December 2011

B.O.S.S

E-Magazine of Today’s Young Black Leaders VOLUME 1 I ISSUE 1

12 – 11

Be your Own Success Story

WHAT CAN “ I ”

be?

1st Firsts:

When should I start preparing for

college?

10 Freshman Do’s and Don’ts College Destinations &

F.A.F.S.A. PLUS:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH >> DARON JONES >> CAPPRICCIEO SCATES >> J RODG >> TOYA JAMES >> AND MATTHEW CHERRY www.boss-emag.com

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VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

Mission Statement

O

ur Mission is to provide minority, and underserved youth with an outlet to discover their potential through literary content and accessible role models to evoke the spirit of “believing in one’s self� while teaching them how to create, pursue and believe in the path of becoming a professional.

4 B.O.S.S. magazine

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tent con VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

Features P. 48

P. 13 P. 22

Content

In Every Issue

PARENTS JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND, OR DO THEY?

P. 28

WHAT CAN I BE WHEN I GROW UP

P. 58

HEALTH & EXERCISE

P. 12

1st

10 FINANCIAL DO’S & DON’TS

COLLEGE DESTINATION P. 25

P. 64

35

“Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to choose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice.” ~ Ann Rand

FIRSTS

Community

COOL TECHNOLOGY FOR TEENS

Featured Article:

From the Dirt

Everyone had given up on him... including the dirt.

6 B.O.S.S. magazine

December 2011

Publisher’s Page

Why this? Why now?

B.O.S.S.

E-Magazine of Today’s Young Black Leaders

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Howard J. Clay Jr. howard@boss-emag.com EDITORIAL Editor in Chief - Drea Elizabeth editor@boss-emag.com Editor’s Assistant - Lizzie Pack assistant@boss-emag.com ART James Taylor ADVERTISING Marketing Director - Jeffrey Royce marketing@boss-emag.com Promotions Manager - Linda Tatum contact@boss-emag.com HOW TO REACH US 849 Franklin Rd Suite #708 Marietta, GA 30067 Phone 678-995-5863 Article Submissions email proposal to submissions@boss-emag.com B.O.S.S. is a monthy publication any questions or concerns please contact us immediately. If you are interested in an Advertisement please contact marketing@boss-emag.com Entire contents © 2011 B.O.S.S. E-Mag. unless otherwise noted on specific articles.

All rights reserved.

an affiliate of Clay and Clay llc

HOWARD J. CLAY JR. President/Publisher America’s African American youth are in serious trouble. We tell our youth to be, all they can be but then we don’t do anything after that. We expect them to just “figure it out” and when they can’t, we get upset and say that “you really didn’t want it.” Black youths are dropping out of school like there is no tomorrow. Gang violence is up, poverty is up, and unemployment is at an all time high. So what can be done?

{“Many of our youth don’t even know how to dream...”} In order to induce change we have to give our children an alternative to what they have. We have to give them new options and new dreams. The sad part is many of our youth don’t even know how to dream.

We have to structure something for them to see something different to strive for.

When the thought of this E-Magazine began I was just sitting at home watching TV and wondering “what’s wrong with our youth?” I came up with so many answers that I became dizzy. I was overwhelmed with all the issues from Education to Family Structure. But the number one thing that kept coming up in my head was “ROLE MODELS” and “LEADERSHIP” I began to think about my child hood and who I looked up to. Some of my own “role models” were athletes but most weren’t. My pastor, was black, my doctor was black, my school teacher was black, and my father was black. All of these men in my life were positively influencing me and directing me. But times have changed. Even though many of these things are similar the “direction” is not there. The “leadership” is not present. Does that mean there are people out there in those positions who don’t care, absolutely not but there is just more people in need. More young African American youths lost without direction, without hope, and don’t have a clue where to begin.

“I believe that the youth are not lost, they just need direction.”

This is what I believe, I believe that the youth are not lost, they just need direction. The images that are displayed on television are mostly athletes, entertainers, actors, comedians, those are fine but everyone doesn’t want to be that. Some want to be other things, doctors, lawyers, producers, ect. But they need examples to get there.

That’s my goal for this E-Mag, to reach minority youth and let them know we hear your cry’s and prayers when you ask, “What Can I be, when I grow up?”

Now, let me show you...

7 B.O.S.S. magazine

ured Feat Intervi VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

Interviews are the backbone of our magazine. The personal testimonies of the successful “Bosses” we speak with are priceless. Every issue will have featured interviews that you definitely do not want to miss! These interviews are enlightening, informative, and will, without a doubt, shape your life. All B.O.S.S. interviewees will have income in the 6 figures! What do you want to be when you grow up? Yeah, there’s an interview for that!

Name: Cappriccieo Scates What He Does: Senior Director of SESAC (Atlanta), Author of 10 Steps to Successfully Managing Recording Artists, NARAS Board Member, NARIP Board Member.

When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he said, “I actually wanted to be a truck driver!”

Find out how this potential truck driver made it in a highly competitive music industry. If you are a writer, musician, producer, or an artist, you don’t want to miss this interview. It will change your life!

Each of us, famous or infamous, is a role model for somebody, and if we aren't, we should behave as though we are?cheerful, kind, loving, courteous. Because you can be sure someone is watching and taking deliberate and diligent notes. ~~ Maya Angelou 8 B.O.S.S. magazine

Name: Toya James What She Does: Engineer

iews

Money, great job, great looks, and completely in control of your life...Yeah young ladies you CAN have it all. Learn how she did it and did it with integrity.

Name: Jay Rodg What He Does: Restaurant/Club Owner Who says you can’t make it in your home town? Not only is Jay Rodj making it but is successful in everything he does. Learn how he worked hard and put together a plan, to litereally “Put on for his city”

Name: Daron Jones What He Does: Grammy Winner Song Writer and Produer From a young age he knew he had talent but he also knew he was “God’s Son” Learn how he became successful and never his idenity.

9 B.O.S.S. magazine

Merry Christmas from B.O.S.S. E-Magazine

FIRSTS 1st In Every Issue

If you think going to college is scary enough, imagine being the “1st First!!” What is the “1st First”? It’s the first child from your family who is the first to go to college.

Schools and scholarship committees call this “first generation college student.” Scary thought, huh? For a lot of Minorities, it’s an unfamiliar reality. When should I start getting ready for college? NOWWWW!!!!

12 B.O.S.S. magazine

1st First

Preparing for College

EDITORIAL

1st First

Preparing for College

TOP 10 FRESHMAN DO’S AND DONT’S

12 3 4

The Freshman 15 is totally worth it!-

During your first year, many people (advisors, parents, etc) tell you to not have a full schedule so you can ease yourself into college life and get used to it. This is completely false! 15 credit hours each semester during freshman year is ideal otherwise, you will have to find a way to play catch up when you're an upperclassman. No senior wants to be in a class full of sophomores because they missed registering for the course 2nd year... --Lesson Learned: a full- not overbearing- course load will save you time and money when it comes to graduating on time.

Sharing is caring and it is fun! Many former fresh-

men have horror stories about their roommates... Don't be one of them! Once you receive your acceptance packet, fill out your housing preferences IMMEDIATELY. By sharing accurate information with Residence Life, they can pair you up with someone like you. Don't lie and check the box that says "I usually go to sleep after midnight" if you are an early bird so "they" would think you're cool... Having a great roommie freshman year can set the tone for your time on campus. You will have someone to study with, go eat with, and join clubs with.

--Lesson Learned: Share accurate info, have fun with your great new roommate!

Don't pick your nose or pull out a wedgie in front of the student union. Do everything

in your power to not epically embarrass yourself. When it comes to friends, tudent groups, boyfriends/ girlfriends make sure you are doing what's best for you. If you have a problem judging a decision, just ask yourself "would I feel comfortable posting this on Youtube/ Facebook/ Twitter???--Lesson learned: If you plan to do something that could potentially embarass you, don't do it.

There is no such thing as a free pizza. On many

campuses, Banks set up booths on the quad, especially during Welcome Week. The reps sit there until you pass by and intice you into a trap by asking, "hey, do you wanyt a free pizza?!" You're a college student with Cup-O-soup sitting in your room- of course you want free pizza! You'll walk over to the bank booth and ask "what do I have to do for this free large, 2 topping pizza?" Then they say you have to apply for their low intrest, perfect for students credit card. Seems easy.

You debate in your head pros and cons of having a credit card knowing you do not have your work- study job, yet you decide to do it just for the pizza. This hot and ready dinner just cost you a hit to your credit report for having the bank check your credit score. When you receive the card in the mail, your credit limit is $2,500 which you are likely to blow in the next 2 months. And because you don't have a job, you can't pay your balance due... More negative hits to your credit report.

--Lesson Learned: Don't sign up for credit cards (or bank accounts) to get a free pizza. It's totally not worth it.

13 B.O.S.S. magazine

Free Money! Ballin'! Refund checks are any stu-

dent's favorite thing to receive. Hundreds or thousands of dollars with your name on it are always a good thing. But instead of blowing the money on random shopping binges once a semester, put the refund into a savings account. Why? For many students, refunds are not "free" money. They are just extra loan funds that overpaid your student account.

By having your refunds in a bank account until after graduation, you can ensure that you can pay back atleast a portion of your loan balance. On the other hand, by saving atleast a part of your refunds every semester, you'll end the school year or graduate with a nice money cushion that you can invest or spend on something meaningful, like textbooks for the next term. Think about it- if you get back $2000 in refund money a semester for 4 years and save half of that each time, you will graduate with EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS in the bank. And then, if you put the money into an intrest gaining account like a money market account, you can have more than that!! And what if you decide to save ALL of it...? Well then you'll have $16,000 waiting for you!--Lesson Learned: Money now is more money later!

Student groups now are awesome jobs later. Join and

6 57

participate in organizations!! Besides meeting new people and having fun, if you are an active member in a student group, that is something to put on your resume'. Many real world, after college jobs look at extra- curriculars to gauge how involved you could be in the company based off your leadership positions, the types of groups you were in, and how long you were in a group.

Also, insider tip, managers looking to interview you will more likely hire you if you are/ were a part of an organization they are/ were in.--Lesson Learned: get involved because it can influence how much you get paid in the future.

Money to blow. While we're talking about money, DO NOT take out more loans than you need to cover

your expenses. Financial aid office workers are usually students too, so they are trying to navigate the waters themselves. They will tell you that if you request a higher loan limit on your federal and institutional loans, you will receive a refund check. It's free money, why not? It's not free money, it is money you have to pay back after graduation. So be very careful to not take out more loans than you need to live. And remember, loans are last options. Always try for grants and scholarships before looking into loans. Once you accurately fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), it will immediately tell you what your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) is. When you receive your financial aid award letter from your school, calculate how much you are receiving in "gift aid" (money you don't have to pay back- grants, scholarships, and money your family is putting in) and subtract that from the total amout of your education (tuition and fees, room and board, and other school related expenses like travel to and from school for holidays, books, and a new computer). The number you end up with is either how much you have left to cover or what your refund will be.-- Lesson learned: The less you take out in loans is the less you will have to pay back.

14 B.O.S.S. magazine

Editorial

1st First

Naw, son, you need help. It's ok to ask for help when you need it. Getting

help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of maturity. It shows that you are mature enough to accept the fact you don't know everything. On campus there are so many resources to help you be successful. The writing center, tutoring database, professors' office hours, Teaching assisstants, and minority student affairs office.

These are programs you are paying for in you tuition anyway, might as well use them.-- Lesson Learned: help is right around the corner or in the next building, you have no excuse to not be successful.

"Independent" is not your middle name.

You are a freshman in college, this does not give you authority to spend the money you get from a refund check or money your parents send you. Use your unlimited meal plan to the fullest, live on campus for the four years you are in undergrad, and utilize all the services available to you on campus. Your college/ university has become your world and everything you need to survive and be successful is right there. Don't try to be independent by getting an apartment or car with your refunds. Once you take on that responsibility, it is yours. All the bills that come along with independence are not student- friendly at all.

--Lesson Learned: You're not ballin' so don't front, use your meal plan because you need it.

8 10 9

Party, party, party! For new col-

lege students school can be overwhelming. With all the information to take in, responsibilities, time management to figure out, burnout is something that can affect you badly. Once you have your time managed properly, take a few moments to pamper yourself. But, don't overdo it. Play a video game, take a trip to the mall, or watch tv to take your mind off your workand just clear your head. Once you feel refreshed, you can get back to studying successfully! --Lesson Learned: a clear mind is a productive mind.

Interested in Freelance Writing in B.O.S.S. E-Magazine?

Contact Drea at editor@boss-emag.com

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Navigating FAFSA

1st First

Preparing for College

By Drea Elizabeth

It's that time of year

when high school seniors and college students begin the FAFSA process. FAFSA? What do these abstract letters mean? Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application is oh-soimportant if you want/need to be considered for financial aid.

17 B.O.S.S. magazine

1st First

Preparing for College

What you need: As a high school senior or college student you will need the following information to complete your FAFSA. 1) YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. Make sure you have your social security or tax ID number available. Also, you will need your ID/driver's licence number as well.

2) FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR YOURSELF. Did you work in 2011? If so, you will soon receive a W-2 form from your job and if you filed an income tax return you will need those documents as well. Lastly, if you have any bank accounts in your name, you will need your current bank statements. Use this income info as needed.

3) YOUR PARENTS' PERSONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Have your parent(s) or their info available while completing the application. You'll need their ID numbers, income information for 2011, and their education level. Did they complete high school, college, have a vocational certification? All that goes on your application.

4) YOUR (PROSPECTIVE) COLLEGE INFORMATION. For seniors, you most likely have a list of colleges you have already applied to and those you are planning to complete admissions applications for.

To file a FAFSA you will need all the school codes for all of the schools you have and will apply to. In this section, you will need to state whether or not you will be living on or off campus.

18 B.O.S.S. magazine

You do not NEED information for both parents if one parent's income will not be considered as a way to pay for your education. In simple terms, if you have lived in a single parent household all of your life, you will only need the information from the parent you have lived with. Only stipulation: You must NOT be able to get parental info in order to not use it. A deceased parent, a parent who you have no contact info for apply here. For those students who have lived in foster care, or otherwise a "ward of the court" you will not need to provide any parental information. Lastly, if your grandparents or any other family outside of your biological or adoptive parents are your legal guardians, you can NOT use their information to file your FAFSA.

LET'S GET STARTED

THE BASICS:

Federal aid comes in different forms. There are grants, work-study opportunities, subsidized loans, and unsubsidized loans.

Now, you are equipped with what you need to complete your application, it's time to log on and get started. Here is a short step by step guide on completing the FAFSA.

Grants: free money you do not have to repay; comes with stipulations- a certain amount of credit hours per semester, certain GPA, or Financial need. The money is paid directly to your college.

1) Head over to the official FAFSA website at www.

Work-study: Federal program where you apply/attain a job on-campus and use your pay to cover any needs you may have. The money is paid directly to you.

fafsa.ed.gov. This is the official site of the FAFSA application. Any other website you come across claiming to be a FAFSA site but does not include .ed or .gov in the URL, please be cautious about entering any personal information.

2) Click the "Start Here" button. You will be directed to the first "Student Information" page. Enter your name, social security number, and birthday when prompted.

Subsidized loans: money you borrow that must be repaid after graduation or if you drop below halftime student status (usually less than 6 credit hours a term). With this type of loan, the gvovernment pays interest while you are in school.

Unsubsidized loans: money you borrow that must be repaid after you leave school. With this type of loan, interest accumulates while you are in school.

3) You will be prompted for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for either the student or a parent. If this is

your first FAFSA application, you will need to apply for a PIN. Follow the prompts and enter the necessary information. You will be sent a PIN via email. Both you and your parent(s) need to apply for a PIN. Your PIN is considered your official signature for the FAFSA. This is how you will sign your application at the end of the process and how you will log in the the website when you need to make changes and renew your FAFSA for the next year.

4) Enter in the necessary information. Once you officially log on to the FAFSA application, the website will

take you step by step through each section. Before any financial sections, you will be prompted to complete a "worksheet". These worksheets help you visualize the information and then transfers the appropriate numbers to the actual application. All, and all, it is a calculator used to help you simplify the process.

5) Pay attention to your SAR , EFC, and DRN. You will get this information once you submit the application.

The SAR is the Student Aid Report. This is what gets sent to the list of universities you claimed you wanted to be considered for financial aid. It summarizes all of your information, so look it over and make sure everything is correct. If you find anything wrong with it, you can make corrections right away. Your EFC is your Expected Family Contribution. Based on the correct info you provided on your FAFSA, the EFC is the amount the system assumes your family will be able to pay out of pocket. This is no way a number you and your family should use to determine whether or not you will be able to pay for college. The computer/ FAFSA system generates it, based on this application. If you think your EFC is incorrect, re-check your SAR and make the appropiate corrections.

Lastly, you will see a DNR. Along with your PIN, you will need this number to make corrections after a FAFSA is filed.

19 B.O.S.S. magazine

AFTER FAFSA 1) Check with each of your listed colleges. After your FAFSA has been submited and reviewed by the financial aid offices at the schools you have applied to, contact them to ask if you need to submit any other documents to complete your file. These documents can range from court documents stating that you are a ward of the court, to institutional financial aid applications, to scholarship applications.

2) The financial aid award. After you have applied, been accepted, and submitted your FAFSA, a college will now send you a financial aid award, either as a part of the admissions welcome package or electronically.

Once you recieve all of your aid awards from each school you have been accepted to, review them carefully.

Compare the cost of attendence (tuition, room and board, expenses) against the amount of aid a school is offering you to determine your unmet need. The FAFSA website has great information about comparing financial aid awards. Check it out at https://studentaid2.ed.gov/GetMoney/pay_for_college/award_compare. html.

3) Next year. You will have to renew your FAFSA application every year you will be in school in order to be considered for financial aid. The process is essentially the same, except most of the information will be prefilled with last year's info. Make sure you update changes in your ID/driver's licence number if you have changed your residency and school info if you plan on transferring.

REMEMBER:

The application for FAFSA opens January 1st. It is advised to complete your application as soon as

possible after that to ensure you receive your maximum amout of aid. By filing a FAFSA in January of your senior year in high school, you are applying for financial aid for the following school year. For example, the senior class of 2012 will begin their financial aid applications January 2012 to receive aid for the 2012-2013 school year.

20 B.O.S.S. magazine

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“College Destination�

1st First

High School

Howard University - Washington D.C. For thethe first issue BOSS, we it would For firstofissue ofthought BOSS, we be appropriate to feature one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities. month's college to destination is HOWARD UNIVERSITY! thought it would beThis appropriate

feature one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

This month's college destination is HOWARD UNIVERSITY!

Who Went Here: Phylicia Rashad- Actress

Debbie Allen- Actress/ Director/ Producer Thurgood Marshall- late US Supreme Court Justice Toni Morrison- Author L. Douglas Wilder- First African-American govenor

What You Can Study

*Visual Arts- Design, Fashion Merchandising, Painting, Photography *Fine and Performing Arts- Music Education, Theory and Composition, Music with electives in Business, Theatre Arts, Acting, Dance *Sciences- Pre-med, Biology, Chemistry, Physics *Social Sciences- Psychology, Sociology, Political Science *Engineering- Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science *Business- Economics, Finance, International Business

What to do there

*Join an athletic team or cheer on the Bisons * Nine Fraternities and Sororities to choose from * Get involved in community service * Write for the newspaper * Intern in Washington D.C. * Audition for a play or dance team

QUICK FACTS

READY TO APPLY? Click HERE! (http://www.howard.edu/enrollment/admission/undergraduate.htm) Visit Howard University on the web: www.howard.edu **All information is provided through Howard University and can be found on the University website. www.howard.edu

* Estimated Price tag: $41,695 * Undergraduate Population: 7,000+ * Residence Halls: 8 * Mascot: Bison * School Colors: Navy Blue and White * Athletic Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference * Founded: 22 B.O.S.S. magazine 1867

B.O.S.S. E-Magazine asks...

What will YOUR business card say?

?

No SERIOUSLY, what will your business cards say?

That is what B.O.S.S. Magazine is all about!!!

But before you can believe it YOU have to BELIEVE it. So what we want you to do is to think of what you want to do and design your own business card. Then take a pic and submit it to us for a chance to win!

So BE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY!!!! BE A REAL BOSS!!! Now lets see this future company come to life!

www.boss-emag.com

Book of the Month

Community

High School

Book of the

Month The Grapes of Wrath is a novel published in 1939 and written by John Steinbeck, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

Set during the Great Depression, the novel focuses on the Joads, a poor family of sharecroppers driven from their Oklahoma home by drought, economic hardship, and changes in financial and agricultural industries. Due to their nearly hopeless situation, and in part because they were trapped in the Dust Bowl, the Joads set out for California. Along with thousands of other "Okies", they sought jobs, land, dignity, and a future.

Many of the struggles of the past can translate to YOUR struggles of today. This is a great read and will help you pull through the toughest times.

24 B.O.S.S. magazine

“Student of the Month”

12 11

Community

All Grades

Student of the Month

Sherlyn Mitchell

Congratulations to Sherylin for being “Student of the Month. “ She now qualifies for a Scholarship for the fall of 2012 Academic Year. Congratualtions again, and continue being a B.O.S.S.

I am currently a graduating senior at Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts and a strong leader who thrives on achievement and success. One of my proudest accomplishments was being elected president of the Cicely L. Tyson Concert Choir.

In my local community, I recently received the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders Award.

This award acknowledges young people for their outstanding accomplishments and for being a role model to their peers. This past Thanksgiving holiday, I had an opportunity to volunteer at a local homeless shelter. This was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. To help people who were less fortunate than myself made me feel even more grateful for the life I live.

As a high school student I had the privilege to perform on the same stage with gospel artist, Yolanda Adams, as well as African singer- songwriter, Angelique Kidjo at the 2011 BET Honors. I have also performed at the 85th Anniversary of the Schaumburg center in Harlem, along with Tony award winner from The Wiz, George Faison. As your Student of the month, I would continue to represent leadership, hard-work and compassion.

25 B.O.S.S. magazine

student of the month

Are you the NEXT B.O.S.S. Emagazine “Student of the MONTH� ?

We think being smart should be celebrated more, so WE have to HONOR exceptional students each month.

Do you think you have what it takes to be the Student of the Month?

Let us know!

All you have to do is write a one page statement of why you should be considered and include a picture. If you are featured as a

Student of the Month you will qualify to win a scholarship for the 2012 academic year!

Get ready to be celebrated!

B.O.S.S. E-Magazine

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FEATURE

Interviews

WHAT CAN

I BE WHEN i Lack of knowledge can be blamed for so many different things. We must educate today’s youth of the realistic possibilities their futures can bring. To not only give them a “photo” of their potential but to give them a “map” on how to get there.

28 B.O.S.S. magazine

c a p p r i cc i e o sc at e s B.O.S.S.: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

That’s interesting. I actually wanted to be a truck driver. If I can recall correctly, that’s the thing I wanted the

most. And then, I found out later in life that my Grandfather owned trucks… I didn’t grow up with my grandfather, so I never knew he had his own trucking company. I didn’t know until I attended his funeral and I read in the obituary.

I thought that was very interesting… how the gene pool works. You don’t really know it, but those things have a great affect [on you], overall. So, I wanted to be a truck driver. And of course, as many kids did, I went through the sports phase.

I thought I was going to the league, the NBA. At one point, I realized about my junior year of high school that it wasn’t going to happen. I wanted to be 6’4”, I did get to 6’0”, and so I’m cool there.

B.O.S.S.: So, at what point did that change? Where you had to do something different?

“Rate

All images courtesy of subject

multiplied by Time equals distance. The Rate at which you spend doing something multiplied by the Amount of Time you spend doing something eventually you get to the distance. A lot of people stop and quit.”

Well, to be honest, I got married very early; I had kids very early. By the time I was 19, I was married with two kids. I think that obviously makes you grow up—[being] responsible. So, I tried to be very responsible. I got Saved early in my life, around 18, so I tried to do what I thought was the right thing. The right thing was, you know, to raise your kids and family, marry the girl that you were with, and all that sort of stuff. And I think, ultimately, that’s the type of thing in [my] life that made me have to grow up. My 19 was much different than the average 19 year old because I had responsibilities. So, that changes you. [It] makes you say [things like], “you know what, I want to join the army, so I can take care of my family!” So in essence, that is what I ended up doing. I spent six years in the army, but I think had not been for that situation, I [would have continued on the path to being an attorney]. I ultimately wanted to be a lawyer later in life and that was my goal I had started college.

B.O.S.S.: Since we are already on that topic, take us through those years. From then to now.

Well, from the military, initially when I joined, honestly, I didn’t have a great outlook on the military itself. I thought that the people in the military were a bunch of quitters and cop-outs who couldn’t make it in college. Or they were your 29 B.O.S.S. magazine

high school athletes who didn’t make it to the League.

They didn’t have a choice but to join the military. And then, I later discovered that some of the most articulate, smart, educated, well-grounded people were in the military. So, I think, that in a lot of regards, it gave me a great foundation. I learned how to be on time and I didn’t mind to cut my hair or shave my beard.

It taught me that regimen, which ultimately I used. I started a company while in the military called “Precision Management” and there is a lot in [that] name.

You can’t be precision if you are not on time-- if you don’t do things in a particular order. So, I think that structure [I had] came from the military. I got that precision. I started managing accounts for record labels and I started doing independent promotions, like radio, retail, club, street promotions; working for Sony, Universal, and Tommy Boy.

ever I opened to, I started reading. I said, “This is going to be the thing that’s going to help me make my decision.” And the scripture said something to the affect of, “I already planted the seeds and the harvest is plentiful.” And it said to me, basically, that whatever is on the other side, you are fine, just go ahead and step out on faith and believe that it’s plentiful on the other side. And so, that was the thing that made me decide to chase my dream and do the independent promotions and music business thing.

B.O.S.S: While you were in the Army?

But the general smaller population of people who are successful, unfortunately, we don’t know those [super successful] people. So when we turn to folks for advice, we are not able to say, “hey, Donald Trump!

Hey, Bill Gates!” We [typically] don’t know those people. If I would have went to Russell Simmons and said, “hey I have these ideas, I want to do this music thing,” he would have looked at my office and said, “Capp, I started in a college dorm room, look at what you have.” I had a big office compared to what he had. My office at that time was probably, 400 to 600 square

30 B.O.S.S. magazine

Either they are going to be someone who is a dependent of someone else, someone who works until the age of 60 and retires, or someone who dies and doesn’t make it “that far”.

All images courtesy of subject

While I was in the army, yeah. This was like 1993 and I started approaching the last years of the military […]. I was at the sixth year and I was at that point where either you reenlist for 4 [more] years and do 10 years and make this a career or you get out. So, I started my business and an interesting thing happened. I was really praying about [what decision to make] asking God for some direction and guidance, and I just picked up the Bible, I opened [it], and wher-

It’s interesting because most of the people you turn to for advice they are going to fall into 1 of 3 categories.

All images courtesy of subject

feet. That was huge in comparison, but I didn’t know him [to ask]. So, the people I would turn to for advice? I’d go to my grandfather, but what’s my grandfather going to tell me? Here is a guy that worked 34 years at the steal mill, who actually retired. He was so effective, they had to call him back for six months to train because they couldn’t replace him. So, if I said, “hey granddad I’m thinking about chasing my dream in the music business,” he’s going to say, “psst, son, you better stay in the army and get your benefits!” It’s not a knock, but… I realized there weren’t too many people I could turn to for advice, so I had to look within and believe spiritually, and have faith that I could actually be successful at [my dream]. So, from there, I eventually got an opportunity to go to Ruff House Columbia Records where I did national radio promotion. I promoted Kriss Kross, the Fugees and Cypress Hill. I wrote a book on artist management called 10 Steps to Successfully Managing Recording Artists published in October of 2004. None of that is

to brag, just to give you the basis of where I came from and all the things that have happened.

But more so than anything, I think it has been more about being consistent. That’s one thing I’ve learned the most, is to stay consistent and stay humble. The thing that I’m [still] learning now is to stay consistent and stay humble. If you possess those things, you are going to be fine. Your gift will make room for you because of your humility. People will just want you in the room. But in the mean time, as long as I can be in that room and have my own voice, then I’m fine. But, if I have [to be] in the room and I’m “and-dem” …wait a minute, I don’t want to be “him-and-dem”. Now if it’s “him and Capp” then I’m cool. I worked with Teddy Riley for about 4 years, the first thing I asked Teddy when I started working with him was, “will you allow me to just be me in the room?” Which he thought was weird. I didn’t want anything. I didn’t want any money, let’s just work, and let’s just figure this thing

out, just, please, don’t make me “Teddy-and-dem.” [If so], I will have a problem because I can’t effectively do what I need to do in terms of networking and growing my brand.

B.O.S.S: So you started your business and wrote the book, how did you get to where you are right now?

I started managing a girl group called “Desire” that was actually signed to Universal. The group lasted “a hot minute” and [former Desire member], Nastacia Kendall started writing with Kay Gee from Naughty by Nature.

I had been the manager of the group, so it was her natural thought when a few things started happening for 31 B.O.S.S. magazine

The thing I have learned the most [from that experience] is that the music business boils downs to two things-- copyrights and masters. Attorney, manager-it doesn’t matter what you do. It’s going to boil down to who owns the copyrights and who controls the masters, who controls the masters and who owns the copyrights. That’s why the labels say, (sarcastic voice) “come over here, Artist, sign right here because we want to own the masters.” And a publisher says to a songwriter, “cool! Sign right here because we want to participate in the copyright ownership.” [This is because masters and copyrights are] really what makes

32 B.O.S.S. magazine

the music business tick. Knowing now, what I wish I knew then, when I was at Ruff House… I [was] the guy promoting The Fugees’ The Score album, and you can still hear “Killing Me Softly’ on the radio today. I made whatever I made in 1996 and I’m not getting money from that now, but there is still someone out there getting paid [from that song].

Now, I’m not going to say that every time it plays right now is because of me, but some of it has to do with my effort. Because, I was the guy who was making all the calls, sending off the packages and doing all that stuff to help that [song] get to where it ultimately ended up. So, if I just had 1 percent of that I’d be in a much different place right now. I had a conversation with [Diddy] once and he said, “I sold over 83 million records,” and I said, “Hmmm, I sold 83 million records too!” The difference is that [Diddy] owns the record and I was a worker bee.

I have the plaques, but not the ownership point.

Now, when you get to the point where you see that residual side and every three months you go to the mailbox and get that check for a song they may have done 10 years ago, or 15, 20 years ago, you say, “ahh, this makes sense.” Music Publishing is the only place where you can make money, liter-

All images courtesy of subject

her, to reach back to me as the person who had been managing her before. It was like a natural reaction for her when someone asked who her manager was, she said “Capp”. So, the next thing I know, I’m managing a songwriter. I really had no understanding of [artist management] as it related to songwriting. I sort of understood the artist process, but I didn’t understand the songwriting aspect. We started working together and she landed quite a few [song] placements. As a result [of the placements], I secured a deal for her at DreamWorks. That set me on the path of songwriting and really seeing the residual side.

ally, alive, in your sleep or dead, in your sleep. Corporate America has the 401k plan.

The music industry has publishing. If you are in the Music business and you are not looking at that, in my humble opinion, you are not doing business. This makes sense to me and now I get it. It makes sense that you do something today and you still benefit from the fruits of your labor. And you know, 7 years later you can still go to the mailbox and get a check-- that makes sense to me. When I started to see that and see those checks come in, then I shifted my focus and started looking more in terms of songwriters.

At SESAC, I heard they were going to open an office in Atlanta. I just wanted to put my name in the hat. […] I sent [SESAC] my resume in June of 2006, I had an interview in July 2006, and I didn’t find out I got the job until September of 2006. I started working in October of 06. When I did finally land the job, the first thing I did was fall to my knees and just cried because I thought about how hard I worked for the opportunity. […] There’s not a day I feel like anything that has happened in this office-- any success that we have had is not deserved. We all have worked very hard to get to the point where we are. As a team, as a staff I’m honored every day to come here and just see that so many great things are happening and I have no idea …it’s just to far beyond my belief. I thought I was going to come here and sign a couple of writers [to SESAC]. I didn’t know there was going to be so much more involved.

Ultimately, the one thing I’m consistently realizing about artists and the one fundamental issue I have is that they want to be famous. That’s the issue! They just want to be famous. They are not looking at business. They are like, “hey man, how do I get on?” You could sit until you are blue in the face talking about, “here’s how you do it, here’s the structure, and the business,” and the first thing they want to say is, “How do I get on?” That, to me, is the issue with artists. They want to be famous.

B.O.S.S.: So what is your official title?

My official title is Senior Director of Writer and Publishing Relations…(fumbles through a stack of business cards) it’s on one of these cards…(laugh) I mixed them in with the other [old] cards.

What CAN I be when I grow up?

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B.O.S.S: So you were the assistant director?

No. The Associate Director. A cool thing happened. I was supposed to go from Associate Director to Director to Senior Director. But they skipped me straight to Senior Director. […] I’m not that good, so I’m not even going to try to pretend like that. All I’m doing is keeping the [office] doors open and allowing things to happen like they supposed to. The day that I get that [role confused] is the day it will be time for me to do something else. So, I’m trying to be very consistent. I think the hardest thing for me is being consistent and keeping everything on that level. Because it’s one thing to get to a point where you are successful then it’s another thing to keep it there.

B.O.S.S: RIGHT! Right, that has been the most challenging part. I know that there is a higher power that helps.

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B.O.S.S: What would you say to someone who didn’t get to 6’4” and they are thinking about what they need to do next? You went to the army and it worked out for you, but what would you tell someone who wants to be in the music business, but not famous.

I would say, certainly learn the business. Educate yourself. That’s the one thing I can say that cannot be taken away. People always talk about the “expense” of education. But, if you think education is expensive you should try ignorance. I assure you that that is far more expensive than education.

Know that RATE multiplied by Time equals Distance. The Rate at which you spend doing something multiplied by the Amount of Time you spend doing that something eventually gets you to the Distance. A lot of times, people stop and quit.

Education breeds objectivity. I talk about that in my book. The more educated you are, the more you can say, “Hey, that isn’t right! This is…” But if you don’t know, you are subject to what anyone else is telling you. […]

You would be surprised at how many people adhere to that model-- they don’t even think about there being another possibility, or angle, or question, or answer. They just take [what other people say] at face value. The biggest thing is education. One of my heroes in American history is Frederick Douglass…he is my hero, my hero! I think that if you read anything by Frederick Douglass, or anyone like him, the key, fundamental thing is education. That’s the empowerment… that is the way… that’s what I’ve done.

B.O.S.S VOLUME 1 I ISSUE 1

E-Magazine of Today’s Young Black Leaders 12 – 11

Be your Own Success Story

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Daron Jones

B.O.S.S.: What did you want to be when you were young?

Well, I just wanted to be an entertainer. A performer. A musician.

B.O.S.S: When you were in school did you take classes or anything to prepare you for that career choice?

When I was young, I was gifted in music, so I was doing a lot of different things. I was singing in the chorus. I was playing a lot of instruments. When I was in [elementary school], I was playing three instruments and I was singing. I took a lot of classes. Outside of the classes, it was just really the passion and taking instructions from other people [which] really got me to where I wanted to be.

B.O.S.S. We know a lot of your accolades, but name a few that you are proud of.

Well, I produced and wrote songs for 112, which was the band I was a part of in the 90’s.

[I wrote songs for] Pink, Usher, Kelly Price, Monica, Notorious B.I.G., Jamie Fox, Keyshia Cole, TOTAL, The Isley Brothers… and that’s just to name a few.

B.O.S.S: (Chuckle) That’s just to name a few?

That’s a great list.

Photo by Wil Law / www.wil-law.com

Yeah. Just to name a few. I’ve had some great opportunities. It’s just a blessing to have those opportunities and work with those people.

B.O.S.S.: Now, when it comes to writing, how did those opportunities come about?

Just being in the right place at the right time and being ready. I had to prepare myself to be a producer, and that started with learning how to play an instrument. I had to invest a lot of time into that. I used to invest 12 to 13 hours a day just on playing the piano and learning different chords, different progressions, different songs. Once you learn a whole bunch of songs, then you can apply what you learned in your own experience and start writing your own songs. At first, start out with that-- the practice element and learning music, in general, then have an [an understanding] on how melodies and songs are supposed to be written. And after that, it was just being in the right places at the right times and getting [my music] to the people in need. It’s all about service.

That’s one thing that this [music] game and life, in my opinion, is all about… is just service. So, you get yourself in position so you can serve. These people needed songs-- they needed music, so I was there. I just gave it to them.

B.O.S.S.: How many songs did you have in your catalog before your first paid assignment?

Wow, I don’t even have a clue, because writing was something that I did EVERYDAY, so I can’t even give you a number... even to this day, whenever people see me [I have music]. If you were in my studio right now, I wouldn’t know how many songs were actually in the computer. It’s just an unlimited supply. Really, I really don’t know. I made a habit out of writing new songs and coming up with new material. So I always have it on deck.

B.O.S.S.: Always writing so that you can be ready for your opportunities?

Absolutely, you have got to be ready; you have got to figure out what you want to do as far as 36 B.O.S.S. magazine

service... Then you have to max that talent out.

A TALENT CAN BE GIVEN TO YOU, BUT YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE A TALENT. You can [decide] tomorrow that you want to be a musician. You can get a mentor and learn to be a musician, or you can listen to musicians and build on your craft. Then, when there is an opportunity for you to use your gift to go ahead and participate.

B.O.S.S.: You wanted to be an entertainer from childhood and you’ve been blessed to actually put yourself in good situations to be successful.

What would you say to a young person who is struggling to pursue it and doesn’t know what to do next? What would you say to them?

My first thing would be to find a mentor. Find someone who is doing what you want to do, [someone who is] close to where you’re trying to be, and add to their equation. That’s the best advice I can give because starting up in the business, I worked with a lot of different companies. I worked with DefJam, I worked with Bad Boy, I worked with K. Wales Music, and I worked with 112. But, you have to understand that these are all different companies. I was [a member of ] 112, but I still provided for them what I could provide for them—[music]. […] So, if [you’re young] and you’re trying-- whatever it is you’re trying-- you have to put yourself in a place where it’s happening. Also, once you put yourself in that place, you have to learn how to contribute. Even when Bad Boy first started, we didn’t know who [Diddy] was. I didn’t know because I didn’t really follow executives. I just knew that this was a record label and they make songs here, so I need to learn how to make songs. This is my purpose right now. I’m in the vicinity to solve a problem. So, let me solve the problem closest to me. The problem here is that we need songs, so I slept in the studio. If the problem is “songs”, whenever someone saw me walking through the building I need to have songs [with me]. I was able to get placements with every act on the label. Every act. Not just 112. Not even just the label [we were with]. Pink was in the studio that I was working at in Atlanta and she needed music. She passed by, heard the songs, and said, “What’s that?” (Chuckles) […] For whatever problem [there is], you’re

going to have to be ready to solve it. If it’s photography, music, mathematics or science-- whatever it is-- whatever that problem is, you have to decide, [how you can contribute to solve the problem]. Once you figure out what that is, you learn everything you can about the problem.

Photo by Wil Law / www.wil-law.com

B.O.S.S: Amazing advice!!!

The best advice I can give is to start solving that problem for free! You have to work for free. That’s what [people] in the business don’t understand. You have to work for free. I worked for free for about 6 years before I actually got a profit. Before I turned a profit, I was writing songs for 112-- for free. I was composing music, putting the backgrounds for years for free. I wrote songs for this person, that person, this person, that person, until a budget opened. That’s when they [paid] me. “Okay, Daron, here you go. Here’s a couple [thousand dollars] for these songs.” Then, when the songs […] did well, I got my royalty pay. My royalties-- that’s what sustains me, even to this day.

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37 B.O.S.S. magazine

B.O.S.S VOLUME 1 I ISSUE 1

E-Magazine of Today’s Young Black Leaders 12 – 11

Be your Own Success Story

WHAT CAN “I”

be?

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T o ya J a m e s B.O.S.S: What did you want to be when you were young?

Good question, actually…..I was very uncertain and indecisive, honestly. However, one thing I knew for certain, education,& the ability to retain its knowledge, came easy to me. I was always proficient in math and science, & my teachers were always reassuring me of this. They would say, “TOYA, GREAT ENGINEERS POSSES THESE SKILLS, YOU WOULD BE GREAT AT THAT”. So basically, I chose nothing, it kind of chose me, by default. But I can’t forget the teachers of course, who would encourage me constantly, planting this great idea, that they left up to me to water.

B.O.S.S.: What age was that? And who told you that again?

Photo courtesy of AuNaturalePhoto.com

In sixth grade, I was selected to be a “Superstar”.

By definition, this was a scholarship program designed for kids who were maintaining a pretty high grade point average quarterly. Shortly after, I was chosen to do an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer about this program through Kroger. At that time, I was like any other typical kid, naive to life’s variety of career options, I wanted to be a one of the universally known careers, like a doctor or a lawyer. However, my teachers throughout middle school-- and even when I got into high school, they always told me they thought I would be a good engineer.

B.O.S.S: Wow, that’s impressive. Once you believed that this was what you wanted to do, did you do anything different in high school to prepare for that career choice?

Yes, I did...initially, I was attending a college preparatory school Walnut Hills High School (in Cincinnati), that only accepted kids who passed the entrance exam to get in the school. While I was there, my teachers continued telling me that I would be better in a math and science “challenging” environment. This was when I started looking into transferring schools, & switched my school to a strong 39 B.O.S.S. magazine

math and science program, in order to prepare myself for college, geared towards physics & engineering types of jobs.

It took me 6 years... And that’s 6 ½ college years because they were [using a quarter-system calendar].

B.O.S.S.: So, that helped you prepare yourself for college…how did you choose the college you went to?

B.O.S.S: And you majored in what?

Well, my sixth grade Assistant Principle (Mrs. Blunt) chose me to be in a new program for minority/low income students & families, called “The Young Scholars Program”. Basically, if you had a 3.0 [grade point average] or above, you were selected for the program.

At the program’s close, the students who maintained this GPA from 6-12 grade, were given a scholarship to [The Ohio State University]. Since I met all the requirements, for me, this [Young Scholars Program] was my ticket out. My mom was a single parent, but school was my strong point, and with her help and my inner determination, I […] pushed myself harder, knowing that if I were to succeed, it would be inevitable that I get a full scholarship to a very prestigious, highly regarded University. So, that’s what I did, and received an all exclusive scholarship, even my books were paid for... my mother didn’t pay for anything. Everything was free.

B.O.S.S.: And that was through the Young Scholars Program? That’s a great testament for Young Scholars.

Yes, it is. It’s the best thing I could have been selected for.

B.O.S.S: So you went to Ohio State, and how many years did it take you?

40 B.O.S.S. magazine

I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be in the field of engineering, but I didn’t know which one...ultimately I choose Industrial Engineering, however before doing so I took a core class at Ohio State in which this had to determined. And one of my assignments [for the career class] was to go to different [departments of engineering on campus] and get more information about them, and then try to select which one I think would be best for me. So, I looked at mechanical, electrical, chemical-- all the different types of engineering taught [at Ohio State] and I talked to the chairmen of the departments. In the end, I wrote a paper [about the experience] and I ultimately chose industrial engineering. [I chose it] because it was one area of engineering where you can improve processes and that can be done in any field. For instance, I’ve worked in the food industry, medical, and retail..... […] Industrial engineering is the most versatile engineering, and it’ is one that is needed in all facets of life.

B.O.S.S: What is your official title now?

My official title is Senior Industrial Engineer at J.C. Penny.

B.O.S.S: How has that worked out? Were all the test and programs you did in your youth accurate?

Oh, I love my job (chuckle). I love my job. I love what I do. […] As an Industrial Engineer, my primary function of my job is to improve processes, and make work environments function more efficiently. I’m analyzing constantly, which helps me determine how the “process” could be better in a cost effective and production sufficient way. To avoid using “Engineering confusing jargon”, anything along the lines of “process improvement” an Industrial Engineer is behind it. I love my job, and the company I represent. Day-to-day life and work, never gets boring, because you never know what you are going to get into. And overall, I love saving the Company money.

Photo courtesy of subject.

B.O.S.S: How do you feel when you tell people you are an Engineer?

I feel PROUD. Really proud. […] to say I am a engineer. Partly, due to the fact, It’s the type of career that demands respect, and typically when people think of an “engineer” they think of it being “male” dominated field. Not only that, but I’m also an African-American woman, in this field and you don’t see many minorities or women.

B.O.S.S: What would you tell someone who is trying to get into this field? What they should do to be successful?

First of all, you have to find out what your interest are. Furthermore, before you get into this field-- or any other field-- you have to love what you do because there is nothing like being in a job that you hate. In order to be successful you have to know the business. […] Take your degree and education seriously, because what you learn in college, you will apply to the real world. People go to college and they “pass”, per se. They just make it through school and do not pick up on the essentials. What I found is that those essentials are a part of real life and they really do matter.

41 B.O.S.S. magazine

M at t h e w C h e r r y (This interview was conducted while Mr. Cherry was on set of his new project. Again, we want to say, “Thank you for your time.” )

B.O.S.S: What did you want to be when you were younger?

I wanted to work in radio.

B.O.S.S.: How did that change?

I think it was just a matter of what was available to you when you grew up. I grew up in L.A., and then lived in the Midwest. I went to college and majored in Radio and Television. There were a lot of movies and TV shows being filmed in Ohio, where I went to school, so I adjusted my dream to what my resources were.

B.O.S.S.: So you adjusted it from radio, to television, to movies. Was that a natural progression?

It wasn’t straight into movies. It was an organic thing that I majored in at the College I went to.

Then I played football in the NFL. When I finished, I moved back to L.A. and became a production assistant in the business. I just moved up from there.

B.O.S.S.: What is your official title?

Writer/ director.

Everything. Movies, videos, television, commercials... whatever needed to be directed. There is really no path for this position. There is no good way or bad way. Just because I did it one way and another director did it a different way— there are many ways. People do film school, some people learn on set. You just have to get to it however you can. If it’s something you really want to do, use whatever resources you have until you get a chance to work in it. The advice I can give is whatever you can, however you can-- through school, through work-- get there.

42 B.O.S.S. magazine

Photo courtesy of subject.

B.O.S.S: Independent films?

J ay R o d g B.O.S.S: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

That’s a good question. Amazingly, I wanted to be a teacher. I had a lot of cool teachers, so I felt like I wanted to be one of those cool teachers. […] I think I would relate well to the students because I’m a big kid myself. Being a teacher, working with the kids, and summers and winter breaks-- plus, I thought I could get recess as an adult! That was my big thing!

(Laughs.)

B.O.S.S: What changed?

Nothing changed. I wanted to be a teacher.

When I got to a certain age, my brother and I had this plan that he was going to be a doctor in New York and I was going to be a lawyer in California. We were going to see the whole country, and then, real life hit us. We started working early-- around the age of 13. I had actually forged a work permit! We understood the value of money because money was real to us. I ultimately found out teachers didn’t make that much money. And to be a lawyer, I would be in school a lot longer than I wanted. So, [my brother and I] had to put a plan together to figure out how we could just get some money.

That was our main focus-- to get money.

B.O.S.S: What was the process after that? How did restaurant ownership pop into your mind?

Well, I wouldn’t advise anyone to forge a work permit like I did. My first job was at a restaurant. I worked at Long John Silvers with my buddy, Donte... We were thirteen, cooking fish and dropping fries. We also worked the register-- we were smart kids and we could do it…

But, one day they fired Donte because they found out that he was too young.He never told on me, so i was able to keep working there.

I went from Long John Silvers to Friches to Cheese Steaks and Fries… I think it was inevitable. I was getting [experience] towards my restaurant ownership career and I didn’t know it.

B.O.S.S: So, if you had someone who was thinking about being an owner, what advice would you give him or her?

If anyone is looking to go into the field, as with anything else in life, you have to crawl before you walk.

There may be a situation where you have to work the fries, but you need to understand how to make those fries, PERFECTLY. Be the best fry maker you can be. [Make the fries so well], to the point when people only want you to make fries. If you’re making burgers, be the best burger maker you can be, to the point when people only want you to make their burger. […] Once you perfect your craft, it becomes something that you will own and no one can take that away from you.

B.O.S.S: And you were able to do this in your city… tell me a little more about that.

Well, I never set out to own a restaurant. I felt like my days of being in a restaurant were over [after my teenaged years]. I ran a staffing service for ten years where we did a lot of clerical and industrial professional placements. I got a lot of joy out of that. Getting work for people and seeing their faces after they started [their jobs]-- people who

“...Be the best fry maker that you can be. The best to the point where people only want you to make fries...”

genuinely wanted to work and were happy about having a job. People would come in not having an income, then you put them on a job and a week later, they’re picking up paychecks on Friday! Going from there to […] throwing parties because we really didn’t have much to do in Cincinnati. So, while I was throwing parties, I was also learning about the backend of clubs and the [money] aspect. One thing about working at a restaurant, no one talks about the numbers—like the food costs. I was never concerned about that as a teenager. But, then, once I started working with a group, I came to learn about [the numbers]. I felt that was my introduction into what I am doing now. Once I learned that part of [the business], I felt we needed to open our own nightclub. So, we opened a club-- and with Cincinnati lacking diversity, I figured that if I were Black and owned a sushi bar, it would draw [a diverse crowd]. I knew food was a common denominator for everyone. I had a strong network with the AfricanAmerican community in Cincinnati, so I tried to figure out what would bring us all together. [I took a] leap of faith with sushi, but I saw it in other cities like Atlanta, D.C., Chicago, and L.A. I felt that this was what Cincinnati needed and this is what [everyone is] eating, so…we parlayed into it. Now that I know the restaurant business, I can open a second restaurant-- once you learn something, you can apply it into what you doing now.

Growing up in Evanston, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, we were always around drugs. Drugs were common knowledge for us. It was sad-- we could tell you how many ounces were in a pound, not because of school, but because of being around the drug culture. Even though knew I was not going to be a teacher […] I taught the guys how to read a ruler. I’d tell them that there are sixteen centimeters in an inch like there are sixteen ounces in a pound. I was basically taking guys who used to sell drugs and turning them into carpenters. At the end of the day, if you wanted to work for this building company, you needed to be able to read a ruler. You can’t even imagine how many people will tell you that they don’t know how to read a ruler because no one had showed it to them in that way [so they could understand].

B.O.S.S: I understand that. So you have two businesses now, so what is your official title?

My official title would be… the guy with all the hats. I don’t get caught up in tittles. I know a lot of people who are CEO’s and owners; my thing is I’m the lead worker. I’m going to show you by example. If you don’t want to clean the table and I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t ask you because I wouldn’t make you do something I wouldn’t do. I always make jokes because I’m the head worker, AND I’m the guy who pays the bills. I’m the payee. I’m the payer… To everyone I’m something different. I hate being called “boss” […]; I’m a coworker; I’m a team member. People don’t work for me, but they work with me. For some reason, a lot of us get caught up and say, “I’m the man and everyone needs to fear me.” I’d rather you respect me, any day.

I don’t want the young people to get the wrong impression. It’s not always just about money. I grew up around a lot of hustlers. There is a way to get money without going to college, but college can definitely help. I went to school. I went to Ohio University. I always tell people that I’m not your average guy. As much as I am an introvert, I’m an extrovert and as much as [I play around], I’m a bookworm-- I’m a nerd.

I have a niece who is getting ready to graduate in February, from high school.

And I tell her all the time, “do you.” If you’re different, then be different. And if people make fun of you, and people

“Everyone who was [popular] in high school, 95% of them ”

aren’t successful now.

Photo courtesy of subject.

want to call you names-- I want you to know something… Everyone who was [popular] in high school, 95% of them aren’t successful now. All the “lames” are making it. I was a popular guy because I played sports, but fortunately, I was always able to play both sides of the fence. A lot of guys who I hung out with aren’t doing anything now. I was cool with the thugs and I was an athlete. I was cool with the bookworms, I was a part of [the Inroads program], I was in “young gifted and talented”… I was this and I was that. […] That’s what made me who I am. The guys who I was in Inroads with for public speaking, they are the ones who are getting paid and all the guys who were cool and had cars-- most of them are calling me now, asking me for work. [Either that] or they’re still hustling and making NO MONEY! At the end of the day, if you’re hustling [on the street] the whole year and all you have is $20,000 dollars-- you could have went to McDonald’s and made that.

Knowledge = Power Following your heart's desire will lead you in the direction your spirit wants to go. ~~ Oprah Winfrey

"Man's greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers to things needed to be done." ~~Frederick Douglas

“The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness” ~~ Marcus Garvey

Education is a precondition to survival in America today.~~ Marian Wright Edelman

We all have ability. The difference is how we use it. ~~ Stevie Wonder

It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. ~~ Whitney Young, Jr. “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” ~~ Malcolm X

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Editorial

Community

High School by: Elizabeth Pack

Parent’s just don’t understand,

OR DO THEY?

Yelling, arguing, and slamming of doors. You’ve

been there with your parents before. You disagree with them on something like getting a tattoo, or a new piercing you want. You are a teenager, so you are dazed and confused, lost in the world and so on.

You think no one understands you and that no one has ever been where you are now—especially your parents. Contrary to popular belief everyone has been through this situation. As the years go by each generation continues to believe that the generation before them did not understand the problems they were going through. Until they get older and their kids are saying the same thing to them. No one is perfect and no two situations are the exact same because no two people will react the same. Many times

48 B.O.S.S. magazine

written by Lizzie Pack

I have looked back on pivotal points in my life, even though I’m only 17, and I remember thinking my parents don’t understand me. But honestly, parents understand more than you think. Your parents understand you want to be an adult. They understand you want to make your own decisions. But it is their job to lead you in the direction to make the best decisions for yourself. No matter what you think, your parents have been on this earth longer than you and they are wiser than you. Their job as a parent to raise you in this world the best way they know how is hard enough. So, before you go hollering to your parents “You guys don’t understand!” remember this article and attempt to talk with them because sometimes they just might understand more than you think.

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51 B.O.S.S. magazine

Featured Article

“From the Dirt”

High School

from the dirt

written by: Nimari Nbuke

S E AN PACK Photo courtesy of subject

Everyone had given up on him... including the dirt.

Just as other stories start, it was a dark and stormy night.

Okay, it wasn’t storming, but it was dark and Sean Pack, then 16 years old, was heading home on an ordinary day, down a familiar street. Headphones in his ears, bookbag on his back, in his own world surrounded by music and dusk. Then, out of no where, Sean was attacked...

53 B.O.S.S. magazine

Featured Article

“From the Dirt”

...Wait...Let’s back up for a second. “Who is Sean Pack?” you may be wondering. Well, he’s a nobody... nothing special. Just a regular AfricanAmerican young man who came from a broken home and was raised by his grandparents. How is he different? He’s not. He wasn’t a scholar in high school by no means. Actually, as a matter of fact, he was kicked out of school for “something he didn’t do.” At least that’s what he says. Because of this, he had to get his G.E.D. As we said, nothing special. Sean’s is the typical story that you may hear all the time. Everyone had given up on him.

No one was counting on Sean to do anything more than fail. His grandmother would tell him, “when you done with something or when something is dead, you gotta bury it, and throw some dirt on it.” Sure enough, everyone was done with Sean-- it was time to throw some dirt on him, and bury him.

...Headphones in his ears, bookbag on his back, and carefree because he was in his own world that night. Then, out of no where, three African- American teens with bad intentions appeared. We’re sure everyone had counted these young men out as well because they were nothing special; waiting to bury them with their lack of faith, lack of hope, and the inability to even care.

54 B.O.S.S. magazine

After Sean was forcefully struck in the back of the head with a pistol, he fell to the ground hard, landing in a pile of mud, left behind from an earlier storm. Completely covered in dirt and mud, face down in the ground, barely breathing, barely awake... something happened. Sean’s life changed forever. Sean rose from the ground quickly and ran. He ran away from his attackers. He ran and ran.

Bleeding, tired, covered in mud. Once he stopped, there were over 20 blocks in between where he stood now and where he was attacked. Filled with adrenaline, Sean did not realize the extent of his injuries. Police officers finally caught up with him and part of his scull was cracked and badly bleeding.

One officer said to him, “I saw the whole thing, you okay? I thought you were dead...” If you ask Sean today what happened that dark night, he doesn’t remember much. All he remembers is that he wasn’t ready to go.

That night really changed Sean’s life. Not because of his near-death experience and the tragedy of it all, but because he finally realized that not even the dirt wanted him. With this new inspiration, motivation, and experience, Sean vowed to turn his life around. For a year he lived with his uncle and gained a different perspective of life. When he returned home, he was a new person. He enrolled in school, and began to live his new life...from the dirt.

“I knew everyone had given up on me, and I understood. I really hadn’t given them anything to believe in. From my parents to my teachers, they all knew I had potential, but I hadn’t even come close to reaching it. It’s up to me to change their minds, it’s up to me to prove my worth.”

Photos courtesy of subject

They attacked, Sean. Why? Does it matter? They obviously wanted to physically finish what everyone else had mentally started. Put him in the ground and pour dirt on him-- bury him.

Sean couldn’t have been more on point. It was time for him to run. This time, towards his new future.

He excelled in school and decided to tryout for Marian University’s football team. When he arrived on campus and spoke with the coaches, he felt they did not believe in him as much as he hoped. While Sean did make the team, the coaches threatened to cut him if they didn’t see “anything.” Sean felt attacked, hurt, knocked down-- back in the dirt. Although that may not have been what the coaches were thinking, they may have been trying to motivate him or push out his potential, Sean’s perception had been altered. An all too familiar perception for Sean. In his mind, the coaches were giving up on him. Throwing dirt on him. But this time, it was different... Sean was different. Staying true to form, Sean again ran. He ran until his coaches came to him and offered Sean a scholarship. “I like that one lyric by Lil’ Wayne, he says, ‘Throw dirt on me, birth a wildflower.’

That’s how I feel. I’m a wildflower,” he laughs, “you never know which crack I’m going to spring up from!!” Now, Sean understands that no matter who or what tries to bury you in the dirt, shake it off and run towards your destiny. We can’t wait to see where this “wild flower” shows up next.

Health & Fitness

Are you Ready?

By DrDesha

Follow the scenario of 15-yearold Cierra and 16-year-old Jason. Cierra and Jason have been hanging out for a couple of weeks. On this particular day, Cierra and Jason find themselves alone.

“Thanks for coming through on such late notice. I haven’t seen you in a week or so and I really kinda missed you,” Jason told Cierra as he turned to face her.

“Aww, well you know, you’re my friend. I like hanging with you,” Cierra said nervously.

Jason leaned in and began pecking his lips on the side of Cierra’s neck. Cierra laid back on the bed to give him more room to kiss, but he took that opportunity to put his hands under her shirt.

Cierra took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“I want to show you how much I like you. Are you ready?” Jason asked as he tugged gently at her jeans.

What should Cierra do in this situation? The “just say no” method would work, but what if Cierra said yes? Let us consider three important items that would help Cierra figure out the answer she would feel most comfortable with.

The Baby Center’s cost of living calculator estimates that raising a child will cost you over 58 B.O.S.S. magazine

Pregnancy. Guttmacher Institute reports that in 2006, there were over 70 pregnancies for every 1,000 women under the age of 20. Together, BLACK AND HISPANIC YOUTH comprised nearly 60% of all U.S. teen births in 2008.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

The Center for Disease Control provides these numbers for STDs in African Americans: Between 2006 and 2010, cases of chlamydia rose 26.9%. In 2010, there were over 1167 cases of every 100,000 of chlamydia among Blacks.

$230,000-- payable until the child turns 18. Do you have that kind of money in your sock drawer?

By the look of these numbers, your sexual health isn’t something to leave to chance.

Emotional Effects. Birth control methods and practicing safe sex may minimize your changes of pregnancy and STDs. There isn’t a contraceptive to protect your heart and heighten your self-esteem. Many relationships are no longer than a few months. So, by examining why you are in the relationship will help safeguard you.

Are you looking for someone to respect you? Do you want someone to accept you as a person and not treat you like an object? Is the person you are in a relationship with only with you because of what you give materially or physically?

In 2010, Blacks accounted for 69% of gonorrhea cases and 47.4% contracted syphilis.

In 2009, Blacks accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections.

Your mind is to be appreciated and your heart is too precious for you to have to mend. Cierra has to think about if she’s in a position to be a mother, if she wants to take a trip to the clinic, or if she will have to repair her broken heart. Jason isn’t exempt either. Becoming a father, contracting a sexually transmitted disease and dealing with the stress of a breakup are all hard situations to endure. When the situation arises for you to have sex, just consider this monumental question- ARE YOU READY?

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Article

Health & Fitness

All Ages

Yes, its a new year and everyone is talking about New Years Resolutions. So we’re going to help you with yours. Here are a few suggestions if you want to be a BOSS! * Make a plan for school. * Move to the front of class. * Be a better student. * Increase your G.P.A. by 35% * Do some reasearch on 10 Colleges * Be positive * Believe in yourself * Start thinking about a Major * Start thinking about a Career *Subscribe to B.O.S.S. E-magazine!!!

60 B.O.S.S. magazine

B.O.S.S. E-Magazine we just wanted to remind you...

you DON’T have to follow the CROWD...

Be your Own Success Story

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61 B.O.S.S. magazine

Article

Health & Fitness

Define

Junior High - High School

YOUR P retty

By: NikolE Kane

More often than not, being a young girl means we alter our beauty based on the perceptions of other people. At what point do we take our power back? What is the defining moment where we say enough of what you want; time to start living for me? That’s where defining your own pretty takes precedence over other people’s opinions of you.

Defining your pretty can most certainly pertain to your outward appearance, but that is not the most important factor.

You can’t possibly begin to feel pretty on the outside if you don’t first work on the inside. I have four factors of working on the inside that creates that final fifth pretty on the outside.

STACKING UP KNOWLEDGE

Getting a solid education is always a plus in any situation. Book smarts is just one of the footholds that you step on to climb the ladder of success.

FIND YOUR AMBITION

This world is full of so many opportunities, but nothing in life is simply handed to you. You have to garner some motivation to go out and grab what it is you want.

DREAM BIG

Overcoming a fear of failure is one of the most important things you will ever do in your life. Fear paralyzes you and makes you think that nothing is possible.

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Freeing yourself from fear gives you the courage to dream big. When you dream big you accomplish great things.

FIND YOUR PERSONALITY

It’s okay to admire other people, but in this world you have to be your own person. If we all walked around imitating one person this would be a boring world. Finding your personality and introducing it to the world is the best gift you could give because knowing who you are would be an honor for anyone you meet.

THE FINAL PRETTY

Taking the previous four factors and putting them together creates your final pretty which is your outward appearance. When you know who you are, have confidence in what you want to do, and know where you are headed in life you begin to dress for the success you want. Whether it’s a mohawk, skinny jeans, and skateboard shoes, or a business suit with finely pressed hair and a sick pair of heels, you create the look that is truly you. Know one else can decipher this look except for you.

Loving yourself completely and knowing who you are on the inside create a beautiful person on the outside.

Though sometimes other’s opinions may hold weight in our lives, it should never hold precedence over what makes you define your pretty.

WHAT’S HOT

TECHNOLOGY

SYSTEM READY Solo Beats by Dre from Monster – Pricing: Around $179 Why they’re so special- These are not just any regular headphones. They are the headphones to have. If you love music or record music they are a great buy. The design makes them easy to carry around and have on the go.

Also, the bass is amazing and the audio quality is the best I’ve heard of any other headphones around this price.

The bad thing is they may not be comfortable for everyone so try them out before you to decide to buy. But bottom line is, when you need to drown outside noises out because you are studying for a final or a huge test these are the headphones you should have.

SYSTEM READY Smart Phone- Pricing; Depends Why it’s needed- Whether it’s a Blackberry, iPhone or Android a smart phone is definitely needed for everyday teenage life. I won’t go into details but each smart phone accomplishes the same task in different ways. Texting, calling and internet research are the three main keys to the smart phone.

64 B.O.S.S. magazine

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The E-Magazine is broken up into several sections in order for you to maximize your viewing experience.

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Author

This is the “title” of the printed work.

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“How to read, and understand, the pages of B.O.S.S. E-Magazine” Page number and name of magazine.

65 B.O.S.S.

DECEMBER 2011

Date of e-magazine issue.

B.O.S.S. VOLUME 1 I ISSUE 1

E-Magazine of Today’s Young Black Lead12 – 11

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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Howard J. Clay Jr. howard@boss-emag.com EDITORIAL Editor in Chief - Drea Elizabeth editor@boss-emag.com Editor’s Assistant - Lizzie Pack assistant@boss-emag.com Contributing Writers - Nimari Nbuke Drdesha Elizabeth Pack NikolE Kane Drea Elizabeth ART James Taylor ADVERTISING Marketing Director - Jeffrey Royce marketing@boss-emag.com Promotions Manager - Linda Tatum contact@boss-emag.com

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