Posts made in October 2024

Spotlight: Morgan Brown

Every once in a while, 360 MAGAZINE encounters a young person who possesses a certain JE NE SAIS QUOI. This time around, it’s Morgan Brown.

What was it like growing up in your city?

I grew up in New Rochelle, New York where I lived from ages 6-13 before moving to Sammamish, Washington in 2019. Both neighborhoods have very large white populations and for a very large part of my life I found myself chasing validation from my white peers out of a deep rooted need to fit in. Being black in a community where black people were always the butt of a joke, I found myself trying incredibly hard to assimilate to their ‘culture’ in hopes that they’d see our commonalities and be kind.

Who was your inspiration?

I’ve always been inspired by my mother who’s incredibly successful. Sometimes there’s a lot of pressure to live up to what she’s accomplished, but she always reminds me that I’m on my own path that will lead me to completely different places.

Main motivation to attend college and how/why you chose your major?

To be completely honest college was never something I thought about in high school. I was trying so hard to make it through those four years that I didn’t even want to think about the next four. I took a semester off after graduation and then started going to my local community college in January of 2023 where I have, to my own surprise, succeeded greatly. Now, I’m looking to transfer to a four year school in fall of 2025 where I can pursue an English degree and continue to cultivate my love of writing.

If you could look in the mirror and speak to the 10yro version of yourself, what would you say?

I would tell her that things were gonna get worse before they got better, but when they got better they would be really good.

If you could make one change with the world what would it be?

More inclusivity and acceptance for plus-sized people.

Credits

Editor | Vaughn Lowery

Photo | Reese Sherman Photography

Makeup | Natalie Martinez

CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

ID PRESENTS ITS THIRD ANNUAL NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE CAMPAIGN THIS OCTOBER, FEATURING THE PREMIERE OF CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

• Sunny Hostin Hosting a Discussion with Experts Encouraging Advocacy and Impact Immediately Following the Documentary

• Trailer for Chris Brown: A History of Violence here –

This October, Investigation Discovery (ID) proudly presents the third year of its impactful NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE campaign in alignment with Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in partnership with NO MORE. Throughout the month, this campaign underscores ID’s unwavering commitment to shedding light on the multifaceted and complex dynamics of intimate partner violence with resources and programming initiatives, including an in-depth exploration of the issue with the premiere of CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, premiering on Sunday, October 27 at 9 pm ET/PT on ID.

Chris Brown has been praised for his innovation and immense talent since he burst onto the music scene. But in 2009, the world was exposed to a much darker side of the pop star when he made headlines for assaulting then-girlfriend, Rihanna. This arrest put a spotlight on Brown and his adult life involving multiple violent incidents, including intimate partner violence, assault charges, and even sexual assault allegations. CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE charts Chris Brown’s past all the way back to his troubled childhood, explores the lasting impact of the cycle of abuse, and poses the question: how does a man with such a violent public record maintain his superstar status? With expert and cultural commentary layered throughout, the documentary provides thoughtful reflections into each survivor’s experience and the psychological destruction in the aftermath of their abuse.

Sunny Hostin, The View co-host and 4x Emmy Award-winning journalist, will host a dedicated conversation immediately following the documentary about intimate partner violence. The special will expand on the discussion about domestic violence, providing guidance on recognizing signs of abuse, information on where to find help, and insights on violence prevention from a roundtable of leading experts and advocates, including NO MORE’s co-founder Jane Randel.

“Throughout my career, I have always prioritized being a fierce defender of women and children,” said Sunny Hostin. “Domestic violence is a very close, personal issue to me as I reflect on my past as a prosecutor of these types of cases, and in my role as a mother and public figure whose actions inform and help shape the next generation. This issue is a prevalent epidemic which knows no socio-economic boundaries, so I am dedicated to expanding and continuing this crucial conversation. The more we know, the better we can help advocate for change as a society.”

“ID is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through its programming and campaigns. Our annual No Excuse for Abuse campaign amplifies this message, providing resources to show survivors and their loved ones that they are not alone and that help is available,” said Jason Sarlanis, President of ID. “In our third year, we are creating impactful content and collaborating with champions like Sunny Hostin, who brings her expertise and passion to lead thoughtful and nuanced discussions on domestic violence.”

Through the ongoing partnership with NO MORE, ID is dedicated to empowering viewers with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify all forms of domestic violence, find support if needed, and become part of the solution. For comprehensive information and the list of network initiatives, please visit the campaign’s website at NoExcuseForAbuse.com. Please join the conversation on social by using #NoExcuseforAbuse.

CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE is produced for ID by Ample Entertainment.

For exclusive web content and bonus material, fans can follow ID on X, Instagram, and Facebook or check out the network’s true crime blog, CrimeFeed.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Pepperdine University

“New Orleans is one of my favorite places in the country to visit because of its rich history and culture. So imagine how much of a treat it was to get a taste of both while visiting Los Angeles. Preservation Hall educated, enlightened, and entertained us Saturday night with a wide range of rich, soulful music and that New Orleans flare. One moment I was being brought to tears by the magical piano playing of Kyle Roussel and the next I was on my feet snapping and tapping with the audience to upbeat vocals by Clint Maedgen and Branden Lewis. From their newly minted bass player to those from some of New Orleans’ famous musical families, namely Revon Andrews on the trombone, to rising world star Peter Varnado on drums, Preservation Hall transported us from Malibu to The French Quarter on a cloud of rhythmic soul.” – Sheronda Rochelle

Be transported to New Orleans with Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Smothers Theatre on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus on Saturday, September 28 at 8 p.m. “Laissez les bons temps rouler” with this high-energy, joyous performance.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band tours worldwide with a mission of nurturing and perpetuating the art of New Orleans jazz. Throughout its history, New Orleans has been the point at which sounds and cultures from around the world converge, mingle, and resurface. Preservation Hall Jazz Band has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 60 years, forging boldly forward into the future while proudly preserving its vibrant sonic past.

Marching that tradition forward once again, Preservation Hall’s album “So It Is” redefines what New Orleans music means today by tapping into a continuum that stretches back to the city’s Afro-Cuban roots, through its common ancestry with the Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and the Fire Music of Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane, and forward to cutting-edge artists with whom the band has shared stages with. Preservation Hall has performed with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, the Grateful Dead, Beck, The Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket, and the Black Keys.

“I’ve been playing since I was 11 years old,” band member Charlie Gabriel says, “I never did anything in my life but play music. I’ve been blessed with that gift that God gave me, and I’ve tried to nurse it the best way I [know] how.” Gabriel has been a musician for over 75 years and a member of Preservation Hall Jazz Band since 2006. With the group’s bassist and tuba player, Ben Jaffe, and guitarist, Joshua Starkman, they recorded Gabriel’s debut album “89” presented by Preservation Hall.

Tickets are available now and are priced at $43–$78 for the public. Price includes ticket fees. Discounted tickets are available for groups, Military, Wave Associates, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni. To purchase tickets, call the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts box office at (310) 506-4522 or visit the Preservation Hall Jazz Band event page.