Graphic designer Brian Young is a graphic griot.  "As a graphic designer, I bring words to life with literal imagery.   I see myself as part of a team that helps pass on our history and knowledge of currents events," he said.

"Our experiences," he continued., "have conditioned us to print newspapers, magazines, advertisements, and other communication tools that are not as good as consumers should expect from us.  The words may be on point, but image wise, many of the publications and other communication tools lack fuel."  

However, Young has observed that newer Black publications are breaking from the past.  "They are more likely to have competitive contemporary designs that compete with the layouts that are often in non-Black publications," he said.


Since its biannual May 2003 issue, Young (who is not related to Port Of Harlem publisher Wayne Young) has worked with Port Of Harlem.  "I saw the publication as one with substance, something we rarely see in our community.  To make it solid, it needed a more competitive design," he commented.

Since designing the cover for the May 2003 - October 2003 issue, Young has increased his involvement with the magazine and is now fully responsible for its mature, competitive look, cover to cover.  "Wayne, the publisher is responsible for the words.  I take care of the images," he added.  Young also demonstrates his massive creativity by giving each of the advertisements that he designs in the publication a unique look.

Now you can win:  Biography: Barack Obama (A&E Home Video $12.95) The DVD follows one man’s meteoric rise – from fledgling politician to captivating leader.  After he was the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review, he became a best-selling author and the third African-American ever elected to the Senate.  And with the chance to become the first African-American President, Senator Obama continues to blur racial lines and boundaries.  But where did he truly gain the attributes that may one day bring him to the White House?  Through recent updates, go behind the scenes of Obama’s extraordinarily successful primary campaign -- in which he raised a record-breaking $58 million in six months -- and join his exciting journey toward the 2008 Democratic Convention.  Pulsing with the energy of the man himself, Biography: Barack Obama chronicles the uniquely American story of one man rising up to fight for what he believes in -- and quite possibly, the dawning of a new chapter in American history.


Just answer the question: In the current Port of Harlem print issue (August - October 2008)  on page 23, “In Your Castle,” what is the name of the D.C. store the stocks the hand painted mirror by married Brazilian artist Alvaro and Monica Hintz that reflects our shared African heritage? 

Click here to enter your answer and enter the contest.

















Congratulations to W. Banks and Gerald Hall for
knowing the answer: Shar Bockai of Neighborhood Pharmacy.   The question was: In the last Port of Harlem print issue (May - July 2008), what is the name of the pharmacist in picture #1 on page 16? Both won a free copy of The Rise of Barack Obama (Triumph Books, $27.95).

The Historical Society of Washington will present Random Acts of Kindness, the 55-minute social-conscious documentary that chronicles the travel experiences of Washington entrepreneur Juanita “BZB” Britton after her having a transforming dream.   The result of her dream is that she traveled to South Africa, Swaziland and Senegal for two weeks on a mission of random acts of kindness to women and children in rural areas.  

The show is Saturday, August 9 at 2p, 801 K Street, NW, across from the Convention Center. The filming is free.

Pictured:  Juanita Britton displays a random act
of kindness.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 38 percent of all new infections in African-Americans between 2001 and 2005 were in women.  Of the new infections in Black men and women, 46 percent were the result of heterosexual contact. 

While citing the causes for the transmissions, The Black AIDS Institute listed “sexual networks,” and women feeling powerless to negotiate condom use or abstinence.  Read more about why some Black men do not feel the need to tell women their HIV status in “Believing in Male Supremacy Will Not Save Us,” by Dr. Ron Simmons from the May - July 2007 print issue of Port of Harlem. Us Helping Us, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, is one of the largest 501(c)(3) Black AIDS organizations in the United States.


Pictured:  Dr. Ron Simmons, President/CEO Us Helping Us.

When Port of Harlem sponsored our first Build/Renovate Your Own Castle in 2004, we had more than 100 reservations and This Old House, the leading media authority on home improvement and renovation, had not selected architect Genell Anderson to design a home they featured on its popular nationally televised program. 

Anderson, who graced the cover of the August- October 2004 issue, returns this year with our other biennial Build/Renovate Your Own Castle cover women interior designer Dawn Patrick-Wout (August - October 2006) and personal mortgage consultant Donna Smith (August - October 2008).  Art Gallery owner Barry Lester and insurance expert Rudy Alston join the trio for Build /Renovate Your Own Castle III Sunday, September 21.  To keep the experience intimate, we are limiting this year’s event to 30 participants.

The cost is only $20 if paid before Sunday, September 7, $25 thereafter.  The cost includes a one-year subscription to Port of Harlem magazine, light refreshments, and a chance to win door prizes.