December Issue 2012

A MENTORING MAGAZINE 4 YOUTH AND ADULTS

DECEMBER 2012

Senior Producer for the “Hardest Working Man in Radio”

Ken Patrick on Entrepreneurialship

Harold Dennis making a career out of the big screen and theater stages Jermaine Kelly

from sports scholarship to

music and computer science Kathleen Blade:

PHAT…

Cee Jay Jones: Leading the Atlanta area’s

Tennis and Education Programs for the USTA/Atlanta Section

Taking Internet Radio to another level

Darryl Hughes making his mark in the video gaming industry

Rosalinda Perez caters her way to bigger and better plans in the Hospitality Industry PAGE - 1 - Escapades – DECEMBER 2012

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Escapades Magazine welcomes submissions from freelance writers adult and youth. All of our submissions are interviews.

Feature interviews are designated by the theme of each month’s issue.

All other interviews must be submitted as designated below:

5.

Our Writer’s Guidelines: 1.

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We look for interviews (original and reprint) in that we publish interviews that deal with a career or job position.

Length: 1500 - 2000 for all interviews.

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images, please indicate which you would prefer us to use if we can’t fit all of them in the article. Name each graphic by figure number (i.e., Figure 1, Figure 2). If you have original photos (slides, prints), please make sure you scan them at the appropriate dpi.

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The author is fully responsible for identifying and obtaining publishing permissions for all information or images in the interview.

Contact: For submissions please email Escapades at submissions.escapades@gmail.com FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Please email Escapades at advertising.escapades@gmail.com

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33 NIKKI WOODS SENIOR PRODUCER TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW 22 ROSALINDA PEREZ CATERING SPECIALIST

43 HAROLD DENNIS, ACTOR

49 JERMAINE KELLY: IMMITTER

77 DARRYL HUGHES 2 BY 2 GAMING

14 KEN PATRICK CEO KEN PATRICK ENTERPRISES

56 KATHLEEN BLADE: PHAT

67 CEE JAY JONES USTA ATLANTA

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3 VISIT US/SUBMITTING CONTENT 7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 8 FROM THE EDITOR 11 STAFF AND ADVISORY BOARD

12 SUPPORTERS 27 RECIPE OF THE MONTH 76 ESCAPADES VIDEO GAME PICK OF THE MONTH 86 READERS VIDEO GAME PICK OF THE MONTH 87 BLACK & MISSING FOUNDATION

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Frequently Asked Questions How can I get in touch with Escapades?

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Your magazine(s) sounds cool! Any writing jobs going at Escapades?

Yes. We always entertain interviews from contributing writers. Go to page 3 and follow the directions to submitting content. Interviews/photos are submitted without payment to writers. We do not guarantee all interviews/photos will be used. If you are a published writer, or would like to be, we do accept feature submissions, but bear in mind we recommend that you look through the magazine, identify the kind of material we publish and tailor any ideas around our current work.

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We're always interested in seeing photos of fashion teens. Please send any photos to us in a fashion show, model layout (not bathing suit; only casual, formal, or business clothing) email photo with details of model (name, city, state, age, school model attends, and permission of use of photo by teen model’s parent/guardian, and contact information of

Hi there, I’m a PR executive with a fantastic new product to promote in your magazine(s) or website. Who do I contact?

If you have anything good that you'd like us to review or feature, drop us an email to escapades4kids@gmail.com. One email is usually enough, and we do read everything, honestly, so if you don't get a reply it probably means we're really busy and we will return your email as soon as possible.

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One of your interviews on God / sex / women / men / monkeys / plastic moldings has deeply offended me. I want to complain in the strongest possible terms. To whom shall I address my letter?

If you have seen or read something in Escapades or on http://escapades4kids.wordpress.com that you consider beyond the bounds of good taste and decency, then send the information to escapades4kids@gmail.com and we will endeavor to deal with your complaint promptly.

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business or organization on their feet each and every day.

Growing as a teen now a days is a struggle that every child from 10 to 18 goes through.

Making decisions for your future is also a struggle that every child goes through. But without support from parents, teachers, and even friends a child feels lost and confused.

But with the strength of some individuals that have no apparent connection or monetary gain some teens meet and grow a bond with a mentor.

Escapades is the first magazine that fosters the strength for our teens and for the parents that raise our teens everyday of their life.

Escapades introduce our youth and parents of our youth to individuals and businesses that focus their efforts to helping introduce different opportunities whether careers, education, and life skills.

Escapades ask questions from all industries from business, community, food, music, movies, sports, web development, and gaming. These questions will help our youth and even adults realize how people they see successfully succeeding in their fields and even in their life deal with accomplishments and downfalls.

Escapades also helps introduce the various careers/jobs that are out there that most people would normally not realize are out there that support the business owners, movie and music stars, and others accomplish their goals of success. Escapades will introduce our youth and adults out of work realize that there are positions that seem unimportant due to the type of job skills they do each and every day but are responsible for keeping a

Every youth and in some instances adults should have one or maybe two mentors in their life. My mentor has always been my mother Maxine L. McMillan and my father Charles McMillan both business executives in different industries. But both showed me what it takes to succeed in business in their own way. We may have not always agreed but they have always supported me in my endeavors’ in their own way. But a true mentor is not always someone that agrees with everything you do or say.

My mother has moved on but her spirit will always be a guiding force for mentorship as will my father and other members of my family. I must also acknowledge the guidance I have received from Mattie Butler of WECAN and Commissioner Jerry Butler of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and finally but most important a mentor in her own right my business partner and life partner, my wife Pippa F. Smith for all the support and guidance as a mentor.

So join us here at Escapades and discover what careers are possible with a little work, a dream to succeed, and a will to continue to learn.

Thanks,

A. Chris. Smith Andre Christopher Smith Publisher/Editor in Chief Escapades

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HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER/CEDA 6450 S. STONY ISLAND AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637 (773) 288-3000

MATTIE BUTLER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CORPORATE OFFICE 6450 S. STONY ISLAND AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637 PHONE: (773) 288-3000 FAX: (773) 288-3081

WECAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 6450-62 S. STONY ISLAND AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637 (773) 288-4202

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING WECAN HAS REDEVELOPED FOUR BUILDINGS CREATING 145 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS AND NEAR HOMELESS. THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FINANCED BY LASALLE BANK, COLE TAYLOR BANK, NORTHERN BANK AND TRUST, IHDA, CITY OF CHICAGO – DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, FEDERAL HOME LOAN ANK, THE SECETARY OF STATE’S LINK DEPOSIT PROGRAM, CHICAGO COMMUNITY LOAN FUND AND THE JEWISH COUNCIL FOR URBAN AFFAIRS.

HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER WECAN HAS PROUDLY PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO PREVENT DECIMATION OF WOODLAWN’S VINTAGE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AS WELL AS IT’S HISTORIC MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS. FUNDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WECAN’S TIME OUT/SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.

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THE FIRST DIGITAL MAGAZINE THAT TELLS YOU WHAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERVIEWS DIRECTLY FROM ONWERS, EMPLOYEES, AND ENTREPENUERS THAT HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR FIELD.

http://escapades4kids.wordpress.com/

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PUBLISHED BY ACSmith Enterprises 1554 East 65th Street #109 Chicago, IL. 60637 USA

ACSmith Enterprises Chief Executive Director Andre Christopher Smith

President Pippa F. Smith

Co-Founders Andre Christopher Smith Pippa F. Smith Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Andre Christopher Smith Creative Director Pippa F. Smith Video Game Section Editor Tavon J. Armstrong

OUR ADVISORY BOARD Business Consultant Mattie C. Butler

Fashion Consultant M & M Fashion Marketing Consulting

by LBMG Marketing Mentoring Consultant Ken Patrick Enterprises PHAT Girls Culinary Consultant Urban Chef

TO SUBSCRIBE OR ORDER BACK ISSUES EMAIL escapades4kids@gmail.com payable by postal money order, certified bank check in US dollars and drawn on a US bank REUSE PERMISSIONS escapades4kids@gmail.com Copyright © 2012 ACSmith Enterprises

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Ken Patrick graduate of Hyde Park Career Academy in 1987 where he then attended Robert Morris University and graduated in 2010. He then attended graduate school at Morris Graduate School of Management and graduated from there in 2012.

Ken Patrick is C.E.O. (Chief Executive Officer) of Ken Patrick Enterprises a holding company with investments in media, fashion and lifestyle brands. Some of those investments are brands such as Beau Ideal, P.A.M. Petite American Models, CrossEyed Media, St. Patrick Beauregard, GrooveLine, Entertainment, C4ORE and Ideal Philanthropic.

So join us as we speak to Mr. Ken Patrick of Ken Patrick Enterprises.

Escapades: Hello Ken, how are you? First of all please explain to us the concept between starting Ken Patrick Enterprises? Was it your goal from the very beginning to grow Ken Patrick Enterprises to the level it is right now?

Ken Patrick: The goal was to use what I call the “Russell Simmons Business Model” whereby we would start for profit ventures that would ultimately fund not-for-profit activities. We are at a strategic launching point to begin our brand of pageants that we believe will be our first revenue generating ventures.

Escapades: When you were a young boy growing up was it your thought to own your own company or work in another field?

Ken Patrick: I always knew I would do something

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grand. I always have had an entrepreneurial passion but even more so I knew I wanted to do something to make people’s lives better.

Escapades: What seemed to be the struggles when you went to school? Did you have great study skills or did you find it hard to get help with school assignments from your teachers and/or parents?

Ken Patrick: I was an excellent test taker. I played a lot during my school years but my instructors always snatched me by the collar and demanded that I live up to the potential they saw in me. My parents and instructors were super supportive. I went to school in the days when for the most part teachers actually cared about you

learning. I may not have taken it as serious as I ought to have but my teachers tied to push me anyway.

Escapades: Did you have a lot of support from your family (parents or other relatives) to continue school and get as far as you did in school?

Ken Patrick: Not really, no one really helped me understand that college was an option. I did not go to college until I was 35. I had spent a great deal of my life pushing young people to go then realized I needed to do the same.

Escapades: As we all know youth of today have a large problem dealing with family interaction in setting life goals and

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accomplishing those goals; either because of economic problems or because of a oneparent household. Where did you fit into the scheme of life in this? Did you have both parents or did you come from a one-parent family?

Ken Patrick: I came from a two-parent household. My mother and father are still married to this day. I realize I was fortunate. In fact a part of my desire to impact the lives of young people come from seeing my mother and father be “mom and dad” to kids who were not as fortunate.

Escapades: What was your life like going to high school and did you deal with a lot of peer pressure? Did role models play a big part of your school success as you went from grade to grade?

Ken Patrick: High school was the greatest four years of my life. Most of my lifelong friends are a part of my graduating class. I was taught by my parents never to follow the crowd or give in to peer pressure. My motto was “either everyone will follow me or I am not going.” To this day I refuse to follow the crowd, conform to the norm or embrace the status quo. Most of my role models instilled a strong sense of self in me that helped me throughout my high school years.

Escapades: What was the turning point for your decision to attend the college you did and to study the courses in Management that you did? Did you also have a lot of interaction with your high school and college counselor in your choices?

Ken Patrick: My high school counselor was useless. I may have met him or her one time.

That’s terrible; I can’t even remember what the gender of my counselor was. Being denied and opportunity to speak at a national conference even though my knowledge of youth development far exceeded that of those

presenting at the conference. The person who could make it happened refused to even talk to me after he found out I did not have a degree. I vowed that I would never have a door closed in my face because I did not have a degree. In addition to that, I hit one of the toughest times of my life and developed a vision to care for those I loved and chase all of the God given vision that was inside me. Getting a degree was instrumental to actualizing that vision. Since 2007 I have managed to earn 2 associates, a Bachelor’s and two Masters Degrees from nationally accredited universities.

Escapades: Ken can you explain what the different aspects of your company are such as “The Pink and Blue Revolution”, “The SHEEO”, and “Exodus”. I see that they are heavy in the development of youth and helping them succeed in life, education, and life skills?

Ken Patrick: My life’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by equipping them with the tools to maximize their life potential and empowering them to be global change agents. These efforts are specifically designed to support that mission by teaching them leadership, entrepreneurism and business. We also believe that education is key and since I have been fortunate to help “low achieving” youth go off to four year universities we emphasize developing and vigorously pursuing a post-secondary academic vision.

Escapades: Life doesn’t always lay opportunities at your feet and as we all know the biggest struggle we have with our youth of today that some (not all) don’t even have a life goal past waking up the next day and hanging out with their friends on the street corner. How do you deal with this problem within your programs?

Ken Patrick: Not one has ever taught them to have a goal. No one asks kids anymore what they want to be when they grow up. The answer is simple.

Have conversations with young people and expose them to people who look like them that are doing more than selling dope and gangbanging. By

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expanding their worldview we create a conflict within a young person. Knowing that there are other possibilities weighs heavy on their minds. We then use that conflict as a launching point for further dialogue and the creation of a vision that they otherwise may never have seen. Then we pray that they develop the courage to pursue and aid them in that pursuit.

Escapades: Can you share with us what your normal day is like and what was one of your most memorable times good and bad that comes to mind? Then what was your solution for the problem?

Ken Patrick: “Normal” LOL! Visionaries don’t have normal days. Every day I am bombarded with vision, which I embrace.

Every day is about planning and positioning.

I do everything I can to move one methodical step closer to actualizing the vision. I don’t have “bad” time because I do not fear failure and I own my mistakes.

best plan for our youth to plan for the future?

Ken Patrick: Figure out your passion and pursue it. Figure out what you are good at and marry that to a career path. Do not chase money; chase passion and the money will come. Educate yourself! College IS for everyone. We live in an age where you must be credentialed failure to do so will keep you on the outskirts of opportunities.

Find mentors, listen to and respect your elders.

Live life on purpose and have a plan. Get out of the hood, go get an education, achieve and THEN come back and snatch a kid out of the fire.

Escapades: In closing, how can youth get involved with some of your programs and how do youth and even their parents contact you for further information on your programs?

Ken Patrick: Email me at ken@kenpatrickceo.com and we’ll take it from there.

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Rosalinda Perez a single mother of 2 and a catering specialist for Food Team. Rosalinda Perez has worked in various positions of the Food Industry such as banquet set-up person, banquet server, prep cook, line cook and prep cook. Today we speak to Rosalinda for the purpose of how continuing in her education one can reach ones’ goal in life.

So let us welcome Rosalinda Perez…

Escapades: Being a single mother of 2 children did you also grow up in a single parent home and do you have any siblings (brothers or sisters)?

Escapades: Rosalinda when did you decide that being in the Lodging and Hospitality Management Industry is what you wanted to do?

Rosalinda Perez: I always knew I wanted to open up my own Hotel/Restaurant. I have enough restaurant experience to run a restaurant, but I have no hotel experience. So that’s why I’m currently taking classes in lodging and hospitality management to get the hotel aspect.

Escapades: Where did you grow up and what was it like growing up there?

Rosalinda Perez: I grew up in East Chicago, Indiana and it was ok.

Rosalinda Perez: Yes my mother and father were divorced, than my mother died when I was 14, I have an older brother.

Escapades: What was it like in high school did you have a to deal with bullying or peer pressure? And what was the toughest part of high school that you can remember?

Rosalinda Perez: Yes, I got made fun of in high school, but I never let it bother me. I was a cheerleader in high school, and the toughest part of high school was living after my mother past.

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Escapades: I noticed that you are attending college and going for a degree in Hospitality Management? I noticed that you are attending CareerPath Institute?

What type of school is CareerPath and what was the determining factor in picking the school you are attending?

Rosalinda Perez: Illinois CareerPath Institute is a school, and I’m getting my certificate in Lodging and Hospitality Management. I was in a program at Goodwill Industries which was the WIA program and ICPI was the only one for hotels.

Escapades: Even with the responsibilities of raising your children what do you find is one of the toughest things that you deal with on a daily basis to attend school?

What are the struggles and positives of both attending school and surviving day to day?

Rosalinda Perez: As far as attending school, I don’t look at it as a struggle because I go to school while my kids are in school. I look at going to school, as it will push me one step closer to accomplishing my goal.

Escapades: Can you explain to us what motivates you on a daily basis to continue your dream; the dream to one day own your own restaurant and what do you think you need to attain that?

Rosalinda Perez: The stuff that motivates me are my kids, my mother, and the determination I have to succeed. I need more education and some more experience. But I’m a very head strong person!

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Rosalinda Perez: yes a Prep cook is a person who prepares the food; example cuts all the vegetables for the dishes. A Line cook is a person who works on the cooking line; example cooks the orders as they come in.

Executive Chef, just that an Executive Chef has a little more responsibilities. My goal is to open up my own hotel/restaurant, not become a Head Chef or Executive Chef.

Escapades: Most youth don’t strive to become a cook/chef or even a restaurant owner; what can you say to the youth to try to convince them that this industry is one that should be considered?

Rosalinda Perez: The food industry is a popular demand, and food will always be around.

Escapades: Some of our readers will be youth and some will be adults; can you tell us what you think is the pros and cons of becoming a Chef?

Rosalinda Perez: There is really no pros and cons, you just have to be really determined to it and stick with it.

Escapades: With the economy like it is now do you think that this industry is hurting for good Chefs and what do you think all of the reality shows dealing with cooking has done to the industry?

Escapades: In the scheme of this (the restaurant ownership) most restaurants are owned by the head Chef or Executive Chef what is your plan? Are you planning to become a Chef and then own your own restaurant or do you plan on just going through the degree process and then become a restaurant owner from the degree aspect of things?

Rosalinda Perez: It really doesn’t have to do with the economy, that the food industry is hurting for good Chefs. It’s that some restaurants just don’t care. Some of the reality shows shouldn’t be on there and the rest of them boost up the food sells.

Rosalinda Perez: Well, I can do it either way because I have Chef experience as well as cooking experience but as far as my hotel restaurant I plan on doing the degree aspect of running my own business. But if my employees are not stepping up and doing what they are supposed to, of course I will do it then.

Escapades: which one of the food reality shows are your favorite and why? Which one is your least favorite and why? For your least favorite cooking reality show what would you do to change it?

Escapades: What is the difference between an Executive Chef and a Head Chef of a restaurant? Also, what is your goal for…being an Executive Chef or a Head Chef?

Rosalinda Perez: There is really not much of a difference between a head Chef and an

Rosalinda Perez: I like a lot of the reality shows; I love “Restaurant Impossible” because he helps them get their restaurant back and running good, “Cake Wars” because I’ve always wanted to learn how to decorate the wedding cakes (baking and pastry), and “Iron Chef” because he tells it to you like it is. I don’t have a least favorite because I like any show that deals

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with food and restaurants.

Escapades: Why do you think shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Master Chef and other shows such as this become so successful?

Rosalinda Perez: I feel that “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Master Chef” has become so successful because the food industry is in high demand, and people love watching Chef Ramsey.

Escapades: Before we end our time together can you give everyone some advice on making a decision in going into the position of being a Chef? What would you tell them about determination and continuation of education in your field?

Rosalinda Perez: I would tell them to keep their head up and stay focused; and regardless what obstacle that comes your way keep your determination and stay focused. Yes I will keep you updated in everything and God Bless.

Escapades: I would like to thank Rosalinda Perez and hope that she will keep us updated on her success with school and her success in her dream of operating her own restaurant and hotel.

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ABOUT THE DISH Served Chilled.

130 Calories per ¼ serving.

INGREDIENTS 1. Zest and Juice of three oranges.

2. One fennel bulb thinly sliced.

3. Three tablespoons of berry vinaigrette.

4. ¼ teaspoon salt, kosher.

5. 4 cups of spring mix salad blend.

6. Three tablespoons silvered almonds.

PREPARATIONS 1. Zest/grate orange peel (no white; 1 teaspoon).

2. Peel oranges and cut into segments; squeeze membranes (or other orange) for juice (1/2 cup).

3. Cut fennel in half lengthwise; slice fennel, white part only (2 cups).

STEPS TO PUT IT TOGETHER 1. Combine all ingredients (except spring mix and almonds) in salad bowl.

2. Add spring mix and toss to coat evenly; top with almonds and serve.

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Today we speak with one of the most popular Producers in radio today. This young lady is an icon of her own on another’s icons show. As a graduate of Howard University with a Journalism degree and just short of 20 years of broadcasting experience that is nothing but exceptional in its own rights. With experience in radio from one end of the country to another she landed the role of senior producer of The Tom Joyner Morning Show. I am honored; extremely honored to have the beautiful and intelligent Nikki Woods agree to interview with us at Escapades…

Escapades: Thank you so much again for doing this interview on our new publication and I would like to jump right into the questions by asking one simple question? Why radio; why did you choose to pick radio broadcasting instead of television broadcasting? You have a look that is so wonderful that it shouldn’t be hidden by a radio?

Nikki Woods: Why did I pick radio over television; well in short I felt radio was a better fit for me. I think that radio was a more intimate form of communication a more honest form of communication and I know that when I started out in television I felt I started out in television news and sports I felt people were more concerned about what I wore or how I looked than what I was saying. So when I had a chance to guest star on a morning radio show for a week I fell in love with it and I have been doing radio ever since.

Escapades: Can you tell me if there was one specific person that was the motivation for you to succeed in broadcasting?

Nikki Woods: There really hasn’t been one specific person I think that all levels in my career I have met people that have been mentors, teachers, coaches, and cheerleaders on every aspect on air and behind the scene or in management. I mean I have worked with some great people from the very beginning of my career such as Ken Johnson, Elroy Smith both really great programmers; Marv Dyson a really great manager, and then mentors like Bonnie DeShong in Chicago and Sybil Wilkes before I worked with her and then of course those that have blown up the industry like Tom Joyner and I have worked with some really, really great people; such as Art Porter. I have really worked with some great people and I hate to name names because I know I have forgotten people.

Escapades: Most teens have fun going to high school to a point; being able to hang out with their friends and then some instances where the teen finds a subject or a teacher that makes going to school all the worth going. Were there any instances in school that you dealt with bullies? And what was school like for you?

Nikki Woods: School was fin for me. I really never dealt with bullies. I think I was one of those people that just kind of fit in with everybody. I wasn’t in one particular click. I really

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don’t have any bad memories of high school; I don’t think I really came into my own until I went to college though. That has to do with being away from my parents and finally having freedom to figure out who I was and growing up in a strict household. College was where I finally started to bloom but I really don’t have bad memories and I really didn’t deal with bullying until I had children and I found out one of my children had to deal with bullying and I had to get involved there; so other than that I don’t have any bad memories of school.

Escapades: What were your favorite subjects in high school? And why were they your favorite?

Nikki Woods: I don’t remember any favorite subjects other than Spanish because it was easy for me and we got to go to Mexico and other places. And I also took a law class when I was in high school. I really enjoyed that because I thought I was going to go to Law School; I never thought radio was going to be my career. So I really enjoyed that but I did well in all my subjects; so I

really didn’t have a favorite but I did enjoy Spanish and I did enjoy that Law class.

Escapades: Being a graduate of a city public high school here in Chicago; I stay connected with a great majority of my classmates and we stand strong in keeping the spirit of the halls of the school alive and try to be a part of the school as it passes on in years with new students and new staff; do you stay in touch with a lot of your classmates from high school and the actions and changes of your high school these days?

Nikki Woods: I had a lot of friends from high school that I kept in touch with just because all our families were so close. There were some people I grew up with that lived on the street that we all had lived there for all our lives so we were all close in that manner. I have to say I have really got back in touch with people from high school because of Facebook, which is funny. But once I left St. Louis; which is where I grew up I never went back; unfortunately. Once I moved my parents to Chicago then

that became home but I have a lot of friends I have been able to get back in touch with because of Facebook. So yea Facebook!

Escapades: Is there anything in your past through high school that you wish you could do all over again and either just experience the joy of it all over again or just do it again and do it differently this time?

Nikki Woods: I really don’t have anything I want to change about how I grew up. I would go back and just enjoy it because you don’t realize the amount of responsibilities you have when you get older. I had a great childhood; I had great parents and family and friends. And there is really nothing I would go back and do over. Like as I said really enjoy being innocent and not having as many responsibilities as I do now.

Escapades: As a Senior Producer of a radio show of course you attended college for certain courses in Journalism, but what type of classes prepare you for your daily responsibilities as the Senior Producer?

Nikki Woods: When I first went to school I went for education, I started in business then I switched to education. But I eventually went back when I decided because I taught school for a while so when I decided I wanted to be in radio I went back and got a degree in broadcast journalism but I don’t know if there are other specific courses that prepare you. But I think my role now; the experience probably is the best teacher. I have already been in radio a long time so by the time I got to Tom’s show I had a lot of experience to draw upon, so I think that probably the experience I have gotten has probably prepared me more than anything else to prepare me more than anything else for the role I’m in now.

Escapades: How different is your role as a Senior Producer on radio broadcasting then it is in television broadcasting and can one study broadcasting as part of journalism and be able to jump from radio broadcasting to television broadcasting?

Nikki Woods: The biggest difference in radio broadcasting and television broadcasting is one is visual and television is

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visual and radio is not. So I think it’s just a different focus and I definitely think once you get a degree in journalism you can move between radio and television and pays print pretty easily. And yes broadcasting is part of journalism they have a different degree they have one specific degree for broadcast journalism. So you can jump pretty easily between all 3 of them. They are all different focuses.

Escapades: Can you tell our youth readers; the youth that are in school now trying to decide what career goal to go toward why they should at least investigate the journalism industry? What are the pros and cons of choosing this field over some rap artist, movie star, or even some sports star? As we know in the youth of today’s mind rapping, movie star, or sports star is where all the money is.

Nikki Woods: I think the people need to follow there heart first of all and not going into something because of the money they think they are going to make is not a good solid way of choosing your career. I think that and people say it all the time and it may sound cliché but I think once you find out what you are passionate about and where your heart lies that you will be successful at doing anything and Tom has probably proven that journalism could be pretty lucrative if

done the right way. But I don’t want to discourage anyone from following their heart and if that is being a rapper or movie star or sports star then go for it and having a solid education no matter the career choose is always a good foundation for anything so I think you should follow your heart but you should also do it wisely and having a good education can only benefit you.

Escapades: Are you involved with any charities that touch your heart and mind to the core and receives your attention when you are not on the radio or traveling?

Nikki Woods: I am involved in a lot of charities but I think the one thing that I’m most passionate about is working with woman that are victims of a domestic violence situation or victims of rape. I work with a lot of different organizations that benefit those two things so that tends to be what I am most passionate about and anything involving children. I don’t really have one certain charity or organizations I work with but if you are doing something good for women in an unfortunate situation I tend to support that.

Escapades: The Tom Joyner Morning Show is one of the best radio shows of all times; how did you first meet Tom Joyner and what was it like meeting and working for

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him?

Nikki Woods: I don’t remember my first meeting with Tom was like; it was here. I knew who he was and I think we had met or been introduced at a radio conference once but I don’t think I really talked to him until I started working for him. But Tom is amazing and it really wasn’t a big deal. He asked if I was working here and I said “Yes I’m working here”; and we got to work and that was it.

Escapades: What can you tell us is the future plans for the magnificent Nikki Woods; is she going to stay with The Tom Joyner Show until the wheels wear off from wear and tear and the show retires or is there a quiet change in your mind to start your own show sometime soon?

Nikki Woods: I don’t really know what future plans are; I know I want to be in radio and I’m in the best place to do it.

And I’m enjoying that. I never really had some great career future plans I know what I’m passionate about and I found it.

I’m working solidly within the radio career is what I plan on doing for a very long time.

Escapades: I would like to thank Nikki Woods for spending the time participating in this interview and we hope here at Escapades that Nikki Woods will continue great success and please stay in touch with us and update us on any career progressions that may come her way.

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Allen D. Edge has performed his special brand of humor at Zanies in Chicago * Barrel of Laughs All Jokes Aside Jokes & Notes in Chicago U Got Jokes Chicago Comedy Central’s “Comic Justice” The Comedy Café in Milwaukee

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regarding Transitions Edge Productions, Inc. or Bookings for speaking engagements Please call (630) 631-9239

Aretha Franklin * Smokey Robinson * The O’Jays

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Email allen_dennis_edge@yahoo.com

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Harold Dennis started his acting in Chicago in 1997. He began acting lessons studying the Stanislavski Method. A year later in 1998 Harold Dennis was cast in his first play, which he was the lead. Also in 1998 Director Amber Washington for the Columbia College cast Mr. Dennis in his first film.

Between 1999 and 2004 Mr. Dennis played in numerous stage shows and was cast in an Indie film as the lead, but in October of 2004 Mr. Dennis was cast as the title character in “Pieces of a Dream” which was a feature film.

I would like to welcome Mr. Harold Dennis the 2012 nominated Best Actor for his role in the film “Englewood” from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago.

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Escapades: Did you do any acting in high school, and college?

Harold Dennis: I was in a play in second grade. I did not participate in high school nor college.

Escapades: Can you explain to our readers what is your motivation to act or let alone be in this industry at all?

Harold Dennis: The reason I’m acting is because it feels right for me. It’s something that I had to learn to do and get comfortable with. I worked other jobs in the past and none of it felt like this.

Escapades: When I first was introduced to you and the fact that you act; it was mentioned that you studied the method of acting taught by the late Okoro Harold Johnson can you explain this method?

Harold Dennis: Okoro is the co-founder of ETA Creative Arts Foundation on the south side of Chicago. He taught us Stanislavski.

Escapades: When I took a look at your biography and your acting credentials I see you have done both stage and screen acting; which is your favorite and what makes one more appealing than the other to you?

Harold Dennis: When I started in this business, I was involved in plays, community plays. It was a learning thing for me. I did a play called “I Was There When The Blues Was Red Hot” 171 times, from 1998 to 2000.

I wanted to do film though. I did my first one in 1998 and since then, I’ve done a half ton. I love film; this is what I want to do the rest of my life. One I finish these questions; I’m headed downtown this morning to finish up a project.

Escapades: How do you prepare for an acting role whether its stage or screen? Is there different types of preparation between the two (stage and screen)?

Harold Dennis: There’s no difference for me. I prepare by reading the script, it talks and draws pictures for me.

Escapades: Acting; whether stage or screen is difficult in its own right; but how do you deal with the stress of criticism from movie critics and theatre critics?

Escapades: Can you explain some of the other types of acting methods that you have studied? And what makes them all different from each other?

Harold Dennis: People have said to me on more than a few occasions, I’m paraphrasing: The movie was ok, but I really liked what you did in it. Roger Ebert reviewed the film “Peaces Of A Dream” and said it was, an extremely interesting film. I’m in it.

Harold Dennis: I’ve studied Meisner, levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Green Shirt Studio. I have learned to prepare among other things using Meisner. I’ve studied with Ted Sarantos for almost 9 years now. He teaches “Magical Acting”. I’ve learned a lot with him. He has shown me how to release my inner actor.

Escapades: Harold to date you have acted in over 40 plus movies and not exactly sure how many stage shows. What advice can you give our readers young and adults should do to start in the film and stage industry?

Harold Dennis: Actually, 47 film credits are posted on IMDB, but I have more that never posted. Counting

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infomercials, music videos, commercials, training videos, shorts, features etc…, I’m well over 100+ projects. My advice is to study the business, stay in class and don’t quit. Oh, and network with others in the business by going to screenings, festivals, workshops, seminars etc… and you must go out and audition for parts. You can’t wait for it to come to you.

actresses to managing their career and their money/royalties?

Harold Dennis: My advice is for you to consult an entertainment attorney.

Escapades: What is your most memorable role and what did it mean to you?

Harold Dennis: My success is that I’m still in the industry after 15 years. So many others that started out with me are no longer working it. They have jobs now.

A down fall is that I have gone with out. If you’ve gone with out, then you know what I mean. The way I deal with my wins and loses is in how I perceive them.

Harold Dennis: There isn’t a most memorable role for me. I have a bunch that I love.

Escapades: In regards to acting can you explain the type of education you need to have and what type of continuing education should be expected to continue with a successful career in the movie and stage industry?

Harold Dennis: Take someone’s acting class and someone else’s and someone else’s and so on.

Escapades: What type of advice would you give our readers to the business side and the protection of your future earnings in this industry?

Harold Dennis: My advice is to get an accountant that works with actors.

Escapades: We have all seen some young actors and actresses make it on the big screen in this industry and then years down the line we hear how these same young stars are broke because of bad management and in some cases family/parents have mis-managed their careers due to no knowledge of the industry on the business end.

What advice can you give young actors and

Escapades: Can you explain some of your successes and downfalls and how you dealt with both in regards to managing your career?

Escapades: Who are some the actors and actresses you have worked with that you feel have contributed to your career in terms of mentoring you in the industry?

Harold Dennis: Kenny Young the actor acted as a mentor to me when I started out. He gave me the advice to take an acting class. Later we created an acting troupe and met every Saturday morning for a year.

Escapades: In closing, what are your futures plans and what direction are you considering for your career? Do you want to stay in front of the camera or on stage; or are you considering directing, producing, or writing?

Harold Dennis: I’m an actor. I’ll always act. I have directed things. I’m an actor. Once my teacher/ mentor Ted Sarantos asked me this, after I mentioned to him a situation I was dealing with while attempting to produce a film a few years ago, “What do you want to do, produce or act?

I have been clear since that day.

Escapades: I would like to thank Harold Dennis for doing this interview and that he would continue success and keep us here at Escapades updated and visit with us again.

Harold Dennis: Thank you for having me.

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Jermaine Kelly born in Toronto, Ontario and raised by Jamaican parents Elizabeth and Claud Kelly. He is one of three that his parents raised in Canada.

Jermaine Kelly with the help of a scholarship to a college in the United States and founding a streaming radio service Jermaine has created a tool to help independent artists get noticed.

So we welcome Jermaine Kelly…

Escapades: Jermaine Kelly let’s start off by asking one simple question how does a young man from Canada on a track scholarship to the USA and a degree in computer science get exposed to internet radio?

Jermaine Kelly: I’ve always been heavily involved in music and technology. When I was a kid I used to dream of making the video game we now know as Halo. I actually had a vision of a video game that wasn’t just controlled by the computer and offered a more social environment. I dreamt of an experience where you and your friends could each go out in battle and accomplish a mission and a set of pre-defined goals through different perspectives. Sports was just something my parents cooked-up to help them pay less for

college, considering money was scarce and education was important. On top of sports we were immersed in various activities to help “keep us out of trouble”. Piano lessons were one. I played classical piano for about 8 years and was one level short of getting a credit towards college for music, I failed my grade 8 conservatory exam, which is prerequisite for that credit. I’ve always been involved in music and seeing that I was forbidden from going to college as acting major, I took what at the time seemed the next best step - A computer science degree. Having those two backgrounds allowed me to see the difficulties involved in getting emerging music heard in the age of the internet and got me thinking about how we might be able to build something that could help alleviate some of that pain.

Escapades: Who are the other members of your team that helped create this tool Immitter? And what type of involvement do

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they have in the development of this great tool?

Jermaine Kelly: When I thought of Immitter, I contacted my best friend Andre Nurse, and told him about a tool that I was thinking about bringing to the market. He was immediately sold and within the next couple months ended up being our first investor. Over time we built a board of advisors and investors that aren’t really involved in the everyday operations of the company but rather lend their knowledge and support from a variety of educational backgrounds. My second highest investor is my roommate from college, Dwight Neptune, who is now a chemical engineer. So the most important lesson I have learned about building a team is to make sure that you just aren’t gathering friends but you are building a network of strengths. Each one of my team members are extremely good at doing just one thing. That’s what makes our IMMITTER relationship work.

Escapades: What type of childhood did you have in Canada and how much of your

childhood was an influence on the career choice that you went into? Was computer science what you always wanted to go into?

And what fascinated you the most about computer science?

Jermaine Kelly: Growing up was probably the most active I’ve ever been in my life. My parents had me and my brothers in what at the time seemed like every sport imaginable. Judo, indoor soccer, basketball, track even gymnastics. So I was definitely dialed in to the benefits of staying fit and healthy. It also gave me confidence to do talent shows and public speaking. From a very young age I was comfortable influencing an audience and their emotions and I knew that this was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Acting and theatre was something I felt gave me the freedom to constantly stimulate other people but unfortunately I was unsuccessful in convincing my father that going to school to be an actor was a good investment. I opted for the next best path which was computer science. I’ve always held the belief that I was a futurist and computers fascinated

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me the most. I saw it as the quickest way to achieve the future that I was envisioning in my mind.

Escapades: We always hear some youth talk about how they never had any support from their parents in their education either due to coming from a single family home, the economy and both parents had to work and never home, or parents dealing with depression or any other problems; but you seem to come from a home with both parents and even other siblings what kind of attention (single and combined) did you and your siblings get on a daily basis?

Jermaine Kelly: Growing up I was overwhelmed with attention. Especially by my mom, who still calls me every week, leaving messages on top of messages and worrying immensely about even the smallest of things. The same deal for my brothers. My parents were at every Judo tournament and track meet. Every piano lesson and PTA meeting. A lot of what I do today is dedicated to paying back the attention that a lot of my peers unfortunately didn’t get.

Escapades: What did you see was a difference between the Canadian school system and the United States school system? Which system would you say was more challenging for you? Meaning did you find the regulations and requirements to graduate more stringent then back home in Canada?

Jermaine Kelly: The major difference between Canada’s school system VS. The States was that Canada definitely focused on academics more. So much so that athletic scholarships were so far and few between that all of Canada’s premier athletes had to run off to the states to accomplish their athletic goals. The Canadian school system was much more challenging for me because of that academic pressure. We were also one of the first countries to have a grade 13 system which was equivalent to a first year college credit so upon arrival to the states I found myself older than all of my peers.

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Escapades: Can you explain what “IMMITTER” is and what does it do? What was the influence behind the idea?

Escapades: What was your motivation to accept the scholarship to a United States college then possibly going for a school in your home country of Canada? Was the scholarship in track the only way for you to get a college degree? And why did you want to get your degree in computer science?

Jermaine Kelly: The United States is universally known as the land of opportunity, especially in the entertainment sector. Growing up I was extremely focused on becoming an actor and seeing that almost all of the Canadian television programming was American, I needed a way to get to the US. I had a plan to move to LA, eventually and a sports scholarship seemed like it was the only option I had.

Getting a college degree came in second place to my dream of becoming an actor. Surprisingly, going to school for computer science had a huge impact on the direction that my life took Post College, and was probably the best educational experience that I could have asked for.

Jermaine Kelly: IMMITTER is best explained as a simple directory for emerging artists.

Immitter helps connect emerging artists with the audience that the music was intended for and is designed to encourage frequent participation, which is something that musicians’ typically have trouble with. The music submitted to the IMMITTER is then ranked by the attention each track receives, allowing the great music to bubble to the top and the not-so-great to sink to the bottom.

During my first year of college I started dabbling in music production. A couple years later I had well over 100 beats, but only my tiny circle of friends had access to what I was creating. I was “too busy” to do the hard work of promoting my music outside of my circle.

Posting my music online didn’t help solve my problem because unless someone else spread my music via word of mouth, it was typically unheard or heard by the wrong people.

IMMITTER took the initiative by delivering the music on my behalf so that I could focus on creation rather than promotion.

Escapades: When you first came up with the concept of the “IMMITTER” what was the obstacles and the competition in the creation and exposure to the music industry?

Jermaine Kelly: The only obstacle to creating IMMITTER was getting it right. IMMITTER in theory is easy. Use the Meta data (The information provided by the user on their songs and profile page) provided by the musicians and display them as a group of filters to listeners. The more filters selected by the listener the more refined the listening experience. On IMMITTER what you ask for is what you get. Our biggest obstacle competition wise was getting users to switch from a platform that they were already comfortable using. Sometimes even if the platform being used isn’t necessarily bringing in

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Escapades: Since your creation and development of the “IMMITTER” what, if any; decision of continuing education have you given to your future in the computer science industry?

the results, change doesn’t seem like an option because succeeding with something new is a lot scarier than failing with something old.

IMMITTER is the future of music distribution and lot musicians are still stuck in the old ‘pick-me’ mentality of yesterday’s music industry.

Escapades: How successful has the “IMMITTER” become and what type of reaction have you gotten by the artists that it was created to help deliver to the masses?

Jermaine Kelly: IMMITTER is still a baby, in the womb. Currently we are in beta testing, trying to get the features right. In February 2012 we opened, for the first time, to the public and based on our analysis and results, it works better than we could have ever imagined. So far we have helped musicians receive thousands of plays, surpassing even the plays that they currently have on their other social networks. Artists consistently give us positive Feedback and the fact that they even use our network at all is a large compliment considering how much of an early stage we are in and the alternatives that are out there.

Jermaine Kelly: The greatest thing about being a Computer Science major is being able to recognize patterns and turn them into useful information. Programming languages are always being created and disregarded.

For the computer scientist to stay relevant it isn’t about knowing specifically about one language but how to be able to take the general concepts that you have learned and being able to apply them to any language.

Realizing that your education is something that doesn’t end when school ends is the most important take away. As the CEO of IMMITTER I realize there is a lot for me still left to learn, everyday I strive to learn something new because the sum of your individual parts is the only way you can achieve a whole.

Escapades: What is next for Jermaine Kelly? Do you create another tool for the assistance of independent artists or do you improve on the IMMITTER? Jermaine Kelly: I really don’t see me doing anything else other than IMMITTER. My next step is working on integrating IMMITTER into educational institutions so that music can be used as not only as entertainment but as a tool for learning about different classes and cultures.

Escapades: What do you think is the reasons why more artists are not being discovered by record labels and other than your creation “IMMITTER” do you think the music reality shows are possibly reigniting the industry or not re-igniting the industry?

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Jermaine Kelly: I think the music reality shows are making a mockery of music and is a lastditch attempt by the aging music industry to stay relevant. It’s only a money grab and has nothing to do with the performers or real music.

Record labels are too focused on trying to relive their golden years, the only one who really benefits from those reality shows are the record label execs themselves. If you want to have longevity as an upcoming artist you have to build your fan base yourself one person at a time. It’s about building relationships not ratings.

Escapades: What can you say to our youth and even the adults (parents of our young readers) should do about their goals in life and their aspirations to get into the music industry?

Jermaine Kelly: The first step is to pay your dues. Consistently creating, re-creating and releasing your music online should be your motive for the first couple years of your career.

Don’t worry about the fans and the attention or lack of attention that you are receiving, you never know by who and when your music is going to be discovered so the most important part is to have a catalogue available online for those that have discovered your music and want more. It’s important to have a history. The next step is to ‘take names’. Gather email addresses and build an email list. Not everyone will be interested in your music, that’s why you have to make sure your music is being delivered to the right people. These people are the ones that are going to do your marketing on your behalf.

Lastly, get in bed with your fans, meet up with them, perform for them, do shows, do birthday parties. The new music industry is about building and nurturing relationships, your music will be much more appealing to those fans that feel you’re not out of reach, that you are one of them.

Escapades: Is there anything you would like to say to independent artists trying to make the music industry their career goal?

Jermaine Kelly: If you are not ready to put it all on the line to be discovered years later then the new music industry is not for you. Stop waiting to get picked, Stop focusing on getting it ‘right’. Get the music out. Take complete advantage of all of the online resources at your fingertips, be constantly creating and honing your craft (I’m talking, at least a song a week, or you will be forgotten, your momentum will be lost and you will have to start all over again). Lastly, collaborate, you never know who or what is going to be your golden ticket. Collaborating increases your chances of success.

Escapades: Jermaine Kelly thank you for taking the time to do this interview and I hope that we can stay updated on the “IMMITTER” and what is next for Jermaine Kelly?

Jermaine Kelly: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to the youth! They’re the ones who now hold the power. I’m confident that the music industry as we see it now will be recreated by these brave young souls as long as they realize that the gatekeepers previously in power have lost the key. The gate is now wide open.

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Kathleen Blade an actress, host, and model with plenty of Indy film credit behind her. Just a few months ago Kathleen Blade launched her very own radio show on the internet called “The Phat Girl Show” which focuses on educating women of all shapes and sizes in order to uplift them and let them know that they are important also. “The Phat Show” airs on Intellectual Radio at www.intellectualradio.com.

So let’s speak to Kathleen Blade known to her friends as “Kat” and find out why her passion is to give back to the community through mentoring the youth.

Escapades: Can you explain to us what was the background for beginning “The Phat Girl Show” and what has it done in the last several months since September 2012? And is it on track with what you wanted it to do or is it just breaking projections or not?

Kathleen Blade: PHAT: POSITIVE HEALTHY AND TEMPTING. The Phat Girls Show aims to empower, inspire, and educate women on how to be the best person they can be mentally, physically, and spiritually. I use to weigh over 400 pounds and was taking 12 pills a day for diabetes and high blood pressure. Now, I have lost a considerable amount of weigh and I am no longer on pills. I am happier and healthier. I am still a plus size woman and I know that I will never be a size 2, BUT I am healthy. I eat right and I exercise. I want to impart to my audience that being healthy is the new sexy! Since September, we have had shows covering PAGE - 56 - Escapades – DECEMBER 2012

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domestic violence, fashion designers with plus size lines and, physical fitness and health.

Escapades: If I read your bio that you sent me am I correct when I see that you worked as a Social Worker for 12 years? And what move you into the direction of school social worker? What is the difference of a school social worker and the ordinary social worker that you come across on the street?

Kathleen Blade: I was raised by a family that stressed the importance of giving back to the community. My father volunteered for the Big Brother program where he received many awards. My mother belonged to an organization called the Matrons that taught young women etiquette and spirituality. My paternal grandfather had the largest black Baptist church in Terre Haute, Indiana that helped out many needy families. So being raised in this environment, it was only natural for me to go into social work. As a school social worker, I provided counseling for students and families. I also consulted with teachers and administrators. I was very involved with the community I served. I made them aware that I was available to provide services for any issues they were confronting.

Escapades: Can you explain to all of us what type of childhood you had growing up?

Can you explain to our readers what type of interactions did you have with other family members? Did you have brothers and sisters? And do you still have a good family relationship these days?

Kathleen Blade: My parents were Fredrick and Harriet Blade. My father was from Terre Haute, Indiana (where I was raised) and my mother hailed from the west side of Chicago. My brother Fredrick Blade, Jr (40) resides in Oak Park, Illinois. I had the typical childhood. My brother and I were very y close. My parent took

us on family vacations every summer and instilled in us a great work ethic. Moreover, the importance of education and community involvement was stressed. My mother passed in 2009 of cancer. My father is still alive and we are still very close. I consider him my best friend.

Escapades: What type of friendships did you have in high school and eventually college?

Do you stay in touch with most of them these days?

Kathleen Blade: I had many friends in school. I never belonged to group. I was known for my friendly and humorous personality. In college, I continued to be that same individual. I belonged to international student organizations and became friends with students from around the world. Since the creation of Facebook, I have

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been able to reconnect with many friends from college and high school. In August, I celebrated my 25 high school reunion and I was able to reestablish old friendships.

Escapades: 98 to 99 percent of our teens are on the internet locked into the image that most of the America society thinks you should look like or act like?

Kathleen Blade: Many teens do not have positive images of themselves and rely on media to tell them who and what they should be. I believe that it starts at home with parents encouraging their child to be the best they can be and not allow anyone to define who they are.

Escapades: Most of the teens begin to feel the pressure from other teens to look and act like them and not show their own individuality. As a past school social worker what could you say to these type of teens?

Kathleen Blade: As a school social worker, I created many groups that addressed the importance of having positive self- image. I encouraged my students to define themselves and to not be influenced by negative peer pressure. I had a group of young AA males that had a high rate of being expelled from school.

They had no self-worth and no desire to achieve.

I begin to show these young men videos about Africa and famous AA who achieved when the odds were stacked against them. Many of these young men begin to realize that they were important and could achieve their goals.

Escapades: What high school did you attend?

And when you began thinking seriously about college; was assistance in school funding for tuition available and an option or did college become a sole responsibility of you and your family?

Kathleen Blade: I graduated from Terre Haute North Vigo In 1987. The importance of education was stressed to me at a very early age, so I always knew that I would gain a college education. Matter of fact, I was the FIRST grandchild on both sides to receive a college education. My senior year of high school, my father had to file for bankruptcy, so he was unable to fund my college education. As a result, I had to take out many loans and I worked 2 jobs throughout college. I believe that this made me work harder for my education and appreciate it more.

Escapades: With the topic of this month and the previous months involved with the development of teaching our teen about bullying how can we actually make this topic go away? How can we as a community of parents, teachers, community business owners all work together and stop the bullying?

Kathleen Blade: When I worked for District 130 in Blue Island, addressing the topic of Bullying was extremely important. I created a curriculum for teachers and students to educate them on the importance of eradicating Bullying. I had contest, seminars, and had speakers to address this issue. Bullying is a national epidemic and needs to be addressed by society as a whole. Many states are even creating laws to punish those who participate in Bullying. This is a good start.

Also, parents, students, and teachers need to continue to be educated on what bullying is and what are some things they can do to stop this problem.

Escapades: What was behind your decision about reaching out to the communities in order to help their youth?

Kathleen Blade: As I have stated, I was raised in

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a household that encouraged community involvement. My parents mentored many youth in my community. This encouraged me to do the same as an adult. Today, I believe that our youth are put down so much; they feel that no one understands them. I like to be that adult that teens can turn to.

Escapades: What was the motivation to become a social worker and in the social work industry what type of role models do you have?

Kathleen Blade: I always knew that I would pursue a career that involved helping people and giving back to the community. My roles were parents and grandparents. In college, I had great role models. Dr. Dorothy Simpson Taylor of Indiana State University and Dr. Dotty Norton of the University of Chicago.

Escapades: What are the various degrees that one either an adult or a teen can gain in the

social working classes in college? Do individuals going to college determine if they want to get into family social work, education social work, and other various social work categories that one should determine to study?

Kathleen Blade: If a teen is interested in becoming a social worker, they should begin to volunteer in community organizations to gain an understanding of social services or seek out a social worker to mentor them. At the University of Chicago, my first year consisted of learning the basics of social work. The second year, we had to decide if we wanted to pursue administrative or clinical social work. I pursued clinical and decided that I wanted to make schools my specialization. Each college program is different and students should seek guidance from their college advisor.

Escapades: When I first met you not to long ago now I noticed in your bio that you have done a lot involving Indy films? Can you explain to our readers what Indy films are and the importance of Indy films? Most people only hear the term “Indy Films� from commercials or conversations due to the big event each year held in I believe is Colorado? What is your fascination with Indy films? And what is an Indy film?

Kathleen Blade: I believe that you are referring to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The Sundance Awards gives independent film makers a venue to display their work that otherwise would go unnoticed.

The festival was actually created by actor Robert Redford. An Indie film is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced and/or PAGE - 60 - Escapades – DECEMBER 2012

distributed by subsidiaries of major film studios.

Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers' personal artistic vision is realized.

Usually, but not always, independent films are made with considerably lower film budgets than major studio films.[1] Generally, the marketing of independent films is characterized by limited release, but can also have major marketing campaigns and a wide release. Independent films are often screened at local, national, or international film festivals before distribution (theatrical and/or retail release). An independent film production can rival a mainstream film production if it has the necessary funding and distribution. I love doing Indie films. I love the freedom it gives me as an artist to display my talents. Indie films are the future of films being produced globally.

Escapades: What keeps you motivated daily to keep you working toward helping the youth of today? What have you personally found to be a reason why youth are having most of their problems with participating in school extra-curriculum activities or school clubs after school?

been blessed with great scripts. However, I have decided early on that I do not desire to do movies that demean women or involve nudity or an excessive amount of cursing.

Escapades: Can you tell us about the filming of the new season of “Find our missing” that you are doing? What your part is and what the show is all about?

Kathleen Blade: Find Our Missing tells stories about black Americans who are missing, hoping to turn up clues that can solve some of the cases.

The series was born out of a pervasive feeling among many blacks that their missing-person cases don't get as much attention as missingperson cases involving whites, particularly attractive young white women. As an actor, I reenact the individuals who are being highlighted.

In season 1, I did episode 108 and 109. For season 2, I have taped episode 204. I will also be

Kathleen Blade: What keeps me motivated is that I know that there are so many lost youth who have so much potential, but don’t have proper guidance or motivation. I believe that if youth are inspired and motivated they can achieve their dreams. Many students experience problems in school, I believe, is due to the fact that the importance of education is not stressed.

Furthermore, I believe that youth do not believe that education is not an avenue to pursue their dreams.

Escapades: Kathleen you have done various Indy film projects can you explain how you decide to do a certain Indy film and what one’s you choose not to do?

Kathleen Blade: Since starting indie films, I have

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revisiting episode 108 to update the viewers on that particular case.

Escapades: What are you goals for the future with your internet show and the Indie films?

Kathleen Blade: I would like for my internet show to become a major network show in the form of a makeover show for plus size individuals. I would love to continue to do indie films, but also venture into studio films. The sky is the limit!

Escapades: What type of advice do you give youth trying to decide whether to go to college, work, or fall into track of some other youth when it comes to just hanging on the corner day after day?

Kathleen Blade: Once again, it starts at home with family and the message that is conveyed to these youth. Furthermore, it starts young.

My 8 year old son already talks about which college he wants to attend. I stress the importance daily how education is a must!

Many youth just need an adult or mentor to encourage them to strive for their dreams.

Escapades: Kathleen, what do you advice youth and adults wanting to go into the field of social work, what can they expect out of educational goals, economic depression affecting the field of social work, and what to expect out of monetary and emotional gain?

Kathleen Blade: To pursue a career in social work, one must have a desire and passion to help people. The emotional gains can be positive and negative. The positive is the great feeling one gains in helping people in the world. The negative is that many social workers become burned out and discouraged.

They sometimes feel as if they are not making a difference. The social work field is not one of the highest paying professions. However, those involved in the administrative aspect of social work, tend to have a higher salary.

Escapades: Kathleen, it was a pleasure speaking to you and hope that we can stay in touch and continue to advice our readers on updates of what you are doing with your internet radio show and other Indy films you are starring in. Thank you very much for participating in this interview and please stay in touch.

Kathleen Blade: Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story with the youth of the world! My message: YOU CAN DO ANY THING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO! THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

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IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

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Escapades: Hello Cee Jai let’s start off having you explain to our readers what your job as Director of Community Outreach and Programs does at the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation?

Cee Jay Jones, Director of Community Outreach and Programs for the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation, a non-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the physical and mental development of youth through tennis and education. Born in South Carolina and moved to Atlanta Georgia with her family in 1979. She is a single mother of a daughter named Khali; who is in her first year at Tuskegee University studying Veterinary medicine. Cee Jay Jones has won several awards such as the USTA Southern Mickey McNulty Family of the Year Award and several city and state championships in tennis.

Previous employment has been with A Tennis Association for Kids, the City of Atlanta Parks & Recreation Department, the Black Family Channel and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.

Please join with me in welcoming Cee Jai Jones…

Cee Jai Jones: Hi. My job manages the day to day activities of a nonprofit organization that provides a tennis and education program for youth ages 5-18 in Atlanta. I work to increase the visibility of the program and increase the number of participants and locations where we operate. I promote the organization and participate in the community with youth, health and wellness, education and sporting events. I am also responsible for writing grants, managing donations, fund raising, meeting with potential sponsors, donors, and partners and supervising staff and contractors. I assess the needs of our program, coordinate activities and special events, recruit volunteers, and ensure that program objectives are met.

Escapades: What type of programs do you arrange for community organizations and how do these programs affect neighbors and the youth in the neighborhoods?

Cee Jai Jones: We offer afterschool tennis programs, a life skills curriculum, a national student athlete competition, and tennis tournaments for youth, and play days for the community. The afterschool program provides important physical activity and tennis instruction for youth usually in 8 week sessions to children who might not otherwise ever play the sport. Our life skills curriculum focuses on activities that build character and leadership through topics such as nutrition, conflict resolution, and sportsmanship. The student athlete competition allows our youth to compete for scholarships within a point system based on report cards, tournament and team PAGE - 67 - Escapades – DECEMBER 2012

play, and participation in the Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest. Tournaments and league play give our youth a chance to compete individually or as part of a team. The free Tennis Play Days introduces everyone to the sport of tennis through fun and games on the court, in a gym or outside in a parking lot.

Escapades: Within your job description can you explain what type of educational background do you need to do your job?

Cee Jai Jones: A Bachelors Degree in a related field, such as communications, social work, physical education, or public administration is needed; however work experience and education can be a substitute for a 4 year degree. This position requires interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills in addition to being able to create reports and marketing material as well as and make public presentations and appearances. One needs to be computer literate, have experience in grant writing, program development, and staff and volunteer supervision.

Escapades: When most people look at the tennis industry they think if they aren’t playing professional tennis then there is no future in this industry; meaning like most youth look at basketball or football, why go to college other than to make it in the professional sport. Why worry about what is going to happen after I’m playing since I am going to be rich. What do you say about that type of thinking?

Cee Jai Jones: It is my belief that the more education you receive the more successful you can become. It’s important to pursue your dreams, but it’s also important to have an education to fall back on in case of injury, lack of performance, getting cut or dismissed from the team, or age. It’s always best to have a plan B in your future because intense competition exists in professional sports and practically every career field. Statistics show that

the odds of becoming a professional athlete for youth today is 25,000 to 1. Focus on education first.

Escapades: I see you grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and went to high school there at Hapeville High School what was it like for you attending school? What were your dreams of career and jobs back then and did you ever think you would get into the tennis industry?

Cee Jai Jones: I enjoyed my high school years. I had just moved here from South Carolina and though the high school was much smaller than I expected, I made friends easily and my class was a tight-knit group. Some of my best memories were of the homecoming activities and winning the spirit stick.

In high school, I dreamed of being a journalist or a news reporter. Although I attended a few tennis matches in high school, I never thought I would be in the tennis industry.

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Escapades: While in high school at Hapeville what was your favorite subject and what was your worse subject? And in regards to your worst subject did you get help to help with this subject; such as tutoring, parent, or extra help from your teachers?

try out- which I did. My love for reading, writing, and public speaking were the primary factors that influenced me in choosing a degree in Communications because I felt that it encompassed those classes that would be best suited for my talents, interests and future career.

Cee Jai Jones: My favorite subject was English because I enjoyed reading and writing. I was an honor roll student and made good grades in all of my classes. I really never had a worse subject, but I do remember staying afterschool for help in chemistry with my classmates. I also remember helping to tutor some of my classmates in English, Geometry and Spanish.

Escapades: I noticed that in college you also maintained the position of sports editor for the student newspaper the “Mercer Cluster” what was that like? Was this position similar to what you wanted your career to be like?

Escapades: What type of mentoring was available when you grew up in Atlanta and what impact did it have on your childhood?

Was there anyone in your childhood that stood out to have impacted your growth into an adult and impact your career choice?

Cee Jai Jones: Unfortunately I was not aware of any mentoring opportunities when I was growing up; however, I had a next door neighbor in South Carolina, Mr. Blake, who treated me like one of his own kids. He was a father figure to me and was the first one to actually bring a journalism career to my attention. He encouraged me to pursue it and his support was always instrumental in my academic success.

Cee Jai Jones: Being sports editor for my college newspaper was great. It gave me an opportunity to use the skills in my major, but to also venture into one of my favorite areas- sports. It was a leadership position that provided a service to my student body as well. Being an editor was similar to what I wanted to become from the standpoint of writing news, but after exposure to broadcasting in college, I hoped to work in either television or radio.

Escapades: What were some of your challenges in high school and college that strengthened you the most as it relates to your life and your career choice?

Cee Jai Jones: I was one of 4 African American

Escapades: Why did you choose to attend Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and what were the factors that most influenced you in choosing the degree in Communications?

Cee Jai Jones: I chose Mercer University because it was a small liberal arts college offering a communications major, journalism and broadcasting minor, and it wasn’t far from home.

Mercer also had a basketball team if I decided to

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students in my high school graduating class, so one of my biggest challenges related to adjusting to a different environment. Most of my classmates never had much interaction with African Americans, but they soon discovered that we had more commonalities than differences.

My mother raised me to always do my best and treat people with respect and that’s what I did.

However, I learned that people are truly a product of their environment and their upbringing

Escapades: Everyone in life deals with pitfalls when it comes to education and some of our youth and even our adults have problems with making a choice of careers and schools to attend; what should be the factors that most affect a decision of career and school?

Cee Jai Jones: For me, the factors that most affect a decision of school and career are your interests, affordability, scholarship opportunities, your finances, and the potential for personal growth. Specific to a career are also factors such as work schedule, salary and upward mobility.

Escapades: What advice can you give some adults that are out there struggling to find a job in this economy and what advice can you give adults that are choosing to try to continue their career by going back to school?

and how I carried myself did a lot to change their opinions and views on racial stereotypes. I was one of the top students in my class and was even voted Homecoming Queen.

Cee Jai Jones: During this tough time, brush up on skills and evaluate how your some of your skills could be improved. Create a contact network of family members, friends, former colleagues or even online career experts. It’s also important to be patient, have confidence in your abilities, keep an updated resume on hand at all times, and network as much as possible with everyone you meet. Once you have identified possible employers, research their websites online to find

In college I received a partial academic scholarship, but finances were always an issue.

I look back now and wonder how my mother, a single parent working as a security officer and then cook, supported me during my college years. Believe me, I know how blessed I was.

The youngest of six children, I never asked for much, but becoming one of the first to graduate from college in my family was a special gift for my mother. It means the world to me that she is proud of my success. As the philosopher Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

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out as much as possible about them. Online or community college courses can help you keep current too. Going back to school can only increase the possibility of getting a job, but make sure it doesn’t lead to a financial hardship. Also remember that even part-time jobs can lead to full time opportunities.

Escapades: Can you explain to our readers how you were introduced to the tennis industry on the business end and how you got into the position you are now?

Cee Jai Jones: I actually saw an ad for a part-time administrative assistant for a tennis oriented youth program and I applied. I had been playing tennis for 12 years, but never actively pursued a job in tennis. At the end of my first year with “A Tennis Association for Kids,” the business merged with USTA Atlanta and I was offered the position of Program Director for the Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation.

Escapades: What type of job

opportunities are there in the tennis industry that youth and/or adults could possibly look forward to as they make decisions in their life and education?

Cee Jai Jones: The tennis industry has numerous opportunities for careers such as coaches, umpires, officials, trainers, physical therapists, agents, writers, photographers, broadcasters, sports writers, tournament and event organizers, retailers, salespeople, marketing executives, publicists, equipment managers and distributors, sports information directors, personal assistants, and club/recreation/facility directors.

Escapades: Can you tell some of our readers some of the accomplishments and awards that you have won since being employed in the tennis industry?

Cee Jai Jones: Our Foundation has been named USTA Georgia’s National Junior Tennis & Learning Chapter of the Year, USTA Southern NJTL Chapter of the Year, USTA Georgia’s Special Event of the Year, and my daughter and I

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also received the Mickey McNulty Family of the Year Award from USTA Southern.

Escapades: As we move into another year (2013) what are your plans for your career and education?

Cee Jai Jones: In 2013 I will serve on the USTA Southern Community Tennis Programs Committee and I have accepted the Chair position for the NJTL Subcommittee. I look forward to attending regional and national trainings and professional development workshops to better serve my youth and Foundation. USTA GA & USTA Southern host Annual Meetings, but I also hope to attend the Community Tennis Development Workshop in Denver and the Tennis Teachers Conference in New York.

Escapades: Can you tell us what a normal day is for you at work? Does your position cause you to travel a lot and what type of traveling do you do?

Cee Jai Jones: Each morning, I prepare a to-do list for the day. My day includes checking and responding to e-mails, answering phone calls, and meeting with the Executive Director. My day may also include meeting with potential donors or possible community partners for our program. I update the foundation website and

ATLANTA YOUTH TENNIS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Facebook page and research grants that may be beneficial to our nonprofit. I will review our marketing plan and calendar to make sure we are on task, submit any documentation needed for administration and begin planning for a special event, such as a Free Tennis Play Day in the community by making sure we have a location, equipment, coaches, and promotional materials. I may also visit afterschool sites to meet with kids and coaches to make sure everyone is having fun. My local travel comes with meetings, afterschool sites, and special events. My national travel comes with attendance at state, regional and nationwide conferences and trainings.

Escapades: What type of advice can you give our readers when it relates to education and life choices towards a career?

Cee Jai Jones: I think education is the key to a successful future, whether that education occurs in a college, through hands on work, or volunteering. Before you choose a career, my advice would be to take a self-assessment of your values, interests, skills, experience and goals. This will help to prepare you in selecting realistic and attractive career options that match your qualifications.

Escapades: I would like to thank you for spending the time and sharing a small part of your mentoring abilities with us. And we hope that as time goes on we can again visit with you and discuss education, careers, and goals in life.

1200 ASHWOOD PARKWAY SUITE 500 ATLANTA, GA. 30338 770-416-4333 www.AYTEF.org

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Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

Action, adventure, and a comic relief the third installment of assassin’s creed.

I rate 8 controllers out of 10 only because solving the puzzles in the game is a real brain scrambler and trust me when you think you solved one you’re only half way done.

So if you’re the kind of person that likes to pickpocket people, jump into hay barrels or calling reinforcements to assassinate the guards in your way this is the game for you.

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Darryl Hughes, Game Developer at 2 By 2 Gaming has been in the gaming industry for the past 30 years, he has positions such as freelance animator for Warner Bros, Tiny Toons, and has created children’s animated films for Encyclopedia Britannica. Darryl Hughes has worked as ad agency art director for companies such as Ford, McDonald’s and an artist, game designer, creative director and executive producer on PC, arcade, console and platform games for companies such as Viacom New media, Konami, Incredible Technologies and WMS Gaming.

Darryl Hughes also teaches traditional animation, producing and game production since 1994. So welcome Darryl Hughes to Escapades…

Escapades: Mr. Hughes I would like to start by saying that as a game developer the knowledge of education is foremost important in your industry; correct?

Darryl Hughes: Yes, an education is important in any industry or job, especially in the gaming industry. We use different types of software and programs that requires specific training and skills.

With technology constantly changing you have to constantly update your skills, which many times require you going back to school or taking additional classes.

Escapades: Did you grow up in Chicago or the Chicago area? And what was your childhood like growing up? Did you have a normal childhood? The two family home with a mother and father? And did you have any siblings?

Darryl Hughes: I grew up in the city of East Chicago in Northwest Indiana, 30 miles south of

Chicago. I grew up in a lower middle class neighborhood. My dad worked in the steel mill (Inland Steel) like most fathers in our neighborhood and my mom was a house wife.

I have 2 older brothers and a younger sister.

My oldest brother Harry was my half- brother and he was 11 years older. My other brother Cliff was 2 years older and my sister Debra was a year younger. We rented a small connected house to our land-lord’s home. My mom and dad had a bedroom; my sister had her own bedroom. Cliff and I shared a very small bedroom with bump-beds. We had one bathroom for five people. My eldest brother Harry stayed with my grandmother on the other side of town. We had very little money, if we had holes in the soles of our shoes we had to put cardboard in them until my dad’s next pay check. You just hope it didn’t rain before then. We were happy, because we didn’t know any people who were different from us. So,

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from my point of view I had a very normal childhood in our own little world.

My mother was a great proponent of education and was always involved in our schooling. She was constantly having meetings with our teachers. She didn’t allow us to read comic books because they had misspelled words in them. When I was 7 years old, my mom and I would watch the TV show Creature Features (horror movies like Frankenstein, Wolfman, the Mummy, etc.) every Friday night on TV. This was great; because this was the one night I could stay up late (10 P.M). We would walk 2 blocks down to Hugo’s corner drug store and get Green River soft drinks and popcorn before the TV show started. This was the beginning of my love of movies and popcorn and being creative.

My mom named me after the late famous film director Darryl F. Zanuck (The grapes of Wrath and the Longest Day) and studio founder of 20th Century Fox. So, it was meant for me to be in

the creative industry.

My dad was always involved in our lives through sports. He was my baseball coach most of my childhood and teen years. Any free time he had (he worked a lot of overtime to try and make more money); we would get our baseball gloves and go out and play catch. In high school, he attended all of my cross country and track meets, even the ones that were out of state. A rare and special treat for the entire family which happened once every 3 months was to go to McDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner.

Escapades: What was school like for you?

Did you have the normal problems with the bullies, and did you play any sports?

Darryl Hughes: Grade school was very hard for me. Later on in life, I found out that I was ADHD (not able to sit still or focus for any period of

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time) and dyslexic (mixing up or reading words or numbers backwards). Back then educators or doctors didn’t really understand or diagnose these learning disorders. So, I had a hard time trying to keep up with the other “normal” kids in my class. My 3rd grade teacher Ms. Dawson and other school administrators wanted to hold me back a school year because I had trouble keeping up. My mom asked me, did I want to be held back and I told her and my teachers a definitive “No”. So, going forward I studied and worked hard to try and keep up with the other kids in my class. This was hard for me, because my brother Cliff and sister Debra were very smart. They could easily pass tests without studying, which at times made me feel bad about myself. The rest of my schooling up to high school, I was a solid C+ student. When I graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, I had a 3.8 GPA (grade point average) and was an honors student. I was awarded a Shell Communication Scholarship for my grades which paid off all my college tuition. I was also awarded an Albert P. Weisman Scholarship Award for a contest winning animated film that I created as a student.

Bullies have always been around. My bully was a kid named “Little Richard” who was the class bully with his side kick “Willie”. The funny thing about “Little Richard” is that he was the shortest kid in the class, even shorter than the girls. This is where he got the name “Little Richard”. Thinking back, I think that’s why he was so angry. They bullied all the kids in our class. I had one thing going for me is that I could run very fast and they could never catch me. The only difference with bullies back then compared to the ones today is that the taunting and teasing was limited to your classroom. Now, with the technology we have, your shame is broadcast to the entire world through Facebook or YouTube. We also didn’t have to worry about getting shot. A fist fight now and then that ended within minutes and afterwards we were all friends again.

I played baseball since I was 6 years old until my early adult life. I was a very good catcher and second baseman. I played semi-pro and minor league baseball until my early 30’s. In high school I ran track & Field (mile, 800 & 400 meters) and cross country. I was team captain and won many awards and broke several school records.

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Escapades: What was your favorite subject and what was your least favorite subject?

What made your favorite subject your favorite subject and what made your least favorite subject your least favorite subject?

Darryl Hughes: Believe it or not but spelling was one subject I was very good at even though I was dyslexic. I was consistently winning the spelling bees in my school. Later on in junior high school I had a fascination with science and biology. During that time I wanted to be a veterinarian, because I loved animals. On the other hand, I wanted to be an artist because I loved to draw. So, I had a hard time trying to decide what I wanted to do when I grew up. Until one day during one of my science classes in 7th grade. My science teacher showed the class a film about “Planet Earth”. In the middle of this film, it had an animated sequence from Disney’s animated feature film, called “Fantasia”. This animated sequence was called the “Rite of Spring”, where dinosaurs roamed the earth and then it showed how they were destroyed by lava and the earth core shifting. After the movie ended, I told myself that’s what I want to do. I want to bring things to life; I want to be an animator. So, I focused all my time going forward in becoming an artist/animator.

My worst class subjects were reading writing and math due to my dyslexia and ADHD, which made it hard for me to concentrate. Constantly mixing up words and numbers while trying to focus and comprehend what I was reading or solving math equations. As I got older I became better at learning by using visual and verbal methods than through reading. That’s why today as an educator/teacher I use all the teaching methods to teach my students-Visual, Verbal and Written, so no student is left behind.

Escapades: Most people adult and youth only see the end product of a game, but what actually goes into making an actual game?

What is the actual length of time that a game development from thought to takes roll out?

Darryl Hughes: A game requires the talents of many people. These include musicians and composers, 2D & 3D artists/animators, game designers, writers, mathematicians, programmers and producers or project managers. Depending on the type of game you’re developing the timeline and budgets differ.

For console games like PlayStation or Xbox, these games (like Halo for example) now cost over 100 million and can take up to 2-3 years of development time, just as much as today’s big movie budgets and timelines. My first video game that I worked on at Konami for PlayStation 1, we had a team of 12 people. Today, these teams have grown to more than 600 people working on one game.

Facebook or online games what we call casual games can cost up to $100,000 plus and can take up to 3-4 months to develop.

Casino or Slot games cost around $50,000 to $75,000 and takes about 3-4 months to develop.

Escapades: What is the most important general subject that is needed to become a gamer (such as Math, computer Science, or other such subjects)?

Darryl Hughes: This will depend on the type of job you’re doing. For example: As a programmer you definitely have to be very good with math -math and computer science. As an artist you have to be knowledgeable about computers and the different software-so you have to be creative and have computer literacy.

As a game designer you have to have excellent writing and storytelling skills-reading and writing.

All game employees still have to be able to read, write and have a basic understanding and knowledge of mathematics. You have to be able to fill out a job application and write cohesive sentences for emails and other documents. You will need to know math to add up your timesheets or read spreadsheets. So, your general school subjects are still necessary in

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getting any job in the gaming industry or any career.

Escapades: With the way the economy is at this point what is the gaming industry like; is it on a decline with business or is it increasing in business? Has the economy cased the gaming industry to layoff more employees and what is there for game designer’s opportunity of employment if the market is declining?

Darryl Hughes: The gaming industry is increasing, by leaps and bounds. New venues for games are constantly opening up. Games are now popular on line, like Facebook games, and console games like PlayStation and Xbox are still popular with young people. The newest segments of games being developed are for online advertising, which is called Advergaming. Then there is Gamification, this is the use of game mechanics and game design techniques in non-game contexts.

These include employee training programs, wellness and other personal activities. Games are also being created to educate kids in the classroom and help people with communication disabilities. Recently, I had

been contacted by a representative of the U.S government who was interested in me becoming an executive producer to develop games to help train men and women in the military. They had a budget of about 3or 4 million dollars to do so. These games are called America’s Army (http://www.americasarmy.com/downloads/).

The gaming industry is now infused in all phases of our lives. Now, there are a lot of small start-up game companies out there who have one or two clients and when they lose these clients they close their doors and people do lose their jobs. There are still plenty of jobs in the gaming industry but students must have the right schooling and training to get in the door.

Escapades: Most youth like to play the games but what is the interest in developing and making the games in our youth? Are the college courses reflecting any growth of interest in this field?

Darryl Hughes: Youth today who play at lot of games, feel they can make their games better. So, they come up with ideas and concepts they believe will make their gaming experience better. When I got in the industry in the early 90’s, there were no schools to

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Deloch-Hughes at (708) 203-2830 for more information about the workshops. Most schools don’t offer art classes anymore so we are hold these workshops to offer an outlet for creative and talented kids.

Escapades: What is your opinion of some of the video games that are out now? What is some of the games that 2 By 2 Gaming has developed that our readers may know?

teach you how to be a game developer. A lot of us old school guys learned on the job. Now, almost ever-secondary educational school out there has some type of gaming program or in the process of building a gaming program.

Now, parents have to beware because there are many of these schools that have sub par programs. They need to do their research or reach out to a gaming company and ask its employees which of these schools have an excellent gaming program. My wife and I have a production company called Hughes Who Productions; we develop educational and online games. We recently created several games for the DuSable Museum. One was a 3D real-time interactive educational game about Jean Baptiste DuSable who came to Chicago in 1870. The DuSable Museum is interested in migrating this game over to the Chicago Public School system. The other game was a hidden object educational Flash game. We also have a component of Hughes Who Productions that we call Hughes Who Youth Studio, in which we go out to schools and organizations to do animation workshops and now we are developing a gaming workshop for kids 6-14 years of age. If anyone or any organization is interested in these workshops they can contact my wife Edye

Darryl Hughes: For me a lot of the games out there today are not as creative as the older games. They don’t have the replayablitiy of a Donkey Kong, Pac-Man or Super Mario. The games out today have what I call a lot of eye candy or art and imagery that doesn’t have much to do with the game play. This is why the development cost of these games is so high. The game play depends too much on the graphics and the violence. Some of the best-selling games that were ever designed were very simple but entertaining. When I was teaching a lot of my students wanted to create, build and play their own retro 8 bit games, why? Because, these were successful games that had to depend on having a great game design and game play. Its success was not depending on the art, graphics or sounds.

I do have to say the look and the quality of the games are incredible. My son was playing Madden’s Football game other day and when I walked into his room I thought he was watching an NFL game. The technology and the ability to create the realism are awesome. The games we create at 2 By 2 Gaming are for adults, we develop slot games for casinos and online casinos. These are a few of the games the adults may know of mine, Money to Burn, Keeping up the Joneses, Milk Money, and the Monopoly games.

Now, some of the games the young adults may remember of mine when I was working with Konami, Viacom New Media and other game companies would be Nickelodeons high caliber TV licenses Beavis & Butt Head, Real Monsters, Guts, Phantom, and “Who’s Afraid of the Dark?”, also Area 51, and an arcade game called Time Killers.

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Escapades: What is a normal day for you at work what do you do on a regular basis? What is the average number of employees that you manage?

Darryl Hughes: A normal day for me is coming in the office first thing in the morning answering emails or returning phone calls to clients. I work with multiple outside game companies that develop games for us, which I have to oversee their team’s projects. One company is located in India, and several others here in the U.S. I have a team of 3 artists, 1 programmer in-house, and 2 sound guys and a math guy who work from different locations. I hold meetings to discuss the schedules for each of our games, I update the schedules, and sometimes I jump in and help out with art creation. Most days I’m working on a new game concept or trying to coming up with the next patentable game feature. I’m constantly reviewing all game content, sound and the overall quality of the games for the land-based and online casinos.

The great thing about my job it’s not the same thing every day. Some days it can be very hectic trying to put out fires (issues) in 3 different areas of the country or overseas. Overall, we have a lot of fun, discussing current video games played the night before or what action movies coming out on the weekend. We have a family atmosphere; I’ve

worked with my all my team members for more than 13 years in one game company or another. I’m godfather to several of their children. I wouldn’t want to do anything else, I love what I do, and that is to create great games.

Escapades: Can you tell us about some of the awards that you have received and what they mean to you and why?

Darryl Hughes: These are a few of my awards and accomplishments in my career: I was asked by the by IEEE Computer Society at the University of Louisville to be one of several keynote speakers for the 16th International Conference on Computer Games sponsored by the University of Louisville. I did my speech on games with a purpose: “Educating Our Children through Games”.

I took a four student game design team to a US National Championship with Microsoft’s Image Cup Competition, winning in the game design division out of 75,000 students. We also won the “People’s Choice Award” and the Regional Championship here in Chicago.

I was awarded “Manager of the Quarter” by the CEO of WMS Gaming for going above and beyond my duties.

I have over 10 game patents that have been approved and pending.

I’m currently an Advisory Board Member with Kennedy-King College to help facilitate the direction of the Visual Communications Department course studies.

My games have been recognized by industry media/magazines-“Milk Money is so fun and funny, I could play it ‘til the cows come home (or ‘til the money runs out) I congratulate the mad genius who created this slot machine”.

Pam Droog, Casino City Times Shell Communication Scholarship Albert P. Weisman Scholarship Award Started my own game company and have global

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clients Judge Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Found a wonderful, loving, creative and supportive wife (married 27 years). I have 2 sons that never been in trouble and is working hard to be successful themselves. My youngest son is one my game artists. My oldest son is in the management program with Enterprise Rental Car and is ranked 4th in the region.

All these awards and accomplishments have a special meaning to me because I remember a scared young boy who had learning disabilities in 3rd grade (didn’t know it) who struggled to move on to the 4th grade. My teachers and administrators who wanted to hold me back.

Through self-discipline, hard work and with the help of other and having God in my life, I think I did all right and these awards and accomplishments are the results.

Escapades: Is their any type of mentoring or on the job programs for the gaming development industry that youth can look into for experience or to find out if this career choice is what they wish to do?

Darryl Hughes: Some colleges have high school

programs during the summer where high school students can take some college courses in gaming. I know several colleges here in Chicago have these types of classes. My wife and I have animation workshops for younger kids who want to get in the creative field. If a parent has a child who is interested in getting in the industry, I would be more than happy to help find a resource or classes for them. I know the summer classes at the colleges can be expensive. Some game companies will hire high school students during the summer to do play testing and QA on their games. You would have to call each of the game companies to see if they have any openings.

Sometimes the students must be 17 or older.

Escapades: In closing what is in the near future of Darryl Hughes in the gaming industry and what advice can you give to our youth in regards to education and life skills?

Darryl Hughes: My wife and I are now focusing our business Hughes Who Productions toward developing more educational and faith based games. To develop more creative workshops to get more kids involved in the creative field.

Continue to build 2 By 2 Gaming as a developer of top earning games in the slot industry. The most important advice I can give any young person is to believe in you and strive to be successful. Never let anyone tell you can’t do or be something. I had a white art teacher in high school tell me that I

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would never make it in the art field. The lord blessed me to see her years later and show her how wrong she was. Young people need to surround themselves with people who want to be successful. As a young boy, I always wanted to own my own business.

Growing up I never had people around me who wanted that. They were good hardworking blue color workers including my dad but it was something inside of me that wanted more. Listen to your heart, and believe in yourself. Listen to your parents and teachers because they’ve already experienced life and can give you some great advice. Believe in God, and know that he guides your life. Get a good education and make college a mandatory goal.

To be successful in today’s job market you must have the skills and training but you also need to have people skills. This is the ability to get along and work with others. In the gaming industry you’re always working with others on group projects. So, you will need to develop these skills as well. My high school track coach, John Boblick, who was an inspiration to me had several motivation signs up on the weight room walls, the one that always stuck with me is “The Only Place Success Comes Before Work is in the Dictionary” So go out there work hard and be Successful!

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Scott Pilgrim VS The World

This game based on a series of books, this plat former beat-emup game rated 8.5 controllers out of 10.

You start the game with Scott and his friends going through various worlds and beating up Ramona’s 7 evil exes.

The game sticks to the books but leaves out a few key details like where is the character young Neil? Going to the stores, purchasing items, and getting to the ending is very fun but watching the ending is very funny. If you like collecting coins, beating up.

Check out our web publication for more reviews on video games and make suggestions on what games you would like to see a review on.

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With the holiday season vastly approaching, safety should be your number one priority.

Here are a few tips to keep you, and your family, safe this holiday season.

Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.

Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.

Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on

buses and other rapid transit.

Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

Keep children with you at all times while shopping.

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Location Last Seen: **Photo has been ageprogressed to 14 years old** Patterson was last seen in the area of Hi-Mount School located at 4921 West Garfield Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at approximately 8:00 a.m. She was reportedly dropped off by her step-father.

Case Type: Endangered DOB: Apr 04, 1995 Missing Date: May 03, 2002 Age Now: 17 Missing City: Milwaukee Missing State: WI Case Number: Unknown Gender: Female Race: Black Complexion: Dark Height: 3-8 Weight: 42 Hair Color: Black Hair Length: Medium Eye Color: Brown Wear Glasses or Contacts: No

Circumstances of Disappearance: Alexis S. Patterson was reported missing by her mother on Friday, May 3, 2002. Patterson was last seen in the area of Hi-Mount School located at 4921 West Garfield Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at approximately 8:00 a.m. She was reportedly dropped off by her step-father.

Last Seen Wearing: Alexis S. Patterson was last seen wearing a red hooded jacket with a gray stripe on the sleeves, a purple shirt, light colored blue jeans, and white Nike tennis shoes. She wore her hair in two braids pulled back into one ponytail and was carrying a pink "Barbie" book bag.

Identifying Marks or Characteristics: None Have information about this missing person?

Click here to submit information to our Tip Line

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Location Last Seen: 18800 block of Burgess on Detroit's west side. That's in the area of Seven Mile and Lahser.

Case Type: Endangered DOB: Jan 01, 1996 Missing Date: Jul 01, 2012 Age Now: 16 Missing City: Detroit Missing State: MI Case Number: x

Circumstances of Disappearance: Unknown.

Person is in good physical and mental condition.

Gender: Male Race: Black Complexion: Dark Height: 5-9 Weight: 140 Hair Color: Black Hair Length: Short Eye Color: Brown Wear Glasses or Contacts: No

Have information about this missing person? Click here to submit information to our Tip Line

Last Seen Wearing: He was last seen wearing a red jogging suit with white stripes.

Identifying Marks or Characteristics: Unknown

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