Perception Magazine (2025)

05/08/2025

is a powerhouse—and a sister who carries us all with her. ❤️

From the unforgettable Lovita Alizé Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show to the creator, director, and star of Miss Governor, Terri’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. She’s not just telling stories—she’s lifting up Black women who have too often been unseen and unheard.

“I want to make sure we are seen, respected, and honored,” she says, and that mission shines through everything she does.

Miss Governor isn’t just a show—it’s a celebration of real Black women’s strength, humor, and complexity, told with love and unapologetic truth.

Terri’s work reminds us that when Black women bet on themselves, we all win. And this moment? It’s been ours all along.

Here’s to Terri J. Vaughn, to Black women breaking barriers, and to stories that finally reflect our truth.

11/07/2025

“Don’t call it a comeback. Call it a reintroduction.”

We honor,
on the cover of Perception Magazine—actor, producer, author, spiritual teacher, and now Off-Broadway performer. From the pulpit to prime time, DeVon is in his “re-presenting era,” boldly stepping into every facet of who he’s created to be.

“I just want to explore all that I am created to be, and I want others to do the same.”

Known for bringing faith-filled stories to the screen, DeVon is now in the spotlight—challenging perceptions, embracing vulnerability, and showing us what it means to grow out loud.
From his layered role in Divorced Sistas to his raw, one-man show about healing and truth, DeVon is proving that strength looks like honesty, and purpose is found in authenticity.

“Vulnerability leads to victory. And I hope this can be a model—for men, for Black men—to say, ‘It’s okay to feel. It’s okay to be seen.’”

Read the full cover story at the link in bio.

We honor DeVon not just for what he creates, but for how boldly he lives his truth—and inspires others to do the same.

09/07/2025

Our Cover Girl

Box office queen, island icon, and original big sis—

Tia Carrere is back in the building.

More than two decades after giving voice to Nani in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Carrere returns in the live-action reboot—this time on screen as Mrs. Kekoa, a no-nonsense, all-heart social worker guiding ohana through chaos, loss, and love.

“I originally wanted to play Tutu,” Tia laughs, “but Mrs. Kekoa ended up being such a lovely part.” And lovely she is. Rooted in compassion, layered in truth, and grounded in culture, Carrere’s performance is a masterclass in heart—a beacon of love and light in a film that’s already broken box office records.

And the film?

Breaking records. Dominating summer.
Already the highest-grossing movie of the year!

From Cassandra in Wayne’s World to Grammy wins, whale shark dives, and now mentoring the next generation in Lilo & Stitch Live-Action—this is a full-circle moment we’ll be replaying for years to come!

Mahalo, Tia, for showing us the power of aloha, onscreen and off.

Ohana forever.

07/05/2025

is all heart.

And when he talks about acting, you feel it.

“I love what I do. I really love it,” he told us — and it’s more than a passion. It’s a calling. You see it in the way he moves through a scene. The way he listens. The way even his silences speak.

As Zeke Wallace on Found, Arlen gives us a character who’s brilliant, anxious, private — and quietly essential. A genius behind the screen, behind the mask, trying to make sense of a world that often doesn’t.

“It’s like threading a needle emotionally,” he said. “You want to honor his anxiety, his coping mechanisms, without reducing him to them.”

There’s no grandstanding. No need to prove. Just presence. Precision. Purpose.

And that’s who Arlen is, too — grounded, thoughtful, all in. Whether he’s talking about the love that first pulled him into acting as a kid, or the moment he chose to leap and never look back, there’s clarity in his journey. And perseverance in how he’s walked it.

“You can’t just ride the wave of ‘what’s meant for me is meant for me,’” he told us. “You’ve got to stay awake. That’s where the real growth happens.”
Arlen’s story isn’t just about talent. It’s about heart, stillness, and showing up — even when no one’s watching.

17/04/2025

This is

Bold. Grounded. Unapologetically Real.

She’s not chasing fame—she’s chasing truth and imperfect stories!

“I don’t pursue perfection. I pursue honesty.”

“I was always most inspired by people who didn’t seem so perfect.”

Raised in the Bronx. Built by grit.
Acting classes between diaper changes.
Scripts at midnight.
No shortcuts. No fairy tales.

“I knew once I had this baby, I’d get in shape and head straight to L.A.”

Because this isn’t just for them—it’s for her kids.

“When your kids see you going after your dreams, it gives them confidence in their own.”

Now? She’s here.

Starring as Nia Washington on Pulse—a paramedic with sharp edges and a softer core, she doesn’t owe anyone.

“This is the first role where I didn’t have to pull inspiration from others,” Ash says.
“I just pulled from myself.”

You’ll want to remember her name.

Because Ash Santos is not just rising—she’s becoming.

Cover Credits
Photographer: Maya Fraser

Stylist: Sophia Holmes

MUA: Briana Smith

14/04/2025

is a powerhouse—and everything she touches turns to gold.

But this time? History was made. With the groundbreaking production of Othello, Kandi and her team shattered records, grossing $2.8 million in a single week during previews—making it the highest-grossing play in Broadway history.

“This is a dream come true,” she told me. “To bring Othello back to Broadway in such a groundbreaking way is beyond anything I could have imagined.”
But for Kandi, this wasn’t just about putting on a play. It was about impact. Representation. Legacy.

“I wasn’t just hitting the late-night talk shows,” she said. “I was going on syndicated Black radio, making sure our community knew—this is for us, too. This show is for everybody.”

And that mindset? It's why she keeps winning. From The Wiz to The Piano Lesson to Thoughts of a Colored Man, she doesn’t just show up—she shows out for the culture.

“We represent excellence,” Kandi says. “And with every show, we push it even further.”

With Denzel Washington as Othello, Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago, and direction from Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, this futuristic reimagining of Othello (set in 2028!) became more than a play—it became a movement.

“We’re not just participating in Broadway,” Kandi told me. “We’re redefining it.”

And redefine it she did.

Digital Cover Credit:
Photographer: Dean Foreman
Stylist: Daniel Hawkins

11/04/2025

shines bright in Suits: LA

In our recent conversation with Suits: LA star Lex Scott Davis, she breaks down what it means to take control, take space, and take no prisoners as Erica Rollins—a legal strategist who doesn’t just enter the room, she owns it.

“She’s not just here to play by the rules—she’s here to rewrite them,”

“Erica understands that power isn’t just about winning cases—it’s about controlling the board,” Davis told us. And she’s not alone. Suits: LA isn’t just rebooting a franchise—it’s flipping the script with smart, fearless women calling the shots from the top down.

“This is a show where women aren’t reacting to what’s happening around them—they’re making the big moves.”

Davis embodies that shift with precision and presence, bringing a character to life who’s sharp, strategic, and always thinking ten steps ahead.

“When Erica walks into a room, you know she’s there for a reason.”

With Suits: LA, women are no longer waiting to be given power—they’re seizing it. And with Davis leading the charge, we’re more than ready for this new era.

03/04/2025

is entering his Leading Man era in First Christmas Home.

‘I feel like I'm working in God's favor. I feel very blessed and anointed.’ – Shawn Wells

He is proving that patience, persistence, and purpose pave the way for greatness.

Rather than chasing every opportunity, Shawn took a step back, mapped out his vision, and made intentional choices that aligned with his goals. That focus and discipline are what brought him to this moment.

He would like to give special thanks to for believing in him and creating this incredible opportunity.

Photo Credits
Photographer:
Posing/Coordination:
Styling:

25/03/2025

Catching Up With is like chatting with a best friend you haven’t seen in a while—real, raw, and full of life lessons.

“Fear’s just false evidence appearing real, right? It’s like friction—it helps the rubber meet the road, helps you gain momentum.”

Sitting down with was more than just a conversation—it was a deep dive into faith, fear, and the moments that define us.

From The Young and the Restless to S.W.A.T., and most notably as Sam Owen in The Oval, Walter’s journey is a testament to resilience. “I don’t move until I feel like God says move. You don’t cross the sea till it parts, right?” His story reminds us that success isn’t about avoiding the storm—it’s about learning how to sail through it.

Through military life, late-night shifts, and unwavering belief, he’s carved a path that’s uniquely his. “Man, I had everything—good pay, crazy work schedule—but my soul? It wanted more.” And that leap of faith? It made all the difference.

His journey is still being written, and trust—his best chapters are yet to come.

Photography
Stylist

21/03/2025

shines as Nina in Poppa’s House.

"Family, love, and laughter—Nina is the glue that holds it all together."

In Poppa’s House, Tetona Jackson brings warmth, humor, and authenticity to the role of Nina, redefining what it means to be a modern Black mother on TV. Balancing love, career, and family, Nina is more than just a supportive wife—she’s a woman with depth, personality, and a story of her own.

“It’s such an honor to bring that type of representation to the screen—a positive Black mother figure we don’t get that much of in sitcoms anymore,” Tetona shares.

From heartfelt parenting moments to the undeniable chemistry with her co-stars, Tetona embodies the beauty of balance—strength, fun, and a little bit of quirky charm. “She knows how to wrangle everyone in... but she’s also fun, and there’s an awkward quirkiness to her, which I love.”

But Poppa’s House isn’t just about the laughs—it’s about the real-life moments that make family what it is. The show explores the evolving dynamics of relationships, parenting struggles, and the power of communication. “It’s about growth, listening, and learning how to navigate family life together,” she explains.

For Tetona, landing this role on CBS feels like a full-circle moment. “I grew up watching sitcoms where family was at the heart of everything. To now be part of a show that brings that same warmth and relatability to audiences today—it’s surreal.”

With every episode, Poppa’s House continues to deliver heartwarming and hilarious moments, proving that family, love, and laughter will always be the foundation of great storytelling.

06/03/2025

"You have to know who you are first, and you can’t be afraid to discover who else you might be along the way,"

That journey of self-discovery is exactly what drew D.K. Uzoukwu to Louis in Clean Slate.

For Uzoukwu, bringing Louis to life meant breaking away from tired tropes.
"I didn’t want him to be some played-out trope. We’ve seen stories where DL guys are just ‘trade,’ but that’s not Louis. That’s not who he is on the page, and it’s not who I wanted him to be."

Instead, Uzoukwu shaped Louis as a fully realized person—funny, smart, and self-aware—grappling with what he chooses to share with the world while still holding space for love and friendship.

One scene that stood out to him immediately was a vulnerable conversation between Louis and Desiree in church.

“There’s this conversation in the church that just jumped off the page,” Uzoukwu says. “It felt so real, like I already knew these people.”

But it’s in the quiet moment that follows—when Louis finally shares his heartbreak with his mom—that the show delivers one of its most profound messages. For the first time, Louis finds not only a space to express his pain but the courage to be fully seen.

Acceptance, Clean Slate reminds us, isn’t just about how others see you—it’s about how you learn to see yourself.

With Clean Slate, Uzoukwu reminds us that q***r Black stories can hold joy, heartbreak, and humanity—all at once.

05/03/2025

Behind The Sound Music Spotlight: malia dishon & The Legacy of Organized Noize

Let’s talk about malia dishon—because if she’s not on your radar yet, she definitely should be. Growing up around legends like Outkast, Goodie Mob, and CeeLo Green, she wasn’t just watching history happen—she was living it. With Ray Murray (co-founder of Organized Noize) as her dad and music exec Dee Dee Hibler as her mom, it’s no surprise that music runs through her veins. But don’t get it twisted—malia isn’t just riding on legacy; she’s out here making waves of her own.

Her sound?
A perfect mix of dance, house, pop, R&B, and alternative that hits deep. Her latest single, King of Lies, is straight-up hypnotic—smooth, sultry, and packed with energy. And when she says The Dungeon Family is like actual family?

She means it. “Most people call them artists, but I call them my uncles,” she says. Talk about growing up in music royalty!

With an EP on the way, a sound that blends classic ATL vibes with something fresh, and a presence that commands attention, malia is proving she’s got next. Trust us—you don’t wanna sleep on her.

Perception Magazine

05/08/2025

11/07/2025

09/07/2025

07/05/2025

17/04/2025

14/04/2025

11/04/2025

03/04/2025

25/03/2025

21/03/2025

06/03/2025

05/03/2025

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