About Skyler Johnson

NO-1 NOAH × Summer Walker

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Singer/Songwriter NO-1 NOAH (Ghetto Earth Records/Interscope Records) will join Summer Walker for her two-night concert at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre in Atlanta on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19. NOAH’s return to the stage will serve as a sparkplug, as he plans to release new music this March and an EP this spring.

After displaying beams of promise on Walker’s sizzling anthems, NO-1 inked a deal with her label Ghetto Earth Records in December 2020. Serving as her first artist, NOAH looks to rattle the cages of R&B with his emo-leaning tracks and sticky hooks. Since announcing his deal, his opening record, “Ridin For My Love,” flaunted his pillowy vocals and gutsy lyrics. NOAH is also coming off the release of his hypnotic record “Bounce.” The seductive earworm showcased NOAH’s supreme ability to get any woman he desired. Last year, he flexed his melodic muscles when he unleashed his anthemic banger “Thank God.”

The promising songwriter was named one of Billboard’s 15 Hip-Hop & R&B Artists to Watch in 2020. Touted for his “ethereal vocals and intrepid lyricism,” NOAH first caused shockwaves in the R&B world when he appeared on Summer Walker’s standout EP Life on Earth. NOAH’s indelible prints landed on the singer’s stellar cuts “SWV” and “White Tee,” where he served as her guest feature.

With publications such as Rolling Stone and XXL already praising NOAH for his extraordinary talents, it’s only a matter of time before he morphs into a full-fledged star.

About Ghetto Earth Records

Ghetto Earth, founded by R&B artist Summer Walker in 2020, is a record label who debuted with feature artist NO1-NOAH. It is a joint venture with Interscope Records.

Universal Standard – Squad Goals

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Beginning the morning of Sunday, February 13, 2022, the world’s most size-inclusive fashion brand Universal Standard kicked off “Squad Goals”—a surprise and delight stunt disrupting Big Game tailgate parties all over Los Angeles.

Offering a refreshing and unexpected take on the Big Game’s typical entertainment, Universal Standard organized an impressive cheer squad to hype up tailgate parties with over-the-top flash mob performances that celebrate inclusivity in fashion and beyond. The brand tapped Emmy-nominated and critically acclaimed choreographer Jemel McWilliams, best known for his work with Lizzo, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, and more, to lead the cheer squad, which featured the Nae Nae Twins, and other renowned celebrity dancers—all of whom were outfitted in custom Universal Standard styles, which ranged in sizes 00-40.

This accomplished talent roster moved around the SoFi stadium tailgate, as well as other tailgates and watch parties throughout the city, performing for fans gearing up for the Big Game. Specific performances included grand choreographed dances set to an upbeat mashup of iconic 80s hits, cheers, and chants encouraging inclusivity, inspiring signage, and more.

In line with the brand’s mission to democratize the fashion industry, Squad Goals celebrates all of us, as we are, whether a size 2 or a size 20.

“Joining forces with Universal Standard has been an honor, a privilege, and a no-brainer. I am thrilled to expand Universal Standard’s inclusive mission to the world of football through celebration, dance, and positivity,” said Jemel McWilliams. “It means so much to me to be a part of this revolutionary performance, which I hope sets the stage for how brands show up in sports, fashion, and all other industries in the future. As a working professional in entertainment, it has always been so heartbreaking to see some of my dancers and artists feel underrepresented or underappreciated when it comes to wardrobe, casting, and the industry in general. Universal Standard and I are aligned with the idea that there is room for all of us. Everyone should feel included.”

“We are so excited to dance alongside Universal Standard with an amazing cheer squad that actually feels representative of the world we live in, said the Nae Nae Twins. “Football has never seen a cheer squad like this before! We can’t wait to dance with fans all across the city and celebrate them for who they are.”

“At Universal Standard, we know that in order to spark change, our promise to revolutionize the shopping experience must extend beyond the four walls of our showroom. This year, it took us to the Big Game, where we joined forces with the entertainment industry’s most talented to celebrate fans and hopefully inspire important conversations about equality in fashion,” said Alex Waldman, Universal Standard Co-Founder.

All events were open-air, and all talent and participants were required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test result dated within 72 hours. Through city and county guidelines, the activation ensured a COVID-19 safe and compliant consumer experience.

Transforming Theatre Kids into Citizen Artists

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By: James Wallert

In April of 2018, I brought five high school students to an early morning event sponsored by the New York State Education Department. 200 educational leaders representing 27 school districts from all across the state were there to begin the process of creating integration plans for their districts. New York State has the most racially and socio-economically segregated schools in the nation and New York City Public Schools are more segregated today than they were before the landmark 1954 U. S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in which the Justices ruled that “Separate but Equal” schools were unconstitutional. These students were invited to perform their original thirty-minute play, Laundry City, an exploration of the effects of educational segregation. A facilitator from the state squawks a few barely audible words of introduction via a microphone plugged into a portable speaker, “Please welcome Epic Theatre Ensemble”. Jeremiah, a high school senior wearing a T-Shirt with the words, “I am Epic” written across the front, steps into the center of the room, without a mic, and speaks directly to the audience:

JEREMIAH

School segregation,

That systematic placement,

Race and class, don’t make me laugh.

That shit goes deeper than thin cloudy glass.

Right past society’s foundation,

Back to America in the making.

The original sin: Race.

The performers weave through the audience performing scene after scene, transforming from character to character. The show culminates in a town hall. The students had done meticulous research to craft a scene that made room for dozens of nuanced perspectives on this complex issue.

LIV

I’m not really sure what we mean by integration. What I’ve seen when we talk about integration, it is about Black and Latino kids going to white schools to become better. That isn’t integration, that’s, in my view, assimilation.

NASHALI

I consider integration when you do the hard work of valuing what each person brings to that setting. Integration is where we learn to understand each other and appreciate each other and nobody’s story or history is more important than another’s.

JEREMIAH

I think that’s racist. I think it’s classist. I don’t believe in the savior complex- that you need to have folks swoop in and save the poor Black and Latino children. I believe that Black and Latino folks have agency and power that have been untapped.

NAKKIA

For me, it’s not that certain communities are less powerful; it’s that certain communities haven’t been given the floor. How do we give people the floor? Segregation was intentional. Integration has to be intentional. Segregation was forced. Integration has to be forced.

DAVION

If integration made money somehow, America would do it.

The five actors portray 18 different characters throughout the course of this last scene, but the final question of the play is delivered by the students as themselves.

ENSEMBLE

Is separate but equal fair?

The five citizen artists join hands and bow. The crowd rises for a standing ovation. After taking in the love, the students gesture for the audience to retake their seats.

JEREMIAH

At Epic, we have a conversation after every performance and we always ask our audience the same first question: Imagine that two weeks from now, one morning you wake up and find yourself thinking about Laundry City. What is it that will be going through your mind? A line, a character, an idea, a question? What do you think will resonate with you over time?

The post-show discussion runs an hour—twice as long as the play that sparked it. The facilitator jumps back on the mic to thank the students and direct the district teams to return to their work sessions. I gather the cast to take them back to their school (it’s a weekday). A superintendent from Upstate comes over and asks the students if they can come by his table to take a look at his district’s integration plan and share their thoughts. They do. We start to head out again when a superintendent from NYC’s Upper West Side asks for some feedback from the students about her district’s plan. The students go over to her table. After several more invitations are proffered, we are eventually invited to stay through lunch so that the cast could review and respond to each of the 27 district integration plans. I make a quick call to their Principal who agrees to excuse them from the rest of their morning classes.

About an hour into this process of consultation, Jeremiah asked if he could speak to me in the hallway. “Jim, I feel like an activist,” he says, “I mean, I feel like I’m in a room full of people who can actually change things and they’re listening to me.”

Since 2015, the plays of Epic’s youth ensemble have received 225 performances (in-person and online) for 56,000 audience members including government employees, policy researchers, and legislators.

Large-scale cultural change is always led by young people and artists, but funding for in-school and after-school arts programs are often the first casualties of state and local budget cuts. We need to invest in arts education to cultivate the next generation of citizen artists. We need to champion the creation of youth art that is relevant, representative, and affordable for everyone. We need to proudly assert the value of art-making by demanding that young artists from historically marginalized communities get paid a reasonable wage for the work they make. We need to challenge oppressive systems by placing youth and their art in front of people with power. And once everyone has had a chance to experience the art, we need to provide the time and space for people to talk to one another about what it means to them and what actions they want to take next.

About the Author James Wallert is a Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Ensemble and author of Citizen Artists: A Guide to Helping Young People Make Plays That Change the World.

TheHxliday – Doses

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19-year-old TheHxliday released a new music video for “Doses” via Motown Records. The song, is light, airy, and joyous, mixing solid rap verses with an uplifting, pop-y beat. It’s a simple, sweet track that perfectly blends hip hop and pop together flawlessly.

The music video is fun, showing TheHxliday get asked out by a girl he likes and ends by him going out on a date with her. It’s strikingly beautiful visually with top-tier camera work.

About TheHxliday

TheHxliday isn’t afraid to tap into his feelings. Equal parts introspective and inspiring, the 19-year-old artist is very comfortable with the concept of openness. Through his pop-infused hip-hop, TheHxliday showcases his approach to understanding and digesting life. TheHxliday got serious about music at age 13, after his mom, who was in an alt-rock band called Chick Flick, introduced him to GarageBand and showed him how to loop beats.

With music in his bloodline and an incredibly wide-ranging array of genres in his headphones, his favorite artists include My Chemical Romance, Bruno Mars, and Eazy-E. TheHxliday refined and established his own sound across a year of making music in his bedroom. On songs like “Laugh a Little”, from his New Year’s Day Batbxy EP, the rising Baltimore star, born Noah Malik Lee offers sage advice for healing oneself while sounding as playful as the title suggests.

As a member of the industry-shifting, DIY SoundCloud rap class of the mid-2010s, TheHxliday stands decidedly apart from his peers. TheHxliday‘s life changed after dropping his 2018 hit “Enemy.” It’s the ultimate Gen Z breakup anthem, telling the story of the inner strength required to move forward after a toxic relationship ends. It expanded his creative circle to include the inimitable Motown Records, and the Lyrical Lemonade video crew based in Chicago. By combining his passion for rock, pop, hip-hop, and R&B, TheHxliday created a mercurial style that refuses to be boxed into any genre.

Vince Staples – Magic

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Esteemed hip-hop artist Vince Staples today debuted his new single “Magic.” The Mustard-produced track is the first single off his highly anticipated forthcoming album Ramona Park Broke My Heart. Dedicated to his hometown–the Ramona Park neighborhood of Long Beach, CA–the new album will be released in April via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records.

“It’s symbolic of home,” Staples says of the album’s title. “And everyone has a home. Even though it’s very personal to me, everyone can relate to it. That’s why I thought it would work for this chapter.”

Released on Valentine’s Day, “Magic” is meant to provide warm feelings. But the love Staples’ expresses on the track is broader and more complex than its charming beat suggests. It’s a celebration of how he was able to beat the inner city blues and a system designed to keep him seeped in the adversity he was raised in. “It’s handshakes and hugs when I come around,” he raps just before acknowledging that there are foes around who don’t enjoy seeing him win. “I think it’ll put the listener in a good state of mind,” Staples says. “The mood of it defines the project.”

“Magic” is available to stream or download HERE

Staples also recently began his run as a supporting act on Tyler, the Creator’s 34-date North American Call Me If You Get Lost tour, which kicked off February 8^th and also features Kali Uchis and Teezo Touchdown. The celebrated rapper will also return to Coachella to perform this April on the 17th and 24th.

At the top of March, Staples will release his debut graphic novel: Limbo Beach. Releasing via Z2 Comics and co-written by industry vets Bryan Edward Hill (Batman & the Outsiders; Titans), Chris Robinson (Children of the Atom), and Buster Moody (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), it follows the journey of the newest member of The Wunderlosts, a band of misfit teenage raiders, on a journey to discover the truth about the park—and himself—in a tale that is equal parts Lord of the Flies and The Warriors.”

Ramona Park Broke My Heart follows Staples’ 2021 critically acclaimed self-titled LP that welcomed fans to his hometown (the Ramona Park neighborhood of Long Beach, CA) in addition to introducing personal friends and family. Entirely produced by Kenny Beats, The Rolling Stone praised Staples for his “brilliantly concise songwriting” and “knack for combining brevity and sly wordplay” with Pitchfork calling Staples and Beats “unstoppable forces” saying, “there’s fire to be found even in the duo’s quietest moments,” while NPR called the project “powerful,” and NME described it as “another spectacular record.” There’s a direct correlation,” Staples says of 2021’s Vince Staples, and 2022’s Ramona Park Broke My Heart. “They were kind of created at the same time. I was in a similar state of mind. I’m still working through things and the questions that life poses. This album will make even more sense if you heard the previous one.” There is a key change, though. “This one has more answers.”

NYBG – Around the Table

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The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) has announced that its major, institution-wide exhibition for 2022 will be Around the Table: Stories of the Foods We Love. Throughout this multifaceted presentation that examines the art and science of foodways and food traditions, many dating back thousands of years, visitors will explore the rich cultural history of what we eat and learn that from global dietary staples such as rice, beans, squash, and corn to the regional spice and flavor provided by peppers, greens, and tomatoes, plants are at the base of all culinary customs. Expansive displays of living edible plants, art and science installations, weekend celebrations, and wellness and culinary-themed programming will provide opportunities to discover the diversity and beauty of plants that are grown for cuisine around the world; uncover the botanical origins of the foods people think they know; cultivate a deeper understanding of the environmental and social impacts of food choices; and invite gathering at artist-designed tables set throughout NYBG’s 250 acres, bringing to life stories about the featured and other notable edible plants. Around the Table: Stories of the Foods We Love will be on view from June 4 through September 11, 2022.

Displays of Living Edible Plants at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Showcasing hundreds of varieties of edible plants, including peppers, squash, cabbage, beans, grains, corn, banana, sugarcane, and breadfruit, three installations in and around the Haupt Conservatory will beckon visitors to explore the diversity and beauty of food plants grown around the world.

In the Conservatory’s Seasonal Exhibition Galleries, a wide assortment of edible herbaceous plants and fruit-bearing trees flourishing in containers, entwined in overhead trellises, and reaching skyward from vertical planters ideal for compact urban spaces will inspire appreciation of the plants that nourish us.
The Conservatory Courtyards will offer an array of familiar and surprising edible plants from across the globe from dietary staples of Southeast Asia, including rice, taro, and banana, to crops suited to arid regions of Africa, including dates, figs, citrus, and foxtail barley. Peppers and tomatoes, grapes and olives, a gourd trellis, and a spirits garden featuring plants used in the creation of beer, wine, and liquors will round out this diverse display.
A portion of the Botanical Garden’s Conservatory Lawn will be transformed into an undulating field of dwarf sorghum and barley, traditional grains well-suited to NYBG’s climate, allowing observation of the sowing, nurturing, harvesting, and replanting processes of these foundational food plants over the course of the exhibition.

African American Gardens at the Edible Academy

Curated by Dr. Jessica B. Harris, America’s leading scholar on the foods of the African Diaspora, African American Gardens: Remembrance and Resilience celebrates African American food and gardening histories, and the contributions of essential plants to American foodways. Dr. Harris has worked with historians, heritage seed collectors, and NYBG’s Edible Academy staff to present a sequence of garden beds that spotlight plants central to African American life and survival in the United States. African American Gardens also features a poetry walk curated by Cave Canem Foundation, the premier home for Black poetry, committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets.

Art and Science Installations Throughout the Garden

Artist-designed tables across the Garden’s landscape will showcase edible plants from Around the Table. NYBG has issued a public call for artists who live or work in the Bronx to submit designs and, if selected, explore the cultural and historical significance of edible plants and plant-based food traditions, bringing to life inspiring stories of community and survival on tables supplied by the Garden that will encourage sitting, sharing, and storytelling.

In the LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building Art Gallery, visitors can examine the social and cultural impacts of the American food system through displayed works by contemporary artist Lina Puerta. Puerta celebrates and acknowledges the essential, often invisible, role of farmworkers, the relationship between nature and the human-made, and ancestral knowledge in mixed-media sculptures, installations, collages, hand-made paper paintings, and wall hangings that incorporate materials ranging from artificial plants and paper pulp to found, personal, and recycled objects.

The Bronx Foodways Oral Histories Project is a multiyear effort to collect, record, and archive personal food narratives from Bronx community gardeners and urban farmers making them accessible to the public. As part of the Around the Table exhibition, Bronx-based muralist Andre Trenier will create murals in highly visible locations around the borough, saluting urban farmers from The Bronx Foodways Oral Histories Project. Reproductions of Trenier’s completed murals, as well as oral history videos and photos of Bronx gardens taken by students from the Bronx Documentary Center, will be installed in NYBG’s Arthur and Janet Ross Gallery.

Also in the Mertz Library Building, the creativity and ingenuity of plant scientists and plant-based chefs will be exhibited. In a science and tradition display in the Britton Science Rotunda and Gallery, visitors will learn about the work of present-day researchers to understand the bioactive compounds in the food people eat, the science of growing food, and the impact that food choices have on the environment. In the Rondina and LoFaro Gallery, seed catalogs and plant-based cookbooks reveal the science and art of agriculture and cuisine.

An artful, immersive data visualization installation created by leading design firm Pentagram will be on view in the Leon Levy Visitor Center Reflecting Pool and will help visitors understand the global impact of food production and consumption on the planet.

Bountiful Programming for All Ages

Visitors to Around the Table: Stories of the Foods We Love will enjoy diverse and engaging public programming for all ages. Highlights will include artist-designed table tours, food demonstrations, themed weekend celebrations, and more.

The symposium, A Seat at the Table, will include two compelling sessions exploring how Black farming informs American history and culture in New York City and across the country:

In “Celebrating the African American Farm,” Natalie Baszile, author of the 2021 anthology We Are Each Other’s Harvest, sits down with Dr. Jessica B. Harris, food historian and scholar, for a conversation in Ross Hall. Their wide-ranging dialogue will cover topics from the historical perseverance and resilience of Black farmers and their connection to the American land, to the generations of farmers who continue to farm despite systemic discrimination and land loss.
“Stories from the Farm,” moderated by farmer, urban gardener, food advocate, activist, and NYBG Trustee Karen Washington, will be a multigenerational panel discussion devoted to stories of Black farmers from many perspectives: North and South, Upstate and the Bronx, sharecroppers to family growers and urban farmers. Participants will give historical and contemporary context for Black farmers’ contributions to communities and food justice/sovereignty movements in urban and rural America.

Each week during Around the Table, Wellness Wednesdays will serve up the NYBG Farmers Market, food demonstrations, and health and wellness activities.

“It’s All About Food” at the Edible Academy will offer food demonstrations and tastings, participatory gardening activities, chef events, and food-themed celebration weekends such as Totally Tomatoes throughout the run of the exhibition.

In “Kids’ Oral Histories,” guided by Everett Children’s Adventure Garden Explainers, children and their families will tell stories about the foods that are most meaningful to them and enjoy exhibition-related writing, art, and nature-based activities. A story walk will showcase author Tony Hillery‘s children’s book Harlem Grown (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2020), about a community garden started by schoolchildren in an empty lot in Harlem, New York, in 2011 that has grown into a network of gardens throughout the city.

About the Exhibition Advisory Committee

The New York Botanical Garden has invited advisors with expertise in documenting recipes and food histories, edible gardening past and present, food justice and food insecurity, global and local foodways, nutrition, and the visual arts to join a committee currently in formation to participate in the development of Around the Table: Stories of the Foods We Love. Members to date include:

Toby Adams, Gregory Long Director of the Edible Academy, The New York Botanical Garden
Garrett Broad, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Communications and Media Studies, Fordham University, and author of More Than Just Food: Food Justice and Community Change (University of California Press, 2016)
Ursula Chanse, Director of Bronx Green-Up and Community Horticulture, The New York Botanical Garden
Von Diaz, documentary producer, author of Coconuts & Collards: Recipes and Stories from Puerto Rico to the Deep South (University Press of Florida, 2018), and recipe and essay contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Eater, and Epicurious
Sheryll Durrant, urban farmer, educator, and food justice advocate; Food and Agriculture Coordinator for New Roots Community Farm, and resident manager of Kelly Street Garden in the South Bronx
Jessica B. Harris, Ph.D., America’s leading expert on the food and foodways of the African Diaspora, author of 12 critically acclaimed cookbooks, and 2020 James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
Alex McAlvay, Ph.D., Kate E. Tode Assistant Curator in the Institute of Economic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden
Lauren Mohn, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Swarthmore College
Gary Paul Nabhan, internationally celebrated nature writer, agrarian activist, and ethnobiologist who works to conserve the links between biodiversity and cultural diversity
Henry Obispo, founder and CEO of Born Juice and ReBORN Farms
Lina Puerta, mixed-media contemporary artist whose work has been exhibited at the Ford Foundation Gallery, El Museo del Barrio, Wave Hill, and 21c Museum Hotels, and who recently completed an artist residency and exhibition at the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling
Michael Purugganan, Ph.D., Silver Professor of Biology and former Dean of Science at New York University

Destiny of X Continues

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The next era of X-Men is on the horizon! With fresh new titles, exciting creative team changes, and cast shakeups, DESTINY OF X will be a season of radical transformation for the X-Men line and its characters. The possibilities are endless as the second Krakoan age begins over the next few months. And right now, fans can discover more about what’s to come this May in their favorite and most anticipated X-Men ongoing series!

JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING! Tying together current story threads in AVENGERS, X-MEN, and ETERNALS, writer Kieron Gillen and artist Valerio Schiti bring you the next Marvel Comics epic this summer. See the first seeds planted for this upcoming saga in issues of Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck‘s IMMORTAL X-MEN! May’s “IMMORTAL X-MEN #3” will dive into one of the most fascinating objects in the X-Men mythos: Destiny’s diaries! Over one hundred years ago, Irene Adler wrote twelve books. A sequel is long overdue.

The main team of Krakoan X-Men won’t be safe from the effects of Judgment Day either! Creative powerhouses Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz continue their hit run in “X-Men #11”. The women of the X-Men are heading for the hottest action in the galaxy… Gameworld! But if it’s true that the house always wins, our X-Ladies might be in over their heads.

The quest is revealed in Tini Howard and Bob Quinn‘s “KNIGHTS OF X #2!” Betsy Braddock has assembled her Knights! Their mission: to save Otherworld from Merlyn and his powerful henchmen… by finding the holy grail of mutantkind. But Otherworld is vast, and innumerable armies stand in their way. When Merlyn targets the Crooked Market, a safe haven for mutantkind, the Knights must split up. Will Captain Britain find the grail? Will Gambit lead the others into a deadly trap? Death looms over the Knights—in more ways than one.

Meet Mother Righteous in Si Spurrier and Jan Bazaldua‘s “LEGION OF X #2!” Legion is offered an unholy deal by this major new character, the self-proclaimed wheeler-dealer of the astral plane. But is the price worth the prize for a young man stuck in his father’s shadow? Meanwhile, the Skinjacker grows bold. Not content with stealing identities of other mutants, he turns his powers on the Legion of X… And while newly arrived Arakki badass Weaponless Zsen has a beastly clash with a dangerous X-Man, her chaperone Nightcrawler is otherwise engaged–giving a massage…?

Launched in last month’s hit MARAUDERS ANNUAL #1, Steve Orlando continues his new run alongside artist Eleonora Carlini in “MARAUDERS #3.” Panic in Shi’ar space! The Marauders are prisoners of the Kin Crimson, a secret society stretching back billions of years, who outrank even the Shi’ar Majestrix… or so they think. But Captain Pryde and the Marauders aren’t giving up, not with the Shi’ar holding the last survivors of mutantkind’s first generation hostage. With the weight of history looming like a nuclear threat, can Kate Pryde convince Xandra to side with mutantkind against her kingdom?

Vita Ayala and Rod Reis‘s acclaimed run heats up in “NEW MUTANTS #26.” While the queen is away, demons will play! A new queen has taken the throne of Limbo—Madelyne Pryor, A.K.A. the Goblin Queen! Meanwhile, separated from Limbo, Magik faces an enemy she thought she had banished long ago.

Wolverine masters Benjamin Percy and Adam Kubert take Logan deeper and deeper into DANGER in “WOLVERINE #21!” Outnumbered and surrounded, Wolverine unleashes his berserker rage, and Deadpool embraces his deadly fighting skills in a last ditch effort to save mutant lives. But what’s with all the Robot X-Men, and what do they have to do with the X-Desk?

And over in Percy and Robert Gill‘s “X-FORCE #28,” Cerebrax stalks the island of Krakoa, and no one is safe! Its hunger for minds is insatiable…but what happens when it absorbs the minds—and powers—of the most powerful mutants?! X-Force will have to step it up—and Kid Omega leads the way!And expect planet-size power grabs and enormous omega-level feats in Al Ewing and Stefano Caselli‘s “X-MEN RED #3.” Tarn the Uncaring waged war and torture on Arakko for centuries. He’s the most hated being on Mars… and he sits on their ruling council. Abigail Brand has a plan to remedy that—and reap the rewards. So does Roberto Da Costa. But only one of them can win… and Tarn’s going to make at least one mutant pay the price for it!

Deante’ Hitchcock – Neck Up

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Grammy-nominated Atlanta rapper Deante’ Hitchcock celebrated Valentine’s Day with the release of “Neck Up,” the first single off his forthcoming EP, Everyday the 14th, out February 17 via ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records. Pre-save the EP HERE.

A blend of smooth, R&B-driven production juxtaposed against Deante’s slick, fast-paced lyrical flow and Southern drawl, “Neck Up” is a seductive recounting of late-night encounters and lustful longings. Featuring additional vocals from rising singer-songwriter Bairi and rapper Dende, “Neck Up” shifts perspectives throughout the track, exploring the wants and desires across both sides of the relationship.

Says Deante’ of the track, “there’s something about selfless acts that can put a smile on someone’s face, bring peace to a stressful day, and add color to a dreary world.”

About Deante’ Hitchcock

Introspective. Talented. Lyricist. These are just a few words to describe Grammy-nominated Atlanta artist Deante’ Hitchcock. After dropping out of Georgia Southern University, Deante’ decided that rap was his only option and began working harder than ever by releasing mixtapes and videos that created an undeniable buzz. His witty, charismatic social media freestyle videos generated attention, leading him to open for acts such as Lil Uzi Vert and Yo Gotti, and eventually led to a recording deal with Mark Pitts’ ByStorm Entertainment.

With several impressive EPs under his lyrical belt (Good, So Much for Good Luck, Just A Sample, Just A Sample 2), in 2019, Deante’ secured a highly coveted spot on the Grammy-nominated J. Cole and Dreamville compilation album, Revenge Of The Dreamers III, which is currently RIAA-certified Platinum. He released his debut album BETTER on ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records in 2020, featuring the single “How TF” feat. 6LACK and collaborations with JID, Young Nudy, Miguel, and St. Beauty. Following suit with the deluxe version of BETTER later that year, which featured appearances from Guapdad 4000, Kenny Mason, Ro James, and more, the project solidified Deante’ as a must-watch artist within the next wave of Southern rap, garnering critical acclaim and ‘Best of 2020’ placements across Complex, NPR, XXL, and UPROXX.

College Mental Health Webinar

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College students are facing a serious mental health crisis, driven in part by the pandemic. After nearly two years of remote schooling, restricted gatherings, and constant Covid testing, many students are anxious, socially isolated, depressed—and are overwhelming campus mental health centers.

According to a nationwide survey of college students conducted by the Healthy Minds Network and the American College Health Association, the pandemic has intensified a decade-long trend of increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and serious thoughts of suicide.

An expert panel of psychologists will examine what is causing this crisis, what is being done, and tips on how to identify the symptoms of depression and anxiety and how students and their families can find the support they need to build resiliency to lead a mentally healthy college experience. The webinar is free and open to the public.

The Moderator

M. Dolores Cimini, PhD: Director, Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, University at Albany-SUNY, and Director of the nationally recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, Dr. Cimini has led comprehensive efforts in research-to-practice translation at the University at Albany for the past 30 years with over $910 million in support from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Justice, and New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The screening and brief intervention program developed by Dr. Cimini (the STEPS Comprehensive Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Program) has earned 13 national awards for best practices and innovation in behavioral health care. Dr. Cimini has co-edited two books, including a volume focused on college student health and well-being entitled Promoting Behavioral Health and Reducing Risk Among College Students: A Comprehensive Approach (2018)

The Panel

Amie Haas, PhD: Dr. Haas is a professor at Palo Alto University in the Department of Psychology with a specialization in college student substance abuse issues. Her research focuses on the identification of high-risk drinking and drug use practices in college students and the development of targeted interventions using a harm reduction model. She worked in collaboration with Santa Clara University for several years developing new programs for alcohol prevention and education and has consulted with other universities to guide campus prevention programming. Her work focuses on behaviors like pregaming (i.e., drinking before students go out to consume alcohol at a function), co-occurring cannabis and alcohol use, overdoses, and factors related to alcohol-induced blackout and sexual risk-taking. In her career, she has received funding through NIDA and the U.S. Department of Education.

Donna Sheperis, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, CCMHC: A board Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider, she is a professor and associate chair of PAU’s Department of Counseling In addition, Dr. Sheperis is Director of the PAU eClinic which partners with college success agencies to provide mental health support to their students. Sheperis has 30 years of experience in clinical mental health counseling settings. Her work focuses on tele-mental health, internet interventions, technology & mental health, and adult mental health. She is past president of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling and on the Ethics Appeals Committee for the American Counseling Association.

Predair Robinson, PhD: Director of Academic Satellites, UC Davis Student Health and Counseling Services, Dr. Robinson is a clinical psychologist who directs the counseling and outreach services for eight academic satellites for UC Davis community students; this includes the four undergraduate dean’s offices, Veterinary Medicine, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Graduate Studies. In addition to managing programming, development, and personnel, he supervises and trains counseling staff, doctoral interns, and postdoctoral residents and provides short-term therapy and crisis intervention services for students. Prior to joining UC Davis, he served as Interim Director of the Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic (SGIC), a specialty training clinic affiliated with Palo Alto University. In this role, he provided clinical supervision to second-year doctoral trainees who treated LGBTQ+ folks in the Bay Area.

About Palo Alto University (PAU)

PAU is a private, non-profit university located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley It’s dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are led by faculty who make significant contributions in their field. Online, hybrid, and residential program options are available. PAU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). PAU’s doctoral programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and its master’s in counseling programs by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Polar Plunge NY

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For those ready to “take the plunge” into the freezing waters of Sharpe Reservation, the 2022 Polar Plunge is nearly here. On Saturday, February 19, 2022, starting at 8 AM, attendees from across New York State will gather at Sharpe Reservation, Camp Mariah to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics New York athletes in the Hudson Valley Region.

The Polar Plunge is one of the most popular, profitable, and exciting fundraisers for Special Olympics New York. Participants raise money by asking friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances for donations.

“Polar Plunges are some of the most valuable fundraisers we host each year,” said Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “They’re an excellent opportunity for people from all over the community to come together and support our athletes. If you join us, you’ll see why so many people return year after year.”

At this event last year, 198 participants raised $156,000. Individuals and teams who’d like to join this year’s Plunge may do so by registering online HERE and clicking on, “Fishkill Polar Plunge”.

About Special Olympics New York

Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 51,000 registered Athletes and Unified Partners across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with about 250 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families, or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, click HERE.