When Demeatria Boccella enters a room, there may be a magnetic aura that draws your attention. She also embodies a quiet confidence with a touch of charm that makes you adjust your posture whenever you see her approaching, which is strictly what happens once we meet at Ice House Studios in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. Boccella, founder AFRICAN fashion The organization arrives wearing a full-length Comme Des Garçons trench coat, an oversized white shirt and black trousers by Maison Margiela. Her signature shaved head can be a key accessory. The multi-hyphenate is a walking embodiment of effortless elegance and style.

Boccella describes her fashion aesthetic as layered minimalism. This phrase perfectly describes the FashionAFRICANA studio, which is a handful once we enter. Only a 6-meter gold Afro pickaxe, a 2-meter Yoruba mask and a large number of striking portraits of Mario Epanya’s beauties scattered throughout the room give a touch of the royal wealth related to Demeatria’s idea. Guests can have the opportunity to experience these details as they walk through the doors of the gala, which can happen on November 21, during the second edition of the edition AFRICANISM Gala. There can be a world celebration of culture, heritage and creativity.

As founder and executive director of FashionAFRICANA, Demeatria has made it her mission to raise Black designers by making them accessible to Pittsburgh’s artistic landscape. She founded the organization 23 years ago. What began as a street fashion show in 2001 grew right into a series of exhibitions and in-person events that put the Pittsburgh fashion scene on the map. Some previous exhibitions include a presentation by Mario Epanya and Cedric Mizero. But as the visionary answerable for bringing the Paul Tazewell exhibition to Pittsburgh and presenting the world with the first Ruth E. Carter costume retrospective, Boccelli’s influence now extends far beyond the city limits, reaching across the ocean to the shores of Africa.

At last yr’s inaugural gala, Cameroonian couture designer Imane Ayissi, costume designer Paul Tazewell and visual artist Charly Palmer took center stage. It is price noting that Tazewell and Palmer were Africana Icon recipients. Tazewell is generally known for his performances directed by George C. Wolfe and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

In the conversation, Boccella explains that FashionAFRICANA’s mission is to create a bridge between Black artists here in the United States and people on the continent. “Through our initiative, we not only create intercultural connections, but we create a platform for the presentation of artists, while providing opportunities that close [artist] equity gap,” she shared.

It’s the type of exposure and involvement that Boccella did not have access to but desperately needed as a young black girl growing up in Pittsburgh’s Glen Hazel neighborhood. She says she is a born creative person, but she also credits her mother for her appetite for fashion.

“I remember I was a little kid, maybe a four- or five-year-old kid. And my mother tied these scarves on her head,” Boccella tells ESSENCE. “It was like that in the Seventies [tie] scarves in every single place, around the chest, in every single place around the head. I remember when she tied those scarves and did those flowers on the side and did all those things, she looked stunning.

Demeatria dreamed of sooner or later becoming a model and dealing in the fashion world. But those dreams were quickly dashed when she didn’t see women with strong African features and dark skin like her on TV or in the magazines she devoured as a toddler. This frustration, combined with the teasing she experienced as a darker-skinned child, destroyed her perception of beauty and self-esteem. “At one point my depression was so bad that I cut up every photo of myself,” she recalled.

The founder says because of this she is so enthusiastic about creating secure, creative spaces for young people, in addition to supporting FashionAFRICANA. She is motivated by the incontrovertible fact that she doesn’t want the younger generation to feel different, as she felt when she was younger. “When you walk into these rooms, you will see a positive reflection of yourself. “I want them to be proud of who they are,” she said. Here she notes that part of her journey towards self-love and acceptance was learning about her African heritage through art and fashion. “I feel like it kind of saved my life, so [this] she was my driving force.”

During the second AFRICANISM gala, guests will feel as in the event that they have been transported to a black utopia, said Darnell L. McLaurin, co-founder and inventive director of FashionAFRICANA. He added that it’ll be an area immersed in the celebration of the African diaspora. There can be performances by rappers Mayce Tomlin and Che “Rhymefest” Smith and a dinner honoring Tony Award-winning artist Kenny Leon. In addition, the fashion festival will present the works of visual artist, designer and former journalist Dion Dewand Marcia Lafalaise from Côte d’Ivoire. Guests can be treated to a night stuffed with splendor.

The theme of this yr’s gala is titled or . In Boccelli’s words, the universe selected the subject. He explains that since that is the first time they can be inviting their followers to their studio, it seemed appropriate. When deciding on the designer and artist-in-residence, Boccella noticed that Lafalaise introduced the story of her latest collection with the message “Welcome Home.” “[I] I knew it wasn’t a coincidence,” she added.

Whether by probability or fate, it was Lafalaise’s mastery of cowrie shells and Afrofuturism sewn into each of her works. The ancestral bonds woven throughout each bit drew the team to her aesthetic designs.

The visual artist shared that her latest work, “Abondance,” was inspired by the powerful symbolism that our ancestors nurtured and the deep-rooted connections that lots of us have with our heritage. “It combines a touch of modern aesthetics with the essence of our culture. As creators, we reached beyond the physical to create something extraordinary, guided by the symbolism of the cowrie shell,” explains Lafailase.

Here, the artist explained that the shell is a representation of creation, source, divine feminine and strength. “My work honors the creativity and collaboration of artisans from across Africa, from fabrics from Zimbabwe and Senegal to the crafts of Madagascar, all centered in its place of origin, Côte d’Ivoire.”

Introduced into the mainstream by Lupita Nyong’o, Beyoncé and Agojie of , Lafalaise high fashion has gained wide recognition. And the pioneering designer guarantees that she is going to present something fresh in her gala debut. He describes it as “a spiritual journey rooted in heritage.”

Lafailaise assures that the upcoming celebrations can be greater than a conventional fashion show. Instead, it’ll be an inventive performance “that celebrates the act of creation, the divinity and artistry of Africa,” he declares. Through the collection, he wants to interrupt boundaries and open latest dialogues. He hopes that every one this can contribute to a deeper understanding and admiration between continents. Lafailaise says this can be a moment to keep in mind that we’re all inextricably connected. “I hope this experience wakes up [a] a way of unity in all,” he adds.

The upcoming festival can be greater than just a night of fun. All proceeds from the gala may also support the goals of FashionAFRICANA, which provides arts and cultural education to middle and highschool students. Mary McKinney Flaherty, co-chair of this yr’s event, said in an email that the evening can be a chance to showcase the band’s commitment to a younger generation of creators. He also notes that they do that yr-round through programs like The Art of Design and Storytelling and the August Wilson New Voices Competition through the Bill Nunn Theater Outreach Project. Each of them helps nurture the next generation of artists and leaders while empowering young Black Pittsburghers to search out and develop their voices.

One of the principal programs necessary to Boccelli is the Next Narrative Monologue Competition, founded in 2007 by Todd Kreidler and Kenny Leon. Along with Atlanta and New York, Pittsburgh was one among the first cities to participate in the program because of Boccelli’s friend and mentor, Bill Nunny. When Nunn needed to withdraw as a result of a cancer diagnosis, Demeatria became managing director of the Pittsburgh branch in 2009. Since then, he has mentored monologue winners from the region to New York to perform on Broadway.

“The opportunity to witness the transformation of our young people through the words of August Wilson is life-changing,” he enthuses. “That’s why there are people like Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Viola Davis who are so committed [Wilson’s] Work. When we host a monologue competition in New York, they and other legends volunteer to give master classes to our youth.” Boccella mentions that celebrity volunteers made a difference – noting that this chapter provides participants with exposure, knowledge and artistry from legendary artists. “Seeing this unfold is confirmation that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

When asked what she expects from the guests of the AFRICANISM gala, Boccella recalls a quote from August Wilson. “There is an Africa in each of us that we need to connect with to understand our relationship with this society,” he says proudly.

She explains that she really likes this quote because when she first began FashionAFRICANA along with her team, she wanted everyone to feel included. This is the line from the organization to next week’s scandal. According to Boccelli, it was all about supporting the community.

Boccella hopes that participants can have the opportunity to see the fantastic thing about the city in addition to the African diaspora. “Art is an important tool for bringing people and communities together and for mutual learning. The only way we are able to change the beauty standards in this society is to ask them in.”

The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN), whose mission is to eliminate racial disparities related to prostate cancer amongst African Americans, announced the launch of this system PHENPM.coma brand new online portal dedicated to precision medicine care for prostate cancer patients. Precision medicine is medical care aimed toward improving the treatment of specific groups of patients, especially through molecular and/or genetic profiling. This progressive website includes information on personalized prostate cancer treatment, patient genomic testing, targeted therapy for the disease, precision medicine clinical trials and molecular diagnostics.

“Our goal in creating this portal is to help prostate cancer patients learn about the many benefits of precision medicine therapies, such as expanded treatment options, improved targeted therapies, better cancer detection tools, immunotherapies with fewer side effects and improved quality of life,” he said Dr. Keith Crawford, director of patient education and clinical research at PHEN.

Patients also can study genomic testing for prostate cancer, which involves determining genetic history and predisposition to cellular mutations. Additionally, the Precision Medicine Portal offers insight into patients’ lives through stories of how precision medicine and personalized prostate cancer treatments saved their lives.

One of PHEN’s goals is to diversify clinical trials by including more African Americans. PHENPM.com also deals with personalized treatment through participation in clinical trials. Clinical trials tailored to individual patient needs can revolutionize prostate cancer treatment, save lives and improve the standard of life for every patient.

“There’s no way around it. Black men have a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer and mortality. That’s why genetic testing is crucial,” Crawford said. One in six black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, almost 80% more often than white men. To achieve its mission of eliminating this disparity in prostate cancer, PHEN provides free online resources for African American prostate cancer patients, survivors and high-risk individuals. Together with PHENPM.comyou can learn about prostate treatment by visiting PHENPath.com.

For information regarding clinical trials, PHENTrials.com invites patients to take part in personalized prostate cancer research. Information about early detection screening could be found on the website PHENPSA.com.

New research has found that exposure to automotive exhaust fumes in utero or in the early stages of a child’s development may cause autism.

According to a study published Tuesday, November 12 in the journal Brain medicineexposure to nitric oxide (NO) – produced during fuel combustion – while pregnant or in the primary months of the mother’s life may pose a “significant risk” of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the kid.

“NO is a common air pollutant, produced mainly by vehicle emissions and the combustion of fossil and industrial fuels. Exposure to NO and its NO2 derivatives while pregnant and early childhood may disrupt normal brain development,” the study authors wrote.

The authors added that “the timing of exposure is key.”

According to the researchers, exposure to these pollutants while pregnant and early development “constitutes a significant risk of ASD because these periods are essential for brain development.”

The study also found that folks with a family history or genetic history of autism spectrum disorder may be at increased risk of developing the condition, affecting the best way individuals communicate, learn, interact and behave.

It’s not nearly automotive exhaust fumes. The study examined other air pollutants, including ozone, wonderful particles and other emissions, and located that every one of those toxins combined increased the danger of developing autism.

In particular, it listed benzene as a “volatile organic compound commonly found in vehicle exhaust, industrial processes and tobacco smoke” that, when combined with NO2, can also increase the danger of ASD.

Air pollutants may promote the event of ASD because they cause inflammation. Experiencing neuroinflammation brought on by exposure to NO over an prolonged time frame may “impact” brain activity related to social and cognitive functions which might be typically impaired by ASD.

“Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may activate the mother’s immune system, leading to inflammation and abnormalities in fetal brain development,” the authors wrote, adding: “Elevated concentrations of inflammation-related cytokines in maternal serum in utero and early infants have been associated with their lives. with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes.”

One sec nearly 40% of Americans live without healthy airautism disproportionately affects black and Latino children in the US. This condition can be on the rise in this country.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 in 36 children were diagnosed with ASD – a rise from 1 in 44 just two years earlier. Predominantly, the condition still affects boys more often than girls, although this too has been established girls are frequently diagnosed with ASD later in life.

For generations, white children seemed to have the disease at higher rates than other children, but in recent years this risk has modified as more black and brown families gain access to quality health care and earlier diagnoses .

As increasingly black families select to live with an autistic member of the family, several organizations have emerged to help spread awareness, advocate and supply support. These organizations include The color of autismthat gives families with culturally competent support and care; Autism in blackwhich offers educational and counseling services to Black parents raising autistic children; and Black Autism Support Societywhich goals to fill gaps in support for the black community.