Kiahna Malloy is the incredible mastermind behind the popular bakery, Kreme and Krumbs, located at 147 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ. With her exceptional skills and passion for baking, she has created a haven for all dessert enthusiasts. 

From a young age, Kiahna showed a natural talent for creating mouthwatering treats. She decided to turn her passion into a business and opened Kreme and Krumbs, where she offers a wide range of delicious goodies that leaves customers craving for more. Kreme and Krumbs offer a variety of delicious desserts such as blackberry cheesecake, real chocolate and real vanilla, krumbstick (vanilla cream, chocolate covered waffle cone pieces, roasted peanuts), and Brookie (sweet cream, brownie pieces, chocolate chip kookies). They have something for every sweet tooth!

Kiahna’s bakery has gained immense popularity, thanks to the incredible taste and quality of her treats. Each cupcake, cookie, and pastry is made with love and attention to detail, ensuring that every bite is a heavenly experience.

What makes Kreme and Krumbs truly special is the warm inviting atmosphere that Kiahna has cultivated. She wanted to create a place where people could indulge in their sweet tooth while feeling like they're part of a community. And she has succeeded in doing just that!

Kiahna’s journey as an entrepreneur hasn’t been without its challenges. She faced various challenges, including securing funding, building a customer base, and managing the day-to-day operation of her business. However, her determination and passion have helped her overcome every obstacle along the way. Today, Kreme and Krumbs is a beloved bakery in the community, and Kiahna’s creations are adored by locals and visitors alike.

If you ever find yourself in Montclair, New Jersey, make sure to stop by Kreme and Krumbs. You won't be disappointed!

There's a wide variety of protective hairstyles, the fun thing about protective hairstyles is that they are constantly being re-invented and new patterns are created. Protective hairstyles help reduce hair from breakage, shedding, and tangling. They also promote hair growth and help maintain the health of your hair. The hairstyles mentioned are tailored for black individuals with more kinky, versatile, and coarse hair. In this article, we will dive into the history behind more commonly known hairstyles.

Box Braids

Box braids originated in South Africa and can be traced back to 3500 B.C. However the box braid hairstyle as we know of now can be dated back around 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used them as a method to hide graying hair, while also giving their hair more length. Types of Box braid designs/patterns would reveal key aspects of a woman's identity, implying their willingness to procreate, their ministry, priesthood, and other details. During that time period, they occasionally packed hair into fiber skull caps made of felt wool or even human hair so that it could be reused for a different event. To decorate their braids they would use jewels, beads, cowrie shells and other valuable objects.

Cornrows

Cornrows date back to as far as 3,000 B.C., originating in the Horn and West coasts of Africa. Early into the 1500’s this style was used as a form of communication amongst various African societies. These braids signified your tribe, marital status, wealth, religion, and more. These African tribes were later forced to migrate to the Americas and were enslaved, where their hair would be cut off, which alienated them from their relatives, homes, and their identities. When they grew back their hair they used their cornrows as a small way to start a rebellion and resistance for not allowing them to keep their heritage close. It was also used as a discreet way to communicate, using different patterns to speak in code. Slaves did this to avoid messages from getting into the wrong hands. 

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots are a lot less common than other protective hairstyles such as box braids and cornrows but its meaning is just as significant. It's common amongst many African regions to consider hair as a powerful extension of oneself, they believe it possesses a unique spiritual energy due to its proximity to the heavens. Bantu knots specifically originated from the Zulu Kingdom of Southern Africa, this is where its original lame "Zulu Knots" derive from. According to the South Africa History Organization (SAHO), the term "Bantu'' is used to describe around 300 to 600 ethnic groups within southern Africa that speak the Bantu language. While colonizing Southern Africa, the Dutch coined this word and used it in a derogatory manner. Like many other words though, the word "Bantu" has been reclaimed and is still widely used as its original intended meaning.

People from the Caribbean come from multiple different regions and races. One major region they come from is Africa. These countries are known as Black Caribbean countries. Some of these are Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.

The History:

A large number of Afro-Caribbeans are descended from African slaves who were brought to the islands to work on sugar plantations between the 15th and 19th centuries. They had different reasons why they wanted to move. Some were looking for better working conditions or a professional environment with more room for growth. Others seeked peace and  security from factors such as political instability, the threat of human trafficking, disease or natural disasters. Groups of people within this cluster share a variety of English, Dutch or French-based creole languages.

The Countries:

Afro-Caribbeans come from different countries. One is Haiti. Most black Caribbeans from Haiti are descendants of enslaved people brought to the U.S. to work on plantations. The other major Haitian migration happened in 1986, when natives escaped a three-decade-long dictatorship. Another country is the Dominican Republic. Black Caribbeans from the Dominican Republic make up the Hispanic community in the United States, after Cubans, Mexicans, and Salvadorans. The number of immigrants has grown exponentially over the last decade due to the political and economic upheaval in the Dominican Republic. To add on, Jamaica has a major Afro-Caribbean population within the US. The largest Jamaican population lives in New York and Florida. They have influenced many aspects of American culture from history, culinary feasts, and everyday life. Cuba is the next Afro-Caribbean destination. The United States has been a top destination for Cuban immigrants and Germany, Mexico, Canada, and Italy. Immigration started in the 1960s after Cuba’s U.S.-backed regime was ousted. The last destination to mention is Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidadians and Tobagonians also make up the Black Caribbeans living in the U.S. They consist of people born in Trinidad and Tobago of different ethnic, religious, and national origins. As such, they don’t equate their nationality to a specific ethnicity.The largest population of Trinidadians and Tobagonians live in New York City and others scattered in New Jersey, Maryland, and South Florida, among other states. Among these countries, there are many more to know. These were just a few. 

Celebrities 

There are celebrities known all over the world that are Afro-Caribbean. Some of these celebs are:

Kerry Washington- Jamaican

Naomi Campbell- Jamaican 

Zoe Saldana- Puerto Rican/Dominican 

Nicki Minaj- Trinidadian 

Rihanna- Bajan/Guyanese 

Beyonce- Bajan/Puerto Rican 

Bob Marley- Jamaican

Amanda Seales- Grenadian 

Overall:

On the whole, to be Afro-Caribbean, you don't need qualifications or a certificate. All you need is being ethnically from the Caribbean and having ancestors from Africa. As an Afro-Caribbean, you have amazing food, culture, etc. 

To see if your country is an Afro Carribean country click on this link. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AMe0l6_qxi1iPYgCV5-0hhjHk4McoTgj/view?usp=sharing 

Lovlee Art Studios is a business run by Lovlee Tang, an artist and proud mother of four. She specializes in Mixed Media Art, using a variety of natural, textured, and recycled elements.  With her business, she hopes to bring people of the community together to learn to express themselves through art. 

As the Children’s Art Director for the Bloomfield Recreation Department, she works exclusively with the Bloomfield and surrounding communities. In 2016-2017, she volunteered to instruct the Arts and Crafts indoor recess period at Demarest Elementary School. More recently, one of her adult events was held at BHS in December 2022 to help foster teacher collaboration and professional development. 

Lovlee Art Studios offers programs that range from toddler art classes that are sensory based to “Adult Paint & Sip” where adults get to learn art while sipping their favorite wine. Most of the classes are about $15 per session including an Anime Art Class, Sketch Night, Open Stage Night, and more. They also work with customers to plan corporate events or custom parties, fulfilling a creative need of the community.

Mr. Roach is a School Counselor here at Bloomfield High School. A big population of students at Bloomfield High School say he is kind, empowering, understanding, and passionate, and those are only the few words to describe him. Mr.Roach has brought some much positivity to BHS within only the few months he’s been working here. He is very appreciated by the students. Even those who don’t have him as a counselor get to form a bond with him as his personality is so bright and makes him easily approachable. 

Mr. Roach is a former Bloomfield High School student who played football during his high school career. After He graduated from BHS, he went to college to obtain his double Bachelors in Communications and Child Development & Family Relations from the University of Maine. Mr. Roach then went on to get his Masters in Art of Counseling. 

He expressed that he always wanted to work with the youth because he wanted to be able to help kids the way that someone helped him. Mr. Roach explains, “The person at the time who helped me was Coach Carter. He helped lead me to the most positive path”. Mr.Roach wants to be the cheerleader to the kids he counsels and interacts with. 

In addition to his main role as a counselor, he is also the advisor for the Black Student Union at Bloomfield High School. While he is not the founder of the club, he helped a student, Jayla James, bring her ideas to life for the Black Student Union. This club has become a safe space for many students and is very diverse. It allows black students and others to have a place to come and talk about serious situations, make vision boards, goal plans, talk about plans after high school, and how to be the change in the community they want to see. With the one year anniversary coming up, this club has achieved many accomplishments.  

Mr.Roach sets a great example for students to look further into their visions to make them come to life. “There is always room for improvement no matter how good the circumstances are,” said Roach. There's always room to help better the community and Mr. Roach, as much as he doesn't want to take a lot of credit for it, is a key player when it comes to this change.  He always tries to reach people and put them on the most positive path he can. He doesn’t just do this because it’s his job, but his set goal is to help the youth grow to be the best version of themselves so that they can also affect change.

Born on November 29, 1976 in Anderson, South Carolina, Chadwick Boseman was an African-American actor who is known for his portrayal of Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along with several other roles.

Boseman was best known for starring in movies, although his film career started when he was in high school. He attended T. L. Hanna High School, where he played on the basketball team. During his junior year, one of his teammates was shot and killed, and in response, Chadwick wrote his very first play called Crossroads. He graduated in 1995, but instead of choosing to play basketball, he chose the arts instead and attended Howard University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing. While attending college, he worked in an African-American oriented bookstore, which was important and inspirational to him. After college, Boseman lived in Brooklyn, New York City and worked in theater, both directing and starring in various productions. Chadwick's best known play would be Deep Azure, which received so much praise that Chadwick turned it into a screenplay. 

While being a playwright and stage actor earned him much success, Chadwick's first television role was in 2003 when he starred in an episode of Third Watch, and later starred in the daytime soap opera All My Children as Reggie Montgomery. When Boseman was given a script and learned that his character's parents were a drug addict and an absent father, he confronted the producers for stereotyping his character and was ultimately fired from the show. The role was recast with his future Black Panther co-star Michael B. Jordan.

Boseman's breakthrough role was in the biopic 42, where he played Jackie Robinson, the first black athlete to play in Major League Baseball during the modern era. When he auditioned for the role, he was considering giving up acting to pursue directing full-time. He was chosen for the role since director Brian Helgeland admired Boseman's decision to read the most difficult scene, where Robinson goes down a stadium tunnel and breaks a bat in anger. Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, commented that Boseman's performance was like seeing her husband again. Boseman starred in another biopic called Get On Up in 2014, where he portrayed singer James Brown, and also portrayed Thurgood Marshall in the biographical film Marshall in 2017. Marshall premiered at Howard University, which both Boseman and Marshall had attended.

Chadwick's involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe first began when he originally auditioned for the character of Drax in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy. The role went to WWE fighter Dave Bautista, but the audition helped him in securing the role of Black Panther. Chadwick would make his first appearance as T'Challa, the Black Panther, in Captain America: Civil War. When working on the movie, John Kani, who played his father, taught him the Nguni language of Xhosa, which is mainly spoken in South Africa. Boseman insisted on using the language for the character, as well as developing a Wakandan accent. He revealed that he more identified with the Black Panther's nemesis, Killmonger, knowing that his roots to his African past had been severed. The film would set up his character's solo movie, Black Panther, in 2018, which was a huge success. It became one of the highest grossing films and was the first superhero film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. It was widely acclaimed for having an almost all-Black cast and had cemented Chadwick's status as a first-rank movie star. He would go on to star in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, filmed at the same time as Black Panther, and Avengers: Endgame.

Chadwick's last performances would be in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in 2020 and an episode of What If…? in 2021, both released after his death on August 28, 2020. Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and had hid his cancer diagnosis from the public. It was revealed by Boseman's family that he had married singer Taylor Simone Ledward in secret in a statement announcing his death. Boseman received multiple accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Critics' Choice Movie Award, along with a Primetime Emmy Award and an Academy Award nomination after his death. Marvel chose not to recast the role of T'Challa, and Boseman was honored in the 2022 film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Chadwick Boseman was a film icon who, according to BBC Culture, was "a symbol of black excellence and of cinematic excellence", along with having been "a virtuoso and heroic figure, not just because of his iconic turn as Marvel's Black Panther but for how he raised the bar for racial equality and representation on screen."

@Lady_Nefertiti is an artist and a published illustrator who also has an online comic series called Kaleidoscope, which you can read here on Tapas for free. https://tapas.io/ladynefertiti

@Lady_Nefertiti has a Patreon where you can get exclusive art, early chapters of her webcomic Kaleidoscope, and participate in monthly giveaway raffle where you have the chance to receive free merch. The webcomic Kaleidoscope is about a girl in the early twenties named Dante who can remember her past life and has powers based off of her tattoos. Some of her powers and tattoos include a tattoo of the sun with clouds which causes her to control the weather and more. 

The webcomic is based off of the poem “Inferno” written by Dante, also known as Dante's Inferno. As of now, Kaleidoscope has two arcs and is currently on hiatus while @Lady_Nefertiti is working on the third arc. The webcomic was originally on Canvas on Webtoon but after Tapas reached out to @Lady_Nefertiti asking for her webcomic to become a Tapas original, it has since moved to tapas and is only available in tapas and of course her Patreon. Not much is known about @Lady_Nerfertiti even though she has done a face reveal. 

Even though fans do not know much about her, her art is still greatly appreciated by her dedicated fans who love her art and work. @Lady_Nefertiti also does commissions for small brand logos so some people could have seen her work without knowing it was hers. Overall, @Lady_Nefertitis art is a gift to the world and fans hope she continues her work for years to come.

Nicole Thomas is a Bloomfield local who has worked hard over the past few years to establish this amazing business. Nicole and her family run a small business called Thomas Crew Creations, a resource for customized items such as clothing. They can be found on Instagram at @Thomas_crew_creations where a sample of their products can be found.

Nicole has always had creative ways of decorating and when it came to her kids parties, she always wanted them to have matching shirts, but with a twist. She thought instead of buying customized shirts, especially since customized shirts/hoodies are expensive sometimes, she could just make them herself. She decided to start with iron-on patches for her first project. 

She didn't stop there though! She upgraded her press machine and realized how much she enjoyed making things for people. With that thought she decided to start her business and she called it Thomas Crew Creations, after her family. She can customize anything! Want a senior hoodie? She can make it! Want a customized cup? She can make it! Why shop online when you can shop local? Continue to support Bloomfield community members in their start-ups.

“Our mission is to provide quality care in treating a variety of conditions for our patients,” says the Step by Step Pediatrics's website. Considering the reviews, their mission has been completed! 

Run solely by Dr. Sean Flynn, he has worked to create a welcoming environment here in the Bloomfield Community. A doctor's visits are a popular fear among children, but this pediatric establishment makes a comforting vibe for its young patients. 

The office was also created because Dr. Flynn wanted to increase the services and accessibility of pediatric care to families within Bloomfield. There are many families sharing their praise for his work, one stating that he “is an amazing, respectful doctor with an excellent bedside manner.” 

Outside of his practice, the website states that Dr. Flynn is committed to helping improve the human condition. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York and then went on to receive his medical degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in North Carolina. The doctor was also a  medical missionary in Haiti two times after an earthquake. He has also gone with Arise and Walk Ministries Foundation to give free medical care to the Haitian people. Dr. Sean Flynn has made multiple contributions to this Earth and its people, and we should be proud to have someone like him serving our community.

Sweet Trail is a vegan bakery that started as a food truck in 2019, but has settled down in Bloomfield. Andres and McEmsara Quesada are the owners of this bakery and they wanted to provide and make vegan desserts that everyone can enjoy (even non-vegans). 

Some of their menu include smoothies, shakes, coffees, frappes, cold brew, cupcakes, banana bread, bagels, brownies, vegan lobster rolls, BBQ jack-fruit sandwiches and cinnamon rolls, along with other gluten free options. They are open Monday through Friday 7 - 5pm. Saturday and Sunday from 9 - 5pm. 

Their location is 170 Broad St in Bloomfield, NJ. If you’re interested in trying something new, this could be the place for you! You can also look at their Instagram page called @sweettrailbakery. 

Andres and McEmsara, before opening their store in Bloomfield, would travel to Festivals to sell their desserts and coffee from their trailer. In 2021 Andres and McEmsara got their second trailer and in 2022 they opened their brick and mortar storefront across from Bloomfield High School. 

Andres and McEmsara have been married for 18 years and have three daughters ages 9, 12 and 15. Their daughters attend Bloomfield Schools. Andres graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1996. He and McEmsara met at Montclair State University in 1997, after that they got married in 2004. When asked why they decided to settle at Bloomfield their answer was that Bloomfield has a special place in their lives. They decided to open the store here in Bloomfield because they love the town, they grew up here and they’re currently living here as well. 

Marsai Martin is an 18 year old inspiration. She started acting from a young age. Before she could talk she was in films. She was a face in Hollywood from a young age. People really started to notice her after she appeared in Black-ish, a television show that began airing in 2014 and has recently had its series finale in 2022. The show surrounded a black family and their experiences in a ‘White America’ considering they were on the more wealthy end of the spectrum. Marsai Martin played ‘Diane Johnson,’ the youngest daughter of the four children. She caught the attention of viewers with her sassy attitude. Doors really opened for her after the show really started to blow up.

The rise in viewers from the show had created many new opportunities for Martin. She starred in other movies, one of the well known ones being Little (2019). Little is one of the movies produced by Marsai. She was 10 years old when she first pitched the idea for Little. She pitched the idea with her father. Since Martin was new to this, she had little to no experience in the world of executive producing. She had walked in with so much passion and decided to take control. Four years later she had taken the floor and became the world's youngest executive producer. 

Marsai is 18 years old and she's still one of the most inspirational and successful young, black women of today's generation. She inspires younger black generations, and has opened the doors for new black women to become executive producers. In the future, there will undoubtedly be better representation for black people in movies thanks to Marsai Martin and her efforts.

Caribbean Essence Restaurant is located on the border of Bloomfield and Belleville. The local owners are from Georgetown, Guyana. They serve authentic Guyanese cuisine, which is cooked by the owners themselves. 

Shirley Felix, one of the owners, has worked on her menu for years to pay homage to traditional Guyanese foods with a Chinese fusion, which is representative of the mixed culture of Guyana. 

Caribbean Essence is a local business that not only offers take out and eat in services, but has pool tables for casual game nights with family members, etc. 

This local restaurant offers delivery through third-party apps and pick up which could also be done by calling the restaurant. Caribbean essences offers fried rices, lo meins, jerk chicken, and other Guyanese specific entrees.

Kira Pipkins is the girl to watch this year, as she has been for the past few years of her high school career, here at Bloomfield High School. So talented and continuously beating school records, she is a town favorite and also the first female in New Jersey history to hit 100 wins in wrestling. Her peers adore and support her because she has such a warmth to her, an amazing smile that lights up any room she walks into. She has so many accomplishments, the list goes on. 

She is seemingly unstoppable. She always wants to improve and works to be better  while staying on top of her school work. Kira is an outstanding athlete she is just as talented in many other things like her academics and passion for art. 

Kira does graduate this spring carrying on her athletic career to Columbia where she plans graduate in the Spring of 2027. 

Kira is also a activist for #Bringgirlstoac which is a movement that gives young women such as Kira a chance to wrestle alongside boys for their respective State titles. Kira herself is a 3x state champion, so it is amazing to see her take a stand with other women in sharing and helping the petitions signed. 

Kira is currently ranked #1 in New Jersey in her weight class of 126# and has held her position as number one for some time. Kira is an example and very inspirational because she breaks the stereotypes that are made about female athletes. She gives many of the other young female wrestlers the chance to see what it means to fight for what they believe and now she holds her respective title that if not for her dedication would not be possible.

Cab Calloway was born on December 25 ,1097 In New York but later his family moved to Maryland. When he was young Calloway loved singing in church But his father wanted him to follow his footsteps by studying law. Calloway's sister helped his singing career by sending him to chicago and later on Calloway started his own band. 

In 1925 Calloway had formed a band That became really popular. Calloway’s band was hired to go to New York to perform but the arrangement didn't go well and so the band dissolved. In 1929 Calloway found work in New York nightclubs. 

It was during his club years Calloway developed his crisp, jazzy, song and dance style. 

Calloway was one of the first performers to use scat singing. He began scat singing when he forgot a song's lyrics. Audiences loved the sound, however, so he began to write tunes with scat choruses. Calloway was very popular in the 1930s and 1940s. He appeared in such films as International House and Stormy Weather. He helped to popularize the jitterbug with songs, He even wrote a book, Hepster's Dictionary, which sold two million copies. 

During World War 2 Calloway entertained troops in the United States and Canada. After the war he returned to club work and to Broadway. In June 1944 cab Calloway had a stroke and moved to a nursing home in Delaware where he died in 1994. 

Tafari Tropics was brought to life 3 years ago by Sandy Coke and Tafari McCogg. This business was originally owned by Tafari's aunt and uncle, and now he has taken over the business. 

Tafari loved to cook and used the restaurant as the place to do so. Sandy, being a very supportive wife, decided she would help her husband and proceeded to build it. 

Sandy and Tafari have two children, Malique McCogg and his younger brother, Josiah McCogg. When they first started the business, some of the challenges they had to overcome were building and understanding the customer base in the community of Bloomfield. 

Once they got it figured out, business started booming. They have a variety of delicious food with prices ranging from $3.25- $29 dollars. Items include beef patties, roti, jerk wings, etc. 

If you're ever in the mood for some Jamaican food, pull up to Tafari Tropics located at 567 Bloomfield Avenue. Come support this amazing black family and their business. Also, don't forget to find them and follow them on instagram @Tafari_Tropics_Restaurant.