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And Still We Rise

And Still We Rise

By Maya A Singletary

Highlighting Everyday Stories of Black Excellence During the Covid-19 Era.
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Sylvia Black, Accomplished Entertainment Industry Professional & Entrepreneur

And Still We Rise Feb 18, 2021

00:00
54:31
Sylvia Black, Accomplished Entertainment Industry Professional & Entrepreneur

Sylvia Black, Accomplished Entertainment Industry Professional & Entrepreneur

Sylvia Black is a New York native and is often referred to as the resource magnet by her peers. With the understanding that strategy is equally important as creativity, Black enrolled as a student at Harvard University, Extension School to complete her Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree with a focus in Business Management. She anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2022.

Black is an accomplished professional in the fashion and entertainment industry with over 8 years experience. In her most recent role, Black served as Executive Assistant to Parkwood Entertainment's President/Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.

Since starting her position at Parkwood, she has worked to support the C-suite Executives to execute major projects under the Parkwood brand, such as "How To Make Lemonade" (book/vinyl album release), Beyoncé's Coachella performance, The Carter's recent joint stadium tour, OTR II, Adidas x Ivy Park Launch, Black Is King via Disney+, and countless others.

Black began her career in the world of fashion-- interning for Condé Nast’s Lucky Magazine, Vogue Russia, and the well-known high fashion magazine, Tatler Russia. Shortly after, she joined forces as a freelance stylist assistant to the CEO of the Thomas Faison Agency, a prominent wardrobe stylist agency for athletes within the NBA, NFL, and MLB.

In her free time, Black volunteers for the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club in Harlem, NY and recently raised over $2,000 to support their mission and initiatives. Black is an avid runner, she enjoys yoga, and is an active reader.

Feb 18, 202154:31
Don Bell, CBS 3 Emmy-Award winning Sports Director & Italian Vogue published photographer

Don Bell, CBS 3 Emmy-Award winning Sports Director & Italian Vogue published photographer

Don is currently an Emmy-Award winning Sports Anchor and Sports Director at CBS 3 (KYW-TV) in Philadelphia. Before that, he helped launch Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and anchored Fox Sports Live, a nightly sports wrap-up show. From 2010-2013, he anchored SportsCenter five days a week on ESPN, ESPNews and its family of networks.  He has covered everything from the Super Bowl, World Series and Final Four to Triple Crown horse racing. Don earned two undergraduate degrees from Boston University, and a Masters from the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism. 

Don's work has been exhibited at Philly Art Collective (January and February 2019). His solo exhibitions include Life in Progress (World Wide Mind Gallery, Los Angeles 2014), Cinematic Streets (Andre Allen Studio, Miami Beach, 2013) and Portraits of Wisdom (Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford, CT 2012).


You can see Don's collections at his website: 

www.donbellphotography.com



Nov 12, 202044:39
Why Voting Matters (Especially in the Black Community)

Why Voting Matters (Especially in the Black Community)

It has been quite a few weeks! I had been going back and forth with people about why VOTING IS SO IMPORTANT. I was met with some puzzling responses, and some downright disappointment.  I was ready to throw in the towel, but my mentor, Dr. Holly Roberts, suggested that I take a different approach.  She decided to sit down and discuss the issues I had been facing, and to offer her take on why VOTING IS SO IMPORTANT. She's a brilliant psychiatrist, and political junkie like myself, so it was easy for her to put into words why VOTING IS SO IMPORTANT. I could not constructively get my point across to some folks, so she used this platform to help me. I am beyond grateful to her and her wisdom. Hopefully, this episode can help change minds, and motivate undecided voters, and people who have yet to register.  PLEASE go online to see your state's voter registration deadline is. 


**DISCLAIMER** This episode is NOT endorsing any candidate or political party.  We are merely having a discussion on why VOTING IS SO IMPORTANT.

Oct 05, 202055:35
Superhero DJ Jon Quick

Superhero DJ Jon Quick

These are just a few of the words you often hear mentioned when describing one of NYC's most charismatic and hottest DJs to come along in some time, WBLS 107.5's mixmaster, Superhero DJ Jon Quick, creator, co-host of AfroFlava Radio(heard Fridays 2-3am on WBLS)


Jon has over 15 years of experience rockin' events from NYC to the British Virgin Islands!

Black Enterprise online magazine and was bestowed the honor of being named in the

2012 class of NV Magazine's "Movers & Shakers" issue.

"Sway in the Morning" of SiriusXM's Shade 45,

Fox-5 New York's Morning Show

Beyonce'(her American Express VIP Experience on her Formation Tour)

Jay Z's Dusse' VIP Pre Concert Party (his 4:44 Tour)

Michael Strahan

Jerome Bettis

Rochelle Aytes (ABC's "Mistresses", Tyler Perry's "Madea's Family Reunion")

Lennox Lewis

Osi Umenyiora

opened at NYC's Summerstage for such musical icons as Big Daddy Kane and Roy Ayers!

Space Ibiza(NYC), Stage 48(NYC) Greenhouse(NYC) Cielo(NYC), Motivo(NYC), Gansevoort Park Rooftop(NYC), The Griffin(NYC), Butter(NYC), The Attic(NYC), Arena(NYC), Pure(DC), Love(DC), The Park on 14th(DC), Tuscanna West(DC), Le Poisson Rouge(NYC), House of Blues(New Orleans), Metropolitan(New Orleans), The Hess Club(Houston, TX) and Compound(Atlanta), Nausau Coliseum and Mets Citifield Stadium just to name a few. He also rocks an annual set at Met Life Stadium for the NY Urban League's Annual College Football Classic.

Along with hearing the "Superhero" on the "Classic Mix at Six" on "Deja Vu in the Afternoon" on 107.5 WBLS NYC, Jon's mixes have also been featured on Music Choice TV's Throwback Jamz and Mixtape channels as well as "Spitkicker Radio" on XM Satellite Radio's "The Rhyme Channel". He also has the distinction of being one of few mastermix DJs with his own free app, "Superhero DJ", which is available for the Apple and Android devices.

​​​​​​​​​​​​

BMW, Crown Royal, Hennessy, Grey Goose, Black Enterprise, NV Magazine, Uptown Magazine, Pepsi, Gatorade just to name a few. He is also the founder of "NYC Deejays for Obama", a collection of world class deejays, who under Jon's suggestion, came together to throw a series of   NYC fundraisers for President Barack Obama during the 2012 campaign.

It has to be noted that Jon has a huge heart and is known throughout the NYC community as a "philanthropist DJ". He put together "Deejays for Japan", which ended up being a very successful fundraiser benefiting the tsunami/earthquake victims in Japan. He also put together similiar benefits for Haiti. His "Beauty and the Beat: Heroines of Excellence Awards" event , entering into its 8th year, actually started out as a Haitian earthquake relief event but now has morphed into an annual event, honoring women of color who are rising icons in their respecitive industries during March for National Women's History Month..

The future is quite bright for the Superhero. The best way to keep up with him would be to follow him at twitter - @superheroDJ or Instagram: djjonquick. When he says "up, up and away",. you best grab onto something. The stars are the limit for Jon Quick. Get ready for the wild and crazy ride!

Oct 05, 202033:40
Napoleon Suarez, Founder of Fishbox

Napoleon Suarez, Founder of Fishbox

Napoleon is the founder of Fishbox, which is a mailbox center and after hours package delivery service in Philadelphia.  Fishbox's mission is to end missed and stolen packages in Philadelphia. Napoleon is also Nolan's Daddy.

Sep 11, 202055:46
Thomas C. Knox, Master Connection Curator

Thomas C. Knox, Master Connection Curator

Thomas C Knox is a Master Connection Curator, Social Entrepreneur, and Thought Leader from Brooklyn, New York. His critically acclaimed movement, Date While You Wait puts a brilliant spin on connection and communication. He has received attention from the likes of CNN and the NY Times and is currently producing a television series. Thomas is deeply committed to developing strong communities and passionate about innovating ways to bring people from all walks of life. Thomas is also the owner of The Connection Collective and BeGreat Bow Ties. Both companies put a unique spin on creating meaningful connections.

Sep 01, 202040:37
Heavy, heavy

Heavy, heavy

No guests, just me. If you haven't noticed, 2020 has been tough, but August was exceptionally cruel. I had to get some things off my chest.  I don't know about you guys, but haircuts are like therapy :-) Here's to a much better September.  Carpe Diem.

Sep 01, 202015:35
Cedric "Ceddy P" Perry, CEO of Renaissance Music Records

Cedric "Ceddy P" Perry, CEO of Renaissance Music Records

Trenton, New Jersey’s Ceddy P is the CEO and co-owner of Renaissance Music Records. A fitting name for the label, given Perry’s track record as a web sitcom writer, author, and graduate of Cheyney University, the oldest historically Black college in the nation. Perry holds more than just the CEO title as he takes pride in working on the ground with artists and getting his hands dirty. The Renaissance Man is the artist manager, digital brand consultant, and recruiter for the New Jersey focused label. As the label continues to bring diverse talent to the forefront, Perry is making sure these artists are gaining exposure and the numbers speak for themselves. As we head towards the midpoint of 2020, Perry and Renaissance Records are making noise and have more releases on deck for fans.

Aug 27, 202053:13
Kiola George, Creator of The Heybor™️ App and The Good Girlfriends Network

Kiola George, Creator of The Heybor™️ App and The Good Girlfriends Network

Kiola George is a NYC based project management professional & entrepreneur. Kiola started her career over a decade ago at ABC Networks in their Standards and Practices division, after 5 years, she began producing content for a national cinema advertising company. In 2020, she joined the project management team at TBWA/WorldHealth, a disruptive marketing & advertising agency.

Born in Guyana and raised in Brooklyn NY, she is the eldest of four and her parents raised her to be caring and supportive to all people. Kiola always valued building community and through that passion she created two companies, Heybor™️ and The Good Girlfriends Network. Heybor™️ is an app that allows users to rate and review their experiences living in multi-unit residential properties. It’s a game changer when it comes to doing your research when looking for your next apartment. In addition to being a source of information, Heybor™️ will also be a form of inter-building communication for tenants currently residing there through posts and messaging. With Heybor™️, Kiola and her startup team are looking to put the neighbor back into the neighborhood!

Kiola created the Good Girlfriend Network in 2019. She curates events for women of color to connect and support one another in their personal, professional and entrepreneurial endeavors. The network has grown to over 2500 members in the past 6 months and gains new members daily. With five events executed since July 2019, Kiola is looking on expanding on the resources and building out the network exponentially in the years to come.

Aug 27, 202041:18
Sheilisa McNeal Burgess Founder and CEO, Fria, LLC

Sheilisa McNeal Burgess Founder and CEO, Fria, LLC

Sheilisa is an early stage, first time PI and founder of a tech start-up. However, she's been an independent contractor/solopreneur for more than 20 years. 

Sheilisa's professional career spans 30+ years in the fields of public relations, marketing, professional writing and collegiate level teaching. She's authored speeches and drafted remarks for: Fmr. President Bill Clinton, Fmr. American Express CEO, Ken Chenault and Humanitarian, Martin Luther King III to name a few. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies and slated to publish my first work of narrative non-fiction entitled: Relentless – Sometimes the Underdog HAS to Win later this year through Madison and Park Publishing.

Aug 22, 202049:10