Belle-Noir.com::What A Man!

	Cover Story:: What A Man! We put out the call:Belle-Noir.com was looking for a few good men. You responded in a BIG way! While we know that this is just a small sample of the men who are Plus Size Admirers, we want to introduce you to some of our favorite "Mighty, Mighty Good Men" as we debut our new column, What A Man! JNESS aka Jean Ness Hometown: Originally from Brooklyn, NY now in Moorestown, NJ His company in his words: "My communication design firm is called JNESS GRAPHICS (JNG), and has two primary functions. The first part is Scarlet BBW Art Gallery ( http://www.scarletbbwart.com) which is an online collection of my illustrations that show positive reflections of the plus-sized community. My art strategically combats the negative stereotypes that exist against people of size. The second function of JNG is to serve the Entrepreneur. My firm is prepared to create the visual collateral necessary to either create the identity of a ground level business, or propel an already functioning business into a greater level of marketability and branding strength. Especially, but not limited to BBW (Big Beautiful Women) related business." Why we love him: Besides being our resident Cover Artist since issue one way back in 2003, this family man has a way of using a pen, ink and his computer to make us look digitally beautiful. In a time where a lot of BBW art is aimed at pleasing the male eye alone, his art, along with that of Nigel Morgan (see below), can be appreciated and respected by both men and women. Must check out: His BBW Superheroes and all of the Belle-Noir.com covers on his website, www.scarletbbwart.com.
Glen L. Johnson Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas His company in his words: "Owner/Operator of Full Figure Network, Inc. I have a goal of helping plus size women and big and tall men navigate through the confusing world of online fashion, lingerie, modeling and size acceptance. Taking advantage of the popularity of blogging I created Full Figure Plus which concentrates on plus size fashion, and Curvy Silhouettes, which deals with the plus size modeling industry." Why we love him: For being a man in what is often considered a female-dominated arena, Glen has taken notice of what women want and has created two thriving blogs. Glen has been a contributor to Belle-Noir.com since 2003 and was part of the group where Belle-Noir first was conceived. Must check out: His blog on Wardrobe Basics for items that should be in every BBW closet, regardless of season at FullFigurePlus.com.
Hotep Hometown: Long Island, NY but currently lives in ATL His company in his words: "The Venus Revolution: A multi-media exotic art and culture movement. The VENUS REVOLUTION is a first of its kind, multi-media art exhibit series displaying voluptuous, "full-figured" women with amazing adornments. The series includes: art, photography, film, poetry and live figure modeling. The exhibit was created to provide a contemporary vision of a forgotten historical figure known as The Hottentot Venus". Why we love him: Look up the word "hustle" in the Dictionary, and there will be a picture of Hotep right there (undoubtedly how he earned the nickname Hustle Simmons). This author, educator, filmmaker and musician is bringing class to the saying "Baby Got Back". The exhibit, as he says, serves to "educate, empower, and most importantly, create a shift in dominant cultures ideas of beauty and size". Must check out: Venus Lives, the documentary about the Venus Revolution Exhibit and Violets are Blue, the second exhibit in the Venus Revolution series at www.venusrevolution.com.
Nigel Morgan Hometown: Bronx, New York His Company in his words: "The art of Nigel Morgan provides images of full-figured beauty in the form of original artworks, prints and greeting cards. The purpose of my artwork is to empower and uplift the beauty, spirit and essence of full-figured women. It is my sincere hope that women appreciate their gift from God while recognizing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.I feel honored to bring forth this vision which God has placed in me." Why we love him: From his moving photography to his colorful and whimsical artwork, Nigel Morgan paints us in a light that should make us all want to shine our brightest. It's one of the reasons why organizations like Curvesity Inc and Bigger and Better Thangs Entertainment have called on him to design their logos, and why we can't wait to see what is up next for this talented graphic designer and photographer. Must check out: Summer Breeze, a favorite of Editor Ms. Aja B. and the other beautiful works of art at www.nigelmorganart.com.
Michael Stagg aka Mike Tribe Hometown: Chicago, IL His Company in his words: "Externally, Project: VOLUPTUA™ provides a positive means to showcase voluptuous women doing great things in the entertainment industry.The real scope of the program encompasses startingprograms to promote health and well being to obese men, teens and women. It will also serve as a platform to effect change in the fashion industry by producing events that cater strictly to our target audience - the woman with curves and the men that admire them!" Why we love him: Mike is one of a several up and coming event producers who are throwing out the idea that all plus size women want to do is party. He, like other men across the country, is finding the big, beautiful women in his city and putting them in advertising, on the runway in fashion shows, and doing it with class and style. He is also currently serving as an Executive Committee member of the upcoming Real Women Summit, taking place in Chicago in 2008. Must check out: His gorgeous models at myspace.com/voluptuatribe.
Jadox Hometown: Bay City, TX; presently based in Los Angeles, CA His Company in his words: Underground hip-hop artist whose lyrics are especially for BBW, one of only a handful of "size positive" rap/hip-hop artists. Why we love him: Why listen to those other rappers call women the B-word and garden tools when you can listen to Jadox rap about how much he loves you, Big Girl? A mix of original beats and those from some of your favorite club bangers, Jadox's music will get every plus size woman who loves to shake her thang on the dancefloor moving. Must check out: This is Why She's Hot, from his Big Girl Proof Mix CD as well as his Big Girl Theory EP. Learn more about Jadox and where to purchase his music at www.myspace.com/jadox.
KL the Writer Hometown: South Jamaica, Queens and Penns Grove, New Jersey His Company in his words: "I cater to plus size women through my talents of poem and story writing. I used to create erotic stories where my characters were clearly crafted so the reader knew they were plus size women. I have changed my style of writing, but not my focus. Plus size women are still the inspirations for my work when I create my stories. Romance and spiritual creations are my way of expressing my appreciation and love of plus sized women." Why we love him: Not only is this educator a talented poet and author, he is one of those men who admits to having changed his ways, found God and the love of his life, an up and coming plus size model. Proof positive that Big Love is the best love. Must check out: His poem, Big Girl, being featured in the welcome return of Phat Poetry to Belle-Noir.com, and more of his writing at his blog, www.myspace.com/klthewriter.
Honorable Mentions: Special shout outs also go to.... Keir Walker, CEO of Plus Size in the City Allen Steadham, Director, International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) Luke Jones, Photographer, LucasPictures Did we miss your favorite admirer? Let us know about him, and we could feature him in our new "What A Man!" column in each issue. Email us at editor@belle-noir.com today!

Cover Story:: What A Man!
We put out the call:Belle-Noir.com was looking for a few good men. You responded in a BIG way! While we know that this is just a small sample of the men who are Plus Size Admirers, we want to introduce you to some of our favorite "Mighty, Mighty Good Men" as we debut our new column, What A Man!

JNESS aka Jean Ness
Hometown: Originally from Brooklyn, NY now in Moorestown, NJ

His company in his words: "My communication design firm is called JNESS GRAPHICS (JNG), and has two primary functions. The first part is Scarlet BBW Art Gallery ( http://www.scarletbbwart.com) which is an online collection of my illustrations that show positive reflections of the plus-sized community. My art strategically combats the negative stereotypes that exist against people of size. The second function of JNG is to serve the Entrepreneur. My firm is prepared to create the visual collateral necessary to either create the identity of a ground level business, or propel an already functioning business into a greater level of marketability and branding strength. Especially, but not limited to BBW (Big Beautiful Women) related business."

Why we love him: Besides being our resident Cover Artist since issue one way back in 2003, this family man has a way of using a pen, ink and his computer to make us look digitally beautiful. In a time where a lot of BBW art is aimed at pleasing the male eye alone, his art, along with that of Nigel Morgan (see below), can be appreciated and respected by both men and women.

Must check out: His BBW Superheroes and all of the Belle-Noir.com covers on his website, www.scarletbbwart.com.

Glen L. Johnson
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

His company in his words: "Owner/Operator of Full Figure Network, Inc. I have a goal of helping plus size women and big and tall men navigate through the confusing world of online fashion, lingerie, modeling and size acceptance. Taking advantage of the popularity of blogging I created Full Figure Plus which concentrates on plus size fashion, and Curvy Silhouettes, which deals with the plus size modeling industry."

Why we love him: For being a man in what is often considered a female-dominated arena, Glen has taken notice of what women want and has created two thriving blogs. Glen has been a contributor to Belle-Noir.com since 2003 and was part of the group where Belle-Noir first was conceived.

Must check out: His blog on Wardrobe Basics for items that should be in every BBW closet, regardless of season at FullFigurePlus.com.

Hotep
Hometown: Long Island, NY but currently lives in ATL

His company in his words: "The Venus Revolution: A multi-media exotic art and culture movement. The VENUS REVOLUTION is a first of its kind, multi-media art exhibit series displaying voluptuous, "full-figured" women with amazing adornments. The series includes: art, photography, film, poetry and live figure modeling. The exhibit was created to provide a contemporary vision of a forgotten historical figure known as The Hottentot Venus".

Why we love him: Look up the word "hustle" in the Dictionary, and there will be a picture of Hotep right there (undoubtedly how he earned the nickname Hustle Simmons). This author, educator, filmmaker and musician is bringing class to the saying "Baby Got Back". The exhibit, as he says, serves to "educate, empower, and most importantly, create a shift in dominant cultures ideas of beauty and size".

Must check out: Venus Lives, the documentary about the Venus Revolution Exhibit and Violets are Blue, the second exhibit in the Venus Revolution series at www.venusrevolution.com.

Nigel Morgan
Hometown: Bronx, New York

His Company in his words: "The art of Nigel Morgan provides images of full-figured beauty in the form of original artworks, prints and greeting cards. The purpose of my artwork is to empower and uplift the beauty, spirit and essence of full-figured women. It is my sincere hope that women appreciate their gift from God while recognizing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.I feel honored to bring forth this vision which God has placed in me."

Why we love him: From his moving photography to his colorful and whimsical artwork, Nigel Morgan paints us in a light that should make us all want to shine our brightest. It's one of the reasons why organizations like Curvesity Inc and Bigger and Better Thangs Entertainment have called on him to design their logos, and why we can't wait to see what is up next for this talented graphic designer and photographer.

Must check out: Summer Breeze, a favorite of Editor Ms. Aja B. and the other beautiful works of art at www.nigelmorganart.com.

Michael Stagg aka Mike Tribe
Hometown: Chicago, IL

His Company in his words: "Externally, Project: VOLUPTUA™ provides a positive means to showcase voluptuous women doing great things in the entertainment industry.The real scope of the program encompasses startingprograms to promote health and well being to obese men, teens and women. It will also serve as a platform to effect change in the fashion industry by producing events that cater strictly to our target audience - the woman with curves and the men that admire them!"

Why we love him: Mike is one of a several up and coming event producers who are throwing out the idea that all plus size women want to do is party. He, like other men across the country, is finding the big, beautiful women in his city and putting them in advertising, on the runway in fashion shows, and doing it with class and style. He is also currently serving as an Executive Committee member of the upcoming Real Women Summit, taking place in Chicago in 2008.

Must check out: His gorgeous models at myspace.com/voluptuatribe.

Jadox
Hometown: Bay City, TX; presently based in Los Angeles, CA

His Company in his words: Underground hip-hop artist whose lyrics are especially for BBW, one of only a handful of "size positive" rap/hip-hop artists.

Why we love him: Why listen to those other rappers call women the B-word and garden tools when you can listen to Jadox rap about how much he loves you, Big Girl? A mix of original beats and those from some of your favorite club bangers, Jadox's music will get every plus size woman who loves to shake her thang on the dancefloor moving.

Must check out: This is Why She's Hot, from his Big Girl Proof Mix CD as well as his Big Girl Theory EP. Learn more about Jadox and where to purchase his music at www.myspace.com/jadox.

KL the Writer
Hometown: South Jamaica, Queens and Penns Grove, New Jersey

His Company in his words: "I cater to plus size women through my talents of poem and story writing. I used to create erotic stories where my characters were clearly crafted so the reader knew they were plus size women. I have changed my style of writing, but not my focus. Plus size women are still the inspirations for my work when I create my stories. Romance and spiritual creations are my way of expressing my appreciation and love of plus sized women."

Why we love him: Not only is this educator a talented poet and author, he is one of those men who admits to having changed his ways, found God and the love of his life, an up and coming plus size model. Proof positive that Big Love is the best love.

Must check out: His poem, Big Girl, being featured in the welcome return of Phat Poetry to Belle-Noir.com, and more of his writing at his blog, www.myspace.com/klthewriter.

Honorable Mentions: Special shout outs also go to....

Keir Walker, CEO of Plus Size in the City
Allen Steadham, Director, International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA)
Luke Jones, Photographer, LucasPictures

Did we miss your favorite admirer? Let us know about him, and we could feature him in our new "What A Man!" column in each issue. Email us at editor@belle-noir.com today!