Entrepreneurs & Their Inspirational Journeys by Where It Begins

SUMMERTIME IS HERE!

Exclusive Interview with

ADRIENNE GATES Entrepreneurs & Their Inspirational Journeys

CONTENTS

JUNE 2022

Timeekah Murphy Jackiem Joyner Katie Von Kral Speech Najee Kedian West Reec Swiney Jay Jay Live Irma Kacharava Adrienne Gates Amy Webb Keith Brown Dr. Victor G Alicea Attack the Sound Mary HoneyB Morrison Lena Mingo Ashley Baker Victor Migalchan Chrissy Shorter-Arnold

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04 06 08 11 13 16 18 20 24 26 28 30 32 37 40 43 46 49 53

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Cece Hymes Founder

49 W.I.B (Where It Begins) is an Independent agency with the aim to always be innovated in each approach taken to projects and making sure excellence is given in a projects execution when it comes to media marketing, branding, networking and management.

Founded by the well experienced and ever growing force; D.C native - Cece Hymes, the most important and integral aspect of W.I.B is that branding for both Creatives and Businesses is taken to the next level with each and every project undertaken. We’ve continued to represent a very diverse and well acclaimed roster of emerging talents in the entertainment, and businesses!

With a determined persistence for continued excellence, our Founder – Cece Hymes, with a college Degree in Business Management, has also worked within radio and with many companies such as: RDE Entertainment, H.I.G.H Entertainment and Caribbean Gospel Records Ltd.,

My goal is to be the trend not follow it."

Timeekah Murphy 4 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. How do you keep up with the fashion trend? A. I don’t. I stay in my own zone. I don’t look at fashion trends because I have my own style. My goal is to be the trend not follow it. Q. What has been your biggest accomplishment you’ve received in your career? A. Designing for Beyonce and becoming a AT&T Black Future Maker.

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. My name is Timeekah Murphy everyone calls me Murph and I am the CEO and designer of the brand Alani Taylor. Q. What made you want to pursue a career as a fashion designer? A.I was in the Army and my last duty stationed which was Fort Hood, TX everyone looked and dressed the same. I didn’t want to be one of those people, so I started teaching myself to sew to be able to make clothes for myself.

Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. Currently I’m working on my 2023 Fall/Winter collection and opening up my creative space and fashion production house in Atlanta called “The Lab”. We are expecting to be done and open first week of August.

Q. How was your experience collaborating with Deviant? A. Good and bad. It opened a few doors for me, but it wasn’t my best experience. It wasn’t Alani Taylor. I came into fashion to make my daughter’s name and brand value not someone else’s. Q. What has been your biggest challenge you’ve had so far in your career? A. Being Black, Being a Woman, and Being a Lesbian Black Woman. Q. If you can go anywhere in the world, where would you go? A. I would go back to Paris. The fashion in Paris is insane. I would learn so much there as a designer.

Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Instagram: @alanitaylorco email: alanitaylorco@gmail.com Website: alanitaylor.com Facebook: Timeekah murphy or Alani Taylor.

WHERE IT BEGINS 5

"My greatest accomplishment is my daughter Trinity."

Jackiem Joyner 6 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

music. I’ve been touring many places, including Mazatlán, Mexico, and Guadalajara, among other places. I wanted to create a dance feel with a hip Latin beat to get people moving. The result is “Dance Again” Q. Can you give us more details about your tour and what the fans can expect? A. This year will be one of my busiest

Q. Tell us a little about your journey and how you got to where you are today? A. Lots of work and patience is the short answer! A longer answer: I have a ton of passions. The saxophone came as a surprise in high school, as I’d always thought I’d be a drummer. I also discovered a passion as a songwriter. I never thought I’d write hit songs. Dedication to my art and practicing my behind-off is how I got where I am today!! And there were many, many people and organizations that helped me along the way. Q. Who are some of your jazz influencers that inspired you in your career? A. I have been inspired by many artists including Jazz. John Coltrane was one of the first. As well as Charlie Parker and Grover Washington Jr. As a songwriter, I am inspired by many. Including Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Q. Let’s talk about your single “Dance Again” and the motivation behind the song? A. Dance Again’ was inspired by my love for contemporary Latin

tours coming after the pandemic Lockdown. I will be touring New York, Chicago, Virginia, Atlanta, San Francisco, Orlando, Lake Arbor, Houston, and many of the major cities across America. I’ll also be headlining the Mazatlán Jazz Festival in Mexico this year. It will be a fun year for sure! Q. What is your greatest accomplishment? A. My greatest accomplishment is my daughter Trinity!

Q. Can you give us more details on your book and your book club? A. With Joyner Book Club, I hope to introduce readers to new works of literature, bring together writers and readers, and uncover incredible stories that may not be featured on all billboards! While also keeping readers informed of current events in the reader community. Additionally, readers will be the first to know when my own books are released. I’m thrilled that my book club is also establishing a community of independent authors to assist one another in publishing and marketing books! Practical steps to publishing your own stories, poems, and other works of literature! Q. If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be? A. I would love to perform at Times Square! Some might not know that I spent a lot of time growing up in New York. I think performing there would be fun! Q. Are you working on any new projects or upcoming events? A. My new single “Say What” is expected to go to radio nationwide. And I’ll be releasing the second episode to my novel, “Zarya” this summer! Q. How can the readers follow you? A. Join my book club at joynerbookclub.com and follow me on Instagram @author.jackiem. Also, follow my music @jackiemjoyner.

WHERE IT BEGINS 7

"My inspiration comes from loving what I am painting, doing a great job, and knowing that it is going to make someone happy, feel something deep, or inspire them."

Katie Von Kral 8

WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Katie Von Kral, and I am a professional artist, having worked in the industry for over 25 years. I am a painter. I paint original artworks on canvas, custom art on canvas and murals, and I also do live (speed) painting events for charity events, festivals, concerts, and even birthdays! Q. What inspired you to want to be a pro artist? A. Art was something I was always “good” at, but it was the artist/muralist who was doing work in my parent’s house when I was in high school that encouraged me to follow art as a career. I loved doing it but hadn’t planned on it being my life. I was also very academic. This muralist started hiring me in high school to assist her on her projects. That is what really got me going in the art field. Then I chose to major in it for college and I continued to put myself through college doing custom murals for clients. Ultimately, art worked for me because it was a challenge. I had

to use both my creative side and business side in order to succeed. Having a determined personality and a painful medical condition (endometriosis) that made it difficult for me to not work for myself, art worked for me. Q. How do you define your purpose in life? A. For me, my purpose is to share the gifts God has given me and through that, hopefully inspire people, encourage people, help people, and guide others to grow, seek Him and find their purpose. Everything starts under that umbrella and then gets more detailed from there. Q. Let’s talk about your speed painting show and the motivation behind it? A. Speed painting is fun to me. There is a lot of work that goes into speed painting. Most people don’t realize that I have to practice a new piece close to 15-20 times before I go on stage. I enjoy speed painting though because I get to be around people, and it gets me out there where more people can see my work at once. It sparks people’s interest to find out more about my art and

leads them to see the detailed original custom work that I have been putting hard work into for years. I am half introvert and half extrovert, so, speed painting gets me out of the studio and feeds my extrovert side and I like that. Q. Who are your biggest artistic influences? A. The artist lady I mentioned above that first inspired me to follow art is my first biggest artistic influence, Tina DiaGianatassio. To this day, I talk to her at least a few times a month and I couldn’t be more thankful for her guidance and friendship. The second biggest influence would be Frederick J. Brown, who passed away a few years ago. He was mentored by Willem de Kooning, who was mentored by Picasso. I was able to spend a lot of time with him in the studio and him being an expressionist style artist, encouraged me to take more creative risks with my work. He also had a lot to say about life and he was the kind of person that you could talk to for hours and not know the time had passed. Q. Tell us where you find WHERE IT BEGINS 9

your inspiration? A. The inspiration for my work comes from the things I love or believe in, or from my client’s custom pieces that involve sentimental stories that make them happy. I like colorful art that is somewhat representative but also expressive and “pops” too. My inspiration comes from loving what I am painting, doing a great job, and knowing that it is going to make someone happy, feel something deep, or inspire them. Q. Describe how art is important to society? A. Art is important for several reasons. I believe that art depicts history through different people’s eyes. I think art is a form of expression for many and sometimes the only way they can express. I think art is a unique way for someone who can’t do art to give a sentimental gift that can be passed as an heirloom for centuries. I think art can be a financial investment. And then I think it’s as simple as art decorates a home, or an office, or a restaurant and it can make you feel serene,

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on edge, progressive, melancholy, inspired and on and on! Think of how boring the walls would be of every home and building you walked into if there was NO ART. Q. What are some of your goals you want to accomplish in 2022? A. For the remainder of 2022, I plan to continue the work I have on the books regarding speed paintings and custom projects. I will also begin taping episodes for the television series “The Reveal” that I am starring in which will appear on a new network launching in 2023, “Wild Rides Television.” This opportunity evolved from my appearance on a couple episodes of Special Cowboy Moments on RFDTV and the Cowboy Channel that has over 50 million household viewers. Also, I have been chosen to be a spokesperson artist model for a health and wellness company (buyverve.com), that has several products that have aided in everything from better skin, overall health, and even reducing endo pain. I will be beginning the campaigns for

that as well before the end of the year. Q. Are you working on any new events or projects? A. Currently I am working on a speed painting of a huge musician here in the valley that just passed away. I will be painting it at the service that is being held where most like thousands of people will show up. I also will be performing at the Cowboy Ball in Coeur d’ Alene, ID and again at the Celebrity Softball Classic at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, with an array of athletes and celebrities which benefiting veterans and veteran services. Some of the custom pieces I am working on for my collectors are surprise collage paintings and will be posted on my social media as I complete them. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Readers can follow me on my Instagram @artbykvk. My website artbykvk.com or my Facebook @ KVKArtist.

"Everything is relative. In the beginning hip-hop was so diverse and that was a different era. We are still bringing the same flavor but it is just not mainstream anymore."

Speech WHERE IT BEGINS 11

Q. Did you have the intention of having so many collaborations on this album? A. Yes, it was intentional. We really wanted to celebrate hiphop, so we knew we wanted to have as many greats apart of this as possible.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Speech, from the crew Arrested Development. I am a hip- hop artist, been out since the late 80’s. Q. Tell us a little bit about the new project coming out. A. It is an incredibly special project just dropped late last year on all streaming platforms. It is a celebration of hip-hop music. It is called "For the FKN Love". This will be Arrested Development’s 15th album, and it has a lot of great legendary artists featured, Big Daddy Kane, The Sugar Hill Gang, and Monie Love just to name a few. We also have a few new artists featured as well. Q. What was it like bringing all these legends together for this project? A. It is always great working with legends of hip-hop, people you admire and look up to, and it is even better when it works. It was hip-hop at its finest. I am proud of how it all turned out. Q. Going into the process of this project, what was the theme you had in mind? A. Well, I wanted to cater to the people of the hip-hop generation that are now in their mid-30’s early 40’s. We do not get that old school hip-hop sound as much today. We respect and want the younger generation to enjoy it, but we really targeted the old-school hip-hop era. We wanted to represent the lovers of hip-hop that have been in this for 30+ years.

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Q. Who or what track had the best vibes while working on this project? A. We really did not get a chance to vibe due to covid, but I would say that working with Big Daddy Kane on his track was a great vibe because sometimes you want to work with some artist, and it may not always workout, so I was excited that it worked out with him, and we were able to produce a great track. Q. What would you say made this process different due to Covid? A. Covid changed the game of approaching making an album. I would honestly say Covid helped in making this album and the previous one, due to slowing everyone down and allowing us to have the time to work on the album. We all could obviously be doing our own things if it were not for Covid, so we were able to get it done. Q. What are some of the positive attributes that you can take away from this project? A. I would say the material itself and the fact that we are celebrating our 30-year anniversary and we are around and still relevant and making an impact in today’s music industry with all new material. Q. If you could go back 30 years, what advice would you give to “Younger Speech”? A. That is a good question, because I really do not say too much, he did pretty darn well. If anything, I would

say lookout for your group members and make sure that you are doing what is necessary to keep them united. I would tell him to take his time on our second project. Take your time and have patience. Q. How many members are in the group? A. We have four members in the group, but we have four band members. So, I will say eight total on stage. Q. How did your music content grow or change over the years? A. Everything is relative. In the beginning hip-hop was so diverse and that was a different era. We are still bringing the same flavor, but it is just not mainstream anymore. Q. How do we change this and get it back in the mainstream? A. We as a people need to learn to make conscious decisions to promote and support what we think is best for us. Not just go with the flow because if you go with the flow its being controlled and created by someone so why not us. We need to get back to the point where we are not so sensitive or to hard. To have truth in our hip-hop again. I have a documentary on YouTube called the "Nigga Factory" please check it out, valuable info related to this topic. Q. What else do you have going on outside of the new project? A. Just proud of the project. Proud of my children and all the endeavors they have going for themselves currently. Q. Tell us where we can follow you. A. On Instagram and Twitter @Speech__ website: Arresteddevelopmentmusic.com. You can get merchandise and tour schedule there. Please stream For the FKN love. Q. What is the one message that you want to carry out through your family for the next ten generations? A. You matter. Two words, you matter.

"Think before you act and be patient and do not do things based on emotions".

Najee WHERE IT BEGINS 13

a solo artist and prior to that played with a few legends, that I believe you go in and give the song what it requires. I do not really have a favorite or a non-favorite. Q. What made you choose jazz as the genre to pursue? A. I do not think it was a conscious decision. I just decided to be a musician. The culture back then young musicians were trained in big bands. I thought my first four albums, in my opinion, were R&B with the saxophone. The world labeled me as jazz even though I did not think I was. It is a whole different mindset when you play with different artists.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Well, my name is Najee. I am a jazz saxophonist and flautist, a fancy word for flute player. Q. What or who inspired you to start playing jazz? A. Well, I grew up in the 70’s in NYC where playing in a band was the thing to do. When I went to August Martin High School, a high school dedicated to the aviation industry in Jamaica Queens, NY, I wanted to be an airline pilot, but one turning event in my life at the age of 15, was a jazz solo and then all the girls knew my name, so I had a quick career change. I really got into jazz by my mom she was a lovely west Indian lady and a jazz fanatic. I was also trained under the late Dr. Billy Taylor in the Jazz Mobile program. Q. Can you tell us about your new album and the motivation behind it? A. Yes, well the current album I have out is Center of the Heart. Then I have a new project coming out, named "Savoir Faire". This album was done in Brazil and has guest appearances from Allison Williams and Frank McComb. Q. What is your favorite song on your new album? A. I Really do not have one. I have done so much over the 32 years as

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Q. Tell us about your association with the NY Philharmonic Orchestra? A. Well, I have never personally played with them, but my father did. He also played with the San Francisco Symphony and the New York Met and with the NBC Orchestra, he was a very prominent person in classical music world, sad to say I never met him due to his early passing. I have worked with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and others in the studio. Q. What would you say has progressed in your style of music from the beginning verses

now? A. Well, it is a different culture. When I came out back in the late 80’s the media was not easily accessible, and I was fortunate to be able to get on tv shows and programs. We also had retail sales with record stores, now we do not have that, and our sales have declined. Q. What would be your advice to the young person that is trying to make it in this craft? A. I would say be yourself. Try to recognize what your voice is and what you are naturally able to do. In my younger days I would try to be just like my idols, but now I know I had to sound like Najee and stop trying to be like other people. Utilize all the resources available to you. Q. Who was you compared to most coming up earlier in your career? A. People tried to compare me with Kenny G, George Howard, or Grover but I think it was only because it was a commercial appeal to jazz music not because we sounded alike. Q. When you heard those comparisons how did that motivate you? A. I had a profound respect for those artists. People say I opened the jazz

market when my first record went gold, so I never listened to the noise I just did what I did, which was being more of an R&B saxophonist, and it worked for me. I was opening for Freddie Jackson and that opened my audience. Q. Other than the new album coming out, what else can we expect this year? A. Oh, we are touring and doing a couple of festivals. I will be in different cities, and you can go to Najeeofficial.com we usually post upcoming dates. We have a big show with Boyz II Men as well as others. Q. What is left that you have not done that you would like to do? A. Well, I feel, fortunately, like I am at a legacy stage in my career. I have performed and worked alongside some great people. I can say I have lived out all my dreams. At this point I am just trying to protect the legacy. I had my struggles in the beginning, and at one point I made a sacrifice of my horns and went into banking to support my family. Now I am glad I had people in my corner that pushed me. Q. Have you ever thought about writing a book? A. People have been saying I need to catalog all my experiences. I would have never been able to imagine the

things I was able to experience in my life, so I would like to record a memoir and tell the story at some point. Q. If Najee was not your artist name, what would it be? A. I do not know, Najee is my middle name, I used to go by Jerome Rasheed, but it was not sexy lol. So, Najee was more marketable, and it worked. Q. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? A. If I had to choose one, I would be invisible. To be a quiet observer of life and people. Q. What advice would you give to younger Najee? A. There is a lot of advice I would like to give. The main thing would be not underestimating the power of making decisions. Also think before you act and be patient and do not do things based on emotions. Q. Outside of music are there any other projects this year? A. Well, I have been asked to be an ambassador for jazz with the connections to some of the African jazz programs. I am always dedicated to educational efforts as well. Q. Tell everyone where they can follow you. A. Najeeofficial for all platforms.

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"Being consistent will give you the results you need to become successful."

Kedian West 16 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. My name is Kedian West, I am 30 years old, I love fitness and health, I’m a personal trainer and the owner of a brand call SUPERAR Strike. Q What made you want to pursue a career in fitness? A. Fitness was always a passion of mine, I started playing basketball at a young age and when I started high school, I got more involved and got obsessed with the game. My partners would send me to Toronto to play and to attend basketball clinics. So that’s where everything started while I was in college, I had to do an elective and I started learning more about the body and nutrition’s. Then I wanted to know more about foods and healthy lifestyles. Q. Can you give us tips on being healthy and fit? A. Take the time out to find out what you are putting into your body the types of food you consume can either give you energy or take away from you being active. Get enough Sleep/ Eat healthy foods / Do not skip breakfast /Drink plenty of water /No stress. Q. Let’s talk about “Superar Strike” and the motivation behind it?

A. “Superar Strike” SUPERAR is a Spanish word that means to overcome, strike is taken from a previous brand that I had started. learning new things. coming up with creative ideas to improve something or make something new. In the year 2020, I lost trust in a lot of people and during that time I felt like I lost myself also. For some reason everything I was doing didn’t make any sense I started suffering from anxiety and depression but the only place I felt a safe feeling like I could get over what I was going through at the time was being in the Gym. I found myself working out twice per day because it made me feel good and safe. So that’s how the brand started and came about, and I want to create a community like that for others. In each goal is important to love what you are doing and do what you love! Q. Was there a time in your career you felt like you wanted to give up? A. No, I haven’t gotten to that point. When you give up on life, we must never give up on our self, because I love what I am doing and have more to do so that haven’t crossed my mind thus far. Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years? A. The plans we have are great, and we are already thinking about having a bigger building with active wear store, Gym, Nutrition Bar, Therapy room so all in one like a magic place where people can go to forget their everyday problems and can rest and relax. Q. Can you give us some tips on meal prep? A. A little planning and you can fit it into the busiest week. Pick a Prep Day and start with simple. Always do more than one kind of meal, not to get bored, so start small consider each food group. Your plates should

be ½ veggies and the other ½ should be split between protein and carbs. Q. How would you describe your future in three words? A. Happy, Successful and Grateful, Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022? A. Yes! We are getting ready for the presentation for Superar Strike it will be in aStore (address: Martha’s Vineyard). Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Our readers can find and follow us everywhere, they will find easy fitness tips, a healthy lifestyle, food with easy make receipts, and workout motivation. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ superarstrike/ TikTok www.tiktok.com/@ superarstrike LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ superar-strike Facebook: www.facebook/ Superarstrike Website: www.superarstrike.com/.

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"Being in entertainment is absolutely a fun career path but the most amazing part of all of this is being able to give back through our charitable events, programs and efforts."

Reec Swiney 18 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

other artists do not really engage like you do and it was crazy because I majored in technical communications while I was in college. I started getting into it from then on doing interns and things of that nature. My major break was when we had a celebrity basketball game with Chris Brown. I took over the halftime radio show and it went from there. Went from show to show, weekend to weekdays, and my journey is still going.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Once again thank you for letting me come on and be on this great media platform. This is Reec, of course we do our show every day right here on Media Campus West. I am a radio personality; I have been on a couple of tv shows here and there. The main thing you will find me working is with the non-profit organization Positive American Youth. Q. Before we get into that, when you think of 4/20 what do you think? A. Well, I do not smoke, but I know the snack sales are going to go up and the traffic is going to be slow, and everyone will be mellow. On a more serious note, though I know there are a lot of medicinal purposes for marijuana. I just had someone on the show and learned about the first Black owned hemp farm in Ga. They do over 80% marijuana growth. Q. Let's talk about your journey and how you got to where you are today. A. Well, that is a great question. Long story short, I used to always get in trouble for talking in school now it is paying off. Take the other route, I played basketball in college fell in love with music and started releasing songs and transitioned from being an athlete into normal life. I was on billboard charts with a few songs and while I was touring in a few interviews, I was asked had I ever thought about doing radio because

Q. After leaving the major radio station, what was the expectation going into that move? A. The game plan was just to win. I did not have a specific goal. We did not want to have a drop off we wanted the transition smooth. It was more of what kind of environment would I want to be in, and it evolved from there. It’s wonderful to have an idea and it to do well and people validate it. Q. What goals and accomplishments do you have coming up in 2022? A. Being consistent is one, with the show. Trying to put out more content on the podcast. Trying to keep growing in the terrestrial radio. Growing with our sponsors, and uplift and provide for our community. Participating in things such as feeding veterans and celebrity basketball games. Hosting free barbeques since it seems like outside is opened back up. Q. Behind the scenes, what was the biggest challenge you’ve had? A. Just getting people to come on the show. Some people did not come until they saw other celebrities come. So, thank you to all the ones that showed up for me.

Q. How did your non-profit organization come about and what is its mission? A. It started out as a joke with my dad. It is an acronym PAY meaning Positive American Youth. Created the company in 2008. Since the pandemic we have been working on the food pantry. Anything that makes the home better. We attack anti bullying, fitness and healthy fitness. We work with older kids and help with money management. Q. What do you do in your free time? A. Always with the family, my chickens and my dogs lol. The chickens have their own TikTok page, and it is blowing up called BlackYardChickenz. You can have your own chickens just need about 3-6 square feet of yard. Just started off with getting a chicken coop. Stay on the lookout for updated content on our YouTube page. I also want to shout out Hen UP, company with organic chicken fee. Q. If you could switch places with one person for one day, who would it be? A. It would be one of my kids. I want to know if I am really having an impact on them. I want to know their perspective on how I am taking care of things. Q. If you can talk to your chickens what would be the first thing they would say. A. LOL it would be “What are we eating?” Cause they snack good on a regular basis. Q. If you could give a positive message to the audience right now, what eould it be? A. Stay consistent in whatever you are doing, and you are going to win. Most people do not have to be talented or have the most money they just stay constant. It is going to be people who are better than you, but will they outwork you? The game does not change the players do. Just stay consistent. Q. Where can we follow you? A. Reecradio.com reecswiney on IG and Twitter.

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"You can be a great runner but if you are running in the wrong direction, you are going nowhere, but if you just shift then elevation can happen."

Jay Jay Live 20 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Hello, my name is Jay I am a PR Rep and I live in Miami. I am from Australia. I started about 16 years ago as a musician/magician and this is what spring boarded me to. The point where I had millions of views online and really started to shine. Q. So, let us talk about Ace of Spades and the motivation behind that. A. Well, listen the motivation behind that was the pain of the pandemic. I was doing tv hosting and other things around 2020 I was not happy. I was not getting anywhere, and I felt like I was doing everything right. Then when the pandemic happened, and I could not do a lot of events I transitioned to the internet. I formed the Ace of Spades from my magic. It was like you can be a great runner but if you are running in the wrong direction, you are going nowhere, but if you just shift then elevation can happen. Q. How did you come up with the name Ace of Spades? A. Because I was a magician. Also, if you are holding the Ace of spades, you know you have a good chance of winning. Its classy, rolls off the tongue, makes sense, and it went very well. It is a great conversation starter. You must lead your audience into your world where you can move them. That is what people buy into your story what you stand for and what you believe, that is why they support you. Q. How or why did you get into magic, what age did you start? A. I started when I was five. I thought I would be either in entertainment or sports. I always wanted to play pro soccer, but I just went all in with entertainment at 15. I chose magic because it was intriguing, I loved it. Connecting with people and sharing wonders. Now 18 years later I am still working on me and growing and building my confidence. Just by learning new skill sets and take them

with you to every endeavor and you are like a Swiss army knife. It gives you super confidence. Q. What is the difference between the feeling you got doing magic in front of an audience vs helping your clients with Ace of Spades? A. Enrique Iglesias said this, when you are on stage and 35,000 people sing your song you get a feeling of euphoria. The feeling I get now is a warm feeling. It makes me feel like what I am saying works. I get that validation from my peers when they take my advice and win. I feel like the grandpa that sit backs and watch things as they happen. The look in my clients’ eyes of the love and joy of them blossoming. It is a great feeling. Q. What can we expect from you in 2022? A. Hopefully, I will not have to wear a mask ha ha. It is crazy that we are still in the pandemic. I can say I really want to do more events, but I want to do something different because events are getting somewhat boring. People want more so for me it would be giving people an experience they have never had before. Instead of just making people feel good I want to give them a mood change. I want to tell whoever is listening, just put a little creative difference in your products, service or show and it’s not too costly.

Just go live and start talking. This can really boost your confidence. Just get yourself out there and be visible. The real reason people do not get out there and do it is because you are scared. Just get out and do it. Q. What are your three tips on monetizing your business? A. Generally, have a clear offer. Have a straightforward way for people to collaborate with you. Just create, take your thoughts, and give the people something they want and charge a small amount for it. Take the knowledge from your head and the message from your heart and give it out digital. The other thing is once you get some traction find a local company that wants to advertise and get and do a partnership with them. A win is better than no win and cash flow is better than no cash flow. Q. What is a big challenge for you? A. Just being too handsome! Ha ha. I said this before I have always tried to do everything myself. There are good and bad things about trying to take on all the weight. So, I need to allow other people to come into my ship and show me other ways of doing things. Also, to allow my ego not to come into play.

Q. What is the number one thing you would tell someone who Is trying to get themselves or their brand out there? A. I will give you two. First, it is the words you say to yourself. Stop saying you are shy or not funny she is prettier. Your words will make you fly or make you die. Your mindset is powerful. So, mindset and watch your words. Also just do lives. You do not have to do content just go live.

WHERE IT BEGINS 21

Q. What message would you like to give out? A. Every time you hit a wall ask yourself who is telling you that and you say I am telling myself that. Remember words will block you and you really have to be present to it. We need to condition ourselves to not talk ourselves out of things.

"Your mindset is powerful." Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. JayJaylive send me a DM say you saw me on the show, let me know this stuff is working. Also, on www. AceofSpadesAgency.com for all the people trying to make themselves visible and get themselves out there or get verified to have someone in their corner to show them how to brand themselves. Q. What is your perfect customer? A. Someone that is committed, coachable, and has cash. I call it the 3 C’s. first how can I commit to you if you are not committed to yourself. Need to be coachable you cannot come in and want to do it your way. You also need to invest in yourself that is where the cash comes in because that is the way we exchange currencies to get things done. Even someone that has built their business but they want

to seem bigger or be the go-to person or they are struggling to get awareness, so I helped them get global attention. Q. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A. Chicago style deep dish pizza!! A little Giordano’s extra cheese extra pepperoni extra stretched. I will deal with all the problems with dairy for the rest of my life. I love women but that deep dish plays a significant role. Q. If you could go anywhere in the world at any point in time, where would you go? A. Wow that is a good question. Cause you go back to chapters in your life that you wish you could do over. I would say back when I was 17 or 18, I feel like I should have gotten a mentor. I just jumped out there I feel like I should have had better direction. It bothers me when I feel like I should have known some things I know now back then.

If you don't give the market the story to talk about, they'll define your brand's story for you!."

Irma Kacharava 24 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Let’s introduce, who you are and what you do? A. First of all, I would like to thank you for giving me the possibility to share my experience and I hope we can help our readers to develop their Personal Brand or a Company brand for their future careers. Short way to explain about me and my background, my name is Irma Kacharava from Georgia, Tbilisi (Georgia is a country located in the Caucasus, and it is bounded by the Black Sea to the west). Yes, too far from the USA, but No matter, how far we are, with a good strategy and strong management even from the miles we can reach the best result! I am an international PR and Communications specialists with 15 years of experience in PR/ Branding / Social Media/ Project & Event management, Helping Companies & Individuals Build and Develop their Brands! Q. Why did you choose PR as a career? A. Good question, Because PR is a great role for creatives, as you’ll be thinking up marketing campaigns to help different brands sell themselves. it gives you more freedom, opportunity to work for different clients, make new contacts, learn new things every day and see how you become part of the result of what you are doing and when you see with your help how company/person is growing and developing.

Q. Why it is so necessary to build a personal brand? A. Nowadays, it is a very trend-based topic, I would say it needs everybody because everything that we are doing or saying is a PR. Building a personal brand has never been more important than it is today. To start attracting clients for their business or make an audience on social media platforms, and that’s exactly what a lot of people are doing now. Q. Can you give us tips, how to begin and build our personal brand? A. The key to making you different from your competition is building your own brand. Which will distinguish you from others. helping to lasting impression in the mind of people, it is also in your tone, action, messaging, content, voice, and whole image. Personalities are what makes us memorable and that is what gets people to like or dislike us. • Wrap up yourself (this is important) • Choose your target audience • Optimize your personal website or page • Have a content strategy of what you want to do • Have a visibility strategy (photo/video content) • Build a good community. WHERE IT BEGINS 25

"When you know what you're put on earth to do, you do that. People are waiting on you to show up so their lives will be changed. Just show up!"

Adrienne Gates 26 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

marketing team to aid me through it all. However, for so long my professionalism and relatable personality kept me thriving in business. Q. Let’s talk about Real Estate and how you got started in this career? A. When I purchased my home from a friend, she complimented me on my bubbly personality and mentioned that she thought that the real estate industry and I would be a good fit and for so many years it was just I and Real Estate.

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Adrienne Gates is a serial entrepreneur whose career began as a tax specialist in 2014. After building her own successful business, she switched gears to teach business formation to other entrepreneurs. Now, she specializes in helping small business owners gain access to funding and establishing business credit. Gates is an Atlanta, GA native and has a passion for people which brought her to her purpose driven non-profit; Pathways of Wealth and Economic Resources (P.O.W.E.R. Atlanta, Inc.) that focuses on improving financial literacy in marginalized communities. Q. Let’s talk a little about your journey and how you got to where you are today? A. First and foremost I’d like to give glory to God for the many provisions he has made on my behalf. Also, if it were not for family and friends I don’t know where I’d be. I’m a little more seasoned and newer to social media. In the last 2 years I became more knowledgeable of the influence social media has and have since I hired a

Q. What has been some of the hurdles and hardships you’ve had to go through in life? A. I try to find the positive in every situation, but for the purpose of this interview If I had to share a hurdle experience it would have to speak to me as a full-time single mother and full-time employee. Having a child at an early age and not having much support wasn’t easy for me growing up, but I always knew I didn’t want to live my life like this — so I decided to create opportunities for people that look like me.

Q. Can you give us three tips on Financial Literacy? A. • Set Specific Financial Goals • Keep Your Credit Use Below 30% of Your Total Available Credit • Spend on the real you, not the imaginary you.

My purpose in life is to remind as many people as possible of the statements printed above. As an entrepreneur daily operations change, literally every day and you have to be prepared for whatever the day may bring. With that said I feel it is equally important to be kind and also patient with yourself. You have to learn to give yourself grace and take a moment to regroup and hit the ground running again. It is always my hope that my testimony will inspire someone to change their life. Q. What advice can you give to others that would like to be an entrepreneur? A. Stay focused, remain humble and stay the course — for those that are working their traditional 9-5 jobs, use the same tenacity, if not more when working for yourself. It won’t always be easy, but you have to see the end goal and commit to working towards it every day, even if it’s one thing checked off your to-do list, your consistency alone will put you in a better position.

Q. Are you working on any new projects? A. Yes — I’m currently working to create a step-by-step course to help individuals secure business funding and how to start a 6 Figure Business. Q. What are some of the benefits Amidst other mini projects, my Fundof credit restoration? ing Course requires the most attenA. Credit restoration allows you to tion because I’ve witnessed so many challenge data that was improperly business owners like myself not thrive placed on your credit profile which can throughout the pandemic. be removed and can result in a credit score increase. Q. Where can the readers follow you? Q. How would you define your A. On all platforms Instagram, purpose in life? Facebook and Twitter: A. “If I can do it, you can too”. @iamadriennegates “It is possible to be successful”. @poweratlantainc “Be kind to yourself”. @ezmoneytaxsolutions. WHERE IT BEGINS 27

" We’ve created Bucket List Egypt to help people mark off what is often the number one bucket list destination on their list. Our goal is to bring a once in a life time trip in Egypt and positively impact a traveler’s experience by fully submersing in all that Egypt has to offer."

Amy Webb 28 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am Amy Webb and co-founder of Bucket List Egypt, a full-service travel agency that helps visitors connect and experience Egypt. Our goal is to change people’s lives with an unforgettable trip to Egypt. Q. How do you define your purpose? A. I would say my purpose is in connecting people to their highest and greatest selves through opportunities and experiences Q. Let’s talk about “Bucket List Egypt” and the motivation behind it? A. Again it comes down to connections. Me and my partners who founded Bucket List Egypt are passionate in connecting travelers with history and especially an experience that will change them forever as they connect with our ancient ancestors, and most importantly change the narrative about Egypt and truly showcase the rich and diverse history and culture that’s connected to every single civilization thus to everyone. Q. How has the experience been travelling from Egypt to the U.S.? A. Our mission is really to change the incorrect narrative that is out there that traveling to countries like Egypt/middle East/Africa is unsafe. It is very safe but like most places, research is key. Egypt is not somewhere you want to just wing a trip. Egypt is a place that you need to pre plan a trip prior to going to get the most value and best experience. Q. What packages do you offer as far as luxury vacations? A. We offer luxury travel packages at affordable prices, we take care of

everything from the minute a visitor lands to the time they go back, Airport meet & assist and transfers, all tours and guides, Egyptologists, concierge service, customized itinerary, domestic flights, private ground transportation and 5-star accommodations. Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years? A. We want to continue to work with influencers to showcase the many incredible experiences Egypt has to offer and build trust with potential travelers and become #1 trusted travel service to Egypt. Trust is really the most important thing that we strive to create. We aim to make travelling to Egypt as simple and easy as it can get while guaranteeing the most amazing experiences and services. Q. Out of all the places you have been what has been your most memorable one? A. I would say the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. She is a queen that wanted to be referred to as also a King. During her reign Egypt and the entire continent of Africa was extremely prosperous as she made trade available, and her story is something nobody should miss! Her temple that her boyfriend (side guy) created for her is still up as he promised her! It’s fair to say ancient Egyptian civilization gave the world the first female leader and were first to recognize women equal to men. Q. Can you give us more details on participation excursions? A. I think what people don’t know is that there is so many excursions that go beyond historic sites. Yes, visiting the pyramids, sphinx, and

new museum is a must! But there is also some of the best scuba diving/ snorkeling in the world in the Red Sea, desert hiking and camping experiences, gorgeous new beach properties like El Gouna or Sharm El sheikh, night life, and a rich cuisine influenced by the many cultures that passed through Egypt throughout history. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. On the travel side, we have a couple group travels planned this year. One is featuring the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, that’s when the sign aligns on Abu Simbel temple lightening up King Ramses’ statue; an astonishing astronomical and architectural phenomenon that’s been taking place twice a year marking the birth and death of the great king for more than 4000 years!! We also have the Thanksgiving week special package; a classic program including all major sites in Cairo and a Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise, a perfect package for first time travelers to Egypt. We can also customize experiences depending on what guests want to do while in Egypt. On the marketing side, we are planning a couple of promotional influencers trips, one during summer to introduce the many beach cities in Egypt and the summer scene with all the various beaches, activities, parties, and lifestyle. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. www.bucketlisteg.com Instagram: @bucketlistegypt; TikTok @bucketlistegypt; Facebook @bucketlistegyptofficial; Email info@bucketlisteg.com WHERE IT BEGINS 29

" You are worth IT! And only you can define your IT! Pursue IT with purpose on purpose!"

Keith Brown

Q. Tell everyone who are and what you do. A. I’m Keith L. Brown, Servant Leader, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient (2016), and I’m a Professional Speaker, Speaker Coach/Trainer, Political Consultant, Education Coach, and Founder of the “I’m Possible Institute.” I’m most proud of being a “Father not farther.” Q. Who motivated you to be the man you are today? A. I had many positive influences 30 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

growing up, whether family members, mentors in school, the community, and church- I was always involved in extracurricular activities that allowed me to be around positive role models. Growing up in a blended family was not easy for me mentally or emotionally; however, my parents were nurturers; I had two sets of parents who were loving parents in a blended family, and there was always this sense of “Where do I truly fit in,” even during love, there’s a lingering doubt that festers. Overall, I was Blessed to be nurtured in and out of

my home environment. Q. How did you get the name “Mr. I’m Possible”? A. I got the name “Mr. I’m Possible” from Youth at the Sickle Cell Foundation and other school youth. I always spoke about going from impossible to it’s possible to I’m Possible, in terms of growing up labeled “Special Ed,” and so forth. Q. What made you pursue a career in being a motivational speaker?

A. Honestly, I did not choose this career path. It chose me. Even as an Educator from 1994-to 1999- I was always motivating my promising pupils and inspiring them daily, in addition to Educating them through Academic Excellence. I taught English, Speech, and Drama on the High School level and Business English as an Adjunct Instructor at a Technical College. I “Stepped out on Faith” in 1999 and pursued my purpose of Educating and Empowering nationally and globally. There was a “Divine” Itch that had to be scratched, and if I didn’t pursue my total purpose, I would have been unfulfilled and “scratched” from maximizing my significance. Q. Let’s talk about your book “Talk I$ Expensive” and the motivation behind the book? A. Talk I$ Expensive was written as a rebuttal to “Talk Is Cheap.” Talk has NEVER been cheap. There have always been significant consequences due to “Talk.” One profound example is the individual who summoned hundreds to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to terrorize and wreak havoc; lives were lost because one individual controlled the minds and actions of others via his “talk.” Actions may

speak louder than words, but WORDS move people to action. The outcome of that insurrection was expensive! Furthermore, when you know how to communicate effectively or don’t communicate effectively, it could have an expensive outcome in terms of employment and more. Those who Communicate Effectively often expand their impact, influence, and income in society. Finally, I wrote the book to teach people to stop the negative “self-talk” that often keeps individuals paralyzed from reaching their purpose and impacts their mental health as well. “Talk” is the foundation of everything else that follows in our lives, whether positive or negative. Q. Can you give us more details on “Fathers not Farther” program and what all the program offers? A. The “Fathers, not farther” program initially began to coach/train young fathers in Head Start Programs who didn’t have the resources or support needed to be effective dads; however, it’s now In School Districts and Family Advocacy Agencies Nationwide. We still offer training and coaching for all fathers, promote parental involvement, and equip dads to do the following: Reflect, Protect, Respect, and not Neglect their children. We reprogram men who have been raised to believe “Real Men Don’t Cry,” for example. This way of thinking has really damaged the mental health of generations of men, young men, and boys. In addition, we partner with agencies who provide resources for dads to thrive as parents and in their personal and professional lives as well. Q. What are some of your goals you would like to accomplish in the next three years? A. In the next three years, I’d love to expand our coaching/training program for speakers, including youth and young adults, expand my gifts, and branch out into mass media more to inspire and empower millions more to go from “impossible to I’m Possible,” which is the fulfillment of Purpose. I will also write more books that will be tangible tools for helping others excel.

yourself? A. I’m a professional “trashtalker.” When I’m playing spades, basketball, or competing in anything, I talk plenty of trash and effectively get in the heads of my opponents. While I inspire and empower professionally and personally, I’ve been known to be the “ultimate trash talker” when competing. I put on a show like no other!!!!! Q. Do you have any upcoming projects or events? A. I’m presently accepting new clients for In-Person and Virtual Coaching/Training, and I’m touring the Country in School Districts and Colleges Nationally and Globally, beginning in Mid-July. I’m also working on “Mental Health” Initiatives targeting Black Men and Healing. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. Your readers may follow me via keithlbrown_ on IG and TikTok, keithlbrown1911 on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, and check out my website via keithlbrown. com. In addition, I may be reached via adrienne@theipyagency. com. Thanks very much for the opportunity and be empowered. Final Thought for Your Readers: You are worth IT! And only you can define your IT! Pursue IT with purpose on purpose!

Q. Tell us one fun fact about

WHERE IT BEGINS 31

Introducing

Boricua College Founder

Dr.Victor G. Alicea 32 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what your role and responsibilities are at Boricua College? A. My name is Victor Alicea, and I was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in El Barrio in East Harlem. And I’ve been President of Boricua College for about 48 years now. And what I do is I basically move from one campus to the other, we have three campuses. One in Brooklyn, where we began the college, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, a second one in the South Bronx, and the third one in upper Manhattan in Washington Heights. And my job is to manage both the executive and operational parts of the institution as well as the academic part of the institution. Boricua College is a unique institution, the only one of its kind, and we give individualized instruction, meaning a course of one student in a class and the largest classes are 10 to 12 students. The other classes are currently online. And one of the interesting things about this is that we have decided that the important thing about an adult education system is that we look to train the students minds. We think that that is the critical part of any academic enterprise. You have to train people how to think, otherwise, people then have a tendency to absorb what somebody else thinks, and other people’s opinions. But if you have the capacity to think then you can actually create knowledge yourself, not just absorb other people’s version of knowledge. So, that’s a very unique way of looking at education, especially higher education. Boricua College has been accredited now for the past, almost, as I said, 50 years by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities and has been a member of the New York State Council and independent colleges and universities. So, we’re a fully accredited institution. And we are also pleased that we are a very powerful economic engine in the communities we serve. For example, every year Boricua College contributes over $15 million in economic impact to the communities that it serves in Brooklyn, Williamsburg, South Bronx, and Upper Manhattan. So, Boricua is not just an educational engine, it is also an economic engine. So, we provide intellectual competency to New York City but we also provide a

fantastic tax base to New York City and New York State. Q. Let’s talk about your journey and how you got to where you are today. A. Well, as I said, I was born in Puerto Rico, I came to New York City when I was seven years old. I went to public school 57 in East Harlem, and to Cooper Junior High School in Harlem, and then to High School in New York. And then from there I graduated from high school and went into engineering school at City College for about three and a half years then I got a scholarship to go to Columbia University where I completed a degree in experimental psychology, another degree in social work, and a master’s in philosophy, in addition to finally achieving my doctorate at Columbia University, where I taught in the Department of Urban Planning for about three years before being invited by a group of Puerto Ricans who were interested in having a college created that would initially at least cater to the problems of the Puerto Rican student. And so, I took on that task in 1973 and came to participate with a group of innovators who had no idea about how higher education should take place. And so, we created Boricua College and we’ve been doing this work, as I said earlier for about 50 years. We have about 15,000 graduates that we have produced, and some great scholars and scholarships. And we’ve made a major contribution to higher education, not only in New York and not only for Puerto Ricans but to anyone who is interested in developing their mental capacity. Q. Can you tell us about the programs that Boricua College offers to its students? A. Boricua College has a foundational program for the first two years, which is based on liberal arts. You spend two years getting a liberal arts foundation that ends with an Associate of Arts degree, at which point then you’re allowed to enter our upper-division of baccalaureate programs in human services, education, and business administration. And then students who complete the bachelor’s program can also continue on to a master’s degree in education and a master’s degree in Human Services.

"Our academic model focuses on the inseparability of education, culture and career advancement."

Q. What are some of the hardships you went through in your career and how did you overcome those obstacles? A. Well, the first experience that I had, as I said, I was born in Puerto Rico, and I came here when I was seven years old. I used to hear when I was a kid that in New York City there were buildings as high as mountains. And that they were trains, a train that went through the air and another one that went underground. And I used to think, oh my goodness, what must that look like to a kid from Puerto Rico from a rural community. And I used to try to imagine what that must be like. And, of course, when we arrived here, one of the things that happened is my father, and my uncle took me to the Third Avenue elevated train, and I knew that there was one on top of it when they took me to a subway, and they showed me that there was another one underground. You see what happens to the mind of a child at seven years old, who has an image of a train going in the air over high, and then another one was going underground. Do you see how it shocks the mind? Well, I’ll tell you how my mind was further shocked. When we came to New York City, we arrived at the Grand Central Station. My uncle and my father picked me up. And as we were driving through Central Park, I noticed that all the trees were bare. They were empty. And I told my father, why don’t they just chop down all those trees they’re dead and my father began to laugh. WHERE IT BEGINS 33

And I said, why are you laughing? He said, no, it’s because it’s winter. So, there are no leaves on the trees. So, I want you to know what it must be like for a kid like me that comes from an island that’s always green. I had never thought about a tree not having leaves. So, then I said, well, do you mean that the tree is not dead? How come there are no leaves? He says, well, you have to wait till it gets warm the leaves will come out. So, I waited in my mind where the leaves are going to come from. So, I had to wait and wait until it got to be June and July and then the leaves came out again. So, you see how weird it is to be a kid coming from Puerto Rico. Do you want to know what it was like? And what kind of obstacles, what that does to the mind. I’ll tell you what else happened. I went to the first classes at PS 57, and I didn’t know any English. And then there were a bunch of other kids who when they told this, they spoke their last names. Their last name sounded familiar to me, like Torres, Morales, Irizarry, and yet they only spoke English and I only spoke Spanish and it was so weird for me. So, I went back and told my mother. Mom, how come those kids have the same last names as us and they speak English, and I don’t speak English. My mother told me that the English was inside of me and that at some point the English would come out. And so, I would walk around blowing waiting to

34 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

see if the English would come out. And finally, one day it did, and I ended up at Columbia University with a doctorate degree. Q. Thank you. That was phenomenal. Our next question, could you tell us one of your most memorable achievements or accomplishments? A. That I had an opportunity in 1973 to meet a woman named Maria Morales and a man who was a Jesuit priest named Hector Montes. And together we began this journey that’s called Boricua College that’s always evolving. And I’ve seen hundreds of different kinds of people who pass through as teachers, and as colleagues, and I wouldn’t change my life for anything in the world from this experience, where I’ve learned everything about life. Q. Who are some people that influenced you in your career? A. My father and mother, first of all. Also, my two grandmothers, who were completely opposite from each other. And they were also tall so that’s how I got my height from my grandmothers. And then I met a lot of people along the way, who have always given me a little nudge here and there. I think, ultimately, I believe that who I am is a synthesis of all the people that I’ve met along the way, who showed me one thing or another about life.

What is the most surprising fact you’ve learned about yourself this year? A. This year, I’ve learned resiliency, patience, and fortitude. Because I grew up as a child during the atomic age, where they used to show us to hide under a desk because one day there would be this atomic bomb that might come and blow everybody up. So, I’ve always imagined that my world would be destroyed by a big bomb coming from the outside. I never expected my world to be destroyed by a little gnat called COVID-19. This virus is doing more damage, and certainly as much damage as that atomic bomb that we kept imagining as kids would someday come to hurt us. Q. Can you tell us some goals you plan on achieving for the remainder of 2022? A. To live to 112. Q. What’s next for Boricua College? A. We’re going to get past COVID-19, and we’re going to regain our enrollment and continue to provide this wonderful service through this incredibly creative educational model that we have developed here at Boricua College with some great facilitators who are capable of helping people not only to learn how to think but to learn how to feel. Q. Where can our readers keep up with Boricua College? A. Just come to our website and to our Twitter and you will see every day something new coming out of Boricua College.

WHERE IT BEGINS 35

"I am lucky enough to live out my dream with the people I call family behind me. That is why I sing so passionately. They trust me and so I trust them. It’s what makes Attack the Sound special."

“Attack the Sound”

WHERE IT BEGINS 37

Q. Let’s talk about your single “Pick up your phone” and the motivation behind the song? A. Davo: I wanted to write about fighting for love. My interest is ignoring me, and we don’t like to be ignored. I’m begging and pleading to be back the way we were. The fact is though, that’s toxic lol.

Q. Tell everyone who are and what you do? A. Davo: I am the front man/guitarist for ATS. Viano: I am the lead guitarist and background vocals. Royce: Hey I’m Royce Harrington, trombonist and background vocalist of Attack the Sound. Vante’: I’m Vante’, saxophonist and background vocal for the band. Paris: I’m Paris J’Mal drummer and background vocals. Q. How did you come up with the name “Attack the sound” and is it a meaning behind the name? A. Davo: I came up with the name during a focus group with the band. We had a project we were working on called Effect the Sound or ETS which in the military mean Estimated Time of Service. I had hoped for it to be our break project for I could leave the military and tour, but we were that good and the project never got finished. In the focus group I remember describing the drummer as having too much attack and the rest is history. Q. Who are some of your biggest influencers? A. Viano: I would have to give it up to Hendrix, Santana, and John Mayer. Royce: JJ Johnson, Wycliffe Gordon, Slide Hampton, Joe Sample, Roy Hargrove, Bob Marley and EWF & plenty more. Vante’: J Cole, Hank Mobley, Kendrick Lamar, Johnny Hodges. Paris: my peers. Meaning a lot of Chicago creatives that have more skin in the game. Just to name a few Ami, Matt Skillz, Josiah & Leonard Maddox, & Jamiah Rogers.

38 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. What has been one of your most memorable moments you’ve had in your career? A. Davo: There was this time we pretended to have a show with celebrity guest Judges like Add 2 for Paris Jmal surprise Birthday. We did a full set then the judges were super harsh on their feedback. Paris got so mad. The code phrase so we could all break character was “…but you know this all-fake right.” Paris was ready to beat up a judge then we all said “SURPRISE” and brought out cake. This moment lives rent free in my head. Viano: We played navy pier and the weather and vibe were simply perfect. Wind blowing through our hair, and not a single care. Royce: Windy City Live in 2019. While our bandleader (Davo) was heading out for deployment, his final show for the year was my very first with the band. With only one rehearsal under my belt the band gave a stellar performance of our hit single “Bad News”.

Vante’: I’ll have to agree with both band in the next three years? Royce and Viano, those were two A. Viano: in the studio with Pharell shows that are at the top of my list! and setting up for our European tour. Royce: I can see being the headline Q. If you could go anywhere for popular bands on tours. hopefully in the world and perform, a global tour…Attack the Globe where would it be? baby!!!Hitting pop charts. A. Viano: definitely Tokyo, and London. Q. What has been your biggest Royce: Sydney, Australia would challenge as a band? be awesome. My true answer is A. Viano: Well, we’re a large band anywhere where our music brings and setting gigs and rehearsals up joy to the people, and we can safely around everyone’s schedules has bring the party of music to our been the most difficult part. fans. Royce: Our biggest challenge is Vante’: Would definitely love to getting our Sound to the people visit and perform in Japan, which who will take us to the next level. As would be a first for me. the band is closer to evolving into a music juggernaut, I’d personally love Q. Where do you see your

to have a sit down with generational talents like John Legend, Jay-Z & Beyoncé, and pick their brains on what we need to make the jump. Vante’: Everybody has their own personal ventures in music, and I’d say scheduling around it all is the hard part. Q. Do you have any upcoming projects or events? A. Davo: We just finished a project with Isaiah Sharkey so stay tuned for that. Q. Where can the readers follow the band? A. Davo: Follow us on all streaming and social platforms as Attack the Sound!

WHERE IT BEGINS 39

Mary HoneyB Morrison 40 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us, tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I’m Mary HoneyB Morrison, New York Times Bestselling Author, playwright, screenwriter, and single mother to an amazing son, Jesse Byrd, who’s an International AwardWinning children’s author. I’m a breast cancer, domestic violence, and sexual assault (rape), survivor. I reside on social mediav @CelebHoneyB. With 30 books in print, I’m an artist and female empowerment advocate at heart, committed to uplifting women around the world. I make women better, not bitter. I’m a relationship expert, book consultant, and libido coach. If you think you’ve got it, or lost it, either way, I can help you. Last, not least, co-founder of a nonprofit, Healing Her Hurt, Incorporated. Q. Let’s talk a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are today. A. Faith. God gives us the ability to believe in ourselves. I accept His blessings. I credit my success to my great-aunt, Ella Beatrice Turner, for sending me to a public

imagined I could earn, and selfpublish my first novel, Soulmates Dissipate. Thirty books later, I’m taking another leap of faith into the world of film and television.

college preparatory high school far across town. English was always my favorite subject. I heard Oprah say, if an author sold 10,000 copies of a book, they’d get a book deal. I sold 11,004 books. Eddie Murphy, said, when you let go of something to live your dream… never look back. From a GS-2 to a GS-14/15 with Housing and Urban Development, in 2000, I resign from a job paying more than I ever

Q. What made you want to pursue a career as an author? A. My teachers for whom I’m eternally grateful. Educators inspired me to write. And, a tumultuous relationship with my ex-fiancé/soulmate that resembled the movie, The War of the Roses, motivated me to tell my story. The great, E. Lynn Harris was kind to me from the beginning of my literary career. His first series is seven books. So, I decided to make my Soulmates Dissipate series seven books. Never imagined I’d write thirty books. Now I’m in pursuit to produce thirty scripts. Q. Let’s talk about your newest book and the motivation behind the book. A. My newest book is non-fiction, Punany Paradise: 21 Types of Female Orgasms. I’m a strong

WHERE IT BEGINS 41

proponent of Pro-Choice. Thinking ahead, with the threat of abortion being banned in America, women do and will need safe-sex alternatives. Punany Paradise is the perfect solution. With male enhancement drugs being supported by the healthcare industry, while female birth control options are decreasing, I published this book to educate females on self-pleasuring. Q. Who are some of your favorite authors? A. My son, Jesse Byrd. Terri McMillian inspired me to write my first novel after I learned she’d self-published, Mama. Barak Obama, Michelle Obama, Stacey Abrams, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Mantak Chia, Naleighna Kai, Brian W. Smith, J. L. Woodson, Robert T. Kiyosaki, and Viola Davis, to name a few. My next chapters are: Filmmaker, Executive Film Producer, International Female Empowerment Advocate speaking with women around the globe. Q. How do you deal with writer’s block? A. Typically, I don’t have writer’s block. Before COVID-19, breast cancer, a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, I didn’t have challenges focusing for extended periods of time. Now, I have to work harder and sit still a little longer to complete tasks. But, I get it done!

Q. What is the most difficult part of your writing process? A. Falling in love with new characters. Most of my novels are written in a series. It’s hard to let go of the voices and visions in my head to make space for newcomers. Q. What advice can you give to a writer working on their first book? A. Write it out. Never censor your first draft. Know your characters like they’re your best friends. Complete a synopsis/outline before you start writing. It’s your story, write it your way! Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events?

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A. Yes. I’m completing my first screenplay, Single Husbands. Next in line is Punany Paradise, the movie. It’s been a long time coming. Women are going to love both projects. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. I’m @CelebHoneyB on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, and most social media platforms. On YouTube at MaryHoneyBMorrison. ShopMaryMorrison.com and MaryMorrison.com. Email: CelebHoneyB@gmail.com and phone 470.443.4034. And, to download a free copy of Never Let a Man Come First, click the link in my Instagram Bio.

Lena Mingo WHERE IT BEGINS 43

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. I am the owner of “Hair Bumpers” in Houston, TX. I was born in Boykin, Alabama, came from a loving family, and was a daddy’s girl. When I was young, we moved to Mobile, Alabama, before the memory of Boykin could define any of my childhood memories. One of twelve siblings, my parents, sustained 52 years of marriage before my father passed away. I am a graduate of Alabama A&M University, a historically black university located in Huntsville, Alabama. Q. Tell us a little about your journey and how you got to where you are today? A. I ventured to New York for the city life and eventually found myself in Houston, Texas, where I married and had three beautiful children, Kevin, Alf, and Melissa, all adults. I taught for two years at a private school (now closed) and opened Mingo’s Daycare. Although I loved working with children, I had a passion for cosmetology. I found inspiration via friend Randy Bows and ventured into Cosmetology and studied at Belaire Beauty School. The accredited

cosmetology training program for different cosmetology careers. Hairstylists, estheticians, makeup artists, barbers, and nail technicians. I gained the necessary knowledge and learning techniques that helped me launch a successful beautician’s career and I’ve trained for all types of hair from Caucasian to Ethnic. Q. What made you want to pursue a career in the beauty industry? A. While attending the Popular Houston Cosmetologist, Michael Kemper often ventured the beauty school for assistants, and there lies the beginning of my extraordinary career in cosmetology. Michael Kemper, the owner of D-Vine Salon & Spa, made regular appearances on Great Day Houston, a Local News and Information show for Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas. Mr. Kemper advised on hair care and trends in the field. Our mutual admiration led to a family-type bond, and I advanced quickly during my tenure at his salon. Mr. Kemper, as fond as he was of my skills and customer loyalty, felt it was time for my launch. Explaining to me that my talents had exceeded their capacity or the positions at his salon, he told me it was time for me to be on my own. Immediately employed by Foley’s, a reputable high-end salon, I would later find myself at JC Penny. Q. Let’s talk about “HairBumpers” and how it got started? A. JC Penny catapulted me into a historical league. The inception of “Hair Bumpers” would come from my trailblazing performance, and JC Penny would find themselves in the Houston Chronicle expressing praise and gratitude to me…the highest-earning Beautician in their employment. JC Penny’s awarded me “The Golden Scissors Award” an ethnic challenge, despite a new millennium on the horizon. The requirement, mastering eight premium cuts/styles. I not only perfected the challenge but increased the usual patronage of their ethnic percentages. I earned them an incredible $150,000 during a fiscal

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period, and I became a part of the company’s history in the early 1990s. With “Hair Bumpers” being my next-level decision, I ventured into new territories. In collaboration with the well-known and successful cosmetologist Rudy Johnson of Pride and Power, I became a Platform Artist. A platform stylist, I was a Rock Star among Hairdressers. Part educator, communicator, salesperson, and entertainer, the platform artist performs on stage, mostly at industry trade shows, to promote styling techniques, tools, or products. Q. How was your experience at the different Trade shows? A. I found myself traveling internationally, often to exotic locations such as the Caribbean. Trips to St. Croix, St. Lucious, the Bahamas were commonplace. My experiences with Rudy Johnson and his Pride and Power products eventually immersed me in the innate urge to teach. I continued regular

motivational speeches and demonstrations throughout the Houston area and beyond. I mastered the art of public speaking, as well as styling techniques. I was also a regular participant/winner in the World’s Largest Professional Trade Show Dedicated to Multicultural Beauty held in Atlanta, Ga. The Bronner Bros. Beauty Shows inspires, educates, and elevates cosmetology professionals, students, and the multicultural beauty industry. My experiences and knowledge in the beauty industry grew beyond clients. It felt good to be a highly skilled esthetician, cosmetologist, and platform artist, with a niche’ for bodybuilding. The Southwest has diversity, style and is deeply rooted in tradition. Through years of being surrounded by such talented stylists and fashionistas, I realized many were serving in the community. Events like Houston’s Look Good, Feel-Good program. A free non-medical salon and productneutral Volunteers program in which I was annually a participant. The various Stylists, Product Creators, Models, and Platform Artists I’d known were all involved in community efforts. The pandemic thwarted my community- oriented pursuits. 2020 and 2021 left many adolescents unable to enjoy the usual treat of having their hair done. For many parents, costs for haircare products alone have been unaffordable. Q. Where do you see your career in the next three years? A. I would like to create a new program allowing underprivileged children accessibility to free hairstyling and products to help maintain the health and selfconfidence of Houston’s youth. Each child would receive a care package and product samples to help maintain healthier hair, confidence, and needed school supplies. My goal is to help uplift and engage in the community with parents and children as they re-establish normality as much as possible pursue their education knowing others care about their sense of pride. Q. Can you give us more details on “The Real Hair Junkies” and the motivation behind it? A. Yes, the show is amazing. Here is the

breakdown: I was all ways told one monkey don’t stop no show, but the right one will. You never can pinpoint any of the cast members because they go from 0 to 100 hundred in a spilt of a second. They all have their own personalities, and they don’t come to play. Some of them have big hearts and the others I don’t know whether they have a heart, they keep you wondering. They all are sarcastic and not to be trusted stay tuned!

any new projects or upcoming events? A. Yes, I’m working on a couple of new projects. One project is called, no child should go to bed hungry 2 Instructor at One finest Barber school acres they have been there it is a pillow in the community and has been there for over 30 years, and I am continuing to add to my line of products.

Q. Are you working on

WHERE IT BEGINS 45

"I want my children to understand that NO dream, NO goal is unattainable! Through hard work, anything is possible!"

Ashley Baker

46 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

my social media is about 95% sports and that was noticed by my mentor, Michael Lyle. Michael recommends that I interview with Fox Sports 1340 am, who needed a social media producer. In addition to being a social producer, I was assigned the task of reporting on the Washington Wizards. That role put me in places I couldn’t imagine in my wildest dreams. Locker rooms, conferences, networking events and so much more! Being granted with such an opportunity inspired me to build my personal sports brand—About Nothing but Sports.

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us, tell everyone who you are and what you do. A. Well, first and foremost thank you so much for the opportunity! I am Ashley Baker, and I am a reporter with Fox Sports 1340 am based out of Hopewell, VA. I am also a social media producer with BetQL under Audacy Sports, I am the host and producer of the About Nothing but Sports Podcast and I also host a Twitter Spaces show called Sports After Dark.

Q. How have your experience been being a reporter for the Wizards? A. The experience of being a reporter for the Wizards has been an interesting one. The organization prides itself on dignity, integrity and giving back to the community. Seeing the work, they put in during the season and in the off season is really special. I’ve reported for the Wizards during one of the most exciting times during the

franchise’s history. Whether it was being in the building when Paul Pierce knocked down the dagger 3 pointer in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 to win or watching the Wizards players enter in all black apparel in their “funeral” game against the Celtics in 2017 or even more recently witnessing Russell Westbrook be crowned with most triple-doubles in the history of the NBA while in a Wizards jersey, it’s been one hell of a ride reporting for this team. Q. Can you give us some details about the NFL Draft in Vegas? A. Coverage of the NFL draft was new territory for me. This was my first one ever and it was exactly what I thought it would be. Amazing. The excitement around the event, the city it’s held in (In this case, Las Vegas) and understanding that a lot of young lives will be changed in one night, is pretty dope. Being a part of that special night in any capacity made me feel like everything I’ve worked for so far had paid off in those moments.

Q. Let’s talk a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are today. A. Well, my journey is an interesting one. I’ve always loved sports my entire life. Watched it as a child with my mother around the age of 9. I grew up with it being a constant staple in my household and realized very on, that I loved to talk it. Analyze it. Debate it. All the time! Coming out if high school I had no clue what having a career in sports would look like—I wanted to be an astronomer. But through the years and two beautiful children later, I finally could see the light in that regard. Social Media. Back then, and even now WHERE IT BEGINS 47

Q. What has been one of your most memorable moments you’ve had in your career? A. Wow. I have a few of those! I don’t know if it was my fun and silly exchange with Stephen Curry in the locker room, standing & watching the Cowboys vs Green Bay game in the locker room with Bradley Beal and talking trash to him because he’s a huge Packers fans or covering the Washington Commanders game against the Dallas Cowboys down at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving. Each of these moments have a special meaning to me. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years? A. I see myself as a household name in the sports world in the next 3 years. I see myself in the beginning stages of launching my media company—ANB Sports. I see myself at speaking engagements telling people that no dream is too big. I see myself encouraging others through media on working through Anxiety since this is a mental issue I suffer with. Ultimately, I see myself helping people. Making people laugh while enough sports narrated by me in the process.

Q. Tell us a what you love about your career as a reporter? A. I love the process. I love the experience I gain on a daily basis. I love the networking opportunities. I am LITERALLY doing what I love. Sports. At no time does it really feel like I am working. Hopefully I’m not speaking too soon! Q. What is one fun fact about yourself? A. I have two amazing children ages 14 & 11. They do NOT like sports. At all. I tell people that and they find it hard to believe. Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events? A. I am working on really making Sports After Dark a legitimate show on and off of Twitter Spaces. It will be filled with guest athletes and so much more especially during the upcoming NFL season. I am also looking to launch a social media branding company by the end of the year. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A. @ashleybaker_21 on Twitter, Instagram &Tik Tok Ashley Baker on Facebook.

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Investing In Education, Kids And Mother Nature - Are The Best Investments You Can Make.

Victor Migalchan WHERE IT BEGINS 49

Today WIB magazine invited Victor Migalchan, Hollywood Director & Producer for another interview. We will discuss projects Victor’s team is preparing to launch as well as their innovations. Q. Hi Victor, welcome back! How’s everything going in the Entertainment world? A. Hi Cece, thank you for having me. Everything is going pretty well and intense for us. As I mentioned to you, together with my partner Edward Cologna we develop 2 educational shows for kids and teens and of course, as always, I work on efficiency for us, and other production companies can use our methods. Q. Could you please share with us about your shows. What are their names and what are they about? A. Sure! The first one is “Life Academy”, it is an educational reality show for kids and teens. Our students are learning with our celebrity mentors. Our mentor and Hollywood actress Adela Guerra taught about mental health & wellness. Hollywood actors & writers Ego Mikitas and Steve Jacques taught a master class on acting, stage performance and presentation (of themselves). It is very important to learn how to present yourself, how to work with your character, not only with other characters, right? Our students

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also learn how to work with cameras. With Alina Z - our next celebrity mentor, students learned photography and how to pose (again their own self presentation). We break the ice, break the barriers. A big part of our studies lies in education about health. Our mentor and celebrity doctor DC Marwan Chahayed taught our students about proper nutrition, spinal health, muscular health and development. Alex Mosendz, our next mentor, Hollywood actor and influencer taught students how to warm up, stretch and how to prepare their bodies for the day. With our next mentor Shifu Clark Tang, students learned traditional martial arts and it wasn’t about “how to kick ass” or “ no mercy”, but what martial arts teach us for real. It is a process of learning about yourself, finding and building yourself. Physical skills and self-defense come along the way.

With our next mentor Wendi Lin Dixon our students learn about taxes, finance, credit and entrepreneurship. We have great support from many influential and respectable people. For instance, Mr. Cung Le, legendary MMA World Champion, kindly agreed to join our team and help students learn and be strong. You can’t be weak in this world. We also teach them about the importance of their families, as well as love and respect for their country. In order to make it more dynamic and entertaining we use comic book + MTV styles. That is pretty impressive. These skills and knowledge, indeed, are very important. Yes. None of these important lessons are taught at the school, which is why we created this show. We see that a strong generation builds a good life, good life creates a weak generation. Weak generation creates bad life. We don’t want that to happen. This is motivating our team. We develop these shows together with Cologna Productions, we have great relations and support from Mr. Edward Cologna. He takes investment in education very seriously! My other partner Sharon Tan has strong faith in new talents, she basically helps them to be seen. I also have to mention my co - host Will Roberts! Having kids, he feels the necessity of such shows on his own skin! Q. That’s true! How about the other show you have mentioned? A. Yes, the second show we are developing is called “OnAir”. It is a talent show, which is aimed to find new talents and help them learn and develop in Hollywood. We will collaborate with the ITDM Agency to help them develop. It is pretty hard to find management companies that care. We did and luckily for new talents they will have opportunities and more doors open.

Again, everything starts as an idea! With my teammates and partners, we developed an upgraded technology for portable power generators and solar panels. We were playing with ideas and came up with this name idea play! I love it. Now, we can charge our power stations when electricity is at lower cost and use it whenever we need. While we are using the generators, they are constantly being charged by the solar panels or if we are on the road - from the vehicle. We will be testing our methods more, but my calculations tell me now that our methods can be a big saver for production companies and studios. Q. How can talents audition for these shows? A. Well, they can send their portfolios and letters to submissions@itdmagency.com, and also reach out to us via social media. In fact, we have a few very promising talents Mason DuMonte, Elsa Yu, Nicole Li, Josslyn Bahn, Samson Wu, Veronica Gnip and a few others. We are thinking of offering them to be hosts for “OnAir”. Q. Which criteria’s are the most important for you in order to offer new talents important roles? A. Work ethics, being diligent, disciplined, hardworking and respectful. They are showing good results so far and everything can always be improved! It’s a constant quest and competition for them. Plus, they are learning about team building, mutual respect and respect for others. It is very important in my opinion.

A. I wouldn’t say so. As it is in business, the main investment is the idea. We can see now that many studios are re - creating (re - cycling) old stories. I see new opportunities now. Of course, ideas come on one side, and a proper business plan has to come on the other. We have to remember that we are in the business of show, not just show business.

That is pretty amazing and indeed, a dollar saved is a dollar earned!

Q. Last time we spoke you mentioned that you constantly work on improving efficiency. Is there anything new you developed and could share with us? A. Yes definitely. I constantly work on efficiency plans for the production process. Creating scripts and schedules is a mathematical model for me. In 2022 I decided to focus on more ways of improving our production processes.

That is so true! We can use that in our office too, especially with our podcasts!

Yes exactly, plus it is environment friendly. That is a very important characteristic for me. The further the more we need to provide energetic independence to our productions and our homes as well.

You definitely can! Thank you, Victor, for coming today and sharing your news with us! We are looking forward to watching your shows! Thank you for having me!

Q. How does the production process go now compared to how it was before covid? Is it more difficult?

WHERE IT BEGINS 51

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Chrissy Shorter -Arnold WHERE IT BEGINS 53

Q. Tell Everyone who you are and what you do. A. Hi, my name is Chrissy ShorterArnold and I wear many different hats. I am the Wife of Noel Arnold and Mother of 5. I am the Owner of Credit Master of Florida INC the parent company of a conglomerate of companies which includes: The Chrissy Shorter Foundation and Unveiled the Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Show. Q. Let’s talk about your journey and how you got to where you are today? A. Chrissy, a Transgender Female, was born with Klinefelter Syndrome which was undiagnosed until adulthood. Klinefelter syndrome (Klinefelter's, KS, or XXY) is where babies(as in Chrissy's Case), are born with male genitalia but the sex chromosomes of a female, i.e. XXY. Also, a former Federal Prison Inmate was released in February 2019. During her time, Chrissy taught one of Jesup FCI's largest classes, Personal Finance in the Education Department. 54 WIB PROMOTING NETWORK

Chrissy realized many inmates' crimes were financially driven and wanted to change that. Chrissy's motto; "if you handle your finances a certain way, you will not put yourself in a position where you will be incarcerated again." Keeping her motto in the forefront, Chrissy hit the ground running upon her release, establishing Credit Master of Florida INC the parent company of a conglomerate of companies which includes: The Chrissy Shorter Foundation and Unveiled The Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Show. Chrissy, primarily focuses on teaching the underserved community about personal finances and fixing credit issues. At this point having helped over 1056 families receive home mortgages, 1200 families with auto loans, 27 truck drivers purchase semitrucks, and 18 box trucks just to name a few. Chrissy's newest venture, Unveiled theChrissy Shorter-Arnold Show(podcast) is in its Second Season and is streaming on Facebook Watch Live every Wednesday at 6 PM EST.

Q. What made you want to pursue a career in Financial Literacy? A. My passion for financial literacy started in 1998. After purchasing 2 houses I could not get anything else on credit. My logic was if I can purchase a house then I should be able to get anything. Unbeknownst to me the only reason I was able to get the houses was because I was putting down large down payments so in essence, I was buying my credit because my credit was bad. I began to start learning about credit which excited me, and I began to make better financial decisions whereas I started sharing this information with my loved ones. I started helping family and friends understand and get their credit right as well as assisting with the car/home buying process. Back in those days there was less of an appetite for those things within the immediate minority community, so I didn’t turn it into a business. When I went to Federal Prison for financial crimes I began to teach about the importance of Personal Finance as a Tutor within the Education Department. Upon my release from Federal Prison in 2019, I began to notice that the appetite within my immediate minority community had changed as far as learning about Personal Finance therefore my brainchild Credit Master was born. Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years? A. I see myself on TV whether Reality TV or Scripted TV. My life, My Success and my Failures need to be displaced on the big screen for Transgender Women like me who have been suicidal and did attempt suicide, been to prison, been hidden and cheated on by downlow men, who struggled to fight their way back to life after giving up, who have fully transitioned, etc... There is a story to be told and I intend to tell it for girls like me!

scientifically why many people are transgender and the difference in being trans and gay. I deal with every issue with a no houges bar approach in an open book method to really get down to the nitty gritty of the core of issues. The most obvious difference is there is only one Chrissy ShorterArnold! Q. What is one fun fact about yourself? A. Underneath my core I am a really funny person who really should have been a comedian.

Q. Let’s talk about your business “Credit Master LLC” & the motivation behind the company? A. The structure of my business has been changed to a corporation therefore the legal name is now: Credit Master of Florida INC. I started this company in March 2019 after my release from Federal Prison on 2/14/2019. The reason for starting this company is simple. I wanted to teach people about their relationship with money. After going to prison I realized that had I had a better relationship with money I would not have been in prison. Pre-prison I realized every time I got broke or low on money, I would put myself in a position to compromise thereby operate in criminality. I learned that if I could just get my finances in order, I would stop putting myself in a position where I would do anything to get money. I found this to be the case with most people I was incarcerated with that were incarcerated for financial crimes, which is why I became motivated to start my company. Since March 2019 I have assisted over 1,000 families become homeowners and over 1200 families purchase vehicles with zero to low interest rates and zero to low down payments.

Q. Can you give us more details on your podcast show and how it’s different from other podcast shows? A. Unveiled the Chrissy ShorterArnold Show streams on Facebook Watch every Wednesday at 6-7PM. You can follow the Unveiled Page to make sure you never miss an episode and/ or view past episodes at: Unveiled the Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Show. On Unveiled as the Host I do exactly that, deal with issues that people are afraid to deal with. Being A Black Transgender post-op female with Klinefelter’s Syndrome I explain

Q. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? A. I have always wanted to travel to the Eiffel Tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. I want to travel there with my Husband because we both believe it would be a romantic setting for a French Kiss, lol! Q. Are you working on any new projects or upcoming events? A. Season 2 of Unveiled the Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Show will start in July 2022. On August 6, 2022, I will be Hosting: The Unveiling---A Financial Empowerment Seminar! This seminar will have some dynamic speakers along with myself and will be a FREE event held at the New National Guard Armory in Quincy, Florida. For those who cannot attend it in person it will be streamed live on Unveiled the Chrissy ShorterArnold Show Page. Q. Where can the readers follow you? A.

Instagram: @unveiledchrissyshorterarnold Facebook: @TheRealChrissyShorterArnold Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Chrissy Creditmaster Youtube: Chrissy Shorter-Arnold Twitter: @ArnoldShorter Website: www.chrissyshorterarnold.com Email: chrissy@chrissyshorterarnold.com #unveiled #unveiledblgt #thechrissyshorterarnoldshow #teamchrissyshorterarnold #teamcreditmaster

WHERE IT BEGINS 55

GET THAT GLOW

WWW.PRETTYINPINKSTONINC.COM Photographer: Gudrun Gabriel Stylist: Vivian Dinkins-Stith Make-up Artist: Yolanda Marshall Hair: Lisa Newton, Hair Game

Entrepreneurs & Their Inspirational Journeys

Articles inside

Chrissy Shorter-Arnold

Victor

Ashley Baker

Mary HoneyB Morrison

Amy Webb

Attack the Sound

Dr. Victor G Alicea

Lena Mingo

Keith Brown

Adrienne Gates

Irma Kacharava

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