Contributors / Cast
Jamal Turner – Founder
Jamal Turner was a Grammy nominated hip hop artist before moving on to act in various film and television projects. Returning to his music roots, Jamal started “Act Like Ya News” a popular blog on which he used to comment on everything he believed was wrong with the music industry. With the help of a select group of industry professionals, Jamal expanded his blog to a full news blog site.
Today, Jamal oversees “EXPO” as it covers various topics from music to politics to the comic book industry.
Keisha Parks – Editor-In-Chief
A graduate of Howard University and award-winning writer most known for her books Hip-Hop Mannequins and The Statistics of Grief, Keisha has been a journalist for The Times and Rolling Stone.
Working with the writers, designers, and photographers of EXPO, Keisha sets the standards for quality coverage and ethical journalism.
Keisha is busy writing her third novel, Corporate Cleopatra, an examination of young Black female entrepreneurs.
Cassidy Chase – Creative Director
Cassidy started her career as “The Controlista” for Papa Razzi magazine, and was responsible for the expose on DJ Flo Killa’s sweatshop operation out of Red Hook, Brooklyn to produce his clothing line, KillaWear.
With a nose, eyes, and ears for great gossip and juicy stories, Cassidy gets her team of columnists and well-paid stalkers to rain on the parade of EXPO’s competition every day…by finding the train wrecks that you want to read about.
In her spare time, Cassidy shops. A lot.
Devin Cho – Gossip Columnist
Devin Cho is a notorious gossip blogger, respected and feared for his relentless, acerbic coverage of scandalous news and rumor concerning musicians, actors, and various other celebrities.
His controversial blog entries have earned both cheers and jeers for their snark, active “outing” of alleged closeted celebrities, and contribution to a 24-hour celebrity news culture across media platforms. He lives and works in New York City, and is a Gemini.
Eleanor Wakefield – Global Affairs Reporter
After rising up the ranks to become a Managing Editor at The Times, Eleanor left the newspaper business to become a frequent political commentator on CNN and a professional lecturer at universities throughout the United States.
Eleanor’s master plan of destroying the geopolitical status quo is moving at a decent pace, as she travels around the world to bring home stories that educate and entertain anyone who likes to read.
She does not buy clothing made in China, writes on a relic known as a “typewriter”, and loves Belgian chocolate.
Boris Ryskin – Staff Cartoonist
Boris Ryskin is a writer, illustrator and blogger perhaps best known as the Reuben award-winning creator of the NYC Today comic strip, WANNABES . In addition to his comic-book blog and illustration duties at EXPO, Boris Ryskin is currently nearing completion of his much-anticipated first graphic novel project, a science-fiction superhero fantasy tentatively titled BLOK8.
Vic Mancuso – Hollywood Expert
Someone called Vic Mancuso the next Brando. Somebody else said “Look out Colin Farrell!”.
You might call him the next big thing, but he prefers just “Vic”. When he’s not writing, directing, producing and starring in his next project, Vic finds time to bring his Hollywood expertise to his movie reviews at Expo.
Mario Vargas – Technology Guru
As the webmaster for Expo Weekly, Mario makes sure this website runs without a hitch. On slow days, he’s allowed to blog about the latest, greatest, and not so great gadgets and gizmos. Technology makes the world go round, and Mario’s motto is “the world is mine”.
Chad Tate – Sports Columnist
Chad Tate was a superstar NFL quarterback and endorsement darling, making millions on and even more off of the football field. However, his being tied to one particular product, the controversial and unfortunately titled, “CHAD TATE’S GUTBUSTER” made him the target of numerous lawsuits which resulted in a considerable financial and professional expense.
Fatima Said Ali – Advice Columnist
Once called “The Queen of Somaliwood” by Entertainment Weekly, Fatima went from being famous to infamous in a handful of years.
Her BET show, Fatima: Back From The Bottom, was the second highest-rated reality show for the network, and led Fatima to start an advice column for EXPO to help women navigate through love and business.
Fatima likes kickboxing, hates cooking, and is happily single.
Supporting Cast
DJFK – DJ-FLO KILLA
The former partner of EXPO founder Jamal Turner, DJFK is a well-known music producer who made his fortune by aping business models of successful people. With a clothing line, perfume, and reality show, among other creative franchises, DJFK expands his brand while being a target for rumors and controversy.
Will Bennett – Staff Photographer
As the staff photographer of EXPO, Will’s background in working for Kulture magazine has put him in favor with the hottest rappers and sexiest video vixens. Will does whatever it takes to get the best shot for the story, and uses his visual expertise to help shape the aesthetic of EXPO.
Emmanuel “Manny” Caballaro – “Top 40″ Rap Reporter
The brother of hip-hop producer Mercilus, Manny’s street cred has allowed him to get interviews for EXPO with the most infamous talents in the music biz. Manny has written for The Avenue magazine, and was a former foot model represented by The D’Arcy Agency.
Jill Clancy – “Underground” Rap Reporter
Jill is a respected author who has won awards for her books Destiny Undone and The Grinder Tour. She spotlights the underground scene for EXPO, profiling the people and works that deserve and need exposure.
Lil’ Yung – Cedric Young
Born in Atlanta, GA, Yung created a unique dance step and filmed his own YouTube video, which garnered millions of hits. Yung went on to make even more millions touring around the world, released four albums in a year and half, and these days mostly produces and guest raps on other artists’ songs.
