THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 29, 1996 TAG: 9606290225
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Charlise Lyles
LENGTH: 78 lines
It's getting down to the wire, sister-girls. July 22. That's the deadline.
If we want our men from Hampton Roads to win, we've got to get busy.
Win what?
The Essence magazine ``What A Man!'' contest.
Believe it or not, two men from Hampton Roads are among 10 finalists selected from hundreds of contenders across the country. Yes - you read it correctly - not one, but two men from good old Hampton Roads.
Those are incredible odds.
Essence, a popular African-American women's magazine, sponsors the contest along with the makers of ``Preferred Stock'' cologne. The finalists were featured in the June issue.
The competition measures more than mirror merits - muscled physiques and mocha profiles.
``What A Man!'' must be a man of intellect, energy and community spirit. He can be older or younger, professional or blue collar, married or single.
And just who is this dark, dashing duo?
Jazz drum roll, please:
Malcolm Staples! . . . and . . . Keith Cephus!
When Linda Stokes saw the contest ad, the first person who came to mind was her boss, Staples, at the Education Association of Norfolk.
``He's a real man. He thinks about his job. He thinks about the community. He thinks about his wife. I have a son, and if there's anyone I would like him to model himself after, it's Malcolm,'' said Stokes, a tall, smiling woman who would put a toothpaste model to shame.
Staples' grin is just as lovely. But you see his inner beauty first. He gives off a peaceful, good-hearted vibe. Call it angel aura.
A fifth-grade teacher for five years, Staples now serves as a labor-relations consultant and lobbyist for the Virginia Education Association.
In addition, he stays busy writing grants for seminars designed to encourage young black men to pursue teaching careers.
One program, ``Black, Male and Successful,'' teaches middle and high school boys to set goals and avoid pitfalls like peer pressure.
``When I was coming up, I had people tell me there was opportunity,'' said Staples, 34, in an interview at his Southern Shopping Center office. ``Today, many young people can't see beyond the projects.''
Staples was dressed stylishly in a black T-shirt and slacks. The face. Dreamy. The hair, a flawless waved-fade. And those lips. Sexy. Tom Cruise and Wesley Snipes, you're dismissed.
Keith Cephus has a fresh, natural look, brimming with boyish charm. He is as exuberant as that breeze the other day. An enterprising news and fashion photographer, he has received the ``Editor's Choice of the Year'' award from American Salon magazine.
And ladies, on top of all that, Cephus, a Navy mess management specialist second class, can COOK. But alas, sister-girls, he, too, is taken.
His wife, Nadine, thought of her 31-year-old darling the minute she saw the Essence ad. For three weeks, she goaded him to write a biographical sketch and pose for a photo.
``She was really adamant,'' said Cephus.
``I kept trying to blow her off because I'm not really vain or anything. I think she just wanted to go for a shopping spree in New York.''
Which brings us to the prize: An all-expense-paid trip to New York, and a photo feature in the November issue of Essence.
Shock jolted Staples when he got a beep at the barbershop, telling him Essence had phoned. ``What??????????? I couldn't believe it,'' he said.
The competition is tough - a doctor, college professor, musician, an African computer wizard . . . all good looking as they want to be.
But for Staples and Cephus, it's friendly competition. They know each other. Cephus even took the photo that Staples used to enter the contest.
Whether they win or not, the prize is all ours, to have them living and working here with us in good old Hampton Roads.
Be sure to help them out: Ballots can be found in recent issues of Essence. Deadline July 22. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Malcolm Staples
Keith Cephus by CNB