American Pimp

By show of hands, who has seen American Pimp? Do you remember when Kenny Red said that pimping took time, motivation, brains, and willpower? He went on to explain that the brain could be used for lots of things, but that working at McDonald’s wasn’t really an option for him. I imagine that my friend, Pimpin Ken had similar values growing up in Inglewood, sweet talking the cafeteria ladies into letting us into $2 Tuesdays for free, and occasionally persuading a lady to attend a social event. I don’t know a lot of pimps, but the ones that I have come across in my travels have a penchant for giving before they “get.”  Whether it’s tithing at church, feeding a slot machine, or courting a potential mate, it seems as though there is something about giving that begets getting.  

With that said, it comes as no surprise that the man formerly known as Pimpin Ken has been blessed so abundantly. In 2005, Kenneth Billups created the 501(c)(3) CLIMB, Inc., with the mission of helping underserved youth recognize their innate ability and potential to be competitive collegiate participants, stewards of their community, and effective global leaders. Six years later, CLIMB Inc. includes eight core programs that range from a performing arts academy and basketball camp, to a college prep program, leadership institute, and STEM program.  His platforms comprehensively encompass more of the “what we need to do” programs than any others that I am personally familiar with and his annual fundraisers like Oceans LA raise money to keep the programs going. To see someone who I’ve known for over a decade create an enterprise that provides underserved youth with the resources, opportunities, and positive role models necessary ensure their well-being and success truly makes me proud to have him as a friend and respect him as a fellow entrepreneur.  While it makes sense for someone to sacrifice their time, energy, and finances to create wealth for themselves, it’s not as clear why non-profit founders and operators would work so tirelessly for the yield of their works to be given away to others.

For many, that concept makes no sense. Why would someone work through school or spend timeless hours planning, grinding, and organizing simply to give away the financial benefits of their hard work? Do they know something we don’t know? Maybe they know that qualifying groups pay no federal, state, or local taxes enabling them to devote a larger portion of their resources to achieving THEIR particular goals. Maybe they know that their 501(c)(3) status qualifies them for special grants or government funding. Maybe they like special rates for services. Maybe they know that donors (customers) prefer to give contributions (money) to them because they can deduct the payments from their own taxes. In reality, most people who create organizations that give do so less for the above listed reasons, and more so out of a passion for helping their fellow man.

On this day that we celebrate our Savior’s birth, and every day for that matter, let’s consider emulating non-profit founding brethren. Today, ask not what you “got” for Christmas, and think about what you gave. Recent research reveals that charitable work literally makes the heart grow stronger, reduces depression, and adds years to life. Our brains, finances, and efforts can be used for lots of things. Whether it’s an effective team, more money, or personal spiritual rewards, hard work will always yield something. The question is what you want it to yield. I’ve been a party to some of the fine work that Ken (Billups, not Red) has done in the community and it’s nothing short of amazing the impact that one person with a passion for giving can have. I’m not saying that everyone should work in nonprofit, but everyone can volunteer their time, or donate their money. If you’re looking for a place to start, consider donating to CLIMB Inc. – they’re pimping the system for good. 

There Is a God

We all have moments in life when something happens that lets us know that “only God” could have done that. One of my favorite stories from college came in September 1998 when I was on a Collegiate Explorations bus trip to the Atlanta Classic. My roommate and I had firmly taken our place as the social leaders of the bus - clowning around, wildin’ out, and doing what we could to make sure that everyone knew who we were…and they did. This one young lady took notice of my roommate - his appearance, his voice, his laugh, etc. She expressed to him that his crazy nature reminded her of a man from her hometown of Green Cove Springs, Florida.

What she didn’t know, was that the man from her hometown was my roommate’s father, who he had never met. Long story short, they exchanged information, and my roommate went home with Catarah Hampshire that following Thanksgiving, and met his father for the first time.

These days, I call Catarah BJ (short for Baby Jesus), and it’s highly appropriate given the heavenly taste of her sweet Southern Girl Desserts. While in Los Angeles this past September, I had the opportunity to visit Catarah and her partner’s new store located at 5571 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019. I went simple, trying a sweet potato cupcake. I try not to embellish, but few culinary experiences have ever warranted the distinction of this cupcake. This cupcake was truly different than any other cupcake I had ever eaten. It was extremely dense, yet not too heavy. It was full of flavor, yet not too sweet. It was moist with just the right texture. This cupcake made me want to savor every crumb…and I did. The desserts prepared by the hands at Southern Girl Desserts are divine delicacies. Said another way, “they good.”

Apparently, I’m not the only person who appreciates the culinary delights created by BJ and her partner Shoneji Robison. In the Los Angeles area, their sweet potato pies and red velvet cupcakes were named “Best in the City” for two consecutive years. Southern Girl Desserts has also been featured on Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” and HGTV’s "Antonio Treatment", as well as numerous other magazines, newspapers, and periodicals. If these Southern belles seem vaguely familiar, you may remember them from the November 2011 edition of "Black Enterprise" where they were referred to as ‘Cupcake Queens.’ Until further notice, my new nickname for BJ is Page 94.

I told my story above for two reasons. #1 - Maybe there is such a thing as coincidence, but it’s more likely that God has a plan in shaping our destiny. I mean, who just meets their dad because they were acting a fool on a bus and some stranger noticed them. God puts us in situations to guide us along the path he has for us. Catarah saw something and spoke up. When opportunities are placed in front of you, take notice and say something. You never know where that chance opportunity might lead you, or someone else. #2 - We have a community in which we need each other. Cooperation, collaboration, consultation, and in certain circumstances conjuration are requisite pieces to collective growth. We have to be aware of those around us. Keep your ears perked for opportunities for others. Make that referral. Suggest that program. Opportunities, advice, and help for each other always comes full circle. With that said, if you’d like to bless yourself with some of BJ’s Southern treats and you don’t live in the Los Angeles area, try visiting their website www.southerngirldesserts.com, or giving them a call at 310-686-8916. One bite, and you’ll know that “there is a God.”

Everybody has a Cause

Growing up, I used to write poetry as a means of understanding the world around me and releasing my elegiac emotions. At some point, that path to my poetic place of peace became encumbered by the scenery along the way (women), a desire for a map (logic/reason), and a need to fuel my journey (money/excitement).   Life has gotten a lot more complicated since then, but I’ve discovered that writing is still a way for me to release what’s crammed inside my head into the universe and hopefully this blog will help to generate some good from my cerebral residue. So what is this blog about you ask? Keep reading, and hopefully somewhere along my path you will decide to join me, or at least make a stopover at one of my favorite places.

Five years ago today, I signed the papers that changed my life. No, it wasn’t my wedding day, but those papers required a similar level of commitment, passion, attention and care. On December 6, 2006, I completed my first company purchase making myself a full time entrepreneur. I put in my two weeks’ notice soon thereafter, passed up the company offer to go to Palm Springs (as a parting gift), and moved to Atlanta with my pregnant fiancé. I had no clue where I would end up, but I knew that entrepreneurship was how I wanted to get there.

Fast forward to October 28, 2011 when I heard/saw the clip of Michael Arrington, founder of a relatively famous media company in the tech space, saying that he didn’t know a “single black entrepreneur.” Now while I’m sure he was embellishing his point to some degree (at least I hope he was), the fact remains that it bothered me. I felt faceless. Marginalized. Trivialized. I felt like what I worked tirelessly for every day and into the wee hours of the night didn’t mean anything. Then, I began a mental exercise that at first made me think that he was right….until I began to write…and when I finished writing, I had a list of over one hundred of my friends, family members, and peers that were entrepreneurs with their own businesses that supported their lives and their families…and THAT is the purpose of my blog.

I want to share my people with my people…and I want you to support my people and share your experiences with your people. My posts will range from short (facebook/twitter only) endorsements to full blogs that have a back story or personal/historical/funny twist. Hopefully, my blog/posts will eventually catch on and eventually encourage other people to ask about and support “our” businesses. As I patronize the best that our community has to offer, I will share with you my experiences in hopes that you will go and make your own experiences.  Friends/readers, if you don’t want me to put you or your business on blast, send me a side email now. Otherwise, for the next year, I am committing to either making a purchase from a black owned business or spreading the word about a black owned business at least once a week…EVERY week. So be on the lookout. If you thought to yourself “it’s hard to find black businesses to support,” ask yourself why. If you’re asking yourself “what black business could I support?” take the first step by following my blog and you’ll soon find out.