September 2026

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• WE DON'T JUST WRAN URE... WE LIVE IT 229
• FROM THE DIRECTOR OF BULLET TRAIN AND THE FALL GUYNICHOLAS ZOË ANNA RHENZY PETE HOULT KRAVITZ SAWAI FELIZ DAVIDSON REILLY HOW TO WITH AND JOHN C.
• READY SET FIGHTSTREET FIGTER HITTING THEATRES
• Page 4URBAN BE’N ORIGINAL FOUNDER / PUBLISHER
• SKYYHOOKRADIO EVERY CITY...EVERYWHERE
• EDITORIALSome stories command attention because of a single moment. Others earn it through the depth, range, and persistence of a life’s work. erika bryant (intentionally lowercased) belongs firmly in the latter. For more than two decades, she has moved across music, television, producing, writing, and entrepreneurship with a rare combination of curiosity, discipline, and creative instinct. Her career is not defined by one title, but by a willingness to evolve, take risks, and trust the value of her own voice.
• REVENGE IS A WORK OF ARTTHE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR
• Page 8B The Blanco DIVISION
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• UNTOLD STORIESBLACK AND MISSING A captivating and emotionally charged true-crime podcast series created to shine a light on cases of missing people of color.
• Page 1106 EDITORIAL 17 POETRY 24 BUYERS GUIDE 32 AIR JORDAN 41 36 SWAT EXILES 50 THE TABLE WAS NEVER EMPTY 58 ASHIA MONTGOMERY 66 GENIA 74 DAVION FARRIS 84 ERIKA BRYANT
• MADRIVERFROM THE DIRECTOR OF PLANE STATHAM
• Page 13DAKARI ELI now playing ising
• FROM THE PRODUCER OF CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGONTHE DIRECTED BY KENJI TAA "ONE OF THE BEST ACTION FILMS OF THE DECADE" -CHRISTOPHER CROSS, ASYNCHRONOUS MEDIA
• West SideURBAN WE DON'T JUST WRITE ABOUT URBAN CULTURE... WE LIVE IT
• ANDREW KOJISTREET FIGHTER ONLY IN THEATRES
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• THE DEBTWritten by Paul Laurence Dunbari This is the debt I pay Just for one riotous day, Years of regret and grief, Sorrow without relief. Pay it I will to the end— Until the grave, my friend, Gives me a true release— Gives me the clasp of peace. Slight was the thing I bought, Small was the debt I thought, Poor was the loan at best— God! but the interest!
• MINSTREL MANWritten by Langston Hughes Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think I suffer after I have held my pain So long. Because my mouth Is wide with laughter, You do not hear My inner cry, Because my feet Are gay with dancing, You do not know I die.
• THE BARRIERWritten by Claude McKay I must not gaze at them although Your eyes are dawning day; I must not watch you as you go Your sun-illumined way; I hear but I must never heed The fascinating note, Which, fluting like a river reed, Comes from your trembling throat; I must not see upon your face Love’s softly glowing spark; For there’s the barrier of race, You’re fair and I am dark.
• IF YOU EVER WONDERWritten by Be'n Original Sometimes I wonder I wonder about your name The softness of your skin The taste of your lips The wet warmth of your depths I want to find and lose myself in you I just want to hold you Until the sun finds us Still wrapped in the essence Of what our love could be Hoping for the day That you might find yourself Wondering about me
• restalineBUY AVE E ONE WAY
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• BUYERS GUIDEFUJIFILM INSTAX MINI EVO INSTANT CAMERA Bridging the gap between analog nostalgia and digital convenience, this hybrid camera features tactile vintage dials that switch between 10 lens and 10 film effects. You can preview and edit your shots on the rear display before printing, or instantly turn your smartphone camera roll into physical film keepsakes via Bluetooth.
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• BOSE QUIETCOMFORT HEADPHONESThe gold standard in personal audio, engineered to shut out city chaos through industry-leading noise isolation and adjustable wind-blocking modes. With an ultra-plush, featherlight headband and deep, customizable bass via companion EQ controls, they provide unmatched all-day comfort whether you are editing audio or catching a flight. Price: $199.00 https://amzn.to/4iB5gZM
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• NEEWER CM28 PRO WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMUpgrade your audio with this professional Wireless Lavalier Microphone System. Featuring two transmitters and one receiver in a portable charging case, it delivers up to 9 hours of battery life and a 656ft (200m) stable range. Each compact mic includes 4GB internal storage for standalone 48kHz WAV recording, one-click active noise canceling, and magnetic mounting. Universally compatible with iPhones, Android devices, cameras, and laptops—making it the ultimate audio kit for creators. Price: $89.99 https://amzn.to/4zHl4AB
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• KENNETH COLE REACTION MANHATTAN LEATHER 15.6" LAPTOP BRIEFCASECrafted from luxurious full-grain Colombian cowhide, this expandable leather portfolio ages beautifully with daily use. The tear-resistant interior features padded sleeves for a 15.6" laptop and tablet, built-in file dividers, and RFIDblocking pockets to protect credit cards and passports. Designed for effortless travel, it expands up to 6.5 inches deep and includes a luggage trolley strap and a removable 52-inch padded shoulder strap for maximum comfort and professional style. Price: $159.99 https://amzn.to/4h3V8qn
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• Jordan Brand Unveils the Air Jordan 41 With New techJordan Brand is set to release the Air Jordan 41, the latest model in its signature basketball shoe line, with a limited launch in China on Aug. 28 before a global release. The new shoe is designed around speed, responsiveness, and stability while moving away from some of the traditional materials used in past Air Jordan models. Jordan Brand said the 41 was developed with feedback from Michael Jordan, professional and college players, and athletes in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League. “The Air Jordan 41 is a statement about where Jordan Brand is headed,” Jordan Brand President Sarah Mensah said. She said the shoe carries on the company’s history while being designed for athletes who are shaping the future of basketball. One of the biggest changes is the shoe’s nano print mesh upper. The lightweight woven material is meant to improve breathability and support while helping players stay secure during cuts and changes of direction. “With the 41, we wanted to create an upper that could move with the athlete and feel lighter without sacrificing the containment and confidence they need to play at their best,” said Leo Chang, senior creative director of basketball and sport for Jordan Brand. “What I love about 41 is that it lets me play my game without thinking about what’s on my feet,” Jordan Brand athlete Paolo Banchero said.
• Page 34www.urbanmag-online.com
• WILL FORTELANA CONDOR JOHN
• Page 36PARTMENT
• SWAT EXILES SNEAK PEEKDaniel “Hondo” Harrelson is tasked with leading his squad of young, untested officers on dangerous, high-stakes missions weekly cases that range from drug busts to hostage rescues to gang warfare – but beneath the action lies a darker setup: the team has been hand-picked to fail. As tensions flare and betrayals surface, Hondo must fight to hold the group together, even as his own leadership and sense of self are tested.
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• A NEW CRIME DRAMA FROM CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSONGHTLAND The real fight is outside the ring
• Page 50There is a question floating around social media that men seem to love asking women: “What do you bring to the table?” It is usually asked with a certain tone. Not from genuine curiosity, but from a place of judgment. As if a woman must present a list of qualifications before she can be considered worthy of love, commitment, protection, or respect. As if her value is something she must prove while the person questioning her offers nothing but a seat and an opinion. But let’s be clear. Women have always brought something to the table. In fact, women have been building the table, setting the table, feeding everyone at the table, and cleaning up after people who arrived with nothing but an appetite. Women bring life into this world. We raise children, maintain homes, build careers, earn degrees, create businesses, support dreams, manage crises, and carry responsibilities that often go unseen. We remember the appointments, the birthdays, the conversations, the details, and the things everyone else somehow forgets. We are expected to be soft enough to nurture, strong enough to survive, wise enough to advise, and independent enough not to need too much. Then, after doing all of that, someone still has the nerve to ask what we bring. A woman brings vision. She can see
• Page 51the possibility in something before it becomes successful. She can take an idea, a house, a family, or a relationship and help it grow into more. She brings emotional intelligence, creativity, intuition, patience, loyalty, and resilience. She brings the ability to create warmth in places that once felt empty. from a woman demanding an inventory of everything she brings. He is paying attention. He sees her character, her discipline, her heart, her intelligence, and the way she carries herself. He understands that a healthy relationship is not an audition. It is two whole people deciding what they can build together.
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• A NEW CRIME DRAMA FROM CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSONThe real fight is outside the ring FIGHTLAND
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• Page 56ahoj Management
• FROM JASONTHE DIRECTOR OF PLANE STATHAM
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• ASHIA MONTGOMERYAshia Montgomery discusses er experience finding love with Maxwell on 90 Day Fiancé, addressing their age difference, faith, doubting from family and viewer, cultural contrasts, and the complex visa process. Society often pressures women as they age to rush love, marriage, and family. What gave you the confidence to seek love on your own terms instead of yielding to that pressure? I feel like you just have to trust God and trust God’s timing. He orchestrates everything. He knows the beginning, the end — He knows it all. As long as you’re in His will, you’re patient and you’re prepared, I feel like God is going to do His part. He’s going to bring that man.
• Page 60eyes were open. I wanted to make sure this guy lined up with what he had been telling me. I watched how he treated people, how he treated the waitstaff, how he interacted with his friends and his family. We had such a short amount of time to spend together, so I was really paying attention. Between our similarities, our religion and seeing that his actions lined up with what he was saying, that meant a lot to me. Both your family and Maxwell’s family have questioned some of your decisions and the pace of the relationship. What was it like dealing with uncertainty from the people closest to you when you were hoping for their support? It’s annoying, because I’ve already made my decision. At that point, what you’re looking for is support. I feel like I’m intelligent. I feel like I have a lot of wisdom, and then I have God. I have a strong gift of discernment, so I know when something is right for me and when something is wrong for me. It’s aggravating when people who have known me all my life know that nine times out of 10, I make great decisions. Why would you think I would drop the ball on something so important? I know people talk about age, menopause and all of those things, but I wouldn’t rush into a decision because of my age or because of a fear that I might not be able to have children.
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• Page 63Out of everything, that has been the hardest thing to deal with. Has the difficulty with the visa changed how you and Maxwell approach your future? I think it has taught me to always have a solid Plan A, but also consider the what-ifs. And be prayed up. Originally, we were praying really, really hard about the situation. But as time went on, because the process took so long, we got comfortable. Instead of continuing to fast and pray that everything would work out, we became so confident that we were going to get an approval. So my thing now is: Always have a backup plan, and be prayed up.
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• Page 67GENIA Singer Genia discusses finding her voice, embracing vulnerability, and the personal journey behind her debut album, Intense Lover, a intimate project exploring love, passion, faith, and emotional growth.
• Page 68“YOU LOSE THINGS, YOU MAKE MISTAKES, YOU HAVE WINS AND YOU HAVE LOSSES.” I learned that being myself is the way. We're in the age of social media and in a generation that's really hell-bent on being cool and coming off as cool. I'm the opposite. I wasn't the cool person in school. So I had this realization: If that wasn't me to begin with, why do I feel the need to portray that? Being cool is being yourself at the end of the day. It's not, "I'm cool because I'm wearing this" or "I'm cool because I'm speaking on this." I think being cool is being raw and vulnerable. I realized that me being myself is enough to move the needle. I don't need to overdo it.
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• Georgia PeachSOME ROOTS RUN DEEPER THAN PAIN
• Page 71“I FEEL GREAT. I'M AN UP- AND-COMING ARTIST, AND IT'S BEEN NICE TO SEE THIS DISCOVERY HAPPENING.” vocals and in my tone. "For You," for me, is a very debut-type song. It's like, this is where I'm taking it, and this is just a taste of where it can go.
• Page 72UMA MARKETING
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• DAVION FARRISDavion Farris talks about his newly launched 13-track album Alchemy, the motivation behind the work, his development as a musician, and the recent experiences that influenced this fresh phase in his career. Where do you see your growth, both professionally and personally? Personally, I’m a bit more disciplined. I’ve cut back tremendously on smoking, which is a big thing for me personally and professionally because it affects my voice and my ability to perform consistently the way I’d like to. I’m glad about that. And, of course, I have my daughter, my baby girl, so I want to make sure I’m in good shape and able to do whatever is needed for my baby at any moment. That’s another part of the discipline. I’m taking better care of myself. I’m in better shape, and that goes a long way when you’re hitting the road and making sure we look and present ourselves the way we want to onstage. Musically, I feel like I’ve stretched out. I’ve used a lot more live musicians— whether it be guitar, horns, live bass, whatever. We pulled it all out this time around on the album, so I’m excited about that growth.
• Page 76“THIS ALBUM REPRESENTS MY GROWTH AS A PERSON, SO IT’S DEFINITELY VERY PERSONAL.” There aren’t many feelings like looking down into your baby girl’s eyes and having her look back at you like you’re her favorite thing in the world. That can inspire you, and it definitely has inspired me.
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• ACADEMY AWARD WINNERMAHERSHALA ALI YOUR MOTHER
• Page 79“I WANT THEM TO LEARN THE LESSON OF PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND BEING YOUR BEST SELF.” carried me through when the project was due, deadlines were coming, mixes had to be finished, and everything had to be right. It can get tiring. But understanding that I’m part of her legacy—and that I have a duty, so to speak, to put this music out, share it, and help continue her legacy—gave me inspiration to draw from.
• ACADEMY AWARD WINNEREMMY NOMINEE ZOE SALDAÑA MICHAEL KELLY M
• ACADEMY AWARD WINNERACADEMY AWARD WINNER ORGAN FREEMAN NICOLE KIDMAN
• Page 82LU? FOUNDATION
• Page 83PUS OF AMERICA
• erika bryantApproaching 50, erika bryant (intentionally lowercased) isn’t simply marking a milestone—she’s claiming the fullness of a life built by betting on herself, taking up space, and refusing to let fear have the final word. For more than two decades, bryant has moved through music, television, producing, writing, and entrepreneurship with an unwavering belief in the power of people and story. Along the way, she has turned curiosity into creativity, obstacles into opportunity, and fear into fuel. Her philosophy is simple and hard-earned: “Fear is my muse.” As erika bryant prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday, her forthcoming *Doing It Scared in Love & Relationships* carries special meaning. She calls it “literally a 50th birthday gift to myself”—a personal exploration of vulnerability, intimacy, ambition, and the courage to believe women can have both a fully realized life and fully realized love. This chapter feels less like reinvention than arrival: a woman standing firmly in her voice, purpose, softness, and power.
• Page 85Photographer: Castro
• Page 86“DON'T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A TALENT, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE.” When you think about the time you were making roughly a hundred dollars a day as a production assistant and wondering whether this career would work out, what would you tell her today? I tell her to follow the passion, not the money. I feel like when you follow your passion, that usually means your purpose is wrapped up in there too. When you follow that, the money eventually comes. It may not come in a dump truck all at once, but what you gain over time is adaptability. You get better at your craft, and you grow as a person. I think we are the sum of all the things that we experience and go through. I would tell her to stick with it. It gets better on the other side. Don't give up on yourself because you actually have a talent, and it's going to take you somewhere. Your gifts will make room for you.
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• Page 88Cover/Last Image by: Quby Makeup by : Nichole Ray Hair by: Greg Gilmore Other Images by: Castro Makeup by: Nichole Ray Styled by: Baldwin Virgin Hair by : Teresa Gray.
• Page 89lessons when it comes to managing up, managing down, and dealing with a corporate structure. I worked at Sony for almost two years in development during the pandemic after Holly Jacobs brought me in from the field as a showrunner. It was an important experience because it showed me how much I already knew. As a producer, I had spent years working directly with talent, writing scripts, beat sheets, network materials, and show bibles. At Sony, I realized I understood the craft more deeply than I had given myself credit for. I've been an entrepreneur since 2012. When you become a freelancer in the television business, you are an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, you have to fight for yourself. You have to bet on yourself. I respect the structure, but I find my own lane. I think that's what's been key for me. For Black women entering TV and film now, the industry has changed but barriers remain. What advice do you wish you'd had before your first production? Take up space. I wish someone had told me to take up space. Some things haven't changed, which is why entrepreneurs like me are trying to create opportunities for other women of color. There's usually maybe one or two of us in the space, in the room. Coming up, I was afraid to take up space. As I grew in my craft, I began to use my voice more. I remember being a PA on a Pussycat Dolls show and noticing something onstage that seemed off. I mentioned it to showrunner Brooke Karzen, and she told me, 'You're going to be an amazing executive producer one day.' Had I stayed quiet, I might never have received that encouragement or allowed her to see something in me that I couldn't yet see in myself. Years later, when I became a showrunner, I reminded her of that moment. It never left me. At the time, I didn't even know what an executive producer really did; I just knew they were at the top of the call sheet.
• Page 90and the people creating it. What have you learned about leading teams? I've learned to handle everybody with grace. We're all going through something in our own walks of life. Yes, we have a larger mandate at hand: to do the job and deliver for our bosses. We're serving many masters and pleasing many chiefs, if you will. I think it's about giving grace and leading with compassion, while also being teachable. Just because I'm a leader doesn't mean I know everything. It means we're a team. Just like a fist, you need your thumb and your pinky to make a true fist. You pack less of a punch if you don't. I learn from my staff all the time, from a PA to a supervising producer to a co-EP. When everyone approaches the work with that openness, it creates a better experience. I also like to have fun at work. We get to create television and content; it should be enjoyable. The job requires you to pivot, think quickly, and find solutions. In the original Doing It Scared, you described fear as something that can signal growth rather than something to avoid. After everything you've accomplished since writing that book, how has your relationship with fear changed? Fear is my muse. My relationship with fear has changed in the sense that I lean in heavier now. I see fear as this mountain that looks insurmountable. But if you approach the mountain and lean into that fear—not avoid it, not ignore it, but walk toward it—on the other side of that fear is the unlived version of ourselves. With this book, I leaned heavily into things I feared. They say, 'Be careful what you pray for.' I knew the title before I knew the content, and then life happened. Over about 18 to 24 months, I experienced some of the hardest lows and some of the highest moments, including getting married. I feel like God never gives us more than we can handle. If you're willing to do the work and lean into the fear, you really do come out on the other side a better-lived version of yourself. By conquering that mountain of fear, when you get to the summit, the blessings are there.
• DAKARI ELIIN & OUT
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• Page 93into. We have a mother, a father, siblings, risk being hurt when you open yourself to friendships, and, for some, marriage love. But if you're unwilling to risk being and other relationships throughout hurt, you're also unwilling to be loved. life. Relationships truly help shape us, Vulnerability means giving someone the probably more so than the other parts of power to hurt you, and leaning into that our lives. This is a book for everyone, and fear is part of the equation. I want everyone to read it, but it's really a gift to women.
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