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Volume 9 – Number 31 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! START YOUR BUSINESS IN 2018
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: BUFFALO SOLDIERS HAVE FLORIDA ROOTS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH: PROGRAMS GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION TOOLS TO SUCCEED
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Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
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WORLDWIDE INSPIRATION
Boys Choir of Tallahassee Director Lee prepares the young men for a performance.
More Than a
Choir
By Beverly Graham
E
arle Lee doesn’t mind preaching to the choir. Maybe that’s because he knows a thing or two about the choir. Lee, the 48-year-old founder of the acclaimed Tallahassee Boys Choir, knows he is helping boys become men with a promising future by utilizing the art of music. The choir’s motto is “no excuses.” In a city with the highest crime rate per capita in the state of Florida, this 22-year-old program provides a safe and nurturing opportunity for young men and in a sense puts them on a path to untold success. “I created this community outreach program which is designed to make sure boys from lower socioeconomic communities don’t get in trouble. That’s what you have to understand, these boys have never been in trouble, we just want to make sure they don’t get in trouble,” said Lee. The Boys Choir of Tallahassee has received numerous awards and recogni-
Boys Choir of Tallahassee Director Lee prepares the young men for a performance.
tions for its performances, including from the White House and the Pope Francis. “One of my favorite moments is when we went to the White House when Barack Obama was in office and I got to shake his hand,” said 17-year-old Travis Parker. These young men have traveled from the Bahamas, to Italy, and quite a few other countries. They sing in seven different languages. Such opportunities have allowed them to expand their cultural knowledge and create memories with their fellow members. They have experienced parts of the world that many young men their age will not get to lay eyes on.
Beverly Graham is a senior in Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication 18 ONYX MAGAZINE
“The Pope pointed to us and called us up to receive communion in front of everyone there, it was unreal,” said Lee. “When we go out of town they sign autographs and take pictures with their fans. They love it. It builds their self-esteem and their interpersonal skills.” This program has created a family of more than 55 brothers. These young men study together before practice, eat with each other afterward, and many of them continue these friendships outside of the choir. “This choir has taught me true friendship and brotherhood…it gave me longterm friends, people I can really talk to,” said 14-year-old Jacob Gay. This is a life-long commitment that is treasured by many of the choir members. “Being in the choir going on 12 years I value mostly being a big brother to some of the younger kids, pushing them to stay on track and do the right thing, not only in the choir but in school and in the community,” said 19-year-old Malik Woodson, who also serves as an intern for the choir. Lee has served as a beacon of hope for these young men who have come to look up to him. “What inspired me to join the choir was the person who recruited me, which was Mr. Lee,” said 13-year-old Corey Johnson. Woodson added: “There are positive Black young males that are doing good things in their community and throughout the country.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MILES JAYE A NEW CHAPTER By Gigi Brooks
I
f you know anything about Old School soul, you’ve definitely heard the R&B classic, “I’ve Been A Fool for You,” among the countless other Billboard hits by the man with the voice and violin, Miles Jaye Davis, aptly named after the legendary jazz trumpeter, Miles Davis. What you may not know is that Miles Jaye has also recorded a variety of jazz releases featuring electric violin, piano and flute. Jaye’s voice impressed Teddy Pendergrass to the point that he was signed to the label on the spot. As a world renowned multi-talented musician, composer, arranger, producer, singer, songwriter, and published author; this new chapter in his life is a refreshing addition to his many talents. As I drive down University Blvd. in Jacksonville, Florida, I see a tall sign ahead. On it a reminiscent stenciled outline of the island of Manhattan’s skyline, with embedded letters: Miles Jaye’s Manhattan Jazz Cafe & Lounge. He is standing at the door, dressed in full chef attire, with a big smile on his face, welcoming me with the excitement
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of a child with a new toy— and of course there’s that big bear hug. The restaurant is quite roomy with a stylish, contemporary decor sporting crimson blue walls adorned with original art, dining tables draped in elegant black linen, a lounge area boasting over-sized black leather seating, a beer and wine bar, and a stage complete with a baby
grand piano. We sit down at a beautifully set table, and to my surprise, within seconds three waiters appear with several samples of food, and dessert from the menu, prepared especially for me by...you guessed it - Chef Miles. The food is excellent to say the least. We begin our feast!
“There have been days when I’ve mowed the front lawn, vacuumed the lobby carpets, prepped veggies, then changed into a fresh shirt and hit the stage — it’s kinda crazy, but it’s the best job I’ve ever had! —Miles Jaye
“The art of food fascinates me.” he says in his deep, baritone voice, between bites. “The preparation and plating is an art. I’m also into the nutrition side of food, so we will have our own herb and veggie garden for the whole farm to table vibe.” I go on and on about the food. It’s delicious! I ask if he really does the cooking, or if behind those conspicuous curtains is a kitchen staffed by professionals. “Actually, I am a professional. I graduated Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando several years back, so yes, I do roll up my sleeves, and hit the line when needed. I think my kitchen staff gets a kick out seeing me do my thing. We’re careful to balance the food/entertainment ratio, because I don’t think of us as a nightclub, or even a jazz club, but we do have live acts— local talent and national recording artists. Since it’s opening in July of this year, the restaurant has celebrated sold out performances of guest artists such as Alyson Williams and pianist Nat Adderley, Jr.”. I’m curious about his transition from entertainer to restaurateur so I ask if he’s planning to retire from music. Leaning back in his chair, he takes a look around the restaurant. “There have been
days when I’ve mowed the front lawn, vacuumed the lobby carpets, prepped veggies, then changed into a fresh shirt and hit the stage— it’s kinda crazy, but it’s the best job I’ve ever had! I’ve been asked that question on several occasions, but I’ve never considered myself a one trick pony. Besides, my partners would never go for that.” He chuckles. We talk more about the future, and what it means for his music career. After all, we still love that voice. Always the perfectionist, he gets up for a moment to straighten out one of the chairs at another table...and one of the waiters. “Definitely more music— always music. Music is like breathing. Just like I couldn’t imagine waking up without breathing, I couldn’t imagine waking up without music in my head. As for the entrepreneur in me, I can’t say. I have so many ideas. I have a few stage plays in me, a few films, then there’s the writing and visual art. And of course, I want more restaurants in other cities throughout Florida to begin with, then the Southeast, then only God knows, but I just hope I’ll be ready, willing and able. God is so cool though, He’ll make sure I’m ready!”
Good Read Music manager, artist developer and now author, Mathew Knowles keeps himself busy. The author of “The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals,” a No. 1 seller on Amazon. The book is a motivational and inspirational read which focuses on characteristics that are common among successful people from all walks of life. Knowles also is the founder, president and CEO of Music World Entertainment (MWE) based in Houston. MWE is one of the world’s leading music and entertainment conglomerates with record sales exceeding 300 million worldwide. His book “Racism from the Eyes of a Child” is due out in 2018. — Marianne Eggleston
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BLACK HISTORY IN THE MAKING FOUR FAMU GRADUATES BECOME MAYORS OF RESPECTIVE CITIES
Keisha Lance Bottoms: Making Change in a New Era Keisha Lance Bottoms is a compassionate leader and committed public servant. During her service on Atlanta City Council, Keisha has sponsored groundbreaking legislation that has addressed the City’s $1.5 billion unfunded pension liability and helped grow the City’s reserves from $7.4 million to nearly $150 million, in just over five years. Keisha has worked with colleagues to achieve the goal of 2,000 officers within the Atlanta Police Department and to successfully balance the City’s budget each year, without increasing taxes. During her term as Vice-Chair of the City’s Transportation Committee, the Maynard H. Jackson International terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport opened, solidifying Hartsfield-Jackson’s place as the busiest airport in the world. Keisha also launched Invest in Southwest, a 360-degree urban planning initiative with the goal of revitalizing and expanding economic development within underserved communities. Keisha has also served as Executive Director of The City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA). Keisha spearheaded the sale and
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$350M planned redevelopment transition of Turner Field (former home of the Atlanta Braves). Keisha has also led a team in redeveloping iconic entertainment venues across Atlanta, including Philips Arena (home of the Atlanta Hawks) and the world-renowned Zoo Atlanta. Alongside her public service career, Keisha has maintained a private law practice for more than 20 years and has served as General Counsel for a multi-million dollar business. Keisha is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, the Dogwood City Chapter of The Links, Inc., the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is a member of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Women’s Solidarity Society. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University, Magna Cum Laude, and Georgia State University College of Law. Keisha is the daughter of the late American R&B singer Major Lance and Sylvia Robinson. She and her husband, Derek W. Bottoms, have the privilege of being the parents of four wonderful children.
Melvin Carter: Breaking New Ground Edging out his opponent with more than 50 percent of the vote, Melvin Carter was elected the first African-American mayor of Saint Paul, Minn., on Nov. 7, 2017. Carter, 38, is a fourth generation Saint Paul resident, and has a long history of dedication to his community. “Our goal is to ensure that when people see a St. Paul police officer on their block…they know they can trust that person and know that they’re on the same side,” Carter said the night of his victory, according to the “Twin Cities Pioneer Press.” Prior to his election, he was the executive director of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet. In this role, he advised Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton on early childhood policy and advocating for important support in all-day Kindergarten, universally accessible Pre-K, and other critical early education issues to ensure that each child in the state has access to the same opportunities.
Before his stint in the governor’s office, Carter served on the Saint Paul City Council for five years holding the office of vice president during his tenure. He successfully addressed many of the city’s most crucial issues, including: requiring landlords to notify tenants of a pending foreclosure; founding the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood to benefit low-income families; and forming the city’s department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity, among other important measures. According to his website, Carter gained interest in civic involvement in 2000 as an undergraduate student at Florida A&M University (FAMU), when his brother-in-law was turned away from casting a vote in a Florida precinct during a presidential election. Melvin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration from FAMU and a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Sakeena, have five children.
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MEN’S FASHION
New Year, New You! The Essentials for a Renewed Wardrobe By Mark Hillery
H
appy New Year! With a new start comes the motivation to finish more assignments and tasks that might not have been resolved by the end of 2017. January gives you an opportunity to rehab your image and purge our closets of outdated and ill-fitted clothing. If you’re having a few challenges organizing your thoughts on how to completely revamp your image, here are a few recommendations on the essential items needed for a renewed wardrobe. 1. Suits: One single-breasted navy blue & one gray suit. These two selections will give you the versatility you’ll need when transitioning from work to an evening out. Remember, nothing too heavy so that you can wear it year round. Tweeds, while stylish and trending, are too heavy, so keep the material medium in weight.
2. Shirts: We certainly have plenty of options when it comes to selecting dress and casual shirts for work and play that can be added to your New Year wardrobe. Consider investing in a white or blue dress shirt with a standard or cutaway collar, depending on the shape of your face. Another great trend is the long sleeve polostyle shirt that looks great with jackets and sport coats. 3. Shoes: First, look for the all-important black dress shoe. The shoe can come in the form of an Oxford, Monks
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(single or doubled buckled), Derby or Capped Toe. The second pair is the versatile, brown shoe. Again, your choices would be the Oxford, Monks, Derby, and/ or Capped Toe versions. Until you have a large selection of shoes, I would avoid buying the identical style of shoes in both black and brown. 4. Pants: The look most designers have opted to create have a very slim-fitted and narrow look. The pants are flat fronts without pleats. I’m not saying that pleats are wrong; just know that they typically make you look larger than you are in the waist. Make sure your wardrobe contains at least one black pair, one navy pair, one gray pair, and one khaki /tan colored pair. 5. The Overcoat: Let’s face it gentlemen, there are times in Florida when you have to put on a coat and acknowledge it’s cold or raining. Either way it goes, you will occasionally need an overcoat. Let’s begin with the transitional medium weighted Trench Coat. They are typically heavy enough to ward off early morning chills and great coats to wear as we tran-
sition from summer temperatures to fall. Other options to choose from include the full-length wool or cashmere dress coat or the comfortable driving length coat. January is the ideal time to set the stage for a remarkable year. A polished image will open the door to a number of career and entrepreneurial opportunities. The essential wardrobe pieces we recommended will help take your confidence to the next level and give you a competitive edge. You deserve the best; so let’s go shopping!
WOMEN’S FASHION
Exit Stage Left Lena Graham-Morris, The Entreprenista®
T
here is a fine line between meshing the desire to be fashion forward with adhering to corporate culture. My creative and production background has allowed me to create connectivity in transitioning from the Green Room to the Board Room! Our decisions are one of our most precious forms of currency. The research will show you that most successful business owners and professionals have certain habits, one of them is wearing a set uniform each day. If you’re given 20tokens each morning that represent decisions you will make throughout the day, and the first 10 tokens are the most impactful, how efficient it is to use a handful of those deciding what to wear? Think of a time you woke up invigorated, ready to take on the day and by the time you chose your outfit you are left a bit drained? I quickly realized to reach maximum productivity; I had to revamp my attire selection process. The first thing I did was create specific looks to categorize my outfits.
Powerbroker. This category is suited and booted! I reserve it for those meeting, presentation and event days. Casual Chic is the look to follow. It is dress down wear but allows you to represent your company or brand appropriately. City Slick is the last with a mix between the two, for instance, a wrap dresses and an optional blazer. This way you can be ready for an impromptu meeting or guest. Next, I organized and categorized all my clothing into these three looks and prepped outfits including jewelry, shoes, and undergarments. I begin to review my schedule on Sunday to understand what the week held. If Mondays are my project day, then my city slicker look is appropriate. If Tuesdays meetings and events, I would pull from my Powerbroker category, and so on. Let’s face it, this is not a production, but we’re always on stage! For More Information Tips, Tutorials and Vlogs visit The Entreprenista Report at Iamentreprenista.com or follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ TheEntreprenista/
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