Even though some of life’s funniest moments occur while working-out, exercise ain’t no joke. But just like life outside the walls of the health club, moments of an awkward or embarrassing nature are bound to happen at some point when you least expect it. Considering the combination of all the strain, sweat, constant motion, bulky machinery, and raw physicality of it all, it’s no wonder whole blogs are dedicated to humorous tales of “fitness club moments gone bad.” Notable fiascos include:

Falling off the treadmill – While running at a nice brisk pace for a number of minutes, you decide to hydrate yourself so you reach for your water bottle. Fiddling to twist the cap off provides the momentary lapse of concentration that allows you to lose your footing, go careening off the mill and straight to the floor. Sound familiar? Treadmill mishaps are pretty common and even dangerous in some instances. When multi-tasking while on the machine, it’s best to focus on the task at hand to avoid injury. If you need to adjust your iPod, take a sip of water, etc., consider slowing down the pace first. As a further precaution: Make a mental note of where the emergency stop button is located. You never know when you may need it.

Breaking Wind – This is probably one of the most embarrassing experiences, and if it’s happened to you, please don’t let it keep you from returning to the gym. Exercise is hard work, so it’s only natural if all that exertion results in some air seeping – or blasting – outwards. If by chance you’re the one that dealt it, you have a few options: Ignore it, laugh it off, or kindly excuse yourself. No biggie.

Elliptical machine issues – Having to cater to folks of varying sizes, sometimes the foot wells on these machines can be kinda large, making it hard to keep firm footing once the pace picks up. If you experience a little instability while working up a sweat on these machines, it may be a good idea to get the hang of them first at a slower pace before moving up to rapid speeds. Keeping hold of the handles is important too – they function as more than just a heart rate monitor.

Clothing mishaps – This happens probably way more than it should. Boobs popping out of skin-tight sports bras; shorts sagging down while on the treadmill; pants splitting wide open during a kickboxing class – online testimonials reveal the most hysterical fitness attire tragedies. Two very important factors in choosing optimum workout attire are comfortability and support. Looking cute is fabulous, but make sure you cover your bases to avoid the avoidable.

Weight machine mishaps/Lifting too much weight – Mastering the techniques of weightlifting require initial instruction to learn proper form to prevent injury & get the best results. When dealing with lifting weights and using large, complicated machines, the last thing anyone should be concerned with is keeping up appearances. Take time to learn how to operate the machine and learn the limits of your own body to avoid injury and embarrassment.

Vomiting – When folks don’t give their bodies enough time to digest their food, work-out on an empty tummy or push themselves to the limit, they run the risk of overturning the contents of their stomach. A Fitness 101 tip: if you begin to feel lightheaded, dizzy or nauseous, find a place to lay flat and elevate your feet, but if you have to let it rip, get to the nearest toilet or trashcan, if you can.

Sweating in ‘awkward’ places/over-sweating – A sweat-free gym is like a food-free supermarket. If a workout is any good, your body is gonna excrete some kind of perspiration, but for some, sweat spot patterns may leave them feeling a tad vulnerable. Big ole wet patches around the crotch and posterior, for instance, can lead to feelings of humiliation. Excessive sweating, where exertion leaves one drenched from head to toe, can be a source of embarrassment too. To mask the wetness, give dark clothes a try, or moisture-wicking fabrics as found here and here that aid in evaporating wetness from skin.

Too much jiggling – While on the treadmill or cardio class, you may be annoyed at all that excess flesh jiggling about each and every time you move. Self-consciousness hits an even higher note when you begin to notice all the tight ’n’ tone bodies surrounding you, making you feel even more out of shape than ever before. Body image issues are one of the top reasons many people refuse to work out in health clubs. The important thing to keep in mind is that everyone has to start somewhere. Exercise physiologist Brian Housle’s words are ones to exercise by, “Focus on the task at hand. Wherever you work out — and whatever your hang-ups about doing so might be — try to ignore what other exercisers think or do and focus on how important physical activity is to your health.”

Nudity – Showering after a good workout is fundamental, especially if you’re heading to some sort of social setting afterwards. Fitness center locker rooms are there for your convenience, but they can be awkward, intimate quarters and not everyone is cool with the idea of getting naked in front of strangers and/or standing less than a stone’s throw away from strange naked bodies, and of course, the germs. All it takes is an adjustment in your daily schedule, and voila! You’ll have ample time to shower in the comfort of your own bathroom after a nice long work out.

Clutchettes, we know you’ve got ‘em. What are some of your most embarrassing work-out moments?

The post Top Embarrassing Work-Out Moments appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but when it comes to deciding on a potential mate, it’s safe to say that there are some universal qualities we all share which determine if we’re on the journey of love or heading face first into a dead end. True, this particular topic has been looked at from endless perspectives, but as long as there are failed relationships in the world, it will remain ripe for re-evaluation.

Humans are social creatures. As such, most of us crave close companionship, particularly of the romantic variety. There are some women who prefer not to be hindered by the confines of a committed partnership, while others yearn for interdependency to a fault. Between these two extremes lies a space in which the majority of humanity operates.

One undeniable fact is that any positive relationships require personal compromise; the key is learning to differentiate the negotiable vs. the non negotiable, as well as some of the circumstances that make it difficult to do so. Let’s examine the following causes for concern:

Sex:

Sex has got to be the main ingredient to any intimate relationship; it’s also what keeps women and men alike from being able to determine whether a strained partnership is worth enduring. Closure sure is tough to achieve when an estranged pair indulge in the magnetism of their sublime sexual chemistry. On the contrary, if the sex is wack, you may find it a little easier to take a clear, rational approach to evaluating the situation.

A Question of Dedication:

Who doesn’t revere a loyal mate? Unless you two agree on having an open relationship, chances are you’d rather your man not canoodle with other ladies (or men, for that matter). We are blessed with a little somthin’ called women’s intuition. In most cases, by the time you receive hard proof that your guy is dippin’, you’ve seen about 1,000 signs indicating he should’ve been given “da boot” some time ago.

Financial Standing:

I’m the first one to speak out for equality; alas, men still tend to make more than women. Unless your financial status ends in the suffix –“aire”, chances are you want to build a life with a guy who will make financial contributions that are greater or equal to yours. Excluding those who want nothing more than a warm, loving househusband — a real stand up guy would never settle for being a financial burden on the woman he loves. Ask yourself: Would you rather dismantle your credit by consistently co-signing for your man, or benefit from the solid decisions of a fiscally responsible adult?

Fatherhood:

Here’s another maker or breaker. Is your (potential) man a daddy? As we get older, the chances of meeting a fatherless single guy begin to decline. Where do you stand on that issue? Some of us may not necessarily want the burden (or distraction) of another woman’s child in their relationship — or baby mama drama, either. Some of us may have kids of our own and look forward to creating a blended family.

Hobbies/Pastimes:

Miniature Golf; swinger club member; bird watching; stock trading; bike riding; online vampire role playing; hunting; pit bull fighting; strip clubbing; rock collecting; dabbling in substance abuse; traveling; gambling; rock climbing, finger-painting ….

Hobbies reveal a lot about a person. We’re not suggesting you get judgmental (some ladies might actually like a fella who enjoys watching pit bulls rip each other to a bloody pulp), just remember what it is that you like as well.

Fashion Sense:

This one’s a maker or breaker for lots of women, particularly at the onset of a relationship. It’s true that sometimes the clothes do not make the man. However, if he fastens his belt beneath his butt cheeks, and this is a problem for you, perhaps you ought to call it a wrap.

Up Close and Personal:

You may like long and lean, big and tall or medium/husky. There are times when the physical type can be compromised in favor of other important factors, but beware of ignoring what turns you on lest you risk rolling over one morning and throwing up a little in your mouth at the sight of your boyfriend’s plump, hairy man boobs.

Hygiene is another crucial factor to consider. Here’s a rhetorical question: Are there any women who prefer men with ghastly hygiene? Sure you may be able to forgive certain lapses from time to time, but consistent funk is bound to get under your skin one day. On the flipside there are some fellows who indulge in hygiene to the point of obsession. Red lights flash when a guy’s bathroom looks like a dainty powder room with all the accoutrements of a Grade A debutante. I submit that it is totally possible for a fella to be fresh without being frilly, which leads to the next factor to consider…

Their Feminine Side:

Is this an ultra macho, insensitive hot-headed brute? Maybe you like that type of thing, but make sure his toughness doesn’t harm or degrade you. And how about that guy everyone thinks is gay (including you, in the beginning)? You may prefer the soft gentleness or femininity that he exudes; you may even like that he’s more concerned with being coiffed than you. I tend to believe balance is paramount, but to each their own …

Drive:

Some men know no balance in this area. This can be demonstrated by some of the cats that are like fixtures on street corners or stoops in your neighborhood. You know, fellas who are content with aiming low in life. On the other end of the spectrum, are the men consumed with their careers and various professional involvements to the detriment of their personal lives — and those who are a part of it.

Raise your hand if you know an ambitious woman who always involves herself with dudes possessing the couch potato mentality? Conversely, you may be that gal looking to marry the money and could care less about spending quality time with your hubby. It’s your world, girl. Do whatever feels right to you, but living a life of silent misery just for the sake of saying you “have somebody” is a grave act of self-betrayal.

A Question of Longevity:

Some couples stay together simply out of security and convenience, while others manage to build and grow together. Is he holding you back from reaching your potential or assisting you in attaining your dreams? I’d like to think most would agree the latter has real keeper potential.

Communication:

Being in an intimate relationship is much like being in a dance. The two partners involved must be in sync with each other, complimenting each others movements. Good communication is essential, but it means different things for different people. If you require lots of reassurance, it’s best not to stick with a guy who’s proved he is incapable of providing you with any. The bedrock of any positive relationship is the ability to understand and express your own needs with one another.

Traversing the road toward blissful couplehood/marriage is indeed quite a journey that can quite literally turn you upside down, making it sometimes impossible to attain clarity of mind. No doubt, folks will continue to lose themselves and their ability to honor their own values in the quest for companionship. There’s nothing selfish about knowing who you are and what’s most important in your life. If you are truly honest with yourself, the decision to keep him or kiss him goodbye will ultimately be revealed.

The post To Be Kept or Kicked to the Curb? appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

We’ve made it. It’s the end of the week – Friday. For many folks, particularly nine-to-fivers, Friday evening is a time for celebration; the coming of liberation in the form of Saturday & Sunday. No doubt Friday evening is a sacred time but after years of observance, it can go from being electrifying to straight boring. Many of us get too caught up in a celebratory rut, so to speak, and forget that there are tons of ways we can bring in the weekend proper. The following suggestions are a start:

Take a Class – Is there something you’ve been dying to learn? Maybe tonight’s the night for you to finally learn how to make sushi, take a belly dancing class, or take a print-making course.

Sail Boating –Live near a large body of water? Some lakeside attractions offer sail and paddle boat rentals for a splash of some maritime fun.

Camping – Any outdoorsy sistas in the house? You could be spending Friday evening under the stars, sleeping bag, tent or in a rustic cabin. Sometimes being in nature can be so revitalizing…

Host a Gathering – If your blessed enough to have a beautiful network of friends, why not try to have them over for a potluck, or some other such festivity. It’s cheaper than a restaurant outing, more laid back too.

Meditation or Yoga – Melt away the stress of the week at your local meditation center, temple or within the cozy confines of your own home.

Set Off For a Weekend Getaway – And if you really want to get wild, go the airport and take a standby flight to a dope destination.

Concert – When’s the last time you’ve been to a music or dance concert? Your city’s weekly paper will no doubt let you now what’s going down this Friday.

Somewhere You’ve Always Wanted To Go – Whenever I find myself struggling to make nightly plans, the first thing I do is make a mental list of all the things I want to do, but never seem to get around to. What potential fun have your been depriving yourself of?

Somewhere You Never Seriously Considered Going To – Maybe you’re desperate, or bored with the options placed before you. Time to get random: Check your cities nightly listings and choose an activity you never really considered taking part in before. Ms. Hermit, maybe it’s time to get up and go to a swanky little nightclub; L’il Miss Bar stool, perhaps it’s time to try something like …

A Night at the Museum – Many museums have little throw downs in the evening that include food, drinks live music, and of course, culture. Peep the listings to see what’s up in your area.

Sports – Do you like to watch, or would you rather play?  The options are damn near limiltess…

Urban Sightseeing – I’ve never been to a city that doesn’t come alive on Friday evening. On a beautiful spring night, the city lights and energy of the crowd can be an intoxicating as the finest wine you can find. Just go where the energy of the night takes you.

Olde Fashioned Amusement – Looking past the obvious risk involved, carnivals can seriously be a stone cold blast. Amusement parks too, as well as adult arcade joints like Dave & Busters.

First Fridays – Got Art? The first Friday of the month was last week, so you can pencil it in for next month. First Fridays go down in tons of cities. Galleries open up their doors to the public and usually offer posh edibles and wine along with the latest art exhibit.

Tour/Walk – This may be going out on a limb, but there’s always that chance that your hometown is offering a tour that appeals to more than just the stale, baby-boomer set. Again, your area weekly can put you down with the details.

Theater – This one’s a classic, and truly entertaining if there’s anything worthwhile showing in your region.

Performance Restaurants – Campy, I know, but they definitely manage to break up the monotony of the dining experience. Two words: Lucky Cheng’s. Sometimes we need a little extra spice with our meals…

The Casino – It’s not for everyone, but it is an option (unless you’re under 21 or have a gambling problem).  Friday nights can be tough; it never hurts to have more options.

Book Club/Reading  – Avid readers looking to have a fulfilling Friday night, have you checked for any book club meetings or artist readings in your area? It may not be a bad idea to consider forming your own book club too.

Hey Clutch, what’s on your agenda this Friday night? Help us add to the list.

The post Freedom from the Dreaded ‘Friday Night Funk’ appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Last year, we mentioned that Denzel was cast as a heroic, troubled pilot in the Robert Zemeckis film, Flight. “Whip,” as his character is called, pulls off the impossible when the plane begins to break up at high altitude. He ultimately saves the lives of 98 of the 106 passengers on board of the doomed jet. Whip’s acclaim as a hero gets cut short, when a blood draw taken the night of the accident revealed alcohol in his system. Peep the vid for a closer look:

Don Cheadle teams up with Washington once again. Tamara Tunie (Law & Order SVU), and Garcelle Beauvais will appear as well in the upcoming drama/thriller that will make it’s actual debut on November 12.

The post First Look at Denzel Washington’s Flight appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Unless you pay these things no mind, Prometheus’ marketing campaign has truly been relentless – and on point – showing just enough of the slick, high-budget futuristic adventure (and equally appealing cast) to sow the collective seeds of wonder. Sci-Fi and fantasy connoisseurs need no convincing, since most of us put Prometheus on our ‘must watch’ list back in 2011. Folks on the fence, this one’s for you. Dig the following rationale for checking for this on the big screen:

1. Outside of Blade Runner (1982) and Legend (1985), Prometheus is Ridley Scott’s first big-budget sci-fi epic since Alien (1979). As a matter of fact, Prometheus was originally envisioned to be a prequel to the Alien franchise, until Scott decided to give it a trajectory of its own. This 30+ year gap has put sci-fi/fantasy headz in a state of eager anticipation: With the astronomic leaps in special effects technology, will Scott’s latest effort measure up to the industry standard he himself set with Alien over three decades ago?

2. It’s in 3D; the entire film was shot with 3D cameras. One member of the crew claimed that Scott & company have done things with the multi-dimensional technology that have yet to be attempted in a film. Intrigued?

3. Prometheus has a pretty impressive cast, including some of the hottest talent of the Hollywood variety. Idris Elba is probably the finest example (both literally and figuratively) of the stellar cast of the film. Elba plays Janek, the ship’s captain. He’s the take no sh*t realist of the bunch with the combined vibe of a of longshoreman, sailor and a soldier. Fingers crossed he survives – at least more than half way through the movie…

4. Another nice piece of eye candy is young Magneto, a.k.a., Michael Fassbender (have you seen his nude scenes in Shame – yowza?!?!) who plays David, the humanoid programmed to protect the crew of Prometheus

5. Still not convinced? Well, so far the film has received good reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 74% based on the reviews of 85 critics. Also Metacritic gave Prometheus a score of 66 out of 100 from 20 critics.

Prometheus debuts tomorrow, Friday June 8. Think you’ll be lining up to check it out?

The post 5 Reasons to Peep Prometheus appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

What do you think about religion? Are you a ride or die kinda worshipper or does the concept of the R word tie your insides into knots? From my observation, how we feel about religion all comes down to first impressions. Early experiences go a long way in shaping our ability to embrace a system of beliefs, convincing many of a specific truth, and leaving others open to skepticism. Regardless, history proves that most humans can’t help but to look for cosmic guidance for the here & now and the hereafter. So what exactly are some of these modes of worship? Scientifically speaking, there are like a gazillion of them: Spiritual philosophies, cults – and their offshoots. For the purposes of this initial installment, we prevent a brief overview of 4 of these uncommon approaches to spiritual worship:

The Religious Society of Friends

Popularly known as Quakers, these are members of an English Christian denomination that emerged during the mid-1600’s by George Fox. Like many religions, it’s practiced in various forms across the globe.

The Belief

The “Friends,” as they call one another are believe in non-violence, or pacifism, simplicity, social equality, and for many, stewardship of the planet. Beginning with the abolition movement, Quakers have long since been at the front lines fighting for equality in this nation. To this day, the Friends work to bring about social and environmental justice on a global scale.

The Practice

There are a few denominations that function more like a traditional church, however, the majority of Friends worship in Meetinghouses on a weekly basis. Rather than looking to a spiritual leader for guidance, most Quakers believe that God speaks directly to each and every person. These unprogrammed meetings are held in silent reflection, the members standing up to speak only if the Holy Spirit moves him/her to do so. Quakerism may be the simplest form of Christianity out there and it lacks a formal creed or clear description. Pacific Yearly Meeting explains: “Most Quakers take the absence of a creed as an invitation and encouragement to exercise an extra measure of personal responsibility for the understanding and articulation of Quaker faith. Rather than rely on priests or professional theologians, each believer is encouraged to take seriously the personal disciplines associated with spiritual growth. Out of lives of reflection, prayer, faithfulness, and service flow the statements of belief, both in word and in deed.”

Interesting fact: There are more Quakers in Kenya than in the US.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion of pre-Islamic Persia (modern day Iran). Zarathustra (Zoroaster, in Greek) founded the religion in 6^th century BC after he claimed to have had visions of a loving God named Ahura Mazda beginning at age 30. Due to its monotheistic nature, belief in the existence of heaven, hell, angels and demons, many theologians credit Zoroastrianism with heavily influencing Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It was at one time a widespread religion, only to be suppressed by the arrival of Islam. Now it’s thought the faith has about 200,000 followers.

The Belief

Recounting his visions, Zarathustra claimed he was transported to heaven, where Ahura Mazda told him of his adversary, Aura Mainyu (the devil) and assigned him the holy task of guiding people to choose good over evil.  Zarathustra’s teachings are considered highly ethical. He taught hat humans’ free will allowed them to choose between “right” and “wrong” but that these choices had a direct impact on their eternal soul. Picture the balance scales: Good outweighs evil = heaven, vice versa = hell and equal balance of deeds = purgatory.

The Practice

The official text of Zoroastrianism, called the Avesta, is a series of sacred passages collected over a span of centuries. It contains hymns of praise; and spells against demons and prescriptions for purification and invocations and rituals to be used at festivals. Zoroastrians are free to worship at a temple or from home. Worship includes prayers and symbolic ceremonies which all emphasize the 3-fold path that reflects their philosophy: “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.”

Interesting fact: Zoroastrians believe that a savior – the Saoshyant – will be born of a virgin (of the lineage of the Prophet Zoroaster) who will one day rise, and’ judge the quick and the dead.’

Santería

Santería is Afro-Cuban system of belief that combines the customs of the Yoruba people, elements of the Roman Catholicism and Native American traditions. Regla de Ocha or La Regla Lucumi as it’s sometimes called, promotes worship of spirits called Orishas, which is a manifestation of God they call Olodumare.

The Belief

Santeríans believe that relationship between themselves and the Orishas is mutually beneficial. By carrying out specific rituals, followers seek aid from the spirits in fulfilling their destiny. Orishas existence is dependent on human worship.

The Practice

Santería rituals are used to strengthen the relationship between human & Orishas and incorporate dancing, drumming and speaking to the spirits. Ceremonies sometimes take place at halls or in private homes. Animal sacrifice is an integral aspect of Santería and is performed for the purposes of major life events like healing, marriage, birth and death.

Interesting fact: Santeria has no scriptures and is passed down through oral tradition.

Rastafari

The crowning of Ras Tafari Makonnen as Haile Selassie I King of Ethiopia in 1930 marked the beginning of the Caribbean religion. The philosophy that claimed Selassie was a living God was developed by political activist Marcus Garvey in the early part of the century. You may hear them sometimes refer to themselves as Rastafarians, Rastas, Sufferers, Locksmen, Dreads or Dreadlocks.

The Belief

Despite denying he was a deity in flesh form, many Rastas share a belief that God, a.k.a. the late King Selassie, would one day to return descendents of enslaved Africans to the Motherland. Like most religions, there are several schools of thought within Rastafarianism.  One of the common themes is a belief that folks of the Diaspora are the chosen people of God who will to fulfill their sacred destiny upon returning to Africa. Many also believe in reincarnation and that birth control and abortion are a sin.

The Practice

Rastas tend to meet weekly, in a casual setting such as a home, for worship. They are widely known to use ganja – or marijuana – to enhance their spiritual awareness. They often hold ceremonies filled with music, chanting and meditation to get in touch with spirit. Strict Rastafarians abstain from alcohol use, and eat a diet rich in fruit and veggies. Rastas follow the Old Testament, which includes passages that forbid its followers from cutting their hair. This is one explanation for the dreadlock style they’ve made famous. Another is that the long matted style resembles a mane, an homage to the Lion of Judah – as King Selassie is sometimes referred.

Interesting fact: Rastafari contains pretty old school rules for the women, or “Queens” of the faith. By no means are women considered equal, but not all schools of thought adhere strictly to those outdated tenants.

Any religions or spiritual philosophies you care to share, or are curious about? We’d love to hear from you.

The post World Religions, Uncommon Beliefs: A Faith Sampler appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

The life of entrepreneur and footwear visionary Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is an illustration of creative genius in its truest form. Growing up in the poor, rural village of Zenabwork, Ethiopia, Bethlehem was no stranger to struggle and strife. The lack of employment opportunities led the people of Zenabwork to live in dire conditions, until Bethlehem’s insight and observations led her to an epiphany: Why not tap into the under-utilized artisan skills of the villagers to create a thriving enterprise? The result is soleRebels footwear company, which she founded in 2004.

soleRebels is an embodiment of cultural pride and resilience in nearly every way. The look and feel of Alemu’s footwear is inspired by the traditional selate and barabasso shoe worn by many generations, including the rebels who fought to ensure Ethiopia’s freedom from western colonization (hence the name soleRebels).

“I really love sharing Ethiopia’s artisan heritages with the world and combining our cultural products with modern design sensibilities,” the founder and managing director told Tadias. “For example, our sandals and shoes are lined with fabric produced from organic cotton, which we hand-spin and loom. So working in this manner not only preserves local assets, but also provides our customers with stylish and comfortable footwear. And we are constantly taking our idea further and pushing the boundaries.”

Driven by cultural pride and environmental respect, Alemu and her community have built a prosperous company in less than a decade. soleRebel shoes are available at locations world wide, as well as directly through their site. Hip, comfy and authentic, the Zenabwork based company was among the top 5 finalists of the 2011  Legatum Africa Awards For Entrepreneurship – which indicates their annual revenue that year was somewhere in the neighborhood of 1-15 million bucks.

soleRebels takes their ethos “making the world a better place one step at a time” seriously. Alemu operates her company with the utmost reverence for the workers, including honorable wages that are on average 4 times the legal minimum wage & 3 times the industry average wage for similar work.* soleRebels also provides %100 medical insurance coverage and helps to fund the education of the artisans’ children. In addition to preserving their culture, the Ethiopian company aims to protect the planet too. Their use of local, recycled materials and hand craftsmanship makes soleRebels a bona fide fair trade, certified green company.

Forbes spotlight on the entrepreneur revealed that, Alemu was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011. In June of the same year, she was awarded ‘Most Outstanding Businesswoman’ at the annual African Business Awards organized by African Business Magazine, and in November, she was named ‘Most Valuable Entrepreneur’ at the 2011 Global Entrepreneurship Week. Not to be overlooked, Bethlehem is also an NYC Venture Fellow, a program established by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that provides emerging entrepreneurs with mentors and investors from New York based companies.

By 2015 Alemu hopes to see soleRebels in 15 new locations outside of Ethiopia, with annual revenues topping $10 mill. She told Tadias, “We have already implemented franchise agreements in Taiwan and are currently finalizing retail proposals in China, US, UK, Australia, Italy, Canada, Spain and Japan. We have many more exciting initiatives in the pipeline so stay tuned!”

The post A Step Above: soleRebels Founder Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

Michonne is fierce. Fans of The Walking Dead comic book series and its TV adaptation eagerly anticipate the debut of the show’s 3^rd season, and her character’s integration into the hit show (no pun intended). With production of season three under way, this latest footage may go a long way in confirming the hype.

Last week, fans got their first up close & personal look at a kitana wielding Michonne, played by Zimbabwean-American actress Danai Gurira. As a graphic novel heroine, Michonne is a indestructible zombie mutilator with a heartrending back-story. Allegedly, the AMC version of the pivotal character will be pretty similar: “The essence of the character — her personality, her motives, everything that makes Michonne Michonne — remains intact from the comics,” Robert Kirkman (the creator of the comic and executive producer of the TV adaptation) tells EW. “But like a lot of things on the show, there will be little tweaks and differences here and there. We saw that her introduction is slightly different from how it was in the comic, and her interaction with Andrea is really going to be a really cool addition to the character that I think will get television viewers up to speed, and they’ll get to know her a lot faster than comic book readers did.”

The hooded, kitana-brandishing protector made an iconic appearance during the final episode of season 2 – with two armless, jawless zombies shackled to her, no less. In-keeping with her ‘post-apocalypse’ storyline in the comic book, Michonne’s character will expand throughout season 3.

Robert Kirkman explained why the Treme actress was chosen for the dynamic role: “We looked at a lot of talented people that were really fantastic, but we were waiting for that one spark, that moment where everyone was completely in agreement and completely excited, and we felt like we had found the essence of this fictional character that just randomly appeared in another person, and that person was Danai Gurira. She kind of came in and really just blew us all away. She’s got incredible presence, and she’s got a theater background, and is very physical, and was just perfect for the role.”

With this new enigmatic addition to the cast, season 3 may be worth a view. For production teasers, check out the show’s site on AMC.com. The Walking Dead will return to the small screen in October.

The post First Look at The Walking Dead Fan Fave Michonne appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

It looks like Beyonce’s maternity leave is officially over. This latest role is the first to be confirmed since the pop diva took time off to mother Blue Ivy. It’s rumored that she may star in Clint Eastwood’s remake of A Star is Born with Tom Cruise.

Beyonce rounds out a high-profile cast, which includes Colin Farrell, Amanda Seyfried & Jason Sudeikis. The upcoming Epicfilm is expected to be hit theaters on May 24, 2013.

Source

The post In Beyonce News: Bey To Star in New 3-D CGI Movie appeared first on Clutch Magazine.

The wait is finally over. Last month, comic book headz and certain members of the LGBTQ community, no doubt, were highly anticipating the unveiling of an “A List” superhero. Folks suspected it would be one of the classics, like Superman, Batman, Robin, or Wonder Woman. Well today, we now know that DC Comics has chosen to out none other but the Green Lantern.

Alan Scott, the Lantern’s alter ego, isn’t the first comic book character revealed to be non-straight. Gay characters are sprinkled throughout a growing number of graphic novels such as the Archie series and even Marvel comics. As a matter of fact it was Marvel’s Northstar who married his lover at Central Park in the latest issue of the “Astonishing X-Men.”

Back to the Green Lantern, Matt Moore from AP News reported that the lean, green super hero’s sexual identity will be revealed in the second issue of “Earth 2” which hits the stands on Wednesday. As part of a new series, or “retooling” as they call it, Alan Scott’s storyline will reflect the original version of the Green Lantern, which debuted in 1940 – but with a twist.

“He doesn’t come out. He’s gay when we see him in issue two,” says DC Comics writer James Robinson “He’s fearless and he’s honest to the point where he realized he was gay and he said `I’m gay.’”

“It was just meant to be 7/8- Alan Scott being a gay member of the team, the Justice Society, that I’ll be forming in the pages of `Earth 2,’” he said. “He’s just meant to be part of this big tapestry of characters.”

DC Comic's Batwoman came out back in 2009

Anticipating standard knee-jerk homophobia, Rolling Stones reveals DC’s curious decision to break down barriers without actually addressing the very real resistance experienced by gay-identified folks:

Though Marvel Comics’ gay hero Northstar is set to face some intolerance from his peers following his marriage to his long term boyfriend in the pages of Astonishing X-Men, Robinson and Scott are planning on portraying an idealized world in which Alan Scott is judged only by the quality of his character. “He doesn’t come out in issue two; he is already a gay man,” Robinson says. “Alan Scott is super-heroic, he’s super gallant, he’ll die for the earth, he’ll die for its people, he’s everything you want in a hero. I imagine he’s such a Type A character that when he realized he was gay, he was like, ‘Okay, I’m gay, now I’m just gonna go on with my life.’ He’s so accepting of it himself and he’s such a compelling person that the world knows Alan Scott’s gay. He’s such a leader, he’s such a good man, that the Justice League don’t care. And that’s a healthy depiction of a team and how it should be.”

[Artist Nicola Scott] says her instructions from Robinson were to make this version of the Green Lantern as heroic as possible. “With Alan, the brief was very clear,” she says. “He needed to be a big, strapping, handsome man that everyone would instinctively follow and love. Alan strikes me as an incredibly open, honest and warm man, a natural leader and absolutely the right choice to be Guardian of the Earth. His sexuality is incidental.”

In recent years the Pepsi & Coke of the comic world have caught on to what other graphic novel creators were already hip to. When Spandex came out in ‘09, the comic chronicles of the world’s first team of gay super heroes may have seemed a comical notion indeed. The truth is, however, there’s an audience out there (straight and gay alike) who are ready for their graphic novels reflect the complexity of modern life and prove that LGBT folks are not only here, and queer but can stomp some serious ass in the process.

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