Progressive Greek Magazine Summer 2011

2 PROGRESSIVEGREEK | SUMMER 2011

CONTENTS4. PUBLISHER PAGE

8. BACK ONLINE

10. KNOWLEDGE | 9 Rules of Social Media Etiquette

12. PROGRESSIVE LEGACY | Whitney M. Young

14. IMAGE | Spring 2011 Initiates

16. INTERNATIONAL | Zeta Soror Deborah Anderson shares her experience in South Korea 17. IMAGE | Tribute to the late fa- sion icon, Eunice W. Johnson 18. LAW & GOVERNMENT |Chris Rey wants to be the next May- or of Spring Lake, NC.

19. PROGRESSIVE MOVES

20. AWARDS & RECOGNITION

21. IMAGE | Capricorn Birthday Celebration

22. ARCHIVE

24. Q&A |Arian Reed, Founder of Fearless Magazine shares her story of triumph

26. ENTREPRENUER |Sorority doll designer Niccole Graves plans on taking over the doll indutry

28. CULTURE | Chef Judson Todd Allen turns personal struggle into a passion in the kitchen

30. IMAGE | Whirlpool Jazz Night

34. Q&A | R&B Super star Kelly Price and the launch of her independent label.

38. ENTERTAINMENT| Erik Stephens is the grand architect of the beat

40. CHAPTER 2 | Ericka Dunlap, from Miss America to PR Maven

42. IMAGE | Sweethearts

43. COMMUNITY | Tequilla Lopez invests in the youth one lesson at a time 44. Q&A | Film maker Qasim Basir and the making of the movie Mooz-lum

46. IMAGE | Class of 2011

48. ON CAMPUS | Nu Iota Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

50. ALUMNI |Iota Nu SigmaAlumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fr- ternity, Inc.

52. ENTERPRISE | Selena Cuffe of Heritage Link Brands measures success one glass at a time

54. IMAGE |Phi Beta Sigma Blu Tuesday

56. Passions |Photographer Timothy Paule


PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTTHE BACKGROUNDBack in 2009, I realized there was no major publication or website that celebrated the lives and accomplishments of members of the nations oldest Black Greek-Letter organizations. I’ve always been taught not to complain about something when you have the means to correct or change it. With my background in communications and media, I decided to do something about it.

I gathered some of the best big thinkers in my circle of influence and began to lay the foundaton for what you see today. We launched the Progressive Greek website January 9, 2010 and the response was phenominal; way more than I could have ever imagined. During 2010, our website garnered 149 thousand page views, our Face-book Fan Page experienced 134 thousand post views and our Twit-ter account became the talk of the Twitterverse.

Fast forward to the first six months of 2011: Nearly 100 thousand pages have been viewed on our website and the Facebook Fan Page has collected over 1.5 million post views. This was made pos-sible because of the support of our readers and making sure we represent your interest.

THE COVERHaving been a fan of magazine and publication design for many years, I began to delve deeper and research the creative side of this genre. Anyone in the field will tell you how important the cover design of a magazine is and how it connects to your brand.

I designed the cover of this inaugural issue with a simple message- organized differences make up our various organizations and align toward a common goal. I look at our organizational differences not as competition, but as unique elements making up a Progressive Greek community. United we serve, divided we fail.

SPECIAL THANKSFirst of all, thank God for bestowing the creative sense and business acumen to take on this uber project. I have to thank my lovely wife, Delta Soror Ruth Davis for putting up with the many hours spent on the computer working on PG while sacrificing QT with her. Thanks for allowing me to pursue my passion. Special thanks to my team, Quinne, Charles, Erika, Toni and Deborah. A BIG thanks to my writing team, without you guys we would only have a frame without walls.

Thanks to those that have been supporters since day one. I am a re-flection of my circle of influence.

Progressively & Fraternally Submitted,

Frater Kevin L. DavisPresident

Progressive Greek Media

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Chapter of InitiationMarch 16, 2002

Xi Beta Sigma Alumni ChapterDetroit, MI

Current ChapterIota Nu Sigma Alumni Chapter

Chicago, IL

THANKS: My family, friends, the men of Phi Beta Sigma worldwide, Greek Prince Hall Masons & Stars, Detroit NPHC, Eastern Michigan Univ. Black Alumni Chapter, Dovely Maga-zine, Darker Horse Creative, Sigma Leadership Academy, Element K Creative, Black Unlimited, Delta Sigma Theta- Alpha Nu Chapter, “Shugg Avery”, Kelly Price, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., The Miseducation of Black Greeks Tour, The FGS Summer 2007 crew, Authentic New Media, Update Media Group, Atlanta Greek Picnic, Texas Greek Picnic, Heritage Link Brands, Ebony Diggs, Wendy McIntyre and everyone else!


PUBLISHERCrush Media Group

www.crushmediagroup.com

Progressive Greek Media is a division of Crush Media Group, LLC.

www.progressivegreek.com

general information & [email protected]

event [email protected]

313.447.1488Chicago, IL

facebook.com/progressivegreek

twitter.com/progreekmag

linkedin.com/groups/Progressive-Greek-2185268

DISCLAIMER: Progressive Greek Media is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the National Pan-Hellenic Council and its member organizations. PGM is an independant publication powered by volunteers with a passion for Progressive Greekdom. All images are copywritten and/or trademarked by their respective owners. Happy reading!

THE TEAMBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kevin Davis | PresidentPhi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. ‘[email protected]

Quinne Lowe | Vice PresidentKappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. ‘[email protected]

Charles Davis | Dir. of Progressive Greek UniversityAlpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. ‘09

[email protected]

Erika Taylor | Dir. of Professional DevelopmentDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ‘[email protected]

Ruth Davis | Copy EditorDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ‘[email protected]

Toni Howard |Dir. of Strategic Partnerships Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ‘[email protected]

WRITING TEAM

Jamal Wilburg | Tampa, FLPhi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

[email protected]

Chanel Ellis | Chicago, ILSigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

[email protected]

Kahlila Alexander | Cincinnati, OHDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

[email protected]

Amber Pratcher | Indianapolis, INZeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

[email protected]

Khashan Poitier | The BahamasDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

[email protected]

CONSULTANTS

Zeta Soror Deborah AndersonBlack Unlimited | South Korea

Zeta Soror Kendall RidleyElement K Creative | Atlanta, GA

PROGRESSIVEGREEKvolume I, issue 1


BACK ONLINE

Omega Psi Phi Centennial Pagefacebook.com/pages/Omega-Psi-Phi-Fraternity-

Centennial-Celebration

Dovely Magazinedovelymag.com

Zebra Lane Sorority & FraternityGreeting Cards, Note Cards, Art and Gifts

zebralane.com

The Marcus Graham Projectthemarcusgrahamproject.org

Iota Phi Theta Eastern Regioniotaeast.org

Omega Frater Titus O’Neil, WWE Wrestlerwwe.com/superstars/wwenxt/titusoneil


1. Give More than You Receive- If you want to receive at-tention from others online, you have to be willing to give it first. It’s the old “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” philosophy. You can’t burst onto a social media site with a sense of entitlement thinking you should be a top user im-mediately. You have to earn respect from others. How do you do this? By giving more than you receive.

2. Don’t be an e-thug- Some of the most annoying people on the internet are the e-thugs (electronic thugs). You know the type; they sit at their keyboard talking trash and point-ing out how much more superior their education and Greek experience has been compared to everyone else. The e-thug gains strength by baiting you to respond. You decide through your response how much control you’ll allow them to have over you.

3. Add Value to the Site- The overall goal of social media is to provide a community for like- minded individuals or those with similar interests to communicate and make connec-tions by adding value to the site. This means not submitting content that nobody cares about, or can gain from such as non-Greek party flyers in a NPHC group. Before posting, ask yourself “Does this article really add value to the commu-nity?” If not, reconsider submitting it.

4. Don’t Fake It- If you’re seeking to gain expertise in an area, use social media to do your research and to seek out mentors and information. Do not use it to perpetrate or front. “Fake it ‘til you make” it is not the mantra to follow in Greek life, nor is it acceptable online…if you want to be taken seriously, that is.

5. Build Quality Relationships- People are more willing to help those who they really know. By building quality rela-tionships with other users, you’ll always have someone in your corner to back you up. Remember, relationships require the participation of both parties so always be a good partici-pant in your social media relationship.

6. Don’t Lean on the Shield- One of the easiest ways to alien-ate people online is to constantly flood them with requests. We all may occasionally need people to rally around a cause. However, there is a thin line between networking and cyber panhandling. Keep your requests and announcements to a minimum and don’t be “that guy” who constantly steps over the line.

7. Watch Your Tone- Whether you realize it or not, your tone can in fact be read on the internet. Typing in all caps can de-note aggression or lack of familiarity with social networking etiquette. Frivolous bad grammar or text type implies a lack of sophistication that, while perfectly harmless in close-knit circles, will render your more poignant positions irrelevant and stop you from being taken seriously within a broader, more worldly setting.

8. Listen to Others- Your first reaction whenever someone disagrees with you online is probably to snap back and give them a piece of your mind. Instead of constantly fighting back, take the time to listen to what they’re really saying. You don’t know everything, and you can learn from others if you take the time to listen and stop being so defensive.

9. Be Accountable for Your Actions- Because of the anonym-ity the Internet allows, there is little to no accountability on-line. People say and do whatever they please without facing any repercussions. Instead, try to be honorable by taking re-sponsibility for your actions online. By being accountable, people will respect you, whether they agree with you or not.

-Kevin Davis,[email protected]

9 Rulesof Social Media Etiquette

KNOWLEDGE


PROGRESSIVE LEGACY

Whitney Young Jr. was arguably the National Urban League’s most influential executive director. During the de-cade he served as head of the civil rights organization, Young increased its budget 18-fold, pushed corporate America to provide more jobs for African Americans and swayed dig-nitaries to use federal funding to benefit inner cities. Learn more about Whitney Young and his legacy with the biogra-phy below.

Born July 31, 1921, in Lincoln Ridge, Ky., Young got an early start in the professional world. At just 18 years old, he graduated from Kentucky State College and began a career teaching and coaching. Between 1942 and 1944, Young’s career took a turn while he served a stint in the U.S. Army. There, he demonstrated a flair for race relations by diffus-ing tensions between white and black soldiers working on a road construction project. After his discharge from the military, Young earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota.

In 1947, Young began volunteering for the NUL’s Minneso-ta chapter. Three years later, NUL’s Omaha chapter named him president. In Nebraska, Young not only expanded the memberships of the NUL but helped score jobs for blacks in the community. All the while, he put this education to use by teaching social work at the university level. In 1954, he became social work dean at Clark Atlanta University. Six years later, he became a state president for theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People and won a Rockefeller grant to study at Harvard for a year.

As civil rights issues took center stage in the U.S., Young was named head of the NUL in 1961. During his tenure with the league, Young reportedly expanded its annual budget from $325,000 to $6.1 million. He also fought for

cities to receive federal assistance to combat the social ills facing black America, a strategy President Johnson in-cluded in his War on Poverty platform. Moreover, Young pressured corporations such as Ford to hire more African Americans and established programs for black community leaders and youth to tackle problems such as high school dropout rates. To keep the American public abreast of the issues important to the NUL, Young launched a weekly column called “The Voice of Black America.” The fact that Young served as an advisor to Presidents Kennedy, John-son andNixon certainly contributed to his ability to effect groundbreaking changes as NUL head.

While serving as the NUL’s executive director, Young pub-lished a book called To Be Equal in 1964. The next year, he became president of the National Conference on So-cial Welfare. Young became head of the National Associa-tion of Social Workers Foundation in 1969. Also that year, Young released a book called Beyond Racism: Building an Open Society and received the Presidential Medal of Free-dom from President Johnson.

Young’s life came to an unexpected end when he drowned in Nigeria in 1971 at the age of 49. President Nixon eulo-gized him. Ironically, just two years before, a plot to mur-der Young had been uncovered.

In 1973, the East Capitol Street Bridge in Washington D.C. was renamed the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge. Twen-ty years later, the NASW named Young a Social Work Pio-neer. Moreover, the Boy Scouts of America established the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award. Several high schools are named after Young as well, including Chicago’s Whit-ney Young High School, which counts First Lady Michelle Obama as an alumna.

Whitney Young, Jr. | Civil Rights Activist & Executive Director National Urban League

July 31, 1921 – March 11, 1971Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

PROGRESSIVE MOVES

IMAGE | SPRING 2011

Congratulations to the newest members of the Progressive Greek family. Your academic success, scholastic achieve-ments, professional accomplishments and community in-volvement have deemed you worthy and well qualified to bear the emblems of our esteemed organizations.

You represent the newest additions to a rich legacy and his-tory that has stood the test of time. We challenge you to stay active and stay engaged. As you have already heard- joining is the easy part.

See who’s who on page 47



INTERNATIONAL

세밀하게 여성을 뜻하는*Finer Womanhood in Korean

When we talk about our organizations being ‘internation-al’, many times it’s just a term we use to make ourselves sound more important than the average organization. But Deborah Anderson of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is a liv-ing example of the reach of a Divine Nine Sorority. Deborah lives in South Korea and is an employee of a major animation company that contributes to shows such as “The Cleveland Show” and “Family Guy.” Active with Pi Eta Zeta Chapter in Seoul, Deborah has a unique perspective as an “other” in a distant land.

Deborah describes being a black American woman a “task at times” in South Korea. Fifteen to Twenty years ago, they began letting foreigners into South Korea and therefore were shielded from political correctness and a general un-derstanding that people of different races aren’t stereotypes, and unfortunately, Deborah has to deal with the points and laughing she receives from South Koreans who aren’t used to seeing her natural hair or her brown skin. She understands that it is not based in malice but the fact that they aren’t used to seeing people who are different than them on their soil, despite the existence of American presence on military bases.The company she works for however is a safe haven that seems to understand American culture better than the gen-eral South Korean public.

Deborah originally came to South Korea to teach English,

but after a talk with one of her fraternity brothers she real-ized that she needed to go afterher passion, animation.

Despite a few tough experiences, Deborah enjoys her life in South Korea, and particularly her Greek activities. She notes that there are a lot of international organizations there that are active in the military – the whole Divine Nine is repre-sented.

Because of the circumstances and isolation, Deborah feels that the Divine Nine have a lot of love for each other in South Korea and support each other frequently. Her chapter is very active. Some of their activities include clothing drives for ex-pectant mothers and volunteering at orphanages. The orga-nizations are puzzling to native South Koreans because there is nothing comparable in Asian society that can explain how Greek Life works, but clearly the Divine Nine is providing the bridge to understanding our culture.Because of dedicated members like Deborah Anderson, the Divine Nine and particularly Zeta Phi Beta are exemplify-ing their international reach and scope by carrying out their principles beyond our borders, just like all of their founders dreamed.

-Amber Pratcher [email protected]

*Finer Womanhood in Korean

Photography: Fred Miller | Darker Horse Creative

Ten of the most prominent Macy’s stores across the country served as backdrops for the elaborate exhibition, “For the Love of Color,” honoring late Delta Soror Eunice W. Johnson.

Wife of Johnson Publishing creator John H. John-son, Eunice was a mogul in her own right. As the founder and director of the Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest charitable traveling fashion show, Eunice noticed the lack of makeup shades for deeper complexioned models. In 1973 she pio-neered Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the leading line of makeup for women of color. The line, carried at Macy’s counters across the country, has under-gone a marketing overhaul befitting Eunice’s ex-acting standards.

The “For the Love of Color” event showcased fif-teen of the most exquisite pieces from the show’s fabulous fifty-year run. “For the Love of Color” was a stunning visual salute to the woman who was the first to give Black models the opportunity to showcase the finest and latest in couture while putting their best face forward.

IMAGE | TRIBUTE

Chris Rey is a military veteran, a father of two chil-dren, a recent law school grad, and a small business owner. He hopes to add more accomplishments to the list. He is running for Mayor of his home town Spring Lake, NC.

“Spring Lake is my home. I grew up here as a kid, I played in the streets as a child, and I learned a lot of life lessons here,” Rey said. “I want to be the best Mayor I can be. I will say, after my time of being Mayor I want to continue to work in my community and empower young people to be the best they can be.”

He isn’t alone in his endeavors. Although he has been very successful in life, he recognizes the support he has received. When asked what his success could be attrib-uted to he said, “My family is very important to me, but I have a great executive team and an amazing support system that allows me to be truly successful at each lev-el. I am truly thankful for them.”

Through all of his success and accomplishments he has also remained an active member of Phi Beta Sigma.

Rey was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma in October 1996. He has held a variety of leadership positions including Collegiate Chapter President, Vice President, historian, NC State Associate Secretary, Associate Regional Direc-tor, International Second Vice President, International Technology Director, and Southeastern Regional Direc-tor.

As Mayor he would like to increase public safety and activities for youth and seniors, spur economic devel-opment, foster better communication with citizens, increase government transparency, and invest in chil-dren’s education.

“I bring a fresh set of eyes to the issues that plague our communities,” Rey said. “I have had the advantage of traveling the world, and gaining various perspectives. The world is changing faster and faster everyday, and I bring the experience of leadership & experience that has been lacking in our local government here in Spring Lake.”

He has faced some challenges in his campaign includ-ing educating the community. There were a lot of citi-zens that didn’t know it was an election year. His solu-tion was to use social media to reach out and connect. “There is no longer this air of being untouchable by the folks you want to represent. We are using social me-dia in all capacities,” Rey said. “ We are email blasting, tweeting, and facebooking our constituents.”

If elected mayor he would choose “Eye of the Tiger” to be his theme song as he walked into events. He believes that when you have a set goal in life, you have to have a strong, focused eye if you are going to succeed.

For more information on his campaign, volunteer op-portunities, or to make a donation visit his website at www. ChrisRey2011.com

-Jamal Wilburg [email protected]

LAW & GOVERNMENT

MR. MAYOR?Sigma Frater Chris Rey tosses his hat in the race to become the next Mayor of Spring Lake, North Carolina


Carl Miller Savannah, GA. Elected to Savannah Board of Fair Housing Council. Carl is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fratenity, Inc.

Charles DavisCincinnati, OH. Executive Director of the Friends of Cincinnati. Formerly Youth Development Director for the National Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center. Charles is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Gamma Lambda Chapter

Clinton PerryInstalled as First Vice President of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. Clinton is a mem-ber of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Craig A. RobinsonArlington, VA. Senior Managing Consultant at The PFM Group. Most recently Craig served as Vice Presi-dent and Senior Sales Representative with a major financial institution. Criag is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Ruth Davis: Chicago, IL. Account Exectutive for Fashion Fair Cos-metics. Ruth was formlery a Training Account Man-ager for Carol’s Daughter. Ruth is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter.

Toni HowardTampa, FL. Vice President of Membership for the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR)-Tampa Bay Chapter. Toni is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tampa Alumnae Chapter.

Wendy PalmerGreensboro, NC. Head Coach of University of North Carolina-Greensboro Women’s Basketball Team. Most recently, Wendy served as Assistant Coach at the Uni-versity of Virgina. Wendy is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

PROGRESSIVE MOVES

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

The Seventh District of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which is comprised of more than 100 undergraduate and grad-uate chapters from the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi, convened its 74th district meeting in Montgom-ery, Alabama on March 31- April 3, 2011. Located in Pompano Beach, Fla, Eta Nu was named 7th District Chapter of the Year for the third consecutive time, an accomplishment that the city of Pompano Beach and even the entire Broward com-munity can be proud of.

With nearly 80 financial members and the steadfast, consistent leadership of Basileus (President) Brother Daryl Johnson, our relatively young chapter – founded on June 11, 1969 – has seen a meteoric rise as one of the premier chapters in both the 7th District and nationally. Much of Eta Nu’s success can be attrib-uted to individual brothers like Harry Harrell, the immediate past 7th District keeper of Finance whose impeccable, trans-parent final report may arguably have been the finest in district history; Brother Leslie Gamble, the newly elected First Vice 7th District Representative, who has been a chapter basileus and 7th District keeper of Records and Seal; and Brother Clifford

Wimberly, the current 7th District Retention Chairman.

Of course, none of this would have occurred with-out the vi-sionary leadership of Eta Nu founders, Brothers James Jones and Joseph Smith.

Another contributing factor is the passion of our social action chair, Brother Melvin Davis, whose extraordinary leadership has positioned Eta Nu as the paramount social action chapter in Florida and the 7th District. Once we determine what the re-quirements are for the national award, Eta Nu will accomplish that goal as well.

Our chapter also takes very seriously our role in fulfilling all of the nationally mandated programs: Scholarship, Talent Hunt, Social Action, and Achievement Week. Eta Nu with Brother Wayne Comer as District Marshall, will host the Florida State-wide Workshop and its 37 chapters at the Weston Hotel on Cy-press Creek Road in September.

Eta Nu Chapter Selected Omega Psi Phi 7th District Chapter of the Year

SERIOUS BUSINESS?Let us help you show your customers.

Element K Creative designs identities and marketing collateral for companies that mean business.

Call us today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation about your potential projects. We’ll design your path to success.

[email protected](404) 941-6651

Identity Design + Collateral Designfor Powerhouse Strategic Positioning

logo + identity design publication design copywritingdirect mail signage event branding media kits infographics

Element K Creative: A Greek-owned company!

delicious identity design + branding + marketing goodness

The South Coast Lounge served as the backdrop for the birthday celebration for PG Director of Profession-al Development Erika Taylor & President Kevin Davis.

Photography: Sigma Frater Kevin Davis/Crush Media Group

IMAGE

SERIOUS BUSINESS?Let us help you show your customers.

Element K Creative designs identities and marketing collateral for companies that mean business.

Call us today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation about your potential projects. We’ll design your path to success.

[email protected](404) 941-6651

Identity Design + Collateral Designfor Powerhouse Strategic Positioning

logo + identity design publication design copywritingdirect mail signage event branding media kits infographics

Element K Creative: A Greek-owned company!

delicious identity design + branding + marketing goodness


THE ARCHIVE

Crisis Magazine Circa 1924

W.E.B DuBois at Beta Chapter event 1932

Kappa Karnival 1957, Jet Magazine

Omega Frater Langston Hughes, Circa 1959

AKA Soror Coretta Scott-King, jet Magazine 1957

Tenessee AKAs celebrate 50 years, Jet Magazine 1958

Crisis Magazine 1924

Jet Magazine 1953


Jet Magazine 1958

Zeta Phi Beta 15th Boule, 1935

Jet Magazine 1956Jet Magazine 1958



Arian Reed, is a Detroit native with class who’s incredibly intelligent. Her entrepreneurial spirit has allowed her to kick down doors and prove she isn’t afraid of a challenge. However, she wouldn’t de-scribe her experiences as a challenge for not even one moment; she is just doing what she loves to do. From her entertainment roots, to her non-profit, and now her latest endeavor Fearless Magazine, she is living her dream.

PG: How did you get started in your field? Walk us through how you got into the fearless magazine venture.AR: My journey is very non-traditional. The path we lay out for ourselves and the path God has for us is so much greater. I graduated from Florida A & M University in Fall 2003. I pretty much walked across that stage and flew to California, where I had my first job. I was there for a month and got laid off because the company was sold. I had to move literally from my apartment to my car and I was de-termined. Things got real rough. I remember taking some of my clothes and selling them to consign-ment shops, just to put food in my mouth and gas in my car. I applied for well over 150 jobs and no one hired me. I have an MBA with a concentration in marketing and a friend of mine sought me out to do some PR work. I started getting business and I reached out to one of my Sorors who is a movie producer in Hollywood. She helped me get office space and I lived out of that office. It was located on the 19th floor and the radio station was on a lower level so I made a lot of connections with celebrities in the building. The movie Coach Carter was about to launch and one day the director saw me sleep-ing in my office space and asked me what exactly it was that I did and he said “Well we are going to get Paramount to cut you a check.” It opened me up to discovering that the studios outsourced for people who do what I do. So I reached out to Will Packer and Rob Hardy of Rainforest films that are also FAMU alum and members of Alpha Phi Alpha. They set me up for interviews for Stomp the Yard and Sony has been a vendor ever since. I’ve worked on Hancock, 7 pounds, This Christmas, Death and a Funeral, First Sunday, Takers, the list just goes on and on. So it’s truly been a very non-traditional route, which lead to the birth of my non-profit or-ganization.

FEARLESS!Delta Soror Arian Reed gets personal about her road to success and the creation of FEARLESS magazine.

Arian Reed is

Q&A

PG: How did you transition from PR and Marketing to Fearless Magazine?AR: It was something that God told me to do and placed on my heart; he told me to call it Fearless. It’s been a very good transition because I had built a lot of the re-lationships. When I was a celebrity publicist, I was on the other end. I was the one pitching to the magazine and I developed a lot of relationships with writers and publishers.

PG: What makes you a Progressive Greek?AR: Progression is part of the journey of life. AR/PR marketing transcended into FEARLESS magazine I am not stagnant in life. That is what makes me a Progres-sive Greek.

PG: What inspired you to become a member of Delta Sigma Theta?AR: Oh honey, there was no other option! I was born and raised in Detroit, MI, which has the largest alumnae chapter. There were so many influential women who had been placed in my life. The things that they were exhibiting, I wanted in my life. As you read In Search of Sisterhood and the foundation of the organization and how it came about, it was so purposeful. I was so inspired by the whole movement of Delta and that truly caught my eye. And the Beta Alpha Chapter ran the yard something fierce!

PG: How has being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. helped your business and advanced your career?AR: I’m speechless because it’s done so much. My net-work equals my net worth and it’s priceless. My maga-zine was at National convention and I wasn’t even there and it was wonderful. My chapter Soror owns a pro-duction company and she handles all of our production needs. The copy editor of FEARLESS is a Delta and Natasha of www.theybf.com was very helpful as well. Delta has been instrumental on a local and national lev-el. My FAMU network has been priceless as well!

PG: Tell us what advice you have for young people, especially Greeks who are living on the edge and con-sidering giving up on their dreams.AR: You can’t! You definitely have those moments but you have to stay strong in your faith. As long as you still have breath in your body, God has a purpose for you on this earth. Spend time with the Lord and meditate on what it is that he wants you to do. Walk in it, believe in

it and align yourself with people of the same mindset. Energy is contagious! I surrounded myself with people who believed in my dreams and me. Dismiss people who are pulling you away from your destiny.”

PG: Tell us about the birth of your non-profit ‘Live Your Dreams,’ and how people can get involved.AR: I wished our youth could be exposed to these non-traditional and creative career options so therefore they wouldn’t have to be so pigeon holed or think inside a box. One of our programs is called ‘out the box’ and we teach them about these non-traditional options. There is a story in Proverbs that talks about taking your gifts and talents outside of the box and once it is open, the world benefits from it greatly. We help them identify their gifts and their talents. I went back to college and took education courses before I implemented this program in schools. The ability to believe that you can do well at something has such a great impact on you actually being able to do well at it. In our evolution exercise, the children are to state declarations such as ‘I believe,’ ‘I have hope,’ ‘I am a visionary,’ etc. The kids love the program and I have an absolute blast with them. They also have different exercises. The program is structured to include the regular reading and math core curriculum so that it can be held during school hours. To get in-volved, you can visit the website is www.livedream.org

PG: What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far?AR: Patience. When something is a dream of yours, you want it and you want it now. However, the things you learn in the process build your character and you appreciate those lessons down the line.

PG: What is the most valuable piece of advice that you have received and applied to your life?AR: There is so much, because I believe in seeking counsel. I am always thirsty for more information.

PG: Where can fans get the latest updates from FEAR-LESS magazine? AR: They can go to www.fearlessmag.com and enter their email address for FEARLESS updates. We are on twitter @thefearlessmag and we are also on facebook under The FEARLESS magazine.

-Toni Howard & Erika [email protected]

[email protected]


Boys have action figures and girls have their dolls. Apart from our mothers, those rosy cheeks and saucer eyes are the first glimpse of what girls dream to be like.

Self-taught doll designer Niccole Graves, an initiate of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Eta Eta Chapter in 1991, has created an even clearer dream for girls to aspire.

Dolls have been human playthings since prehistoric times. Made from wood, fur and clay, dolls were later found in Egyptian tombs of the wealthy. In Greek and Roman culture, girls dedicated their dolls to goddesses after they were considered too old to play with them.

When it debuted in 1959 at a New York City toy fair, the Barbie was the first children’s doll that mimicked an adult. It seemed girls preferred a role model of who they wanted to be like when they grew up.

As a child, Graves was also a fan of the Barbie. Although, she did not have a favor-

ENTREPRENEUR

DOLL HOUSESorority

By: Khashan Poitier

ite doll, she marveled at the accessories that came with them.

“Having the Barbie townhouse was such a huge thing at my age. When I finally got one as a gift, I remember it probably was one of the best gifts I received as a child,” Graves says.Although it had been years since she collected or even played with a doll, Graves found herself perusing ven-dor tables at regional and national conventions for col-lectibles. After finding only rag dolls and statues, Graves began the framework for a custom Delta doll.

“Once I began prototyping the Delta doll I thought so-rors would appreciate her as much as I would, especially one that sang and said ‘oo-oop,’” she said.

What started as her personal doll transformed into in-tensive doll manufacturing research and collaborating with other sororities’ members. Trinity Designs, Inc. was born.

The idea of dolls as children’s toys was birthed in the 15th Century in German factories. About that time, manufacturers in England, France, Holland and Italy began dressing up dolls in local fashions.

Now, a few centuries later, Trinity Designs has unveiled a diva’s closet in doll-size fashions. From the Delta doll’s strapless, mermaid dress to the Zeta Phi Beta doll’s pure white cloak and beaded clutch purse, each 16-inch beauty is adorned in sparkling evening gowns—in the colors of their sorority—as if poised to be crowned Miss America. Even customers were shocked by the doll’s size and superb quality.

Although “The Essence of…” line of dolls was inspired and targeted toward sorority members, these dolls have garnered the attention of doll collectors who are not in Greek-lettered organizations. All in all, Trinity Designs targeted audience is African Americans.

“We are designing a doll now that is not sorority spe-cific. Instead, she is the spokes model for my company.

Her name is Elan and she is a sight to behold,” Graves says.

In developing her niche in the doll manufacturing in-dustry, Graves revealed her company’s biggest challenge in marketing its products, as press releases, social media networking, e-blasts and radio plugs fall short of tar-geted customer quotas.

“There are still so many people that don’t know about my dolls,” Graves says.

In addition, Graves struggles with conveying the size of her dolls to customers, who often times presume they are the same height as a typical Barbie doll, which is actually 4 ½ inches shorter.

“It’s like comparing apples and oranges,” Graves stresses.

Despite stiff returns in their marketing strategy, Trin-ity Designs, Inc. is gradually building a customer base within a small population of African American doll col-lectors.

“What I found is that we, African Americans, aren’t doll collectors in great numbers. We don’t realize the pricing of 16-inch collectibles.” According to Graves, the aver-age 16-inch collectible doll is price tagged between $159 and $300… “and that’s just for the doll.”

As she designs a line of 12-inch children’s dolls, Graves plans to launch them nationwide as well as internation-ally in superstores, Target, Wal-Mart and Toys ‘R Us. This will be the first of many steps to surpass the Bar-bie brand and other competitors like Franklin Mint and Madame Alexander. Soon, her rosy-cheeked dolls will propel Graves as the most successful doll manufacturer of minority inspired children (and adult’s) dolls.

Find out more at www.trinitydesignsinc.com

-Khashan [email protected]


For most of us, our love for food drags along our waist-lines. A victim of his own passion, Chef Judson Todd Allen has infused his love for food into healthy, more forgiving cuisine.

Using a stove as his pulpit and a spatula as his micro-phone, Chef Allen has developed a niche from his poor eating habits and is a rising food television star and technically-savvy cook. Before his long, succulent affair with food, Chef Allen was more passionate about eating than with preparing food. It was not until he was older that he discovered his talent.

“I was always a very imaginative and creative-minded individual, who, back then and even to this day, would dream about food,” he says.

Chef Allen imagines how he will prepare and present before even igniting the burner. That imagination was developed while studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he pledged Alpha Phi Al-pha Fraternity’s Tau Chapter.While gaining diverse skills in a Food Sciences and

Nutrition degree, Allen also gained 70 pounds in two years. As graduation drew near, he knew a change had to be made.

“I knew I wanted a transition into corporate America and eventually television and my look was not going to cut it,” Chef Allen says.

His food science and nutrition background helped him to create “outside-the-box cuisine” infused with healthy and quality inspirations. Chef Allen’s lighter dishes tick-led the palate and hugged the body… in the right way.Later, he threw exercise into his new lifestyle. For three years, Chef Allen worked out with a personal trainer and for the past year he has trained on his own. He sug-gested the same active regimen for collegiates battling the Freshmen 15.

“A sedentary lifestyle will not cut the mustard,” Chef Al-len warns. “Also, I encourage students to take nutrition courses as electives to be become better educated in the area.”

Since college and shedding the pounds, the young chef

CULTURE

COOKING WITH A PURPOSEChef Judson Todd Allen turns his personal battle into a passion for the greater good in the kitchen.

delivers meals—healthy gourmet meals to corporate offices and per-sonal homes.

Healthy Infused Cuisine, LLC delivers vacuum packaged meals and caters to a domestic and international clientele that has a taste for bold flavors and creativity. These clients also hire Chef Allen for hands-on cooking lessons to expand their culinary skills and knowledge of foods.

Chef Allen has also taken his menu to the small screen, appearing on food television networks and live cooking shows. He has developed his niche as a motivational speaker and stirred it up with some of Chi-cago’s elite chefs at Kenmore Live Studio on Neo-Soul Food Show.

“I guess given my outgoing personality, the studio asked me to con-sider offering my own shows. After further conversation and selection of date, the rest was history,” Chef Allen says.

In addition to his successes, Chef Allen enjoys the full support of his fraternity and the National Pan Hellenic Council.

“You know [Alphas] love great food!” Chef Allen quips, before plug-ging himself to all national organizations for a special appearance at their future local, regional and national conventions.

Currently though, Greeks can check him out on June 11 at Kenmore live Studios located at 678 North Wells in Chicago. The show promises to “blow the mind and palates” of attendees. For more details about Chef Allen future appearances, check out his Facebook fan page.

Just like his cuisine, Chef Allen is expanding his brand globally to one day be seen in the grocery stores mimicked in kitchens around the world. Chef Allen has mixed in his first love with healthy living and, in turn, inspired a generation of other up-and-coming chefs, who search for their signature on foods.

“If food is your passion then commit to the craft, remain humble and execute beautifully-crafted works of art. Never settle for mediocrity; be extraordinary.”

-Khashan [email protected]

Progressive Greeks showed up in numbers to the the annual Jazz Night event hosted by the Whirlpool African-American Network in Benton Harbor, MI. Over 100 guests enjoyed an eve-ning of networking, fine cuisine and song provided by Delta Soror Meagan McNeal and a live band.

Photography:Kevin DavisCrush Media Group

IMAGE


Meagan McNeal, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ‘07


OUR HISTORY

The Metropolitan Board is an auxiliary of the Chicago Urban League and a chapter of the National Urban League Young Professionals. Founded in 1983, Metropolitan Board

identifies young African American professionals and develops them into the future leaders of our community.

OUR MISSION AND VALUES

The Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League is committed to promoting and

supporting the ideals and goals of the Urban League movement throughout Chicagoland through community outreach, fundraising and membership development.

Our Empowerment Strategies:

Economic Empowerment - Civic Engagement - Leadership Empowerment - Health and Quality of Life Empowerment - Civil Rights and Racial Justice - Educational and Youth Empowerment

WHAT WE DO ● Raise funds and support the mission of the Chicago Urban League ● Make an impact through community service ● Network and establish valuable relationships between members

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

All members are asked to give 25 hours in community service or commit to eight (8) projects per year and participate in at least one of the following committees:

● Bylaws ● Community Service ● Fundraising ● Membership ● Personal and Professional Development ● Public Relations

STAY IN TOUCH

www.metroboard.org

Email - [email protected] Twitter - @MetroBoardCUL

Facebook – Metropolitan Board of Chicago Urban League

JOIN TODAY! Membership: $50 Annually ($25 of your dues are applied to your full Chicago Urban League Membership)

Q&A

Tireless...Kelly Price is

PG: There is a lot to Kelly Price that many people don’t know. You are a philanthropist, donating money to breast cancer research, a mother, a wife, a singer, a writer. Any other hats we forget to mention?KP: I actually am a really, really good cook. I love to do it. I won’t say that I’ll never do it professionally though. I wouldn’t mind having a business, but due to my every day job I wouldn’t be able to cook on the every day basis. I would open a hole in the wall joint where you could come in and get your food and leave.


Tireless...

PG: I was looking at your discography and notice that you just released the first single, “Tired” from your 6th album. That’s quite an accomplishment this day and age. What makes this project different from any of the previous ones?KP: It’s been 18 years exactly and 6 albums later. For me I’ve lived so much life. It’s been 8 years since my last mainstream release and literally from the time of my first album to this album has been 12 years. It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, but the biggest impact has been to know that I’ve had a lot of good years and had an evolution in my life, in society and with social media. 12 years ago when I produced my first album, my son was in the 1st grade- he just left for college. Life is very different, but music is the same in the direction that it goes in. What you are getting from me is 12 years of being much stronger and more life experience, which makes the music stronger.

PG: Is this project under your own label, EcclectiSounds? What made you decide to launch your own label, and how has it benefitted you thus far?KP: That’s the production company that I own which put out my gospel album. This album is going to be put out by another company that I own called Sing Girl & My Block Records with Warren Campbell who’s been a collaborator of mine for many years. I had the option of releasing this al-bum with a major label, but I decided not to go back into the machine. When you’ve been doing it as long as I have been doing it you, know the parameters and I’ve executive produced every album I’ve done. I always taken on more of the load more than the average artist does anyway. Inside the machine, if I am doing all of that work, the people behind the desk are the ones getting the major kickbacks of all the work I’ve done. I’ve always been involved with the creative aspects of the process but never received the credit. If I am doing all of the work, I may as well get the credit and the money.

PG: What is your honest feeling on the music being played on the radio these days?KP: Thank God it’s being brought back to what I remember- Rhythm and Blues. You can’t have one without the other. I think we’ve gotten lost over the past few years because they were assigning the title of R&B to music that wasn’t R&B mu-sic by definition. I’ve studied this business and I consider myself to be an educated student of the music industry. I know that music goes in cycles and there will always be new sounds and fads that people will go migrate to, but it will always come back full circle.

PG: The Kelly Price of 2011 is a more confident and energetic one than the Kelly Price of 1998- what has been your source of happiness?KP: Finding a way to hold on to my core values and beliefs- my spiritual values. This business would have drove me crazy a long time ago if I didn’t have the understanding that this is

what I’m destined to do because I’m supposed to be here and regardless of who’s in what position, there’s nothing anyone can do about that. I think that as we get older that and learn more a lot of people don’t want others to know hold old they are, but I’m glad to be here and I’m grateful to be Kelly Price at 37 because like you said in 1998 there’s a confidence at 37 that I did not have at 24.

PG: We had a chance to meet your husband/manager Jef-frey...You guys have been married almost 20 years, which is a testimony in itself. How are able to balance the work and home relationship and succeed in both?KP: It is a juggling act and we have to practice hard. We are better at it today but it is still a juggling act. When you live with the person you work with its almost never off. It’s hard not to snap into work mode in the middle of dinner when you are accessible to that person like that. For us we can be in Walmart or on family vacation and when we think of some-thing the whole conversation changes. We have to keep prac-ticing and reminding ourselves that our marriage is not our career.

PG: What advice would you give couples just beginning their marriages or long term relationships.KP: Keep people out your business. Consult with only people with a proven track record, those who’ve stood the test of time. People whose lives and marriages you’d want to emu-late.

PG: What is the one most valuable piece of advice you have received and applied to your marriage?KP: I’ve been told to not go to bed angry. Always been able to say I’m sorry. Give what you want given in return. The most valuable piece of advice would be from an older couple at church that has been married for over 30 years, if I live my life in effort to be what pleases God for real, I don’t have to worry about violating my marriage. Because living in a way that pleases God wouldn’t contain anything that is a violation to my mate.

PG: This weekend you mentioned that the oldest of your three children is getting ready for college, how are you han-dling that?KP: It was very good that I had to concentrate on getting to Chicago, had I been home it would have really sunken in.

PG: How has Sorority life been treating you?KP: I love it! I didn’t go to college, while my peers were go-ing to college, I was on tour with Mariah [Carey]. College is something I’ve always thought I’d do. I want to go back to school and talking to Syleena [Johnson] knowing she’s back in school working on her advanced degree, I’ve been talking about it for the past few years. She inspired me to try to figure out a way to work this out. I’m very serious about education


and I want to do it right and I will make it happen- it’s on my list of thing to do before I turn 40 and I’m 37 now so I don’t have much time!

PG: What was it about Sigma Gamma Rho that caught your eye?KP: I have a cousin, Bridgett Cook who’s a national officer and in the Bay area chapter- she had been talking to me about joining for years and I never had time. She kept me in the loop as to what the sorority had been doing in the com-munity. I was really impressed with the history to know edu-cators started it in the 1920s, African American college edu-cated women in the 1920s. I’ve always longed for sisterhood like that. I love women and the issues that are close to the heart I have a heart and a passion for the issues, love issues health issues and becoming a part of the sorority was more than I expected, I didn’t expect them to embrace me the way they did. I am literally overwhelmed with love and support everywhere I go. If they know I’m coming, they are there and want to help and do something for me. You become numb to it when people say let them know you need something, but they meant it.

[After recording] My gospel album there was a challenge, a change of the guard and the person in charge of my market-ing was told her contract was not renewed and there was no need for her to work hard. I had an album release party in NY and all of the marketing was cancelled during this pro-cess. My husband put in a call to one of my Sorors, who is now a great friend of mine, Raquel Dozier. She sent out an email and made phone calls, I have Sorors from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania down to Tennessee who drove to New York and set up the place. That was the first time I was able to see support outside of coming to a show, I really need-ed my sisters and they showed up in a big way.

PG: We see you wearing your letters in photos and throwing up the hand sign, which is something we don’t see most hon-orary members do. What is or has been your level of activity with the organization?

KP: I went to my first Boule last year! I was there for the whole week. My whole family was with me; my husband and children were all there. We had a ball at the formal events, the plenary sessions, the youth axillaries. I was able to see the roundness of the sisterhood with members from all across the country. I told myself that when I joined that I was going to be committed and active, I didn’t want to just wear the let-ters, I wanted to be a part of the sisterhood. I’m in it!

PG: With your son getting ready to start his freshman year of college, pending stellar grades and all, would you encourage that he get involved in Greek life down the line? KP: Absolutely

PG: What advice would you give aspiring singers and musi-cians?KP: Educate themselves. Your talent is not what causes you to make it in this business; it’s 85% business and 15% talent. If you know the music and not the business, you will fail. You have to know the business. Study it, watch people and read. You don’t want someone to have to break a contract down for you- you should understand it. Surround yourself with the right people. It’s not a game and it’s not a joke- it’s way more than what you see on TV and in videos. I spent 7 years standing behind other artists- writing their songs, ar-ranging their music and watching them build their careers and have amazing success. I think that’s why I have been able to stand through rough times in this business because I work diligently…

PG: Where can fans get the latest Kelly Price updates and news? KP: Kellyprice.com, Facebook, Twitter @kellyprice4real

-Kevin [email protected]

Photography by Delta Soror Ruth Davis

To learn more about Black & Latino Achievers, call 773-947-0700 or visit www.ymcabla.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ymcabla

Sponsored in part by

BLACK& LATINOACHIEVERS

MAKE NEW FRIENDS. MAKE SMART CHOICES ABOUT COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER. EARN SERVICE LEARNING HOURS. MAKE LIFE INTERESTING. MAKE IT HAPPEN AT B.L.A.

De-troit native

Erik V. Stephens is an emerg-ing Hip Hop and Soul music producer, bet-

ter known as Apollo Brown. As a 15 year veteran in the industry, Stephens is no stranger to the determination, dedication and drive needed to overcome challenges as-sociated with an industry that is often coined as cut-throat.

In 1996 while still in high school, Apollo recalls analyz-ing the melodic content of every song he listened to as opposed to focusing on the catchy lyrics or notoriety of the artist. He considered himself to be a “basement producer,” because many of his friends and family were unaware of his musical talent.

By 2003, after obtaining a Business Administration de-gree from Michigan State University, Apollo had cre-ated a very diverse catalog of original tracks. Upon gaining the necessary respect needed for survival in the industry; he went on to release his first instrumental al-bums, Skilled Trade (2007) and Make Do (2009). This work immediately thrust him into the spotlight and the demand for his tracks was at an all time high. Since this time, he has partnered with artists such as Finale,

MaGestiK LeGenD, Heather B, Paradime, In-vincible, Chip Fu, Little Brother, and Supastition. Also in 2009, Apollo was crowned the winner of the Detroit Red Bull Big Tune beat battle competition.

Apollo was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in November 2005 through the Pontiac Alumni Chapter

In January 2010, just two days after he was laid off from his job in corporate America, Apollo was signed to a very reputable music label called Mellow Music Group. He was now faced with the difficult decision of either finding another corporate job or pursuing his dream in the music industry. “I decided to give myself a year to make music. If by the end of that year my bank account and reputation was not where I wanted it to be, I would go back to work,” says Stephens. Two years after setting that personal goal, Apollo Brown has taken the industry by storm. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder he is using his talents to help artist climb the charts.

Brown says that in order to be a successful producer, it is important to be persistent and non-conforming to the politics associated with the industry. He believes that often times producers find themselves making music because it is trendy. “I won’t make music that I wouldn’t

ENTERTAINMENT

GRAND ARCHITECT

OF THE BEATBy Erika Taylor


want to listen to,” he says. Adopting this mentality has allowed him to remain passionate about his music and consistent in his delivery. “No matter how many doors got shut in my face, I just kept being me.” Brown attributes a portion of his success to social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. He says that these media platforms allow individuals to mass distribute themselves for free, unlike any other advertising solutions in the coun-try. Recently, he was recognized in a blog written by his idol and favor-ite producer of all times. DJ Premier named The Lefts album “Gas Mask,” produced by Brown, as one of his top 25 albums of 2011.

In regard to gaining a competitive edge within the market, he says that networking is paramount. “It’s not really about the know-how, it’s about the know-who. If you don’t know the right people in the indus-try, you will be stuck.” The musical experiences have been invaluable to his career, however Brown rec-ognizes that education is necessary. “I’m always a student of the game. I often sit with people who have been in the industry for a long time and I am always learning from them.”

A wise man once said “if you love

what you do, you’ll never work an-other day in your life.” Brown is a paradigm to what this statement represents. He truly loves what he does and feels that he has so much more work to do and so much more to accomplish.

Brown’s latest album called “Clouds” has received stellar reviews from his fan base. It is an instrumental com-pilation of 27 short tracks, “it’s the type of music that makes you take the long way home from work, “ ac-cording to Feng Shui in his review on amazon.com. Clouds can now be purchased via iTunes or amazon.com. Currently, Brown is preparing to be a part of the next albums for Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes and D12.

Follow Apollo Brown on Twitter:@ApolloBrown

-Erika Taylor [email protected]


When Ericka Dunlap was crowned the first Black Miss Florida, she began to take the world by storm. In 2004, wearing her now famous canary yellow dress, she became the only Miss Florida to go on to win the Miss America crown.

After handing over the prestigious title in September 2004, Ericka returned to the University of Central Florida and resumed her activities within the Mu Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and earned a degree in Advertising and Public Rela-tions. True to form, she went on to impact the world by using her experience as Miss America and taking her message of cultur-al acceptance and understanding to venues throughout 37 states in the country. She has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Hollywood Squares game show, 106 & Park and The O’Reilly Factor. Additionally, Er-icka was a judge on the WEtv series Little Miss Perfect, was the Grand Marshal of the Talladega NASCAR race, visited US troops for Thanksgiving in Kuwait, was previously in radio entertainment and a reporter for CMT, and most recently was a finalist on the 7-time Emmy Award winning show Amaz-ing Race 15.

In 2010, after six years in Nashville, Ten-nessee Ericka recently returned to her hometown of Orlando, Florida. Today, she is continuing her passion for expanding the perspective of diversity by touring the country speaking at leadership conferences, universities, and pageants. She is currently working as the head of Public Relations for Technology Integration Group.

-Toni Howard [email protected]

CHAPTER 2

Ericka DunlapFrom Miss America to PR maven, Ericka Dunlap continues to dazzle.

IMAGE | SWEETHEARTS

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In 1985, Whitney Houston believed that the children were our future, to teach them well and to let them lead the way. Over 25 years later, children are cultivated into leaders, thanks to a woman that believes.

A member of the Lambda Alpha Omega Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tequilla Lopez is committed to youth and social services. She has a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Masters of Science in Public Health, both from the Uni-versity of Illinois. Lopez is also Program Coordinator of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Black & Latino Achievers (BLA).

BLA is a program that promotes higher education and career options via youth and adult role model relation-ships. It is a nationwide program founded in 1971, ca-tering to African American and Latino youth enrolled in the 7th through 12th grades. Affectionately calling the youth her “kids”, Lopez enjoys serving as Program Coordinator and says that the job chose her.

“Youth development chose me and I’ve fallen in love,” says Lopez. “I enjoy what I’m able to do for my kids, giving exposure to inner city youth.”

BLA exposes young people to positive role models from all walks of life. The program introduces youth to di-verse career options and helps raise academic standards. Lopez informed that there is a need for a program such as BLA, preparing them for various phases of life.

“Our purpose is to help those of color succeed,” Lopez said. “99 percent of [our] students graduate and go to an institution of higher learning but our goal is to make it 100 percent.”

Lopez continued and indicated that BLA helps students fill out college and scholarship applications. Workshops are also offered that show students how to choose a col-

lege and major, goal setting and time management. She hopes to accomplish global status with the YMCA, in-troducing youth to the world.

“We know what’s going on here but what about the situ-ation in Haiti,” asks Lopez. “[I want to] help kids see what’s going on in other countries. Some kids haven’t been out of Chicago. [We] take experience and make it an educational component.”

Lopez has taken youth out of their comfort zone, pro-moting a productive learning experience. She thrives in her work, creating a great experience for youth and herself.

“I love the Y,” exclaims Lopez. “The YMCA has so many opportunities that can help everyone and at the end of the day, you know you’ve done good work. All of the op-portunities I can afford for my kids gives me joy.”

To become a volunteer with BLA, contact Lopez via email at [email protected] or by phone at 773-947-0700.

-Chanel [email protected]

To Believe!COMMUNITY

AKA Soror Tequilla Lopez, Program Coordinator of YMCA’s Black & Latino Achievers

11

Q.Sigma Frater Qasim Basir has taken the independant film world by storm with his movie, Mooz-Lum. Progressive Greek sits down with Q to learn about the making of his socially conscious big screen hit.

Q&A


PG: You are currently in the middle of what has now become a nationwide opening tour for your new movie “Mooz-lum”. How does it feel to see your work playing in major markets?QB: I don’t think it has completely set in yet. I’ve been traveling all over the place. I haven’t had time to sit around and deal with it. Overall it’s been an amazing experience to put a movie out like this with these types of actors and this type of subject matter.- a very impor-tant one

PG: What is “Mooz-lum” about, what do you want your viewers to walk away with?QB: The film is about a young man born and raised Muslim. He goes to college in 2001 and begins a jour-ney of self-discovery. Its something a lot of us around the world go through. Trying to find where you belong in the midst of what everyone is telling you. There are a lot of different things people take away from the film. I wanted this to serve as a tool of enlightenment- many people will never get to see Muslim people in a human way. People see all the other stuff all the time- the ex-tremists, terrorists but this perspective has not been seen. I want people to leave with more than they came with. I want them to be knowledgeable to move the country forward in a progressive way.

PG: Without a major film studio behind you, you were able to attract some veteran talent as well as some new faces. How were you able to do so, what was your secret?QB: Just like getting into the frat- you have to keep working. You know me, when you would see me out. I was broke as hell. I was a starving artist. I knew how to play the game and no one knew. I was going through this thing and getting turned down and continuously falling down on my face. It was a matter of getting back up and keep trying. It got to the point where I found an investor who would be willing take a chance with me and us. I presented a script, which was up to par with these actors; especially Nia who has been ready to try on different roles and this was the film she wanted to make that statement on. Evan, this was his first starring role. He chose this to come out as a leading man on. There were lots of reasons people chose the film, but it was about the script.

PG: What has been the impact of social media in the production and release of your movies?QB: Support through social media has been incredible.

It’s one of the only times in the history of film that a movie has been released in theatres with no traditional marketing at all- with all viral and word of mouth mar-keting. This is like unheard of- no billboards, not trail-ers on television. It’s something that’s sort of ground-breaking in a way because people are spreading the word on Facebook and twitter demanding the film. It’s key to what we are doing right now. Before you had to have traditional marketing because there were no ways to reach people now you have platforms to allow you to do so.

PG: You’re a member of Phi Beta Sigma, when and where were you initiated?QB: Gamma Iota Chapter ’99, Wayne State University, my freshman year.

PG: How supportive has the Greek community been?QB: The bruhs sent out a press release through the inter-national database- the fact they are willing to send out a press release and try to get the support of the bruhs- it’s been huge. I’ve received emails and messages. The AKAs had a pink carpet event in Detroit to help me get the word out. It’s been great. PG: What has been your biggest challenge throughout this whole process?QB: Raising funds- it’s not easy. That was the hardest part. People are very sketchy about investing in movies. It’s a very risky business. Trying to do that while being a starving artist. You have to go to places you never really expected. When I went through that, it allowed me to reach to the deepest depths of my creativity and for that I’m appreciative for the experience. Would I want to go back? Absolutely not.

Continued on page 55

IMAGE | SCHOLARSHIP

Wendasha JenkinsMorgan State UniversityMS CommunicationDelta Sigma ThetaMu Iota Chapter

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11 12 13See who’s who on page 47


IMAGE | SPRING 2011 on page 14

1. “6 Guardians of GOMAB”, Phi Beta Sigma Frater-nity, Inc., Pi Alpha Chapter- Georgia State University. 2. “S.S. Access Hollywood”, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Iota Nu Sigma Alumni Chapter (Chicago, IL). 3. “Ancient Souls of Kemet” Alpha Phi Alpha Frater-nity, Inc., Delta Tau Lamda Chapter ( Phoenix, AZ). 4. “P.R.O.J.E.C.T. BLUE”, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Upsilon Psi Zeta Alumnae Chapter (Oak Park, MI) 5. “The Awakening:, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Nu Chapter- Albany University. 6. “I.S. RESTORA-TION”, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.Eta Theta Chap-ter - University of Michigan. 7. “Nine Diamonds in the R.O.U.G.H.”, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Mu Chapter-Wayne State University. 8. “16 G.O.T.S.S.”, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Alpha Chap-ter- Florida Agriculutral and Mechanical University. 9. “Cold Case”, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Gamma Chapter- Morgan State University. 10. “S.S. The Notorious Three”, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Nu Pi Sigma Alumni Chapter (Rockford, IL) 11. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Theta Delta Chapter- Illi-nois State University. 12. “Centennial Seven”, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Detroit Alumni Chapter. 13. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Chapter- Eastern Michigan University. 14. “3 Chaotic PearlZ”, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Pi Delta Chapter- Eastern Michigan University. 15. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Beta Omega Sigma Alumnae Chapter (Shreveport, LA). 16. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Gamma Lambda Alumni Chapter (Cincinnati, OH). 17. Alpha Upsilon Chapter (Wayne State University) Pi Upsi-lon Chapter (University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan Dearborn, and Marygrove College) and Gamma Lambda Chapter (Detroit Alumni Chapter)

IMAGE | SWEETHEARTS on page 42

1. Jamal & Ileana Wilburg (FBS & ZFB), 2. Anthony & Dr. Anita Manns (FBS & SGR), 3. Kevin & Patrice Green (IFQ & SGR)4. Quinne Lowe & Toni Howard (KAY & DSQ), 5. Jason Rashaad & Jessica Taylor (AFA & AKA), 6. Em-manuel & Bettisha Idowu (KAY & AKA), 7. Jililu & Simone Mayo (KAY & ZFB), 8. Abdul Hoggard & Pascale Francis (WYF & DSQ), 9. Kevin & Ruth Da-vis (FBS & DSQ), 10. Michael & Tyrese Jones (AFA & AKA), 11. Michael Garner & Catherine Blackwell-Gore (KAY & AKA) 12. Eric Simon & Dayla Wooten (AFA & AKA)

IMAGE | SCHOLARSHIP on page 46

1. Michel McBride, Alexis Jenkins and Janai Segers; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mu Theta Chapter. Lewis University. 2. Wideline Seraphin, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Omicron Lambda Chapter- Indi-ana University Bloomington Graduate School & Floyd Daniel Hobson III, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Ep-silon Iota Chapter- Indiana University Bloomington Graduate School. 3. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc- University of Miami University of Miami. 4. Kourtney Moore and Nicole Johnson: Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror-ity, Inc., Xi Chapter- Eastern Michigan University 5. Andrea Garrett: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Pi Chapter- University of Michigan-Flint. 6. Kernesha S. Weatherly: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Iota Lambda Chapter- University of Alabama at Birming-ham. 7. Jason S. Smith: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Iota Nu Sigma Chapter. Wayne State University Grad-uate School. 8. Candyce Jupiter: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., University of St. Francis Colony- Univer-sity of St. Francis, Joliet. 9. Kyra Montaque, Leoneisha Williams and Christina Bachelor: Zeta Phi Beta Soror-ity, Inc., Mu Epsilon Chapter- University of Florida. 10. Jessica Taylor: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Rho Omega Chapter. Wayne State University Gradu-ate School. 11. Alyssa Canty and Connie Evans: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Omega Iota Chapter-University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. 12. Wendasha Jenkins: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mu Iota Chapter. Morgan State University Graduate School. 13. Jona-than Davenport: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Epsi-lon Iota Chapter- Indiana University Bloomington.

IMAGE | WHO’S WHO

Founded in 1895, The University of Texas at Arlington (UT-Ar-lington) has a current student population of over 33,000.

UT-Arlington is also home to the Nu Iota Undergraduate Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. This chapter is on the move in the city of Arlington and the throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The Nu Iota Chapter was chartered on March 21, 1993 by eight women known as the “Excellent Eight”. Today, the chapter is in-volved in various activities and civic efforts, led by Chapter Basi-leus/President Victoria Gongora.

“Continuing in the legacy of the charter members of Nu Iota, we uphold the light of Sigma Gamma Rho through working for the betterment of our sorority, our campus, and community as a whole”, explained Gongora.

Civic activities in which Nu Iota participates includes March of Dimes and Race for the Cure, as well as regularly volunteering at John Peter Smith Hospital, Arlington Animal Shelter and Mission Arlington.Like its charter members, Nu Iota continues to strive for high scholastic achievement. Sigma Gamma Rho has the highest soror-ity grade point average in UT-Arlington’s National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC). Serving as the chapter’s undergraduate advisor, Ashlee McGhee sees a bright and promising future for Nu Iota.

“They understand the importance of scholarship along with the excitement of sorority life,” said McGhee. “With all of their accom-plishments and potential, they are making me a better woman.”

McGhee, inducted through Nu Iota chapter seven years ago, is currently the Second Anti Basileus (Second Vice President) of Zeta Delta Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Arlington, TX.

Though Nu Iota is a relatively small chap-ter of six members, their efforts are huge. Maintaining their community service as a chapter, Nu Iota’s members participates in activities individually. Gongora is a mem-ber of Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor So-ciety and Anti-Basileus (Vice President) Ayreal Phillips is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management as well as volunteers for the Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame. The chapter’s

Tamiochus (Treasurer) Asia Mitchell belongs to the Freshman In-terest Group and works at Office Depot between classes.

Nu Iota’s newest members are equally active. Sharice King volun-teers at Girls, Inc and participates with Leaders Educating About Diversity (LEAD). Searra Barnett is an executive board member for UT-Arlington’s campus organization, Women in Leadership (WIL). Lakeia Coleman also serves as an executive board member for WIL as well as a Target Stores partner aiding domestic violence victims.

Collectively, Nu Iota is comprised uniquely and eclectically. Indi-vidually, they prioritize their commitment to the community and to their academic achievements. McGhee agrees that their group is something special.

“Coming from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, these young ladies have embraced the true spirit of sisterhood”, proudly said McGhee. “Not only do they work well together on Sorority busi-ness, they take the time to study together and remain physically fit.”

Physically, Nu Iota is one of the many chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority shaped for greatness and sharing with the commu-nity. This “High Activity” chapter is moving forward, always ready to make an impact.

Contact Nu Iota via email at [email protected].

-Chanel Ellis,[email protected]

ON CAMPUS



Poet Carl Sandburg describes Chicago, Illinois as “the city of the big shoulders”. A city unafraid of toil. A city endowed with strength. A city that holds weight.

Such characteristics describes the men of the Iota Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Even in the face of adversity, Iota Nu Sigma is a force to be reckoned with.

Originally chartered in 1983, Charles H. Talbert spearhead-ed the chapter’s establishment as they served Chicago’s North Shore area for several years. The chapter increased its mem-bership with their first intake in 1985 and began to partner with the Iota Nu Undergraduate Chapter at Northwestern University in Evanston. Unfortunately, the chapter became inactive years later, leaving a void in the Chicagoland area.

In 1999, Fraternity member Chauncey Colquitt teamed up with Talbert to create a means of service on Chicago’s South Side. Instead of chartering a new chapter, the men began the process of reactivating. Partnering with brothers Steve Bal-lard and Fabian Wright, the rebirth of Iota Nu Sigma was well underway.

Iota Nu Sigma was now servicing Chicago’s 4th Ward and the process of reactivation included an aggressive recruitment plan, reclaiming a host of inactive Phi Beta Sigma members. Once the chapter built membership, they now had the man-power to progressively move forward with events, programs and civil activities. Colquitt became the first president of this newly reactivated chapter, leading Iota Nu Sigma to what would become the talk of Chicago.

Wright introduced the chapter’s first service project, Serving the Homeless on Saturdays at the Pacific Garden Mission, a homeless shelter. Today, it remains one of Iota Nu Sigma’s recurring chapter programs.

Sigma Beta, Phi Beta Sigma’s youth affiliate for boys, was in-corporated into Iota Nu Sigma’s chapter profile by Talbert. Mentoring Chicago area boys, the chapter’s Sigma Beta Club became the prototype of Black fraternity interest groups across the nation.

However, Iota Nu Sigma is known locally and nationally for their chapter’s signature event, Blu Tuesday. Developed as a means of socializing and interacting with the community in a professional, after work atmosphere, Blu Tuesday is recog-nized as one of the city’s premiere networking events under the leadership of current chapter president, Renaldo Dixon.

In just over ten years, Iota Nu Sigma has increased mem-bership, having one of the largest memberships in the city, state and the Great Lakes Region. Equipped with impressive chapter programming and civic activity, Iota Nu Sigma has hosted events such as The Skate Jam and INS Scholarship Golf Outing to allocate funding for scholarships. This effort has credited Iota Nu Sigma with the Model Chapter Award in less than 10 years of their rechartering. Iota Nu Sigma’s shoulders remain broad, strong and holding much weight.

Chanel [email protected]

ALUMNI

INSPHI BETASIGMA FRATERNITY, INC. IOTA NU SIGMA CHAPTER


ENTERPRISE

PG: When and where did you become a member of Del-ta Sigma Theta?SC: Omicron Chi Chapter at Stanford University in 1997

PG: What was it about Delta that caught your eye?SC: The Sorors were just “doing it” , they were in ground-breaking fields: medicine, business women and so about it on campus and just doing things that were so different from everything else. They seemed so committed to our people. They were trying to make sure brothers and sis-ters in Palo Alto were getting geriatric care, Montessori education. A friend was killed while I was driving. The women of DST reached out, sent food and care pack-ages and I was wowed that these women really cared for me. Fortunately, my chapter has never been suspended-which says a lot about the women.

PG: When did you become interested in wine, beyond the level of connoisseur?SC: I’ve never been a connoisseur of wine. I’ve been fascinated with other cultures and traveled as a child.

I studied abroad in undergrad to study the economic development of blacks based on who enslaved them- Brazil, Spain and Guatemala and compared them to the black in the U.S. and the plight of Africa. I didn’t want my research of Africa to be negative-which a lot of re-search today is. It’s slowly getting better, but since the economic recession, Africa is doing a lot better and de-veloping at a faster pace than other countries.

PG: What was it about Africa specifically that caused you to make it the focus of your wine offerings?SC: In 2005 I was in South Africa on business and saw an ad for the first annual Soweto wine festival. I asked one of the vendors where I could find her wine in the US and was informed that it wasn’t possible. Africa has a 3 billion dollar wine market yet blacks are being shut out. I got into the business for the love of the people and wine was a medium to showcase the best of Africa.

PG: What were some of the major roadblocks you en-countered along the way while developing your busi-

Success by the BottleDelta Soror Selena Cuffe used a business trip to South Africa as a catalyst to launch her own wine company.

ness?SC: I didn’t know anything about the industry before I got in the business. I didn’t have any contacts in the industry and I got pregnant at the launch of the business. I prayed on the situation. My background; I worked at Proctor and Gamble and worked on various products- and it’s really about managing a brand versus selling, so I took that experience and applied it to the business. I had to step my game up, my customers are used to publicly traded companies- so I had to get on their level.

PG: What have been some of the major accomplishments of your company?SC: We had a 41 state distribution within 2 years; American Airlines serves our wine, which is the first South African wine aboard their planes.

PG: Does Heritage Link have any major partnerships with distributors or outlets?SC: Distribution deals with Disney, Jewel-Osco, 1-800-FLOWERS and Costco- helped us achieve sales goals. We are on the verge of purchasing vineyard land in South Africa. I’ve always felt displaced; I know where I am from and now I can own land there. I have reconnected with my home!

PG: Your husband also works with Heritage Link, how has that benefitted your business- as well as your marriage?SC: We were married in April 2005, and launched the business in October 2005; it’s so intertwined with our marriage. We don’t know it any other way. It’s great to have a resource I trust, he acts with our family’s best interest at heart.

PG: Do you feel that Black Greeks leverage our professional relationships enough? How do you do so?SC: My Sorors have been especially supportive of Heritage Link, but Greeks across the board are members of the Heritage Link Family. There is a lot more room for us to network professionally within the NPHC.

PG: How has your membership with Delta benefitted your business?SC: The sorority places info about me on list-servs. A Neo bought wine for a bridal shower and served it to her guests. The word of mouth marketing has been phe-nomenal.

PG: What advice do you have for those looking to enter the imported wine busi-ness?SC: Have passion for wine-I didn’t have it. Have thick skin-it is a very nepotistic environment. The market is huge but few control the supply, so you have to have thick skin to survive.

PG: Finally, what makes Heritage Link better than the competition?SC: We import and distribute from the very first black owned family producers in the country. We are an importer and sell to distributors. It gains us a diverse range of opportunities.


IMAGE

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Iota Nu Sigma Alumni Chapter held it’s bi-monthly Blu Tuesday social event at Sawtooth Resturant & Lounge in Chicago’s trendy and chic West Loop area. The annual Soronity Night event was at-tended by over 100 guests who were treated to sorority themed cocktails crafted specifically for the event.

Photography: Sigma Frater Kevin Davis of Crush Media Group


(cont’d from page 45)To walk around with your head held high when economically you aren’t good and no idea of when you will be- is tough.

PG: I remember one of your first movies “One Nation, Two Worlds, “ what have you learned since the production of that movie going into “Mooz-lum?”QB: How to really work better with people. There was a point in my ca-reer where I was doing it alone. And when it comes to movies, you can’t have that attitude. I took constructive criticisms from people and took the time to discover what aspects I wanted to perfect. I decided that I would stick to writing and directing. Be honest about your strengths and sur-round yourself with people who will be honest with you. Many movies and music is not up to par, but that’s because they surround themselves with people who aren’t honest. You must surround yourself with those who will be honest with you.

PG: What was it like working with Danny Glover and Nia Long?QB: I had no idea what to expect- I knew that being the director you set the tone on the set. You can’t be insecure, nervous or unsure or else that’s how your set will be run. When I met Nia Long, I thought is this really happening. But I got over it quickly because I didn’t want the professional respect to be lost. Once it is, it may never come back. It became about col-laborating on what I wanted and what they could bring. Many lines were changed in the film based on Nia and her experience as a mother.

PG: What advice do you have for aspiring movie directors and producers?QB: This business is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. You have to know that going into it. Your purpose has to be something real- the other stuff will not sustain you. You must believe in what you are doing to the point you are ready to be broke, hungry- that nothing will stop you. There was not a moment that I felt this would not happen. I had doubts of when and how, but didn’t doubt that it would happen. I had it in my heart that it would. During that time, things will happen that may change you. It made me a very selfish person as it becomes about survival and I had to learn how to overcome that and I’m still working on this to this day. I did the pitty party thing and people I had in my life and my dean told me to suck it up which is what you need in your life. You need to man up and that helped more than anything.

www.moozlumthemovie.com


Detroit native, Timothy Jackson, attended Wayne State University where he studied Business Marketing; however, his passion was photography. He got his start in visual arts as a graphics designer and then sought to create his own images as a photographer. He explains, “The best part in taking photos is taking any object and creating your own masterpiece.” Jackson considers himself to be an artist, not simply a photographer. Pursuing his dream, about three years ago Jackson founded pAULE Photography. Hinging on customer satisfaction, pAULE Photography has proudly served over 3,000 clients, and counting. pAULE Photograpy specializes in studio and event photography. With perseverance as his motto, Jackson strives to be a celebrity artist. He also has interests in creating another photography company and a not for profit organization which will teach the art of photography. For your beauty, fashion, editorial, and event photography needs contact: Timothy pAULE (248) 808- 8467, [email protected], www.TimothypAULE.com, Twitter: TimothypAULE,

PASSIONS

PG: When and where were you initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.?TP: Nu Sigma Chapter, in 2005 at Wayne State University, in Detroit, MI.

PG: When did you fall in love with photography?TP: In 2008, I was introduced to photography, from thence I’ve grown an appre-ciation and love for the art.

PG: Who are some of your influences and mentors?TP: Photographers like John Williams, Jill Greenberg, and Karl Lagerfeld are influential to me. At the early start of my career some of my mentors were Photog-raphers: Terrance Watson, and Myron Watkins.

PG: What is your favorite genre of photography to practice?TP: Commercial photography

PG: If you could photograph anything or anyone in the world, what or whowould it be?TP: If I can photograph anyone it would be my mother, Amelia Jackson. She had a dying passion for photography but never had the time to pursue it. She use to love taking photos as well as being in them. In 2001, she passed away, leaving her legacy to me.

PG: What is your favorite camera body and lens to useTP: Canon 5d Mark 2 70-200f2.8

Detroit native, Timothy Jackson, attended Wayne State University where he studied Business Marketing; however, his passion was photography. He got his start in visual arts as a graphics designer and then sought to create his own images as a photographer. He explains, “The best part in taking photos is taking any object and creating your own masterpiece.” Jackson consid-ers himself to be an artist, not simply a photographer. Pursuing his dream, about three years ago Jackson founded pAULE Photography. Hinging on customer satisfaction, pAULE Photography has proudly served over 3,000 clients, and counting. pAULE Photograpy specializes in studio and event photography. With per-severance as his motto, Jackson strives to be a celebrity artist. He also has interests in creating another photog-raphy company and a not for profit organization which will teach the art of photography. For your beauty, fashion, editorial, and event photography needs con-tact: Timothy pAULE (248) 808- 8467, [email protected], www.TimothypAULE.com, Twitter: TimothypAULE


Detroit native, Timothy Jackson, attended Wayne State University where he studied Business Marketing; however, his passion was photography. He got his start in visual arts as a graphics designer and then sought to create his own images as a photographer. He explains, “The best part in taking photos is taking any object and creating your own masterpiece.” Jackson considers himself to be an artist, not simply a photographer. Pursuing his dream, about three years ago Jackson founded pAULE Photography. Hinging on customer satisfaction, pAULE Photography has proudly served over 3,000 clients, and counting. pAULE Photograpy specializes in studio and event photography. With perseverance as his motto, Jackson strives to be a celebrity artist. He also has interests in creating another photography company and a not for profit organization which will teach the art of photography. For your beauty, fashion, editorial, and event photography needs contact: Timothy pAULE (248) 808- 8467, [email protected], www.TimothypAULE.com, Twitter: TimothypAULE,


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Progressive Greek Magazine Summer 2011