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The Afro-American, April 5, 2014 - April 11, 2014
PEOPLE
Former AFRO.com Developer Becomes Illume’s Digital Strategy Director By Blair Adams AFRO Staff Writer When the AFRO ventured onto the Internet with its own website, it was lucky to find among its employees, Seth McMillan, who played an integral role in that process. His position as assistant to the general manager was actually his first job, but he discovered a talent and propensity for the digital world that has propelled him into an unexpected career – developing websites for large and start-up companies such as Webvisions, Lockheed Martin and Corvis. After only a year with Illume Communications, founded in 2003 by James Evans, McMillan is now their director of digital strategy. Known as the “webmasterâ€? in the digital field, McMillan attributes his success to a few core principles: • Determination and patience, • keeping the right people close to him, • moving on the right opportunities at the right time and • being willing to take risks. McMillan spoke to the AFRO exclusively about his career current and future. AFRO: Describe Illume and its client base. McMillan: Illume Communications is a full-service, award-winning, brand and communications firm. We specialize
in research-based creative strategies. Illume’s core competencies are developing compelling and effective messaging strategies. Illume starts this process by delving into the needs of our clients and digging even deeper into the mindsets of their target audiences. We finish the process by delivering thought-provoking communication devices in the language of the target audience. AFRO: Biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome? McMillan: Myself
all played a pivotal role in directly or indirectly motivating me upward. To name a few‌ • My mother who instilled in me, from the time I was six, that I can do whatever I set out to do; as long as I was committed. • Jake Oliver, publisher of the AFRO • Rev. Frances Draper – former president of the AFRO • Ellis Marsalis - IT professional and consultant
AFRO: What lies ahead for you? McMillan: Entrepreneurship is in AFRO: Smartest move? my blood. I’ve enjoyed its savor and it Seth McMillan McMillan: My career path thus far has continues to be my ultimate goal. I’m also a been rewarding, including my latest to Illume huge believer in giving back in some fashion which I believe is amongst the smartest. I’m at a point in so, I committed myself to helping others in such a way that my career where the environment and current positioning their lives can too have clearer purpose and hope. lends itself to some of the most exciting opportunities ahead. This would not have been possible however, without my AFRO: Advice to the aspiring? former partnership and experience with Marriner Marketing McMillan: Opportunity is always there waiting to be Communications. recognized and observed by you. Act upon it with vigor and purpose. Be patient with yourself as you encounter the AFRO: Who have been your mentors? obstacles and challenges that are inevitably designed to McMillan: I’ve been fortunate to enjoy the company of generate lessons in life for later reflection. some wonderfully brilliant people early in my career who’ve At the end of the day, if I can do it, you can too!
Tonia Lee Leads Relaunch of TV25 Baltimore as CharmTV with New Programming and Branding station and fresh content, we are poised for success. Our original productions will appeal to a wide range of viewers and will have the quality and caliber of big network shows that are featured on HGTV, the Travel Channel and Food Network.� Among the new shows to be released are Tasty Travels, Born in Baltimore, My Town, and Out and Tonia Lee as a go-to destination for Baltimore citizens to gain access, as well as an inside look into city happenings and government resources in Baltimore. “After arriving at TV25, I made it my mission to identify our core strengths and opportunities as a station, while looking carefully at where the station has been and where it should be going,� said Lee said. “With the new rebrand of the
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About. Tasty Travels will focus on Baltimore’s growing food scene, while paying homage to its rich culinary heritage. Born in Baltimore will showcase CEOs and owners of small and large Baltimorebased businesses. Viewers will be invited to take a sneak peek into these companies to hear and see the unique and unusual
things that make them successful. My Town will be a show that highlights communities, uncovering the true stories behind Baltimore’s historically-rich neighborhoods. Out and About will uncover every inch of Baltimore, serving-up the latest information about fun and interesting things to see and do in the city.  “We are shedding our
old look and feel and taking Baltimore by storm with our new brand and shows,� continued Lee. “We are excited about launching this summer and believe that with this new image, vision, talent and leadership, CharmTV will be a sought-after channel that attracts many viewers and new partners who see the value in what we’re all about.�
Clinton, Md. Sailor Serves Aboard Navy’s NewestAmphibious-Assault Ship By MC1 John Scorza PCU America (LHA 6) Public Affairs A graduate of Gwynn High School is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a hand-selected crew charged with bringing the Navy’s newest and most advanced amphibious assault ship into service. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Andre Pearson, from Clinton, Md., is serving aboard the amphibious assault ship America, currently under construction with Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. When construction and sea trials are complete, and the Navy officially accepts the ship from the builder, the ship will be placed into commission and will become USS America. After commissioning, the ship will be homeported in San Diego. Pearson and the rest of the 900-person crew are slowly bringing the ship to life, overseeing construction, testing new equipment, training on new systems and executing trials at sea. The crew will eventually grow to more than 1,200 Sailors and nearly 1,900 embarked Marines when the ship is at sea. When
complete, USS America will be 844 feet long and 106 feet wide and will weigh nearly 45,000 tons. Twin gas turbine engines will push the ship through the water at more than 22 knots. As one of the Sailors who will commission the ship, Pearson is getting a firsthand look at the improvements the Navy has incorporated into the design of the ship: a more fuel-efficient gas turbine propulsion plant, increased capacity for aviation operations, advanced weapons systems, and sophisticated electronics and communications suites. As the crew grows and works toward the end goal of joining the fleet in late 2014, Pearson and other America Sailors know they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. Pearson said it is an exciting time to be in the Navy and to be helping build a crew and a ship from scratch, which was something he never expected to be doing just a couple years ago. The 20-year-old Sailor realizes the historical value of what it means to not only be selected to be part of a commissioning crew but to help
Courtesy Photo
​ Tonia Lee is a seasoned media executive who holds a multitude of extremely successful ventures in the industry. In her current role, the returned Baltimorean, has taken Baltimore’s TV25 by storm as its new general manager. Lee decided to revamp the public television channel to focus on more than just the average government happenings by re-launching TV25 as CharmTV. As such, the station, which will officially be launched this summer, will seek to tell the true stories of Baltimore and showcase its essence for its viewers. As the visionary behind the station’s rebranding and overhaul of its content offerings, Lee has pulled in new talents including nationally-known producers in addition to new programming. Lee has taken a new approach to public television by re-branding the TV station
Petty officer Andre Pearson commission a ship named after his country. “I’m really excited to be assigned to a ship named America,� said Pearson. “Everyone feels a lot of pride in being here – no matter what your job is on board. It’s a great feeling to know that you we’re part of the original crew helping to bring the ship to life. This is my first ship, and I’m honored to be part of its history.� Pearson is not only honored to be a part of the America commissioning crew but thankful for the chance to do something he loves. “I take a lot of pride in what I do,� said Pearson. “Essentially, my job is about making sure that the fuel we have is clean. If we don’t do that, we can do a lot of damage to aircraft.� “Petty officer Pearson has been a model Sailor since he reported on board America,� said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Allan Thomas, Air Department’s V-4 (aviation fuels division) leading chief petty officer. “He is an exceptionally outstanding individual whose performance, initiative and enthusiasm have been noticed by his superiors and set him apart from his contemporaries. He has a very bright future in the Navy.�