NGS
February 2022
Next Generation Speakers
BECOMING THE BEST
“YOU”
YOU CAN BE: Overcoming Challenges!
Feb11-13, Overland Park Convention Center, KS
Also Inside This Issue:
Prescription For Excellence The Butterfly Effect Black History Spotlight: Stay Woke
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Contents Table of
Editor’s Note... We are so excited to share with you this edition of NGS Magazine! This month we are spotlighting the Become The Best “You” You Can Be Conference! Check out the Speakers and see the Speaker Spotlight: Jeremy Nunes. In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing an incredible article entitled “Stay Woke” and a Powerful Keynote delivered at the People United to Advance the Dream Black Tie Gala. The video will change your life! Dr. James Williams gives us step-by-step instructions in this month’s PRESCRIPTION FOR EXCELLENCE on “How to Pitch Yourself for Speaking Opportunites in 2022! Dr. La Donya is back with The Butterfly Effect showing us how to have Unstoppable Confidence as we launch into this New Year! We ask that you share this FREE publication with your family and friends!
Email: Text:
Cicone@ciconeprince.com 251-753-6299
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...........................Body-n-Soul Nutritution
..............................................Editor’s Notes
.............................Come Change Your Life
.............Prescription For EXCELLENCE.
....................................The Butterfly Effect
..............Speaker Spotlight Jeremy Nunes
....................................................Stay Woke
.................PUAD Black Tie Gala Keynote
I just want to know one thing, Who’s Got Next?
Cicone C. A. Prince NGS Magazine Chief Editor Dr. James J. Williams Contributing Editor
Cover Photo Credit: Courtesy
Dr. La Donya Yvette Contributing Columnist 3
Becoming The Best “YOU” You Can Be Come join us in Overland Park Kansas February 11th-13th for a three-day conference. Join all these amazing speakers to listen to their experiences and learn how to Become the Best “YOU” you can be and Overcome Challenges; Listen to the challenges that others have overcome and challenge yourself to make the changes necessary to do just that! Invest in yourself because you are your biggest and best asset. Come and change your outlook on life and of what success looks like. If you are happy where you are but want to grow your business, be a better boss, employee, person in life in general, then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! Purchase your tickets! Here are the details: WHEN: Friday, February 11 – Sunday, February 13, 2022 WHERE: Overland Park Convention Center ONLINE EXPERIENCE can now be obtained for only $49 Super Bowl Party with speakers for only $49. Included in VIP tickets.
We want to Welcome a very Special Guest...
Patch Adams Patch Adams is a Clown who Became a Doctor... To Bring his Hospital to the World.
After he graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1971, Patch began what would become his life-long mission: The Gesundheit Institute. The pilot project, which ran from 1971 through 1983, saw over 15,000 patients visiting his large 6-bedroom communal home, shared with friends, fellow doctors, and patients. To support this radical hospital, friends took outside work to support the love that comes from helping others. As the pilot drawn to a close, Patch realized he needed to make his dream hospital a reality. 4
www.comechan
Bren has been an entrepreneur since high school. She has seen many fortunes and knows what the word loss means on so many different levels. She has overcome the pain of loss, incarceration and cancer. Stepping up to be the person you want to be, changing your actions and thoughts and encouraging others to do it with you. Let’s get started on changing your life! Anthony Russo is a leadership and performance based motivational speaker that previously owned Identity Marketing, a Dallas based experiential staffing agency that had over 2,000 active independent contractors and over 7 figures in revenue for several years. For the last 15 years Anthony has been a professional host and emcee for major national events including NCAA championships, major concerts and charitable events. Terrance “The UnStopABLE Coach” Leftridge has had a desire to help people, empower people and entertain them his whole life. Terrance is at his best in front of an audience. His intent is to always leave people better off than before they met him. He utilizes his internet broadcast, “The Unstoppable Stories Show with Terrance Leftridge” as a platform to expose his guests to a larger audience and as a result increase their circle of influence and generate leads. Due to his rough upbringing and working in the inner city as a property manager Robert Lyons understands what it’s like to struggle. He has mastered his emotions and taken control of his headspace, now it’s time to share his message with the world to help as many people as possible to overcome their struggles.
Jeff Marconette Jr., “The Award Winning International Make Every Second Count Speaker” is a transformational speaker, author, coach, youth mentor and walking miracle. Jeff compels others to start living now, stop complaining and take nothing for granted!
Dr. Michael Freeland has come through various personal life experiences which have shaped him to become the Motivational International Speaker and author of FREE YOUR LAND-Developing your MentalReal-of State. He has earned an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy in Humanities, his global initiative is to show others how to FREE YOUR LAND by assisting others to develop their Mental-Real-of-State.
ngeyourlife.com
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PRESCRIPTION FOR EXCELLENCE With Dr. James J. Williams
How to Pitch Yourself for Speaking Opportunities
Pitching yourself as a speaker or expert educator can be intimidating- but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you are reaching out to a podcast host (a great place to start speaking), an event organizer or coordinator, or considering starting a business as a professional public speaker there are some best practices that most experts would agree on. I want to share this to remind you of how long it took you to become truly great at something; allow yourself that same amount of time to grow into a great speaker. Prepare yourself to hear a few “no’s” along the way, and celebrate all the “yes’s” as well! Let’s start by talking through four things you can do to better prepare yourself for pitching speaking opportunities. And because I believe that we can’t prepare without knowing potential pitfalls, we will also address a few things to avoid when pitching. Four things you SHOULD do when pitching: Of course there are so many factors that go into getting started pitching, but these four tips will hopefully give you a solid starting point. 1. Be very clear and very specific on WHAT you want to talk about. As a podcast host, I get pitched daily by people who want to be a guest who have no clear topic or an unclear description. What I hear that is most alarming when I do ask for a topic is the phrase “I’m happy to speak on whatever you want me to speak on”. That’s a huge red flag to anyone who is in charge of sourcing speakers. While I’m sure that as an established and experienced person you have a lot of knowledge, but it’s not up to who you are pitching to select what you’re best at or what topics you are well versed in. You don’t want to put any more work on the host or their team. Showing that you have clear and well thought out areas of expertise helps make it easy for them to say yes. 2. Put in the time to select the right fit for applications. For example, if you are pitching to a podcast take the time to listen to a couple episodes of the show you’re pitching to make sure that it makes sense for you to join them on their show. If you are applying to an inperson event, research their previous events to ensure that their audience could benefit from your knowledge. Avoid jumping into a pitch sight unseen. 6
I know it seems safer to cast a wide net and try to get as many opportunities as possible (and that’s true to an extent), but if you haven’t done any research you could end up in a conversation that just doesn’t make sense for you, for the host, or for their audience. At that point, that is just a waste of everyone’s time. So take the time to do some research and make sure it’s a good fit before telling them in your pitch that it’s a great fit! 3. This might sound contrary to the last point I shared, but when I mentioned that there is a little truth to casting a wide net this is what I meant. Look outside your typical or comfortable community. For example, some of my most lucrative speaking engagements had nothing to do with the creative industry. Speaking at local events, doing research about what types of communities could benefit from your area of expertise, and pitching those communities has several advantages. It’s a great way to diversify your income, to practice your public speaking skills, and to fill your portfolio and media kit. Like any other skill set, the more opportunities you have to practice the faster you will develop your skills, and the more in demand you will be as a speaker! 4. This last tip is something that I like to encourage anyone who is using speaking as a passive income or secondary income stream to keep in mind. As you start to book speaking engagements and press, you want to have an offer to send your new audience to. Now, don’t take this as my encouraging you to turn a speaking engagement into a sales pitch (I would advise the opposite in fact). This is just something to think about as your audience grows. If you do an incredible job speaking and your audience wants the opportunity to continue to learn from you or work with you, are you prepared to direct them in the right direction to make that happen? Do you have a way to continue that relationship? Now let’s talk about two things not to do when pitching yourself as a speaker Again, while every host, event founder, and booking coordinator is different these two points are pretty well agreed upon as do-nots: 1. Don’t just slide into the instagram DM’s or pitch yourself in person. Hear me out; this does not mean don’t ask about the process, or try to build a relationship in person or via messenger. This means don’t just jump into an ask right off the bat and in an inappropriate setting. Whoever you are pitching to is a human who will likely feel cornered and is also likely not thinking about booking speakers in that moment. By catching them off-guard you’re not exactly creating a great impression. Do your research first. Look on their website for a speaker application. If there isn’t one, you could consider sending a friendly email asking if they have an application process; and again be clear on your topic or the value you feel you can bring their platform. Sometimes in the creative industry our lines of professionalism can feel a little blurred- don’t let that happen when you pitch!
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The Butterfly Effect Unstoppable Confidence Dr. La Donya Yvette
Have you ever wondered how and why the adversities in life is what challenges us to do better and become better? It doesn’t matter negative past experiences, because at some point we must take responsibility on how we respond and move forward in life. Truth be told when blame or fault is placed on other people, things or the enemy it is actually that limited mentality that we created within ourselves. We have absolute Power to go from thought to manifestation. Once the belief of knowing that we deserve what we absolutely desire becomes crystal clear, then it doesn’t matter what your dream, goal or what in life you really want to do or become. Because at that point you become empowered to have the courage to allow confidence to show up. When we think something or someone has the audacity to get in the way of achieving our desires, then there is also proof that there is a solution to overcome and conquer. Release the resentment. Understand also that self-confidence will only get you so far because it only generates ‘limited’ potential. It is believing Unstoppable Confidence is cultivating God-Confidence within that will unleash ‘unlimited’ possibilities. Unstoppable confidence is an awareness of the truth that lies within. Applying these principles are a few keys to get beyond self to Spirit: Sharpen Your Intuition Sharpen Your Focus Sharpen Your Faith 8
Today, right this very moment, is another chance to release your limiting beliefs. Because if you’re still holding on to old habits and ways of thinking there’s no space for anything new. Change the narrative and always default to the positive. No more excuses. The game changes when you write your own playbook. Think your way through... Breathe in possibility, exhale limiting beliefs. #UnstoppableConfidence xoxo~ “Be brave enough to have bold courage to release the brakes and accelerate to live above the line. Move forward in Grace.” - La Donya Yvette
Dr. La Donya Yvette The Clarity Coach
Buy the Book here!
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continued from page 5 Toriano Porter is an opinion writer for The Kansas City Star Editorial Board. He started his journalism career at the North County Journal in suburban St. Louis and has worked at the Independence Examiner and the Lee’s Summit Journal. Along the way, he’s won statewide, regional, and national awards for his reporting. Toriano is also the author of The Pride of Park Avenue, James Cool, and The Five People You Meet in the Hood (Before You Get to Heaven). Prynce Michael is one of the most vivacious speakers you will ever hear. He is the host of the new TV show “The Chat” airing fall of 2021, as well as the author of the book “No Time Like The Present” and corporate CEO of Prynce Michael Enterprises. From homeless, being on public assistance to entrepreneur, Prynce’s transparency and charismatic coaching have influenced audiences worldwide proving that we all have the potential to be great, but it is what we do with the potential that matters. Often referred to as “Comedy’s next great storyteller”, Jeremy’s unique show has been in demand for over 20 years. He has drawn rave review for his clever observations, unique storytelling style, and ability to improvise with his audience.Jeremy’s DryBar Comedy Special, “Neighborhood Sasq-Watch”, is currently one of the highest-rated episodes on the platform. Audiences are treated to observations of rural life, working as a small-town mayor, tales of marriage, and raising kids. Erin Paige believes everyone has a unique, Divinely-gifted voice to share with the world and anyone can become an Authentic. Powerful. Creator.After years of silencing her true, authentic voice to live a life based on the perceptions and opinions of others.She has stepped into her fullness by releasing and becoming who she was brought her to be – An Authentic. Powerful. Creator. Shelly Bays is a self-described “hippie chic” and entrepreneur who strives to live a life of significance. Starting her first business at age 24, she is a second-generation entrepreneur, internationally certified speaker, trainer and coach with the John Maxwell Team, and a certified Personality and Behavioral consultant. She is also certified as an Elite Life Coach and Diversity and Inclusion certified trainer with Empowered Living. Dean was labeled as having a reading and learning disability as well as a troublemaker and called outright, “Stupid”. At the time, he lived up to the labels well. He had a very tough time in school. Turning to drugs and alcohol early on destroyed his love for sports. He was in and out of fights and jail. Eventually he chose to be successful and he never looked back. At the age of 24 he taught himself to read. 10
www.comechan
Dr. Lotus is an experienced trainer specializing in creating dynamic change and igniting others to discover their own personal gifts so that they can be their best to reach their highest potential. Her zone of genius is training entrepreneurs on the use of technology such as Zoom, Streamyard platforms & social media marketing so that they can thrive in their role as a successful entrepreneur in today’s world of technology. Inspire and empower people to live out their dreams. Helping them have time and financial freedom fuels my soul! She helps people transform their lives with solutions for weight loss, muscle building, energy, athletic performance and endurance, and healthy living. Her experience with public speaking, building presentations, mentoring, event planning, Shanna Collins also known as “The Infamous Poet” I’m on a wonderful journey of self empowerment and empowering others. I’m a Kansas City native and I have always had a love for speaking in front of people, making my voice heard and leaving a mind blowing impact since childhood. Maude Miller is a veteran, ex-wife, angel mom and someone who believes your job does not define you. Maude will be passing along her thoughts and experiences with childhood cancer and child loss. She speaks about how watching a child grow through cancer changed her outlook on life. It has made Maude view life through the eyes of a child and try to live that way. She will also tell you how five minutes can change your outlook. She is a #1 International Best-Selling Author in a collaborative book, “Fiercely Faithful” where she shares her story called “The Essence of Humility.” Jill shows an audience how to reconnect with what matters most in life so they can be set free from shame, embarrassment, and humiliation. At 28, Jill was addicted to Crack Cocaine, Alcohol and weighed 97 pounds. She lost her job in San Diego and moved back to Chicago after she had an encounter with God. Cicone Prince is a highly sought after International Motivational Speaker, Award Winning Author, and Personal Development Strategist that helps people take an objective look at themselves. He is the CEO of CiconePrince.com where their slogan is “Making Motivation Personal by Introducing You toYourself.”
ngeyourlife.com
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Speaker Spotlight: Jeremy Nunes
Often referred to as “Comedy’s next great storyteller,” Jeremy’s unique show has been in demand for over 20 years. He’s drawn rave reviews for his clever observations, unique storytelling style, and ability to improvise with his audience.
After winning $200 in a local comedy competition, the 6’6” comedian left the rural, Southern Illinois life behind to explore the comedy scene in Chicago. Once in Chicago, it was at The Second City Comedy Theater that he first developed the “front porch” comedy that is now a staple of his act. Jeremy’s Dry Bar Comedy Special, Neighborhood Sasq-Watch, is one of the highest rated episodes on the platform. Nunes also released an Amazon Prime special titled Who’s With Me?! He has appeared in The Layover, The Break-Up, Last Comic Standing, Final Witness, 2 PBS mini-series, Comcast on Demand, a National Geographic Special and heard on ESPN Radio. Nunes is also one of the most requested comedians by Sirius/XM Satellite Radio listeners. He hosts the award winning comedymeets-pro-wrestling podcast Dynamite Drop In. He has since returned to his rural hometown where his parents manage a trailer park. Though he really wants to cash in on that gold mine, he continues to tour instead. Well, he tours when he can, because he got elected mayor of that town! He even wrote a best-selling book about his experiences called You Can’t Write City Hall. Audiences are treated to observations of rural life, working as a small-town Mayor, tales of marriage and raising kids, and plenty of stories about his wisecracking Dad. Plus, hear the jokes that put him on the Bob and Tom radar! This one-of-a-kind act is a must see… Who’s with me?! Jeremy Nunes 12
continued from page 7 Don’t get discouraged by hearing “no”. Remember, so many factors go into deciding what speakers to select for conferences, events, podcasts, etc. The high volume of applicants, the topics desired, the budget available, and the list of factors goes on and on! A lot of times “no” can actually mean “not right now”, and while it’s always a good idea to reevaluate and make sure you’re offering the best pitch possible, it could just be something totally out of your hands. So when you hear that “no” take a beat, double check your pitch, and move on to the next one with confidence! I hope this gives you a great foundation to start your pitching journey as a speaker! Let’s get after it. The opinions expressed here by Next Generation Speakers Magazine columnists are their own, not those of the magazine itself. Email - jjwilliamsphd@gmail.com
Cell - 301-806-8614 Webstore - ChasingTheEagle.com Twitter @jjwilliamsphd LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/james-j-williams PRESCRIPTION FOR EXCELLENCE With Dr. James J. Williams SCHOLAR | AUTHOR | SPEAKER | VETERAN | SUCCESS EXPERT
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Stay Woke! Cicone Prince
Childish Gambino’s landmark song “Redbone” has in some ways become the unofficial anthem of Black America. The stylish ballet that was featured on the soundtrack of the groundbreaking movie “Get Out” softly sounded the alarm for anyone so adrift in the luxuries of life. It also quietly tip-toed its way into our conscience to alert those who have blinded themselves to our dire situation. As a part of the Get Out soundtrack, the relationship-based song took on a different meaning to issues facing Black America. Jordan Peele, writer, and director of “Get Out,” said that he wanted to use the song because it encouraged people, especially Black People, to Stay Woke and Be Smart. In my 52 years of living, I can honestly say that I have not witnessed a greater example of this than the recent 2020 Presidential Election. The recordedbreaking turnout was monumental on every level. Even given the Global Pandemic, inner cities which are known for having huge populations of African-Americans turned out in record numbers, so much so that they shifted the tide in the election. I believe for the first time African-Americans saw that their vote mattered and that they could enact change. This awaking, in my opinion, has sparked a voting revolution that can change the course of politics for your country. Seeing how our collective voices cannot be silenced when we unify around a common cause has been amazing to behold. Our youngest daughter was an hour and a half away at college on Election Day but still wanted to vote. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, it made it difficult for her to vote absentee. Since this was the first time she could vote after turning 18 and with the stakes being so high I made arrangements to leave home at 4:00 AM to get to her so that I could bring her home to cast her vote. And like the trooper that she is, she was WOKE and ready to make that hour and a half drive home to have her voice heard. Once she cast her vote we then had to turn around and take her back to college for her 2:00 PM class. 14
I know some may say that it’s just one vote, but it was more than just one vote. In me sacrificing sleep, gas, wear, and tear on our vehicle and time, I proved to my daughter that her vote and her voice mattered. I didn’t downplay that impact of her one vote, instead, I made it a priority for her to exercise her constitutional right as a citizen to vote. In doing so I know that the importance of participating in the democratic process has forever been etched in her mind and I’m sure that no other circumstances will keep her from doing the same in years to come. In an interview with MSNBC Detroit Pastor, Dr. Steve Bland (Liberty Baptist Church) made one of the most profound political statements in recent history when he said; “We’re not deterred … The Black vote in Detroit is higher than it’s ever been and we will determine the outcome — because we’ve gone from picking cotton to picking presidents.” That statement should send shockwaves through our collective ranks and help shore up our resolve to become more active in the policies that shape our homes, our community, our city, our state, our country, and our world. We should never downplay our ability to enact change in the world around us. This should be an ongoing mission of every conscience African-American breathing. Not only for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children. We have to drive home that Our Lives, Our Voices, and Our Vote Matters not just to the rest of the world but also to ourselves. Now that a lot of us are WOKE to the power that we have, our next mission is to STAY WOKE and not close our eyes. We can continue to move our country forward to the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of in his speech during the 1963 march on Washington. In the climax of his speech he said, And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! We are FREE to choose our course as long as we STAY WOKE. 15
Cicone Prince
Available Now on Amazon! The wait is over! In Cicone Prince’s highly anticipated 5th book, he shares fundamental principles of Leadership that are a game changer if properly applied to the all important role of Leadership. He makes no apologies for highlighting the importance of equipping the Next Generation with the tools they need to succeed. Leadership That Lasts will have you running to help someone else prepare for their future while realizing your success.
Order Yours Today! Click the link below: 16
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People United To Advance The Dream
Black Tie Awards Gala Keynote
What a Blessing! I would like to send a huge Thank You to Rev. David Edwards, Jr. and People United to Advance the Dream for the honor of being their Keynote Speaker at their Black Tie Gala. Seeing all of the Youth Ambassadors as well as the Adult Award Recipients carrying on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I want to also thank Tiffany Harris of Working with Tiffany for the connection. Also, thanks for the award! This keynote carries a special meaning for me. Being selected to Encourage and Motivate people at a Black Tie Event honoring Dr. Martin Luther Kig Jr. is a Blessing all by itself. But to be able to pour into the Next Generation of Civil Rights Leaders was truly humbling. Please take a minute, or 33, to listen to this keynote and then share this with your tribe. Thanks.
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The Day Time Talkshow world is about to be turned upside down! They have no idea what they are in for with the launch of The CiconePrince.com Show. The daytime talk show will focus on Personal Development and Leadership Development along with interviews of Industry Leaders! If you are in Atlanta you can watch it on Preach The Word Network Wednesday at 10:00 AM EST. It will also be airing on my YouTube Channel at the same time! You can like and subscribe and hit the notification button to see when a new video is posted!