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SS 2026
QueenieBrown
Magazine.com
For Today's Real Human Being Extraordinary.
Celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Black women over 40, capturing their resilience and the powerful narratives that define legacy.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
FINALLY! Spring has sprung.
Our winter presented a "wildly split" pattern, with a warm western and a cold eastern region in Canada as well as frightfully, blustery episodes of snow storms in the U.S.
We non-winter-sport lovers found this season particularly... unimpressive as we were trapped in a specific "pocket" that experienced intense record-breaking snowfall and colder than usual temperatures that simply would not end. For example, Southern Ontario experienced its highest number of consecutive days below freezing since 2015, Edmonton received 176% of its normal snowfall, and January saw Alberta issue its first-ever emergency alert urging a reduction in power consumption to avoid blackouts. At least we Canadians are familiar with the realities of November to April weather. The Southern United States (deep South, New Mexico to New England ) was plunged into a deep freeze that brought severe winter storms to a region not used to accumulating snow - and the need for snow tires!
Maybe we were spoiled by 2024's exceptionally warm winter, but that weak La Niña and disrupted, "active" polar vortex was No Joke!
Alas, it is spring! Although many of us CONTINUE to experience colder than normal temperatures (it was 5.5 degrees Celsius (about 42 degrees Fahrenheit) five nights ago in Toronto), the promise of warmer days persists. Sooner or later we will be crying about the heat - and Yes! we look forward to it.
Regardless, the transformation of nature has begun.
Little encouragement is required to step outside and embrace the season by raking the lawn, washing winter's grime from patio furniture, planning gardens - and garden parties! - or venturing on the season's first camping or hiking adventures. We bask in the enjoyment of outdoor activities, at long last, looking forward to summer markets, concerts, festivals, and events.
In this issue of Queeniebrownmagazine.com we explore exciting travel options, revisit yesterday, and applaud the trailblazers of today. We invite you to celebrate with us and support our entrepreneurs in the vibrant season ahead.
We wish you a safe and joyous time as you head into, full swing, Spring and Summer.
Enjoy!
Fashion SS 2026
We at queeniebrownmagazine.com are All About the light, voluminous, dramatic outfits, featured across runways this season. Feathers are the raging fashion trend capturing our hearts (and red carpets) with their vibrant, sultry, plumage, and we love it - except for the billions of birds being captured and killed for said plume. Activists and industry professionals are calling feathers the new fur for a reason.
Thankfully, bold designers are choosing processes to create that opulence and drama through featherless fashion, finding brilliant ways to capture the exciting presentation without exploiting wild animals and torturing them. The Illusion of feathers, and using faux feathers, is most impressive.
Nigerian Designer, Abasiekemev Ukanireh, for example, uses natural fibers and dyes originating from her hometown in Lagos. Tia Adeola, also Nigerian, incorporates her culture with who she is today, after ten years of running her very successful New York fasion company. Both demonstrate the reality of gentle, organic motion without harm.
So, booo to the ostrich, peacock and - well, all bird - feathers, they need them we do not, and HELLO! Raphia grass, fabric manipulation and whatever other brilliant idea the next great mind comes up with. We are right there with you. 100%!
Do you know Otis Blackwell?
You may not have heard his name, but, you likely have sung along with his hit songs - particularly if you were/are a fan of the 50s and 60s.
An "Amateur Night" win at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, 1952, led Otis to a recording contract with RCA. Though he experienced success singing and recording original songs, songwriting quickly proved to be his forte.
Blackwell wrote monumental hits sung by superstar artists like Peggy Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dee Clarke, Jimmy Jones and Elvis. Songs like Fever (co-written with Eddie Coolie), Great Balls of Fire, Breathless, Hey Little Girl, Handyman, Don't be Cruel, All Shook Up and Return to Sender, were some of the biggest hits of a decade.
Mr. Blackwell's dozens of top ten hits, that are still popular and covered today, earned him the credit for being one of the most influential, "Leading Figures" in the transformative era of Rock n' Roll.
As if helping to shape the R&R sound was not enough, a listen to Blackwell's recording of his hits (released in '77 "These Are My Songs" (also known as "All Shook Up") will show from where - or whom - Elvis got his iconic sound. You see, during a recording session, the RCA exec brought Otis' demos for Elvis to hear and hopefully record. Elvis not only loved the songs, he studied and imitated Blackwell's vocal styling as well as his phrasing from these recordings.
Mr. Blackwell composed more than a thousand songs, generating worldwide sales of close to 200 million records. He never reached meteoric fame, but in reference to Elvis' fame 'off his sound' he very philosophically said, "If it didn't work for you, it works for him, that's groove."
And why shouldn't he be philosophical? During a time when the average household income was $3300 to $5500, annually, Mr. Blackwell earned $100,000 to $200,000, annually, from commission for his songs.
Mr. Blackwell returned to performing in the spring of 1983. He believed that, because Elvis died, "that sound" should still be out there." Seeing audiences enjoying and dancing to his music made Otis' realize, "What entertaining is all about. Why performers stay in the industry as long as they can."
Otis Blackwell died May 6, 2002, at age 71. But, not before being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986; the National Academy of Popular Music's Songwriters Hall of Fame, in 1991; then, posthumously, in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award (the category recognizing non-performers and industry professionals) and into the Blues Hall of Fame, in 2022.
"I am having a good time."
Big UP Yourself!
Remember These?
YOU
As we settle into our mature years, something slowly dawns on us or materializes from nowhere. It is an understanding that makes life easier to navigate as it saves much confusion, frustration, disappointment and heartache. That understanding is, the greatest con to ever exist is being told (or telling others) that we (or they) do not belong, are not valued or are unworthy.
The fortunate among us knew, early in life, the smoke that others blow is nothing more than a screen, an illusion, an imaginary world created for preservation. They knew only the insecure, the lonely, those immersed in hellish pain insist upon trivializing, undermining, isolating and excluding others. Those tactics were devised for protection; a way to hide the carnage within. The Fortunate understood, "rules" did not exist because The Rules were moved and managed as required by those who made them.
The mindset of The Fortunate is not conspiracy chatter. They know, to some, life is a playing of The Game, devised by a few but engaging far too many, so they avoid participation.
The rest of us are plagued with questions like: how can a system be beaten where teachers pass over abilities; advancement is impeded or diminished as "tokenism" if achieved; that takes a beautiful life and relegates it to an insignificant role, based on whatever ridiculous "disadvantage" assigned at the time?
As we mature, though, the answer is clear because our understanding has deepened. Whether it is because we are focused less on being a part of The System/ care less about "belonging," so have zero to prove, or simply prefer to save precious energy for important things. We understand that life is not A Game in which participation is mandatory. We know Life is an experience to be thoroughly savoured; defined by our terms as opposed to the terms of others; where loved ones and opportunities for growth are fully embraced, and every moment is maximized and actively appreciated. This understanding is an intoxicating phase as we allow ourselves to experience the best life has to offer. This understanding changes the impossible to an inevitable certainty. And though there will always be those determined to assimilate the unassimilated, their existence has zero (or little) power which transforms the haunting questions to exciting potentialities. We devise and define for ourselves, fitting and blending beautifully in our world and the worlds of those we allow.
Suddenly, we are released from the grip of false narratives, no longer distracted by fabricated labels that once oppressed or threatened to oppress us. This awareness has zero to do with rebellion, and everything to do with accepting the freedom granted to each of us by right of existence. We realize we have everything necessary and can gain whatever else we wish to experience because we are no longer blind to our full abilities and have stopped sabotaging opportunities that lead to fulfillment and happiness.
And all the people said, Amen.
Be The Exception
Did You Know?
Carol Channing, America's Beloved Performer, awarded for both stage and film work, was known for her breakout roles in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and "Hello Dolly." Unbeknownst to the public, Ms. Channing had a father of part African heritage. George Channing, an Editor-in-Chief who understood America's mindset of the 40s and 50s, was living as white, himself. Carol was told by her mother the secret about her father when she was sixteen years of age. Ms Channing held on to that truth until she was 80, when she revealed it in her memoirs. Ms. Channing maintained that the revelation didn’t bother her. She said, “I thought I had the greatest genes in showbiz,” but did admit to keeping the secret for economic reasons and career longevity.
Wentworth Miller lll's parents are of multi-ethnic backgrounds. Miller, who you might know as Michael Scofield, lead character in the hit Fox television series "Prison Break," has described himself as a "racial Lone Ranger" caught between different communities. Because he has a light complexion, he spent a lifetime being incorrectly perceived by others, often assumed to be white. He has spoken about how being of multiple ethnicities makes identity fluid - which requires you to define yourself for other people rather than letting them define you.
“I choose to have faith. Because without it, I’m nothing. It’s the only thing keeping me going.”
If you are a film buff, you will know the very powerful Hollywood classic, "Imitation of Life," starring the dynamic Fredericka Carolyn Washington - "Fredi" as she was known.
What most of her audience did not know was that Fredi lived a life contrary to her character's. In her story, maybe due to friendships with the likes of Josephine Baker (who was a French spy in WWll), she shunned Hollywood's lure of trapping pheomelanin performers into "passing" in order to have lasting acting careers. As a child of parents who were both of African and European heritage, Fredi identified as Black. In an effort to help other Black actors and actresses find more opportunities, in 1937, Washington co-founded the Negro Actors Guild of America.
In spite of her stage success, political prowess and some radio work, Fredi Washington's choice to stand in her truth meant that she was too beautiful and "light" to play the typecast role for Black actors in Hollywood 30s and 40s, and not dark enough to act in "all Black" films.
"You see, I'm a mighty proud gal, and I can't for the life of me find any valid reason why anyone should lie about their origin, or anything else for that matter..."
Wha' ch ya Doin' This Summer?
You might remember this incredible woman from our feature on Coron Morgan, "Freeing Yourself with Faith," May 31, 2021, edition. We knew she was extraordinary but check out what she is doing now. YOU can share her experiences this summer by participating in one or all 13 markets.
Remember to tell her, "Soph sent you."
Located in Lincoln Center, the cultural complex that's also home to the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet and the prestigious Juilliard School, is one of North America's top 50 Restaurants, Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi. This Afro-Caribbean spot consistently tops major critic lists for its inventive take on diaspora cuisine.
More inspiring, Chef Onwuachi just opened (yesterday), the first Black-owned restaurant (Caribbean-inspired steakhouse) on the Vegas Strip. He named it Maroon, honouring the people of his mother's homeland of Jamaica, and their history.
FIFA World Cup 2026™
11 June - 19 July 2026
If you are catching up, click here for host cities and information.
Travel to...
Nelson Mandela's Residence (from 1992 to 1998).
Located in Houghton, Johannesburg, this luxury boutique hotel and heritage site features nine curated rooms, including the signature "Mr President Suite," all designed to honor different moments in Mandela's life. Presented in a museum-style setting, Sanctuary Mandela also includes Insights restaurant, which offers traditional South African cuisine inspired by recipes from Xoliswa Ndoyiya, Mandela’s personal chef of 22 years.
Book a Jazz Sunday and take advantage of the specials!
Nestled in the lush and serene rice fields of Canggu, Bali, Hotel Sages is the story of how two travelers' love of Tuscany evolved into a vision to create a retreat where guests can experience both the beauty of nature and the elegance of modern luxury. Originally founded as an art studio, Hotel Sages has transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel that celebrates wellness, mindfulness, and Balinese culture.
Reserve your stay and lock in discounted rates or hop on a quick get-away and indulge in their month of May floating experience.
