Author: kevin

The pandemic caused by the global spread of COVID-19 has been unforgiving to many. Whether it has been the loss of a job, the loss of love, the loss of everyday freedoms, or unfortunately the loss of actual life, these last two years have not been kind to the world as a whole. Ultimately, life is about balance and for every downfall someone or something tends to rise.

While the pandemic left many not knowing where to turn, some found a way to come out of it shining by raising their brands and possibly uplifting others around them in the process. This list is dedicated to those individuals who found a way to elevate while everything appeared to be sinking around us. in no particular order, here a few people who truly came up during the pandemic.

DJ Cassidy

DJ Cassidy was already a huge deal as a celebrity DJ. Everyone from Diddy, Beyonce, to the Obama’s have grooved the sounds of his iconic master of the one’s and two’s. As a certified party starter, Cassidy found success in the game as DJ, producer, fashion icon, and more. However, his “Pass The Mic” series that debuted on social media during the pandemic via social media launched him into a new strastosphere. As more volumes of the series came out showcasing his musical heroes passing the mic and love just singing their classic hits, the more the world wanted more. We wanted “Pass the Mic” so much that BET called up DJ Cassidy and now he has become a staple on the network for various awards shows and life moments. DJ Cassidy did an interview with RadioFacts.com early on in the process talking about what “Pass the Mic” meant to him. Check it out. below.

Steve Stoute

Steve Stoute has been a part of the conventional music industry for years. He has now branched off with UnitedMasters. If you’re unfamiliar with UnitedMasters, it’s a distribution company Stoute launched in 2017. As a former Interscope and Sony Music executive he knows a thing or two about the game and how to negotiate deals.

Stoute aimed to provide artists with a direct pipeline to data around the way that fans are interacting with their content and community, allowing them to connect more directly to offer tickets, merchandise and other commercial efforts. UnitedMasters also allows artists to retain control of their own masters. During the pandemic, his efforts truly paid off for him and the artists using the platform. Earlier this year, UnitedMasters announced a $50 million Series B investment led by Apple. The company is now valued at $350 Million.

The Rock

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson seems to always win but he really came up during the pandemic. Already being worth approximately $400 Million is. nothing sneeze at but things are looking up for for football player, former wrestler. actor/producer, and entrepreneur.

The Rock launched his hew show on NBC “Young Rock” to rave reviews. During its 2020 launch, The Rock’s tequila brand Teremana did 300,000 cases in sales and shipped roughly 400,000 cases worldwide while breaking all type of records for the launch of a new spirit concept. Just when you thought he couldn’t do anything else, Mr. Johnson also recently launched ZOA, his new energy drink brand. We can all smell what The Rock is cooking and it reminds us of success.

The Greenwood Bank Collective

If you don’t know, you need to know about Greenwood Bank. Founded by Civil Rights leader Andrew J. Young; rapper and activist Michael “Killer Mike” Render; and Ryan Glover, founder of the Bounce TV Network, Greenwood was created with the premise of reviving the mentality of Black Wall Street. Greenwood is a modern digital banking services platform for Black and Latino individuals and businesses.

With a waiting list that continues to grow, the collective grew even bigger during the pandemic. In March of 2021, Greenwood closed $40 million of Series A funding from six of the seven largest U.S. banks and the top two payment technology companies: Truist, Bank of America, PNC, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Mastercard, and Visa. 

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is truly an enigma because he continues to defy all odds by constantly reinventing himself. Whether it is hosting a TV show with Martha Stewart, co-founding Casa Verde Capital, launching a successful cannabis brand, or just making music, he is truly a master at diversifying his portfolio.

Like the others on this list, Snoop didn’t sit around doing nothing during the pandemic. He successfully launched another successful brand. Snoop Dogg joined forces with Triller as co-founders of “The Fight Club.” In addition to being a co-owner, Snoop will be the celebrity host and announcer of the events. His role includes helping select the fighters and musical acts, as well as advising the overall production of the series. The Cali native makes it look easy as one, two, three, and to the four…

Swizz Beatz and Timbaland

Timbaland and Swizz Beatz were already highly successful on their own. During the pandemic on one random night they started a friendly competition between the two of them. playing songs they produced. The light bulb went off and they created what we now know as Verzuz.

We have witnessed the greatness of everyone from Teddy Riley, Babyface, T-Pain, SWV, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, DMX, Snoop Doog, Beenie Man, Earth, Wind, & Fire, The Isley Brothers, and so many others going at it live on Instagram. It was only a matter of time before someone wanted in on the highly successful series. Timbo and Swizz were adamant about not selling the platform and keeping it authentic. They were not only able to keep the authenticity, but they were also able to sell the platform to Triller.

Swizz Beatz and Timbaland joined the Triller Verzuz management team as part of the deal while becoming large shareholders in Triller Network. The dope part about it is that they also negotiated shares in Triller for the 43 artists who participated in Verzuz.

Jay Z

What didn’t Jay Z do during the pandemic. They call this man “Hov” for a reason. The hip hop icon did so many deals during the pandemic it was hard to keep up. We could just talk about his new cannabis brand MONOGRAM, which launched in 2020. It is the first brand born out Mr. Carter’s partnership with Caliva, California’s leading cannabis company, with whom Jigga joined forces in July 2019. Following Caliva’s recent agreement with The Parent Company (TPCO), Hov has since accepted the role of Chief Visionary Officer for the newly formed corporation, which is anticipated to be the largest publicly traded cannabis company in California.

If that wasn’t enough the serial entrepreneur also partnered with Moët Hennessy through the acquisition of a 50% stake in his Armand de Brignac champagne brand. Jay didn’t stop there, he also sold 80% stake of TIDAL to Square for a reported $302 million.

D Nice

The call him D Nice and he is taking out you suckers and you don’t know how he did it. Well, we actually do know how he did it. One day D Nice was sitting around wondering what the pandemic would mean to his flourishing DJ career. With gigs booked around the nation and beyond, he was poised for another good year. The pandemic hit and he was questioning everything. Instead of panicking, he did what he does best and just started playing songs on Instagram.

What started out as. maybe 100 people tuning in to listen each day started to grow significantly once D Nice broke the turntables out. At first he was calling it “Home School” and then it became what we all know today as “Club Quarantine” or “CQ” for short. Music has always been a universal language and as the song states, “last night a DJ saved my life” took on a new meaning. On a glorious Saturday afternoon, D Nice literally broke Instagram with over 100k people tuning in to the BDP producer. It was like a real party with celebs like Oprah, Michelle Obama, Janet Jackson and everybody and they momma checking in.

Since that day D-Nice has grown his IG following by more than a million, released a charting single, receive several prestigious awards, and he is now one of the most sought out DJ’s in the world. Everybody is throwing money at D Nice. He has done a Ford commercial and there is talk of a huge festival coming curated by the man himself.

Kevin Samuels boasts a YouTube following rapidly approaching a million, Instagram of 700,000 and hefty Facebook and Twitter numbers, this primped loose cannon who didn’t finish college has become an Internet sensation by being one of the most polarizing figures in cyberspace (and that’s saying a lot).

Kevin Samuels primarily makes a living telling women what to do and why what they’re doing doesn’t work.   He crushes feelings and demolishes dreams, all while looking immaculate.   However, loved or despised, his fan base is massive. 

Since December 2020 he has dominated the conversation – good and bad.   So, if this guy is offending so many – why does it play so well?  

HE DOES IT ALL

It’s hard to go wrong when your tentacles are extended like an octopus.   The question needs to be what doesn’t Kevin Samuels do?   A quick glance at his credentials pulls up Image Consultant, Picture Specialist, Way of Life Mentor, Online Media Influencer, Dating Guru and Gender Role Guru.  The man is overwhelmingly employed.

HE’S A 21^ST CENTURY CREATION

In the world nostalgically known as the 20^th Century, there was no social media, “sharing”, or the deep concern about what your neighbor thought about you and how there was somebody you didn’t know who could fix it.

  Samuels’ is the product of the now.   He’s flying cars, and spaceships to the outer reaches.   He’s immediate approval and eternal ostracization for not fitting in.  He’s the laser yielding gatekeeper scrutinizing before a pass is issued.    He’s new and nothing sells like new.

HE’S GOT A HUGE FEMALE FOLLOWING 

The key to modern day success is solid female support.   They’re greater in numbers and more loyal as a consumer block.  

He puts them down without remorse.    Yet despite Samuels blunt assessments of women and his borderline cruel take downs, he continues to reel in women viewers who either love to hate him or hate that they agree with him more often than not. 

HE ATTRACTS A LARGE MALE AUDIENCE

Where there’s women, men will appear.     In the case of Samuels, they show up in droves.   What better way to get chauvinistic fellas on your side than to tell a woman she looks like a linebacker and has no right to expect her man not to cheat. 

  He even pandered to their vanity with a show topic, “Do High Value Men Deserve to Cheat?”   What man doesn’t consider himself as part of that group? 

Thus, Samuels appeals to the male ego and let’s face it – that’s 90% of what men are.   That plus Black men are big fans of the dozens and that’s what Samuels provides, though usually one-sided.

HE’S CONTROVERSIAL

Kevin Samuels talks about everybody and leaves no personality unvilified.   Obviously, anybody with show’s aimed at women titled, “You’re Average at Best” and “Ladies the Older You Get the Less You Get” isn’t worried about criticism or turning off his base.   He’ll even attack his cheering section – males.  

Yes, he lets into the ladies about what he views as unrealistic expectations in being mediocre and seeking a brother that’s got it going on, but Samuels will also ask those snickering scrubs if they measure up.   Are you that top percentile most women desire or do you have work to do?   If so – better get to it. 

HE’S SEXUALLY AMBIGUOUS    

Kevin Samuels was initially perceived as a suave lady expert with impeccable taste in fashion.  Then he had a broadcast that allegedly showed a man sleeping in his bed.  

It went viral and put Samuel’s sexuality not only in question, but some past “evidence” confirmed him bi-sexual if not fully gay.  

Samuels vehimiently denies that he is gay yet oddly enough in the age of initials and gender re-assessment, the allegations have done nothing to tarnish his image or success.

HE’S FUNNY

Part of Samuels success lies in the tried-and-true winner of making people laugh.   His wit is biting.   He knows how to paint his victim into a corner and make them annihilate their own position, but mainly he’s just funny. 

Comparing a woman to a football player is one thing, but to use legendary names, quote weight and player position along with nicknames are another.  He’s got the timing and delivery of a seasoned stand up and the repertoire and ad-lib skills to keep his crowd in stitches.   Not to mention the gall and audacity to pull it all off.  

HE’S RICH

His stated net worth is $3 million.    However, since he just became a household name in the past six months you get the feeling greater wealth is on the horizon.   This makes him a classic example of the rich getting richer and nothing the fickle public likes more than someone with money.  

For some unexplainable reason people go out of their way to do things for other people who can clearly afford it just to have a story.   So, part of Kevin Samuels success is the need for others to have a Kevin Samuels story.   

HE’S GOT THE LOOK

Samuels walked through the door looking successful.   He projected in his mind how his ultimate persona had to appear and then showed it to us.   No development, he showed up full blown and ready to make history.   From the clothes to the grooming, Samuels just flat out looks the part. 

HE’S A FIGHTER

We live in the age of beefing, and it seems every successful person has had one.   Samuels is no exception.  His celebrated battles with Dr. Umar Johnson have become legendary.   Johnson accuses Samuels of profiting by putting down Black women who don’t look like white women.  

While Samuels blasts Johnson about his paternal entanglements and the school he collected funds for, but never built.  This rivalry has trended so much there’s been a call for a Verzuz battle between the two and in today’s society you can’t get more successful than that.  

Al Haymon is a super successful quiet riot making incredible business deals with some of the biggest names in the industry while intentionally remaining under the radar.

Though small in physical stature (5’7”) Al Haymon has been a giant in the worlds of sports and entertainment since the 1970s.  

Birthplace

Born April 21, 1955 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Al Haymon attended John Adams High School then studied economics at Harvard University. There, he became active in cultural activities.  

He’d promote Afro-American concerts and later obscure jazz artists.  He recruited and delegated and built his promotion business with the help of his mother, Emma Lou. He later received his MBA at Harvard University.

Foray into entertainment            

Al Haymon’s first job in entertainment was as a music promoter, where he went to the head of the urban music class presenting national tours for Rick James, Janet Jackson, M C Hammer, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston, Boys II Men, New Edition and more.  

He, and partner, Phil Casey was among the first urban promoters to package several acts on one tour, some running as many as 300 performances. 

Al Haymon Budweiser Superfest

Beginning in 1984 he presented the Budweiser Superfest, pioneered corporate relationships, such as General Mills, for live concerts and cemented his position as the premier urban music promoter. He even promoted Eddie Murphy’s Raw concert tour which was the highest grossing of all time.             

In 1999 Al Haymon sold 50% of his A H Enterprises, Inc. to SFX Entertainment and a year later plunged into the boxing world, managing Vernon Forrest. 

He represented Floyd Mayweather, Jr and wielded the considerable power such a relationship brings.  Al Haymon’s a multiple winner of the prestigious, Al Buck Manager of the Year Award even though he’s been criticized for the inactivity of some of his clients.     

In a move to return boxing to mainstream and cable television audiences purchasing their fights from pay-per-view, Haymon founded the PBC (Premier Boxing Champions).  

They were set up to span across ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox as well as their affiliate cable stations, and broadcast their first bout on March 7, 2015. 

The organization was immediately plagued in controversy for violating the Muhammad Ali Reform Act of separation of promoters and managers.  

Haymon was acting in a dual capacity unless you asked Al Haymon, who claimed he was an advisor/manager.  Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank filed lawsuits against Al Haymon claiming he was attempting to monopolize boxing  

The Top Tank lawsuit, led by CEO and longtime rival, Bob Arum was for the tune of $100 million and was settled in 2016.  Golden Boy’s was dismissed in 2017 by a judge for lack of evidence.                          

Al Haymon Net Worth

Haymon is notorious for keeping a low profile.   He’s rarely seen and never interviewed.  A religious agnostic, Al Haymon wife, Sylvia Browne-Owens, is the president of Boxing Operations of Haymon Sports. They have no children and his current Al Haymon’s net worth is reportedly $18 Million

The pandemic has put most people in a situation where they are mostly at home. This is not to mean however that they are not busy. You often have to juggle between working at home, trying to keep fit despite always being indoors, tending to children if you have any, ensuring your mental health is in check, and of course feeding yourself. If the last one tends to stress you out, it is probably your sign to start researching for meal-prep delivery companies to make your day-to-day activities more manageable.

How do you get started?

The task of choosing a meal prep service that is right for you in terms of your lifestyle and preferences can be overwhelming especially if it is your first time. There are quite some questions dietitians advise customers looking into meal prep companies to ask themselves to ensure they make the most efficient decisions. An example is:

• Is the food the company offering ethically produced? Are the ingredients whole foods?

Remember:

• Do not limit your search scope, look for companies that offer variety.
• Pick a company that plays around with their menu often and also gets creative with their meals.
• The company’s packaging should be convenient for you in your current situation.

Of course, you can lean towards trying the popular meal subscription boxes that are seen all over social media. However, understanding your power as a consumer, would it not be wiser to put your money into supporting smaller businesses, especially those that indeed foster diversity in the food industry where it often lacks?

Whether you are craving a home-cooked meal after a long day of online working or are not in the mood to be going for grocery runs, below are some meal delivery businesses which are black-owned that will always have your covered –and of course will cater for your stomach

First batch artisan food

As you can probably tell by now First Batch Artisan Food specializes in vegan foods of your choice. Be it vegan mac and cheese or vegan smoked brisket sandwiches, they have you covered. Their weekly meal plans consist of five single-serve entrees which are accompanied by five dairy-free desserts.

Fit Chef Toronto

This Toronto-based company is led by chef Amanda Chigumira. Their focus is to help customers meet their dietary needs and therefore have meal types such as balances, vegan, carb, and keto. The popular items on their menu are American dishes, Thai, Italian, Greek, and Jamaican. Fit Chef offers its customers the option to let them know their favorite foods and keep that on rotation. Their orders come in sets which are either of 6, 10, 15, or 20 meals.

MealZac

Thomas Mulzac is the founder of this catering business which services New York City as well as the neighboring areas. The business whips up everything, be it fried rice and dumpling or lavender cake. MealZac also offers a variety of GMO as well as MSG-free superfood seasonings which come in handy for spicing up your meals. These include cocoa vanilla extract and even mac and cheese seasoning.

Global village cuisine

This is a family-owned business based in Vermont and started by the couple Mel and Damaris Hall. The idea was inspired by them trying to find food which their daughter was not allergic to. Damaris, therefore, turned back to her Kenyan roots to reinvent African dishes which are allergy-friendly, gluten-free as well as vegan. A specific pro of Global Village is how their frozen meals can preserve all nutrients while still doing away with the stress of having to cook.

Macrobites

MacroBites, based in New Jersey has its founders as Jarrette Atkins, Fritz Georges, and David Lewis Jr. The trio started the business after being in prison. As expected, they initially received backlash due to their past but their passion for food kept them going. Their company focuses on helping people to healthily prioritize their macronutrients. Their options range from hearty southwest salads to lemon chicken piccata. For sure, their options will not only satisfy your cravings but also help you achieve your nutrition goals.

This meal-delivery service is available in more than 30 states in the US. They promise delivery within three days, irrespective of your location.

Meal Prep Kingz

Although this meal prep service is based in Southern California, they deliver to San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County as well as the Inland Empire. They have meal prep options which range from carbonara creamy chicken with spaghetti to paleo meatballs and keto Swedish meatballs. There is also provision for people with sweet teeth in form of desserts such as coffee cakes, chocolate muffins and cakes, and blueberry lemon cakes, just to mention a few.

Meal Prep Kingz gives their customers an option of either mixing and matching their order from their a la carte menu or one can also try one of their weekly meal plans that are chef’s choice.

Boycemode

Founded by Sam Boyce, it is based in New Jersey. His inspiration stemmed from his realization about the power of food amidst all his struggles with diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure. Boyce did his research and studied the most effective ways he could reprioritize his health and also reach his nutrition goals with the help of his doctor. With his success, he now helps other people accomplish their food goals. His foodservice has an array of plant-based options. Whether you lean more towards Mexican flavors, or you would prefer heaping bowl linguine with mixed vegetables, Boycemode will come through for you. There are weekly subscriptions offered that start from 75 dollars for five meals. There is also an option of trying the one-time introductory trial that consists supply of smoothie packs for five days, plant-based lunches, daily snacks, and dinners for 119 dollars.

Sauce

It is a meal delivery service based in Washington, DC, and run by Jessica Swift. She is a registered dietitian as well as a trained chef. She took interest in meal plan creation first when her father got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She made use of her dietary skills and also her culinary skills to regain her father’s eating habits. It is through that that now she is Sauce’s co-founder. The meal plan service company offers catering, nutrition consultations as well as at-home meal delivery.

The sauce has a wide variety of mouth-watering options to try such as their curried butternut squash soup, pork loin that is grilled alongside blueberry BBQ sauce, and curried butternut squash soup. Their meal delivery services come in options of having a single delivery or the option of a weekly subscription. The first-time customers are offered 20 dollars off of the first month’s order by using the code GET201G. Another amazing feature of Sauce is that there is an option of sending a meal as a gift to a friend. You can also feed essential workers and family members in need all across the DC region.

Rebel Chef Meals

This Atlanta-based meal prep service was founded by Ashley Hernandez. She said her passion for food started at an early age when she would watch her mother in the kitchen, almost as if it was an apprenticeship. She would always be mindblown by her ability to perfectly whip up a delicious meal every day after a 12-hour workday. It is her love for food, the fact that she is impatient as well as the urge to give her mother a break after work that made her start making full course southern meals at the tender age of eight. So many years later and Ashley is still perfect in the kitchen.

Rebel chef meals have something for everyone. Whether you are more of a carnivore at heart or are on your vegetarian journey.

Chantel’s catering LLC

With its founder as Chantal Quailey, this meal plan service is based in New York. She got her passion by watching her grandfather who was also a chef making cuisines at a tender age. Following her getting her culinary arts degree and another in food service management, Chantel has been in the industry for nearly a decade. Her company is known for its broccoli cheddar quiche and much more.

There are many more black-owned meal prep companies not included here that are just as good in what they do. Be sure to continue with your research and be confident in taking your meal plans as your purchase will elevate blackness in the industry and do your body good.

Achieving success in the entertainment industry does not come easily, and achieving success in more than one of its sectors is rare. Berry Gordy’s career represents one of the entertainment industry’s most legendary achievements.

What makes him even more remarkable is his ability to launch and catapult the careers of some of the legendary figures in music history. It’s easier to understand the reasons for Gordy’s success and influence when considering these 10 great things about the man.

1. He Is True to His Passions

Despite his love for music, Gordy couldn’t wait to get started on the rest of his life when he dropped out of high school in the 11th grade to pursue his other dream of becoming a professional boxer after being discharged from a music class.

Although his early wins showed that he had what it takes for a promising boxing career, Gordy was forced to that part of his life on hold in 1950 when he was drafted to participate in the Korean War.

Gordy would find a way to go back to his first love for music as an assistant to an army chaplain who would play the organ at services.

2. He Knows When to Be Practical

When Gordy came home from Korea, he settled down in Detroit with his wife. He took a job working on upholstery at one of the area’s large automobile factories to support his growing family.

While working on cars, he would write songs in his head; this gave him much greater pleasure than working on seat cushions, but he needed this factory job to earn a living. 

3. He Is a Gifted Songwriter

Although Gordy realized his need to make money, he also acknowledged that doing something he didn’t love was not something he could sustain.

Therefore, he combined his passion for music with his need to make money by leaving the auto industry in the 1950s to pursue a music career.

Although this move cost him his marriage, it allowed him to co-write “Reet Petite,” a 1957 hit for singer Jackie Wilson, which propelled his songwriting career.

Gordy ultimately co-wrote more than 240 songs for the music publishing affiliate of his Motown label. His numerous iconic hits including “Shop Around” for The Miracles, “Money (That’s What I Want)” for Garrett Strong, and “ABC” for The Jackson 5.

4. He Has an Entrepreneurial Spirit

Gordy had a talent for pursuing multiple opportunities at the same time. Following his success writing for Jackie Wilson, Gordy established Jobete, a music publishing company named after his three children.

He invested his profits into music production and used an $800 loan from his family to start a new record company, Tamla Records, which included the Motown label.

This critical move gave Gordy the control he needed to get paid fairly for his efforts, though he had to learn from multiple failed attempts to get paid for work he performed while employed by other producers.

5. He Has a Heart of Gold

One of Berry Gordy’s most notable qualities was his desire to improve other people’s lives. Motown Records employed numerous individuals and gave countless African American young people living in impoverished Detroit neighborhoods the opportunity to pursue their dreams and move past cultural boundaries with music.

Gordy had a knack for grooming people’s raw talent and patiently helping them apply it in the best way possible to ensure their growth. As a result, he was responsible not only for countless artists’ careers, but he launched the careers of numerous songwriters, producers, and even dancers.

6. He Saw Beyond Racial Divides

Motown came of age during the chaotic 1960s when racial tensions and the Vietnam War were tearing the country apart.

Although Gordy supported Motown artists to perform at events supporting African American causes and opposition to the war, he recognized that appealing to the broadest possible audience, including white people or those who loved rock, pop, and other music genres, would give Motown artists and their music the best chance for longevity.

7. He Is an Attentive Mentor

Gordy was extremely meticulous about defining the direction his company and his artists would take. His desire to mentor young people helped them achieve their full potential.

Among the most notable examples of how his mentorship changed music history are the careers of Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder. Gordy also serves as a role model for other entrepreneurs to apply exacting and uncompromising standards with a clear vision and persistence.

8. He Is a Brilliant Strategist

One of Berry Gordy’s unique talents was his ability to sniff out the qualities that make other people special and develop them. He believed this was possible with almost anyone and likened his artists’ development to that of a car as it progresses through an automobile factory assembly line.

A person would enter the doors of his business, work with a staff of songwriters, producers, and image-makers, and emerge as a superstar. If something in the process did not measure up to the highest standards, it would be let go.

9. He Is an Advocate, Humanitarian, and Philanthropist

Berry Gordy has spent a lifetime helping people achieve their dreams while fighting racial inequality. During the 1960s, he promoted using black models for advertising and black performers on television’s American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan show, to expose them to wider audiences. He even occasionally included white performers on his rosters.

Among numerous generous acts, Gordy supports Detroit’s disadvantaged youth with college scholarships. He also recently donated $4 million to Detroit’s Motown Museum expansion, influencing others to explore their dreams.

10. He Always Seeks New Opportunities

Berry Gordy is never complacent. He challenges himself to achieve new goals, and after moving to Los Angeles in 1972, he proved his film-making prowess with the Billie Holiday biography, “Lady Sings The Blues,” “Mahogany,” and “The Last Dragon.” Gordy also established himself as a writer with his 1994 autobiography, “To Be Loved.”

With so many wonderful things about Berry Gordy, there is no doubt that people will continue to benefit from his legacy for many years to come.

Become An Expert In A Field. A complicated process that does not magically unfold without deliberate actions.

You must embrace an active approach that involves research, continuous learning, and modeling successful people’s actions in your field.

It takes prolonged dedication and determination to build credibility within a particular area, but you can succeed if you are prepared to work hard. Here are 10 steps to help you become an expert in your field or industry. 

1. Develop a Plan

The first thing you should do is make a detailed plan. Creating an action plan may seem fairly straightforward, but there are several steps that need to be followed. First, you need to define your end goal and what you want to achieve.

Second, you need to make a list of the steps involved. These steps should include deadlines and the resources you need to accomplish the task. Third, prioritize the actions and add milestones. Creating small milestones along the way can prevent you from becoming discouraged while trying to achieve a larger step. 

2. Do Your Research

Before entering a field, whether it is for career aspirations or for leisure purposes, you must do research to learn everything there is to know about the subject. Begin by learning the fundamentals of the field and then expand into more specialized areas of interest.

You can do research by studying books by industry experts, interviewing people who work in the field and reading industry blogs and newsletters. 

3. Practice, Practice, Practice 

Nobody becomes a success or an expert in a certain subject without careful and prolonged practice, even if you possess exceptional talent.

Talent can never come to fruition unless you practice your craft. Start by practicing the fundamentals and don’t move on to more complex areas until you have mastered the basics. If you become tired, take a break, but resist the temptation to give up. Get back to your practice routine after a few days. 

4. Ask for Assistance 

You cannot become an expert in a field by yourself. You gain better expertise by asking others for help, whether talking to an industry expert or just getting an outside opinion from a friend or family member. It can be daunting to ask recognized experts for assistance, but it helps you grow as a person. Before you send an email or place a phone call, rehearse what you want to say until you feel confident in speaking. Asking for help from others who have been in your shoes at one point may help you avoid costly missteps.   

5. Mentor Someone 

There is no better way to enhance your skills in an area than to teach them to someone else. Volunteer to mentor students or ask younger siblings or friends if you can help them master something within your field.

Teaching is a great way to master your skills and solidify your passion for the area. Further, mentoring is a great way to give back to your community and provide guidance to someone who may be struggling.  

6. Attend Classes

Another recommended way to increase your knowledge or perfect your skills is to attend a class or seminar pertaining to the skill or job industry. Classes can help you brush up on skills you have not used for a while or even help you explore a particular segment of your industry. Attending a seminar is also a great way to network with others interested in your field or industry. While some education opportunities may charge a fee, keep in mind that it is an investment in your future. Remember to do your research and read reviews before signing up for any course or seminar, especially if there is a cost involved. 

7. Go Slow and Steady

It is impossible to become an expert in an industry or field overnight. Some people hit the ground running only to work too hard in a short amount of time and end up giving up. Recognize that becoming an expert is a journey that will require time and effort.

You will make mistakes along the way and it may take months or even years of slow and steady progress. Don’t become disillusioned; keep your end goal in mind and remember that experts are not built overnight.  

8. Identify Your Weaknesses in the Field 

Nobody likes to admit their faults. While it can be intimidating to identify your weakness, it is critical to the learning process. Ask unbiased friends or family members to rate your skills in a certain field or industry. Ask them for their feedback but try not to get defensive.

Take their feedback and try to improve upon those weak areas. An excellent way to correct certain weaknesses is to attend a class or seminar. 

9. Stay Current on Trends 

You must stay up to date on industry trends. Don’t think you can stop reading books and news about your topic after concluding your initial research. Certain industries, especially technology, are constantly evolving and procedures become outdated quickly.

Bookmark industry news websites and browse the information weekly. Even industry experts must perform research on a routine basis to stay at the top of their game. 

10. Verify Your Sources

No matter your industry, it is essential to ensure the information you are relying on is accurate and correct. If you attend a class, read reviews to make sure other students have considered them worth the time.

If you do research on the internet, only read information on trustworthy sites. Don’t trust everything you read and always double-check your sources before you take something as the truth. You can ruin your reputation within an industry quickly by quoting or referring to outdated or incorrect information. 

Check out Black Top 10s 

Becoming an expert in the field of your choice is possible if you dedicate yourself and make wise choices. If you are a black entrepreneur or job seeker looking for ways to improve your skills or increase your knowledge in a specific area, visit www.blacktop10s.com. Whether you want to learn more about music, politics or relationships, we have a resource to help you.

8 Reasons why you should stop Settling for Less and GET what you Deserve

If you are alive and healthy you are truly blessed beyond measure already and the world, whether you believe it or not, is your canvas, not the other way around. You can do whatever you want to do and limitations are only what we place on ourselves or allow others to place on us through their limited vision and perspectives. I want to share with you 8 things that have helped me tremendously in changing and continuing to change my life for the better.

Who are you Calling your Friends?

What exactly are you getting out of the friendships that you currently have. Are you building from them are is the foundation weak and unsteady and the building dated and out of code for your goals and desires?

Are your friendships aiding you in progressing, regressing, or stagnating? It’s not on our friends to do all the work, it should be reciprocal at best. If you’re not feeding each other or if you’re eating the same thing over and over, it’s time to upgrade the menu to try something you’ve never had. There is no law that says you can’t love certain people from a distance.

If you have people in your life and you find yourself walking on eggshells around them to protect their feelings but they can say anything to you and about you with no regard or concern for your feelings it’s not the time to evaluate it’s time to separate.

There are some people who refuse to take any responsibility for their shortcomings but are always available to remind you of your own. When that happens, remind yourself that there is garbage to be taken out and placed on the curb. Your house is starting to stink

During the pandemic, many people, including myself, were incredibly blessed to have people walk out of their lives for no reason available to them. Eventually, you realize the universe has done for you what you should have done for yourself a long time ago.

Your life has value and there is no longer room for certain things that devalue your existence. The purging of the universe during COVID did that for you. To that end, amazing people from all walks of life who bring greater value to your life will appear from nowhere but were probably always within your reach. You may have already experienced this. The difference is you have developed a greater love for yourself everything that has been in your way falls to the wayside.

Whenever I am in Costco I’m always amazed at how I constantly see people roll up with these huge TVs to the counter in those flat carts. Costco’s TV business does extremely well because people are constantly buying bigger and bigger and bigger TVs to put in the same place and do the same thing. Watch TV.

You NEVER see anyone buy a small TV or bring their TV back and ask for their money back. What’s the end game to that? Going home and watching other people be great? What’s wrong with traveling the world (post-pandemic) and exploring the outdoors and taking a road trip with the ones you love or by yourself to some of those places you are watching other people enjoy on TV. Live is to be LIVED not watched.

Your Dreams are YOUR Business

It is absolutely nobody’s business what you want to do with your life. It completely depends on your situation. Whenever you include other people in your plans, you are really asking for their permission and you are almost always doomed.

Why do you need their permission or opinion about something that YOU want to do? Tell them about it AFTER you do it and if they get mad because you didn’t tell them it’s because they didn’t have a chance to control your decision or to change your mind. That’s not their job. This is a keen indication that you are spending time with the wrong people. You want a support system not a LACK of support system.

We Pay for What We Store

Have you ever been unhappy about where you were living and you went and bought things for the place thinking that’ll make you feel better about it? (besides the previous TV example). A new couch, new TV, a new whatever but in a month you’re right back where you started but with a house full(er) of furniture that has anchored you even more in your aloneness, frustration, and lack of fulfillment?

I was in a storage place about 2 months ago and I told the guy I wanted to store some things and I would be back in a few months and he said something that I already KNEW but it hit me hard.

He said, “If you are moving out of town take your stuff with you or get rid of it. If you leave it here it will anchor you.”

I had to stop and think about what he was saying as he went on. “You know, I have a guy who has been a customer for 17 years. He moved to Canada and he’s been paying for that storage space all this time.”

That statement can be taken in more than one way, there are things that you are done with and can walk away from but you hang on to them for ……. for what? Chapters of our lives are closed but we can’t let them go which means we can’t grow.

That had to be about close to $100,000 he spent on that space for furniture that the manager said was valued at about $3000. Consider what that man lost by holding on to something that he should have been done with. In the end, we pay for what we store. Be it feelings, friends, jobs, family, health, etc. But we get a RETURN for what we wisely INVEST in ourselves.

This pandemic has allowed us to spend time with ourselves and to truly love ourselves and/or face ourselves. When you LOVE yourself it’s much easier not to be attached to “things” and to let go of what doesn’t work or doesn’t feel good to you. That’s a plus NOT a minus. He could have purchased or invested that $100,000 and earned interest. There is no interest earned on things we are no longer interested IN. We pay for what we store.

If Something no Longer Fits, Stop Wearing it

If you have a favorite shirt that you can no longer wear but you want to be able to save it so that you can get back into it one day, the problem is it will probably be out of style even if you can get into it, look forward to buying a NEW shirt in the same size instead.

Whether it’s your job, the city you live in the people you know, the body you have the mentality that you have, or the money you make if it no longer fits you stop wearing it. And go shopping for something that you enjoy and that does fit.

Walk in Silence

For those who say that’s easier said than done, I say to you… it’s easier DONE than SAID. Because no matter how many times you say it, it means nothing if it’s not DONE. Why do you need to SAY what you KNOW you need to DO to anyone but yourself and the universe and proceed forth?

I heard a saying that was so profound it stopped me in my tracks. The world is full of lonely people who were afraid to take a chance. Opportunities present themselves to us every single day. We don’t act on them. You increase your odds of getting what you want by 100% by just asking. Even if you don’t get it, you are still 50% richer for having the answer and you are able to move on to the next opportunity with no regrets or questions.

When we are younger we took forever to get to know someone in the hopes that we could develop a relationship just to find out a year later that they were interested in someone else or we were wrong about them. As you get older you don’t have that kind of time … right? The truth is you didn’t have it when you were younger either, you still wasted time. Ask for what you want before you have a chance to think about it and convince yourself not to do it.

But don’t give up if the answer is no in one circumstance say, a refund that is beyond 30 days. The trick is to keep asking different people. I cannot tell you about the many miracles that have happened in my life just by asking for something, stoping someone, creating something, or putting my request out to the universe.

Ask and you SHALL receive… SOMETHING. Don’t ask you SHALL receive … NOTHING.

Protect Your Mental Health

I’ve been to therapy in the past and I believe it works for some people but I never got how rehashing the pain from the past in your life each week helps you to heal. But I can see how it makes you dependent on the therapist.

If you are going to get therapy, try Cognitive Therapy. A majority of our problems is not as much our past as it is how we relate to circumstances via triggers BECAUSE of our past. The way we THINK is what keeps us in bondage.

Cognitive Therapy is a much shorter approach and is like taking a class, it’s pretty simple and will save you the next 20 years of sitting on a couch each week rehearsing your old pain.

Word to the wise MANY therapists are dishonest and they SAY they do Cognitive Therapy but they don’t they add it to their resume because it’s so popular. You want someone who has been certified and trained not someone looking to lure you in then flip the script on you for 20 years on the couch. Educate yourself more about Cognitive Therapy here.

It’s all our programming. You would be amazed at how wrong you probably are about so many things because of your past experiences and you could be completely wrong in your conclusion because your mother felt that way and it’s your training that has become an unproven core belief. But she was wrong too. A cynic is always correct by determining the outcome/answer because they never ask the question, which makes it incredibly easy to predict the answer which is always no.

If you think,. for example, someone is mad at you because you have not heard from them in a while, test your theory and give them a call. You may be shocked to find out they have been going through some things and meant to call you and they are glad to hear from you. I can’t say what might work for you but for me challenging my negative thoughts and asking for what I want has worked wonders.

6. If it’s Running, Stop Chasing it …

If someone is not interested in you for whatever reason and you find that you call them more than they call you or you are always making the first move they are letting you know you are merely an option who is not on their list of priorities. Cross them off YOUR list.

I promise that once you make up in your mind you are greater than that you will hear from them. It’s almost as if people can feel that disconnect from a distance and they know they have been taking you for granted. You can decide if you want to continue but the older I get the less I believe in second chances. It has been extremely rare that people change who they are but you can change how you feel about them and what you need to do with your connection to them.

Put yourself in their shoes, if you are not interested in someone you NEVER call them they always call you first. Friendships and relationships should be beneficial to BOTH parties or they have no value.

Keep Negatively to a Minimum

I know a woman who is very successful. She is overweight and insecure, she covers it by being elitist. She says the worst things about black men and how Black men have destroyed the black community and are worthless but she is desperately lonely for a black man.

She talks negatively about black men all the time to everyone who will listen and gets furious if you don’t agree with her. When a black man shows any kind of interest in her she puts on her elitist mask and she treats him like sh. Then she says “See what I mean” when he walks off.

I told her she needs therapy. She is an extreme self-saboteur. The very thing that she wants she feels she doesn’t deserve so she pushes it away. Her friends are exhausted hearing her put down black men all the time and no matter how many of them tell her that she is her own worst enemy she doesn’t want to hear it. Until she changes, her story will always be the same. You can’t desire something and have pure contempt for it at the same time and get good results.

Live and Let Live

I was on Facebook one day and someone had pictures of a black man wearing a skirt and women’s shoes. He had a beard and looked very masculine in spite of the women’s clothes. The woman who posted the picture said “Somebody needs to kick his a$#.”

This is someone I’ve known for many years who was very successful and worked in the entertainment industry. Several other black people on the thread agreed with her and were speaking negatively of the man.

There was a time I would have kept silent and not participated in the conversation but this was not one of those times. I responded. While I would not wear what he has on if it brings that man one single ounce of joy to wear those shoes and that dress then so be it, the only thing that’s on you is to STFU and live and let live. He’s not wearing it for YOU he’s wearing it for him. He’s living his life, live yours.

Nobody on the thread said a word. I used to talk about people and called it comedy. I was really doing it because I have been talked about and I used that dark humor to take the attention off of me. As a result, I didn’t have many quality people in my life at the time because you attract the seeds that you plant.

I didn’t know it but I was coming off as a person who was petty and not trustworthy and that didn’t coincide with the core of who I am. It was not my intention but I could see how that could be concluded.

We are our OWN worst enemy and a walking resume. What you say about others is a reflection of who you are and what’s in your heart. I stopped talking about people and I don’t deal with people who talk about people anymore because it is true, if someone talks about others behind their backs as soon as your back is turned … you’re next.

Michael Render is a complex yet interesting individual who the masses have grown to know as Killer Mike. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Mike is a proud native of the ATL.

As a rapper, entrepreneur, political maven, social activist, actor, and writer, Killer Mike is not your average emcee. He is truly a Master of Ceremonies because he has learned to move the crowd in the variety of ways.

Killer Mike is all about that action so there is no surprise that his first single was entitled “Akshon’ off his debut album, “Monster” in 2003. Ever since then he has been a true monster in the way he attacks his career and belief systems. Mike is the quintessential artist who understands that it’s more to life than just putting rhymes to beats as he truly makes moves to the beat of his own drum.

He is the son of a police officer who fights against police brutality. He is a college dropout who is a vehement historian, reader, and believes in alternate forms of education. He is a political activist who sides with Bernie Sanders yet believes in creating a completely different political structure. He is also a rapper who loves cars, gold chains, and smoking weed while simultaneously believing in building Black business, economic development, and generational wealth.

Killer Mike is 100% himself and that is something we can all learn from. Here are 10 things that we can learn from Mr. Michael Render.

1. Pursue Your Passion

This one is simple. Killer Mike left Morehouse to pursue a career in hip hop. While this is not a foreign or new concept, the earlier we realize what is for us, the better things tend to go. We must place intense focus on the things we truly want in life.

What’s more American than young people speaking their mind over things they had to create over pots and pans and electronically because music was taken out of schools? What’s more American than making something out of nothing? What’s more gospel than rap music?

Killer Mike

Be Open to Change

Killer Mike was in hot pursuit of his solo rap career and he was signed to Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon label but when things were not going as well as he wanted, he packed up and took his talents to TI’s Grand Hustle label. In 2012, he released R.A.P. Music, produced entirely by American rapper and producer El-P. Killer Mike and El-P subsequently formed a duo in 2013, branding themselves Run the Jewels; the duo was signed to Fool’s Gold Records and released their self-titled debut in June of that year and they have been running jewels ever since.

2. Read and Read Some More

Killer Mike is very well read and he is always dropping gems from the various books he has read. A few of his favorites are Robert Beck’s Momma Black Widow, Fredrick Douglas Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas, and W.E.B Dubois Black Reconstruction.

“It really gave me an open mind. I was able to understand that people like the same things—love, lust, adventure, and reading was the best thing for my imagination. As a rapper, I needed a compelling story, and reading helped strengthen my imagination.”

Killer Mike

3. Say It Loud

“Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud,” are the lyrics James Brown gave us in his classic song. Killer Mike has taken this concept and ran with it. He is truly unapologetically Black and embraces not only his blackness, but also his Atlanta roots. He is never afraid to stand up for Black people or the ATL for that matter. No matter the platform, Killer Mike boldly speaks his mind

When asked what specifically needs to happen for Black lives to matter in the United States? Killer Mike responded, “I do not think the United States cares about Black lives mattering.”

He also went on to say, “Black people have never enjoyed our full constitutional rights. Until all Americans enjoy all rights, we are not a socially just society.”

4. Embrace Politics

You would have to be living under a rock to not know how involved Killer Mike is in politics. He has stomped hard for Bernie Sanders for both of his presidential runs. He was definitely feeling the Bern and for obvious reasons. He stated that Bernie Sanders had the most consistent. political record over the last 50 years out of all the recent presidential candidates and it is hard to debate that fact.

The fact is also that Killer Mike has helped to push Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to prominence as well as the incomparable Stacy Abrams. By aligning with them, he also played a pivotal role in flipping the Senate. Mike truly understands the power of politics and he continues to be a major player on the frontlines without actually being a politician.

5. Build a Business

Killer Mike built an iconic barbershop in his hometown of ATL. The Graffitis SWAG Barbershop is more than just a shop, it has also been a haven for men in the community . Mike wanted his employees to have a path toward their own economic elevation. The shop celebrates Black culture in all. it’s glory and has been the go-to spot for several events and music videos. He eventually plans to open 150 shops across the United States over time. The

6. Explore Creative Opportunities

Killer Mike doesn’t spend all his time behind the mic. He has taken his talents to the big screen on a few occasions. Mike has been featured in the films 20 Funerals, Idlewild , and ATL. While acting might not be his first love, he hasn’t been afraid to explore other creative avenues. Killer Mike has also been a voice actor, playing a rapper/actor-turned-U.S. President named Taqu’il in the Adult Swim cartoon Frisky Dingo from 2006 to 2008. Mike guest-voiced a Boost Mobile phone in an episode of the same name of Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

7. Create Generational Wealth

This may be one of Killer’s Mike biggest and most monumental accomplishments as one of the founders of Greenwood Bank. In October 2020, Killer Mike partnered with Bounce TV founder Ryan Glover and former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young to found the bank. Greenwood is an online bank targeting Black and Latinx communities and anyone else who wants to support Black-owned businesses.There is so much excitement around the bank that it has a waitlist to join.

9. Get Your Ideas to the Masses

We have already established that Killer Mike is an out-of-box thinker but if you watch his Netflix docu-series, Trigger Warning, you will truly see how much of a visionary he is. This show is perfect microcosm of everything Killer Mike is. It serves as the perfect platform to get his ideas to the masses.

In Trigger Warning, Mr. Render evaluates Black economics, education, religion, and more fro a very interesting perspective. He literally builds his own society, inspires the Crips to create a cola, and even uses sex to educate people learning new trades. You have to watch it to get it and I suggest you do.

10. Choose Your Partner Wisely

Killer Mike loves his wife and he chose wisely. Mike consistently uplifts his and speaks on her as the boss the family. He once said, “The fact that my wife has stood by me through thick and thin, through short and tall, it further ingrains in me: This is the person I’m supposed to be with.”

One story he shared really puts it into perspective. Killer Mike said he wanted to buy a new car but his woman convinced him to buy a $250,000 10 unit property and today it’s worth $650k. This is exactly why we must have the right people in our corner. That says it all.

When it comes to African-American film and TV Directors, the first one that comes to mind is the legendary and pioneering Black author and filmmaker Oscar Micheaux.

He was the son of slaves and made over 40 films without the help of Hollywood. Many credits him as the quintessential director, who started it all for a long lineage of history-making Black directors in the film and television industry.

From the genius of the Hughes Brothers delivering inner-city tales like Menace II Society, Reginald Hudlin giving us the cult comedy classic, House Party and the forever mood of Black excellence with Boomerang, John Singleton, who is a legend among legends, Malcolm D. Lee providing the smash hit romantic comedy, The Best Man, Spike Lee coming through with the timeless, Do The Right Thing, to Ava DuVernay giving us the powerful and poignant, When They See Us, Black directors have painted the pictures we live. The world needs to see from our cultivated lens.

While many barriers still need to be broken, Black directors, producers, and writers are making strides in today’s industry that we have not witnessed thus far. From Shonda Rhimes massive Netflix deal to Ryan Coogler’s gargantuan success with Black Panther, Black excellence is finally being recognized in a way that we always knew it. In contrast, others ignored it or even siphoned it without us benefiting from the fruits of the talent and labor.

We labor on in this industry trying to find our way, or others like Tyler Perry are just kicking the door down and building their own doors. Either way, we are witnessing a true renaissance, and this list consists of just a few Black directors who have their foot on the proverbial gas and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Lee Daniels

While Lee Daniels is a triple threat in that he is a director, producer, and screenwriter, today, we focus on his work as one of Hollywood’s premiere directors. Daniels has been in the game for a while, and he was first recognized largely as a producer with the success of Monster’s Ball when Halle Berry became the first and only Black woman to win an Academy Award for leading actress in 2002. Ever since then, Lee Daniels has been on a role.

Daniels directed Precious in 2009, and the film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including two nominations for Daniels (Best Director and Best Picture). Monique won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful role in the film. In 2013, he directed Lee Daniels’ The Butler, a drama that tells the story of an African-American butler who served at the White House during seven presidential administrations.

In 2015, Daniels co-created and directed Fox’s Empire and served as executive producer for all six seasons. The critics are raving about this new directorial project, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, which stars Andra Day. The film is already getting nominations and awards buzz, so the sky is the limit for Mr. Lee Daniels once again.

Regina King

Regina King has had “it” since she was Brenda on 227. We all know the dynamic work she did on Boyz N The Hood and Poetic Justice, but Regina continued to flex her incomparable acting skills in many more dynamic roles that showed her true talent. While she has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and several Emmys for her acting chops, she is also beginning to build an illustrious directing catalog.

Of course, other Black directors have done more; however, Regina King is on the rise after directing episodes of Being Mary Jane, Southland, Insecure, This is Us, Shameless, Pitch, and several other television shows. She has now ascended into the world of film.

With her directorial debut in the film world with One Night In Miami, in which she also served as the Executive Producer, Regina is slated for more success.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield

It’s something about the Chi that can’t be denied. Salli Richardson-Whitfield is a Chicago native who left a significant footprint on the television and film industry. While she has lent her acting skills to the small and big screen, we can find all her directing accolades via television.

Whitfield has been a true force in the world of television when it comes to directing. Since 2011 she has done a masterful job behind the camera while still blessing us with a few appearances on the camera.

Black-ish, Luke Cage, Queen Sugar, Chicago Med, America Gods, Survivor’s Remorse, Scandal, Lethal Weapon, and so many more shows have benefited from Whitfield’s talents as a director.

Ryan Coogler

Simply put, Ryan Coogler dominates the game as a film director, producer, and screenwriter. Since his powerful entry into the industry with his debut film, Fruitvale Station, which won the top audience and grand jury awards in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Coogler has not looked back.

He has gone on to co-write and direct the two Creed films, and we all know the monumental success of the Marvel film Black Panther.

Since coming on the scene with the success of Fruitvale Station, he and actor Michael B. Jordan seem to have the keys to Hollywood, as many view them as an unstoppable tag team. Coogler will be returning as the director of Black Panther II, and also be directing Lebron James’ Space Jam II film.

Ava DuVernay

I recall when Ava DuVernay called the office for Radio Facts magazine, where I was working at the time, to request interviews for her clients when she was running the DuVernay agency, which was a PR agency. Fast forward many moons later, DuVernay is one the most sought directors in Hollywood with her outstanding work on Queen Sugar and the powerful film Selma.

DuVernay’s 2018 Disney children’s fantasy film A Wrinkle in Time made her the first black woman to direct a live-action film earning $100 million at the U.S. box office.

The following year, she created, co-wrote, produced, and directed the Netflix drama limited series When They See Us, based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case, which has earned critical acclaim. The series was nominated for 16 Emmy Awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series, and won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Limited Series.

F. Gary Gray

Like many other directors, F Gary Gray started off directing music videos for artists like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, TLC, Outkast, and a host of others. Once he directed the cult classic Friday, his career took off. He has since directed the films Set It Off, The Negotiator, The Italian Job, Be Cool, Law Abiding Citizen, and Straight Outta Compton.

He also directed the eighth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious, the 18th-highest-grossing film of all time.

Gray is well deserving of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 2019 for his illustrious career in Hollywood.

Gina Prince-Bythewood

For all you Love & Basketball fanatics, Gina Prince-Bythewood is the visionary behind that classic film starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. Gina wrote and directed the film after working as a writer on shows like South Central and A Different World. Blythewood has gone on to direct The Secret Life of Bees and Beyond the Lights.

Most recently, she directed the 2020 film adaptation of Greg Rucka’s The Old Guard for Netflix, starring Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne.[ She is the first biracial black woman to make a comic-book film.

The film was very well received, and now Gina Prince-Bythewood has been tapped to direct Silver & Black, a movie based on Marvel Comics characters Silver Sable and Black Cat.

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry once said, “While everybody else is fighting for a seat at the table, talking about ‘#OscarsSoWhite, ‘ I said, ‘Y’all go ahead and do that. While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll build my own in Atlanta. Because what I know for sure is that if I could build this table, God will prepare it for me in the presence of my enemies.”

No one can deny this man built his table instead of begging Hollywood to accept him at their proverbial table. From the stage and small screen to the big screen, Tyler Perry has done it all as a director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. The self-made billionaire is a shining example of how it should be done.

While some may criticize of his content, no one can knock his hustle and empire-building legacy. We all know his claim to fame was the creation of the character Madea, but Perry is so much more than that role. With several television shows currently running and a plethora of films and plays under his belt, there is no stopping the force that is Tyler Perry.

Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele exploded on the scene as a director after the success of his film Get Out. Although had previous success as an actor and comedian, the film was a critical and box-office success.

He received numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture and Best Director nominations. He received another Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for producing Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman.

Jordan Peele also directed, wrote, and produced the acclaimed horror film Us in 2019. He is the founder of the film and television production company Monkeypaw Productions.

Jordan has been so successful and significant behind the lens that he plans to leave acting alone and focus on directing, producing, and writing. Peele has a brilliant mind, so we should expect more greatness from him soon.

Spike Lee

Spike Lee has been around forever, so why is he even on this list? Lee is on the list because he continues to make strides despite all of his accomplishments.

We all know about, School Daze, Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, and countless other films that will go down in history as cult classics.

From teaching at Harvard, directing Nike Commercials, throwing Michael Jackson and Prince parties, and directing movies in every decade since 1980, Spike Lee is still doing it in a big way. Lee’s Vietnam war film Da 5 Bloods was released on Netflix. The film starred Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Mélanie Thierry, Paul Walter Hauser, and the late Chadwick Boseman.

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with the website Rotten Tomatoes’ approval rating being 92% based on 252 reviews, with the critical consensus reading: “Fierce energy and ambition course through Da 5 Bloods, coming together to fuel one of Spike Lee’s most urgent and impactful films.

Spike is now partnering with other Black directors and producers to bring iconic films to the masses. Let’s appreciate Spike for the legend he is.

To put it simply, music licensing is the licensed use of copyrighted music. You would be surprised or maybe you wouldn’t be as to how many artists don’t generate any income via this revenue stream. I personally know of one legendary hip hop music artists that sought out my help a few years ago regarding music licensing because he surprisingly didn’t have any of his music synced in any television shows, films, commercials, or otherwise.

We talked and all I told him was what I do but I also said, he had fame on his side so he didn’t need to take the route I did. I don’t take any credit whatsoever but I’m proud to say he is now reaping the benefits of sync money.On the other hand, I also personally know one songwriter/producer that hasn’t accumulated the fame of the aforementioned hip hop music artist but he lives a quality life via the world of music licensing. He only creates music for the purpose of providing the perfect accompaniment to a key scene or scenes on the big or small screen.

He hasn’t accumulated the wealth of P. Diddy, Jay Z, or even one of the industry’s top songwriters like Diane Warren but trust me when I say, he lives quite comfortably.I could site many situations about artists I know that have capitalized off the music sync world but I will just give you these tips via my personal experience as I too have made a little change in this world. I don’t want to give the illusion that the bottle popping will commence once you start taking advantage of music licensing but you can at least create another viable revenue stream that can help you sustain your career.

If you are an independent artist that doesn’t have fame on your side, these tips may work for you. By no means am I saying this is the only path to music sync success, but it is the path that lead to my first placement, other placements on ABC, NBC, HBO, Spike TV, FOX, CW, some decent royalty checks, and my most successful placement with my song “Good Life,” produced by David Whiteside of P5Audio, ending up on the American Reunion soundtrack and beyond.  (CLICK NEXT FOR TIPS)

TIP 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Assuming there is no need to tell anyone that creating good music with great sound quality is the true first step, let’s get the party started.As an artist/songwriter, I’m very proud of my music catalogue just as most of us are, but many times what we or our fans think is awesome may actually be awesome but it’s not what a music supervisor is looking for.

It is quite possible that something in your current catalogue fits the criteria but you may need to create some new music with the purpose of getting it synced. Do your research by finding out what music supervisors are looking for.

One easy way to do this is by watching TV. See what types of songs are already getting picked and how they match with the scenes. Without even doing any research, I can tell you that music supervisors always need party music so if you have a quality party song, there you go. Another way is the get on the mailing list of a music licensing company that specializes in placing music, which leads me to TIP 2. (CLICK NEXT FOR ANOTHER TIP)

TIP 2: GET WITH A TRUSTED SOURCE

Just like everything else in the music business or any business, it’s all about relationships. Most artists don’t have direct personal relationships with enough music supervisors so how would we even know what they are looking for. The answer is simple. I’m usually a person that says find a way to cut out the middleman but in this case, you may need one. Find a music licensing company or music company that supplies music to music supervisors.

These companies have direct relationships and history with music supervisors so when it’s crunch time and a music supervisor needs that last minute song to fit their scene; they usually go to a trusted source.  Music supervisors are looking for a good song for reasonable price and that is the entire job of a music licensing company.

They negotiate deals with music supervisors using your music on your behalf. There is an obvious cost to this but my recommendation is to go with the companies that only get paid, when you get paid. Usually these companies have a great reputation because they review and refuse most the music they receive so music supervisors know that they are about quality over quantity. The same company that has rejected 10 of my songs has placed 10 of my songs.

That being said, I’m not knocking any other business model but I’m just telling you what has worked for me. The beautiful thing about all of these companies is that you still own all the rights to your music. They are just there because of their relationships and ability to negotiate. They do not own your music.  (CLICK NEXT FOR MORE TIPS)

TIP 3: BE PREPARED

Once a music licensing company has accepted your song to its catalogue, make sure you make the song available via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and all the other music purchasing or streaming websites as soon as possible. You don’t even have to promote that it’s available for purchase yet but have it ready because once the music licensing company contacts you to let you know that your song has been placed, you generally don’t have enough to time to get the song up on iTunes or get album artwork prepared. They can call or email you on Monday to say your song will be on a television show on Tuesday. This has actually happened to me so be prepared. I can’t tell you the number of times one of my songs has been synced in a television show or a film and instantly fans of that show are requesting how to get that song. This is how your placement translates into another revenue stream.

TIP 4: PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE

 Once your song has been placed in a film, commercial, or television show, promote like crazy. If you can, get out a press release, tell your mother, tell your father, go on social media and make sure to hashtag the film or television show your song was placed in. Make a youtube video of you watching the show your song was placed in.

I’m basically saying, be creative and let people know about your accomplishment. Add this new credential to your bio or resume immediately because people will look you up. This gets you new fans and it makes your current fans take you more seriously. It may also garner attention from someone that can aid in taking your career as an artist, songwriter, or producer to the next level. Once your garner one significant placement, it makes that song more marketable and you as well so take advantage of this opportunity. 

TIP 5: BUILD ON YOUR SUCCESS

Once a music licensing company places your song thank them for it. I know it’s their job to do it but everyone likes to hear those two special words, “Thank You.” It also makes them remember you and they may start to pay more attention to you. This is how you start to build more of a personal relationship with them and trust me, it may lead to an unexpected phone call or email from them where they need you for special project they are working on.

Yes, this has happened to me also. When you are appreciative and grateful of any opportunity, somehow it seems to generate even more positive results for you. It may also lead to an “easier” submission process. The next time you submit a song to them for consideration, they may be more likely to accept it because they know your material produces results and they remember your personable demeanor. Not only build with the music licensing company, but also use them as reference when you are pitching your music for other opportunities.

Relationships are everything in this business so building, nourishing, and maintaining them is essential to take your quality music to the next level and beyond.Just to put a st on it, I have placed many songs but I received my first placement of the song “Good Life” in 2011 on a network television series. In 2012 the song appeared in the film American Reunion and on the soundtrack. Just last week that same song was featured in an episode of ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth.’ The song has never been on radio but has lived a life of it’s own and continues to provide me with some viable income. I hope this helps because we are all in this together.