Spring 2013 Issue
Contents Live 04 | Introductions 06 | Discovering the
Path to Change
08 | Feature Artist:
14 | Now
16 | Choosing
Jaleel Mackey
Change
Love
18 | The Gallery
Laugh BE
Where dreamers...
Dream
MEET THE “DREAMER�
Cachrelle Bolden is the founder and mastermind behind the Brokenmind Dream Collective. She found a passion for change, inspiration, tolerance and understanding and wanted a place cultivate these things into everyday life and everyday dreams. She wanted to incorporate her dreams with the dreams of other, because if everyone is working toward the same goal how could we not succeed. Her dream is to support the dreams of all through the facilitation of change. Now she has created her own path start a business based upon dreams.
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THE “DREAM” Brokenmind Dream Collective The Brokenmind Dream Collective is... A Culture. A Movement. A DREAM. A “brokenmind” is one that has been exposed to the world without shelter and thrives during the challenges of life and challenges the constraints of tradition. One that holds the answers, creates, cultivates, and projects CHANGE. The collective is a body of dreamers with “brokenminds” who will make there dreams as well as others’ dreams a reality while facilitating change in the world and allowing for others to master their artistry as they lend hands to a movement of unity and tolerance.
Introductions | Page 5
Discovering the Path
A
s a college student I have felt the many pressures to finish school and follow the traditional career route my parents intended for me, however as I have grown and matured I have found that there are alternatives worth thinking about. While it may seem that the most logical path for an accounting major would be to get a CPA and continue on to a career in the accounting profession, I took interest in the not so obvious path. Going through college in such an innovative period of time, at a campus where so many resources are available to do something different pushed me in the direction of social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship is a fairly new concept of using traditional entrepreneurial ideas and tools to effect social change where there is a need. Having a passion for making a difference and effecting change in the world, naturally this appealed to me. Until I discovered this alternative, I was under the impression that my options were very limited. I could either go into the work force and volunteer on my free time or go into work with a non-profit, ultimately having to make the choice between how much money I would make and how much I could put into my passion. Social entrepreneurship provided a solution to my dilemma and to others who are on the same journey.
doesn’t u mean yo e can’t tak alk w o t e m i t in the grass.�
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to Change...
By starting up a socially conscious business, I could effect any social change I found important, while still making a profit in order to sustain a comfortable lifestyle. My curiosities led me to find examples of what others were already doing in their communities and how they were doing it. An example of a social entrepreneur is Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS shoes. Mycoskie took a onefor-one platform to unbelievable success by giving a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. He has also expanded this system to help restore sight to a child through prescription glasses, medical care or surgery for every pair of TOMS sunglasses sold. It is inspirational to see someone doing something for the good of another and also not forgetting to take care of himself as well. I like to think that social entrepreneurship brings a great balance between selflessness and selfishness because there is a need for both.
se u a c e b t “Jus there is a ad paved ro ahead of you,
Naturally, it is not as simple as finding a solution and executing it. I had so many questions, concerns, and fears to accompany my newfound excitement. Was I really going to risk stability to follow a dream? I like to think this is a question many may be asking, so in my next post I will address the questions that helped me to answer this one.
Discovering the Path... | Page 7
Featured Artist.. Jaleel Mackey
“Soldier for Change” Page 8 | Brokenmind Published
BIO Jaleel Mackey was born in a small city just outside of Los Angeles. He moved to The Bay Area for high school where he started writing poetry and excelled in football and baseball. He started working at 15 to help support himself and his family, but in spite of his efforts, his family lost their apartment and had to move in with his mother’s family in Massachusetts. After some consideration he moved back to California to live with his best friend. He worked for the rest of high school to pay for his personal expenses and continued to earn exceptional grades while dominating the football field. He was accepted to the University of Southern California in 2008 for superior academics. He continued to develop his artistry while working with spoken word poets in LA. In January 2012, he Co-Founded The Gntlmn’s Club with in-house producer LAFresh after recording a hip-hop song for his first. He has grown exponentially in the last year and half and looks forward to his future success as a prominent figure in the world of music.
Learn more in our exclusive interview with him . . . Featured Artist | Page 9
The Interview
A: Ja a singe life to the da of the addict 12 and She wa around sister a but I k my abi I didn’ know? meals, world. and I g not alo here to hope i world peopl
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Q: Tell us about yourself... who is Mack?
aleel Mackey is a solider for change; a solider for hope. A poet, a lyricist, er, and a songwriter. I’m an anomaly in this world because I dedicated my disproving the worth of statistics. I’m defined by the despair in my life, but arkness made me that much brighter and more appreciative of the beauty world. I grew up in an abusive home with a track record of homelessness, tion, poverty, incarceration, the works. My Pops got locked up when I was d left me to raise my litter sister and care after my self destructive mother. as damaged, ya know? Out drinking every night, bringing random niggas d, getting DUI’s and spending some time locked up, leaving me and my at random niggas houses, moving us around wherever we can get a handout, knew she needed me so I grew the fuck up. Took care of her to the best of ility. Fought her demons with love, compassion, and my success. I knew if n’t make something of myself, she’d be the one to hold that guilt forever, ya ? Most kids who grow up without a father, living in poverty, eating welfare , living in battered women shelters, all that end up bitter and resent the . By the grace of God I ended up turning out all right. I’m college educated got a fire burning in this belly to make a difference in this world. I know I’m one in what I’ve experienced. I know everybody has a story to tell and I’m o tell mine and those that have shaped my life while providing the world in the face of hopelessness. Bring solidarity to doorsteps while showing the a higher road. Greatness is attainable for anybody. I’m just a step stool for le to reach their dreams.
Featured Artist | Page 11
The Interview (cont.) Q: What are your dreams/ goals for the next 5 years? A: I’m the Co-Founder of an independent music group, The Gntlmn’s Club,
and in five years, I hope to be working with independent artists and developing The Gntlmn’s Club into an independent label. For myself, I know the most realistic way to be successful in the music industry is to get signed to either a distribution label and keep my independent status or to work with a label for a few years to build my career and after fulfilling the contract continue on independently or rework the contract to be a more desirable for me and my freedom as an artist. I’m excited about the movement at RocNation, so if I do get signed, I’m down for the Nation. I can’t conform to the idea of others, it’s not me, and I don’t see that coming out of the Jay’s label. Cole, Calvin Harris, Jay of course, etc. They’re warriors in the game right now. So in five years, I want to be on the cusp of success. I don’t want that overnight success, that shit is toxic. I wanna grow into the lyricist I know I am, ya know? When it comes to things outside of music, I’ve got a few brainchildren. Working for social change like the reformation of the prison industrial complex in this country, raising awareness for domestic violence, and reforming pharmaceutical industry driven medicine. Changing the education system. A clothing line. Getting involved politically. Working with a couple art driven startups my friends are developing. Get a book of poetry published. I know that was all over the place, but I’ve got a lot of things I’d like to accomplish in the next five years. I’ve got a strategic trajectory, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Q: What are your views on education? A: Education comes in many forms. Education isn’t just a high school diploma or
a college degree or a certificate. That’s an institutionalized education. Knowledge is imperative to success because it’s a tool. It awards power to those who wield it. That’s why knowledge is hoarded. That’s why we have private universities fencing off their campuses from those who don’t pay tuition. Their libraries are powerful. Their computers are powerful. If the people are educated, there’s no bull shit politics, there’s no more games because everybody knows the rules and it’s that much harder to play people. But if you want to be a photographer go read a few books, watch a few YouTube videos--YouTube is full of knowledge and it’s free for anybody with access to the internet--save your pennies and buy a camera. You don’t need an instructor to teach you how to take amazing pictures. That goes for anything you wanna do.
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Q: Do you plan on going back to school? A: I’ll always continue learning. I do wanna go back to school, but I’m not
sure when or what I’ll be studying when it comes to a masters level degree. Right now, I’m planning on furthering my musical education by continuing with singing lessons and piano lessons. I’m always looking into getting a camera and developing my skills as a director. I wanna be able to direct my own music videos in the future.
Q: What about music drives you? A: It’s therapeutic for me. I can be everything I’m afraid of on the mic--everything
people are afraid to admit they are. It’s raw. It’s real. For me, it’s entirely authentic. Also, it’s a platform for me to reach people. I do this because I’m compelled to reach people and hopefully change their lives. Turn them into leaders and inspire a better future for the world.
Q: What is the biggest change you hope to see in the world? A: Changing this selfish behavior. We need to be more cooperative. Everybody has their own agenda, and, don’t get me wrong, so do I, but I plan to elevate the world as I climb to the top. I wish more people lived with an ambition to better everyone around them.
Q: If you could choose 1 word to describe the lifestyle you hope to portray what would it be? A: I’ll give you two words: inspiring brilliance.
Q: What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? A: I’m working on my first mixtape. Expect that to be released. I’m not gunna drop a date yet. I’ve got my first music video shoot lined up for this summer. Expect that to be dropped late summer/early fall.
Featured Artist | Page 13
Choosing to Change “The road less traveled is unchartered, and choosing to follow it requires a compass of passion and determination.� Choosing to create your own path and start up a business is not for everyone, however if it is for you there are questions that lead up to the ultimate decision of whether or not to take the leap. In my last post I talked about the idea of starting up a social business to enable myself to tap into my passions of doing good and still be able to put a roof over my own head as a self-sufficient adult. Here are the two main questions I had to ask myself before deciding to pursue my entrepreneurial dream. Question #1 - Is there an issue that I connect with that I would like to address? If so, am I passionate about this cause or do I just wish to support it? This is a very important question because creating something all your own is difficult and it will require perseverance and determination, which can sometimes fall short without passion. This question is a personal one, you have to really dig deep and figure out what it is that you are trying to do and whom you are trying to do it for. In answering this question other more personal and specific questions will arise applying to your specific situation and they will ultimately help you to realize your true intentions. Sometimes, the answer to this question will be that you would rather just support someone already taking action for a cause and leave the creating for someone else. Other times you will find that the cause you are looking to make waves around is a driving force and you will move to the next question. An important thing to remember is that even in moving on in your entrepreneurial journey you will constantly have to revisit the original question and figure out if the plunge is really for you. Answering this one question over and over again is a very crucial part of choosing your path and deciding how you will contribute whether through support or through creation.
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Question #2 - How do I go about starting my own social venture? Keep in mind that there are no steadfast ways to go about starting up your own socially entrepreneurial organization because social entrepreneurship is a very innovative and open industry for you to make all your own. However, you will need to have a basis of the business aspect of your organization and how you will be sustainable. Because the answers can be found everywhere I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people in business. I will stress that everyone do their own research and find the best learning avenues for their own personal needs. I personally require hands on learning and reading start-up books weren’t as effective as talking to professors and professionals who had already gone through there own process to get advice. Many colleges and universities now have programs directed towards social entrepreneurship and there are also organizations built around helping young entrepreneurs start their own organizations. There is no solid answer to this question, this question is more for starting you on the journey of asking specific questions, figuring out what it is that you know and don’t know, as well as driving you towards action. After all is said and done, without action, all of your questions and answers will get you nowhere. You will never be able to answer all of the questions; with every action you take a new question will arise to be followed by an answer and action. Below I have posted some links to get you started on your journey and in my next post I will share some things I have learned along my own journey. Check out some of these sites just to get started! http://nciia.org/ http://nciia.org/pub/gs/index.html http://www.entrepreneur.com http://www.cgcareers.org/articles/detail/1205/ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/business/ smallbusiness/23sbiz.html?pagewanted=all
Choosing to Change | Page 15
now a poem
Now is the time and place
Now is when a change began
Now is the present day, the first day of the rest of a journey
A journey that starts today
Today is the day that I felt that feeling that I didn’t know until that momemt
A feeling of urgency
A feeling of invinsiblity
A feeling of NOW Now starts every second
And every second change is on the horizon
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But today, today was the day The day that changed change Change in my surroundings Change in my everyday habits Change in my perceptions
Change in ME Today I listen to the feeling of now And change me so that I can change
NOW Poetry | Page 17
THE GALLERY :
Paper
A
rt is a form of expression that can speak to many different people in many different ways. This issue we decided to feature a creative take on movie posters in “The Gallery”. A local artist, that goes by the name Reason portrayed 3 movie posters in both their modern form as well as a 1920’s recreaction. Using clippings from magazines and
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Color Harmonies
Guache
cut up oragami paper, she created the modern movie posters that we regonize as “Do The Right Thing”, “Rent” and “Brave”. She then using movie posters from the 1920’s as an inspiration recreated these posters by layering guache painting cutouts together. I would call this true talent and creativiety.
The Gallery | Page 19
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