science dropping on fresh faces, movers & shakers, who have stopped talking and started doing.

WHO & WHAT

The Hushbox 10

The Hushbox 10 is a lil section that we do in an effort to to identity folks who are doing some positive things on many levels and deserve a lil exposure. Feel free to drop us a line on folks you might wanna nominate for this area. Now go see past Hunks and Hunnies.

"A Great Day In Atlanta" honors the latest Hushbox 10

Hip Hop Politics: Fading Fad or Emerging Force 
by Cory Brown

By the time you read this column, Americans will have cast their ballots for the election of the President of the United States. It will undoubtedly be the subject of much conversation and, more than likely, controversy. Indeed, one subject that will deserve serious attention will be the impact of voters in the 18-35 demographic also known as the Hip-Hop Generation.

Two prominent leaders of Hip-Hop culture, Russell Simmons and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs have been, to their credit, instrumental in galvanizing hundreds of thousands of young people to register to vote. Both men have held numerous concerts and political summits and have appeared on major broadcast outlets encouraging young people to vote. But are the efforts that are being put into this 2004 election cycle going to be a flash in the pan or the start of a push for social and political change in the era of “bling-bling”.

Contrary to popular belief, hip-hop has always had a significant element of social consciousness within its music. In the early day of hip-hop, songs like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s The Message (“Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge, I’m trying not to lose my head. It’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under”) and Public Enemy’s Fight the Power (“Our freedom speech is freedom or death. We’ve got to fight the powers that be.”) sought to speak to the socio-political-economic concerns that faced many young Blacks. Interestingly, these particular songs came out during the Reagan-H.W. Bush years, which saw an erosion of civil rights gains, a protracted fight for a national Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, an increase in the defense budget (and deficit) and a decrease in the amount of federal monies set aside for higher education.

The Political impact of hip-hop lost its way for much of the 90’s. Due to the overwhelming commercial success of groups such as N.W.A. (“Negroes With Attitude”…well it wasn’t exactly “Negroes”) and Snoop Dogg, Hip-hop focused more on gangsta rap and less on political progress for Blacks. But then the 2000 elections, September 11 and the War in Iraq happened and awakened Hip-Hop from its long slumber, again during a Republican administration. Artists such as Andre 3000 of OutKast, Jadakiss (who wrote a song called “Why” which raises many political and social questions) and Common registered to vote for the first time earlier this year and helped to register and rally voters.

The emerging force of hip hop politics can be seen in the National Hip Hop Convention in Newark, NJ this summer where 4,000 people attended and 400 delegates sought to craft a hip hop political agenda. Also, the awareness that politics matters to young people, particularly as it relates to the military draft, is coming through more in the music and actions of this previously politically apathetic group. HSAN has estimated that it has helped to register 2 million voters.

But what happens after November elections come and go? Hip Hop tends to be very trend conscious and if a subject is not “in”, then it doesn’t get the focus. Members of the Hip Hop generation should remain engaged in the process and seek to have their issues addressed from a local level on up to the Oval Office. Sometimes the focus is singularly on the Presidency to the exclusion of lower levels of government. Although the President heads our federal government, he (or perhaps one day soon, she) has to get the House and Senate to approve their budgets, judicial appointments and other policy initiatives. The Hip Hop community can and should band together to form political interest groups, such as the League of Pissed Off Voters, to seek to gain resources and influence policy in the areas of education, employment, drug sentencing and health care.

According to the Associated Press, Georgia added at least 143,508 new Black voters to the rolls since January 2004, which at that time showed 1,017,579 Blacks on the registration rolls. This same phenomenon is occurring throughout the U.S. Can Blacks in the 18-29 age group can improve on their 2% share of the 2000 national electorate, particularly in key electoral swing states? If so, it will position itself to be a force to be courted, or reckoned with, during the 2006 Congressional election cycle and the 2008 Presidential contest. But in order to be truly effective, the Hip Hop community will need to study the issues support and in some cases put forth its own candidates on the local and state levels that are committed to addressing their concerns and interests.

Cory Brown can be reached at [email protected]

Style Atlanta, GM Plan Weeklong Fashion Event.

ATLANTA — Atlanta is gearing up to show its fashion credentials with Style Atlanta presented by General Motors, a weeklong fashion and design event scheduled for May 1-6, 2005.

According to Kevin Knaus, Style Atlanta’s founder, “Style Atlanta was developed to promote the beauty, fashion and interior design talent, as well as highlight the diverse retail experiences available in Atlanta.” Style Atlanta events for consumers, press and the industry will include accessories, fashion and interior designer exhibitions, apparel and design industry panels and trend forecasting with fashion designers, music and retail executives and with GM automotive designers.

GM is the presenting sponsor of Style Atlanta, and the vehicle maker will exhibit its design-forward cars and trucks. GM has experience in the style event realm, having hosted and sponsored fashion and design events such as GM’s TEN in Los Angeles, 7th on Sixth — New York Fashion Week and Chicago’s Imagine.

Knaus said the goal behind Style Atlanta is to get local designers noticed and Atlanta recognized as a style center. “The biggest thing is the exposure,” he said. “We have some talented designers here that don’t get noticed because they’re not in New York. The event is to expose all the style elements of our city and get national recognition.” He’s also talking with local better retailers about taking a look at the designers and testing their lines.

The event will kick off with a party for apparel designers on Monday evening, May 1, followed by another party on Tuesday evening for retailers and another on Wednesday for interior designers and architects. Space will be set aside in a gallery in the city and for three days, retailers, media and others can meet the women’s, men’s and children’s apparel designers and see their creations. Knaus said he interviewed fashion editors and learned they didn’t want to see fashion shows. “They see enough fashion shows in Paris, Milan and other cities. They wanted to see the designs up close and touch and feel them because these are not designers with major collections.”

Consumer events include a designated shopping day, an exhibition of Atlanta-based apparel designers, and special in-store events to celebrate the city’s fashion, beauty and interior design retailers. The week concludes with Style Atlanta Gala, a black-tie event that will recognize individuals who have contributed to Atlanta’s stylish image.

Designers can register on Style Atlanta’s Web site, styleatlanta.com. Knaus said the designers must meet certain criteria, including having a line that has been sold to stores.

In organizing the event, Style Atlanta has partnered with the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. Its media partners and sponsors are Atlanta Magazine and Atlanta Magazine Home. Design ADAC, the interior design event, will be held May 5-6 in conjunction with the concluding days of Style Atlanta.

Knaus, who is also creative director of Material World, said of GM’s sponsorship: “The partnership between Style Atlanta and GM allows both organizations to display hot, trend-setting styles — from cars to clothes — in a fun, new environment.”

— Brenda Lloyd

This Winter, Barneys New York will open its fifth freestanding CO-OP store in Atlanta in Phipps Plaza.

THE CONCEPT: Young, urban, eccentric style for 'chicks and blokes' with collections from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Theory, Rolland Berry, Rozae Nichols, Wyeth by Todd McGill, Vince and Juicy Couture, Generra, PS Paul Smith, Trovata and Rogues Gallery. Massive denim walls showcase Seven, Citizens for Humanity, Rogan, Paper, Stitches, Edun and James. Footwear is from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Clements Ribiero, Guillaume Hinfray, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Puma and Adidas and cosmetics, skincare, home fragrances and candles are from Alora Ambiance, Diptyque, Red Flower and Kai. The store will offer bags from Botkier, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Kale, jewelry from Kirt Holmes and scarves and wraps from Cecilia de Bucourt.

THE STYLE: "We're calling it 'ARTY GLAMOROUS ECO-TECH' says Executive Vice President of Store Design, David New. "On the store interior, we have taken the creative originality of the Barneys brand and run with it." For the store design, architects Robert G. Lyon and Associates, incorporated elements, such as vintage refrigerators, recycled wood, surplus airline and bus equipment, milk crates, and juxtaposed them with found objects and flea-market trouves, including giant ceramic greyhounds, a life-size male anatomy doll a la Damian Hirst. One wall will be dominated by a giant mural by New York artist Carter Kustera. "The store is wacky, memorable, bohemian and very upbeat," says Barneys Creative Director Simon Doonan, "we wanted the feeling of an exciting art-installation."

THE MISSION: "The Barneys sensibility has a big following in Atlanta, " says Barneys CEO Howard Socol. "Our ability to resource unusual product and find new, creative, interesting designers is going to make the store a big hit with the hip set in Atlanta."

The Automatic, Atlanta’s Funkiest Drive-Through Set To Indulge Atlantans and Their Pets on November 22. Todd Semrau has made a name for himself in Atlanta by transforming dilapidated spaces into some of the city’s quirkiest and most notable restaurants, cafes and bars. His idea for the urban eatery is simple yet revolutionary: create a place for the people, culture and personalities of the community to show up and hang out. Semrau has conceptualized and established four urban eateries in Atlanta, including East Atlanta’s Heaping Bowl and Brew. The Automatic is located at 313 Boulevard in Grant Park. For more information call 404-588-9062 or visit www.313automatic.com.

The Automatic features a retro drive-through where customers can walk, scoot, or drive by and pick up a quick lunch or the latest “it” product in no time at all. This pet-friendly store was inspired by a duty-free cart on an international flight where customers have instant access to the things they needs, hence the name The Automatic. The Automatic will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Delivery will be available via scooters.

Anderson Communications Provides Program Focused on Vital Health Issues Affecting the African-American Community. Anderson Communications, the oldest African American owned marketing services company in the business, has created the Health Information Network – a multi-faceted, multi-media information program designed to promote awareness and effect positive change in vital health care areas of particular importance to the African-American community. Initial sponsorship of the program is being provided by a number of brands of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.

Some of the tactical elements of the Health Information Network include a Journey to Wellness daily radio health feature that is airing on Black radio stations across the country, weekly segments on three of Anderson Communications’ nationally syndicated radio programs, and a Journey to Wellness newspaper column currently being published in seventy-five NNPA African American Newspapers throughout the nation. Other features of the Health Information Network include a monthly NPR talk show and the journeytowellness.com web site. Featuring Dr. Mary S. Harris, Journey to Wellness provides information that focuses on particular health care concerns of African-Americans. The journey began in June (2004) and is well into the second quarter of execution. The editorial content of Journey to Wellness has addressed many categories of disease where African-Americans have excessively high indexes such as Prostate Cancer, Diabetes and Hypertension, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Skin Care, Elder Care, Heart Disease, Infants Deaths, Sickle Cell Anemia, Breast Cancer, Dental Hygiene, Constipation, Prescription Drugs, and Healthy Babies, to name a few.

Future strategies within the Health Information Network will likely include television, animated cartoons featuring the spokesperson for the campaign -- “The Wells Family,” Church-based marketing outreach, magazine columns, additional internet tactics and event marketing. Also envisioned is a philanthropic component that will provide small grants to grassroots health organizations. Anderson Communications will continue to establish additional partnerships with non-governmental organizations that are working to make a difference in African American communities.

Anderson Communications is a national marketing and advertising firm that specializes in brand building and creating innovative, integrated marketing programs that target the African-American market. The firm, now in its 33rd year, is one of the premier African American-owned and operated firms of its kind in the country and has distinguished itself as the only independently owned “go to market” firm focused solely on African-American audiences.

'Obnoxious' Columnist signs onto The Hushbox. Obnoxious, the column created by the Morehouse alumnus and publicity wunderkind, William McCray, III, will decidedly prove a misnomer. “I started using [obnoxious] as a trendy word; some friends and I decided to try something new, like how our parents used ‘bad,’ and how everybody uses ‘hot’ now [to describe what’s ‘in’],” explains McCray. And Obnoxious has all but lived up to its denotation. Its redefinition applied through a social lens, a la McCray, as “in your face,” “thought-provoking,” and “objectionably hot,” has established the column as a mainstay.

McCray tackles national and world issues with the same ferocity that he applies on a local level. Leveraging his political science background, and working experience with three mayors, McCray wanted to platform Obnoxious, thematically, around “informing others about what is going on in the world that is important.” His pursuits to such have been inexorable; Obnoxious’s extensive presidential 2004 election coverage garnered strong responses to the column expressing appreciation, from college students to the elderly.

This young ingénue, this black Dominick Dunne with subjectivity, sites Mayor Willie Brown, entertainer/philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, and his grandmother as inspirations for their opinionated and stylish demeanor, “altruistic thirst for serving humanity,” and strong entrepreneurial spirit, respectively. It is in this genre that McCray wishes to create paradigms deluged in truth. Irrefutably, William McCray has lit a fire under the community through his column, pushing them to the boiling point of ‘obnoxiousness.’

Check it out.

Questions

Casual Sex

"What Is Casual Sex" to you, better yet, what do you mean when you say it, or more importantly, when someone says it to you, "I Do Not Do Casual Sex"?

For those curious where I (kebo) personally stand on the matter: As a single, straight, late 30 something man, I know what I desire in my life long plan and I realize that every woman that I meet/date or even shag does not represent Mrs. Brown/Mrs. Kebo or Mrs. Hushbox, however, that in no way means that 2 individuals cannot satisfy one another deriving much of the same pleasure that the perceived monogamous sexual encounter/act provides mentally and physically while exploring curiosities and urges, honestly and respectfully. That also in no way should be assumed that because one realizes that a given woman is not Mrs. Right, in no way equates to her being Miss Right Now. I might also add, personally that casual sex does not equate to a disrespectful one-sided selfish act of pleasure as some see it. It's all personal choice that has emotional consequences, just as the same physical act does when performed by those in more traditional "monogamous" relationships.

Looking around at the significant number of people, particularly women involved in relationships that are un fulfilling and offers them all that they seem to be avoiding while defining their quest to avoid casual sex, an emotionless and empty, intimacy lacking physical act, it seems to me that the sex that they are having is just that, casual sex justified by the "I'm In A Relationship or I Have A Boyfriend." It has been my experience that many say that they do not do casual sex as if sex when assumed with one person in a monogamous relationship measures higher on the radar than those completely comfortable with a more casual form of pleasure. These are just a few random thoughts from a morning conversation. Reply if you like See Responses

Tough Questions. Many times, there are some serious matters of heart that folks discuss in private that make their way to the bar. Below are a few such topics that I have had with a variety of folks here lately, especially with women. I'm simply putting these questions out there because that's what we do here at the Hushbox. If you choose to respond, please let me know whether or not I can post your response.

Please know that the Hushbox does not encourage or endorse ignorance of any sort and is not attempting to alienate ANY community. Please reply with thoughtful and insightful responses. See Responses

1) Is Black Atlanta doing more to create a greater divide or separation and segregation amongst Black & White folks? I've had more than a few conversations regarding this topic with other Black folks, and most recently with a middle aged White couple this past Saturday at a restaurant. What are your thoughts?

2) What's up with all the in the closet bisexual men in Atlanta? I have had more than a few conversations with women who constantly complain about meeting men that are in the closet and hide that fact until a more appropriate time when getting to know a woman. If you're dating a man ladies, you might want to drive by club 708 and make sure he is not standing in line to get inside on "Boys Night"

3) Does a wedding ring mean anything anymore? With the significant number of single women in this town, there is this perception, reality for many, that men can have the pick of the litter, with a significant number of these men being married. Chime in!

4) What's up with the significant number of women willing to date or get to know married men on a more than friendly basis? Is being alone really so bad that a significant number of women are willing to date these same married men from above? Well?

5) Why are there many gay men that pretend to be straight, marry, have kids then tell their wives 5-10 years later? That question is courtesy of a Hushbox Hunnie.

6) Why is it that women continue to make the assumption that there is an overall lack of good men? This baffles me. As a good man myself, I struggle to meet good women who can relate to my experience as a well read, well traveled cat with legitimate sources of income, looks and dresses a bit different and appreciates LIVING life outside the box, but I'm certainly not the one out carrying a banner saying there are no good women. Please elaborate!

7) Why is communication between the sexes at an all time low? My suggestion, ladies and fellas, spend more time talking to the opposite sex and less time talking to the same when it comes to serious relationship issues.

Ignorance In Atlanta

A while back I had more than a few conversations with a variety of folks and after having attended a variety of events and I posed a few questions to the Hushbox audience. The questions are below as well as replies from those who chose to respond. NOW WHAT?

• How do we continue to educate socially, opposed to being socially elitist?

• Why is Atlanta so segregated?

• Why do white club owners get fearful that when more and more black folks start coming to their clubs that it will scare off their white business, yet they roll out the red carpet when Black celebrities roll thru?

What Do The Ladies Want

As you can imagine, or if you have looked around lately, whether in your e-box or in a mag or two, the topic of relationships, or the lack of keeps popping up.

Being the single, supa dupa, well cultured brother that I am, I have dam near given up, not really. But as of a few weeks ago I had to ask a question or two of some of my female subscribers.

•Where the hell is the happy medium that many ladies are looking for in a man?

•What's the deal?

•What do you guys want?