Krissy Harper a Superwoman at home and in the community! I can’t say enough about this phenomenal woman. Growing up, Krissy has always been about her community. So, this week, Queen Krissy, I salute you! See below why I selected Krissy Harper for my article a tribute to amazing women in celebration of National Women’s Month.
Though Krissy wears many hats in our community, her passion is fueled by being the Director of the Legendary San Bernardino Pacesetters Drill Team and Drum Squad. As a third generation Pacesetter, Krissy has made it her mission to serve the community by marching through the streets all around the world. With a group of over 85 young people, Krissy is determined to change the world. She often tells them that, “Building Better Lives Builds Better Communities”.
If you care enough to want to see change in a person, then you’re one step closer to changing the world. The Pacesetters has been a pillar of our community for over 60 years now and it is Krissy’s desire to continue the legacy of greatness to help rebuild the city through unconditional love and service one step at a time.
If you would like to get involved with the drill team and Krissy please look them up on Facebook under ‘The Pacesetters’. I believe right now they’re recruiting for new members. So, if you like to drum or march and you’re from the town, tap in. Remember to always march to the beat of your own DRUM. Until next week, L’s!
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On Feb. 15, 1978, Leon Spinks defeated the self-proclaimed “Greatest of All Time,” Muhammad Ali, in his eighth professional fight.
Just five days later his son, Cory, was born and he, too, made his own mark in boxing, becoming the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. Cory was the third member of the Spinks family to become undisputed champion. His father, Leon, became the undisputed heavyweight champion after he defeated Ali. And his uncle, Michael Spinks, was the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world.
They solidified their status as the most accomplished family to ever lace up a pair of gloves.
On Feb. 5 of this year, Leon would lose his long battle with cancer — just 10 days before the anniversary of his greatest career accomplishment and 15 days before his son Cory’s 43rd birthday. Leon’s gold medal in the 1976 Olympic Games and his win over Ali, still viewed as one of the greatest upsets in boxing history, were the highlights of his career in the ring. Leon also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Zenger News recently spoke to Cory, who shared his father’s advice and memories of his best performances inside the ring.
Percy Crawford interviewed Cory Spinks for Zenger News.
Zenger News: Since your father’s passing, so many people have called the Spinks family the greatest family in boxing history. Does that sum up your family’s place in boxing history accurately?
Percy Crawford interviewed Cory Spinks for Zenger News. (Heidi Malone/Zenger)
Cory Spinks: I totally agree with that. It’s never been, and I don’t think there ever will be, three undisputed champions from the same family.
Zenger: To recap, your father Leon was the undisputed heavyweight champion, your uncle Michael Spinks was the undisputed light heavyweight champion, and you were the undisputed welterweight champion.
Spinks: Right! What’s crazy is my brother didn’t have the opportunity to be listed as well because his life was cut short. But me, my dad, my uncle and my other two brothers from my dad, we all won national championships. It could have easily been five of us.
Zenger: What would you say is the best advice your father gave you in life or in boxing?
Spinks: Mainly just stay focused and train hard. As time passed, Leon would end up in my camps. He had the mentality of guys back in the day (laughing). He thought me and my sparring partner were just playing around the way we were sparring. I’m like, “Dad, we can’t kill each other.” He wanted us to go that hard.
Zenger: Was he the reason you started boxing?
Spinks: Well, no. My brothers were boxing, and they used to take me to the gym when I was younger. They kind of got me into it.
Zenger: What would you say was the best training camp you had as a fighter and why?
Spinks: It’s got to be the [Ricardo] Mayorga fight, because I basically did two training camps. That’s like four or five months. There was speculation that I might fight him, so I got away and went to the Diego Corrales camp. I went to help him out when he fought [Joel] Casamayor. I went to help him out in Big Bear. I spent two and a half months there.
Zenger: Did you have that type of camp because of the uncertainty of the fight happening, or because Mayorga was viewed as such a dangerous puncher?
Spinks: Well, I wanted to get away from the environment for a fight of that magnitude. I wanted to start getting ready for it early. It was just being speculated that it would happen during the time I went away to train. We just wanted to be ready for it.
Corey Spinks shared his father’s advice and memories of his best performances inside the ring. (Photo courtesy of Christy Spinks)
Zenger: Mayorga’s style was awkward, and he was strong. Did you feel you got the proper look in sparring to emulate his style and what he brought to the table?
Spinks: I used the camp with Corrales to get in shape, so I wouldn’t have to do so much work to get to a point where I’m ready to perform. I had one sparring [partner] for Mayorga. It was Mango Rodriguez from St. Louis. He imitated Mayorga to a T, man. He was about on the same level, because he was a middleweight, a strong middleweight from St. Louis.
Zenger: I didn’t learn this until way after your career [was over] and your wife [Christy] posted a video of you bowling. You are naturally right-handed. Why did you fight out of the southpaw stance?
Spinks: I didn’t have to learn the basics like other people. I was just naturally gifted like that. I knew how to weave and everything from that stance at a young age, so they just never touched it.
Zenger: You never switched during a fight to your natural stance either.
Spinks: I never did. The only reason I knew how to fight orthodox is because of my southpaw side.
Zenger: You had the most success at 147 pounds, but when you moved up to 160, a lot of people felt you could have gotten the nod over Jermain Taylor. I say that because Gervonta [Tank] Davis appears to be moving up to 140 to face Mario Barrios. This can be a dangerous fight for Gervonta. What do you think?
Spinks: I really like the move because it brings more excitement to boxing. But the thing is, can he handle big bodies? I think Tank is a skilled enough fighter to fight at that weight class because his skill level and his punching power can get him through. But it’s still some people at 140. I think his pal, Adrien Broner, is trying to get back down to 140. Barrios though … that’s going to be tough. I think Tank got that dawg in him though. Tank got a certain type of monster up in him that lets him overcome situations. People don’t get that. He got a certain determination that’s going to push him to win.
Leon Spinks lost his battle to cancer this past year on February 5th. His win over Muhammed Ali is still considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. (Johnmaxmena/English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons)
Zenger: Are there any other fighters out there who you enjoy watching?
Spinks: I like Teofimo [Lopez]. I like his skill level. A lot of people think it’s just his punching power. It’s not. He has skills. I want to see all the little guys though, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia. I like to see them fight each other. Even Errol Spence and Terence Crawford. Everybody is talking about making these fights, but at this point, they are just fantasy fights. Make them happen. Why not do it when you’re at this level and at the top of your game? Why try to prolong it? … They are already superstars.
I can’t think of the last serious fight where you didn’t know who was going to win. They need to start giving the people what they want. Even if one of them takes an L [loss], it’s not going to mean anything. He will still be right there to fight the other champions. He will still get a nod because he fought another champion.
Canelo [Alvarez] took an L, and now Canelo is moving all the way up out of his weight class. He went to 175; he’s back at 168. He was just going up and down whoopin’ these big boys, man. I don’t see how these stupid people don’t put that man No. 1 pound-for-pound.
Almost anyone who has traveled the I-15 route between Los Angeles to Las Vegas has passed by the mysterious Zzyzx (Zye-zix) Road. Some tourists stop for the obligatory snapshots, but most whiz by without learning more about this unique First District landmark.
But what exactly is Zzyzx and what does it represent? Its story is as interesting as its name. Although during the 1860s Soda Springs served as a US Army outpost, this vast, isolated area was virtually untouched until 1944, Curtis “Doc” Springer and his wife Mary Louise Berkebile opened a sanitarium here called Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa.
The resort, named by Springer to be the last word in the English language, was the couple’s second stab at a health resort. Their “Haven of Rest” in Deer Valley, Pa., closed down in 1937 after the couple failed to pay their taxes.
Hoping for a fresh start at Soda Springs, Springer built — with the help of some drunks and drifters from San Pedro — an elaborate complex that included a church, radio station, private “Zyport” airstrip and 60 cabins, along with a health spa with mineral baths. The resort even boasted a mechanical exercise horse once owned by President Calvin Coolidge.
Springer, who gave himself the title of doctor and minister though he was neither, extolled the virtues of his health foods via his evangelist radio station, drumming up brisk business among ail- ing seniors throughout the West. Among his remedies were “Hollywood Pep Tonic” and “Antediluvian Desert Herb Tea.”
The American Medical Association came to learn of Springer through his radio show, quickly dubbing him the “King of Quacks.”
Springer’s enterprise drew to a close in 1974, when the government shut him down for food and drug law violations as well as unauthorized use of federal land. He was jailed for a few months and then retired to Las Vegas, where he died in 1986.
Today, Zzyzx Springs is home to California State University’s Desert Studies Center, run by Professor Rob Fulton of Cal State Fullerton. (The campus remains off limits to visitors without prior reservations.)
March is Women’s History Month, and although it is normally used to recognize women in history that have made tremendous strives to pave the way for other women, it deemed appropriate to highlight young women who are local to the Inland Empire that were of impact to the community but are no longer with us.
Ariell L.M. Gipson left this earth on June 3, 2017. Her mother, Todella D. Brown, strongly believes that there were spiritual signs surrounding the night and location of Ariell’s death that stated she was needed in Heaven. According to Todella, the number “5” was also very prominent surrounding the day of her daughter’s death.
Ms. Ariell was headed to Unit #5. She was driving from Planet Fitness. Ariell exited the 215 freeway at “5th Street” and was hit by a DUI driver in front of In-N-Out Burger. Ariell was transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries. She had just successfully completed the exam to become licensed as a LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse). She completed her internship at Community Hospital. She was the oldest of “5” children.
While still in high school, Ariell became a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) and later completed her LVN exam. She was also a cast member at Disneyland where she enjoyed working.
Ariell is the Great Granddaughter of Ms. Scoot who was a Gourmet Chef and Nannie. Ms. Scoot was born in Crystal Spring, Mississippi and is the mother to Ariell’s Grandfather, Willie F.J. Brown. Brown served in the U.S. Army and Air Force ad became a U.S. Immigration Agent.
Ariell is survived by her parents Aaron L. Gipson and Todella D. Brown; her siblings Aaron Brown, Aaron Gipson Jr., Tahan Cooper, and DaShia Taylor.
Today in the light of the COVID Bill that was submitted into congress named HR 6666, as the COVID-19 pandemic, Todella Brown wants to share through her daughter’s memory that our health has always been more important than our wealth. She also recommends the movie, “5 Feet Apart” to add to people’s list of things to watch while still in quarantine. The number “5” means “God’s Grace”.
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) presents the World Premiere of Genius: Aretha, on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM CT / 10:30 PM ET. Join star actor, Courtney B. Vance for a pre-show special performance at 7:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM CT / 10:00 PM ET, and star actress Cynthia Erivo, following the screening, for a post-show special performance.
For information about virtual screenings and events, or to purchase a ticket or pass to participate in PAFF now through March 14, please visit PAFF.org.
How it will be worst than what we are experiencing now. Well I tell you they are certainly right about one thing, what is to come cannot be compared to any other thing in the history of mankind. The Bible speaks of these days. [2 Timothy 3:1] warns us that “in the LAST DAYS perilous times will come.” Jesus himself spoke of a time that will be so frightening that men would faint from fear and foreboding because of what is coming upon the world. [Luke 21:26]. that they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us’ and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. [Isaiah 2:10; Hosea 10:8; Luke 23:30; Revelation 6:16]. And when the ordeal end, those who have not repented would have just one thought: What must I do to be saved? [Malachi 4:1-3, 5].”
I tell you, I tremble as I try to speak of this “coming wrath” because, divinity enters into the essence of it. God’s wrath conceived in heaven, confirmed through man, [it will be worst than], final result, reaped through judgment. [Romans 1:18-32]. I tell you, there has already been judgments that could be called the wrath of God, but what is to come is the great day of wrath. [Zephaniah 1:14-16]. This day, the great day of the Lord which is near and hastens quickly is a day of wrath, a day of trouble, distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of fury and judgment all in one as the prophets have warned and the New Testament writers have warned. [Joel 2:1; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 3:14; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7 Revelation 6].
Although this great wrath to come is delayed for a time; it will not always be delayed. The floodgates of God’s wrath will one day be opened, and the awful torrents will come pouring out, and will utterly overwhelm everyone exposed to their fury. For thus saith the Lord, “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth. I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will overthrow the wicked; I will bring distress on men, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. [Zephaniah 1:17-18]. Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble, says the Lord of hosts. So that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. But behold, before that great and awesome day come, I will send My prophets to warn you. [Malachi 4:1–3, 5]. Take heed to the warnings. Flee from the wrath to come. For the end of all things is at hand.” [1 Peter 4:7]; Behold, I am coming soon. [Revelation 22:7]. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door. [James 5:8–9].
Listen! God is trying to get our attention! These SOON-COMING events are real. They will happen. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.” [John 8:45]. But, God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.” [Psalm 7:11]. And, whoever does not believe stands condemned already [John 3:18, 36]. I tell you, you must “flee from the coming wrath;” or else, as surely as you are living, the wrath would come upon you, and you will perish under it, and there is only one means of escape from the wrath to come, and that is through Jesus Christ. [1 Thessalonians 1:10].
I want you to know that just as John did not come to say what men wished him to say, but came to discharge the burden of the Lord, and to speak out plainly what was best for men’s eternal and immortal interests, so do I. Necessity is laid upon every person that has been called by God to preach the WHOLE COUNSEL of God and that includes preaching on judgment to come. For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak. [John 12:49]. As God’s servants, this is, in a nutshell, what we’re all called to do. We’re called to do whatever God tells us. There are no ifs, ands, or buts here; there are no conditions for our obedience.
Therefore, I plea to you with tears in my eyes, “Flee from the wrath to come and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” For a voice from heaven tells seven angels, to “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” These bowls contain plagues, reminiscent of the plagues of Egypt in the book of Exodus. But just like those plagues were designed to get Pharaoh and the Egyptians to repent, to worship God, and let God’s people go, the seven bowls of wrath are designed to get those perpetrating evil in the world to turn and acknowledge God as Lord.
This image of God’s judgment at the end of the Bible is just a snapshot of what the text has been saying all along since Genesis. “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. [Mark 1:15]. Because what is to come cannot be compared to any other thing in the history of mankind!
GUWAHATI, India — In India’s northeastern state of Tripura, where sometimes finding a right adapter means scoping out a dozen shops, Harjeet Nath was determined to build a robot against all odds when Covid-19 struck.
Last year, Tripura was declared ‘coronavirus free’ with only three confirmed cases having fully recovered by April. Only to have a pandemic emergency a month later, first with the outbreak of over 100 cases in the Border Security Force battalion in the Dhalai district followed by an influx of stranded residents from different parts of India.
Closer to mid-May, Harjeet had already watched videos on the utilization of robots in other countries and made a makeshift robot using scrap from his lab: three rotors, two lead-acid batteries, a transmitter, a receiver, and a USB output.
“I even exposed myself to coronavirus while I waited on a few helpers to apply the finishing touches,” Harjeet, an assistant professor at the Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering at the Tripura University, told Zenger News.
In the end, it was all worth it. “No healthcare worker was infected after my robot was installed in the Covid-care ward,” he said. Harjeet’s ‘Covid-19 WARBOT’ was deployed in a 250-bed Covid-care center — now closed shut with the situation under control — in Hapania, on the outskirts of the state capital Agartala.
Harjeet Nath with his ‘Covid-19 Warbot’ at Hapania C0vid-care center, Agartala. (Harjeet Nath)
With a 15-20 kilogram (33-44 pounds) payload, the device could deliver medicines and food to patients without human intervention. It could work for nearly three hours on a battery that took as long as eight hours to recharge. Harjeet had embedded a wi-fi-controlled camera with an inbuilt microphone and speaker to set up a “WhatsApp-like call” between healthcare providers and patients. The only constraint was the distance of 20 meters within which the robot could operate.
Robots have been taking on hazardous jobs across the world. In India, too, start-ups dealing in robots have risen to the occasion. India features among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest annual installation of industrial robots: a record 26,300 units, according to a 2020 report by the International Robotic Federation. The report states that India doubled the number of robots working in factories within five years.
People are using robots for disinfecting spaces, tracking down people not wearing masks, let alone life-saving surgeries, and warehousing. “For a country grappling with inadequate human resources, social media and television played their part in promoting contact-less deliveries, ranging from digital transactions to robots,” Jayakrishnan T, chief executive of Kochi-based Asimov Robotics, told Zenger News.
The company made waves on social media with its two Sayabot androids creating coronavirus awareness and distributing masks at the Kinfra Hi-Tech Park in Kalamassery, an industrial region in the southern state of Kerala.
Sona 2.5 robot assisting a health worker. (Club First)
Their ‘KARMI-Bot’ found its way to a Covid isolation ward at the Government Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam, to assist healthcare workers with spraying ultraviolet-based disinfection liquid and dispensing food or sterile containers onto trays.
Like Asimov, most of the robotic start-ups have been using inexpensive, off-the-shelf raw materials for robots.
Rajasthan-based Club First dabbled in a novel technology that helps robots balance almost anything they handle, say hefty payloads or even liquid. “The robots are based on a technology that helps them bend with ease, like a spinal cord. For navigation, they don’t follow lines or magnetic paths, they use artificial intelligence,” Bhuvanesh Mishra, managing director of Club First, told Zenger News. Its service robots, particularly Sona 2.5, have been pressed into service at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital for conducting thermal screening and delivering essentials to patients.
While Club First’s service robots can operate within 232 square meters, Guwahati-based Yantrabot Technologies Pvt Limited’s robots cover a wider range. “Much like cellular networks, a tower is placed between the robot and the person using the mobile app. If the distance exceeds 10,000 square meters, another tower will be installed. A tower just costs INR 4,500 ($61.5),” said Arunjyoti Borgohain, co-founder of Yantrabot Technologies. As of now, the company’s real-time robots are in use at a quarantine facility at the Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh. They use a wireless navigation system for mobility.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hands over robots to the Covid ward in Dibrugarh. (Arunjyoti Borgohain)
During the pandemic, hospitals relying on robot-assisted surgeries carried on with elective surgeries. Elective surgeries comprise a major source of income for hospitals, and delaying them affects patients psychologically, as per an article in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence.
Srivatsan Gurumurthy, a surgical gastroenterologist at Chennai’s GEM Hospital, performs minimally invasive surgeries using US-based Intuitive Surgical’s Da Vinci XI robot. He didn’t put his routine laparoscopies and robotic surgeries on hold as many others did during the pandemic.
“The in-built technology lights up lymph nodes that harbor cancer cells apart from the primary tumor, enabling enhanced removal of cancer during surgeries,” Gurumurthy said. The robot enables him to see 20 times better while performing surgeries.
Intuitive Surgical’s long-held monopoly over surgical robots might end in India. A new entrant to the surgical robots market is Asimov Robotics. The company is planning to expand its purview of service robots into surgery.
In 2018, it received INR 48 lakh ($65,593) from the government for research on a minimally invasive cutting technology to correct craniosynostosis, a birth defect.
A model of Intuitive Surgical’s Da Vinci XI robot. (Intuitive)
“We are seeking the usage of external magnetic navigation coupled with biometrics in this field. The main hurdle is the delay in getting patent approvals,” said Jayakrishnan, founder of Asimov Robotics. His technique clashes with Intuitive Surgical’s, the latter’s patent is due to expire by 2022.
Sensing the increased demand for cleaning products in the wake of Covid-19, leading market vendors invested heavily in the space. The growth of India’s cleaning robots market is slated to be more than 17 percent over the five-year-period between 2021 and 2025, as reported by TechSci Research, a global market research and consulting company.
Rajeev Karwal, who founded Milagrow HumanTech in 2007, has reaped the fruits of centering his products on housekeeping services since 2011. In the pandemic, the firm’s sales saw a 15-fold growth. “We made the right swerve towards the hospitality industry and facility management sector at the beginning of the company’s development,” said Karwal, also the chief executive of Milagrow HumanTech.
Talk about sales, Club First and Asimov posted an unprecedented surge — 60 percent and 200 percent, respectively, as claimed by their founders. “We hit the sales we had expected to clock two years from now,” said Bhuvanesh Mishra, one of the founders of Club First.
The price of Milagrow’s robots, some as high as INR 90,000 ($12,230) went down as low as INR 50,000 ($683). The company, which imports over two-thirds of its components from China, is still sorting out supply chain issues. “Freight costs are five times higher since February,” said Karwal.
Milagrow’s humanoid robots styled to render meal delivery. (Milagrow HumanTech)
The next challenge for the Indian robotics market is scaling up production, which will bring down the average selling price of robots. “The four cleaning robots launched during the pandemic cost between INR 8,000 ($109) and INR 500,000 ($6,833), which will be cheaper on mass production. Despite costing lower than the European or Chinese versions, only a select few can afford them,” said Arnab Barman, founder of the Defense and Space Robotics Laboratory. The start-up, initially vested in building robots for defense purposes, recently expanded its innovation towards surface-cleaning robots.
Widespread concerns of robots, be they ethical or future replacement of jobs, still run rife in a country where unemployment persists. “But at least you know that if there is a second wave of Covid-19, the robots will fight back,” said Barman.
(Edited by Amrita Das and Uttaran Dasgupta. Map by Urvashi Makwana.)
The path to success is rarely easily. However, in the music industry, being under the watchful eye of an accomplished music exec such as Max Gousse opens doors. Gousse is known for his work with Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and B2K and Adina Howard, as well as putting his stamp on projects such as the “Dreamgirls” soundtrack.
Gousse saw something in Lex — her single “Personal” is a female anthem that sends a message women can put themselves first. “Personal” also found its way onto the soundtrack of the 2020 thriller “Fatale,” starring Michael Ealy and Hilary Swank. While working on other business ventures, Lex expects her EP to be released this summer. She provides music that resonates with women while empowering them.
Zenger News caught up with Lex to discuss the meaning behind her single and discuss future endeavors. Plus, she reveals her dream collaborations on the big screen and in the studio.
Percy Crawford interviewed Lex for Zenger News.
Zenger News: You recently released a new single called “Personal.” Did you have to go for our (men’s) jugular right from the first line?
Lex: People misinterpret that line. I’m not saying … I hate men. Men are cool, most of the time. It’s not that. I definitely don’t want people to think I hate men.
Zenger: No, I’m giving you a hard time. I understood the direction of the song. It basically says it’s OK to focus on yourself sometimes. Am I on the mark with that?
Lex: That definitely was the narrative. That was the message: Prioritizing yourself.
Percy Crawford interviewed Lex for Zenger News. (Heidi Malone/Zenger)
Zenger: I love that song. Where did your passion for singing come from and when?
Lex: I just grew up loving music. I was always around it. I’m from Anchorage, Alaska. I started singing in my grandfather’s church when I was six, and fell in love with having a mic in my hand. It’s definitely when I’m at my happiest. And then I moved to California when I was 12, and everything has been going great.
Zenger: Was it a culture shock to move to California or a smooth transition?
Lex: It was definitely a big shift, because in Alaska everything is more chill and laid-back. There’s not really a creative scene in Alaska. They really don’t have that. But living in California, everything is fast-paced — people work quickly — so just to keep up with everything was a big change. Plus, the weather, too, because it’s cold in Alaska. The crazy thing is, I’m not a big fan of heat, but I’m not a big fan of six inches of snow, either. I’m choosing California over Alaska weather any day.
Zenger: The title of your single is perfect because it symbolizes the bond with your fan base. It’s almost like you’re preparing your fans for the type of music they can expect from you.
Lex: That’s pretty much where I’m at. Being in the music industry and then having a personal life, it’s hard to juggle both — especially a love life. You invest all of yourself into a relationship. And right now, I am investing all of myself into my music and career. I would never want to put somebody through that type of neglect. That’s why “Personal” was the first out-of-the-gate song. It described my mentality as a person and as an artist.
Lex, who shares a black-Samoan heritage with Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson, would love to make a movie with the action superstar. (Photo courtesy of Lex)
Zenger: You are active on social media, and you seem to have a lot going on at all times. Is it just all about the grind right now for you?
Lex: Definitely! The grind does not stop. I’m focused on being consistent with putting things out, because I think consistency is key.
Zenger: Has anything surprised you about the music industry yet, or have things gone according to schedule?
Lex: There have been some ‘what the fuck’ moments. But those are generally when dealing with people behind the scenes. But I just remove myself from the situation and keep pushing. I never allow it to get the best of me.
Zenger: Max Gousse is managing your career. That is a big deal.
Lex: Max is definitely a heavy hitter. That’s another thing, going back to being consistent, because when Max reached out to me, I was just posting. I had just released my first project. He reached out on Instagram. I met with him. He saw the vision, and it just made sense.
Zenger: When you’re around Max, are you soaking up as much game as possible or asking a ton of questions?
Lex: I’m definitely a sponge. Whenever Max speaks, it’s knowledge to take with you. I learned a lot from him, just as far as the business side of things. He’s good at explaining and making sure that it’s clear, because you know, a lot of artists are just artists. They don’t really worry about the business side. But Max makes it clear what everything is — the ins and outs.
Zenger: Music is always consolidated on a few variables. You obviously have the look. You have an amazing voice — but there is always that intangible. What do you feel will eventually separate you from the pack?
Lex: I hope people fall in love with me as a person, but I think my music. My music is for my ladies. I love empowering them, and I’m a big advocate on ‘Boss Bitches,’ doing you and being bosses of yourself.
Zenger: Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with in the near future?
Lex: There’s a long list of creators that I would love to collaborate with. Drake is No. 1, because just a verse from Drake, I think, would be incredible. Or he can get a hook from me. We can do it, however. Megan Thee Stallion is another one I think we could slide on something. Jhene’ Aiko, I’m a big fan of Blast. I think we’d do something dope. Mozzy is dope, Kendrick [Lamar], [J.] Cole, H.E.R., Summer Walker. The list goes on.
Zenger: Your sound suggests you listen to more than just R&B music. Do you take from different genres and supplement it into your sound?
Lex: R&B is my roots. I love R&B. It has my heart. I’m an R&B singer, but I listen to a lot of rap. The storytelling of that genre I take into my own music. In pop, too, the melodies and switch up of things. I definitely take something from every genre and mix it into my own.
Zenger: “Personal” made it to the “Fatale” movie soundtrack. How did that come together?
Lex: The “Fatale” soundtrack is out now. If you haven’t listened to it, go listen to that now. There are a lot of dope artists on it. My manager hit me and was like, “Yo, we’re working on the “Fatale” soundtrack,” and I heard the soundtrack, and I was lit. I was hype. I was like, “OK, cool,” because I knew it was a dope opportunity, especially just starting off. Then I get the final phone call, and he was: “Personal” made it.” At that point, I’m on cloud nine. That was incredible, and it’s been a big accomplishment as far as this release
Zenger: Has that been your ‘Wow’ moment so far?
Lex: Yeah! And also, because it had been a minute since I had released music, and just seeing people rock with me. Seeing how they reacted to it was another ‘Wow’ moment.
Zenger: Is it imperative to interact with your fans and supporters on social media or do you prefer to keep a distance and let your music do the talking?
Lex: Social media is a great way to network — especially with the pandemic and quarantine. There is a lack of physical connection. Social media is definitely a great platform to connect with your fans; it’s crucial for any artist.
Lex is managed by Max Gousse, who has worked with Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Adina Howard. (Photo courtesy of Lex)
Zenger: What can we expect in the near future?
Lex: An EP from Lex. I’m finalizing that. Hoping in the summer it will be released. You can also expect a movie on TV somewhere doing something, I’m a big fan of The Rock because we’re the same ethnic mix. He’s Samoan and black, and I’m Samoan and black. I think a movie from us would be great for the culture. Definitely a hair-and-beauty line coming real soon, something in fashion.
Zenger: California is still pretty much locked down. What vibes do you like to have when you’re creating? Would you prefer being out and about and creating from experiences or are you more of a secluded creator?
Lex: Honestly, with me, I pull inspiration from any and everywhere — whether it be a story my homegirl told me or a personal experience. Or, I can see it on social media, a TV show or just driving down the street. I’ll see something that sparks inspiration. And then I go into the studio and create from there. It just depends on the vibe that I’m trying to capture. Being in the studio with your own vibes, you can definitely create magic that way, too.
Zenger: Anyone who hears “Personal” will think you were hurt badly in a relationship. Is your music from the heart, personal experience or a combination of the two?
Lex: It’s from the heart, whether I’m experiencing it, or someone else is. But if it’s someone else’s experience, I speak on how I would handle it, that’s why it would be from the heart. As far as “Personal,” it’s really not from one situation, because I get that question a lot. It’s not really personal. It’s personal because it’s like a personal letter. I’m letting it be known that I’m focused on me and focusing on what I love to do. But I love love, so definitely later down the road, that will be in my life.
This week is all about Dating Mantras for 2021. How do except to un-break your heart if you keep listening to another sad love song!?!By now we know that of we want to manifest more positivity in our life, we have to change our mindset.
It’s all about perspective. So when we speak those words of affirmation, we have to believe them. Why not apply that to your dating life?
Here are my top 5 dating mantras:
I am fully capable of giving and receiving love now.
Everyday I get closer to the loving, joyful partnership I always wanted.
I know what I want in a partner and I will not settle until I find it.
I do not fear dating failures; they bring me one step closer to success.
I love myself more everyday and my partner will too.
Wells Fargo recently announced equity investments in six African American minority depository institutions (MDIs) as part of a March 2020 pledge to invest up to $50 million in Black-owned banks. In the ongoing pandemic, communities of color have been disproportionately impacted, and this investment is part of Wells Fargo’s effort to generate a more inclusive recovery.
Wells Fargo is announcing investments in the following institutions:
Broadway Federal Bank, in Los Angeles, California
Carver Federal Savings Bank, in New York, New York
Citizens Savings Bank & Trust, in Nashville, Tennessee
Commonwealth National Bank, in Mobile, Alabama
M&F Bank, in Durham, North Carolina
Optus Bank, in Columbia, South Carolina
Importance of MDIs in U.S. financial ecosystem
MDIs, some dating back to the early 1900s, serve communities in which a higher share of the population lives in low and moderate income (LMI) census tracts and in which higher shares of residents are minorities. MDIs have played an important role in providing mortgage credit, small business lending, and other banking services to minority and LMI communities.
Equity investment structure
Wells Fargo’s investments are in the form of critical equity capital, which is foundational to the MDIs’ ability to expand lending and deposit-taking capacity in their communities. These are primarily non-voting positions and are designed to enable the banks to maintain their MDI status. Regarding our commitment being in the form of equity vs. deposits, $1 of new deposits means an MDI can make $1 of new loans, but $1 of new equity means an MDI can make $10 of new loans.
Dedicated Wells Fargo banking relationships
As part of the capital investment, the banks will have access to a dedicated Wells Fargo relationship team that will provide financial, technological and product development expertise in order to support each institution grow and benefit their local community.
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