Summertime brings warm weather, chill times + the cool,  addictive sounds of  Kyndall! Hailing from Houston, Texas the 19-year-old songstress is making a buzz on the R& B scene. Currently signed with Atlantic Records, Kyndall  recently released  her 6-track EP Still Down including her latest video for “Close To Me”.

Her hot EP  presents a heap of gritty, bass heavy R&B. This ambitious beauty has worked with the talents of Boi 1da (Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar), Chef Tone (Trey Songz, R. Kelly, Jamie Foxx), Maejor Ali (Justin Bieber, Drake, Kelly Rowland) & DJ Dahi (Drake, Lily Allen, Big Sean)  in creating fresh music for her generation.

Her songs are a modern day throwback to the days of 90’s R&B where young female artists like Aaliyah, Brandy and Monica provided the soundtracks to a generation of teenage girls, but also deftly bridged the gap between youth and adulthood. With just six tracks Kyndall makes it clear: She’s an R&B package to watch!

Let’s get to know Kyndall a little better…

You’ve recently released your hot 6-track debut EP Still Down, what did you want listeners to feel + take away from your music?

Ultimately the goal was to introduce myself musically in an EP that held up over time. I wanted ’Still Down’ to feel fresh, vibe-y and still have classic storytelling at the same time.

Emotionally speaking, all 6 records follow my heart and head through my first serious relationship; If I have my way, people will connect to me bearing my soul & and feel less alone in this crazy game of love.

Your single “Close To Me” is an addictively smooth + chill track, what inspires your music?

The EP was created in Houston and we shot the music video in Galveston Island, just outside of Houston which is  ‘addictively smooth & chill”. I think Houston really inspired the vibe found on ‘Still Down’ as much as my love life.

Style is a way to describe yourself with out speaking, how  does your fashion + music style connect?

My style falls in line with the tone of my EP… I’m usually shaded up in dark, urban,  monochromatic silhouettes  and of course the Houston trademark, my grill. You can take me out of Htown, but you’ll never take Htown out of me. #bornandraised

You’ve already accomplished so much at the young age of 19! If you had to choose, what would be the biggest highlight in your blossoming career so far?
Thanks! I don’t quite feel that way. I’m just getting started & “Still Down” is my first, “Hello, my name is Kyndall” to the world. The biggest highlight so far has been the release of 2 of my music videos (“Playing Games + “Close To Me”). We worked so hard on shooting 3 music videos in 3 days, through freezing rain. It was incredible to shoot in my own hometown and having family and friends visit set.  I’m really looking forward to producing my live show. I expect that to be a major highlight ahead.

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?

Two things: I think, “WWYD”: What Would Yonce Do? I genuinely do. I mean, she doesn’t really strike me as one to wallows in despair.

And I also think: “No weapon (formed against me shall prosper) ”…It’s like a Biblical reminder that I’m good, no matter how things shake out.

Your future is shining extremely bright! What projects can we expect from you in the near future?

Other than developing my live show, I’m currently working on a new body of music to release as soon as it’s complete, no more long lead ups. It’s time to go!

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

Empowerment to me is taking control. I feel empowered when I’m not a follower. In this business everyone has an opinion about you and what you should be doing. I was called stubborn & difficult when I shelved  an earlier EP, but I didn’t connect with it and I couldn’t sing a lie. I took control and released a project that’s all me, and I’m extremely proud of that.

Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
Celeb Crush?

Nah.

Artist?

I’m alternating between HTown’s own, Travis Scott + Tory Lanez from the 6. Throw some Jhene Aiko in there & now we have a party!

Food: Been trying to find a happy medium between being a health nut  & binging on cajun food. I’m working on it. There’s GOT to be a happy medium!

Movie: I come from Musical Theatre, so I’m really into movie-musicals. My faves “Pink Floyd The Wall”, “Sweeney Todd” & “Across the Universe”.

Check out more Kyndall here…

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A fresh + innovative sound is exactly what Arnelle “Elly” Nonon is bringing to the music industry!  A born and raised New Yorker with nothing more than a passion, a voice and a dream, Arnelle “Elly” Nonon has risen to music notoriety. She wowed Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson with her sultry serenade during American Idol Season 10, landing her a ticket to Hollywood. A year later she took on the fun, quickly spreading genre of K-Pop, performing at New York’s K-POP Festival held at NYU’s Performing Arts Center. Her awe-inspiring rendition of 1,2,3,4 by Lee Hi provided her next opportunity to be a contestant at the K-Pop World Festival held in Changwon, Korea, where she once again took the Grand Prize home with her. Now she continues the journey on a road less traveled, continuously being inspired Korean artists abroad and traveling back and forth from New York to Seoul!

Let’s get to know Arnelle “Elly” Nonon a little better…

You have a beautiful voice, what motivated you to jump into music?
Thank you so much for the compliment! Music has been a part of my life ever since I was a little girl. From church Christmas play musicals casted as “Young Mary” to singing to Luther Vandross’ “Love is On the Way” on Sunday clean-up day with my mom, music has always coated my everyday life, so it was a pretty natural path becoming a musician myself.

Style is a way to describe yourself with out speaking, how would you describe your fashion + music style?
My fashion sense is pretty eclectic, just as my music taste is! One of the things that are very apparent when comparing my fashion sense and music sense though, is the fact that I love to make statements. When putting together an outfit, the finished ensemble usually isn’t one that will easily go unnoticed in a crowd, and I think many would agree that the music I listen to most stands out in any playlist too, being that my music library is filled most with Korean pop music, a.k.a, K-Pop!

We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?

Honestly the list of people who inspire me goes on and on, but the two who I’ll mention today are Beyonce and CL of 2NE1. When I perform, I want to make statements. I want to feel powerful, and I want to have beautiful concepts and sets and costumes. These two women embody all those things to me. Impact! Power! Glamour! To watch them deliver those three things consistently makes me starry-eyed and motivates me to work harder so I can become a master at my skill.

Chasing + creating your dream can get a little tough at times, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
The most important thing for me is the encouragement I get from my family, friends and fans. I tend to keep every fan sent message of encouragement to read on “rainy days”. I read through the loving comments sent to me on my youtube videos and emails and it helps me get back on my feet. Love is what keeps me going!

What advice would you give girls who want to follow their dreams and passions?
JUST DO IT!!! Ahahaha, I know I sound like a Nike ad, but for those of you who are scared or hesitant, you have to “Just Do It”! Be confident. Nobody will be confident in you if you aren’t confident in yourself. Be smart about the decisions you make, trust your gut and be the best you can be!

We are all about female empowerment, What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
Female empowerment is EVERYTHING to me! I revel in the fact that I’m a woman and being from a family of mostly females who I look up to and respect so much, I never felt that I was unable to do something just because I’m a girl. I hope that now and in the future I can encourage other girls to do whatever it is that they desire, knowing that their gender doesn’t have anything to do with the amount of success they are capable of obtaining. I am 100% a feminist, and I feel empowered every time I take a step in the direction of trying to create an equal playing field for women and men.

Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
My celebrity crush (of the moment…lol!) is DANIEL HENNEY!!!! I love him to bits!!! Beautiful and tall. Can’t get enough. I think my favorite American artist right now is Nicki Minaj and my favorite Korean artists right now are Zion. T, Bang Yongguk, and Giriboy, each and every one of them are so gifted and inspire me to no end. My fave movies of ALL TIME are “Moulin Rouge”, a Japanese movie titled “Helter Skelter”, “Life Size” starring Tyra Banks, and “Cinderella” (the Rodgers and Hammerstein version), and my favorite food at the moment is 닭갈비 or “Dak Galbi”, a stir-fried chicken Korean dish that I literally cannot get enough of!!!

Check out more of Arnelle “Elly” Nonon here…

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You rock, Elly!

The perfect combination of talent, determination &  positive energy are the ingredients that continue to sky rocket LiYAH’s booming musical career!  Her new single “Radio”, — produced by Grammy Award winning “Huge Music” — embodies the energy and youthful spirit that LiYAH radiates as an entertainer.

Co-Headlining with LL Cool J at a packed American Airline’s Arena in Miami, Liyah never looked back after feeling the rush of performing live. She has toured internationally with Pitbull, ignited the Power 96 stage at the Calle Ocho Festival and performed alongside Busta Rhymes, Flo Rida, Keri Hilson, Rick Ross and more. LiYAH’s  single, “Raise Em High” has charted in over 48 countries and charted number one internationally.

Born in Durban, South Africa, LiYAH was just a year old when her family moved to South Florida. Always her biggest fans, LiYAH’s family has supported her passion for music from a young age. LiYAH has worked with numerous Grammy award-winning producers and Platinum-selling recording artists and songwriters, including J-Kwon, Mims, Hugo Diaz, Streetrunner, Drop, and Delisha Thomas. Paving the way for a new age of independent artists, Liyah and her team are poised to hit the road to promote her new single and continue to spread positivity and love to her ever growing fan base.

Let’s get to know LiYAH a little better…

You’re an incredibly talented young lady who has performed + worked with top artists such as LL Cool J , Pitbull, Busta Rhymes, Flo Rida, Keri Hilson, Rick Ross and more, how did you dive into your amazing singing career at such an young age?
I knew from the time I could walk and talk that I was going to be a pop star. I was always different from everyone, which was a good thing. I didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing, my only goal was to be a successful artist. I always envisioned myself from the age of 4 performing in sold out arenas, and being a role model, someone my fans could relate to; I know crazy at such a young age.

Being originally from Durban, South Africa, does your music reflect your culture?
I was born in Durban South Africa, but I moved to Miami when I was a year old. So I think more than anything my music is a representation of me, Liyah.

You’ve already accomplished so much at an young age! If you had to choose, what would be the biggest highlight in your blossoming career so far?
The highlight of my career was being able to tour South Africa as the opening act for Pitbull. That was a dream come true, my first biggest tour in the country I was born in, it doesn’t get any better than that!

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?
This is such a tough business, so feeling a little defeated is not uncommon. But when I feel that way I usually like to spend some time alone, gather my thoughts and at the end of the day I know what my ultimate goal is.

What advice would you give girls who want to follow their dreams and passions?
My advice would be to never stop dreaming, make a statement, express yourself & always fight for what you believe in no matter what!

Your future is shining extremely bright! What projects can we expect from you in the near future?
I am extremely excited to announce that I am currently in the creative process as we speak, working on a new project. This project is so special to me, because it’s going to show my fans who I really am. It’s an extremely personal and vulnerable side of me. This project in particular hasn’t been easy for me, I’m really baring my soul. I believe the end result will be fulfilling and hopefully have made an impact on a few lives, and that to me is what matters most.

We are all about female empowerment, What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
Female empowerment means EVERYTHING to me. I want to be able to rule the world one day! I believe females are equally as powerful as males. It’s so important to have a strong message these days and really stand for what you believe in. And most importantly be a role model, someone that girls can look up to, and relate to, in a positive way.

Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
My celeb crush would have to be Eminem, because he’s so passionate, you can hear the passion in his voice through his songs. He
means what he says. I admire the fact that he really speaks his mind regardless of whether or not people like it. My favorite artists would have to be the Queen herself Madonna, of course Michael Jackson and last but not least, someone I’ve always held close to my heart Selena Quintanilla Perez! My favorite food is avocados, I know some people think I’m a little crazy.. And my favorite movie, Selena!!!!!!!

Check out more of LiYAH here

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Live  BOLD, BEAUTIFUL & FEARLESS!  The Black PEARL (Pretty, Educated, Aware, Refined, Ladies) Program encourages young women  to step into their destiny!  Created by Phylicia Henry of La Perle Noire LLC, the program is designed to teach & encourage teen females  on how to tap into their inner being and accept who they are instead of what they are not. They are devoted to educating young girls on self-confidence and a positive self-esteem.

PEARL’s underlying message for young women is to seek approval within, without seeking the approval of others.They moderate and encourage a series of discussions and workshops shaped by their own curriculum on self-esteem, beauty and wellness. It addresses the sensitive and difficult topics that arise during the teenage and adolescent years. Their goal is to encourage young women to know and understand that they are beautiful.

Let’s get to know  The Black Pearl Program a little better…

The Black Pearl Program teaches and encourages young women to tap into their inner being and accept who they are instead of what they are not. What made you launch this empowering organization? 

 The Black PEARL Program was started for many reasons, but what really inspired me was the story of one girl that I had to opportunity to work with.  She wrote a suicide letter and in that letter she wrote that she wished she was never Black. She wished she was born white. She hated the fact that god made her Black and for that reason she wanted to kill herself. At that point I knew that something had to be done to help young women struggling with their image. I worked on developing The Black PEARL Program curriculum to cover many of the issues young women of color face and help them develop a positive self-image and self-esteem.  

 PEARL stands for Pretty, Educated, Aware, Refined, Ladies. How does your organization encourage young ladies to embrace their individuality + personal strengths? 

 We encourage our girls first with our staff. The Black PEARL Program works with many different women with different looks, shades, sizes and ethnicities to show our participants first hand that beauty is subjective and there isn’t a “one look fits all” when it comes to a women’s beauty. Through our lessons and curriculum we showcase and incorporate different aspects of Black femininity and intelligence. We use that to strengthen young women’s self-esteem, image and individuality.

 If you had to give one piece of advice to teen girls who are struggling with being comfortable in their own skin, what would it be? 

My advice for teen girls struggling with being comfortable with themselves is to research a woman who they admire. Try to mirror their confidence and traits that you find the most intriguing and attractive about them. If you are struggling with your appearance find a positive female figure who has your similar hair type, skin color, body type, whatever it is and use that person as a sort of role model for yourself.

 We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?

 Wow, so many women inspire me! From women like you who have started this wonderful magazine to single mothers working 3 jobs to provide a great life for themselves and their children. I respect people who are going hard and mastering their craft and living life. Two of the women that have inspired me the most over the years have been Naomi Campbell, her confidence, poise and sophistication are untouchable and the amazing Angela Davis; her intellect, beauty and strength are so incredible!

 Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one trait you have learned from working with girls?

Well when working with the “At-Risk” population where people may be very judgmental, I’ve learned that there is no such thing as a “bad kid.”

Many teens just need guidance, motivation and someone to inspire them. I have learned to be a bit more understanding and also that teens are eager to learn in a way that it’s meaningful to them from people who GENUINELY care. Teens can sense when your being authentic and when your just there to collect a paycheck.

 We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you + your organization?

Empowerment equates to motivating while encouraging and uplifting others in a meaningful and positive way. Empowering others last a lifetime.

Fun Faves! Song? Food? Artist? Celeb Crush?

What if  every young woman fulfills her potential? What if every young woman is set on the right path today? What if every young woman in Washington finishes high school, goes to a college or vocational school, gets a job and gives back to her community?  Well, this is exactly what Project Girl Mentoring is on the road of accomplishing with their empowering organization!

Founded by Olympia Edwards, Project Girl Mentoring Program envisions a community in which every young female is empowered to make confident decisions and be self-sufficient allowing them to develop into their full potential.

The non profit organization provides mentoring, educational and social activities to young women throughout Snohomish County and its surrounding area. The overall goal of the program is to support girls as they develop positive choices while learning new life skills and help them transition into womanhood. They focus on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach to help girls acquire the skills and knowledge to become healthy and productive women.

Let’s get to know more about Project Girl Mentoring…

Olympia Edwards, Founder of Project Girl Mentoring

Project Girl Mentoring Program was created to encourage young women to make positive life choices and to maximize their natural potential! How + why did you feel the need to launch this empowering program?

Project Girl Mentoring Program was developed because I felt the need to take an active role in shaping the lives of young women in my community. I was tired of seeing systematic stereotypes and disparities hold back women of color in my neighborhood. So I started the Project Girl Mentoring Program, as a prevention program to prepare them to overcome these life challenges. They need a place where they could learn how to be empowered to make confident decisions, envision themselves as leaders and recognize their power and recognize their self-worth.

Project Girl Mentoring has a variety of programs! Can you tell us about the Emerge, Inspire (HER) + STEAM Connect programs?

The Emerge is our core program where we provide mentorship to schools, community centers, faith based and other nonprofit programs. We focused our curriculum around modules of developing inner strength, leadership, healthy choices and life skills. Each curriculum module is designed to be 8-10 weeks. Sometimes, we address hard issues and break down major barriers, other times we have entertaining conversation about life in general.

Inspire (Her) is about taking mentoring to the next level and exposing young women of color to the community and actively involving them in events that affect their lives. Over the past year, we participated in lectures and empowering series with Dr. Joy DeGruy and Cornell West, attended conferences such as “How to Become a Successful Student Leader” and “Building Confidence within Understanding” and “Appreciation your Identity.”

Picture of Two Mentees/Program Coordinator with Dr. Joy DeGruy

S.T.E.A.M. Connect is designed to give young women of color meaningful access to science, technology, engineering, arts and math learning opportunities. We collaborate with several organization and schools throughout Washington that specialize in exposing girls to S.T.E.A.M. and integrated our mentoring program with their community projects. In addition, we get to meet professional women of color who are involved S.T.E.A.M. careers and is passionate about the work they get to do every day.

All of our programs are modeled behind national girl-serving organizations that have pointed to the need for gender and culturally relevant programs that allow young women to voice their experience, develop positive connections and gain the necessary skills to pursue their goals in education, career and relationships.

Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one trait you have learned from working with girls?

One trait that I have learned from working with girls is that every girl, young woman, and woman is that we are continually develop ourselves as we understand our identity as women. Every day, like many women, I wake up wondering “Who am I as a woman of color” and “How can I make today different for me.” On the surface, we are all definitely different; we have different hair types, skin color and cultural traditions; however under everything that makes us different we are all truly seeking the same understanding “who are we.”

If you had to give one piece of advice to young ladies out there who are struggling with being comfortable in their own skin, what would it be?

The advice I would give is honestly, no one is comfortable 100% of the time with the way they look and its hard to love yourself if you don’t know how but you can learn and continue working on self-love. I would also give them this little acronym: (AEC)

A – Accepted every blemish, mark, and scar.

E – Embrace your distinctive beauty, love your complexion regardless who tells you otherwise.

C – Celebrate what makes you different from anyone else. Remember, that everyone is beautiful and true beauty lies within your own definition.

We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?

Currently right now, I am inspired by my niece who is such a brilliant young woman. She is very adventurous and creative. She reminds me that all young women are on the road of self-discovery and looking for support and guidance. My niece keeps me on my toes, always questioning life and looking for understanding. As I work with other young women, I ask myself “how would my niece react to the advice I am delivering to their young lives and how does it really shape their viewpoints.” This keeps me present to the experiences that young women are facing every single day.

We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you + your organization?

To me, empowerment means to claim my voice as a leader in my community by using my talents, values and passion to influence the lives of young women of color. In Project Girl, empowerment means equipping young women of color with the necessary tools needed to succeed in life. We help them focus on the journey of self-fulfillment, learning and guidance.

Fun Faves! Song? Food? Artist? Celeb Crush?

My favorite song is Strength, Courage and Wisdom by India Arie, it talks about finding the strength inside and behind everything that you are and everything that you are not. My favorite food is French Fries with a little ketchup on the side. Since I like to paint, my favorite artist is Frida Kahlo, she is a Mexican painter who is known for her self-portraits. I am not as skilled but I do love the imagery she brings to her artwork. Here is an example of some of the artwork I do in my free time on 4*8 wood boards. (Picture of Abstract Art)

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There is no shortage of talent when it comes to LA based actress Tanjareen Thomas! This ambitious beauty is not only taking over TV, film, &  radio but is the proud owner of her own production company (Citric Cinema) too!

Tanjareen currently plays the role of ‘Rachel’ on the hit show on Bounce TV’s popular urban sitcom, FAMILY TIME. The show includes celebrity guest stars  of Lynn Whitfield, Miguel Nuñez, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Jackee, plus comedians Rodney Perry, Al “Hitz” Shearer, and Clayton Thomas!

Tanjareen is thrilled to be part of the successful sitcom, adding; “I can’t believe my mom is Lynn Whitfield! And I’m so excited to be a part of the history on this new network.  We’re making a good quality TV series that shows a family of color in a fun relatable way, without being stereotypical…And being a diverse actress is great.”

She has also been featured in popular  films & shows such as  Johnson Family Vacation,  Without A Trace, Days of Our Lives, &
Girlfriends, just to name a few!  As a radio personality, Tanjareen has co-hosted numerous episodes of Speedy’s Comedy Corner at Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole on Sirius-XM, Chopping It Up Live on DherbsRadio.com and many weekly talk shows for AfterBuzzTV.

Recently released on November 11th, Tanjareen was featured in Bill Duke’s new coffee table book, “DARK GIRLS,” alongside celebrities such as Lupita Nyong’o, Vanessa Williams and Karli Harvey, all sharing intimate insights on embracing their skin tone. The book offers a full-color companion volume to the acclaimed NAACP Award–nominated documentary “Dark Girls.”

Tanjareen  launched her career at California State University Northridge receiving a BA degree in TV and Film.

Let’s get to know Tanjareen Thomas a little better!

You currently star as the sassy sister on the first-ever African-American broadcast network Bounce TV’s popular sitcom, FAMILY TIME! How did you first launch your acting career + how do you get into the mindset of playing your character?

I knew I wanted to be an actor since my 1st school play at the age of 6, so when it was time for college, I majored in Media Management & Production. I did a college internship at Paramount Pictures, and one of the producers there got me a speaking part on an MTV sketch comedy show. (Isn’t nepotism great?) Then I modeled bikinis on one of the talk shows at Paramount and that got me my SAG card. After being in the union, I booked a recurring role on NBC’s CITY GUYS and I was on my way! My sister is my best friend, so playing a close sister on FAMILY TIME comes naturally. To get into the mindset of playing a lipstick lesbian, I think about the lesbian friends I have and how they carry themselves. They’re bold and witty fashionistas who are a lot of fun to be around. And at their core, they’re nurturing and generous. When I’m in my wardrobe fittings and before I portray “Rachel”, I reflect on those women and I think it makes my character really likable.

You were featured in Bill Duke’s Dark Girls, how did you connect with the overall message of the book of embracing your skin color?

Growing up brown-skinned, I learned to be funny and smart at an early age so I could get the same attention I noticed the lighter skinned girls getting. The DARK GIRLS book experience let me know that there were others who knew my struggle. After years of spiritual work, I have learned to truly love my dark skin and I was hoping the book would encourage others to do the same. Unfortunately, after seeing the finished product, I don’t think Mr. Duke chose the best photos to show us in a flattering way. Oh well. His intentions were good :-/

We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?

I’m inspired by so many actresses; Taraji P Henson, Jennifer Garner, Angelina Jolie, Regina King, and Kerry Washington (even way before Scandal), all show how to be fierce, funny, sexy, kick-ass, and excellent at their craft. They can portray comedy and drama equally well and convincingly embody each of their roles.

Living out your dreams can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

I keep a Gratitude Journal and I write one page per day of all the things I’m thankful for. It keeps me focused on the wonderful things that I’m blessed with, so I have no time or energy to feel bad about things. If I don’t book an audition or sell a show, I know a better opportunity is coming!

Where do you see your career in acting taking you in the next 5 years?

With a BA degree in Media Production, I’m also a producer. I have 3 TV show ideas in development that I plan on having sold and on the air soon. So hopefully, I’ll be a Black Whitney Cummings with multiple shows on the air that I’m Executive Producing, and I’ll be acting in 1 or 2 of them. (Oh, I guess I’m also inspired by Whitney Cummings and Tina Fey 🙂 ) And in my spare time I’ll co-star in blockbuster films. Hopefully, I’ll get a hot fight scene in one of ’em.

We’re all about empowerment! What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

Empowerment, to me, means taking your life into your own hands and being responsible for your own happiness. God allows us to co-create whatever we want in life. So there’s never a reason to moan and complain. If you don’t like your school/your job/your mate, go get a new one. If I’m not happy with the acting roles I’m booking, I can produce by own projects. “The only thing stopping me, is me when I stop!” That’s power.

What are 3 pieces of advice you would give to girls who want to pursue their dreams but are too nervous to start?

1) Ask yourself what you’re actually afraid of…then go for it anyway!

2) Close your eyes and imagine yourself actually doing the thing you dream about. Visualize it, feel it, smile about it. Next imagine yourself 10 years from now, never having tried to reach that dream. What would your job, friends, social life, neighborhood look like without that dream? Visualize and feel that. Now imagine living the rest of your life without ever experiencing that thing that just made you feel good. You owe it toyourself to at least give it a shot.

3) Man the hell up!! It won’t be an easy journey, but if you focus on all the mini triumphs and keep striving, you won’t live your life in “What ifs”.

Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?

I don’t think I have a Celeb Crush, but I love following OchoCinco on Twitter ‘cuz he has a nice chocolatey physique and his tweets are filled with Love and Hilarity.

Artist – I’m embarrassed at how huge of a Lil Wayne’s fan I am. There’s something about ratchet music that just gets me pumped!

Food – vegan soul food (yes, it exists)

Movie – I watch about 9 movies per month, many are excellent. There’s no way I can choose a fave.

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We love to spotlight empowering girls achieving  their dreams  and we’re delighted to share  that one of our past featured females is on her way to the top!

Last August we featured talented songstress Karen McCormick on C.O.R.E Mag.  Her beautiful voice grabbed the attention of our ears as well as her growing fan base who can’t  get enough of her amazing gift she continues to share with the world!

Since we’ve  featured her she’s opened up for  for Terry McDermott’s of NBC’s “The Voice” as well as being invited to sing in Nashville!  We’re excited to announce that her acoustic version of her original song “A Better Man” will be available TODAY exclusively through signing up for her newsletter on at KarenMccormickMusic.com. So head over and sign up, loves!

Take a peek at her beautiful covers for Meghan Trainor’s new single “Lips Are Movin'” + “The Heart  Wants What It Wants” by Selena Gomez.

Website: www.karenmccormickmusic.com

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@KarenLMcCormick

Interview: Karen McCormick

Name: Miranda Martínez

Age: 13

City: Bronx, NY

Grade: 8

What is your dream job and why?

I want to major in Culinary Arts and minor in Education so that I can eventually open a cooking school in lower class areas.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?

Singing, writing, dancing, and cooking.

Who is your biggest crush?

Prince Royce

What’s your fav song to jam out to right now?

Vivir mi vida by Marc Anthony

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

I would end stop and frisk and racism.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means being confident, independent, and never relying on a man.

What are your plans after high school?

I plan to go to college and see where life takes me.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?

I’ve helped little kids in my family.

Who is your role model and why?

My role model is my mother. She’s raised her brother and daughter on her own. She also raised herself up. She was poor as a child but never depended on a man. She went to college and made me the person I am today.

Name: Victoria Nyarko

Age: 14

City: New York, NY

Grade: 8

What is your dream job and why?

Lawyer who works with children because I think I can find better alternatives than foster homes.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?

Singing, drawing, playing the piano, and dancing.

Who is your biggest crush?

Channing Tatum.

What’s your fav song to jam out to right now?

Fire by Michel Williams

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

I would stop the racial profiling that happens today.

What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

It means having an ability to impact someone or something in a way that nobody else can.

What are your plans after high school?

I’ll graduate from an Ivy League college.

Who is your role model and why?

My role model is Tina Campbell. She inspires me to keep up and do my best even when I’m in situations

that seem helpless. Trust God!