THE TEAM

Leonard Foster, Publisher/Owner
As the publisher of Flavour Magazine Leonard started his career as a design assistant at GQ and then went on to secure a job as a junior designer at Britain’s male style magazine Arena and later went onto working for Play Station World while launching Flavour at the same time.

Annika Allen, Editor/Owner
Editor of the award winning Flavour Magazine who loves to play netball and run’s an rnb and hip hop karaoke night. I put ketchup on most of my food and hope to interview Barack and Michelle Obama one day. I have also worked in TV production for the likes of the BBC, MTV, Talkbackthames and RDF and have broadcast credits on Richard & Judy, 10 Years Younger and 60 Years of RnB just to name a few. I am a sassy and savvy individual who likes to inspire people with my words. Oprah Winfrey is my inspiration and my philosphy is difficult takes a day and impossible takes a week if you keep your eyes on the prize.

Lea James, Beauty Editor
I ‘m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to cosmetics, I love art, music and working with photographers on creative projects, It would be great in the future to work internationally. Worked within the beauty/fashion industry for 16 years, tutor part time for a national training company and specialise within the fashion field on make artistry, editorial and current trends.

Denise Brown, Fashion Editor
There is never a dull moment when you’re on a shoot with Flavour’s fashion editor/stylist Denise Brown. Her bubbly personality and great sense of style has enabled her to work with Kanye West, Rhianna, Sway, Solomon Kalou and the majority of cover and fashion shoots in Flavour. She also creates clothing from scratch and has a line called Don’t Judge Me.

Ashema Edwards, Events, Sponsorship and Advertising Co-ordinator
I specialise in PR, Communications and marketing. I have worked on campaigns and projects for companies such as o2, Coca Cola, Apple & Playstation. I am founder of MIH International and currently also work with Konvict and Livity Marketing and I cannot live without music!

Mary Bello, Staff Writer
Mary is a freelance journalist who has written for Maxim, Grazia and of course the outstanding Flavour. She is currently writing a book and procrastinates by practicing her DJ skills. Mary’s favourite things are music, fashion and politics in that order. She once got kidnapped by a multi-platinum selling R&B group outside the Forum in Kentish Town. It was the best night of her life.

Nadifa Sheikhey, Staff Writer
An emerging journalist who can’t get enough of the Hills, Gossip Girl and the Game! I don’t like miserable people and I hope to be an inspiration to someone someday.

Batlow, Designer
Creator of the label and collective; The Ugly Kids Club, UK Urban Customiser of The Year 2006, Mariah Careys favourite graffiti artist, freelance artist, entrepreneur and Graphic Designer at Flavour. Creatively versatile.

Andrea, Designer
A young creative graphic designer with a diverse range of skills gained from a variety of unique and different places, I am beginning the very exciting journey of establishing myself in the professional creative world. First major stop, here at Flavour magazine!
For me graphic design is not only just a job but also something that I live and breathe. My philosophy, producing crisp simple designs infused with both energy and creativity, in the aim to bring information alive.

Tayo Soyoye, Designer
A creative graphic designer with highly developed commercial acumen and technical skills gained in a variety of different industries including retail, pre-press environments, advertising agencies, B2B, website design/ maintenance and art direction. I enjoy taking sole responsibility for briefs and projects I work to deadlines and have excellent time management, a good eye for detail and have a genuine passion for design, which I bring to any project from concept to print.

Toya Berry, Journalist
Toya Berry is a journalist, model and presenter making waves in the media industry. A creative, ambitious and savvy individual, Toya specialises in fashion and celebrity lifestyle journalism providing content for a number of high profile sources in both print and online media.

Daniel Thomas, Photographer
Talented is an understatement when it comes to photographer Daniel Thomas. He has had no formal training and has only been working as a professional photographer for the last few years, but his work speaks as if he is a veteran in the business. With his exceptional retouching skills and eye for detail, Daniel is a man that definitely lets his work speak for him. He has shot the likes of Noel Clarke, JLS and Naomi Campbell to name but a few.

Saira Awan, Photographer
A professional freelance photographer specialising in production/marketing stills for film, tv and music and events. Her work has been exhibited at BAFTAS as we as around Europe.

Lawrence Gichigi, Journalist
Lawrence Gichigi is a freelance journalist who is also studying Music Journalist BA Hons. Having covered, the US elections from New York, spent six months in a marketing position at a Sony Music, and been given the title of Editor for the BBC award winning Cordless Show, Lawrence’s confidence and experience in the world of media and journalism have grown substantially since he attained his first staff position at LIVE Magazine.

Lynnike Redway, Journalist
Original Country girl, living in the big city, chasing my destiny! I’m deeply in love with all things creative! I am a freelance writer, radio presenter (www.bangradio.fm) , DJ (yes I can mix too) and host. I enjoy inspiring and working with young people which is why I am a P/T youth worker too! Bubbly, ambitious and determined to make my dreams become my reality.

Eshe Challenger, Journalist
A freelance journalist, who has made contributions to magazines such as Black Beauty & Hair magazine. She would marry music if she could! and also runs half of the Caribbean catering company Harmony catering, with business partner Melanie Henry.

Denise Kodia, Journalist
Denise Kodia is a Freelance Journalist and professional Blogger. From a very young age she’s known she’s wanted to be within the media industry. Now with more than 5years exp she’s making this dream into reality.
www.cmypassion.blogspot.com

Richard Ashie, Journalist
Freelance sports journalist by trade but the love of music has seen me branch off into music and entertainment journalism. I play semi-professional football in my spare time and I’m currently embarking on script-writing and directing. I hope to follow in the footsteps of American journalist and creator of The Wire, David Simon to re-create a TV series that truly captures and documents life on the streets of London, so watch this space!

Karla Williams, Journalist
Freelance journalist and emerging playwright who is in love with all things theatre, film and food. I have a touch of OCD and plan to one day have dinner with Mel Gibson.

Tolu Akisanya, Journalist
I’m a publicist and I’ve worked and studied the PR industry for several years, and because of this I’ve had a chance to work for a variety of clients. About a year ago I set up a sole PR consultancy called “ta” (pro-nounced ‘tee.aay’). I love media, PR, art, fashion, music, and entertainment!

Simone Byer, Journalist
Creative Writer, Journalist, Poet. I’m an outspoken writer with a right to write, but not to compete, so if only the survive then I write for the weak.”

Mandy Temple, Journalist
I am a 26-year-old freelance journalist with a passion for all sorts of music, whether it be Cheesey 80’s, RnB, Rock, Indie and Pop. My guilty pleasure is trash mags and old classic musicals including Singing in The Rain and Guys and Dolls. I am also a huge Twilight fan.

Janelle Oswald, Journalist
The Celebrity Reporter for The Voice newspaper snapping stars and community heroes and sheros. Away from the glitz and glam of the showbiz world, Janelle is investigating news and current affairs issues for the local, national and international publications

Ahmed Sirour, Journalist
Ahmed Sirour is a keyboardist/producer who makes more than just beats, is really from Brooklyn, NY, truly knows his way around London, and invented the term “Oh Snap”. No, seriously!

Kemi Giwa, Journalist
Kemi Giwa is a qualified Journalist who graduated from City University with a Masters Degree in International Journalism. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies and History. I absolutely love travelling and have a passion for Health Journalism, Music, Entertainment, Relationship Psychology, Radio and Broadcast Journalism.

Sabrina Murrell, Style team
I’m a freelance Hairstylist specialising in natural looking hair extensions’. I love giving my clients confidence and sex appeal through their hair, bringing out that inner Diva in us all. I’m passionate about the transformations my creations bring and love contributing to photo shoot.

Chanel Williams, Journalist
Chanel loves entertainment! By day she works at a major record label, but has been a freelance writer for several years as well as working as a freelance PR.

Sarah-Jane Adams, Journalist
Sarah-Jane is an experienced fashion editor and lifestyle journalist, contributing to the national press, and industry lead websites. She is also the owner of her own marketing brand Creative Vanity.

Natasha Devon, Journalist
I’m a Body Confidence Campaigner, journalist and plus size model who has appeared regularly on television and radio discussing the beauty and health issues which affect us today.

Melissa, Journalist & Miss Flavour 2009
I’m Miss Flavour! I’ve worked the stage and now I’m bringing my swagger to the pages! Studying English Literature and Journalism, I’m interested in modelling, and passionate about writing on current affairs, fashion and music. I’m very creative so soon you’ll be spotting my flavour as you flick through these pages.

Sasha, Journalist & Miss Flavour 2008
I am a Writer,Blogger, Free thinker, (nearly qualified exercise teacher!) Model, Aspiring Actress and co-creator of www.inspirelifestyles.com. I won Miss Flavour 2008 and now I am a fully fledged member of the Flavour family. I aim to take over the world, a few leaps at a time. I have also contributed to many other pubilcations – want to know anything else? Just ask.

Zowie Edwards, Journalist
Zowie Edwards is a freelance journalist with a keen interest in fashion, cocktails, dating and the comedy situations which can arise when the three are combined! An ex-model turned social commentator, she likes to think of herself as the British Carrie Bradshaw, but in reality she’s much more Bridget Jones.

Jordan Roach, Photographer
I came to Flavour as a placement while at university and I never left. Instead of making coffee I was able to go out and do what I do best and that’s taking pictures. My chosen subjects vary from sporting themes to the very engaging and questioning reportage styled travel images looking at different parts of the world. By exploring my subjects with a documentary approach, I aim to translate the same closeness and understanding to the subjects that I get from working intimately with them over a sustained duration of time.

Antoinette Powell, Journalist
Freelance journalist, presenter and model with a huge passion for social issues and current affairs who graduated from the London College of Communication in July 08 and hasn’t looked back since! I absolutely love music ranging from Erykah Badu to Immortal Technique and Bob Marley to Pink. I’ve written for a number of publications, with the fabulous Flavour being most recent. I believe that as a journalist I have a responsibility to address issues that should be openly discussed but more often than not aren’t. Don’t get me wrong I also aim to entertain, but there’s nothing better than a good debate to get things going.

Sharleen Banton, Journalist
Over 10yrs media experience in modelling, writing, music PR, promoting events and presenting a radio music magazine interviewing artists from the Black Eye Peas to P Diddy. A BA Hons Media Studies graduate and prospective MSC Occupational Therapist student I love travelling and would love to meet The Obamas, Nas and Tyra Banks.

Saima Azam, Web & Social Media Contributor
As a graduate in Journalism, I enjoy combining original ideas of new media with my writing skills and Flavour magazine is my first professional project. For the past 9 years I have been a passionate fan of trance and progressive music, Formula One Racing, world champion and rally driver Kimi Raikkonen. Fusing these interests together uniquely to create an extremely popular and informative fan-site with creative, story-telling race review videos for fans all over the world, it provided an amazing and emotional experience and allowed for passion to follow through into a career.

Noel Phillips, Journalist
From interviewing the likes of Leona Lewis, Ne-Yo, JLS and Craig David, Noel Phillips became the Youngest Radio Broadcaster at the age of 15. Since then his presented his own breakfast show on Newstyle Radio as well as reporting from the MOBO awards.