Leading Urban Magazine’s July issue is actor Shamon Brown Jr., who reflects on his eight-season journey portraying Stanley “Papa” Jackson on Showtime’s The Chi as the acclaimed series enters its final season.
Brown discusses growing up on screen, the emotional evolution of his character, expanding into music and entrepreneurship, voicing Michelangelo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and his long-term goal of creating films and opportunities for the next generation.
The issue also features actress Nadège August, who opens up about the evolution of Joan on Tyler Perry’s Ruthless, a role that grew from a recurring appearance into a series regular. August discusses her work across television, theater, podcasting, and writing, as well as becoming a certified intimacy coordinator and the value of creating authentic, multidimensional characters.
Readers will also meet recording artist Lady Shakespeare, who shares how personal loss, cultural identity, and resilience shaped her latest music. She discusses her singles “Tentación” and “No Pressure,” her upcoming album, and blending influences from Baltimore, the Bahamas, reggae, hip-hop, and Latin music into a sound that reflects her own artistic vision.
Another featured interview spotlights filmmaker Majella Mark, whose documentary Connecticut Fault Lines examines healthcare disparities, economic inequality, and community resilience in Hartford. Mark discusses preserving overlooked Black histories, documenting lived experiences, and using film to encourage conversations about equity and public policy.
The issue also highlights Sharonda Sikes, vice president of operations for the Sickle Cell Community Consortium, who discusses Warrior Con ’26 and the organization’s mission to educate, empower, and advocate for individuals living with sickle cell disease. Sikes explains the importance of patient-centered leadership, mental health, accessible care, and building stronger partnerships between families, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
In addition, the issue also includes coverage of JAY-Z’s record-setting concert run at Yankee Stadium, a curated buyers guide featuring the latest lifestyle and tech products, and a poetry section celebrating both contemporary and classic voices.
From television and film to music, health advocacy, and documentary storytelling, Urban Magazine’s latest issue offers readers conversations with creators and leaders whose work continues to influence culture and inspire meaningful change.
