by Dr. Jessica Braden

September 6, 2020

Meet The Black Women Marketers Making It Happen As Founders of The Sax Agency

Owners Kara Sax and Tamara Keller of The Sax Agency have been making major noise in the areas of branding, collaborative marketing, project management, advertising, and media as a whole. As a certified Black, woman-owned marketing and consulting agency, their portfolio spans a large and diverse client base. From dealing with Fortune 100 companies, athletes and entertainers, to startup brands and nonprofit organizations, these women make things happen for their clients.

Tell us how your partnership came about.

About 12 or 13 years ago we were introduced by mutual friends. As women we tend to have that instinct when we meet people, whether or not they will be for a moment or for life. We both knew we were “lifers” from the moment we met.

What made you start The Sax Agency?

We moved to Los Angeles around the same time both dealing with significant shifts in our personal lives, which led to us both leaving our corporate jobs and stepping out on faith to tap into our creative sides.

When we decided to move to L.A., Kara was speaking with a friend who happened to work in VH1’s unscripted division about a show concept we had and they got us an opening to come in and pitch the show! It was a whirlwind experience, as we ended up pitching our show to many major networks—BET, WeTV, etc. In the process, we researched and hired who was supposed to be “the best” marketing firm. We were sorely disappointed in their marketing presentation, work, strategy, and just overall execution. We immediately thought since we saw all these glitches in the matrix, and all of those skills came naturally to us, that this might be our calling … and here we are nine years later.

How does The Sax Agency plan on finishing the year strong in the midst of a pandemic?

Doubling down on investing in ourselves, continuing to be students of our craft, and plain old hard work.  When the pandemic happened, we recognized this moment in time as the “Great Equalizer” and in many ways, businesses across the globe were starting over. We confidently took our position and took off. Our ability to be proactive and focused on moving forward was critical. We are now walking in our season of abundance and chance-taking and have refused to look back. We have kicked the roof off the self-imposed glass ceiling over our heads and realized that we in fact can go confidently toe-to-toe with the best firms in the industry. We are prouder than ever to not only lead with our talents, but also with the fact that we are a proud, strong, Black women-led agency. Our clients continue to “word of mouth” us to new heights.

What advice would you give to the aspiring female entrepreneur who is feeling discouraged in the environment that the world is in today?

Both of us are very spiritual people, prayer is how we start, get through, and end our day. Our advice is to focus on aligning your goals and objectives and making sure that your work ethic matches. Prioritize personal development work daily, show yourself compassion, and embrace a growth mindset. Be ready to take a risk, stay agile and connected with what feels right in your soul. We also have tried to practice more of a work/life balance than we had pre-pandemic—meaning we make sure we set aside time for family, working out, and reading. Making time to clear your mind is as important as any other appointment we fill our calendars with, especially in times like these.

From a monetary perspective, one of the keys to our success has always been “never be afraid to pivot.” We started out as production firm and are now a marketing agency for some of the most well-known brands in the country. In the process, we’ve also invested in restaurants, subscription boxes, and many other industries. They say the average millionaire has seven streams of income—so we are always looking for opportunities to dabble in industries that interest us.

What’s next for Kara Sax and Tamara Keller?

We are focused more than ever on contributing our time and money to cause-related projects and also expanding our agency’s reach—really aiming to not only exponentially grow revenue but maximizing our footprint in the industry. We want to sit on more boards and lend our voices to contribute to impactful D&I work. We want to leave a legacy. We are serial entrepreneurs and always have other irons in the fire. Out of everything, however, we are most excited about the book we are releasing later this year on self-sabotage. The book will provide both personal and professional testimonies from us both about how decisions we’ve made or have seen others make have impeded growth in many areas. This book is essential reading for all young professionals.

 

Dr. Jessica Mosley is a serial entrepreneur who loves teaching fellow CEO women how to show up in their truth & power. As Steward Owner of MizCEO Entrepreneurial Media Brand, Sovereign Care Home Care, Sovereign Care Medical Training Center, and Deborah’s Place for Battered Women, Jessica is busy making moves that impact her community & those connected to her.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 6, 2020

Mompreneur Strikes Deal With Walmart Just 2 Years After Launching Her Beauty Products

Meet Ebony Robert, founder and CEO of Ebony’s Beauty Hair and Skin Care, whose handcrafted all-natural hair and skincare products are now available in Walmart stores nationwide. Ebony, a mother of five boys, launched the business two years ago, but says that her love for the beauty industry started at a very young age.

Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Ebony built her business from the ground up and continues to fulfill her dream of being a woman entrepreneur. Last year, she grossed almost six figures while working as a full-time teacher.

As a wife, mom, and a boss, Ebony has positioned her company to become a very popular household brand on the rise. In addition to her distribution deal with Walmart (in both the U.S. and Canada), she has also established a partnership with Amazon.

Her motivation to launch the company was to give consumers safer alternatives without the use of harmful chemicals when it comes to hair and skin care products. Ebony comments, “My products are safer, effective, and free of harsh chemicals. They provide relief of dandruff, dry itchy scalp, weak and falling hair as they promote hair growth.”

She says her company is committed and passionate about helping her customers achieve great results for their hair and skin care goals.


For more details about her company and/or to place an order, visit EbonysBeauty.shop or Walmart.com

Also follow the brand on Instagram @ebonysbeauty5

This article was originally written by BlackBusiness.com.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 5, 2020

Black-Owned Bottled Water Brand Now Available in 1,100 Stores Nationwide

Rudy Byfield, founder of CellDration Water, one of only a handful of Black-owned premium water brands in the world, has partnered with Kroger, Ralph’s, Wakefern, DPI Specialty Foods, and other grocery store chains for distribution in over 1,100 stores nationwide in sixteen different states.

Utilizing a proprietary five-step process, and founded at the nexus between nature and science, CellDration Water offers an enhanced, mineralized purified water with multiple value-added benefits. CellDration’s game-changing national distribution deal signals a commitment by Kroger, Ralph’s, Wakefern, and DPI to supplier diversity by giving minority brands the opportunity to fairly compete with other brands on its shelves.

The water brand made its debut at various Kroger’s grocery stories in 2018 and sold over 300,000 bottles within the first six months – four times the projected sales goal and an incredibly promising start for a new brand market entry in the competitive beverage category.

“I have a deep and burning desire to foster an eco-system for health and wellness; it is my hope that CellDration lays a robust foundation for providing a sustainable and revolutionized hydration product for all to enjoy. As a Black-owned premium water brand, I am keenly aware of the historic nature of these unprecedented partnerships which will expose our great tasting product to millions of water drinkers,” states Byfield.

Involved in the development, production, management, and launch of multiple beverage brands, Byfield’s vast experience in the retail and beverage industries laid the foundation for CellDration’s “point of ignition”. Wanting to introduce water capable of doing remarkable things, Byfield became intrigued by a singular idea: to develop a more functional & efficient water product.


Learn more about the brand at CellDrationWater.com or follow the brand on Instagram @celldration_water

This article was originally written by BlackBusiness.com.

How Entertainment PR Guru Lucky Church Builds Meaningful Relationships In The Industry
by Gayneté Jones

September 5, 2020

How Entertainment PR Guru Lucky Church Builds Meaningful Relationships In The Industry

Having worked with huge brands like the Grammy Awards, Fat Joe, Nike, Wu-Tang Clan, Team Jordan, BET, Universal Records, DJ Khaled, and many others, it’s safe to say that Walter “Lucky Church” Simons has made a name for himself as the behind-the-scenes, go-to guy in the entertainment industry.

With over 15 years of PR and networking experience, he has become a super-connector, global liaison, and pro at building meaningful relationships..

Simons, currently director of client relations and PR at Mungo Creative Group, is a man who cannot be defined by one single role. The Harlem native wears many hats and has very recently partnered with Billy Porter, taking over his social media and content. He has a natural gift for building and cultivating relationships, and it shines through all that he does.

“I came up with the title global liaison because I’m just a connector of people and I love to connect people and things that make sense for each other.” 

How Lucky Church Became The Go-To Liaison

The former singer/songwriter/musician used his past rock band experience to begin connecting brands with celebrities and recording artists with record labels. “I wore so many hats.”

Simons came up with a creative way to have his band have a manager, using his real name to respond to emails and book shows as the band’s manager. “I didn’t realize during this time of being with the band that I was building this unique skill set that would help catapult my career in the future,” he shared.

When Simons exited the band, an opportunity at Lizzie Grubman’s high-profile PR firm came his way through a friend. He quickly stood out from the pack when he was able to pull some strings to secure spots for shows at Fashion Week through his connections, which grabbed Grubman’s attention. Ever since, he has had a very successful career in many roles, rubbing shoulders with everyone’s Hollywood faves.

It goes beyond networking for Simons, though; his relationships are solid because he is open to assist in any way that he can.

“My relationships have enriched my life and because I’ve been good to people, they in turn have been good to me,” he says. “That’s why I tell people all the time that it’s important to build those relationships because you never know when you’ll need people to help you or when you’ll be an asset to help somebody and push them through to the next level of their life and career. It’s about making yourself available and being open to being available to help people at the same time.”

Building Meaningful Relationships In The Entertainment Industry

In an industry where there’s a lot of fake love, Simons aims to always keep it 100 by building his connections genuinely. He encourages others to do the same.

“If it doesn’t feel authentic, don’t do it,” he explains. “People can read through that.What you want to do is find something unique between you and the person that you have common ground on, and start from there. You have to also realize that you will not connect with everybody–and that’s OK. I never force anything, I let everything flow naturally.”

Rushing and trying to push to the top isn’t what got Simons to where he is today. He has built his reputation through sincere relationships that developed over time. He recommends slowing down and following your gut. “Just be patient with yourself, trust your instincts, and also, trust your journey,” he advises. “People are so busy trying to force their careers and force themselves to success, but that’s just not how success is gained. You have to be patient with yourself and understand that it’s a process.”

Simons believes that another reason many aren’t able to build meaningful industry relationships is because they come with an ulterior motive. “People approach situations with an intent to get something,” he notes. “Anybody who knows me will tell you that my relationships are built off of just interacting with them to see who they are and to get to know them as a person.” Simons looks to build a rapport, remain in contact, and makes it known that he is there to help whenever needed.

 “There’s longevity in authenticity, and I cannot push that more. You have to be yourself. And with your network, you have to appreciate the small network in order to get to the big network. So many people are trying to push and force.”

WALTER “Lucky Church” SIMONS

Simons believes it is important to build a solid network to level up. And for those who are introverted, he shares, “You have to learn to break your shell, just a little bit. And sometimes it just takes meeting other introverts like yourself and finding common ground there. With no risk, there is no reward. If you’re not taking those little leaps of faith and stepping into your destiny, being fearless and unapologetic, you’re never going to find out who’s for you.”

He suggests practicing with friends who may be more extroverted or utilizing more social friends to introduce you to others and help you engage in conversations.

Keeping Up With Lucky Church

Simons shares all of his gems and humor on his Instagram page, @LuckyChurch. He can also be found through Mungo Creative Group.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 5, 2020

Atlanta Man Becomes One of Georgia’s First Black Male Teachers of the Year

Johnathon Hines, a teacher at Barack Obama Elementary School in Atlanta, has been recognized as Georgia’s Pre-K Teacher of the Year. He is the first Black man to receive the award, and hopes to continue inspiring his young students!

“Now I have the opportunity to inspire other males in early childhood. And that’s definitely one of my biggest goals,” Hines told 11 Alive. “I know how hard it is to be a teacher. The love and passion that you have to have to come in the classroom every single day. It’s definitely a calling, and that is my calling.”

Hines has always been very passionate about teaching. He believes it is important that a child would first love learning which he does unconventionally and energetically through dancing and singing.

“Cause I feel like when a child is engaged, the more they will learn,” he explained. “When I was in school I didn’t really enjoy the story, or the story was boring. Pre-K is the first year a child will experience school, so I want their first encounter to be a loving, nurturing encounter. And also allow them to have fun and still be a 4-year-old.”

One of the most rewarding parts of his job is seeing his little students learn. Hines currently teaches 22 students that he treats like his own child.

“What I love most about my job is seeing the growth in my children,” he added. “Sometimes students come in being only able to recognize a few letters. But by May they are able to write their first and last names, read a short story. But even grow as a person. They develop self-confidence. They develop social and emotional skills. The growth is really important in pre-K.”


Moreover, Hines hopes he could get to inspire other men, especially Black men, to consider taking a career path in teaching.

“I have the opportunity to inspire other males to get inside of the classroom,” he said. “It speaks volumes because there’s so many teachers in the state of Georgia and to be the number one pre-K teacher means a lot.”

This article was originally published by BlackNews.com.

17-Year Old Makes History, Becomes Licensed Pilot Before Graduating High School
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 5, 2020

17-Year Old Makes History, Becomes Licensed Pilot Before Graduating High School

At the age of 17, William Moore, Jr. is a licensed private pilot. Even though he hasn’t graduated from high school yet, he is already ready to pursue his instrument rating.

Over the past three years, he attended the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy located in Northern Virginia (NOVA). This Academy provides middle and high school youth with exposure to opportunities in aerospace and aviation through week-long summer camps. The program is endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), OBAP has served a leading role in establishing ACE Academies nationwide to introduce, educate and guide diverse students towards careers in aviation.

Earlier this year, he interviewed for a scholarship through the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP). He was accepted to attend ground school and completed in the top 5% of his class.

The ECCTAI YIAP covered many of his hours towards dual flight instruction and over the summer he flew at Potomac Airfield through HJ Aviation, LLC. He was honored to learn that his flight school was named after Herbert H. Jones Jr., an original Tuskegee Airman. He had the privilege of meeting Mr. Jones and he encouraged him to remain focused and stay on the path to aviation.

He started his first flight lesson on April 28, 2019, completed his first solo on June 28, 2019 and received his private pilot’s license (PPL) on October 15, 2019 (his birthday). He was selected and awarded a scholarship from Delta Air Lines to attend the National Flight Academy for a 2019 Summer Deployment 19-06. He learned so much and looks forward to attending again.

“We are so proud of our son. He set goals, was determined to pass his FAA exam the first time and also spoke into existence that he would achieve his PPL on his birthday,” said his mother, Kamesha Moore and father William Moore, Sr.

He plans to give back by sharing his experience with his peers in hopes of inspiring them that their dream of becoming a PPL can be achieved through hard work. For example, he is the first to complete the program and was invited and will participate with the incoming class of students.

On October 24, 2019, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson introduced audiences at the National Business Aviation Association to William Moore Jr. He said, “Last week William celebrated his 17th birthday by passing the oral portion of the exam for his private pilot’s license and by taking a flight with his instructor. We need more like Moore.”

His future goal is to become a commercial airline pilot and/or a cargo pilot. In addition, he is also interested in serving his country as a military C-5/C-17/C-130 pilot

Moore will join a small group of African American male pilots. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, figures from last year show less than 3% of US commercial pilots are African American.


This article was originally published by BlackNews.com.

‘Afro-Latina’ Activist Reveals She Is Really A White Jewish Woman, ‘A Culture Leech’ Who Pretended To Be Black
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2020

‘Afro-Latina’ Activist Reveals She Is Really A White Jewish Woman, ‘A Culture Leech’ Who Pretended To Be Black

A white Jewish woman has been masquerading as an ‘Afro-Latina’ activist working at a college university and revealed her true self in an article she wrote on Medium titled, “The Truth, and the Anti-Black Violence of My Lies.”

The woman, Jessica A. Krug had written the following passage this week.

“To an escalating degree over my adult life, I have eschewed my lived experience as a white Jewish child in suburban Kansas City under various assumed identities within a Blackness that I had no right to claim: first North African Blackness, then US rooted Blackness, then Caribbean rooted Bronx Blackness. I have not only claimed these identities as my own when I had absolutely no right to do so — when doing so is the very epitome of violence, of thievery and appropriation, of the myriad ways in which non-Black people continue to use and abuse Black identities and cultures — but I have formed intimate relationships with loving, compassionate people who have trusted and cared for me when I have deserved neither trust nor caring. People have fought together with me and have fought for me, and my continued appropriation of a Black Caribbean identity is not only, in the starkest terms, wrong — unethical, immoral, anti-Black, colonial — but it means that every step I’ve taken has gaslighted those whom I love.

“I am not a culture vulture. I am a culture leech.”

Jessica Krug, is an associate professor at George Washington University (GWU), but she has admitted to being a white Jewish woman from Kansas City.

Her bio on the George Washington University website reads:

Areas of Expertise

  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • African American History
  • Early Modern World
  • Imperialism and Colonialism

Yes, this scenario has reared its ugly head previously when another white woman, Rachel Dolezal, who was a white race activist who claimed to be a Black woman. She was outed by her parents back in 2015.

George Washington University released a statement after finding out the deception in the same way as we did.

Twitter was unforgiving towards Krug.

Beyoncé Donates An Additional $1 Million to Small Black-Owned Businesses
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2020

Beyoncé Donates An Additional $1 Million to Small Black-Owned Businesses

Mega-superstar and philanthropist Beyonce has made an additional donation earmarked for Black-owned small businesses to the tune of $1 million according to Billboard.

Beyonce announced, through her BeyGOOD foundation this past Wednesday (Sept. 2), that she is partnering with the NAACP by donating $1 million in additional funds to help Black-owned small businesses. This is round 2 of the funding that both organizations started in July.

“Proud to announce $1M in additional funds from Beyoncé to help Black-owned small businesses. Round two of funding opens this month, with our partner NAACP.”

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Beyoncé adds $1M to help Black-owned small businesses.

A post shared by BeyGOOD (@beygood) on

Back in July, The NAACP had announced on its website that it will be distributing a number of grants valued at $10,000 grants to Black-owned small businesses in Houston, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis that have been impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis.

“Over the last couple of months, the pandemic and outpours for justice throughout the Black community and across the country has been felt in every imaginable area of our lives, including in how our local businesses continue to operate,” said the organization in a press release.“The challenges of Black business owners navigating in the climate cannot be understated, as the effects of uprisings across the nation have led to many businesses being placed in dire straits due to damages and other small business needs.”

Earlier this year, the singer released her a surprise single, “Black Parade” on Juneteenth. Along with the release of the single, she launched an initiative that supports Black-owned businesses. The talented artist and philanthropist had listed a directory of Black-owned businesses that was created and curated by @ZerinaAkers with @black.owned.everything on her website. The site lists several hundred Black-owned companies.

Attorney General William Barr States That Police ‘Shooting Unarmed Black Men is Simply a False Narrative’
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2020

Attorney General William Barr States That Police ‘Shooting Unarmed Black Men is Simply a False Narrative’

With the racial strife and protests currently ongoing due to complaints of systemic racism and police brutality against Black people, Attorney General William Barr has denied that systemic racism is a factor in the police shootings of unarmed Black men according to NBC News.

Barr had an exclusive interview earlier this week with CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” where he said he feels that there aren’t two justice systems. He also defended the actions of police officers by stating that the shootings of Black Americans often weren’t racially motivated.

“I don’t think there are two justice systems,” Barr said in a sometimes contentious interview. “I think the narrative that the police are in some epidemic of shooting unarmed black men is simply a false narrative and also the narrative that’s based on race.”

He also feels “people operate very frequently according to stereotypes.” 

“I do think that there appears to be a phenomenon in the country where African-Americans feel that they’re treated when they’re stopped by police frequently as suspects before they are treated as citizens,” Barr told CNN in a Wednesday interview. “I don’t think that that necessarily reflects some deep-seated racism in police departments or in most police officers…

“I think people operate very frequently according to stereotypes and I think it takes extra precaution on the part of law enforcement to make sure we don’t reduce people to stereotypes, we treat them as individuals.

At one particular moment, Barr does acknowledge that there are differences in how Blacks are treated differently than whites are but he doesn’t agree that it falls on the lines of racism. 

“I think there are some situations where statistics would suggest that they are treated differently. But I don’t think that that’s necessarily racism,” Barr said.

In an interview with Face The Nation‘s Margaret Brennan in June,  Barr was asked if he thought there should be some tweaking of the rules and reduced immunity to go after some of the bad cops? His response:

“I don’t think you need to reduce immunity to go after the bad cops, because that would result certainly in police pulling back. It’s, you know, policing is the toughest job in the country. And I, and I frankly, think that we have generally the vast, overwhelming majority of police are good people. They’re civic-minded people who believe in serving the public. They do so bravely. They do so righteously.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2020

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Opens Third Capital Preparatory School in the Bronx

Hip-Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and Dr. Steve Perry are scheduled to open a new college prep school in the place where Hip-Hop was born, The Bronx according to Billboard.

The new educational facility, which will be the third addition to the previous schools that Diddy and Perry have opened, is scheduled to open on September 8. Capital Prep Bronx, which is located in Co-Op City will allow nearly 200 underserved sixth and seventh graders to attend in its first year. The school has expansion plans that include growing up to 650 students in grades 6 through 11 over the next five years.

“My dream has always been to provide children in communities like the Bronx the high-quality education they deserve,” Diddy said. “We’re not just teaching reading, math, and coding. We are grooming future leaders that will change their communities and the world.”

Capital Preparatory Schools already has two other campuses. One located in Harlem, NY, and an additional one in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

According to the Capital Prep website, “The mission of Capital Preparatory Schools is to provide historically disadvantaged students with the college and career readiness skills needed to become responsible and engaged citizens for social justice.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to open our next school together in Co-Op city, a community rooted in social justice and diversity,” Perry said. “While opening up remote at first is bittersweet, we have developed a best in class approach to online learning we are excited to implement with our new families. The Capital Prep college prep model is perfectly poised to transition into the digital space and we are excited to deliver a rigorous education to this inaugural class of scholars.”

The Bronx campus will be located at 755 Co-Op City Blvd., which was once the location of the College of New Rochelle.

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