! Originally hailing from Chicago, Aarona has been performing on stage since the young age of five. Whether in plays or in person she always displayed a delightfully twisted view on the world, which has now become her comedy act.
Aarona has a sassy, enlightened perspective that evokes laughter and demands attention. She began enhancing her skills behind the mic with improv classes from Second City-Chicago, The Annoyance Theater and later iO West (Los Angeles). Less than six months after she began stand-up comedy, Aarona became a working comic and was selected as a “New Face” in Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza Comedy Festival in Atlanta, GA. She not only shared her gift of comedy in the states but has performed overseas at a variety of international venues. Aarona has traveled to the UK performing at The Drum Centre (Birmingham), Jonguleurs (Birmingham) and The Bernie Arts Centre (London) to perform.
Creating another outlet for her fans to follow her, Aarona launched her monthly show at the Hollywood Improv Lab called “Velvet Circus”, a stand-up comedy show featuring original sketches and music videos written, directed and edited by Aarona.
Let’s get to know Aarona little better….
Growing up there is so much pressure to go into specific fields, What was you “Aha” moment when you knew comedy was for you?
My “aha” moment came in 1996 when I saw Chris Rock’s “Bring The Pain” comedy special. It was the funniest thing I ever saw. It was SO FUNNY I spent a lot of time trying to figure why it was funny. I wasn’t the same after that. Something about that made me keep saying to myself, “I wanna try that”. I knew I loved being on stage. I had been performing in choirs and plays since age 5. It still took me 10 years to get over the fear of trying it. I was a store manager for a video store and all my employees kept telling me I was funny and should do comedy. I shunned them. I completely dismissed it because I was afraid of not being good. Out of all the things they could have suggested I’d try, it was ironic that comedy was the only thing they kept saying. The first time I got on stage at “Jokes And Notes” a comedy club in Chicago, I did really well! I got that feeling that everything I was doing before this was meaningless and if I didn’t keep doing comedy I would be robbing myself of something great. I asked God to give me sign to let me know this was for me 6 months later I was selected to be a Jamie Foxx Laffapalooza New Face.
Unfortunately, females often get stamped as not having a sense of humor or even a personality at all, how did you overcome those stereotypes?
Frankly, I don’t listen to the nay-sayers. There are plenty of funny women throughout history who have made a contribution to the field of comedy and MADE MONEY!! (Hello). There’s Betty White, Joan Rivers, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Marla Gibbs (Jeffersons & 227), Wylonna from “Good Times” was hysterical, Roseanne, Ellen, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Cho, Mo’Nique, Wanda Sykes, Tina Fey, Amy Phoeler and Kristen Wiig. All of these women have done things I would love to do with my career… and if they can do it, then so can I!
Who are your fave comedians that you’ve been inspired by and how have they influenced your personal style of comedy?
My number one is Chris Rock. Before seeing “Bringing The Pain”, I loved watching comedy. I watched every episode of Def Comedy Jam and ComicView growing up. But it was his delivery and subject matter that stuck with me the most and made me say, “I wanna do that”. My second influence is definitely Martin Lawrence. I came up in the heyday of “Martin” mania and all his catchphrases were hysterical, his physical humor and commitment was unreal.
I always enjoyed the humor of both Roseanne and Margaret Cho. They were two women who blew up while I was growing up and it showed me that telling “your truth” is just as important as having something clever or quirky to say. My good friend, Deon Cole, also taught me how to use silence to draw in my audience and take them on a ride. I also admire Robin Harris’ work a lot. He showed me the importance of brutal honesty and being quick-witted.
What are 3 things you do to prep before a show?
I go over my setlist. I’m constantly writing down new jokes. So I sandwich the old jokes in with the new, in order to gauge how funny the new ones are. I sing and dance alot before performing. Getting silly helps me to loosen up and get out of my head so I can be aware and in the moment on stage. The last thing I do is a total contradiction to the first two (I’m one of those weirdo comics) I like to isolate myself and just be silent. Sometimes too much activity gets mentally irritating and since I do so much thinking onstage… so beforehand, I mellow out.
Being a teen girl, it’s hard to discover your voice, what advice would you give teen girls to own their voice, thoughts and opinions?
Whatever gives you joy and happiness, pay close attention to it! More than likely that’s your calling! Our eyes focus on specific things for a reason. Our hearts are sensitive to certain things for a reason. Once you figure out what “that thing” is that you’re good at, sensitive to, or extremely happy at the thought of doing, make it your business to pursue it as a career. Don’t let people talk you out of it. Don’t let money stop you because it will show up! Believe in yourself and invest in yourself and you will be amazed at what you can do.
We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means “being in the know”. It’s all about being aware that you control your destiny. So many times we feel like our lives are in other people’s hands. Being empowered means you have the knowledge (and sometimes the life experience) that no one can hold you back but you! When you’re empowered, you’re unstoppable!
What is your ultimate goal when it comes to comedy?
I got several:) I want a few hour comedy specials, I want a Grammy for a comedy album, I wanna write a book, be on a few TV shows, be in a few films and have an awesome entourage of fellow comedians who I shoot original projects with, like Adam Sandler does!
Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist?
Fave foods…. anything with cheese!!! I’m a mouse and I live for cheese! Namely mexican food with cheese!
I have so many favorite songs… I listen to all types of music except for heavy metal and techno. I’ll say my favorite rock song is “Otherside” by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, ONE of favorite R & B songs is “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce, and ONE of my favorite rap songs is “I Get Around” by 2PAC.
2 PAC is definitely one my favorite artist of all time!
I apologize. I’m a month late for Victoria’s Corner. The only thing my mother hates more than being late, is an excuse for being late. So okay, I will not give you an excuse. I will give you an explanation. From April 10 until April 15, I was in Washington DC for the National Action Network annual convention. Since I’m the Northeast Regional Director, I was required to be there. It was 6:00am wakeup time and 11:30pm bedtime every day. There was almost no time to do anything else but convention business. On April 14th, the last day of the convention, I met the editors and founders of thecorereader.com, Eden and Ellisa Oyewo. They are beautiful, smart, and so nice. They are, “the real deal”. My mom and I spent some time with Ms Eden and Ms Ellisa, and it hit me that they were excitingly living their dreams. They shared some of their future plans with my mom. You could see the excitement on their faces, as they talked about their goals. They have a road map for the future direction of thecorereader.com, which they share, and a road map for their individual careers. All week I had been around people that wanted more for themselves and more for their people.
On April 15, we arrived home to see the same people standing around outside on the corner, or gathered in the park across the street. What a difference from when you are around people of empowerment to when you are around people of acceptance. Empowerment is mapping out a course for your life and going for it. Acceptance is whatever life is giving or taking from you at that moment, you just accept it. My mother has a great analogy for this. You get fired or laid off. You accept it, and go sign up for unemployment, food stamps, and anything else that is being given to the unemployed. You didn’t want the job in the first place. You didn’t want to be the only one of your friends to miss the House Wives, Bad Girls and Basketball Wives marathons on television. Okay, now let’s look at empowerment. You get fired or laid off. You go to your holiness spot. “God, Lord, Jesus, Budda, Allah, or Jehovah. This has sprung up on me. I know with my faith and your guidance, I’m going to make it. This is my chance to do what always wanted to do. I’m going tomorrow to sign up for my much deserved unemployment benefits. I’m going to apply for the food assistance program which I know is going to be temporary. Then I’m going back to school, find a job I really like or start my own business. You got this because I believe in You and I believe in me. Amen, I pray”. My mother can always come up with good analogies.
When I came back to my community it was like I was seeing the acceptance minded people for the first time. Without visions or plans, you really are just wondering around in existence. I see grown ups that have never left New York City. They get up and do the same things day in and day out. They have either lost their purpose, focus or their faith. We have adults that have never held a job. They have never known the excitement of having money they have earned. They have never had a credit card or bank account. They have never lived in their own place. Some don’t have identification beside the government benefits card. That is so sad. Why have we stopped dreaming? Why have we stopped living?
I can’t wait to grow up to live out my dreams. Recently a friend of mine moved into a beautiful one bedroom apartment with a terrace. I had so much fun furniture shopping with her. All I could think about was decorating my future dorm room or my first apartment. I thought about the colors I wanted and where the television with surround sound would be. My friends would come over for movie nights or to play cards. It wasn’t as much fun thinking about the dorm room, because I know that comes with a roommate. I’m still excited about college, roommate and all. I want to attend Harvard or Barnard College. My grades have to go up a little bit to get into either, but I’m determined. My mother is quick to tell me to stay out of trouble so I can fulfill my dreams. Sometimes when I’m playing with my American Girl Doll, Joy, I pretend she is my little girl. I want two children when I’m around 35. I want to have one child and adopt another. Of course my little girl will have a father to carry her on his shoulder and call her princess or baby girl. My little boy will have a dad to play baseball and teach him to be good to females. I love thinking and dreaming about my future. Every once and awhile I get scared that something will get in the way of my dreams. Then I tell myself, “forget that”. I’m going for mine.
Fear is holding so many of us back. We have to step out on faith. These days I find myself fascinated by Harriett Tubman because she didn’t let fear stop her. I’m sure she knew the danger she was placing herself in. The dream of, “freedom”, was stronger than the nightmare of slavery. Faith replaced her fear. My mother has a friend that has 3 children. The friend had lost a prestigious job, was unhappy and facing a life of permanent government assistance. She didn’t want that for her children. She went on line, found an apartment in another state, left everything behind and took the Amtrak south to her new life. She had absolutely no furniture for the new place, only a little bit of money and just enough clothes to fill up 3 suitcases. Three years later my mother’s friend has a new career with perks like expense accounts, health insurance and business travel. She has a car and is building a new home. Her children are doing wonderful and are very involved in their new school. She tells everyone that it was all faith.
Mom is quick to point out faith without works is dead. I know I have to get good grades and stay our of trouble. That part belongs to me. Hold on to your dreams. Don’t lose your faith, and don’t lose your focus. We get so caught up in nonsense that we forget our purpose. I want to stop sex trafficking of women and children. I want to bring awareness to the mass killing in the Congo. I want my own foundation. I want to save our post offices from being shut down. I really want to decorate my first apartment. I can’t let foolishness like light skin, dark skin, short hair, long hair, peer pressure, he said or she said, who likes me or who does not like me, get in the way. I have causes that need awareness and future color schemes to pick out. Talk to you in June.
